It’s never too late to treat periodontal disease. In fact, gum disease will only worsen the longer you delay treatment. Nearly half of all adults in the U.S. over 30 exhibit some form of periodontal disease or periodontitis. But the percentage skyrockets to 70 percent for those 65 and older. Is it too late to…
Cavities don’t always need a filling if you catch decay early. Almost everyone gets a cavity at least once during their lifetime. In fact, as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports, 90 percent of the population will have one tooth treated for tooth decay by age 20. The standard treatment for cavities, or…
Root canal treatment has a high success rate and will keep your tooth healthy for a very long time. A simple filling cures a cavity. But if the decay spreads into the tooth’s inner pulp, you’ll need a root canal. Although most people may fear a root canal, the procedure isn’t painful and can restore…
Dry socket is a rare complication that may occur after a tooth extraction. Here’s what you need to know. Suppose you just had a tooth pulled, but the pain isn’t going away. You contact your dentist, who says you have a dry socket. What is this strange-sounding condition, and why did it happen? Following a…
What foods you eat after a tooth extraction matters. In general, the softer the food is, the better. About 5 million wisdom teeth are removed yearly, making it one of the most frequently performed dental procedures. Yet, an extraction can be done for other reasons than pulling an impacted wisdom tooth. Severely decayed or broken…
Food may get stuck in your tooth extraction hole when you eat. So what should you do? Wisdom tooth extraction is a straightforward and common dental procedure. In fact, one study estimates 10 million third molars or wisdom teeth are removed from roughly 5 million people each year. Yet once the tooth is pulled, you’ll…
You don’t need to leave the gauze pad on for too long. But it’s important that you keep it there. Learn why. Your dentist will make every effort to save your tooth so you can avoid an extraction. Unfortunately, for severely decayed or damaged teeth, tooth extraction is the best option to improve your oral…
Are you getting a cavity filled? Learn how long you can expect your filling to last. Do you have cavities? If so, you’re not alone! Cavities are so common that it’s estimated one in four adults between 20 and 64 have had at least one cavity during their lifetime. Getting a cavity filled is a…
Treatment is the key to living a long, healthy life with periodontal disease. Periodontal disease is not life-threatening. However, because it’s a progressive disease, leaving the condition untreated means setting yourself up for serious health issues down the road. The chance of tooth loss is much higher among people with periodontal disease. And so is…
Veneers are highly durable, but they’re not indestructible. Keep them in perfect condition by avoiding foods that may damage them. Since the 1930s, dental veneers have improved the appearance of crooked, chipped, stained, or imperfect teeth. Compared to crowns and implants, veneers are a less expensive option to restore teeth. With proper care, veneers can…