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Cracked, chipped, and discolored teeth can cause several problems, including pain, sensitivity, infection, and damage to the surrounding teeth. It is vital to get cosmetic dentistry in Anchorage, AK, to improve the appearance of the teeth.

What are Dental Veneers?

Veneers are custom-made shells that cover the enamel. They are used to improve the appearance of your smile and can be made from porcelain or composite resin. These shells are an option for people who have discolored, chipped, or misshapen teeth. They can also be used to close gaps between teeth. Veneers are usually not covered by insurance and can cost anywhere from $500 to $1,000 per tooth.

Who is Not Eligible for Dental Veneers?

People who wear braces cannot get dental veneers because they would be unable to remove the braces before having their veneers put on. In addition, people who have had extensive dental work done may not be eligible for dental veneers because they may have teeth that are too short or too small.

How Are Dental Veneers Fixed?

The process of getting dental veneers in Anchorage usually takes two visits to the dentist. 

The initial appointment involves assessment, and the dentist will slightly reshape the teeth. He will then take a mold of the teeth to create the veneers. 

Once the veneers are ready (it takes about three to four weeks), you will return to the dentist to have them applied. 

The dentist will bond the veneers with an adhesive and then polish to give them a natural-looking shine.

How Can You Take Care of Dental Veneers?

• Avoiding hard items

After dental veneer treatment, the first rule of oral health is to avoid chewing on hard objects. Although porcelain veneers are strong, teeth chewing on hard objects can wear them down. 

Avoid grinding and clenching, both of which can wear down your temporary veneers.

Also, do not use your teeth as a tool, as chewing on pencils and tape can damage your veneers.

• Avoiding contact sports

After undergoing dental veneer treatment, you should avoid a few things, including chewing on your fingernails and playing contact sports. Wear a mouth guard while playing to protect your teeth and veneers. Contact sports can also lead to severe injuries, and you may need to have your veneers repaired or replaced.

• Avoiding smoking

The fumes from tobacco products are harmful to your health and can severely stain your teeth. The nicotine increases your risk of tooth decay, gum disease, and bad breath. Smoking is also a leading cause of periodontal disease, which can cause the loss of your teeth. Avoid smoking immediately following your veneer treatment to protect your newly restored smile.

• Cleaning your teeth

After receiving veneers, you need to follow the same rules for proper care of your new teeth as you would for your natural ones. Clean your teeth regularly with a soft-bristled toothbrush and non-abrasive toothpaste. Cleaning your teeth after dental veneer treatment will help reduce the chances of gum disease and damage. It will also protect your new veneers. Your Anchorage dentist will provide instructions on proper brushing and flossing techniques.

• Avoiding stains

Preventing stains after dental veneer treatment is similar to maintaining tooth enamel. Avoid foods and drinks with high pigment content like coffee and wine. If you consume them, rinse your mouth immediately.  

• Flossing daily

After a dental veneer treatment, you must take extra care of your new porcelain teeth. Daily oral care aims to remove plaque, a film formed by food and saliva. Plaque contains bacteria that can attack tooth enamel. This can lead to cavities and gingivitis or gum disease. It can also lead to tartar buildup, resulting in periodontal disease. A good after-care regimen includes brushing and flossing daily.

What Can We Eat With Veneer Easily & Avoid?

Avoid acidic foods and sugary drinks because they can loosen your veneer. Also, avoid chewing hard or frozen foods. They can loosen your shell and cause pain. Lastly, you should avoid using tobacco products, which can affect your new veneer. Nicotine products not only stain your teeth but also weaken the bonding agent. 

Schedule an Appointment

Visit Anchorage Dental Arts for more information about dental veneers and what you can expect during the procedure.

If you consider replacing missing teeth with implants, you must begin planning months earlier. However, if you had your consultation and scheduled your appointment for the placement and discovered you are pregnant, you might wonder whether you can safely receive an implant with the delicate condition. Therefore, you might decide you must revisit the dental office in Anchorage, AK, for another consultation about receiving dental implants during pregnancy.

Essential Vs. Elective Treatments during Pregnancy

Dentists carefully weigh the benefits and risks of any treatments recommended to patients before moving forward. They aim to minimize the risk of harmful effects to patients and exercise extra caution with pregnant patients.

Getting dental implants in Anchorage or elsewhere in America is an elective treatment and not an essential requirement. However, implants are undoubtedly necessary to replace missing teeth and prevent the consequences of tooth loss that make essential treatments a requirement.

