Para una boca sana, es necesario tener encías saludables. Sus encías protegen los huesos y tejidos que dan soporte a sus piezas dentales. Pero una mala higiene bucal expone sus encías a una infección que llamamos "enfermedad de las encías". Y esto lleva a serios problemas dentales.
Para muchas personas, la sola idea de ir al dentista les produce preocupación y estrés. Es posible que haya tenido una experiencia dolorosa en el pasado. Tal vez tenga miedo de lo que tomará arreglar una caries u otro problema. Pero no es bueno evitar ir al dentista. Retrasar o saltearse las visitas al dentista hace que los problemas pequeños se conviertan en grandes problemas. Por lo tanto, utilice estos consejos para controlar su miedo.
Si a veces siente un dolor agudo en los dientes, es posible que tenga dientes sensibles. Este problema afecta a muchas personas. Es posible que sienta dolor al cepillarse o al usar hilo dental. Es posible que cosas como las gaseosas, bebidas calientes, cítricos y alimentos ácidos provoquen el dolor. La sensibilidad dental puede hacer que evite los alimentos y bebidas que usted disfruta.
Si sus encías sangran, no lo ignore. Las encías sangrantes pueden ser una señal de problemas serios en sus dientes y encías. También puede ser señal de un problema médico grave.
El sarro es una forma de placa endurecida que se acumula sobre sus dientes. No es posible eliminarlo con el cepillado. Puede resultar embarazoso y es perjudicial para sus dientes y encías.
Esta es una forma leve de enfermedad de las encías. Sin tratamiento puede llevar a problemas dentales graves.
Sus dientes están protegidos por una capa externa dura a la que denominamos "esmalte". Si usted no tiene buenos hábitos de higiene oral, este esmalte puede destruirse. Las bacterias perjudiciales penetran en el esmalte debilitado y comienzan a destruir sus dientes. Esto es la caries dental.
El mal aliento que no se va es un problema para muchas personas. Puede ser embarazoso y frustrante. Es posible que usted no entienda por qué ocurre ni sepa cómo controlarlo. Aún así, existen formas de enfrentar al mal aliento con éxito.
Una fisura muy pequeña en su pieza dental puede ser dolorosa. Puede producirse por encima o por debajo de la línea de las encías. La grieta puede ser tan pequeña, que usted no puede notarla. En ocasiones, su dentista tiene dificultad para verla, incluso con radiografías. Esto puede ser frustrante. A este problema lo denominamos "síndrome del diente fisurado".
Este es un problema que puede ocurrir después de que se extrae una pieza dental de forma permanente. Cuando le extraen un diente, lo habitual es que se forme un coágulo de sangre en el alvéolo (o hueco) vacío. Este coágulo protege al hueso y a los nervios subyacentes. Pero si no se forma el coágulo, o si se forma pero luego se disuelve o se desprende, los nervios quedan expuestos. Esto es una "alveolitis seca". Puede ser muy dolorosa.
Bruxismo es el término con el que se conoce el rechinar o apretar de los dientes de forma inconsciente. En muchas personas, ocurre mientras duermen. En otras, ocurre cuando están despiertos. El bruxismo puede dañar sus dientes y causar otros problemas.
Si usted siente dolor en la mandíbula, o si tiene problemas para abrir o cerrar la boca, es posible que padezca un trastorno de la articulación temporomandibular, o "ATM". Este es un problema de una o ambas articulaciones temporomandibulares. Estas articulaciones conectan su mandíbula con su cráneo. Actúan como bisagras. También permiten que su mandíbula se deslice hacia adelante y hacia atrás.
Esta es una infección cerca de la raíz de un diente. Es una bolsa de pus que puede estar al lado de una raíz, o debajo de la punta de la raíz. Un absceso es doloroso. Si no se le trata puede ocasionar complicaciones graves. Incluso puede poner en riesgo la vida.
An abscess is a sac of pus. A dental abscess forms when a tooth or the tissue around it becomes infected with bacteria. Read on to learn more.
