Jan 20, 2023 | Dental Topics 3, Dental Information, Blog
When your tooth pulp that is located in the center of each of your teeth becomes damaged or infected, the best way to save the tooth is to have root canal therapy. This safe and effective treatment is not as painful as its reputation, and should not be avoided. Watching for signs that your tooth pulp has been compromised is an important step in saving your tooth, so that treatment may be performed before your condition becomes too advanced.
There are not always signs associated with a tooth that requires root canal therapy. Sometimes only examination, X-rays, and other tests will reveal problems. This is one reason regular dental visits are important. In other cases, symptoms are present to indicate pulp damage. Some typical signs include:
- Pain that is often related to inflamed tooth pulp, which can be caused by deep decay, chipped or cracked teeth, repeated dental procedures, faulty crowns, infection, tooth grinding, or periodontitis. Inflammation increases pressure inside the pulp cavity and triggers the tooth’s nerves. The pain may be in the tooth itself, or it can be referred to other areas in your mouth. Pain when eating or sensitivity to hot or cold is also common.
- Gum swelling near the damaged tooth
- Facial swelling
- Tooth loosening
- Pus around the damaged tooth
- Tooth discoloration, which usually occurs over a longer period of time. Discoloration can take weeks, months, or years to appear. This is another reason for regular dental checkups.
If you experience any of the symptoms above, or if your dentist identifies problems upon examination, it’s time to consider root canal therapy. Saving your natural tooth is almost always better than having to replace a lost tooth. Root canal therapy can help you keep your smile intact, as well as its function. Your natural sensations of a real tooth remain, as well as normal biting abilities. Don’t shy away from treatment; take care of tooth pulp problems when they arise.
Schedule your appointment at our Conyers dental office
Oct 24, 2024 | Dental Topics 3, Dental Information, Blog
Modern lifestyles can be extremely stressful as many people have to deal with deadlines, demands and other frustrations that make up daily life. This can be an issue if you’re constantly under stress as it may affect your health. There are numerous health conditions that can be affected by high stress levels, and one of these is teeth grinding.
What Is Teeth Grinding?
Teeth grinding, or bruxism, is a condition that causes you to clench and grind your teeth together. It normally occurs during sleep so you may not even realize you have bruxism. This condition is likely to be identified by your family dentist in Conyers due to teeth becoming worn down and chipped, or quite often a sleeping partner will complain about the grinding noise during the night.
What Does Stress Have To Do with Bruxism?
Teeth grinding has been linked to high levels of stress and anxiety. It’s been shown that people under stress are more likely to grind their teeth, particularly if they don’t have any coping mechanisms.
How Could Teeth Grinding Affect Me?
Teeth grinding can have more of an effect than you might imagine. It can cause teeth to become cracked, sensitive or even loose. Excessive grinding can damage the gums and bone surrounding your teeth, or may cause a painful disorder called TMD. This affects the jaw joints or temporomandibular joints, and can cause headaches, earache and facial pain.
How is Bruxism Treated?
Your dentist in Conyers is likely to recommend a custom-made night guard which is worn while sleeping to protect your teeth and jaws from any further damage. It works through preventing your teeth from coming into contact. Additionally, you may be prescribed a muscle relaxant to help prevent clenching. It can be helpful to reduce stress levels through various measures which can include exercise, yoga, meditation or stress counseling.
We treat patients from Conyers and the surrounding area
Sep 21, 2023 | Dental Topics 3, Dental Information, Blog
It can be difficult to avoid the signs of aging and lifestyle on your teeth. They can become stained or yellowed over the years, but they don’t have to remain that way. You might choose to have your smile professionally brightened at your dentist’s office, but you’ll want to maintain those pearly whites. Here are some tips you can follow at home to keep your smile bright and beautiful.
Eat crunchy foods.
Crunchy foods are often acidic, which means they naturally help clean your teeth. Examples include apples, pears, celery, and carrots. Crunchy foods are also more abrasive, so the cleaner your teeth will become as they are naturally scrubbed during chewing. The cleaning benefit comes with the crunch, so eat them in their whole form instead of cutting or crushing them up.
Consume dairy products.
Foods like milk, cheese, and yogurt contain minerals such as phosphorus and calcium. These mineral help strengthen your teeth and make them whiter. Your smile will be more appealing and healthier when you include dairy in your diet.
Don’t forget strawberries.
The malic acid in strawberries helps reduce tooth discolorations, and the rough texture of the fruit buffs your tooth enamel. This creates a smoother and brighter look. In addition to eating strawberries, you can also crush them to mix with a half teaspoon of baking soda and a bit of lemon juice. Apply this mixture onto your teeth for five minutes to improve their appearance.
Try baking soda.
As mentioned above, baking soda can help clean teeth if used in moderation. Rub a pinch of baking soda onto your teeth and then rinse it away, or mix it with hydrogen peroxide and salt to naturally brighten your smile.
Use a straw.
If you can’t eliminate dark beverages like wine or colas from your diet, drink them from a straw so that the liquid goes straight into your mouth instead of over your teeth.
