Denture Care Tips

denture care tips

Denture Care Tips

Dentures, like natural teeth, require regular maintenance. While these dental gadgets are extremely durable, they are also prone to harm. Today on the blog, our dentist 30620 is discussing denture care tips. As follows, if you have dentures, it’s essential to understand the below tips to help them last for years to come!

1. Do not submerge your dentures in hot water.

To start, our Loganville dentist office explains that dentures should not be placed in water that is hotter than room temperature. Water at a very high temperature may cause your dentures to distort, become deformed, and possibly necessitate replacement.

2. Maintain the Moistness of Your Dentures

Also, Dr. Hoang, the best dentist in Bethlehem Ga, advises that it is critical to keep dentures wet. If you don’t keep your dentures moist, they’ll dry out. Dentures that are not kept moist lose their form. As a result, it is critical to soak your dentures every night. Soak your dentures in water or a denture cleaner. During a visit, ask us for additional information about this process.

3. Take Care of the Denture Seal

Connect your dentures to your gums using the proper adhesive. Small pieces of food will stay in gaps and cause foul breath if a tight seal is not formed. Keep in mind that wearing dentures has the potential to decrease saliva production in your mouth.

Saliva is required for the moisture that maintains your breath feeling fresh. You may increase your saliva’s natural cleaning capacity by choosing the proper glue. Furthermore, certain denture adhesives have antibacterial properties that improve breath quality.

4. Visit Your Bethlehem GA Dentist

Regular check-ups are required to verify that your dentures are in good working order. The dentures, as well as your oral tissues, will be examined by the dentist. The regions around your gums, in particular, are crucial. Denture wearers are at a disproportionately greater risk of developing gum disease.  Aside from screening for gum disease, the dentist will also look for symptoms of oral cancer.

5. Use a Soft Brush to Clean Your Dentures

Our friends over at High Desert Dental, dentist Grand Junction CO, explain that a soft brush is one of the most essential things you can use to take care of your dentures. When cleaning your dentures, avoid using a toothbrush with rough bristles. Brush the dentures carefully with a toothbrush with soft bristles to remove germs, food particles, and other junk.

6. Always Rinse After Eating

Following meal ingestion, rinse your dentures with warm water. Make sure there is adequate water flowing over your dentures to wipe away any food particles. If food lingers in your dentures, it will degrade and cause your breath to stink.

7. Use Caution When Applying Denture Adhesives

Denture adhesives, as previously stated, provide a strong grip that acts as a barrier between the gums and the pressure of the dentures. Lower dentures necessitate the use of such adhesives. You’ll be tempted to use a lot of glue in the hopes of keeping a firm hold. Excess denture glue, on the other hand, will not enhance the fit. If you are concerned about the fit of your dentures, please contact our dentist.

Post Root Canal Instructions

post root canal instructions bethlehem ga

Post Root Canal Instructions Bethlehem GA

When it comes to root canals, it’s essential to know the post root canal instructions. As follows, proper aftercare is critical for both pain management and infection prevention. If you’ve just had or are about to have one of the most common dental operations, it’s time to learn about appropriate root canal aftercare. Today on the blog,  our dentist 30620, Dr. Uyen Hoang, shares post root canal instructions. 

Why Do I Need a Root Canal?

Despite common belief, a root canal is a relatively straightforward surgery. In addition, it is used to treat teeth with pulp deterioration. As follows, a tooth can frequently be salvaged by removing the decay.

Dr. Hoang, the best dentist in Bethlehem GA, explains that the outer layer, known as enamel, is one of the most difficult substances in your body. Thus, the pulp is a complex network of neurons, blood vessels, and connective tissue found inside it. Importantly, the pulp is what maintains your teeth healthy. However, when it is damaged, you may suffer tooth discomfort.

When the pulp of a tooth is injured, it becomes infected fast. Anyone who has been through this understands how painful it is, and you may even be going through it right now.

What to Expect During a Root Canal

A root canal is a procedure that removes the pulp from the tooth before it is cemented. Because local anesthetic will be utilized, the operation will be quite painless.

Our Bethlehem GA dentistry explains that you’re more likely to become worked up and anxious than to be in severe pain throughout the operation. You’ll be done with our Loganville dental office in approximately an hour and a half.

Procedures for Aftercare of Root Canals

Your mouth is a sensitive area that is easily infected. The majority of germs that enter your body come through your mouth while you eat and drink. As follows, a root canal causes very little discomfort. This isn’t a surgery that will leave you in bed for a few days, like having your wisdom teeth out.

Instead, your dentist will most likely provide you a prescription such as ibuprofen. Even if you don’t feel like you’re in agony, take them as directed. Because the operation may produce some inflammation, it is important to manage not only the discomfort but also the swelling that will ensue.

