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4/23/2014 4:38:08 PM

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Knocking out a tooth isn’t anyone’s idea of a good time. Knowing what to do when it happens dramatically increases the odds of being able to save the tooth. Time is of the essence in a situation like this. The sooner you get the medical attention you need, the likelier it is that the tooth can be saved.

Assess the Situation

The very first thing to do in the event of a knocked-out tooth is to make sure that emergency medical attention isn’t required. If other injuries are involved, it may be necessary to call 911. If the victim is unconscious, it’s also crucial to seek emergency medical care right away.

Find the Tooth

Once a medical emergency has been ruled out, find the tooth. Depending on the nature of the accident, it may have ended up pretty far away. In some cases, the knocked-out tooth is fully intact; in others, it’s broken into pieces. If your tooth is broken, collect the fragments. Try to fit them all together to ensure that you have them all.

To increase the odds of successfully replacing your tooth, only handle it by touching its crown, which is the uppermost portion. Never touch the root, or bottom, of the tooth. If you absolutely must clean the tooth, only use warm water, and be gentle while rinsing it. Don’t scrape or rub the tooth, and never use alcohol to clean it.

Secure the Tooth

If the tooth is intact, rinse out your mouth with warm water and try re-inserting it into the appropriate socket. Get a piece of gauze and bite down on it to hold the tooth in place. If the tooth can’t be reinserted, store it in a container of whole milk or place it between your cheek and gums. The goal is to keep it from drying out, which can cause irreparable damage.

Address Pain and Other Symptoms

Stabilize yourself before seeking professional help. Control bleeding by using a sterile piece of gauze or cloth. Reduce pain and swelling in the affected area with a cool compress. Frozen pops are also worthwhile options to consider, and they’re especially popular with children. Take ibuprofen or acetaminophen to minimize pain.

Contact a Dentist Immediately

After being knocked out, teeth can often be successfully re-implanted. The primary determining factor is how quickly you’re able to get in to see a dentist. By getting to the dentist within 30 minutes, you’re much more likely to be able to keep your tooth. Try to complete the preceding steps quickly. If possible, have another person contact the dentist while you get the situation under control.

Do you know who to call in the event of a knocked-out tooth? Ideally, you should contact a dentist who offers emergency dental care. Our practice offers this service and can assist you in the event that your tooth is knocked out. Our dentists understand the importance of acting quickly and will make sure that you receive the attention you need right away.



4/2/2014 4:27:38 PM

Traditional dentures and implant-supported dentures are two options for replacing missing teeth. In most cases, these appliances can be used to replace multiple teeth or an entire arch of teeth. Both denture procedures have benefits and drawbacks, so it’s important to choose the right procedure for you.

Procedure

Apple bite
Traditional dentures can require multiple office visits. Your dentist will use molds and measurements from your mouth to create a custom appliance. You may need to return to the office for several fittings. Your dentist will also take this time to adjust the color and shape of the denture to ensure that the appliance looks and feels like your natural teeth.

Implant-supported dentures also require multiple office visits. Your dentist will use this time to plan and simulate the treatment process. Using the in-depth information gathered during the planning period, the dentist will place the titanium anchors in the old root sockets that remain from your missing teeth. After your mouth is allowed to heal from the implant procedure, the base of the denture is securely fitted to the titanium implants.

General Wear

A full denture rests on the gums, which can create discomfort when the appliance moves and slips along the surface. There are adhesives that can help keep dentures in place, but some products are messy and foul-tasting. Traditional dentures also require an adjustment period, and some patients have reported difficulty speaking, chewing and swallowing.

Implant-supported dentures function more like natural teeth. This type of appliance will not slip and rub against your gums. As a result, eating, talking and participating in other activities that require the mouth are not likely to result in irritation.


Cost

Implant-supported dentures are more expensive than traditional dentures. However, traditional dentures may eventually need repairs and replacements after normal wear.

Impact on Bone Health

Bone loss can be a major concern after you lose your teeth. A decrease in bone tissue in the jaw can actually alter facial structure. Implant-supported dentures reduce bone loss in the jaw. The implants mimic the placement of natural teeth and continue to promote bone growth.

Bones loss might also prevent you from obtaining an implant-supported denture. You need to have enough bone tissue for the titanium anchors to be securely implanted.

If you still have teeth in your arch, a partial traditional denture can keep those remaining teeth from shifting. By keeping the remaining teeth in place, the denture can prevent some alignment issues from developing.

Which Denture Option is Right for You?

With the help of your dentist, you can find the right option for replacing your missing teeth. It is important to consider comfort, costs and the quality of the results before making this important decision about your oral health.



3/12/2014 4:23:39 PM

Why You Should Ask Your Dentist About Teeth Whitening Before Buying Strips, Creams, or Trays at Your Grocery Store

Dental Whitening
Your smile is one of the first attributes that others notice about you. When your smile is bright and shining, you look healthier and happier and you will probably feel more attractive. This can have a profound effect on your self-confidence, which is an often overlooked part of your overall well-being.

In order to get this radiant grin, you may be considering teeth whitening products. Many of these are available over the counter at your local drugstore or grocery store, and they are generally pretty safe. However, it is always best to talk to your dentist before you begin any at-home teeth whitening system. These are just a few reasons:

1. Take care of your dental health first.

Before you jump directly into teeth whitening, you should always have a professional exam and cleaning. Sometimes a thorough dental appointment will be enough to restore your teeth’s natural shine. In addition to the cleaning, your dentist will check the health of your teeth and gums. If you have cavities or inflamed gums, you should avoid using whitening products for the health and safety of your teeth until you receive proper dental care.

2. Consider your dentist for teeth whitening products.

While you are visiting your dentist, ask how much whitening you can expect your teeth to achieve. Teeth darken as you age, and it may not be realistic for you to expect pure whiteness, even after the treatments. There are various concentrations of peroxides in these products, ranging from 10 to 20 percent. Higher concentrations while typically the most effective at whitening, can cause the most damage to your tooth enamel.

Rather than guessing at which type will work best for you, consult with your dentist who may be able to offer you a better treatment plan in-office. Your dentist has access to clinical whitening products like Zoom!,a safe treatment option that has been proven to whiten teeth up to eight shades.

3. Understand the treatment process.

When you have your teeth whitened in your dentist’s office using a powerful bleaching agent like Zoom!, you have the benefit of receiving the most effective products with the least amount of risk. Most of these products are able to transform the brightness of your smile with just one office visit of about an hour.

In addition, your dentist is singularly qualified to manage your specific dental needs, such as monitoring tooth sensitivity and gum safety. Rather than purchasing over-the-counter whitening kits that have standard one-size-fits-all mouth trays, your dentist can use whitening trays that properly fit your teeth. This will prevent extra gel from leaking onto your gums and causing pain or discomfort.

If you want a whiter smile, teeth whitening products may be the answer you need. However, always consider your dentist’s possible whitening treatments before you rush out and buy an at-home kit. Your dentist knows you and your teeth the best, and he or she is most qualified to help you get your best possible smile.



2/5/2014 10:17:05 PM

We’re excited to announce the official launch of our OFR, DDS blog.

We’ll be posting helpful dental tips, news from the dental industry, news from our practice, and more about the latest in dentistry.

We built our practice on the notion that we’re there for our patients when they need us and we want our online presence to be a reflection of that principle. We hope this blog provides an extra level of service to our current and future patients.

If you would like to stay up to date on the latest from OFR, DDS, simply click the RSS “Subscribe to feed” link located on our website and subscribe. Our subscribers will be updated when we make a new blog post.

Here’s to your best oral health ever!



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