Nine Things You Should Know About Looking After Your Own Oral Health

The Dental Helpline takes more than 10,000 calls every year from those who have questions or concerns about their mouth and oral health.  The free-to-call helpline, run by the British Dental Health Foundation, has seen a steady upsurge in calls over the last two years and answers questions on a wealth of oral health related issues.

 

In a new three-part series, the charity has taken a look at some of the most frequently asked questions to the Dental Helpline, so that we can learn what it takes to keep our mouth healthy.

In the first part of the series the British Dental Health Foundation address some of the most common questions they get asked about what you can do to look after your own oral health.

There are many aspects to looking after our oral health and it can often be confusing what advice we should listen to and what to ignore. Looking after our mouth doesn't have to be difficult, expensive or time-consuming, in fact it can be very easy.

So to make things a little clearer here is some advice to help you keep your smile healthy:

1) How often should I visit the dentist?

How often you need to visit the dentist depends on your own oral health. You may need to visit at different intervals depending on aspects such as if you have any existing oral health problems, your age and other health issues.

As a rule of thumb you should visit the dentist as often as they recommend so discuss this with your dentist.

2) When is the best time to brush my teeth?

Did you know that there are times when you shouldn't brush your teeth? For example, you should not brush your tooth within an hour of eating or drinking anything acidic.

You should brush your teeth before you go to bed and at least one other time each day with a fluoride toothpaste.

3) What toothbrush should I be using?

Choosing the best toothbrush for you can be a potential minefield, everybody will have their own requirements. Adults should look to use a small to medium-sized brush head with soft to rounded nylon bristles and there are bushes which are specifically designed for children and the elderly.

Electric toothbrushes, those with the oscillating and rotating heads, can also be very effective and are helpful for people with mobility problems.

Your dentist will know exactly what you need and be able to help you make the right decision.

4) Which toothpaste is best for me?

There are many types of toothpaste on the market, choosing the best one for you can sometimes be confusing.

The most important thing is that your toothpaste contains the correct amount of fluoride, 1350 parts per million for children over three and adults,1000 parts per million under three. But you may have other specific needs due to tooth sensitivity, gum health or your age. Your dentist will be able to advise what is best for you based on your individual requirements.

5) How does my diet affect my oral health?

What you eat and drink can have a huge impact upon your oral health.

Sugary and acidic food can cause damage including tooth decay and dental erosion if you don't look after your oral health properly. Try to keep sugary foods or drinks just to mealtimes, limiting the amount of time your mouth is at risk. Each time you have sugar it takes your teeth an hour to recover from the acid attack caused.

A diet that is rich in vitamins, minerals and fresh fruit and vegetables can help to prevent gum disease so make sure you keep an eye on what you are eating.

6) How often should I clean between my teeth?

Ideally you should clean between your teeth at least once a day, only brushing your teeth cleans just two thirds of the tooth surface so you need to do a little extra to make sure you are reaching all of the tooth. Cleaning in between your teeth removes plaque and bits of food from areas a toothbrush simply can't reach.

You can clean between your teeth with an ‘interdental' brush or dental floss. You can also use dental tape which is thicker than floss and many people find easier to use. Your dental team can show you proper interdental cleaning techniques and products to ensure you're doing it effectively.

7) Should I use mouthwash?

Mouthwash offers many benefits to your oral health if used properly; some contain anti-bacterial ingredients which help reduce plaque and prevent gum disease. Some mouthwashes contain fluoride which is important in the helping to prevent tooth decay.

Do not use mouthwash too close to brushing your teeth as it can wash away the fluoride from brushing.

If you find that you have to keep using mouthwash to hide bad breath you should see your dentist. Persistent bad breath can be a sign of unhealthy teeth and gums or of poor general health.

8) How bad is smoking for my oral health?

Most people are very aware that smoking is bad for their health. It can cause huge medical problems and, in some cases, fatal diseases.

However, many people don't realize the full extent to which smoking damages their mouth, gums and teeth.

Smoking can lead to tooth staining, gum disease, tooth loss, and in more severe cases mouth cancer. Smokers lose more teeth than non smokers.

If you are a smoker it is likely that you will have to visit your dentist and hygienists more often to keep a close check on the health of your mouth.

