tooth pain

Oral Cancer

Posted on by Dr. Chea Rainford

 

As your dental office, it is our responsibility to be more than just your tooth doctor — we also want to contribute to your total body health.

 

That’s why we do a full oral cancer screening at every checkup. This quick and easy exam can catch oral cancer before it starts! Early detection, as with any cancer, is crucial in a positive outcome.

Some warning signs to look for:

  • Bumps/sores in the mouth that bleed easily and don’t disappear on their own within 14 days
  • Pain or difficulty chewing, swallowing or speaking
  • Numbness in mouth/facial area

So don’t neglect your six-month checkup. Not only will we clean your teeth we’ll also make sure you’re cavity-free. We are committed to your overall health, because your health is our top priority.

<a href=”https://www.vecteezy.com/free-photos”>Free Stock photos by Vecteezy</a>

We Wouldn’t Pull Your Leg About Tooth Loss

Posted on by Dr. Chea Rainford

In the United States, 20 million teeth are extracted each year. And, while the consequences of tooth loss can have devastating effects on overall health and self-esteem, fewer than 10 percent of patients seek information prior to the loss of a tooth. Whether due to fear, ignorance or lack of finances, many people wait until pain sets in before taking action. But, by then, it is often too late.

People commonly assume that tooth loss is an inevitable result of age. However, most factors that contribute to tooth loss can be controlled much earlier in life. Poor oral hygiene habits, such as not brushing and flossing daily, cause tooth decay and gum disease which – if not treated quickly or properly – ultimately lead to tooth loss.

Did you know that consuming foods and beverages that are high in sugar, carbohydrates and acid content can cause irreversible damage to the teeth and gums? Other harmful habits – such as smoking and chewing tobacco –also cause tooth loss. Sadly, many people are neither informed about how the process of losing a tooth begins nor the traumatic consequences it can have on their overall well-being.

Psychological & Emotional Effects of Tooth Loss

In an Academy of General Dentistry (AGD) member survey, more than 86 percent of dentists reported social embarrassment as one of the greatest problems associated with tooth loss. Losing teeth not only affects a person’s ability to chew and properly digest food, it also has serious social, psychological and emotional consequences that negatively impact quality of life. In addition to social embarrassment, some other problems associated with tooth loss include: mental anxiety, nervousness, self-consciousness, speech problems and problems with relaxation.

How Can I Prevent Tooth Loss?

Educating yourself about the causes and consequences of tooth loss can prevent it from happening to you. Visit us for cleanings twice a year; it’s an important step toward prevention.

Improving oral hygiene habits at home by brushing and flossing daily is also essential to prevent problems from developing. It’s important you learn about proper oral healthcare and other lifestyle changes that can improve the odds of keeping your natural teeth.

Give our office a call and schedule your appointment. Your teeth will thank you in the long run.

<a href=”https://www.vecteezy.com/free-photos”>Free Stock photos by Vecteezy</a>

Why So Sensitive? 5 Reasons Why Your Teeth Hurt

Posted on by Dr. Chea Rainford

Do your teeth hurt when you drink or eat something hot or cold? Most people think this is normal, but that’s not always the case. When your teeth hurt, they’re trying to tell you something: See your dentist.

More often than not, tooth sensitivity is a sign of a dental problem like tooth decay or gum disease. But there are other reasons why your teeth may be hurting:

  • You might have a cracked or broken tooth
  • One of your fillings could be broken or rotten
  • You might be grinding your teeth while you sleep
  • You could be brushing your teeth too hard
  • There might be dental plaque buildup on your tooth roots

Don’t make the mistake of ignoring sensitive teeth or trying to self-treat. If your sensitivity lasts longer than a couple of days or keeps recurring over a couple of weeks, make an appointment to see your dentist. The longer you wait, the worse it can get and the more expensive treatment will be. A quick exam can reveal exactly what’s going on and get you back to living pain-free.

