How to Care for Your Restorative Dental Work

Restorative dentistry refers to procedures that repair or replace teeth, leaving you with dental work or prosthetics. This may include fillings, crowns, bridges, dental implants, or dentures–anything that restores the function and appearance of your smile. 

If you’ve just had a restorative procedure, you may be wondering how to care for your dental work afterwards. Here’s a guide to cleaning and maintaining dental work to help your restoration last as long as possible. 

What is Restorative Dental Work? 

Restorative treatments provide solutions for teeth that are decayed, damaged, or missing. Examples include: 

• Fillings. Tooth-colored composite material is used to fill cavities (holes or pits in the enamel) that occur due to decay. 
• Crowns.  A dental crown fits over an existing tooth that has significant decay or damage, keeping the natural root of the tooth in place for support. 
• Dental bridges. A dental bridge can replace one or a few teeth in a row with a single dental prosthetic. A bridge consists of crowns that fit over the natural teeth on either side of the gap with artificial teeth suspended between them. 
• Dental implants. A dental implant is a titanium post that is surgically placed in the jaw to replace a tooth root. It fuses with the bone, forming an anchor to support a dental prosthetic. 
• Dentures. Dentures replace some or all of the teeth in the upper or lower arch, sometimes both. Traditional dentures are removable, and implant supported dentures are sometimes fixed and sometimes removable. 

Daily Care Tips for Restorative Dental Work 

It is absolutely essential that you take proper care of your dental work to help it last and prevent the need for further treatment. Here are some tips for daily care: 

• Brush twice a day to remove food residue and plaque from the surface of your teeth and along your gumline. 
• Brush with non-abrasive toothpaste and a soft-bristled tooth brush. 
• Use specialized brushes to clean around and under dental work, such as round brush heads. 
• Floss between teeth and under dental work daily. Consider using a water flosser to reach the spaces between and under dental prosthetics. 
• For removable dentures, be sure to clean and soak them daily to remove bacteria. 

Dietary Considerations 

It is also important to be mindful about what you eat when you have dental work. Here are some suggestions when it comes to diet: 

• Avoid hard and sticky foods that may loosen fillings or cling to dental work. 
• Minimize acidic foods and beverages that can damage dental prosthetics. 
• Eat a diet rich in nutrients, calcium, and protein to help keep teeth strong and healthy. 

The Importance of Regular Checkups and Maintenance 

In addition to self care, professional dental care is also critical to the long term success of your dental work. You should see your dentist at least twice a year for cleanings and dental checkups. This allows your dentist to detect any early signs of wear or damage to your dental work before they can become bigger problems.

Handling Common Issues 

If you experience problems related to your dental work, contact us at Zuri Dental. For non-urgent issues you can wait until regular office hours. However, if you are in pain or the situation becomes more serious, call us at any time and follow the after hours voicemail instructions. We are happy to address urgent dental problems when needed. 

Frequently Asked Questions About Restorative Dental Work 

What should I do if I lose a filling? 

Temporary dental cement can be purchased at your local pharmacy to place over the lost filling until you can get to the dentist. It can reduce pain and sensitivity. 

Can a loose crown be recemented? 

In some cases a loose crown can be recemented successfully, and in other cases it may not. If there is damage to the crown or to the tooth material beneath it, a new crown may need to be made. 

Zuri Dental provides the highest quality restorative treatments available in dentistry. Our dental team will help you learn how to care for your dental work for the utmost function and longevity. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact us today. We are here to help in whatever way we can, either over the phone or through an in-person appointment.

Oral health has a significant impact on your overall health and wellness. Tooth decay and gum disease are linked to serious health conditions, such as heart disease, diabetes, and even cancer. As dentists, doctors, and medical professionals learn more about these links, they are paying special attention to the best ways to prevent common oral health problems. 

One of the best ways to prevent cavities and gum disease is through your diet. What you eat on a daily basis has a profound effect on your oral health and general well-being. Learn more about the role of nutrition in preventive dentistry. 

What Are Cavities? 

Cavities are small pits or holes that form in the enamel of your teeth. The enamel is the hard outer layer of a tooth that can become weakened, and when that occurs your teeth are more likely to develop cavities. If cavities go untreated, they can worsen and spread to neighboring teeth. Deep or extensive cavities can lead to loss of teeth. 

What is Gum Disease?

