Q: What's the first aid for a burned roof of the mouth?
A: We've all bitten into a sizzling piece of pizza and had hot mozzarella scorch the roof of the mouth right behind the front teeth. Or maybe it happened with a bowl of piping hot soup or a cup of coffee. The result is the annoying and moderately painful burn on the roof of the mouth. The first piece of advice, of course, is to not be so hasty with hot food or beverages. Be a little more patient and let them cool.
But if the damage has been done, the first thing to do is get some cold liquid in your mouth to bathe the area. This will help reduce the pain, minimizing any swelling and tissue damage and help numb the area. If the burn is really uncomfortable, you might go to your neighborhood pharmacy and get some Orabase, an oral bandage. The next day, start rinsing the inside of your mouth with a half teaspoon of salt dissolved in a glass of warm water. Rinse four or five times daily for a few days and the area should heal nicely. Talk with the Drs. at Chips Dental Associates about how to treat burns inside the mouth and about other procedures for dealing with the unexpected oral calamity that can arise.
Brought to you as a community service by Chips Dental Associates, LLC.
For more information or questions, visit www.chipsdentalLLC.com
Monday, March 29, 2010
Monday, March 22, 2010
Effects of a Lost Tooth
Q: What happens if I lose a tooth?
A: In the normal healthy mouth, teeth support one another. The loss of a tooth can come from sudden trauma, or from neglect, letting a tooth decay to the point of crumbling or ignoring gum disease that can eventually destroy a tooth's support system. If you lose a permanent tooth, you should contact Chips Dental Associates as soon as possible. Once one tooth is gone, the teeth adjacent to it will begin to shift and loosen. The end result, over time, is a domino effect of lost teeth. Not only will missing teeth put a serious dent in your smile, they may hamper your ability to speak and chew.
Depending on the circumstances, the Doctors at Chips Dental Associates may be able to correct your situation with a crown if part of the tooth is left, or a bridge. A bridge is an appliance that would be anchored on the neighboring teeth and would fill the spot where the tooth has been lost. Another option is an implant, which involves the installation of a metal post in your jaw that would anchor an artificial tooth. There must be sufficient jawbone for the procedure to be feasible, but an evaluation by the Drs. Chips would help determine whether you are a candidate. If you visit Chips Dental Associates at least twice a year for routine examinations and cleanings, tooth loss will most likely not be a problem.
Brought to you as a community service by Chips Dental Associates, LLC.
For more information or questions, visit http://www.chipsdentalllc.com/
A: In the normal healthy mouth, teeth support one another. The loss of a tooth can come from sudden trauma, or from neglect, letting a tooth decay to the point of crumbling or ignoring gum disease that can eventually destroy a tooth's support system. If you lose a permanent tooth, you should contact Chips Dental Associates as soon as possible. Once one tooth is gone, the teeth adjacent to it will begin to shift and loosen. The end result, over time, is a domino effect of lost teeth. Not only will missing teeth put a serious dent in your smile, they may hamper your ability to speak and chew.
Depending on the circumstances, the Doctors at Chips Dental Associates may be able to correct your situation with a crown if part of the tooth is left, or a bridge. A bridge is an appliance that would be anchored on the neighboring teeth and would fill the spot where the tooth has been lost. Another option is an implant, which involves the installation of a metal post in your jaw that would anchor an artificial tooth. There must be sufficient jawbone for the procedure to be feasible, but an evaluation by the Drs. Chips would help determine whether you are a candidate. If you visit Chips Dental Associates at least twice a year for routine examinations and cleanings, tooth loss will most likely not be a problem.
Brought to you as a community service by Chips Dental Associates, LLC.
For more information or questions, visit http://www.chipsdentalllc.com/
Monday, March 15, 2010
Inlays
Q: What is an inlay?
A: An inlay is a filling for a tooth that is made outside the mouth and then cemented into place. In some situations this is preferable to a directly placed filling because it offers added strength and durability. Perhaps the best known of the inlays is a cast-gold inlay that has a time honored role in tooth restoration. Inlays can also be made from porcelain, which will be more natural looking than a gold inlay.
