Things You Need to Know About Temporary Filling Aftercare

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As their name implies, temporary fillings are used by dentists as a partial solution until the patient is ready for a permanent solution for a dental issue.

Cases where temporary fillings are used

According to Dr. Farhat, there are several instances wherein temporary fillings are used.

One such example is when a patient has suffered a dental emergency. In such a situation, a dentist in Sterling Heights needs to administer a quick solution to the emergency which can be used until the patient’s next dental visit.

If you are undergoing a root canal procedure, your dentist may use a temporary filling in order to protect the affected tooth until your next appointment. The temporary filling is used primarily to protect said tooth from bacteria and food debris.

A Sterling Heights dentist will sometimes use a temporary filling if he is unsure if the tooth can still be saved or needs to be extracted. If the decay in the tooth is found close to its nerve, the dentist will need to buy some time to determine the final outcome, whether the tooth can be saved with permanent fillings or needs to be extracted.

There are instances wherein the teeth of patients with new permanent fillings become sensitive to temperature extremes. In some cases, the issue resolves itself. In other cases, the dentist needs to remove the permanent filling and replace this with what is called a sedative temporary filling. This type of filling is used until the sensitivity is eliminated.

Finally, temporary fillings are used in patients with fractured teeth. These fillings are used while a permanent solution like a crown or veneer is ready for installation.

Your quick guide for temporary filling aftercare

Due to their temporary nature, patients need to be extra careful in caring and maintaining these fillings. Specifically, you would want your temporary fillings to remain on your tooth just until your next dental visit.

Here are things you need to know about temporary filling aftercare.

Eat mindfully. There are several types of temporary fillings dentists can choose from, depending on the unique circumstance of the patient.

But whatever type of temporary filling is used on your tooth, you must take great care while eating. Ideally, you should avoid chewing your food with the affected tooth. How long this will last will depend on the type of filling used.

As a rule of thumb, avoid eating hard and crunchy foods. It may also be beneficial to go on a soft diet.

Clean your teeth with care.

Although teeth with temporary fillings can be cleaned like normal teeth, you have to be careful when brushing and flossing.

In brushing your teeth, use a toothbrush with soft bristles and avoid using vigorous strokes. When flossing, pull gently on each side of the affected tooth to prevent snagging the edge of the filling with the floss.

Monitor your tooth.

Your dentist will give you a rundown of things that you may experience once the anesthesia wears off. These may include numbness and discomfort.

You need to watch out for anything unusual and contact your dentist if something is going on.

What Happens During A Teeth Cleaning?

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Most people are afraid of teeth cleanings because of the strange noises, prodding, and occasional jaw discomfort. But despite this, a teeth cleaning process is painless and simple.  

Being aware of what happens during a teeth cleaning process will help ease your stress. Also, this will allow you to enjoy the results better.

Here’s is a step-by-step guide to the teeth cleaning process:

Step 1: A Physical Exam of the Mouth

Before the cleaning process begins, a dentist in Sterling Heights will perform a physical examination of your entire mouth. Your teeth and gums will be checked for any signs of potential concerns like gingivitis. Once a problem is detected, it will be evaluated to ensure that it is okay to proceed.

Step 2: Plaque and Tartar Removal

Your dentist will remove plaque and tartar between your teeth and around your gum line using a scaler. It is normal for you to hear scraping when this is being performed. If you have more tartar in your mouth, more time will be spent to scrape it all.

Remember that tartar can only be removed through professional teeth cleanings at the dental office. Thus, if this step is your least favorite part of this dental procedure, you need to brush and floss often to prevent the buildup of tartar.

Step 3: Gritty Toothpaste Cleaning

Once your teeth are tartar-free, it will be brushed with a high-powered electric brush. Although the grinding noise that this brush emits is scary, Dr. Farhat says that this is the best way to get a deep clean. Also, this will eradicate the remaining tartar.

The toothpaste your dentist uses is like your regular toothpaste, but this has a gritty consistency. When done by a professional, this teeth polishing procedure can be done safely for at least twice a year. Avoid brushing your teeth too harshly at home because it will wear down your enamel.

Step 4: Flossing

Flossing on a daily basis is highly recommended, but nothing beats a professional flossing session. A Sterling Heights dentist can get deep between your teeth and figure out any trouble spots where you may bleed at the gums. Also, this will remove any leftover plaque from earlier during the plaque and tartar removal step.

