What is the Main Cause of Crooked Teeth?

crooked teeth

Many patients long for that perfect straight smile. It seems everywhere you turn; you see people with beautiful smiles as a result of braces. If you have crooked teeth, you may feel isolated and your self confidence is lost. Not everyone is born with perfect teeth, and some people will need help in order to get that beautiful straight smile. The good thing is there are many orthodontic options to help correct crooked teeth, and get you the smile of your dreams. At 915 Smile Studio, our dentist in West El Paso have years of experience in orthodontics, and creating beautiful smiles is our passion.

What Are the Common Causes of Crooked Teeth?

Genetics

Genetics is the main cause of crooked teeth in many patients. Unfortunately, we do not have control over how our teeth will develop. If a patient has a smaller mouth, their risk for overcrowding increases. Other causes can be related to jaw issues such as overbites or underbites.

Habits

Many children suck their thumbs or use a pacifier. This can actually do more harm than good, and the damage is typically noticed years later. These types of habits can lead to crooked teeth. If you thrust your tongue or breath through your mouth, this can also cause crooked teeth. Orthodontic treatment is typically recommended to straighten teeth, and keep your teeth aligned.

Injury

If you suffered from an injury in the mouth or jaw this can cause crooked teeth. When teeth are loose or lost, this can cause your remaining teeth and jaw to shift, and cause your teeth to become crooked. Seeking help from an orthodontist is important to help repair your mouth, and get your teeth back in place.

Keeping Primary Teeth

Taking care of a child’s baby teeth is important. Primary teeth help the permanent teeth erupt into the right place. If a child loses their primary teeth too early due to decay or trauma, this can directly affect how their permanent teeth erupt. This can cause a child’s permanent teeth to come in crooked.

What Are My Treatment Options?

Orthodontic treatment can help patients with crooked teeth at any age. If you start early, you can get the best possible results. Today, there are many options for orthodontic treatment such as traditional braces or clear aligners. At 915 Smile Studio, we discuss all of the orthodontic options during our detailed consultation process. Depending on the severity of the correction and health of your teeth, we help our patients choose the option that best fits their lifestyle. Your oral health is our priority, and we love to help patients achieve the smile of their dreams.

Looking for a Dentist Near You?

If you are looking for a dentist near you that offers orthodontic treatment, 915 Smile Studio can help. Our doctors have years of experience in orthodontics, and we provide the highest level of service to all of our patients. Don’t live with crooked teeth, let our team help you get on the road to a beautiful smile. Correcting your smile can boost confidence, and allow you to feel great around others.

To schedule your orthodontic consultation with us, contact 915 Smile Studio, and our friendly staff will be happy to assist you.

How Soon Can I Work After Getting a Root Canal?

root canal infection

Root canals can help save a tooth and are a common procedure done today. Most patients can return to their normal activities directly after their root canal procedure. Patients should plan to rest the day of their root canal procedure, and most can return to work the very next day. Our bodies need proper healing time, and this time can vary between patients.

In most cases we recommend patients can return to work the day after their root canal procedure. Our dentist in West El Paso will discuss after care treatment with you, and answer any post treatment recovery questions you have. We will give you tips on what to do during recovery, and we always recommend calling our office if you have any prolonged pain after your procedure.

What Can I Do Immediately After My Root Canal Treatment To Help With Pain or Swelling?

  • Take over the counter medications or antibiotics if recommended by your doctor.
  • Use cold packs on the area to help with swelling and pain.
  • Follow a soft food diet until the area is healed, and avoid chewing on the tooth that was repaired.

After your root canal procedure, you may experience pain or sensitivity, but this should subside after a few days. Following our after-care guidelines is important, and can help with your recovery. If you have had any type of anesthesia during your root canal, you should avoid operating any machinery for at least 24 hours.

Patients will return home with the area still numb, but this should wear off. Depending on how you feel, and the pain afterwards, will determine if you can return to work the next day. Most patients can resume normal activity directly after their root canal treatment.

Ready to Find Out More About Root Canal Treatment?

If you are interested in finding out more about root canal treatment and how this can benefit you, contact 915 Smile Studio. Our doctors have years of experience in root canal therapy, and always make your oral health a priority. We provide a calm and welcoming environment using state of the art technology. Our practice is accepting new patients, and we welcome you to join our dental family. Come experience quality dentistry you can trust, and let our team help you take control of your oral health.

To schedule your appointment with us, contact 915 Smile Studio, and our friendly staff will be happy to assist you.

