Tooth Extraction Dry Socket.

A more common postoperative complication for tooth extraction is a dry Socket. A dry socket can delay the normal healing process and results when the newly formed blood clot in the extraction site does not form correctly or is prematurely lost. This blood clot lays the foundation for new tissue and bone to develop over a two-month healing process. A dry socket can be very painful, and you should see a dentist immediately if you feel you may have a dry socket after tooth extraction.

Dental braces help to straighten crooked or misaligned teeth. Braces are used in many cases of malocclusion, such as open bite, deep bite, crossbite, and other structural and cosmetic flaws. Different braces depend on your needs and what is best advised by an Orthodontic dentist. When people think of traditional braces, they have visions of stainless steel wire covering the whole mouth with metal brackets. These types of braces usually are not the preferred option. 

Though these braces are now outdated, they still present a more affordable dental option for those interested. There are Ceramic Braces that are not as apparent as the more traditional braces, but they are susceptible to damage by accidental blows or trauma. Lingual braces are fitted from behind the teeth, therefore not as apparent from the outside. The more popular braces are Invisalign. Invisalign are clear braces resembling tooth color. They blend in with the teeth, making them virtually invisible. Invisalign is removable, enabling the wearer to snap them on and off when required.

Flossing is essential because it helps to remove plaque lodged between the teeth. As plaque hardens, it turns into tartar which an oral hygienist or dentist can only remove. Tartar harbors bacteria that produce acids that can damage your gums and cause swelling and bleeding. This is a condition known as gingivitis. Gingivitis, if left untreated, can lead to periodontal disease, which eventually causes bone deterioration and tooth loss.

Studies suggest that even in a well-developed country such as the United States of America, only 12% floss their teeth daily. Many people sadly believe regular brushing is enough to keep their teeth and gums healthy.

In a study of 51 twins: one set of twins was instructed to brush, while the other set of twins was to brush and floss. Their dental health was examined before and after the study. The study results showed the group that flossed had 38% fewer bleeding gum sites than before the intervention, and overall gum bleeding improved by an average of 42%. If your child is only brushing their teeth, then they are only cleaning their teeth about 65%, leaving 35% dirty. Ensure your children brush and floss daily for proper dental health care habits.

Knowing how to brush effectively is essential to have proper dental care habits. When first learning how to brush their teeth independently, kids tend not to brush correctly. Therefore dental decay issues may still arise. Brushing your teeth at least twice a day is the standard advice.

Some dental experts recommend brushing after every meal whenever possible. The standard brushing time is at least three minutes. However, for children, that can seem like a very long time, so here are some tips.

If you have a fun kitchen timer that they like, you can set it for three minutes. Another option is to play a song on the radio. There are kids-friendly stations like Radio Disney average song time is 3 1/2 minutes. Teach your child to brush their teeth thoroughly. Show them to brush along the gum line and to angle the toothbrush slightly towards the gums. It can be hard to tell but try your best to tell them not to brush too roughly.

Get them to focus on cleaning every tooth surface and teach them to gently brush their tongue to scrape off bacteria that can cause bad breath. You want to replace their toothbrush every three to four months. If necessary, have their dentist show them how to brush their teeth at their dental check-up.

You can take steps to ensure your child is getting the most out of their dental checkups. Since their oral health is also closely related to their overall health care, communicate with their dentist any concerns or problems they have. 

Your child’s dentist should know about any new health problems they may have since their last visit. As an example: diabetes affects teeth and gum health. Make a list of any medication or supplement to take to the dentist since some medicines and supplements can affect teeth health. 

Let your child’s dentist know ahead of time if they have any dental anxiety. Dental fears are common in children, and most dentists can work to make your child more comfortable during the checkup process. Lastly, talk to your child’s dentist about any changes you may have noticed with your child’s teeth or gums. The sooner the dentist knows about pain, sensitivity, or suspicion you may have seen, the earlier they can diagnose and treat it.

In addition to teaching your children about daily brushing and flossing habits seeing their dentist regularly for checkups is vital in maintaining their oral health care. Checkups are more than just basic cleaning. Here is what you can expect from a dental checkup. 

X-rays: (if you have not had them in the past year) are the dentist’s tool to look for gum disease or other dental problems. 

Examination: The dentist will examine your teeth, gums, and mouth to look for changes or signs of a problem. 

Education: After X-rays and an oral examination, the dentist will review any dental or hygiene problems detected. 

Cleaning and Polishing of your Teeth: After reviewing your child’s teeth, the dentist or a dental hygienist will remove tartar build-up by cleaning and polishing them.   

They may go over dental hygiene care with your child if they see they are not brushing or flossing well. Teach them how to floss or point out areas they need to focus more on.

Many dental insurance plans do not offer dental benefits on dental veneers. Therefore you want to ensure proper care to not damage them. Dental veneers can last up to 10 years or more with good care. However, dental veneers are thin and can break, chip, or even fall off if you do not care for them.

To avoid this from happening to your dental veneers, do not bite your nails or chew on objects like pencils or ice cubes. Do not use a hard bristle toothbrush, and avoid toothpaste with abrasives like baking soda. Maintaining proper dental hygiene and seeing your dentist regularly for your checkups is still essential.

