Abscessed Tooth
Treatment of an abscessed tooth An abscessed tooth is a pocket of pus, usually caused by some kind of infection and the spread of bacteria from the root of the tooth to the tissue just below or near the tooth. In general, a tooth that has become abscessed is one whose underlying pulp (the tooth’s
An abscessed tooth is a pocket of pus, usually caused by some kind of infection and the spread of bacteria from the root of the tooth to the tissue just below or near the tooth.
In general, a tooth that has become abscessed is one whose underlying pulp (the tooth’s soft core) has become infected or swollen. The pulp contains nerves, blood vessels and connective tissue, and lies within the tooth. It extends from the crown of the tooth, to the tip of the root, in the bone of the jaws.
An abscessed tooth can be an extremely painful condition.
In some cases, antibiotics are administered in an attempt to kill an infection. If antibiotics are ineffective and an abscess is shown to be damaging the pulp or lower bony structures, a root canal procedure may be needed to remove the dead pulp and restore the tooth to a healthy state.
Age and Oral Health
Oral changes with age Is tooth loss inevitable in your later years? How much should adults be concerned about cavities? Here you will find helpful answers to some frequently asked questions about oral health questions you may have as you get older. National survey reveals baby boomers miss
Oral Changes with Age
Is tooth loss inevitable in your later years? How much should adults be concerned about cavities? Here you will find helpful answers to some frequently asked questions about oral health questions you may have as you get older.
National survey reveals baby boomers miss links between oral and overall health
Baby boomers looking for the warning signs of adult-onset diseases may be overlooking key symptoms in their mouth that should signal alarms about their overall health. According to a survey commissioned by the Academy of General Dentistry, 63 percent of baby boomers (ages 45-64) with an oral symptom considered to be a key indicator of a more serious health condition, were unaware of the symptom`s link to the condition. Boomers’ failure to recognize that oral health holds valuable clues could negatively impact their overall health.
Air Abrasion
Many people associate the high-pitched whirring of a dental drill with pain. Just the sound alone can make many people wince. A relatively new technique called air abrasion uses powerful particles of aluminum oxide to remove debris and decay. The most exciting thing for patients is that air abrasion
Many people associate the high-pitched whirring of a dental drill with pain. Just the sound alone can make many people wince.
A relatively new technique called air abrasion uses powerful particles of aluminum oxide to remove debris and decay. The most exciting thing for patients is that air abrasion is painless and, in some cases, doesn’t require an anesthetic.
Air abrasion leaves behind a gritty feeling in your mouth, which is simply rinsed away almost instantaneously using a small suction device.
Tiny cracks and imperfections on a tooth can be fixed using air abrasion. Although air abrasion is not suitable for work on crowns and bridges, it is often used for bonding procedures, and on tooth restorations involving composite, or tooth-colored fillings.
Anesthesia
Dentistry has advanced to the point in which pain is almost a thing of the past. Powerful pain-killing medications known as anesthetics not only help a patient avoid discomfort during a procedure, but post-operatively as well. Some patients, especially children, may require higher doses of anesthetic
Dentistry has advanced to the point in which pain is almost a thing of the past.
Powerful pain-killing medications known as anesthetics not only help a patient avoid discomfort during a procedure, but post-operatively as well.
Some patients, especially children, may require higher doses of anesthetic than others.
Types of pain-killing medications include:
- Analgesics – These are also called pain relievers and include common non-narcotic medications such as ibuprofen and aspirin. Analgesics are usually used for mild cases of discomfort, and are typically prescribed following such procedures as a root canal or tooth extraction.
- Anesthetics – Anesthetics can either be topically applied, injected or swallowed. Dentists often apply topical anesthetics with a cotton swab to an area of the mouth where a procedure such as a restoration will be performed. This numbs the affected area. Topical anesthetics are used in many dental procedures such as tooth restoration. Topical anesthetics also are used to prepare an area for injection of an anesthetic. Novocaine and Lidocaine are the most common kind of injectable anesthetics. Such medications block the nerves from transmitting signals and are used for more major types of procedures, such as fillings and root canals.
- Sedatives – Sedatives are medications designed to help a patient relax. This can be a powerful tool in avoiding pain. Sedatives are sometimes used in combination with other types of pain relievers and pain-killers. Nitrous oxide, or laughing gas, is a form of sedative. Conscious sedation involves administering a sedative while the patient is alert and awake. Deep sedation or general anesthesia involves administering a medication that places a patient in a state of monitored and controlled unconsciousness.
Types of sedatives include:
- Intravenous (IV) sedation – Usually in the form of a tranquilizing agent; patients given IV sedation are often awake, but very relaxed.
- Inhalation sedation – a form of sedation in which nitrous oxide is administered through a special mask.
