The plaque that plays a crucial role in oral diseases such as gum disease and tooth decay causes inflammation in your mouth. This same plaque has actually been found in the plaque that’s responsible for clogging the arteries—a condition also known as arteriosclerosis. These bacteria can not only cause hardened arterial plaque and inflammation, but it can also be taxing on the heart, making it work harder to pump blood through restricted arteries. This increases your risk for heart disease, which could lead to a heart attack or a stroke!

Diabetes Increases Risk for Gum Disease

If you have gum disease, this means your gums are inflamed and you may experience symptoms such as bleeding or tender gums, bad breath, and loose teeth. When diabetes is present and unmanaged or poorly managed, blood sugar levels can increase your risk for gum disease and tooth loss. The better controlled your diabetes is, the less risk you have for gum disease. If you have undiagnosed diabetes or blood sugar problems, see your doctor—diabetes treatment could help your oral health and prevent gum disease!

Inflammation Influences Cognitive Decline

The same bacteria that are involved in the inflammation of the gums that is characteristic of gum disease can end up in your brain and influence cognitive diseases such as Alzheimer’s! Researchers have linked rapid cognitive decline with the presence of gum disease in patients with Alzheimer’s. This research supports the notion that chronic inflammation in the body can affect the entire system—even the brain and cognitive performance in people with preexisting cognitive decline.

Bacteria Cause Upper Respiratory Illness

Upper respiratory infections such as pneumonia or the common cold are more common in people who have poor oral health! Experts reason that the introduction of poor mouth bacteria into the lungs from breathing could cause the inflammation and illness associated with upper respiratory problems. Keeping your mouth clean and free of plaque could result in less instances of the cold or upper respiratory illness throughout your life!

One part of your body is not separate from the other. By taking great care of your mouth, you can help to influence a healthy body! Simply by brushing, flossing, and visiting your dentist can improve your chances for avoiding diseases such as heart disease, Alzheimer’s, and sicknesses like pneumonia. You can also help keep your mouth healthy by better managing your diabetes. Your dental health affects more than just your smile—visit your dentist to learn more about how you can keep your mouth and body healthy for life!

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It’s not always obvious when a tooth needs root canal therapy. You may be experiencing symptoms that could indicate that a root canal is needed—including tooth discoloration, extreme pain or sensitivity, or even swelling of the gums around the affected area—but what situations require root canal therapy for your tooth?

Extensive Decay

If you have untreated tooth decay such as a cavity, it could reach the point where it’s actually affected your tooth’s inner nerve. This type of extensive decay may be too large to repair with a filling. If the decay goes deep into your tooth, you may need root canal therapy in order to save your natural tooth. During this procedure, your dentist will remove the decay from the nerve and seal your tooth to protect it from further decay or infection and attach a crown onto the end.

Infected Tooth Root

If your tooth decay is extensive enough, it could cause an infection in your tooth’s root. Other factors that could cause an infection include trauma to your tooth or chips and cracks in your tooth, which can allow bacteria to enter this sensitive area of your teeth. An infected tooth root may cause extreme pain in some patients, but other patients may not experience any symptoms on account of the fact that the root is dead. Regardless, an infected tooth root generally means that a root canal is needed to clear out the infection and seal the tooth.

Trauma to the Tooth

If your tooth has been directly impacted by some type of trauma such as an accident, it’s time to visit your dentist. Trauma to the tooth might not be visible to you, but your dentist can tell if the trauma will lead to problems later. Your tooth may become infected from a small crack, or your tooth’s nerve may be exposed from visible trauma to the area. If your tooth has received trauma, see your dentist. The longer you put off treatment, the greater chance you have of needing root canal therapy for your affected tooth.

The only way to know for sure if your tooth needs root canal therapy is to visit your dentist. Many problems that cause the need root canal therapy can be prevented, such as tooth infections and tooth decay. By regularly visiting your dentist, you can prevent problems such as these from happening. If your tooth has experienced trauma, a dentist can tell you if a root canal is needed to save the tooth. Contrary to popular belief, root canals are a painless procedure that enable you to keep your natural tooth— so visit your dentist today to see if you need one to save your tooth!

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Sedation dentistry isn’t for everyone, and there are different options to note. What should you know about your sedation dentistry options?

