Everything You Need to Know About Dry Socket

May 16, 2019 by sterlingheightsdentalcare Leave a Comment

Dry socket commonly occurs after the extraction of an adult tooth. The condition is painful and happens when the blood clot does not properly develop in the area from which the tooth is pulled out. While the healing process after the extraction generally goes well, individuals that smoke, don’t have good oral hygiene, or have had complications during the tooth extraction can experience dry socket. In this article, we look into this oral problem.

What are the symptoms of dry socket?

It isn’t very difficult to identify when you have dry socket since there are quite a few signs. The symptoms will always appear in the area where the tooth was extracted from. When examining the area, you will notice it is dry and has a bone-like, white color. Normally, after extraction, the area should appear to as a dark red color, which means there is a blood clot in presence. However, if you don’t notice this, then you need to contact your dentist in Sterling Heights, MI for a checkup to ensure that the area is healing as it should or not.

Individuals that don’t spot the problem at early stages tend to experience the following symptoms:

Pain and aching at the site of the extraction, this usually starts a couple of days after the procedure.
The pain can also spread to other parts of the body such as the neck, ears, and face.
Unpleasant taste in the mouth along with the bad breath.

If at any time after an extraction, you experience any of the symptoms above, you likely have a dry socket. It is important you contact Dental One Care immediately and get treated for it.

What are your treatment options for dry socket?

To combat the pain experienced due to dry socket, your dentist will recommend the use of aspirin or any other anti-inflammatory drug. Most of the time the painkiller will be enough to relieve you of the pain. However, if pain still persists then anesthesia may be the only option. It will be applied to the area of the extraction. But this is just to treat the pain, the dentist will need to treat your dry socket also.

Treatment for dry socket first starts off by cleaning of the tooth socket. Debris will be taken out from the socket and a special paste will be applied to fill the socket. You will then need to monitor the socket to see if a blood clot is formed or not. If after a few days it is still not present, you will need to visit your dentist again to have the dressing changed. The dentist may also prescribe antibiotics to prevent any infection in the socket.

How can you prevent dry socket?

We asked our friend, Dr. Ben Kacos, a dentist in Shreveport, LA, about preventing dry socket. Dr. Kacos says there are a few steps you can take to prevent dry socket. After tooth extraction, there are certain measures you can take that can help prevent dry socket from occurring. These are:

Avoid straws: The act of suction while using a straw may have an impact on the blood cloth, dislodging it. You can consult your dentist to get an idea of how long you should go without the use of a straw.
No smoking: You will need to avoid smoking altogether after extraction. If you are an avid smoker and find it hard to stop then look for an alternative like a nicotine patch. You can also ask your dentist to apply stitches on the site of surgery and while smoking apply a gauze over it.
No gum or hard food: The act of chewing can dislodge the blood clot in the socket. You want to make sure you don’t chew excessively and stick to food that is not too hard.

What to do if you can’t see a dentist for dry socket right away?

If for any reason you aren’t able to go to your dentist but have the symptoms of dry socket, there are steps you can take immediately to help reduce any risk of infection. Don’t think that the problem will solve itself, you need to take the proper measure to help it from becoming a bigger problem. The following tips will help you do that:

Throughout the day, rinse your mouth with warm salt water. You need to do this a few times during the course of the day. If there is swelling, apply a cold pack to the affected area of your face to reduce it. To help with the pain, you can apply a washcloth that has been dipped in warm water to your face.

The best course to take if you have even at the slightest possibility of dry socket is to see your dentist. They can help you treat and prevent any infection in the socket. Furthermore, they can help you manage the pain that may be unbearable for some.

The Pros and Cons of Tooth Extraction

October 17, 2018 by sterlingheightsdentalcare Leave a Comment

The Pros and Cons of Tooth Extraction

Dentists often recommend that your wisdom teeth be removed as a precautionary measure against the possible risks that come with leaving those teeth in place. The common problems associated with wisdom teeth include dental misalignment when the wisdom teeth push the existing teeth out of their positions. Are you wondering whether you should or should not have your wisdom teeth extracted? Read on and discover the benefits and the drawbacks of asking a dentist in Sterling Heights to remove your wisdom teeth proactively.

