Cottonwood Family Dental is a general practice dental office in Murray, Utah. Randy N. Downing, D.D.S. is the practicing dentist. This blog will provide valuable information about dentistry and dental care for those interested in ideal dental health.
Friday, December 30, 2016
Have you ever wondered why we take X-rays?
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Are you brushing your teeth thoroughly? Check out the image below to find out.
#CottonwoodFamilyDental #Dentist #DentalClinic #GeneralDentistry #DentalCare #CosmeticDentist #Orthodontist #Orthodontics #Braces #OralHealth #Teeth #DentalHealth #DentalCare #Floss #Flossing #Cavity #TeethCleaning #OralHygienist #MurrayDentist #MurrayOrthodontist #MurrayDentalClinic #MurrayUtah #Utah
Friday, December 9, 2016
Why You Grind Your Teeth At Night—and How to Stop
If you’re waking up with a dull headache, your teeth might be to blame
Feeling stressed can start in your mind, but the effects of it can quickly travel a few inches south to your jaw.
Since we tend to hold tension in our jaw and neck, continual anxiety can cause us to grind our teeth when we sleep. Dentists call this condition bruxism, and it can range from mildly annoying to seriously damaging. It's actually pretty common: 10 to 20 percent of adults deal with it, says Randy N. Downing D.D.S. So how do you know if you’re guilty of grinding? If you find yourself waking up with a dull Headache or an especially tense jaw, bruxism is probably to blame. The most common cause is stress, but bruxism can also be a side effect of a misaligned jaw or even some medications.
The issue with constant grinding is that it can really mess with your tooth enamel, making your teeth more sensitive.
The night grind can also cause or worsen temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ), a painful chronic inflammation of the jaw joint and surrounding muscles.
TMJ is not necessarily a cause of grinding, though.
“People who have chronic TMJ pain are more likely to grind their teeth,” says Dr.Downing. “However, it’s a chicken and egg argument. We don’t know if TMJ pain causes one to grind their teeth or vice versa.”
So how can you avoid the painful effects? Aside from working on reducing your stress, avoid caffeine and alcohol, as they tend to worsen the jaw tension.
You can also have your dentist fit you with a mouth guard to keep your jaw relaxed and prevent your teeth from grinding at night.
Even though getting one from your dentist might cost you a little more money than the ones you find at the drugstore (they can be up to a few hundred dollars), it’s worth it.
Ill-fitting night guards often don’t cover the back molars, and since teeth tend to move if something isn’t stopping them, you could end up with a misaligned bite.
Dentists call this condition bruxism, and it can range from mildly annoying to seriously damaging.
Since we tend to hold tension in our jaw and neck, continual anxiety can cause us to grind our teeth when we sleep. Dentists call this condition bruxism, and it can range from mildly annoying to seriously damaging. It's actually pretty common: 10 to 20 percent of adults deal with it, says Randy N. Downing D.D.S. So how do you know if you’re guilty of grinding? If you find yourself waking up with a dull Headache or an especially tense jaw, bruxism is probably to blame. The most common cause is stress, but bruxism can also be a side effect of a misaligned jaw or even some medications.
The issue with constant grinding is that it can really mess with your tooth enamel, making your teeth more sensitive.
The night grind can also cause or worsen temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ), a painful chronic inflammation of the jaw joint and surrounding muscles.
TMJ is not necessarily a cause of grinding, though.
“People who have chronic TMJ pain are more likely to grind their teeth,” says Dr.Downing. “However, it’s a chicken and egg argument. We don’t know if TMJ pain causes one to grind their teeth or vice versa.”
So how can you avoid the painful effects? Aside from working on reducing your stress, avoid caffeine and alcohol, as they tend to worsen the jaw tension.
You can also have your dentist fit you with a mouth guard to keep your jaw relaxed and prevent your teeth from grinding at night.
Even though getting one from your dentist might cost you a little more money than the ones you find at the drugstore (they can be up to a few hundred dollars), it’s worth it.
