Many people don’t realize the importance of good dental hygiene. By not brushing and flossing regularly, your teeth can become damaged and this can lead to pain, cavities, and even the loss of irreplaceable teeth. Tongue scraping should also be part of your routine since it harbors bacteria and germs that can cause disease and bad breath.  

This may be the year you vow to have your crooked teeth fixed and the Bedford Dental Group offers a variety of ways to achieve a straight, perfect smile. Whether you want traditional braces or the latest Invisalign System of virtually invisible aligners, we provide the best in caring, dedicated service.

Please take a minute to add better dental health to your list of resolutions. We can make your teeth healthy, your smile white and bright, and help you learn how to keep them that way for years to come!

A root canal procedure can possibly save your tooth and make it stronger after the infection. This may be done in a series of one to three visits and involves the removal of the diseased pulp. The pulp chamber and canals of the root are cleaned out, removing all of the diseased pulp tissue, and is then sealed.

Your treatment starts with an opening through the crown of the tooth to reveal the pulp chamber. The infected pulp is removed and the canals are cleaned thoroughly and enlarged. A temporary filling will be placed in the opening to protect your tooth in between visits. Medicine may be given if necessary to help control infection.

The next step involves filling and sealing the pulp chamber and root canals after the temporary filling is removed and the area is cleaned. The final step is placing a crown over the tooth to protect and seal the exposed tooth. Your tooth is now healthy and strong again. The restored tooth can last a lifetime if proper care is taken.

Nicotine and the other toxins found in these products can lead to several health defects such as oral cancer, lung cancer, periodontal disease (which is a leading cause of tooth sensitivity and tooth loss), and a slower healing process after tooth extractions or oral surgery. Being a tobacco user can also make you a poor candidate for certain dental treatments like implants or porcelain veneers. This is because smoking can make your teeth too weak to withstand certain procedures.

Less severe effects of tobacco use include bad breath, stained teeth and tongue, and a loss of taste and/or smell. Smokeless tobacco products have numerous negative effects on your health just as smoking products do. Researchers have found at least 28 cancer-causing chemicals in smokeless tobacco products. Your mouth and lungs aren’t the only areas susceptible to cancer; your voice box, esophagus, colon, and bladder are also at risk because of the toxins that are carried to these parts of your body through your blood.

Quitting is very important for your short term and long term health. The American Dental Association recommends these tips to help quit smoking:

– Set a date to quit and stick to it. Choose a “low stress” time to quit
– Enlist the support of your family, friends and co-workers.
– Ask your dentist or physician about nicotine replacement therapy for use in cessation attempts. Using these medicines can double your chances of quitting for good.
– Remove tobacco and tobacco paraphernalia from your home, office and car.
– Seek tobacco-free environments to curve your temptations.
– Exercise. It may make you feel better about yourself and your decision to quit smoking.
– When you crave a tobacco—exercise the 4 D’s:
**Delay—craving will pass in 5–10 minutes
**Drink water—it will help to wash the toxins from your body
**Do something else—distract yourself by being active.
**Deep breathing—deep inhalations and exhalations are relaxing.
– Anticipate problems and have a realistic plan to deal with challenges.
– Call 1-800-QUITNOW or go to www.smokefree.gov

Canker Sores: They appear as small white or gray ulcers inside the mouth, usually around the inside of the cheek, lip, or gum. There can be only one or several and may often return. They are caused by a number of reasons including fatigue, stress, bacteria, viruses, or allergies.

Cold Sores: Also called fever blisters or Herpes Simplex. They come in groups of fluid filled blisters around the lips and mouth, and sometimes around the nose and chin. You must be careful if you have a cold sore because they are very contagious if caused by the herpes virus type 1. Once you have a cold sore outbreak, the virus stays in your blood and can cause occasional outbreaks.

Leukoplakia: This comes in a thick, white patch around the inside of the cheek, gum, or tongue They are caused by excess cell growth and can be common among smokers. These patches can progress to cancer so it is important to see your dentist immediately if you find this patch in your mouth.

