FIT Dental Center Blog | Chattanooga, TN

What to Know About Periodontitis

Mon, 20 Mar 2023 11:39:53 GMT

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 50% of Americans aged 30 or older suffer from periodontitis. This is a serious condition that can lead to even more serious problems if left untreated. Now is an ideal time to visit a dentist near you to ensure that you have good oral health. Continue reading to learn more about periodontitis as well as helpful prevention tips.

What Is Periodontitis?

Put simply, periodontitis is an infection that affects the gums. It can be quite serious in nature, especially if it's not treated in its earliest stages. It can be caused by a number of different factors with the most common being a lack of proper oral hygiene and care. In addition to not addressing their oral health needs, people can also develop this condition due to tobacco use, diabetes, genetics, poor nutrition, and even medications. If you're concerned about the health of your gums and are worried that you may suffer from this condition, it's time to schedule an appointment with a dentist near you.

Key Stages

The first sign of gum problems is gingivitis. If you notice inflammation or soreness in your gums, it's time to seek treatment. When caught at this stage, gum issues are much easier to treat and correct. Once gum disease develops, it's categorized into three stages: early, moderate, and advanced. Signs of advanced gum disease include loose teeth, bleeding gums, and severe bad breath. Advanced cases can cause damage to the teeth and jaw bones. As with many medical conditions, the sooner the situation is diagnosed and treated, the better.

Tips for Prevention

The best way to prevent developing periodontitis is to visit a dentist on a regular basis. Having your teeth cleaned at least twice a year, according to Healthline, will help your dentist be aware of your dental health and treat any developing issues in a timely manner. To keep your mouth healthy in between visits, it's important to brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste. Flossing twice a day is also important. If you do have gingivitis or are at risk of developing periodontitis, an electric toothbrush is an effective way to ensure good gum health.

Proper dental care is a part of good health and wellness practices. If you're looking for a dentist near your home, we're here for you. Contact FIT Dental Center today to schedule an appointment!

The Basics of Dental Implants

Wed, 14 Sep 2022 13:27:06 GMT

If you're considering getting dental implants , it helps to understand as much as you can about the process. Dental implants are a common treatment for people with damaged or missing teeth. Continue reading to discover the basics of dental implants, including what they are, what the procedure is like, and what to expect. This information will help you prepare effectively for your treatment.

The Physical Implants

You may not know what a dental implant is in the first place. Simply put, a dental implant is a prosthesis that's used as a replacement for a removed or missing tooth. It's one of the best treatments for replacing missing teeth. The dental implant is surgically implanted into the jaw, allowing you to enjoy all the benefits associated with having a full set of teeth.

The Benefits of This Treatment

Before getting the procedure, you may be interested in knowing more about how dental implants can benefit your life. The good news is that dental implants offer several benefits. For starters, missing teeth can cause alignment issues and bone loss in the jaw, affecting your appearance and ability to chew in the long run. These can develop into extreme pain if left unaddressed. When you replace your missing tooth with an implant, you can improve your appearance and restore the beauty of your smile. This can do wonders for your confidence and self-esteem. Dental implants also make it easier to eat and talk naturally because they're the closest solution to restoring your natural teeth. What's more, dental implants can last a lifetime and are a great option for anymore looking for a long-term tooth replacement solution.

The Procedure

According to the Mayo Clinic, a dental implant procedure is designed to replace your roots with metal screw-like posts. These posts are typically made of titanium and are surgically inserted into your jaw. When you go in for dental implant surgery, your oral surgeon will likely sedate you with anesthesia. That means the only thing you'll feel is them poking around at your gums, if you're awake at all. In reality, the dentist will be drilling a hole in the jawbone where the titanium implant goes. After surgery and during the healing process, the implant will fuse with your jawbone over several months.

These are the basic details you need to know about dental implants. Hopefully, this information has given you the confidence to proceed with the procedure. If that's the case, contact FIT Dental Center today to schedule a consultation.

Reasons to Get Dental Implants

websites@hibu.com (Hibu Websites) — Fri, 25 Feb 2022 17:01:55 GMT

Your smile says a lot about you. If you don't have great teeth, a cosmetic dentist can help you out. Dental implants are growing in popularity because they will help you get the smile you want. What are some of the reasons that people are getting dental implants from their local cosmetic dentists office ?

