A tooth extraction is sometimes necessary as a part of staying healthy. Keep your mouth healthy by visiting a dentist regularly. This helps prevent serious infections or conditions that affect your whole mouth and body.

Reasons for Tooth Extraction

In adulthood, there are reasons that they may need to be extracted, although our teeth are meant to last a lifetime. Dentists and oral surgeons recommend tooth extraction for a number of reasons.

Some the most common reasons for tooth extraction are:

1. Damaged Tooth – A common reason for tooth extractions that the tooth is badly damaged or has suffered an injury. Getting it extracted may be the best course of action. Dentists evaluate to determine if the tooth is unsalvageable or is easily repaired. Your dentist will want it pulled so it doesn’t cause harm to your oral health.
2.  Crowded Mouth –  Another reason to get a tooth extracted is in preparation for orthodontia. The goal of orthodontia (braces) is to perfectly align your teeth.  Your teeth will not have room to align if your mouth is over-crowded.  Dentists also pull teeth if there is not enough room in your mouth for a tooth, even before it’s broken through the gum. This is common in children after their “adult teeth” have come in, or as they are coming in.
3. Infection – Tooth decay, if not caught early enough, causes significant damage to the pulp inside the tooth. Bacteria enters the decayed tooth and through the pulp, reaches the blood stream, causing infections that spread to the rest of the body. In some cases, antibiotics can kill the infections. Your dentists will most likely recommend extraction as a precaution against further infections. If you have a weakened immune system due to chemotherapy or an autoimmune disease, there is a greater risk for infection if you have an oral conditions.
4. Gum Disease –  Periodontal diseases, an infection the tissues and bones that surround teeth, can cause the gums to weaken around your teeth, making them loose. If gums decay because of an injection, it may be necessary to pull the affected teeth.

What to Expect During a Tooth Extraction

Dentists and oral surgeons perform tooth extractions. The severity of the affect tooth determines whether a dentist performs the surgery or if you are referred to an oral surgeon. There are two different types of tooth extractions: a simple extraction and a surgical extraction.

When the affected tooth is visible above your gum line and it can be easily removed with forceps, the procedure is called a simple extraction. If the tooth in question has yet to grow in and bone and gum tissue has to be removed in order to extract it, that’s called a surgical extraction. Surgical extractions require stitches and wound care for proper healing.

Your dentist will determine the type of extraction necessary by taking X-Rays of your mouth and examining the tooth and the structures around it. However, a simple extraction can turn into a surgical extraction if the tooth breaks during the procedure.

Before performing the surgery, your dentist will do a complete review of your medical history. This is to ensure your safety during the procedure. It will also determine the safest type of anesthetic for your procedure. In some cases, your dentist will perform local anesthetic to numb the area before pulling your tooth. Some types of extraction that are more complicated will use a strong general anesthetic. This helps prevent pain and makes your sleep throughout the process.

If a tooth is impacted, meaning they haven’t grown in completely, they will be surgically extracted. Your dentist will make tiny cuts in the gum tissue and bone surrounding your tooth and using forceps, gently the rock the tooth back and forth until it’s loosened from the bone and ligaments that keep it from moving.

Once the affected tooth is extracted, blood clots form in the empty tooth socket. A gauze pad is then pressed into the socket to help stop the bleeding. Oftentimes, the dentist will place a few dissolvable stitches at the extraction site to promote faster healing. If the blood clot breaks loose from the socket, it can be painful and cause dry socket.

Recovery Instructions After Tooth Extraction

It is important to follow your doctor’s instructions for care after having a tooth extracted. This is to help heal you wound quickly and to prevent any complications.

• Leave the gauze pad on the extraction site for up to 4 hours after your surgery to allow a proper blood clot to form. If the gauze pad becomes soaked with blood, remove, and replace with a clean pad.
• Avoid unnecessary eating or drinking for the first 2 hours after surgery. Do not drink from a straw for the first 24 hours.
• Apply ice to help minimize swelling and to help reduce pain. Use ice compresses at 10 minute intervals.
• Limit physical activity for 2 days after the procedure.
• DO NOT smoke after your procedure. This increases post-operative pain and increases your risk for infection or complications.

Things to Look For After Tooth Extraction

It’s common to experience a minor fever and increase in pain in the hours following your procedure. Your dentist will likely prescribe some kind of pain medication to help alleviate your pain and make the recovery process more comfortable. Over-the-counter pain relievers like Tylenol or Motrin are good to help minimize the fever. Always check with your doctor before taking any medicine that hasn’t been prescribed to avoid unwanted side effects.

