Author: Plaza Dental Group

Tooth Abscess: Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention

Out of all diseases that affect oral health, tooth abscess is one of the most painful conditions and can cause great discomfort. The pain usually tends to be throbbing and continuous, making it difficult to even eat or drink.

Diagnosis of tooth abscess

A tooth abscess is a bacterial infection that leads to a pus pocket formation in the gums. It occurs when bacteria infect the tooth cavity and cause the gum tissues to degrade.

Three most common types of tooth abscess:

Periapical abscess – This form of abscess occurs in the tooth’s root, in the alveolar bone.
Gingival abscess – This infection affects the gum tissue lining the teeth, causing the gums to swell and pain.
Periodontal abscess – The abscess is formed in the gum pockets, where bacteria can grow and potentially spread to the surrounding tissue.

Symptoms of Tooth Abscess

A tooth abscess is extremely painful, and you may feel a sharp pain in your gums or near the affected tooth. Following are a few other symptoms you might experience:

Swollen gums
Fever
Bad breath
Difficulty in eating or drinking
Restlessness
Foul taste in the mouth
Increased tooth sensitivity
Pain across the ear, neck, or jaw

Causes of Tooth Abscess

Lack of good oral hygiene makes your mouth prone to a lot of bacteria. It is the main cause of most oral diseases, including dental plaque, which can lead to a tooth abscess.

Tooth decay – Poor oral health and unhealthy food choices can cause dental plaque, further leading to tooth decay. If left untreated, tooth decay can cause tooth abscess.
Gum infection – Infection in the gum, gum tissue, or in the pockets between the teeth and the gum can also lead to a tooth abscess.
Infection after dental treatment – Infections after dental procedures like root canals, implants, and extractions can cause tooth abscess.

Treatment of Tooth Abscess

Your dentist will first evaluate the pain and severity of the abscess and then accordingly suggest treatment. The condition, if not severe, could be treated with antibiotics. However, if antibiotics fail, the next course of action would be a root canal to save the tooth. If the root canal also proves to be ineffective in removing the infection, and if the infection returns, or if the condition of the tooth is exceptionally bad, your dentist will have to get your tooth extracted.

Prevention of Tooth Abscess

Maintaining good oral health is the key to avoid tooth abscess. Following are a few helpful tips to prevent this condition from occurring:

Make healthy dietary choices
Avoid sugary and starchy foods
Floss and brush your teeth regularly – ideally, twice a day
Visit your dentist at least once every six months
Use a fluoride toothpaste

Follow good oral hygiene and be regular with your dental appointments for proper dental care. If you are looking for the best dentist in Urbandale, get in touch with our expert dentists at the Plaza Dental Group.

Plaza Dental Group

Plaza Dental Group is a leading group of dentists in Des Moines, IA that provides high-quality dentistry in a comfortable and stress-free environment. We have a team of caring and highly-skilled professionals that uses state-of-the-art technology and delivers excellent service to the patients. Request an appointment today!

Root Canal Procedure and How It Affects Dental Health

The root canal of the tooth contains the nerve tissues and blood vessels, also known as the pulp. Root canal therapy or endodontic therapy is designed to cure or remove the infection from the tooth’s root canal by removing the infected nerve and pulp.

The removal of the infected tooth nerve or pulp does not affect your tooth’s normal functionality as these serve no purpose once the tooth is fully grown, and only acts as a sensory nerve.

Why a Root Canal Is Needed

The root canal therapy is painless, yet an important treatment to undergo. It protects the tooth from further infection and the possibility of severe tooth decay. Delay in the therapy may cause an abscessed tooth due to the exposure of bacteria and debris and even bone loss around the root tip. However, getting a root canal therapy helps restore your infected tooth and overall oral health.

Signs to Help You Decide If You Need a Root Canal

Identifying the need for root canal therapy is vital for your oral health. Ignoring these signs might lead to a badly infected or decayed tooth.

