A dental emergency isn’t always the same for every person. However, there are certain situations in which you’re better off seeking help from a dentist as soon as you can. While you can go the emergency room if your dentist isn’t available, it’s always best to try and see a dentist for injuries or conditions specifically relating to the oral cavity.

So what exactly is considered a dental emergency? Here are a few conditions that you shouldn’t wait to seek help for.

Severe Pain, Swelling, or Bleeding

If you have sudden or severe pain, swelling, or bleeding, it’s time to call your dentist. Pain could be a symptom of a wide range of conditions, from knocked-out or cracked teeth to a life- threatening infection.

Any pain, swelling, or bleeding that’s uncontrollable needs to be evaluated by your oral healthcare professional as soon as possible. While some people who have dental health issues may not experience symptoms, others will.

For example, for some patients, a cracked tooth may not be a dental emergency if the crack is small, but for others, a major crack can be very painful and require immediate attention [1].

Always pay attention to your symptoms and listen to what your body needs!

Trauma to the Oral Cavity

Trauma to your oral cavity can take many forms. You may have been in a car accident and have a broken jaw, or sustained another type of injury that’s affected your facial bones or even your airway.

Any acute trauma to the oral cavity is generally considered a dental emergency [2]. Sports injuries, falls, car accidents, and many other types of situations could affect your jaw, teeth, or gums, leading to the need for immediate professional attention.

Post-Surgery Complications

If you’ve recently had a dental procedure—whether an extraction, wisdom tooth removal, or dental implant placement—and are experiencing adverse symptoms, you may need to see your dentist as soon as possible.

Symptoms of a post-surgery complication or infection that you should never ignore include:

• Swelling at the procedure site
•  Unexplained bleeding
• Loose or missing stitches
• A bad taste in your mouth
• Uncontrollable pain

These could all be signs that your mouth isn’t healing as it should be and may even have an infection [3]. If you’re not sure whether a symptom you’re experiencing is normal, never hesitate to reach out to your dentist to ask!

Broken Orthodontia

If you or your child has metal braces, any type of injury or accident involving your oral cavity could be dangerous. If metal braces are damaged or begin to come apart for any reason, the wire could puncture your soft tissues and require a prompt repair.

While some broken or damaged orthodontia can wait until the next available appointment, other cases are considered an emergency. Never wait to get your braces evaluated if you’re experiencing severe pain or bleeding!

Don’t Hesitate to Reach Out to Your Dentist!

Most dentists offer emergency care and will do their best to accommodate you in the event of a dental emergency. Always reach out to your dentist first before going to the emergency room to ask if they can see you or if you have any questions about a potential dental emergency!

Sources:

1. https://vitalrecord.tamhsc.edu/you-asked-what-qualifies-as-a-dental-emergency/
2. https://success.ada.org/~/media/CPS/Files/Open%20Files/ADA_COVID19_Dental_Emer
3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1071467/

The post What Exactly Is Considered a Dental Emergency? appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

So what exactly does your nightly snoring mean? Here’s why you might not want to ignore
snoring, especially if this habit is disrupting your life.

Sleep Apnea

Snoring is one of the most common symptoms of sleep apnea. Although there are three
different types of sleep apnea, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is the most common. Obstructive
sleep apnea happens when the airway becomes partially or completely blocked when sleeping,
which can lead to snoring.

When OSA is present, a person will actually stop breathing during the night and the body will
wake itself up to begin breathing regularly again. This stopping and starting of breathing can be
very jarring for the body and has the potential to lead to a variety of unpleasant health
symptoms.

Conditions Linked to Sleep Apnea

When the body pauses breathing so many times during sleep, oxygen levels in the blood drop.
Since sleep apnea causes the body undue stress due to cessation of breathing, several different
chronic health conditions have been associated with sleep apnea. These include:

 Heart disease
 Headaches
 High blood pressure
 Stroke
 Obesity
 Mental health disorders such as depression and anxiety
 Diabetes

Since many sufferers of sleep apnea also feel very fatigued during the day, there is an increased
chance for accidents such as car accidents during waking hours.

