Porcelain dental veneers are the best solution if you want to change your teeth in a short time. But they’re not the only solution out there. In the past couple of years, the types of materials used for veneers have multiplied.
What Are Dental Veneers?
Veneers come at different prices, materials, and even brands. Regardless of their type, they act like a tooth cover. They mimic teeth’s outer layer, the enamel, and for that, they can restore teeth’s appearance to its greatest.
If you need to mask a discolored, chipped or worn tooth, veneers are definitely the option for you.
Given that veneers are custom-designed to fit each tooth, you should always be given the chance to speak with your dentist first. That way, you can request a specific color, length or shape. There are, however, certain design limitations.
Perhaps your ideal smile might not be the right one for your teeth size or the way that you bite. That’s why only cosmetic dentists can tell for sure the type of veneer that’s best for you.
Keep in mind that although all veneer types help with subtle cosmetic changes, only a few of them can actually give you a real makeover!
Should You Use Composite or Porcelain Veneers?
As we said, since there is more than one kind of veneer, you get to choose the right one for you. The most traditional types are composite and porcelain veneers.
Porcelain veneers resemble the most natural-looking teeth. They are sent to the lab and the technician works on each piece separately by hand. The lab delivers a porcelain piece that has a translucent quality, just like tooth enamel.
There’s glazing on the top that protects veneers. That way, staining can be avoided. The glaze also enhances porcelain’s peculiar strength.
Composite veneers, on the other hand, are not sent to the lab. They are made while you are at the dentist’s office. And because of this, porcelain is considered twice as expensive as composite.
Composite veneers can be made while you’re waiting or sculpted directly on your teeth. The composite resin is placed layer by layer and cured using a high-intensity light. This light activates and accelerates the bonding process, is completely safe, and widely used in dentistry.
Before you consider them as the ideal veneer type, acknowledge that composite lasts only half as long.
Both require that your dentist reshapes the tooth surface to make room for the bonding material, though.
No-prep Dental Veneers
Today, technology has made it possible to use other materials and methods. There is a different kind of veneer called no-prep veneers or laminates. Since they are thinner, there is no need to reshape your teeth before they are placed.
For no-prep veneers, teeth need to be aligned. That’s why they are only used for minor cosmetic cases. You can consider no-prep veneers as the best alternative for whitening.
You will always hear that they are less invasive, meaning that they are fully reversible. It is their main advantage!
Which Type Of Veneer Is Best For Me?
Your dentist will help you choose the right type of dental veneer depending on what you want to disguise and what you are aiming for (and that depends on your budget too, right?).
Because the solution shouldn’t be the same if you only want to fix a chipped tooth or lift the color of your teeth. There might be cases where teeth need to be aligned and at the same time close gaps between them.
If that’s your case and you want to cover defects that historically only an orthodontist could fix, porcelain veneers might be the solution for you. Not for nothing porcelain veneers have even been called instant orthodontics!
Having bad breath (Halitosis) is embarrassing. For some, it may not seem like an actual health problem, but one thing is for sure, it can slowly consume your self-confidence. Bad breath is actually the #3 cause for patients visiting the dentist (In case you were wondering, caries and gum disease lead the way).
We don’t know exactly how much widespread bad breath truly is. However, dentists think that is fairly common and can affect people of all ages.
Not all people are able to detect Bad Breath. If bad breath is making you self conscious, you’ve probably found that you tend to cover your mouth when talking. Perhaps you rather keep a safe distance from people, try to cover bad breath with mouthwashes, frequent tooth brushing and at times, an excessive amount of gum and mints.
If you want to tackle a bad breath problem, you need to understand its causes first.
Bad Breath Causes
#4 Dry Mouth
Dry mouth is a well-known cause of bad breath. Having a dry mouth not only refers to a lack of saliva, even when it’s the most evident symptom. Other symptoms include:
Thick or stringy saliva
Reduced sense of taste
Chewing and swallowing get difficult
Irritated or sore gums
Tooth decay
How can dry mouth cause a serious case of bad breath? Well, firstly, did you know that saliva is our ally? It keeps your mouth healthy. It helps to moisten and break down every piece of food that you are eating, it makes swallowing a whole lot easier and at the end, washes away food particles.
But not only that, saliva has minerals to keep teeth strong, that’s how they can resist tooth decay. If there isn’t enough saliva to keep the mouth wet, there is an increase in the risk of tooth decay and fungal infections. Dry mouth means that saliva will not able to keep germs in check.
#3 We can’t avoid it: Sleep
Having bad breath in the morning is not rare. But how did you manage to create bad breath overnight? Let’s see what happens while you are sleeping:
If you don’t follow a strict oral hygiene routine, you’re paving the way for microbe’s population explosion.
During sleep, there is increased microbial activity. Microbes need to get their energy and nutrients from somewhere, right?
The microbial metabolic activity gets a boost from the reduction of saliva flow. It’s actually normal to get a dry mouth while we sleep, either because we tend to breathe with the mouth open or because our bodies produce less saliva. Either way, lack of saliva means more microbes.
You can’t avoid Bad breath at night. As you can see, there are multiple explanations of morning breath. And there are, of course, other causes.
#2 Cause of Bad Breath: Lifestyle!
Eating certain types of foods increase your chances of having bad breath. Almost everybody knows that garlic, radishes, and onions cause bad breath. Cauliflower, cabbage, durian, and spices are also linked to oral malodor. So, it really helps to rinse your mouth with fresh water. But, if after eating this type of food you can still detect a faulty smell, it could come from food debris. So, go and brush your teeth!
Other common causes are smoking tobacco, drinking coffee and alcohol. It is said that there are “smell molecules” or volatile agents that arise from within our body. For example, after smoking and brushing your teeth, there are times when you can still taste tobacco because the volatile compounds of tobacco can make its way back to the mouth.
Alcohol also smooths the path for bacterial growth. Alcohol has a drying effect, affecting saliva production. A person who drinks frequently has a greater chance of having dry mouth and gum disease.
Adding sugar and milk to your regular cup of coffee may also be responsible for bad breath. Bacteria thrive on sweet mouths, milk ends up fermenting in the mouth and coffee makes dry mouth symptoms worse. It doesn’t look like a good combination anymore, huh?
Did you guess it? #1 Cause is Microorganisms
Scientists have not found a single type of bacterial colony associated with bad breath or Halitosis. What they found instead, was that breath odor was caused when different types of bacteria and microorganisms interact inside our mouths.
It is said that bacteria spot multiple habitats in our mouth to thrive. For instance, the hard tooth area, the soft surface of the tongue and the inside of the cheek, all of them offer different environments to bacteria.
The whole community of microbes that live inside us is called our microbiome. They have coevolved with us for millions of years and are continuously adapting to our environment.
It seems that the most common challenges that microbes face come from our modern lifestyle. For example, changes in our diet, heavy consumption of alcohol, tobacco, and even stress levels can affect them. Our mouth, being the most heavily colonized part of our body, is always in need of chemical balance.
The multiple habitats found in the mouth form and support the growth of microorganisms. Whenever we add an implant, crown or bridgework into the mouth, we are giving microorganisms a whole new area to colonize.
Other causes of bad breath
Starvation has been linked to breath odor.
Bad breath is a side effect of certain drugs.
Food debris, bacteria, and mucus cause tonsil stones. And they can also lead to bad breath.
Acid reflux induces foully breath. Having reflux causes undigested food to rise back up, bringing the smelly stomach bile closer to your -and trust us, not only your own- nostrils.
High blood sugar. PH balanced saliva can act as an effective barrier against cavities. If blood sugar is high, so is glucose in saliva. Bacteria feed on that glucose, giving them a perfect environment to thrive.