How Do I Get Rid of Bad Breath?

bad breath

Many people suffer from chronic bad breath or halitosis. Bad breath is something you do not want to be known for, and typically finding the cause is easy. If you suffer from bad breath but also brush, floss, or gargle each day the cause may not be obvious. Taking the time to figure out the underlying problem that may be causing your bad breath is important, and finding a cure can be simple.

Common Cause of Bad Breath

Dental Hygiene

The first area patients should focus on is their dental hygiene habits. Gum or mints are only a short term solution, and finding the cause is the only way you can truly get relief from bad breath. Looking at your dental hygiene is a great place to start because dental hygiene is the most common cause of chronic bad breath. About 85% of bad breath comes from inside the mouth. If you do not brush and floss daily, bacteria can get left behind and cause issues with your breath. Bacteria eats the leftover food particles in your mouth, and as a result leaves a foul smelling odor in your mouth and on your teeth.

Devices

If patients wear retainers, dentures, or mouthguards while they sleep, these devices can trap bacteria or food particles if not cleaned properly. This can attribute to halitosis or chronic bad breath. Taking care of your teeth and mouth is extremely important for your overall and oral health, and can prevent issues such as bad breath that could be embarrassing around others.

Cavities or Infection

If you suffer from cavities or have an infection lingering in your mouth that has not been treated, this can cause bad breath. Attending regular visits to our office for your dental cleaning and exam is important. Our skilled dentist in El Paso can get in front of issues such as cavities or infections and prevent further problems in the future. If patients have issues with their tonsils or throat, this can cause bad breath, and can be from an infection such as strep throat. Patients should seek treatment from their primary care physician if they feel there is an issue with their tonsils or throat.

Dry Mouth or Dehydration

Dehydration or dry mouth is a common cause of bad breath. Saliva and water wash away bacteria or food particles. If your mouth is not hydrated this reduces saliva and can cause halitosis. Our saliva contains pertinent minerals and proteins that help defend against bacteria. Staying hydrated is important to keep our mouth healthy and to prevent bad breath.

Other Possible Causes for Bad Breath

  • Diabetes
  • Throat or mouth cancer
  • Sinus infection
  • Digestive issues
  • Acid reflux
  • Lung infection 
  • Liver disease

What Can I Do to Cure My Bad Breath?

  • Brush and floss two times a day
  • Use an antimicrobial rinse daily
  • Tongue scrape daily to remove bacteria
  • Remove any devices and clean them thoroughly
  • Visit our dental office for regular cleanings and exams
  • Review your diet and try and stick to eating healthy foods
  • Drink water and stay hydrated
  • Avoid tobacco products

Looking For Help With Chronic Bad Breath?

There are many simple solutions to cure bad breath. We encourage you to make an appointment for an exam in our office to discuss your concerns. Our skilled staff can help give you tips, and our thorough dental exam can help identify any issues you may have that could be causing chronic bad breath. If you have already tried simple solutions and still notice your bad breath does not go away, we may advise you make an appointment to see your primary care physician. 

If you are interested in finding a solution to cure bad breath we can help. To schedule your appointment contact our office, and our friendly staff will be happy to assist you!

Tips to Consider When Choosing an Emergency Dentist?

emergency dentist feat 3

When you have a dental emergency there are a few things to consider when choosing what dentist to visit. Choosing the right dentist can make the process smooth and recovery quicker. In many cases patients do not have time in an emergency to search for the perfect dentist. Doing your research ahead of time is helpful so you know who to call if a dental emergency should occur.

What Should I Look For?

  • Research dentists in your area so the dentist is easy to get to and close to where you live. If you have to drive far to get to your dentist in an emergency this can add stress to the situation.
  • Ask what insurance plans the dental office accepts. Making sure your dentist accepts your insurance is important so you know this up front and are prepared. Call your insurance company and ask for a provider list. This can help give you a list of who has emergency hours and accepts emergency patients.
  • Ask about their hours of operation and if they are open for extended hours. Dental emergencies can happen at any time of the day, and knowing your dentist can accommodate hours outside of the work day may help. If a dentist accepts patients on an emergency basis this should be acceptable.
  • Make sure to ask the dentist if they treat both adults and children. Knowing you can run your child to their office is important ahead of time. For patients with children it is convenient to go to a dentist that handles dental emergencies for the entire family.
  • Ask what services they provide ahead of time. If you have a dental emergency and need cosmetic dental work afterwards, it is important to know if your dentist can provide that service. Otherwise, you may need a referral and have to see another dentist after the emergency is treated.

Interested in Finding Out More?