While not everyone who snores will have sleep apnea—and not everyone who has sleep apnea
will snore—it’s imperative to attain a proper diagnosis for your symptoms before jumping to
conclusions or receiving any type of treatment.

What Else Could Snoring Mean?

Snoring doesn’t always mean sleep apnea is present. Snoring can be caused by uniquely formed
nasal passages, such as people who have a deviated septum, who may be more prone to
snoring.

People who frequently have sinus infections may also be more likely to snore. Having muscles
in the throat that relax too much—which can be caused by medications such as narcotics as
well as alcohol consumption—can also cause the airway to collapse during sleep.

Being overweight is also a risk factor for snoring, as excess tissue around the neck and throat
can depress the airway while sleeping.

In order to discover the true cause of your snoring, the first step is often the dentist. Dentists
often come into contact with sleep apnea and while they can talk with you about your
symptoms, you’ll be referred to a sleep specialist for an official diagnosis.

Your dentist can, however, assist you with treating sleep apnea with oral appliances, which help
to keep the airway open during sleep, stop your cessation of breathing, and over time, decrease
your symptoms. Are you worried that you suffer from sleep apnea as a result of snoring? Don’t
wait to get your symptoms evaluated—you can start feeling better with the right treatment!

The post Your Nightly Snoring Could Mean More Than You Think appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

People who experience problems with their TMJ typically feel pain, hear popping or clicking
sounds when moving their jaw, or have a variety of other symptoms that can severely impact
their quality of life.

Since the TMJ is responsible for everything from eating to talking, the pain of having a TMJ
disorder is difficult to avoid. What are the consequences of leaving your TMJ disorder
untreated?

Head, Neck, and Shoulder Pain

One of the symptoms TMJ disorders cause is tension in the jaw muscles. When the joint isn’t
able to work properly, the surrounding muscles can become stiff and sore. If the muscles that
are responsible for your jaw are tense, this tension can radiate outwards to cause pain in the
surrounding area.

Headaches are common in those who have a TMJ disorder, but so is neck pain, upper back pain,
and even shoulder pain. Without treatment, your tense jaw muscles can continue to affect your
body and result in chronic tension or pain.

Earaches

Because the TMJ is so close to the ears, problems with this joint can result in earaches, tinnitus,
or recurring ear infections. Some sufferers of TMJ also experience problems hearing, vertigo, or
general ear pain.

Problems with the inner ear can result in a variety of symptoms, so don’t overlook your TMJ as
the cause if you’re consistently experiencing problems with your ears with no definite cause!

Jaw Pain

TMJ can lead to problems with the jaw that are painful and can cause permanent damage. For
instance, if arthritis is causing your TMJ pain, the cartilage in your TMJ is at risk to be damaged.
Tense muscles can cause a locked jaw, dislocation of the jaw, or general chronic jaw pain.

Since the jaw is involved in many activities—from yawning to eating to speaking—this jaw pain
is often chronic and unavoidable, making it an aggravating, persistent symptom for people who
live with TMJ problems.

Impacted Quality of Life

As a result of the constant pain of your TMJ disorder, you may find yourself reaching more
often for pain medication. Whether over-the-counter or prescription, these medications can
have a range of effects on the body if overused.

In addition, you may not be able to concentrate, have trouble sleeping, or feel depressed
because of your constant pain and discomfort. People who live with TMJ disorders can
experience an impacted quality of life as a result of their symptoms.

These consequences of untreated TMJ disorders are entirely treatable! Many of the causes of
TMJ pain can be treated without invasive means such as surgery. There’s no reason to let your
TMJ pain prevent you from enjoying life and being your best self. Schedule an appointment
with your dentist today to learn what treatments are available for your TMJ pain!

The post What Are the Consequences of Untreated TMJ? appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

Fortunately, many of the risk factors of gum disease are controllable. Through the right oral
care habits, you can reduce your risk of gum disease and keep your smile healthy. However,
some people are more at risk for gum disease than others. Who is at the highest risk for this
oral disease?

