Category: Oral Health

Crown placement is necessary for a variety of conditions related to your dental health, placed usually when fillings or other methods are unable to be used. They help protect, restore, stabilize, and keep your teeth aesthetically pleasing to look at. There are some procedures that may be uncomfortable or painful at the dentist, you may be wondering if crowns are painful or not. 

Is Getting A Crown Painful?  

Crown placements are used to help prevent further damage and protect a tooth. A majority of the time you should have no problem with a crown placement other than a slight amount of discomfort for a short period of time after the operation. Despite this, it is possible for crowns to become damaged and cause pain to you in the affected area. 

Under normal circumstances receiving a crown should not be a painful operation. A crown can eventually cause pain depending on a variety of factors. These include the way your crown was placed, the amount of care taken of the tooth, and the amount of pain tolerance you have.

It is possible that the crown may cause you to experience some sort of discomfort or pain. There are a variety of reasons this could be happening. Here are some of those:

• Cavities – Though used as a preventative measure to cavities, it is still possible for them to occur after a crown has been placed. This could be due to previous unknown cavities or poor care for a prolonged duration after the crown placement. When a cavity gets large and harmful enough without being discovered or taken care of, a root canal may be necessary. 

• Infection – If the tooth receiving a crown did not have a root canal procedure done on it, it will still have nerves which can be affected by the residue or pressure from a crown.  

• Bruxism (Teeth Grinding) – Bruxism (teeth grinding) can put pressure on and even break down your placed crown if consistent enough. This constant pressure on your teeth can cause pain, especially on a tooth which has a crown placed. 

• Sore Gums – Depending on how naturally sensitive your gums are, you may feel a temporary discomfort after the crown placement procedure. This discomfort shouldn’t last more than 2 weeks. If it does continue past the allotted time, we recommend contacting your dentist and being seen again so they can fix the issue.

• Recessed Gum Line – Pain and sensitivity can be more prevalent if the gum area around the tooth with the crown has recessed due to harsh brushing or gum disease. 

• Unfit Crown – Sometimes crowns aren’t placed correctly. You can commonly tell this if the pain you experience is prevalent when biting down. Your bite might feel out of its normal position, which can lead to jaw pain and possible headaches.  

What To Do If You Experience Pain After A Temporary Crown

The very first piece of advice we have is to schedule a visit with your local Central PA dentist. At our office, we are dedicated to providing excellent care for any patient new or old. Your dentist will be able to identify the root of the crown pain and should be able to help resolve the issue. 

To relieve your pain in the meantime, there are some methods you can try:

• Rinsing Your Mouth With Saltwater – Doing a basic saltwater rinse a couple times throughout the day for around 15 – 30 seconds can help greatly reduce pain and inflammation in the affected area. 

• Over The Counter Pain Relievers – Pain relievers such as Tylenol and Advil can help reduce the pain you are feeling for the time you are unable to see your dentist. 

• Consuming Easy To Eat Foods – You want to stray away from overly hard, chewy, and sugary foods to prevent the affected crown area from worsening. Hard and chewy foods can overwork the area and extra sugary foods can greatly increase the amount of bacteria your mouth needs to fight off. 

These methods are all temporary solutions to help hold you over until you are able to visit your dentist. If you are continuously experiencing pain after receiving a crown placement for more than 2 weeks that is when you should go back to the dentist. If the pain is so severe you can’t wait, we recommend scheduling an emergency dental visit to get the problem resolved as soon as possible. 

After parents are advised their child has a cavity, the most common question asked is: “Do baby teeth need fillings? Can’t we wait until the tooth falls out?” You should take your child’s cavities in their primary teeth just as seriously as you should take them in permanent teeth – meaning, you should seek the assistance of a dental professional as soon as possible for diagnosis, treatment, and to avoid other issues. There are several factors that go along with determining if a baby tooth needs fillings.

The size of the cavity:

If the cavity has reached the inside layer of the tooth called dentin it can spread fast. At that point, our office recommends filling the tooth.

If the cavity is bigger and on multiple surfaces of the tooth we may recommend the tooth be restored with a crown.  If the cavity is so big that a filling or crown wouldn’t fix the tooth properly, your pediatric dentist will recommend extraction.

Sometimes the tooth only has a tiny “Pre-cavity spot”.  Pre-cavity spots are areas of demineralization where the cavity- is just starting to invade and infect the tooth. In these cases, dentists will monitor these areas to see if they get bigger and recommend you improve oral hygiene.