Are dental veneers the right option for you? Veneers may be a good option for people with gaps between their teeth, chipping, cracks, or even uneven teeth. Dental veneers can also help people with darkly stained teeth that whitening doesn’t help. However, veneers are not for teeth that have tooth decay, fractures, and or large fillings.

In cases like those, you will need to address the dental issues of tooth decay, and crowns may be the better option. Also, veneers aren’t for people who clench or grind their teeth, as veneers can crack or chip. To find out if veneers are the best dental option, talk to your dentist and review the best options for you and your dental care needs.

Joining a discount dental can help you save on your dental care. A dental discount plan may be an option if you are looking for something other than a long-term dental insurance plan with long waiting periods or a year or more commitment.

Many people move often or want to avoid being committed to an insurance plan. You may need a dental plan without limitations to work well for you. With a dental discount plan, you get dental savings for all your dental care needs without having waiting periods, maximum limits, or deductibles.

You do not want to face the consequences of poor oral hygiene. Poor dental and oral hygiene invites plaque to build up around the base of your teeth and gum line, which will cause your gums to be red and inflamed. If allowed to continue, it will cause tooth decay and gum disease. If decay goes uncared for, it can destroy bone and other fragile tissues supporting your teeth, and you could lose your teeth.

Having proper dental care habits at home can help maintain your dental health and prevent periodontal/gum disease from developing. Good at-home dental practices include brushing your teeth thoroughly at least twice daily for three minutes. It would help if you also floss daily. Whenever possible, floss after each meal. Use as a mouthwash to help kill germs. Buy toothpaste and toothbrushes that are ADA approved. By having good dental habits at home and seeing your dentist regularly, you will be able to maintain healthy teeth and gums and keep your dental care cost low.

Yes, preventive dental care starts from home with brushing and flossing twice daily but using mouthwash that kills germs. However, that is still just the start of having and maintaining good oral health care. Get into the habit of looking at the inside of your mouth. Know what your gums, cheeks, and tongue usually look like so you can tell when something changes or is new. That way, when spotting something different in your mouth, you can have it checked out by a doctor or your dentist. It is essential to keep your regular dental appointments. Your dentist will not only be able to provide you with your basic teeth cleaning, but they will provide a routine oral checkup to make sure your gums and oral care are healthy.

According to the leading dentist, parents are unwittingly causing their kids’ teeth to rot by regularly providing them with fruit juices and smoothies. The National surveys show that half of the five-year-olds exhibit ‘tooth wear’ caused by acidic drinks dissolving and softening enamel. Try getting your child to drink more water which would not cause this problem.

How to address dental Fears. Many people in the US have dental fears for one reason or another that prevent them from receiving their needed dental care. People with dental fears will tend to put off seeing the dentist until there are major dental issues that they can not put off any longer. However, there are ways to address your dental fears with your dentist so that going to the dentist does not have to be so scary. When seeing a dentist, ensure they are fully informed of your dental fears and concerns. The dentist must know on your first dental appointment that you have dental fears.

Also, it is good to remind the person each time you book an appointment that you have dental fears that need to be addressed so that they reserve the appointment with the necessary added time. Talk to your dentist to ensure you know what they are doing and that you do not have any questions. A complete understanding of what the dentist is doing will help to relieve fears of the unknown. You may want to listen to your favorite music to help block out the added dental noise around you, allowing you to relax. However, work out a hand signal with your dentist so that when fears start to creep up, you can signal your dentist to stop and let you take a break if needed. Most dentists will take the time to help you through your fears to maintain teeth and gum health.

In some cases, they may book your appointment during the slower part of the day to give you the necessary time. By letting your dentist know about your fears, worries, and/or concerns, they can address each of them as they provide the dental services you need. Making your dental visit a more pleasant one. Over time you may notice you have less and less fear about seeing a dentist since your fears were addressed.

Dry mouth is the result of low-producing or non-functioning salivary glands. The often devastating condition known as xerostomia. Dry mouth has a number of causes, including medication use, radiation treatment for head and neck cancers, autoimmune diseases, diabetes and the process of aging.

Some of the first signs of gum disease is blood on your toothbrush, your gums may also bleed when you are eating and a bad taste in your mouth. Some good news is that gum disease can be treated and even reversed with the correct dental care but the first thing you need to do if you have these symptoms is visit your dental office for a thorough check-up of your teeth and gums.

In a prior post we talked about the importance of flossing and having good at home dental care habits. Cleaning between our teeth is a critical part of good oral hygiene as it helps to prevent gum disease by helping to remove plaque from these areas. In recent years gum disease has been linked with general health conditions such as diabetes, strokes, cardiovascular disease, poor pregnancy outcomes and even dementia.

Our dentist will regularly reminded us about the importance of cleaning between our teeth with dental floss, but this recent study shows that an astonishing amount of us are failing to floss daily. Education is important, therefore teach your kids to floss and be clear about the benefits regular flossing can have.

Flossing alongside with regular dentist visits and brushing twice a day will help keep your family teeth and oral health in good shape. Better at home dental habits also mean reducing your risk of having more costly dental care needs in the future.