Those Who Have Poor Oral Care Habits

People who neglect to take care of their smile are among those who have the highest risk for
gum disease. This is includes not brushing and flossing on a daily basis, which can easily allow
plaque to build up and turn into tartar. Once plaque and tartar build up around the gumline,
they can work to irritate the gum tissue and cause infection.

To supplement home care habits, regular cleanings by your dentist can go a long way towards
preventing gum disease. People who skip the dentist have a greater chance that plaque will
build up, therefore increasing their risk of developing gum disease over time.

Those Who Smoke

Tobacco of any kind is terrible for your gums. This includes chewing tobacco, cigarettes, cigars,
and yes, even e-cigarettes! Using tobacco remains one of the top risk factors for gum disease,
but it’s also one of the most preventable.

Using tobacco also increases your risk of developing oral cancer among other types of cancer.
Tobacco affects the gums by reducing blood supply to the gum tissue. This is dangerous
because lack of oxygen in the gum tissue can mask symptoms of gum disease, so many smokers
don’t find out they have the disease until it’s progressed significantly.

By quitting smoking, you can take control over your health and reduce your chances of gum
disease for a healthy smile!

Those Who Are Older

Among one of the uncontrollable risk factors for gum disease includes your age. Older adults
have a higher risk of developing gum disease simply because plaque has had more time to
affect their smile without proper care. Fortunately, the better care you take of your smile
through daily brushing and flossing and visiting your dentist at least once a year, you can lower
your risk of gum disease!

The post Who Is at Highest Risk for Gum Disease? appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

The joint continues to grow throughout these years, coming into its adult position sometime
during the teenage years. This is a common time period for children or parents to realize a TMJ
disorder may be present.

Problems with the TMJ are particularly pronounced in females. Symptoms can increase as the
child gets older, so seeking treatment as soon as possible is important. What TMJ treatment
options are available for children?

Identifying the Root Cause

First, your child’s dentist will need to identify the root cause of their TMJ pain in order to
implement effective treatment. There are numerous causes for pain in this complex joint,
including:

 An injury to the jaw
 Stress
 Teeth grinding
 Chewing on hard objects such as pencils, ice, or hard candy
 An improper bite

Fortunately, many of these causes of TMJ disorders respond relatively well to treatments that
are non-invasive. Once your dentist has identified the cause of your child’s discomfort, you can
then discuss treatment options.

Non-Invasive Treatments

There are a few non-invasive treatments you can try under the guidance of your dentist to help
alleviate your child’s TMJ pain. Although some TMJ disorders can only be managed rather than
corrected, others can have a more permanent solution.

One non-invasive treatment is a TMJ appliance. A TMJ appliance can reduce teeth clenching or
grinding which can help alleviate symptoms, especially if the root cause is found to be stress or
teeth grinding.

These appliances (which may also be called TMJ splints) may help reduce stress placed on the
TMJ or help gently move your child’s bite into position if an improper bite is found to be the
cause.

If your child is grinding their teeth, either a TMJ splint or a mouthguard will be needed to help
curb the damage. You can also limit hard foods, use warm or cold packs on the affected area, or
employ the help of physical therapy or even massage to help stop your child’s TMJ discomfort.

Orthodontics and Surgery

If your child has a misaligned bite that’s been determined to be causing their TMJ pain, they
may need orthodontics to fully correct the problem. Your dentist will refer you to an
orthodontist if a TMJ splint won’t work for your child’s particular case, or orthodontics are
needed for a more permanent solution.

In rare cases, surgery may be needed to correct the jaw’s position and alleviate pain. Surgery is
typically only considered as a last resort, but may be needed if your child has a severe bite
problem or a jaw injury.

Watch out for signs that your child is experiencing TMJ pain. They may complain that it hurts
when they chew, speak, or yawn. Your child may even complain that the sides of their face hurt
or that their teeth hurt. A thorough evaluation by your child-friendly dentist can determine the
problem and help implement a solution!