Gum disease is a bacterial infection of the gum tissue. The gums become red, inflamed, and swollen. They may even bleed when you brush your teeth or bite into food. Untreated gum disease can progress, causing damage to the support structures for the teeth until they become loose and even fall out.  

Causes of Cavities and Gum Disease 

The primary cause of both cavities and gum disease is plaque. Plaque is a sticky film made up of food residue and bacteria that clings to the teeth. If it is not removed by brushing and flossing it can harden into calculus, which can only be removed with specialized dental tools. 

In the case of cavities, the bacteria contained in plaque will gradually eat away at the tooth enamel, forming pits or holes in the crown of the tooth. 

In the case of gum disease, plaque bacteria attack the gum tissue, resulting in an infection that will eventually cause permanent damage to your gums and jaw. 

How Diet Affects Oral Health 

Now you may be wondering how your diet has anything to do with cavities and gum disease. What you eat and when you eat can increase or decrease your risk of oral health problems. For example:

• Sugar. Foods and beverages that are high in sugar feed the bacteria in your mouth, increasing the population and therefore the risk of cavities and gum disease. Sugar is also very sticky and it clings to the teeth, trapping bacteria in the least desirable places. 
• Acids. Acidic foods and beverages can erode tooth enamel, weakening it and increasing your risk of developing cavities.
• Nutrients. Nutrient rich foods can improve your oral health, while lack of certain nutrients can increase your risk of cavities. Foods rich in calcium, phosphorus, vitamin D, and vitamin C can improve your oral health, while deficiencies of these nutrients can have an adverse effect. 

Frequently Asked Questions About Diet and Oral Health 

What can I do to reduce my risk of cavities and gum disease when I have sugar?

While it is best to avoid or minimize your sugar and intake as much as possible, when you do enjoy a treat, simply brush your teeth as soon as you can afterwards. If you are not able to brush your teeth, rinse your mouth with water. 

What foods are best for oral health?

Foods that are rich in calcium and vitamins like dairy products and fruits/vegetables are some of the best foods you can eat for your oral health. Crunchy vegetables also naturally clean your teeth as you bite and chew them. 

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The primary goal of dental care is to prevent problems from occurring that will require restorative treatment. Preventive dentistry, as it is often called, includes a variety of procedures that maintain the health of your teeth and mouth. 

One such preventive measure is fluoride treatment. While fluoride treatments are generally recommended for children as they grow, they are beneficial for adults as well. Learn more about fluoride treatments and why they are an essential part of preventive dentistry. 

What is Fluoride? 

Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral that has the ability to harden tooth enamel. The enamel is the top layer of your tooth material that protects the inner layers and provides a hard surface for biting and grinding up food. Fluoride provides remineralization of tooth enamel, hardening soft spots and increasing surface strength. 

What Are Fluoride Treatments? 

Fluoride treatments come in a variety of forms:

• Rinse. Some fluoride treatments are like mouthwash, a rinse that you swish around your mouth and spit out. 
• Varnish. Fluoride varnishes are applied to the teeth with a brush. The varnish will form a solid layer over the teeth. Your dentist may advise you not to brush your teeth until the next day so that your teeth can gain the maximum benefit. 
• Gel or foam. Fluoride treatments may come in a gel or foam consistency that is applied to the teeth. 

Benefits of Fluoride Treatments for Adults 

• Hardens enamel. Fluoride hardens tooth enamel, lowering your risk of cavities, cracks, and fractures. 
• Slows the aging process for your teeth. As you age your enamel naturally weakens, increasing the risk of decay and damage. Fluoride can remineralize tooth enamel to strengthen it. 
• Whiter teeth. Weakened tooth enamel allows the layers underneath to show through, making your teeth appear more yellow. Fluoride treatments can keep your teeth looking whiter for a longer period of time. 

Daily Sources of Fluoride 

Your teeth most likely receive some fluoride exposure on a daily basis through the following: 

• Water. If you live within the city limits your water is most likely fortified with fluoride. However, if you have well water it may not. 
• Toothpaste. Most toothpastes contain fluoride, especially those that are anti-cavity or for sensitive teeth. 
• Mouthwash. A lot of mouthwashes contain fluoride as well, including most major brands. 
• Vitamins. Some multivitamins contain fluoride. Check the label on your vitamin bottle. 

