Wednesday, June 27, 2018
Weird Dental Emergency Stories
1. Garden in the mouth - One patient had a major toothache so the dentist ordered a root canal. When they were cleaning out the roots and gums the dentist found some seeds lodged into the gum and a tiny sprout was forming. It turned out to be a tomato plant!
2. Super glue gone wrong - One patient tried super gluing their crown back on and ended up sticking the wrong teeth together and got super glue all over the roof of their mouth and throat.
3. Hanging by a thread - Sometime people who neglect their teeth get a serious buildup of tartar and plaque that creates a bridge between the teeth and gums (calculus bridge). One patient tried to remove the bridge with furious brushing. After a few minutes, almost all their teeth fell out because the calculus bridge was the only thing holding them together.
4. Maggots anyone? - A small boy had painful swollen gums so the parents took him to the dentist for the first time. During the examination the dentist found bunch of maggots inside the swollen gums.
I found these stories here!
Sunday, June 24, 2018
Does The Warm Salt Water Rinse Really Work?
The answer is YES. Believe it or not, it is still recommended by almost every dentist as well. Mainly because it kill bacteria in the mouth, but also because salt is an anti-inflammatory as well. Which means it can reduce swelling.
The use of salt also promotes healing, so it's ideal to use it 24 hours after minor dental surgery to help your mouth recover. It's an isotonic solution, which means it contains the same salts and minerals our bodies do in equal concentrations. For this reason, it doesn't irritate the mucous membranes as a medicinal mouthwash might, which is why many dentists recommend it as a gentle healing aid after a procedure.
So, although this method has been around for thousands of years, it is still used today and still just as effective as before.
So sometimes pouring salt on the wound is not a bad thing :)
Wednesday, June 20, 2018
Question From Our Member
“Can you explain the difference between fixed and removable prosthetics?”
The removable prosthetic is called a denture. There are 2 basic types of dentures;
- Complete denture, meaning that it replaces all of your upper or lower teeth.
- Partial denture, this replaces only certain teeth and in most cases anchors to your existing solid teeth.
The size of the bridge depends on how many teeth it is replacing. In most cases the bridge requires 2 abutments and 1 or more pontics (an artificial (false) tooth that replaces a missing tooth) depending on how many teeth are being replaced.
The abutments are actually crowns that go over sound natural teeth on each side of the void being bridged. To bridge a single void requires a 3 unit bridge (abutment, pontic, abutment).
As far as the cost, a removable prosthetic is almost always less expensive than a fixed prosthetic.
Original post from our June 2018 Newsletter!
Tuesday, June 19, 2018
Tips For A Bright Smile And Clean Teeth
When should I brush my teeth?
- You should brush your teeth at least two times a day, once in the morning before breakfast and once at night before you head to bed.
- Try to avoid brushing teeth right after a meal because this could damage your teeth, especially if you just had anything containing acid. *This is because the acid softens the enamel on your teeth*
This depends on what you feel comfortable using. (They both are equally good.)
What type of toothpaste should I use?
Use a toothpaste that contains fluoride. (Fluoride helps prevent and control cavities.)
How to brush your teeth?
- Your toothbrush should be at a 45 degree angle, brush in small circular movements several times on all surfaces of the tooth.
- Brush the roof of your mouth
- Brush your tongue, this will freshen your breath.
- Take a section of floss
- Slip the floss between your teeth
- Floss up and down about 10 times
- Floss at least once a day, best time is right before bed.
You can use normal floss (waxed or unwaxed) or you can use the floss picks/gliders.
After brushing and flossing you should use a mouthwash. Mouthwash helps get rid of any last bits of bacteria or leftover food that you may have missed while brushing and flossing.
Monday, June 18, 2018
Obesity and Gum Disease - Is There A Link?
The reason obesity raises the risk?
Obesity causes the body to release proteins containing flammatory properties called cytokines. These cytokines could potentially damage or injure the gum tissue, which could likely lead to gum disease. However, half of the US population over 30 suffer from gum disease. Gum disease itself also releases cytokines, which if you're obese, could lead to other dangerous inflammatory diseases throughout the body.
To get the latest information on this study, check out the original article HERE.
Wednesday, June 13, 2018
Tips...How To Treat White Spots On Teeth
There are several treatments yo can try to help eliminate the white spots:
- Enamel Microbrasion - During this procedure the dentist will remove a small amount of enamel from the teeth to reduce the appearance of the white spots.
