What You Should Know About Teeth Whitening

April 30, 2017

Filed under: Blog,Dental Health,General — Tags: , , — southlakedental @ 7:48 pm

Are you happy with your smile? Many patients wish their teeth could be straighter, more uniform, or whiter. Of the three common complaints, the color of your teeth is generally the simplest fix. There are several different types of teeth whitening that you might consider in your quest to achieve a lighter, brighter smile. It’s always best to talk to your dentist first, because he or she can advise you based on your own specific circumstances.

Over the Counter Teeth Whitening Products

Walk down any pharmacy’s tooth care aisle and you’re bound to see several types of whitening products. These range from whitening toothpastes to whitening gels to bleaching trays. They are fairly inexpensive and easy to use in the convenience of your own home. Win win, right?

While these are good for many people who want to achieve a bit of whitening, they won’t be able to take care of deep staining or heavy discoloration. Also, these products sometimes cause some sensitivity or gum irritation. If these occur, stop using them and contact your dentist.

Custom Bleaching Trays

Your dentist can take impressions of your teeth and have a lab fabricate custom bleaching trays for you. You’d put bleaching solution in the trays and apply them for the time and frequency recommended by your dentist. Since the dentist will choose the type of bleaching solution that is right for your level of staining and your specific situation, you should see the results that your dentist tells you to expect. These can also cause some sensitivity and gum irritation. Because the trays fit your teeth perfectly, however, the solution is less likely to get onto your gums to cause a problem.

Internal Tooth Bleaching

If you have had a root canal treatment on one of your front teeth, you might notice that it is darker than the other teeth in the area. This can sometimes be remedied by having your dentist remove a bit of the root canal filling and bleaching out the crown part of the tooth. This has to be done in-office and involves the use of an ultraviolet light or a laser. Talk to your dentist about whether this is an option for you.

No matter what type of teeth whitening you are using, be sure to avoid foods and beverages that are likely to stain your teeth during the treatment. This means that you should not be drinking large amounts of coffee, black tea or red wine, and you also should not enjoy a slice of blueberry pie right after removing your bleaching trays. Keep up with your oral hygiene regimen by brushing and flossing regularly, and be sure to see your dentist twice per year (or more frequently if you have any problems) so he or she can monitor your progress.

Creative Commons image by Luciane Lazzaris

Dry Mouth: What You Need to Know

April 15, 2017

Filed under: Blog,Dental Health — Tags: — southlakedental @ 6:38 pm

Have you ever had the experience of waking up in the morning feeling like your mouth was full of cotton? A dry mouth is a common occurrence if your nose is stuffed up when you have a cold or seasonal allergies. Sometimes, however, people have a dry mouth all day long and not because they are breathing through their mouths. If you have been afflicted by this uncomfortable condition, here are some things you should know about dry mouth.

Causes of Dry Mouth

Sometimes, getting a dry mouth can be a natural part of the aging process. Women going through menopause often complain of a dry mouth. This is a common condition caused by fluctuating hormone levels. Other times a dry mouth can be caused by medication. If you are on antihistamines, blood pressure medication, medicine for anxiety, or certain other drugs, a dry mouth can be a side effect. If this is the case, let your doctor know. In some cases, you might be able to switch brands of medication (but don’t stop taking your medications without your doctor telling you to).

Dangers of Dry Mouth

Most of all, dry mouth is a nuisance. Your mouth will likely be uncomfortable and distracting. If your gums and other tissues begin to feel sensitive or even painful, you might be less likely to follow through with brushing and flossing. This can raise your chances of developing gingivitis or cavities. The dry mouth itself can cause these issues, because there’s less protective saliva to wash away plaque and bacteria.

What You Should Do

If you have dry mouth, it’s important to see your dentist for advice and so he or she can evaluate you for dental cavities and gum problems. Some self-help measures can provide relief. For example, you can try chewing sugarless gum or sucking on sugar-free candy. These can stimulate more saliva. Sipping on water or other beverages can also provide some relief. Your dentist will likely have additional suggestions that can help.

If you are dealing with a dry mouth, don’t continue to suffer. Give us a call to schedule an appointment and we will see if we can help you find some ways to find relief.

Creative Commons image by ih.

How Your Oral Health Impacts Your Overall Health

March 15, 2017

Filed under: Blog,Dental Health — Tags: , , — southlakedental @ 3:02 pm

You probably do things that will improve your health: You exercise regularly, eat your veggies, take any prescription medications your doctor has recommended, and get enough sleep. Did you know, however, that brushing and flossing your teeth are important not only for your oral health, but for your overall health as well? If you don’t take care of your teeth and gums, you could be negatively impacting more than just your smile. Read on to find out how your dental health regimen could be affecting other parts of your health, as well as how your overall health could be impacting your teeth and gums.

