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Read more about the article What Can I Do When Dental Tissue Is Injured?

What Can I Do When Dental Tissue Is Injured?

A dental emergency can occur while you eat, play, work out, or take part in any number of normal daily tasks. “Soft tissue laceration” is dental trauma that includes harm to your lips, gums, tongue, or cheeks. The soft tissues in the mouth are delicate, sensitive and easily hurt. They also contain a lot of nerves. When they are hurt, it can be very painful.

In addition to cuts, injuries can occur to the roof of the mouth, the back of the throat, or to a tonsil. These types of wound can happen when someone falls with a pointed object – such as a Popsicle stick or pencil – in their mouth. Kids are most at risk for this type of wound.

Due to all the blood vessels in the head and neck area, even a small puncture in the mouth may lead to alot of blood loss.

Treating Soft Tissue Lacerations

Small mouth injuries may be treated at home. Clean them right away with warm water. As with all soft tissue wounds, the key points to keep in mind are to decrease the flow of blood, reduce pain, promote healing, and prevent infection.

A soft tissue laceration, including injury to the mouth or lips that results in a loose flap of tissue or an open wound, may require stitches. Some patients choose to have a small wound on the lips stitched for cosmetic reasons. A tear in the frenulum (the skin under the tongue between the lips and gums) most often heals on its own and does not need stitches.If a foreign object, such as a bit of tooth or a wire from braces, is stuck in a wound, a doctor may need to remove it.

Preventing Soft Tissue Lacerations

The best way to avoid dental and soft tissue injuries is to wear a mouth guard for all rough play. A mouth guard should be worn at all times for team sports or sports where there is frequent contact with others or with hard objects.

Mouth guards protect the soft tissue in your mouth from your teeth. This is very important if you wear braces on your teeth. A mouth guard may even help to prevent or reduce or severity of concussions. You need to seek emergency dental care if the injury is serious or if the bleeding doesn’t stop after 10 to 15 minutes. The dentist will wash the area, remove any dirt or debris, and see if your teeth are loose or damaged. Stitches might be needed to close the wound.

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Read more about the article Health Risks With Oral Piercing

Health Risks With Oral Piercing

Oral piercings, usually in the tongue or around the lips have quickly become a popular trend in today’s society. With this popular trend, it is important to realize that sometimes even precautions taken during the installation of the piercing jewelry are not enough to prevent harmful, long-term consequences such as cracked or chipped teeth, swelling, problems with swallowing and taste, and scars. There is also a possibility of choking on a piece of dislodged jewelry, which makes it important to ask if the risks are warranted.

One of the most serious long-term health problems that may occur from oral piercings come in the form of damage to the soft tissues such as the cheeks, gums and palate, as well as some kind of infections. When performed in an unsterile environment, any kind of body piercing may also put you at risk of contracting deadly infectious diseases such as HIV and hepatitis. A tongue piercing is a common form of body piercing. However, tongue piercings have been known to cause blocked airways (from a swollen tongue). In some cases, a tongue piercing can cause uncontrolled bleeding.

People with oral piercings — especially long-stem tongue jewelry – have a greater risk of gum disease than those without oral piercings. The jewelry can come into contact with gum tissue causing injury as well as a recession of the gum tissue, which can lead to loose teeth and tooth loss.

Caring for your Oral Piercing

  • Avoid alcohol, spicy foods, and hard and sticky foods.

  • Don’t smoke or use tobacco-based products.

  • Eat soft foods. Consult with your dentist about taking vitamins to promote faster healing.

  • Make an appointment with your dentist if you suspect a problem or have a concern. It is critical for dentists to check your teeth, gums, tongue, and soft tissues for early signs of any problems.

If you notice any warning signs such as scarring, increased redness or pain at piercing site, bleeding or tearing after initial healing, yellow or green discharge from piercing site etc, contact a health care professional.

Ref: www.webmd.com
www.atooth.com

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Read more about the article How Can I Prevent Cavities / Tooth Decay?

How Can I Prevent Cavities / Tooth Decay?

Cavities, also known as tooth decay, occur when plaque, the sticky substance that forms on teeth, combines with the sugars and / or starches of the foods that we eat. This combination produces acids that attack tooth enamel.

