Q: How can I tell if I'm getting gum disease?
A: By the time you suspect you may have gum disease, also called periodontal disease, the condition may be well advanced. The only way you would know in the early stage of the disease is if you visit Chips Dental Associates and our hygienist or the Drs. let you know. At the outset, there is normally no pain or other symptoms. Only a dental exam can determine if the disease is present. As it advances, gum disease can make the gum tissue separate from the teeth. This creates pockets in which bacteria can settle. Once entrenched, the disease attacks the tissue and bone that support the teeth. Advanced cases of periodontal disease can severely loosen teeth.
The good news is that periodontal disease is eminently preventable. Regular brushing, flossing and visits to Chips Dental Associates can greatly reduce your chances of developing periodontal disease. Women, incidentally because of the various changing phases of life, are at greater risk for gum disease. From the onset of menstruation through the teenage years, pregnancy and menopause, a woman's hormonal changes affect her oral health. The reason is that hormones impact the bacteria that grow on the teeth and in the mouth. Come in and speak with the Drs. Chips about the best practices to avoid gum disease.
For questions, more information, or appointments visit http://www.chipsdentalllc.com/
Brought to you as a community service by Chips Dental Associates, LLC.
Monday, January 25, 2010
Monday, January 18, 2010
The Dental Emergency
Q: What do I do if I have a dental emergency?
A: The time to prepare for a dental emergency is now, before it happens. In any of the following instances, call your dentist as soon as possible.
If you or your child knocks out a tooth, retrieve the tooth and hold it by the crown, not the root. If it's dirty, rinse it off but don't scrub off any tissue fragments that may be on it. If possible put the tooth back into its socket in the jaw. If not, put it in a container with milk or "save a tooth" solution. Water is not the best choice for putting your knocked out tooth in as it breaks down the remaining periodontal ligament cells which are important for ensuring that the tooth will reattach.
For a toothache, rinse the mouth with warm water to clean it out. Floss the problem area to make sure a piece of food (such as a popcorn kernel) is not lodged against the tooth. Do not put aspirin against the tooth or gum, this can actually burn the tissue. Call Chips Dental Associates for an appointment as soon as possible.
If you break a tooth, again, rinse the area with warm water to keep it clean. Use cold compresses in this situation and in any other instance of trauma to keep swelling down. You should keep Chips Dental Associates's phone number (724-443-5710 or 412-364-7144) in a visible spot along with other emergency numbers. The next time you visit us, ask us about materials - like gauze, beeswax, topical anesthetics, and save a tooth solution - that are good to have at home in a dental emergency kit.
For more information, appointments or questions, visit us on the web at http://www.chipsdentalllc.com/.
Brought to you as a community service by Chips Dental Associates, LLC.
A: The time to prepare for a dental emergency is now, before it happens. In any of the following instances, call your dentist as soon as possible.
If you or your child knocks out a tooth, retrieve the tooth and hold it by the crown, not the root. If it's dirty, rinse it off but don't scrub off any tissue fragments that may be on it. If possible put the tooth back into its socket in the jaw. If not, put it in a container with milk or "save a tooth" solution. Water is not the best choice for putting your knocked out tooth in as it breaks down the remaining periodontal ligament cells which are important for ensuring that the tooth will reattach.
For a toothache, rinse the mouth with warm water to clean it out. Floss the problem area to make sure a piece of food (such as a popcorn kernel) is not lodged against the tooth. Do not put aspirin against the tooth or gum, this can actually burn the tissue. Call Chips Dental Associates for an appointment as soon as possible.
If you break a tooth, again, rinse the area with warm water to keep it clean. Use cold compresses in this situation and in any other instance of trauma to keep swelling down. You should keep Chips Dental Associates's phone number (724-443-5710 or 412-364-7144) in a visible spot along with other emergency numbers. The next time you visit us, ask us about materials - like gauze, beeswax, topical anesthetics, and save a tooth solution - that are good to have at home in a dental emergency kit.
For more information, appointments or questions, visit us on the web at http://www.chipsdentalllc.com/.
Brought to you as a community service by Chips Dental Associates, LLC.
Monday, January 11, 2010
Cracked Teeth
Q: Can a tooth crack?
A: Though tooth enamel is the hardest substance in the human body, and teeth do pretty tough work, a tooth is absolutely capable of cracking. A crack can develop suddenly. For instance, let's say you chew on a popcorn kernel, a pencil, an ice cube, hard candy-any of a number of really hard objects-if you hit it at the right angle, you could crack a tooth. Also, teeth are under tremendous pressure, given their roles as food processors and the grinding you may put them through. Over time, they can weaken and crack even without chewing on any of the hard objects mentioned above. In fact, if you have a tooth that is overly sensitive to hot and cold, it may be cracked.
