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Despite the recent innovations in dentistry, dental caries or cavities remain a concern among millions of adults and children. Fortunately, daily brushing and flossing, routine dental check-ups, and healthy eating can help reduce or prevent dental problems and maintain a healthy mouth.

In this article, let’s learn more about tooth decay, who’s at a higher risk of developing it, possible causes, and treatment.

What is Tooth Decay?

While your tooth enamel (the tooth’s outermost layer) is very tough, acids and other factors can weaken and damage it, causing holes or cavities. Research suggests that about 80% of American adults have at least one cavity by the time they get to their mid-30s.

Tooth decay or cavities can happen to anyone, regardless of their age. Children and teenagers are at a greater risk because they need to be more thorough about oral hygiene and tend to snack regularly on sugary foods and drinks. Pregnancy and underlying health conditions like diabetes can also increase the risk of developing tooth decay and other oral problems.

How do Cavities Form?

Cavities happen in stages. Acids and bacteria attack the tooth enamel, dissolving and demineralizing it. You can reverse the damage at this stage with proper oral hygiene and fluoride treatments.

If you don’t treat the damage, the decay goes past the enamel to the dentin (the tooth’s second layer). The dentin is softer and, therefore, decay progresses more quickly.

If not treated promptly, the decay gets to the tooth’s pulp, the innermost structure that houses the tooth’s nerves, blood vessels, and other connective tissues that keep the tooth alive. Bacteria infect these tissues, leading to unpleasant symptoms like pain and swelling.

Signs and Symptoms of Tooth Decay

Initially, tooth decay doesn’t cause any discomfort or symptoms. However, as the condition develops, you can experience symptoms like:

• Persistent tooth pain
• Teeth pain when chewing or biting down
• Teeth sensitivity to heat, cold, or sugar
• Gum or facial swelling
• Persistent bad breath or taste
• Bleeding, sore, or tender gums
• Redness in the mouth

Visit our dental office for treatment if you have these symptoms. Routine dental check-ups and cleanings can help with early diagnosis and treatment of tooth decay and other oral problems.

What Causes Cavities?

Many factors can cause or increase your risk of developing cavities or tooth decay. These include:

• Poor oral hygiene: Without proper brushing and flossing, plaque and tartar can build up around the teeth and gums, resulting in acidic attacks that erode teeth and cause tooth decay.
• Sugary foods and drinks: The natural bacteria in the mouth feeds on the starches and sugars we eat. High consumption of sugary items encourages bacteria growth, increasing your risk of acidic attacks that lead to tooth decay.
• Acidic food items: Acids from things like lemons and apple cider vinegar can also erode the tooth enamel, leading to cavities.
• Dental injuries: Teeth chips, cracks, or breaks create a pathway for bacteria to enter the tooth, leading to decay.

Other factors that increase your risk of cavities include:

• Underlying conditions like diabetes and Sjogren’s syndrome
• Certain medications like antidepressants
• Pregnancy
• A history of cavities
• Gum disease or receding gums. Contact our periodontist in Edison, NJ, for gum disease treatment.
• Radiation therapy for neck and head cancer
• Snacking on sugary and starchy foods and drinks, especially between meals

How are Cavities Treated?

The suitable treatment for tooth decay depends on the severity of your condition. Possible treatments include:

• Fluoride treatments: When caught early, the enamel can be remineralized or repaired with fluoride treatments. The dentist can also recommend fluoride mouthwash and toothpaste.
• Dental bonding: The dentist can apply a tooth-colored putty material to the tooth to repair enamel erosion and minor tooth damage like chips.
• Dental filling: Once decay passes the enamel, the dentist can repair the tooth. The dentist drills through the tooth and removes the decayed materials. Then, the dentist fills the place with amalgam, gold, porcelain, or composite resin material.
• Dental crowns: If the decay has significantly weakened your teeth’ structure, the dentist can clean and improve the tooth’s shape, size, and strength using a dental crown.
• Root canal: If the tooth’s pulp is infected or decayed, a root canal may be necessary to remove the infected pulp and save the tooth.
• Tooth extractions: Tooth removal may be necessary if dental restorations can’t repair the extreme damage. Later, your oral surgeon can replace the tooth with a dental bridge and implant.

Are you Looking for Tooth Decay Treatment?

For more information about tooth decay and general dentistry, contact KK Dental Edison to speak with our dentist in Edison, NJ.

Missing teeth can make you look less attractive and older. They can cause difficulty and discomfort in eating certain foods, leading to malnutrition. When not replaced sooner, missing teeth can lead to jawbone deterioration and shifting of the adjacent teeth. To prevent these issues, dentists always recommend replacing lost teeth immediately.

When considering tooth replacement treatments, you have three major options: dental implants, bridges, or dentures. Choosing the right treatment depends on several factors, like the number of lost teeth, budget, oral health, preferences, needs, and more. Our dentist in Somerset can help you decide which treatment suits you the best.

