Oh No! Do You Have An Abscessed Tooth?. Family and Cosmetic Dentist Irvine.

Is your tooth in pain? How to know if it is an Abscessed Tooth or and when to call your dentist!

What is Dental Abscess?

An abscess tooth is an infection in the chamber of the tooth, also known as the pulp of the tooth, that runs through the root and out the bottom end. This infection can then spread to the jaw bone resulting in sickness and possible tooth loss if not treated.

How does tooth abscess occur?

When tooth decay starts, forming a cavity, it can reach the pulp of the tooth and run through to the bottom of the root. Cracked teeth can also spark the beginning of abscess through the same process. Bacteria now have an express route to the inner chamber.

What are the symptoms and signs of tooth abscess?

Some of the symptoms of tooth abscess are the following:

• Throbbing Toothache
• Pain when biting down or chewing
• Hard Inflamed “pimples” on the surrounding Gum
• Fever
• Jaw Throbbing and swelling

If you are experiencing any of the above symptoms, it is best to call your dentist right away for an over the phone diagnosis which may result in an emergency dental visit.

Tooth Abscess Treatment

If an emergency dental visit is necessary, your dentist will treat the abscess by removing the tooth decay and may perform a root canal to flush the infected pulp. Depending on the severity of the abscess, the tooth may need a dental crown or need to be removed entirely.

How to Prevent Tooth Abscess

By contacting your dentist when you have a toothache, pain when biting or chewing, or jaw swelling and throbbing they may be able to diagnose the issue right away and prevent abscess from occurring. Going to the dentist for regular teeth cleanings, most cavities and tooth decay will be stopped in their tracks greatly improving the chances of not contracting tooth abscess.

Call us today to make an appointment for a check up!

Seven Surprising Foods That Are Eroding Your Teeth

Keeping your teeth healthy can be hard enough, but many of the foods you like to eat can be harmful. This is why it’s important to learn the best foods for teeth. Different types of food can treat teeth differently either promoting and preserving healthy enamel, or breaking down enamel and building plaque. Foods that include large amounts acid, sugars, and starches usually promote enamel erosion leading to tooth decay, cavities, and gum disease!! Your dentist wants your smile to stay healthy.

Here are 7 different food types to stay away from or at least limit for better oral health.

RELATED – 27 SOFT FOODS TO EAT AFTER ORAL SURGERY

1. Sticky Foods – Candy is widely known for not being beneficial toward oral health. Almost all candy (at least the good kind) has copious amounts of sugar. Depending on the candy type, most candies will get stuck in the crevasses and pockets of teeth leaving the sugars to sit and accumulate bacteria to begin building plaque. Candies that have a sour flavor do double damage because they have higher acidic properties to create that sour flavor.
   The sugary and sticky consistency isn’t limited to just candy. Many dried fruits are also sugar coated and have a gummy texture that will find its way to the cracks and crevasses of the teeth.
2. Starches – Foods that have a starchy make up such as bread, crackers, and chips. When saliva breaks down the sugars in the starch, the consistency changes to an almost gooey substance that easily gets stuck in between teeth. This allows the sugars to sit and decay the tooth if not cleaned right away.
3. Fruit – Fruits are great for the body’s health, but when it comes to oral health many fruits have a high acidity that can speed up tooth decay. Fruits like apples, oranges, lemons, and tomatoes have higher acidity levels.
4. Ice – Technically one wouldn’t consider ice a food but, when ice is chewed it is not good for teeth. Chewing ice can cause tooth chipping and tooth cracking that can lead to bigger oral problems and a much higher risk of rapid tooth decay if not treated in a timely manner.
5. Wine – A glass of red wine at dinner has many health benefits, but can also take a toll on your teeth. Red wine can be very acidic and when consumed regularly can stain your teeth.
6. Coffee – Coffee is a morning must for many people. Whether your drink is from home, Starbucks, or anywhere else, most of the time sugar is added to the coffee. Coffee, like wine, has health benefits but when consumed regularly can stain teeth, as well as speed up tooth decay when sugar is added.
7. Soda – Last but not least, Soda. Soda has a huge amount of sugars that stick to your teeth. Not only does soda have more acid to attack the enamel, but darker sodas can have the same effect that wine and coffee do to stain your teeth.

When looking at this list you might be thinking, then what can I eat? All of these foods can still be enjoyed in reasonable amount without hurting your teeth if other actions take place.

For example, when eating a food with high acidity whether it be wine or fruit, eat something with it that has a higher PH. Any dairy food like a glass of milk or a slice of cheese can counter balance the acidity so it is not sitting on your teeth for long.

While eating starchy foods, drink water to break up the food that has collected in the crevasses to prevent it from accumulating and attacking the enamel.

