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Read more about the article Broken or Cracked Tooth

Broken or Cracked Tooth

Any trauma to the mouth that causes bleeding and lacerations to the gums, tooth fracture and/or dislodging of teeth, may require immediate attention. If you take longer to see your dentist, it will reduce the chance of revival of the tooth.

Causes

Whether the result of an accident or biting on a piece of food that’s too hard, mouth injuries can cause teeth to become cracked, broken, or knocked out/dislodged. It is important to see a dentist because if left untreated, a dental emergency can lead to serious complications.

If the tooth is just chipped, you should make a non-emergency dental appointment to have it smoothed down and filled. If the tooth has been knocked out or is badly broken, see a dentist immediately. Find your nearest dentist who offers emergency dental appointments.

 

 

While you wait to see a dentist, you can follow these dental tips:

  • If you still have a knocked out tooth, handle by the tip of it (crown) and avoid touching the root. Do not scrape or brush the tooth. If that tooth is dirty, rinse with milk or salt water. The sooner a knocked-out tooth is reimplanted, the more likely it is to embed itself back into the gum. If you don’t want to be left with a gap, make an emergency appointment to see your dentist. Usually, your dentist will want to re-implant your tooth as soon as possible, ideally within an hour of it being knocked out. If you have already attempted this yourself, they will check that the tooth is in place correctly.

  • In case of lost tooth, most people will choose to have it replaced. Different dental treatments are adopted for tooth replacement. Your dentist can replace the tooth with a denture, a bridge or an implant.

  • If you have broken your tooth, do not try to re-implant the fragment back into your gum – store it in a clean container and cover the fragment with milk or saliva until you can see a dentist. It may be possible to reattach the broken fragment to the tooth. If you have broken a tooth halfway down and damaged the network of blood vessels and nerves in its centre (the pulp), root canal treatment will be needed to remove the damaged pulp from your tooth, as this can become infected. The space will then be filled and the tooth sealed with a filling or a dental crown.

Unlike broken bones, the crack in a tooth will never heal completely. It is still important that you get treatment. Our dental team at Expressions Dental™ will be able to tell you more about this problem and recommend treatment for a broken or cracked tooth.

 

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Read more about the article Abscessed Tooth Treatment Calgary NW

Abscessed Tooth Treatment Calgary NW

What is abscessed tooth?

An abscessed tooth is a severe infection that usually shows up on the root of the tooth or between the gum and the tooth. It could become a dental emergency, as an abscessed tooth not only causes a great amount of pain, but if left untreated it can also cause serious health problems. An abscess can cause damage to the surrounding tissues, damage to the jaw bone and in some cases even affect the immune system resulting in death of the afflicted person. A number of things can cause tooth to abscess such as:

  1. Severe tooth decay
  2. Bad trauma to the tooth
  3. Broken or chipped teeth
  4. In some cases a tooth can be susceptible to infection after a crown or a filling has been put in:
    1. Gingivitis
    2. Gum disease

Symptoms of a dental abscess typically include pain, swelling and redness of mouth and face. Other signs of abscess might include cavities, gum inflammation, oral swelling, pus drainage, and difficulty in fully opening your mouth or swallowing.

Tests for dental abscess

A dentist often can determine by a clinical exams + radiographs if you have an abscess.

Treatment for a dental abscess

You should see a dentist for dental abscess treatment. Root canal therapy may need to commence to drain the infected tooth. The doctor may decide to cut open the abscess and allow the pus to drain. Unless the abscess ruptures on its own, this is usually the only way that the infection can be cured. People with dental abscesses may be prescribed pain relievers and, at the discretion of the doctor, antibiotics to fight the infection. An abscess that has extended to the floor of the mouth or to the neck requires immediate attention.

With a dental abscess, as with each and every illness, comply with your doctor’s instructions for follow-up care. Proper treatment often means reassessment, multiple visits, or referral to a specialist. Cooperate with your doctors by following instructions carefully to ensure the best possible oral health for you and your family.

 

 

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Read more about the article Tips for Fresh Breath

Tips for Fresh Breath

Everyone suffers occasionally from bad breath. Bad breath is most commonly caused by conditions in your mouth, such as the food you eat, and how often you clean your teeth, gums and tongue. This is a dental problem, which you can probably fix yourself.
Read these tips on how to keep your breath fresh:

  1. Floss and brush your teeth, gums and tongue daily to prevent bad breath. Clean as far back on your tongue as you can, as that’s where bacteria often collect. If you don’t clean your mouth, any remaining food particles will attract bacteria, which cause bad breath and contribute to tooth decay.

  2. Brush and floss your teeth after eating. If you can’t do a thorough cleaning, drinking water or chewing sugar-free gum are good options.

  3. Use fluoride mouth rinse for fresher breath. Not only can decayed teeth hurt, they may have an awful odor. Tooth decay can be prevented with fluoride toothpaste and proper dental care.

  4. Be aware that certain foods — such as garlic, onions and some spices — can contribute to bad breath for up to 72 hours after eating.

  5. Drink plenty of water throughout the day.

  6. Keep your nasal passages free. Blowing your nose and making sure you are breathing through your nose rather than your mouth will contribute to fresher breath.

  7. Stop smoking.

  8. Eat more fresh, crunchy fruits and vegetables. The act of chewing on raw, healthy foods enhances saliva flow and also pushes food debris out from between teeth and spaces between the gums and teeth.

  9. Bad breath can also be an early symptom of periodontal or gum disease. Gum disease is an infection that affects the gums and jawbone, which can lead to a loss of gum and teeth. If left alone, the bacteria will build up on your teeth and irritate the gums. Flossing helps removes food particles from between the teeth and under the gum line. Be sure to also visit your dentist for periodic cleanings and exams.

  10. Dry mouth leads to bad breath. Saliva inhibits the growth of bacteria that contribute to bad breath by cleansing the mouth and removing odour-causing food particles. Dry mouth is also caused by some medications, alcohol and breathing with your mouth open. Drink plenty of water or chew sugar-free gum or candy to keep your mouth moist.

Chronic bad breath however, can be a visible sign that something is not right. If bad breath persists, schedule an appointment with your dentist. It can be an indicator of gum disease or dry mouth. If it is due to an oral condition, your dentist can develop a treatment plan to help eliminate it.

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