Can you get Bad Breath after Tooth extraction?
After dental surgery, you can feel pain, swelling in the area, some bleeding and even having to deal with stitches. However, these are all considered routine side effects of any dental surgery. Occasional bleeding can also leave an unpleasant and bitter mouth taste & smell.
There is another common problem following tooth extraction: Dry socket. If you ever experience a dry socket, you will recognize it right away, as it is really painful. Patients have told us that the pain increases as days pass by.
After tooth extraction, the empty socket should get filled with a blood clot. The clot is a protective response from the mouth, is the way it heals itself. A missing clot leaves the bone, soft tissues and nerves exposed. That’s why it is so painful.
You can clean a tooth socket filled with food debris and saliva with water. Any food particles that remain stuck in the socket delay healing and can lead to infection. Food debris doesn’t cause bad breath, bacteria feeding on debris creates a rotten smell.
Do you know how to identify a dry socket?
Try to look into the site where the tooth was pulled. You might need a mirror or assistance. Instead of looking at a dark blood clot, you’ll likely see whitish bone. Still, pain is the most noticeable sign. For instance, pain can be so severe that it feels as if it radiates from the missing tooth to your ear, eye and even neck!
If you’re positive that you haven’t developed a dry socket and you can’t feel any pain, there might be another explanation for your bad breath after tooth extraction.
It may be that you aren’t thoroughly brushing your teeth. It’s partially due to your dentist’s instructions, right? You were told to not disturb the extraction area or to rinse vigorously. As a result, food debris has caused bad breath.
But, you are certainly allowed to brush gently around the extraction. And, after the first 24 hrs, you can swish (gently) with warm saltwater.
Considering the tenderness of the extraction site and the blood clot that needs to form, drinking through a straw and smoking aren’t recommended, either. With these instructions, we are just trying to avoid a dry socket from forming.
It is more likely to happen in smoking patients.
Is there a Bad Breath cure?
Yes! You can conquer Bad Breath. Here’s how:
Continue reading if tonsil stones, high blood sugar or side effects aren’t causing your Bad Breath issue. We might give you the perfect solution to your bad breath problem.
Find the root of the problem. Is it gum disease? Good! At least we know exactly what to do! Gingivitis or gum disease causes bacteria to inhabit the base of the tooth, including the gums. If they’re free to infect and multiply, they never stop releasing foul-smelling odors.
We have talked tons about dry mouth, have you identified the cause yet? If it isn’t a serious disease like diabetes or hormonal fluctuations, you might have a chance here! To get rid of the odor-causing bacteria, try using specialized mouth rinses. A dentist is able to advise the use of oral lubricants or other techniques to avoid having a dry mouth.
Reflux is a known cause of Bad Breath, because of that, fighting reflux can also help. Reflux carries stomach acid with it, that’s why it causes bad breath and tooth erosion. Medication or surgery can control Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD). Fortunately, if it isn’t that bad, it can get contained just by making minor dietary changes, according to WebMD.
Using a tongue scraper, you can remove bacteria flourishing on the tongue. When toothbrushes with a tongue scraper were first introduced, there was a big fuss around them. Scientists from Brazil rushed to test their effectiveness back in 2008. They needed to know if scrapers could successfully reduce both aerobic and anaerobic microorganisms from the tongue’s surface. We are happy to tell you that they were able to confirm (through lab testing) that using a tongue scraper does minimize Bad Breath!
Digital Smile Design has changed dentistry. Using imaging software we improve communication with our patients. After all, the world is becoming digital-based. Still, many decision-makers continue to hang on to physical models.
Just as designers rely on virtual reality, architects use 3D modeling. Nevertheless, getting those designs printed out and using models gives them a different perspective.
Even car designers agree that working with clay modeling gives them a prototype that’s easier to work with. Working in mockups gives dentists and patients alike, a realistic experience.
It’s always better to hold a real object and confirm how touch, light, and shadows actually interact with it. And every feeling that can arise from it, is always superior to that of digital.
Where are we going with this? Well, Digital Smile Design is a smart design. The process goes from digital to a printed mockup that you get to try and test.
It’s a New Way to do Cosmetic Dentistry
High-quality dentistry depends on both technology and the human touch. Technical skills, every dentist’s unique experience, and knowledge will give a different result every time. Yet, is important to maintain quality standards and guarantee its reliability and longevity.
We consider that using 3D modeled mockups that can later be customized by hand is always the best choice for both dental practices and the patients themselves.
On one hand, patients have the opportunity to share their goals and expectations about their treatment. On the other hand, different types of dental specialists merge their technical skills and develop an artistic vision in the process.
Every patient becomes involved in their
own treatment and smile design.
It is really common to hear that Digital Smile Design is where the journey to a new smile starts. Yet, there are many people that haven’t had the chance to experience it on its own! How can we explain something that’s still abstract and foreign to them?
What is Digital Smile Design?
The Digital Smile Design concept has been around for over 10 years. And it keeps innovating! Patients were given, for the first time, a visually understandable treatment plan. Simultaneously, it offered dentists a new planning tool that improved predictability throughout the whole treatment.
Until then, patients who had undergone a full mouth examination received their results over a casual chat. Some dentists did go above and beyond to complement their explanation with visual tools. That truly helps patients understand the course of action.
Now, the extent of those visual tools varies tremendously between dental offices. Some may use X-rays and posters. Others rather use dental models with removable parts to give a thorough explanation.
But one thing is for sure, a lot of imagination is needed! With smile design, the diagnostic consultation has evolved.
What’s Great with This New Approach?
It’s a visual plan that you can understand
That’s because Smile Design is completely visual, it can be made with photographs! However, capturing and selecting the ideal frame in photos can be tricky. Is far more easy to perceive and capture spontaneity and aesthetics in videos. For that reason, it’s common to take screenshots from videos and work from there.
Function meets aesthetics
Keep in mind two things: Each smile design is unique, & oral rehabilitation is combined with aesthetic dentistry in its purest form.
It’s all about beauty proportions
Treatment plans under the Smile Design workflow are based on each patient’s facial and dental proportions. And it also includes a functional approach.
Digital Smile Design requires teamwork
There is another benefit to smile design. The team of specialists working on each design case may appreciate different features on a smile. At the same time, it helps them make the correct clinical decisions. We shouldn’t forget that every decision should consider function and aesthetics equally.
Imagine this situation: a root canal, a couple of implants and veneers are needed for one smile design project. A complex case like this requires multiple specialists getting involved in the final treatment plan.
You can get involved too!
Luckily, the Smile Design concept encourages you, the patient, to get involved in the planning phase. Every patient’s goals and expectations are taken into consideration. That’s how you can get involved in your own smile design.
How Does Digital Smile Design Works?
Every dentist following the smile design protocol is able to scan their patient’s mouth and digitize it. Once uploaded, the smile becomes an easily editable element.
So much that every patient gets “creative freedom”. There’s an open channel to communicate their desired smile. From there, the treatment plan is customized and built along with his dentist.
The dental office can take photos, videos, and screenshots from the actual video to make a quick design and mockup. The patient can see this and instantly understands everything that the dentist is envisioning for them.
Smile design doesn’t leave room for misunderstandings, nor for unfulfilled desires. Best of all? The patient has the final word on their appearance. Also, on how their looks can change in a matter of days.
The software and the technology used in every practice may be different, but they all have to follow the same principles.
It’s facially-driven dentistry, made with a team of dental specialists.
The planning phase involves both the specialists and the patient.
It opens a new channel of communication!
