At some point in our lives we may go through an experience where a tooth or teeth gets cracked, chipped, cracked or broken. This could be the result of an accident, like falling, or forcefully biting down on something hard.
Strong and hard as our teeth are, being the most mineralized tissue in the body, it does have its limit especially if it has already developed some decay. So if you break or chip a tooth, see your dentist the immediately to get proper treatment and prevent further damage or infection. The sooner you see your dentist, the better the chances of repairing or saving the tooth.
First Aid Tips When Chipping A Tooth
If you chip or break a tooth, follow these home remedies to reduce any discomfort and prevent further damage. First, make sure you check your mouth to see if there are any tooth fragments left, because you definitely want to avoid swallowing them.
Once you have checked your mouth, wash and rinse with salt water solution (1 tbsp of salt in a cup of warm water) to disinfect the tooth and the surrounding area. You may experience some pain, especially if the break exposes tooth nerves. When this happens, you can take an over-the-counter pain reliever to relieve the discomfort. Continue reading →
Although any form of artificial teeth, whether implanted or removable, are not exactly the same as your natural teeth, implanted teeth do possess some benefits over other forms of tooth replacement. Tooth implants are artificially created teeth that include roots that are secured into a patient’s existing bone structure. Implanting teeth is most successful in people who have recently lost one or more teeth. After a natural tooth is lost, the bone surrounding the empty socket begins to deteriorate and, if allowed to advance, this deterioration may make it difficult to secure a tooth implant in the same spot as a lost tooth.
The process of implanting a tooth generally requires only local anesthesia and can be performed right in the dentist’s office. Prior to starting the implantation process, your dentist will evaluate your overall dental condition to see if implants will work for you. The first step of implanting a tooth is inserting the root, generally constructed of titanium, into the empty socket of the missing natural tooth. The surrounding bone grows around the root over a period of several weeks. After the root is secure, a post is attached to hold the replacement tooth. The new tooth is basically the same as the teeth used for standard dental crowns and is custom-made for each patient based upon the space available, the surrounding teeth and the overall arrangement of the patient’s mouth. Continue reading →
Tooth decay is what causes cavities to form in your teeth. It is caused by bacteria that enters your mouth that causes acids to wear away at the tooth. Plaque. a sticky substance that contains bacteria, is always forming on teeth and gums. When you eat sugary foods or drinks, this feeds the bacteria, which produce acid as a product of digestion, causing cavities to form. If left untreated, cavities can deteriorate teeth, cause pain and infection, and even become a risk to your overall health. Therefore, it is important to know the early signs of a cavity beginning to form.
The signs of a cavity will depend on where it is located and how much it has progressed. Teeth have an outer layer (enamel), a middle layer (dentin), and an inside layer, (pulp). Some cavities may cause no signs at all and can only be detected during a regular dental exam. A dental exam can reveal cavities with x-rays, as well as a visual check during the exam, to find cavities that may not show up yet on an x-ray. Early detection of cavities is extremely important, so that the area may be treated to prevent further decay of the tooth. The earlier a cavity is detected, the less extensive the treatment will be, so it is important to practice prevention and early treatment. . Continue reading →
If you care about oral health, you probably spend a lot of time thinking about what goes into your mouth. You should be extra careful about what goes in there permanently. If you choose an unsafe filling, you face years of potentially harmful effects slowly influencing your health over time.
There’s no shortage of reasons to opt for porcelain fillings for your teeth. They are safer than other options while performing well over the long haul. Avoiding cavities is best, but when you do get one you need something safe, strong, and durable. You’ll want to live your life without worrying about the filling and without having to replace it anytime soon.
Some other materials for fillings have unfortunate side effects. While porcelain fillings are natural and safe, the other options out there have potentially dangerous chemicals and other hazards. We recommend porcelain fillings for their performance as well as for the peace of mind they offer in safety. Continue reading →
Pain is a common concern among Roseville patients who are planning to get a dental implant. Although any type of dental surgery does come with some degree of discomfort, the majority of patients usually find that the pain they experience from dental implants is only minimal. At the same time, the results are often well worth the recovery process.
