Oral Issues and Disease in Coral Gables & Doral, FLOral issues and disease pose major health burdens including pain, discomfort, disfigurement and even death.

Symptoms of Oral Issues and DiseaseBleeding or swollen gums after brushing or flossingChronic bad breathCracked or broken teethFrequent dry mouthJaw clickingLoose teethPain or toothachesPain with chewing or bitingReceding gumlineSudden sensitivity to hot and cold temperaturesSwelling of the face and cheeksUlcers, sores or tender areas in the mouth that won’t heal after a week Factors Contributing to Oral IssuesAcid reflux or heartburnCertain infections such as HIV or AIDSDiabetesFamily history or geneticsFrequent vomiting Hormonal changes in womenPoor brushing habitsSmokingSugary food and drink consumptionUse of saliva reducing medicationsCauses of Oral DiseaseThe oral cavity collects various bacteria, viruses, and fungi.

Plaque accumulates, hardens, and migrates down the length of the tooth if not removed regularly by brushing and flossing.

Tests may include:CT scanEndoscopyMRI scanX-ray Treating Oral Issues and DiseaseEven with proper oral care, routine visits to the dentist with professional cleanings twice a year a recommended.

It removes tartar from above and below the gumline that can’t be reached during routine brushing.Daily Habits: Dental hygienists provide education regarding how to properly care for teeth and gums.Dental Implants: Used to replace missing or lost teeth.Fluoride Treatments: Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral that can strengthen tooth enamel and increase resiliency to bacteria and acid.Fillings, Crowns, and Sealants: A filling is used to repair a cavity, crack, or hole in the tooth.

During a root canal, the nerve is removed and replaced with a filling made of a biocompatible material, usually a combination of a rubber-like material called gutta-percha and adhesive cement.Tooth Extraction: Necessary when a tooth cannot be saved with a root canal or other procedure.

Pseudo HalitosisCondition in which a patient believes he or she is suffering from halitosis in the absence of any objective offensive odor3.

HalitophobiaAlso known as 'delusional halitosis'Patients who have halitophobia assume they have halitosis, when in fact they do notA person suffering from halitophobia uses various techniques to battle phobia; some can be attributed to obsessive-compulsive disorder symptoms.Dentists calculate 25% of patients who consulted them for halitosis are afflicted with delusional halitosis.Aetiologic ClassificationThis system allows for multiple diagnoses in the same patient, represents the most accurate model to understand halitosis, and forms an efficient and logical basis for the clinical management of the complaint.Newly proposed aetiologic classification divides pathologic halitosis into: Type 1 (oral), Type 2 (airway), Type 3 (gastroesophageal), Type 4 (blood-borne)Type 5 (subjective)Generally, any halitosis complaint is potentially the sum or combination of these classifications.

Halitosis ExaminationOral malodor is measured using an organoleptic measurement or a gas chromatography analysis.

Gas chromatography (GC) analysis using a flame photometric detector is the gold standard for measuring oral malodor, owing to its reputation for its objectivity and re-producibility.GC is specific for volatile sulphur compounds (VSC), which are the main causes of oral malodor.

Further treatment for halitosis can vary, depending on its cause.

Brush your teeth after eating.

Xerostomia also called dry mouth, is caused when salivary glands do not produce enough saliva to keep the mouth wet.

A dry mouth can be caused by medications, dehydration, or breathing through the mouth.

Chronic dry mouth can lead to serious problems, severe dental health issues and should not be ignored.Causes of Dry Mouth When salivary glands are not working properly as the result of:1.

AgingAging often results in increased medication use, changes in the body's ability to process medication, inadequate nutrition, and long-term health problems.3.

Night SleepingDry mouths manifest mostly at night during sleeping, especially in mouth-breathers.Signs and Symptoms of Dry Mouth Burning, sore, or tingling sensation in mouth, tongue, or throatDryness in the mouth and throatFrequent thirst, dry eyes, pale gums, and hoarsenessDifficulty speaking, chewing, and swallowing (dysphagia)Increased desire to drink and swallow liquidsDiminished or altered sense of taste.Chapped or cracked lipsDifficulty wearing dentures Mouth sores, ulcers, nausea, and bad breathWhite tongue, indicative of a fungal infection like yeast (candidiasis)Red, bleeding gums, gingivitis, and periodontitisTooth decay, especially around the gum line or on the root surfacesFungal infections occurring in an individual with dry mouth may be associated with underlying diseases or disorders such as Addison's disease, HIV, or diabetes.

Untreated Dry Mouth can Lead to Serious ProblemsCavitiesGingivitis (gum disease)Halitosis (bad breath)Improper denture fitYeast infections Dry Mouth TreatmentTips to Ease Dry MouthAvoid decongestants and antihistamines when possible.Sip water before swallowing capsules or tablets.

Composite & Porcelain Fillings | iSmile Doral and Coral GablesNearly 90% of adults in the U.S. will have at least one cavity in their lifetime.

When a cavity develops, dentists remove decay from the tooth and "fill" it with a filling.Most patients seek pain management and cavity treatment before further damage to a valuable tooth is done.

Composite FillingsA tooth-colored filling that can be shaded to match surrounding teeth.An excellent option for teeth that are exposed or visible when talking or smiling.Composite fillings are effective for repairing chipped or cracked teeth because they blend and deliver a natural look.Made from plastic and ceramic or powdered glass and acrylic resin.

Aesthetics: The shade of the composite filling can be closely matched to existing teeth, making them virtually invisible.

Composite can also be used in other cosmetic alterations, such as changing the color or shape of teeth.2.