How Soon will the Baby Tooth Fall Out?

If the tooth is going to fall out soon we may recommend just improving oral hygiene with brushing and flossing as well as coming to regular check-ups with your pediatric dentist. This will typically be recommended if the baby tooth is loose or is projected to get loose within the next 6-12 months.

We assess this by seeing how much of the baby tooth root is still present. As the adult tooth prepares to come in, it will dissolve the baby tooth root more and more over time. X-rays are necessary to answer this question.

Assessing your child’s cavity risk

Cavities are infections and our office may recommend fixing cavities on baby teeth if it is a significant infection. Cavities can pass from tooth to tooth, just like a cold. So, if you leave a cavity in a tooth long enough, your child’s other teeth can start to get cavities. 

Preventing Childhood Cavities

The power to avoid cavities in the future is in your hands, simply by practicing proper dental care and diet. To prevent your child from developing additional cavities, you should:

• Supervise their oral care routine until they are old enough to perform it properly themselves.
• Clean your infant’s or toddler’s teeth using a child’s toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste.
• Offer healthy foods and educate them on avoiding overly sugary or acidic foods and drinks.
• Schedule visits to their dental professional at least once every six months.

Get the Tooth Evaluated

If your child has a high risk of getting even more cavities, your dentist may recommend fixing the tooth so the others are protected. If you think your child may have cavities, please call our office at 717-243-9020 for an appointment.

At the dentist’s office, there are a variety of possible elements that could affect you if you have allergies. Common allergies can affect your sinuses, leading to pain resembling a toothache. More severe allergies related to certain foods could possibly cause an issue during your visit depending on the type of service being given. We always suggest telling your dentist any allergies you suffer from ahead of time. 

Why Allergies Can Be Affected

There are some things in the dental office you should watch out for when you have allergies. These materials & substances include: 

• Latex – Many, if not all dental offices use latex examination gloves when practicing. If you react in ways such as hives, itchiness, closed throat, wheezing, etc. it is important to let your dentist be aware of the allergy. 

• Anesthesia & Relaxants – Local anesthesia and a variety of other methods to relax patients can have different effects that may be negative. Let your dentist know if you have experienced a negative reaction to these methods in the past. 

• Medicine, Supplements, Vitamins – Any medications you may be taking along with any other supplements or vitamins could mix negatively with certain medicines your dentist might prescribe you if they felt needed to do so. Let your dentist know all of these to remove the chance of a negative reaction occurring. 

• Metals used in fillings, brackets, and other procedural materials can cause reactions in people whose body responds negatively to such substances. Be sure to know the material being used in your procedure. 

Letting Your Dentist Know Your Conditions

These types of materials are generally safe, but if you have allergies it is essential to let those be known before an appointment takes place. Your dentist is trained and ready to provide an alternative. We want the best oral care for you, regardless of condition. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to give us a call or be sure to ask us at your next appointment. 

Brushing your teeth at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste is a good start, but regular brushing may not be enough to clean out food particles, plaque, and bacteria from between teeth. Interdental cleaning, such as flossing, is recommended by the American Dental Association.

You may be trying to decide which is better for cleaning in between teeth: dental floss or a Waterpik water flosser. Getting input from your dentist is always a good place to start.

Who should use a Waterpik?

Waterpik water flossers are also referred to as dental water jets or oral irrigators. Water flossers use a pressurized stream of pulsating water to clean away food particles, bacteria, and plaque between teeth and under the gumline.

You may prefer to use a Waterpik instead of floss if you:

• wear braces
• have nonremovable bridgework
• have crowns
• have dental implants

A Waterpik may also be easier to use than standard floss for people with arthritis, or for anyone who finds string floss difficult to maneuver and work with.

What are the pros and cons of a Waterpik?

Pros:

• Helpful for getting into hard-to-reach areas of the mouth
• Easy to use
• Cleans tightly spaced teeth, and periodontal pockets that may be caused by early gum disease

Cons:

• Messy
• May not remove all plaque- Some people like to use string floss first, to scrape off and loosen plaque. A Waterpik can then be used to efficiently rinse out residue and plaque left behind.
• Can be costly

Flossing: Pros and cons

Dental floss dates back as far as prehistoric times. Everyone should floss. Flossing is an important part of dental hygiene to reduce the risk of gum disease and tooth decay.

