Dentures: What Is Your Best Option? 

Many aspects need to be considered when choosing which type of dentures you want and require. With three different types of dentures available to you, there are advantages and disadvantages for all. So, let’s go over all your options and figure out which one will suit you best. 

Traditional Dentures

The traditional denture has been used for many centuries. Traditional dentures are no longer considered to be up to the standards of care since dentures have become so mainstream in dentistry. Traditional denture users will have a significant loss of bone and gum support, which will result in facial drooping, sagging skin, and the look of early aging. The following are a few benefits and drawbacks:

Advantages:

• The least expensive of the three types
• Can look nice
• Better than having nothing

Disadvantages:

• Hard to eat with & they move around a lot
• Can feel bulky in your mouth
• Large loss of taste and temperature sensations due to the roof of the mouth being covered
• Needs frequent realignment and repairs

Implant Snap-On Dentures

The most popular choice for people seeking to replace their missing teeth is the implant snap-on denture. Compared to a traditional denture, this option snaps into place and is far more stable, less bulky, and doesn’t cover the roof of your mouth. For simple cleaning, the denture can be taken out. Additionally, the use of implants stops future bone loss, early aging, and facial drooping. The following are the benefits and drawbacks of this form of denture:

Advantages: 

• The most affordable implant option
• Huge upgrade over traditional dentures
• Prevents bone loss and premature aging
• Improves ability to taste things

Disadvantages:

• Still has some movement
• Comes out at night

Implant-Supported Permanent Teeth

Implant-supported dentures are a full set of upper or lower teeth that are permanently attached to dental implants and are screwed into dental bridges. This option is the closest we have to the feel and function of your own teeth. These bridges may not be removed by you, only your dentist. Of all the alternatives, this bridge has the most natural-feeling bite and chewing characteristics. Here are some of the advantages and disadvantages:

Advantages:

• Made of strong material
• Natural feel
• Best biting and chewing function
• Stays in the mouth all the time

Disadvantages:

• Can be difficult to clean
• Will require maintenance over time
• Most expensive option

Speaking to your dentist about the best option for you and your lifestyle is important. If you have any more questions about the differences between these options and the process, contact Urgent Dental in Matthews, NC. We’d be happy to help you regain your smile.

Same-Day Care for Knocked-Out Teeth at Urgent Dental

Contrary to what movies suggest, teeth can get knocked out from more than fistfights. Simple falls, face injuries, and contact sports are common causes of this dental emergency. If you have a knocked-out tooth, come to Urgent Dental Care in Matthews, NC, immediately for a walk-in dental appointment. Ideally, you should see your dentist within 30 minutes.

How to care for a knocked-out tooth before your appointment:

1. Pick Up the Tooth by the Crown: Avoid touching the roots. Handle the tooth gently by holding the chewing surface.
2. Rinse the Tooth: If it is dirty, rinse it briefly in lukewarm water. Do not use soap or chemicals, and do not dry the tooth.
3. Reinsert the Tooth: If the tooth is still intact, try to place it back into the socket immediately. Hold it by the crown and gently push it into place.
4. Keep the Tooth Wet: If reinsertion isn’t possible, keep the tooth moist by placing it in your cheek or in milk.

Schedule a Same-Day Dentist Appointment

See your dentist within 30 minutes of the injury. Call Urgent Dental right away for same-day emergency care. If immediate dental care isn’t available, head to the emergency room.

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Learn About Water Flossing With us at Urgent Dental

Water flossers or water picks, technically an oral irrigator, if you’re asking, are increasingly popular, but are they effective? Only 32% of adults floss daily, so there is absolutely a need for an easier way to clean between teeth. Going without daily flossing or some form of interdental cleaning leaves most of those people at serious risk of gum disease. So let’s find out if water picks live up to the hype.

Are Water Flossers Better Than String Floss?

Water flossers seem to be very effective, according to current research. A 2013 study on the effectiveness of water flossers compared to string floss found that water flossers were “significantly” more effective than string floss. Specifically, they found that single-use water flossers were 29% more effective at removing plaque. They were particularly better at removing plaque and accumulations from between teeth, and that’s most of why we floss, isn’t it?

