Although no one wants to go through it themselves, tooth extractions are sometimes necessary. There are some important things that you should know about tooth extractions before you head to the dentist. Being prepared for the experience will make it much more easily endured.

Types of Extractions

There are two main types of extractions. A simple extraction is where the dentist will remove the tooth using local anesthetic. You shouldn’t feel any pain during the procedure, but you will feel quite a bit of pressure as the tooth is worked back and forth and loosened in the socket. The other type of extraction is a surgical extraction. This may also be done with local anesthetic, or it may be done with general anesthesia. A surgical extraction is usually handled by an oral surgeon, and it requires cutting out the tooth. [Read more…]

Many dental implant patients are turned away by other providers because they have bone loss. Without the appropriate bone density to anchor from, implants become impossible. There are a few common reasons for bone loss in the jaw that can make implants difficult. Yet even if you have some bone loss, it is still quite possible to get implants.

Causes of Bone Loss

There are two primary causes of bone loss. The first is periodontal disease. Periodontal disease begins in the gums, but can eventually eat away at the bone under the tooth as well. The other common cause of bone loss is a missing tooth. Once a tooth has been extracted, if no replacement is made, the bone under the extracted tooth will wear down and diminish. [Read more…]

In some cases, you may be prescribed antibiotics before dental work. This practice is not as common as it once was, but it is still an important treatment factor for many patients. Antibiotics treat bacterial infections, and bacterial infections in the mouth can cause several issues for patients as the infection can travel. Infections in the mouth can also make dental work more painful.

Heart Conditions

It used to be recommended that anyone with a heart condition take antibiotics before dental treatment. However, this practice has seen a decline as it has been found that antibiotics before dental work does not significantly limit risk of infection traveling to the heart. Some people with certain heart conditions, such as valve replacements, may still need antibiotics before dental treatment.

Lowered Immune System

People who have a lowered immune system are often prescribed antibiotics before dental treatment. If your immune system is weakened, infection can travel more easily from the mouth to other areas of the body, particularly when that bacteria is released by dental work. People with compromised immune systems include people with diabetes, cancer patients, and those who take steroids. [Read more…]

Dental anxiety is highly common among dental patients. If you have dental anxiety, there is no shame in it. It is important that you do not let dental anxiety stop you from getting the oral health treatment you need. Here are the top three ways to alleviate dental anxiety.

Talk to Your Dentist

It is important that you talk to your dentist about your anxiety before you undergo any procedures. Being up front and honest with your dentist will help them to better accommodate you. Your dentist will have additional methods of coping with your dental anxiety, and if it is too troublesome for you they may have pharmaceutical means of keeping you calm through the procedure.

Music

Often, music is a great way to relieve dental anxiety. You can create a playlist of your favorite songs and listen to it through ear buds while the dentist is doing their work. Earbuds, particularly air buds, do not interfere with the work your dentist needs to do on your mouth. Turn up the music as loud as you need to drown out the sound of the tools, and focus your attention on the lyrics and the way the music makes you feel. [Read more…]

Teeth grinding is a big problem for some people. You may only grind your teeth in your sleep, or you may grind your teeth throughout the day. Teeth grinding is usually a sign of not being relaxed before you go to bed. It can also be a sign of high anxiety during the day. Sometimes, it is simply a bad habit that needs to be broken. Here are some tips for the best solutions for teeth grinding.

Learn to Relax

Relaxing before bed can help stop nighttime teeth grinding. Take a warm bath just before retiring for the night. Give yourself a massage as you get in bed. You can also use relaxation techniques such as meditation as you go to sleep to help you let go of the stresses of the day. Using relaxation techniques throughout the day will also help both daytime and nighttime teeth grinding.

Seek Help

If you are highly anxious and this is one of the main causes of your teeth grinding, you should seek professional help. Anxiety can be a serious and debilitating condition, and it is likely affecting your life in ways other than your dental health. Seek out a therapist or psychiatrist if you have frequent high anxiety. [Read more…]

Most health insurance policies provide medical care separately from dental care, a pattern than makes no sense! Oral health and overall health are closely interconnected, and when one suffers, the other also suffers as a result.

Dental Health and the Heart

Inflammation links poor oral health and heart problems. The gums inside of the mouth are vascular, which means they are full of blood vessels, while the mouth itself is filled with bacteria. When unhealthy gums become inflamed, the bacteria in the mouth can seep into the bloodstream and travel anywhere within the body, creating more inflammation as they go. This is incredible dangerous, especially to the heart.