If infected teeth put your and your baby’s health at risk, you mustn’t avoid essential treatments like getting fillings or even root canals during the second trimester. However, you shouldn’t be concerned about displaying gaps between your teeth because the Anchorage dentist can give you a temporary restoration to wear during your pregnancy, requesting you to reschedule your appointment after your baby arrives.

Oral Health Challenges during Pregnancy

Dental implant surgery during pregnancy is concerning because you confront oral health challenges because of hormonal changes increasing the chances of dental implant failure. In addition, dentists are reluctant to conduct clinical research on women because they consider it unethical.

For example, you might confront challenges like changes to your immune system, pregnancy gingivitis, and gestational diabetes, which can contribute to implant failure at a higher rate than others. When dentists consider patients for dental implants, whether men or women, they perform a thorough oral and health evaluation regardless of whether the patient wants a single tooth replacement or an entire arch. Dentists demand patients be in optimal oral and general fitness for the best outcomes after receiving dental implants.

Complications Post-Surgery for Dental Implants

During dental implant placement, there is a need to take x-rays and administer anesthesia during the surgical process. While oral anesthesia is safe for many people, some might require complete anesthesia like sedation and intravenous anesthetics. In addition, pregnant women at a higher risk of infections are recommended to delay the treatment instead of rushing through it. Dentists recommend changing your decision to have dental implants when pregnant because your condition significantly impacts their treatment options for pain and infection.

During pregnancy, you become suitable for many antibiotics. Infections are discomforting but make you incapable of having most prescription medicines besides over-the-counter pain relievers to help alleviate the symptoms.

The stress about discomfort and pain isn’t the most comforting during pregnancy because it harms you and your baby. The anxiousness during your pregnancy can result in unwanted complications making it better for you to schedule your implant placement surgery after your baby arrives.

What to Do While Waiting Is the Only Option?

You might express discomfort at not receiving dental implants during pregnancy and might even think you might have to welcome your baby with a toothless grin. However, it doesn’t mean you cannot start planning and preparing yourself to get dental implants in a few months.

Please contact the Anchorage dentist to begin working on your customized treatment plan for your implant restoration. You can start transforming your smile after your baby arrives and you feel hale and hearty.

Implant restorations don’t give you additional teeth in a day and require three to six months before you can have dental crowns over the implanted titanium post.

You will need help when undergoing dental implant surgery, especially if you have chosen sedation besides local anesthesia. Sedation makes you incapable of operating vehicles, leaving you drowsy for at least four to six hours after the surgical procedure. The dentist cuts open your gums to drill holes into your jawbone to embed the titanium post in your jawbone to replace your tooth root. You must allow the titanium post to integrate with your body in a process called osseointegration.

After completing osseointegration, you must undergo another minor surgery on abutment placement. Two weeks after abutment placement, you can revisit the dentist to provide impressions of your teeth and mouth to have a customized porcelain crown to replace your missing tooth. The implant placement procedure appears lengthy but requires minimal attention after surgery and getting your artificial tooth.

Maintaining appropriate oral hygiene and getting dental prophylaxis every six months is essential to ensure your implant doesn’t fail because of plaque buildup around the implanted tooth. If you follow your dentist’s instructions, the implanted tooth will remain with you for life with proper care.

Anchorage Dental Arts provides dental implants for many patients but resists this procedure on pregnant women. However, you can begin planning for your tooth replacement solution with this practice even when pregnant and receive the implants after your baby arrives.

There was a time when you looked at healthy foods merely for weight loss, keeping blood sugar levels in check and your LDL cholesterol controlled. Presently everyone looks at excellent diets as an option to address many health problems, including digestive, hormonal, weight gain, and to recover from other conditions.

If you visit the dentist near me for routine checkups and cleanings, they often recommend the best foods for your oral health because of their association with your cardiovascular health. However, if you aren’t aware which foods are excellent for your teeth, gums, and overall health, we present a list of some foods that your dentist will recommend you have without exceptions.

Excellent Food Choices for Healthy Teeth and Gums

Dairy Products

When had in appropriate quantities, dairy products such as cheese, milk, and yogurt help build robust teeth. Calcium, vitamin D, phosphorus, and whey protein help restore enamel and the strength to protect teeth from tooth decay and enamel erosion. In addition, yogurt is an excellent probiotic, and cheeses contain good bacteria that help maintain pH levels in your mouth and inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria.

Harmful bacteria are responsible for conditions like tooth decay and periodontal diseases. However, milk is better consumed in more minor quantities because it results in weight gain and digestion problems. It is also crucial to select cheeses lower in cholesterol and choose unprocessed varieties. Similarly, favored yogurt high in sugar should be avoided in favor of plain yogurt mixed with fruits such as bananas and berries at home instead of purchasing high sugar flavored varieties from the grocery.

