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Understanding Oral Infections | Mooresville Dentist

We all know that brushing our teeth for two minutes, twice a day along with regular dental visits contributes to positive oral health. Yet, sometimes, no matter how much we do to mitigate the risk of developing an oral infection, they can occur. Here are some of the most common oral infections we encounter with patients, their warning signs, and their impact on your oral health.

Gingivitis– Simply put, Gingivitis is inflammation of the gums. It is the precursor to Periodontitis, the escalation of Gingivitis should it go untreated. Gingivitis is the result of plaque buildup that spreads from the gums to the ligaments that support the teeth.

Periodontal Disease– When left untreated, Gingivitis may spread below the gum line, affecting the supportive tissues and bone of our teeth. This progression is known as Periodontal Disease which deteriorates these support leading to the potential loss of teeth and may even spread to the lungs causing pneumonia.

Canker Sores– These are cuts that develop on the gums and other mouth tissues and are common in children and teens. Vigorous brushing, cheek bites, and sports injuries – as well as hormones and immune problems, may lead to canker sores.

Oral Herpes– According to centerforbeautifulsmiles.com, “50-80 percent of American adults” carry the Herpes Simlex Virus. This can lead to “blisters and ulcers on the gums and tongue, flu-like symptoms, or no symptoms at all.” While there are things individuals can do to keep the virus dormant, an outbreak may last ten days to two weeks.

Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease– Toddlers and school-aged children are the most susceptible to Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease. The virus Coxsackie A16 is spread by direct contact with saliva and mucus; children are particularly unconscious of their direct exposure to these fluids. Children may experience fever, sore throat, and the development of painful blisters on their body but should only last a few days.

Herpangina– Similar to Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease, Herpangina typically affects children and presents itself with fever symptoms and difficulty swallowing. Yet, unlike Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease, it forms blisters on the back of the mouth that once ruptured, become ulcers. Symptoms typically only last a few days.

For more information about oral infections, or if you’re worried you may have one, call Dr. Schneider in Mooresville, NC at 704-660-1802 or visit www.schneidersmiles.com.

Drs. Catherine and Kenneth Schneider proudly serve patients from Mooresville and all surrounding areas.

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Is Mouthwash Necessary for Oral Health? | Mooresville Dentist

For many, mouthwash is an unnecessary extra step and added cost to their oral care routine. Mouthwash isn’t exactly the first thing a dentist will mention when reviewing your regimen, but it shouldn’t be overlooked. Mouthwash, after proper brushing and flossing, can provide peace of mind to individuals who struggle to keep cavities at bay, despite their best efforts.

Mouthwash is advertised to kill bacteria and give you fresh breath, but that isn’t the whole story. Mouthwash reduces the bacteria in your mouth and reduce the amount of plaque it forms. Regular use helps prevent periodontal disease, and those with fluoride work to reduce cavities when used as directed.

What ingredients in mouthwash make it effective?

The bacteria-fighting active ingredient(s) in mouthwash are what make it an effective addition to your routine. Ingredients such as cetylpyridinium chloride, zinc gluconate, or quaternary ammonium are commonly found in washes. Just one of these will provide the bacteria fighting benefits that enhance your routine.

Are natural mouthwashes effective?

Some people advocate for fluoride, and others want little to do with it. Many brands make natural alternatives, utilizing essential oils or harvested ingredients like garlic as an astringent. Whatever the formula, natural mouthwashes have been shown to be effective at preventing gum disease without adding to the rise of antibacterial- resistant bacteria.

Is mouthwash safe for children?

Children under the age of 6 should not be utilizing mouthwash, as they are likely to consume it. Once your child has developed the muscle reflexes necessary to swish and spit the wash, with adult supervision, they can begin to incorporate it into their care routine.

While mouthwash isn’t going to make-or-break your oral hygiene, it is a great way to round out your routine. Mouthwash may bring you peace of mind between visits or be an effective way to keep bacteria at bay for cavity-prone teeth.

For more information, call Dr. Schneider in Mooresville, NC at 704-660-1802 or visit www.schneidersmiles.com.

Drs. Catherine and Kenneth Schneider proudly serve patients from Mooresville and all surrounding areas.

