A few years ago, a dental newsletter published what seemed like an unusual story. A boy snagged his teeth on a basketball net while doing a slam-dunk.
A freakish accident? Not quite. After the article appeared, nearly 40 dentists wrote in with their own stories. They all told of would-be Michael Jordans who sacrificed their front teeth in pursuit of the perfect dunk.
In older children and adults, sports injuries are common. Dentists estimate that between 13% and 39% of dental injuries occur while playing sports.
About 80% of all dental injuries affect at least one of the front teeth. Damage to the tongue or cheek is common, too.
Basic Protection
Even if a tooth has been knocked out, it often can be saved if you get to a dentist quickly enough. Minor chips and cracks can be repaired. Dentists use tooth-colored materials that are nearly as strong as the original tooth. However, even "minor" injuries can cause serious and costly damage. If you enjoy sports or other high-risk activities, protect yourself. The use of mouth guards among football players, for example, is believed to prevent about 200,000 mouth injuries a year.
Depending on the sport, two types of protection are available:
- Helmets- A helmet is a must for activities that involve speed or impact. These include football, hockey, skating and bike riding. The helmet should fit correctly. It should also be appropriate for the sport you are playing.
- Mouth guards - Wearing a mouth guard is one of the best ways to prevent injury to your teeth, tongue and lips. A custom-fit mouth guard from your dentist is recommended. This type of mouth guard usually fits better than a ready-made one (found in sporting-goods stores). That means it may protect your teeth better.
If a custom-fit mouth guard isn't an option, try a "boil-and-bite" mouth guard. You can buy one in a sporting-goods store. You place the mouth guard in boiling water. Once the plastic is soft (but not too hot), you bite down on the mouth guard and mold the softened plastic around your teeth. If the mouth guard doesn't fit comfortably the first time, you can reheat it and do it again.
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09/25/2013
The above article is from: Colgate.com
Palos Hills Dental
Anthony Tisoncik, DDS
9700 South Roberts Road
Palos Hills, IL 60465
(708) 599-2929
HickoryHillsDental.com
Hygiene
Visits Are Important
Having your teeth cleaned on a regular basis is
important to maintain good health. Research has proven
that when gum disease occurs, it affects other serious
health conditions like stroke, diabetes, and heart
disease. Plaque and tartar form and build up on teeth
over time. Once tartar collects below the gumline, an
infection will start and spread. Having your teeth
cleaned by a professional hygienist along with proper
daily care will help to combat gum disease and other
health problems.
Palos Hills Dental
Anthony Tisoncik, DDS
9700 South Roberts Road
Palos Hills, IL 60465
(708) 599-2929
HickoryHillsDental.com
What Are the Different Parts of a Tooth?
- Crown- the top part of the tooth, and the only part you can normally see. The shape of the crown determines the tooth's function. For example, front teeth are sharp and chisel-shaped for cutting, while molars have flat surfaces for grinding.
- Gumline- where the tooth and the gums meet. Without proper brushing and flossing, plaque and tartar can build up at the gumline, leading to gingivitis and gum disease.
- Root- the part of the tooth that is embedded in bone. The root makes up about two-thirds of the tooth and holds the tooth in place.
- Enamel- the outermost layer of the tooth. Enamel is the hardest, most mineralized tissue in the body รณ yet it can be damaged by decay if teeth are not cared for properly.
- Dentin- the layer of the tooth under the enamel. If decay is able to progress its way through the enamel, it next attacks the dentin - where millions of tiny tubes lead directly to the dental pulp.
- Pulp- the soft tissue found in the center of all teeth, where the nerve tissue and blood vessels are. If tooth decay reaches the pulp, you usually feel pain.
What Are the Different Types of Teeth?
Every tooth has a specific job or function (use the dental arch in this section to locate and identify each type of tooth):
- Incisors- the sharp, chisel-shaped front teeth (four upper, four lower) used for cutting food.
- Canines- sometimes called cuspids, these teeth are shaped like points (cusps) and are used for tearing food.
- Premolars- these teeth have two pointed cusps on their biting surface and are sometimes referred to as bicuspids. The premolars are for crushing and tearing.
- Molars- used for grinding, these teeth have several cusps on the biting surface
The above article is from: Colgate.com
Palos Hills Dental
Anthony Tisoncik, DDS
9700 South Roberts Road
Palos Hills, IL 60465
(708) 599-2929
HickoryHillsDental.com
We
Care about Your Kids
We can assure you that we use the most current
advancements in children’s dentistry, delivered with
care and thoughtfulness. Your children will be
comfortable for their appointments in our office. During
each visit, we teach them the importance of properly
caring for their teeth. We enjoy seeing them grow and
change and helping them to have healthy teeth for a
lifetime.
