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The Four Types of Teeth

 

 

 

 

 

Our teeth are used each day whether we are chewing, speaking or posing for a photo. Simply feeling each tooth demonstrates that each one has a different shape and feeling. There is a reason for this; each type of tooth serves a different purpose. There are four types of teeth that make up the 32 most adults possess.

Incisors

The incisors make up the eight front teeth, four on top and four on bottom. These are the teeth humans use to take bites out of foods like apples and peaches. These flat teeth are typically the first to appear. The tops of these teeth are quite narrow, making them perfect for snapping off pieces of food.

Canines

The four sharpest teeth are the canines, typically used to tear food. These are the ‘fangs’ people might use to bite into a juicy steak. Running the tongue over the teeth offers an introduction as to just how sharp these teeth, also known as cuspids, are. These teeth are the longest and feature a single point and just one root.

Premolars

Bicuspids, also called premolars, are the teeth humans use to chew food after the few initial bites. Four premolars on each side of the mouth allow humans to grind up food before swallowing. These teeth are comparable to the canines, as they do often have a sharp point but the bottoms are shaped more like molars.

Molars

The molars, which serve the same purpose as the bicuspids, continue to tear up the food. These teeth are often used to grind up large pieces of food. Each adult usually has 12 of these teeth, which include the first molars, second molars and third molars, which are also known as wisdom teeth. These teeth get wider as they reach the back of the mouth.

Your teeth are very important to your digestion, speech and overall health. That is why it is best to take proper care of your oral health. Brush and floss daily, don’t smoke, eat healthy, and see your dentist regularly for dental cleanings and check-ups.

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The Effects of Dry Mouth on Dental Health

Dry mouth, also called xerostomia, is a common problem with huge potential consequences. It’s not just an annoyance. It can have a severe negative impact on your dental health. There are many causes for this condition, some of which may be entirely preventable.

Medications

Medications are the most common cause of dry mouth. The drugs which are most responsible for this side effect include antihistamines, muscle relaxers, incontinence drugs and prescription painkillers. If you’re experiencing an unmanageable degree of oral dryness, ask your doctor if changing medications might relieve the problem.

Mouth Breathing

People who are born with an underdeveloped jaw and chin tend to breathe through their mouth. Naturally, this causes saliva to dry up faster than it can be produced. Unsurprisingly, mouth breathers also suffer from a much higher rate of dental complications than those who breathe normally. Buying a chin strap made for snorers can keep the mouth closed at night and help train the individual to breathe through their nose during the day.

Nerve Damage

People who have received trauma to the neck or mouth may have sustained nerve damage which prevents the salivary glands from secreting saliva. It is theoretically possible that surgery could be done to repair the affected nerves.

Effects of Dry Mouth

Without adequate saliva production, harmful bacteria have an opportunity to flourish. A lack of saliva can also cause the gums to pull away from the teeth. This allows germs and plaque to get closer to the roots where they can cause the most damage. If left untreated, you could suffer from chronic halitosis, gum disease or tooth loss.

Difficulty eating is another problem caused by dry mouth. It may even prevent the sufferer from being able to eat, in some cases. This could be especially damaging for the elderly or infirm. The last thing someone needs when their body isn’t working as well as it used to is a lack of food.

People of any age can suffer from dry mouth, but it may be particularly damaging to oral development in young children. If the teeth and gums aren’t adequately protected by saliva, there is an increased risk of dental abnormalities later in life.

If you or your children suffer from dry mouth, it is of the utmost importance to correct it. We can help you discover what is causing the problem and offer advise in treating this very serious condition. Please call us if you have any questions or concerns. We are here for you. 1-866-478-7695

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All About Dental X-rays

Dental x-rays are a necessity in today’s dental environment. Dental x-rays are a useful tool intended to help determine potential oral health risks such as oral disease, impacted teeth and other abnormalities in the mouth. They provide the patient with a thorough analysis of his or her current state of oral health and allow the dentist to properly diagnose treatment options. In many cases, x-rays are necessary to view obstructed portions of the mouth. As a result, it is important to have x-rays taken for optimal oral health.

Frequency of dental x-rays is dependent on a variety of factors. Children should typically have x-rays performed annually because they are more prone to cavities and the teeth may still be in the development phase. Adults with periodontal disease or any other oral health problem should also have x-rays performed on a regular basis to monitor their health. Essentially, anyone who is at a high risk for oral health problems or has an existing problem must have dental x-rays performed regularly.