What’s great about Smile Design is that dentistry has turned more predictable. And has brought the patient closer to his dentist. What’s not to like about it!?
So you’re thinking about dental tourism Mexico for some dental vacations? Great! You probably heard that Tijuana, Mexico is much affordable than in the United States for any almost any type of dental work.
According to Josef Woodman, the CEO of Patients Beyond Borders in 2018, almost 800,000 to 1 Million Americans crossed the borders to get dental care, while more than 6 million patients worldwide travel to destinations all over the globe to fix their teeth.
When you think of dental tourism in Mexico you have one thing in mind: save money. And that’s actually true.
And there are more details that you need to know before making any decision.
Is it a good location?
Do they have certified dentists?
Is the price any good?
What’s the quality of their work?
If the office is clean and follows ADA and FDA protocols
If they offer any type of guarantee on their work
We assume you’ve done your homework and did some online research.
That includes checking their reviews, comparing the price of treatments and most important of all, that the dentist in Mexico is certified.
Is a plus if the Mexican dentist has US certification from the ADA or from American top companies of dentistry, like Sirona. Invisalign or Nobel Biocare.
Popular Dental Services in Mexico
In Mexico, you will find any type of dental services from regular teeth cleaning to more specialized procedures as the Full Mouth Dental Implants. Here are some examples:
All on 4 dental implants
Full Mouth Restoration
Dental Bridges
Porcelain Crown
Dental Implants
Bone Graft
Dentures
Porcelain Veneer
Root Canals
Teeth Whitening
Pediatric Dentistry
Sinus Lift
Why Mexico is a Popular Destination for Dental Tourism?
As simple as, low cost on all dental procedures.
For example, the cost of a dental implant in Mexico starts from 899 USD and go up to 1200 USD. Any more than that isn’t a good saving.
The cost in the United States is around 1800 USD to 2200 USD per dental implant. That depends on which state you live in, the price in Miami is different from San Diego.
We are talking about 50 to 75% of savings when you come to Mexico for dental work.
Other procedures like porcelain crowns have the same percentage of savings. On top of that, they also have great benefits, since they’re time-saving.
By now we both agree that Mexico is the best option for your pocket.
Getting dental work in Mexico is far more popular than going to other countries. Plus, is right next door to you.
The Best Location of Dental Tourism Mexico
You have the option of going to Cancun, Molar City, La Paz or any other part of Mexico. But you probably found that Tijuana is also a great spot.
Let’s see why Tijuana is perfect for your dental vacation.
In 2017, the New York Times released the 52 Places to Visit. Tijuana reached the position #8. There’s a culinary renaissance, fueled by craft breweries, stylish coffee shops, and International restaurants.
You could be visiting hipster food trucks at Telefonica’s Gastro Park to bustling Baja Med spots like La Querencia in the riverside Zona Rio neighborhood.
Also, Tijuana is right next to San Diego and has become one of the most visited border crossings from all over the world. Do you have an emergency? You’re minutes away from the San Diego airport to travel back home.
Tijuana is the place for food and drinks, but most importantly, with the highest private health care quality.
Plastic, Bariatrics, and dentistry are very popular because the city has become an important medical tourism destination.
There’s one thing that you need to consider when you’re looking where to get your next dental work in Mexico.
If you choose a destination based solely on its beaches, think twice. If you’re having a dental implant surgery, getting exposed to the sun and sand can affect your recovery process.
It is crucial that patients avoid sun and heat exposure, especially in the first 48 to 72 hours after implant surgery, you need to rest.
To obtain the best possible results, patients should minimize sun exposure to surgical scars for at least one year after surgery.
A dentist in Mexico will give you aftercare instructions so your recovery goes smoothly.
Certified Dentist in Mexico
Going to a dentist in Mexico can be the best experience of your life… or the worst one.
Don’t assume that your Mexico dentist is qualified to perform your dental procedure just because he is a licensed dentist.
After choosing the location for your next dental work in Mexico, you will find a lot of dental clinics to choose from.
You can go on Google and find the first search or the best reviews on Yelp, but you should try to go further, ask if the dentist can perform all the needed procedures or if they have a team of specialists
A general dentist WILL NEVER do an implant surgery or a root canal.
If you found a dental office with great prices, but you can’t see their credentials anywhere, just walk away.
Also, ask if the procedure has a guarantee and how many years it covers.
All it means is that they have a valid dental license and they pay their ADA dues. It doesn’t mean that the ADA pre-screened them or monitors their dental work. Anyone with a valid license can be a member.
What counts is years of experience, training, and ethics.
For example, at Smile Builders our dental director Ricardo Guevara is a certified Mexican dentist and has an impeccable record with more than 27 years of experience.
Dr. Guevara became Faculty member for Boston University, Tufts University and served as the Dental Director for the prestigious Advanced Education in General Dentistry Residency program also at the Codman Square Health Center.
After you choose the location, take a step further and ask for more information about your dentist in Mexico, he will guide you to a healthy and long-lasting smile.
Prices are Really Low in Mexico
We get it, the prices in Mexico are important before you travel.
You won’t travel to another country without an estimate of how much your dental work costs in Mexico.
Many dentists on their websites have a special section with the price range of their services, from implants to cosmetic procedures.
Compare the prices and maintain a record of the other clinics.
Also, you can call them, they will give you the information. In some cases, the cheapest way to get dental implants in Mexico is looking for good promotions, this is a great way to save BIG money.
Make your numbers, you will see that going to Mexico for some dental vacations is much affordable than doing your dental work in the United States
A BIG plus, many dental offices accept US Dental Insurances that can save you more money!
Preventive Dentistry
United States
Smile Builders
Savings
Teeth Cleaning (Adult)
$120
$45
62%
Teeth Cleaning (Child)
$80
$29
63%
Gross Debridement
$350
$110
69%
Root Scaling (Deep Cleaning)
$350
$150
57%
Tooth Crown & Veneers
United States
Smile Builders
Savings
Full Porcelain Crown
$1200
$550
54%
Zirconia Crown
$1500
$595
60%
PFM Crown
$800
$395
51%
Porcelain Veneer
$1400
$550
60%
Re-Cement Crown
$110
$50
55%
Dental Implants
United States
Smile Builders
Savings
Titanium Dental Implant
$2500
$899
64%
Zirconia Dental Implant
$3500
$1600
54%
Prefab Dental Implant Abutment
$900
$399
56%
Zirconia Dental Crown Over Implant
$1800
$595
67%
All on 4 Dental Implants (per arch)
$24000
$8250
65%
Sinus Lift (per side)
$3500
$1500
57%
Bone Graft (Per tooth)
$940
$449
52%
Is Quality in Mexico Good?
You can sure find great dental clinics in Mexico with amazing technology and high-quality dental care.
Some dental offices, like Smile Builders, have certified dentist, great prices and state-of-the-art technology that makes the difference from other clinics.
For example, CEREC technology is great to create porcelain or zirconia crowns in a couple of hours. To be more exact, in two-hours. This can save you many trips to the office!
First, a 3D scan of your mouth is done to generate the exact size and structure of your tooth, after that, a 3D impression of your tooth is done in 8 minutes. The last stage is the color match so it looks and feels natural.
Every single procedure is regulated by International, Mexican, and Americans protocols. So you can be pretty sure that the quality that you are getting exceeds your expectations.
Be aware that if your dentist in Mexico asks you to stay longer or to make extra trips to complete your dental work.
This is true especially if you need full mouth dental work such as with dental implants and crowns.
So, what are you waiting for? Choose the right Mexican dentist and enjoy your vacations with a new healthy smile.
Final Tip: You’ll Need a Passport
Yes, you are going to cross the border to Mexico.