April 2022 Dental Newsletter
The Importance of Preventive Care: Maintaining Good Oral Health Preventative dental care is a significant part of overall dental health, but it’s often an afterthought. Our dedicated dentist sees many patients who don’t keep up with consistent preventative oral care and then must fix the problems
The Importance of Preventive Care: Maintaining Good Oral Health
Preventative dental care is a significant part of overall dental health, but it’s often an afterthought. Our dedicated dentist sees many patients who don’t keep up with consistent preventative oral care and then must fix the problems it creates. Preventive dental care is the first step in reducing the number of visits to the dentist.
What is Preventative Care in the Dental World?
The importance of dental care can’t be overstated because oral health is closely linked to overall wellness and disease prevention. Each human mouth can have billions of bacteria at one time. Some are good bacteria, and others are harmful bacteria. When cracks in the teeth, cavities, or pockets between the gum and teeth exist, it allows harmful bacteria to get further into the body, into areas the bacteria are not meant to be. Left untreated, this causes oral diseases and leads to other conditions in various places of the body.
General dentistry provides that preventative dental care, which involves the screening and examination of the mouth and the care you perform at home. During routine screening, your dentist or dental hygienist will check to see if you have any cavities, gum disease, or other problems that could put you at risk for further dental issues. Visits can include X-rays, so our experienced dentist can look for signs of infection in the bone surrounding your teeth.
Preventative dental care is critical if you are in one of the following populations or have the following conditions:
-Pregnant or nursing women
-Smokers
-Diabetics
-People with heart and lung disease
Tools You’ll Need for Successful Dental Preventative Care
Most preventative dental care can be done in the comfort of your own home. You and each member of your family will generally need a soft-bristled toothbrush, floss, and mouthwash. Since each mouth has its own unique needs, the type of dental cleaning tools that you choose should be based on your specific oral health status.
For example, if you have significant gaps between your teeth, also consider purchasing brush picks, which are like plastic toothpicks with tiny bristles at the ends. If you find reaching into other areas of your mouth awkward or uncomfortable, consider using an electric toothbrush that does most of the work for you. If you find wide floss uncomfortable, switch to some skinnier versions instead.
How to Perform Dental Preventative Care
As always, brush twice every day for at least two minutes. Floss daily, being careful not to yank the thread around the base of your tooth. Follow with a mouthwash of your choice. Young children should be supervised so they don’t swallow toothpaste or mouthwash. Some families find it helpful to get into group routines to make sure this gets done. Finally, visit a dentist or dental hygienist at least twice a year for an oral examination and deep cleaning. A combination of these things helps prevent plaque from becoming tartar and the tartar from eating away at your teeth.
For help with your preventative dental maintenance and next cleaning visit, be sure to contact our office today!
Bad Breath (halitosis)
An estimated sixty-five percent of Americans have bad breath. Over forty-million Americans have “chronic halitosis,” which is persistent bad breath. Ninety percent of all halitosis is of oral, not systemic, origin. Americans spend more than $1 billion a year on over the counter halitosis products,
Bleaching
Bleaching and non-bleaching products are the two basic kinds of whitening products available today. Non-bleaching products normally use abrasives or chemicals and only remove surface stains on teeth. Bleaching products work with a chemical called peroxide and can brighten your teeth several shades. Another
Bleaching and non-bleaching products are the two basic kinds of whitening products available today.
Non-bleaching products normally use abrasives or chemicals and only remove surface stains on teeth.
Bleaching products work with a chemical called peroxide and can brighten your teeth several shades.
Another process employs the use of a special gel that is placed inside a flexible device you wear around your teeth for a certain period of time. After you remove the device, you must use a second bleaching agent, followed by a special light to activate the chemical action.
Mildly stained teeth usually only require one session of bleaching.
Bonding
Bonding is a process in which an enamel-like material is applied to a tooth`s surface, sculpted to an ideal shape, hardened, and then polished for an ideal smile. This procedure usually can be accomplished in a single visit. Bonding is often performed in order to fill in gaps or change the color of
Bonding is a process in which an enamel-like material is applied to a tooth`s surface, sculpted to an ideal shape, hardened, and then polished for an ideal smile. This procedure usually can be accomplished in a single visit.
Bonding is often performed in order to fill in gaps or change the color of your teeth. It typically only entails one office visit, and the results last for several years.
Bonding is more susceptible to staining or chipping than other forms of restoration such as veneers. When teeth are chipped or slightly decayed, bonded composite resins may be the material of choice. Bonding also is used as a tooth-colored filling for small cavities and broken or chipped surfaces.
In addition, bonding can be used to close spaces between teeth or cover the entire outside surface of a tooth to change its color and shape. Crowns, also known as caps, are used in cases where other procedures will not be effective. Crowns have the longest life expectancy of all cosmetic restorations, but are the most time consuming.