Educational Dental Resources

Berkers Family Dentistry has teamed up with Spear Education to provide our clients with some informative videos. We hope they will help you come to a better understanding of some of the following dental-related topics. Check them out!

Comprehensive Exam

A thorough evaluation of your oral health sets the foundation for future dental exams. A comprehensive exam is more in-depth than your routine dental checkup. It involves your doctor conducting a full examination of your muscles, joints, bite, teeth, gums, and tissues. A comprehensive exam is generally conducted upon switching dental offices or every 3-5 years, depending on past or current treatment.

Structure of a Tooth

Your teeth are made of many components. Understanding their makeup can help you care for them better. A tooth’s structure can be broken down into two main components: the tooth exterior and the tooth interior. Because signs of unhealthy teeth do not always produce visible symptoms, it is crucial to visit your dentist regularly. Your dentist will carefully evaluate each of your teeth to ensure their structure is sound and that they are free of any damage.

Smile Design

Our smiles are important. Smiling has been proven to improve your mood and is a universal form of communication. Smiling helps us form connections with the people around us. When someone is unhappy with their smile, they tend to hide it and smile a lot less. This can ultimately affect their self-confidence and quality of life. For this reason, many people seek methods to improve their smiles. Taking steps to improve the appearance of your teeth has more benefits than just a beautiful smile, and your dentist is here to help.

Understanding TMD

Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMD) is a condition involving misalignment of the joints, muscles, nerves, and teeth involved with jaw movement. This can be one of the reasons for the pain you may be feeling in your jaw joint, ears, neck or shoulders. Misalignment of the jaw and the way teeth touch, tooth clenching or grinding, arthritis, posture issues, stress, and anxiety all contribute to TMD.

Oral Hygiene

Brushing your teeth, flossing, and using mouthwash regularly all contribute to good oral hygiene. Through daily use, you are helping prevent plaque buildup, gum disease, and bad breath. You should spend at least two (2) minutes brushing your teeth twice a day. Flossing allows you to reach 35% more tooth surface that a toothbrush can’t reach. Using mouthwash helps you maintain a healthy PH and helps eliminate bacteria in the mouth.

Understanding Your Tooth Wear

Teeth are made out of enamel, which can last a person’s entire lifetime. Chewing, eating, and various other factors can cause teeth to wear down throughout the course of their life. Grinding and clenching teeth, along with some medical conditions can also lead to tooth wear. Tooth wear can lead to decay, inflammation, and other dental issues. Fortunately, there are several treatment options for those suffering from tooth wear.

Cracked Teeth (No Instruments)

Environmental factors and diet can weaken the enamel and make the tooth prone to decay, cavities, and cracking. The deeper the crack, the more difficult it becomes to restore. The earlier a crack is discovered, the better. Practicing good oral hygiene and regular dental checkups can help prevent cracked teeth.

Occlusion

Occlusion is the word dentists use to describe how your teeth come together. Healthy occlusion describes when the muscles and joints of the jaw work together in harmony. A misaligned bite is known as malocclusion. The photographs and molds dentists take help to determine the occlusion of your teeth.

Missing Teeth

A little over 50% of Americans are missing at least one of their teeth. There are a number of reasons that cause missing teeth from simply not forming during childhood, to injury, to surgical removal by a dentist. Thankfully, there are some tactics for your dentist to take in the case that you are missing a tooth.

Healthy Gums

In 2012, the CDC reported that over 47% of Americans have some form of gum disease, which can ultimately lead to an increased risk of heart disease or diabetes. Healthy gums are a nice pink color and don’t bleed while brushing or flossing. Maintaining proper oral hygiene will help you obtain and maintain healthy gums. Regular checkups with your dentist will also help keep your gums healthy.