Because they are destined to fall out and be replaced by adult teeth, baby teeth are often thought of as a trial run. Thus if children don’t brush properly, parents may shrug, banking on the idea that their children’s homecare will improve over time. Unfortunately, this approach fails to realize just how important it is to care for primary teeth. If one of these teeth succumbs to an infection, that infection can spread, not just throughout the mouth, but throughout the body as well. Children may also suffer orthodontic problems if a primary tooth falls out too early. Thus, proper homecare is very important no matter a person’s age. But how do you get children to brush properly when so often they rush the process or miss large areas of their mouths? Your Brighton dentist, Dr. Thomas Villani, has the answer. (more…)
Brighton Dentist Explains Root Canal Treatment
When you hear “root canal treatment,” what comes to mind? Many people think of a procedure that should be avoided at all costs. Unfortunately, that stigma toward root canal treatment is an unfair one. Root canal treatment can be very beneficial and can save you pain and more extensive dental work down the road. Your Brighton dentist, Dr. Thomas Villani, walks you through root canal treatment as well as its benefits. (more…)
Brighton Dentist: Linking Gum Disease with Heart Disease
Have you ever seen a house sitting on a shifting foundation? Cracks run down the walls, and doors stick in their frames. However, once discovered, the source of all of the problems throughout the house can be traced back to a single problem. The human body often works the same way. Just as a house is made up of many parts, your body is made up of interconnected systems, and like the house sitting on the shifting foundation, some health concerns may be linked together. Recently, doctors have begun to discuss the connection between heart disease and gum disease. But do the two impact one another? Your Brighton dentist, Dr. Thomas Villani, discusses the possible link. (more…)
How Much Do You Know About Tooth Decay?
Were you warned as a child not to eat too much candy for fear of cavities? If so, it is no surprise that you remember that lesson to this day; preventing cavities and other dental diseases is also the main purpose of your daily oral hygiene routine. Yet, do you know how most candy can lead your teeth to rot, or why you brush and floss your teeth twice a day? To improve your knowledge, and hopefully your attentiveness, Brighton family dentist, Dr. Thomas Villani, explains the mechanisms of tooth decay and how you can improve your chances of cavity prevention.
Defeating Your Tooth’s Defenses
Whenever you eat or drink something, you are feeding more than your body. Dental plaque, the sticky substance that sticks to your teeth, is made mostly of bacteria. One strain in particular converts the sugar and carbs from your meals and snacks into acid. Your tooth enamel, which surrounds and protects your teeth, is a highly mineralized substance, and it’s your teeth’s first defense against bacterial infection. When bacteria excrete acid onto your enamel’s surface, the attack weakens your enamel. The acid siphons minerals from your teeth so enamel can’t regain its strength, and over time, bacteria can slip past the weakened defense and reach the dentin, your tooth’s main structure. As decay sets into your dentin, small holes form, called cavities, where bacteria can gather safely to multiply and flourish, exacerbating the tooth decay. (more…)
Brighton Dentist Presents—Dental Filing Facts!
If you’ve ever had a cavity, or known someone who has, you’ve probably heard of dental fillings at least once in your lifetime. Other than the fact that it is better to not need one, how much do you know about dental fillings, their purpose, and how they benefit a tooth affected by decay? Dr. Thomas Villani, your Brighton family dentist, increases your knowledge of dental fillings and the disease that makes them necessary with these informational tidbits.
How Much Do You Know About Fillings?
- Dental fillings are a common procedure when treating tooth decay, although the filling itself does not affect the actual disease. After mild to moderate decay has been removed from an afflicted tooth, replacing the extracted tooth structure with a dental filling helps maintain the tooth’s strength, decreasing the chances of the tooth becoming damaged in its less-substantial position. (more…)
Porcelain Veneers—A Makeover for Your Smile
Do you admire the glamorous smiles showcased on magazines and in the movies? Do you ever wish that your smile were just as glamorous? The fact that they belong to movie stars and other celebrities does not mean that the same smiles are unattainable to the average person. Even the most famous people are still people, and their dental health is subject to the same imperfections as yours. Consequently, the same methods they’ve used to perfect their smiles can also be utilized to provide you with the smile you’ve always wanted. Even better, you can take advantage of these techniques in your own backyard. Brighton dentist, Dr. Thomas Villani, has crafted masterpiece smiles for numerous patients, and explains one of the most effective smile makeover tools—porcelain veneers.
