Treatments Page 3

Sep 24 2012

What Should You Do After a Root Canal?

Having a root canal is usually a dreaded procedure, but once it is over, you should know how to adjust and move on with the rest of your life. Taking precautionary actions from coping with the pain to guidelines for chewing, sleeping and normal activities, will allow you to avoid much of the discomfort patients can experience after having a root canal.

In nearly every case, you are going to feel pain on some level for a number of days after a root canal has been completed. Swelling and other types of sensitivities are normal in almost every patient, so there is no reason to be concerned. Regular over-the-counter painkillers such as ibuprofen and aspirin can solve the problem safely and effectively by keep the swelling down and lessening the sensitivity in the tooth area.

You should cut down on chewing a lot of solid foods, as you will exacerbate the pain and give your mouth less of a chance to heal correctly. Putting your tooth under a great deal of stress could lead to contamination and possible breakage if it becomes too fragile. You should observe regular brushing and flossing habits to prevent any bacteria buildup and to maintain a healthy mouth. Seeing your dentist for follow-ups is a must!

Your dentist will likely recommend sleeping with your head elevated as part of your root canal treatment at home which will help relieve some of the pressure. Eating soft foods is recommended, along with avoiding extremely hot or cold foods and drinks. When your mouth is in such a sensitive state, you don’t want to add any more discomfort to the equation. In some cases, your doctor will suggest antibiotics for the recovery period.

During the recovery period after a root canal, it is best to avoid alcohol and nicotine entirely. In the case of alcohol, it can make the healing process drag on much longer when drinks are consumed in the days following the procedure. Smokers are advised to avoid cigarettes entirely for the days after the procedure, so you can heal faster. Finally, avoiding intense exercise is recommended after you have a root canal procedure. Due to your body being in a more fragile state than normal you do not want to add unnecessary stress by tampering with the healing process via rigorous exercise.

Bedford Dental Group specializes in safe procedures and recommends all noted facts and necessary precautions for a fast and safe recovery. Our dental professionals will make you feel comfortable from the moment you walk into our office so don’t waste another minute by holding back on having a healthy mouth and smile! If you have any more concerns about what you should do after a root canal, contact us!

Sep 12 2012

Dental Bone Grafting as a Solid Base for Dental Implants

Caring for the bone that serves as a foundation for your teeth is as important as any other part of dental health. When you have lost a tooth due to an extraction or periodontal disease, you are in danger of the dental bone collapsing and creating problems for your mouth and overall appearance. Bone grafting can help solve these problems prior to getting dental implants. With a solid foundation and quality implants by the top cosmetic dentist in Beverly Hills, you will be confident your teeth are as healthy as they look.

Bone grafts are the best solution for this problem, as you can maintain strong bones and keep your healthy appearance with this simple procedure. The process is done by first stripping all of the granulation and inflamed tissue from the tooth. After the area has been cleaned, the bone grafting material is added to the tooth. Once the area is filled, it is covered by a membrane and stitches are used to sew up the gum tissue. Stitches are removed after proper healing has taken place. Once the bone grafting process is complete, your dentists can begin work on implementing your dental implants.

Dental implants are a great replacement for lost teeth because they look and feel very natural. Caring for them is no different than caring for your other teeth; you can brush and floss as normal. Bedford Dental Group, the top cosmetic dentist in Beverly Hills, can handle the entire process from extraction to bone grafting and implants without any complications. Without proper grafting, you cannot expect your implants to work correctly.

Bone grafts are not procedures you should fear. Bedford Dental Group’s professional dentists will make sure every patient is as comfortable as possible and will explain the process of the procedure so there will not be any surprising elements along the way. Our goal is to help you look your best and feel confident at the same time. To schedule an appointment with one of our top cosmetic dentists, give us a call or fill out the contact form on our website. There is no reason to suffer the pain and anxiety caused by dental problems. Let Bedford Dental Group provide the solutions you need.

Jul 28 2010

Trench Mouth

Trench mouth: the name sounds kind of nasty, but the real name for trench mouth sounds so much worse than the common one. The real name is necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis. Most people have no idea what this disease is or how they get it. It doesn’t happen very often but when it does, it can be quite miserable.

Our dentists here at Bedford Dental Group stress the need for good oral hygiene on a regular basis to help keep your teeth and mouth healthy and happy. Poor habits can really cause some serious issues for your mouth which, if not diagnosed and treated quickly and properly, might move on to affect other parts of your body.

One of these diseases is called trench mouth. Trench mouth is usually the result of poor oral hygiene habits. It is a very bad infection that is caused by the germs that live in the plaque on your teeth. People like smokers, starving (malnourished) children, and young adults seem to develop this disease more easily than others. If there is an immunodeficiency issue present it may cause the disease to develop as well. Increased physical stress, as well as emotional stress can also help the development of this nasty mouth problem.

If you notice any of the following symptoms please call and make an appointment with your dentist right away as the quicker you get a correct diagnosis, the faster it can be treated and eliminated from your system. The symptoms include, but are not limited to, bad breath, a bad taste in your mouth that won’t go away, or a grayish film on the gums themselves. Once it develops further, you might get painful, small sores all over your mouth, too. A trained and certified dental professional can help with the determination of the disease as well as the treatment options available.

Jul 02 2009

Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMJ)

Temporomandibular joint disorder, pronounced TEMP-er-o-man-DIB-u-ler and also called TMJ, affects the joints that serve as hinges for your jaws, located in front of the ears. The bottom jaw is connected to the temporal bone of the skull, hence its name. If you have TMJ, one or both of these joints swell and can cause you a lot of pain. The occurrence of TMJ is also more common in women than in men.

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.

Jul 02 2009

Canker Sores

Canker sores are very common and small and are either simple or more complex sores. Most go unnoticed and don’t cause much bother while some can make eating and talking uncomfortable. Many things can cause a canker sore, but it’s hard to pin point an exact one.

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 contact 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.

What Should You Do After a Root Canal?

Dental Bone Grafting as a Solid Base for Dental Implants

Trench Mouth

Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMJ)

Canker Sores

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