Bitewing radiographs (dental X-rays) Are generally consider preventive dental care and under many dental insurance plans bitewing radiographs are free to little cost.  When reviewing different types of dental insurance plans see what is consider preventive services and compare cost. You want preventive care to be either free to little cost so that you are more likely to maintain your dental care needs and see a dentist as advised 

Facial pain can be a warning sign of TMJ. With the central facial location of the joint, pain can easily spread across your face. If you start to have ache or pain in you face without knowing a direct cause, talk to your dentist and see if it is a TMJ issue

There are a group of gum diseases that affects the periodontium (periodontium is made of the alveolar bone, the gums, the periodontal ligament and the cementum) at different levels.   The first stage is gingivitis: Gingivitis is inflammation of the gums on the surface and does not touch the alveolar bone. Gingivitis can be treated by a dentist along with having proper at home dental care habits.

However when inflammation and infection reaches the perodontium in a deeper manner, the disease is called perodontitis. Perodontitis has several stages which depend on how much tissue and alveolar bone is destroyed.   The dentist is about to determine at what stage the periodontitis is by measuring the perodontal pockets (The space between a tooth and the gum around it) at six sites around each tooth. By doing this the dentist can get an idea of the destruction of the bone and the severity of the periodontitis

The quality of today’s dental prostheses (dentures and partials) can help persons who have lost some or all of their natural teeth improve their quality of life by restoring lost function and esthetics.

What are Bitewing Radiographs ?

Bitewing radiographs are X-rays that are used to reveal the crowns of several upper and lower teeth as they bite down. Dentists use radiographs for many reasons such as to find hidden dental structures, malignant or benign masses, bone loss, and cavities.

Many dental insurance plan have a lifetime maximum limitation. Which is the cumulative dollar amount that an insurance plan will pay for dental care incurred by an individual enrollee or if on a family plan per member, for the life of the enrollee or the plan. Lifetime maximums generally apply to specific dental services such as orthodontic treatment.

Clicking, grating or popping sounds (possibly caused by injury) that may emanate from your jaw as it moves could be a warning sign of TMJ. If you are experiencing this make sure to speak to your dentist so he/she can verify the causing factor

Pain while chewing can be a sign of TMJ. When your jaw is rigid and tight, you feel discomfort with every bite you take. If you are experiencing such a pain while chewing talk to your dentist

What is a Bicuspid ?

Bicuspid or Premolar tooth is a tooth with two cusps. The term bicuspid refers to eight of the 32 permanent teeth. There are no bicuspids in primary teeth, the bicuspids grow in to replace primary molars. Two bicuspids are on each side of the upper and lower jaw, behind the canine teeth and in front of the molars.

Root caries (decay) is caused by exposure of the tooth root to decay-causing acids. This happens when the tooth roots becomes exposed as gum tissue recedes from the tooth.

Root decay is one of the more significant dental issue facing older adults.  Some of the reasons for this is due to dentures, lack of dexterity, a shift from complex to simple sugars, and poor oral hygiene.

Root caries is the major cause of tooth loss in older adults, and tooth loss is the most significant oral health-related negative variable of quality of life for the elderly

The following key muscles connect to the TMJ: Your TMJs are involved in many repetitive daily functions. Every time you open or close your mouth, chew, talk or yawn, the TMJ is active. The following is the key muscles that connect to the TMJ

• Masseter. The most powerful jaw muscle in mastication, or chewing, the masseter lifts your jaw and closes your mouth.
• Pterygoid muscles. The lateral and medial pterygoids are involved in jaw-lifting, mouth-closing and sliding your jaw forward or from side to side.
• Temporalis muscle. The temporalis, which runs from the temporal bone at each side of the head to the bony part of the lower jaw, is a chewing muscle involved in crushing and grinding.

Your TMJs are involved in many repetitive daily functions. Every time you open or close your mouth, chew, talk or yawn, the TMJ is active.

Some people can be more likely to get dry socket after having a tooth pulled due to a few factors. That includes people who: 

• Smoke 
• Have poor oral and dental hygiene
• Have wisdom teeth pulled
• Have greater then normal trauma during the tooth extraction surgery 
• Use birth control pills 
• Have a history of dry socket after having teeth pulled
• Rinsing and spitting a lot or drinking through a straw after having a tooth extracted also can increase your risk of getting dry socket.

What Are The Warning Signs of Dry Socket

I had my wisdom teeth pulled two days ago and now the extraction sites really hurting me more then before. Is this a sign of dry socket?

Reply: You will want to look at the site where the tooth was extracted. If you have dry socket you will probably notice a dry looking opening. Instead of a dark blood clot you will notice there will just be whitish bone. The pain typically starts about two days after the tooth was pulled. Over time it becomes more severe and can radiate to your ear. Additional symptoms of dry socket include bad breath and an unpleasant smell and taste in your mouth.  If you are noticing these symptoms you should consult with your dentist right away.

Porcelain crowns are used for both cosmetic and restorative results for discolored, chipped or broken teeth. Yet, there are two factors to consider: First, porcelain crowns are more costly than other treatments and second, a crown requires the removal of a significant amount of tooth structure. On the other hand, crowns are stronger than the other cosmetic choices and can last for many years with good dental health habits. Porcelain crowns are reserved for permanent teeth that are fully erupted with the gum tissue at its adult position.

Dental caries (cavities), is an infection of the teeth, which represent another physiological burden, especially important for those whose systems are already weakened by diseases and aging.

In 1988-94 nearly one-third of adults 65 years of age and older with natural teeth had untreated dental cavities in either the crown or the root of their teeth.  Dental caries is one of the main causes of tooth loss for both young and old adults.  Although the prevalence of dental caries has declined in the U.S. overall, declines have not occurred among the most socially disadvantaged groups of older adults.

When you do not have your teeth as white as you may like but can not afford whitening treatment many people turn to baking soda as a home home remedy. 

However there are good and bad’s to baking soda being use to white your teeth which should be consider before using.  Goods:  

• Cost: One of the main driving factor is that baking soda is the poor man way to whiten teeth. Since baking soda can be bough for under five dollars. 
• Baking soda is also a mild abrasive, and that is why it is so effective for removing surface stains from your teeth.
• As a bonus, baking soda has been found to neutralize bacterial acids and other components that cause bad breath.  Bads:  
• Baking soda does not whiten your tooth color it only helps to remove surface stains from your teeth.  
• It is also believed that baking soda can erode orthodontic glue and fasteners for bridges. 
•   The most notable mark in the negative column for baking soda as a tooth whitening product is that it is highly abrasive. Teeth are rather delicate and can be easily damaged by products like this.