Dental fillings are supposed to make decayed teeth feel better. But discomfort after treatment is not unusual. Here are a few reasons why your tooth might feel strange after getting a filling.
It Takes Time for Teeth to Adjust
It’s not every day that your tooth is opened, cleaned, and filled with a foreign material. Your tooth may need some time to adjust to the new arrangement. Also, your brain and tongue may be fixated on the new material in your mouth. Until your body gets used to the restoration’s presence, you might be abnormally fixated on that are, making your tooth feel odd, even though it really isn’t.
Your Tooth’s Nerve May be Sensitive or Compromised
It can take time for the nerve inside your tooth to get used to the new filling material. Give your mouth a few days to see if it calms down. If the sensitivity doesn’t go away or if it gets worse, then this could mean that the nerve in your tooth has been damaged.
The Filling May Need Adjusting or Replacement
Does your new filling just feel too big? That could very well be the case. Some dental restorations end up a little too high for the teeth to bite together. If you notice difficulty closing your teeth, stinging tooth pain, or a sore jaw, then this could mean that a large filling is throwing off your bite.
Alternatively, there could be a flaw within the dental filling material that prevented it from binding with your tooth.
Contact your dentist to find out what could be causing the uncomfortable sensation if your tooth doesn’t feel better within a few days of getting a filling.
Posted on behalf of:
Smiles by Seese
610 Jetton St #250
Davidson, NC 28036
(704) 895-5095
As much as you want your new dental restoration to last you a lifetime, crowns can only hold up for so long.
The good news is that there are a few ways you can make your dental cap last as long as possible.
Why Don’t Crowns Last Forever?
Natural teeth are very strong if they’re completely in-tact. Once they develop a crack or cavity, however, they’re compromised for good. You can only slow down the gradual breakdown by maintaining your damaged teeth with restorations such as fillings and dental crowns.
Even rock-hard dental crowns can’t last forever, though. They experience regular wear and tear from years of using them. Gold and zirconia crowns tend to last the longest.
Dental crowns also have an inside weakness: a susceptible spot right at the margin where the edge of the crown meets your tooth. This margin is generally safe as long as the crown is tightly cemented in place and the edge is protected by gum tissue. But it’s still a location where bacteria can leak in and start another cavity under the crown.
How to Make Your Dental Crown Last
Excellent oral hygiene is a must. Just because your tooth has a crown doesn’t make it invincible to decay. Bacteria can still undermine the strength and longevity of a crown so you need to brush and floss capped teeth daily.
Visit your dentist for regular checkups to make sure your dental crown is holding up as well as it should. If you can repair damage or replace it at the first sign of trouble, you can keep your tooth healthy for years to come.
Posted on behalf of:
Dr. David Kurtzman D.D.S.
611 Campbell Hill St. NW #101
Marietta, GA 30060
(770) 980-6336
Before committing to getting a dental implant, you should make sure you understand all of the pros and cons to the process.
Here are four benefits and risks of getting an implant that can help you make the right decision for your oral health.
Risks of Dental Implants
Implant failure. Failure is highly unlikely with dental implants which have a success rate of over 95%. The leading cause of failure is peri-implantitis.
Benefits of Dental Implants
Is a Dental Implant Right for You?
Dental implants are excellent restorations but they don’t work for everyone. Weigh the pros and cons of implants by visiting a dentist near you for a consultation.
Posted on behalf of:
Pure Smiles Dentistry
2655 Dallas Highway Suite 510
Marietta, GA 30064
770.422.8776
Are you getting your first denture? Do you have to clean the prosthesis of a dependent loved one? Just looking for some reminders to make sure you’re doing things correctly?
Follow these six steps to get a comfortable and fresh denture.
The best place to clean dentures is over a clean sink that’s filled with water and/or lined with a soft towel. This will prevent breakage if the denture slips and falls during the process.
Soak the denture in a cleaning solution designed for dentures. This will loosen food, stains, and plaque.
Dentures need brushing at least once a day. Don’t use any stiff-bristled brushes or steel wool that can scratch the surfaces. Avoid putting pressure on metal attachment parts, which could snap.
Denture cleaning chemicals are strong, can leave a bad taste, and burn your gums. Rinse the denture thoroughly after cleaning it.
Cleaning your mouth prevents bad breath and infections. It also helps the tissues inside feel fresh. Remaining teeth should be brushed with a toothbrush. How you clean a mouth with no teeth depends on the individual. Some use a soft toothbrush while others prefer a washcloth.