Get an electric toothbrush.
Stubborn stains on tooth surfaces are often more responsive to cleaning with an electric toothbrush instead of a manual one.
Schedule your appointment at our Conyers dental office
Feb 1, 2024 | Dental Topics 3, Dental Information, Blog
Modern lifestyles can be extremely stressful as many people have to deal with deadlines, demands and other frustrations that make up daily life. This can be an issue if you’re constantly under stress as it may affect your health. There are numerous health conditions that can be affected by high stress levels, and one of these is teeth grinding.
What Is Teeth Grinding?
Teeth grinding, or bruxism, is a condition that causes you to clench and grind your teeth together. It normally occurs during sleep so you may not even realize you have bruxism. This condition is likely to be identified by your family dentist in Conyers due to teeth becoming worn down and chipped, or quite often a sleeping partner will complain about the grinding noise during the night.
What Does Stress Have To Do with Bruxism?
Teeth grinding has been linked to high levels of stress and anxiety. It’s been shown that people under stress are more likely to grind their teeth, particularly if they don’t have any coping mechanisms.
How Could Teeth Grinding Affect Me?
Teeth grinding can have more of an effect than you might imagine. It can cause teeth to become cracked, sensitive or even loose. Excessive grinding can damage the gums and bone surrounding your teeth, or may cause a painful disorder called TMD. This affects the jaw joints or temporomandibular joints, and can cause headaches, earache and facial pain.
How is Bruxism Treated?
Your dentist in Conyers is likely to recommend a custom-made night guard which is worn while sleeping to protect your teeth and jaws from any further damage. It works through preventing your teeth from coming into contact. Additionally, you may be prescribed a muscle relaxant to help prevent clenching. It can be helpful to reduce stress levels through various measures which can include exercise, yoga, meditation or stress counseling.
We treat patients from Conyers and the surrounding area
Mar 20, 2025 | Dental Topics 3, Dental Information, Blog
Do you wince when you take a bite of something hot, cold, or sweet? If so, you may be one of the millions of Americans experiencing sensitive teeth. This issue can impact your quality of life, causing you to limit the foods and beverages you enjoy.
Sensitivity in teeth occurs when dentin, the middle layer, is exposed. Usually, your gums cover the dentin, which contain tiny tubules that house the nerve branches leading to the nerve center of the tooth. If the dentin is uncovered, your tooth, or teeth, becomes sensitive.
Several factors can bring about tooth sensitivity, including:
- A worn out filling
- Cavities that need treatment
- Grinding your teeth
- Improper brushing that can wear down the enamel
- Poor oral home care, which allows tartar build up
- Receding gums
- Whitening your teeth
Sometimes, people experience pulpal sensitivity, which generally affects a single tooth and occurs because of damage to the pulp, or nerve center. Because the symptoms can be similar to general tooth sensitivity, your dentist will need to examine your teeth and possibly get an X-ray to determine if you have any decay.
For general sensitivity, you can take several steps at home, including gently brushing teeth, using a soft brush, selecting fluoride toothpaste, and getting treatment for teeth grinding. Your dentist may also recommend toothpaste specifically designed to lessen sensitivity in teeth. Treatment for pulpal sensitivity usually involves removal of decay and/or root canal therapy.
Schedule a dental cleaning appointment today at our Conyers dental office.
Mar 17, 2023 | Dental Topics 3, Dental Information, Blog
White teeth are a sign of beauty and health. Having pearly whites shows that you take pride in your appearance and gives you a confident air. There are many ways to achieve a brighter smile; here are some tips to help you get that shiny glow.
Professional whitening is a sure-fire way to brighten your smile by numerous shades. In only an hour, your smile can go from dull and dingy to white and polished. Your dental professional can guide you in the best ways to enhance your look with tools such as lasers or whitening trays. Professional methods are the quickest route to a dramatic improvement in the shade of your teeth.
If you prefer methods in your own home, drugstores have lots of options. Whitening strips, gels, and toothpastes are only a few of the choices available. These typically require consistent use for an extended period, but they can improve the color of your teeth with proper use. Follow the instructions carefully for the best results.
There are also natural ways to whiten your teeth at home. Rubbing your teeth with the back of a lemon or orange peel can help, and adding a little salt can make it even more effective. Strawberries may be directly rubbed onto your teeth, or made into a paste by mashing them up with a little water and then brushing onto your teeth for five minutes. Each of these methods should be followed by thorough rinsing of the mouth to eliminate residue or acids left behind.
Baking soda is a proven ingredient to help brighten your smile. Mixing baking soda and water to form a paste that can then be brushed onto your teeth is a great tip. Follow up by rinsing with water or hydrogen peroxide, and then brushing normally with toothpaste.
Consult your dentist to make sure you aren’t harming your teeth or mouth when you try any whitening methods yourself. If you experience pain, stop and ask your dentist for advice. Do not use over-the-counter or professional whitening methods during pregnancy without consulting your doctor first.
We look forward to seeing you in our Conyers dental office