In this article, let’s focus on dental implants and dentures. While both treatments come with specific advantages and disadvantages, they both close teeth gaps and ultimately provide the following benefits:

• Improve your oral appearance
• Improve bite function
• Improve speech
• Improve self-esteem and confidence
• Support facial muscles to prevent facial sagging, wrinkles, and premature aging

Dental Implants Vs. Dentures: Factors to Consider

• Procedure

Dental Implant Procedure

A dental implant consists of three parts: the implant post, abutment, and restoration crown. The implant post is surgically implanted into the jawbone to replace the root of the missing teeth. The jawbone heals around the implant in about 3 – 6 months. This process is called osseointegration.

Once the implant and the bone fuse completely, the dentist will place an abutment – it connects the implant post to the restoration crowns. Lastly, a restoration crown is attached to the abutment to act like an artificial tooth. The crown gives the implant the size, shape, and color of natural teeth. Once placed, only a dentist or surgeon can remove the implant.

You must have healthy and sufficient jawbone density to support a dental implant. Otherwise, the implant might fail. You can get a bone graft to rebuild the bone and qualify for dental implants or consider dentures or bridges. Visit our dental clinic for dental implants near you.

Dentures Procedure

A denture is a dental prosthesis with artificial teeth and gums used to replace a few or all missing teeth. The dentist will make impressions of your teeth, gums, and other records and send them to a dental lab to produce customized dentures. They will send it back to the dentist when ready. The dentist will show you how to use them. Dentures look like real teeth and gums. They are worn over the natural teeth (if any), gums, and bone and are supported with adhesives. Dentures are removable and can be placed regardless of how much bone density is available.

• Cost

Since implants require surgery and can last for a lifetime, they are more expensive than other treatments like dentures and bridges. The ADA reports that a single implant can cost about $1,600 – $2,200. Dentures are less costly, with a complete set of teeth on either jaw costing a little higher than $1,600.

• Maintenance

Since a dental implant functions like a natural tooth, it only requires standard dental care like the rest of your teeth. It means brushing twice daily, flossing daily, avoiding damaging habits, and routine dental exams and cleanings.

Dentures require more effort to maintain. For instance, you must remove them when sleeping, clean them, and sometimes soak them overnight. You must also clean your teeth every time after removing the dentures. Because your bite changes over time, dentures need to be re-adjusted or replaced from time to time.

• Function and appearance

Since a dental implant mimics natural teeth, it provides a natural feeling, function, and appearance. Since the jawbone supports it, it provides excellent comfort and bite function compared to other treatments.

Since dentures rest over the mouth, they provide less stability, comfort, and natural appearance than implants. They can easily break or dislodge when exposed to higher chewing forces.

• Complications

Since dental implants require surgery to fix, they present a range of serious complications, such as infections that can require further surgical treatments. Dentures have less severe complications like dislodging, irritation, or sores on the gums.

Final Verdict

Do you need help deciding between dental implants and dentures in Somerset? Contact KK Dental – Somerset for more information.

Losing teeth is a devastating experience. After losing teeth, dental experts recommend replacing them as soon as possible to improve your oral health, appearance, and bite. Replacing missing teeth also prevents jawbone deterioration and teeth shifting of the adjacent teeth.

When replacing lost teeth in the upper jaw, sometimes a patient might not have enough jawbone to support a dental implant sufficiently. In that case, the dentist can recommend a sinus lift. Keep reading to learn more about sinus lifts, the procedure, recovery, and possible complications.

What is a Sinus Lift?

A sinus lift is an oral surgery that involves adding more bone to your upper jaw around where molars and premolars are located. A sinus lift is also called a sinus augmentation.

Without enough jawbone density in the upper jaw, the implant might not anchor properly and can fail. Even when the implant is successful, it might not be able to support demanding tasks like grinding and chewing food, which can lead to further complications.

A sinus lift procedure often begins with a consultation. The dentist will examine your oral condition and determine whether you’re a good candidate for dental implants or a sinus lift. The exam will include x-rays and scans to assess the jawbone health and skull details. Visit our dental clinic for more information about sinus lift procedures.

Sinus Lift Procedure

The exact procedure of a sinus lift may vary based on factors like how much grafting is needed, the type of bone graft, and the dental implant placement procedure. Generally, the procedure can include the following steps:

• The dentist will begin by numbing you to make you comfortable and pain-free during the procedure.
• Next, the dentist or surgeon will identify and make an incision through the gum tissues to expose the bone.
• A small cut is made to the bone while avoiding the sinus membranes.
• The cut portion of the bone is lifted into the sinus cavity to raise the membranes.
• Next, the dentist will place the new bone materials in the lifted area. The graft material is often taken from another part of your body, like the hip or synthetic bone. Before the procedure, you will discuss the best option with your dentist or surgeon.
• Lastly, the surgeon will suture the gums to promote faster healing.