Make sure your dentures are properly stored for the night. It’s bad for the gums to leave them in while sleeping. Dentures should be submerged in a sealed container of water overnight. You may want to schedule your full cleaning routine every evening before bed.
Even if you don’t have any natural teeth left, your dentist still needs to check that your denture fits well and screen you for conditions such as oral cancer.
Call you or your loved one’s dentist today to schedule a visit.
Posted on behalf of:
Pure Dental Health
2285 Peachtree Rd #203
Atlanta, GA 30309
(678) 666-3642
Knowing how to have a smooth recovery from dental sedation will make your overall experience even safer and increase your confidence in dental care.
Phone a Friend
This is the most important step you should follow when recovering from dental sedation. You may be feeling the effects of the medication for hours after your treatment concludes. You’ll need to have a trusted companion help you get home safely.
If you live alone, it’s all the more important to have a friend nearby. In the rare event that you suffer any complications from the dental sedation, your friend or relative can call a medical professionl. They will also ensure that you are safe while the effects of the medication wear off.
Prepare a List of Instructions
You might not be thinking all too clearly immediately after coming out of a dental sedation visit. That’s why your dentist will send you home with a written list of instructions. These will include details about when and what you should eat and when you can start taking other medications.
Stock Your Fridge in Advance
Depending on the dental procedure you just had, you might be limited to a liquid or soft foods diet. Your stomach might also be a little upset from the sedation. It’s smart to go shopping for the foods you’ll need in the first few days after your treatment. You may find it difficult to remember what to buy if you pick up groceries right after having dental sedation.
Stocking up your fridge in advance will give you peace of mind and let you rest well for a complete recovery.
Contact your dentist for more tips on a safe recovery from sedation dentistry procedures.
Posted on behalf of:
Muccioli Dental
6300 Hospital Pkwy # 275
Johns Creek, GA 30097
(678) 389-9955
You may describe the taste coming from your gums as salty, bitter, or rotten. The foul taste may also linger on your breath in an offensive odor. What’s going on?
Bad Taste in Gums Indicates Infection
Healthy gums don’t have any taste, so any offensive one suggests that there’s something wrong. If the strange flavor is accompanied by a toothache or a nearby cavity, then that may mean a ruptured abscess is to blame.
But what if your teeth are just fine? It could mean the infection may be in your gums, themselves.
Bad Breath: Sign of Gum Disease?
Also called periodontitis, gum disease is a chronic bacterial infection. Germs in dental plaque make the gums inflamed and tartar buildup irritates the tissue. As the infection progresses, the gum tissue starts to break down and necrosis sets in. This, coupled with the plaque bacteria, leads to a foul taste in the mouth and noticeably bad breath.
Signs You Have Gum Disease
Periodontal disease is a serious oral health concern. If left untreated, it will lead to the loss of teeth. It also puts your body at risk of developing other conditions such as heart disease and stroke.
There’s always the possibility that you just have a piece of food stuck below your gums. This can cause temporary irritation and a bad taste. But you may have periodontitis if the bad taste coming from your gums stays with you for weeks or months.
Other signs of gum disease include:
To find out whether a gum or tooth infection is causing the bad taste in your gums, contact a dentist.
Posted on behalf of :
Prime Dental Care
417 Wall St
Princeton, NJ 08540
(609) 651-8618
Aching teeth is a common complaint in the winter. Maybe your teeth are tingling right now just thinking about breathing in the icy air. What causes this phenomenon?
How Your Teeth Become Sensitive
Your teeth have a protective and hard yet brittle enamel layer on the outside. On the inside is a thicker, softer, and more flexible layer called dentin. There’s a hollow space inside the dentin that holds the nerves and blood vessels that nourish the tooth.
Dentin contains fluid-filled channels or pores that communicate sensations to the nerves in the tooth. This is how your teeth can feel texture, pressure, and temperature. The enamel helps insulate your tooth.
In extreme conditions like winter weather, your teeth more exposed to cold temperatures. This chilly air itself can sting your teeth. But that’s not all; your teeth contract in cold temps. Tightening up every time they’re exposed to cold can cause the inflexible enamel to develop microscopic cracks. These cracks then expose the sensitive dentin even more.
Losing your tooth enamel in other ways can also lead to increased tooth sensitivity in the winter.
Are You Suffering from Enamel Loss?
Your teeth may be unusually sensitive in cold weather because of a serious problem with your tooth enamel such as:
Your tooth roots which don’t have an enamel covering can also become very sensitive if they’re exposed via gum recession.
Your dentist can help you decide on a solution for getting relief from your sensitivity. Visit your dentist for a full checkup to find out if your tooth sensitivity is due to thin enamel or a more serious problem.
