Dental emergencies can occur anytime; we want you to be ready with some simple remedies and techniques to best care for your teeth.

When an emergency injury to your teeth or gums occurs, it is important to handle it correctly and quickly. Quick actions can help avoid more extensive and costly treatment later. Here are a few measures you can take for dental emergencies at home:

Toothache

A toothache is one of the most common dental injuries and can happen anytime for many different reasons. When you feel the onset of a toothache, first clean the sore tooth by gently brushing and flossing. Use a warm saltwater rinse to remove trapped food or debris, which might be causing the pain. However, a painful toothache might also indicate an abscess or other infection in the mouth. If you experience swelling, then apply a cold compress and visit the dentist immediately.

Cut or Bitten Tongue, Lip or Cheek

You can help to stop the bleeding from small cuts by applying gentle pressure with a clean gauze or damp cloth. Apply a cool pack to the injured areas for immediate pain relief. If the bleeding continues for more than 15 minutes, head to the emergency room of a nearby dentist immediately.

Broken Braces and Wires

Try to gently remove the broken piece. If the broken piece is not loose, use dental wax or a dampened cotton ball to cover the sharp edge until you can get to the nearest orthodontist or dentist.

Fractured/ Broken Tooth

If you break or fracture a tooth the following steps should be taken: locate and collect any tooth fragments, then clean the injured area with warm water to remove any debris from the tooth, lastly place a cold cloth over the injury. See your dentist immediately, as even small fractures can lead to infection or further damage to your teeth if it is not addressed right away.

Knocked Out Permanent (Adult) Tooth

Find the tooth if possible and try not to touch the root (pointed) portion with your hands. Rinse the tooth, and place it in a cup of milk or water to bring to your dentist. If the tooth is displaced but remaining in or attached to the socket, do not attempt to reposition or disturb the tooth. Time is crucial when trying to save a tooth, so see your dentist as soon as possible.

Call your dental office for more information about any dental emergency. We will walk you through how to care for your teeth at home, and if necessary, see your dentist to take care of a dental emergency quickly and comfortably.

The Bacteria resides in your mouth in the form of plaque, which can cause cavities and gingivitis. Bacteria and plaque is a major reason for periodontal (gum) diseases. To keep your mouth clean and healthy you should maintain a good oral hygiene on a daily basis.

What is plaque?

Plaque is a biofilm that builds up on your teeth, and it contains lots of bacteria. However, a lot of times  even  proper brushing does not reach the innermost corners of your mouth which leads to residual material containing bacteria in your mouth. These areas of plaque are can be made worse by certain food products,  especially sugary foods or starches which is found in food items like bread, crackers, and cereal. Plaque also creates irritation in gums, making them red and , sensitive. All of this leads to gum disease, in which the gums pull away from the teeth and form pockets that fill with more bacteria and pus. If timely medical attention is not provided for gum disease, the bone around the teeth can be destroyed and the teeth might have to be removed.

How do you get rid of plaque?

The most effective way to get rid of plaque is by brushing and cleaning between your teeth regularly. Brushing effectively removes plaque from the surfaces of your teeth.

It is recommended to brush your teeth twice a day with a soft-bristled brush. The toothbrush should ideally fit your mouth and allow you to reach all areas of your mouth easily. Using an toothpaste which contains fluoride and antimicrobial agents will also help to protect your teeth from decay. Flossing is also highly recommended by dentists across globe in order to clean the surfaces between the teeth, which can prevent plaque buildup in these areas, and prevent gum disease.

What is the best way to brush and floss your teeth?

The American Dental Association recommends certain techniques for healthy brushing and flossing 

Brushing

• Keep a 45 degree angle in between your brush and gums when brushing.
• The motion of movement of the brush should be back and forth gently in short strokes.
• Brush the outer surfaces of the tooth, then the inner tooth surfaces next to the tongue, and then the chewing surfaces of the teeth.
• Use the tip of your brush to clean the inside surfaces of the front teeth, using a gentle up-and-down motion.
• Brush your tongue to remove bacteria and freshen your breath.

Flossing

• Use about 18 inches of floss and wrap it around the middle fingers of each hand. Hold the floss tightly between your thumbs and forefingers.
• Move the floss between your teeth using a gentle rubbing motion.
• When the floss is nearing the gum line, curve it into a C shape against one of the tooth. Gently slide it into the space between the gum and the tooth.
• Bring the floss back toward the contact point in between the teeth and then move the floss up and down the other side, conforming the floss to the shape of the tooth.
• Hold the floss tightly against the tooth. Gently rub the side of the tooth, moving the floss away from the gum with up-and-down motions.
• Repeat this method on the rest of your teeth.

What else can you do for a healthy mouth?

In addition to the daily brushing and flossing, a good mouthwash can increase the cleanliness of your mouth. Antimicrobial Mouth rinses with antimicrobial agents reduce bacteria and plaque activity, which cause gingivitis and gum diseases. Fluoride mouth rinses also helps  to reduce and prevent tooth decay.