The post TMJ Treatment Options for Children appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

Carbonated drinks are made with carbon dioxide, which is added to the water under pressure
to make the bubbles you love. Sparkling water is an attractive option for people who love the
fizz of soda but want to protect their teeth from the acidity and harmful sugar content of these
drinks.

All carbonated drinks pose some risk to teeth—here’s why.

It Turns into Carbonic Acid

Carbon dioxide turns to carbonic acid in your mouth after you consume sparkling water. This
makes this beverage more acidic than regular water. If you’re drinking sparkling water with fruit
added to it such as lemons or limes, this will make it even more acidic.

Although carbonic acid isn’t nearly as damaging to tooth enamel as soda, it still is more acidic
than plain water. This makes it more likely to affect your tooth enamel and even wear away
your tooth enamel under certain circumstances.

It’s Not as Good as Plain Water

Sparkling water is still safe to drink and is much healthier for your smile than a traditional soda.
Water has a neutral pH of around 7, while some sodas can be as low as 2, which is extremely
acidic. Sparkling water has a pH of 3-4. Remember that anything below 4 is considered to be
harmful to your tooth enamel.

People who already have trouble with sensitive teeth and enamel erosion may consider
consuming less sparkling water than those who have healthy smiles. If you already have oral
health problems, plain water may be your safest beverage.

So is sparkling water better for your smile than soda? Absolutely. Is sparkling water better than
regular water? The answer is no.

How to Drink Sparkling Water Safely

You can still enjoy sparkling water and minimize any potential acidic effects on your smile by
doing a few things. First, choose mineral sparkling water. This type of water contains beneficial minerals such as
calcium phosphate, which can help protect the smile from the lower pH of carbonated water.

Secondly, drink your carbonated beverages with a meal. While eating, saliva is produced to
buffer your teeth against any harmful foods. This can also help guard your teeth against any
potential harm from sparkling water.

Third, remember that if you have any oral health issues such as dry mouth or sensitive teeth,
it’s a good idea to minimize your consumption of sparkling water. Although there’s no specific
amount that you should or shouldn’t drink, remember that regular water is always your best
choice.

Do you enjoy carbonated beverages? Consider that while carbonated water is better than soda,
it’s still a bit more acidic than traditional water. Regular water should always be your main
beverage, but it’s healthy to enjoy sparkling water on occasion as long as your smile is healthy
and you take advantage of the above tips to minimize damage!

The post Are All Carbonated Drinks Harmful to Your Teeth? appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

1. Visit Your Dentist

If you haven’t been to the dentist in a while, there’s no better time than now to commit to
going. With appointments every 6-12 months, this is a time commitment that everyone can
make. Visits to the dentist can prevent tooth decay, gum disease, and can even help catch oral
cancer early. Schedule an appointment with your dentist to get a dental exam and a
professional cleaning. Your smile will thank you!

2. Don’t Smoke

Smoking is one of the worst things you can do for your smile as well as your body. Smoking is
one of the biggest risk factors for certain types of cancer, including oral cancer, as well as gum
disease. Smoking also discolors teeth and often causes a yellow or brown tinge to your tooth
enamel. That doesn’t sound like the smile you want in the New Year!

There are more resources now than ever for quitting smoking. Talk to your dentist or your
doctor about quitting. There is hope that one day you’ll be cigarette-free, and remember—e-
cigarettes and chewing tobacco aren’t any better for your oral health!

3. Floss

There’s been some debate about whether flossing actually makes much of an impact on your
smile, but dentists remain firm—flossing should continue to be part of your oral care routine.
Flossing helps remove plaque and food debris from the sides of your teeth, which can’t be
reached with a toothbrush. Flossing needs to be done just once per day and only takes a few
minutes. This is an oral health improvement you can surely commit to doing!

