It is widely known that illicit drugs and excessive alcohol consumption can seriously damage your general health. It is perhaps less well known that they can also play havoc with your teeth and gums.

Cannabis is often considered to be one of the less harmful drugs but it is addictive, and apart from the unpleasant effects on the mind that can occur, it is associated with poor gum health and cancers of the lining of the mouth. Smokers of any kind of tobacco tend to build up more plaque around their teeth because of the sticky nature of tobacco tars, and this leads to gum disease and tooth decay by harbouring large numbers of bacteria.

One of the worst problem drugs for oral health is methamphetamine, often referred to as speed, crank, ice, crystal meth, or blue. It is relatively cheap to make and can be in pill or powder form. The toxic and caustic ingredients used in making meth include anhydrous ammonia (farm fertilizer), lithium (from batteries), and lighter fluid amongst others, and make for a very aggressive and nasty mix. The acidic nature of meth, along with its effect of causing a dry mouth, is devastating on teeth. The drying of the mouth removes the protective effect of saliva on teeth, allowing bacteria to build up and cause tooth decay. Decay tends to start at the neck of the teeth just above the gum-line, and, as it spreads right around the tooth it weakens the tooth.

Another effect of meth on users is to cause anxiety and clenching or grinding of their teeth. This grinding coupled with the acidic environment causes erosion of the enamel together with abrasion, literally wearing the teeth away. The clenching and grinding put extra force on the teeth, and, since they are all ready weakened they often break off pieces or break off completely at their base. This decay is often made all the worse by sugar or sugary drinks consumed by drug users who have their appetites suppressed and therefore do not eat normal meals but crave sugar because their own blood sugar levels are reduced, and sugary drinks to assuage the thirst and dry mouth sensation.

Untreated rampant decay leads to infection in the jaw eventually, with abscess formation, pain and swelling.

Heroin and cocaine produce a dry mouth condition similar to that of methamphetamine, and also sugar cravings. These drug addicts are not known for their ability to maintain good oral hygiene, and can also suffer from ravaging tooth decay, the results of which can be difficult to treat in any restorative way.

Cocaine users sometimes test the strength of their drug by placing a small amount on their gums. If the gum gets numb they know the cocaine is OK. This practice tends to cause burning and ultimately recession of the gums making a user look rather “long in the tooth”.

The effects of alcohol may not be quite as dramatic as that of illicit drugs but they are still damaging in a similar way. Alcoholic drinks are often acidic and people who abuse alcohol risk their teeth being eroded and abraded to the point where they cause considerable problems.

A crown is an artificial restoration that fits over a broken or decayed tooth and makes it look like a proper tooth again. Other reasons to have a crown or cap are:
- to restore teeth that are badly discoloured
-to change the shape of a tooth to make it look better
-to strengthen a tooth that has been root-filled and is hence weakened
-together with other crowns joined, to form a bridge to replace a missing tooth

There are different materials that can be used to make a crown:
-porcelain
-porcelain fused to precious metal alloy
-ceramic
-glass
-precious metal alloy or gold
-non-precious metal alloy

These materials vary considerably in their strength. Gold alloy is much stronger than porcelain or ceramic and a crown can therefore be made quite thin and still be strong enough to withstand the forces of chewing. As the crown fits over a tooth, a certain amount of tooth must be taken away to allow for this, or the crown will stand proud of the other teeth and interfere with the closing of the mouth. A gold crown, being inherently strong in thin section, will require only a relatively modest reduction in the tooth, whereas a porcelain crown which has to be made much thicker to be adequately strong, will require much more tooth tissue to be taken away before placement. The material used for the crown will therefore have a strong bearing on how the tooth is prepared.

In general the dentist will anaesthetize the tooth and shape it with the dental drill by removing layers from the outside, keeping the overall shape slightly tapered so that a crown can slide on to it once it has been made to fit. The shape of the core for the crown will be determined by how much tooth tissue needs to be removed, but it will end up more or less cylindrical with a shoulder or margin that will be set either just above or just below the gum level all round depending on circumstances.

The dentist then takes an impression of the prepared tooth with a tray full of soft rubbery material. Sometimes an impression is also taken of the teeth in the opposing jaw. These moulds are sent to a laboratory where they are cast in a strong plaster and then the crown is constructed on the model.