It may be worth considering that one of the authors of the 2013 study, Deborah Lyle, was employed by the Waterpik Corporation from May 2004 until January 2022 as their Director of Clinical Research. Waterpik’s page for clinical research about water flossers lists many studies that include Deborah Lyle as a contributor.

However, other researchers were involved, and other studies point to water flossers’ effectiveness. A 2021 study on the effectiveness of water flossers compared to string floss is an example, though they did not have such strong conclusions as the 2013 Deborah Lyle study did. They found instead that water flossers were just as effective as string floss, not more so. That is why they recommended water flossers to those with braces, retainers, or who have fine motor skill issues.

So, water flossers do seem to work and could potentially replace string floss or floss picks in your oral health routine. But are they superior to string floss? They might be, but considering, there doesn’t seem to be a reason to knock yourself if you haven’t hopped on the bandwagon just yet.

Are There Any Downsides to Water Flossers?

While great at cleaning your teeth, there are a few things to consider before you run out and get one. Water flossers can serve as a breeding ground for bacteria, according to a 2021 study. Because water flosser heads touch your mouth and stay wet, oral bacteria can grow on it. Even in spite of following the provided cleaning recommendations. That’s not all; this study limited itself to studying only the nozzle, not the hose or water reservoir itself. So, while trying to clean your mouth, there is the possibility that you could be spraying your teeth with bacteria.

It’s no secret that toothbrushes can be a source of illness and can serve as a breeding ground for bacteria. However, proper storage and sanitary precautions, even ones as simple as rinsing your toothbrush and letting it dry, have considerably reduced bacteria. Allowing it to dry is crucial and would be much more time-consuming to practice with a water flosser. Because a water flosser is a reservoir of water with an attached hose, it seems proper cleaning would require draining it and its components and allowing them to dry after each use, at a minimum. Certainly more time-consuming than standard care and cleaning instructions would have you think is necessary for proper use.

Besides cleanliness, it’s also worth considering that no one is likely to travel with a water flosser. That just means that you’ll need to keep using string floss for overnight stays. That is to say, even if you get a water flosser, don’t throw out all your old string floss. You’ll still need it if you intend to keep up a daily hygiene routine.

If I Get One, What’s The Best Water Flosser? 

The ADA, the American Dental Association, has an approved list of water flossers. The ADA only allows its seal to be used on products that “include data from clinical and/or laboratory studies that demonstrate safety and efficacy according to product category requirements developed by the ADA Council on Scientific Affairs.” The ADA is one of the largest professional organizations for dentists, meaning that any product bearing the ADA seal can be reasonably trusted. If you are considering trying a water flosser, we strongly encourage you to consider the ADA’s recommendations.

Learn About Teeth Whitening and Blue Covarine With Urgent Dental

There’s always a demand for new ways to whiten teeth. There’s no end in sight, from at-home tips like brushing with charcoal to new professional whitening techniques like ultraviolet light-activated gels. One ingredient that has been getting attention for the past few years is called blue covarine.

Blue covarine is an ingredient in some toothpaste that gently whitens teeth through consistent usage.

Does Blue Covarine Toothpaste Whiten Teeth?

The evidence is mixed. A 2015 article in the Journal of Applied Oral Science found that toothpaste containing blue covarine was no more effective than standard whitening toothpaste. In that same study, at-home teeth whitening products containing carbamide peroxide, a similar ingredient to hydrogen peroxide, and professional in-office teeth whitening treatments were far more effective at whitening teeth than either toothpaste.

Another study investigating the effectiveness of blue covarine toothpaste found that it was no more effective than regular toothpaste. Most of its effectiveness came from the abrasive effect of brushing itself rather than the toothpaste ingredients.

A 2019 Journal of Applied Oral Science study found that blue covarine toothpaste was less effective than standard whitening toothpaste containing hydrogen peroxide or microbead abrasives. Interestingly, toothpaste containing microbeads was the most effective at whitening teeth.