You´ll need to present a passport to go enter to Mexico and come back to the US. In some cases, they don’t ask you the Passport, a simple identification is more than enough.
It takes about 4 to 6 weeks to get a passport if you submit a regular application. If you expedite, you can get it in 2 to 3 weeks.
Do not cross to Mexico any kind of drugs, weapons. If you are bringing back to the US medication from your dental work ask for your prescription, sometime CBP require a certified prescription for your pills.
If you are looking for home remedies for toothache, look no further. We have the one list to keep handy.
A major toothache may hit in the middle of the night when the dentist’s office is closed. If your common over-the-counter medications for toothache aren’t working, it may be time to look for homemade remedies for toothache straight from your grandma’s medicine cabinet.
Even if only your doctor will be able to cure the actual cause of tooth pain, this list of tooth pain remedies will get you through the night until you can call and visit the dentist.
Why Do My Teeth Hurt?
Every time your tooth hurts, there’s a good reason for it. If it gets infected it’s always better to get help from a professional. But how do you know when a tooth is infected? For that, we need to look for the most common symptoms:
Fever
Swelling in face or cheek
Increased sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures
It hurts when chewing or biting
A constant toothache with pain that radiates all the way to the jawbone, neck, and ear
Sudden foul-smelling and foul-tasting
Swollen lymph glands under the jaw & neck
By the way, the lymph glands or nodes are like filters of the immune system. They’re located throughout the body; the largest ones can be felt under armpits and jaw, above the collarbone, on either side of the neck and groin. They become swollen in response to infection.
When you have a tooth infection, only the lymph nodes closest to the infected area get swollen. Therefore, you can feel them under the jaw and neck.
Do any of these symptoms sound familiar to you? If you said YES to any of these, you might have a tooth infection. It’s time to call your dentist!
Toothache Causes
There’s actually only one reason why teeth get infected: Bacteria. If bacteria have reached the dental pulp, they can easily make their way to the tooth’s root. The pulp is in the center of the tooth. The pulp is closely connected to blood vessels, nerve supplies, and gums. Because of that, it’s the most vital part of our teeth.
Having bacteria in the pulp is a sign of infection, and in response, this tissue gets swollen and inflamed, giving you a toothache.
We know the 3 main reasons for tooth infection:
Poor or lack of dental hygiene. You’re supposed to brush at least 3 times a day and floss daily. Do you follow this advice? The American Dental Association found out in 2013 that less than 31% of Americans follow a strict dental hygiene routine. Having plaque buildup should concern everybody. It’s the first step towards tooth loss! If you experience mouth sores, bad breath or even gingivitis, try to improve your dental hygiene soon.
Dry mouth. Sadly, it is a side effect of a lot of medications and aging. But it can also happen when you’re breathing through the mouth or smoking tobacco. Our saliva is the natural way to wash away food particles. Dry mouth is the perfect environment of germs. So, having a less-than-optimal saliva amount and a population of germs multiplying, the risk of cavities increases.
Sweet tooth. You might be surprised to know that bacteria in your mouth also crave sugars. Bacteria find that sugar is a quick and ideal energy source. After having a quick meal, they produce acid in return, a known enemy of your tooth. If you don’t brush that frequently, the enamel starts wearing and you end up with cavities.
How To Get Rid Of Toothache
People have relied on local anesthesia and pain relievers to stop tooth pain. The issue is that many of these over-the-counter drugs might have undesirable side effects. One of the most common is having allergies of pain relief medicines.
The type of tooth pain remedy that you choose depends on what is causing the toothache in the first place. If you already discarded that the root of your toothache is not an infection (and you know it’s not due to an injury), there are a few things that you can try before calling the dentist.
Saltwater. Try to rinse with warm salt water and then spit it out.
Floss. Gently floss between your teeth to remove food particles, you may find that your toothache was only caused by that movie popcorn.
Opt for an alternative remedy. There are other home remedies for toothache that you can try, most of them are based on centuries-old herbal medicine. Let’s take a deeper look:
Natural Home Remedies for Toothache
1. Clove Oil
Is the most common natural remedy for dental pain relief. Traditional Chinese medicine has been using clove oil for toothache for centuries.
It is an antibacterial, is used as an anesthetic, anti-inflammatory and even as an anti-fungal agent!
Since it can cause irritation, clove oil for toothache should always be used diluted. We recommend diluting 2 or 3 drops of clove oil into a small amount of olive or canola oil. You can dab the oil preparation with a cotton swab into the affected tooth. We don’t advise to leave the cotton directly on the tooth or gums for over 2 minutes, as it may cause inflammation and chemical burns.
Some people rather use whole cloves because is more readily available. You can place a couple of cloves in your mouth and after getting moisten with saliva, bruise them with the non-painful molars. This will help to release the pain-relieving oil. After they get softer, try to place them in the afflicted tooth for a few minutes. You can repeat it several times a day.
Whenever you need an emergency toothache relief, we recommend a mix of cloves and cayenne pepper. You should know that the mixture can cause a burning sensation on the first minutes, this is normal. To use, crush and mix equal parts of cayenne powder and a few cloves. Make a thick paste by adding a few drops of water and apply with a cotton dab. Let it work its magic for a few minutes, always avoiding touching the gums!
Please avoid using clove in children, as they are likely to ingest its active ingredient, Eugenol.
2. Coriander or cilantro
If you find coriander powder, you have in your hands dried and roasted coriander seeds. And, if you are lucky enough, you could also find coriander seeds and fresh leaves. Regardless of that, to guarantee help with cooking, pains, and diseases, it’s a good idea to keep cilantro in your kitchen.
Cilantro is one of the least known home remedies for toothache. Boil about 1 tablespoon of coriander seeds in 5 LT of water. You should boil it until there’s only 1 LT of water left. It will result in highly-concentrated coriander decoct. Now is perfect to use as a mouth rinse.
It is safe enough to use it several times a day. By the way, you need to heat it up a little bit before each use. That way, you can activate its healing properties.
Cilantro also has antibacterial tendencies, making it an ideal solution for mouth ulcers and infections. If you rather use fresh cilantro leaves, finely chop a handful of leaves and grind them with some water to create a paste. To use, dip a cotton swab in the paste and apply it on the gums & the affected tooth.
3. Green Tea
It is rich in health-promoting ingredients. Flavonoids sum ⅓ of the total weight of green tea leaves. Flavonoids are plant chemicals that help us with their antioxidants and anti-inflammatory benefits, and they can also help with your mouth healthy!
The health properties of green tea have been tested in labs. Scientists have proved that green tea is one of the best home remedies for toothache. We owe that to its anti-inflammatory effects and the ability to prevent jaw bone resorption. Also, because it limits bacterial population in our mouths.
Green tea is great to prevent caries. It gives teeth an excellent resistance to acidic food, protecting the outer layer of teeth, the enamel. If the enamel is safe, your teeth are also safe.
But don’t forget that green tea also helps to control bacteria growth! Scientists have identified at least 4 different bacteria types -which pose a threat to our mouth health- that green tea can fight.
So now you know that drinking green tea is a fantastic way to control bacteria and change the pH of your saliva. Green tea also helps with halitosis, a severe and chronic bad breath condition.
Consider drinking one or two cups a day to benefit from its antimicrobial and deodorant properties; your mouth health, breath and friends will thank you!
4. Using Garlic For Toothache
Get to know the antimicrobial properties of garlic! Crushed garlic bulbs release allicin, a potent bactericidal. The antimicrobial properties of garlic are so powerful, that it has passed lab testings! If you want to see it for yourself, visit Plos One Journal.
