All YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT FAMILY DENTALCARE -- Page 4

Endodontic (Root Canal) Treatment

Root Canalî treatment is performed on a tooth which is experiencing damage or infection to its pulp chamber. The tooth's pulp contains nerves and blood vessels. If this area is damaged as a result of an injury or deep decay, the only means of saving the tooth may be a root canal.

 

First the tooth is anesthetized after which an opening is made at the top of the tooth in order to gain access to the pulp chamber. Then the pulp is removed and the chamber and root(s) are rinsed out. After the pulp chamber and root canal system are completely clean and infection-free, they are filled with a special material which resembles rubber. (If the pulp has died and the infection has affected the surrounding bone tissue, the tooth is abscessed and the infection may need to drain before the empty root is filled.) The final step calls for a crown or filling in order to seal the opening.

Bruxism (ToothGrinding)

Bruxism is abnormal grinding of the teeth. This is a habit seen in both children and adults. This grinding is often done at night during sleep. Grinding or tapping of the teeth during the day is also common. Damage to the supporting gums and bone (periodontium) is the major result of continuous bruxing.

 

Bruxism can be due to an ervous condition, stress or to some abnormal biting pattern. Grinding the teeth may relieve tension or it maybe an attempt to remove the incorrect contact between teeth when the jaws are closed. Your child may start the bruxing habit by clenching the teeth during the day. You can see this by noticing the muscles on the side of your childs face as they flex and relax. This pattern can lead to grinding of the teeth during sleep. Often a child may waken parents with the loud noise created by bruxing.

 

If the basic cause of the bruxism is anxiety, tension and stress, this factor must be treated. Regular exercises usually are recommended to relieve stress. Removable splints which fit over the top soft teeth can be used to eliminate the incorrect biting pressure. These are usually worn at night and are called night guards. If treatment is not started, the gums and bone maybe damaged by the pressure of the grinding.

Crowns

Badly decayed or broken teeth often must be repaired by using a crown (cap). This procedure is recommended when filling the tooth to its proper shaped becomes impossible. Silver fillings in the backteeth and plastic fillings in the front teeth have their limitations. After a cavity has been prepared, you must have enough good sound tooth left to hold the silver or plastic materials in place.

 

A crown is a replacement of the part of the tooth which is above the gumline. Crowns fit over the tooth. Fillings are forced down into a cavity that has been drilled by the dentist. Crowns protect the teeth and restore the irbiting function. The best material for crowns is gold because it is a permanent material in the mouth. It resists all the forces and conditions which tend to destroy it. However, the tooth can still decay under the gold if you do not brush and floss your teeth daily. Full gold crowns are used on the backteeth. Porcelain may be baked onto the front of gold or metal crowns for the front teeth.

 

Thumb Sucking

Thumb sucking is a common practice. Psychiatrists believe this is due to a clinging need and that thumb sucking becomes a substitute for the mother. Fortunately, most children grow out of this in security. Those who don't grow out of the habit can cause damage to their teeth.

 

Thumb or finger sucking is placing the finger or thumb in the roof of the mouth just behind the teeth and creating a suction while closing the lips and teeth. Much pressure is put on the back side of the upperfront teeth, causing them to be moved forward.

 

Thumb sucking does not cause serious damage until the permanent teeth begin to cut through the gums (erupt), at age six to seven years. Most children at this age have outgrown theirhabit. If your child has not, you should now attempt to change this damaging habit. To change this behavior pattern, the child sucking his or her thumb must want to stop. A six or seven year old child has the maturity required to change this behavior pattern. However, it is nearly impossible to force the child to stop thumb sucking until he is psychologically ready to do so.

 

Often the child wants to stop the habit but continues as are flexaction. In this case, a training device can be placed in your childs mouth which will prevent the thumb from touching the roof of the mouth. In addition to this device, both parents must cooperate and help the child to correc this habit. You should encourage and praise your child. A reward or goal is often helpful. This should not be considered a bribe but rather as something earned through diligent effort. Most children must really make an effort to stop sucking their thumb and this effort should be recognized.

Dental Caries (Decay)

Tooth decay (caries) is the most common disease that affects man. Teeth can begin to decay soon after they appear in the mouth. Caries is the destruction of tooth structure by acid. This acid is produced by bacteria which are normally found in your mouth. These bacteria feed on food debris (usually sugar) and produce an acid which dissolves tooth material. In order for caries to occur, three factors must be present-bacteria, food debris (sugars), and tooth structure (calcified). The most common sites on teeth for caries to begin are at the gumline, biting surface, and between adjacent teeth. In order to prevent tooth decay, you must eliminate or reduce bacteria and food debris in these areas.

 

Caries is not only the most common disease affecting man, it is probably the most easily prevented. Food debris and bacteria clump together and form a material called plaque. This sticky materialis continuously forming at the neck of each tooth. In order to prevent tooth decay you must thoroughly clean the gum-line area daily. A soft tooth brush and dental floss should be used to remove this damaging plaque.

 

Another way to prevent cariesis through your diet. The incidence of caries has increased with the quantity of refined sugars produced. Adequate nutrition does not include between-meal sweets. Good between-meal snack substitutes are fruit or raw vegetables. Dessert should be the only time your children have sugary foods.

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