With anything having to do with sugary foods, there’s usually always a sugar free option when it comes to candy and other snacks. Not only will sugar free be better for your body’s health but your mouth will thank you as well.

Brushing your teeth after eating can also help keep teeth healthy. See your dentist regularly for cleaning and checkups to be sure you teeth are sparkling and strong.

Sources: deltadentalins.com, MouthHealhty.org, Colgate.com

Smoking and Your Smile

A smile is a powerful thing. It’s the very thing that the majority of us notice when we meet someone new. It impacts the shape of the face and the way others perceive us. Whenever you share a smile with someone across the room, beam at a new baby, or grin while meeting an old friend for the first time in years, your smile communicates something about you.

You know how important your smile is, and you want your teeth to be white and straight so that your smile makes a fantastic impression. But did you know that despite your great oral health habits, smoking is damaging your teeth beyond repair?

Below is a guide to help you learn more about how smoking affects your oral health—and how you can protect your smile. Your doctor and dentist can also help you learn more about the effects of smoking on teeth.

How Smoking Affects Your Oral Health

Most people are aware of how detrimental smoking can be to their general health. Since the first Surgeon General report on the effects of smoking on health, more than 20 million Americans have died as a result of smoking—and one-tenth of that group died because of exposure to secondhand smoke.

You know all of this, of course. But do you know the specific effects that smoking has on your oral health?

Many of the symptoms of habitual smoking are subtle, but if you smoke frequently, you know that cigarettes have one immediate effect on your oral health: you get stale breath. But there are other symptoms that occur over time that only the best dentistries like Babiner Dental can get rid of, including:

• Badly stained teeth. Most smokers have yellowed teeth, and over time, their teeth can even turn dark brown.
• Slower healing rates. The nicotine and other chemicals in tobacco slow your body’s ability to heal itself after a surgery because nicotine slows blood flow and causes more clots. Even if you can afford to replace all of your teeth if they become stained, the process will be much more painful than it might have been if you didn’t smoke.
• Gum disease. Smoking interferes with your gum tissue cells, which makes you much more susceptible to infection. Periodontal disease is one such infection that leads to tooth loss and painful, swollen gums.
• Bone loss. Your teeth are more likely to fall out and your jawbone is more likely to decay if you smoke frequently.
• Dulled senses. You may have begun to experience this already—your senses of taste and smell aren’t what they used to be. Consistent exposure to smoke and toxins deadens sensitive cells in your nose and mouth, making it difficult for you to taste and smell.

And of course, there’s a heightened risk of oral or pharyngeal (throat) cancer. A single cigarette contains at least 23 carcinogenic (or cancer-causing) chemicals. Each of those chemicals eats away at cells that protect your mouth, throat, nose, and lungs, and then begin to modify the cells. Your body can fight the effects for a while, but eventually, cancer can develop.

How Your Dentist Can Help

Your dentist can help you fight the effects of smoking on your mouth and smile. For example, your dental clinic most likely offers special toothpastes for smokers. These toothpastes are abrasive and fight bacteria in your mouth.

You can also use teeth-whitening toothpastes, which can help eliminate some of the tobacco stains on your teeth. Your dentist may also be able to provide a heavy-duty mouthwash to eliminate smelly bacteria and improve your breath.

Through regular examinations, your dentist can spot damage and help fight decay. If you are a steady smoker, chances are that your dentist will be the first one to spot a potential dental health issue and advise you on your next steps. In some cases, corrective surgery may be needed.

Ultimately, however, your dentist will advise one thing: stop smoking immediately. The effects of smoking will continue to damage your teeth, throat, and mouth, even if your dentist provides special products and treatments to help.

You Can Quit Smoking

Of course, only a doctor can give you precise, helpful advice on quitting smoking. Your doctor knows your personal medical history the best, so if you plan to quit, talk to him or her as soon as possible.

In general, though, if you want to quit smoking, you’ll make a great step toward protecting your smile from future damage. Write down your reasons for wanting to quit—or, better yet, film yourself. Whenever you feel discouraged or frustrated, review your reasons for quitting.

There are loads of ways that you can try to stop smoking though, you just have to find what works best for you. For example, some people like to use nix sticks, if you are wondering what are nix sticks, then they are just a nicotine replacement to help you try and quit smoking. But there are plenty of other things that you could try.

Share your goals with others, including friends, family, and your dentist. It may help you to have someone to hold you accountable when you slip back into old habits. Ask for help from the people you love, and you’ll be surprised by how much easier it becomes to overcome this bad habit.

Whether you want a more beautiful smile, a healthier family, or a longer life, overcoming a smoking habit is worth it. You can do it! Quitting smoking can be difficult, but with the support of others, you can succeed. Speak with your dentist today about how you can improve your oral health and quit smoking.