How to Know if You Need a Root Canal
When a tooth has become badly decayed, or infected, root canal treatment can repair and save the tooth. Are you experiencing discomfort with a tooth, but aren’t sure if a root canal is the solution? Here’s how to know if you need a root canal.
Persistent toothache
It may be a continuous throb or it may come and go, but strong and persistent tooth pain, especially if it gets worse when eating, biting down, or otherwise disturbing the tooth, is a signal that you need to make an appointment to visit the dentist as soon as possible. It’s important to remember that tooth pain seldom goes away on its own and you need to see a dentist to address the underlying problem that’s causing the pain.
Sensitivity to Hot or Cold
Do you experience sensitivity when drinking hot or cold liquids? This could be the sign of an infected nerve. Some people simply have sensitive teeth and experience slight discomfort from heat and cold. If this is this case, you’ll likely feel sensitivity throughout your entire mouth. This discomfort is subtle and subsides quickly. However, if you have an infection, the sensitivity is much more focused. Pay attention to the area you’re experiencing discomfort. If the pain persists around the same tooth, you may need a root canal.
5 Signs You Should Schedule a Dentist Visit
Going to the dentist is one of the easiest ways to help your health (after all, oral health is connected to overall health). But for many people, visiting the dentist for a tooth-related issue isn’t always on the top of the priority list. If you’re suffering from any of these symptoms, it’s time to schedule an appointment!
White Spots on Your Teeth
These indicate early stages of tooth decay. But don’t worry! If caught soon enough, it’s possible to halt the decay process.
Bad Breath
Dealing with bad breath can be annoying and embarrassing. Do you brush regularly, but your breath still stinks? Does it seem like minty gum just does nothing for you? There might be something more going on.
Bad breath can be a sign of tooth decay, tooth infection, or gum disease. If you’re growing more and more frustrated with chronic bad breath, head to a dentist. They may be able to find out what’s really going on, and help you find a long-term solution.
The Keto Diet and Oral Health
While the keto diet may be popular, what impact does it have on your oral health?
The keto diet consists of high-fat and low carb foods—cheese, nuts, fish, meat, veggies, for example. That idea is that intaking this kind of food forces your body to burn fats rather than carbohydrates. While this diet may work for you, there’s a side effect you should be aware of: keto breath.
What does it smell like? It has a fruity or acetone smell but can be much worse if there’s a high bacteria count in your mouth. In that case, you reach a level of bad breath known as “dragon’s breath.” The side effect is common, so you’ll want to be extra vigilant with your oral health if you want to keep your breath in tip-top shape. Other tips include:
- Drink plenty of water. A hydrated mouth keeps bacteria at bay.
- Use alcohol-free mouth wash. Mouthwashes containing alcohol have a drying effect on your mouth, ramping up bacteria production.
- Ease into the diet. Rather than jumping in with both feet, consider taking on the new diet slowly, allowing your body to adjust.
- Watch your stress levels. Stress reduces the flow of saliva (creating a playground for bacteria) and it also slows the digestion of proteins.
Schedule an Appointment Today
Are you ready to have the best breath and smile of your life? Schedule an appointment today and we’ll help you reach your oral health goals while you reach your weight loss goals.
5 Tips for Tooth Sensitivity to Cold
If cold foods cause you pain, then you’ve come to the right place. We’ve put together a list of helpful tips to alleviate your cold sensitivity. But first: What causes cold sensitivity in the first place?
Causes of Cold Sensitivity
Cold sensitivity is often caused by either enamel erosion or receding gums. Every tooth has nerve endings that are protected by the outside of the tooth. However, if the gums recede too far or the enamel of a tooth is damaged, you may feel pain when drinking cold food or beverages.
Tips for Treating Sensitive Teeth
Here are five quick tips to help with your tooth sensitivity.
- Use toothpaste designed for sensitive teeth.
- Are you using a soft toothbrush? If not, get one and make sure you brush gently to preserve the surface of your teeth, as well as your gums.
- Try using a saltwater mouthwash to create an alkaline environment in your mouth, which reduces bacteria. You can make this yourself with two teaspoons of salt and a cup of warm water. Use this morning and night until sensitivity improves.
- Avoid the foods and drinks causing you pain. This may seem obvious, but it can be difficult to remember when you catch sight of your favorite ice cream.
- Is it time you got professional help for your tooth sensitivity? Schedule an appointment with a dentist today. Our team is ready to talk with you about a personalized plan and help you to a life with less tooth sensitivity.
What Your Tongue Can Tell You About Your Health
Your tongue is an amazing thing. Not only does it allow you to taste delicious foods, it also helps you create suction for a straw and starts the act of swallowing. Did you know your tongue can also tell you about your health?