What are Porcelain Veneers?
Made from strong dental porcelain, veneers are thin, custom-crafted wafers that are designed to cover and renew the face of your smile. The porcelain, which is resistant to stains, is also tinted to match your tooth color and closely mimics the light-reflecting properties of your natural enamel. Once the dental ceramist crafts your permanent veneers, Dr. Villani will carefully position each veneer to create your beautiful, perfect smile. (more…)
Brighton Dentists Explain the Role of Dental Hygienists
Visiting your dentist can mean meeting new people. As soon as you enter the door, you will meet a member of the administrative staff. Then, you will talk with a dental assistant, and, depending on your condition, receive care from a dental hygienist. What exactly does a dental hygienist do? In this article, Brighton dentists explain the function of the hygiene team.
What Does a Dental Hygienist Do?
Hygienists perform a multitude of duties in the dentist office. You may find a dental hygienist processing patient documentation or taking dental x-rays. You will most likely meet a hygienist when you require periodontal therapy to recover from gum disease. While hygienists remove plaque and tartar from teeth, during a regular cleaning, they also provide deep cleaning when gingivitis or advanced periodontal disease develops. During a deep cleaning, your hygienist will clean teeth down to their roots with root planing and scaling. This process removes bacteria and plaque that forms beneath the gumline in periodontal pockets. Although you will typically find hygienists performing similar tasks across the country, some states allow hygienists to fulfill certain duties usually reserved exclusively for dentists. (more…)
Brighton Dentists on Children’s Oral Health
Throughout our lives, we experience different stages of dental care. As children, we attempt to prevent cavities and anticipate losing our primary teeth. In our adolescence, orthodontic braces surround us. As adults, we work towards maintaining a healthy mouth and avoiding tooth loss. Some people don’t consider what they can do for infants’ oral health because their teeth haven’t erupted yet. You can take precautions to help ensure children’s dental well-being. In this article, your Brighton family dentists explain how to tend to oral care for infants and young children.
Cavities from a Bottle
You can start thinking about oral care for your baby a few days after birth. To prevent early childhood caries, or baby bottle tooth decay, wipe away plaque from your baby’s gums with a clean piece of gauze. Although plaque does not yet settle on teeth, it can damage them when they erupt. Once your child begins teething, you can use water to gently brush their teeth. Only allow children to drink formula or milk from bottles instead of soda or juice to avoid cavities. (more…)
Living with Gum Recession in Brighton
In our later years, we expect our way of life to change. Our eating habits may change, or mobility could slow. Many of us may foresee tooth problems in our later years. One inevitable challenge that comes from aging is gum recession. If ignored, gum recession could cause serious dental problems. Tending to your mouth before gums recede can reduce complications later. But, if you already experience gum recession, dentists can work with you to better deal with its effects. Living with gum recession may come easy to those who practice good oral health earlier in life. Your Brighton dentists explain gum recession and ways to treat it. (more…)
Brighton Dentist: Moms Influence Kids’ Oral Health
Taking kids to the dentist is important, but can be difficult. When wrestling with getting children to their regular checkup, parents must consider what matters more in the long run for their kids’ oral health. For some, ensuring their children receive proper dental care comes naturally. A recent study has shown mothers with stronger maternal instincts have kids with better oral health. Brighton family dentist, Dr. Thomas Villani, explains how mothers provide for their children’s oral health.
Children’s Developmental Needs
Even before birth, a mother can tend to the development of children’s teeth. By keeping her nutrition balanced, a mother allows healthy development for her child. Regular checkups with doctors during teething and tooth growth helps teeth grow in naturally straight. Mothers who encourage their kids to brush and floss regularly lower their risk of tooth decay and gum disease. Providing for positive, non-threatening experiences at the dentist office helps keep kids mindful of their own oral health. The less apprehensive kids are about visiting the dentist, the more likely they are to prevent dental problems. Keeping a child’s mouth healthy during heavy growing periods can aid in keeping more serious dental issues from happening later in life. As studies suggest, being active in children’s development results in their oral well-being. (more…)
