Parts of the Tooth

Learn more about what the American Dental Association has to say about about what makes up the tooth.

The above video is found on the American Dental Association YouTube Channel.

AuraSmile Dental
24834 Lorain Road
North Olmsted, OH 44070
Tel: (440) 925-5255 

Mouth Healthy Moments: How to Floss

Learn more about what the American Dental Association has to say about flossing your teeth.

The above video is found on the American Dental Association YouTube Channel.

AuraSmile Dental
24834 Lorain Road
North Olmsted, OH 44070
Tel: (440) 925-5255 

Beat Your Bad Breath

What are Common Bad Breath Causes?

If you suffer from chronic, severe bad breath, also known as halitosis, it's important to identify the cause so you can determine an effective treatment.

Halitosis has many causes, including the following:

• Tobacco use. If you smoke, quit. Your bad breath may be due to other causes, too, but tobacco use is a guarantee of bad breath. If you are ready to quit, ask your doctor or dentist for advice and support.
• What you eat, or don't eat. Certain foods, such as garlic, contribute to bad breath, but only temporarily. Once they are absorbed into the bloodstream, the smell is expelled through the breath, but the odors remain until the body processes the food, so there’s no quick fix.
• Dry mouth. If your mouth is extremely dry, there is not enough saliva to wash away excess food particles and bacteria, which can cause an unpleasant smell if they build up on the teeth.
• Infections. Bad breath that seems to have no other cause may indicate an infection elsewhere in the body. If you have chronic bad breath and your dentist rules out any oral problems, see your doctor for an evaluation. Bad breath can be a sign of a range of conditions including respiratory tract infections, chronic sinusitis or bronchitis, diabetes, or liver and kidney problems, so it's important not to ignore the problem.

The best way to improve bad breath is to follow a thorough oral care routine including twice-daily tooth brushing and daily flossing to remove the food particles and bacteria that can cause bad breath. Mouthwashes only improve bad breath for the short term, and if you have a chronic problem, your dentist may suggest an antimicrobial rinse to help keep bacteria at bay.

The above article is from: OralB.com

AuraSmile Dental
24834 Lorain Road
North Olmsted, OH 44070
Tel: (440) 925-5255 

Sugarless Gum

Learn more about what the American Dental Association has to say about sugarless gum.

The above video is found on the American Dental Association YouTube Channel.

AuraSmile Dental
24834 Lorain Road
North Olmsted, OH 44070
Tel: (440) 925-5255 

Promote Oral Health With Good Nutrition

Calcium And Vitamin C Promote Oral Health
Eating a variety of nutritious food is good for your overall health, including your oral health. Some vitamins in particular have demonstrated benefits to building healthy teeth, namely calcium and vitamin C, so be sure to include foods rich in these nutrients in your diet. Calcium has been shown to help build strong teeth, and vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that also plays an important role in collagen synthesis, by which it helps you develop and maintain healthy gums.

• Calcium: Dairy products, including milk, yogurt and cheese are good sources of calcium. Many physicians recommend 1,200 to 1,500 milligrams of calcium daily for most adults, so you may want to consider a calcium supplement, especially if dairy products aren’t a regular part of your diet. Also, try switching to low-sugar or sugar-free varieties of yogurt, since sugar (and bacteria) can promote tooth decay.
• Vitamin C: Many fruits and vegetables including berries, oranges and cantaloupe, as well as green vegetables including broccoli and spinach are excellent sources of vitamin C.

Of course, in addition to eating right, it’s important to follow a consistent dental care routine of twice-daily tooth brushing and daily flossing to promote oral health. And be sure to see your dental professional regularly and talk to them if you have questions about how your diet might affect your oral health.

The above article is from: OralB.com

AuraSmile Dental
24834 Lorain Road
North Olmsted, OH 44070
Tel: (440) 925-5255 

The Benefits of Good Oral Hygiene

The Cost Of Dental Treatments
If you develop complications from tooth decay and gum disease, you may be dealing with bills for anything from fillings or crowns to more costly and complicated procedures such as root canals or oral surgery to extract damaged teeth and place dental implants.

The Costs Vary 
The costs of dental treatments vary. For example, the cost of a root canal will depend on the location of the tooth and how many canals are in the tooth that needs the root canal treatment. 

