Posted on

Not-So-Fun Facts About Gum Recession | Tyngsboro Dentist

periodntal disease

As a dental professional, there are some very common questions asked when patients come in for a check-up: Does gum tissue grow back after they’ve receded? Is it the result of brushing too hard? Do gums recede because of gum disease? And many of them are asked because of a misunderstood oral condition known as gum recession.

The gum tissue is nothing more than a layer of skin that covers the bone tissue of the upper and lower jaws. And, so long as the underlying jawbone stays intact, the gum tissue will stay straight and high on the teeth. Simply put, gums recede only because the bone responsible for supporting the gum tissue has withdrawn. Four reasons you jaw would begin to demineralize would be advanced gum disease, bruxism, trauma and genetics.

Gum disease. If left unchecked, gum disease can progress to the point where it can compromise your jaw bones and your overall health. Advanced forms of gum disease can’t be cured, so make sure to keep your appointments.

Bruxism. Whether it’s caused by stress or sleep apnea, the habitual clenching and grinding of teeth can compromise the strength and structure of the jaws, which can make it prone to gum disease and in turn, gum recession.

Trauma. Your teeth are built to be solid, but not indestructible. If left untreated, a chipped tooth – or in worse cases, a lost tooth or two – can put you at more of a risk for gum disease and subsequently, gum recession.

Genetics. Sometimes, though, the thickness of the facial jaw bones may be determined by genetics. Although it may sound unfortunate, those born with thinner jaw bones are more prone to demineralization and are at a much higher risk for gum recession.

Call Tyngsboro dentist Dr. James Yankowskas for a consultation at 978-649-7773. Also, visit our website at tyngsborocosmeticdentist.com.

Dr. Yankowskas proudly accepts patients from Tyngsboro and all surrounding areas.

Posted on

Learning to Care for Your Veneers | Tyngsboro Dentist

We all want that perfect smile, and thanks to modern medicine, there are lots of cosmetic dental procedures that can improve those flaws you feel self-conscious about. One of those procedures is veneers. Porcelain veneers are one of the top cosmetic dentistry procedures and you want them to look beautiful and function for as long as they can. The longevity of your porcelain veneers greatly depends on how well you take care of them. Here are a few tips:

Proper dental hygiene. This shouldn’t be a question – dental hygiene is important regardless of your dental work. Brush and floss daily with a nonabrasive toothpaste containing fluoride. Good oral care at home helps prevent periodontitis which can cause your gums to recede. Veneers are placed right at the gum line. If your gums do start to recede the appearance of your veneers could be compromised.

Avoid excessive force. It is a habit for many of us, but your smile doesn’t like it. That means no biting your fingernails, hairpins, ice or hard candy. These types of things can break or dislodge a veneer, and for some, could be the reason you have the veneer in the first place.

No clenching and grinding your teeth. By grinding your teeth your veneers can be chipped or broken due to the force generated by these actions. If you suffer from bruxism at night, find out about getting a night guard to protect your teeth and veneers.

Avoid foods and drinks that stain. And lastly, while porcelain veneers are very resistant to staining the cement used to hold them in place can stain over time. Try to avoid coffee, tea, soda, wine and tobacco.

Call Tyngsboro dentist Dr. James Yankowskas for a consultation at 978-649-7773. Also, visit our website at tyngsborocosmeticdentist.com.

Dr. Yankowskas proudly accepts patients from Tyngsboro and all surrounding areas.

Posted on

Subtle Changes for Your Dental Health | Tyngsboro Dentist

We all want a great smile but aren’t all lucky enough to have one. It isn’t something that is impossible – there are plenty of ways your dentist can help you get the smile you’ve always wanted. But it is maintenance that causes the hiccups. Proper brushing, flossing, and regular professional cleanings are three key components to maintaining natural tooth health. However, there are many threats to good oral health:

  • Smoking damages oral tissue causing gum recession, increases risk of oral cancer, stains teeth, and causes other long-term health risks.
  • Gum disease can spread to teeth, gums, and supporting bone, and can cause one or more teeth to be lost.
  • Obesity has been linked to an increase in oral bacteria, which contributes to increased rates of periodontal disease among obese patients.
  • Patients who regularly bite their nails are more likely to chip, crack, or cause atypical wear on their front teeth, and are statistically more likely to suffer from bruxism (tooth grinding or clenching).
  • Research shows that patients who get less than six hours of sleep per night are shown to be more likely to have periodontal disease.
  • Patients with a diet high in sugar, especially sugary drinks, are significantly more likely to suffer from tooth decay and periodontal disease.
  • Anemia can contribute to periodontal disease and the body becomes unable to push sufficient nutrients to the gums to combat infection.

