Effects of Piercings to Oral Health

As a dentist in Newport Beach, you may not like it, but piercing is a popular form of self-expression nowadays. It reflects individual styles and attitudes often considered daring and fresh. However, people interested in this trend should be aware that it is not without health risks.  

Tongue splitting certainly looks cool but can be dangerous to your health and could lead to more serious infections like hepatitis or endocarditis. Here are some immediate effects after oral piercing you have to know:

What can Oral Piercing do to your mouth?

Inflammation. When the tongue is swollen, it can affect our speech, as well as the way we chew and swallow. The lymph nodes become enlarged or tender and can last from three to five weeks.

Localized Infection. Since our mouth is a moist environment, it is an ideal place for infection. If infection occurs, it can become a life-threatening condition if not treated immediately. Seek professional attention if the infection progresses after two days.

Hypersensitivity. Oral Piercing likewise could block your airway and can also cause allergic reactions at the pierced site, especially those who are hypersensitive to metals.

Gums and Teeth. Playing or biting your oral piercing can damage your teeth and may also affect your dental fillings. You might experience chipped, cracked or dental sensitivity. Gum injuries and numbness of the mouth after piercing may also be experienced. It may also affect your sense of taste, or how you move your mouth.  In various cases, the oral piercing can cause severe nerve damage that could either be temporary or can be permanent. Excessive drooling may be felt after tongue piercing and a likely increase in saliva production.

Read more here: http://www.dentist-newport-beach.com/effects-piercings-oral-health/

The Crucial Role of Saliva to Oral Health

The role saliva plays in our oral health has long been overlooked. Although composed mainly of water, it also contains substances that are crucial to:

• keep our mouth moist
• help us chew, taste, and swallow our food
• prevent bacterial build up in our mouth
• protect us from tooth decay and gum disease
• keep dentures in place

What happens if you have too little saliva?

Your mouth becomes very dry if you don’t produce enough saliva, a condition known as xerostomia. Aside from it being an ideal environment for bacteria to thrive, it can also cause swelling of the gums, tongue and other tissues. Also, tooth decay and gum disease quickly develop if a person has dry mouth as saliva’s role is to clear food debris from our teeth. Without saliva, food becomes less palatable too.

Certain factors cause dry mouth syndromes like HIV, saliva duct obstruction, chemotherapy, smoking, and dehydration. In such cases, your dentist Newport Beach will recommend that you rinse your mouth with artificial saliva. It is in the form of liquid or spray which can be bought over the counter. It can keep the mouth moist however it doesn’t have the essential substances that aid digestion.

What about too much saliva? http://www.dentist-newport-beach.com/crucial-role-saliva-oral-health/

Facts About Braces You Need To Know

How is it like to have dental braces? Before we answer that, let us answer a few misconceptions first for you to find the right dentist in Newport Beach to fit one for you.

Age Limit. Orthodontic or dental braces are not limited to teenagers. The only thing you need to make sure is that you have healthy gums and jaw bones to support the pressure which the braces will exert on your teeth.

Adults can get braces too! The most obvious reason why they didn’t get one during teenage life is the expense which they couldn’t afford. Sometimes, it’s because they didn’t wear retainers after the braces were removed, so the teeth become crooked again.

Bite Matters. Dental braces are recommended by the dentist not just to straighten the teeth but also to ensure that the upper and lower teeth meet when the mouth is closed. A straight set of teeth is useless if you can’t chew or speak properly.

Price. Typically, the cost of metal braces or Invisalign is between $3, 000- $6, 000. If you’re aiming for a ceramic or special braces, then be prepared to pay more. Don’t worry, though, because payments are usually staggered. Just talk to your dentist to know your options.

Types of braces. Certain kinds of treatment are not for you that is why it is a must that you consult with your dentist to determine whether you’re a good candidate for Invisalign, metal braces or some other systems. Make sure also that your dentist has special training with the type of bracket he’s going to install. Some braces like the lingual types (“behind the teeth braces) require special training before a dentist can offer it to his patients.

Read more here: http://www.dentist-newport-beach.com/facts-about-braces-you-need-to-know/