The Importance of Tongue-Scraping

You’re probably brushing and flossing every day, but are you also scraping your tongue? If you aren’t, you are missing an important part of your daily oral hygiene.

Bacteria can grow on any surface in your mouth, and it doesn’t need to be growing on your teeth or gums to cause tooth decay or gingivitis. The surface of your tongue is developing a thick layer of plaque which is creating the acid that eats away at your mouth, and also contributes to bad breath. An antibacterial mouthwash can go a long way towards killing off the bacteria throughout your mouth, but it will do little to clear away the plaque.

The good news is that it’s easy to clear this plaque away; simply brush at the top of your tongue with your toothbrush once a day. Since many people find this to be fairly uncomfortable, particularly when they try to scrape the back of their tongues, there are products available designed specifically for tongue-scraping.

Tongue Health and Care

Talk to our Issaquah dentist if you have any questions about tongue-scraping, or anything else that pertains to your daily oral hygiene routine.

How Do I Know I Have A Tooth Abscess?

Understanding Abscesses

A tooth abscess is a pus-filled pocket that can occur at different areas near a tooth. It’s an infection generally caused by tooth decay, though there are other causes.

How does an abscess form?

You might have a cavity on a tooth surface caused by buildup of plaque. Due to its acidity, plaque can destroy enamel, weaken it and cause an opening into the inside of the tooth. This crack is the portal by which food, bacteria, and other debris can enter, reach the pulp and cause infection. Pus now builds up in the pulp and may cause its death. It can penetrate the root tips and enter bone tissue. Forming a pocket of pus, it is now called an abscess. Untreated, it can lead to a serious infection in the jaw bone and surrounding tissues.

According to its location, abscess that occurs at the tip of the root is referred to as a periapical abscess. If it occurs in the gums at the side of a tooth root, it’s a periodontal abscess.

What are symptoms of an abscess?

Pain is generally present when there is an abscess. It can be severe, constant, and throbbing, which can spread to the jaw, neck or ear. Pain or discomfort is also felt when taking hot or cold food or drinks or biting or chewing using the affected tooth.

The gums that hold the tooth may swell and become tender; that part of the face may also swell. There may be fever, tender and swollen lymph nodes in the neck or jaw, and a foul odor in the mouth. If the abscess ruptures, one can sense the sudden rush of foul-smelling and -tasting, salty fluid in the mouth, as well relief from pain.

Can tooth abscess be treated?

Depending on the severity of the infection, an abscessed tooth can be treated with various treatments. For example, antibiotics can be prescribed to eradicate the infection, pus drainage can be done and cleaning up where pus had developed between the tooth and the gums. Root canal treatment is another option if the crown is badly damaged.

Know that good oral hygiene practices and regular dentist visits reduce the risk of developing abscess. One must also have a healthy diet, a low to moderate sugary and acidic consumption. Tooth abscesses require treatment and its spreading needs to be addressed.

^{Source 1,} ²

Knowing When To See Your Issaquah Dentist

When you think you have a tooth abscess, delay no further and see your dentist in Issaquah. Know how you can save your tooth when it happens.

Bruxism in Children

Teeth Grinding

It’s not uncommon for children to grind their teeth. Tooth grinding, or bruxism, affects somewhere between fifteen and thirty-three percent of the population at some point in their childhood. It will commonly occur during the eruption of new teeth, since this is a painful experience.

Though this will often pass quickly, some children go on grinding for months or years at a time. Here are some tips for identifying and dealing with your own child’s bruxism problem:

It is common for children to grind their teeth without even realizing it, possibly while sleeping. Listen for grinding during the night, and be on the lookout if he or she ever complains of an unexplained headache or sore jaw.
Stress is the culprit in many cases of bruxism. Try to identify any stressors in your child’s life, and look for ways to alleviate them.
Your child can reduce grinding by massaging his or her jaw muscles or applying a warm compress to them before going to bed.
Make sure that your child is getting enough to drink, as dehydration can cause or aggravate bruxism symptoms.
Alert our Issaquah dentist to your child’s bruxism. It is possible that there is a dental problem that needs to be addressed.

