Mouth with white teeth, malocclusion, health problem. Close-up occlusion, misalignment.

Bite Misalignment Vs. Tooth Decay: How Can You Tell the Difference?

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How your teeth come together has everything to do with how you chew. If you’re hitting too high on a certain side, then you’re putting stress on your teeth every time you eat. If you’re feeling pain when you eat, though, it might not be because your bite needs to be adjusted, as tooth decay is known to cause similar symptoms. If you’re experiencing tooth pain in Owensboro, KY, we’ll tell you what you need to know about the two.

Common Symptoms

With a misaligned bite, you’re likely to have problems chewing, which can mean anything from clicking sounds in the jaw, biting down on your cheeks or tongue, or difficulty speaking. With tooth decay, you’re likely to feel more sensitivity in your teeth on hot or cold foods. You may also be able to see dark spots on the tooth or general discoloration. In general, tooth decay is likely to cause straight pain while you’re eating, though it’s worth noting that a bite issue can too. One general difference between the two is that you’re more likely to feel tooth pain in a decaying tooth even when you’re not eating, though this is not a hard and fast rule.

Treatment for Tooth Pain in Owensboro

The best way to tell the difference between the two types of tooth pain is to visit a dentist in Owensboro who can evaluate your teeth. At Dr. Travis Wilson Family Dentistry, we’re to do more than just diagnose the problem. From restoration to bite adjustment, the range of options can truly run the gamut. Instead of wondering what’s wrong, and potentially putting your smile at risk at the same time, you should make an appointment so you can correct the problem (sooner rather than later).

Pregnant Woman Brushing Her Teeth in the Bathroom

Is It Safe to Get Your Teeth Cleaned When Pregnant?

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Pregnancy can lead to many changes in the body, including changes in oral hygiene. If you’re pregnant, it’s important to know how to navigate these changes safely. As your dentist in Owensboro and Beaver Dam, KY, we’re committed ot ensuring that you’re safe during pregnancy. Here’s what you need to know.

Can you get your teeth cleaned while you’re pregnant?

Yes, you can get your teeth cleaned while you’re pregnant. In fact, hormone changes have been linked to gum disease, so going to the dentist during pregnancy is important. However, some dental procedures should wait until after your pregnancy is over. For this reason, it’s important to tell your dentist that you’re pregnant.

The best time to go during pregnancy is in your second trimester. During this trimester, some pain medications may be safe to use. In earlier stages of your pregnancy, these medications may not be allowed. In later stages of your pregnancy, spending time in the dentist chair may be uncomfortable.

What can you do to keep your teeth clean and healthy during pregnancy?

If you’re pregnant, it’s important to continue brushing your teeth twice per day and flossing once every day. It’s also advisable to see your dentist when the time comes to get your teeth cleaned. While you’re there, you can ask your dentist about anything you can do to keep your teeth clean during pregnancy. Your dentist can give you advice for maintaining white, healthy teeth.

If you’re ready to schedule your teeth cleaning in Owensboro & Beaver Dam, KY, contact your dentist at Dr. Travis Wilson Family Dentistry. Let us know over the phone that you’re pregnant, just in case that affects anything about the level of care you’ll get from your dentist when you come in.

gums and teeth disease

What’s Causing My Gums to Recede?

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Gum recession is a problem that can lead to loose teeth and, eventually, lost permanent teeth. If your gums are receding, it’s important to get help from a dentist in Owensboro & Beaver Dam, KY. Your dentist can help you understand why your gums are receding and what you can do about it. Below is some information that can help you if this is a problem that you’re experiencing.

What is gum recession?

Gum recession is a condition that occurs when the gums pull away from the roots of the teeth, leading the roots of the tooth to be exposed. Gum recession can cause tooth sensitivity and pain.

Why do gums recede?

Gum recession can occur for a variety of reasons including smoking and excessively hard tooth brushing. If you have a tongue piercing, use chewing tobacco or have periodontal disease, you are at risk for gum recession.

