A Natural Toothache Reliever?

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Developments from researchers at the University of Cambridge have the potential to revolutionize dental treatment in the future. Data states that research  conducted on a Peruvian rainforest plant showed pain killing properties. An anesthetic gel could potentially be made from the plant, and the gel may someday replace synthetic anesthetics and non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs. Dental patients would be among the perfect candidates for this types of anesthesia technology.

Dental Anesthesia in Unusual Places

Indigenous Peruvian tribes have used the Acmella Oleracea plant for many centuries as a natural way to treat toothaches, ulcers, and abscesses. When Cambridge University anthropologist, Francoise Freedman, was studying in the Amazon, she developed a toothache herself. One of the men of the Keshwa Lamas tribe she was living with sympathized with her plight and recommended the plant as a way to relieve her pain. According to Freedman, her discomfort was nearly instantly gone. Freedman reports that she went on with her studying and didn’t think about the plant again until she was asked by a Cambridge-based neuroscientist to attain medicinal plant samples for neurological testing. Freedman decided to include the plant almost as an afterthought when formulating a list for the researchers back in England. The plant was on the bottom of the list, but ended up first tested in the study. The results were immediately and surprisingly successful. (more…)

Studies on Gum Disease Abound

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Gum disease is a result of an overrun immune system responding to bacterial overload. Severe periodontal disease is called periodontitis, and carries unpleasant symptoms such as bleeding gum tissues, tooth decay, tooth loss, and diminished bone density. Incidence of periodontal infection increases as you get older. Many people accept that dental work like root canal procedures, tooth extractions, and dental implants are a normal part of the aging process. The Riverside dentists at Riverside Dental Group would like to tell you more about a study on the relationship between gum disease and aging. (more…)

Dentistry Services for All of your Needs

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The most well known types of dental care generally fall under the general category: preventive, cosmetic, and restorative. The Riverside dentists at Dental Associates of Riverside aren’t satisfied with just sticking to the well known, however. We go above and beyond traditional dental care to provide several specialties all under the same roof. This provides convenience and options to our patients.

Orthodontics, Periodontics, and Endodontics (more…)

Certain Foods Can Protect your Smile

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Do you ever wonder if all of your healthy eating also provides nutrients for your teeth? Fortunately, there’s a multitude of overall health benefits to eating fresh, orgainic fruits and vegetables as a large part of a balanced diet. You should beware, however, that certain fruits and vegetables can cause damage to your tooth enamel. Highly acidic fruits such as lemons, limes, and oranges can demineralize protective enamel, resulting in acid erosion over time. This opens the door for cavities. Vitamin C is a nutrient which can promote healthy gums, but many fruits rich in Vitamin C aren’t necessarily the best for overall oral health because of acid. The Temecula dentists at The Oasis Family Dental will highlight the benefits of eating particular fruits and vegetables on a regular basis.

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Remain Proactive with Mouthguard Maintenance

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Athletic related dental injuries such as cracked/fractured teeth, knocked out teeth, jawbone breaks, and oral tissue abrasions lead to over 600,000 emergency room visits each year. This is according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC). If you play a sport competitively or recreationally, the Moreno Valley dentists at Moreno Valley Dentistry highly recommend that you use an athletic mouthguard to prevent such injuries. However, that’s just one part of the story. Just like your teeth, you need to take proper care of your mouthguard so it doesn’t cause other dental issues on its own. (more…)

Why Bother Replacing Missing Teeth?

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More people than ever are able to enjoy a full and healthy grin in spite of any oral health issues they may have had in the past. Advances in dental technology have paved the way for innovative dental treatments, including cosmetic dentistry treatments such as teeth whitening and porcelain dental veneers. Cosmetic options allow you to cover up or treat embarrassing imperfections that may otherwise give people the wrong impression and diminish your self-confidence.

Other advancements have made it feasible for almost anyone to replace one or more missing teeth which have been lost to infection or damage, allowing patients to smile confidently again. Restoring a lost tooth, however, is more important than merely feeling attractive. One lost tooth can wreak havoc on what remains of your dental health, and can even lead to further tooth loss in the future. The Corona dentists at Dental Associates of Corona will explain the importance of replacing missing teeth.

Reasons to Replace a Smile Lost

Some patients may choose not to bother replacing missing teeth, believing that a gap or two in their smile is no big deal. The truth is, leaving your smile incomplete can lead to more serious dental issues down the line. Among problems that can stem from missing teeth are:

  • Facial Collapse: The sunken-cheek appearance which follows unattended tooth loss is known as facial collapse. If the missing tooth is in the back (a molar, for instance) you may be tempted to leave it as is. After all, it can’t be noticed when you smile, anyway. However, when you lose a tooth, your jawbone begins to deteriorate because it is not receiving as many nutrients as it once was to support the tooth. Over time, this deterioration will become noticeable in the shrunken look of facial collapse.
  • Nutrition Limitations: When your gumline is not completely filled with teeth, eating certain foods becomes difficult. Crunchy fruits and vegetables, as well as other nutrient-rich foods, can become nearly impossible to masticate. Eating any food can feel uncomfortable, and general loss of appetite is common among tooth-loss patients who can no longer enjoy their favorite delicacies.
  • Shifting Teeth—The loss of a tooth is registered by your other teeth. Occlusion (the way your upper and lower teeth fit together) is affected when remaining teeth begin to shift towards the empty socket to take up the slack. Malocclusion can lead to excessive wear on your remaining teeth as well as problems with your jaw muscles and joints.

Visit your Corona Dentists

Even if you can live with one or more missing teeth, you may be concerned with a completely destroyed smile if you do not replace them. To learn more about your options for replacing teeth, or to schedule a consultation, checkup, or cleaning, call Dental Associates of Corona today at 951-273-9580.

Drool Away: The Importance of Saliva

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is secreted from several different glands which are located throughout the mouth. This bodily fluid may seem impolite culturally, but saliva contributes to a wide range of bodily functions. (more…)

Filling you in with a Cavity Quiz

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Since you are examined for cavities at each of your six month dental checkups, you probably figure you know all there is to know about tooth decay. The Corona dentists at Dental Associates of Corona would like to challenge you, however, and see if you really are an expert on the dental infection better known as cavities.

Questions

Q1. True or False – Sugar is the leading cause of cavities.

Q2. True or False – The first sign of a tooth decay is severe pain.

Q3. True or False – Untreated cavities require tooth extraction. (more…)