Although many people use mouthwash to freshen their breath or help fight cavities and gum disease, mouthwash may do more harm than good. Over-the-counter (OTC) rinses only mask bad breath and don’t really address the cause of the problem. Because one of the main ingredients in OTC mouthwash is alcohol, frequent use can result in dry mouth and other unpleasant side effects like a burning sensation in your mouth or intoxication when ingested. Some people consider mouthwash a substitute for brushing and flossing, which can lead to a greater risk for oral health problems such as cavities and gum disease.

Research studies in both Brazil and Australia have identified an increased risk of oral cancer with excessive use of mouthwash. These studies found that mouthwash users were about nine times more likely to develop oral cancer. The ethanol, or pure alcohol, found in many OTC mouthwashes may damage the lining of the mouth and allow cancer-causing agents to more easily cause problems. As well, acetaldehyde, a toxic by-product of alcohol, may build up in the mouth and lead to increased risk of oral cancer. An alternative to OTC mouthwash can be mixing half a teaspoon of baking soda in one-fourth a cup of water.

In some cases, your dentist may prescribe an antibacterial mouthwash or rinse. Patients with more serious problems like extensive decay or periodontal disease may benefit from using this type of rinse. These products differ from OTC mouthwashes because they contain anti-plaque, anti gingivitis, or anti-cavity fluoride ingredients and can only be obtained through your dentist.

We care about your dental health at Comfort Dental – give us a call to schedule an appointment today at our Weymouth MA dental office!

The quality of your smile is a crucial part of the image you portray to the world. If you are unhappy with the look of your smile, people may perceive you negatively and your self-esteem will suffer. Teeth whitening is an easy and effective way to brighten your smile and boost your self-confidence. Before you pursue professional teeth whitening, here are some questions you may want to pose to your dental professional:

• Am I a good candidate for professional whitening treatment? Although most patients are good candidates for professional whitening, certain conditions may preclude you from achieving the results you are seeking.
• How much whitening do you recommend to improve my smile? To appear most natural, the general rule of thumb is to have the color of your teeth match the shade of the whites of your eyes.
• Will whitening treatments damage my tooth enamel? When used properly, professional whitening treatments do not harm dental enamel.
• How will whitening affect my existing dental restorations such as fillings, crowns or veneers? Whitening does not pose a risk to restorations, but it will also not lighten your restorations and could cause them to need replacement to match the new, lighter shade of your teeth.
• How long will the whitening results last? Teeth whitening is not permanent, but with proper care can last as long as two years.
• Will whitening treatments make my teeth sensitive? Sensitivity from teeth whitening usually dissipates within days of treatment. There is no evidence that teeth whitening treatment has a harmful effect on the health of the tooth’s nerve, which would cause extended sensitivity.

Professional teeth whitening is an easy way to boost your self-confidence. Contact our Weymouth MA dental office to find out more about the options for teeth whitening we provide, and you could soon be sporting a dazzling new smile.

Because of a history of negative portrayals of root canal therapies in the media, they are often feared, dreaded and postponed. If you are about to have root canal therapy, don’t be afraid. You can have a comfortable procedure and recover quickly and completely.

Your gum tissue may be sore because of the clips used on the dental dam that protects and isolates the tooth from the surrounding area. It should abate within 48 hours. The tooth itself may be sore, as the tissues that surround the tooth may be inflamed. Treat this pain with over-the-counter medications that have anti-inflammatory properties like ibuprofen or aspirin. If you were prescribed pain medication by your endodontist, be certain any additional medications you take are appropriate.

If you are taking narcotic pain relievers prescribed by your doctor, take them only as recommended. Because they can make you feel dizzy or sleepy, do not drive while you are taking them.

Don’t eat anything while your mouth is still numb. You might bite your tongue or cheek and do damage to your soft tissues. Don’t bite on hard foods on the affected tooth until your endodontist tells you it is fully restored.

Any remaining infection that you have will typically need to be treated with antibiotics. Take each pill as recommended by your doctor. Don’t stop before you have taken them all, or you could leave some traces of the infection behind, putting your root canal treatment at risk of failure.

If you are experiencing a fever or a severe pain that persists beyond your analgesics, talk to your endodontist. If your filling feels loose or falls out, contact your doctor immediately. If you have pain or swelling that extends up your cheek or if your tooth breaks, cracks or hurts when you bite down, you need to call. Your endodontist will give you the advice you need to resolve your particular issue.

Root canal dentist in Weymouth, MA

Severely damaged, injured or diseased teeth can lead to not only cosmetic problems with your smile, but also functional ones. Your dentist may recommend dental crowns or dental bridges to treat your dental issues.

