Fascinating Tooth Sensitivity Research

Popsicle SensitivePeople with extreme teeth sensitivity end up having to give up certain foods and drinks because of the discomfort involved with the condition. Sour, sweet, very cold, and very hot foods and drinks can result in you ever felt a shooting pain going through teeth and gums. The underlying layer of teeth beneath the hard protective layer of tooth enamel is called dentin. If tooth enamel damage, tooth decay, or gum disease occurs, dentin holds tubules which lead to the pulp of teeth, allowing sensations to reach the nerves. The result is tooth sensitivity.

Prevalence of Tooth Sensitivity

Tooth enamel damage and gum disease are unfortunately quite common. Some people reach a state of heightened sensitivity as a result of poor diet and poor dental health, while others can overdo it in the hygiene department. You can tell by simply watching television commercials or scanning the oral hygiene aisle of your local store that sensitivity is a common enough dental issue to garner multiple specialty products. . Among the gums, rinses, and toothpastes which claim to reduce sensitivity, actual results aren’t always stellar. For this reason, scientists Quan-Li Li and Chun Hung Chu, led a team of fellow scientists in a study on sensitivity. Their research showed that as many as three out of four people have some level of tooth sensitivity. Fortunately, innovations by the research team focused on rebuilding tooth enamel and dentin at the same time, for optimal results in obliterating sensitivity. (more…)

Teeth Whitening Motivates Men

Happy Couple PiggybackThe Academy of General Dentistry (AGD) implemented a poll to general dentists, finding that men are less likely to stick to their regular dental check-up schedule than their female counterparts. The number of men going to the dentist is on the rise, but the motivation behind these dental visits is not overall health. Brighton dentists, Dr. Thomas Villani and Dr. Richard Kondrat explains how many men are on a quest for a whiter, brighter smile through teeth whitening.

Do Men Avoid the Dentist?

Out of a number of dentists polled, 45 percent believed that their male patients did not find it necessary to go to the dentist for a variety of reasons. Some of these include lack of time, lack of motivation for making the effort to find a new dentist, and simple embarrassment. Men tend to have a cultural based bravado in certain places, and the United States is no exception. Many males want to hold on to the idea that they are infallible, and preventive dental care would thus be (more…)

Quiz yourself on Dental Restorations

Do you have crowns or any restorations in your mouth to reinforce damaged teeth? What materials are they made of? Many people prefer their dental crowns and fillings to be fashioned from white materials like composite-resin or porcelain. Brighton dentists, Dr. Thomas Villani and Dr. Richard Kondrat, would like to challenge you to a quiz regarding your options for dental restorations.

Questions

Q1. True or false – Amalgam is a single metal that is only slightly less valuable than gold.

Q2. True or false – You will be exposed to more mercury vapors by removing an amalgam filling than by having one in your mouth long term.

Q3. True or false- You cannot request a particular material for dental restorations and will have to go with what your dentist recommends. (more…)

Win the Battle Against Bad Breath

Man with Unpleasant BreathYou can suck on breath mints all day long and swish with mouthwash religiously, but if you suffer from chronic or persistent bad breath, those popular remedies may not do the trick. In fact, most dentists believe that addressing the underlying cause of bad breath is the best, most sustainable option. Today, Brighton dentists Dr. Thomas Villani and Dr. Richard Kondrat discuss a few common causes of bad breath, as well as some proven solutions to this commonplace problem. (more…)

Missing Teeth? Why Dental Implants are a Necessity

guy thinking about toothIf you’ve lost one or more teeth, you might already realize that replacing them is a necessity. Besides the appearance of gaps in your smile, missing teeth are a serious concern for the proper function of your bite. Until relatively recently, however, most people didn’t realize the importance of replacing the roots of their lost teeth, as well as the crowns (visible top parts). If you’re missing one or more teeth, then your Brighton dentists, Dr. Villani and Dr. Kondrat, advise learning why dental implants can offer the most lifelike option for replacing them. (more…)

3 Good Reasons to Consider Invisalign® Clear Braces

woman thinking ponderingYou might see them more commonly in children, but orthodontic braces can be required by patients of all ages who need to straighten crooked teeth. Fortunately for older teen and adult patients with fully-formed teeth and jawbone structures, the need for straight teeth can be satisfied without having to bond semi-permanent brackets and wires to their teeth. Instead, we may recommend Invisalign® clear braces to discreetly restore your smile’s symmetry, and your bite’s proper function, using a series of removable aligners rather than conventional braces. (more…)

Between Your Teeth Cleanings and Checkups

If you don’t brush and floss your teeth often enough, bacteria can form plaque and harden into tartar, becoming impossible to remove with your toothbrush. If you spend too much time away from the dentist’s office, these bacteria can cause serious issues like tooth decay and gum disease. A lot can happen in the time between your teeth cleaning and checkup appointments. Yet, if you pay close attention to your teeth and gums, you might notice when it’s time to visit the dentist as soon as possible. (more…)

The Comprehensive Dental Hygiene List

Brushing and flossing your teeth may seem like simple enough procedures, but did you know that there is a right and wrong way to care for your teeth? Naturally, proper dental hygiene techniques can help keep your smile bright and healthy for life, whereas improper hygiene practices can cause more harm than good. To make sure you receive the utmost benefit out of your toothbrush, toothpaste, and floss, your Brighton family dentist, Dr. Thomas Villani, offers a comprehensive list of proper dental hygiene techniques. (more…)

Advantages to White Tooth Fillings

For many patients, the thought of dental fillings brings to mind metallic restorations that shine whenever the tooth is visible. Because of their strength and durability, metal fillings have been popular for over a century and a half. Now, however, you no longer have to substitute the natural appearance of your tooth for an effective, durable restoration. For patients who have cavities, or want a modern alternative to existing metal fillings, Brighton dentist, Dr. Villani, often recommends white tooth fillings made from customizable composite resin, rather than metal. (more…)

Reasons to Consider Dental Implants

Your teeth serve a number of important functions. Most notably, they process your food before digestion, but they also help you enunciate your words clearly, support many of your facial structures, and help provide stimulation that keeps your jawbone strong and healthy. Replacing lost teeth, then, does more than restore your confidence in smiling; it also helps restore your mouth’s ability to function properly. In many cases, and for many reasons, dental implants are often the preferred restoration. As the only choice for replacing your lost teeth’s roots, dental implants provide a more comprehensive and longer-lasting solution to rebuilding your smile after tooth loss. (more…)