What types of dental fillings are there?

This is one question we get asked by our patients.  Dental fillings can be classified by the number of surfaces the dental filling restores.  The different dental filling classifications involve the following surfaces of the teeth.



Class I - the chewing surface of the back teeth
Class II - the chewing surface and one or more sides of a back tooth
Class III - the side along with the front and/or back of a front tooth
Class IV - the biting edge of a front tooth
Class V - the tongue or cheek side of a back tooth, just above the gumline

• Front teeth are considered to be those between the canine teeth in the front of the mouth.  
• Back teeth are considered to be those behind the canine teeth in the back of the mouth.

So when is the best time to obtain dental fillings?

The best time to have dental fillings placed is as soon as tooth damage or tooth decay is discovered.  Dental cavities advance over time. The presence of sugars and starches in the foods we eat combined with our normal oral bacteria create acids and promote the decay of tooth structure.

The earlier diseased tooth structure is removed and replaced by a dental filling the better because:

• A greater amount of healthy tooth structure is retained.
• The teeth are stronger because there is a greater ratio of strong tooth structure to dental filling material.
• Treatment is less complex and therefore of shorter duration.
• Treatment in early stages is often less expensive.
• Treatment is usually accomplished with more comfort with less post-operative sensitivity.

One of the primary benefits of regular, periodic oral examinations is early discovery of tooth damage and decay to enable timely restoration of teeth

Weird but Useful Dental Health Facts for Guys & Dads

Fun Dental Health Facts for Men: What in the world do tongue size, digestion, beards, snacking, and dating have in common?

We have no idea. Just kidding. They are all related to oral health for guys and dads. March 19th is Father´s Day in Spain, so check out these 5 weird but incredibly useful dental health facts for you or the man in your life.

#1.Men have larger, longer tongues

Maybe it’s just because guy’s mouths tend to be a bit larger, but we just wanted to leave that interesting fact here for you to do with what you will.  

You’re welcome.

Speaking of tongues:  Next time you’re near a mirror (and it’s socially acceptable), stick your tongue out and take a look.  Why?  First, because now we know you’re curious and want to see just how long your tongue is.  

Second, check to make sure it looks healthy.  In general, healthy tongues are pink, firm, and don’t have any colored coatings, unusual bumps, or discolored/sore or dry spots. Some diseases, including diabetes, hypertension, cancer, and infections have signs and symptoms that show up in the mouth.  If you see anything that looks or feels strange, take the time to see your dentist for a checkup.

#2.Digestion

  

Your dental health directly affects the quality of your digestion, and thus your overall health.  Missing teeth, having prosthodontics such as dentures or partials, crowding, or other issues with bite and alignment can directly affect your ability to chew and digest your food.  Not being able to chew well can also affect your food choices, with many men avoiding foods high in fibre and other nutrients. This can lead to digestive issues.

Make sure your teeth are doing their proper job for you when it comes to the digestive process.  If you or someone you know is having issues with chewing or teeth alignment, go ahead and see your dentist for a checkup.

#3.Lookin’ for Love in all the wrong places

What do single folks look for in a male dating partner?  Is it rock-hard abs, a full, manly beard, or big feet?  The answer: None of the above.  Actually, men and women are both looking for the same thing – nice teeth and a great smile. Healthy teeth are more important on dating apps like Match.com andTinder, because a man who takes care of his smile is likely to take care of his whole body.  If you’ve got a gorgeous grill, make sure to show your smile in your profile pic, and expect more singles to swipe right when they see you!

#4.On Beards & Toothbrushes

What do beards and toothbrushes potentially have in common?  Unfortunately, it’s probably bacteria. Luckily, science has prevailed, showing that for the most part the bacteria found in beards is NOT the same found on the average toilet.   It looks like it’s OK again for folks to snuggle up to their favorite bearded dude.  