Follow these dental hygiene practices to prevent cavities:

  1. Brush your teeth – In the fight against cavities, it is essential that you brush your teeth properly at least twice a day with a toothpaste containing fluoride.

  2. Floss daily – Food debris gets caught in between our teeth when we eat. If the debris is not removed, it can lead to cavities. Flossing every day is the best way to remove food debris from in between the teeth.

  3. Eat healthy – Proper nutrition plays an important role in good dental health. Eating nutritional snacks and limiting the amount of sugar intake will help to prevent plaque from forming on the teeth.

  4. Visit your dentist – Many cavities can only be detected by a dentist or a dental X-ray. Visiting your dentist for regular checkups and cleanings are a key factor in preventing cavities and staying on top of good oral hygiene.

  5. Have sealants placed – Dental sealants are a protective coating that is applied to the biting surfaces of the back teeth. The sealant protects the tooth from getting a cavity by shielding against bacteria and plaque. Sealants are more common in children because of the new growth of permanent teeth; however, sealants can benefit adults too.

  6. Use a mouthwash – There are several antimicrobial mouthwashes on the market that have been clinically proven to reduce plaque. Rinsing with one of these mouthwashes after brushing or eating can aid in cavity prevention.

  7. Chew sugarless gum – Believe it or not, chewing certain sugarless gums can actually help to prevent cavities by increasing the flow of saliva in your mouth.

It is especially important to keep an eye on how often your child eats as well as what he/she eats. You should limit between-meal snacks to reduce the number of acid attacks on teeth and to give teeth a chance to repair themselves. Limit their intake of candies, cookies, soda and other sugary drinks. Make sure your child doesn’t eat or drink anything with sugar after bedtime tooth brushing. Don’t forget to supervise young children when they brush. Since most cavities in children and adolescents develop in the molars, it’s best to get these teeth sealed as soon as they come in.

Ref: www.dentistry.com
www.nidcr.nih.gov

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Read more about the article Caring for Teeth with Braces and Retainers

Caring for Teeth with Braces and Retainers

Braces, wires, springs, rubber bands, and other appliances can attract food and plaque, which can stain teeth if not brushed away. Food can also react with the bacteria in your mouth and the metal in the braces to produce a bleaching effect, which can cause small, permanent light spots on the teeth. It is recommended brushing after every meal or snack with fluoride toothpaste and carefully removing any food that may have gotten stuck in your braces. You may also be prescribed or recommended a fluoride mouthwash, which can get into places in the mouth that a toothbrush can’t reach.

Brush your teeth with specially designed brush for cleaning between braces.

Foods to Avoid While Wearing Braces

There are certain foods that can break or loosen your braces and should be avoided, such as:

  1. Hard or tough-to-bite foods, such as apples or bagels

  2. Chewy foods, such as taffy or caramels

  3. Corn on the cob

  4. Hard pretzels, popcorn, nuts and carrots

In addition to foods, do not chew ice or bubble gum.

Caring for Retainers

Every time you brush your teeth, brush your retainer as well. Once a day or at least once a week, disinfect your retainer by soaking it in a denture cleanser.

While playing sports, use mouth guard, designed to fit comfortably over your braces.

Broken Braces

Broken braces, loose bands or protruding wires can cause problems but rarely require emergency treatment. However, call your dentist or orthodontist to set up an office visit to fix the problem. If you suffer a more severe mouth or facial injury, seek immediate help.

Other Problems

Because braces brush up against the inside surface of your mouth, you may be prone to developing sores. If a sore develops, your orthodontist or dentist may prescribe an ointment or a prescription or nonprescription pain-reliever solution to reduce the pain and irritation and help heal the sore.

Ref: www.webmd.com

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Read more about the article What Happens if I Lose a Tooth Filling?

What Happens if I Lose a Tooth Filling?

Fillings are materials used to fill cavities in the teeth. Sometimes fillings fall out. In some cases, a filling may come loose because there is decay underneath it. The decay destroys part of the tooth, so it no longer has a tight hold on the filling.

A lost filling may not be an immediate emergency. However, it can be painful because the exposed tooth tissue is often sensitive to temperature, pressure or air.

If you realize your filling has come out when it has happened and you haven’t already swallowed it, you should remove it from your mouth to prevent yourself from swallowing it.

