Wisdom Tooth Pain: Causes and Early Warning Signs
TL;DR When Is Wisdom Tooth Pain Serious? We’ve all heard stories about painful wisdom tooth eruptions. What starts as mild discomfort can quickly turn into swelling, persistent pain, and trouble eating or sleeping. At Hopkins Family Dentistry, many patients come in unsure if their symptoms are serious enough to address. Unfortunately, in most cases, they […]
Chipped Dental Crown? What to Do, Repair Options, and When to See a Dentist
TL;DR If your dental crown has chipped, rinse your mouth with warm saltwater, avoid chewing on that side, save any broken pieces, and call your dentist as soon as possible. Depending on the extent of the damage, your dentist will smooth the edges, repair the crown with composite resin, or replace it entirely. Ignoring a […]
Bonded Dental Bridges: Types, Benefits & What to Expect
TL;DR Bonded dental bridges are a minimally invasive tooth replacement option that uses adhesive resin to hold an artificial tooth in place, requiring little to no preparation of the surrounding teeth. There are three main types: the Maryland bonded dental bridge, the cantilever bridge, and the resin-bonded bridge, each suited to different clinical situations. Key […]
Sensitive Gums: Symptoms, Causes, and Effective Treatments Explained
TL;DR Sensitive gums are a sign that the gum tissue is irritated or under strain. Symptoms include soreness, bleeding while brushing or flossing, redness or swelling, sensitivity to hot or cold foods, gum recession and persistent bad breath or taste changes. Sensitivity often develops due to plaque build-up, brushing too hard, poor flossing habits, early […]
How Can Dental Sealants Protect Your Teeth from Cavities?
TL;DR Molars have deep grooves that trap food and bacteria, making cavities common even with regular brushing. Dental sealants are thin coatings applied to chewing surfaces to seal grooves. Common types of sealants are resin, glass ionomer, compomer, self-adhesive and colored. Teeth are isolated, etched with acidic gel to create micro-pores and a bonding agent […]
Can You Use Veneers for Missing Teeth? Options, Alternatives & Expert Guidance
TL;DR Dental veneers are customized thin shells cemented to the front surfaces of the teeth that are chipped, discolored, or cracked. Although they restore the tooth structure aesthetically, they cannot offer functional restoration in case of missing teeth. Dental veneers have limitations because they require adequate tooth structure for adherence and are not strong enough […]
Misaligned Teeth: Symptoms, Types and Treatment Options
TL;DR What are Misaligned Teeth? Misaligned teeth are teeth that do not sit in their proper position within the jaw. They may appear crooked, crowded, spaced apart, or they may not come together correctly when biting. This is often seen as a cosmetic concern, but alignment affects much more than appearance. When teeth are not […]
Dental Caps Explained: Types, Benefits and When You Need One
TL;DR Dental caps, or crowns, cover weak or damaged teeth to restore shape, size, strength, and appearance. Metal, porcelain-fused-to-metal, all-ceramic, resin, and zirconia crowns are some of the main types of dental caps. Dental caps protect fragile teeth, rebuild a chipped or worn-down tooth to its original form, improve the appearance of discolored teeth, and […]
Natural Teeth Whitening: 10 Safe and Effective Home Remedies
TL;DR Stains can either be surface/extrinsic from smoking or foods/drinks, or deep/intrinsic within the teeth, due to aging, trauma, or medications. Natural teeth whitening removes mainly surface stains safely at home. Common remedies include baking soda, coconut oil pulling, orange or lemon peel, apple cider vinegar, bananas, charcoal, strawberries, hydrogen peroxide, and turmeric. Use with […]
Can Teething Cause a Runny Nose? | Understanding the Link
TL;DR Does Teething Really Lead to a Runny Nose in Babies? Teething is a natural part of a baby’s growth when their first teeth begin to push through the gums. It usually starts around 6 months of age, though the timing can differ for every child. During this stage, babies may become fussy, drool more […]