The Advantages of Extracting Wisdom Teeth

You avoid future expenses. The preventive removal of wisdom teeth allows you to spend a modest sum now on tooth extraction so that you can avoid having to spend more later on when those teeth cause problems that make it necessary to have the wisdom teeth extracted. For example, it will cost more to realign your teeth once the wisdom teeth distort the alignment of the teeth near them.

Surgical complications are avoided. The elective removal of wisdom teeth by a dentist in Sterling Heights also has an added benefit of saving you from several complications that can arise later on. For example, some people suffer permanent nerve damage when the wisdom teeth are pulled later on when they are fully developed.

Daily dental care is easier. It can be hard to keep your wisdom teeth clean on a daily basis. This is because those teeth are located at the farthest point inside your mouth. Consequently, dental experts in Shreveport, LA say that food particles may remain trapped around those teeth resulting in the development of gum disease. The removal of the wisdom teeth can avert such a risk.

The Disadvantages of Wisdom Teeth Extraction

Loss of normal teeth. The proactive removal of wisdom teeth can make you lose a pair of perfectly normal teeth based on just a suspicion that they may cause problems years later. The avoidance of this needless tooth loss could have extended how soon you would require dentures or other dental prosthetics once the remaining teeth are lost. This is particularly likely since an extra set of molars would have reduced the wear and tear on the others as you chew.

The potential for complications to develop increases. Each dental procedure carries some risk of potential complications. For example, tooth extraction has risks of bleeding excessively, developing infections at the extraction site and suffering nerve damage during the extraction. These complications may be transient and mild or permanent. All these complications may be too high a risk for an elective procedure.

Some people react to anesthesia. Extracting wisdom teeth requires the use of anesthesia. This may be a challenge for those who have a history of developing a reaction to anesthesia. It is imperative that you alert your dentist in Sterling Heights in case you reacted to anesthesia during a previous surgical procedure.

Which Option Is Better For You?

As you can see, extracting or leaving the wisdom teeth comes with possible benefits and drawbacks. Schedule a consultation with a Sterling Heights dentist so that your unique situation can be assessed. The dentist may order periodic X-rays to monitor how your wisdom teeth are developing so that an informed decision can be made regarding whether to extract them proactively or leave them to develop and function alongside your existing teeth.

When To Call The Dentist About Your Wisdom Teeth

September 11, 2018 by sterlingheightsdentalcare Leave a Comment

When To Call The Dentist About Your Wisdom Teeth

Wisdom teeth usually appear when a person is between the ages of 17 to 25. While they are coming out, they may cause short-term pain, similar to the discomfort you feel from the eruption of your other teeth.

However, the appearance of wisdom teeth is often marked by other types and levels of discomfort and inconvenience. Whether they have fully erupted or not yet, you need to know when to call the dentist about your wisdom teeth.

Below are five signs that indicate you need to have your wisdom teeth checked by your dentist immediately:

You feel constant pain in the back of your mouth

As already mentioned, the eruption of wisdom teeth often causes aches and pains. They usually go away, especially once the teeth have fully erupted. However, if the pain lingers, you have to see your dentist as soon as possible. He or she will determine if the wisdom tooth is causing the pain or if something else is behind it.

If a wisdom tooth is impacted, which means the tooth came through at an angle or only partially pushed through the gum, this comes with a great deal of pain and can cause an infection. In this instance, your dentist will recommend a wisdom tooth extraction.

Your wisdom teeth are not straight

If your wisdom teeth did not grow or erupt straight, they could cause the adjacent teeth to move. They may even damage your other healthy teeth.

In most cases, removing the crooked wisdom teeth will prevent the other teeth from being damaged.

You have difficulties eating or chewing

If you constantly experience pain while eating or chewing, you need to see your dentist immediately as well. Our dental friends at Laurich Dentistry says that food could be getting stuck in between the gums and the tops of your wisdom teeth. If you can’t clean these areas thoroughly, you will have a bigger problem in the future.

Your dentist will be able to recommend the right products to fix this problem. If your dentist can’t find the suitable solution, extraction may be the best solution.

Your gums are inflamed

Some wisdom teeth can create a flap of gum tissue that resides next to the tooth when they start erupting. This gum tissue can trap small pieces of food and bacteria. This, in turn, will cause the tissue around the teeth to become hard and inflamed and difficult to clean. This is condition is called pericoronitis.