What can happen if your gums recede?

Gum recession can lead to loss of the bone around the teeth. Eventually, this can lead to one of your teeth becoming loose and may cause the tooth to fall out.

What should I do about my receding gums?

Gum recession can happen around many teeth, or just around one tooth. If you have gum recession, it’s important to get help from your dental professional at Dr. Travis Wilson Family Dentistry.

We can help with gum recession by identifying the cause and by making recommendations to prevent more gum recession from occurring. In extreme cases, gum recession can be treated with surgical procedures.

We offer periodontal disease treatment in Owensboro & Beaver Dam, KY to help you maintain healthy teeth and gums. If you have receding gums, contact Dr. Travis Wilson Family Dentistry today to make an appointment and learn more about how you can keep your teeth healthy today.

 

whiter teeth this summer

How Can I Make My Teeth Whiter This Summer?

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Summer is a time when many people see friends and family, go to family reunions and weddings, and have parties at their house. It’s a great time of year to have white, bright, beautiful teeth! If whitening your teeth is your goal for this summer, your dentist in Owensboro and Beaver Dam, KY can help. Here’s what you should know about how to make your teeth whiter in the coming months.

Maintain Good Oral Hygiene

Clean teeth are less likely to stain than teeth that have plaque. Plaque is a sticky buildup made up of bacteria. Because it’s sticky, plaque can cause food particles to stick to the teeth, leading to stains. If you clean your teeth on a regular basis, you can help clean away the plaque that can stain your teeth.

Go to Your Dentist For a Professional Cleaning

During a professional cleaning at your dentist office, your dentist will remove plaque and scrape away any stains on the surface of your tooth enamel. See your dentist if it’s been more than six months since your last dental cleaning.

Try Teeth Whitening Toothpaste

Teeth whitening toothpaste can turn your teeth lighter over time, especially if you use the whitening toothpaste consistently. Talk to your dentist to find out which whitening toothpastes are best for your teeth.

See the Dentist for Professional Teeth Whitening

The most effective way to get whiter teeth is to have your teeth professionally whitened at your dentist office. Professional whitening can leave your teeth several shades whiter, and the effects can last for several months. Professional teeth whitening is an affordable and effective way to make your teeth lighter.

Teeth whitening in Owensboro and Beaver Dam, KY can help make your teeth as white as they were when they were new. The dentist at Dr. Travis Wilson Family Dentistry can help. Call today to make an appointment.

My Child Just Chipped Their Tooth! What Should I Do?

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Kids sure can be rowdy! Sometimes rowdy games and high impact sports can cause dental injuries. A chipped tooth can be a problem, and as a parent, you’re right to be concerned. If your child has recently experienced a dental injury, it’s important to talk to your child’s dentist in Owensboro & Beaver Dam, KY. Here’s what you should know about a chipped tooth.

The Dangers of a Chipped Tooth

Sometimes a chipped tooth is so minor that it does very little damage and causes no significant pain or symptoms. However, severe chips and cracks can lead bacteria to compromise the pulp inside the tooth. When this happens, the result could be an infection and dental decay.

What to Do If Your Child Chipped Their Tooth

It’s impossible for you to know on your own if your child’s chipped tooth is minor, or if it needs help from a dentist. The only way to find out whether your child’s tooth needs treatment is to take your child to their dental professional. Some potential treatments for a chipped tooth include:

  • Bonding. This resin is attached to the tooth to help reshape and fill in any cracks or missing pieces.
  • Crown. A crown is a cap that’s cemented to your tooth. Crowns protect teeth from further damage and also cover up cosmetic problems.
  • Reattachment. If you still have the chip, your child’s dentist may be able to cement the chip back into place. If this is to be done, you’ll need to get your child (and the chip) to the dentist immediately. Put the chip in milk for the drive to the dentist, and call the dentist to let them know that you’re coming.