Fruits and Vegetables

Besides being beneficial for your overall health, fruits and vegetables also provide crucial vitamins needed for healthy teeth and gums. Crunchy vegetables and fruits function like toothbrushes to scrape away food particles and plaque. Lemons and oranges provide vitamin C, while carrots and celery provide beta carotene that Helps Form Vitamin A. Leafy greens can give you iron and folic acid. In addition, you can get antioxidants from some foods like berries. Finally, fruits and vegetables are excellent for inflamed gums and protect against gum disease.

Nuts

If you eat nuts for protein and HDL cholesterol, you must understand that nuts are beneficial for your teeth and gums as well. Nuts such as cashews, Brazil nuts, walnuts, pistachios, walnuts, and almonds are excellent protein sources. They also possess assorted vitamins and minerals such as calcium, zinc, potassium, amino acids, and vitamin E beneficial for your dental health. When having nuts, you must be careful and prefer appropriate portion sizes by avoiding salty and sugarcoated nuts to derive their natural health benefits.

Teas

Antioxidants and polyphenols that help protect against tooth decay, dental plaque, gum disease, and gingivitis are present in green and black teas. Therefore if you prefer having them suit yourself, ensuring that you don’t lower benefits by including sugar or having artificially sweetened teas.

Meat, Fish, and Soy

Arginine, an amino acid, is present in meat and soy to help protect against decay, plaque, and cavities. You can also consider eating eggs, meat, fish, and soy because they are highly rated to provide healthy teeth and gums and prevent periodontitis by strengthening your bones and teeth. In addition, fatty fish such as wild salmon, Atlantic herring, tuna, and mackerel are excellent sources of omega-3 fish oils and vitamin D. They are beneficial for preventing gum disease and tooth decay while protecting against cardiovascular disease.

A nutritious, well-balanced diet with plenty of water is crucial for good dental health. Besides realizing which foods are good or harmful for your teeth and gums, you must follow excellent dental hygiene practices by brushing your teeth twice a day consistently, flossing at least once a day regardless of the time, and ensuring that you maintain regular visits to your dentist for exams and cleanings.

Preventive dentistry also requires you to include a well-balanced diet and a dental hygiene regimen that is optimal to prevent infections in your mouth that might require costly dental treatments or might result in tooth loss. The foods your teeth love are not out of the ordinary and are routinely available on the market or in your neighborhood stores. Having them ensures your dental health remains optimal while avoiding complications with your overall health in the long-term.

Anchorage Dental Arts recommends everyone have excellent foods to develop healthy teeth and gums. However, if you haven’t considered these foods or are relying on the processed variety, we suggest you change immediately to benefit your dental and overall health.

Root canal treatments are relatively common in the US, and the American Association of Endodontists confirm they perform over 40,000 root canals every day. The number might appear surprising because it proves that 15 million people are undergoing root canals out of a population of 330 million in the country every year.

Although root canals have a fearsome reputation, most procedures are successful, and only a minor percentage of patients develop complications or experience severe discomfort, especially when the treatment is performed by the endodontist in Anchorage. However, how you care for your mouth after the root canal procedure impacts the ease of your recovery.

If you want to recover faster from this tooth-saving procedure, here are some essential steps you must follow to help speed recovery after root canal treatment.

Plan for Your Recovery

Your body needs rest to optimize your recovery after any surgical procedure. The Anchorage dentist recommends you take it easy for the remainder of the day and night on the day of your procedure. You must plan to relax for at least 24 hours after your root canal. Every patient recovers differently from any surgical procedure, but the chances are high that you might return to your regular activity the day after root canal therapy.

However, do not rely on your feelings because if you wake up feeling uneasy, you might benefit by having a restful day instead of jumping into your regular and normal strenuous activities.

Take Pain Relievers As Recommended

After undergoing a root canal in Anchorage, AK, it doesn’t make sense to endure pain unnecessarily unless you have medical reasons not to use pain relievers as recommended by the endodontist. Instead, the specialist recommends effective painkillers to treat significant levels of pain. When you reduce the pain signals to your brain, you receive help to avoid touching the area with your tongue or confront challenges resting. In addition, the reduction in pain levels supports your efforts to recover faster.

You can rinse your mouth with warm salt water the day after your root canal. Saltwater has a cleansing and soothing effect that reduces soreness and promotes healing while helping prevent bacteria from infecting your mouth.