Preparing for an emergency is important, and knowing where to go can help ease stress during an emergency situation. Make sure to do your research ahead of time so you are prepared in the event of an emergency. Our dental office accommodates dental emergencies, and our patients are in good hands should they need emergency care.

If patients have questions about our emergency procedures and services we encourage you to call our dentist in El Paso. Our friendly staff can answer any questions you may have.

To get in touch with us please contact our office and our staff will be happy to help!

Do Kids Need Dental Crowns?

put a crown on a baby tooth

If your child is prone to cavities, you may wonder if there is anything dentists can do to save their teeth. Cavities are very common in children, and many children are prone to cavities while others are not. If a child has a small cavity, we may choose to just monitor the tooth, or recommend a dental filling. If the tooth has severe decay, a crown may be recommended in order to save the tooth. Dental crowns can protect a severely damaged or decayed tooth, and preserve the tooth underneath.

Why Would My Child Need a Dental Crown?

Primary teeth are very important in a child’s development. They help with growth and development, speech, and eating. It is important to try and keep a child’s primary teeth for as long as you can to protect and maintain their oral health. Primary teeth serve as placeholders for adult teeth. If a child does not have their primary teeth, this can cause orthodontic issues. The adult teeth may not erupt properly or will erupt in the wrong direction. If your child has a cavity, placing a crown on the tooth can leave the primary tooth intact, but protect the tooth from further damage.

How Does a Crown Procedure Work?

Crowns can be placed in one dental visit making this ideal for children. During the procedure, the primary tooth is cleaned and prepared. We use local anesthesia along with Nitrous oxide or laughing gas to keep your child calm and comfortable. Once the tooth is prepped and ready, the crown is gently affixed on top of the tooth. Recovery is minimal, and we recommend waiting a few hours after the procedure to eat or drink. This allows the numb feeling to wear off. Your child’s bite may feel odd, but after a few days, they will adjust to the new crown.

Dental crowns are very durable and should last until the primary tooth is lost. Practicing good oral hygiene habits at home can help keep your crown feeling and looking great. We encourage regular visits to our office to give our doctors the ability to monitor the crown and check for additional decay. Dental cleanings and exams help to keep track of a child’s oral development and can help address cavities or other concerns as your child grows.

Ready To Find Out More About Dental Crowns?

At 915 Smile Studio, your child’s health is our priority. Our dentist in West El Paso have years of experience in pediatric dentistry and love to work with children. We create a calm and relaxing environment and always ensure your child has a positive experience. Let our team at 915 Smile Studio provide quality dental care you can trust.

If you have concerns about your child’s teeth, or they are due for their exam and cleaning, contact 915 Smile Studio, and our friendly staff will be happy to assist you.

How Much Radiation is in a Dental X-ray?

radiation in dental x ray

Dental x-rays are commonly used when you visit your dentist in El Paso. Many patients wonder if dental x-rays are safe and if they should worry about radiation exposure. Expressing concerns about your health and safety is normal, and the good news is that dental x-rays are extremely safe. You may notice your hygienist covers you with protective equipment and leaves the room during the x-ray. This is to avoid repeated exposure because hygienists perform x-rays daily as part of their cleaning and exam routines. The protective equipment placed on the patient helps to further protect your body and organs that are more sensitive to radiation exposure.

Every day we are exposed to levels of radiation naturally in the environment, and dental x-rays only make up a small fraction of the average daily dose of radiation each day. Patients do not need to worry about exposure, as the amount is so low there is nothing to be concerned about.

Are Dental X-Ray’s Safe?

Dental x-rays do not require much radiation to produce images. With the new technology used today x-rays use 90% less radiation exposure and are safe for patients. Diagnostic imaging gives our team the ability to see inside your teeth and this allows the detection of decay, bone loss, or oral cancer. X-rays can help prevent future issues by diagnosing and treating anything we see promptly.

Benefits of Dental X-Ray’s

  • Detect decay, fillings, gum disease, and oral cancer.
  • Detect changes in soft or hard tissues.
  • Show jawbone development
  • Detect bone loss

Interested in Learning More About How Dental X-rays Can Benefit You?

If you are interested in learning how dental x-rays can benefit you, or you are due for your regular dental exam and cleaning, contact 915 Smile Studio. We provide the highest level of service and use the latest technology and equipment. Let our team help you care for your smile, and prevent unnecessary visits to the dentist. Our doctors have years of experience and love to help patients care for their teeth and gums. Oral health is extremely important and is directly linked to our overall health. Attending your regular dental visits can help to detect issues and keep your smile looking and feeling great.

To schedule an appointment with us contact 915 Smile Studio, and our staff will be happy to assist you.