The Cost of Oral Hygiene
By comparison, the cost of basic oral hygiene and preventive teeth cleaning is low. A toothbrush should be replaced every three months or when it appears worn, but that’s just a few dollars. The same goes for dental floss, whether you prefer specialized floss, such as Oral-B’s Ultra Floss, or standard floss. 

Points To Remember
Also, don’t forget that most dental plans cover at least one, and sometimes two, checkups and cleanings per year at little or no cost to you. It’s better to make and keep those appointments, even if you don’t think you have problems with your teeth or oral hygiene, in order to identify and manage potential problems before costly care is required. Remember that your dentist is your partner in oral health, and be sure to keep him or her informed about medications you take and changes in your overall health so your oral hygiene can be tailored accordingly to maximize your health benefits. Some types of medications (including anti-depressants and some heart medications) increase your risk for gingivitis, so be sure to let your dentist know if you start taking any new medication, even if you don’t think it will affect your oral health. 

The above article is from: OralB.com

AuraSmile Dental
24834 Lorain Road
North Olmsted, OH 44070
Tel: (440) 925-5255 

Diet & Your Teeth

Learn more about the connection between your teeth and what you eat.

The above video is found on the American Dental Association YouTube Channel.

AuraSmile Dental
24834 Lorain Road
North Olmsted, OH 44070
Tel: (440) 925-5255 

Dentistry & Overall Health

Learn more about dental care and your overall health.

The above video is found on the American Dental Association YouTube Channel.

AuraSmile Dental
24834 Lorain Road
North Olmsted, OH 44070
Tel: (440) 925-5255 

Common Myths of Gum Disease # 6

I have diabetes. Will I get gum disease
Diabetes is a chronic disease which affects your body's ability to process sugar. The resulting high blood sugar can cause problems with your eyes, nerves, kidneys, heart and other parts of your body. Diabetes can also lower your resistance to infection and can slow the healing process. If you have diabetes, you are at greater risk of developing some oral health problems, including gum disease, so it's important that you are extra diligent with your oral health.

The above article is from: MouthHealthy.org

AuraSmile Dental
24834 Lorain Road
North Olmsted, OH 44070
Tel: (440) 925-5255 

Dental Hygienist

Learn more about what the American Dental Association has to say about the role played by your Dental Hygienist!

The above video is found on the American Dental Association YouTube Channel.

AuraSmile Dental
24834 Lorain Road
North Olmsted, OH 44070
Tel: (440) 925-5255 

Common Myths of Gum Disease # 1

Gum disease is not that common
On the contrary, gum disease is extremely common. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, half of adults age 30 and older suffer from some form of gum disease. Gum disease, an infection of the tissues that surround and support your teeth, is caused by plaque, the sticky film of bacteria that is constantly forming on our teeth. Plaque that is not removed with thorough daily brushing and cleaning between teeth can eventually harden into calculus or tartar. 

The above article is from: MouthHealthy.org

AuraSmile Dental
24834 Lorain Road
North Olmsted, OH 44070
Tel: (440) 925-5255 

Treatment Options for Tooth Sensitivity

The best way to find out why a tooth is sensitive is to have dental professional examine you. They can look for the signs of dentin exposure, and run tests to determine what the true cause of the sensitivity is. Sometimes, the sensitivity is due to a cavity or gum disease ñ these can be treated to address the sensitivity. Other times, the cause of the sensitivity is because the enamel has been lost through abrasion or erosion, or the gums have receded, causing the roots to be exposed.

What Can Be Done?
If the sensitivity is due to a cavity, a restoration can be placed. If gum disease is the cause, the dental professional can perform a thorough cleaning of the area.

However, if the cause is from dentin being exposed, then there are a number of professional and at home treatments that can be used to reduce the sensitivity.

