If Sick, Should I Visit My Hoover AL Dentist?

April 15, 2023  |  by admin  |  Blog
If Sick, Should I Go to the Dentist?

If sick, should I visit my Hoover AL dentist? You know how long it takes to get a dental appointment sometimes. That’s why you hate the idea of cancelling. You hate the idea of cancelling a dental appointment, so here’s a guide on whether or not you should go to the dentist when you’re sick.

If your options are keeping the appointment or rescheduling, what’s better for you, the workers in the dentist’s office, and the other patients? Here’s a guide on whether you should go to the dentist when you’re sick.

The Basics of Cancelling a Dentist’s Appointment

You should never cancel an appointment unless you have a good reason. After all, you’ve scheduled office time with a health care professional and they’ve reserved that time for you. While many offices can and will be understanding if you need to cancel, your cancellation can hurt their bottom line, which is why many dentists charge cancellation fees.

How Sick Are You?

If Sick, Should I Visit My Hoover AL Dentist?

If Sick, Should I Visit My Hoover AL Dentist?

Since you’re quite possibly on the hook for a cancellation fee, your instinct is probably to go. While other issues will impact your decision, the first thing to decide is how sick you are. Something like a headache isn’t contagious. Your ability to sit through a dental appointment is a matter of pain tolerance.

One other issue to consider is how often you get headaches, though. If you experience a lot of them, you should know how to manage the pain by now. If headaches are a rare occurrence, having a bad one is enough to reschedule to a day when you feel better.

The type of ailment, depending on your symptoms, can greatly affect your appointment. You must evaluate the severity of your sickness, and the level ofpain and discomfort. Patients who are unable to sit still through an appointment should consider rescheduling.

Porcelain Veneers Hoover AL

April 7, 2023  |  by admin  |  Blog
Porcelain Veneers Hoover AL

Porcelain Veneers Hoover AL

In recent years, Hoover Alabama residents have had two options to choose from in regards to today’s porcelain veneers in Hoover AL.  Hoover residents can choose from traditional veneers and no-preparation veneers.

traditional veneers

With traditional veneers, your dentist will remove a very small amount of enamel from the tooth or teeth that will be receiving the veneer. Then, your Hoover Alabama dentist takes an impression of your slightly shaved tooth, so a veneer can be crafted for it. It’ll take between two and four weeks to receive the veneer. In the meantime, you can get temporary veneers during the interim.

No-preparation veneers

Take in consideration that with no-preparation veneers, there is no removal or shaving your natural teeth required.  Veneers fit over your existing natural teeth.

Before placing veneers permanently, your dentist checks the final veneer’s fit and appearance in your mouth. If the veneer doesn’t fit perfectly, the dentist can trim it down. After cleaning, polishing, and etching your tooth, your dentist will bond the veneer to your tooth.

Your local Hoover dentist can make a bite and fit adjustment after the veneer has been placed and cemented. Today’s veneers last for between 10 and 30 years, which is a huge improvement over the old style that barely stayed in place.

Porcelain veneers have been around since the late 1920s, and it should be no surprise that they began in Hollywood. A local dentist came up with a way to enhance the smiles of his Hollywood star patients. The stars would wear the caps during movie scenes, then remove them. Though this is a long way from the porcelain permanent veneers we think of today, it’s the beginning of using veneers to perfect someone’s smile.

Cavities Hoover Dental Patients

March 30, 2023  |  by admin  |  Blog
Cavities Hoover Dental Patients

Do Cavities Hurt? Yes, no, sometimes, always, never…it just depends. They are different for everyone. Cavities in Hoover AL dental patients do not present with any symptoms until they are quite large.

In fact, I have seen many teeth with cavities so large that they were abscessed and yet there was never any pain or sensitivity present. Of course there are those on the complete other side of the spectrum as well.

My wife is a great example. She told me she had a cavity about a year before I could detect anything (and we use magnified vision and the most modern equipment to detect cavities). Some people are just like that though. One of the biggest complaints I have as a dentist is when I get the response, “it doesn’t hurt.”