Whilst waiting for the crown to be made, the patient will have some kind of temporary restoration or cover over the tooth. This can be made from a variety of materials, but is commonly acrylic.

The finished crown, back from the laboratory is fitted at the next visit. The dentist checks for fit, and that the crown does not interfere with chewing movements of the jaws. The crown is made to match the other teeth as far as possible, especially near the front of the mouth where it is likely to show. When dentist and patient are happy, the crown is fixed into place with dental cement.
A crown always feels strange and alien to begin with but usually after a couple of days the patient gets used to it and forgets about it. If it is still noticeable, or feels “in the way,” then it’s best to return to the dentist for some slight adjustment. With proper care a crown can be expected to last for many years.

When a tooth is extracted it disrupts the blood supply to the tooth. The small blood vessels at the base of the tooth, called capillaries, are ruptured, along with some others in the gum around the tooth. Provided the extraction was straightforward, requiring forceps only there would only be a limited amount of bleeding. If the extraction were more difficult, requiring a surgical approach, then there would be the likelihood of more post-operative bleeding.

When the capillaries are ruptured they tend to carry on leaking blood for a little while due to the pressure of the arterial system. There is a natural tendency for this to gradually subside and cease as a blood clot forms in the socket. The blood clot is a plug which prevents further blood loss and needs to be left undisturbed. This why, after having a tooth pulled, your dentist will ask you to bite on a sterile gauze pressure pad for a while to encourage a clot to form.

The time taken for a stable blood clot to form can vary, but usually takes from 20-30 minutes, sometimes longer. Clot formation is encouraged by pressure over the socket where the tooth came out, and this is why your dentist will ask you to bite down on a piece of sterile gauze for a while. He or she will then check to see if bleeding has stopped before discharging you. If it has not a further period of biting on a fresh piece of gauze may be necessary.

Sometimes slight oozing from the socket may persist for several hours or even overnight. This is more likely if there was infection present around the tooth. As long as this is not rapid or profuse it can usually be controlled by continued use of pressure pads. If you do not have any gauze supplies a moistened teabag makes a good substitute. The tannic acid in the tea helps to promote blood clotting.

During the first 24 hours after a tooth is removed the clot can be easily dislodged and cause bleeding to restart. In order to prevent this you should refrain from any vigorous rinsing, or even cleaning your teeth. Rinsing the mouth or using a toothbrush in the area of the extraction could disturb the blood clot and cause slight haemorrhage again. You should also avoid alcohol and vigorous exercise for the first 24 hours after extraction, as these too can encourage haemorrhage.

If you should have a problem with persistent bleeding or bleeding starting again it would be best to see your dentist again. It may be necessary to suture the socket in order to adequately retain the clot, or even pack the socket with a bio-compatible haemostatic material to encourage clotting.

In most cases, once the initial clot has formed your jaw is on its way to healing, and the clot is gradually replaced from the bottom of the socket by new bone which grows to eventually fill in the whole socket.

The cost of a wisdom tooth extraction can vary quite widely depending on where you have it done and the difficulty involved. Across the United States of America the cost can range from between $150 to $350 for a straightforward or “simple” extraction. This is where the tooth is erupted fully enough for forceps to be able to get a reasonable purchase on the crown of the tooth, and the tooth is delivered whole.

Very often though, the removal of a wisdom tooth, otherwise known as a third molar, is not so simple. Very often the third molar points rather forward as well as upward as it grows at the back of the lower jaw. This can result in the tooth getting stuck with its anterior (mesial) part jammed against the back (distal) of the second molar which is immediately in front of it. This can happen with either upper or lower third molars, but is more commonly a problem in the lower jaw. The fact that the tird molar has often breached the gum by the time it becomes impacted or stuck means that there is an opening into the gum where infection can enter. Food getting stuck here can cause bacteria to multiply and set up an infection in the gum around the impacted third molar. This has the effect of causing the gum to swell, making it liable to be traumatised by the upper third molar during chewing, and hence to swell even more. This condition of recurrent pericoronitis is quit painful and a common reason for the wisdom tooth to be removed.

A third molar or wisdom tooth that is impacted can be considerably more difficult to remove, and hence commands a higher fee. The operation may involve cutting the gum and removing bone in order to get access to the tooth, which is then elevated from the socket, i.e. levered out of the socket by use of specially shaped instruments. Sometimes it is necessary to actually cut the tooth itself into two and elevate the two pieces separately in different directions. Once the tooth is removed the socket is cleansed and sutured.

