Friday 28 November 2014

Causes and Treatment of Canker Sores

Cold Sores and Canker Sores Compared
It’s easy to confuse cold sores and canker sores.

Unlike a cold sore, a canker sore is not contagious, and it appears on the inside tissues of the mouth rather than the outer surface of the lip (which is where cold sores appear). A canker sore, also known as an apthous ulcer, looks like a small, round or oval lesion that has a white or yellowish center surrounded by red. They tend to be indented, like a crater, rather than raised, like a bump.

Canker sores most often appear on the inside of the cheeks and lips or at the base of the gum. Canker sores are not usually associated with bleeding gums, so if you are experiencing bleeding gums you should see your dentist to be evaluated for possible gum disease.

The majority of canker sores are mild. Mild canker sores are less than one-third of an inch long and usually heal on their own after a few weeks.

But major apthous ulcers, defined as larger than 10 mm in size, can take more than a month to heal and can cause scarring when they finally do heal. So it’s important to visit your doctor or dentist if you have a canker sore that has persisted for more than a few weeks. These large ulcers are most common in young adults after puberty, and they are more likely to recur than smaller sores. Older adults are more prone to herpetiform lesions, in which dozens of tiny lesions group together to form a large ulcer.

The exact cause of canker sores remains uncertain, but possible factors include an allergic reaction to bacteria in the mouth, a minor injury to the inside of the mouth due to dental work or poorly fitting dental appliances, food allergies or health problems, such as celiac disease and inflammatory bowel diseases.

Although most canker sores resolve on their own, if you have a large or stubborn lesion, your dentist may prescribe an antibiotic mouth rinse, topical paste to apply to the lesion, or a nutritional supplement if poor nutrition may be the cause of the canker sore.

The above article is from: OralB.com

Lifetime Family Dentistry
Elena Bielawski, DDS, FICOI, FMIII
66 Maple Avenue
Collinsville, CT 06019
(860) 605-2075
LifetimeFamilyDentistryCT.com 

Tuesday 25 November 2014

Preventative Dental Care

Regular Oral Hygiene Visits Collinsville CTReducing Cavities in Kids and Adults
Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral that helps fight cavities. In very early stages, before decay can even be seen, fluoride helps to repair it. It helps your teeth resist the acid that leads to decay. So in addition to recommending use of fluoride toothpaste in your daily care, we offer application of a fluoride varnish or gel to help combat cavities. This is a painless procedure that takes only a few minutes and can have long-lasting results!

The Importance of Hygiene Visits
We want you to know how important it is to have your teeth cleaned on a regular basis by our professional hygienist. Once plaque and tartar harden on the surface of your teeth, tooth brushing will not remove it. If tartar settles in below your gumline, you risk the chance of developing gum disease. Recent medical research has identified a link between advanced gum disease and life-threatening conditions like heart disease, diabetes, and stroke. We want you to have good overall health, so please take our recommendation seriously! 


Lifetime Family Dentistry
Elena Bielawski, DDS, FICOI, FMIII
66 Maple Avenue
Collinsville, CT 06019
(860) 605-2075
LifetimeFamilyDentistryCT.com  

Saturday 22 November 2014

Tartar

Tartar is a deposit that forms when plaque hardens on the tooth. Individuals vary greatly in their susceptibility to tartar buildup. For many, these deposits build up faster with age. Tartar is easily noticeable because of its yellow or brown color on teeth.

What Causes Tartar Buildup
When plaque accumulates and is not removed from teeth, it can harden and turn into tartar. Because tartar buildup bonds strongly to enamel, it can only be removed by a dental professional.

Help Prevent Tartar Buildup
While tartar can only be removed by a dental professional, you can avoid tartar buildup by removing plaque. To help prevent tartar, be sure to brush your teeth at least twice daily, preferably with a tartar-control fluoride toothpaste like many from Crest, and floss once a day with a product like GlideƆ. And visit your dental office regularly for oral exams and cleanings.

Above article from: Crest.com

Friday 21 November 2014

What To Know About TMJ

What Are TMJ Diseases And Disorders? 
TMJ diseases and disorders are a group of conditions that cause pain in and around the jaw joint (called the Temporomandibular Joint or TMJ) and nearby muscles. Jaw problems affect a person's ability to speak, eat, chew, swallow and even breathe.

What Are Symptoms Of TMJ?
Pain is the most common symptom of TMJ; however, some people have no pain but still have problems using their jaws. Specific symptoms include:
Face pain
Pain in the jaw joint and nearby areas, including the ear
Back pain
Inability to open the mouth comfortably
Clicking, popping or grating sounds in the jaw joint
Locking of the jaw when attempting to open the mouth
Headaches
A bite that is uncomfortable or feels “off”
Swelling on the side of the face, neck or shoulder

Other symptoms may include ringing in the ears, decreased hearing, dizziness and vision problems.