I can detect a cavity and even show pictures, x-rays, etc to the patient, so they can see the cavity for themselves and then the response I get is: “it doesn’t hurt.” And this is used in the context of, “it doesn’t hurt, therefore it doesn’t exist.” This is very poor reasoning.

Cavities Hoover Dental Patients

I believe it doesn’t hurt…it may never hurt, but there is a problem that needs addressed while it still can. There are so many factors involved that determine whether or not there will be pain associated with a cavity. So the presence (or absence) of pain should never be the deciding factor.

Dental Tips From Your Local Hoover Dentist

March 23, 2023  |  by admin  |  Blog
Dental Tips From Your Dentist

Here’s our 3 unexpected dental tips from your local Hoover dentist.

1. A healthy smile is more important than a “perfect” smile.

Our smiles are what make us unique.  If everyone had the same uniform, cookie-cutter set of teeth, life would be boring.  To us, the most important thing about your smile is that it’s healthy enough to last a lifetime, and that YOU feel great about it.

That’s why at a first visit you’ll often hear us ask: what do you love about your smile, and is there anything you’d like to change about it?  Our job is not to tell you what to do, or how you should look, but to help you understand what’s going on when it comes to your oral health, and provide you with information and options so you can decide what works best for you.

2. The most important dental work you’ll ever have done is what you do at home.

The best possible dental tip we can give you to keep your smile healthy and bright is to keep up a great dental hygiene routine at home that includes brushing twice a day for 2 minutes, and flossing at least once a day.

Dental decay is one of the most common and preventable diseases in the world.  While there are other contributing factors that can lead to decay and cavities such as genetics, medications, and certain medical conditions, the most common risk factor for developing cavities is still a lack of proper oral care at home.

3. It’s more important to have properly aligned teeth than “perfectly straight” teeth.

Dental Tips From Your Local Hoover DentistYes, we just said that.  Straight, evenly spaced teeth, the most important result is that your bite is properly aligned.  Some signs that may indicate a need for orthodontic treatment include difficulty chewing or biting of the lips or cheek, crowding or extra spacing between teeth, clenching or grinding, headaches, or protruding teeth.  Sometimes shifting teeth can also be a sign of periodontal or gum disease.

Flossing in the Shower

March 7, 2023  |  by admin  |  Blog
Flossing in the Shower

One of the biggest struggles I face as a dentist is the daily battle to convince people that they need to floss. I tell patients that if they are not flossing, then about 40% of their teeth surfaces are not getting cleaned.  Flossing in the shower can be an easy remedy.

I tell them that bacteria are just continually sitting there breeding, eating, and growing. I tell them about the cavities, periodontal disease, bad breath, and systemic complications that not flossing leads to. Rarely does this pleading make a difference.

People know they need to floss more and they know the reasons why; they just aren’t doing it. Why? It’s mostly because they haven’t taken the time to make it a habit. Will power alone will only get people to floss regularly for a very short period of time. They have to form a habit, so it becomes a natural part of their daily routine.

So what do I suggest? Well, here’s one idea:

Flossing In The Shower.

Here are a few reasons why:

  1. Showering is most likely a natural part of your daily routine. By flossing in the shower you can “piggyback” onto this already natural habit in order to develop a new one.
  1. By sitting a floss package in your shower it will stay visible and remind you that it needs to be done.
  1. People often feel that they do not have time to floss. I can relate to this. However, people rarely feel rushed in the shower. If you don’t feel rushed, you are more likely to do the things you need to do.

I know it sounds kind of goofy, but give it a try. The result could literally be life-changing.

Technology Has Revolutionized General Dentistry Services

March 4, 2023  |  by admin  |  Blog
General Dentistry Services Hoover Alabama

General dentistry services are instrumental in promoting oral health and technology has revolutionized general dentistry services. The facilities that offer these services are keen on ensuring that they provide high-quality services to their customers. They do this by investing in advanced equipment and technologies.

Below Are Some technological Advances That Has Revolutionized Dental Care.

Instant Dental Results

Patients suffering from missing, damaged, or broken teeth used to have to make countless trips to the dentist and suffer through numerous painful injections. The recovery period after treatment was long and unpleasant. With new technologies, such as crown printing and 3D imaging, dentists are now able to perform same-day procedures.

