Archive for January, 2014

What Is A Dental Emergency?

Friday, January 31st, 2014

Sometimes, we find ourselves waiting for a problem to go away on its own rather than facing it head on. When it comes to a dental emergency, however, immediate action is the necessary step to take so as to avoid further damage to your teeth, gums, and jaw. Catonsville family dentist Affinity Dental is your go-to for all of your dental emergency needs. They can address any problem, including the following most common emergencies experienced:

-Injury to teeth and gums

Oftentimes, we think of an injury to our teeth as being something very obvious, such as chipping or fracturing. While a chipped tooth itself definitely constitutes a dental emergency, the chipping is not the only thing that your Affinity Dental dentist will address. Your mouth is vulnerable to infections and is the site of many nerves and blood vessels. If an injured tooth or gums is left untreated, you could end up with a much bigger issue on your hands than a simple chip.

-Severe pain

It’s difficult to grin and bear it when our teeth are what is causing our unbearable pain to begin with. Pain is an indicator that something isn’t right with your body; in the case of dental health, you might feel pain when eating hot or cold foods, or your pain might prevent you from sleeping. If that is the case, you may have a dental emergency to deal with and should seek a professional’s opinion.

-Lodged food

Flossing is an essential part of your daily tooth care routine, but if you find yourself with a food item that is stuck between your teeth or between a tooth and your gums, simple flossing may not cut it. Attempting to dislodge the food on your own could potentially result in even further damage. Affinity Dental dentists have the resources to remove the food item without injuring your mouth in any way.

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Your Catonsville family dentist is capable of dealing with any dental emergency that comes their way. For more information on Affinity Dental, or to make your appointment now, call 410-719-7900 or visit MarylandsBestDentists.com today!

 

Be sure to stay up to date with all of our news and developments on Facebook and Twitter!

Source: Dental Emergencies

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What Should I Know About Teeth Whitening in Maryland?

Wednesday, January 22nd, 2014

Over the years, your teeth undergo a lot of wear and tear. And between the coffee, soda, tobacco products, and more, your teeth may not be their brightest. When this happens, you have two options…woman smile

  1. Live with embarrassing, discolored teeth
  2. Have your teeth whitened

Teeth Whitening Methods

  1. Whitening Toothpaste: Some toothpaste contains polishing agents to help whiten the teeth. These toothpastes only remove surface and are not the most effective form of whitening.
  2. Over-the-Counter Whitening Gels: These clear, peroxide-based gels are applied directly to the teeth twice a day for 14 days, producing visible results in just a few days.
  3. Over-the-Counter Whitening Strips: These thin whitening strips are coated with a peroxide-based whitening gel. And like the over-the-counter gel, these strips are applied twice daily for 14 days, providing visible results in just a few days.
  4. Whitening Rinses: These whitening rinses freshen breathe, reduce dental plaque, and help lighten the color of your teeth. However, it can take 12 weeks or more for visible results.
  5. Tray Tooth Whiteners: Users fill a mouth guard with a peroxide-based agent. This tray is then placed over the teeth for a couple of hours a day for about four weeks.
  6. Professional Teeth Whitening: For the best results, professional teeth whitening is the only way to go. This is the quickest, easiest, and best way to whiten your teeth. Results are seen after only one treatment.

Teeth Whitening from your Catonsville Dentists at Affinity Dental Associates

At Affinity Dental Associates, your teeth whitening will always performed by an experienced dental professional. We will place a bite guard in your mouth so you can rest comfortably while your teeth are isolated. We will then apply a gel directly to your teeth. It is that simple.

Best of all, you can eat and drink again as soon as the procedure is complete!

If you have any questions about Teeth Whitening, please contact Affinity Dental Associates by calling 410-719-7900 or visit MarylandsBestDentists.com today!

Our doctors and staff are dedicated to improving your dental health!

You can also follow us on Facebook and Twitter!

Source: Teeth Whitening WebMD

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What Is Gingivitis? How Can I Protect Myself?