4. Improve Your Diet

More research is showing just how crucial your diet is to your oral health. Diets high in sugar
and processed foods can lead to tooth decay and gum disease, while diets rich in whole foods
help supply your smile with the nutrients it needs to remain healthy and strong. In 2018, make
a commitment to eat more fruits and vegetables in addition to lean protein sources and healthy
fats such as walnuts, fish, and avocado. These diet improvements may help your pearly whites!

5. Limit Your Alcohol

Alcohol, like smoking, is a big risk factor for many cancers, including oral cancer. Alcohol is also
very damaging to your tooth enamel and can increase your risk of tooth decay. Like soda, it’s
very acidic and corrosive. For one of your New Year’s resolutions, try to limit your alcohol
intake. How much is too much? Many experts agree that 1 drink a day for women and 2 per
men is the maximum you should have!

Are you ready to ring in 2018 with a super smile? By incorporating these five resolutions into
your oral care routine, you can have a beautiful smile not just for the New Year, but for life.
Schedule an appointment with your dentist to set up a long-term care plan for one of the best
and most important things about you—your smile!

The post Top 5 New Year’s Resolutions for Improving Your Dental Health appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

Snoring or Difficulty Breathing

Snoring is one of the most common signs of OSA. This symptom combined with difficulty breathing through your nose (which can often create the snoring that comes with mouth breathing during sleep) are signs that you need to be evaluated for sleep apnea. This includes if you have sinus trouble or trouble breathing through your nose as a result of allergies.

Headaches and Fatigue

If you have headaches upon waking, this could be a sign that your body isn’t getting the proper amount of oxygen while sleeping due to obstructed breathing. Fatigue during the day may indicate that you aren’t getting the proper rest you need because of constant waking during the night to resume normal breathing. See your doctor—you may have OSA!

Obesity and Large Neck Circumference

If you’re obese and have a large neck, the size and mass of your neck could be contributing to obstructive sleep apnea. This is because the muscles that help control your airway may collapse during sleep, leading to an inability to breathe. Obesity is a risk factor for OSA and combined with other symptoms such as snoring and fatigue, could indicate OSA.

Being Restless, Irritable, and Unfocused

Not being able to sleep properly can make you restless at night. If you have trouble sleeping, an obstructed airway could be preventing you from getting a proper night’s rest. This may lead you to be irritable and unfocused the next day, especially as the problem continues over time. You may not be able to concentrate or have trouble regulating your moods. Your doctor can refer you to a sleep specialist to see if OSA could be the culprit behind your symptoms.

Jaw Pain or Acid Reflux

Did you know that having temporomandibular joint disorder (often referred to as TMJ or TMD) can influence whether or not you have OSA? This is because your jaw determines the position of your tongue in the mouth. When your jaw is misaligned, your airway can easily become obstructed by improper tongue placement during sleep.

There may also be a link between acid reflux and sleep apnea, although the connection isn’t clear yet—some researchers speculate that acid reflux may cause the muscles that control the airway to spasm during sleep, therefore resulting in breathing problems.

Having a Family History of OSA

Always know your family’s medical history—a family history of OSA or another type of sleep apnea is a risk factor in whether or not you will develop sleep apnea!

Obstructive sleep apnea is a dangerous sleep disorder that can increase your risk for chronic diseases and even premature death. Get evaluated by a physician for sleep apnea if you have any of the above signs—a simple oral sleep appliance can help keep your airway open during sleep and result in a proper night’s rest and better health!

The post What Are the Signs That You Should Be Evaluated for Obstructive Sleep Apnea? appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

As a result of the body being woken up so often during the night (as few as five and as many as thirty or more times every night), obstructive sleep apnea causes the body undue stress. Therefore, people with sleep apnea are more at risk for chronic disease or health conditions such as:

 High blood pressure

 Heart disease (therefore increasing your risk for heart attacks and stroke)

 Obesity

 Sexual dysfunction (may manifest as erectile dysfunction in males)

 Type 2 diabetes

 Depression

 Decrease in cognitive abilities, such as thinking or remembering

 Fatigue during the daytime, which may result in accidents or injuries

 Premature death

In addition to causing the body stress, the decreased levels of oxygen in the body because of trouble breathing can cause these health problems as well. Not to mention not getting enough sleep or being constantly disturbed during your sleep—whether or not you’re aware of it—makes for poor health.