When this type of dental problem occurs, Dr. Farhat, a dentist from Sterling Heights, says that extraction is usually the best treatment option.

Your wisdom teeth have cavities

Finally, the position of your wisdom teeth can also make it hard for you to clean them properly. If you can’t keep them thoroughly clean through brushing and flossing, the gums will become irritated. Pockets can then develop between the teeth and cause bacteria to grow. This will then encourage the growth of cavities leading to tooth decay and infection.

If you’re in Michigan and you notice one or more of these signs on your wisdom teeth, visit Dental 1 Care straightaway. Our dentists will diagnose and provide the best treatment option to address your specific dental problem.

7 possible reasons for tooth pain

September 24, 2017 by sterlingheightsdentalcare Leave a Comment

Why does my tooth hurt?

The average person will suffer from mild to extreme toothaches several times during his or her lifetime. The severity or pain level usually depends on the cause behind a toothache.

If you’re thinking “Why does my tooth hurt?” every now and then, a trusted Sterling Heights dentist shares some possible reasons below:

Tooth decay

The most common cause of toothaches is tooth decay. However, for the tooth and the surrounding area to really hurt, the decay in the tooth would have to be significant enough that it has already reached the inner layer of the tooth — the dentin. Once the dentin is damaged, the tooth becomes highly sensitive and a cavity has already developed.

Tooth abscess or infection

If a cavity has already affected the root beneath the visible tooth, the root and the surrounding tissue will soon become infected. This, in turn, can cause a pulsating and unbearable pain. This is a dental issue that needs to be dealt with professionally as soon as possible since not only is it extremely painful, but it can also result in bone and tissue loss.

Sensitive teeth

If you feel a sharp tooth pain during or after eating or drinking something cold or hot, the pain is usually connected to tooth sensitivity. Tooth sensitivity usually means that your tooth enamel has worn down and your tooth’s dentin (the layer where the tooth’s nerves are) is exposed. This dental issue can also be caused by a recent teeth whitening procedure. To reduce this level of sensitivity, you can try using toothpaste made for sensitive teeth. You can also consult your dentist for other possible remedies.

Damaged fillings

Damaged or dislodged dental fillings or sealants which can expose the sensitive part of your tooth to temperatures, food and drinks can create sharp pains. Your dentist can immediately repair or replace the dental filling or sealant so that you can be free of pain quickly.

Dental trauma or fracture

If you injure, fracture, crack or chip a tooth because of a sports injury, accident, or from biting a really hard object, you will feel an intense toothache. If the pain is intolerable, this usually means that the fracture or damage has made its way to the middle of the tooth where the nerve endings are. Recommended treatments for this painful oral issue include dental fillings and dental crowns.

Growing wisdom teeth

When your wisdom teeth are starting to erupt or if they have already crowned, they can cause teeth misalignment and push against the other teeth. This typically places pressure on your jaws and gums which causes the pain. Extracting the wisdom teeth and other orthodontic treatments will provide you relief from the pain.

Sinus infection

Lastly, if you suffer from sinuses, regular nasal congestion and tenderness in your upper jaw can also cause toothaches. Your dentist and medical practitioner will have to work together to find the most suitable remedy for this problem.

Even if the pain you are feeling is bearable and often comes and goes, it is best to consult your dentist immediately. There may be some underlying and more severe dental issues behind the pain and your dentist is the best person to detect and treat them.

Specialist in Family Dentistry Underscores Importance of Caring for Children’s Teeth

March 9, 2017 by sterlingheightsdentalcare Leave a Comment

As a parent, you want to ensure that your child grows strong and healthy. Often, that means bringing your child to his pediatrician for his checkups. But often, parents forget or put less importance on their children’s oral health.

According to both the American Dental Association and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, your child’s dental health is just as important as his overall health. Both studies recommend that parents bring their children to a dental office within six months after their kids’ first teeth appear but no later than their children’s first birthday.

Baby teeth are important, too

Baby or primary teeth are just as important as permanent teeth. Parents may think that baby teeth are not important because these will be replaced by permanent ones later on.