Candidiasis: Also called moniliasis or oral thrush and is a fungal infection. Denture wearers may experience this condition as well as children, elderly, or those with weak immune systems.

Proper diet and oral health should start at an early age. The foods you consume growing up, especially when you receive your permanent teeth, are extremely important for your dental health in the future. You only have one set of natural, permanent teeth, and you must make sure you are eating the right foods and drinks to ensure your dental longevity and health.

Sugar is one of the biggest enemies for your mouth and teeth. When bacteria, or plaque, comes in contact with sugar in your mouth, acids are produced. The acid can then attack your teeth for 20 or more minutes which can eventually lead to tooth decay.

Many foods naturally contain sugar, such as fruits, vegetables, and milk. They should not be removed from your diet based on their natural sugar occurrence but their consumption should be monitored and balanced. The nutrients that they contain are a big health benefit which is why they should still remain a part of your well balanced diet. Added sugars in certain foods are the types we need to be aware of and limit.

Click HERE for more information about diet and oral health.

When your child’s first tooth appears, you should generally schedule a dentist appointment within 6 months to a year. Dental education is very important, no matter how young your child is. If they have teeth, proper oral, dental, and gum health is extremely necessary. This will prevent diseases and infections from occurring. The initial appointment is not only for your child, but it is very necessary for the parent to understand the importance of childhood dental health, too.

Nutrition, diet, and feeding all play a role in the health of your child’s teeth. Unlimited consumption of sugary liquids, beverages, or foods containing fermentable carbohydrates can contribute to early childhood tooth decay after the appearance of the first tooth. Your child’s intake of these kinds of foods need to be limited and monitored at all times.

Bottle feeding and breast feeding need to be restricted at certain times of the day, especially at night before bed. Their bottle feeding should be finished before they are in bed. The use of a cup after their first birthday is also encouraged by the American Dental Association. Training cups should be limited and not have frequent use.

One of the most important preventive measures for baby bottle tooth decay is proper oral hygiene at home. This includes cleaning the infant’s teeth after he or she has consumed foods, liquids, or medications. Your dentist will also give you advice on how to check your child’s teeth regularly at home to monitor their condition.

For more information on Early Childhood Tooth Decay, go to www.ada.org.

A tooth abscess is caused by an infection inside the tooth, the pulp. A pulp infection on the upper jaw is more likely to cause your face and head to ache and the pain may be very intense. Infections of the gum or impacted wisdom teeth can also lead to facial pain and headaches. These conditions require immediate dental attention to spare your tooth’s life and health.

Another type of infection can occur after a tooth extraction. The exposed site has potential for an infection which can even occur several days to more than a week after the date of extraction. The pain can sometimes travel to the rest of the face, head, and neck or will remain just on the local area. The exposed socket must be treated if an infection occurs or it will only worsen over time and may lead to other dental conditions.

Problems with the joint of the jaw are generalized as temporomandibular dysfunction (TMD). The symptoms of TMD include localized pain and pain in the neck, head, ears, and temple. Sometimes clicking noises can be heard when opening and closing the jaw. In more severe cases, the jaw may lock in one position.

Treatment of dental and jaw related headaches and pain should start with treatment of the pain’s source. If it is due to dental conditions or a joint problem, make an appointment with one of our cosmetic dentists in order to begin proper treatment. Without treatment, the condition and pain will only get worse and can lead to other severe problems.

The tooth enamel on the outside of your teeth can erode when certain acids in your mouth break it down. When the enamel breaks down, the tooth nerve endings can become exposed, thus causing a tooth ache. Sometimes, if the pain lessens or diminishes, it may be because the nerve ending has died. Even if this is the case, the decay will still be present and must be treated immediately by a dentist. If the pain worsens, it could be because of an infection.

There are a few ways to help prevent a toothache from occurring. One of the most important things you can do to prevent a toothache is brushing and flossing your teeth regularly. This can prevent tooth decay and kill the bad bacteria in your mouth. Toothpastes and rinses containing fluoride are also a good option. Make sure to discuss what option is best for you with your dentist.