These daily sources of fluoride may be sufficient for some people. However, if you are prone to cavities or have sensitive teeth, fluoride treatments provided by your dentist can help. Your dentist can also write you a prescription for toothpaste with a higher concentration of fluoride.

Frequently Asked Questions About Fluoride Treatments 

Do Fluoride Treatments Taste Bad? 

If you remember the bitter tasting fluoride rinses from your childhood, don’t worry. Today’s fluoride treatments come in a variety of flavors from mint to bubble gum to fruit flavors. 

Can You Have Too Much Fluoride? 

When children’s teeth are exposed to excessive amounts of fluoride it can cause spots and staining of the teeth. For adults the risk of fluorosis is lower because the teeth are fully developed. If you swallow too much fluoride it can cause stomach upset. 

If you’re considering fluoride treatments, talk to your dentist about the risks and benefits. You may experience improved oral health by adding fluoride treatments to your regular dental visits. 

How do you view dental care? Is the dentist someone you see when you have a dental problem? Or do you go to the dentist to prevent dental problems? 

Your answer to this question will have a huge impact on your lifelong oral health. If you only go to the dentist when you have a problem, you can expect a lifetime of dental problems and procedures. But it's not too late to change the narrative. You can embrace preventive dental care and experience a lifetime of oral health. 

Here are some common dental problems and how they can be prevented with regular visits to your dentist. 

Problem: Tooth Decay (Cavities) 

What it is: Plaque bacteria produce acids that dissolve tooth enamel, forming pits or holes in your teeth. 

Treatment: A small cavity can be treated with a filling. A large or deep cavity may require a root canal and crown. 

Prevention: Tooth decay can be prevented by brushing your teeth twice a day, flossing once a day, and going to the dentist twice a year for professional cleanings. Be sure to use fluoride toothpaste because it helps to harden tooth enamel to protect your teeth from decay. It can also help to minimize the amount of sugar you consume in foods and drinks, as well as alcohol. 

Problem: Periodontal (Gum) Disease 

What it is: Gum disease is a bacterial infection of the gum tissue caused by plaque and calculus (hardened plaque) buildup on the teeth. 

Treatment: Gum disease can be treated with a deep cleaning of the teeth to remove plaque and calculus from under the gums. Once gum disease has reached the advanced stages, it can be managed but not cured. Surgical procedures can repair damage caused by gum disease. 

Prevention: The best option is to prevent gum disease in the first place. By brushing your teeth twice a day, flossing once a day, and going to the dentist twice a year for professional cleanings you can keep plaque and calculus from building up and causing gum disease. You can reduce your risk of developing gum disease by limiting sugar, as it feeds bacteria. 

Problem: Damaged Teeth 

What it is: Teeth can be worn down, chipped, fractured, or cracked. This can occur due to a variety of causes from injury to teeth grinding. 

Treatment: Damaged teeth can be repaired using composite bonding or dental crowns. Composite material can patch and reshape teeth. A dental crown fits completely over an existing tooth, providing a new chewing surface. 

Prevention: You can prevent damage to your teeth by wearing a mouthguard if you play sports and a night guard if you grind your teeth. Another option is orthodontic treatment to properly align your teeth and bite to reduce wear and risk of dental injury. 

Problem: Missing or Extracted Teeth 

What it is: Teeth may be missing for a variety of reasons from injury to gum disease. Extraction of teeth may be necessary if damage is too extensive to repair the natural tooth. 

Treatment: Missing teeth can be replaced with dental bridges, dentures, or dental implants. 

Prevention: By brushing your teeth twice a day, flossing once a day, and going to the dentist twice a year, you can preserve your natural teeth in most cases and avoid costly dental prosthetics. 

The Common Thread: Prevention 

If you’ve ever heard the phrase “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”, it could not be more true than in the field of dentistry. You only get one set of permanent teeth in your lifetime, and how you take care of them will determine how long they last. Good oral hygiene habits at home combined with regular dental care can prevent the majority of dental problems and help you keep your natural teeth for life. 

Frequently Asked Questions About Preventive Dentistry 

How often should I go to the dentist? 

The ideal schedule for dental cleanings for most patients is every 6 months or twice a year. Patients with active or advanced gum disease may need more frequent cleanings. 

Does insurance cover preventive dentistry? 

Most dental insurance plans cover preventive dentistry at 100%, which includes cleanings and oral exams every 6 months or twice a year. 

Contact Zuri Dental 

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