You should call your dentist as soon as you lose your filling to schedule an appointment as soon as possible to replace the filling or perform whatever treatment is necessary.

If you are not able to get to your dentist that day to have it refilled, you will need to keep that area of your tooth really clean. The cavity that was filled is now exposed again and could worsen or feel really sensitive. Brush your teeth carefully making sure to remove any food debris from the cavity so that harmful bacteria do not accumulate.

Your tooth may be sensitive after you lose your filing. This may be caused by exposed dentin tubules, which are tiny pathways of communication between the dentin and the pulp of your tooth. The dentin tubules provide a direct pathway from the inside of your mouth to your tooth. If you do feel pain, you can take an over-the-counter pain reliever.

Make sure you get an appointment to see your Dentist

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Read more about the article Is Whitening Safe for my Teeth?

Is Whitening Safe for my Teeth?

What is teeth whitening?

Teeth whitening is a process that makes teeth appear whiter. Teeth whitening is a part of dentistry and should be recommended by your dental professional after assessing if you are eligible. You can also buy DIY home teeth whitening kits but these may carry risks.

Risks of home kits:

Some home kits don’t contain enough of the whitening product to be effective. More generally, if a dental professional is not doing the whitening, the mouth guard provided may not fit properly so some of the bleaching gel may leak out onto your gums and into your mouth, causing blistering and sensitivity. Remember to follow the directions carefully. Don’t leave the strips or gels on longer than advised – that may cause sore gums and set you up for other problems.

Even if you decide to whiten your teeth at home, you should see your dentist first. Your dentist will look for cavities and check the health of your gums during the exam. Treating any problems before you whiten is safer for your mouth.

No matter whether you decide to whiten your teeth at home or at dental office, to be on the safe side, pregnant women or nursing mothers should postpone teeth whitening.

Protect sensitive teeth:

Your teeth may become mildly sensitive after you whiten, but it’s usually short term. It might be less of an issue if your teeth and gums are in good shape. If it bothers you, stop the treatment and talk to your dentist.

Gel-filled trays, which you wear over your teeth like a mouth guard, can also bother your gums if they don’t fit well. It’s a good idea to stop using the product if you start having this problem. If you want more information about teeth whitening treatment, contact Expressions Dental Calgary NW dentists.

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Read more about the article What Can I Do For Toothache Relief?

What Can I Do For Toothache Relief?

A toothache is a common reason for visiting the dentist. Pain from toothaches can affect the teeth and jaws.

If you’re having continual mouth pain or discomfort, here are some steps to take to resolve the problem, or at least provide some temporary toothache relief until getting to the dentist:

  • Brush and floss your teeth to remove food fragments on and in-between your teeth. Rinse with warm water.

  • You may take painkillers for the pain, but DO NOT put an aspirin or any other painkiller directly against the gums near the aching tooth. This can burn and cause damage to the gum tissue. If the pain persists, call to see a dentist as soon as possible.

  • Avoid very cold or hot foods as they may make the pain worse.

  • Relief may be obtained by biting on some cotton wool soaked in oil of cloves. Oil of cloves is available at most pharmacies.

  • It is important to know that persistent toothache pain may temporarily subside, but will usually return until the underlying problem has been addressed. Failure to treat these problems in a timely manner may lead to further deterioration and more costly treatment.

Treatment for a toothache depends on the cause. If a cavity is causing the toothache, your dentist will fill the cavity or possibly extract the tooth, if necessary. A root canal might need to be done if the cause of a toothache is found to be an infection of the tooth’s nerve. Bacteria that have worked their way into the inner aspects of the tooth cause such an infection. An antibiotic may be prescribed.

See your dentist as soon as possible if a toothache lasts longer than 1 or 2 days or if it is severe. Proper identification and treatment of dental infections are important to prevent its spread to other parts of the face and skull and possibly even to the bloodstream.

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Read more about the article Dental Problems You can Fix Yourself

Dental Problems You can Fix Yourself

Dentists don’t usually recommend DIY dentistry for a variety of reasons, but there are a few dental issues that you can fix yourself without a visit to the dentist!