Choose Food Carefully

You receive instructions from the endodontist not to eat anything for at least four to six hours after the procedure to ensure you don’t bite your cheeks or tongue until the anesthesia wears off. Not eating for the time specified also allows the temporary filling time to settle and seal the access hole created by the endodontist to expose the dental pulp.

It helps you think that your is injured or bruised when you eat and use the opposite side of the mouth to chew foods to keep the root canal site safe. You must also eat slowly and mindfully for at least a few days after root canal therapy.

Avoid Inflammation

Think of the treated tooth as one bruised or injured and expect some inflammation to occur because of the procedure. Therefore, it is essential not to indulge in activities that might increase inflammation. Some actions that can irritate the treated tooth are smoking, clenching, sucking hard candies, biting hard and crunchy foods, and pushing on or against the treated tooth.

You find it comfortable to reduce inflammation by taking the medications recommended by the specialist without skipping doses. In addition, you can use an ice pack on your cheeks to reduce swelling, remembering not to use it for over 15 minutes because using it for extended periods can cause tissue damage. You can also keep your head in an elevated position to prevent blood from rushing to the surgical site to trigger inflammation.

Root Canals Preserve Your Tooth from Extraction

Root canal treatment performed by an experienced endodontist helps you preserve a tooth from extraction and remain free from the concerns and inconvenience of getting dental implants or other replacement solutions. The success rate for root canals is relatively high and delivers long-lasting results after you recover. You just need to ensure you have the tooth restored with a dental crown after your recovery to provide the treated tooth with the strength and functionality it needs.

Undergoing root canal treatment from Anchorage Dental Arts is highly recommended over tooth extractions if you have dental pulp infections leaving you with an excruciating toothache in a specific tooth. Please contact this practice for an appointment today to find relief from the toothache affecting you.

Weight gain, muscle weakness, and fatigue, among other symptoms, indicate that your thyroid gland is out of whack. But did you know that the thyroid gland could affect your oral health? Did you also know that there is a connection between your thyroid and the temporomandibular joint (TMJ)?

You might be battling jaw pain which could be debilitating and can make simple tasks such as chewing, talking, and yawning daunting tasks. What could be worse is you not having a clue what is causing the jaw pain. Therefore, seeking our TMJ providers near you could be the best thing to do.  

The thyroid has many functions, and if it is not at its best, your TMJ could be affected. That’s why our Anchorage dentist encourages our patients always to seek immediate care.

In any case, let’s unpack a thing or two about TMJ, the thyroid, and their connection.

TMJ, In a Nutshell

The temporomandibular joint is a mouthful, but the joint is a vital joint that is located on either side of your jaw. It functions as a sliding hinge, linking your lower jawbone to your skull. The TMJ enables the jaw’s side to side and up and down movements to facilitate various actions such as talking, yawning, laughing, and eating.

The TMJ could be injured or inflamed to cause a condition known as temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD). You might have come across people mistakenly referring to the disorder as TMJ. TMJ is the acronym for the joint and not the disease.

Signs that your TMJ could be at whack are:

• Popping sounds
• Stuck jaws
• Trouble chewing
• Difficulty opening your mouth
• Swelling on both sides of the face
• Uncomfortable bite
• Tenderness in your face, neck, shoulders and jaw

About the Thyroid

The thyroid gland is a tiny organ with several functions and is located in your neck, wrapped around your trachea (windpipe). The thyroid has a butterfly shape, smaller in the middle and has two broad wings that extend on either side of your throat.

Even though the thyroid is a tiny organ, it releases various hormones essential for controlling several vital functions in your body.

When the thyroid is not working correctly, your whole body will be affected. If the body secretes too much thyroid hormone, you will develop hyperthyroidism. If the converse happens and your body produces less of the hormone, you will develop hypothyroidism. In both cases, your body will be affected negatively.

Thyroid disease refers to a scenario where your thyroid cannot synthesize the right amount of hormones to keep your body functioning well. Thyroid disease affects anyone, including kids, men, women, the elderly, and teenagers.

How Are They Linked?

The thyroid hormones are vital for skeletal development, linear growth, and the maintenance of adult bone mass. The adult bones are maintained by being remodelled to give the skeleton a chance to grow and repair. Some of the bones will be dissolved to replace them with new bones.

The intricate balance of bone dissolution and replacement at several molecular levels could be disrupted if there is under-or overproduction of the thyroid hormones.

Hyperthyroidism (high levels of thyroid hormones) can result in rapid bone loss, and the new bone might not be as strong as the older bone. If this continues to happen, it might lead to osteoporosis.