Step 5: Rinsing and Fluoride Treatment

Rinsing is important to remove any debris. So your dentist will give a rinse that has liquid fluoride.

After that, a protectant will be applied to your teeth to help fight against cavities. A foamy gel or a sticky paste will be placed in a mouthpiece that fits perfectly on your teeth, which will be left on your teeth for a minute. Apart from that, a fluoride varnish will also be painted on your teeth. This will harden once it comes in contact with your saliva so you can drink and eat immediately after.

Regular teeth cleanings are crucial to prevent any dental problem. By being aware of what is happening during this process, you will feel more relaxed and comfortable. In fact, this might even cause you to look forward to these dental appointments.

Ways of Controlling Toothache Pain

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We’ve all experienced some form of toothache pain. Whether it’s because of a broken tooth, a loose filling, a tooth infection, or worse, a tooth abscess, it’s something that is virtually intolerable and requires immediate relief.

To show you some methods of controlling toothache pain, we’ve consulted Dr. Farhat, a dentist in Sterling Heights, Michigan. But wait, this advice is mainly for immediate pain relief and is not meant to take the place of getting a dental appointment as soon as possible, and having your dentist examine you to identify the root cause of your pain.

Hot Water + Salt

Mix one tablespoon of salt into a glass or mug of hot or warm water. Ensure the salt is dissolved before using the solution to rinse or gargle in your mouth.

How does this solution help alleviate the pain? It works by drawing out the fluids responsible for your toothache pain from the gums, thereby helping reduce the irritation and inflammation you are experiencing.

Apple Cider Vinegar

This type of vinegar has been known for its beneficial health effects, antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties. The acidic nature of apple cider vinegar also makes it an effective antibiotic – killing bacteria that may be causing your toothache. To use apple cider vinegar, wet a piece of cotton or a cotton ball with the vinegar and gently press it on the affected tooth.

Ice or Cold Compress

An obvious method for numbing the pain you are experiencing, you may apply the ice or cold compress externally, on the affected area, or inside your mouth directly on the affected tooth.

Alcohol

A well-known antibacterial and antiseptic substance, you can use alcohol like vodka, whiskey, brandy or scotch as a mouth gargle that will also help numb you from the toothache pain. However, using alcohol, even for medical reasons, is prohibited for people below 21 years of age.

Various Types of Oil

Pain relief and inflammation are among the two things natural oils can alleviate. Unsurprisingly, you may also use them to help reduce your toothache pain. These therapeutic oils include sunflower oil, almond oil, tea tree oil, sesame oil, oregano oil, nutmeg oil and clove oil.

All you need to do is combine a little oil with water and use it to rinse your mouth. Alternatively, you can use a cotton ball to apply the oil directly to the affected area.

Hydrogen Peroxide

Easily accessible, you can directly use hydrogen peroxide as a mouth gargle or rinse. You may also opt to mix it with some water and use it the same way. Just make sure to spit it all out after gargling or rinsing.

A Final Word

There are other materials and methods you can use in controlling toothache pain such as peppermint, vanilla, almond and lemon extract, potatoes, certain leaves and roots, onions, cucumber, turmeric, citrus fruits and even acupressure!

However, be sure to visit Dr. Farhat as soon as the pain subsides so you can get the treatment you need.

Can the Dentist Save My Tooth?

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So you’ve always enjoyed eating nuts — almonds, cashews, peanuts, walnuts, Brazil nuts and more. But, horror of horrors! One day, while biting into one particularly tough but delicious honey-coated almond, you hear a tiny cracking sound from your mouth and realize, oops! That’s not the almond; it’s your tooth.

You look in the mirror and check all your molars (at least, the ones you can clearly see), and here it is: A tiny crack in one of your tooth. You’ve always taken very good care of your teeth, and now this. The first question to haunt you, then, is “Can the dentist save my tooth?”

We’ve asked Dr. Farhat, a dentist in Sterling Heights, Michigan, to help shed light on this and answer your troubling question.

Can my tooth be saved?

If the injury is minor and affects only the enamel (the hardened external layer of your teeth), it is usually referred to by dentists as a “craze line.” This type of tooth injury is pretty easy to manage. All your dentist has to do is buff or polish the affected tooth to ensure it appears normal, just like the others, and you can keep using it normally as well without any further treatments. You need to give your teeth extra TLC, of course.

But if the injury goes deeper than the enamel, it has to be treated to prevent it from getting infected and to not worsen the fracture. So your affected tooth will require some form of endodontic therapy and, depending on the extent of the damage, your dentist (or endodontist) can recommend a particular mode of treatment.