Teeth are sensitive if they often hurt when they are exposed to cold or to air. You may also feel discomfort or a sudden flash of pain when eating sweet, acidic, or hot foods. The pain you feel may be due to receding gums, worn tooth enamel, or worn root surfaces.
Periodontal disease is an infection of the gums and tissues supporting the teeth. If not treated, it often gets worse. Bone damage and tooth loss can occur. Regular self-care and dental visits can help prevent or control periodontal disease.
Precancerous oral lesions are abnormal cell growths in or around the mouth. They may become cancer. Cancerous oral lesions are life-threatening cell changes in the mouth. These lesions need to be found early to give you a better chance for a cure.
Teeth grinding (bruxism) may happen at any time. But people often grind their teeth in their sleep. You may not even know you're doing it. Read on to learn more.
Injury to the teeth or mouth can happen due to an accident or sports injury. Dental trauma may not always seem serious. But even minor injuries can cause infection or other problems. The key to saving your smile is getting help right away.
Wisdom teeth that can't fully break through the gum (erupt) are called impacted. Here are problems that can occur with impacted wisdom teeth.
A jaw that's too small, too large, or crooked can cause problems with chewing, speaking, breathing, and even sleeping. The shape of your jaws also affects the way your face looks. This sheet helps you understand how the teeth and jaws work. It also describes common jaw problems that may need treatment.
Do you have pain in your face, jaw, or teeth? Do you have trouble chewing? Does your jaw make clicking or popping noises? These symptoms can be caused by temporomandibular disorders (TMD). This term describes a group of problems related to the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and nearby muscles.
The TMJ is a ball-and-socket joint located where the upper and lower jaws meet. The TMJ and its nearby muscles make up a complex system. A problem in one part of the system can affect the other parts. This can cause you to have temporomandibular disorder (TMD).
Plaque is a sticky coating of bacteria and other substances that forms on your teeth and gums. It can cause 2 serious problems: tooth decay and gum disease. These problems damage the teeth and gums, and may even lead to tooth loss.
Gingivitis is a type of gum disease. It is an inflammation of the gums that causes redness and swelling. It's most often caused by infection from bacteria on the teeth.
Canker sores are small, painful sores inside the mouth. They occur most often on the tongue, gums, or insides of the cheeks.
A canker sore is a painful sore on the lining of the mouth. The exact cause of canker sores is not clear.
A crack or cavity in a tooth can cause tooth pain. An infection in the gum or the tooth's root can cause pain and swelling. Pain may spread from the tooth to your ear, or to the part of the jaw on the same side.
A dental cavity is a pit or crater in the surface of a tooth. This exposes the sensitive inner layer of the tooth and causes pain.
An abscess is a pocket of pus at the tip of a tooth root in your jawbone. It's caused by an infection at the root of the tooth. It can cause pain and swelling of the gum, cheek, or jaw.
A dental abscess is an infection at the base of a tooth. If the infection isn't treated, more serious infections can spread to the face (facial cellulitis). This is a very serious condition.
One or more of your teeth have been damaged. This can mean that the tooth is cracked or chipped. Or it can mean that the tooth has been knocked out of place. Read on to learn how to care for yourself at home.
Jaw dislocation means that the lower jaw has come out of the joint that connects it to the skull.
You have a broken jaw, or mandible bone. This is called a jaw fracture. It may be a minor break in the bone. Or you may have a major break, with the bone moving out of place. Learn how to care for the fracture as you heal.
TMJ disorders involve chronic or recurrent pain in the temporomandibular joint. There is no widely agreed-on cause.
A dental abscess is an infection of the tooth socket. The infection causes pain and swelling of the gum, cheek, or jaw.
Detailed information on the most common types of dentures.
Un empaste es una reparación simple de una caries en una pieza dental. El empaste rellena el agujero. Evita que las bacterias entren en su diente y que produzcan más caries. Veamos algunos tipos de empastes dentales.