Risk Factors and Symptoms of OSA

More than 25 million American adults have sleep apnea! You’re more likely to have sleep apnea if you:

 Are overweight or obese

 Are male

 Have a family history of sleep apnea

 Are older

 Smoke or drink alcohol, especially frequently

People who have obstructive sleep apnea typically snore, may be extremely tired during the day, wake up with a dry mouth or a headache, or even have difficulty focusing on tasks throughout the day. If you find yourself waking often during the night gasping, experiencing a decreased sex drive, or have unexplained mood changes, schedule a visit with your doctor to see if you could be suffering from OSA.

What Can You Do?

Many people who suffer from obstructive sleep apnea can benefit from oral sleep appliances. Often, dentists are among the first health care professionals that notice the signs of sleep apnea. This is because their patients may experience dry mouth from mouth breathing or snoring, therefore decreasing saliva content and making an ideal environment for bad bacteria to cause enamel erosion, tooth decay, and bad breath!

Your dentist can recommend you to a sleep specialist to be evaluated for obstructive sleep apnea. If you have a diagnosis, you can talk with your dentist about how an oral appliance can help. Since the airway is blocked during sleep in OSA, dental appliances can help keep the airway open and prevent collapse, therefore resulting in a more satisfying night’s sleep and making an effective treatment for OSA!

Talk to your primary care physician or your dentist about OSA. Your partner may have complained about your snoring, or you may feel fatigued and moody during the day without understanding why. OSA could be the cause of your health concerns and can lead to chronic health problems if not addressed. Find out if you suffer from OSA today!

The post Understand the Health Impacts of Obstructive Sleep Apnea appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

Dental sealants are applied over your teeth to effectively “seal” out food and bacteria. Particularly on the back molars, food and bacteria get trapped within the grooves of our teeth. Some of these grooves are deep and can’t be properly cleaned with just brushing and flossing. When you have dental sealants, your tooth is essentially protected with the clear and invisible sealant barrier from food and bacteria that could lead to tooth decay such as cavities!

Prevent Cavities

The best time to apply dental sealants is when your molars are relatively new in your mouth and haven’t yet had the chance to be affected by tooth decay—this would be between the ages of 6 and 12 when the first and second molars come in. Even if you haven’t had dental sealants as a child, you can still get them as an adult! If your mouth is healthy, you likely qualify for dental sealants. The procedure is simple and your teeth can benefit from dental sealants for years to come!

Protect Existing Teeth

You’re still a candidate for dental sealants even if some of your molars already have cavities. This is because the sealants can prevent any more damage from happening to your teeth. If you have a small cavity or existing decay, your dentist will fix the problem before sealing your tooth with the dental sealant material. Dental sealants can help protect your teeth for up to 10 years! They’re great for people who experience frequent cavities and have a higher risk for tooth decay than most people.

Best Practices with Dental Sealants

Dental sealants are pretty sturdy, but there are a few things you can do to protect your teeth and extend the life of your dental sealants. These healthy habits include:

 Regular brushing and flossing. That’s right, sealants don’t mean you can just stop taking care of your teeth! Dental sealants are meant to be supplemental protection rather than a replacement for regular care.

 Use your teeth properly. Avoid chewing on things like ice or trying to open packaging with your teeth. This can not only damage your teeth, but your dental sealants as well!

 Get regular checkups. Your dentist can assess your dental sealants at each checkup to see how they’re holding up and whether or not you need more sealant material to help protect your teeth.

Dental sealants can be a great choice for kids as well as adults who are more prone to cavities and have trouble keeping tooth decay away. You can help supplement brushing and flossing and protect your teeth by asking your dentist about dental sealants!

The post Prevent Tooth Decay with Dental Sealants appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.