Pros:

• Easy to control- Flossing manually allows you to meticulously wipe down each tooth
• Able to clean each tooth in full- Using floss also allows you to wipe each tooth clean of sticky plaque before it can turn into tartar.

Cons:

• Unable to reach some areas
• Can cause your gums to bleed- If you floss too far down below the gum line or too forcefully, your gums may bleed.

It’s important to rinse your mouth after you floss. This helps remove plaque and residue scraped free from teeth.

The bottom line

The best dental hygiene method is typically one you’ll stick to, enjoy, and can see yourself using daily. Both Waterpiks and flossing are good ways to take care of teeth and gums, in addition to brushing. The ADA recommends brushing twice a day and cleaning in between the teeth once a day.

Be sure to speak with your dentist about any concerns you may have. They can also help you determine the best option for you.

Just like clockwork, when you go to visit your dentist they’ll always ask you about your flossing habits. You also know you’ve got to be honest with them since they can easily tell whether or not you’ve been flossing. At some point, you might have wondered whether all of this worry about flossing every day is even worth it. There is very good research to suggest that flossing is necessary. 

Floss for the sake of your gums

A report highlighted by the Associated Press showed that flossing does not help to protect against cavities. Despite this, there’s also evidence that suggests there’s a benefit to flossing when it comes to protecting your gums.

One of the biggest signs that your gums may need attention is if they’re prone to bleeding. This can often be a sign that there’s a build-up of plaque beneath your gum line which can cause your gums to become inflamed. You might notice your gums bleed after eating certain foods or brushing your teeth. 

If you’re noticing these signs, it may be an indication that you have gum disease. Flossing can help protect your gums from inflammation. Periodontal disease, or gum disease, can lead to issues in other parts of your body if left untreated. So even if you feel it’s not necessary to floss in order to protect against cavities, flossing can have a big impact on the health of your gums and consequently your overall health. 

Flossing tips:

Flossing is important for most people. Anyone who still has most of their teeth, people without teeth that are jammed together, and those whose gums have not receded leaving triangular gaps between the teeth should absolutely be flossing. Flossing can also be complicated by certain dental appliances and implants. In this case, consulting with your dentist is the best way to ensure you’re keeping your mouth clean. 

Once you’ve decided to incorporate flossing back into your routine, there are some tips you’ll want to follow. You should be flossing at least once a day and you should floss right before brushing to ensure debris is washed away. You’ll want to cut about 12 inches of floss and wrap the ends of the cross around your fingers. Then, slowly move the floss towards the gums to ensure you clean between both teeth. If you have any hesitation or would benefit from a demonstration, schedule an appointment with us and we’ll be able to help you keep your gums healthy.

As your stare into the mirror examining the sore on your lip, you realize you have your next cleaning with your dentist coming up. You’ve gotten these sores in the past and know that it’s a cold sore. You also know that the virus that causes cold sores is incredibly contagious, so what do you do? Your smile is important to you and you wouldn’t want to put that at risk. Is a visit worth the potential to spread the virus? The short answer is no, at least not most of the time. 

What is a cold sore?

As you may already know, cold sores are a group of tiny, painful blisters that are caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV). The symptoms you experience are usually the most severe the first time you get a cold sore. Once a cold sore has broken out, your body will usually make antibodies and you might not get another infection. Despite this, it is possible for them to return. They’ll usually appear on the outside of the mouth and lips, but it’s possible for them to show up on the nose and cheeks. Certain things can trigger an outbreak to occur, such as:

• Certain foods
• Stress
• Fever
• Colds
• Allergies
• Fatigue
• Sunburn or being in strong sunlight
• Dental work or cosmetic surgery
• Menstruation

For most people having a cold sore outbreak is just an inconvenience and something to be mindful of to prevent the spread. The spread of HSV can occur from kissing someone who has the virus, sharing eating utensils, towels, or razors. Some people with compromised immune systems may need extra care if they develop a cold sore.

Should I keep my appointment?

Given the high transmissibility of HSV, is it wise to go to your dentist? The best thing to do is to call your dentist and ask, but more than likely you’ll be asked to come back at a different time. Even though your dentist will wear gloves while they examine you, it’s still very possible to spread this highly contagious virus. Prior to the healing process that the cold sore goes through, you’re most contagious. Some dentists, however, will begin seeing people with cold sores again after that healing process has started and the sores have begun to scab. Even after that point, some people may experience pain from the dried-out sores. It might be hard to keep your mouth open for extended periods. This is perfectly normal and your dentist would understand if you needed to wait a little longer for the scab to fall off entirely.