Ill-fitting night guards often don’t cover the back molars, and since teeth tend to move if something isn’t stopping them, you could end up with a misaligned bite.
Friday, November 25, 2016
Having a mouth full of dark-colored metal is so commonplace that many people don't know there's an alternative.
Metal-free restorations
For years, silver amalgam was the filling material used in dental practices. While amalgams are a perfectly reasonable restoration choice, they can have certain shortcomings. Metal fillings do not bond to the tooth and can actually mask decay in x-rays.Teeth with large metal fillings in them can also develop cracks over time due to expansion and contraction of the mercury. Left untreated, thee cracks get larger and can eventually require root canal treatment. Replacing metal fillings with tooth-colored composite fillings that form a stronger bond to the tooth can dramatically decrease tooth cracking, the chances for decay and the need for possible root canal treatment due to a fractured tooth.
Fillings aren't the only metal-free restorations available today. Dr. Downing also uses crowns made from the latest in modern ceramics as opposed to traditional crowns which are made from porcelain fused to metal. Over time gum tissue can recede which causes the metal inside the crown to become visible at the gum line. These ugly gray lines can make a once beautiful smile lose its luster.
Ceramic crowns are incredibly strong and long lasting restorations. and because they are completely bio-compatible there are no allergic reactions or tooth sensitivity problems. They look so natural that even dentists have a hard time spotting them!
If you want the option of modern, state-of-the-art restorations that are natural looking, contain no metals and can actually strengthen your teeth, give us a call today.
You deserve a smile that looks better and more natural without all the metal!
Call (801 262-4662 today!
We Love to see you Smile!
Randy N. Downing, D.D.S.
Monday, November 7, 2016
Why Your Gums Bleed After You Brush Your Teeth
Spitting pink into the sink every time you brush? It could signal a serious dental problem
If you spit pink every time you brush your teeth, you probably have gum disease.
How Gum Disease Gets Worse
The longer plaque stays there, the more inflammation and swelling it’ll cause around your gums. The simple act of brushing your teeth irritates the swollen gums, and makes them bleed.The problem: Most guys don’t even know they have gingivitis because it normally doesn’t cause pain until it worsens.
And you definitely don’t want it to get that point. If gingivitis is left untreated, it can turn into periodontitis, says Murray, Utah dentist Randy N. Downing D.D.S. Your teeth may loosen, or in extreme cases, fall out or need to be removed.
It can also affect more than your mouth: Gum disease is linked to an increased risk of heart disease diabetes, and stroke, too, according to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research.
How to Keep Your Teeth and Gums Healthy
The only way to get rid of or avoid gingivitis is to practice good oral hygiene. You should brush twice a day and floss every night to discourage plaque buildup.Make an appointment with your dentist, too. Guys with bleeding gums or signs of cavities—toothache, pain when you eat hot or cold food, or pain when you bite down—should get a cleaning every three months, says Dr. Downing.
A buildup of plaque—the cause of gum disease—also causes cavities.
If you don’t have any symptoms now, but have had cavities in the past, you should make an appointment every six months to a year, Dr. Downing says.
Monday, October 24, 2016
Dental Implants
Dental implants are a permanent replacement for lost teeth.
Because of their many advantages over dentures or bridges, many people
are interested in getting implants but have questions about the process,
cost and procedure. Below are the answers to some of the most commonly
asked questions about dental implants.
Implants are not something that you can get in just one or two dentist office visits. There are many steps on the journey towards implants, and the entire process can take about a year. During this time, you will always have temporary dentures to wear, so you will never have to be without teeth. There may be more than one dental professional involved in your implant process, such as a general dentist and oral surgeon. The entire implant plan can be laid out for you in the beginning so that you will know what to expect at every step of the way. There is always a possibility of changes to the plan along the way, but your dentists can keep you in the loop so that you will always be informed of what is happening.