Dental crowns are a restorative dental therapy that covers the affected tooth completely, serving as the new outer surface of the tooth. A dental crown maintains the natural roots of a tooth and can prevent extraction. A dental bridge fills the gap left by one or more missing teeth and is affixed to bordering teeth with an anchoring crown.

Both dental crowns and dental bridges are made from a variety of materials that can be designed to match the color of your surrounding natural teeth. As opposed to removable prosthodontics such as full or partial dentures, dental crowns and bridges are permanently bonded to existing teeth or dental implants, allowing them to function and appear as natural teeth.

Dental crowns and bridges have a number of advantages and benefits, such as:

Dental crowns protect the natural tooth after a root canal therapy, helping to prevent bacteria re-infecting the tooth that could lead to extraction.

Dental bridges restore gapped or missing teeth, providing support to the surrounding teeth, preventing them from shifting in to fill the empty space and affecting your speech, bite and smile.

Your dentist can typically place dental crowns and bridges in as few as two appointments.

Dental crowns and bridges are both long-lasting, durable therapies, designed to protect your natural tooth for years to come.

Dental crowns prevent bone loss by preserving the natural tooth roots, thereby stimulating the jawbone, preventing resorption, or shrinkage, of the bone following extraction.

If you have questions about what a dental crown or bridge can do to improve the form and function of your smile, talk to your dental professional today. You can restore your healthy smile and preserve it for years to come with a dental crown or dental bridge treatment.

Family and general dentist in Weymouth, MA

Cosmetic dentistry is the name for any type of dental work that improves the patient’s overall dental aesthetic appearance. It can include treatments such as bonding, tooth implants, dental crowns and bridges, resin composite or porcelain veneers, gum grafts and/or the removal of the gum tissue or tooth structure. Braces and tooth whitening are also considered cosmetic dental procedures.

Over the years, advancements in cosmetic dentistry materials have given more options than ever for patients seeking a smile makeover. Porcelain and zirconium have lasting strength, and are both excellent at reflecting light, allowing for the most natural cosmetic restorations available. Because each patient’s teeth are different, other materials such as gold, palladium, or resin composite could be the best choice. Your cosmetic dentist will guide you in making a choice.

Dental crowns and bridges can be made of metal, including palladium or gold alloys, or base-metal nickel or chromium alloys. Metal provides the longest-lasting of the crown and bridge materials with regard to wearing down. They are not known to break or chip, and they do not affect the opposing teeth over time. Their metallic color is their greatest drawback, and they are most suitable for back teeth, where they can be hidden.

Porcelain can be fused to different metals, allowing for a very natural look for crown or bridge cosmetic dentistry treatments. They can chip over time, and discoloration can occur at the gum line if any metal other than zirconium has been used. Dental composite resin crowns and bridges are a popular choice, but can also chip over time. All-porcelain and all-ceramic dental crowns and bridges look the most like your natural teeth, and are the most natural-appearing of the available cosmetic dentistry materials.

Veneers can be made from composite resin materials or from porcelain. Porcelain appears more natural than resin materials, and resists stains better over time. Resin veneers tend to be thinner than porcelain veneers, and will require less shaving of the natural tooth before application.

Countless warnings have made people aware of the damaging affect smoking has on your general health. Often, people forget that every puff of a cigarette goes through the lips, tongue, teeth, and gums. Though quitting can be difficult and may take several attempts, the payoff is worth your effort.

Smoking makes a negative impact on oral health, including:

Increased risk of oral cancer
Though some individuals with no risk factors battle oral cancer, tobacco use exponentially raises the odds that a person may develop cancer of the mouth, tongue, throat, or lips. Because oral cancer is often discovered in the later stages, the survival rate is low.

Problems with gum disease
Compared with non-smokers, gum disease in smokers moves more rapidly. As well, smoking generates more bacterial plaque in your mouth and it diminishes the oxygen in your blood, which slows down healing.

More cavities
Since smoking causes excessive plaque build-up and contributes to gum disease, it makes sense that the risk for tooth decay also increases. Smokers have three times as many cavities as individuals who don’t smoke.

Trouble with bad breath
Over 4,000 chemicals pass through your mouth every time you smoke, and some of them stay in your oral cavitiy, which can give you halitosis. You can also develop dry mouth because smoking often decreases saliva output.

Stains on Teeth
Typically, people want a bright, white smile. The nicotine and tar in cigarettes actually leaves unattractive, yellow discolorations on your teeth. With time, these stains can seep into tiny cracks in the enamel, resulting in permanent changes to your smile’s appearance.

Family dentist in Weymouth, MA