Recovery

After a sinus lift, it’s common to experience minor side effects like swelling, discomfort, and bleeding. Fortunately, these symptoms only extend for a few days. Your dentist or surgeon will likely prescribe medication to manage these side effects. Similarly, you can use a cold compress on the cheek against the operated area to manage swelling and pain. Good dental care and hygiene are also essential to prevent infections.

The dentist will also warn you about certain things that can worsen your discomfort and cause further infections. These can include:

• Avoid blowing your nose or sneezing forcefully.
• Avoid brushing your teeth for specific periods to prevent disturbing the surgical site.
• Avoid hard, crunchy, or chewy foods.
• Avoid tobacco products and alcoholic beverages.
• Avoid spitting, rinsing, or sucking in the next 24 hours.
• Avoid hot items.

Your dentist will likely schedule a follow-up appointment within a week to monitor your progress. However, be sure to contact our North Brunswick dentist if you experience severe symptoms:

• Pain or swelling that doesn’t settle after two days
• Fever
• Bleeding that persists or worsens after 2 – 3 days
• A sensation that the bone graft has moved out of position. It could happen due to forceful sneezing or blowing of the nose.

Complications of a Sinus Lift

Thankfully, sinus lift procedures are very successful. However, like with any surgery, complications are possible, although rare. Common complications of sinus lift include:

• The puncturing of the sinus membrane. The surgeon can accidentally puncture the sinus membrane when cutting through the bone. Fortunately, they should be able to stitch or patch it up to repair it. Similarly, the surgeon can stop the surgery by allowing the membranes to heal before performing the sinus lift.
• Sinus infection. Although a sinus lift infection is rare, it’s possible. In most cases, the infection is caused by the materials used during the surgery.
• Wound drainage or purulent exudate. A patient can experience drainage or pus near the treated area. Fortunately, you can easily correct the issue with antibiotics or irrigation techniques.
• Discoloration under the eyes. The surgery can damage blood vessels, resulting in blood collection under the eyes that cause them to appear discolored.
• Implant failure. While rare, the implant may fail to connect with the repaired bone.

Schedule an Appointment Today

For more information about a sinus lift or general dentistry, contact KK Dental – North Brunswick.

Surprisingly, your mouth naturally contains billions of bad and good bacteria. In low amounts, even the bad bacteria aren’t harmful. However, when you don’t clean your mouth efficiently, these bacteria build up and mix with saliva and other debris to form plaque – a colorless film of bacteria that forms on teeth.

If not cleaned off, plaque hardens to tartar, a hard yellow-brown deposit that adheres to the teeth and around the gum line. Once formed, only a professional can remove tartar using special dental scalers and other tools.

When left in the mouth over long periods, these bacterial deposits release harmful acids that erode your teeth and irritate your gums, causing decay and gum disease. Other complications can include oral thrush, bad breath, dental abscess, tooth loss, and bone loss. These oral problems can increase your risk of health complications like diabetes, heart disease, and stroke.

Fortunately, good oral hygiene habits can help maintain a healthy smile and avoid all these complications.

Tips for Maintaining Good Oral Health and Hygiene

Use the following tips to maintain healthy mouth, teeth, and gums:

• Proper flossing and brushing techniques

Brushing twice daily is essential to remove food debris in the mouth to prevent plaque and tartar buildup. Flossing is also essential to remove debris trapped between teeth that are hard to reach using a toothbrush. The ADA recommends the following steps for effective brushing and flossing:

Brushing

• Use a soft-bristled toothbrush that’s gentle on your teeth and gums. Get an electric toothbrush as it is more thorough.
• Add enough toothpaste to the toothbrush.
• Place the toothbrush at a 45-degree angle against your gums.
• Gently move the brush back and forth and up and down in short strokes.
• Be sure to brush the outer, inner, and chewing surfaces of the teeth.
• Brush your gums gently.
• Spit extra toothpaste and rinse your mouth with water.

Flossing

• Hold your dental floss tightly between your forefingers and thumbs.
• Slowly guide the floss between your teeth using running motions.
• Upon reaching the gum line, curve the floss into a C shape. Gently slide it in the space between the tooth and gums.
• Bring the floss back between the teeth and floss up and down on the other side.
• Repeat the steps for other teeth.

Brushing your Tongue

Plaque can also build up on your tongue, causing bad breath, oral thrush, gum disease, and tooth infections. Unfortunately, rinsing with mouthwash or water alone won’t effectively eliminate bacteria and plaque from your tongue. Get a toothbrush with a tongue scraper on the head to clean your tongue. Be gentle, as aggressive brushing can break the skin, causing discomfort and open sores.

• Use a mouth rinse.

In addition to daily brushing and flossing, using a mouth rinse, especially after meals, can help wash away acids, debris, and bacteria from the mouth and freshen your breath. Fluoride mouth rinse can help strengthen your teeth and prevent tooth decay. Consult your dentist about the right mouth rinse for you or your kid.