Some of the facilities have invested in computer-aided design and computer aided manufacturing technology (CAD-CAM) that captures and reproduces a 3D image of the damaged tooth and prints a perfect match in minutes. Messy impressions and temporary crowns are being phased out as a result of this technology.

Interactive Dental Treatment Options

Patients are able to see everything that the doctor is doing during the procedure, through advanced intra-oral cameras. This small device also enables dentists to examine teeth in detail to recommend the most appropriate treatment. In addition, the camera pinpoints the specific areas one should focus on when brushing, thereby promoting overall oral hygiene.

No More Dental Pain

Many people fear going to checkups due to anticipated pain. Laser procedures have changed that fear by allowing personnel to conduct procedures, such as tooth extraction, painlessly. For example, the CO2 dental laser equipment allows experts in this field to work on soft and hard tissues without exposing the patients to excruciating pain.

Technology Has Revolutionized General Dentistry Services

Technology Has Revolutionized General Dentistry Services

Safer and Faster Dental Diagnoses

X-rays diagnose various oral health conditions after and more efficently. Unfortunately, research studies have proven that traditional x-rays expose individuals to high levels of radiation, which can lead to other complications. On the flip side, modern digital x-rays machines have made the diagnostic process easier and safer.  Experts offer comprehensive treatment through a computer system for analyses in minutes. Concisely, digital x-rays provide more comfort and reduce a patient’s exposure to radiation by up to 90 percent.

Increase Profits and Reduce Overhead Dental Costs

Health care facilities save money and time by investing in modern practice management systems. New programs also allow an office to capture and update a patient’s information and records automatically. New management systems streamline these processes, thereby reducing overhead costs and increasing profits.

Regular Dental Care Is Critical To Your Overall Health

February 28, 2023  |  by admin  |  Blog
Regular Dental Care Is Critical To Your Overall Health

Regular dental care is critical to your overall health of your gums and teeth. What you may not know is that your dentist can also spot signs of non-dental medical issues in your mouth during an exam. Some of the diseases and conditions that exhibit signs within your mouth include diabetes, infections, stress and poor nutrition just to name a few.

Diabetes

A few of the signs that can indicate a diagnosis of diabetes include loose teeth, dry mouth, and receding, dry, and bleeding gums. Poor immunity and an inability to fight disease effectively also make it much more challenging for wounds and gum line infections to heal in diabetic patients. Bleeding gums don’t always mean that you have diabetes; this problem can also come from gingivitis and other gum diseases.

Infections

Dentist are trained to spot troubling signs of infection in your mouth.  They might prescribe some antibiotics to fight the problem. A few signs of infection include severe pain, swelling and redness around the affected area. Infections can spread to other parts of the body, so it’s critical to treat it right away.

Stress

Grinding your teeth can do serious damage to your pearly whites. So a dentist will often recommend a customized night guard for protection. It’s also smart to seek counseling, make lifestyle changes, or look for other ways to reduce your stress.

Poor Nutrition

A dental professional knows what signs to look for, such as dry mouth, bleeding gums, and erosion on the insides of the front teeth. Stomach acid is hard on the enamel that covers your teeth.  So forced vomiting can wear away that protective enamel and cause increased sensitivity.

Regular Dental Care Is Critical To Your Overall HealthRegular Dental Care Is Critical To Your Overall Health

 

Will I Have Allergic Reaction to Invisalign – Hoover AL Dental

February 23, 2023  |  by admin  |  Blog
Will I Have Allergic Reaction to Invisalign?

Are you considering Invisalign® as a way to straighten your teeth?  Here’s everything you need to know about whether – will i have allergic reaction to Invisalign®.

What’s Invisalign®?

Invisalign® is a product designed as an alternative to braces. Your dentist will take measurements of your teeth. Then, he or she will create Invisalign® molds that fit over your teeth. These molds are almost invisible, which is part of their appeal.

Will I Have Allergic Reaction to Invisalign – Hoover AL Dental

Will I Have Allergic Reaction to Invisalign - Hoover AL Dental

Is an Allergic Reaction to Invisalign® Possible?