But the truth is that baby teeth are valuable for a few important reasons. These teeth aid in chewing and in speech development. More importantly, baby teeth are natural placeholders for permanent teeth and if your child loses his baby teeth prematurely, this can cause problems later on in life.

Finally, taking care of your child’s baby teeth can help prevent tooth decay. Although a decayed baby tooth will be eventually replaced by a permanent tooth, having tooth decay on baby teeth increases the chance of tooth decay on permanent teeth.

The importance of dental care in children

You might be wondering why you should bring your child to a dentist at such an early age. There are a few important reasons for this.

First, a specialist in family dentistry (Sterling Heights, MI) can teach you how to properly clean your child’s teeth and make recommendations regarding your child’s diet and appropriate dental products. Furthermore, if you have questions related to your child’s teeth and how to take care of these, a dentist is the best person to ask.

Second, visiting the dentist at a young age will help keep your child’s oral health on the right track. Additionally, this ensures that your dentist establishes a good relationship with your young one and provides him with the best possible dental care.

As your child grows into a toddler, his dentist can regularly check his teeth and gums, clean his teeth, look for potential problems, and administer the appropriate dental treatments when necessary.

Scheduling your child’s first visit to the dentist

As much as possible, schedule your child’s visit to the dentist at a time when he is well-rested and has been fed. This will help ensure that he will be cooperative.

Remember that your child can pick up on your own energies. If you maintain a positive attitude, your child will feel more at ease at the dental clinic.

Avoid using a visit to the dental visit as a threat. Also, do not bribe your child to go with you to a dentist.

Schedule your visit with us today!

Wisdom Tooth Recovery Expectations

October 21, 2016 by Lauren Edvalson Leave a Comment

What Is the Typical Wisdom Tooth Recovery Time?

As a general rule, we should perform the necessary practices that would help us to maintain the health of all of our teeth. With good oral hygiene and eating habits, along with regular visits to the dentist, it’s possible to keep all your natural teeth and maintain their good condition. It seems simple enough right? Wrong. Many patients come to Dental One Care with dental pain related to their wisdom teeth. Otherwise known as the third molar.

Wisdom teeth are the third and last molars on each side of your upper and lower jaws. These are the last teeth to emerge in your mouth; this often happens when a person is between 16 and 20 years old.

The problem with wisdom teeth is that they do not always erupt properly because by the time they emerge, there may not be enough space left for them in the mouth. As a result, some wisdom teeth erupt at an angle. Sometimes, they will even come in completely sideways, crowding the other teeth. In other cases, they do not completely emerge at all. All of these instances can lead to oral health problems in the future. That is typically when we get a phone call from a patient who is experiencing experience pain.

What to do About Wisdom Tooth Pain

Once you have called Your Sterling Heights dentist to schedule an appointment, they will check your molar area. Once they have examined your teeth, they will determine whether the wisdom teeth are erupting properly or not. If they are not, your trusted dentist may recommend extraction. Some general dentists will do this in their office. It’s a good idea to get this done early, while the wisdom teeth’s roots are still developing and they involve fewer complications. However if it is a more complicated oral surgery you may be referred oral surgeon.

Basic tooth extraction (which can be performed in a single outpatient procedure) is a form of major surgery. So if you are having your wisdom teeth removed, general or local anesthesia can be used. But while this may help protect you from experiencing pain during the extraction procedure, the effects of the anesthesia will soon wear off, and you can expect to feel a certain level of pain and discomfort after having your wisdom teeth removed.

What is the Typical Wisdom Tooth Recovery Time?

Your reliable dentist in Sterling Heights can tell you that the recovery time after getting your wisdom teeth pulled is three to four days. It can also be as long as one week, or more, depending on how they were erupting in your mouth.

To help ease your pain and discomfort as you recover, you can observe a number of helpful practices:

Avoid brushing your teeth, flossing and spitting for the first day of recovery.
Stay away from solid foods and beverages that are hot or that contain alcohol and caffeine.
Make sure to take it easy during the recovery period; strenuous activities might dislodge the blood clot from the area where your teeth were removed.
You can take a prescription painkiller for the pain and use an ice pack to help relieve swelling on your jaw.
You can keep your mouth clean with a salt water rinse during the recovery period.
Stock up on soft foods that won’t put pressure on your mouth while eating, such as yogurt, applesauce and cottage cheese.