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Here’s What You Should Know about IV Sedation | Mooresville Dentist

Dental anxiety is common among kids and adults alike. Memories of unfortunate experiences can be triggered by certain sights and sound present in the dental office. While different types of intervention may begin to alleviate these triggers over time, there is a simpler way to get through your next visit to the dentist.

When dentists perform restorative procedures, there are typically a variety of sedation options available to the individual. The two main ones are nitrous oxide and intravenous (IV) sedation. The inhalation of nitrous allows a patient to relax, but IV sedation can guide the patient into a deeper relaxation and in some cases, lull them to sleep.

The following are the benefits of utilizing IV sedation for sleep dentistry.

– In contrast to general anesthesia, IV sedation is safer and allows you to retain consciousness.

– Administration of the drug tailored to the patient’s needs

– The results of IV sedation are reliable and the most effective means of sedation

– Due to the amount of control your practitioner has with the dosage of IV administered,    your recovery time is shorter than with oral sedation.

– If you are particularly sensitive to your gag reflex, IV sedation will relax the reaction,    but your dentist may recommend nitrous oxide

Remaining consistent with your oral health in your daily life, as well as with regular check-ups, are the best way to avoid unfavorable experiences at the dentist. It’s also important to find. A dentist who understands your concerns and helps navigate you through any session as peaceably as possible. If you do enter into a restorative process, discuss your concerns with your dentist to see if IV sedation may be right for you.

For more information about dental tips for athletes, call Dr. Schneider in Mooresville, NC at 704-660-1802 or visit www.schneidersmiles.com.

Drs. Catherine and Kenneth Schneider proudly serve patients from Mooresville and all surrounding areas.

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Athletes Need to Take Care of Their Smiles | Mooresville Dentist

When we think about athletes, we think about strong healthy individuals that take their sport by storm with all of their physical ability. They train hard, they eat well to give their bodies the proper nutrition in order to perform at their peak. But what if I told you that athletes actually have more to worry about when it comes to their oral health?

It’s true. We may all have the same basic guidelines when it comes to oral care, but an athlete’s lifestyle isn’t the same as ours and needs to be treated as such. They train their bodies to perform at peak performance, and treating their bodies is paramount. This said, during their training, athletes often have high-carb diets and drink lots of energy drinks to keep up with things. And while this lifestyle does have definite upsides, high-carb diets and energy drinks aren’t the best for your smile. Not only are these things are driving sugars and acids into their mouths, the main causes for tooth decay and cavity-causing erosion.

What they don’t realize is that when you have issues in your mouth, it can progress to cause pain. These pains may not be directly involved in the sport, but it can cause issues with sleeping and training in general, two necessities for all athletes to perform their best. So, if you are an athlete looking to better your overall performance on the field, track, court, or ice, you should look into your oral health!

For more information about dental tips for athletes, call Dr. Schneider in Mooresville, NC at 704-660-1802 or visit www.schneidersmiles.com.

Drs. Catherine and Kenneth Schneider proudly serve patients from Mooresville and all surrounding areas.

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Have Your Ever Considered Tooth-Colored Fillings? |Mooresville Dentist

No one wants to get a cavity, but it is a common dental issue. Traditionally, these cavities were remedied with a silver filling. Amalgam fillings, or metallic fillings, have been around for years and have been used by dentists to complete many cosmetic procedures. While using this procedure is indeed very effective, there are a multitude of controversies surrounding the safety and appearance of them.

Many patients are suffering from the same dilemma and feel like there is nothing they can do, however, thanks to advanced dental technology, you can achieve your dream smile with tooth-colored fillings. Dental professionals encourage patients to receive tooth-colored fillings by listing the following advantages:

  • Eliminates unnatural, metal fillings
  • Diminishes discoloration caused by metal fillings
  • Prevents tooth decay and gum diseases
  • Strengthen your teeth
  • They are undetectable and match the exact shade of your teeth

Modern dentistry is now using more tooth-like materials (composite resins and porcelains) that are both safe and predictable. The most important feature, for many people, is that they look and react more like natural teeth. In the past, teeth were filled with a mixture—or amalgam—of different metals. Today that is changing as more natural-looking and metal-free fillings are becoming the preferred approach.

If you don’t want to go the traditional route, ask your dentist about tooth-colored fillings! Tooth colored fillings, or resin, are made out of a much safer material than amalgam fillings. Along with that, tooth-colored fillings are safer, not to mention enhance the cosmetic appearance of teeth due to their natural tooth like color!