Hypothyroidism (low levels of thyroid hormones) can result in slow bone metabolism, meaning the new bone might not form on time. Therefore, there could be a chance that your bones might wear more than usual.

So, if these issues occur, your TMJ could be affected, and it might explain why you might be experiencing jaw pain and other symptoms related to TMD.

What Treatments Options Are Available?

The brilliant thing to do would be to visit our Anchorage dentist to get your TMJ checked. At least you may receive the help you need to help you deal with symptoms associated with TMD. Some of the treatments that you will receive include:

• Anti-inflammatories and pain medication to reduce the inflammation and pain
• Tricyclic antidepressants to control bruxism and alleviate pain
• Muscle relaxants to deal with muscle spasms
• Mouthguards or oral splints to help jaw movement
• Injections
• Surgery

However, if TMD is caused by thyroid disease, the best course of action would be to deal with the thyroid issue while using the treatments dealing with TMD.

In any case, our dentist is in a better position to help you. Contact us for general dentistry in Anchorage and TMD treatment at Anchorage Dental Arts.

Braces are used to straighten teeth that aren’t in alignment. If you need braces, the process is time-consuming, but they have a high success rate, and they leave you with oral benefits and a brighter smile. Dental braces are often prescribed during early adolescence or childhood. However, adults get braces more frequently. If you know a family member or benefit from dental braces, getting them sooner than later is better. This article contains information about braces that will help you decide your next step.

When to Wear Braces

The signs vary according to age and their overall dental health for an adult. However, braces in adults are becoming more common, and outcomes from adult braces are mostly positive.

Some symptoms that indicate you need to get braces from Anchorage Dental Arts include:

• Having difficulty in flossing between and brushing around crooked teeth
• You have teeth that are overcrowded or crooked
• You find yourself biting your tongue frequently and cutting your tongue on your teeth
• Fatigue and stress on your jawline after chewing food
• Having jaws that make noise and click when you first wake up or chew
• When you have teeth that don’t close over each other properly when your mouth is at rest
• You have difficulty in pronouncing certain sounds due to your tongue being under your teeth

How to Tell If Your Child Needs Braces

It is difficult to tell if your child needs braces. If your child has baby teeth that are crowded or crooked, that can signify that they need braces in the future. You should take them to a dental office near you if you notice some of these signs:

• Your baby has lost their teeth earlier or late than it is supposed to be
• They have crowded or crooked teeth
• When your child breathes through the mouth
• You kid is prone to biting the roof of the mouth, the tongue, or inside of the cheek accidentally
• When your child still uses a pacifier past the age of two or thumb-sucking
• Have jaws that click or make other sounds

In addition, poor dental hygiene and genetics also might be the reason why you or your child may need braces in the future.

When to See A Doctor

It is recommended that all children start their orthodontic dental care no later than seven years. When braces are identified early, the treatment outcome can be improved. Even when your child’s teeth are not showing visible crowding, it can be best if you check in with an orthodontist. 

The best age of getting braces varies. Mostly, braces treatment begins at the ages of 9 and 14 when children start growing their permanent teeth. However, an adult is never too old for braces, but it doesn’t mean you should be putting the treatment.

Whenever you are ready to take treatment for crowded or crooked teeth, you can schedule an appointment with our Anchorage dentist. We offer high-quality treatment that leaves you with a smile on your face.

Remember, as you get old, your jaw continues to grow, which can cause narrowing and crowding of your teeth. If you wait on treating crooked teeth or overbite, the problem won’t resolve itself or improve. So, the sooner you can get treatment for braces, the better.

What Not to Eat with Braces

There are foods you should avoid eating immediately after getting braces since they can irritate your mouth, causing sensitivity and pressure. These foods include:

• Spicy foods
• Ice cream
• Citrus foods
• Thick rolls and bread

You’ll be able to eat these foods after your teeth are used to having braces. Also, there are certain foods you should avoid as long as you have braces. They include hard and sticky foods that can damage the bands or wires or cause the bracket to separate from a tooth. These foods are such as:

• Crunchy vegetables and fruits
• Hard candy
• Chewing gum
• Nuts
• Popcorn
• Bagels and other hard rolls 

Also, you should limit the intake of sugary drinks and foods when you have braces. When sugar mixes with saliva, it creates plaque that coats your teeth. When you have braces, it can be difficult to remove plaque, increasing the risk of tooth decay. So, you should limit yourself to taking a few sugary beverages and foods a week.

In addition, you can get Invisalign in Anchorage, AK, as an alternative to dental braces for both you and your kid.