They Look Like Natural Teeth

Dental implants look and feel like real teeth. This is one of the reasons why they are so popular. You may know someone and see their smile daily but not even know they have dental implants. If you want to go through a procedure at your local cosmetic dental care office and come out with implant teeth that look like your natural teeth, dental implants may be a great option for you.

According to the American Academy of Implant Dentistry, the number of people getting dental implants in the U.S. has increased by 500,000 this past year. This just shows you how much dental implants have increased in popularity over the years. It might even persuade you to go to a cosmetic dentists office to get implant teeth.

They Are Easy To Care For

Dental implants need the same care as your natural teeth. Brushing and flossing your teeth daily is an important part of a healthy lifestyle, even when you have implant teeth. There is no special toothpaste or cream that you need to apply to your implant teeth. Of course, you should continue to have regular visits to the dental office to keep good oral hygiene.

This is also where implant teeth may be a better option for you than dentures. With dentures, you need to soak them in water overnight every night. This can become tedious. With implant teeth, they are secured into your gums like natural teeth.

You Can Eat Whatever You Want

Of course, make sure you are brushing your teeth and flossing daily, especially after eating, but with dental implants, you can eat anything you desire. This may be why people are choosing implant teeth instead of dentures. With dentures, they can come loose and fall out if you are eating something like taffy, but with implant teeth, they are not coming out of your mouth, no matter how many pieces of taffy you eat. Implant teeth can assist in your chewing abilities as well, which makes them a better alternative to dentures.

Use these facts to make your decision about your dental care. If you are unhappy with your smile or even have missing teeth, this is a great option for you.

Busting Myths About Dental Implants

websites@hibu.com (Hibu Websites) — Tue, 07 Sep 2021 16:28:51 GMT

When it comes to having a great smile and stellar oral health, dental implants can help you out in many ways. Nobody likes losing their natural teeth, but perhaps the only thing worse than this is not having any teeth at all. By visiting a dentist near you for quality cosmetic dental care, you can get all the functions and reliability of real teeth back again in no time.

Implants Are Expensive and Nobody Gets Them

This statement is not only false, but it flies in the face of cosmetic dentist offices that spring up every single year. The simple fact of the matter is that the number of people getting dental implants in the U.S. increased by 500,000 a year, according to the American Academy of Implant Dentistry. Lots of patients continue to find value in them, and so cosmetic dentists keep honing their skills and providing.

Don't suffer from missing teeth any longer than you truly have to in this world. Especially with dental implants and the field of cosmetic dentistry expanding every year. When you're ready to get amazing dental implants from a quality cosmetic dentist, look no further than FIT Dental Center to help you out!

According to the American Academy of Implant Dentistry, the number of people opting to get dental implants has increased at a rate of around 500,000 a year. However, despite this increase, there are still some people who are apprehensive due to some myths that surround this treatment option. To help clear the record, here are three common myths and the truths that bust them.

1. Dental Implants Are Just Cosmetic

Many people believe that dental implants are a purely cosmetic procedure. However, this is simply not true. While they do enhance the appearance of a person's smile, replacing missing teeth actually benefits your health as well. This is because missing teeth can cause the bone to weaken beneath the gums and it can even lead to malnutrition due to the difficulty they cause during eating. This makes implants much more than a cosmetic fix.

2. Implants Don't Look Natural

Another common myth is that implants don't look natural when placed alongside organic teeth. However, this is also false. With technological advancement, it is now possible to make implants that look indistinguishable from natural teeth. Dentists can even color match the implants so that they appear the exact same color as the surrounding teeth. If you're holding off on implants because you're afraid they won't appear real enough, you can rest assured that even you won't be able to tell the difference once they are in place.

3. Implants are Too Expensive

Lastly, one of the largest myths that cause people to avoid dental implants is that they cost too much money. However, while they can be more pricey than other options, they also last much much longer. For instance, if you opt to have a bridge or dentures instead of implants, you can expect to have to replace them within the next 10 to 15 years, with some dentures only lasting five years before needing replacement. Implants, on the other hand, can last for the rest of your life when properly cared for. Ultimately, they will <em>save </em>you money overall, even if they do cost a bit more in the beginning.

If you have broken or missing teeth, don't wait and risk additional complications. Speak to your dentist about dental implants and see if you qualify for the treatment. Some offices may also offer sliding-scale payments or payment plans that you can take advantage of. Taking your smile back now can save you a lot of pain and discomfort in the future.