Stress and Tooth Damage

Some common causes of enamel erosion include periodontal disease and acid reflux, but the public is increasingly becoming aware of how stress can contribute to tooth damage.

There are two ways in which stress is known to harm oral health: by worsening periodontal disease and by causing bruxism. When people are stressed, their immune systems don’t function as well. This prevents the body from fighting off infections, allowing bacteria to increase their activity in the gum pockets. In turn, they create plaque, leading to tooth and gum decay, and in the worst cases, damaging the jaw bones.

Bruxism, also known as teeth grinding or clenching, can be caused by many things, but stress is one of the most common contributors. As people put strain on their teeth, the enamel wears off or becomes cracked. It is also possible for the teeth to shift out of alignment as a result of prolonged pressure, which weakens their gum and bone support.

Many dentists try to limit the effects of bruxism with night guards. But our specialty office offers implants for people who have suffered the worst damage, including those who have suffered cracked roots.

Dr. Ramin Bahram operates the Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania at 2546 S. Broad Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19145. To schedule an appointment, call 215-463-4141 or visit OralSurgeryPA.com and fill out a contact sheet.

 

Cleaning Fixed Bridges

Our focus on prosthetics at the Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania doesn’t mean we don’t value preventive care. In fact, our patients need to know how to adjust their hygienic practices so that their replacement teeth will last them a long time. We recently discussed cleaning single-crown implants; now let’s turn to fixed bridges.

Anybody who has ever worn braces should understand the basic idea of cleaning a bridge. When the bridge rests on reshaped natural teeth with artificial crowns, patients are advised to thread a strand of floss underneath it and rub the underside of the bridge in the same way they do the sides of their teeth. The floss may be looped around using a threader, which is a flexible device which pulls floss like a needle pulls thread. Some specialty floss is manufactured with a stiffened end so it may be pulled directly.

An implant-supported bridge is cleaned much the same way, except there may be a larger gap between the gum line and the prosthetic crowns. This may afford patients the opportunity to use a proxy brush, which is also known as a Christmas tree brush. A higher-tech option is a waterpick with a tip designed for use on implants.

Dr. Ramin Bahram operates the Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania at 2546 S. Broad Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19145. To schedule an appointment, call 215-463-4141 or visit OralSurgeryPA.com and fill out a contact sheet.

 

Oral Care for Implants

If you’ve had missing teeth replaced with dental implants it’s important to practice proper oral hygiene as if you were born with them. Cleaning dental implants are very similar to the way you would clean your natural teeth with one exception – they require just a little extra attention. Maintaining a rigorous oral hygiene routine is vital, before, during, and after placement. Allow our doctors at Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania to explain why.

Healthy gums are a firm and pale pink, and if you’ve received dental implants your periodontal health should already be in tip-top shape. Cleaning implant-supported tooth replacements are just as important as cleaning natural teeth because you want to keep the surrounding tissues healthy to maximize the potential of the implants. When cleaning your dental implants, be sure to choose a toothbrush that has been given the American Dental Association (ADA) Seal of Acceptance. You should brush your teeth at least twice a day and floss at least once a day.

If you have questions or concerns regarding dental implant oral care, please give us a call. To learn more about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.oralsurgerypa.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania located in Philadelphia, call 215-463-4141.