- White coating – If you notice parts of your tongue appear white, this may be oral thrush. It’s a yeast overgrowth that can cause further health complications if not treated. However, if you brush your tongue and the white goes away, you’re good to go. Speaking of which, when’s the last time you brushed your tongue?
- White patches – These could be leukoplakia, caused by irritation from tobacco or alcohol use. Leukoplakia is a mucous membrane that can’t be scraped off. It can disappear over time if tobacco and alcohol use are stopped.
How to Prevent Dry Mouth During Sleep
Dry mouth during sleep can be the cause of a lot of problems—bad breath, poor sleep and even gum disease to name a few. If you suffer from it, don’t worry; you’re not alone. Millions of people experience dry mouth, with the nighttime often bringing about the worst of it.
Dry mouth can also be caused by medication, smoking, radiation treatment, aging, and even diseases such as diabetes or Parkinson’s. Luckily, there are plenty of ways to keep your mouth moist and your oral health in great shape.
Here are a handful of ways to prevent dry mouth during sleep:
What Causes Bad Breath?
If you have bad breath and it wasn’t caused by something you recently ate, it could be a sign that you have gum disease, tooth decay or an underlying medical issue. Bad breath, otherwise known as halitosis, can be embarrassing—but it’s important to figure out its root cause and remedy the issue.
The most common reason for bad breath? Poor oral hygiene. If you don’t keep your teeth and gums clean, decay and debris in your mouth can produce unpleasant odors. If you brush twice a day and floss daily and still have bad breath, schedule an appointment with your dentist. They’ll help identify the cause.
Gum disease (aka periodontitis) also causes bad breath. Bad breath is just one of the symptoms. Other signs you may have gum disease include swollen gums and bleeding. Left untreated, gum disease can wreak havoc on your health causing all sorts of dental problems and tooth loss.
Does Sugar Really Cause Cavities?
Sugar is delicious. There’s no denying it. But does sugar really cause cavities?
First things first: What’s a cavity? A cavity is a hole in a tooth where tooth enamel has broken down due to decay. If left untreated, a cavity can create a hole through the tooth and expose nerve endings.
Can sugar be the cause of one of these pesky cavities?
No, sugar doesn’t cause cavities, bacteria causes cavities. But sugar is like a magnet for bad bacteria. Sugar digestion also creates bacteria which, if not properly managed, will lead to not just cavities but also gum disease and may even result tooth loss.
How Often Should You Replace Your Toothbrush?
Your toothbrush does a lot of work. It reaches into the nooks and crannies of your mouth to help clean out food, bacteria, and other gunk. Over time, your toothbrush takes a beating. How often should you swap your old one out for a new one?
You Should Replace Your Toothbrush Every…
Over the months, your toothbrush bristles fray, losing their ability to properly clean. If you’re like most people, you only change out your toothbrush when you visit the dentist twice a year. But the truth is you should be swapping out your toothbrush much more often.
The most common recommendation for changing out your toothbrush is every two to four months. If you’re uncertain of whether it’s time to change, keep this phrase in mind: When in doubt, change it out.
Can Birth Control Affect Your Oral Health?
Birth control pills can have an impact on your oral health due to the changing hormones in your body. The pills increase a woman’s inflammatory response, causing gums to be redder and swollen and to bleed more readily. It stands to reason that hormonal changes can affect your gum health, as the hormonal changes can cause inflammation of the gum tissue. However, a recent study suggests young women found these hormonal agents had no effect on gum tissues.
The best way to tell if your birth control is affecting your oral health is to get a baseline reading prior to getting on birth control. In addition, be sure to keep your hygiene in tip-top shape. Otherwise, negative side effects from poor hygiene will muddle your baseline for your birth control. Each type of oral contraceptive has different levels of hormones, so if the impact on your gum health is severe, you could try experimenting with a different one.
When was the last time your hygienist showed you how to brush and floss? Did you know that many people brush too hard and don’t floss properly? If you’re experiencing redness, swelling, or discomfort in your gums, we’re happy to help you get back to feeling normal again.
Schedule Your Appointment Today
Ready to have the best smile of your life? Schedule an appointment today and our team will get you on your way to a happier, healthier smile.
How to Choose the Best Floss for Your Teeth
Flossing plays a major role in your oral health. But how do you know which floss is best for you? Let’s take a look.
What are the Types of Floss?
There are four kinds of floss: woven floss, shred-resistant floss, unwaxed floss, and electric flossers. While you may prefer one over the others, is there really a difference between the four types of floss?
In terms of plaque removal, a study published in the Journal of Periodontology suggests the answer is no. 25 people were given the different types of floss and the evidence suggests they’re equally effective at removing plaque—though the electric flosser showed the greatest plaque removal upon first use.