Aftercare is split into three stages: immediately following the procedure, in the following days, and in the future. We worked with our friends at College Hill Dental Group, family dentist Easton PA, to put together the perfect post root canal guide. 

Immediately Following

The mouth will still be numb for at least a few hours following your operation. It’s critical that you don’t consume anything that requires chewing or drink anything hot during this period. If you can fill your prescription or do so before the surgery, now is a good time to start taking your pain medicine.

The Following Days

You’ll want to make sure you’re doing the following things throughout the next several days:

  • First, continue to take your medicine as directed.
  • Always consume softer meals.
  • Importantly, ensure that you chew on the side of your mouth that did not undergo the treatment.
  • As follows, brush your teeth with caution.

The discomfort should go away in a few days. In more extreme situations, however, you may need to come at least once more for the contaminated pulp to be completely removed.

The Near Future

Even if you are pain-free, don’t put off future checkups. In most situations, the filling utilized in a root canal is just temporary, and you’ll eventually require a crown. This is because the tooth was damaged during the operation. It’s very likely that a tooth, particularly if it’s badly diseased by the time you get there, may require more than one cleaning and will have been destroyed throughout the treatment.

Don’t ignore any kind of follow-up. Most of the time, simply getting back will be enough.

Contact Gentle Dental Group Today For Root Canal Therapy

We’re here for you! At Gentle Dental Group, we pride ourselves on offering gentle, compassionate dental services to our patients. If you are in pain, please contact our team immediately. We’d love to help you relieve your pain.

Deep Cleaning vs. Regular Cleaning

Deep Cleaning vs. Regular Cleaning

Deep Cleaning vs. Regular Cleaning

Teeth cleaning should be done on a regular basis for the sake of cleanliness and oral health. As follows, it keeps the teeth looking nice while also ensuring healthy and strong teeth. When teeth are not cleaned, they grow weaker and more vulnerable to infections. Additionally, our dentist 30620 explains this can also result in tooth loss. To minimize tooth loss, it is critical to treat cavities and keep periodontal disease at bay. While normal cleaning focuses on the gum line to scale and polish the outer surface of the teeth, deep cleaning entails eliminating bacteria colonies and tartar from the roots.

What is Deep Teeth Cleaning?

Dr. Uyen Hoang, the best dentist in Bethlehem GA, explains that sometimes teeth need a deep cleaning. As follows, this is a dental procedure that involves cleaning the teeth from the gum line down to the roots. Thus, it is usually suggested for individuals who have tartar buildup on the exterior and roots of their teeth, leading to bacterial infections of the gums. In addition, deep scaling is done beneath the gum line with a dental scaler to remove tartar (through manual scraping) from the teeth. It entails the use of an ultrasonic instrument to remove plaque from the surface of the teeth.

Additionally, our dentist office in Bethlehem GA notes that root planing is the process of repeatedly pressing the roots to eliminate rough areas that cause gum infections by trapping and retaining germs. Importantly, this procedure is essential for keeping gums clean and healthy and facilitating gum reattachment to teeth. If your gums are red and swollen, you may have an infection and require deep dental cleaning.

Regular Dental Cleaning vs. Deep Cleaning

The primary distinction between normal dentist teeth cleaning and deep dental cleaning is that the former is less thorough. Regular cleaning is performed to preserve the cleanliness of the teeth in order to avoid cavities and gum disease. The tartar is removed with a scaler since it has not yet infiltrated the gums. When tartar buildup gets excessive, it can only be eliminated by deep dental teeth cleaning.

A thorough cleaning of the teeth goes beyond the surface of the tooth to remove calculus and debris that has accumulated in the roots of the teeth. Unlike normal cleaning, the sessions are extremely rigorous and occasionally need more than one visit (which takes just a couple of hours.) The cleaning required is thorough, and the dentist must monitor the teeth and gums before declaring the procedure a success. Some patients with sensitive teeth or periodontal disease must be treated with caution, necessitating several sessions.

Root planning is only performed during thorough dental cleanings and not during routine cleanings. As a result, it is a key differentiator between the two kinds. To deter microorganisms, your Bethlehem GA dentist uses a special tool to clean deep into the pockets to guarantee that tartar and plaque are fully eliminated.

Signs You Need a Thorough Cleaning

Here are some of the causes and circumstances that necessitate a thorough dental cleaning.

