Should I wear a mouthguard at night?

Mouthguards or biteguards are a very useful tool in preventing excessive teeth wear due to bruxism or clenching at night.  Simply put, when you grind, the bit of plastic between your teeth prevents your teeth from touching.  It also acts as a cushion sometimes providing relief to an aching TMJ joint.  Mouthgaurds are available both over the counter at drugstores and can be made in a dental lab by a dentist.  The over the counter kind are fine for most people but if you require a better fitting or thinner material then the dentist can get you a better appliance.

Some mouthguards are made to prevent snoring or sleep apnea.  They function by repositioning the lower jaw forward to lift the tissue at the back of the throat.  This type should be fabricated by a dentist because it can cause problems with the bite if made incorrectly.

How do I prevent cavities?

Regular brushing and flossing lowers the chance of developing "cavities." The most decay-prone areas of teeth are the grooves and depressions on the chewing surfaces of the back teeth, and in between the teeth where a brush can't reach.  When decay happens,  it requires treatment.  Left alone decay will reach further and further into the tooth and will eventually cause either the tooth to fracture or cause abscess. Prevention is the best way to approach the problem of dental decay.

Fluoride, in proper dosage, has been shown to significantly reduce dental decay. When fluoridated water is less than the ideal amount or not available, fluoride supplements are recommended. (A call to your local water district is all that is necessary to determine whether your water has fluoride or not.)To prevent decay, a plastic-like coating called a sealant should be painted on the chewing surfaces of all the back teeth. Studies have shown that sealants can reduce tooth decay by as much as 90% to 100%.When supplements are needed, the administration of fluoride supplements should begin shortly after birth and continue through the time of eruption of the second permanent molars (approx. 12 years of age).

The American Dental Association recommends sealants be placed as soon as the first adult back teeth come in at age 6 or 7. Sealants should continue to be used as each adult back tooth comes into the mouth. All back teeth that need to be sealed are present by age 13. Sealant application is simple, fast, and painless.

Do I need a crown?

The question of whether or not a tooth needs a crown can be a bit confusing.  There are many reasons to get a dental crown.  If there is a substantial amount of tooth gone or badly decayed, a crown can act as a binder to hold the tooth together during times when pressure is put on the tooth, like chewing,  If a tooth is cracked, it may also need to have that hard outer shell that a crown provides to give strength to the tooth to prevent further fracture.  Another indication for crowns is after a root canal.  After a root canal teeth can become brittle, due to the removal of blood supply to the tooth when the nerve is removed.  A crown is not always necessary in these cases but clinical judgement is necessary to determine whether a crown is necessary or not.  I look at the bite of the patient, the size of the filling in the tooth, and discuss the patient's dental habits to decide.  Dental habits could include teeth grinding, ice chewing, and dietary considerations.  A crown can be considered sometimes to simply make a tooth look better.  Crowns can be made with all porcelain and look very natural even beside teeth without crowns.

What is Sleep Dentistry?

You may have heard this treatment described in many ways: anxiety-free dentistry, or relaxation dentistry, especially in states where conscious sedation dentistry is regulated. Also used are terms like moderate sedation, oral conscious sedation or even sleep dentistry, though this last should be applied only to general anesthesia . The best and most accurate name is sedation dentistry These terms describe a way for you to get the care you want while you remain comfortable. Ask your dentist which level of sedation dentistry he or she is qualified to provide. Dental fear is a hidden phobia, like many people, you may be embarrassed to admit your fears and even more afraid to confront them. Often times not even your loved ones are aware of your apprehension. Worse yet, you may have never known that sedation dentistry was an option. Not anymore! Sedation Dentistry is not scary and can be painfree dentistry. (from www.sedationcare.com)