Gold makes for a very strong inlay, sometimes lasting as long as 50+ years, however it is also necessary to make sure that you visit Chips Dental Associates regularly to maintain your inlay. Porcelain inlays are made through a similar process to gold inlays, however they are made with ceramic material. Both Gold and Porcelain inlays are made in a laboratory from a custom mold that was provided from the Drs. Chips. These are fabricated in the laboratory to a high degree of accuracy so that the restoration will be free of leaks and has the best chance possible of lasting you a long time. The indirect process makes it possible to make a more durable restoration and with modern dental materials and laboratory techniques the fit and retention will be superior to simple fillings.
Inlays are stronger and tend to last longer than a simple filling, however they will be a more expensive option to restore your teeth. Regardless of your choice, without regular dental care and exams, no restoration can be expected to last long. If you have a tooth that is in need of restoration, speak with the Drs. Chips at your next dental visit about which option is best for you.
Brought to you as a community service by Chips Dental Associates, LLC.
For more information or questions, please visit www.chipsdentalLLC.com
A: An inlay is a filling for a tooth that is made outside the mouth and then cemented into place. In some situations this is preferable to a directly placed filling because it offers added strength and durability. Perhaps the best known of the inlays is a cast-gold inlay that has a time honored role in tooth restoration. Inlays can also be made from porcelain, which will be more natural looking than a gold inlay.
Gold makes for a very strong inlay, sometimes lasting as long as 50+ years, however it is also necessary to make sure that you visit Chips Dental Associates regularly to maintain your inlay. Porcelain inlays are made through a similar process to gold inlays, however they are made with ceramic material. Both Gold and Porcelain inlays are made in a laboratory from a custom mold that was provided from the Drs. Chips. These are fabricated in the laboratory to a high degree of accuracy so that the restoration will be free of leaks and has the best chance possible of lasting you a long time. The indirect process makes it possible to make a more durable restoration and with modern dental materials and laboratory techniques the fit and retention will be superior to simple fillings.
Inlays are stronger and tend to last longer than a simple filling, however they will be a more expensive option to restore your teeth. Regardless of your choice, without regular dental care and exams, no restoration can be expected to last long. If you have a tooth that is in need of restoration, speak with the Drs. Chips at your next dental visit about which option is best for you.
Brought to you as a community service by Chips Dental Associates, LLC.
For more information or questions, please visit www.chipsdentalLLC.com
Monday, March 8, 2010
Good Practices for Adolescents
Q: Do adolescents have special concerns for oral health?
A: No one has to tell the parent of an adolescent that this stage of life has its challenges. Hormones are raging and the body is changing. That's why good nutrition and oral hygiene are especially important during the teen years. Cavities and gum disease are not limited to adults. Surveys have shown that bleeding gums are most prevalent among adolescents and that 75% of 13- to 17-year-olds have had gums that bled.
Between school and activities, adolescents lead busy lives. Their tendency to snack can lead them away from a good diet and regular meals. If they are wearing braces, remind them to keep the spaces between the teeth and wires clean by using floss threaders. There are also special orthodontic toothbrushes available on the market that make cleaning braces and teeth easier. If your teen is active in sports, you should speak with the Drs. Chips about what sort of mouth guard is appropriate.
A "boil-and-bite" type mouth guard, such as those typically found in the sporting goods store, is the starting point for protection of your adolescent's dentition. The custom made mouthguards available through Chips Dental Associates offer superior protection and can reportedly in some cases enhance athletic performance. A mouth guard helps not only to protect teeth, but also helps to guard against concussion. It is important to realize that participating in any athletic activity without a mouth guard makes you 60 times more likely to have dental trauma. The highest level of protection will come from a custom made mouth guard that can be obtained at Chips Dental Associates.