• Eat a healthy and balanced diet.

Foods rich in essential nutrients like calcium, vitamins, and potassium can help maintain the health of your teeth and gums and protect them against potential oral issues. Good food sources for a healthy mouth include fish, vegetables like broccoli, crunchy fruits, dairy products, and nuts.

Avoid or limit sugary or acidic items as they can encourage oral problems like enamel erosion, decay, gum disease, and tooth loss. Also, avoid highly pigmented items to minimize teeth stains. If you eat these items, be sure to rinse your mouth afterward.

• Avoid smoking tobacco.

Smoking is bad for your oral and physical health. As far as your mouth goes, smoking increases your risk of teeth stains, gum disease, certain cancers, dry mouth, ineffective immune system, and slower wound healing.

• Visit your dentist twice yearly.

Even with excellent daily brushing and flossing, routine dental assessments and cleanings are essential to maintain a clean and healthy mouth. The dentist will examine your mouth for potential oral conditions like cavities, trauma, and gum disease. If any problems are identified, the dentist will address them to prevent them from getting worse to cause further complications.

Routine dental cleanings help remove tartar and plaque build-up in the mouth, reducing your risk of developing oral problems. Professional teeth cleaning also improves your breath and brightens your teeth.

• Preventive procedures

Preventive dental care can also help keep your mouth clean and healthy. For instance, dental sealants prevent plaque and tartar buildup in the mouth, reducing your risk of oral problems. Similarly, it makes it easier to clean your teeth efficiently, helping you maintain a healthy, clean, and bright smile. Visit our dental office for routine dental check-ups and cleanings.

Schedule an Appointment Today

Do you need more information on maintaining a clean and healthy mouth? Contact KK Dental Edison to speak with our dentist in Edison.

While your tooth enamel is very hard and strong, sometimes it can get damaged, especially when exposed to extreme pressure or environments. When the tooth enamel is compromised, it exposes the softer inner structures of the tooth, such as the dentin and pulp.

If not treated promptly, bacteria can enter the tooth’s pulp, infecting the tooth’s blood vessels, nerves, and other connective tissues. It can cause significant symptoms like tooth discoloration, pain, swelling, and abscess around the tooth.

The infection gradually eats up more of the tooth’s structure, eventually leading to tooth loss. It can also spread to surrounding teeth, gums, jawbone, connective tissues, and other body parts like the brain and heart, causing severe and long-term complications.

Why Root Canal Therapy is Necessary

When your tooth is infected, you can stop the infection and save your tooth with root canal therapy. A root canal is an endodontic treatment for removing infected or diseased tissues from a tooth.

Stopping the infection prevents more damage to the tooth, thereby saving your natural tooth. It also preserves the health of the surrounding structures and the entire body. A root canal also helps relieve the discomfort, swelling, and other symptoms associated with tooth decay.

Do you have a painful tooth? Visit our dental office near you or contact our dentist in Somerset, NJ, for diagnosis and root canal treatment.

How Many Appointments do you need for a Root Canal?

Generally, a root canal treatment is a straightforward procedure. Most patients only require two appointments. The dentist performs the procedure while you’re under anesthesia, so you don’t have to worry about pain or discomfort. The procedure typically involves:

1st Appointment

The first meeting is when the dentist performs the actual root canal procedure of removing the infected pulp. Before cleaning the tooth, the dentist will take X-rays and other necessary treatment details. You’ll also be under anesthesia to keep you relaxed and without pain throughout the procedure.

Next, the dentist will drill through the tooth to create a small opening to access the infected pulp. Then, the dentist uses small endodontic files to remove the infected and decayed tissues.

The tooth is then cleaned, rinsed, disinfected, and sealed with a temporary material to promote healing. The dentist will give you a few aftercare tips to facilitate a speedy recovery and prevent further damage to the tooth until the dentist places a permanent restoration.

2nd Appointment

The second appointment entails placing a permanent restoration. Since a root canal involves removing the decayed parts of a tooth, it creates a hollow space and weakens the tooth significantly. It makes it vulnerable to fractures and more bacterial plaque attacks.

Therefore, permanent restoration like a dental filling, inlay or onlay, or crown is necessary to fill the hollow space, strengthen the tooth, and protect it from further infections. It restores your bite function and gives you a healthier smile.

On this appointment, the dentist will remove the temporary material and replace it with a permanent restoration. Most of these restorations last for 10 – 15 years, after which you will need a replacement.

Will I Need a Root Canal Re-treatment?

On rare occasions a patient will need a second root canal treatment. However, it can happen due to several factors. For instance, not getting a permanent restoration like a crown increases your risk of developing new infections. Similarly, a loose or damaged crown or filling can make the tooth vulnerable to new infections.

