Archive for February, 2014

Dental Crowns and Whiter Teeth in Catonsville, Maryland

Thursday, February 27th, 2014

Do you have a weak, misshapen, or broken tooth that needs protecting? Do you have a large filling that needs to be shielded? What about a dental implant that needs to be covered? Maybe you need a way to hold a dental bridge in place. Or perhaps you just want to improve your smile. No matter the reason above, a dental crown may be the answer.

What is a Dental Crown?

A crown is a tooth-shaped cap used by dentists to fully cover a tooth, restoring its shape, size, strength, and overall appearance.

What are the Steps involved in preparing a Crown?

Preparing a tooth for a crown is typically a two-step process, requiring multiple visits to the dentist.

  1. The Examination (First Visit): During your first visit, your dentist will examine your situation and evaluate your needs, determining if a dental crown is your best option. If your dentist decides a dental crown is the right course of action, he/she will then prepare the tooth.
  2. Preparation (First Visit): First, your dentist will numb the area around the tooth. He/she will then file the tooth down to make room for the crown. Conversely, if a large portion of the tooth is missing, your dentist may need to use a filling material to reinforce the tooth for the dental crown. Finally, your dentist will make a mold of the tooth and place a temporary crown.
  3. Placing the Crown (Second Visit): It is time to place the permanent crown! Your dentist will apply a local anesthetic and the new crown will be permanently cemented in place.

Affinity Dental Associates: Improving Smiles in Catonsville, Maryland

From subtle changes to major repairs, the dentists at Affinity Dental Associates can perform a wide variety of procedures to improve your smile, from teeth whitening and bonding to veneers and crowns. These improvements are not always cosmetic. Many of these treatments can improve oral problems, such as your bite.

If you have any questions, 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: Dental Crowns WebMD

Posted in Cosmetic Dentistry | No Comments »

How Is a Pediatric Dentist Different From a Family Dentist?

Friday, February 21st, 2014

No matter how old you are, it is important that you go to the dentist. This includes babies and infants.  However, a young child doesn’t necessarily need to go to a family dentist. It is important that they visit a dentist that will specialize in their needs, such as a pediatric dentist.Dentist examining kid's teeth

A pediatric dentist specializes in the oral health of children from infancy through their teen years. Their knowledge is extensive about a child’s teeth, gums, tongue and other parts of the mouth and they know how to provide the proper care.

A pediatric dentist undergoes the same amount of training as a family dentist however their residency is focused on a younger patient.

A pediatric dentist will provide treatments specific to your young child’s needs such as:

  • Oral health exams
  • Preventative dental care
  • Habit counseling
  • Cavity treatment
  • Dental injury care

A pediatric dentist is the best choice for your child’s oral health. A pediatric dentist knows how to properly care for your child and make sure their smile is healthy.

If you are looking for a pediatric dentist, look no further than Affinity Dental, we strive to care for the teeth of everyone in your family.

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, Google+ and Twitter!

Source:

http://www.healthychildren.org

 

Posted in Pediatric Dentistry | No Comments »

How Can I Have Whiter Teeth?

Wednesday, February 12th, 2014

Good oral care is a constant struggle, especially when it comes to the whiteness of your teeth. This is because there are so many normal, everyday practices and habits that stain and discolor your teeth. So, which practices, foods, and drinks should you avoid?

Oral Care Tips for Whiter Teeth from your Annapolis Dentists

1) Avoid the Following Drinks:

  1. Wine: Not only is wine acidic, which can damage tooth enamel, but it also stains your teeth.
  2. Tea: Like wine, tea too has tannins, which promote staining of the teeth,
  3. Coffee: While not as bad as wine or tea, everyone’s favorite pick-me-up is also one of the primary causes of discolored teeth.
  4. Soda: You have heard it all before; soda is bad for your teeth. Well, here is is again. Soda is bad for your teeth. Not only is it acidic, but it stains teeth, as well.
  5. Sports Drinks: Believe it or not, your favorite sports drinks are also acidic, paving the way for future staining.

2) Avoid the Following Foods:

  1. Sauces: Everything from pasta sauce to soy sauce has significant staining properties.
  2. Sweets: Many sweets and candies contain teeth coloring agents,
  3. Berries: Berries, specifically blueberries, blackberries, cranberries, grapes, and cherries, can cause stains.

3) Tips to Minimize Staining:

  1. Don’t let Drinks and Foods linger in the Mouth: Swallow foods and beverages promptly after chewing. The longer stain-causing foods sit in your mouth, in contact with your teeth, the greater the chance of staining.
  2. Use a Straw: Sipping those stain-causing liquids through a straw greatly reduces contact with your teeth and thus greatly reduces staining potential.
  3. Visit the Dentist Regularly: The experienced dental hygienists at Affinity Dental Associated provide a wide variety of services, including dental cleanings, deep scaling, dental Xrays, patient education, oral cancer screenings, fluoride treatments. And much more!

And here is one last tip from Matthew J. Messina, DDS, a dentist in private practice in Cleveland: “If you’re worried about spilling [the food or beverage] on your white tablecloth, you can be sure it’s got the potential to stain teeth.”

If you have any questions about Oral Care Tips for Whiter Teeth, 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: Foods and Habits That Stain Your Teeth WebMD

Posted in Teeth Whitening | No Comments »

What Is TMD?

Thursday, February 6th, 2014

Your dental health involves more than just your teeth functioning properly; all components of your mouth work together. So when you suffer from TMD (that’s a temporomandibular disorder if you feel up to saying that mouthful), your dental health as a whole can suffer. Luckily, the experts at your Catonsville family dentist, Affinity Dental, are here to help. But before you come to the office, here’s what you should know about TMD.

pain

What is it?

TMD is pain or discomfort that you experience in the joint where your lower jaw connects to the rest of your skull, just under the ear.

What causes it?

The most common cause of TMD is tooth grinding or jaw clenching. People grind their teeth because of stress, or involuntarily during their sleep. Either way, the pressure and friction this action causes can result in TMD.

What symptoms does it cause?

If you think that you might suffer from TMD, you’re likely to be experiencing jaw and facial pain or tenderness, particularly at the site of the joint, the ear, or the neck. Symptoms can also include a sudden locking of the jaw, facial swelling, headaches, earaches, and dizziness.

What other problems result from TMD?

Everyday essential activities such as chewing, talking and yawning can become painful.

How can I treat my TMD?

If you are diagnosed with TMD by the experts at your Catonsville family dentist, there are ways to remedy your aching jaw and joints. For nighttime tooth grinders, a night guard for your mouth can alleviate the pressure and friction of grinding and clenching. Affinity Dental uses Aqualizer Ultra bite splints with our patients, and the results are extremely helpful in the treatment of TMD. For those athletes who clench their jaw during games, sports mouth guards can also be custom made to protect your mouth and treat TMD.

 

Affinity Dental is dedicated to serving families in the Catonsville area with quality, professional dental care. Call today to schedule your appointment, and be sure to keep up to date with all of our latest news and developments on Facebook and Twitter!

 

Source: Tempromandibular Disorders

Posted in Oral Hygiene | No Comments »