Does your child need a dental examination in Owensboro & Beaver Dam, KY? Call Dr. Travis Wilson Family Dentistry today to make an appointment.

Sources

https://www.healthline.com/health/chipped-tooth#treatments

 

What’s Causing My Bad Breath?

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Bad breath can be a big problem, especially if it doesn’t go away when you brush your teeth. Bad breath can impact your personal relationships and can affect your confidence. As your dentist in Owensboro & Beaver Dam, KY, we’re here to help. If you’re affected by bad breath, we can help you identify the source of the problem, and we can present solutions. Here’s what you need to know.

Causes of Bad Breath

There are many reasons that people experience bad breath, including the following:

  • Periodontal disease. Periodontal disease is an infection in the gums caused by a buildup of bacteria on the teeth and below the surface of the gums.
  • Poor oral hygiene. Failure to brush well can cause a buildup of bacteria in the mouth. This is often one of the causes of periodontal disease.
  • Dry mouth. Saliva helps clean the mouth and wash away food particles and bacteria. If you have dry mouth, whether it’s caused by smoking, medication or for other reasons, you’re likely to experience bad breath.
  • Food particles. Food you eat gets into the blood stream. This is one of the reasons that food can be detected on your breath long after you’ve finished your meal. You may also be able to smell that food if you ate but failed to clean your teeth well after.

How to Prevent Bad Breath

Preventing bad breath starts with maintaining good oral hygiene. Brush your teeth twice daily and floss once daily. See the dentist for a dental checkup and cleaning every six months.

Have Bad Breath? See Your Dentist Today

You don’t have to live with bad breath. With proper dental care and by maintaining good oral hygiene, you can combat this problem. Call Dr. Travis Wilson Family Dentistry to make an appointment for dental examination services in Owensboro & Beaver Dam, KY.

Sources

https://www.colgate.com/en-us/oral-health/bad-breath/foods-that-cause-bad-breath-how-to-battle-bad-breath

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/bad-breath/symptoms-causes/syc-20350922

Dental Implants or a Bridge? Which One is Right for Me?

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When you’re missing one or more teeth, it’s important to fill the gap. Installing a prosthetic tooth can prevent your other teeth from shifting, and also makes chewing easier. There are multiple types of prosthetic teeth available, including implants and dental bridges.

What’s a dental implant?

A dental implant in Owensboro and Beaver Dam KY is a type of prosthetic tooth that fills in a gap where there used to be a tooth. Dental implants look like natural teeth, and function like them as well. Dental implants are even fused to the jaw, just like your natural teeth. Dental implants are color matched to the teeth around them, so it’s virtually impossible to tell the difference between an implant and the other teeth.

What’s a dental bridge? 

A dental bridge is a prosthetic tooth that is held in place by an attached dental crown. The dental bridge sits on the gum, and unlike a dental implant, is not fused with the jaw bone. A dental bridge looks a lot like a natural tooth, and most people would not be able to tell the difference between a bridge and the other teeth in the mouth. Like dental implants, bridges are color matched to the other teeth.

How to Pick the Right Dental Appliance

The right type of dental appliance depends on what tooth is missing, your budget and other factors. Your dentist in Owensboro and Beaver Dam KY can help you decide which type of appliance is right for you. To learn more about dental bridges and crowns, contact Dr. Travis Wilson Family Dentistry to make an appointment.

Can You Replace a Permanent Tooth?

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If you lose a permanent tooth, either due to decay or due to physical trauma, it’s normal to have a strong reaction to the event. If you’re wondering if you canreplace a permanent tooth in Owensboro, KY, we’ll look at the options you have and why finding the right dentist can help you preserve your oral health.

What You Should Know 

The first thing that you should know is that there is no way to reattach a permanent tooth back to its original position. However, there are steps you can take to replace your real tooth with an artificial one.