Safety is a concern that many patients have regarding x-rays. Dental x-rays are considered very safe, but they do require exposure to low levels of radiation. Precautions are taken to ensure that patients are exposed to as little radiation as possible.

There are two primary types of dental x-rays:

  1. Intraoral x-rays are the most commonly used x-ray and they survey the inside of the mouth. Intraoral x-rays provide extensive detail of the inside of the mouth and allow dentists to view tooth roots, check developing teeth and generally provide an overall picture of tooth health.
  2. Extraoral x-rays are performed with the film outside of the mouth and focus primarily on the skull and jaw area. These x-rays provide less detail but can be used to monitor growth and analyze relationships between teeth and jaws.

Whether you are visiting us for the first time or because you have a toothache, we will utilize x-rays to determine the best treatment options. Your x-rays will  tell us more than we can see from an exam. The ADC Dental Group uses the most up to date equipment, materials and technology to provide the highest level of comprehensive care to our patients. Feel free to contact us if you have any questions or concerns. 866-478-7695

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Diabetes and Oral Health

Diabetes is a condition that can affect many different parts of your body, like your weight, circulation, and vision. Another part of the body that diabetes can affect is your mouth. Even if your condition is under control, people with diabetes still have to take particular care of their oral health.

If diabetes is uncontrolled or poorly managed, white blood cells, which are responsible for fighting infections in the mouth, are not able to do their job. Uncontrolled diabetes can decrease the amount of saliva in the mouth, which causes dry mouth. Dry mouth can lead to tooth decay, infections, and mouth soreness. Diabetes can also cause slower than normal healing in the mouth after a surgery or injury because the disease affects blood flow to the mouth. Often, people with diabetes have to take antibiotics to deal with infection, and they are particularly susceptible to thrush, which is a fungal infection that can cause a burning or itching sensation in the mouth. Another major oral health concern that affects people with uncontrolled or poorly managed diabetes is gum disease. Not only does diabetes affect white blood cells, it causes a thickening in blood vessels. This thickening slows the speed with which nutrients flow toward tissues and wastes are carried away from them. In the mouth, white blood cells that don’t act as they should, excess waste, and poor nutrient flow can lead to gum infections, like gingivitis and periodontitis.

Anyone diagnosed with diabetes, even if the disease is managed well, should have a good relationship with his or her dentist. Diabetics should take scrupulous care of their teeth and brush and floss daily. They should visit their dentist at least twice a year and make sure that the dentist is aware of their condition. It is also a good idea for a diabetic’s physician and dentist to have each other’s contact information so that they can discuss treatment plans for any oral disease that takes hold.

The dentists of the ADC Dental Group give the most attentive care to our patients that battle diabetes. We are here for you. If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to call our office at 1-866-478-7695.

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Why Should I Feel Confident About Invisalign? [FAQs]

Q. How many patients have been treated with Invisalign?

A. More than 1.7 million patients worldwide have been treated with Invisalign. The number of Invisalign smiles grows daily.

 

Q. What are aligners made of, and what do they look like?

A. The virtually invisible aligners, which are made of a thermoplastic material uniquely developed for the Invisalign treatment plan, look similar to teeth-whitening trays. A series of Invisalign aligners are custom-made for you, to move your teeth in the sequence determined by Dr. Durling.

Q. Do Invisalign aligners contain Bisphenol-A (BPA)?

A. No. Invisalign aligners and Vivera Retainers do not contain Bisphenol-A or phthalate plasticizers. These aligners and retainers are made with USP Class VI medical-grade, high molecular weight, polyurethane resins. Tests have been conducted to determine the biocompatibility of these materials, and show that they are biocompatible and pass all applicable regulatory requirements and thresholds for human wear in the mouth. Of course, as with any medical device, you should consult with your health professional about your aligner or retainer treatment and any applicable risks of use.

Q. How old is the company?

A. Align Technology, Inc., the company that manufactures Invisalign, was founded in 1997.

Q. Has the FDA cleared Invisalign?

A. Invisalign aligners are classified as Class II medical devices by the FDA, and Align Technology, Inc., received the necessary 510K clearance from the FDA to be able to sell and market the Invisalign system in 1998.

Q. What is the minimum age of a patient that a doctor can treat with Invisalign?

A. Invisalign Teen is appropriate for patients who have shed all of their baby teeth and have second molars at least partially erupted. This includes most teens.

Dr. Durling offers free consultations to discover if Invisalign or Invisalign Teen will work for you. You may call us at 866-478-7695 or schedule online.

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