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The human mouth is a complex place. It is comprised of many different components that perfectly work together to perform its function. Gallons of saliva, countless bacteria, the tongue, teeth,and other things are what comprise the oral anatomy. If you take care of these components, they will definitely take care of you by giving you a bright smile and an awesome breath. This article will take a tour of your mouth,including some of its components. The Teeth The teeth comprise one of the most importantaspects of the oral anatomy. A fully grown adult should have a perfect set of 32 teeth divided into three different categories- the incisors, canines,and molars. Each category of teeth has it’s own specific role and works perfectly with each other. However, if one tooth is affected, the entire system will be affected. Some of the factors that might affect a tooth include tooth decay, abscess,or tooth trauma. Therefore, it’s crucial to take care of your teeth through regular dental hygiene measures and a visit to the dentist. The tongue The chances are that you’re not aware that yourtonguecomprises one of the strongest muscles in the body. If you didn’t know, now you know. It is impossible to carry out speech without a properly functioning tongue. Also, some activities that we might take for granted,such as eating and swallowing, cannot occur without the tongue. The tongue also has one of the most importantroles in the oral system as it wipes off bacteria. Therefore, it is essential to properly clean the tongue while brushing your teeth as it contains millions of bacteria. Saliva The role of saliva cannot be underestimated when it comes to oral anatomy. Saliva is responsible for breaking down food, washing away harmful bacteria, keeps the mouth moist to enable you to talk as well as makes swallowing easy. It is estimated that a normal human being produces an average of 1.5 litters of saliva on a daily basis. Lack of enough saliva in the mouth can be associated with a number of oral complications. It can bring about bad breath, a condition known as halitosis. Lack of enough saliva in the mouth can also create a conducive breeding ground of harmful oral bacteria leading to tooth decay. Therefore, if you have been experiencing a shortage of saliva, you must visit your dentist for appropriate medication. The Palate The palate is the soft cartilage structure located at the roof of the mouth. It comprises a vital part of the oral anatomy since it helps you chew and swallow food along with other important functions. While taking care of your mouth, the palate should also be part of your oral hygiene. Bottom Line There you have it; a small tour of the oral anatomy. To make sure that it functions at its best, you need to take care of it. Brush at least twice a day as well as floss at least once and visit your dentist on a regular basis. Schedule your next dental appointment with us at Springvale Dental Clinic. Our trained and qualified team will help you brighten your smile and allow your mouth to function at its best.

Your mouth changes as you age. Since they are at the front of the digestive system, they are prone to receive a lot of wear and tear. One common misconception with a majority of people is that losing teeth as one grows old is inevitable. However, this is not true. If you take good care of your teeth, you may end up keeping all of them for a lifetime. Actually, the level of wear and tear that occurs to your teeth as you age depends on the dental care you provide to them. This article takes a look at how dental care changes as you age. Dry Mouth As we get older, we all become more prone to dry mouth. This can occur due to age, medications,or certain health conditions. Dry mouth causes an unpleasant sensation and takes a toll on your overall oral health. Saliva plays a vital role in proper maintenance of oral health. It helps your gums to stay healthy as well as protect your teeth from bacteria. However, when the salivary glands in your mouth fail to produce enough saliva, you may face problems such as gum disease, mouth sores, yeast infections,and chewing problems. Therefore, if you are suffering from dry mouth, visit us at Springvale Dental Clinic and discuss a treatment plan with one of our dentists. Gum Disease Gum disease becomes a huge problem for people as they age. This is regardless of if they have their natural teeth or are using restorative devices such as dentures. Gum disease primarily occurs when your gum pulls away from the tooth,exposing the root and base of the tooth. This condition makes it simple for bacteria to attack the tooth leading to tooth decay and other dentalcomplications. A lifetime of brushing your teeth too hard can make the gums to recede. However, other factors such as smoking, not brushing,and flossing on a daily basis, dry mouth,and weak immune system can cause gum disease. Therefore, older adults need to visit their dentist quite often to prevent the occurrence of gum disease. However, if one has already developed the disease, the dentist can recommend deep cleaning as a remedy. Dental Cavities Dental cavities are caused by the harmful bacteria present in the mouth. These bacteria change the sugars and starches in the mouth to acid that attacks the tooth enamel causing cavities. Cavities are more common in older adults. Factors such as dry mouth cause cavities to be more apparent to them. Daily dental care through brushing twice a day,and flossing can help keep them away. Also, regular dental visits are recommended for older adults so as to detect any early signs of cavities. Bottom Line There you have it; these are some of the dental complications in older adults and the changes in dental care. It becomes increasingly important for you to visit the dentist regularly as you age. This is due to the normal wear and tear that can take a toll to your teeth. At Springvale Dental Clinic, we provide quality dental services and accept a wide range of payment plans. Medicare is one of the payment options we accept in our practice. Therefore, feel free to visit us for dental services if Medicare covers you.

Dental amalgam is a filling material primarily used to fill dental cavities caused by tooth decay. It has been in use for more than a century to help millions of people suffering from tooth decay to restore their beautiful smile. Dental amalgam is a mixture of different metals. It consists of mercury and other metals including tin, silver and copper. However, approximately half of dental amalgam comprises mercury. Its chemical properties allow other metals to bind together,forming an amalgam. Dental amalgam is sometimes referred to as silver amalgam due to its silver-like appearance. However, despite its name, it contains elemental mercury. During the placement of the silver amalgam, first, the dentist drill the tooth to remove any decayed material as well as shape the tooth in a way that it will accommodate the amalgam. The dentist then applies the appropriate safety conditions to mix the liquid mercury with other metals to form an amalgam. The softened amalgam is then placed on the affected tooth where it hardens and forms a solid filling. Benefits of Dental Amalgam Fillings Dental Amalgam is strong and durable. It will take you many years before you can repair or replace it provided that you will offer it proper care. Also, dental amalgam is the least expensive compared to all other types of fillings. Potential Risks Dental amalgam filling contains elemental mercury. Over time, it can release a low level of mercury that a patient can inhale. The inhalation can make the lungs absorb the mercury. High level of mercury exposure can result in a myriad of health complications,including brain and kidney failure. Safety Measure Algin Supplementation It is recommended that you take algin with the first 24 hours after a dental amalgam procedure. It helps in absorbing any mercury that might have been ingested during the process. Algin is a non-digestible fiber that allows mercury to bind on it before it can get absorbed into the blood. Chlorella Supplementation The dentist can recommend that the patient should take chlorella 24 hours before the procedure. The supplementation helps to chlorate mercury and transport it to the digestive system. Rubber Dam Rubber dam can be used during the dental amalgam procedure to reduce the amount of mercury that might be ingested. Therefore, you need to choose a dentist that uses rubber dam during dental amalgam procedure. Cover All Skin The dentist will cover all your skin,including the face with a material that is impermeable to mercury. This helps in reducing the level of exposure of mercury dust as well as the vapour. Thoroughly Flash your Mouth With Water After the Procedure After the procedure has been done, it is important for the patient to thoroughly flash the mouth with water to remove any mercury elements. Bottom Line Springvale Dental Clinic offers high-quality dental amalgam placement and removal services. Since mercury is a toxic substance, we apply strict safety measures and procedures to protect your health, our dental team, as well as the environment. Our dental team are well qualified and will be sure to offer you satisfactory services.