Cracks can vary in length. If a crack is above the gum line, a piece of tooth may break off. Drs. Chips may be able to treat it with a filling or a crown. If the crack extends down into the root, Drs. Chips may reccommend a root canal or periodontal surgery. Generally there is no guarantee, regardless of the work that is done, that a cracked tooth can ultimately be saved. Call Chips Dental Associates and schedule an appointment today to discuss any questions you might have about cracked teeth.
Brought to you as a community service by Chips Dental Associates.
For more information or questions, please visit us on the web at http://www.chipsdentalllc.com/.
A: Though tooth enamel is the hardest substance in the human body, and teeth do pretty tough work, a tooth is absolutely capable of cracking. A crack can develop suddenly. For instance, let's say you chew on a popcorn kernel, a pencil, an ice cube, hard candy-any of a number of really hard objects-if you hit it at the right angle, you could crack a tooth. Also, teeth are under tremendous pressure, given their roles as food processors and the grinding you may put them through. Over time, they can weaken and crack even without chewing on any of the hard objects mentioned above. In fact, if you have a tooth that is overly sensitive to hot and cold, it may be cracked.
Cracks can vary in length. If a crack is above the gum line, a piece of tooth may break off. Drs. Chips may be able to treat it with a filling or a crown. If the crack extends down into the root, Drs. Chips may reccommend a root canal or periodontal surgery. Generally there is no guarantee, regardless of the work that is done, that a cracked tooth can ultimately be saved. Call Chips Dental Associates and schedule an appointment today to discuss any questions you might have about cracked teeth.
Brought to you as a community service by Chips Dental Associates.
For more information or questions, please visit us on the web at http://www.chipsdentalllc.com/.
Monday, January 4, 2010
A Fresh Start
Q: How frequently should I visit the dentist?
A: Most experts agree that twice a year is a general frequency for dental exams. That would vary, of course, depending on an individuals oral health condition. Here's the important thing: If you haven't seen your dentist for a while, go now. It's the season for fresh starts. If you're going to keep one resolution in 2010, let it be to visit the dentist. Make an appointment for a cleaning and an exam.
During the cleaning, either your dentist or a dental hygienist will scrape plaque and tartar off your teeth. The process will not only leave your mouth feeling fresh and your teeth smooth and crisp, but removing plaque and tartar from the gum line will also reduce your chances of developing periodontal disease and cavities.
If you're visiting your dentist at least twice a year, think January and July, any problem he or she may detect has had only six months to develop. It is a lot easier to solve a problem of short duration than it is to solve a long-standing one. Your oral health is an important facet of your overall health and having your regular exam and cleaning will help you maintain a healthier lifestyle. Periodontal disease is clearly linked to heart disease and diabetes, so if you have one of these other conditions it is even more important to maintain regular dental visits. So while we're on the subject of resolutions, the start of the New Year would also be a good time to call your physician, as well as your dentist, for an exam.
Brought to you as a community service by Chips Dental Associates, LLC.
For more information or questions, please visit us on the web at http://www.chipsdentalLLC.com/
A: Most experts agree that twice a year is a general frequency for dental exams. That would vary, of course, depending on an individuals oral health condition. Here's the important thing: If you haven't seen your dentist for a while, go now. It's the season for fresh starts. If you're going to keep one resolution in 2010, let it be to visit the dentist. Make an appointment for a cleaning and an exam.
During the cleaning, either your dentist or a dental hygienist will scrape plaque and tartar off your teeth. The process will not only leave your mouth feeling fresh and your teeth smooth and crisp, but removing plaque and tartar from the gum line will also reduce your chances of developing periodontal disease and cavities.
If you're visiting your dentist at least twice a year, think January and July, any problem he or she may detect has had only six months to develop. It is a lot easier to solve a problem of short duration than it is to solve a long-standing one. Your oral health is an important facet of your overall health and having your regular exam and cleaning will help you maintain a healthier lifestyle. Periodontal disease is clearly linked to heart disease and diabetes, so if you have one of these other conditions it is even more important to maintain regular dental visits. So while we're on the subject of resolutions, the start of the New Year would also be a good time to call your physician, as well as your dentist, for an exam.
Brought to you as a community service by Chips Dental Associates, LLC.
For more information or questions, please visit us on the web at http://www.chipsdentalLLC.com/
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