Taking good care of your tooth and mouth will minimize the risk of needing a second root canal treatment. Proper dental hygiene and habits to keep in mind include:

• Brush thoroughly and gently at least twice daily.
• Floss daily.
• Use a soft-bristled or electric toothbrush.
• Use fluoride toothpaste.
• Schedule routine dental check-ups and cleanings.
• Avoid tobacco products.
• Avoid chewing hard items like ice, nails, and hard candy. They can cause your tooth or restoration to break or chip.
• Notify your dentist if the treated tooth doesn’t feel right.

Schedule an Appointment Today

Do you suspect your tooth is infected? Do you need more information about root canal therapy? Contact KK Dental – Somerset for endodontics near you.

Periodontal or gum disease is a common oral concern among millions. Fortunately, you can treat periodontal disease and reverse it when caught early. Many factors can affect your treatment and recovery when dealing with periodontal treatment.

Diet is one of the critical factors to keep in mind, especially what you should avoid. Read on to learn more about periodontal disease and foods you should avoid during your treatment.

What is Gum or Periodontal Disease?

Periodontal disease is the inflammation of the gum tissues. It mainly develops due to bacterial plaque and tartar buildup in the mouth. These deposits irritate and infect the gum tissues, causing inflammation and discomfort.

Over time, plaque and tartar can get below the gum line, causing gums to pull away from the teeth (recession), jawbone damage, tooth loss, and more. Routine dental cleanings can help remove bacterial plaque and tartar before they cause gum disease.

You should seek treatment as soon as possible if you suspect you might have gum disease. Signs to watch out for include:

• Sore, red, or sensitive gums
• Gum or facial swelling
• Bleeding gums when brushing or eating
• Painful chewing
• Loose or falling teeth
• Bad breath
• Sensitive or painful teeth
• Receding gums
• Teeth looking longer

Our North Brunswick dentist will examine your mouth to determine the damage and then create a personalized gum disease treatment to restore the health of your gums and mouth.

Based on your condition, the dentist can recommend a variety of treatment options, including:

• Excellent brushing and flossing
• Medications
• Routine dental check-ups and cleanings
• Root planing and scaling (deep cleaning)
• Surgical dentistry. These can include laser gum surgery, flap surgery, and bone grafts.

Proper Diet After Gum Treatment

After gum disease treatment, excellent oral habits are essential to prevent new infections or aggravate your symptoms. For instance, if you have invasive treatments like deep cleaning or gum surgery, your gums might feel sore or swollen. That said, what you eat after treatment matters a lot.

In the first week after treatment, it’s essential to eat a soft diet, including:

• Scrambled eggs. They are not only nutritious but are also easy to chew.
• Dairy products like yogurt, milk, ice cream, and butter. These items are easy to consume and excellent sources of essential minerals and vitamins that are good for your gums and teeth.
• Mashed potatoes are rich in nutrients and fill you quickly. They are also soft and easy to eat.
• Mashed bananas have a soft texture, making them easy to eat and swallow. They are also rich in vitamins and minerals, which promote faster recovery.
• Avocados are easy to eat and low in carbs. They are rich in vitamins, minerals, and healthy fats, which help you recover faster.
• Oatmeal is easy to eat, an excellent source of fiber, and rich in essential vitamins and minerals, which are vital for quick recovery.
• Salmon is soft to chew and rich in proteins and healthy fats, which aid in wound healing and reduce inflammation. Fish is an excellent diet option after gum treatment.

Foods to Avoid After Gum Treatment

Several foods can damage your gums and affect your recovery in various ways. Foods to avoid after periodontal treatment include:

• Spicy foods and soups. These foodsmay cause increased irritation and pain. Gum disease causes your gums to be more sensitive. Your gums will be more sensitive or sore after treatment.
• Hard, crunchy, and crumbly foods like chips, cookies, nuts, seeds, raw vegetables, and hard candy can cause abrasions around the treated gums or get lodged in the wound area, disrupting your healing.
• Sticky and chewy foods like peanut butter and candy can stick to the teeth and gums, increasing the risk of plaque development and new infections. Excess chewing can also disturb the gums, aggravating pain and sensitivity.
• Sugary foods and drinks like soda and cookies will encourage bacteria growth in the mouth. Bacteria thrive in sugary environments. Eating sugary items after periodontal treatment can cause new infections or effects the efficiency of your treatment.
• Acidic items like soda and apple cider vinegar can irritate the treated gums, leading to increased pain and swelling.
• Tobacco and alcohol can irritate the treated gums and delay wound healing, increasing your risk of new infections.

Schedule an Appointment Today

Are you interested in gum disease treatment? Contact KK Dental – North Brunswickfor more information.

While natural teeth can last for a lifetime, sometimes they can get damaged. Cavities, tooth decay, and dental trauma are some of the most common dental problems. Fortunately, restorative dentistry can help repair and save your damaged tooth.