No More Dental Fears
It is one of our goals for all children of this and
future generations to feel relaxed about dental
appointments. As many of our parents have told us, we
are achieving this objective. The atmosphere in our
office is calm and happy, and our young patients enjoy
their visits. No matter the level of fear, we are here
to make it easy for you and your children.
Palos Hills Dental
Anthony Tisoncik, DDS
9700 South Roberts Road
Palos Hills, IL 60465
(708) 599-2929
HickoryHillsDental.com
Preventing
Child Tooth Decay – the Easy Way!
Children do not always brush their teeth as well as they
need to. With all the grooves and contours in the back
teeth, areas may be missed and not cleaned properly.
When bacteria and plaque start to form on the tooth’s
surface, decay begins. Once there is any decay, a
filling is needed, or if the decay is extensive, a crown
will be the required restoration.
There is a way to keep this from happening with an
application of dental sealants on all the teeth. Here is
how this easy treatment works:
- After the teeth are cleaned and sterilized, a thin, transparent
coating of the sealant is applied.
- A curing light is used for bonding the sealant to the teeth.
- No shots or drills are used and the entire treatment takes only a
few minutes.
- This sealant helps to prevent cavities for both children and
adolescents and preserve their teeth for a lifetime.
Palos Hills Dental
Anthony Tisoncik, DDS
9700 South Roberts Road
Palos Hills, IL 60465
(708) 599-2929
HickoryHillsDental.com
Teeth
Lost to Gum Disease
There is a general assumption by patients that most
teeth are lost due to decay. But the main cause is gum
disease. Gum disease can go unnoticed until it reaches
the point of losing your teeth. Surgery is needed in
advanced stages of infection, but now nonsurgical
methods can be used if the infection is treated in the
early stages. If you have bleeding gums from brushing or
flossing, or you notice your teeth are loosening, please
contact us immediately.
Gum
Disease Has an Effect on Your Health
It has been estimated by the American Dental Association
that 80% of the adult population in the United States
has gum disease. Dentists consider this an epidemic, but
it is not labeled so because it is not considered a
life-threatening disease. But now all that has changed.
Recent medical research has identified a link between
chronically infected gums and serious health conditions
such as heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. The
bacterial infection of the gums travels throughout the
body in the bloodstream and affects or worsens other
health concerns.
The American Academy of Periodontology reports: “studies
found periodontal infection may contribute to the
development of heart disease, increase the risk of
premature, underweight births, and pose a serious threat
to people whose health is already compromised due to
diabetes and respiratory diseases.”
The
Good News in Treating Gum Disease
We let our patients know that if they experience any
symptoms of gum disease – bleeding or reddened gums or
loose teeth – to come into our office immediately. When
gum disease is treated in the early stages, nonsurgical
procedures are successful in halting the problem. Once
periodontal disease is advanced, surgery is the
treatment. Both procedures are covered under most
insurance plans.
If You Lose a Tooth
Losing a tooth has more of an impact on your health and
appearance than you may think. Even one missing tooth
can cause other teeth to start to shift. This may affect
chewing and absorbing nutrients from your food. If
chewing becomes difficult, softer foods with a higher
calorie content may be favored, which often results in
weight gain. Your face will take on a “sunken” look,
giving you the appearance of being older than you are.
We recommend implants to replace your missing teeth.
They look very natural and function just like a real
tooth, and give you a complete, beautiful smile.
A
Healthy Smile and Body
Good oral health is more than just looking your best. It
is also about healthy teeth and gums. Most tooth loss is
because of gum infections, not decay. And from recent
health studies, a connection has been made between
chronic gum disease and the health of your entire body.
There is good news in treating gum disease without
surgery in many cases. Our commitment to each and every
patient is giving the care and attention you need to
have optimum health.
Palos Hills Dental
Anthony Tisoncik, DDS
9700 South Roberts Road
Palos Hills, IL 60465
(708) 599-2929
HickoryHillsDental.com
Bleeding or sore gums can be a sign of gingivitis, an early and reversible stage of gum disease, or simply the result of brushing too hard or starting a new flossing routine. If your gums bleed regularly, or enough to worry you, make an appointment with your dentist or physician, it could be a sign that something else is wrong.
Above article from: MouthHealthy.org
Tel: 708-599-2929
9700 South Roberts Road
Palos Hills, IL 60465
USA