To stop tooth pain, you can try to use a whole garlic bulb. After crushing the bulb, add sea salt, you will notice that a paste-like mix is formed. Apply it directly on the troubled tooth.
If garlic bulbs are too strong for your taste, try garlic’s scapes and flowering tops instead. Keep in mind that the concentration of allicin is somewhat smaller.
5. Using Cinnamon For Toothache Remedy
Using Cinnamon as a natural remedy for toothache is suggested in almost every herbal remedy book. To quickly dissolve the pus sac and pain related to toothache, you can use cinnamon.
You’ll find that cinnamon is used in various ways as a toothache remedy.
Throw half a tablespoon of cinnamon powder in a glass of water, stir it and drink it. Or, make a cinnamon tea with just a couple of cinnamon sticks in warm water.
You can also prepare a paste of cinnamon powder and honey. Add 5 teaspoons of honey for every teaspoon of cinnamon powder. You can rub the mix on the gums to soothe the aching tooth. Try it at least 3 times a day for faster healing!
6. Peppermint For Toothache
Applying peppermint to a troubled tooth is recommended by Rosemary Gladstar’s Medicinal herbs guide. You are probably familiar with its flavor, as it is a common ingredient in mouthwashes and toothpaste. Because of this, we’re almost positive that peppermint is behind that after-taste of freshness when you brush your teeth.
Peppermint lessens sensitivity, sorta like an analgesic would do. Moreover, peppermint soothes dental pain and reduces inflammation. It happens because peppermint has anodyne properties.
7. Make Yourself a Peppermint Tea for Tooth Pain
Tea is a fast home remedy for toothache. You can try peppermint tea for tooth pain relief, just add one tablespoon of dried peppermint leaves in a cup of boiling water. Let them rest for about 20 minutes and wait until it cools. Once it does, swished around in the mouth. Try this until the cup is over.
If you’re making peppermint tea from tea bags, try to place them -when they’re slightly warm- against the tooth for a couple of minutes until you feel that the area is somewhat numb.
You can also use peppermint oil as a quick remedy. A few drops placed on a cotton ball are enough to work as a solution for toothache. Leave the cotton ball for a few minutes and discard.
8. A Cold Compress Is Great For Your Pain
Probably one of the most known home remedies for toothache is using a cold compress. It can be used when injuries or swollen gums are the cause of toothaches. In those cases, applying something cold to the area can help.
You can try to add ice and water to a Ziploc bag. Just make sure there’s enough water to cover every ice. Insert this bag inside a second one, this will prevent leakage. You can apply it for several minutes, about 5 times a day. To avoid an ice burn, don’t leave for more than 3 minutes at a time.
To decrease inflammation and swelling use a cold compress. If you don’t see an improvement, it might be that swelling is caused by a serious infection. In that case, schedule an appointment with your dentist right away!
Your dentist is going to give an effective cure for your toothache. Also, taking a look at your hygiene habits like flossing and brushing may help to prevent any future toothaches.
9. It’s Always Good To Store Garden Sage
Sage has been long used to relieve the discomfort of toothaches and even when teeth are coming out. A usual remedy is Sage, either as an extract or as dry leaves. Salvia officinalis is commonly used in traditional medicine and is popular for its beneficial effects on mouth and teeth.
The bacteria that are responsible for dental plaque are sensitive to sage essential oil. And you can take advantage of that! Use a mouthwash containing Sage to fight plaque-causing bacteria.
10. Mouthwashes, King among the Home Remedies for Toothache
It’s a luxury to make a mouthwash at home! Really, you get to choose its taste and smell and even if it has alcohol or not. Among the most popular home remedies for toothache, you will find easy-to-make mouthwashes. You can make a homemade mouthwash with almost any type of herb. Sage, Peppermint, Nutmeg, Thyme, and Licorice root are common ingredients for homemade mouthwashes.
Some don’t mind to use a powerful solvent, like ethanol, a common type of alcohol found in alcoholic beverages. But we certainly don’t recommend using alcohol, as it can dry the inside of your mouth. However, adding ethanol to mouthwashes is common because it is an antiseptic and a preservative.
You may find that alcohol-based mouthwashes leave a better aftertaste, or feel fresher. The truth is that they shouldn’t be used that often. Frequent use leads to a dry mouth, the #1 cause of cavities!
With that said, soaking the leaves or roots in water should give you an effective, yet cheap alternative to the store mouthwash. The parts of the chosen herb are chopped, broke into pieces and soaked in water.
This mix is left to rest for about 2 days. After that, everything is strained through a mesh. After straining, you can add a few drops of vanilla stevia to give it a pleasant taste. It also helps to add 2-4 drops of organic oil, like peppermint. As you can see, is common to find peppermint in mouthwashes.
In the end, you only need to shake up all the ingredients in a jar. This an organic mouthwash, and it’s best if you only make a small batch.
That way, it lasts only for a few days and it is always fresh.
The Safest Way to do All on 4 Dental Implants in Mexico
So you are thinking about getting the All on 4 Dental implants treatment, right?
I know it’s hard, there’s a lot of factors that involver making a good decision:
Price
Dentist certification
Security
Reputation
I will walk you through on this journey so you can how to choose the right dentist outside the States and save money in the process.
Missing a single tooth is hard enough to deal with, but missing all or most of your teeth’s can turn into a waking nightmare.
Before 1977, when the technique was created by Nobel Biocare, removable prosthesis or commonly known as dentures were the only way to replace all of your teeth.
Though there were always innovations in the materials used, they all worked in much the same way: artificial gum with artificial teeth sitting over natural gum to replace missing teeth.
Now a patient with broken, decayed teeth or severe gum disease can choose for the all on 4 dental system, using four implants in the upper or lower mouth.
This will support a fixed prosthesis with 10 to 14 teeth, the material of the prosthesis can be from hybrid acrylic, metal base with porcelain or zirconia.
Some of these materials fitted better than others or remained firmly in place for long. Perhaps some were more durable.
But fundamentally, they were all the same basic system.
Firstly, What Are Dental Implants?
Dental implants can simply be thought of as artificial tooth roots. Made from titanium or zirconia, this can replace a missing tooth without any complication.
While there are plenty of options to fill a missing tooth such as a tooth bridge or a partial denture, implants are a good option for a long-lasting solution.
After the specialist place the implant, there’s a healing process of 4 to 5 months where the bone will attach the implant, this biologic process is called Osseointegration.
Is also defined as: “the formation of a direct interface between an implant and bone, without intervening soft tissue. After the healing process is done, the crown over implant can be placed.
How do All on 4 Implants Work?
The all on 4 dental implants is the biggest development in major tooth replacement procedures in decades.
The technique uses up to four or six implants to support a prosthesis. But, what does this mean for patients? Let’s take a quick look.
The all on 4 dental implants are a unique and modern solution for multiple tooth loss. Their strategically placed in your mouth to attach your denture.
After adding the implants, temporary prosthetic teeth get attached to the implant.
After a couple of months, your jawbone heals, and the oral surgeon can place a permanent natural-looking denture.
There are Multiple Benefits to This
There is an improvement in the appearance
You can maintain jaw shape and volume
Minimal risk of infections
Will not affect your speech and sound voice
You will eat almost everything
Have a normal life
Fully customize the color and shape of your teeth
When is necessary to replace a single tooth, only a crown is needed. But when multiple teeth are required — or even a row of teeth — need to be replaced, it would cost too much time and money to do an implant for each individual tooth.
This is where the all on 4 dental implants come in.
What are the Disadvantages for All on 4 Treatment?
Of course, there’s always some disadvantages to consider:
The artificial gum bridge can feel different in your mouth.