Flossing your teeth every night is a must. A tooth brush can only reach certain exposed areas of your teeth, leaving food and plaque stuck in hard to reach places. The food and plaque will eventually cause tooth decay and cavities if left within your teeth. So make sure to floss at least once a day, preferably before bed, in order to remove the food and plaque that isn’t always visible.

There are certain reasons for tooth decay that can’t always be avoided, such as hereditary factors and lack of saliva. If you don’t produce enough saliva on your own, chewing sugar-free gum can help stimulate the production of saliva. Saliva helps neutralize the acids inside your mouth during the breakdown of foods.

To temporarily relieve a toothache, there are some over the counter gels and creams you can apply to your teeth that will help reduce the pain. Certain topical analgesics can also reduce the pain temporarily. Ibuprofen may also help. Make sure to ask your doctor or dentist what you should take before using any medication, drugs, gels, or creams.

Simple canker sores tend to appear when stress or tissue injury has occurred within your mouth. Braces and dentures can cause this kind of tissue stress or injury. Foods, such as citrus or acidic fruits and vegetables, can also cause them or make them worse when already present. Complex canker sores can be brought on by certain health conditions such as an impaired immune system, nutritional problems, or gastrointestinal diseases.

The symptoms of a simple canker sore include an actual present sore inside your mouth (including the tongue, cheek, or palate) and a tingling sensation around that region before it appeared. The actual sore is round and white or gray with possibly a red edge or border. More severe canker sores can cause fevers, lethargy, and swollen lymph nodes.

There are a few steps you can practice when trying to avoid canker sores. Avoid foods that might irritate your mouth such as citrus and acidic fruits and vegetables or spicy foods. Be gentle when you chew gum so you won’t cause unnecessary irritation to your mouth. When brushing your teeth, a soft bristled tooth brush will be gentler on your gums and will also free your mouth of canker sore triggering foods.

Canker sores tend to subside within a few days and can heal without treatment. If your sores are large and painful, talk to one of our dentists about getting an antimicrobial mouth rinse to help speed its recovery and ease the pain. You should also call our office if you have a sore that has been in your mouth for longer than 3 weeks, has spread, is painful, or is unusually large.

When your jaw muscles get too tight, TMJ can occur. Grinding your teeth, stress, or poorly fitting dentures can cause the muscles to get too tight which then leads to this condition. Genetics can also be a big factor because it puts you at a great risk of developing TMJ. Other issues such as bite problems or improperly lined jaws can also lead to the tightening of muscles.

Signs and symptoms typically include an aching pain around or below your ears. This usually affects one side of your jaw instead of both. Yawning will cause the pain to worsen because of the position it forces the swollen jaw to be in and pain could travel to your ears, neck, head, or shoulders. Another sign is if you hear clicking or popping sounds when you open and close your mouth. This could also make it difficult to open your mouth all the way and your teeth might not line up properly when your mouth is closed.

There are a few basic treatments for TMJ that you can do at home. Applying moist heat or cold packs to the side of your face will reduce the swelling and relax your muscles. Stretching exercises might be advised by your doctor that can also help relax the muscles in your jaw. Eating softer foods will lessen the pressure on your teeth and jaw and won’t cause more pain like hard or crunchy foods may tend to do.

Your doctor might also tell you to take off-the-counter pain medications that will relieve the pain and reduce swelling. A higher dose might be needed if the pain is persistent and too much to bear. Discuss which kinds are best for you with your doctor before taking any kind of medicine.

A splint or nightguard can be worn to prevent further clenching and grinding of your teeth. It will serve as a barrier between your jaws to protect against friction. The difference between the two is that splints are worn all day where as nightguards are only worn at night while you sleep. Your dentist will examine your specific situation and tell you if any of these options are right for you.

If your case is too severe for basic treatment, surgery might be necessary. No matter what the cause or what type of treatment you need, Dr Nayssan has taken a specialized TMJ residency program and can diagnose and treat your condition accurately and precisely. If you are experiencing these types of symptoms, don’t hesitate to call our office to schedule an appointment as soon as possible.