Preventive Dentistry Starts at Home

Posted on by Dr. Chea Rainford

The main responsibility of preventive care falls on you! In order to reduce your chances of getting a dental disease, you have to take care of yourself. Consider the following points when it comes to your preventive dentistry program:

Oral Hygiene — Brushing and flossing removes dental plaque, a film-like substance that is constantly forming on your teeth. If not removed, dental plaque can build up over time and produce dental tartar, a hardened, sticky substance which harbors the acid-producing bacteria that generate tooth decay. Eventually, dental tartar will creep under the gum line, leading to gum disease as well.

Diet — A good diet is incredibly important to your dental health. Not only do foods that contain sugars and carbohydrates feed the bacteria that produce dental plaque, but studies also show a diet low in calcium can increase your chances of ending up with periodontal disease and jaw deterioration.

Smoking and Drinking — Smoking, chewing tobacco and consuming alcohol can wreak havoc on your mouth! If the dry mouth, tooth discoloration and buildup of dental plaque aren’t enough for you to want to quit smoking, consider this: Smoking causes gum disease, tooth loss and oral cancer.

Dental Care and Coronavirus

Posted on by Dr. Chea Rainford

While it seems the Coronavirus has caught us all off guard there are certain steps at home you can take to make sure your hygiene stays up to standard while you are at home

It is best to stick to a regular daily schedule which involves brushing and flossing twice a day preferably before bed and in the morning and in certain cases after meals.

This can also be followed up with a mouthwash rinse for 15 to 30 seconds and swishing with water throughout the day.

It is advised not to go without brushing for an extended period time so that your overall plaque levels do not increase and cause gum inflammation

Limit candy and sweet intake at this time especially sticky candy as they tend to require more overall effort to remove from the teeth.

Coffee should also be used in moderation as they tend to stain the teeth over time.

If you are in any type of dental pain I encourage you to seek an emergency dentist and have your symptoms addressed. Don’t delay as the continued pain can add to the despair of the times and cause even more issues.

If you have a temporary crown that has fallen out I encourage you to line the inside of the temporary crown with toothpaste and place the temporary back on the tooth and seek an emergency dentist this will also work for final crowns.

If the temporary or final crown is in pieces I encourage you to seek an emergency dentist at once because this may lead to more issues down the road.

If you have a broken filling, broken tooth or are in any form of pain call an emergency dentist and seek care.

If you have fallen and broken a tooth and there is severe bleeding and pain seek an emergency dentist at once.

 It advised not to visit the hospital emergency room because first responders are already overwhelmed with the effect of the Coronavirus.

While we grapple with this new normal and watch elected officials decide our next move in responding to the virus let us hunker down and prepare for the long haul

We are here for your Emergency needs Call 678 810 1100 to schedule an emergency appointment.

Help! I Broke My Tooth!

Posted on by Dr. Chea Rainford

Almost every day we get a call from a patient who has broken a tooth, and generally it means that to save the tooth, we have to place a crown or permanent restoration over it to keep it from breaking further. Sometimes the tooth can’t be saved and that is a real bummer!

What causes teeth to break? Well, there are several factors, one of which we see in almost all tooth fractures. The most common contributing factor is Silver amalgam fillings- these fillings have the unique property of enlarging as they age. So, there seems to be some outward pressure on the tooth and if someone bites just the right (or wrong) way, you hear that crack!

Now this tooth broke in several planes at once, and had to be removed; there wasn’t enough sound tooth structure to save it! So an implant or bridge needed to be done.

This is a more common sort of fracture. The inside aspect of the tooth just shears away. Luckily, this tooth can be saved with a crown, after first making sure there is no decay present.

The second common factor is bruxism- the habit of grinding or clenching the teeth. Many bruxers break teeth that don’t even have fillings in them, but they always have a higher percentage of broken teeth than people who don’t brux or clench.

If you or someone you know does grind their teeth and are worried about a tooth or some teeth, don’t hesitate to give us a call and we will be glad to check it out for you! Don’t wait until it hurts!