There have been many exciting and new developments in dentistry that the public may not be aware of. Some of the more popular and useful advancements include in-office whitening without the use of a light or laser, all natural mouth rinses and toothpastes, digital radiography, and mouthguards for the treatment of migraine headaches.
Whitening is a common and popular procedure offered today by many dental offices. However, recent advances have allowed the development of whitening gels that can be applied at a one hour dental visit without the use of lasers or “special” high intensity lights. The patient can sit in comfort watching a movie, without requiring the application of sunscreen or ultra-dark sunglasses, while getting their teeth whitened!
Many people today are concerned with the chemical ingredients contained in their toothpastes or mouthwashes. There are alternative products available which contain only all natural ingredients. One line of dental products we carry contains only natural, organic herbs and pure essential oils. They are alcohol-free and contain no sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS). The natural, non-staining ingredients help to fight bacteria that cause gum problems and bad breath.
Dentists used to take x-rays by exposing film that took several minutes to develop chemically. Today, many dental offices offer digital radiography. A computer sensor has replaced the film, and images are available for viewing a few seconds after exposure. The images can easily be enlarged or enhanced for easier viewing and more accurate diagnosis. The most appealing aspect of digital radiography is that the amount of actual radiation exposure is reduced by 90 percent, compared to conventional film x-rays.
There are also several types of mouthguards that can be made for clenching and/or grinding, a condition often called “bruxing.” What some people do not know though, is that researchers have found a connection between bruxism and some types of chronic or migraine headaches. These types of headaches can be triggered by muscle spasms, especially along the side of the jaw or temples. A new type of mouthguard is made especially to disperse the misdirected forces of bruxing. This helps to reduce the muscle spasms, suppress nerve activity and reduce the occurrence of headaches. This mouthguard is smaller than a conventional full mouthguard, and is more comfortable to many patients.
With new developments in dentistry becoming available every day, many patients will benefit from a consultation with a dentist familiar with this new technology. It may be possible to treat certain dental conditions more effectively and comfortably than ever before.
For more information, or to make an appointment, call Dr. Joanne Young, D.D.S. at 661-257-6453.