The fee for such a surgical wisdom tooth removal can vary from $350 to $650, and would be expected to include a follow-up visit to check that healing is satisfactory and to remove sutures. Some additional fees may also be levied with wisdom tooth extractions in respect of diagnostic radiographs (x-rays). Few dentists will remove other than the most straightforward of wisdom teeth without having taken a radiograph first which can cost from $20 to $80. This is in order to help plan the best way to remove the tooth, particularly its best exit pathway, and, also to determine whether there is much likelihood of damage to a nerve which lies very close to the bottom of the wisdom tooth root sometimes.

Should there be a need for sedation or general anaesthesia for the wisdom tooth removal then of course this could increase costs considerably. One could be looking at additional fees of $200 to $500.Many dental insurance plans will cover up to 80% of costs of an extraction providing it is medically necessary and not for cosmetic reasons. A wisdom tooth is not likely to be removed for cosmetic reasons so would qualify.

The only cheaper ways of getting a wisdom tooth removed would involve having it done in a dental hospital by dental students or travelling to Mexico where medical and surgical costs are much less.

Ph is a measure of acidity – the lower the ph the more acid something is. Low ph in the mouth is a bad thing for teeth since teeth are formed of a crystalline hardened chalk-like material called enamel on their outside. A ph value lower than about 5.0 is sufficient to cause some softening and dissolution of tooth enamel. Our natural saliva bathes our teeth and helps to neutralise acid in the mouth but is not capable of preventing enamel damage if the teeth are continually swamped with acid drinks such as fruit juices.

Many people do not realise just how acidic fruit juices are. Orange juice has a ph of about 2.9, and apple juice 3.0, values that are lower than many colas and sodas which are commonly recognised as hazardous to teeth. Because fruit juices are accepted as healthy drinks they are consumed in large quantities by children, given to them by their mothers who do not know of the risk to their teeth. A baby’s teeth will usually start to come through at about 6 months and if they are immediately bathed in a frequently quite acidic environment they are likely to suffer damage. Fruit juices also contain considerable amounts of sugars such as fructose, glucose and sucrose, and these are readily converted into acid by normal bacteria present in the mouth.

It is essential that parents appreciate the risk to children’s teeth from fruit juices, and that they attempt to limit exposure, not only cutting down on the quantity of drinks allowed, but by diluting the drinks as much as possible. The enamel of children’s teeth is softer than that of adults and only hardens gradually over time.

Advice is to offer infants juice in a cup as soon as they are able to cope with this, rather than in a bottle or cup with a lid that they can suck from. The total quantity of juice should be less than 12 fluid ounces per day and should be diluted by a factor of three if still acceptable at this concentration. Infants should not be put to bed with a bottle of juice or allowed to suck on one for extended periods of time.

The effects of acid erosion can be seen in adults also, although perhaps less dramatically. The consumption of orange, apple or grapefruit daily over an extended period of time leads to gradual loss of enamel over the surface of teeth. If the enamel gets very thin it can lead to sensitivity of teeth, and even in extreme cases cause portions of teeth to break off under the stress of biting.

An important point is to avoid brushing your teeth immediately after having an acidic drink of any kind or consuming fruit, since the surface enamel will be slightly softened by the acid and will then be susceptible to being removed by the physical abrasion of the toothbrush.

Tooth decay is a major problem that affects almost three quarters of the population in the world. This gets worse as it can be quite costly to treat most problems caused by tooth decay such as loss of teeth. Therefore, if you are wondering if there are ways available to prevent tooth decay by eating certain foods, then you are very right and have come to the right place. My emphasis will be on certain foods which if included in your diet, will make your teeth stronger, prevent cavities and give you a brighter smile.

In order to have healthy teeth, your nutritional diet has to include milk and several vegetables since these provide different minerals such as calcium, which strengthen and protect the teeth from cavities and tooth decay. Milk with other diary products such as cheese, yoghurt contains large amounts of calcium which are essential in preventing tooth decay. Milk protein also contains extracts which are very effective in fighting bacteria and removing bacteria from the mouth. Vegetables also contain calcium and I would advise you to eat at least Brussels sprouts, beans or peas among other vegetables as this also strengthen and protect the teeth from decaying.