Posted on behalf of:
Pure Smiles Dentistry
2655 Dallas Highway Suite 510
Marietta, GA 30064
770.422.8776
Do you have a toothache? A fear of the dentist or worry over the cost of dental care might hold you back from getting professional help. But you don’t want to live with the pain either, so you may be tempted to try natural at-home remedies that you find online.
Are these methods safe and effective, though?
Here’s what you should know:
Natural Tooth Pain Remedies: Temporary Solutions
There are many natural materials that have a soothing effect on the body. One popular natural toothache reliever is clove. It’s so effective that clove oil is a main ingredient in many professional dental materials. Other suggested remedies include garlic, peppermint oil, turmeric, and salt water.
While you may find a natural solution that kills the pain, it won’t address the underlying cause. You will eventually need professional medical treatment to prevent the problem from getting worse.
Some At-Home Toothache Remedies Are Dangerous!
Not all solutions you read online are safe for everyone. Some toothache “cures” can be downright harmful. For example, some people recommend putting an aspirin right against a sore tooth and letting it dissolve. Swallowing a painkiller can help manage pain, but putting aspirin right against your gums or cheek can cause painful burns.
Natural Remedies Won’t Cure Teeth
Natural “remedies” for dental issues are usually just methods for either dulling pain or preventing problems. They can’t actually repair a cracked tooth, treat gum recession, or treat cavities once these problems set in.
Don’t be fooled by the countless remedies that sound too good to be true. You might only end up wasting time and giving your dental problem a chance to get worse. Instead, seek out professional dental care to address the issue at its source.
Posted on behalf of:
Precision Digital Dentistry
674 US-202/206
Suite 7
Bridgewater, NJ 08807
(908) 955-6999
A dental implant surgery is only the beginning of your new smile. To keep it securely in your mouth for good, you must care for it like a natural tooth. This includes daily flossing!
Why Implants Need to be Flossed
While your dental implants can’t get cavities, the teeth on either side of it can. Flossing around your implant will remove bacteria and food acids trapped against the neighboring teeth.
You also need to remember that your dental implant can affect the health of your gums and jawbone. If you don’t floss your implant, plaque bacteria can trigger inflammation in the gum and bone that eventually result in the loss of the implant.
Flossing Considerations for Dental Implants
You won’t be able to slip floss as far below the gum line around an implant as you would on other teeth. Be careful to not pull very hard on the floss or you can cut the gums and break the seal around your implant. Avoid any interdental cleaners with metal or abrasive parts that can scratch either the crown or the titanium implant post.
How to Floss Your Dental Implant
Flossing an implant is a bit unusual, but not difficult. First, gently slide the floss up and down against the sides of the implant where it touches against other teeth. Don’t push so hard that you cut down into the gums.
Next, slowly scoot the floss down until it reaches the base of the implant crown. Pull it against the implant post in a U-shape and cross the ends of the floss. Gently tug back and forth to wipe away plaque on the implant’s surface.
Ask your dentist for more tips on easy dental implant care.
Posted on behalf of:
Park South Dentistry
30 Central Park S #13C
New York, NY 10019
(212) 355-2000
Is there someone in your family who’s always wanted to change something about their smile?
Whether your spouse is shy over their yellow teeth or your child is self-conscious about a chipped tooth, it’s natural to want a gorgeous smile. But cosmetic dental treatment is a luxury so that dream might have been on the back burner for years.
Why not surprise someone you love this holiday season with the opportunity to make that change in their smile?
Gift a Smile Makeover
Let your loved one know that you support their desire to make the change and schedule an appointment to see the dentist together.
At the consultation, talk about what changes are the most important. Then, your dentist will let you know your treatment options that fit your family’s budget.
A couple of popular and simple cosmetic dental procedures include:
Both of these treatments are quick, non-invasive, and deliver instant and dramatic results.
Would your loved one like to have teeth that are more even and smooth? Bonding with a little tooth-colored dental putty can fill in chips and even close up small gaps between teeth.
Is your loved one interested in a younger and healthier-looking smile? Professional teeth bleaching will put an end to those disappointing whitening attempts at home. It’s a safe, comfortable, and fast way to get white teeth.
Schedule a Smile Consultation Today!
Giving a gift at any time is always a reason to smile. But you can do more—give your loved one a reason to show off that smile!
Help your loved one to rediscover their confidence by gifting a cosmetic dental treatment. Call your dentist today to learn more.
Posted on behalf of:
Mitzi Morris, DMD, PC
1295 Hembree Rd B202
Roswell, GA 30076
(770) 475-6767
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