When Should I Pull Out a Loose Tooth?

When is it safe to pull out a loose tooth?

Having a loose tooth can often be uncomfortable and inconvenient for a child. It makes it difficult to eat, and some people become worried that the child might swallow it in the middle of the night. However, it is generally best to allow the tooth to come out on its own, rather than yank it out prematurely.

Firstly, it’s important to be mindful of how delicate a child’s mouth is. When you reach in to remove a tooth, it’s difficult to avoid damaging his or her gum tissues. Only the child can know for sure how painful it is to force the tooth out, so it’s important to allow him or her to judge the situation.

Though it’s possible that your child may end up swallowing a loose tooth, this is really nothing to worry about. Teeth are small enough to usually pass harmlessly from your system.

The only time you should consider helping a loose tooth along is when the permanent tooth begins to emerge underneath it. There is some risk that the new tooth will come in crooked if its way isn’t clear. Should this become a concern for you, talk to our Issaquah dentist to make sure that it is extracted properly.

Should I Stop Flossing When My Gums Hurt?

Does it hurt when you try to floss between your teeth? It is not uncommon for people to report that their gums become irritated during the course of normal flossing, and that they even experience some degree of bleeding. When this happens, it can be easy to assume that there is something wrong, and that you should stop flossing. However, this is generally not a good tactic.

For most people, discontinuing your flossing habit is the very last thing you want to do. Their problem is often that they do not floss enough. If your gums are unaccustomed to daily flossing, they become fragile and are all the more vulnerable when it you finally get around to cleaning out between your teeth. In such cases, you will want to muscle through the pain until your gums become strong enough to handle normal flossing again.

Of course, it is entirely possible that you have a problem unrelated to your flossing habit that is causing your gum pain. Should you experience any tenderness, bleeding, or swelling in your gums that you cannot quite account for, talk to our Issaquah dentist to explore the possible causes.

The Best and The Worst Foods For Teeth

Natural Ways To Prevent Cavities

Do you want to keep cavities and tooth decay at bay the natural way? Have a healthy diet. There are foods that are best for your teeth that contain healthy nutrients. Know also which ones you should avoid or keep to a minimum. as they do more harm than good. Keep these food choices in mind.

Best for Teeth

Foods rich in calcium. Dairy, such as milk, yogurt and cheese, is a great source of calcium. Go for skim milk and low-fat yogurt. Leafy, green vegetables such as broccoli and bok choy are excellent. Almonds, Brazil nuts and dried beans are also calcium-rich.

Fruit and Veggies. These are high-fiber foods that hydrate the mouth, keep saliva flowing. Try dried fruits like dates, raisins and figs, and fresh fruits, like bananas, apples, strawberries, and kiwi. Other options are veggies, such as beans, brussels sprouts and peas.

Whole Grains. Rich in B vitamins and iron, help keep gums healthy. They also have magnesium which is important for teeth and bones. Consider bran, brown rice, whole-grain cereals and pasta.

Worst for Teeth

Sugary Snacks. Sugar feeds on plaque to weaken tooth enamel, leaving teeth vulnerable to decay. In just 20 minutes, leftover sweet snacks, like candies, chocolate, ice cream, cakes, donuts, etc, are already attacking the enamel.

Citrus Fruits. They contain acidic compounds that coat the enamel and stick around for a long time. Acid attacks and weakens the enamel, too. Examples are oranges, lemons, lime, and grapefruits – high in vitamin C, but very acidic to tooth enamel.

Processed Foods. Spaghetti sauce, ketchup, sausages, bacon, cereals, junk food, crackers, etc, are examples. They are high in sugar and carbohydrates, and are quite addictive. They are modified foods packaged and canned that can cause bodily harm – contributing to rapid aging, kidney diseases, and weakened bones and teeth.

Alcohol Drinks. They contain sugar and are also acidic. Heavy drinkers are more prone to tooth decay, gum disease, and mouth sores.