Lack of Longevity: Composite fillings wear out faster than amalgam fillings (lasting at least five years compared with 10 to 15 for amalgam fillings).

Holistic Dentistry is an overall philosophy relevant to teeth and mouth hygiene that appreciates the significance of biologic dentistry of overall health.Simply, the holistic dentistry approach believes that teeth have a strong connection with the rest of the body, which refers to the mouth and body connection.

Meaning, a dentist gathers important information on the overall health of the body to determine the best approach for whole-body health and not exclusively dental health.To this effect, holistic dentists do not carry out invasive procedures right away as they would apply natural remedial methods first to address dental issues.

Holistic dentistry highlights the importance of nutrition as an utmost defense against dental distress.Through the years, traditional dentistry evolved to a holistic approach as dentists would discover the mouth-body connection.

As such dentists do not limit the connection of  teeth to the gums, but also to the face, head, neck, and entire body.As a result, holistic dentistry does not use harmful dental appliances, cleaning materials, and dental hygiene products that use toxic chemicals like mercury amalgam fillings, sealants with Bisphenol A (BPA), and fluoride.

As such, mercury tooth filling is not recommended anymore and that being said, holistic dentists apply fillings that match the substance of the tooth to protect it.BPA is a chemical ingredient found in plastic materials which is frequently used as dental sealants.

The issue with BPA is its attribute to stimulate estrogen, which is fatal against the body’s hormonal balance.

The parts of the bones that interact in the joint are covered with cartilage and are separated by a small shock-absorbing disk, which normally keeps the movement smooth.Painful TMJ disorders can occur if:The disk erodes or moves out of its proper alignmentThe joint's cartilage is damaged by arthritisThe joint is damaged by a blow or other impact Symptoms of TMJIf you’re experiencing any of the following, you may be dealing with a temporomandibular joint disorder:Pain or tenderness in your jaw jointPain in your neck or shouldersTired feeling or pain in your faceSwelling on the side of your facePain in or around your earPain while chewing or an uncomfortable biteToothachesHeadachesDizzinessHearing problems or ringing in the ears (tinnitus)Locked jaw, which makes it difficult to open or close your mouthClicking or grating sensation when opening and closing your mouthShould you notice any of these symptoms, let your doctor know.

Your dentist can help indicate the presence of TMD and create an effective treatment just for you.Risk factorsFactors that may increase the risk of developing TMJ disorders include:Various types of arthritis, such as rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritisJaw injuryLong-term (chronic) grinding or clenching of teethCertain connective tissue diseases that cause problems that may affect the temporomandibular jointHow is TMJD diagnosed?TMJ disorders can be difficult to diagnose.

Your doctor may refer you to a dentist or an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist to diagnose your condition.Your doctor may examine your jaw to see if there is swelling or tenderness if you have symptoms of a TMJ disorder.

These can include:X-rays of the jawCT scan of the jaw to see the bones and joint tissuesMRI of the jaw to see if there are problems with the structure of the jawTreatment options for TMJTMJ has many treatment options.

Skip the chewing gum, place a hand under your chin when you yawn, and avoid things like singing or yelling that might cause you to open your jaw too wide.Position your jaw with your teeth slightly apart as often as possible.

Consider asking your doctor or dentist about how physical therapy can help.Massage your neck and jaw muscles.

An estimated 178 million Americans are missing at least one tooth and 30 percent of adults between 65-74 years old have lost all of their natural teeth.Replacing missing teeth with partial dentures, usually created from a combination of plastic, porcelain, and acrylic, is a relatively easy process.

Partial DenturesA removable, partial denture or bridge consists of replacement teeth attached to a gum-colored plastic base connected by a metal framework to secure the denture in the mouth.Partial dentures are used when one or more natural teeth remain in the upper or lower jaw.

Not only do partial dentures fill the spaces created by missing teeth, they prevent other teeth from changing position.

A precision partial denture is removable and has internal attachments rather than clasps that attach to adjacent crowns.

" Conventional dentures are made after teeth have been removed and the gum tissue has begun to heal.Immediate dentures are made in advance and can be positioned as soon as the teeth are removed.

A dentist or prosthodontist (a dentist who specializes in the restoration and replacement of teeth): Takes a series of jaw impressions and measurements to determine how much space is between the teeth.Creates models, wax forms, or plastic patterns in the exact shape and position of the denture to be made.

Discover the causes, symptoms, and treatment of tooth infection.It is estimated that 13% of adults seek dental care for dental infections and that 1 in 2,600 people in the United States is hospitalized due to a dental infection.

Facts About Infected TeethInfection leads to damaging tooth decay.

A toothache doesn’t just affect oral health; it can affect your entire body.An absence of pain does not mean the problem has gone away.A tooth infection often leads to a painful dental abscess.An infected tooth can be saved if treated in a timely manner.

This pain can be severe and persistent, making it hard to chew, talk and sleep.

Bad breath – An infected tooth, caused by bacteria growth, may result in a bad taste in the mouth or bad breath.Sensitivity – Eating, chewing, or biting may cause irritation or pain.Fever or swelling – An infected tooth causes facial swelling and the body's attempt to fight the infection.DiagnosisTap on your teeth.

Fills and seals the tooth's pulp chamber and root canals.

The only way to restore the former appearance of a broken cracked or dislodged tooth is with a dental restoration or tooth contouring.

Schedule Routine CheckupsRoutine dental checkups identify small cracks that can be easily fixed and prevent them from increasing in severity.5.

A cracked tooth means a crack extends from the chewing surface vertically toward the root.

Often, they show minimal signs and symptoms.

Many times, they are discovered when the surrounding bone and gum become infected.

Composite bonding can last up to 10 years.