Swollen or tender gums
Severe sensitivity to cold or hot objects
Severe pain while chewing
Bad decay of the gums
Cracked tooth

Root Canal Therapy: The Procedure

Once you identify the need for a root canal therapy and consult your dentist or endodontic, an X-ray is taken to analyze the shape and sign of infection in the surrounding bone. Patients are given anesthesia so that the whole process is done at their ease and comfort.

The first step of the therapy is cleaning the root canal: the endodontic or dentist starts by making a small access hole at the tooth’s surface and removes all the decayed tissues and pulp along with the bacteria in small files.

Next, the dentist cleans and decontaminates the hollow and infected part of the tooth through medication. In some cases, the dentists flush away the debris periodically through sodium or hypochlorite. Then, the tooth is filled with a compound into the tooth’s root canal.

In the last step of the therapy, a crown or filling is added to the tooth. Due to the removal of the pulp, the tooth receives its nourishment from surrounding tissues, which in the future may cause the tooth to become weaker, so a crown or filling protects the tooth.

After the crown is placed and complete restoration of the tooth is completed, the patient can use their teeth like before and can easily perform actions like chewing or biting.

Root Canal Completion

However, your tooth may feel sensitive after the completion of a root canal because of inflamed tissues. So your dentist may prescribe you an over-the-counter medicine like ibuprofen to ease the discomfort and pain.

Benefits of Root Canal Therapy

Efficient chewing and biting
Healthy gums and teeth
Maintenance of oral health
Zero pain and inefficiency

Lastly, root canal treatment has a more than 95% success rate, and the teeth fixed with the help of a root canal treatment can last a lifetime.

If you have an affected tooth and are looking for a root canal procedure to help save it, contact your leading team of dentists in Urbandale at Plaza Dental Group to get expert root canal treatment.

Plaza Dental Group

How to Identify and Treat Impacted Teeth?

In dental terms, an “impacted tooth” refers to a tooth that has not erupted when expected because it may not have enough room to grow, or it can be erupting in the wrong direction. An impacted tooth is simply a tooth that has been blocked from breaking through the gum for a distinct reason.

What causes an impacted tooth?

Impaction usually occurs in the third molars, also known as wisdom teeth. Wisdom teeth begin to develop around the age of 9, and since they are the last teeth to erupt (usually between late teens and early 20s), they are more likely to impact because by then, the jaw has stopped growing and may be too small to have room for these four teeth. The second type of teeth to be impacted is the maxillary canine. Since these play an essential role in the mouth, the dentist may recommend treatments that encourage such teeth to erupt instead of removing them. These problems can be hereditary, so if a parent had an impacted tooth, their children might have the same issue.

What are the symptoms?

People may not always experience the following symptoms in some cases. They can reoccur over weeks or months:

Bad breath
Bad taste in the mouth
Red, swollen, or bleeding gums
Pain while biting or chewing
Sore throat
Recurring headaches or jaw aches

Complications occurring from an untreated impacted tooth

Completely impacted teeth do not erupt through the gums. You cannot clean or care for them. However, if you have one or more partially impacted teeth, they can be tricky to clean. This raises their vulnerability for the following dental problems:

The bone around the impacted tooth can weaken.
Damage to neighboring teeth
Cysts in the bone
The alignment of other teeth can change.
Pericoronitis
Higher risk of gum disease, infection, or tooth decay

How to identify impacted teeth?

After recognizing the symptoms, you should immediately consult a general dentist. If you are experiencing excessive tooth pain, then you should schedule an oral exam as soon as possible. The dentist will identify the unmistakable signs of impacted teeth using an X-ray for proper diagnosis. The impacted tooth may not be visible above the gums. Nonetheless, the dentist can recognize it and refer it to an oral surgeon for immediate treatment.

What is the treatment for impacted teeth?