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle in addition to maintaining proper oral hygiene routines will help fight off bacterial colonies that contribute to periodontal disease as well as keep gum tissue healthy to prevent gum recession.

Call Tyngsboro dentist Dr. James Yankowskas for a consultation at 978-649-7773. Also, visit our website at tyngsborocosmeticdentist.com.

Dr. Yankowskas proudly accepts patients from Tyngsboro and all surrounding areas.

Posted on

Should My Night Guard Be Custom? | Tyngsboro Dentist

nightguardIf you find that you are waking up with headaches and/or jaw pain, there is a chance that you are grinding your teeth while you sleep, otherwise called bruxism. It is important that you seek treatment for this condition as it can not only wear down your teeth but can cause even further issues to develop in your jaw. Speaking of bruxism, make sure that you consider other bruxism treatment options as well. Minimizing stress, changing your diet or medication, and fixing alignment issues with your teeth have all been proven to help with bruxism. Then there’s wearing a night guard while you sleep. There are a few on the market, ranging from store-bought to custom fitted – but which is the right one for you? Let’s take a look at the pros and cons:

Store bought version. Store bought night guards, while durable and do well enough to stop teeth from grinding against each other, aren’t exactly very comfortable to wear. Although this style of mouth guard uses thin materials to make it more suitable for use at night, they’re still far too thick to not interfere with the quality of your sleep.

Custom-fit version. A custom-made night guard costs roughly ten or so times more than a store bought one. However, even with the added premium, they are still well worth the cost for the comfort, fit, and reliability of the materials used.

Custom made night guards are in a laboratory using an actual mold of your teeth, but the customization can extend further because the dentist can also recommend the thickness to fluctuate, depending on your particular case.

Call Tyngsboro dentist Dr. James Yankowskas for a consultation at 978-649-7773. Also, visit our website at tyngsborocosmeticdentist.com.

Dr. Yankowskas proudly accepts patients from Tyngsboro and all surrounding areas.

Posted on

Store Bought Nightguards vs Custom Made Nightguards

nightguard

 

If you have a case of bruxism, or you grind your teeth at night while sleeping or clench your jaw subconsciously, your dentist may recommend that you wear a nightguard. At the very least, wearing a nightguard can help mitigate the damage of the constant grinding and clenching does to your teeth. However, this creates another dilemma for you, in which you have to choose between the cheaper store bought nightguard, and a custom made nightguard.

Store Bought Vs Custom Made

The constant grinding and clenching can do some pretty serious damage to your teeth. If left unchecked, it can cause cracks and fractures, which will require root canals, crowns, and bridges, among others, all of which are relatively expensive – and often painful – dental treatments.

Regardless of whether you bought store bought or custom made mouth guards, both do their jobs well enough as far as protecting your teeth goes.

The question now then is which of the two is more reliable and more comfortable to wear.

Why Custom Made Mouth Guards Are Worth It

A custom made nightguard costs roughly ten or so times more than a store bought one. However, even with the added premium, they are still well worth the cost.

The reason? Comfort, fit, and reliability of the materials used.

Store bought nightguards, while durable and do well enough to stop teeth from grinding against each other, aren’t exactly very comfortable to wear. Although this style of mouthguard uses thin materials to make it more suitable for use at night, they’re still far too thick to not interfere with the quality of your sleep.

They’re also made out of a type of plastic that you bite into to form the shape. You can only imagine just how “comfortable” wearing one will be like.

On the other hand, custom made nightguards are in a laboratory using an actual mold of your teeth. The fact that it’s customized alone means that the fit and comfort of custom made mouth guards are so much better.

The customization also goes further, though. The dentist can also recommend making the nightguards thicker in case your bruxism is worse compared to others. They can also make it thinner as well, in case your case isn’t as severe.

Lastly, custom made nightguards help relieve jaw strain and promote better jaw muscle positioning that helps minimize teeth clenching and grinding throughout the day when you’re awake.

Of course, they are far more expensive. More so when you consider that dental insurance providers usually do not cover the costs. However, when you consider all of its advantages, it’s clear that custom made nightguards are the better option.

Speaking of bruxism, make sure that you consider other bruxism treatment options as well.  Minimizing stress, changing your diet or medication, and fixing alignment issues with your teeth have all been proven to help with bruxism.

Make sure that you speak with Dr. Yankowskas about all the possible treatment options for your bruxism.  Call for an appointment today at 978-649-7773 or visit www.tyngsborocosmeticdentist.com.