- Teeth whitening/bleaching: This can help reduce the appearance of the spots and other stains. There are over the counter whitening kits but its best to have them professional done!
- Veneers - Veneers are a thin, protective covering that attaches to the front surface of the tooth. This hides any spots or blemishes you may dislike!
- Using the right amount of toothpaste - Using the right amount can help reduce fluoride exposure. For children under three years old use the amount of a grain of rice and for children over three years old use a pea size amount.
- Reducing sugary/acidic foods and drinks - Tooth enamel can be damaged and become at rick for tooth decay if a person eats and drinks sugary/acid stuff.
Tuesday, June 12, 2018
Reason Why Dental Centers Have Long Waits
Having that long dreaded wait in the dental office waiting room can be annoying. When you have a 1pm appointment and you sit there for 45 minutes just waiting to be called back into the room, the frustration kicks in. Which leads to a lot of questions like:
1. If my appointment was at 1 and I am not being seen until 1:45, then why not schedule me at 1:45?
2. Why does the dentist over book their schedule?
3. I am on time, why can't they be on time.
So let me try to answer these question from the perspective of the dental center,
1. When you set your appointment, the office did not plan on being behind schedule. They planned on seeing you at 1pm. Since they are behind schedule, if your appointment was a 1:45 then you still would have to wait.
2. The dental center did not over book the schedule. Everything is scheduled according to the procedure that is needed. If a procedure takes an hour and half, the next appointment is scheduled for an hour and half after that appointment. However, sometimes some unforseen things come up and it causes that procedure to take longer.
3. They want to be on time. However, there a various factors that cause them to fall behind on the schedule. Believe it or not, most of the time it is not the fault of the dentist office.
Here are some things that cause a dental center to fall behind.
1. Patients being late to an appointment. This is one of the biggest causes of the delays. Especially if you are on of the first few patients of the day. If those first few patients are late, it could throw the whole office behind schedule all day long.
2. Unforseen things with another patient. If someone is scheduled for a filling and it turns out they now need a root canal, then the dentist is no longer tied up for the 20 minutes he is scheduled for, he is now tied up for an hour or so. This causes him to fall behind.
These are just some of things and I know that there are more.
Just try to be patient, they are working as fast as they can.
Diabetes and Gum Disease: Some Important Facts
See your dentist regularly for cleanings and exams. Let him know if you have any signs of gum disease such as swelling or bleeding of the gums, and that you are diabetic. Did you know that if you are perio involved, having intensive periodontal cleanings may help to lower your A1C? Don't put off that exam! Always brush and floss at least twice per day. Using antibacterial oral products such as toothpaste and mouthwash may also be beneficial.
Remember, prevention is always the best plan.
Keep smiling!
Wednesday, June 6, 2018
What Causes The Tongue To Bleed?
- Biting the tongue
- Mouth sores
- Injuries from mouth appliances (dentures or braces)
- Eating sharp foods
- Radiation treatment for cancer
- Infections
- Ulcers or blisters
- Ruptured blood vessels in the tongue caused by piercings
- Allergic reactions
- Medication reactions
- Thermal burns
- Place ice cubes in gauze or a napkin and apply to the affected area.
- Gargle with an antiseptic mouthwash or warm salt water.
- Rinse mouth out with warm water and a teaspoon of baking soda.
- Avoid sharp or spicy foods and try to avoid chewing on the affected side.
- Take over the counter pain killers to reduce pain and swelling
Monday, June 4, 2018
What To Do If A Tooth Is Knocked Out
Here are some suggestions to help preserve a tooth while on the way to a dentist (again, directly after the accident happens!)
1. If you can find the tooth, make sure it is intact and rinse it with milk or saline. Do not use water!
2. Do not scrub or touch the root of the tooth. Just immerse it in milk to clean it.
2. Make sure it is free of debris and try to place the tooth back in the mouth.
3. If this cannot be done, put the tooth in a few tablespoons of milk and head directly to a dentist or the ER.
There are many success stories about replanted teeth. One should always try to preserve the tooth...especially in a child or young adult, as implants and bridges are not always desirable or even possible in their developing mouths.
Keep Smiling!
Sunday, June 3, 2018
Can Vaping Effect Your Teeth
Although vaporizers with zero percent of nicotine can be easily found on the market, most of them do contain a certain percent (the amount varies from 0 to 35 mg/ml). Nicotine is harmful in so many ways and when it comes to teeth it causes the following:
Nicotine is harmful in so many ways and when it comes to teeth it causes the following:
gums from oxygen and all other vital substances.