In Office Procedures:

• Fluoride varnish can be applied to exposed areas, strengthening the enamel and dentin
• Fluoride foam or gel can be placed into a mouth tray; you then sit with this in your mouth for 3-5 minutes, providing the teeth with a high concentration of fluoride to strengthen the areas
• Bonding agent, the material used to stick tooth colored restorations to teeth, can be used to seal the dentin surface and provide a barrier to the stimuli that cause sensitivity

At Home:

• Use a very soft bristle tooth brush, with low abrasive tooth paste
• Brush correctly and do not over brush
• Use a tooth paste specially formulated to soothe the nerve endings in the tooth
• Use a high concentration fluoride toothpaste (given to you by the dental professional) to strengthen the tooth surface

There are a number of treatments available, and your dental professional can help you find those that will work best, depending on your situation. Always seek a dental professional's help - do not try to diagnose this problem yourself. It may be the sign of something more serious, and only a dental professional can tell you what it really is.

To read the entire article visit Colgate.com

AuraSmile Dental
24834 Lorain Road
North Olmsted, OH 44070
Tel: (440) 925-5255 

Emergency Dentistry

Learn more about what the American Dental Association has to say about Emergency Dentistry!

The above video is found on the American Dental Association YouTube Channel.

AuraSmile Dental
24834 Lorain Road
North Olmsted, OH 44070
Tel: (440) 925-5255 

Tooth Cavities

Tooth cavities aren't uncommon - but with the right dental health know-how, you can help prevent them. It all starts with proper brushing, daily flossing, and fluoride. Get the details right here.

What Causes Tooth Cavities?
Cavities are holes in the teeth resulting from acid attack. They generally start in the enamel, but can spread to the softer inner layer of the tooth. Tooth cavities are caused by decay that can occur when foods containing carbohydrates become trapped between teeth, and are not completely removed with brushing and flossing. Bacteria living in the mouth digest these foods, generating acidic byproducts that can eat away at tooth enamel.

Help Prevent Tooth Cavities
Fluoride, which is found in most public drinking supplies, some mouth rinses, and Crest toothpastes, helps prevent tooth cavities by slowing the breakdown of enamel and speeding up the remineralization process. Check with your dental professional to see if your drinking water is fluoridated. If it isn't, he or she may recommend that you use high concentration fluoride treatments.

To help strengthen weak spots in tooth enamel, and help prevent the early stages of tooth decay, brush regularly with a fluoridated toothpaste, floss daily, and visit your dental office regularly for professional cleanings.

Above article from: Crest.com

AuraSmile Dental
24834 Lorain Road
North Olmsted, OH 44070
Tel: (440) 925-5255

Tooth Anatomy

What Are the Different Parts of a Tooth?

• Crown- the top part of the tooth, and the only part you can normally see. The shape of the crown determines the tooth's function. For example, front teeth are sharp and chisel-shaped for cutting, while molars have flat surfaces for grinding.
• Gumline- where the tooth and the gums meet. Without proper brushing and flossing, plaque and tartar can build up at the gumline, leading to gingivitis and gum disease.
• Root- the part of the tooth that is embedded in bone. The root makes up about two-thirds of the tooth and holds the tooth in place.
• Enamel- the outermost layer of the tooth. Enamel is the hardest, most mineralized tissue in the body - yet it can be damaged by decay if teeth are not cared for properly.
• Dentin- the layer of the tooth under the enamel. If decay is able to progress its way through the enamel, it next attacks the dentin - where millions of tiny tubes lead directly to the dental pulp.
• Pulp- the soft tissue found in the center of all teeth, where the nerve tissue and blood vessels are. If tooth decay reaches the pulp, you usually feel pain.

What Are the Different Types of Teeth?
Every tooth has a specific job or function (use the dental arch in this section to locate and identify each type of tooth):

• Incisors- the sharp, chisel-shaped front teeth (four upper, four lower) used for cutting food.
• Canines- sometimes called cuspids, these teeth are shaped like points (cusps) and are used for tearing food.
• Premolars- these teeth have two pointed cusps on their biting surface and are sometimes referred to as bicuspids. The premolars are for crushing and tearing.
• Molars- used for grinding, these teeth have several cusps on the biting surface

 

The above article is from: Colgate.com

AuraSmile Dental
24834 Lorain Road
North Olmsted, OH 44070
Tel: (440) 925-5255

Top Dental Symptoms: Sensitive Teeth

If your teeth hurt when you drink hot or cold beverages, you may have sensitive teeth. This can be the result of tooth decay, fractured teeth, worn fillings, gum disease, worn tooth enamel or an exposed tooth root due to gum recession. Treatment will depend on the source of sensitivity. If you’re concerned about the sensitivity of your teeth see your dentist for diagnosis and treatment options.