If your tooth is decayed, a root canal treatment may be your last resort to saving it. A tooth becomes decayed when bacteria infect or inflame the tooth’s pulp – the innermost part of the tooth that hosts the tooth’s nerves, blood vessels, and other connective tissues.

Untreated tooth decay or infection can cause severe complications like tooth loss, jawbone damage, and bite problems, among other complications. Therefore, contact KK Dental Edison or visit an endodontist near you as soon as possible if you have the following symptoms:

• Severe tooth pain
• Pain when biting down or chewing
• Swelling around a painful tooth
• Dental abscess
• Severe sensitivity to cold, hot, or sugary foods and drinks

Our dentist will inspect your tooth to determine whether they can save it with a root canal. Keep reading to learn more about the root canal in Edison and when you should get a crown.

Root Canal Procedure

A root canal is essential to remove the infection, save the tooth, relieve your symptoms, and prevent the infection from spreading. The dentist will numb you to keep you relaxed and pain-free.

The dentist drills through the tooth to access the infected pulp for a traditional root canal procedure. The dentist will remove the decayed or diseased tissues from the tooth using small endodontic files. The tooth is then cleaned, rinsed, disinfected, and sealed to prevent reinfection.

Since root canal treatment entails removing a significant part of the tooth, the tooth is significantly weakened, making it vulnerable to fractures. Therefore, a permanent filling or crown is necessary to strengthen the tooth and restore its bite function. It also protects it against further damage and infections.

When to Place a Dental Crown After a Root Canal

A crown is a tooth-shaped dental device placed over the treated tooth. Since it covers the entire visible structure of the tooth, it improves the tooth’s size, shape, strength, and sometimes color. They are essential when treating the back teeth since they require significant chewing forces.

When placing a crown after a root canal, you should get it done as soon as possible. Most dentists recommend getting a crown 14 – 30 days after root canal therapy.

A crown can contain various materials, including porcelain, zirconia, gold, porcelain-fused-to-metal, and composite. Tooth-colored crowns like porcelain and zirconia can be customized to match the color of your natural teeth.

What if I Don’t Get a Crown After a Root Canal?

Unfortunately, not getting a permanent crown on time or entirely comes with potential risks, including:

• Reinfection: Without a permanent filling or crown, there’s a higher risk of bacteria re-inter the tooth through the seal, causing further decay and causing the need for a second root canal treatment.
• Further fractures: Since a root canal involves removing the tooth’s pulp, the tooth loses its strength and bite function significantly. It’s more vulnerable to cracking, chipping, or breaking when exposed to great chewing forces. Eventually, tooth extraction may be unavoidable.
• Tooth discoloration: Severe tooth decay causes the tooth to look dull or discolored. Placing a tooth-colored crown after a root canal will restore the tooth’s appearance and give you a uniform smile. Contact our dentist for cosmetic dentistry near you.
• Damage to the temporary crown or filling: Immediately after a root canal, the dentist can place a temporary restoration to protect the tooth as you wait for the permanent crown. Waiting longer can cause the temporary crown to fall off or get damaged, exposing the tooth to further infections and damage. You may need a second root canal to remove the new infections.

Schedule an Appointment Today

Are you experiencing severe tooth pain or swelling around a painful tooth? Your tooth might be infected. Visit our dental office in Edison, NJ, for a root canal treatment.

Missing teeth can have devastating effects.  For instance, eating certain foods like pizza and steak can make it difficult, leading to malnutrition and ingestion problems. Tooth gaps can also make you feel embarrassed about your smile, affect your speech, and make you look older.

That’s why it’s always best to replace lost teeth as soon as possible. It will improve oral health, speech, bite function, and restore your beautiful smile. Dental implants provide the most stable and long-term solution if you’re considering tooth-replacing treatments, allowing you to smile confidently and eat your favorite foods normally.

After getting dental implants, you might wonder whether it’s okay to go back to eating your favorite foods immediately after the appointment. This guide highlights the foods you should and shouldn’t eat after implant placement.

Can I eat pizza after implant surgery?

After your implant surgery, our Somerset dentist will advise you to wait for some time before indulging in hard or chewy foods. Since placing dental implants requires surgical intervention, the surgical site is prone to infections, pain, bleeding, and swelling. Eating chewy or hard foods can disturb the area, causing these complications and increasing the risk of implant failure. Therefore, it’s highly essential to avoid any activities that can disturb the implant site. It helps you heal better and quicker.

Eating after dental implant surgery.

First, you should wait at least 1 hour after the procedure to remove the gauze from the implant site before eating. The gauze helps minimize bleeding after the surgery. Similarly, you should wait until the anesthesia wears off before eating. Eating when you’re numb increases your risk of burning or hurting yourself, especially around the implant site.

Foods to Eat

In the first 24-48 hours, stick to cool foods and beverages. When drinking, restrain from using straws or any kind of suction. Depending on your condition, the surgeon can recommend remaining on a soft diet for the next few weeks to let the implant heal properly.