Follow a healthy diet that’s recommended for the health of your teeth and your body, such as the food pyramid. It is a balanced food program designed to provide all the important food groups you need throughout the day.

^Source

Know More About Teeth-Friendly Foods in Issaquah

Let our Issaquah dentist and staff tell you more about healthy foods that prevent cavities – good for both teeth and gums, as well as for overall health.

Cavities: Different Types and Different Treatments

Not All Cavities Are The Same

If you have ever had cavities, you may be familiar with the pain and discomfort they can give. So much so that you will seek specialized treatment to remove the symptoms and restore the concerned tooth’s normal function and form. There are different types of cavities as well as treatments they require.

Cavities are considered decayed parts of teeth, and they are not all the same. There are three types. A smooth surface decay is a type of cavity that occurs on the flat surface of the outside of teeth. It is not as serious as other types though it is the result of plaque buildup on the surface that points to faulty or ineffectual brushing and flossing. It is usually treatable with fluoride application. You have a pit and fissure decay when you find them at the back teeth. These teeth have chewing surfaces that are characterized by grooves and elevations where bacteria easily lodge; it can be prevented by proper tooth brushing. Unattended, this type of decay can become more serious. Lastly, a root decay is found in roots of the teeth, usually among older adults with receding gums.

Remember that plaque buildup is usually caused by oral hygiene neglect. Bacteria abound in the oral cavity and mix up with the plaque, secreting acids. This process creates cavities. There are a variety of treatment options available to address the problem and that depends on the severity of the decay.

Fillings are the most common form of treatment for moderate to severe cavities. The severity and location on the tooth dictate which dental filling is appropriate. Composite resin is the most common filling for front teeth cavities, including those in between teeth. They are tooth-colored, bond well with tooth structure, and are versatile. Cavities in the back teeth require more durable fillings because of the forces applied on them. Silver (amalgam) or gold fillings are used for these types. Other filling types are ceramics and glass ionomer.

Crowns are an option for the more extreme cases of tooth decay, when too much of the tooth structure is lost due to severe infection or trauma. Large fillings may not be the best option as they might just lead to cracking and breaking of both the filling and the little remaining tooth structure. It is better to use artificial crowns made of alloy or porcelain.

Root Canals are the solution for a tooth cavity with an already damaged nerve.The decay may have penetrated the dentin and damaged the pulp, necessitating complete removal of the dying or dead contents. It may also require placing a crown over the affected root.

Tooth extraction is the last resort for cavities when none of the above mentioned options are not sufficient to fix the problem. The gums may be infected and such may spread to the jaw bone. The resulting gap between the teeth will require a replacement crown.

^Source

What Causes Tooth Loss And How Can I Prevent It?

Causes And Prevention

Find out what causes tooth loss. Is it natural to lose teeth as we age? Are there ways we can decrease the chances of tooth loss or altogether prevent it from happening?

Tooth loss is when natural teeth become loose and fall out. While baby teeth falling out is natural, losing your adult teeth may be problematic because they cannot be replaced naturally. As humans, we don’t grow a third set of teeth. There are many ways adults lose their teeth over a lifetime. Here are the most common causes.

The most common cause of tooth loss is periodontal disease, a more serious form of gum disease characterized by infection of the gums, creation of pockets that create spaces between teeth and gums, and destruction of soft tissue and supporting bone. This condition results from untreated and progressing gingivitis.

Another cause is dental caries. This is brought about by the action of leftover food debris on tooth sides and surfaces with the action of bacteria. Acid results from this interaction which damages the enamel, weakening it and creating holes. If unattended, the decay can progress deeper into the tooth structure until the tooth can no longer be saved.

Injury or trauma to teeth due to sports, accidents, fights, and other events that deliver a blow to the face or mouth can result in broken, cracked, or chipped teeth, or even teeth completely avulsed from their sockets. Any break on the tooth surface can lead to infection and decay.

How do you prevent tooth loss?