Option One: A Bridge 

A bridge is a replacement tooth that doesn’t require you to get an implant. Instead of using the jaw bone to cement the tooth in place, the artificial tooth is held in place by the surrounding teeth. As long as each tooth on either side is sturdy, a dentist can help you replace the permanent tooth so your other teeth won’t slide or shift to fill in the gap.

Option Two: An Implant 

An implant will embed a metal post into your jawbone, meaning your jaw will need to be strong enough to handle the pressure. Once the post fuses to the bone, a dentist will attach a permanent tooth to the implant. Implants are typically the preferred treatment for mostdentists in Owensboro, KY, though not everyone will be eligible for the procedure.

Dentists in Owensboro

If you have questions about replacing a tooth, Dr. Travis Wilson Family Dentistry can help. Whether you need a crown, dentures, bridge, or implant, there are a variety of ways to make your mouth whole again. Contact us for additional information about the best options for you.

Can a Lisp Be Caused by Dental Problems?

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Many youngsters lisp, and whether you think it’s a lovely quality or something to be concerned about, you need to know what’s causing it. If your child is on the verge of starting pre-school, this dilemma might become much more complicated. So you’ve come to the right place to find out if a lisp can be caused by dental problems.

4 Types of Lisp

There are four basic types of lisp that occur when making an s or z sound:

  • Interdental/Frontal Lisp

This is when the tongue protrudes between the top and bottom front teeth.

  • Dentalized Lisp

This is when the tongue pushes against the back of the front teeth.

  • Lateral Lisp

This is where air flows around instead of over the tongue.

  • Palatal Lisp

This is where the tongue makes contact with the palate.

Note that both the interdental/frontal and dentalized lisps are very common in youngsters up to four years of age and sometimes up to seven years of age.

What Causes Lisps?

Sometimes kids naturally outgrow a lisp. But if a lisp persists, it is time to contact a dentist in Owensboro, KY to see if there are underlying causes. They may include:

  • Underbite
  • Overbite
  • Open bite
  • Tongue tie
  • Tongue thrust
  • Delayed muscular development in the tongue

Often, a simple dental exam will result in a firm diagnosis of the problem. If your child needs orthodontics in Beaver Dam, KY, Dr. Travis Wilson Family Dentistry can help. Make sure you see your dentist right away so the issue can be resolved.

The fact of the matter is, a lisp can not only be caused by dental problems; dental and oral issues are the most common reasons behind a lisp. For more information and help with your child’s lisp, contact Dr. Travis Wilson Family Dentistry in Owensboro, KY.

Options to Pay For Dental Care

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When you urgently need dental care in Owensboro, KY but don’t have the means to pay for it right now, there are a few options available to you. The following options are readily available to people of all ages and in all walks of life.

Care Credit

Care Credit is a special credit card that you can apply for when you have a dental or medical need that you’re unable to pay for at the time. The difference between Care Credit and a regular credit card is that you can only use Care Credit for dental and medical bills. In order to qualify, you must meet the minimum credit requirements. The amount of credit that you’re offered will depend upon your credit history. Note that the dentist has no relationship with Care Credit company and cannot influence the credit decision.

Increased Credit Limit

If you have a regular credit card but it’s maxed out or you just don’t have enough available credit on it to pay for your dental care, there’s an option. Most credit card companies are willing to consider increasing your credit limit for special circumstances, including for things like dental care. All you need to do is telephone your credit card company and speak to a representative. Explain to them what’s going on and ask them to increase your credit limit. If they agree, the credit limit increase is usually effective immediately.

Dental Insurance Rider

If you have dental care that you can’t pay for out-of-pocket, but you have regular health insurance, you may be able to get a dental insurance rider. Dental insurance companies such as Delta Dental associate themselves with all the major insurance companies. You can call a dental insurance company directly to ask about this, or talk with your employer’s human resources person to find out more.

Your dentist in Owensboro, KY can help if you need paperwork showing the estimated cost of dental care that you are planning to get. Please contact us if you need more information about that.