Dental implantsare metal devices that get attached to the jawbone, providing an artificial root so restorations have something to anchor to. These restorations are the artificial teeth that complete the patient’s smile and give them the ability to properly chew. The professionals at Anderson General Dentistry would be happy to walk any new patient through the process of dental implant installation during a consultation.
You should always consult a professional before making big decisions about your dental health, but it’s a good idea to be informed about how dental implants could help you. In addition to providing a natural smile and the ability to chew, these devices can:
- Prevent teeth from shifting. If empty spaces aren’t filled, the remaining teeth will eventually shift to try to fill them.
- Prevent bone loss. Implants provide the stimulation necessary to keep the bone in the empty space strong.
- Give you a better fit. Dentures will slide around in your mouth and won’t stay in place as well as implants.
- Last a lifetime. You won’t have to worry about regularly replacing dental implants as long as they’re well maintained.
- Conserve your jawbone & appearance. Missing teeth can cause the jawbone to deteriorate and the face to appear sunken.
Call or contactAnderson General Dentistry today to schedule a consultation at our Anderson, SC office. We would be happy to help you decide if getting dental implants is the right option for you.
When you have kids, it is likely you know how chaotic the routine of everyday life can be. From everyone having different obligations, you want to make sure that scheduling dentist appointments doesn’t become a hassle. Rather than complicating your schedule by visiting different dentist offices multiple times a year, it might be time to find a dentist who can address the needs of your entire family! In addition to the convenience of having only one dentist to go to for the whole family, a family dentist also offers other benefits.
Treatment for All Ages – Family dental practices provides a variety of services to accommodate both children and adults. This usually includes services such as preventive care, restorative work, and even cosmetic treatments.
Track Your Child’s Development – When you visit a family dentist, they have the training and expertise to track your child’s development and habits that are seen in their dental health and play a role in their everyday lives by offering different procedures that your child needs.
Spot Inherited Problems – As your family visits the same dentist, it is easier to spot gum problems and tooth decay trends that might be common within the family. Typically, when a parent shows signs of a problem, the dentist will give special care and attention to watching for these signs in the developing child. This type of early preventative treatment can help your child avoid some of the dental problems that might have been inherited.
Speedy Visits – Busy schedules are extremely common in most families and this can make it difficult to set dentist appointments for every individual family member. Family dentists can make it possible to get an appointment to accommodate the entire family. This significantly saves time and makes going to the dentist less stressful.
For more information on why a family dentist might be exactly what you’re looking for, give Anderson General Dentistry a call today!
TMJ, or temporomandibular joint disorder, is a jaw issue that affects several people. The pain usually occurs in the neck and facial area and typically causes ear pain and headaches. Different difficulties occur, such as trouble opening the jaw, problems biting and chewing, and/or a clicking sound that comes from the jaw when biting. If you think you may be developing TMJ, consider these possible causes of the disorder.
Physical Injury
When experiencing an injury, such as a broken or dislocated jaw, it can result in inflammation and pain to the temporomandibular joint. Usually this is a sharp and severe pain that will resolve after a few weeks or months. Although, if your jaw does not heal properly, injury can potentially cause chronic TMJ.
Arthritis
Arthritis is joint pain caused from a breakdown of the joint itself, typically from aging and overuse. While it is common to get arthritis in knees, hands, and spine, sometimes people will develop arthritis in the temporomandibular joint as well. This type of arthritis will usually start with gradual pain in the joint. It is important to get treatment early on if your TMJ is caused by arthritis.
Teeth Grinding
It is very common that people grind their teeth in their sleep. The reason why this is a major cause of TMJ, is because it is difficult to prevent, as usually it is not done consciously or on purpose. Teeth grinding can cause wearing down of teeth and misalignment, causing more stress on the jaw.
Teeth Clenching
Like teeth grinding, teeth clenching requires strenuous use of jaw muscles. This can occur during stress or sleeping, without even knowing it. Over time, this can cause excessive wear and tear on the disc that protects the temporomandibular joint.
Autoimmune Diseases
When the body’s immune system malfunctions and begins to attack its own tissue, it creates an autoimmune disease. These diseases often affect joints and connective tissue, resulting in TMJ disorder. There are many cases that the effects can be so severe where the joints cannot be moved. There are several therapies that can reduce autoimmune activity that will help treat the resulting chronic disorders like TMJ.
There’s nothing like the feeling of a New Year’s resolution. Setting goals can be quite exciting. We all know about the more popular resolutions; lose weight, get fit, travel more…. but what about a resolution that’s easy to stick to and will help you look and feel better? This year, resolve to take better care of your smile! Read on for some simple tips on how to give yourself a healthier, happier smile:
Commit to Brushing: Brush at least twice a day, every day. Make sure you are brushing for at least two minutes. Try making it fun by putting together a playlist of 2-3-minute long songs that you enjoy. Play a song each time you brush, and make sure you are brushing for the entire length of the song.
Make Sure to Floss: Flossing is so important for oral health and hygiene. Commit to flossing after brushing and after meals for fresher breath and a healthier smile. These days, there are many kinds of floss on the market. Try some different flavors and materials until you find one that works best for you.
Cut Down on Sweets: Sugary foods harm your tooth enamel and lead to cavities. Cut back on cookies, candy, and sugary drinks to keep your smile healthy and happy. This is a great resolution to try, because not only are you doing your teeth a huge favor, but you’re also helping your waistline. A two-in-one resolution!
Schedule a Professional Whitening: A bright smile will help you start the year with confidence, and if you want to keep it that way, you’ll have more of an incentive to take better care of your teeth.
Visit Your Dentist: Remember to schedule regular dental cleanings every 6 months. It’s easy to maintain a healthy mouth when you commit to regular checkups. Your dentist can also keep tabs on your overall oral health, and can fix any issues that arise before they become a huge (and painful) problem.
Forming good oral hygiene habits is so simple, and it’s something that’s easy to stick to. No matter what time of the year it is, you can always resolve to take better care of your teeth. Why not start today? If you reside in the Anderson, SC area, give the experts at Anderson General Dentistry Associates a call to schedule a visit. From checkups to teeth whitening & more, we are ready to give you the healthy & happy smile you deserve!
Gum disease, also known as Periodontal Disease, is a relatively painless infection of the tissues in your mouth that surround your teeth. This is considered to be one of the leading causes of tooth loss in adults.
Factors That Can Increase Your Risk Of Gum Disease Are:
• Genetics
• Diabetes
• Certain Medications
• Smoking
• Teeth That Are Hard To Keep Clean
First Sign of Gum Disease: Gingivitis
Advanced Stage of Gum Disease: Periodontitis
There are many beneficial reasons to have your yearly dental cleanings.
2. Helps Prevent Bad Breath : Poor oral hygiene, periodontal disease, food stuck in teeth, unclean dentures, oral cancers and throat infections are a few of the factors that can lead to awful breath.
3. Brighter, Whiter Smile : When you do your yearly cleaning the dental hygienist will remove stains, plague and tartar buildup. After the hygienist has removed all the plaque and tartar they will polish your teeth leaving them brighter and whiter!
4. Save Money : Dental plans offered in your work benefits will help you save money by having little or no payments. Using your dental plan will keep your teeth clean and healthy and save you from potentially costly dental problems in the future.
