By definition, an abscess is puss-filled tissue within the body. The two most common abscess types in the mouth are periodontal abscesses (gum abscess) and endodontic abscess (tooth abscesses). Both types of abscesses are caused by bacterial growth and the body’s inflammatory response to fighting these bacteria. Tissue inflammation at the site of infection is [...]
Breathing is something we don’t often think about, yet it's an essential body function. We can control our breathing to some extent when we're awake, but not when we're asleep; our inner brain takes over this role. Our sleeping hours are when breathing problems can seriously affect our teeth. There are a host of tooth-related [...]
When I do examinations, I often use the term “leaking” to describe the condition of old silver-amalgam fillings to my patients. What leaking means in this case is that the seal between the tooth and the filling material has been lost, at least to some degree. When amalgam (silver filling material) is first placed into [...]
My patients, personal friends, and others who know I’m a dentist, often ask, “Is it really possible to get new teeth in a day?” The answer is yes, it is possible. The question is likely due to the amount of marketing from dentists providing this service. This type of service has been around for years [...]
WHY DO SOME DENTISTS REQUIRE AN EXAM BEFORE A CLEANING? A lot of people call our office and want to schedule a dental cleaning; this is one of the most common reasons for people requesting an appointment when the person doesn't have any pain, discomfort, or a broken tooth. We require an examination be completed prior [...]
Part of my new patient experience for a newcomer to my practice is to ask some basic questions about what they know and don’t know about their oral health. One of my questions to any new patients is, “What’s your understanding of your current gum health?” Most patients reply, “I’m not sure” but may remember [...]
“Dry Socket” is the name for a painful inflammatory process involving the bone of a tooth socket, usually three to four days after a tooth extraction. The technical name for such a condition is Acute Alveolar Osteitis. The word acute means painful, the word alveolar refers to the spongy bone surrounding the tooth root, and the word osteitis means “bone [...]
Gum (gingival) recession occurs when gums recede from the tops of the teeth enough to expose sensitive roots. People typically experience increased sensitivity to sugary or cold foods when gums no longer cover and protect teeth roots. In addition, untreated gum recession may lead to loosening of teeth and accelerated tooth decay, something I see [...]
WAYS TO TREAT ROOT SENSITIVITY In a previous blog post, I explained what causes root sensitivity, also referred to as "dentin sensitivity." In this post, I’ll outline some of the common treatments for such a condition. In short, dentin sensitivity is caused by the stimulation of nerve endings that are connected to dental pulp and [...]
WHY ARE MY TEETH SENSITIVE? A Brief Explanation of Root Sensitivity Have you ever had that nagging sensitivity in your teeth when you brush, drink cold liquids, eat sweets, or just breathe air into your mouth? Don’t panic, it’s probably not a cavity. Cavities are usually the assumption people make but the sensitivity is usually the [...]