During this healing phase, stick to soft foods that require no to minimal chewing. These can include

• scrambled eggs
• Soups
• Soft vegetables
• Fish
• Ground beef meals
• Mashed potatoes
• Bananas
• Oats
• Yogurt, protein shakes, cheese, and smoothies (do not use a straw)
• Water

Foods Not to Eat

During the healing phase, completely avoid the following foods:

• Hard and crunchy foods like hard candies, nuts, raw carrots, seeds, pizza, potato chips, and taco shells
• Acidic food items like apple cider vinegar, tomatoes, soda, and citrus fruits
• Sticky and chewy items like gum and caramels
• Hot and spicy foods and drinks like soups, coffee, tea, and peppers

Once the implant site has healed, you can re-introduce your regular diet. However, follow your surgeon’s diet guidelines strictly to avoid complications.

Dental Implants Aftercare Instructions

Apart from sticking to a soft diet, keep in mind the following aftercare instructions to prevent complications and promote faster healing:

• Take medication as prescribed. After surgery, you might experience minor side effects such as pain and swelling. The surgeon will likely prescribe medications to manage these symptoms and prevent infections, helping you heal faster.
• Wear the gauze for at least 1 hour. Following implant surgery, you might experience minor bleeding. Keep the gauze pad in place until the bleeding stops.
• Use ice packs. Placing ice packs on the cheek against the implant site can help alleviate pain and swelling. Use the ice pack for 15 minutes a couple of times.
• Oral hygiene. Follow the surgeon’s instructions when you can resume your regular hygiene routine.

When to call your surgeon

While rare, complications after implant surgery are possible. Visit our dental office or notify the surgeon immediately if you experience the following:

• Excessive bleeding
• Severe pain
• Persistent or worsening swelling
• Fever and bad breath

Conclusion

While dental implants will restore your bite function and allow you to eat normally, you have to wait for some time to enable the placement to heal before eating pizza and other favorite foods of yours. For more information about dental implants in Somerset, NJ, contact KK Dental – Somerset.

Sports injuries and teeth grinding are common reasons for tooth damage, such as chips, cracks, and breaks. If you’re active in contact sports like hockey, football, and basketball, your risk of getting a blow to the face or jaw is extremely high. Wearing a mouth guard during the game cushions you against oral injuries. A mouth guard is also essential to prevent tooth damage and other harmful effects of teeth grinding. Our dentist in North Brunswick, NJ, can also recommend a mouth guard to manage other oral conditions like snoring and MTD.

Since the mouth guard is worn over the mouth, excellent oral hygiene is critical. Usually, your mouth contains harmful bacteria. Not cleaning your mouth guard after every use causes bacterial plaque to build up on your mouth guard, potentially leading to bad breath, tooth decay, oral thrush, and gum disease. If you’re wondering how to clean your mouthguard, this guide should help.

Cleaning your Mouth Guard at Home

Fortunately, cleaning your mouth should be straightforward. Usually, you don’t need any special and expensive dental tools or products. Below are common steps that you can use:

• Use a soft-bristled toothbrush. It’s best not to use your regular toothbrush to prevent cross-contamination of oral bacteria. Hard brushes can also damage your mouthguard.
• Rinse your mouthguard in cool water
• Smear a small amount of non-abrasive toothpaste on the brush. You can also use alternative cleaning products such as mild alcohol-free soap, cleanser solution, mouthwash, baking soda, hydrogen peroxide, and vinegar. Consult your dentist for a quality cleaner for your mouthguard. That way, there’s less risk of using abrasive products that can damage your mouthguard.
• Gently brush the mouthguard, both on the interior and exterior.
• Rinse the mouthguard thoroughly with cool water to remove the toothpaste or suds.
• Allow the mouthguard to dry.
• Place the mouthguard in its case when not in use.

Can you clean a mouthguard with chemicals?

While your mouthguard contains artificial materials, it can be damaged when exposed to abrasive products or chemicals regularly, reducing its efficiency and longevity. Therefore, if you must use an OTC denture cleaner, ensure it’s non-abrasive and follow the manufacturer’s instructions strictly. It’s also worth noting that certain chemical cleansers contain artificial dyes and synthetic fragrances and thus might not be the best choice.

Soaking your mouthguard

Once in a while, it’s essential to soak your mouthguard to eliminate hard and stubborn plaque and bacteria trapped on it. Be sure to clean your mouthguard first before soaking. Most cleaners require the following steps:

• Put warm water in a clean glass or bowl.
• Add the cleanser. It can be in liquid, powder, or tablet form.
• Gently put the mouthguard in the solution.
• Allow it to soak for 10 – 15 minutes according to the manufacturer’s directions.
• Rinse thoroughly with cool water.
• Allow the mouthguard to dry.
• Place it in its case.