The answer is yes, but the reality is that it’s extremely unlikely. Like most rare allergic reactions, only a small subset of the population will experience even mild irritation. For most people, Invisalign® will do nothing other than straighten your teeth.

How Does the Trigger Work?

When you have a plastic allergy, any contact you make will trigger a reaction. The point of Invisalign® is that it’s plastic and not metal. That allows it to appear transparent, hiding the fact that you wear braces. Since the aligner trays go on top of your teeth, they’re in constant contact with the interior parts of your mouth. Your tongue, gums, and teeth are all subject to irritation from the plastic allergy.

How Serious Are the Reactions?

If you are one of the unlucky few to experience an allergic reaction, you’re most likely to notice in small ways. Your mouth will feel more sensitive than normal. Your teeth, gums, and tongue will tingle or itch. You also might suffer twinges of pain. Anyone who suffers from a more extreme reaction should speak with a dentist immediately. Reactions are almost always mild. If you’re suffering more, something else is probably the cause.

In the rarest exceptions where an extreme plastic allergy occurs, tell your dentist immediately. The signs of an extreme allergy include breathing issues, hyperventilation troubles, and chest pain.

You’ll need medical attention. Your dentist will also probably suggest that you stop using Invisalign®.

Hoover Dental X-Rays

February 13, 2023  |  by admin  |  Blog
Why are dental x-rays important

Hoover Dental X-rays are a crucial part of diagnosis and treatment in oral health.  Dental x-rays allow a dentist to view structures that are not visible to the naked eye.  This could be, because they are between teeth, under soft tissue, or within the bone.  Having  x-rays taking, some conditions can be detected or diagnosed.

Hoover Dental x-rays help check for:

What about the radiation?

In addition, with advancements in technology, especially digital systems, x-rays require very low dose radiation.  A typical dental x-raytaken digitally exposes a patient to less than 0.5 mrem.

Finally, to put things in perspective, an average resident of the U.S. receives over 360 mrem every year from background sources. This comes from all over the place: outer space, radioactive materials in the earth, small amounts of radioactive material in foods and products that we use, even over people. Variances in lifestyle likewise cause variances in each individual’s total exposure. For example: an individual who flies often is exposed to more background radiation than someone who does not.

Why are dental x-rays important

You should always limit x-ray radiation exposure, when possible. Dental x-rays are very low dose and are crucial for proper diagnosis. By being proactive, x-rays can detect much of the oral cavity in your mouth.

Cross-bite Correction and Treatment Options

February 10, 2023  |  by admin  |  Blog
Cross-bite Correction and Treatment Options Hoover Alabama

If you are like most people you may not have a full understanding of what a crossbite is until you or a family member is diagnosed with one. Good new! cross-bite correction and treatment options are available.

Basically, there are two types of cross-bites and both of them can lead to jaw pain, TMJ (Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction), and other issues such as receding gums and loose teeth. These side effects are not things that anyone wants to deal with, but the good news is that crossbites are treatable. There are cross-bite correction and treatment options available amd we’re here to help you understand a few of your options.

What Exactly is a Cross-bite?

The official clinical definition of a cross-bite is  “an abnormal relation of one or more teeth of one arch to the opposing tooth or teeth of the other arch, caused by deviation of tooth position or abnormal jaw position.”

In everyday language, a crossbite occurs when there is a misalignment of your upper teeth in relation to your lower teeth.

Cross-bites can be hereditary, but they can also be situational. Cross-bites that occur in children can stem from the permanent teeth growing in before all baby teeth have fallen out. If this occurs, the new teeth that come in can’t grow in place properly which results in misalignment issues.

Most of the time however, crossbites stem from genetics. If your parents had issues with their bites, chances are they could have passed this down to you.

Cross-bite Correction and Treatment Options

Here is a quick list of treatment options that are available to correct crossbites. This list is by no means intended to be a recommendation of how to address your child’s cross-bite or your own. It is just a list of options that are generally available for the treatment of cross-bites. Each individual case is different and requires an examination in order to determine the best course of action.

Cross-bite Correction and Treatment Options– Maxillary Expander
– Removable expander
– Braces
– Surgery in extreme cases

The best place to start is by talking to your dentist about cross-bite correction and treatment options available to you or your child.