For more information or questions please visit http://www.chipsdentalllc.com/
Brought to you as a community service by Chips Dental Associates, LLC
A: No one has to tell the parent of an adolescent that this stage of life has its challenges. Hormones are raging and the body is changing. That's why good nutrition and oral hygiene are especially important during the teen years. Cavities and gum disease are not limited to adults. Surveys have shown that bleeding gums are most prevalent among adolescents and that 75% of 13- to 17-year-olds have had gums that bled.
Between school and activities, adolescents lead busy lives. Their tendency to snack can lead them away from a good diet and regular meals. If they are wearing braces, remind them to keep the spaces between the teeth and wires clean by using floss threaders. There are also special orthodontic toothbrushes available on the market that make cleaning braces and teeth easier. If your teen is active in sports, you should speak with the Drs. Chips about what sort of mouth guard is appropriate.
A "boil-and-bite" type mouth guard, such as those typically found in the sporting goods store, is the starting point for protection of your adolescent's dentition. The custom made mouthguards available through Chips Dental Associates offer superior protection and can reportedly in some cases enhance athletic performance. A mouth guard helps not only to protect teeth, but also helps to guard against concussion. It is important to realize that participating in any athletic activity without a mouth guard makes you 60 times more likely to have dental trauma. The highest level of protection will come from a custom made mouth guard that can be obtained at Chips Dental Associates.
For more information or questions please visit http://www.chipsdentalllc.com/
Brought to you as a community service by Chips Dental Associates, LLC
Monday, March 1, 2010
You and Your Toothbrush
Q: Is there anything special I should know about toothbrushes?
A: Your toothbrush is your first line of defense in your effort to keep your mouth clean and healthy. It's one of the first things you reach for in the morning and one of the last things you use at night. Combined with faithful flossing, brushing your teeth regularly will keep your smile bright and sturdy.
Here are some facts to keep in mind: The American Dental Association recommends that you get a new toothbrush every 3 to 4 months. If the bristles get frayed, though, you should replace the brush right away. Frayed bristles can injure gums and don't clean as effectively. A plethora of toothbrushes are on the market, both powered and manual. Some offer a particular benefit if you have an issue with your manual dexterity. There is very little difference in the results from a powered or manual toothbrush as long as the brushing process is thorough. Studies show that in addition to making sure that you brush all surfaces of your teeth, it should take two minutes to completely debride all of these surfaces. Set yourself a timer to help make sure you are doing this correctly.
Whichever your choice, look for the ADA seal of acceptance on the package. The seal means the organization has established the product's claims to safety and effectiveness. Ask Dr. Chips or our dental hygienist about the type of toothbrush that is right for you and get some tips on technique.
Presented as a community service by Chips Dental Associates, LLC.
For more information or questions visit www.chipsdentalLLC.com
A: Your toothbrush is your first line of defense in your effort to keep your mouth clean and healthy. It's one of the first things you reach for in the morning and one of the last things you use at night. Combined with faithful flossing, brushing your teeth regularly will keep your smile bright and sturdy.
Here are some facts to keep in mind: The American Dental Association recommends that you get a new toothbrush every 3 to 4 months. If the bristles get frayed, though, you should replace the brush right away. Frayed bristles can injure gums and don't clean as effectively. A plethora of toothbrushes are on the market, both powered and manual. Some offer a particular benefit if you have an issue with your manual dexterity. There is very little difference in the results from a powered or manual toothbrush as long as the brushing process is thorough. Studies show that in addition to making sure that you brush all surfaces of your teeth, it should take two minutes to completely debride all of these surfaces. Set yourself a timer to help make sure you are doing this correctly.
Whichever your choice, look for the ADA seal of acceptance on the package. The seal means the organization has established the product's claims to safety and effectiveness. Ask Dr. Chips or our dental hygienist about the type of toothbrush that is right for you and get some tips on technique.
Presented as a community service by Chips Dental Associates, LLC.
For more information or questions visit www.chipsdentalLLC.com
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