Make sure you consult with your dentist before using a mouthwash. Fluoride rinses are not recommended for children younger than 6 years, as they may swallow them. Always remember to check the manufacturer’s label on the bottle for precautions and age recommendations.

Dental implant treatment is the gold standard and preferred method of tooth replacement, with the best long-term success rates and is considered cost-effective as wellness.

Tooth Loss to Bone Loss

Natural tooth roots are embedded in the jawbone, providing a stable foundation that allows the teeth to properly function. When teeth are lost or removed, the bone that previously supported those teeth begins to deteriorate, or resorb, meaning the bone “melts away”. Dental implants help to prevent this kind of bone loss.

How Dental Implants Preserve Bone

Dental implants are a substitute for tooth roots. Similar to natural tooth roots, the implant will stimulate the bone, thereby preserving it and preventing the bone resorption that generally results in tooth loss.

Complete Tooth Loss Leads to Facial Structure Collapse

When all of the teeth are missing, the jaw bones deteriorate rapidly. In addition, as the bone weakens, the muscles migrate or pull back from their natural position. As facial support is lost from the weakened muscles and bone, the lips cave in and wrinkles increase dramatically.

Documented Clinical Results

Studies demonstrate that dental implants are 95 -98% successful for 40 to 50 years. Long-term outcomes depend on various conditions, such as the general health of the patient, the quality and quantity of available bone, the number of teeth replaced and the type of replacement teeth.

Once an implant is placed to substitute for the natural tooth root, a crown is added to restore the natural beauty of the original tooth. Studies comparing the success rates of implants versus other tooth replacement alternatives such as bridges clearly demonstrate that it is more successful to replace a single missing tooth with an implant and crown. These studies also indicate that even if the adjacent teeth need crowns, it is far more successful long-term to place individual crowns on these teeth rather than tying them into a bridge.

1. Dental implants are 95% to 98% successful for 40 to 50+ years.
2. Success rates for dental implants do not decrease over time.
3. Success rates for bridges decrease steadily after 10 years.
4. At 15 years, 1 in 3 bridges will typically fail.
5. If root canal treated teeth support the bridge, success rates decrease even further.
6. There are fewer complications with implants than bridges.

Above all, find the best dentist for dental implant surgery and follow their advice. Expert dentists will be able to provide more details about your individual treatment options.

Source: http://thedentalimplantguide.org/dental-implants/

Your mouth is the gateway to your body

The state of your mouth plays an important role in your overall health. Your mouth can tell you a lot about the health of your body. The mouth acts as a mirror to show signs of disease.
The fuel for the body enters through the mouth. Its primary gateway for most of the infections that affect the health.

Bacteria transfer from mouth into the body

Poor dental care leads to bacteria buildup on teeth this makes gums and teeth prone to infection. The immune system moves in to attack the infection causing the gums to become inflamed. The inflammation continues unless the infection is addressed and the source of the infection gets cared for.

Over time, inflammation and the chemicals releases eat away at the gums and bone structure that hold teeth in place. The result is severe gum disease, known as periodontitis. Inflammation can also cause problems in the rest of the body.

In truth, oral bacteria enter the body in a number of ways. Bad oral bacteria can be swallowed. Because the body has been in cleanse cycle all night and saliva hasn’t been circulating, the highest levels of oral bacteria are ingested when we take our first swig of water in the morning.

Oral and facial pain.

Oral and facial pain are caused by infection of this could be a gum infection or an infection of the teeth. tha. Gingivitis, an early stage of gum disease, and advanced gum disease affect more than 75% of the U.S. population.

Diseases can develop as a result of oral infections

With the constant advancements in science and the new methods of identifying the causes of various diseases, scientists keep discovering more and more links between our oral health and overall health.

Many studies have found bacteria that entered the body through the mouth to be responsible for the following diseases:

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
Oral bacteria can enter the bloodstream and attack the friendly bacteria in your gut. And that’s when your digestive issues begin to worsen.

Breast cancer
Women may be 11 times more likely to develop breast cancer due to lack of good oral care.

Diabetes
Serious gum disease may have the potential to affect blood glucose control and contribute to the progression of diabetes.

Cardiovascular disease
Stroke, heart attack, infective endocarditis, and thickening of the arteries can occur due to poor oral health.
When bacteria reach the heart, they can attach themselves to any damaged area and cause inflammation.

Bacterial pneumonia
Bacterial infections in the chest are believed to be caused by breathing droplets from the mouth and throat into the lungs can cause bacterial pneumonia.

Rheumatoid arthritis
Some research shows those who had moderate to severe periodontitis had more than twice the risk of RA compared to those with mild or no periodontitis.

Few points to practice good oral hygiene

• Brush twice a day for at least two minutes, using fluoridated toothpaste.
• Floss daily to remove plaque from places your toothbrush can’t reach.
• Eat a healthy diet to provide the nutrients necessary (vitamins A and C, in particular) to prevent gum disease.
• Visit the dentist regularly for cleanings and exams. This is one of the most effective ways to detect the early signs of any dental disease.

Don’t forget to provide your dentist with a complete medical history and inform of any recent health developments, even if they seem unrelated to your oral health.