What procedures or treatments are required to save my tooth?

Some cases, the crack is still minor but also requires filling to ensure the injury doesn’t get any worse. Other types of tooth injury such as the following may require very specific treatments:

Fractured cusp

This usually happens when part of the chewing surface of the tooth breaks off. Since this rarely affects the pulp, your dentist may use a filling or dental crown to save your tooth.

Cracked tooth

 When you have a cracked tooth, it implies the crack line has vertically extended below the chewing surface. If it has reached the tooth root, a root canal will be recommended. Additionally, the application of a crown to ensure the crack doesn’t get any worse. However, if the crack has reached that part below the gum line, treatment is no longer an option, so the dentist will have to perform a tooth extraction.

Split tooth

 This type is usually the result of the progressive worsening of an untreated tooth crack whereby the fissure has extended vertically to the rest of the tooth, effectively splitting the tooth into two segments. In this case, saving the tooth may no longer be an option, and a tooth extraction would be recommended. However, if a portion of the tooth can still be saved, your dentist may recommend some form of endodontic therapy.

Vertical root fracture

 These cracks start the opposite way and grow from the tooth root. Usually, a tooth extraction is recommended. However, your dentist determines that it is still possible to save a portion of your tooth. 

Whatever type of injury your tooth is afflicted with, if you experience any type of tooth pain, just be sure to schedule an appointment get your teeth checked by Dr. Farhat. 

5 Ways To Have Healthy Teeth While Living In A Sugar Culture

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According to an article published by the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services, the average American consumes 152 pounds of sugar in a year, or three pounds or six cups of every week. This is a clear (and alarming) indication that we are now living in a sugar culture.

Dr. Farhat explains that too much sugar is not only bad for your waistline; it is also harmful to your teeth. Whenever you eat sugary foods and drink sweet beverages, some of the sugars linger on your teeth. Dental plaque bacteria combine with these sugars, producing plaque acids that attack the enamel. When the enamel continues to lose minerals, a hole or cavity eventually forms.

If this cavity is not treated immediately, it can progress deeper into the tooth which will cause pain when the damage hits your nerves.  It can also lead to tooth loss.

Avoiding the Unhealthy Effects of Sugar on Your Teeth

To minimize the harmful effects of sugar on your teeth, here are five helpful tips to follow:

  1. Limit your sugar intake. If you want to reduce the chances of getting cavities, reduce your consumption of sugary foods and beverages. Some of the sweet foods you should avoid are candies (all types), dried fruits, cookies, cakes, muffins and other sugary and sticky snacks. Start limiting your consumption of sodas, fruit juices, and other sugary drinks as well.
  2. Eat foods and drink beverages that will remineralize your tooth enamel. Cheese, unsweetened yogurt, low-fat milk and other healthy sugar-free foods and drinks are rich in calcium and phosphates. When you consume more of these products, your saliva will use these nutrients to strengthen and remineralize your teeth. Green and black tea also contain substances that can suppress harmful bacteria in your mouth. As such, consider drinking more tea instead of coffee.
  3. Minimize snacking in between meals. Going a few hours without eating will give your saliva a chance to wash away the acid from your mouth. This will also help repair your teeth before your next meal. If you’re really hungry, eat some fresh crunchy vegetables and fruit such as broccoli, carrots, cucumbers, apples, and pears.
  4. Brush with fluoride toothpaste and floss regularly. Fluoride is a crucial mineral that prevents and even reverses tooth decay in its early stages. As such, when brushing, use fluoride toothpaste. Floss properly every day as well, preferably at night, to get rid of plaque, sugar and food debris or leftovers from your teeth.
  5. Satisfy your sweet tooth with xylitol. Lastly, if you’re craving something really sweet, pop a xylitol gum or candy in your mouth. Eating xylitol frequently reduces the bacteria and acid in your mouth that damage your teeth.

Make sure you visit Dental One Care regularly as well. Routine checkups and dental cleanings can help you keep a healthy, beautiful smile even if you give in to your sweet cravings every now and then.

How Stress Impacts Periodontal Disease

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Stress has long been known to trigger the flare-up of all sorts of illnesses. So there’s no surprise that stress impacts periodontal disease.

The thing about stress is that it arrests the body’s autoimmune system and prevents it from effectively fighting off bacteria and other germs. Therefore, when you’re stressed, your body loses its ability to protect itself from anything that can make it weak.