In addition, fruits such as oranges, mangoes, bananas and high fiber foods such as wheat stimulate the production of minerals in the mouth which as natural defenses against several tooth decay conditions. Whole grains are also significant foods which can help you to avoid tooth decay since they provide iron and vitamin B which are responsible for healthy gums. Whole grains like cereals also prevent gums from bleeding, hence offering your teeth a better support system. Whole grained foods like brown rice, pasta are the best source of magnesium and they account for over 80% of the general magnesium in the body.

Besides, foods like fish are also rich in calcium and you need to have fish at least once a week to enhance calcium production in your bones and teeth. However, you should avoid taking a lot of sugar because it provides a habitant for bacteria which will ultimately cause tooth decay. Sugar in form of processed flour, biscuits or artificial colorings will only waste your money and yet they might be bad for your teeth. Moreover unpasteurized milk is also not good for your teeth because they sometimes cause tooth decay. For that reason, you should stick to natural foods such as apples, banana, fish, raw milk, vegetables and fruits among others if you want to prevent tooth decay.

In case you have rotten teeth that make you feel embarrassed or undergo some pain, you need to talk to a dentist concerning the ways through which you can use to boost both your overall and dental health statues, let alone your smile’s appearance. Depending on the extent of damage your rotten teeth have caused, there are various treatment options that are useful in eliminating the main causes of bacteria that destroy teeth enamel inside your mouth and repair the damages done to your teeth as well.

The first and most important thing for you to do when your teeth are rotten is to visit a dentist as soon as you notice tooth decay signs (teeth discoloration, foul breath, jaw pain, sensitivity to cold/hot things, tooth pain or headaches). Most dentists use instruments that examine the teeth surfaces for traces of grooves, plaque build up or holes. The next important thing you can do is look for a highly concentrated fluorine treatment as soon as the dentist notices that you have tooth decay traces. This will ultimately prevent further damage of your enamel.

For the advanced tooth decay, it might be essential for you to get a filling. In case your wisdom teeth are rotten the doctor might prescribe an amalgam silver, mercury, tin, cooper or zinc filling. In case the incisors are the ones rotten, you need to make inquiries with your dentist on the subject of the composite-resin filling, made of fine glass and plastic particles. These fillings have a high probability of matching the appearance and color of your natural teeth and might make perfect choices for the frontal tooth fillings.

In case you have extensively rotten teeth, it might be advisable for you to have a root canal that will definitely save the tooth and avoid further rotting of other teeth. During the root canal, the dentist will just get rid of the surrounding pulp and nerve of the tooth prior to sealing the teeth using crowns.

Similar to fillings, crowns are available in an assortment of specifications like gold, amalgam, porcelain and silver. Just make sure that you ask for the most suitable crown that will perfectly fit your tastes and preferences.
In case the rotten teeth are excessively harsh that you cannot save your teeth, the dentist will have no option than to completely get rid of the teeth. If you experience some nervousness about removing your rotten teeth, make some consultations with your dentist about using nitrous oxide. In the same way, never make a decision without seeking medical advice, especially when your doubtfull.

I am sure that most people have at least been advised that the only way to prevent tooth decay is by seeking dental treatment. To some extent, dental services are necessary, but you can avoid and stop tooth decay by using natural means which might require a visit to the dentist. If you know the main reason that causes tooth decay, then you will be able to prevent tooth decay before it spreads and becomes a severe dental problem. You are usually concerned on how you may try and avoid cavities as this usually causes serious dental decay.

One of the things you need to do first is keeping your mouth clean and germ free. The only way you can do is by brushing at least twice a day that is in the morning and evening. This can help you a lot in preventing food particles from decaying in between your teeth which then produce germs and eventually cavities. Brushing regularly will remove bacteria and other germs, which might cause tooth decay. Take your time while brushing, do not do it in a hurry as this will not be effective, thus you have to spend at least 3-4 minutes brushing in order to get rid of the hidden food particles, germs or bacteria.

Secondly, the type of toothpaste you choose to use may have a great impact if you are trying to prevent tooth decay without visiting a dentist. Normally, it is ideal to use toothpaste that has fluoride and calcium. Fluoride has scientifically been proved to be effective in strengthening the teeth most especially the enamel. Calcium is also relevant in strengthening the teeth as well as protecting the teeth from acid which might be contained in some foods for instance citric acid found in lemon and oranges. You may get fluoride naturally from drinking water, however if you want to increase the intake, then you will have to eat foods that contain these elements such as table salt.

