If you think that your jaw might be broken, apply a cold compress to the area to minimize any swelling. You will need to see your dentist immediately or go to the emergency room of a nearby hospital.
Basics of Orthodontic Treatment
Orthodontics will help in keeping your mouth healthy. Orthodontic treatments like braces help move teeth that are crooked or have a misfit with each other. By fixing these problems, orthodontics can also help keep your mouth healthy. This is because crooked teeth are harder to clean and wash and this puts you at risk for cavities and gum disease.
At Smile Concepts, we use x-rays and other tools to decide if orthodontic treatments are right for you or for your child. Treatments with braces work best between the ages 10 and 14. This is when a child's head and mouth are still growing and teeth are easier to straighten. Even so, patients are able to get braces at any age. In fact, more and more adults are getting braces to embrace good oral health and improved appearance.
Broke a Tooth? Act Now
If you break your tooth, please do not try any home remedies and suffer the pain. The first thing you need to do is to contact your dentist immediately.
Broken Tooth
You should also clean your mouth out by rinsing thoroughly with warm water. Apply a cold compress to the area to minimize any swelling that may have occurred.
Preventing Tooth Decay
In this post, we recommend four ways to prevent tooth decay.
Avoid eating a lot of sugary foods and also avoid excessive snacking between meals. This reduces plaque from making acids and also the number of times your teeth are exposed to acids.
Drink plenty of water every day at regular intervals.
Use a fluoride based toothpaste and mouthwash. Fluoride strengthens your tooth’s surface.
Visit your dental team once in six months. They will clean your teeth and check for early signs of cavities.
Want to keep toothache away?
Battling toothache and don't know what to do? Here's something you shouldn't do - never put any pain killers, including aspirin, on the gums because it can burn the gum tissue.
But there are three things you can do, and should do:
1. Clean your mouth out by rinsing thoroughly with warm water.
2. Gently floss around the tooth to remove any food particles that may be caught there.
3. If your tooth continues to hurt, you should call your dentist as soon as possible. A toothache can result from several dental problems. Regular dental check-ups and dental cleaning can help prevent toothaches.
Stages of Tooth Decay
There are four stages of tooth decay that we summarise below:
In the first stage, there is a dull spot on the tooth’s surface. Brushing it with a fluoride toothpaste and regular flossing will prevent it from becoming a cavity.
In the second stage, the dull and decayed spot will go through the tooth’s hard surface and become a cavity.
In the third stage, the cavity will reach the softer layer of the tooth and it will rapidly become bigger.
The cavity should be filled by the time it reaches the fourth stage. This is to prevent it from causing bigger problems deeper in the tooth.
If you suspect tooth decay or have tooth ache, come and see us. We will take you through your treatment choices.
Is Nitrous Oxide safe?
Nitrous oxide is very safe, because it's easy to take and mild. Nitrous oxide is not addictive. While inhaling nitrous oxide, you remain fully conscience and aware of your surroundings. After coming off of the gas, the effects of it are gone.
If you have respiratory problems or other breathing problems, such as asthma, you should talk with your dentist to see if you are a candidate for nitrous oxide.
Causes of Tooth Decay
Tooth decay happens when acids wear away the tooth's hard surface layer called enamel. These acids are made by a sticky film called plaque. Plaque has germs that feed on sugary foods. The process of digesting these sugars makes acids that attack tooth surfaces. Over time, tooth decay causes holes on the tooth surface. These are called cavities. If left untreated, cavities will get bigger and eventually destroy the entire tooth.
Acids constantly attack your tooth surfaces, but tooth decay happens over a period of time. This is because other elements in your mouth will aim to strengthen the tooth and slow down the decay process. One of these is saliva, that helps to strength tooth surfaces. Fluoride, a natural mineral is often added to tooth pastes and water to strengthen your teeth. If you think you have a cavity, comes and visit us at Smile Concepts. We will assess your tooth and provide appropriate treatment.