Stress Impacts Periodontal Disease

It is important to point out as well that when the body is ill, the chemistry of the mouth changes. For most people, the mouth becomes dry. A dry mouth is an ideal breeding environment for gum disease-causing bacteria. It goes without saying that where there are more bacteria in the mouth, the delicate balance gets thrown off, making the mouth prone to gum inflammation and bad breath – precursors to periodontal disease.

It is worth noting as well that when a person is stressed, the body becomes greatly acidic. You will notice it in your breath when your body’s acidic. Even if you have brushed your teeth, your breath can smell like acetone – a common sign of high acidity. For the body to be healthy, it should be alkaline.

That is how stress impacts periodontal disease.

Improvements to Help with Periodontal Disease

Beating stress to help treat your periodontal disease is not that difficult. A few lifestyle changes can actually do wonders. Consult with Dr. Farhat on dental products that you can use. Toothpaste and mouthwashes that are specifically formulated for dry mouth always help, for example. These can restore the right pH balance of the mouth.

A change in diet is also helpful. Eating fatty fish rich in omega-3 fatty acids helps because omega-3s have been proven to work against stress hormones. Dark chocolate is also a good treat because it has chemicals that can trigger the release of endorphins (also known as the happy hormones), which fight stress hormones that weaken the body.

Taking health supplements may also yield positive effects because with more nutrients in the system boosting your autoimmunity, you can thwart bacterial action in your mouth.

Life without Stress

A life without stress is certainly ideal, but that is simply hard to achieve. If you want to improve your oral health and prevent periodontal disease from becoming one of your health issues, the best thing to do is to learn to manage stress.

Get some help from your dentist and follow their instructions religiously. Likewise, dedicate a lot of time and effort to personal care. Once you start taking care of yourself more, you will improve your overall health and not get stressed as easily. Visit our blog to learn more oral health tips and tricks.

What Floss is Best for Me?

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Flossing isn’t always the easiest thing to do. Although flossing is a crucial part of oral hygiene, floss can sometimes get stuck in between your teeth. This can be painful and difficult to remove. It can also be exasperating to have the floss suddenly break or snap while flossing as well. Because of these, many people do not like flossing and neglect to practice this important oral hygiene habit.

Choosing the right type of floss can help you have an easier time flossing. But dental flosses come in different types, size, and materials. 

Dr. Farhat shares the most widely used types of dental floss:

Multifilament floss

This is the most popular and commonly used type of dental floss. This fabric floss is made of silk or nylon that consists of many thin strands wound together. Also, this type of floss comes in waxed or un-waxed varieties.

Additionally, the waxed variety makes it easier for you to slide or glide the floss between your teeth. However, both waxed and un-waxed types are effective in removing debris from your teeth if used properly.

Multifilament floss is typically recommended for people who have gaps between their teeth that are not too tight.

Dental tape or puffy floss

Dental tape is a wider type of floss. It is a flat nylon ribbon which people with severe gum disease or large spaces between their teeth can safely use for flossing.  Most people find dental tape easier to use because of its flat shape.

Monofilament floss

Monofilament floss is a newer type of floss which is made of rubber, plastic or polytetrafluoroethylene. This type of floss is un-waxed and is stronger than multifilament floss. Therefore, it will hold out when it is being pulled between tight teeth.

This type of floss is highly recommended for people who have small spaces between their teeth and those who always seem to have difficulties using multifilament floss without breaking it.

Floss picks

A floss or flosser pick is a cross between a toothpick and dental floss. It has a pointed plastic pick on one end and a length of floss between two plastic prongs on the other.

Flossers are useful for kids and adults with limited dexterity or small mouths. In addition, they often have difficulties fitting their fingers in their mouth or maneuvering regular floss between their teeth.

Super Floss

This type of multifilament floss has stiff ends which can be used to thread the floss between braces or other dental appliances.

According to Dental One Care, the best type of floss to choose will depend on your personal preference. If you find using dental tape easier, use this type of floss. You can also start teaching your child how to use a floss pick so that even at an early age, your little one will know the importance of flossing.

To learn more about oral health, check out our blogs.

All-on-4 or All-on-6 Dental implants

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Have you heard of All-on-4 or All-on-6 dental implants? If you have missing teeth and you are considering getting dental implants, one of these procedures could be your best option. These treatments are quite similar but have some key differences, so Dr. Farhat may recommend one procedure over the other depending on your unique situation.

