What You Should Know About Gum Lifts

At times, teeth may be of the healthiest sort, but the gums would spell a problem—in terms of aesthetics, that is. You may have seen people with “gummy” smiles, or those whose gums extend too far from the lip line. People with “gummy” smiles tend to lose confidence over their dental predicament, since they feel that too much of their gums show when it shouldn’t be the case. 

Fortunately, a procedure called gum contouring (a.k.a. gum lift) can help. A dentist performing this cosmetic dentistry procedure uses a laser to trim away excess gums, then subsequently shape the gum tissue so it looks much better on the teeth. Gum lifts are done for various reasons. Several people have gums that didn’t recede after their permanent teeth erupted, while others have lips that simply show too much gums when they smile. In some cases, gums may actually recede farther than normal, revealing too much of the tooth surface. 

What to Do When You Grind Your Teeth

Have you ever stared at the mirror and noticed that your teeth appear…wrecked? You see chips, jagged lines, and all other qualities that denote physical damage. On top of that, you also feel a bit of pain. If you’ve experienced all that, then you might be suffering from a condition known as bruxism, a.k.a. teeth grinding. 

Bruxism, in a nutshell, is one of the most common sleep disorders and may occur even without the person knowing. Over time, the constant grinding and clenching shorten and blunt the teeth, leading to obvious physical damage, facial muscle pain, headaches, and a condition known as Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction, TMJ, or TMD. 

How Dentists Perform a Smile Makeover

Smiling is next to laughter in making a person’s life long and happy. Besides the health benefits, a smile also helps attract life opportunities. However, not everyone is blessed with perfect-looking oral cavities, as some suffer from dental infirmities or diseases that prevent them from smiling. Fortunately, a lot of dental practices today are offering smile makeovers.

A smile makeover is a set of cosmetic and reconstructive dentistry procedures designed to correct infirmities and improve the appearance of the oral cavity. People with multiple issues in their mouths can get a smile makeover rather than individual (and more time-consuming) services for each diagnosed issue.

Cancer of the Mouth

You’ve heard about brain cancer, breast cancer, and lung cancer, but did you know that the mouth can develop cancer, too? Mouth cancer, a.k.a. oral cancer, results from abnormal cell formation within any part of the mouth. This condition affects people who are in their 40s and over, and is more prevalent among men than women. The American Dental Association estimates that about 39,000 Americans develop oral and pharyngeal cancer each year.

Risk factor increases with smoking, tobacco, and alcohol use; exposure to sun, radiation treatment, and certain chemicals such as sulfuric acid, asbestos, and formaldehyde; human papilloma virus infection; high diet of red meat, processed meat, and fried foods; consumption of betel nuts; and GERD (gastro-esophageal reflux disease).

Fear of Dentists: How to Overcome Dental Anxiety

It’s not only kids who have nightmares about sitting in a dentist’s chair; adults also experience dental anxiety. In fact, approximately 15 percent of Americans completely avoid going to the dentist due to this fear. As a result, many aren’t getting the dental care they deserve. Here are a few tips to help overcome your anxiety:

Teeth Whitening: Preparing for the Treatment

Cosmetic dentistry is a way to enhance one’s smile. Through today’s technology, many procedures from teeth whitening to dental implants can significantly improve a person’s oral and dental health. Teeth whitening is probably the most popular cosmetic dentistry procedure. If you’re planning on getting your teeth whitened, here are a few tips to help you prepare:

Skilled Dentists in Atlanta Can Give You Back Your Smile with Dentures

Teeth are a lot more fragile than most people think as tooth decay and gum diseases take their toll on them and eventually result in their removal, either through extraction or natural loss. For many who have lost some or most of their teeth, it can be embarrassing to smile; however, experienced dentists in Atlanta would be able to help by providing you with dentures. Dentures have been around for a long time; the first examples of artificial teeth can be traced back to 500 BC. These days, a lot of people are keen on dental implants, but not everyone is a good candidate for them, whether financially or medically. Dentures provide these individuals with another great option to replace their missing teeth.
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Dental Implants by Atlanta Dentist: Why They’re Worth the Investment

Losing teeth is always bad news. Unfortunately, your problem doesn’t end there. When teeth are lost, the underlying alveolar bone—the bone that supported the teeth in the first place—will shrink both vertically and horizontally, and this can lead to even bigger oral and dental problems such as damage to the jaw bone and further loss of teeth. Therefore, any lost teeth should be replaced immediately. Dental Implants to the Rescue Dental implants offered by a trusted Atlanta dentist can save you and your smile from lost or missing teeth. The alveolar bone needs the stimulation it receives from teeth to stay healthy, and dental implants can recreate that stimulation. Dental implants fuse to the bone—and that’s how they are able to stabilize it and prevent it from deteriorating any further. That may be good news all on its own, but that’s not the only advantage that dental implants can provide.
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TMJ Disorder: When It’s Time for You to Visit an Atlanta, GA Dentist

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is where the upper and lower jaws connect. Located directly in front of the ear on both sides of the head, the TMJ has the appearance of a sliding ball and socket with a disc sandwiched in between. Within the TMJ are moving parts that allow the jaws to open and close. When there are no issues with the TMJ, a person can yawn, speak, and eat foods with ease; however, there are times when a person encounters problems with his TMJ. When this happens, that person may have a case of TMJ disorder. A person with TMJ disorder is likely to experience symptoms including popping of the jaw, pain while chewing, sore jaw or neck, teeth grinding, nerve inflammation, and headaches.
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