Problems From Bacteria Overgrowth

If you don’t brush or floss well, or if you have cavities that aren’t taken care of, you could end up with an overabundance of bacteria in your mouth. The signs of this happening include swollen gums, bleeding gums, loose teeth, and bad breath. If you don’t get that addressed, it’s possible that the bacteria will move into your bloodstream, where it can cause a host of problems. You could end up with a septic infection if the bacteria overload is severe. If you have heart problems, rheumatoid arthritis, or an artificial joint, bacteria can settle in these areas and cause infections around the heart or in the joints.

Malnutrition

If your teeth are crumbling and your mouth is painful, it’s likely that you will not be able to eat the fresh fruits and vegetables that you need for good health. One problem with neglecting your teeth and gums is that your mouth will not work the way it needs to when it comes to chewing and swallowing food. You might make small changes in your diet that you think won’t make a difference, but over time, a lack of nutrition can build up. If you have noticed yourself changing your diet to accommodate a sore tooth or difficulty chewing, this is a sign that you should see your dentist promptly.

Problems With Your Teeth Caused by Health Problems

The relationship between your oral health and the rest of your health goes both ways. If you have diabetes, for example, you might be more prone to gum and tooth infections. People with cancer who take chemotherapy often find that their dental health suffers as a result. Pregnancy or even monthly hormone fluctuations can cause gingivitis in women. If you have any health issues or hormonal changes, talk to your dentist about ways you can preserve your oral health.

Remember that your teeth and gums are vital parts of your body and that most body systems work hand in hand. If you are concerned about your oral health, make an appointment with your dentist to have your questions answered and to develop a treatment plan, if needed.

Creative Commons image by Moyan Brenn.

Smoking and Your Oral Health

February 25, 2017

Filed under: Blog,Dental Health — Tags: , — southlakedental @ 2:09 am

If you smoke, you already know it’s bad for you. It can cause emphysema, heart problems, and various types of cancers. What you might not know is that in addition to putting your overall health in danger, it also creates mayhem inside of your mouth. There are both cosmetic and health concerns when it comes to the way smoking impacts your teeth and gums. Check out these issues that you might run into as a smoker, as well as some tips on mitigating the damage.

Gum Disease

Smoking can interfere with the way the cells of the gums live and function. This can make you more susceptible to gingivitis (early stage gum disease) and also periodontitis (later stage gum disease). If you notice bleeding when you brush or floss, or if your gums are red or swollen, it’s likely that you have gingivitis. If left to progress without treatment, your gums can become infected, and this can lead to loose teeth and eventual tooth loss.

Oral Infections

Smoking also affects the way tissues heal, so any minor abrasion in your mouth is more likely to become infected if you smoke. It can be something simple and otherwise fairly unnoticeable, like a minor bite on the inside of your cheek or a canker sore that hasn’t healed properly. You can also get infections at the gumline or at the apex of the root of a tooth. Also, if you have oral surgery, such as an extraction or gum surgery, you are at an increased risk of infection and poor healing if you smoke.

Halitosis and Yellow Teeth

You probably already know that smoking causes a range of cosmetic issues, like yellowed teeth and bad breath. Teeth may become badly stained, and infections or tooth decay can contribute to the bad breath associated with smoking.

What You Can Do

Obviously, the best course of action is for you to quit smoking. If this is not an option for whatever reason, there are some other things you can do to mitigate some of the damage caused by smoking. First regular brushing and flossing is a must. You should also clean your tongue well and use mouthwash if recommended by your dentist. Since some foods (like coffee, wine, and dark berries) cause staining, avoiding them can minimize overall yellowing of the teeth. Seeing your dentist regularly can help, too; your dentist might recommend coming in every three or four months instead of every six months. This is particularly true if you have gum disease.

Talk to your doctor about ways to quit smoking if you’re having trouble. Also, let your dentist and hygienist know that you smoke so they can offer you advice for minimizing the impact on your teeth and gums.

Creative Commons image by Yana Lyandres.

DIY Emergency Dental Care

February 18, 2017

Filed under: Blog,Dental Health — Tags: — southlakedental @ 2:05 am

It’s Murphy’s Law: You’re more likely to get a toothache or break a filling on a holiday, a weekend, or in the middle of the night, when your dentist is unavailable. No, that’s not true… but it can feel that way! When you have a dental emergency during the week, it’s generally simple to get in to see your dentist, but a painful dental problem at a time when the office is closed is a much more stressful event, so it only seems to happen more often. If you get caught in this situation, there are a few things you can do to make yourself temporarily more comfortable until you can make an appointment to see your dentist for a permanent fix.