Above article from: MouthHealthy.org

AuraSmile Dental
24834 Lorain Road
North Olmsted, OH 44070
Tel: (440) 925-5255

Advanced Dental Technology

Panoramic Digital X-Rays:Safe, Fast, and Environment Friendly
Digital X-ray technology saves our patients from receiving 90% of radiation exposure. It’s much more comfortable and takes less time. Digital radiographs are much more diagnostic than traditional x-rays; they allow the doctor to see in greater detail than before. We can also view your entire mouth in one shot, including the upper and lower jaws.
   





 

Intra-Oral Camera: Seeing is Believing
To help our patients better understand the condition of their teeth and gums, we use video diagnosis. Now, you can see everything we see and you can take your pictures with you! 





 


DIAGNOdent™: Digital Cavity Detection System
We believe it is extremely important that we provide our patients with the finest cavity diagnosis possible. We use the painless DIAGNOdent digital cavity detection system to detect small cavities before they even show up on X-rays.  

WaterLase™: Drill-Less Dentistry
WaterLase uses the hydrokinetic process, which gently washes away decay with YSGG laser-energized water droplets. The WaterLase energy gently and precisely removes decayed enamel with no heat or discomfort, leaving as much healthy tooth structure as possible. 







AuraSmile Dental
24834 Lorain Road
North Olmsted, OH 44070
Tel: (440) 925-5255

Gum Disease Treatment

Society and Science Changes Role for Dentists
There was a time not so long ago when people thought of their medical doctors as health providers, and their dentists as, well, dentists. Doctors diagnosed your illnesses, attended to your general health, delivered your babies, and dealt with traumatic emergencies. Dentists used to fix your teeth when they hurt, removed them if they really hurt, and gave you lectures about brushing and flossing until you couldn’t stand it any longer.

Dentists today, however, are now acknowledged to be the primary oral health care provider, and your oral health is recognized as a major cornerstone of your general health. In addition, the state of your oral health often provides the first indications of major health problems.

Scientists now understand how bacteria in the mouth can enter the bloodstream and migrate throughout the body. Once there, it can increase arterial plaque, which restricts blood flow and increases your risk of heart attack and stroke. Research suggests that dental pathology is a stronger predictor for heart disease than other standard markers such as high levels of fibrinogen (a clotting factor), or low levels of good cholesterol, or high triglycerides. In fact, people with periodontal disease are almost twice as likely to suffer from coronary artery disease that can lead to heart attacks and stroke as those with healthy gums.

We believe that preventive dental care is the fundamental basis of oral health care. By taking care of dental health, people take a critical step toward overall health and quality of life.

Conservative Non-Surgical Gum Treatment
Gum disease, or periodontitis, is a serious health problem, affecting over 50 million North Americans. Called the “silent epidemic,” periodontal disease treatment has typically required surgery to resolve. Today, however, gum disease can be controlled without surgical intervention using a combined approach. Periodontal disease must first be diagnosed with a comprehensive set of digital X-rays and complete probing of the gum pockets surrounding each tooth. Then control of the harmful bacteria that cause gum disease can be accomplished with a variety of measures including scaling of teeth below the gumline or injecting a time-released antibiotic into problem gum pockets. Specialized oral rinses designed to target the bacteria, combined with aggressive home care brushing and flossing, supplement the non-surgical treatment. Finally, regular cleanings and evaluations two to three times per year are required to maintain the cleaned condition. The vast majority of gum disease cases can be treated effectively without invasive surgery of the bone and gums to keep the oral condition and body healthy.




AuraSmile Dental
24834 Lorain Road
North Olmsted, OH 44070
Tel: (440) 925-5255
AuraSmileDental.com 

Top Dental Symptoms: Toothache

If your mouth or jaw hurt, it could be from a toothache. Toothaches usually indicate a cavity but they can also signal gum disease. In some cases, a toothache is a sign of an abscess or impacted tooth. A toothache should be evaluated by a dentist right away to determine the cause of the problem and prevent the tooth from dying.

Above article from: MouthHealthy.org

AuraSmile Dental
24834 Lorain Road
North Olmsted, OH 44070
Tel: (440) 925-5255