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Care for a Mint? | Mooresville Dentist

Have you ever been asked by someone if you’d like a mint? Have you ever felt skeptical about why they asked? Not only can it be a cause to make you feel self-conscious, but bad breath can actually a sign of an unhealthy mouth. Typically known as halitosis, bad breath can be the result of poor dental habits or could be a sign of a much more serious dental or medical problem.

As you eat food, chewing breaks food into small particles that can become stuck between teeth, around the gums, and on the tongue. As bacteria break down that food, the bacteria can release foul odors, which will be exhaled and noticeable to others. Patients with cavities caused by tooth decay are more likely to have food particles and bacterial colonies present – the cavities provide a protected space for bacteria, increasing the likelihood of odor causing bacteria being present.

Patients with periodontal disease are also likely to have bad breath. Periodontal disease is an infection within the gums, typically caused by poor oral hygiene. As plaque and tartar build up against the gums, bacterial colonies build beneath the surface of the gums, creating large colonies that not only produce foul odors, but also damage gum and bone tissue, and could potentially cause severe dental issues such as tooth loss.

Because the root cause of bad breath is often bacteria, an antiseptic mouthwash can often help mitigate bad breath – at least for a while. However, it’s important to remember that mouthwash doesn’t necessarily remove all bacteria; it only kills some bacteria for a short period of time.

For more information about bad breath, call Dr. Schneider in Mooresville, NC at 704-660-1802 or visit www.schneidersmiles.com.

Drs. Catherine and Kenneth Schneider proudly serve patients from Mooresville and all surrounding areas.

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Attain that Hollywood Smile with Veneers | Mooresville Dentist

Many celebrities have smiles that can light up a room. They just have a bright dazzling smile that seems impossible to attain. But you too can have that Hollywood smile. You just need to schedule a dental appointment. Because, chances are, those celebrity smiles you wonder at have been touched by the skilled hand of a dental professional.

Dental veneers are thin layers of composite resin or porcelain which are fitted right onto the surface of the tooth.  They are very popular among patients with discolored, crooked or misaligned teeth. Veneers are made to give you a beautiful, straight white smile. Not surprisingly, most patients aren’t all that familiar with dental procedures – they just know they want a nice smile.

There are two types of veneers to choose from, composite resin and porcelain. One might think that all veneers are the same since they serve the same purpose, but they are actually quite different. The following are facts on both types of veneers:

Composite:

  • Can last about 4-8 years with proper maintenance.
  • Made of high-quality reinforced plastic. Given today’s high-end technology these veneers look and feel very good, but under pressure they can get damaged quite easily.
  • Its porous surface, which can affect their look after years of use.
  • They are easily stained, often needing whitening treatments to maintain their appearance.
  • Composite veneers chip easily.

Porcelain:

  • Porcelain veneers on the other hand last up to 25 years and do not require as much maintenance.
  • Made of high-quality porcelain, natural in color and more resistant.
  • Maintain strength and appearance over several decades.
  • Do not stain because of the non-porous material.

For more information about veneers, call Dr. Schneider in Mooresville, NC at 704-660-1802 or visit www.schneidersmiles.com.

Drs. Catherine and Kenneth Schneider proudly serve patients from Mooresville and all surrounding areas.

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Scared of the Dentist? There’s Help. | Mooresville Dentist

Are you one in the millions of Americans considered to have a dental phobia? Maybe you had a bad experience as a child, maybe you just can’t handle people and instruments that close to your face. Whatever it is, you’re definitely not alone. Dental anxiety and phobia are extremely common.

The most common fear of visiting the dentist is having a tooth drilled and the local anesthetic injection. People are not born with a fear of the dentist, you develop it and can overcome it. Today dentistry is much different than it used to be. It can be a pain free, anxiety free experience. Relaxation and sedation techniques have been proven in helping overcome dental phobias.