It demands a high level of bone to hold implants in place
If you are a smoker or use an electronic cigarette it may fail
Not fully or non-insurance covered
Price can be high in the United States or Canada
Who is Candidate for the All on 4 Dental Implants?
If you are missing more of your tooth in your upper or lower arch, then the all on 4 dental implants system is a great option. Ideally, you should:
Have a good oral health
Be in proper health for surgery
Not be taking medication that impairs healing
Avoid smoking
High blood pressure, heart problem or cancer we will require a letter from your primary doctor.
If you have gum disease or have gum disease in the past, it puts your implants at risk.
Smoking or diabetes can impact your oral health, when you visit our Tijuana dentist, please notify him so he can take me proper measures.
What Happened if I’m not a Candidate?
There are multiple factors you may not be a candidate for the All on 4 Implant system. One is because you don’t have an enough bone density on your jaw, an alternative is a sinus lift and place 4 to 6 implants.
A person that have bruxism or bite really strong is very likely that the surgeon suggests 6 implants to maintain proper retention of biting.
That’s the All on 6 Dental Implants!
The All on 4 Implant Process
With the All on 4 dental implants technique, an entire row of teeth can be supported on just four dental implants.
Implants need to be carefully digital planned and very strategically placed to ensure maximum support and functionality. A CBCT scan will be required.
There are cases were dentures mounted require 2 implants, due to a severe bone loss, this is called Snap-On dentures.
There’s a big difference between using a Snap-On and a denture fixed denture.
The prosthesis is mounted on the implants rather than sitting over the gum, providing more stability than conventional dentures.
With the all on 4 patient to eat almost everything, but with conventional dentures there are some restrictions. It also removes the worry of dentures falling out at inopportune moments.
How Long do All on 4 implants Last?
This is a permanent solution for multiple tooth loose. With proper care, your prosthesis and dental implants will last 20 to 35 years.
Is important that you go with the dentist every 6 to 12 months after the procedure is done, not because you don’t have natural teeth you are not going to go to the dentist, believe me, many patients at our office have mentioned that one of the reasons that they want to do the procedure is for not going to the dentist anymore.
Is the total opposite, you have to be very careful and with super hygiene to avoid any infections on your gums or bone.
Types of Implant-Supported Denture
Once you’ve decided to go with an implant-supported denture, you have two main options that you and our specialist can discuss.
They are removable implants and fixed implants, both of which can either be full dentures or partial dentures. And within these two main types, they each have two subtypes.
Snap-on dentures. They are basically removable dentures; they Snap-On on either side of the dental implants that are put in to hold the dentures in place.
Fixed denture implants. This is similar to the Snap-On denture but the biggest difference is that you cannot remove it.
Their different material, hybrid acrylic denture, metal-based porcelain/acrylic denture, and zirconia denture. Depending on your bone condition and budget
How Much do All on Four Implants Cost?
If you are looking for a quote for the All on 4 in Mexico you will find that is around $8,000 to $12,000 per arch. This usually includes all the process with an acrylic denture with a titanium frame.
Millions of Americans, Canadians, and Europeans travel to other countries to seek affordable dental implants and other types of procedures.
It involves people seeking care outside their in-country healthcare provider and often accompanied by a vacation.
According to Patients with Our Borders, Last year some 800,000 Americans, Canadians, and Europeans crossed borders. Mexico has become one of their favorite places to visit.
The reasons? Very simple, is close to their home, the weather is great, its food and beaches are perfect and also they save a lot of money.
In Mexico, the all on 4 dental implants cost is around $8250 per arch.
That price includes the tooth extraction, all four implants, immediate denture, and permanent denture. Sounds good, right?
Are you thinking how much you would save? We are talking about 75% of the average price at any United States dental clinic.
Dental Treatments
USA
Smile Builders
Savings
All on 4 Dental Implants (per arch)
$24,000
$8250
65%
Dental Implant
$2,500
$899
64%
Hybrid Acrylic Fixed Denture
$7000
$3500
50%
Zirconia Fixed Denture
$24000
$8499
65%
Bone Placement Graft (Per Tooth)
$940
$449
52%
Surgical Tooth Extraction
$400
$160
60%
Why is Dental Work in Mexico Less Expensive?
The cost of dental work in Mexico is cheaper compared to American prices.
There’s a good reason for that. For a start, the cost of dentistry school, dental office bills and the fact that there are no insurance requirements for medical treatments in Mexico.
Most of the dentists in Mexico use the same technology, materials, and protocols as the American Dental Association require.
You will find the same brands too, Nobel Biocare or Straumann is very popular in Mexico. In the case you can’t come back to Mexico your local dentist will be familiar to the protocols and materials that we use.
In general, the cost of living in Mexico is cheaper than that in the United States or Europe.
Mexican Dentists Are Certified?
Yes, at our office our dentists are certified and have many years of experience to perform any dental procedure that you may require.
Most dentists completed their studies in Mexico and a fraction at foreign Universities.
Over the past few years, many have preferred to continue their studies in the United States or Spain.
If you had the idea of Mexican dentists are uneducated, is not true. They have the same skills in dentistry as your local dentist.
Mexico is a top dental destination and we have to keep up with international standards.
When you need a dentist in Mexico, you will find many good options. But you need to do some research first.
We recommend to check their reviews, confirm if they can give solid proof of their work as a before and after.
A common condition is the location of the dental office. Is it located in a secure area? If you figure that out, is time to look for a dentist’s certification.
Here at Smile Builders, all of our Tijuana dentists are certified. We have more than 16 different specialists.
Their specialties range from dental implant procedures (Oral Surgeon) to cosmetic procedures with a prosthodontist.
Make your research, millions of people use dental tourism to save money and get first-class dental work in Mexico.
Having the All on 4 Implants in Mexico
At this point, you already made your research, and feel that Mexico is the best option for you. That’s great! The next step is to make an appointment and buy your airplane ticket.
At Smile Builders, when you’re traveling and need to stay a couple of days, we can arrange your hotel and transportation. We called Fly-in-Program.
We can manage all the details so you don’t worry about anything more than buying your plane ticket. Pretty easy, right?
Before you travel, please send us your panoramic x-ray and all the information that your local dentist has. That way, we can be one step forward and take advantage of time.
After you arrive at the dental office the procedure is:
Have a consultation with our dental implant specialist.
Confirm your existing jawbone density, this in order to determine the type of implant needed.
Take a CBCT 3D scan, just to plane your treatment
Local anesthesia is placed
Remove all remaining teeth of your bottom or lower teeth
Place four or more dental implants
Temporally overdenture is placed while your mouth is healing
The final denture will be placed after a couple of months
Aftercare
After four to six months your mouth is ready to support permanents overdenture. It can be from hybrid acrylic denture or zirconia. This gives a natural look of your teeth, and you look even younger.
You’ll need to return with our dentist for regular checkups and maintenance. We recommend one or two visits per year.
All on 4 Dental Implants Reviews
You might be wondering “Are all on 4 dental implants safe?” or “How long do they last?”
As this is a relatively new technology, existing studies have only looked as far as the 25-year survival rate.
There are plenty of All-on-four before and after photos and videos to be found online.
Many patients record their journeys as they get full mouth implants. Here you can view user’s review of his experience a few months after having his implants fitted:
“Dr. Guevara and his staff are awesome! I am currently in the first stage of the All on 4 processes and was treated with the utmost respect and kindness from the moment I landed in San Diego for pick up. Rest assured the clinic is clean, cutting edge and safe”
“The team of specialist is highly skilled, a top-notch professional whose education and resume are noteworthy and impressive. Please do not hesitate to travel to Smile Builders for your dental needs. I would refer my family and friends to these wonderful people in a heartbeat”.