If there is bleeding at the extraction site for longer than 4 hours post-surgery, that is a cause for concern and you should contact your dentist. Signs of infections, redness, swelling, or discharge around the extraction site, are also considered means for contacting you doctor. Those are issues that need to be addressed by a medical professional to minimize your chances for infection.

Healing from a tooth extraction procedure takes approximately 1 to 2 weeks. Depending on the tooth that was pulled, your dentist will recommend replacing the tooth with bridgework, dentures, or even dental implants.

If you would like to learn more, please do not hesitate to give us a call or contact us to book an appointment.

Many times, when a dentist mentions dental surgery it is met with widespread panic and fear from their patients.  The idea is that dental surgery is a painful and expensive procedure.

However, what many patients don’t realize is that dental surgery is very common and includes procedures that address conditions that many people have and suffer from. Each patient is different and every case is treated accordingly. For the most part, dental surgery is considered an outpatient procedure and patients can generally resume normal activity within a few days.

Before deciding whether or not you are a candidate for dental surgery, dentists refer their patients to an oral surgeon. This is who will assess the situation and your oral health to determine the best course of action. In some cases, and depending on the severity of your condition, oral surgeons are able to recommend nonsurgical treatments. Adults and children are both at risk for oral health issues, although not all surgeries result from oral health conditions.

The most common types of dental surgery are procedures that many people may not consider dental surgery, because they are so routine – such as orthodonture work or teeth whitening.

Common Types of Dental Surgery

1. Root Canal- 

Root Canals are widely regarded as the most common type of dental surgery. Millions of teeth are treated each year, saving many teeth from extractions and relieved from pain and sensitivity. Root canals are typically pain-free and incredibly effective in treating pain.

Underneath a tooth’s enamel is a soft core called dental pulp, which contains blood vessels, nerve endings, and tissue. When a tooth is decayed, bacteria enters the tooth and damages the pulp. The infected pulp causes  dental pain, occasional swelling, and causes potential pain in your neck or jaw. A surgeon can treat this by removing the decayed portion of the tooth and extracting the infected pulp.

2. Dental Implants – 

Dental implants have changed the way dentistry has evolved over the last 25 years. An implants is a replacement for the root or roots of a tooth. They are used to secure crowns to the jawbone using titanium and titanium alloy. These metals are used because they are lightweight and biocompatible – which means they aren’t rejected by the body. Dental implants are used to replace teeth due to decay, disease, oral cancer, or a number of causes like smoking or alcoholism.

Dental implants are a longer process type of dental surgery to ensure the bone is properly fused before the tooth can be attached.  Implants require a procedure to create channels in the jawbone so the implants can be fitted with intimate contact with the bone. They generally require two to six months for the bone to fuse before they can have tooth restorations (a crown or bridge) attached in order to complete the process.

3. Wisdom Tooth Extraction – 

Wisdom tooth extraction is the removal of four adult teeth located in the back bottom and top corners of your mouth. These are the last (third) molars to come in, usually between the ages of 17 and 25.  When wisdom teeth don’t have room to grow, they can become impacted and cause pain, oral infections, or other dental problems. Oftentimes, dentists will suggest wisdom tooth removal even if impacted teeth are not an issue, as a preventative measure.

Wisdom tooth extraction is an outpatient procedure that takes a few days to fully recover. The procedure is done by removing the wisdom teeth through surgical incisions and stitching the extraction site closed to aid in the healing. It is important to follow your doctor’s orders regarding the healing process to avoid excessive bleeding or blood clots.

4. Reconstructive – 

Accidents happen, and when there is damage to the face due to sports injuries, falls, work-related incidents, or any kind of facial trauma, it can be scary and stressful. That’s why seeing an oral surgeon is the best course of action – they can offer solutions that will have you looking your best in no time! Dental surgery for facial reconstruction breaks down into two categories – soft tissue injuries and fractures.

Soft tissue injuries include trauma to the skin or gums, such as cuts on the inside of the cheek, lips, or tongue. Soft tissue injuries also include lacerations on the soft or hard palate.

Fractures relate to the the tiny bone tissue in your mouth, and includes reconstruction to the jawbone and teeth. Larger reconstructive surgeries go into the nasal cavities and the forehead, if the facial injuries are severe enough. In some cases, reconstructive surgery utilized dental implants along with other methods of treatment and mechanics to repair jaw alignments and bone structure.