Similarities Between Dental Implants

Both All-on-4 and All-on-6 dental implants are effective solutions for those who lost several teeth. Both procedures will involve the surgical placement of dental implants in your jaw to maintain its structural integrity after tooth loss. Typically, both treatments will take about two to three hours to be completed.

During both procedures, you will be under general anesthesia. The implants will bond with the jaw to imitate the pressure placed on it by natural teeth. Depending on the procedure, your removable or fixed denture will fasten to four or six implants. All the teeth will be connected but will only have four or six roots that go into your jaw.

During the past couple of years, replacing a set of teeth required many more implants and could even include jaw bone grafting. Thus, the healing process may take up to six months before your mouth becomes ready for the dentures or crowns. With this advanced approach, however, there will be a shorter healing period because there are fewer implants involved. Also, the temporary dentures can be installed at the same time until the permanent dentures are ready, which often takes up to three months.

Differences Between Dental Implants

The number of implants that are added is the most obvious difference between All-on-4 and All-on-6 dental implants. All-on-4 makes use of four implants while All-on-6 utilizes six implants. But aside from this, there are other differences that should be considered. Dr. Farhat will choose which procedure is better based on clinical opinions and practices.

Often, the All-on-6 procedure is highly recommended because this provides better stability and strength, resulting in a longer-lasting, more comfortable smile. Every time you bite or chew on something, it is crucial for the pressure to be dispersed evenly to your implants and jaw. Most dentists believe that the placement and location of the two additional implants will provide a considerable amount of added stability, strength, and long-term benefit.

Without your teeth, your jawbone starts to break down. Thus, people who have worn dentures for quite a long time usually look older. Also, their jaw appears to be sunken in if they take off their dentures. With dental implants, this won’t happen since the implants will stimulate the jawbone. In fact, it can even keep your jawbone stronger. The All-on-6 dental implants provide additional strength and stimulation to your jawbone.

Both approaches are excellent permanent solutions if you have lost several teeth and you want to regain a confident smile. The recovery period and adjustment will be minimal. If you need a major dental reconstruction, visit Dental One Care and find out which of these two procedures is best for you.

When Do I Get Dental X-Rays?

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Dental X-rays help dental professionals like Dr. Farhart, visualize the problems and diseases of the teeth and their surrounding tissues. Moreover, they help the dentist determine and treat any dental problem early in their development. As such, they help you save money and prevent any unnecessary discomfort.

Problems that dental X-rays can detect include tooth decay that is not visible with an oral exam, bone loss, abscess, and other developmental abnormalities like cysts and tumors. For children, dental X-rays are used to watch for decay, to determine if there is sufficient space in the mouth for all incoming teeth, and to check for impacted teeth.

How Often Should Your Teeth Be X-Rayed?

Most people ask, “When do I get dental X-rays? How often should my teeth be X-rayed?” Reputable dental professionals say that the frequency of getting dental X-rays will depend on your dental and medical history, along with your current condition. There are some people who need X-rays every six months while others may only need to get X-rays every two to three years.

If you are a new patient, our Dental One Care team might take X-rays as part of the initial dental exam. This will help establish a baseline record from which to compare the changes that might happen over time.

The American Dental Association or ADA provided X-Ray recommendations:

  • Before taking any X-rays, dentists must always perform a clinical examination as well as evaluate the oral and medical history of the patient.
  • If you have a history of periodontal problems or extensive decay, Dr. Farhat will take more X-rays of your teeth.
  • Children usually need more X-rays than adults because of their developing teeth and jaws.

Even if you do not need frequent dental X-rays, you should still see Farhat regularly for routine oral check-ups.

How to Keep X-Rays to a Minimum

  • Practice good oral care – Always maintain good dental health with a routine of proper brushing and flossing. Also, see Farhat on a regular basis for check-ups and cleaning.
  • Talk to Dr. Farhat – If you have concerns about how frequently X-rays should be taken, discuss all of them with Dr. Farhat. You can be provided with suggestions about how to go longer between radiation exposures without compromising your oral health.
  • Bring your most recent X-rays each time you change Dr. Farhat.

Dental X-rays are necessary because they can identify problems that can’t be detected through a simple dental examination. This way, these dental issues won’t become worse and more difficult to treat. But make sure that before having X-rays, Dr. Farhat provides you with a valid clinical reason.

Contact our office today to make an appointment.

Contact Us: 586 274 2800

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