“I always had problems with my teeth and oral health in general. My dentist was a real life-saver. My teeth feel like my own—so secure, that I know I never have to worry about them ever again. Getting implants is the best decision I have ever made!”
If you still have doubts on the All on 4 procedure or you are not sure if you are candidate, please give us a call or contact us by email to give you more information.
Teeth Numbers and Names: Know Everything About Your Mouth
Have you ever had that feeling that when you go to the dentist you don’t know what he is talking about? Well, here is a quick guide that can help you identify teeth numbers and names, so you can understand what he’s talking about.
So, let’s start, every tooth inside our mouth has a different function, number, and name. To make things easier, teeth are divided into 4 equal sections, called quadrants.
It also helps to visualize our mouth, with its two easily identifiable curved arches, one for each jaw.
The total sum of the teeth on our jaws forms both dental arches.
We only have 2 sets of teeth during our lifetime. Although we are born with 20 baby teeth, they are hidden in our gums.
They’re called primary teeth and these erupt around the time we’re ready to eat solid foods at 6 months of age.
The second set of teeth start appearing at age 6. In a matter of years, they gradually replace all baby teeth.
Unlike sharks, these are our final and permanent teeth.
But not everybody gets their baby teeth replaced. Some retain baby teeth, even in their late adulthood.
Oddly enough, the second molar is the most likely to stay retained.
Teeth Names Explained
Teeth usually come in pairs: the front teeth are called incisors and you have 8 in total. 4 in the upper jaw and the other 4 on the bottom.
By the way, although everybody says “upper jaw”, the actual term is maxillary bone. And, the “bottom or lower jaw” is actually the mandible or jawbone. When in doubt, refer to your teeth as the position they occupy, either on the upper or lower jaw.
Let’s continue! There are 4 canines, also called fangs or cuspids. They’re on either side of the incisors, 2 on the top and 2 on the bottom. And they are called cuspid because of the single-cusped or pointed tip form.
We have 8 Premolars, which are next to the canines. Normally, there are 2 on each quadrant. Premolars are bicuspid, meaning they have 2 cusps or points.
I know this is a lot of information…
Following each pair of premolars, we have 8 to 12 molars.
We are not giving an exact number because, at the end of every row of teeth, 4 wisdom teeth might or might not have erupted yet, we can’t be sure.
Each person is different, and some might get all 4 wisdom teeth developed by age 14, some as late as 30.
Teeth Names and Numbers for Children
With children, there are a couple of differences. Children only have 20 teeth in total:
8 incisors, usually the 2 bottom central incisors are the first to erupt.
4 canines, one sitting at each row end of incisors.
8 molars, and that’s it!
Babies and children don’t have enough room in their mouths for more teeth.
Is not until they have a much larger skull and jawbone, that there’s room for the second set of teeth.
What About Baby Teeth?
Babies aren’t born with visible teeth. They are hidden in their gums. It could take up to 24 months for all baby teeth to emerge through the gums.
Teeth at this age serve multiple purposes. Without them, eating solid foods would be impossible and babies and children wouldn’t be able to speak clearly.
These teeth will eventually get replaced by permanent adult teeth. Still, they are fulfilling a really important task.
Most people are surprised when they find out why we develop baby teeth in the first place.
Turns out that besides needing them to chew our food, baby’s teeth are so important, that Mouth Healthy says baby teeth hold space in the jaws for permanent teeth that are growing under the gums.
That’s why whenever a baby tooth is lost too early, the permanent ones drift.
Loss of teeth can be due to poor hygiene, cavities or needed extractions. But every lost tooth can be problematic to adult teeth. The lack of teeth leads to crowding or a bad bite, making braces necessary.
When do Babies Start Teething?
When we are born, teeth are hidden beneath the gums. They start to “erupt” and break the gum line at different moments. Even when the timing is different for each baby, as per BabyCenter, the usual order of tooth eruption is:
The 2 front teeth in the lower jaw usually come out first. This can happen anytime between 6-10 months of age.
The 2 front teeth in the upper jaw come second. This can happen somewhere between the ages of 8-13 months.
The teeth on each side of the central incisors come next. They can erupt between 8-16 months. It’s common to see the bottom set first.
Upper and Lower Molars. They come as late as 13-19 months of age.
Canines. They sit beside the lateral incisors and erupt on both the upper and lower jaws around 16-23 months.
Upper and Lower Molars. The second set of molars break the gum line at 25-33 months.
By the time tooth eruption is completed, the average child has turned 3 years old.
Ever Wondered Why Teeth Have Different Shapes?
As you probably noticed, teeth can be set apart not only by their position but also by the number of spikes in them. Or, as a dentist can tell you, teeth can set apart by their diverse functions.
Incisors. The chisel-shaped front teeth. They need to be flat and sharp. Without them, you couldn’t bite into food. You use them to cut and shear food into small pieces.
Canines. Their pointy shape helps to tear food. They can rip on foods that might be too tough, like meat.
Premolars are flatter than canines. With premolars, there’s more biting surface than canines and incisors. They not only tear food, but they can also crush it.
Molars. The largest. With a greater biting surface, they crush, grind and chew on food.
How many Roots does Each Tooth Have?
The number of roots varies between each tooth and by their position on the upper or lower jaw. Typically molars have 2 or 3 roots. Whereas almost all other teeth have 1 root.
Incisors are similar to scissors in the way that they cut food. We only need 1 root for each incisor.
Canines are the longest teeth, with 1 long and stable root. They need a deep bone attachment since they guide the bite during chewing movements.
Premolars are transition teeth. Located between canines and molars, they can tear food just like canines or grind food like molars. The first premolar on the upper jaw tends to have 2 roots, all the others only have 1.
Molars need to sustain strong chewing forces and because of that, they usually get anchored to your jaw by up to 4 roots.
What Are the Different Parts of a Tooth?
Each tooth can be divided into two, the crown and the root.
The crown is the only visible part of the tooth and it’s covered with enamel and dentin underneath.
The different shapes of crowns give the function to our teeth. For example, a pointy crown, like our incisors or fangs, allow them to cut food.
The root is the hidden part of the tooth. It is embedded in the jawbone. The root has to be healthy to act as a strong anchor, otherwise, tooth loss can occur.
From the outside in, these are the different parts of a tooth:
From the outside in, these are the different parts of a tooth:
Enamel
It is the hardest, outermost layer of the tooth and the most mineralized substance in your body. It’s also the most inorganic tissue, made with an average of 98% pure mineral! The main component is hydroxyapatite, is what gives enamel its crystal-like look. Enamel also has fluoride.All the chemical reactions that take place in the enamel give resistance to acid decay and help to recover lost minerals.
Enamel’s color range from milky white to light yellow. So, basically, the color of your teeth depends on how thick your enamel layer is. Acid destroys the enamel, it gets eroded when the pH in your mouth gets lower than 5.5.
To prevent tooth decay, the toothpaste needs to neutralize the pH in your mouth.
This is why brushing teeth more than 3 times a day is always recommended!
Dentin
Is the tissue beneath the enamel. When the enamel is eroded, dentin can get exposed, causing tooth sensitivity. It happens because the components and anatomy of dentin make it a highly sensitive and permeable tissue. The dentin layer is able to continue forming throughout life as a response of tooth decay and abrasion. Dentin is the bulk of the tooth and acts like a capsule for the deepest part of the tooth: the dental pulp.