5. Cosmetic – 

Cosmetic dental surgery comes in many different forms. Many times, cosmetic surgery is not a medically necessary procedure, but is used to improve the patient’s face or smile.  Cosmetic procedures covers minor treatments like teeth whitening and investments like orthodonture.

Smile makeovers combine two or more procedures such as teeth whitening, dental veneers, bonding, or composite restoration. Treatments to make teeth brighter isn’t just teeth bleaching. Methods like bonding and veneers are also used to fix discoloration or stained teeth. Some patients even like having tooth shaping to fix the physical shape of their teeth. This is done by removing tooth enamel or filing the teeth.

Cosmetic procedures are generally pain-free and can be completed in your dentist’s office, eliminating the need for an oral surgeon. Of course, every treatment is individualized for the patient.

Regardless of whether you are looking for minor cosmetic dental surgery or a major dental procedure, your dentist should be at the forefront of your medical journey.  Many other health issues can be diagnosed and solved by keeping your oral health a top priority.  If you experience any oral pain, tooth sensitivity, pain in the neck or jaw, or notice any discoloration or bleeding while brushing your teeth, contact your dentist today.  A proactive approach to your oral health may prevent you from having any tooth loss or serious dental surgery.

If you would like to learn more, please do not hesitate to give us a call or contact us to book an appointment.

Oral cancer is scary. In the family of mouth cancers, oral cancer includes cancers of the tongue, lips, cheeks, throat, and hard or soft palate. If not detected or treated early enough it can result in death, mainly due to the fact that it often goes undiagnosed and is detected too late. Read on to learn more about how to work with your dentist to cut your risk.

Schedule Regular Appointments

Visiting your dentist twice a year is an essential key to maintaining a healthy oral regime. April is Cancer month in Canada and we also offer cancer screening at our locations to help detect any signs early. However, if you feel you’re at risk, visit your dentist sooner rather than later so they can check your gums, tongue, and soft mouth tissues for any signs of cancer.

Symptoms of oral cancer

If cancer is detected in its early stages, you have a much better prognosis for full recovery. Here are some of the signs to look out for. 

• Mouth sores
• Bleeding in the mouth that lasts more than a week
• Lumps in the mouth or neck
• Pain in your mouth lasting more than two weeks
• Dramatic voice changes, especially in smokers
• Persistent earaches in both ears
• Lower lip and chin numbness

Eliminate Bad Habits

According to the Mayo Clinic, oral cancer is contracted by heavy smoking, drinking, excessive sun exposure, human papillomavirus and a poor immune system. This is probably why your dentist will always advise you to either quit or cut back smoking as soon as possible and to limit alcohol consumption.

Eat Healthy Foods

Having a balanced diet, eating properly and exercising regularly are ways to ward off oral cancer. Not only do healthy foods prevent tooth decay, they also drastically reduce your chances of getting cancer. The Canadian Cancer Society identifies beans, berries, cruciferous vegetables (i.e. bok choy, broccoli, brussels sprouts, etc.), dark green leafy vegetables, flax seed, garlic, grapes, green tea, and soy as cancer-preventing foods and drinks.

Have questions? Visit any of our locations to speak with our dentists or to request an appointment for an oral cancer screening.

If you would like to learn more, please do not hesitate to give us a call or contact us to book an appointment.

Do you suffer from tooth sensitivity? Many of the patients that visit our clinics express discomfort related to temperature sensitivity. Whether your teeth are sensitive to hot, cold, acids, sugars, brushing or flossing, you don’t have to suffer. Below we’ve compiled some causes of sensitive teeth along with ways to prevent and treat sensitive teeth.

What causes tooth sensitivity?

Tooth sensitivity is a common dental problem that can develop over time. It starts to happen when the softer, inner part of the tooth called the dentin becomes exposed. Dentin lies under the enamel and the gums. Other factors that cause sensitive teeth include:

• Tooth decay/cavities
• Fractured, cracked or chipped teeth
• Worn fillings or enamel
• Gum disease or infection
• Exposed tooth root
• Bruised tooth nerves from a recent procedure (temporary)
• Over-brushing
• Teeth grinding
• Acidic foods

Preventing and treating tooth sensitivity

The first step to help cure dental sensitivity is to find out what the cause is. Our dental professionals can help you with this. If the sensitivity is due to exposed dentin, there are a number of steps you can take to help reduce the sensitivity. Here are seven tooth sensitivity treatments to try.