An Ideal Solution
A dental implant is often the ideal solution for people who want to replace missing teeth. This is because they feel, perform and look like natural teeth. At the same time, a dental implant can last an entire lifetime with proper care. This can be achieved with flossing, brushing and regular dental check-ups.
A Not-So-Painful-Procedure
Dental implant surgery in Roseville is often performed with either general or local anesthesia. Because of this, the procedure itself is often not painful. The patient’s mouth will be numb as the implant is surgically attached to their jaw bone.
Roseville patients who are concerned about any sort of discomfort during the procedure should ask their dentist about sedative options. This can help them to feel more relaxed while they are in the dentist’s chair. Because of this, many patients report that a dental implant procedure is less painful than a tooth extraction. Continue reading →
Since the 1800s, dentists have filled cavities with silver amalgam, an alloy of metals that includes mercury. U.S. dentists continue to place millions of amalgam fillings each year. Recently, however, concerns have grown regarding the presence of mercury in silver amalgam fillings. According to some sources, the mercury poisons the entire body and causes a variety of ailments. Below is a deeper look at the contents and safety of silver amalgam fillings.
Content and Use of Amalgam Fillings
Dental amalgam is an alloy of metals, including about half mercury, around 25 percent silver, a bit less tin and copper and a small amount of trace metals. Due to their silver color, they are normally referred to as “silver fillings.” The amalgam is soft before being placed, allowing easier use by dentists and a faster procedure appreciated by everyone. Continue reading →
Anyone who has ever experienced a severe toothache will tell you that you do not want to neglect dental care until a tooth decays to the point of intense pain. Many will agree that a toothache is one of the worst types of pain that one can experience. A toothache tends to feel worse at night with dull, throbbing pain that seems to increase when one is lying in bed. While pain pills might relieve a toothache temporarily, the best remedy is to get rid of the decay that is causing the ache by filling the tooth or extracting it. However, if one takes a proactive approach, the ache can be prevented, and the tooth can be saved. If your dentist has told you that you need a filling, but you are not feeling any pain, there are some things you need to know about tooth decay.
Poor oral care leads to tooth decay. Neglecting brushing and flossing results in a tooth becoming exposed to acid producing bacteria. Tooth decay occurs as the acid and bacteria eat into the tooth. Initially these destructive bacteria can go unnoticed, so in the early stages of tooth decay; it is not unusual to experience no pain at all. However, as the decay persists a hole will appear in the affected tooth, allowing the nerves to be exposed. Exposed nerves bring pain. When the decay goes unchecked it can reach the point where the only relief is to extract the tooth. Continue reading →
A blow to the mouth can happen with enough force to cause a tooth to be knocked out of its socket. If a tooth gets knocked out by accident, it’s important to remain calm and follow a few simple steps to give yourself the best chance to permanently save the knocked out tooth. The first few minutes after a tooth becomes dislodged is the most critical period for saving it.
As soon as you discover that a tooth has been knocked out, take a deep breath and evaluate the amount of damage. Sometimes the tooth has merely been loosened but still remains partially attached to the socket. If that is the case, wash your hands and gently take hold of the tooth’s crown between two fingers in order to guide it back squarely into its socket. Apply a cold compress against your cheek or jaw to eliminate any swelling, then contact our office to request an emergency appointment so that we can do a thorough examination so see that no permanent damage has occurred. Continue reading →
Broken, cracked or fractured teeth do not always occur when it’s convenient to see your dentist. The damage can happen after office hours, over the weekend, on a holiday or when your regular dentist is on vacation. It can also happen at a time when your dentist’s calendar just can’t squeeze you in. If you live in the Sacramento, CA area, any injured teeth need to be evaluated and treated as soon as possible.
Even if you are not in pain, if you wait to be treated, you increase the risk of infection or further damage. You can even end up losing your teeth. A simple chip can quickly go from a minor inconvenience to a serious emergency if your tooth cracks or shatters while you’re waiting. Seeing an Emergency Dentist in the Sacramento area as soon as you can will help to alleviate the pain and correct the problem before things grow worse. Continue reading →