Since these sores could easily spread to your dentist or the hygienist, it’s usually best to talk with them to make a plan for rescheduling your appointment once your cold sore has subsided. You want to ensure the safety and health of everyone at your dentist’s office. It’s best to determine where you’re at in the healing process and to give your dentist a call to see what they think.

Tooth pain is usually assumed to come from an oral related issue such as cavities, gum  infections, or fractured/broken teeth. Despite the majority of the time these problems are a result of one of the above or a related issue, sometimes a “toothache” can actually be pain stemming from a location other than your mouth. 

If It Isn’t Tooth Pain, Then What Is It? 

It is possible for you to feel pain in your teeth although no issue exists in that location. If your dentist checks out your oral health and doesn’t find anything, there could be a variety of possibilities to the true source of pain. This type of pain is known as referred pain. The types of referred pain patients can experience are related, but not limited, to: 

• Congested or Infected Sinuses

• Facial Nerve Inflammation/Pain

• Earache or Ear Infection

• Joint Pain/Trauma 

• Severe Headaches & Migraines

If The Dentist Can’t Find The Source Of Pain, What’s Next?

Any of the problems above listed could possibly be the actual reasoning for tooth pain. Most dentists are trained to be able to spot when problems reside outside of oral health complications. If for some reason your dentist is unable to identify a solution related to your oral health, they will be able to identify that you are experiencing referred pain, and refer you to see a medical practitioner. 

The source of your pain is the first step to solving it, even if that means we cannot help you, we want to help you find someone in your healthcare network that can. There are multiple experts in fields involving orofacial, atypical, and/or neurological-related pain. It is important not to ignore lingering tooth pain, as it could end up being more of a problem than you bargained for if not looked into quickly!

Gingivitis is one of the most common forms of periodontal (gum) disease. According to the American Academy of Periodontology, nearly 50% of Americans have some form of gum disease. Gingivitis causes irritation, redness, and swelling of your gingiva, which is the part of your gums around the base of your teeth.

Although gingivitis is mild, it’s very possible for it to lead to more concerning forms of gum disease such as periodontitis, a more serious gum disease. If left untreated, it can even lead to a loss of teeth. Gingivitis is most commonly caused by lax oral health habits. The American Dental Association recommends brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and flossing at least once a day. These habits, in addition, to visiting your dentist regularly, have the potential to prevent and even reverse gingivitis.

Symptoms

Your gums are at their healthiest when they are firm, pale pink, and fitted tightly around your teeth. Some of the signs you may have gingivitis include gums that are swollen or puffy, dark red gums, gums that easily bleed when brushing or flossing, bad breath, receding gums, and tender gums. If you notice any of these symptoms, it’s important to see your dentist as soon as possible so they are able to intervene. The sooner changes can be made to prevent gingivitis from progressing, the better.

Causes

As mentioned, your oral habits play a big role in the development of gingivitis. When your teeth aren’t being cleaned properly this creates an environment in your mouth that allows plaque to form on your teeth, causing inflammation of the gum tissues around them. Plaque is an invisible, sticky film that’s made up mostly of bacteria. It forms on your teeth when starches and sugars from the food you eat come into contact with the bacteria that are found naturally in your mouth. If plaque isn’t removed quickly, it can form into tartar which will need to be professionally removed by your dentist. This buildup causes your gums to become inflamed. This then leads to the problems associated with gingivitis like gums that bleed easily and change color. 

Although the single biggest factor when it comes to gingivitis is improper oral health care, there are many other factors that can make it more likely that you’ll develop gingivitis. These include:

• Smoking or chewing tobacco
• Advanced age
• Dry mouth
• Poor nutrition
• Dental restorations that don’t fit properly
• Crooked teeth that are difficult to clean
• Conditions that suppress your immune system such as leukemia, HIV/AIDS, or cancer treatment
• Certain drugs
• Hormonal changes, possibly related to pregnancy, menstrual cycle, or birth control 
• Genetics
• Medical conditions such as certain viral and fungal infections

Preventing Gingivitis

It bears repeating, but the biggest way to prevent gingivitis and many other dental diseases is through great oral health habits. This first means brushing your teeth for at least two minutes twice daily. The best way to do this is once in the morning and then before going to bed. Of course, it’s also so important to floss at least once a day to remove plaque buildup where your toothbrush cannot reach. To make an even bigger impact on your oral health, brush after every meal. It’s important to floss before you brush so that way loose particles can be removed by your brushing. Seeing your dentist regularly can also catch gingivitis early when it’s still possible to reverse the effects. If you need to schedule a visit, contact our office at Noll Family Dentistry and we’ll help get you on a path towards excellent oral health.