Finding a Dentist

Not all dentists offer sedation dentistry. Dentists have to be trained to offer sedation dentistry at their practice. They can do this through the American Dental Association as well as through other programs. It’s also important that you find a compassionate dentist that has experience in treating patients with dental anxiety and dental phobia. Many dentists offer care to these patients and understand the level of fear that results from having to face dental treatment. You can find an experienced sedation dentist practice in your area here.

The Levels of Sedation

There are also different levels of sedation that you should know about. Sedation dentistry provides everything from conscious sedation to deep sedation. Your options include:

Conscious sedation. During conscious sedation, you’ll still be able to respond physically and verbally to commands and stimulation. This is the lightest level of sedation.

Minimal sedation. You’ll still be able to respond, but your cognitive ability and coordination will be impaired. This is the next level of sedation for patients.

Moderate sedation. During moderate sedation, you can respond to verbal commands, and your breathing and cardiovascular function remain normal.

Deep sedation. In deep sedation, you can respond to repeated stimulation but are not easily wakened. This is the deepest level of sedation besides general anesthesia. You’ll need to talk with your dentist who is experienced in sedation dentistry to learn more about the types of sedation and which ones are right for you if you’re a candidate for sedation dentistry.

Is Sedation Dentistry Right for You?

You should only consider sedation dentistry if you have a deep fear of going to the dentist or if even thinking about the dentist makes you feel anxious. Talk to your dentist to ensure your current medications won’t interact with the medications used during sedation dentistry. Sedation dentistry is not for people who don’t react well to sedation drugs. Talk to your dentist if you have a history of trauma to your mouth, unbearable pain from dental problems, or are deeply embarrassed about your smile. You could be a candidate for sedation dentistry!

Sedation dentistry helps patients to feel less anxious about the necessary treatment for their smile. Often patients that put off going to the dentist need more dental work than people who go to the dentist regularly. You can help take care of your smile and relieve apprehension with sedation dentistry. Talk to your dentist if sedation dentistry is an option for you, or find a dentist in your area!

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Gingival surgery is a treatment for gum disease that involves grafting the gums so that they can heal from the bacteria and infections that caused gum disease, and most importantly, protect and support your teeth as they were meant to do.

Gum grafting is a procedure that many patients with advanced gum disease need in order to have a successful treatment. During this treatment, healthy gum tissue will be taken from one part of your mouth (typically the roof) and attached around the affected tooth or teeth to repair the damage done from the gum recession.

When Should Gingival Surgery Be Considered?

If you have gum disease, your dentist will likely recommend a deep cleaning procedure to see if this will help your gum disease. During this procedure, your dentist will do what is called root planing and scaling, which is also called periodontal therapy. During periodontal therapy, your dentist will remove plaque, tartar, and bacteria that are contributing to your gum disease. This is the scaling part; the root planing part helps to smooth your tooth’s root in order to keep the bacteria and plaque from going back beneath the gums. This procedure is meant to allow your mouth to heal from gum disease.

However, if periodontal therapy is unsuccessful and your gums have receded past a certain point, your dentist may suggest gingival surgery. Gingival surgery should only be considered after periodontal therapy has proven ineffective.

What Can Patients Expect During the Procedure?

During the procedure, a piece of healthy gum tissue will be removed from one part of your mouth and be attached to the receding gums of your tooth or teeth. After the procedure, you’ll be allowed to go home with aftercare instructions.

Your oral surgeon will advise you to avoid brushing or flossing the tooth or teeth that received the gum grafts, and you may have a special rinse to help your mouth remain clean while it’s healing. You may also need some over-the- counter pain medications to ease your discomfort of the portion of your mouth from which the graft was taken.

Healing time is different for everyone, but talk with your oral surgeon and be sure to carefully follow his or her instructions. Always seek help if you have questions or concerns! Gingival surgery is considered a safe and effective treatment when it comes to significant gum recession as a result of gum disease. Gum recession often happens slowly, so you may not notice a changed appearance or the symptoms until it’s too late. Regular checkups can help your dentist spot gum disease before gingival surgery is necessary!

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Tooth Infection Can Lead to a Tooth Abscess

Your body is generally very good at fighting off infections, but when it comes to your teeth, your body has no way of getting antibodies inside your tooth. When there’s a problem with your tooth’s nerve, it will likely die. This may or may not cause symptoms. However, if the dead nerve is left untreated, it can lead to bacteria that can cause an infection.