Tooth loss prevention is generally tied up with the practise of good oral hygiene. Toothbrushing and flossing keeps caries at bay and maintains gum health. Regular visits to your dentist enables professional examination of your oral cavity, spotting the beginning formations of tooth decay, cracks, or chips on tooth surfaces that should receive immediate attention and treatment. Your dentist will also recommend that you use a mouth guard if you engage in especially high contact sports.

Dentist visits also afford regular professional cleanings every 6 months, at least, to maintain the health of your gums, treat gingivitis early, or prevent the progress of gum disease.

^Source

Preventing Tooth Loss in Issaquah

Do visit your dentist in Issaquah regularly for examinations and cleanings to ensure your teeth and gums stay healthy. Regular consultations preserve mouth health for as long as can be.

All You Need To Know About Mouth Cold Sores

Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

What are cold sores? Find out their causes and symptoms and how they are treated.

What are cold sores? Cold sores are painful viral infections in and around the mouth. Sometimes, they are referred to as “fever blisters.” They appear as blisters, sometimes grouped in patches made up of very small, fluid-filled blisters. They manifest on or around the lips. A scab forms at the site after the blisters break and can last several days. However, they may not leave any scarring after the sores heal in several weeks.

What are the signs and symptoms?

There is a tingling and itching sensation around the lips, then blisters appear, after which, there will be oozing and crusting of the area. When it is the first time you are exposed to the virus, it may take about 20 days before the following signs appear: fever, painful gums, sore throat, headache, muscle aches, and swollen lymph nodes.

What triggers the resurgence of cold sores?

Some factors like a fever, cold or flu, menstruation, allergies, or fluctuation in immunity response can cause recurrence. Likewise, even fatigue, stress, exposure to sunlight or wind, or a skin injury can trigger reactivation.

How are cold sores treated?

Antiviral medications as pills or creams can help sores heal sooner. They may reduce the severity, duration and frequency of future outbreaks. Anti-fever and pain relievers may help with the symptoms. A cold compress may reduce redness, remove crusting and promote healing; you can also use a lip balm. Relax to reduce your stress levels, avoid kissing while you have the blisters, don’t share personal effects, and avoid the sun and changes in temperature outdoors.

Whether or not you may have cold sores, maintain a thorough oral care routine to ensure your teeth and gums are healthy.

^Source

Consulting With Issaquah Dentist

Know more about cold sores from your Issaquah dentist. If you think you may have these blisters, see us for a consultation.

Open Space, Open Invitation for Bacteria

Whether your toothbrush is placed in the vicinity of a toilet or across the room, studies have showed freckled specs of feces on toothbrushes, nondiscriminatory of distance. This becomes an even bigger problem in close quarters such as dorm bathrooms with multiple users. There are many disadvantages to sharing a community space with people who do not participate in a uniformed hygienic standard.

In the annual American Society for Microbiology forum, a presentation of fecal matter in toothbrushes was examined and how approximately 60% from the entire collection tested positive. Rather than individual toothbrushes coming into contact with fecal matter, the majority of contamination came from peers utilizing the same sharing space.

Contrary to popular movies where roommates sabotage one’s toothbrush by slushing it in the toilet, the contamination occurs when other people’s toothbrushes which are compromised come into contact with each other. It is the introduction of bacteria not part of one’s normal biology which prompts concern. That is not to say personal fecal matter entering one’s body during brushing is safe but foreign bacteria from another coming into oneself, is the main issue.

No matter the cleaning methods or lengths to protect one’s toothbrush via covers, the most prudent way for those who share bathrooms was to start at square one which is personal hygiene. With each individual’s copious efforts to maintain an unsoiled open space, less exposure to bacteria can be expected but regardless of exertions, the safest would be to store personal toothbrushes separately.

Toothbrush Care

Couple other suggestions consisted of not sharing toothbrushes, not using covers which provide a moist space for banter to amplify and multiply, replacements every 3 months and thoroughly washing before and after use as well as air drying.