Este procedimiento, también llamado endodoncia, trata una infección ubicada en lo profundo de su diente, en el tejido blando llamado "pulpa". Una endodoncia puede salvar incluso hasta una pieza dental muy dañada. Su dentista puede hacerle su tratamiento de conducto, pero los casos más complicados requieren, por lo general, que los haga un especialista. Y es posible que necesite programar más de una visita.
Si usted tiene una pieza dental muy dañada, cariada o que está causando apiñamiento en los otros dientes, es posible que su dentista recomiende quitarla. A esto le llamamos "extracción". La extracción es un procedimiento dental común.
Este tratamiento para la enfermedad de las encías elimina la placa que está por encima y por debajo de la línea de las encías. Limpia las bolsas de placa a las que usted no puede llegar con el cepillado y el hilo dental. Ayuda a que sus encías sanen y puede prevenir la pérdida de dientes.
Si usted ha perdido una pieza dental o incluso algunos dientes uno al lado del otro, un puente dental puede llenar el espacio. Un puente es un dispositivo que se implanta permanentemente en su boca. Reemplaza las piezas dentales que usted ha perdido. Y evita que sus otros dientes se salgan de su posición.
Esta es una funda que se coloca en forma permanente sobre su pieza dental. Está diseñada para cubrirla y protegerla. Una corona puede reforzar un diente débil o dañado. Restaura la apariencia de una pieza dental cariada. Puede utilizarse para unir un puente o para cubrir un implante dental o un diente que ha sido tratado con una endodoncia.
Este es un tipo de diente artificial. Lo sostiene un poste metálico que se incrusta quirúrgicamente en el hueso de su mandíbula. Un implante dental puede verse y desempeñarse igual que un diente real.
Si su dentista necesita ajustar sus dientes, crear un implante dental o colocarle dentaduras postizas, es posible que usted necesite que le hagan una impresión dental. Este es un molde de sus dientes y encías. Su dentista puede tomar una impresión de solo unos cuantos dientes o de todos ellos.
Perder los dientes hace que le resulte difícil comer y hablar. Es posible que su cara se vea hundida, lo cual le hará lucir mayor de lo que es. Las dentaduras postizas pueden ser de ayuda. Estas reemplazan sus dientes naturales. Usted podrá volver a masticar los alimentos otra vez. Y le devuelven la sonrisa.
El sellador dental es una capa protectora que impide que la placa entre en contacto con sus dientes. Cuando se le aplica sellador en varias piezas dentales, decimos que usted tiene "selladores". Los selladores ayudan a retardar o a prevenir la caries dental.
Learn more about crown lengthening to raise or even out your gum line.
Guided tissue regeneration can help stimulate growth of new bone affected by periodontal disease.
The Herbst appliance is used to help line up your top and bottom jaws to improve your bite.
See your dentist if you have sensitive, painful teeth. Your dentist will examine your teeth to determine the cause of your tooth sensitivity. Then he or she will advise a treatment plan.
When you've had a tooth removed (extracted), you need to take care of your mouth. Doing certain things, even on the first day, may help you feel better and heal faster. Read on to learn more.
When you have diabetes, you are at greater risk for periodontal disease. This disease is an infection of the gums and tissues supporting the teeth. Any periodontal disease you may develop can be more severe and harder to control. Preventing or controlling periodontal disease requires ongoing care.
Scaling and root planing is a special type of cleaning done by a dental professional (general dentist, dental hygienist, or periodontist). This cleaning removes plaque and tartar from beneath the gums. It helps restore health to your gums and teeth.
A partial denture replaces missing teeth and restores your smile. With your new partial you should be able to chew more easily and with greater comfort.
A fixed bridge is 1 or more replacement teeth attached to the natural teeth next to them. Once it's in place, the bridge is not removed. Here's what you need to know.
If you have a single damaged tooth, your dentist may recommend a crown. Read on to learn more about this treatment choice.
