Screen for oral cancer
Every hour of every day, someone in the U.S. dies from oral cancer, according to the Oral Cancer Foundation. If detected in the beginning stages, oral cancer is treatable and your dentist will look for signs of trouble during your checkups.

Prevent bad breath
Individuals with persistent halitosis typically have an underlying oral health problem such as decay or gum disease. The dentist can check your mouth and make recommendations so that you can enjoy clean, fresh breath.

Fight gum disease
An infection that begins in the gum tissues and can spread to the bones that hold your teeth, gum disease is easily treated and controlled if found early.

Give you a brighter smile
When the hygienist cleans and polish your teeth, he or she will remove stains caused by tobacco, coffee, and other foods. As well, the hygienist will also remove tartar build-up. The result is a whiter, better looking smile!

Identify problems early on
Even when you take good care of your teeth and gums, issues can arise. Catching a small cavity before it grows and requires a root canal saves you time and money.

Dentistry in the Highlands – Ramesh Izedian DMD – Fall River, MA

Myth: Expensive toothpastes and toothbrushes work better than cheap ones.
Truth: The most important characteristic of these tools is finding ones you will put to good use. You should select toothpaste with fluoride for added protection against cavities.

Myth: It’s better to pull a damaged tooth than fix it.
Truth: A full smile provides many benefits, so you should try to keep all your teeth. If you lose just one tooth, remaining teeth can shift, alignment problems may occur, and other teeth can become loose.

Myth: Once I have cavity filled, the tooth will be fine.
Truth: With proper care, your tooth should remain strong. Having a filling can make that tooth more susceptible to developing additional decay in the future.

Myth: I shouldn’t brush my teeth if my gums bleed.
Truth: If you see pink when you brush, bleeding usually indicates some issue, so you should probably consult your dentist. Your gums may bleed because of gum disease or brushing too hard, but the only way to know is to check with the dentist.

Myth: My teeth look white so they are healthy.
Truth: Just because your smile looks great doesn’t mean you don’t have problems. Issues like tooth decay and gum disease can develop with few, if any, symptoms, especially in the early stages.

Dentistry in the Highlands – Ramesh Izedian DMD – Fall River, MA – Dental Myths

Does poor oral hygiene cause thrush?

Interestingly enough, your home care routine does not contribute to thrush. This condition is brought on when the naturally occurring fungi in the mouth get out of balance and become overpopulated. Proper brushing and flossing will help with your recovery so keep up with your oral hygiene. Replace your toothbrush after treatment for thrush to prevent a return engagement.

How do you prevent thrush?

Acidophilus, healthy bacterial organisms can help restore balance in your mouth. You can buy it as a supplement or purchase and eat yogurt that already contains the live cultures.

What is the treatment for thrush?

Otherwise healthy adults and children may not require treatment because thrush can go away on its own. If the thrush continues to be a problem, your dentist or doctor may prescribe an antifungal medication.

What’s the difference between thrush and leukoplakia?

Although you may confuse the two, leukoplakia lesions develop because of chronic irritation from rough edges on teeth, fillings or crowns. Thrush often appears suddenly, while leukoplakia lesions occur over time.

Oral Thrush – Dentistry in the Highlands – Ramesh Izedian DMD Fall River, MA Dentist

What are the problems with amalgam fillings?

Metal fillings present several challenges. For one thing, they darken over time, detracting from your attractive smile. Often, metal fillings can crack or began to leak after years of wear. If this occurs, you risk further damage and will likely need more dental work. One of the biggest concerns with amalgams is that they contain mercury, a heavy metal substance.

Are amalgam fillings dangerous?

Currently, the American Dental Association says that metal fillings are safe since the levels of mercury are low. Because amalgam fillings lose their mercury over time, many people fear that the mercury vapors could be absorbed into your body and create a risk for overexposure, which can cause symptoms such as anxiety, irritability, and headaches.

What are the benefits of composite fillings?

Not only do tooth-colored fillings look better, but they offer solid restorations designed to last. With a composite filling, the material is bonded to the tooth, so it won’t change shape with age, giving you a solid, attractive smile.

Do I need to have my old fillings removed?

