If your child is scheduled for a dental procedure, it's important to talk to the dentist about the pros and cons of using sedation. Local anesthesia numbs the immediate treatment area, while sedation helps manage anxiety for the duration of the procedure. Using sedation is appropriate if a child has a high level of anxiety or cannot comply with the dentist's instructions for some reason. Here are several things you should consider when determining if your child should undergo sedation before having dental work.

You are dreading your child's upcoming dental check-up. Why? Because the last one involved screaming, crying, and an embarrassing haul-out from under the waiting room chair. If you have a child with special needs (such as attention-deficit disorder, Down's syndrome, hyperactivity, or autism), many routine things become monumental challenges, including dentists' appointments. If you neglect these appointments, your child's oral health suffers, but if you continue to reinforce a pattern of traumatic dental visits, your child may never go to dental appointments as an adult.

The medications in your child's inhalers could be the culprits behind his or her dental problems. Although your child's inhalers help him or her breathe better when the symptoms of asthma show up, the inhalers can dry out the moisture in your child's mouth if he or she uses them regularly. The medications used in inhalers contain bronchodilators, which are medications used to open up blocked air passages in the lungs.

In between working out, running kids to school, and cleaning up the house, you might manage to squeeze in a call to your dental office to set up appointments for your entire family. Unfortunately, your crew might start to whine the instant you utter the word "dentist" over the dinner table. Helping your family to have a positive outlook about dental care isn't always easy, but by being smart about your approach, you might encounter fewer complaints.

Your teeth were designed to last your entire life, as long as you take care of them. To help you take the best care of your teeth, it is a good idea to know all the facts about your teeth. Here are some interesting historical facts about teeth care and how you should take care of your own teeth. Historical Tooth Care People have been taking care of their teeth for thousands of years with their own versions of toothbrushes and toothpastes.

Considering the enormous role teeth play in humanity's ability to eat, speak, and smile freely, the impact of the dental profession on civilization becomes very clear. Human history has seen some enormous breakthroughs in dental techniques and procedures. Hare are five major dental innovations that have changed countless people's lives for the better -- including yours, most likely! 1. Tooth Drilling The earliest treatment for a bad tooth was undoubtedly extraction, but evidence exists that teeth were being saved through recognizable dental procedures as early as Stone Age times.

Dental bone grafting sounds like one of the scariest procedures that an oral surgeon can perform, but it isn't as bad as it sounds. Bone grafting allows oral surgeons to provide permanent dental implants in places where the jawbone would normally be too deteriorated to support them. Here is an explanation of the causes of jawbone loss and the techniques used in modern dental bone grafting. Causes of Bone Loss

Even though dental implants and dentures do not suffer from decay like natural teeth, it is still important to clean and maintain them properly. Proper care of your dentures will prevent them from warping or cracking and becoming uncomfortable to wear and will also keep the rest of your mouth healthy. Here are four simple steps you can take to keep your dentures in the best possible condition. Avoid Abrasive Cleaners

Are you considering getting braces as an adult? It's a big decision. You want to have the attractive, professional look of straight teeth. At the same time, you may be concerned about how the look of braces will affect your career and relationships. After all, braces are usually seen on teenagers instead of grown people. The good news is that modern orthodontics have evolved to accommodate your unique adult needs. There are now several different types of braces that are invisible (or practically invisible) to the outside world.

Whether you are a relative or caregiver to someone with dementia, you are now responsible for their hygiene. This means you bathe the person and change their clothes. It also means taking care of their teeth. Regular home cleaning and dental visits are vital. The following tips are designed to make dental care for someone with dementia as smooth as possible. Tip 1: Stick to a Routine Dementia sufferers easily become confused or frustrated when their daily tasks are performed for them.