9) Where can I find information about how to look after my oral health?

Your oral health does not stop the moment you step out of the dentist, be sure you understand what you can do every day to make sure you keep your oral health in tip top condition. Your dental team can offer guidance and support from many other services and can refer you if you need extra help.

 

British Dental Foundation
https://www.dentalhealth.org/news/details/903

 

If you have questions or would like to schedule an appointment, please contact Omni Dental Group at one of our three office locations listed below:

North Austin on Hymeadow Drive: (512) 250-5012
Central Austin on Jollyville Road: (512) 346-8424
South Austin on William Cannon: (512) 445-5811

Why You Need To Visit A Dentist Now?

I don’t have any reason to visit a dentist, my teeth are perfect and healthy!

That is what everyone says when being asked to visit a dentist. But really, it is not until you start having serious pains in your teeth before you consider visiting a dentist.

Here are four reasons why you should consider visiting a dental care clinic now:

#1. Correction of Wrong Dentition

Most of us grew up with having more than enough teeth in the mouth and we see it as a normal thing even though they overlap each other.

A dentist will help find corrective measures in helping your teeth have the best dentition you never thought you could have.

#2. Mouth Cleaning and Cleansing

Most people have tartar (an incrustation that forms on the teeth and gum) formed underneath their teeth and close to the gums.

These harbor lots of microorganisms that later affect the oral health. A dentist would notice the tartar and carry out what is called scaling and polishing to remove every traces of the tartar before it gets to its worse stage.

A dentist will help you to remove food remnants that hides between the teeth. Food remnants that hide in the teeth include remnants of meat, fish, vegetables and they keep decaying in between the tooth.

You don’t have to wait till it decays and destroy your oral health, visit a dentist who will help you floss the teeth with a waxy thread.

#3. Prevention and Control of Oral Diseases

A dentist takes note of everything that might lead to a chronic disease and takes care of before it gets out of the primary stage.

It is advisable to visit a dentist at least once in every three months. Being busy is not an excuse anymore, so just make time within that three months to see a dentist.

#4. Placing fillings or administering anesthetics

Dental fillings or restoration are used to fill in the cavities caused by tooth decay. Instead of removing the tooth after suffering a tooth decay, your dentist will help check what the possible solution to it might be so you get relieved of the pain as soon as possible.

It is either placed with fillings if the tooth is not decayed to a bad extent and might be extracted if the condition of the tooth is bad.

Is that all a dentist can do? Of course not.

A dentist can also help in diagnosing oral diseases, creating treatment plans to maintain or restore the oral health of patients, interpreting x-rays and diagnostic health, monitoring growth and development of the teeth and jaws.

Source: The Huffington Post
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/adeyemi-adetilewa/dental-care-why-you-need-_b_11707700.html
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If you have questions or would like to schedule an appointment, please contact Omni Dental Group at one of our three office locations listed below:

North Austin on Hymeadow Drive:  (512) 250-5012
Central Austin on Jollyville Road:  (512) 346-8424
South Austin on William Cannon:  (512) 445-5811

Extractions

Reasons for Recommending Tooth Extraction
Teeth may need to be extracted for several reasons, including but not limited to:

• severe periodontal disease
• irreversible damage to the nerve tissue inside the tooth (and the patient decides against saving the tooth)
• failed endodontic therapy
• extreme fracture or decay of the tooth structure
• improper positioning of the tooth or for orthodontic purposes

To a great extent, the reason for the extraction will influence the amount of discomfort you might experience subsequent to the procedure. When the tooth is to be extracted for periodontal reasons, there will be reduced bone support for the tooth and the tooth might be removed more easily than if there were full bone support. In this case, there might be lessened discomfort following the extraction.

The Procedure
1. Numb the tooth: Your dentist will need to anesthetize (numb up) both your tooth and the bone and gum tissue that surround it. This is done as an injection.

2. Extraction: The root portion of a tooth is firmly encased in bone (its socket), and tightly held in place by a ligament. During the extraction process, the dentist needs to both "expand the socket" (widen and enlarge it) and separate the tooth from its ligament, to the point where the tooth is loose and free to come out.

