You drink a cup of hot tea or eat a dish of ice cream, and suddenly, a tooth hurts–really hurts. Most of us experience sensitive teeth occasionally, and it’s often nothing serious. Other times, it indicates an oral health problem. James J. Kalina DDS in Mankato tells patients about tooth sensitivity and how to know it needs treatment from your dentist.
Even in the best of circumstances, dental cavities happen. A chipped tooth decays. Enamel wears thin, and bacteria works its way into tooth structure. Plaque accumulates in the deep grooves of a back tooth.
Fortunately, restorative dentistry has used amalgam fillings for generations to save teeth from further decay and to restore proper bite and tooth function. However, both dentists and their patients have desired a filling material that matches tooth color and requires less removal of healthy tooth structure in order to place a restoration.
No one likes looking in the mirror to see damaged, discolored teeth, but for many, this is the reality they face. Many patients who are unhappy with their smiles report smiling less often, covering their mouth when the laugh, smile, or speak in public, and avoiding photos whenever possible. If this describes you, Dr. James J. Kalina and his Mankao cosmetic dentistry team are here to help you reclaim your smile confidence.
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Most of us associate “braces” and orthodontics with teenagers. But the truth is you are never too old! Patients in their 70’s and 80’s have seen the benefits of straighter teeth and a corrected bite.
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Whether it’s just one or several teeth you’re missing, their absence causes a real problem. Beyond the most evident issues — difficulty speaking, chewing and a reluctance to smile or laugh — missing teeth has even more serious effects on your overall dental health. Many people are willing to sacrifice a back tooth, thinking the front teeth most important esthetically. What they don’t know is the back teeth preserve facial structure. Lose back teeth and your cheeks begin to cave in – making you look older than you are! Functionally, the back teeth are designed to tackle the bulk of the chewing. Without them the front teeth wear down, possibly loosen, and even fracture as a result of pressures they are not designed to withstand. You have a lot of options in tooth replacement, but dental implants in Mankato are the best solution for several reasons — read on to learn why.
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Dry Mouth – also called Xerostomia – is a common problem and can have a serious impact on quality of life. Dry Mouth occurs when salivary glands stop producing adequate amounts of saliva. The dry, sticky sensation can make it difficult to chew, swallow, or speak. It can also lead to detrimental health effects. Saliva helps moisten food to aid in swallowing and is the first phase in the process of food digestion. It also is essential in keeping our mouths healthy. Saliva helps protect teeth by buffering the acids and sugars that lead to tooth decay. It also helps prevent oral infections and gum disease by moderating bacterial growth. Without adequate amounts of saliva, we risk poor nutrition, severe dental decay, and debilitating oral infections. (more…)