Unless they show signs of wear, you can probably leave metal fillings in place. As they need to be replaced, talk with your dentist about using composite fillings.

Dentistry in the Highlands – Ramesh Izedian DMD Fall River, MA Dentist

Gum Disease
Also called periodontal disease, gum disease is a bacterial infection that affects the tissue surrounding your teeth. When you suffer from gum disease, you may be more susceptible to bad breath because of bacteria build-up. Frequent brushing and flossing can help address this issue.

Your Tongue
One of the most common causes of halitosis is your tongue. Germs, food particles, and post-nasal drip can accumulate on the “hairy” surface of your tongue, producing ideal conditions for bacteria to breed. Cleaning your tongue often with a tongue scarper can greatly improve your breath.

Smoking
If you smoke, not only will your mouth smell like an ashtray, but you may develop dry mouth because of diminished saliva flow. Smoking also contributes to other oral health issues such as gum disease and oral cancer.

Dentures
When you wear dentures, food and bacteria can become trapped in between the appliance and your gums. As these particles break down, you may experience an unpleasant odor. To prevent this issue, clean dentures daily, massage your gums, and see your dentist regularly.

Certain Medical Conditions
Diabetes, gastrointestinal problems, and chronic sinusitis can all contribute to bad breath and you may not realize you have a problem. If your mouth checks out okay, you might need to visit your family doctor.

Dry Mouth
Xerostomia, or dry mouth, occurs when the saliva flow in your mouth decreases. As the body’s natural method of cleaning your mouth, saliva removes food particles and keeps everything hydrated. Chewing sugarless gum and drinking plenty of water can help encourage saliva production.

Dentistry in the Highlands – Ramesh Izedian DMD – Treating Halitosis

Keep these suggestions in mind:

Monitor their efforts

Though your children may brush alone by three or four, you need to double-check their teeth until about age seven. Praise their hard work, but make sure they reached all the areas and cleaned their teeth thoroughly.

Model good behavior

Your children will follow your example, so make sure they see you taking time for oral care. Talk about dental health as a family so that your kids know you value the health of your own teeth.

Remember to floss

While brushing is important, flossing plays a critical role in keeping gums in good condition. Buy a floss holder or floss threader if it makes it easier on your child.

Motivate your kids

From sparkly toothpaste to character-based toothbrushes, plenty of items exist to encourage children with their dental habits. As long as the products fit the American Dental Association (ADA) standards, let your child choose whatever he or she likes.

Watch what they eat

Growing children require plenty of nourishment, but you need to supply the right types of food. Soda, candy, and even fruit drinks can weaken enamel. For snack time, offer apples, carrots, or cheese because they promote a healthy mouth.

We care about your children’s smiles at Dentistry in the Highlands – Ramesh Izedian DMD – Fall River, MA

True or False: Porcelain veneers won’t last
Answer: False. Constructed from high-quality materials, porcelain veneers are designed to withstand daily living and still look amazing. Care for your veneers as you do your other teeth, with frequent brushing, daily flossing, and regular dental visits.

True or False: Porcelain veneers look natural.
Answer: True. Available in a variety of sizes and colors, veneers will brighten your teeth and enhance your smile with aesthetically-pleasing results. People will notice your radiance, not your dental work.

True or False: Porcelain veneers are one-size fits all restorations.
Answer: False. Your dentist will talk with you about your goals for the restorations before beginning the process. With this information, your doctor will then produce a detailed plan for your custom smile makeover, selecting veneers that fit your personality, features, and desired outcome.

True or False: Veneers will permanently cover stains and imperfections.
Answer: True. In some cases, people have flaws that teeth whitening and cosmetic bonding won’t correct. Porcelain veneers are stain resistant and created to provide lasting beauty.

True or False: Any dentist can create and place porcelain veneers.
Answer: False. Though many dentists claim to have the ability to change your smile with veneers, make sure you find an experienced cosmetic dentist for your restorations. Check out Before and After photos so that you get an idea of the doctor’s skill with placing veneers.

Creating beautiful, healthy smiles at Dentistry in the Highlands – Ramesh Izedian DMD – Fall River, MA