Caring for your mouthguard

In addition to cleaning your mouthguard, use these tips to care for and keep it clean:

• Allow the mouthguard to dry completely before storing to limit bacterial build-up.
• Store the guard in a clean, dry, and well-vented container.
• Avoid cleaning the guard using hot water or exposing it to high temperatures or sunlight.
• Keep the guard away from children and pets.
• Hold the guard carefully when cleaning it. You can clean it with a towel.
• Brush and floss your mouth before and after wearing the mouthguard.
• Do not share the mouthguard.
• Avoid chewing gum or food with the mouthguard.
• Take your mouthguard to the dentist during routine dental visits.

When to replace your mouthguard

Over time, your mouthguard can wear down or get damaged. It makes it in-efficient to protect you adequately in case of sports injuries and regular teeth grinding. Generally, a sports mouthguard should be replaced every six months or at the end of the sports season. A night guard for bruxism has an average lifespan of 1-5 years. Your dentist will check the condition of your mouthguard during routine dental checkups to determine whether you need a replacement. Visit our dental office if your mouthguard is damaged or worn-out.

Schedule an appointment today

Do you need a custom mouthguard? Contact KK Dental –North Brunswick to speak with our dentist in North Brunswick.

Your oral health plays a crucial role in your nutrition and overall health. Good oral hygiene habits are the best way to keep your smile healthy and fully functional. These habits can involve brushing and flossing daily and routine dental checkups and cleanings every six months. Regarding keeping your mouth clean at home, below are some essential oral products in your bathroom.

• Toothbrush

A toothbrush is perhaps one of the most common and essential oral tools in everyone’s bathroom. Your defense against bacterial plaque and tartar helps prevent cavities and gum disease. Most dental experts recommend using a soft-bristled toothbrush that’s gentle to your teeth and gums. While some might consider them highly-priced, electric toothbrushes tend to be more thorough than the average toothbrush.

Be sure to avoid hard-bristled and large-headed toothbrushes. A large-headed toothbrush might make it difficult to clean your back teeth, increasing your risk of developing cavities. Similarly, a hard-bristled toothbrush can erode the tooth enamel and irritate the gums, causing tooth decay and gum disease. Make sure you’re brushing your teeth twice daily, and replace the brush after three months or as soon as you notice any wear and tear.

• Toothpaste

Toothpaste is another common product in the bathroom. Most of us are overwhelmed about which toothpaste to buy based on the brands, flavors, and features. As a rule of thumb, you should always go for fluoridated toothpaste. Fluoride is essential to remineralize and strengthen the teeth and protect them from cavities. It can also help reduce teeth sensitivity. Avoid fluoridated toothpaste for children below three years. Suppose your teeth have turned dull, and you want to whiten them. In that case, you can go for toothpaste with whitening ingredients such as hydrogen peroxide, carbamide peroxide, hydrated aluminum oxides, and magnesium carbonate.

• Dental floss

Dental floss is another must-have dental product for good oral hygiene. While some people don’t find it necessary, flossing at least once daily helps to remove debris trapped between teeth that you can’t reach with a toothbrush. It helps to prevent the buildup of bacterial plaque and tartar, reducing your risk of tooth decay and gum disease. You can choose a standard dental, electric, or floss pick.

• Mouthwash

Unfortunately, most people don’t see the value of mouthwash. According to the ADA, mouthwash has numerous benefits that help to keep your mouth clean and disease-free. For instance, mouthwashes can help freshen your breath, reduce sensitivity, fight cavities and decay, whiten teeth, and reduce bacterial plaque. You can consult your dentist about the right mouthwashes based on oral needs. Please note that mouthwashes shouldn’t be an alternative to brushing and flossing. It’s simply a great addition to keep your smile healthy.

• Storage

Storing your oral products in a clean, dry, cool, and vented container is essential to reduce the risk of bacterial cross-contamination. For instance, you should keep your toothbrush away from the toilet.

Important oral hygiene tips

Along with the oral products we’ve discussed above, use the tips below to promote a healthy and beautiful smile:

• Brush your teeth, gums, and tongue twice daily. Brush for at least two minutes each time.
• Floss at least once daily
• Visit our dental office in Edison for routine dental cleanings and checkups.
• Eat healthy foods rich in essential minerals and vitamins.
• Always stay hydrated.
• Seek prompt treatment for existing oral problems.
• Get regular fluoride treatments.
• Avoid or limit sugary, acidic, chewy, and hard foods and drinks. They can cause tooth damage, leading to decay and tooth loss.
• Avoid or limit highly pigmented food items to avoid staining teeth.
• Avoid tobacco products. Smoking increases your risk of oral concerns like gum disease and certain oral cancer.

Schedule an appointment today

Do you need more information about caring for your teeth? Or perhaps you want to schedule your next dental checkup or cleaning? Contact KK Dental Edison to speak with our dental hygienist and dentist in Edison.