Once this infection happens, it can quickly spread. If you simply have a tooth infection, your dentist will recommend root canal therapy in order to clean the infection out of your tooth’s nerve and seal up your tooth. This not only allows you to keep your natural tooth, but also prevents further infections or issues with that tooth from occurring.

If your infection is allowed to continue, the bacteria can accumulate and spread to the area between your jaw bone and your tooth. This is the beginning of a tooth abscess, and your body will react by trying to fight the infection. Your body may be able to effectively combat the abscess for a period of time, but the fact remains that your body will not be able to treat the source of the infection—your tooth’s root.

When the infection spreads to the jaw bone at the tip of your tooth, an abscess forms and generally tends to be swollen and painful. It may appear as a lump in your gums above your tooth. For some patients, abscesses are very painful. For others, they may not experience symptoms.

An Infection Will Always Be Present with an Abscess

Tooth abscesses are the result of an infection that often begins at the tip of your tooth’s root. If left untreated, the abscess can actually lead to a gum infection. If you catch a tooth infection or tooth abscess early, a root canal treatment may be all that’s needed. If an abscess is present, it will need to be lanced and drained in order to help your body heal once the source of the infection is removed.

If, however, your abscess has been going on for quite some time or the original tooth infection is not treated, an extraction of the affected tooth may be necessary. Tooth abscesses can spread and cause additional oral health problems. Remember, your body cannot respond appropriately because there’s no blood flow going to the dead root where the infection began.

Tooth Infections and Abscesses Require Professional Treatment

As we’ve addressed, your body can’t effectively fight off a tooth infection. You need to see your dentist for professional treatment to remove the infection and seal your tooth with root canal therapy. If the infection is left untreated, it can turn into a painful abscess, which can turn into a gum infection.

See your dentist if you’re experiencing any type of tooth pain or symptoms of a tooth abscess. The sooner you receive treatment for your infection, the better chance you have of saving your natural tooth and preventing further damage!

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What can you expect before, during, and after an apicoectomy?

Your Consultation for an Apicoectomy

You may have the consultation with your local dentist, who may be qualified to perform the apicoectomy. However, if your dentist feels you would fair better with an endodontist, you will be referred to a specialist in the area. X-rays will be taken and your surgeon may have you rinse with mouthwash or take anti-inflammatory medicine before the procedure.

You’ll be placed under local anesthesia; however, this anesthesia differs from the type used during your fillings. It has more epinephrine (adrenaline) in it, which is a natural hormone that restricts blood vessels and therefore hinders bleeding both during and after the procedure. Talk with your dentist if you have high blood pressure or have concerns about reacting to the anesthesia.

During the Procedure

After you’re prepped for the procedure with local anesthesia, your endodontist will cut your gum tissue near the base of your tooth and remove any infection present there. The tip of your tooth’s root (called the apex) will also be removed. Usually only a few millimeters of tooth root are removed. Your endodontist may also check to see if your tooth is fractured—if this is the case, you may need an extraction rather than the apicoectomy.

If the apicoectomy is continued, your endodontist will clean your tooth’s canal and seal it. This is done using advanced instruments to increase precision and cause minimal disruption to the surgical site. Another x-ray will be done in order to ensure the infection is gone and your endodontist will complete the procedure.

Healing Up Afterwards

Each person is different and healing times will vary. Your endodontist will instruct you on what medications are safe to take and what foods you can eat and which to avoid. You may also choose to put ice on the outside of your jaw near the surgical site to help with swelling. The second day tends to be worse than the first regarding swelling and pain, so talk with your endodontist about what to expect and what you can do.

Avoiding crunchy or sticky foods as well as tobacco products is a good idea. Also, do not brush the surgical site—it should be left alone to heal. You will have stitches which will need to be removed about a week after the surgery. Call your doctor if you experience additional swelling after the second day or increased pain.

Your apicoectomy will be done by an endodontist who has years of experience performing the procedure. This procedure can help save your tooth and remove a painful infection that may not have been able to be removed with a root canal. Talk with your dentist about what to expect at your apicoectomy procedure!