In conclusion, blue covarine toothpaste does not seem to compare to other whitening methods, even other mild teeth whitening products. There’s no reason to use blue covarine over other whitening toothpaste with better ingredients.

Professional Teeth Whitenings

Navigating the best way to whiten teeth at home can be overwhelming. You want whiter teeth but don’t want to risk damaging or wasting your money on something that doesn’t work.

Oral Hygiene Tips From Urgent Dental

Flossing prevents gingivitis, or gum disease, by preventing plaque build-up on and between your teeth. Plaque is a form of biofilm, a sticky bacteria that, if left unchecked, can cause serious harm to your teeth by causing cavities, decay, and even risking infections if you have an oral injury.

Flossing can also prevent halitosis, or bad breath, by removing excess food particles from your mouth. Some bacteria naturally occur in your mouth and can cause bad breath if left unchecked. The American Dental Association recommends flossing, stating that it can remove most plaque. Flossing prevents the bacteria from growing and spreading to the point where it can smell. Much of the bacteria in your mouth that causes bad breath will also feed on food stuck in your teeth.

Is Flossing Really Necessary?

Some people might feel that they already have oral health issues or that since they’ve neglected flossing so far, there’s no reason to start now. But the truth is that there is never a point at which starting good oral hygiene habits won’t help.

The long-term effects of allowing bacteria to grow are serious and can range from cavities to gum disease and, eventually, tooth loss and bone loss. Losing bone from your jaw is a serious and effectively irreversible consequence of long-term oral health neglect. However, preventive maintenance, including flossing, can greatly reduce the risk of any of these problems.

Tips for Effective Flossing

A study published in a journal by the American Academy of Periodontology (AAP) found that flossing before brushing is the most effective. This is particularly true when using toothpaste that contains fluoride.

The most effective form of flossing is what works for you and will make you more likely to floss, whether it’s water flossing, string flossing, or using a pick! The most important thing is figuring out a style and routine for flossing that you can maintain.

Many people wish that their teeth were whiter. One thing you may not realize is causing your teeth to be discolored is what you eat. The foods you eat can actually have a significant effect on the color of your teeth. Join Urgent Dental as we dive into some of the most common foods that can stain your teeth.

• Coffees & Teas
  Tea and coffee are both highly acidic, which can weaken the surface of your teeth, making them more susceptible to staining. Tea and coffee also both contain tannins, which help their coloring stick to your teeth. There is some evidence that having milk in your tea or coffee can help reduce the amount of staining.
• Sauces
  Dark-colored sauces such as soy sauce, tomato sauce, and curries also cause staining. Switching to lighter or creamy sauces can help mitigate some of the staining.
• Fruits & Berries
  There are many vibrant fruits that can stain your teeth. Think of the fruits that can stain your clothes – pomegranates, cherries, blueberries, and blackberries, to name a few. In the same way that they can stain your clothes, they can stain your teeth.
• Sodas
  Sodas are highly acidic thanks to their carbonation. In addition, the dyes in these drinks – including light-colored ones – can cause staining. There are also chemicals in the drink that eat away at your enamel.

How to Mitigate Teeth Staining

You can do several things to mitigate the effects of food on the color of your teeth. While cutting out the food listed above would be the number one way to reduce their effect, even we enjoy having them so we’ve included things you can do to reduce the staining while still enjoying your favorite foods.

• Use a straw.
  Using a straw when drinking your favorite beverage helps reduce the amount that the drink’s acidity and coloring come into contact with your teeth.
• Brush after you eat.
  Brush your teeth about 30 minutes after you eat food that can stain. It’s important to wait a little bit of time for the acidity in your mouth to balance out so you don’t cause additional damage.
• Rinse your mouth.
  If you cannot brush your teeth after eating, rinsing your mouth with water can help reduce the acidity of your mouth and remove some of the staining agents from your mouth.
• Visit your dentist.
  Having regular checkups and teeth cleanings at your dentist is a great way to help your smile stay beautiful.

We provide teeth cleanings and proudly offer teeth whitening services in the Charlotte, NC, area. Please call our dental office at 704-246-3507 to schedule an appointment for teeth cleaning or whitening.