Avocados have become a very trendy superfood recently. But actually, they are packed full of important vitamins and minerals that help strengthen and protect your teeth and gums. Avocado is among the best foods for your dental health.

Benefits of Avocado:

Fight Tooth Decay:

The potassium that avocados have helps fight tooth decay. Potassium helps in keeping your bones – and teeth – strong, which in turn reduces your risk of tooth decay. Like vitamin D, potassium improves bone mineral density. Avocados can act as a “nutrient booster” by helping increase the absorption of fat-soluble nutrients such as vitamins A, D, K and E.

Magnesium: 

This one is two benefits for the price of one. Magnesium helps fight inflammation, so if you have inflamed gums, avocados can help. Magnesium can also help with the remineralization of your teeth. An avocado has as much as 15 percent of the recommended daily value of magnesium. Magnesium can help to prevent blood from becoming too acidic, which can leach calcium from your bones and teeth.

Folic Acid:

Folic Acid, or folate (Vitamin B9), helps to prevent gum disease and promote healthy cell and tissue development. Avocados are a good source of Folic Acid, which is especially important for pregnant women. Several studies have shown that folic acid can reduce inflammation in the gums and make them more resilient to dental plaque and anaerobic bacteria, two of the leading causes of gum disease – tooth decay and bad breath.

Natural Phytochemicals:

Phytochemicals (also called phytonutrients) are the nutrients you get from eating dark-colored fruits or vegetables. As a dark-colored fruit, avocados are rich in antioxidants that work to protect your gums and other body tissue from bacterial infection. The way it works is that avocados naturally contain probiotic bacteria, which is the good bacteria known to fight off harmful bacteria. When this good bacteria is introduced to your mouth, it helps maintain the right balance to ward off tooth decay and bad breath.

The rise of avocados is nothing to fear, especially since research has shown that avocados can play an important role in helping to keep your teeth healthy. If you’re concerned about tooth decay or inflamed gums, make an appointment with Noll Family Dentistry, it’s easier to treat these concerns with early detection.

Saliva is an important part of a healthy body. It is mostly made of water but also contains important substances that your body needs to digest food and keep your teeth strong.

Saliva is important because it:

• Keeps mouth moist and comfortable
• Helps chew, taste, and swallow
• Fights germs in your mouth and prevents bad breath
• Has proteins and minerals that protect tooth enamel and prevent tooth decay and gum disease
• Helps keep dentures securely in place

Tiny tubes called salivary ducts carry saliva from the glands into your mouth. Small amounts enter the mouth constantly to keep the mouth moist. The glands really kick into action when you eat, or even just think about or smell food. An average person produces 2-4 pints every day.

Too Little Saliva:

Certain diseases and medicines can affect how much saliva you make. If you do not make enough saliva, your mouth can become quite dry. This condition is called dry mouth (xerostomia).

Dry mouth also makes you more likely to develop rapid tooth decay and gum (periodontal) disease. That’s because your spit helps clear food particles from your teeth. This helps reduce your risk for cavities.

If you’re not producing enough saliva, you may notice these signs and symptoms all or most of the time:

• Dryness or a feeling of stickiness in your mouth
• Bad breath
• Difficulty chewing, speaking, and swallowing
• Dry or sore throat and hoarseness
• Dry or grooved tongue
• A changed sense of taste
• Problems wearing dentures

Causes of Excessive Saliva

While reduced saliva flow can cause problems, excessive saliva is also a cause for concern. Having excessive or hypersalivation can be quite uncomfortable, so you must seek out treatment as soon as possible. Consult with your doctor and dentist so that together you can find a treatment plan that helps manage the excess and makes you feel comfortable and confident.

Hypersalivation in adults is primarily caused by:

• Mononucleosis or sinus infections
• Strep throat or tonsillitis
• Allergies
• Heartburn or GERD
• Pregnancy
• Use of certain medicines
• Reaction to pesticide poisoning or snake or insect venom
• Nervous system disorders that cause difficulty with swallowing

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact us at Noll Family Dentistry!