  1. Sensitive teeth –Some toothpastes are abrasive, especially whitening, tartar-control or baking soda toothpastes, which can make teeth sensitive. Stop using these toothpastes. Don’t brush too hard, which can lead to other dental problems, such as recessed gums. If pain persists, visit your dentist for a prescription fluoride treatment to toughen up your teeth.

  2. Lost tooth due to trauma – Gently rinse it off without rubbing and scrubbing and push it back in right away, then bite down gently on a soft cloth or moistened tea bag to hold it in place. Knocking out a tooth tears the periodontal ligaments, but some might still cling to the tooth. If reconnected early enough, they can reattach to the gums. See your dentist ASAP!

  3. Jaw soreness – If you have an aching pain in your jaw, it could happen due to teeth grinding, which can lead to pain in the jaw, headaches and more. Try exercising your jaw by moving it around gently. If you find yourself in a tense state with jaw locked, loosen up and take a few deep breaths to release that tension. At night, wear a mouth guard to prevent teeth grinding. If you are still having pain, talk to your dentist about other possible solutions.

  4. Gum pain – You can ease the pain by swishing peppermint tea or salt water around your mouth.

If you have questions about common dental issues, contact your dentist.

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Read more about the article The only way to fill a cavity is by using ‘silver fillings.’

The only way to fill a cavity is by using ‘silver fillings.’

What is a filling?

A filling is a way to restore a tooth damaged by decay or chipping back to its normal function and shape. When a dentist gives you a filling, he or she first removes the decayed tooth material, cleans the affected area, and then fills the cleaned out cavity with a filling material. By closing off spaces where bacteria can enter, a filling also helps prevent further decay.

Although silver fillings are common, they are not the only type to fill a dental cavity. There are other options out there for you to consider.

Here is the list of different types of fillings:

  1. Silver amalgam – It is the most widely known dental filling material. This Amalgam is made up of a mixture of silver, tin, zinc, copper, and mercury. The popularity of amalgam among dentists is due in part to its low cost as well as its strength and durability.
  2. Composite fillings – They are very popular because of the tooth-colored appearance that can be matched to the shade of your existing teeth. Composite fillings are made of a resin/plastic material or so that is placed and cured with a UV light.
  3. Ceramic fillings – They are made of porcelain and are both durable as well as aesthetically pleasing. The material is more expensive than the other filling materials, but ceramics are tooth-colored and more resistant to staining and abrasion than composite resin. The disadvantage of using ceramic is that it is more brittle than its composite counter-part and it needs to be large enough to prevent it from breaking.
  4. Glass ionomers – They are made of glass and acrylic and typically last less than 5 years. They are a good choice for children whose teeth are still changing. Glass ionomers release fluoride, which can help protect the tooth from further decay. The disadvantages of glass ionomer fillings are they are significantly weaker than composite resin and much more likely to wear or fracture. Traditional glass ionomer does not match your tooth color as precisely as composite resin.
  5. Gold fillings – They are not as commonly used and are an expensive alternative but the gold material is sturdy and non-corrosive. Although having the gold filling placed is not convenient (it takes more than 1 office visit to fit them properly), it can be very durable.

Visit the dental clinic in Calgary to find out which type of filling is best for you. Depending on the location and extent of the decay, cost of filling material and your insurance coverage, your dentist will assist you in determining the type of filling.

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Read more about the article Do you think that losing your teeth is a natural part of the aging process?

Do you think that losing your teeth is a natural part of the aging process?

Tooth loss is not a normal and unavoidable part of aging. Your teeth are intended to last a lifetime and with good oral care and professional dental services they can.

The fallacy that losing your teeth is a natural part of aging originated from an era when routine dental procedures to prevent tooth loss were not generally practiced or as available as they are today. The truth is that bad oral hygiene habits, wrong diet and neglecting to see your dentist for regular dental services has way more to do with tooth loss than growing older does.

Tooth root decay develops more quickly as we grow older, but fortunately frequent fluoride treatments minimize this risk along with tooth cavities. The natural cleansing process of salivary production may slow down later in life causing more plaque build-up – making routine cleanings and dental procedures even more important. Professional dental cleanings also help to prevent periodontal disease or bone loss which is the number one reason why folks lose their teeth.

Dentists are available to give dental tips and to provide dental services that guard against tooth loss.

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