Seniors and Tooth Decay

Chapel Street Dental in New Haven is here to provide for the oral health needs of people of all ages, including seniors. Many people know that children are the age group that is most at-risk for tooth decay; most dental hygiene educational materials are aimed at them and discuss how sugar can cause teeth to become abscessed and develop cavities. But lots of people don’t know how common untreated dental decay is in seniors. The Center for Disease Control estimates the frequency is one in five.

There could be many reasons for this. Some seniors become forgetful or have difficulty brushing and flossing because their hands are less dexterous. Some are suffering from dry mouth as a side effect of medication and don’t produce enough saliva to wash away food debris or maintain their teeth’s protective membranes. They may have also switched to softer foods which get trapped in their teeth more easily or stopped getting cleanings as regularly if their dental coverage was reduced.

What most seniors have in common is that their oral health was not always as bad as it is now, implying they know the importance of oral hygiene but are unable to maintain it. The good news is that we can help with all of these problems. Our services start at low prices and we can direct our patients to superior home dental products that will compensate for other problems they may be experiencing.

Chapel Street Dental is located at 806 Chapel St, New Haven, Connecticut, 06510. To schedule an appointment, call 203-772-1000 or visit NewHavenDental.care and fill out a contact form.

 

Diabetes and Gum Disease

We highly value preventive care at Chapel Street Dental in New Haven. Gum disease is a common ailment, particularly among people with diabetes, which is why we want them to be aware of the importance of oral hygiene.

Infections in the gum pockets cause gum disease. There are always some bacteria between the tooth root and the gum, and there is always a thin, sticky layer, called plaque, which sugar gets trapped in. Inflammation, or gingivitis, occurs when there is a large amount of sugar and a lot of bacteria feed on it and produce acid. The acid gets trapped in the plaque, irritating the gums.

People with diabetes have a harder time fighting off infections in general, and when their blood sugar level is uncontrolled, oral bacteria will multiply more rapidly and produce more acid. If gingivitis is not treated, it could progress to periodontal disease. At that point, the patient’s gum, tooth, and jaw bone structure would all be in peril. This is why diabetes patients should take special care to maintain regular appointments for deep cleanings and scaling and be especially vigilant about brushing and flossing when their blood sugar is high.

Chapel Street Dental is located at 806 Chapel St, New Haven, Connecticut, 06510. To schedule an appointment, call 203-772-1000 or visit NewHavenDental.care and fill out a contact form.

 

Facts on Fluoride Treatment

Fluoride is a mineral that has earned the title of nature’s natural cavity fighter. Fluoride can be found in almost all water sources and aids in protecting tooth enamel and reducing the risk of developing cavities. In our Chapel Street Dental office, fluoride is utilized in children as well as adults to help speed remineralization and disrupt acid production.  

It’s most important that children are exposed to fluoride between the ages of six months and teenage years. This is because the permanent teeth are still growing and fluoride helps fight the tooth decay process while strengthening enamel. In our office, we utilize fluoride as a topical gel but you can receive fluoride outside of the office in toothpaste and mouth rinses. Fluoride supplements are also available as liquids or tables but must be prescribed by the dentist.

If you have questions or concerns regarding fluoride treatment, please give us a call. To learn about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.newhavendentalcare.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Chapel Street Dental in New Haven, CT, call 203-772-1000.

Reasons a Tooth May Need Extraction

If you suffer a toothache, your first thought might be that you need it removed. Fortunately, that isn’t the case. Teeth are extracted for a variety of reasons but primarily include wisdom teeth and/or an overcrowded mouth. Depending on the way they are positioned, wisdom teeth can increase a person’s risk of developing an infection. At Chapel Street Dental, one of our doctors will make an effort to restore the tooth without extraction. Other reasons for extraction may include:   

• Severe tooth damage/trauma – some teeth have such extensive decay and damage (broken or cracked) that repair is not possible.


• Orthodontic treatment – people getting braces may need teeth extracted to create room for teeth that are being moved into place.


• Some teeth may need to be extracted if they have the potential of becoming infected.


• Extra teeth – extra teeth may block other teeth from erupting, therefore will require extraction.

If you have questions or concerns regarding tooth extraction, please give us a call. To learn about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.newhavendentalcare.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Chapel Street Dental in New Haven, CT, call 203-772-1000.

Basics of Dentures

When patients need major restorative work done, dentures are an important option to consider. At Chapel Street Dental, we understand that the decision to get dentures is a major one, but we want to assure patients that with the new technology in our office, dentures are a comfortable and aesthetically-pleasing solution to major tooth problems.

Dentures are divided among partials and full. Partials will only replace some of the teeth in an arch and clasp onto ones on either side, while full dentures replace all of the teeth in an arch. Natural teeth have to be reshaped for a partial denture to clasp them and removed to make room for a full denture.

Immediate dentures are temporary devices used during the period in between extraction and the manufacture of the permanent full denture. An impression of the patient’s mouth will be taken at an appointment prior to the extractions, and the immediate denture will be ready once extractions are complete. The immediate denture is not a permanent solution because the gums will drastically change shape in the absence of their natural teeth, and the permanent dentures will be made based on an impression of the healed gums. The gums will continue to change shape throughout the patient’s life, requiring the dentures to be adjusted from time to time.

Chapel Street Dental is located at 806 Chapel St, New Haven, Connecticut, 06510. To schedule an appointment, call 203-772-1000 or visit NewHavenDental.care and fill out a contact form.

 

Retreating Fillings

Fillings are an excellent means of repairing teeth after decay has been removed. At Chapel Street Dental, the ones we offer are colored to match patients’ teeth, making them beautiful as well as functional. But fillings will not last the duration of a person’s life, and we want our patients to know when one needs to be replaced.

Fillings should not make it painful to bite down. A tooth will typically be sensitive immediately after decay has been removed, but this should clear up within two days. If it does not, or if the patient is unable to bite down fully, it is important to return for a follow-up to ascertain whether the filling is high—meaning not filed down enough.

High fillings are a rare occurrence, but even the best-made filling is held in place by bonding that will degrade over time. The expected lifespan of a filling is about ten years. After that, the bonding will begin to crack, and bacteria will be able to enter the cracks and resume causing decay. At this point, the filling will have to be replaced before too much additional tooth material is lost. If an old filling becomes painful again, it’s past time for an appointment.

Chapel Street Dental is located at 806 Chapel St, New Haven, Connecticut, 06510. To schedule an appointment, call 203-772-1000 or visit NewHavenDental.care and fill out a contact form.

 

Reasons for a Root Canal

A root canal may sound frightening but in all honesty, the pain that a patient may experience before the procedure is much more terrifying. Millions of teeth are treated and saved each year with endodontic, or root canal treatment. If the pulp inside your tooth has become inflamed or infected, our doctors at Chapel Street Dental can remove it and revitalize the tooth with a root canal.

Inflammation of a tooth’s pulp can have many causes, such as deep decay, a crack or chip in the tooth, or from sensitivity caused by repeated dental procedures. A root canal can be performed in one or two visits and involves our doctor removing the infected pulp. Once the tooth is cleaned, it will be sealed and fitted with a temporary dental crown. You will wear this crown until the permanent one is ready to be placed.

If you have questions or concerns regarding endodontics, please give us a call. To learn about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.newhavendentalcare.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Chapel Street Dental in New Haven, CT, call 203-772-1000.