  • If you have signs of gum disease or infection, such as redness and swelling of the gum line, bleeding when brushing, persistent bad breath, loosening of the teeth from the gums, and pus in the gum region.
  • Additionally, if you go to a hygienist and he or she advises thorough teeth cleaning.
  • If you have already suffered from gum disorders such as gingivitis and periodontitis.
  • Sometimes, when patients have neglected to see a dentist, they are required to get a deep cleaning to remove buildup. 
  • Lastly, OG Dental, Denver CO dentist, explains that if your gum pockets expand above 5 millimeters in-depth, you may be in danger of periodontal disease. Thus, this necessitates a deep dental cleaning.

Preliminary Discussion for Deep Cleaning Teeth Procedure

The dentist will engage the patient in a discussion to find out and document any changes to one’s dental history and if they are on any medication. Depending on the specialist’s assessment, he may prescribe additional procedures such as an X-ray for a more thorough inspection.

Scaling

If the dentist finds that the gum pockets are within the usual range of depth, he or she will physically scrape plaque and tartar off the tooth surface using an ultrasonic instrument.

Polishing

The dentist will polish the teeth using gritty toothpaste (of the patient’s choosing), followed by the use of an air polisher to smoothen the surface even more.

Flossing

Flossing can be done using string floss, dental picks, and small brushes that can reach between the teeth.

Fluoride Treatment

After that, the teeth will be washed with a mix of liquid fluoride and fluoride varnish to treat the teeth and remineralize the enamel.

Does a Deep Dental Cleaning Hurt?

While some patients, particularly those with deep sockets, may suffer pain, the discomfort is usually tolerable. Scaling and root planning may cause discomfort in the gums and teeth. Dentists employ a local anesthetic (such as a topical gel anesthetic) to numb your gum region as he performs the operation to avoid the discomfort and sting of the needle.

Contact Gentle Dental Group Today

Think you may need a deep cleaning? Contact Gentle Dental Group today. Our gentle dentistry would love to help you transform your dental health.

Celebrate Gum Care Month

Celebrate gum care month

Celebrate Gum Care Month

Today we are happy to Celebrate National Gum Care Month! Our team at Gentle Dental Group wants to do our bit to teach our patients more about gum disease. Dr. Hoang, the best dentist in Bethlehem GA, says it’s extremely important for everyone to know how to battle gum disease and improve their dental health!

Why Celebrate Gum Care Month

The goal of National Gum Care Month is to draw attention to the very real problem of gum disease. Additionally, it is to promote awareness of methods to help you take better care of your gums. 

In turn, taking care of your gums helps avoid the discomfort of gingivitis and probable tooth loss. Your gums protect your teeth by covering the sensitive roots. However, if they are not properly cared for, they can potentially cause injury. Thus, this would put your teeth and health in danger of more serious issues.

Below, our Bethlehem GA dentist shares effective techniques to improve the health of your gums:

Floss Correctly

You may have heard that flossing is beneficial to your oral hygiene, but you may be wondering how to do it effectively. Flossing eliminates plaque and food particles from areas where a toothbrush cannot readily reach – beneath the gum line and between your teeth. Daily flossing is strongly advised since plaque buildup can lead to tooth damage and gum disease. 

Bacteria are drawn to these small particles as they degrade. Inflammation and even infection can arise when bacteria infect a single small area on or inside the gum line. While most individuals brush their teeth twice a day, flossing is a less popular activity.

Brush Your Teeth Twice A Day (Or Even Better, After Each Meal!) 

Ideally, it would be amazing for patients to brush their teeth after every meal. However, that is not normal for most people who work, have kids, and are on the go. So, it’s essential to make sure you are brushing your teeth for at least two minutes each morning and night. Our Loganville dental clinic suggests using a soft bristle brush at a 45-degree angle. 

Prioritize Gum Health

Several studies have connected dental health, especially gum health, to whole-body health.  Patients with gingivitis or severe periodontal disease are at a higher risk of developing heart disease, Alzheimer’s disease, or diabetes. Even if you don’t notice any symptoms, poor dental hygiene and plaque buildup put you at risk for gum disease.

The primary causes of gum disease include poor dental hygiene, which allows bacteria in plaque and calculus to stay on the teeth and infect the gums.

See Our Dentist Office in Bethlehem GA Twice a Year

Routine dental cleanings performed by a professional are essential for your gum health. Our professionals will remove tartar that has firmly adhered to the tooth surfaces above and below the gum line. This process also eliminates a sticky plaque, which helps to keep a developing colony of live germs at bay.

While the self-care activities outlined above can help keep your gums healthy and protect you from gingivitis, it is also necessary to have Dr. Hoang inspect your teeth and gums at least twice a year. Great dental health begins with strong dental habits and a lifetime commitment. 

Contact Gentle Dental Group Today

We’re here for you, Bethlehem! Contact our gentle family dentistry today. We’d love to work with you on your gum care and ensure a healthy smile for years to come.