How do I know when it is time to come in for a checkup?
We recommend that patients with good oral health should schedule checkup and hygiene visit twice each year. You may need more frequent visits under certain oral conditions. Checkups are important because it is the effective way to locate tooth or gum problems at their initial stage and keep good oral hygiene. Even if you don't notice any pain or problems with your teeth or gum, some signs of potential problems may be detected. For instance, demineralization is a precursor to decay, oral cancer often goes undetected until later stages, and gum disease can be very stealthy. Thus, regular checkup and hygiene appointment is essential to keep oral health.
What precautions does your office take to ensure patient safety?
We follow strict guidelines set by the Centers for Disease Control and OSHA. Our office sets patient safety at the highest priority. Our practices include sterilizing reusable instruments with autoclave; sealing sterilized instruments for single use; sincerely disinfecting treatment rooms between patient visits; using disposable materials when possible; wearing disposable gloves during exams and treatments, etc.
My gum bleeds after brushing teeth. Is this something to be concerned about?
Bleeding is usually a sign of some problems. When gum bleeds, the cause usually stems from incorrect brushing or from gingivitis / gum disease (Periodontitis). Gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss for American adults. It is well known that gum disease has been linked to many overall health conditions including stroke, heart attack, diabetes, and respiratory problems, etc. Staying untreated, gum disease can escalate to create significant damages to your health. The most important thing to control gum disease is to start appropriate treatments as soon as possible. Therefore, call for an assessment now. We can consult with you for a proper way of effective daily oral care. If your gum show signs of gum disease, we will help you with appropriate treatments to stop the disease and return your gum to healthy condition. We can help you keep your teeth and gum healthy for life!
What is Sealant ?
Sealant is a way of protecting newly erupted teeth from being decayed. By forming a thin covering over the pits and fissures of new teeth, sealants keep out plaques and food, thus decreasing the risk of decay. Since the covering is only over the biting surface of the tooth, areas on the side and between teeth cannot be coated with sealants. Good oral hygiene and nutrition are still very important in preventing decay next to these sealants or in areas unable to be covered.
Your child should refrain from eating ice or hard candy which tend to fracture the sealant. Regular dental appointments are recommended in order for your child's dentist to be certain the sealants remain in place.
The American Dental Association recognizes that sealants can play an important role in the prevention of tooth decay. When properly applied and maintained, they can successfully protect the chewing surfaces of your child's teeth. A total prevention program includes regular visits to dentist, use of fluoride, daily brushing and flossing, and limiting the number of times sugar-rich foods are eaten. If these measures are followed and sealants are used on the child's teeth, the risk of decay can be reduced or may even be eliminated.
Post-Op Care and Emergency Care
Oral Discomfort After Tooth Cleaning
A thorough cleaning unavoidably produces some bleeding and swelling, and may cause some tenderness or discomfort. This is not due to a "rough cleaning" but to tender and inflamed gums from insufficient oral hygiene regularly. We recommend the following for 2-3 days after cleaning was performed:
1) A warm salt water rinse 2 - 3 times per day (1 teaspoon of salt in 1 cup of warm water)
2) For discomfort use Tylenol, Advil as directed for the age of patient.
Please do not hesitate to contact the office if the discomfort persists for more than 7 days or if there are any questions
Why do I still feel a little bit discomfort after dental treatments?
It is common to feel some discomfort or tenderness in the area for a few days after some dental treatments, such as deep cleaning, filling for deep cavities, or root canal treatment, since your body undergoes the nature healing process. These symptoms are temporary and usually respond very well to over-the-counter pain medications.
Do not eat anything until the numbness in your mouth wears off after treatment. This will prevent you from biting your cheek and tongue.
Your tooth may continue to feel slightly different from your other teeth for some time after your root canal treatment has been completed. Root canal treatment is only one step in returning your tooth to full function. A proper final restoration of the tooth is extremely important in ensuring long-term success.
Care of Mouth After Extractions
Do not scratch, chew, suck, or rub the lips, tongue, or cheek while you still feel numb.
Do not rinse the mouth for several hours.
Do not spit excessively.
Do not drink a carbonated beverage (Coke, Sprite, etc.) for the remainder of the day.
Do not drink through a straw.
Keep fingers and tongue away from the extraction area.
Bleeding - Some bleeding is to be expected. If unusual or sustained bleeding occurs, place cotton gauze firmly over the extraction area and bite down or hold in place for fifteen minutes. This can also be accomplished with a tea bag. Repeat if necessary.
Maintain a soft diet for a day or two, or until you feel comfortable eating normally again.
Avoid strenuous exercise or physical activity for several hours after the extraction.
Pain - For discomfort use Tylenol, Advil as directed. If a medicine was prescribed, then follow the directions on the prescription.
Please do not hesitate to call the office if there are any questions.
Care of the Mouth After Trauma
Please keep the traumatized area as clean as possible. A soft wash cloth often works well during healing to aid the process.
Watch for darkening of traumatized teeth. This could be an indication of a dying nerve (pulp).
If the swelling should re-occur, our office needs to see the patient as soon as possible. Ice-pack should be administered during the first 24 hours to keep the swelling to a minimum.
Watch for infection (gum boils) in the area of trauma. If infection is noticed - call the office so the patient can be seen as soon as possible.
Maintain a soft diet for two to three days, or until you feel comfortable eating normally again.
Avoid sweets or foods that are extremely hot or cold.
If antibiotics or pain medicines are prescribed, be sure to follow the prescription as directed.
Please do not hesitate to call the office if there are any questions.
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