After graduating from Auburn University, Dr. Brad S. Haines received his DDS from Louisiana State University Dental School. He enjoys seeing patients have fun during their dental visits at White and Haines Advanced Dentistry in Cornelius, North Carolina, and strives to help them plan and achieve their short- and long-term dental goals. Here, he discusses everything from dental monitors to air abrasion to Burning Mouth Syndrome – and everything in between.
Your Child’s First Dental Visit
While the American Dental Association recommends that children as young as six months come for their first dental visit, age three is the time most children can really understand what’s going on in a dentist’s office. A preliminary check-up and lesson about dental hygiene are the first steps.
What is a Cavity?
A hole in your tooth will eventually expose the nerve and create pain. But really decay often feels fine, so it can go undetected until the problem begins to fester. Seeing a dentist for regular check-ups is important.
Foods to Avoid for Healthier Teeth
Sticky, sugary foods are usually the worst culprits, making your teeth more prone to decay. Obviously, a diet rich in fresh fruit and veg with few sugary candies is the best way to go for healthier and whiter teeth.
Keeping Teeth Stain-Free
Many foods can stain teeth, such as colas, coffee, tea, soy sauce, red wine, berries and even many curries. Avoid them if you can. If not, try to brush soon afterwards or chew a sugar-free gum.
How Can I Improve My Smile?
Your dentist will determine what needs to be done to your teeth, then the choice is yours. You can opt for orthodontic braces, Invisalign aligners or simply veneers, which make teeth appear straighter. And, of course, an array of whitening options are out there.
What is Tooth Sensitivity?
Many people experience sensitivity to hot, cold and sugary foods. In most cases, this problem can be cured by using a desensitizing toothpaste. But sometimes other methods are called in, such as special bonding to protect the areas that are most sensitive. Find out more here.
Curing a Dental Abscess
Don’t be fooled – if an abscess seems to clear on its own, there is a great chance it will come back to haunt you. Tooth extraction or root canal therapy is the only option, coupled with a dose of antibiotics.
Full-Mouth Reconstruction
When teeth are chipped, fractured or rotting, sometimes the only way to restore a smile is to re-do each and every tooth. It can be time-consuming, but a full-mouth reconstruction can magically transform a person’s entire looks.
One-Appointment Dental Bonding
Dental bonding is a fantastic, fast way to make teeth appear whiter and/or straighter, While it always depends on how many teeth you want to do, one or several teeth can be bonded in just one dental visit.
What Are Composite Resin Fillings?
These tooth-colored fillings look a lot nicer than silver fillings, although they do not always last as long. And for people who are worried about the mercury in silver fillings, composite resin ones are the obvious choice.
Symptoms of Gum Disease
Sometimes an individual will be aware that they have periodontal diseases, but sometimes the symptoms are hidden, visible only to the dentist. That is another reason why you should have regular check-ups – unless you want to wait so long that you lose teeth!
Laser Gum Lifts
This is a fast way to get rid of a gummy smile, or to reshape uneven gums. In just one session with your dentist, you can radically transform your smile.
Why Root Canal Therapy Is Painless
Certain types of anesthetics are used to make this once-dreaded treatment almost pain-free. And if you are really worried about going in for a root canal, you can now opt for oral conscious sedation – you will barely even remember your visit.
Are Mercury Fillings Safe?
The American Dental Association says yes, many other people say no. This is really an individual choice you should make in consultation with your dentist. But removing mercury fillings can actually cause more mercury vapor to escape than at any other time.
Treating Dry Mouth
Seniors and people who are taking certain medications are the most prone to a dry mouth, which can lead to bad breath as well as pronounced tooth decay. Talk to your dentist about available remedies.
Burning Mouth Syndrome
Not many people know about this syndrome, but for those who have it the symptoms can be excruciating. Certain people are more at risk than others, and it’s worth talking to a health professional to learn more about the causes and solutions.
Treating Migraines Caused By Chewing
A new device has been proven to stop migraines for literally thousands of people. It is small and unobtrusive and worn while you sleep, and helps balance out the muscles that can cause jaw tension and headaches.
All About Intraoral Cameras
Your dentist, with the help of these nifty cameras, can actually show you photos of tooth decay, so you will know exactly what need to be done during your dental visit. They also allow you and the dentist to monitor your dental progress.
Dental Chairside Monitors
A lot of people really want to know what is going on inside their mouth, especially if they have to foot the dentist’s bill afterward. Now relatively new dental chairside monitors allow you to see what the dentist is seeing.
What is Air Abrasion?
If you do not like the sound of a dentist’s drill and need to have only a little work done, this could be the solution for you. Basically, this process sprays decay away – quickly and painlessly. What could be better?
The information in the article is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your healthcare provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate healthcare provider.