Other foods such as milk products can also be good sources of elements such as protein which are great in eliminating bacteria and contributing to healthy teeth, hence preventing tooth decay at no charge. Apart from your diet, regular dental floss could be essential in preventing tooth decay. Dental flossing supplements brushing because there are areas in the mouth which your toothbrush may not reach and yet flossing can reach and remove any bacteria or germs in such tricky areas. Regardless, of what you might initiate to prevent tooth decay, there are some situations such as X-ray to examine severe tooth decay problems which will require a dental expert intervention.

When a parent thinks of the pain, discomfort and screaming of a child when they are teething, this just leaves the parent helpless or even frustrated thus leading them to look for the best way to make a child more comfortable. Individuals prepare for teething even before it occurs in a child. Although there are so many ways such as messaging the gum, using products and even herbs, you need to be cautious when selecting the types of tablets to use on a child as there are dangers associated with them and in turn place your child under great danger. Some doctors still recommend tablets as the best medication and even some internet sites would say the same but you ought to know that this can be a mere marketing strategy to sell the tablets.

There are various types of teething tablets such as natural products which have been in use for decades and these tablets can sooth the gums of your child during the teething period. However, natural products usually contain ingredients like lactose which normally acts fast in relieving teething pain in your child but have a couple of side effects. Though you will succeed in relieving the pain, most of the tablets contain caffeine and belladonna ingredients which may affect your child’s digestive system. To a certain extent, belladonna could be poisonous if taken in large qualities.

On the other hand, it is hard to avoid overdosing because most teething tablets act only for a short time and after which your child will start feeling the pain again. Hence, you may want to avoid the teething pain and decide to add your child more tablets which prove fatal. Even though you regulate the dosage, the harmful ingredients contained in most teething tablets cannot be avoided after the child swallows the tablets. The toxins contained in several teething tablets regardless of whether the teething tablets are naturally or artificially made may still lead to health problems, if safety measures are not followed.

Teething tablets are likely to cause discomfort and as a result, your baby might feel restless immediately after taking such medication. Consequently, you need to consult with a doctor before using any teething tablets, since some tablets might cause enduring health complications to your child. Nonetheless, not all teething tablets are dangerous to your child. Tablets such as calcarea carbonica and apis melllifica are safe to use especially if your child takes long to start teething.

There are a variety of potentially dangerous tooth infections, and an abscessed tooth is a a result of a deep infection within the mouth. The resulting infection can be painful as well as dangerous for one’s overall oral health if not immediately treated. The underlying symptoms of an abscessed tooth, ranging from cavities to gum disease signify larger issues related to oral health which must be addressed. By treating the tooth immediately with a dental professional you can prevent the bacterial infection from spreading throughout the mouth. Untreated, abscessed teeth can result in bacterial infections that impact the hole mouth, including the bone that creates the underlying oral structure.

If you’re feeling particularly egregious pain in your mouth, there is a chance that you have an aggravated tooth. By treating it immediately you limit the probability that it will result in an abscessed tooth. Some basic symptoms that may help one to identify a potential problem include oral pain, swollen gums, facial swelling and difficulty chewing. It’s important that a dental professional be able to identify the underlying causes of the problem. If you have a cavity, it’s important to get immediate treatment before the infection can become worse and spread throughout your mouth. Early treatment and detection can save many future oral health problems down the road. If you feel pain in your mouth, it’s important to have a professional determine the most effective treatment for the problem.

Since the base level infection from an abscessed tooth is caused by a bacterial infection, immediate treatments include antibiotics although this is only a short-term solution in advance of tooth removal. When an abscess has advanced too far there are few options outside of removing the tooth and replacing it with a false tooth – otherwise the infection may continue to spread throughout the mouth (the tooth will be lost naturally anyway at that point.) The underlying danger is that you can potentially lose one of more teeth, as well as aggravating oral conditions such as gum disease. There are a variety of implications which can arise from abscessed teeth, which makes it even more important that you regularly see a dentist. By utilizing best oral health practices such as a healthy diet and dental routine you are much more likely to prevent the potential complications that can arise.