Wednesday, January 15th, 2014

Gingivitis is when your gums are inflamed and often occurs because of the bacteria that accumulates on the teeth. Gingivitis is a periodontal disease that is easily treated.

If you have gingivitis, you can expect red and puffy gums that often bleed when you are brushing your teeth. The best way to get rid of gingivitis is to brush often for extended periods of time and floss regularly.Comprehensive dental examination

Symptoms of Gingivitis

  • Bright red gums
  • Tender gums that are sometimes painful to touch
  • Gums that bleed easily during brushing or flossing
  • Bad breath
  • Swollen gums

What causes gingivitis?

The main cause of gingivitis is the accumulation of plaque and tartar on your teeth. This bacterial plaque is located between and around your teeth.

How is gingivitis diagnosed?

A dentist or oral hygienist checks for gingivitis symptoms, such as plaque and tartar in the oral cavity.

What are the treatment options for gingivitis?

If the patient is diagnosed early on, and treatment is prompt and proper, gingivitis can be successfully reversed.

Treatment involves care by a dental professional, and follow-up procedures carried out by the patient at home.

At Affinity Dental we strive to provide our patients with the personal, professional, quality dental care they need, while making it convenient, painless, and affordable. We offer morning, evening, and weekend hours to accommodate our patients and provide access to care to fit your busy schedule.

Our doctors and staff are dedicated to improving your dental health!

You can also follow us on Facebook and Twitter!

Source:

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/241721.php

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What Should I Know About Crowns and Bridges?

Wednesday, January 8th, 2014

Sedation Dentistry

We all know the routine: brushing and flossing is essential to good dental health. But with the daily (tooth) grind, those molars and incisors need a little extra help to ensure their best performance. Luckily, help is on the way- in the form of Affinity Dental in Catonsville, MD.

Crowns and bridges are two of dentist’s top techniques to protect your mouth from lasting damage. If you’re thinking of taking that next step in dental health and getting a crown or bridge, here are the top facts you’ll need to know.

What’s the difference?

Crowns and bridges, though both extremely effective in preventing a dental emergency, do play different roles. A crown is a cap placed over an existing tooth that may be suffering from chipping, decay, cavities, or enamel damage. While a crown will take care of what is already there, a bridge, on the other hand, takes care of what is not. A dental bridge is used to fill in the large spaces between teeth that might otherwise be at risk for bacterial infections or other issues.

Are crowns and bridges noticeable?

Crowns are made to mimic your teeth’s natural shape and color. While there is always the option of a metal crown, which has the benefit of being exceptionally long-lasting, porcelain and ceramic crowns can be reinforced with an under layer of metal and are give you the most natural look. Bridges, too, can be made to fit seamlessly in with your teeth, and are made of tooth-toned porcelain or ceramic just like crowns are.

Is it just for appearance’s sake?

Not at all- though crowns and bridges can improve the aesthetic appearance of your teeth, they also are instrumental in helping you avoid a dental emergency. Crowns are used for many purposes: to protect a fractured tooth from further damage, to replace fillings, and to provide comfort to an area of the mouth that has had a root canal. Bridges, likewise, are more than simply stylish. Without large gaps between your teeth, eating and speaking can become easier and more comfortable, and you’ll notice a difference in the overall natural feel of your bite.

Are they difficult to care for?

As crowns and bridges are made to fit right in with your mouth’s look and feel, they should also fit right in with your daily routine. Brushing, flossing, and using antibacterial mouthwash to maintain the health of your whole mouth- natural teeth, crowns, and bridges together- are the important steps you can take in order to avoid a dental emergency.

Interested in scheduling a consultation to see if a crown or bridge is the right choice for you? Call on the experts at Catonsville’s Affinity Dental to make your appointment today at 410.419.7900.

At Affinity Dental we strive to provide our patients with the personal, professional, quality dental care they need, while making it convenient, painless, and affordable. We offer morning, evening, and weekend hours to accommodate our patients and provide access to care to fit your busy schedule.

Our doctors and staff are dedicated to improving your dental health!

You can also follow us on Facebook and Twitter!

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