First of all, let me start off by saying “Happy Thanksgiving.” Our hope is that your Thanksgiving holiday is full of joy as you reflect on all there is to be thankful for.
As you partake of the many treats during this holiday, there are a few things that you’ll want to remember. The holiday season is laden with sugary treats that not only send you on a flying sugar high, but can send you to the dentist afterwards. In order to make sure that your holidays don’t end with the disappointment of cavities and the beginnings of periodontal disease, remember the following dental care tips:
Brush your teeth and floss consistently. I wouldn’t be in dental care if I didn’t hone in on this point. Sugar is going to be around you and the chances of you consuming more treats than normal is high.
Avoid snacking in between meals. If you can find a way to have your sugar during meals, that will help with your dental care and decrease the chances of increased problems with your teeth.
Have cavities filled and your teeth cleaned pre-holiday feasting. If you are already struggling with one or more cavities, have them filled before the holidays to avoid a worsening issue.
And finally… Have a Happy Thanksgiving! We wish you the absolute best!
Anyone that has been to the dentist has heard the infamous spiel regarding the importance of both brushing and flossing your teeth daily. Although any maintenance of your teeth is better than no maintenance at all, there are key factors in the maintenance of the teeth that will ensure the best outcome.
Reason for Brushing and Flossing
Every day your teeth will build up plaque as the residue from your food sits on them. Plaque causes tooth decay, as it is full of bacteria that will break down the tooth. Brushing will help to rid of the mouth of the plaque on the teeth and flossing will rid the mouth of the plaque in between the teeth. Plaque build up will eat away at the enamel of the tooth, cause redness and irritation on the gums and if not taken care of, will eventually cause periodontal disease and the loss of teeth in later years.
Best Practices for Brushing and Flossing
Dentists recommend brushing your teeth twice a day. Although it could be easy for one to think that using a hard bristled brush will clean the teeth the best, it’s actually much harder on the gums surrounding the teeth and not recommended. A soft-bristled brush is the best toothbrush to use while cleaning your teeth.
Flossing is a essential part of maintaining the health of your teeth as well. It catches the areas that are hard to reach and should be performed once a day. Lack of flossing is a leading cause of periodontal disease thus it shouldn’t be ignored.
Mouthwashes are helpful in killing bacteria in the mouth and in the prevention of gingivitis. However, in most cases flossing and brushing are enough and should never be replaced by mouthwash alone.
Professional cleaning appointments should also be scheduled at least twice a year in order to clear the mouth of build up that is missed by brushing and flossing.
For those that have dental implants it is critical that they follow the instructions provided by their dentist and stay up to date on all professional cleaning appointments as well.
There are several types of dental injuries that will require a trip to the dentist in order to ensure that you don’t suffer from extensive problems in the future. However, with each of the injuries there are particular things that the patient will want to do as they are making their way to the dentist office.
Chipped Tooth
A chipped tooth would be considered a minor issue it is very common. This essentially means that the person has knocked off a portion of the enamel. This can be a painful depending on how deep the chip goes and will sometimes require dental assistance to fill in missing spots. If need be the dentist can smooth the tooth down again so that the person is comfortable.
Fractured Tooth
When a tooth is cracked or a piece of it breaks off completely, it is called a fractured tooth. This can be both painful and esthetically displeasing. If the dentin or pulp is exposed the patient must go to the dentist immediately in order to prevent infection and the mouth will need to be rinsed out with warm water first in order to clear the area of particles before heading to the dentist.
Displaced Tooth
If in the process of the injury teeth move out of place, a dentist visit will be required and immediate. The first course of action is to apply a warm wet cloth and gently moved the teeth back into place. This will likely hurt, but is essential in positioning your teeth for the best outcome. Keep the warm cloth in place holding your teeth in the correct spot. Get to the dentist within 30 minutes.
Knocked Out Tooth
When teeth are knocked out, there is still have a chance of being able to replace them as long as they are placed in the socket in a timely manner so the roots can reattach. Your responsibility once the tooth is knocked out is to locate it and immerse it in milk or a saline or hold it between your cheek and your gum. Do not wash it or do anything that can damage the tooth in anyway. Patients that get to the dentist within 30 minutes of the injury have a higher success rate of reimplanting the tooth.
Advances in dental implants have allowed for any injuries or cosmetic problems in the mouth to be remedied. However, if you find yourself in any of the above situations, taking the correct course of action will increase your chances of the best outcome possible.
Do your dentures slip and float at the worst times? As an implant dentist, I know many Dallas-area patients are frustrated with their traditional dentures. Adhesives and natural suction often fail to create the secure fit and hold you need, and since these types of dentures cover the roof of your mouth, they can impair your ability to smell and taste the foods you love.
To address this problem, I provide implant-retained dentures at Fitzgerald Dental Center. Dental implants have provided many denture wearers a beautiful, long-lasting, and reliable alternative to traditional dentures.
What are implant-retained dentures?
Small, titanium implant posts can secure a single replacement tooth, a bridge, or a denture. If you are interested in implant-supported dentures, you have two options:
- Non-removable fixed dentures, which most closely restore natural oral function, require a solid foundation of five or more implant posts per jaw. After I affix the dentures to the posts you’ll wear them all the time, treating them like natural teeth. Since you will brush and floss as usual, fixed dentures free you from the extra upkeep of removable dentures and are the strongest option.
- Removable overdentures are a solid alternative to traditional dentures. Attached directly to conventional implants, mini implants, or an implant-supported bar, removable dentures snap firmly in place for a reliable, snug fit. This type of denture needs the same care as a traditional denture, so you will take it out for cleaning periodically throughout the day.
With implant-supported dentures, you can be confident your teeth won’t let you down. Imagine the ability to eat what you like, smile proudly, and leave the adhesive behind. Sound great? Find out whether implants are the solution for you by calling the Fitzgerald Dental Center and scheduling a free consultation with me, Dr. Lee Fitzgerald. I’d love to improve your quality of life with implant-retained dentures.