1. Salt water rinses: To alleviate pain symptoms from sensitive teeth, gargle with a salt water rinse twice daily.
2. Change your toothbrush/toothpaste: Hard bristle toothbrushes or abrasive toothpastes can aggravate sensitive teeth. By switching to a soft-bristled toothbrush and using a toothpaste specifically for sensitivity like Sensodyne Pronamel Gentle Whitening, this will reduce pain.
3. Honey and warm water. You probably weren’t aware that honey is an antibacterial agent and can be used for wound management, pain reduction, swelling and inflammation. To reduce pain from sensitive teeth, rinse your mouth with warm water and a spoonful of honey.
4. Turmeric: Turmeric is commonly known to be an anti-inflammatory treatment. For oral health treatment and to alleviate pain from sensitive teeth, you can massage ground turmeric on the teeth, or create a turmeric paste and apply to your teeth twice daily.
5. Green tea: For sensitive teeth, use unsweetened green tea as a mouthwash twice a day to strengthen teeth and reduce swelling.
6. Vanilla extract: To treat sensitive teeth, pour vanilla extract onto a cotton ball. Apply the cotton ball to your gums for a few minutes, and repeat the process as often as needed.
7. Purchase a mouth guard: If you are suffering from sensitive teeth because of teeth grinding (also known as bruxism) your dentist can make a model of your teeth and use this to produce a mouth guard that you can wear during the night.

Don’t let your sensitive teeth take the joy out of simple pleasures in life. Talk to your dentist. You don’t have to suffer – there are ways to overcome this issue.

If you would like to learn more, please do not hesitate to give us a call or contact us to book an appointment.

If you have a tooth infection, seeing a dentist as soon as possible is important to prevent any sort of infection from spreading. Your dentist will likely prescribe an antibiotic to help kill the bacteria causing your tooth infection. The good news is that if the infection is caught early enough it can be treated.

Read on to learn more about when you should use antibiotics to treat tooth infections.

What is a tooth infection?

A tooth infection is an infection at the root of the tooth between the jaw and gum line. The swelling can be extremely painful and often unbearable, especially if the infection affects the pulp which forms part of the tooth and has important nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissue. If the infection gets worse, it can spread into your brain causing much more damage.

What are some of the symptoms of an infected tooth?

• Gnawing or throbbing toothache
• Pain when eating
• Tooth sensitivity to hot or cold
• Sensitivity to pressure
• Bitter taste in the mouth
• Bad breath
• Swollen neck glands
• Swelling in the gums
• Swelling in the jaw
• Fever

What are some recommended antibiotics for a tooth infection?

The type of antibiotic you’ll need depends on the type of bacteria causing the infection. Different classes of antibiotics have different ways of attacking bacteria. Your dentist will want to choose an antibiotic that can effectively eliminate your infection. Antibiotics such as penicillin and amoxicillin are most commonly used to help treat tooth infections. If you’re allergic to penicillin (which some people are) be sure to tell your dentist. Erythromycin is an alternative to penicillin and can be prescribed in its place. Information about dosage and how to take the medication will be given to you by your local pharmacist; however you’ll typically need to take antibiotics for about a week.

What are some natural remedies for a tooth infection?

If you have an allergic reaction to penicillin or are looking for holistic ways to treat infections – here’s a list that may be beneficial. Just to be clear, these natural remedies may deter the infection from spreading, but you should always consult your dentist right away just to be safe.

Some natural remedies include:

• Salt water rinse: rinsing your mouth with salt water promotes wound healing, healthy gums and is an affordable alternative to seeing the dentist
• Baking soda: great for removing excess plaque, it also has antibacterial properties
• Oregano, clove and/or thyme oil: known to be antibacterial and anti-oxidizing, these oils all contain anti-inflammatory properties to help relieve pain
• Cold compress packs: reduce swelling and numbs the pain
• Garlic: rubbing a clove of garlic on the infected area will reduce the pain and kill bacteria

If you’re having symptoms of a tooth infection, such as persistent throbbing pain, swelling and sensitivity to temperature or pressure, see a doctor or dentist as soon as possible. If your dentist prescribes antibiotics, follow the instructions carefully and finish the prescription. Even if the infection seems mild, it can quickly become serious without proper treatment.