Dental Blog
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Do Crowns Feel Like Regular Teeth When Placed? |
Posted on 12/21/2020 by Karl Olson |
Like any other piece of dental work or orthodontic device, a crown can take some adjustment time. When a crown is placed correctly, a patient should be comfortable with a new crown within two weeks. When complications arise, or when a patient has questions about a new crown, the best course of action is to contact our office so we can address the issue immediately. Items to Consider with a New Crown The first factor to consider is that crowns are purposefully bulkier than the teeth they cover. This is because each crown requires a minimum thickness to be strong enough to protect the tooth. This thickness may make the crown feel foreign or unusual, but most patients will grow accustomed to a new crown within two weeks. Another factor is that most teeth will be sensitive to temperature after a crown is placed, especially if the underlying tooth had an exposed nerve. Often, this sensitivity is temporary; patents should call our office when the sensitivity lasts longer than a week. Caring for a New Crown The best way to ensure that a new crown feels like a natural tooth is to maintain it as if it were a natural tooth. Brushing twice a day, flossing daily, and rinsing with a fluoridated mouthwash will protect both the crown and the remaining natural teeth. Refraining from putting non-food items in the mouth will reduce the chance of a crown chipping, cracking, or falling off. Avoiding staining foods like coffee and red wine will prevent a crown from being stained. Quitting smoking – or not starting smoking – will greatly reduce the potential for damage to the entire mouth, crown included. If you have questions or concerns about a new crown, contact our office for a consultation or a follow-up. Our team will address your issues and propose the best way to proceed.... Read more... |
Common Mistakes People Make After We Whiten Their Teeth |
Posted on 12/7/2020 by Karl Olson |
When we professionally whiten your teeth, it is imperative that you follow our post-treatment directions. Avoid making mistakes that can result in an unevenly whitened smile or stain the teeth soon after the whitening process. Drinking Beverages and Eating Stain-producing Foods Eating foods that produce stains or drinking the wrong beverages are common errors that people make after they have their teeth whitened. For example, don't drink sports drinks, acidic drinks, or soda (fizzy drinks) several hours after your teeth have been whitened. Veer clear of coffee, tea, or red wine, as they are the worst drinks to consume after you have the treatment. Dark colored foods, such as dark berries (blueberries and blackberries), chocolate, and sauces, such as tomato sauce and green pesto sauce, should not be consumed either. Instead eat light-colored foods like pasta, rice, mashed potatoes, chicken, turkey, or light-colored fish. You can also eat yogurt (if it is white, and without coloring), or bananas. Boiled potatoes that have been peeled are also fine. Smoking or Using Tobacco Products Another error people make after a professional dental whitening is using tobacco. Never smoke or chew tobacco right after you have your teeth whitened. Doing so can lead to a disappointing outcome. You should avoid smoking or using chewing tobacco at least 24 hours after the treatment. Better yet, why not quit smoking or using tobacco before you schedule a whitening? If you wish to have your teeth whitened and you use tobacco, tell us. We can schedule a time for a whitening after you quit the habit. Knowing that you will have a whiter and brighter smile after quitting may be just the incentive you need to stop using tobacco permanently. The above mistakes can be avoided if you follow our post-care instructions after you have an in-office whitening. Would you like to know more about teeth whitening? If so, give us a call today. Schedule an appointment with us to see if this treatment is right for you. If this type of whitening treatment will not work for you, we also can suggest alternative, such as crowns or veneers.... Read more... |
How To Keep Your Mouth Moist When You Struggle With Dry Mouth |
Posted on 11/16/2020 by Karl Olson |
A dry mouth can result from various factors such as underlying health conditions, the composition of your diet, and lifestyle. Keeping your mouth moist is necessary for better oral health. Therefore, we need to learn the causes of xerostomia (dry mouth) and how best to handle it. Reasons For dry Mouth Dehydration can cause dry mouth since it may affect the amount of saliva produced by the salivary glands. Causes of dehydration include excess glucose in the blood, alcohol intake, and excess salt in your food, leading to frequent urination. All these factors can contribute to water loss in your body, which reduced your saliva content. Similarly, medical conditions such as diabetes may lead to dry mouth; diabetes causes a rise in blood sugar levels, which absorbs water from your body, causing dehydration. Patients who have asthma may also report cases of xerostomia. When they frequently breathe through the mouth, the dry air absorbs all the moisture, leaving the mouth dry. Finally, if you have had a previous surgery that might have involved your salivary glands, you may inhibit less saliva production. How To Manage a Dry Mouth The best remedy for dry mouth is frequent water intake/ hydration. Not only does it hydrate the body, but it also helps moisten the mouth. When the mouth is moist, there is better ingestion; hence, fewer particles are left in the mouth after eating; this reduces the chances of tooth disorders. For patients who suffer from underlying health conditions such as asthma, you can ensure that you take the right medication with suppressed side effects. Sugar-free chewing gums may also stimulate saliva production to moisten your mouth. Similarly, limiting your alcohol and caffeine intake may help reduce water loss; hence, conserve your saliva. You can also improve your saliva retention by eating foods low in sugar and salt. For more information about dry mouth and its remedies, contact our offices.... Read more... |
Our Mission WorkThe doctors have participated in multiple missions trips to the Dominican Republic to perform extractions for children in schools who have never seen a dentist.Learn More |