Keep in mind that occasional discomfort in the jaw joint or chewing muscles is common and is not a cause for concern. Many people with TMJ problems get better without treatment. Often the problem goes away on its own in several weeks to months.

To read the entire article please visit: OralB.com

Lifetime Family Dentistry
Elena Bielawski, DDS, FICOI, FMIII
66 Maple Avenue
Collinsville, CT 06019
(860) 605-2075
LifetimeFamilyDentistryCT.com 

Thursday 20 November 2014

What are the Stages of Gum Disease?

What is Gum Disease?

Gum disease is an inflammation of the gums that can progress to affect the bone that surrounds and supports your teeth. It is caused by the bacteria in plaque, a sticky, colorless film that constantly forms on your teeth. If not removed through daily brushing and flossing, plaque can build up and the bacteria infect not only your gums and teeth, but eventually the gum tissue and bone that support the teeth. This can cause them to become loose, fall out or have to be removed by a dentist.
There are three stages of gum disease:

  • Gingivitis: this is the earliest stage of gum disease, an inflammation of the gums caused by plaque buildup at the gumline. If daily brushing and flossing do not remove the plaque, it produces toxins (poisons) that can irritate the gum tissue, causing gingivitis. You may notice some bleeding during brushing and flossing. At this early stage in gum disease, damage can be reversed, since the bone and connective tissue that hold the teeth in place are not yet affected.
  • Periodontitis: at this stage, the supporting bone and fibers that hold your teeth in place are irreversibly damaged. Your gums may begin to form a pocket below the gumline, which traps food and plaque. Proper dental treatment and improved home care can usually help prevent further damage.
  • Advanced Periodontitis: in this final stage of gum disease, the fibers and bone supporting your teeth are destroyed, which can cause your teeth to shift or loosen. This can affect your bite and, if aggressive treatment can't save them, teeth may need to be removed.

Read the rest of the article at Colgate.com to learn more about how to know if you have gum disease and how gum disease is treated. 

 


















The above article is from: Colgate.com

Lifetime Family Dentistry
Elena Bielawski, DDS, FICOI, FMIII
66 Maple Avenue
Collinsville, CT 06019
(860) 605-2075
LifetimeFamilyDentistryCT.com 

Tuesday 18 November 2014

Teeth Whitening Dentist

Dazzling Smiles in Only One Visit with Professional WhiteningTeeth Whitening Dentist Collinsville CT
You’ve seen advertisements in magazines and on TV, and may have been truly impressed with the results of power whitening. Come into our office to have the same brilliant, white teeth! No longer do you have to be unhappy because of dark stains on your teeth that you thought were permanent. In just one visit, our dentists can give you the dazzling smile that you deserve!

We also offer another affordable whitening method. We make custom whitening trays in our own lab with a procedure you finish at home. With the supplies and instructions we give you, within 1 – 14 days you will see results that will make you want to smile even more! This is a safe as well as effective technique.

Extreme Whitening with the KƶR Whitening Deep Bleaching™ System

KOR Deep Bleaching Teeth Whitening Collinsville CT





With today’s dental advancements, we can produce attractive results even with severely stained teeth. Teeth can be tarnished from certain medication, such as the antibiotic tetracycline.
Dr. Bielawski stays informed of all the latest dental practices, and she is very pleased to offer patients with extreme tooth discoloration the strength of KƶR Whitening Deep Bleaching System as a whitening method. Dr. Bielawski is among the first in our area to offer this technique to patients. You will be nothing short of amazed that even the worst stains will turn to a dazzling white. If you have only had disappointments in the past, you will be extremely pleased with the results of this treatment.


Beautiful White SmileOther Teeth Whitening Systems Have These Problems:

  • Results fade quickly.
  • Teeth get very sensitive.
  • Results are unpredictable and very often fall short of expectations.
  • You need to give up (or severely limit) the use of coffee and wine.
KƶR Solves These Problems:
  • You won’t have to give up your coffee or red wine and with simple periodic at-home maintenance, your teeth will still stay white FOREVER.
  • KƶR typically has very little, and often no tooth sensitivity.
  • KƶR is SO EFFECTIVE it is the ONLY whitening system recognized to significantly whiten even tetracycline-stained teeth.
  • KƶR’s thin, form-fitting trays are worn at night while you sleep, taking the hassle out of finding time in your busy schedule to whiten your teeth.
  • KƶR is 100% safe with decades of research and millions of whitening cases.
  • KƶR can be used by anyone from ages 14 – 90.