Some of the signs of dental phobia include:

  • You feel tense or have trouble sleeping the night before a dental exam.
  • You get increasingly nervous while you’re in the waiting room.
  • You feel like crying when you think of going to the dentist. The sight of dental instruments — or of white-coated personnel in the dentist’s office — increases your anxiety.
  • The thought of a dental visit makes you feel physically ill.
  • You panic or have trouble breathing when objects are placed in your mouth during a dental appointment. (Source: colgate.com)

For those that are very anxious or if you are undergoing a longer procedure we offer conscious sedation, mention this to your dental professional. They will surely take time to use a combination of medications that put you into a very relaxed dreamlike state.

Our patients have commented that if they had known how comfortable treatment was under sedation, they never would have had any worries about dental treatment.

For more information about dental anxiety, call Dr. Schneider in Mooresville, NC at 704-660-1802 or visit www.schneidersmiles.com.

Drs. Catherine and Kenneth Schneider proudly serve patients from Mooresville and all surrounding areas.

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Pick Your Poison: Cosmetic Dentistry Edition | Mooresville Dentist

We all want a winning smile, but today cosmetic dentistry has advanced to the point where we can completely overhaul our smile, sometimes in one visit. Nowadays cosmetic dentistry isn’t just for celebrities and the wealthy, there’s now a wide variety of options and price ranges that put a better smile within reach for many patients. But where do you start when it comes to designing your perfect smile? What you choose is on a case-by-case basis.

Traditional dentistry addresses the health of your teeth and gums, cosmetic dentistry focuses on the appearance of your teeth. From subtle changes to major overhauls with oral surgery, there are a variety of cosmetic dentistry procedures that can treat teeth that are discolored, misshapen, chipped or missing. Below are the most common cosmetic procedures:

Teeth whitening. This procedure brightens teeth that are discolored or stained. Teeth whitening, or bleaching, can be done in a dentist’s office or at home with a system dispensed by the dentist.

Bonding. This can improve the appearance of teeth that are chipped, broken, cracked, stained, or have spaces in between them, by bonding tooth-colored materials to the tooth surface.

Veneers. These are thin, custom-made porcelain shells that cover the front of the teeth to disguise discoloration or imperfections.

Tooth reshaping. This procedure changes the teeth to improve their appearance by modifying or removing enamel. Tooth reshaping (also known as dental contouring) is often combined with bonding.

Crown lengthening. This can fix a “gummy” smile or an uneven gum line by removing excess gum tissue to expose more of the tooth’s crown and give the appearance of longer teeth.

Smile makeovers. Typically, several cosmetic dentistry procedures are required to overhaul the look of a patient’s smile.

For more information about cosmetic dentistry, call Dr. Schneider in Mooresville, NC at 704-660-1802 or visit www.schneidersmiles.com.

Drs. Catherine and Kenneth Schneider proudly serve patients from Mooresville and all surrounding areas.

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Are There Such Things as Painless Veneers? | Mooresville Dentist

Veneers have transformed the smiles of several patients over the years. However, there are people who still believe that veneers won’t help improve their smiles. In fact, there are many myths about veneers that have made many people question the wonderful dental treatment. In order to set the record straight, let’s take a look at the more common myths surrounding veneers and debunk any suspicions. Here are the top five…

Myth 1: Veneers are bright and noticeable.

Fact. Veneers are now customized to blend seamlessly with your natural teeth. In most cases, veneers are not noticeable and help enhance one’s smile.

Myth 2: Veneers are only used in cosmetic dentistry.

Fact. While the primary purpose of veneers is to improve a patient’s teeth, veneers can also be used to rebuild molars, improve facial profiles and replace worn out or misshapen teeth.

Myth 3: The application of veneers is painful.

Fact. Like any other dental procedure, a local anesthetic is given. The sensitivity is typically while wearing temporary veneers as the permanent ones are being fabricated. 

Myth 4: Veneers require the dentist to file down my tooth before application.

Fact. This one is a common misconception. Although there is some reshaping required before the veneer is applied, veneers are made fingernail thin, so less prep work is required.

Myth 5: Veneers are only necessary for the front teeth.

Fact. Veneers are commonly applied the first six front teeth since they’re the most visible, but they can actually be used anywhere in the mouth. Many patients use them on their lower teeth and premolars to help even or widen their smile.

For more information about veneers, call Dr. Schneider in Mooresville, NC at 704-660-1802 or visit www.schneidersmiles.com.

Drs. Catherine and Kenneth Schneider proudly serve patients from Mooresville and all surrounding areas.