A tooth or dental abscess is a localized collection of pus in a sac formed by disintegration of purulent material from a bacterial infection. Invasion of bacteria which cannot be drained results in abscess. An abscessed tooth can be further classified into periapical, periodontal or gingival abscess depending on its location in the oral cavity.
Are you refraining yourself from ice cream, cold drinks, cold air in the mornings when you breathe through your mouth causing a jolt to your teeth and forcing you to stay indoors? Even biting on a candy is causingpressure to your tooth? The answer is simple, you are suffering from sensitive teeth. Wondering how did all this happen? It could be due to various reasons from decay to gum disease. Continue reading
Best toothbrush for periodontal disease
The importance of oral hygiene has been highlighted over the years and recently awareness has been created as it is not only for good dental health but one’s overall well-being. Gum disease is a major risk factor and has been associated with serious health conditions, including heart disease, diabetes, strokes, respiratory disease, digestive disorders, pancreatic cancer and preterm low birth weight
babies. It begins with bacteria invading the gums and populating in great amounts destructing the tooth tissues and supporting tissues. If the early stage of gum disease (gingivitis) if left untreated, it can progress to more severe gum disease (periodontitis).
Periodontitis comes with swollen and bleeding gums, recession, tooth sensitivity, root decay, loose tooth leading to tooth loss in advanced cases. The best way for treating gum disease is by regular brushing and flossing. It is essential for one to administer proper brushing techniques with the right toothbrush for the health of their gums and prevent tooth loss as well as fighting against other health challenges. There are various types of toothbrushes available in the market, with newer products seems better than
previous ones. Hence, the confusion arises to select the best toothbrush to care for their teeth and gums. Continue reading
pain after third molar removal
A tooth socket holds the tooth in place by connecting its roots to the underlying alveolar bone. After a tooth is pulled, a blood clot forms over the socket to protect the bone and nerves underneath. Dry socket also known as alveolar osteitis is a common condition occurring few days after an extraction where the clot becomes dislodged or dissolves. It attracts air, food, fluid and almost anything that enters the mouth which leads to bacterial infection and results in severe pain. Dry socket delay healing of surrounding tissues and alveolar bone. Higher incidence of dry socket occurs after removal of impacted mandibular third molars followed by upper molars, premolars, canines and incisors. It occur twice more often after single tooth extractions when compared to multiple extractions completed at the same time. It occurs in those around the ages between 20 and 40. Continue reading
An immediate denture is “a complete denture or removable partial denture issued immediately after an extractionâ€. Patient may have their teeth extracted due to caries, severe periodontal disease or for esthetic purpose. An impression is taken prior to the extraction, sent to the lab and constructed according to the patient’s cast of natural teeth. It has great advantages as the patient’s appearance is maintained with no edentulous period. Circumoral support, muscle tone, occlusion, jaw relationship, face shape and face height can be maintained. Speech and mastication is rarely affected and nutrition can be maintained sufficiently. Patient has a better social interaction with others.  As there is no try-in done beforehand, esthetics may not be satisfactory and patient may not feel comfortable with the resulting appearance and fit on the day the immediate denture is inserted. They are contraindicated in patients with poor general health, postirradiation of the head and neck regions, systemic conditions that affect healing or blood clotting. Uncooperative patients who fail to understand the demands and limitations of an immediate denture, fail to carry out proper oral hygiene measures will compromise the health of the remaining natural teeth and oral tissues. Continue reading
Having a missing tooth and worried about presence of a gap between your teeth which disrupts your daily social life and compromises your appearance. Worry less as dental bridges offer a great solution by closing the gaps. A false tooth is held in the open space at the gum line by attaching it to teeth on either side of the missing tooth. If several teeth are missing, artificial teeth are glued together and attached to adjacent real teeth. Dental implants and removable partial denture are other options available to replace missing tooth. Likewise other dental procedures, dental bridges have its advantages and disadvantages as well. Continue reading
Have you been upset about your discolored teeth? Or even white opaque spots on your teeth that ruin your appearance that you are so afraid to smile or pose for photographs? Here comes the solution, tooth whitening can help bring out the bright smile in you. Continue reading
Deep gum cleaning consists of scaling and root planing. Gum disease (gingivitis) if untreated can progress to more
deep cleaning
serious periodontal disease (bacterial/viral proliferation which overwhelms the host immune response) causing destruction of the supporting tissues of the teeth and bone loss which are irreversible in nature. A periodontal pocket forms and harbors bacteria in large amounts. Deep scaling and root planning are the therapeutic procedures performed to heal your gums by removing the disease causing toxins. Scaling is the process of removing dental tartar from the teeth surfaces while root planning involves removing infected tooth structure (dentin and cementum) and smoothing the rough root surfaces of the teeth. The goal of active therapy is to remove as much subgingival debris as possible and disrupt/ the bacterial proliferation. Continue reading
Trench mouth is also known as Acute Necrotizing Ulcerative Gingivitis (ANUG) or Vincent’s infection. It is an acute
ANUG
 necrotizing inflammatory disease produced by endogenous infection where systemic changes, predispose the gingiva to invasion by bacteria. A recurring periodontal disease which results in necrosis and ulceration of the gums. It is a communicable infection of the respiratory tract and mouth extending to the tongue, palate, throat and pharynx. ANUG is a mixed bacterial infection with predominant groups of anaerobic bacteria, the fusiform, spirochetes and treponema. They present in large numbers in slough and necrotic tissue at surface of the ulcer and invade a small distance into underlying connective tissue, releasing toxins and enzymes. Trench mouth is a serious oral disease which causes severe pain and major discomfort. Inability to carry out good oral hygiene and poor nutritional status are the contributing factors of trench mouth. Other causes include smoking, increased physical and emotional stress, age, poverty and infections like HIV, AIDS and measles, malignant tumors and acute leukemia.
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Gingival recession is a dental condition characterized by shrinking gums which expose root surfaces and reduces the zone of attached gingiva. It is a precursor for loss of thin cementum surrounding the teeth and wearing of enamel at the gum line. Exposed root is potentially sensitive via exposed dentinal tubules which can transmit stimuli to the pain receptors in the pulp (inner nerve). Cold, hot and sweet stimuli, drying with an air spray and the use of an ultrasonic scaler results in sensitivity. This situation deters the patient from brushing properly leading to plaque accumulation on the root surface and aggravates the sensitivity. It develops during late teens and early 40’s. Continue reading