Inflammation causes hardened arteries and makes it difficult for blood to flow to the heart. This severely increases your risk for heart attack and stroke. When the inflammation of atherosclerosis combines with the inflammation and roaming bacteria caused by poor oral hygiene and gum disease, the results can be fatal. [Read more…]

Dental pain – we all dread it, yet it’s almost inevitable at some point in life. Just like any other type of pain, dental discomfort can originate for many different reasons. Make sure you understand the following three causes of dental pain as well as their solutions so you can prevent lasting damage and stay comfortable.

Cavities

Bacteria always exists naturally in the mouth, but when too much bacteria accumulates on the surface of a tooth due to negligent oral cleaning habits, it leads to the formation of plaque. Plaque eventually breaks down the natural minerals on the surface of the tooth and causes small pits to form. These pits of decay and infection are known as cavities. When cavities remain in the mouth for long periods of time without being treated, the infection can lead to serious damage.

Your oral hygiene and dietary habits are the most important components of cavity prevention. Be sure to brush and floss at least twice a day. Rather than brushing and flossing after you eat breakfast, start your oral care routine immediately after you wake up. This will clear away any bacteria that accumulated overnight and give your teeth extra protection during your first meal of the day.

Gum Disease

Gum disease begins as gingivitis with red, swollen, and tender gums that bleed too easily. If gingivitis is left unattended it leads to the more advanced form of gum disease known as periodontitis. This disease more severe as the gums pull away from the teeth and create pockets of infection. Eventually, the fibers and bone supporting the teeth are destroyed, and the teeth often need to be fully removed.

There are many different preventative measures that you can utilize to keep your mouth safe from gum disease and keep your gums as healthy as possible. Gingivitis can be quickly resolved with proper brushing and flossing techniques, but if you’re already suffering from periodontitis, a laser treatment called LANAP can restore your mouth back to health. [Read more…]

Despite their name, wisdom teeth usually only cause trouble. As the final set of molars to grow into the mouth, wisdom teeth rarely have the room they need to fit with other teeth comfortably. If wisdom teeth aren’t removed shortly after they appear during a patient’s teen years or early twenties, they often become impacted in the gums or force other teeth into misalignment. To avoid misery with your own wisdom teeth, here’s what you need to know.

What Are Wisdom Teeth?

Wisdom teeth are a set of molars located in the back of the mouth. They usually grow last and don’t appear until your late teens or early twenties. Though some people are lucky enough not to experience any problems with their wisdom teeth, the majority of people need them removed to avoid serious problems like crowding, damage to nearby teeth, infection, and decay.

Do You Need Wisdom Teeth Removal?

If you receive regular dental checkups every six months, your dentist will use periodic X-rays to check the status of your wisdom teeth. Most dentists suggest wisdom teeth removal before a problem even forms in order to eliminate the potential of a more painful and complex procedure down the road. Proactive removal is recommended since wisdom teeth are easier to extract before their roots have fully developed.

However, it’s possible that you will also notice signs that your wisdom teeth are getting ready to cause trouble. You may start to experience pain in your jaw, irritation in the back of your mouth, crowding of your teeth, or frequent infection. [Read more…]

Modern dental innovations make it easier than ever to replace damaged or missing teeth with replacements that look and feel completely natural, but your dentist will always strive to save your natural teeth when possible.

There are three main benefits that real teeth offer, and it’s wise to protect them if you can!

Minimize Bone Loss

As soon as a tooth is removed, the jaw bone loses stimulation in that area. Every time you chew, talk, or bite, your teeth send vibrations to your jaw bone that stimulate regeneration and support ongoing bone health. Of course, missing teeth cannot perform that function.

Your dentist will work hard to save your natural teeth before removing or extracting them in order to preserve as much jaw bone strength as possible. The effects of jaw bone loss include sunken cheeks, misaligned bite, change in facial appearance, and difficulty chewing and talking. [Read more…]

You only get one set of real teeth, so it makes sense to do everything possible to preserve and protect your teeth. However, there does come a point for some people when extraction is a better option than trying to save an extremely damaged natural tooth.

If you are suffering from a decaying, broken, or otherwise troubling tooth, this guide will help you identify whether extraction might be your best choice.

Should You Save Your Tooth With a Root Canal?

A root canal can be used to save your damaged tooth and keep it in position. This procedure works by removing the infected inner pulp, cleaning the inner chamber, and sealing your tooth off from bacteria.

It’s true that a root canal will keep your natural tooth in place, but it can only be done if your tooth is salvageable. If your tooth has sustained severe and extensive damage, saving it from infection may not be enough. In this case, extraction is the best option. [Read more…]