See Your Pharmacist

If you normally take a particular over-the-counter medication for a headache, you can safely take it for a toothache, too. If not, stop into your pharmacy to find out which OTC medication you can take. It’s particularly important to ask first if you take any prescription medications, because some might interact with the most common painkillers, which are ibuprofen and acetaminophen. Also, if you have a health condition like high blood pressure or diabetes, it’s best to check first before taking any medications not specifically cleared by your doctor.

Get a Temporary Filling Material

Did you break part of a filling or have a crown pop out? You can perform a temporary fix by checking out the dental care aisle of your local drugstore or even some grocery stores. Look for a temporary dental filling material; one brand is Dentemp, but there might be others at your particular store. The material is soft and pliable, so all you need to do is clean off the tooth and stick a piece of it in the hole left behind. Once you bite down, the filling will mold to the right shape and will harden over time. Remove any extra material before it hardens. You can also use Dentemp and similar filling materials as a temporary glue to place a crown back in your mouth. One caveat: Make an appointment with your dentist to have the temporary material removed and the tooth fixed permanently as soon as possible. A DIY filling is not something to keep in your tooth over the long term!

Seek Emergency Care

Most dental emergencies are just uncomfortable and inconvenient. If you are in severe pain, however, or if your jaw is swollen and/or you have a fever and other symptoms of a serious infection, it’s not the time for do-it-yourself treatment. Call your dentist and see what he or she suggests. If your dentist is away, there should be someone covering emergencies. If you can’t get ahold of your dentist and you think the situation warrants it, you can even go to the emergency room. Note that an ER doctor will not be able to replace a filling or perform a root canal, but you will be able to get antibiotics if you need them.

Sometimes, you can avoid dental emergencies by keeping up with your routine dental care. Brush your teeth twice daily and floss before bed. Keep your twice-yearly dental checkups and cleanings. Catching problems when they first start can help you avoid a dental emergency later. If you do end up with a toothache in the middle of the night, call the dentist even if it goes away with an over-the-counter painkiller; the next time, it might not go away so easily.

Creative Commons image by 囧斯基

Halitosis: How to Banish Bad Breath

January 11, 2017

Filed under: Blog,Dental Health — Tags: , , — southlakedental @ 1:59 am

If you’ve ever enjoyed a tuna sandwich with extra onions on your lunch break and then had to return to work for a face-to-face meeting, you know the embarrassment and discomfort that bad breath can cause. Also called halitosis, bad breath affects all of us at one point or another. Everyone wakes up with “morning breath,” and depending on what you’re eating and how your dental hygiene is, you might also experience it at other times. When halitosis is a common theme in your daily life, however, it’s worth doing something about it. Check out these tips on banishing bad breath.

Step Up Your Oral Hygiene Regimen

Be honest: Are you brushing and flossing as much as you should be? If you skip flossing more often than not or you aren’t brushing well before bed, that means that food debris and bacteria are partying it up inside of your mouth. This can lead to bad breath any time of the day. In addition, if you don’t brush and floss regularly, then the problem might not be solved as easily as catching up on your regimen; over time, this bacteria can accumulate under the gums and cause gingivitis, which is early periodontal disease. It can also cause infections in the gums and tooth decay, both of which can cause some funky breath.

In this case, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Brush two or three times per day and floss once, preferably before bed. If you’re past the point of prevention, then see your dentist promptly. He or she can get you back on track by providing a deep-down cleaning and, if needed, treatment for tooth decay and gum disease.

Keep the Saliva Flowing

Throughout the course of the day, you might develop not-so-fresh breath. This happens because you might be eating various foods, dealing with the dry mouth that accompanies stress, and maybe letting yourself get dehydrated if you’re not drinking enough. All of these can lead to halitosis. Try chewing sugar-free gum to keep your saliva flowing. You can also sip water frequently, which will not only keep your mouth moist, but also wash away food debris that can start to smell after a while.

See Your Doctor

If general improved oral hygiene isn’t helping your bad breath situation, then it’s worth making an appointment with your doctor. Sometimes a condition like diabetes or kidney disease can show up as bad breath. Also, acid reflux and stomach ulcers can cause halitosis. It’s good to get these conditions ruled out or confirmed if you’re suffering from chronic bad breath. If one of these is a problem, then treating the condition can treat your halitosis.

Another cause of bad breath can be medications that you are taking. Don’t stop taking anything without your doctor’s advice, but if you have recently begun a new medicine and are now noticing an “off” taste in your mouth, it could be the problem. Talk to your doctor about switching medications if it’s very bothersome. He or she can also give you some tips on minimizing the bad taste and smell.

Halitosis can be embarrassing and frustrating, but it’s usually treatable. Make an appointment with your dentist, then move along to seeing your doctor if halitosis persists despite keeping up with a good dental health routine.

Creative Commons image by peasap (Flickr).

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