Pulp
The innermost part of a tooth and it supplies with blood and nerves to the tooth. Since it is a supplier, the nutrition, restoration, and protection of teeth rely on it. Its primary job is the creation of teeth and it also gives an immunologic response when is exposed to microbes. When it gets infected, a root canal is needed. The dentin and the dental pulp are so interrelated, that they are usually considered as a whole.But there’s one major difference, the pulp doesn’t have any minerals and is limited by the mineral walls that surround it.
Cementum
A bone-like tissue that covers the root surface. It has two essential functions, it attaches the tooth to the bone and prevents the bone from reabsorbing the tooth root. The cementum tissue is deposited on our tooth roots throughout life. Since the cementum is mainly inorganic and impermeable, root canal treatment at all possible.
Teeth Numbers
While most people have learned to identify teeth by teeth names and positions, dentists refer to them by their numbers.
There are a couple of systems out there. The most popular one is called the ADA teeth numbering system. It helps to visualize the teeth in a clockwise fashion. According to it, teeth numbers 1-16 are on the upper jaw and numbers 17-32 are located in the lower jaw.
These teeth numbers are from the point of view of the dentist looking at you!
[one]
[one_second]
UPPER RIGHT QUADRANT
8
Central Incisor
7
Lateral Incisor
6
Canine or cuspid
5
1st Bicuspid
4
2nd Bicuspid
3
1st Molar
2
2nd Molar
1
Wisdom Tooth
[/one_second][one_second]
UPPER LEFT QUADRANT
9
Central Incisor
10
Lateral Incisor
11
Canine or cuspid
12
1st Bicuspid
13
2nd Bicuspid
14
1st Molar
15
2nd Molar
16
Wisdom Tooth
[/one_second]
[one_second]
LOWER RIGHT QUADRANT
32
Wisdom Tooth
31
2nd Molar
30
1st Molar
29
2nd Bicuspid
28
1st Bicuspid
27
Canine or cuspid
26
Lateral Incisor
25
Central Incisor
[/one_second][one_second]
LOWER LEFT QUADRANT
17
Wisdom Tooth
18
2nd Molar
19
1st Molar
20
2nd Bicuspid
21
1st Bicuspid
22
Canine or cuspid
23
Lateral Incisor
24
Central Incisor
[/one_second]
[/one]
Interesting Facts About Our Mouth and Teeth
Teeth are the hardest tissue in our bodies, even more than bones!
Teeth are not bones. Even when they may look similar to the naked eye, under the microscope it’s clear that the only thing they have in common is their whitish color and their calcium component.
Although they are the hardest substance in the human body, we only have a limited supply of teeth on our lifetime.
A lot of creatures are able to regrow teeth and limbs. Humans contain the DNA to regrow them too, but the ability is turned off.
Other animals, like sharks and alligators, are polyphyodont since they are able to produce multiple sets of teeth.
A lot of crowding teeth problems are caused by the size of our jaws. The jaw size depends on genetics and the environment.
If you put it under heavy use during childhood, the jaw is under stress and tends to grow more. So, a hard diet in childhood will result in an adult with a fully developed jaw. Talk about long-term planning!
The tongue is one of the strongest muscles in our bodies. And just like fingerprints, we have a unique tongue print.
Each person’s set of teeth is also unique! Nobody has a bite or smile like yours.
Bruxism or teeth grinding is an oral habit where you are continuously gnashing your teeth and you usually don’t have any control over it. You could say it’s done involuntarily.
There are 2 different types of Bruxism:
Awake Bruxism,
Sleep Bruxism.
Teeth grinding can occur during wakefulness or you could be doing it without noticing while you sleep.
What Causes Bruxism?
Stress. Teeth grinding is usually caused by stress. This is in fact, the main cause.
Our modern lifestyle is increasing our daily stress. Long working hours result in lack of sleep, which leads to chronic fatigue.
If you tend to start a lot of projects but never seem to finish them, you might feel that you can’t keep up. And that too is a cause of stress.
People with compulsive, aggressive and controlling behaviors are more vulnerable.
Medications. If you do actually read the small letters imprinted on med packages, you should be able to see that Bruxism might be part of its side effects.
Other substances. Drug overuse increases muscular activity. The nervous system might get too stimulated, releasing enough adrenaline to give a higher muscle tension.
Unfortunately, it also affects the jaw muscle tension, and teeth grinding can happen.
In the ’90s, high Caffeine intake was associated with teeth grinding, but that couldn’t be proven…at that time. Now is generally accepted that heavy coffee drinkers are at greater risk of sleep teeth grinding.
How To Know If You Have Bruxism?
Awake bruxism is easier to diagnose since it occurs during waking hours. But awake bruxism is far less common than sleep bruxism.
Have you wondered how can we diagnose Sleep Bruxism?
It may surprise you to know that most patients are unaware that they clench their teeth at night. They are usually informed by other family members since Bruxism has a distinctive sound.
Let’s see some of the most common questions included:
Has anyone heard your grinding teeth noises at night?
Have you ever felt jaw pain when you wake up?
Does it hurt when you try to open your jaw in the mornings?
Do you experience mild headaches upon awakening?
Have you ever notice that you grind or clench your teeth during the day?
In dentistry, to diagnose Bruxism, we might need to look for abnormal teeth wearing signs.
If you don’t regularly see a dentist and suspect Bruxism, you should schedule an appointment right away as bruxism can damage teeth permanently.
How To Relieve Jaw Tension
Up until this point, we have talked about what could be happening TO YOU. Now, let’s see what YOU CAN DO. If you are willing to, of course!
Try the following exercises to relieve jaw muscle tension. And try them in front of a mirror:
An exercise to open your jaw
You can start by opening and closing your mouth a couple of times. Consider this the main warm-up exercise.
Leaving your mouth slightly opened, touch your bottom front teeth. Next, using your fingers, try to slowly pull down your jaw. Stop when you reach a point where you feel discomfort. Try to hold this position for 30 seconds, then slowly release.
Repeat 3 times the first day until you hit 12 repetitions per session. Tip #1. Don’t overdo it. Tip #2. Work your way up gently and gradually, always stopping at the discomfort point, that way, you avoid hurting yourself.
An exercise to stretch your jaw joint
This exercise is for your jaw and neck muscles.
With the tip of your tongue reach directly behind your 2 top front teeth. Try not to touch them. With your tongue, apply pressure on that point. Keeping the pressure, slowly open your mouth, as wide as you can. Release at the same pace.
Repeat 10 times.
Just as the first exercise, stop where you feel discomfort. But if you feel any pain, stop this exercise immediately.
An exercise to stretch your facial muscles
Exercising the facial muscles also helps to get rid of stress in this area. It too benefits the lower jaw and neck area.
If you’re in front of a mirror, try the widest smile you can. Stop at the point where you feel pain or tightness.
While you keep that fabulous smile, slowly open your jaw another 2 inches. Try to breathe through your mouth. Inhale deeply… exhale, and let go of that smile. Repeat 10 times.
How Do You Treat Bruxism?
Your dentist will recommend to wear a dental appliance after diagnosing Bruxism. It depends on whether it happens during sleep or wakefulness. It may serve 2 different purposes: to prevent grinding teeth grinding or to prevent teeth damage.
Splints And Mouthguards
Occlusal Splints have a simple design. A well designed and efficient splint needs to follow the natural shape of your arch and cover it on both ends.
Splints don’t cure Bruxism, but they can surely help to protect your teeth. A splint can keep the upper and lower teeth apart, preventing future damage. Splints might be beneficial for your family too since it can get rid of teeth grinding sounds at night!
Mouthguards can be customized for your mouth. Other types have a generic shape and they fit universally. A mouth guard for teeth grinding is intended to even out the pressure felt across your jaw.
