Don't Let a Dental Emergency Spoil Your Vacation

It's Memorial Day weekend. The official kick-off to the summer and time for our very much needed vacations! Planning a vacation is an overwhelming chore, especially if you are in charge of packing up a family. In addition to remembering all your travel essentials, it is wise not to forget about your teeth.

Dental emergencies are not fun and can happen at any time, but when they happen on vacation, they can really put a damper on your plans. If you are going on an extended vacation or trip, it is wise to visit your dentist prior to leaving for a check-up and an "all clear" from your dentist. Although planning ahead will not prevent an emergency, it will definitely ease the pain. Dental emergencies range from tooth aches to broken or knocked out teeth. Whenever dental pain or trauma occurs, it is important to seek immediate treatment.

Tips for Handling Dental Emergencies Prior to Seeing the Dentist:

• Toothaches- Rinse mouth with warm water and use dental floss to remove any lodged food. If swelling appears, hold a cold compress to the outside of the mouth or cheek. Never put aspirin against the gums or on a sore because it may burn the tissues.
  


• Chipped or broken teeth- If bleeding occurs, apply a piece of gauze to the area for about 10 minutes or until the bleeding stops. Hold a cold compress to the outside of the mouth or cheek to reduce swelling and ease pain.



• Knocked out tooth- Retrieve the tooth, hold it by the crown (the part that you see in your mouth) and rinse with warm water. Without force try to replace the tooth facing the right way. If that's not possible, put the tooth in a small container of milk (or a cup of water with a pinch of table salt). A tooth that has been knocked out has the highest chance of being saved when it is returned to the socket within one hour.



• Extruded (partially dislodged) tooth- Apply a cold compress to the outside of the mouth or cheek to ease the pain. Take an over-the-counter pain reliever.
  


• Lost filling- Stick a piece of sugarless gum into the cavity or use an over-the-counter temporary dental cement. If the area is sharp, try using a nail file to gently smooth the area.



• Lost crown- Try to slip the crown back over the tooth. Denture adhesives can assist in holding the crown in place until you can get to the dentist. (It is important to put the crown back in so the gum tissue does not overgrow the area.)



• Loose or broken braces bracket, band or wire- Use orthodontic wax to cover and hold the broken piece in place.
  


• Abcess- This is an infection which can be painful and is sometimes visable as a pimple on the gum. Rinse mouth with mild salt-water solution several times a day. It is important that an abcess is attended to immediately to avoid further infection in your body.



• Soft-tissue injuries- Injuries to the tongue, cheeks, gums and lips can bleed easily. Rinse mouth with a mild salt-water solution. Hold a damp piece of gauze to the site for about 15 minutes. If the bleeding does not stop in a reasonable amount of time, see a dentist or go to the emergency room.
  

We do not recommend using an over the counter topical to numb the area, such as orajel, since this will not alleviate tooth pain. Anti-inflammatories, such as Advil, Motrin or Aspirin are best at easing dental pain.

Be sure to take your dentist's name and phone number with you on vacation as well as your dental insurance information. We are here 24/7 to answer all you dental questions and concerns.
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***Excerpts from WebMD, LLC. 2005-2011.

Acid Reflux Can Leave More Than Just A Bad Taste In Your Mouth

Millions of us are familiar with that fiery sensation that grabs hold of your chest after you eat something you know you shouldn't have, and that sour or bitter taste that is left in your throat and mouth. Yes, heartburn! And it can leave more than just a bad taste in your mouth...

Acid reflux, or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a condition that causes stomach acid to regurgitate from the stomach into the throat or mouth. Many foods and beverages, medications, smoking and other habits as well as age can exacerbate this condition. Most everyone experiences acid reflux occasionally, but when it occurs on a regular basis it can have adverse side effects on you physical and dental health.

Your teeth are protected by a thin layer of hard tissue called enamel. Enamel is the hardest substance in your body. However, constant contact with stomach acid will cause it to erode, exposing the sensitive inner dentin layer of your tooth. Once this occurs, your teeth become more sensitive and prone to decay.

It is important and necessary to address chronic acid reflux. Following certain recommendations can help you manage the symptoms:

• Avoid fried or fatty foods. Limit acidic foods.


• Enjoy smaller, more frequent meals rather than overeating.


• Lose weight if you are overweight.


• Drink plenty of water and avoid soda.


• Do not smoke.


• Elevate your pillow. Reflux can be most active when lying down.


• Rinse your mouth out after a reflux occurence.


• Use a fluoride mouth rinse, such as ACT, before bed to strengthen your teeth's enamel.


• Avoid tartar control and whitening toothpastes which are abrasive and accelerate wear of your teeth.


• Take over-the-counter or prescription antiacids as prescribed.

Be sure to share your condition with your physician and dentist. Untreated, GERD can lead to ulcers, esophageal damage and in rare instances, esophageal cancer.

Brush Up on Your Dental Trivia

100 years ago 50% of adult North Americans were toothless. Today, less than 10% of adults over age 65 have lost their teeth. This decrease is due to advances in dental health awareness, modern dental and medical treatments and the evolution of common dental products.

The toothbrush is an always evolving cultural artifact, not an invention. It all began around 3000BC with a twig, frayed at one end, called a"chew stick". The Chinese took it one step further, using twigs from trees with a nice smell. (Perhaps an early attempt at freshening their breath?!) The modern toothbrush originated in China about the time that Columbus discovered America. The bristles were made from boar, badger or horse hair which were attached to a piece of bamboo or bone.

Mass production of the toothbrush began in the United States about 1885. DuPont Corporation replaced the coarse animal hair bristles with softer nylon ones in 1938 bringing awareness to the practice of good oral hygiene. However, tooth brushing did not become routine in the U.S. until it was enforced on soldiers during World War II!

The first paste used to clean teeth was invented about 5,000 years ago by the Egyptians and consisted of a mixture of pumice and wine. Colgate began manufacturing toothpaste in 1873. It was packaged in jars until the collapsible tubes were introduced in 1896.

Today, approximately $2billion a year is spent on dental products in the United States. Your toothbrush should be replaced every two to three months due to splaying of the bristles and sanitary reasons. Although you should brush 2 minutes twice a day, most people only brush for 30-45 seconds once a day!

So the next time you brush your teeth, take a moment to be thankful that you have a nice, clean, soft toothbrush instead of a stick!