The first thing most people wonder is if they personally can get implants, especially if they already wear dentures. The answer is often yes, but only a dentist can determine if an individual patient is a candidate for implants. Implants need healthy bone in the jaws, and bone begins to deteriorate as soon as teeth are lost. The longer you have been without teeth, the less likely it is that implants will work; however, there are different types of implants and methods to make implants possible even for people who have been toothless or worn dentures for a long time. Also, certain health conditions may increase the risk that your body will reject implants. It is important for the dentist to know your health history when determining if you are a candidate for dental implants.
The term “dental implants” actually refers to a variety of different types of implants and crowns. A single implant can replace one missing tooth with a titanium post that has an artificial tooth fixed to it. Full implants that replace all the teeth in the mouth may consist of several implants that support a row of crowns, while mini-implants may support removable dentures that are held in place by snapping on to the implants. Another type of popular dental implant needs only four implants to support an entire arch of teeth on the top or bottom.
Part of getting implants involves surgery, so you can expect the normal discomfort that goes along with any oral surgery. Modern pain management techniques keep this discomfort to a minimum, and there is no particular pain associated with actually having dental implants. In fact, because they are permanent, you won’t have to worry about the pain that often goes with dentures, such as getting food particles caught between your dentures and gums or getting sore spots from dentures that don’t fit correctly.
The cost of dental implants is higher than the cost of dentures or other tooth replacements, but over the years, implants may actually save you money. Unlike dentures, implants require no special cleaners or adhesives. A normal toothbrush and the toothpaste you buy for your family is all that is required. Dentures and bridges need frequent adjustments and complete replacement every several years, but implants can last a lifetime. The upfront cost of getting implants depends on a variety of factors including location of the dentist, the type of implants you are getting and the work that needs
How long does the implant procedure take?
Implants are not something that you can get in just one or two dentist office visits. There are many steps on the journey towards implants, and the entire process can take about a year. During this time, you will always have temporary dentures to wear, so you will never have to be without teeth. There may be more than one dental professional involved in your implant process, such as a general dentist and oral surgeon. The entire implant plan can be laid out for you in the beginning so that you will know what to expect at every step of the way. There is always a possibility of changes to the plan along the way, but your dentists can keep you in the loop so that you will always be informed of what is happening.
Will dental implants work for me?
The first thing most people wonder is if they personally can get implants, especially if they already wear dentures. The answer is often yes, but only a dentist can determine if an individual patient is a candidate for implants. Implants need healthy bone in the jaws, and bone begins to deteriorate as soon as teeth are lost. The longer you have been without teeth, the less likely it is that implants will work; however, there are different types of implants and methods to make implants possible even for people who have been toothless or worn dentures for a long time. Also, certain health conditions may increase the risk that your body will reject implants. It is important for the dentist to know your health history when determining if you are a candidate for dental implants.
Are all implants the same?
The term “dental implants” actually refers to a variety of different types of implants and crowns. A single implant can replace one missing tooth with a titanium post that has an artificial tooth fixed to it. Full implants that replace all the teeth in the mouth may consist of several implants that support a row of crowns, while mini-implants may support removable dentures that are held in place by snapping on to the implants. Another type of popular dental implant needs only four implants to support an entire arch of teeth on the top or bottom.
Are implants painful?
Part of getting implants involves surgery, so you can expect the normal discomfort that goes along with any oral surgery. Modern pain management techniques keep this discomfort to a minimum, and there is no particular pain associated with actually having dental implants. In fact, because they are permanent, you won’t have to worry about the pain that often goes with dentures, such as getting food particles caught between your dentures and gums or getting sore spots from dentures that don’t fit correctly.
How much do implants cost?
The cost of dental implants is higher than the cost of dentures or other tooth replacements, but over the years, implants may actually save you money. Unlike dentures, implants require no special cleaners or adhesives. A normal toothbrush and the toothpaste you buy for your family is all that is required. Dentures and bridges need frequent adjustments and complete replacement every several years, but implants can last a lifetime. The upfront cost of getting implants depends on a variety of factors including location of the dentist, the type of implants you are getting and the work that needs
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