You just had dental implant surgery. Read on to learn what to expect after surgery and how to recover at home. Keep all follow-up appointments with your surgeon and dentist.
If you have 1 or more missing teeth, your dentist may advise dental implants. A dental implant is an artificial tooth root. Your jawbone fuses with the implant to provide a secure platform for an artificial tooth (prosthesis). Abutments are connecting pieces that join the prosthesis to the implants.
Your dentist has advised dental implants for your missing teeth. A dental implant is an artificial tooth root. Surgery is used to place the implants in your jawbone.
If you have one or more missing teeth, your dentist may recommend dental implants. A dental implant is an artificial tooth root. Your jawbone fuses with the implant to provide a secure platform for a prosthesis (artificial tooth).
Jaw (orthognathic) surgery is treatment that reshapes the jaws to improve their form and function.
You have been scheduled for orthognathic surgery. This is treatment that reshapes or realigns the jaws and teeth to improve their form and function. During the months leading up to surgery, you'll work with your orthodontist. Your treatment may take several years to complete.
Orthognathic surgery is treatment that reshapes the jaws to improve their form and function. Before surgery, most people need to have orthodontic treatment to move and straighten the teeth. This allows the surgeon to place the jaws in the correct position. This presurgical phase is often the longest part of treatment.
You just had orthognathic surgery. This is treatment that reshapes the jaws to improve their form and function. Your job now is to keep yourself comfortable and help your body heal quickly.
The surgery will last several hours. You will likely stay in the hospital for 1 to 2 days.
If you have 1 or more missing teeth, your healthcare provider may recommend partial dentures. Read on to learn more about this treatment choice.
When you look in the mirror, does your gumline look uneven? Or do you see too little gum? These are common effects of periodontal disease. One type of gingival surgery is called a soft tissue graft.
If you have periodontal disease, you may need surgery to save 1 or more teeth. Surgery can help reduce the size of pockets that form between tooth and gum. It can also help regenerate bone and other tissue, or adjust the gumline.
Some treatments for periodontal disease don't involve surgery. The goal of these treatments is to make conditions that allow tissues in the mouth to heal. This is done by reducing plaque, infection, and other causes of periodontal disease.
Periodontal disease can cause pockets to form between the tooth and gum. These pockets can gather plaque and need treatment. If nonsurgical treatments can't reduce pocket depth, surgery may be needed. Surgery on gum and bone can reduce pocket depth and save a tooth or teeth. It allows the dentist to remove tartar deep below the gumline.
A graft helps your body replace lost bone. The graft consists of your own bone, synthetic material, or bone from a tissue bank. A gel containing growth factors may also be used to stimulate tissues to grow.
When problems develop inside a tooth, root canal therapy may be the only way to save it.
Root canal therapy is a way of removing dead or dying tissue from inside a tooth. This stops infection and prevents it from spreading.
You have been diagnosed with temporomandibular disorder (TMD).This term describes a group of problems linked to the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and nearby muscles.
When the TMJ and related muscles are injured, they need time to heal. Self-care is very important. You can take steps to reduce pressure on the TMJ and speed healing.
You have TMD. This term describes a group of problems related to the TMJ and nearby muscles. Treatment will get your jaw back to normal function. But your care doesn't end there. Once you've had TMD, it's important to prevent reinjury. Get in the habit of doing self-checks.
TMD can cause painful and frustrating symptoms. But your healthcare provider can advise different pain relief methods as part of your treatment. These may include medicines and certain types of therapy, such as massage or gentle exercise.
Wisdom teeth are often removed in a surgeon's office or in an outpatient surgical center. Your experience depends on the position of the teeth, the number of teeth being removed, and other factors.
After surgery to remove your wisdom teeth, your mouth needs time to heal. To promote faster healing, get enough rest, eat and drink nutritious foods, and take care of the extraction site.
Your surgeon may advise removing wisdom teeth even if you have no symptoms. This is because wisdom teeth roots mature and become more firmly attached to the bone as you age, making removal more difficult.