However, the same can’t be said for your toothbrush. The  average toothbrush has more bacteria then you´d care to know about.  So don´t forget to change your brush every 3 months and never ever use an old toothbrush to groom your mustache or beard!  

#5.In like a Lion, Out like a… Donut?

Men seem to worry less about fad diets, but are more likely to skip meals during the day. Perhaps that’s why there’s a trend showing that men tend to start the day with healthy food choices, but often end up snacking and giving in to the junk food cravings at night. It probably doesn’t help that the people around us can influence what we eat.  

Pair this with the recent survey showing that half of guys may be brushing their teeth only once a day, and you’ve got a recipe for a dental disaster.  Allowing sugars and acids to sit on your teeth overnight by skipping the nightly hygiene routine is a surefire way to accelerate the decay process, and allow plaque biofilm to build and act like tiny jackhammers on tooth enamel.  

The best way to keep your smile healthy is to keep up with the home oral hygiene routine which includes brushing for two minutes, twice per day, flossing at least once per day, and seeing your dentist for a regular checkup and cleaning every 6 months.   It’s also a very good idea to make sure your teeth and bite are properly aligned to make sure your smile is as handsome as you are, and to keep your whole body healthy.

Helping our Patients Smile - Nervous Patients

Dental treatment isn’t easy for some people, but the end results are worth it.

It doesn’t matter which dental practice you visit; dentists throughout the world, will invariably have to treat patients who are very uncomfortable with having treatment carried out. In fact, along with a fear of flying, dental phobia is probably the most common phobia. As with all phobias though, the imagination is invariably worse than the reality.

At Muaks Family Dental, we see our fair share of nervous dental patients. This ranges from those who are worried about any potential treatment but are able to face their fears to help ensure good oral health, through to those unfortunate patients for whom a visit to the dentist is little short of sheer panic.

Avoidance

We would like to assure any nervous dental patients that, however nervous you are, we are still keen to see you at our dental practice. Our team will, especially if advised in advance of your fears, take care that you are well looked after and treated in a calm and considerate manner. Whilst some phobias, such as a fear of flying, can be avoided in many cases by taking holidays in our home country; this option does not apply to dental phobia, and avoiding visits to the dentist is clearly very unwise.

All of us, at some point in time, will need to have dental treatment and those who avoid visiting a dental practice for long periods of time are likely to need quite invasive procedures later on.

Maintenance

The key part of ensuring good oral health lies in prevention. Ironically, many people who suffer from dental phobia do take very good care of their teeth, religiously brushing and flossing every day in the hope of avoiding any dental problems that will force them to have to pay the dentist a visit. Even with this level of care though, problems will inevitably arise. This may be in the form of accidental damage to the teeth through an accident perhaps, but even if this is avoided, there is almost inevitably some dental decay that occurs and quite possibly some gum disease, which if ignored can become very serious.

On top of these two common problems, enamel erosion can be a problem for these patients who sometimes are over enthusiastic when brushing their teeth and actually wear away the enamel.

Sedation

We are also pleased to offer Conscious Sedation. Sedation is a specialised technique where a sedative is administered through an intravenous cannula. You still maintain all your vital and responsive reflexes, e.g. coughing, breathing and swallowing.  Most people find Sedation a pleasant and acceptable way of receiving dental treatment from fillings to Implants. During the procedure you will feel peaceful and unaware of what is going on.

Friendly dental team

Although dental phobia can be deep seated, seeing a friendly and sympathetic dentist can really help a patient to start to overcome their fears. Trust is a big issue for many people, and, through seeing a dentist regularly, we are able to build up a level of trust between dentist and patients which will help them to have both healthy and good looking teeth. If you are a nervous dental patient why not call us at Muaks Family Dental on 968 137 852 and arrange a visit where we can discuss your concerns and help you keep on the right track with healthy teeth and gums.

March News

Please click to view our March Newsletter.....

We hope you find it of interest.  Please let us know if there are any subjects you would like us to cover!