This article talks about the benefits of dental implants and the negative aspects of removable dentures.

Change is never an easy thing, but yet it is unavoidable. With each new Silver Spring generation comes a long list of things that are new, are strange and are not the way you remember. Sometimes it takes a little while to adapt. You start by spending most of your time talking about ‘the good old days’ and how things were so much better back in your day. But soon you realize that you can no longer harp on the past, and in fact, have to change with the times.

Although this is not an easy process, change comes with a multitude of benefits. One of the benefits of this new world, and one that will definitely not have you harping on about the good old days, comes in the form of dentistry. Over the years, Silver Spring dentistry has advanced in leaps and bounds, with new research, development and discoveries being made on a regular basis. One advancement that will have Silver Spring residents smiling is dental implants.

But We Had Dentures

Over the years there have been multiple solutions to tooth loss, and for many years removable dentures were your best bet. That is until dental implants in Silver Spring came along. After much research and debate, it was discovered that the tooth root played a very important role in the shape and function of the jawbone. Whilst dentures were successful in replacing the visible portion of the teeth, the crowns, they do not replace the root, which is incredibly problematic for the health of the jaw.

What Are the Downsides of Dentures?

The jawbone functions similarly to that of the muscles in the body, in such a way that it requires stimulation in order to maintain its shape, strength and volume. When all your teeth are intact, the act of chewing stimulates the jawbone. But when you have missing teeth, the stimulation that was once transmitted by the tooth roots into the jaw ceases to exist at the site of the missing tooth, causing the bone to atrophy.

“The atrophied jawbone causes the mouth to change shape,” explain dentists in Maryland. “This, in turn, causes the removable dentures to become loose in the mouth, often causing pain and discomfort.”

How are Dental Implants Different to Dentures?

While dentures replace the crowns of the teeth, dental implants received in Silver Spring, replace the entire tooth, including the root. Replacing the tooth root ensures the continuation of the stimulation achieved through chewing, ensuring that your jawbone remains “exercised” and healthy.

But What if I Need All of my Teeth Replaced?

“There are a variety of options with dental implants, depending on the state of your oral health,” explain dentists in Maryland. “For edentulous (toothless) or near edentulous patients there is the “All-On-Four” dental implant procedure, which allows for a full set of replacement teeth to be attached to just four implants. This means that with just one procedure you can have a full set of non-removable teeth placed that won’t any pain or discomfort and look, feel and function like natural teeth.”

So while many changes are difficult to adapt to, most people will agree that changes to dentistry and tooth replacement is a cause for celebration rather than nostalgia.

This three-part article series explains the 10 mistakes people commonly make when brushing their teeth or choosing the appropriate healthcare appliances.

You’ve been brushing your teeth since you can remember and have been doing so twice a day (hopefully) every day ever since. You should know how to brush your teeth, right? Well, according to the dentist in Silver Spring, it’s fairly obvious that people just aren’t brushing their teeth correctly! If they were, problems such as cavities, tooth decay and gum infections wouldn’t be as common as they are. In this three-part article series, we spoke to a qualified and experienced dentist about the dental health of Silver Spring and how this can be improved by avoiding 10 common toothbrushing mistakes.

Common Mistake # 1: Using the Wrong Toothbrush

“For every individual, there is a toothbrush that will best fit their mouth,” explains a dentist in Silver Spring. “So, when you are shopping for a toothbrush, try to match the size of its head to your mouth so that it’s able to reach every square inch, including behind your back teeth. You should never have to strain in order to clean every tooth and if you are, the head of your toothbrush is probably too big."

 “Additionally, you should opt for a toothbrush with a comfortable handle – perhaps with a rubber grip. If you struggle to hold your toothbrush when brushing, your control will be poor and you’ll likely stop short of the recommended two minutes,” says the Silver Spring dentist. “Whether you choose an electric or manual toothbrush is entirely up to you – one isn’t better than the other if you use them correctly.”

Common Mistake # 2: Choosing the Wrong Bristles

Just a brief perusal of the oral hygiene department of any grocery store reveals a staggering variety of toothbrushes that come in just about every shape, size and color. Even the bristles are cut differently – some toothbrushes come with straight bristles and others with angled bristles… some with a combination! What’s better?

“Again, what’s more important is how a patient uses their toothbrush rather than what shape or style the bristles have been cut in,” explains the dentist in Silver Spring. “Also, stay away from hard bristled brushes as these can actually contribute to the hastened erosion of your dental enamel. They can also irritate the gums and cause their recession from the crowns of the teeth, revealing the sensitive root underneath.”

Common Mistake # 3: Not Brushing Long Enough or Often Enough

You should be brushing your teeth at least twice a day and preferably three. The dental health of Silver Spring could be much improved simply by increasing the length of time we brush for and how frequently. The longer the period of time between brushes, the more time bacteria is given to multiply. This leads to a build-up of plaque and a longer exposure of your teeth to the acids bacteria produce. Frequent brushing removes plaque and neutralizes the PH of the mouth, keeping your teeth clean and healthy.

“Unfortunately, most people only brush for a fraction of the recommended time. Dedicate 30 seconds of brushing time to each quadrant of the mouth and be certain to scrub each and every tooth (but not too hard),” advises the dentist in Silver Spring. “If you are easily bored, try brushing your teeth while watching TV or reading a magazine article!"

Stay Tuned for Part 2

To read more about the common toothbrushing mistakes Silver Spring residents make, stay tuned for the second installment of this three-part article series.