• What does it mean to "expand" a tooth's socket? If you have ever tried to remove a tent stake that has been driven deeply into the ground, you know that you can't just pull the stake straight up. Instead, you first have to rock the stake back and forth, widening the hole in which it is lodged. Once the hole has been enlarged enough, the stake will come out easily.
• How does the dentist expand the jaw bone? The bone inside the jaw is spongy. When a dentist applies firm pressure to a tooth (forcing it against the side of its socket), the bone will compress. After repeated application of pressure, from many different angles, the entire socket gradually becomes expanded. At some point, enough space will have been created (and the ligament separated from the tooth enough) that the tooth will come out.

3. Closing the extraction site: Once your tooth has been removed, your dentist will begin the process of closing your extraction site. This may include:

• Removing infected or pathologic tissue by curetting (scraping) the walls of the tooth socket
• Using finger pressure to re-compress the "expanded" socket
• Rounding off sharp bone edges
• Evaluating the tooth socket for sinus complications (upper back teeth)
• Washing out ("irrigating") the socket, so to remove any loose bone or tooth fragments that remain
• Placing stitches (usually only after surgical extractions).
• Placing folded gauze over your extraction site and then having you bite down on it so to create firm pressure

The Tools

1. Dental Elevators: During the extraction process, a dentist will usually use an elevator first. These instruments are designed to be wedged in the ligament space between the tooth and its surrounding bone. As the elevator is forced and twisted, the tooth is pressed and rocked against the bone. This helps to expand the socket. It also helps to separate the tooth from its ligament. As this work is continued, the tooth will become more and more mobile. In some cases, the elevator may be able to shove the tooth on out. If not, the dentist will switch to the use of extraction forceps and remove the tooth with them.

2. Extraction Forceps: A dentist will usually keep a number of different extraction forceps on hand. Each one will have a design that's been specially made to grasp a certain type of tooth. When they're used, the dentist will grasp the tooth with the forceps and them firmly and deliberately rock it back and forth as much as it will. Because the bone that surrounds the tooth is compressible, the socket will expand. In addition to a rocking motion, a dentist will also rotate the tooth back and forth. This twisting action helps to rip and tear the tooth from the ligament that binds it in place. At some point, the socket will be enlarged enough, and the ligament torn enough, that the tooth can be easily removed.

What will I feel?
1. Pressure
2. You should not feel any pain 
3. Expect to hear startling extraction noises: These are often just routine

Following the Extraction
We will tell you the reason for the extraction and let you know what to expect following the procedure. Please follow the instructions given to you. If antibiotics are prescribed, take them until the prescription is completely finished. If pain medication is prescribed, take it only if necessary. If the medication prescribed contains a narcotic component, such as codeine, do not drive a motor vehicle or operate machinery that could prove dangerous to yourself or others. Expect some bleeding to occur from the extraction site for the first 24 hours. Remember, there is now a hole in your jaw from which the tooth has been removed, and the hole can be quite large. Some bleeding is to be expected.

• Do not spit, rinse, or smoke for 24 hours
• Do not drink through a straw for 24 hours
• It would be a good idea not to brush near the extraction site for a day or two
• When you brush and floss the area, be gentle!
• For 24 hours after the extraction, try to chew food away from the extraction site
• Some slight swelling in the area is to be expected, especially if the extraction was difficult
• If sutures are placed, return to have them removed
• If medication has been prescribed for possible post extraction discomfort, take it as directed
• If prescription medication has NOT been given, you may take your usual over-the-counter pain reliever, as directed

 Please notify us if:

• There is extended bleeding from the extraction site. Slight bleeding for several hours is normal.
• Anything other than slight swelling occurs.
• Discomfort continues for more than 24 hours, especially if it is not relieved by over-the-counter pain relievers.

Some infrequent complications of routine oral surgical procedures include (but are not limited to):

• fracture of adjacent teeth or restorations (which of course would mean that these affected areas must be restored to normal function after the healing of the extraction site)
• separated root tips or root fragments
• temporary or permanent nerve damage to the area, resulting in anesthesia or paresthesia (numbness)
• incomplete healing, resulting in severe pain - a "dry socket"
• fracture of the surrounding bone

If you have any questions about reasons for dental extraction, please feel free to ask us.