Image courtesy of dream designs at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

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There is help for people with dental phobia, and overcoming your dental phobia is an important step in taking the best care possible of your smile. Taking a closer look at dental phobia could help you understand this condition, its consequences, and what you can do about it.

Symptoms of Dental Phobia

A phobia can be defined as a deep fear that’s often irrational, but not to its sufferers. People who experience dental phobia are absolutely terrified of visiting the dentist. The symptoms of dental phobia include panic at the thought of visiting a dentist, loss of sleep, or extreme anxiety the night before and the hours before your scheduled appointment. Even trouble trouble or becoming physically ill are all symptoms of dental phobia. People experience dental phobia for a variety of reasons. Many people have a fear of pain, a feeling that they’ve lost control over what’s happening to them, even negative previous experiences with a dentist.

Consequences of Avoiding the Dentist

People who experience dental phobia have an increased risk for tooth decay, gum disease, and premature tooth loss. A dentist is a trained professional that can spot signs of oral health problems before they happen—these include oral cancer and periodontal disease.

Poor oral hygiene is connected to other serious health problems such as heart disease and even a reduced life expectancy. If you’re terrified of going to the dentist, you may even forgo the dentist if you have an infection, a knocked-out tooth, or discolored teeth. All of these can make you feel self-conscious and embarrassed, therefore leading you to not smile and further your anxiety.

Help for Those with Dental Phobia

You don’t have to merely accept your dental phobia and live with it forever. There is help and hope for those who suffer from dental phobia. What can you do if you experience an extreme fear of the dentist, leading you to avoid dental care?

Talk to your dentist. Find a compassionate dentist who has experience dealing with dental phobia and dental anxiety. Tell him or her that you’re experiencing fear and dread over the appointment. A good dentist will listen, allow you to be in control, and even talk with you about options such as sedation dentistry to help.

Consult a mental health professional. A counselor or therapist can help you uncover the reasons behind your extreme fear about the dentist and work with you to overcome it. They may also be able to help you find a dentist that best fits your needs.

Know that you’re not alone. Millions of people experience dental phobia and dental anxiety. As such, there are many wonderful dentists out there who would be more than willing to work with you. You can also find support, forums, and more at http://www.dentalfearcentral.org/resources/dental-phobia-links/

Living with dental phobia could cost you your smile. The earlier you seek help and treatment for your fears, the sooner you can see a dentist and ensure your dental health. Having a healthy smile is linked to having a healthy body—getting over your dental phobia is the key to having a healthy, beautiful smile for life.

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Myth: It’s Painful
Root canals are infamous for being rumored to be painful. Most patients visit the dentist for a problem because their infected tooth pulp is causing them pain, so this can lead to feelings of anxiety about what will happen during the procedure.

Fact: Most Patients Experience No Pain
The majority of patients who get root canal surgery done experience no pain. Remember, your dentist or endodontist (root canal specialist) is a professional that has years of experience and training. The doctor performing this procedure knows how to keep you pain-free!

Myth: Pulling the Tooth Is Better
Many people think that because their tooth’s nerves are dying or dead, the tooth is dead and will need to be pulled eventually. So why not pull the tooth instead of getting a root canal procedure?

Fact: Saving Your Natural Teeth Is Always the Best Option
Although your tooth’s pulp may be infected or dead and need to be removed, removing your natural tooth is not the best option. Saving your natural tooth will always be preferable to removing it. Removing your natural tooth means you’ll need partial dentures, dental implants, or a bridge to help fill the space. All this means even more dental work when you could have the problem solved with one root canal procedure and save your tooth!

Myth: No More Dentist Visits After the Procedure
Some people think that once they have the root canal procedure done, they need not return to the dentist.

Fact: You Need a Follow-Up Visit to Complete the Procedure
Not only is a follow-up visit crucial in order to ensure all is well with your mouth after the procedure, but you’ll also need a crown affixed to the tooth in order to protect it from further damage. Sometimes this is able to be completed with the root canal procedure, sometimes it’s not. Regardless, that follow-up visit is important!

Myth: I Don’t Have Symptoms, So I Don’t Need the Procedure
While some people experience excruciating pain when the pulp of their tooth is infected, other people won’t have any symptoms at all. If you have no symptoms, why would you need treatment?

Fact: If Your Roots Are Dead, You May Not Be Able to Sense the Infection
Just because you may not experience any symptoms doesn’t mean there’s not something wrong! Often times, if your tooth’s nerve is dead, you may not be able to know there’s an infection. You may have other symptoms of an infection, such as gum pain or a bad taste in your mouth.

Root canal procedures are done by experts who know what they’re doing. Being anxious about dental work is normal, but remember that your doctors will take great care of you. Your root canal procedure is meant to alleviate your painful symptoms, not cause them!

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Brush

Tooth decay provides an ideal opportunity for bacteria to access your inner tooth. This often happens through cavities, which are literally holes in your teeth. They often form in the center of the top of your tooth and can quickly lead to bacteria entering your root canal and creating an infection. You can prevent tooth decay by brushing regularly every day; two times a day is ideal. Some dentists recommend brushing after every meal. If you do eat sugary foods or drinks and can’t brush afterwards, try to rinse your mouth with water so the sugar isn’t sitting on your teeth causing damage. Remember that proper brushing is more beneficial than harder brushing, which can further damage your enamel over time.

Floss

Flossing enables us to get at those tight spaces in between our teeth that are impossible for toothbrushes to reach. Pieces of food as well as tiny food particles can get trapped here and cause growth of bacteria and eventually contribute to tooth decay. Flossing is easy and can be done once a day either during one of your brushing sessions or in between sessions. Just remember to floss with the proper stuff—objects like toothpicks or even pencils are not designed to do the same job that floss does and can even harm your teeth and gums. There are many different flossing instruments out there—from water picks to flossers, your flossing routine is easier than ever. Prevent plaque, bacteria, and tooth decay by flossing once a day.

Eat Well

Our diets affect much of the damage in our mouth, especially when it comes to tooth decay and root canal infections. Many foods contain added sugar, and we’re unknowingly consuming around 20 teaspoons of sugar every day! Cut down on processed foods and stick to healthy snacks such as apples and carrots. You can make them fun by bringing along natural peanut butter for your apple and hummus for your carrots! Drink water whenever possible instead of juices or sodas. It’s important to stay hydrated as well—having a dry mouth can further contribute to tooth decay, which can lead to root canal infections.

Preventing tooth decay is vital to preventing root canal infections. Tooth decay happens over time and people of any age can be at risk. To keep your tooth’s root canal tissue healthy, simply keep up with your oral health. Brush and floss regularly, eat well, and schedule visits to your dentist every six months. Painful root canal infections can be prevented with these simple tips!

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What Situations Call for Root Canal Microsurgery?

– When nonsurgical procedures alone cannot save the tooth

– Diagnostic purposes – sometimes problems persist with a tooth even when nothing appears on an x-ray. This may be the case with tiny fractures or if the infection is in a very small canal that cannot be reached with a nonsurgical procedure.

– Calcium deposits – Such deposits can constrict the canals of the roots. This may make it impossible to reach the end of an infected canal with a nonsurgical procedure.

– Root canal follow-up – While this is not a common occurrence, a tooth on which a successful root canal has been performed may get infected again months or even years later. Or the tooth may become diseased, fail to heal, or continue to be painful. If this is the case, an apicoectomy can help save the tooth.

– When bone or root surfaces are damaged

How is an Apicoectomy Performed?

This form of endoscopic microsurgery involves going in through the gums to remove the infected material and the root-tip. The end of the canal may be sealed with a filling. The gums will be stitched closed allowing for proper healing to take place. Eventually, the bone itself will heal and encase the end of the root once again. This may take several months.

Should You Be Concerned?

As far as surgical procedures go, an apicoectomy is very minor. The procedure should not hurt at all thanks to the local anesthetics that are administered. The pain the tooth is causing should be relieved by the procedure. Pain medication may be provided to help with any discomfort while the gums heal from the incision.

Is There Anything Else I can Do?

If your dentist recommends an apicoectomy, likely the only solutions are the procedure or extraction of the tooth. Since root canal microsurgery can preserve the tooth indefinitely, it is certainly a better option than losing the tooth. Especially since extraction usually means a bridge or implant, root canal surgery can often be a cost-effective solution as well.

In the end, there is nothing better than a natural tooth, even with the great advancements in modern replacements. Therefore, it just makes sense to opt for root canal surgery if there is reasonable hope of preserving the tooth.

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