Waiting and monitoring – Instead of surgically removing the impacted tooth, the dentist will regularly monitor it to see if any other problems develop. This will be easy to do if one goes for regular dental checkups.
Surgery – The dentist may recommend extraction surgery if one is experiencing too much pain along with other side effects from an impacted tooth or if it is adversely affecting other teeth. The surgery is a simple outpatient procedure, and the patient can go home the same day of the procedure. It usually takes 45 to 60 minutes. The recovery may take 7 to 10 days.
Eruption aids – Such aids may be used to enable the canine teeth to erupt properly. These include braces, brackets, or extracting baby or adult teeth that may be blocking the canines. These are more effective for younger people.

If you suspect you have an impacted tooth, contact our dental experts at Plaza Dental Group in Urbandale. We offer complete dental care solutions, including general dentistry and much more, at affordable prices. For more information, please visit our website.

Plaza Dental Group

Everything You Need to Know About Tooth Polishing Procedure

Tooth polishing is a dental procedure that makes your teeth look stain-free, smooth, and glossy. Teeth whitening can improve the aesthetics of teeth and helps prevent teeth problems.

At many dental clinics, teeth polishing are part of a standard routine cleaning procedure. When paired with dental scaling, it freshens up your breath and prevents tooth decay.

Before you take your teeth polishing appointment, here is everything you need to know about the procedure.

What is tooth polishing?

Tooth polishing is a painless dental procedure in which the dentist uses either a slow speed dental drill or a rubber cup to clean and polish the teeth. Many dentists prefer to use an air-polishing system loaded with baking soda that is not abrasive and does not wear away teeth enamel.

Tooth polishing procedure

First, the dentist will inspect your teeth for any decay and weak spots in the enamel.
In the scaling process, the dentist will then scrap all the tartar and plaque from the surface of your teeth.
Your teeth will be buffed and polished to remove stains.
Your teeth will then be flossed and topped with a protective fluoride coat.

Benefits of tooth polishing

Prevents cavities – Plaque eats away the tooth enamel. If left unattended, it can lead to tooth cavities. Tooth polishing can remove the whitish film on your teeth. Having less plaque can protect your tooth enamel, which cannot be completely restored once it is eroded.
Freshens the breath – Regular polishing can prevent persistent unpleasant breath. It can keep your mouth odor at bay.
Prevents tooth loss – Accumulation of plaque causes gum disease and tooth loss. Gum disease destroys the supporting bone in the jaw and causes the teeth to loosen and eventually fall out.
Improves overall health – Frequent teeth polishing can help lower the chances of contracting diseases related to the heart. Tooth polishing can help detect early signs of underlying heart disease.

Tooth polishing cost

Typically, tooth polishing is covered by your dental insurance as a part of your routine dental cleaning and check-up. A dental check-up and cleaning can reportedly cost you anywhere between $150 and $300, depending on the dentist you choose and the cost of living in your area.

Polishing teeth at home

There are several home remedies and over-the-counter tooth polishing kits available in the market. Some prefer to use baking soda and activated charcoal to polish their teeth.

Though home remedies are popular for teeth whitening, it can cause abrasion of the enamel, tooth decay, and tooth sensitivity. Dentists recommend avoiding DIY and at-home teeth whitening kits, and instead, visiting a professional for tooth polishing treatment.

Tooth polishing precautions

To keep your teeth shiny and healthy, scaling and polishing every six months is recommended. For those with periodontal issues, tooth polishing every two months is suggested.

If a patient has sensitive teeth or has severe erosion, cup polishing is the best, as it’s less aggressive. Routine cleaning should include scaling, flossing, and polishing to prevent tooth decay. Additionally, patients who suffer from respiratory problems should not have their teeth polished. Finally, those allergic to the abrasive agents should avoid teeth whitening procedures.

Tooth polishing is a simple dental procedure that results in smooth, white, and bacteria-free teeth. Get in touch with your dentist in Urbandale and get your teeth whitening appointment today.

Plaza Dental Group

Gum Disease and Other Ailments: What Is the Common Connection?

Researchers have explored the link between gum disease and health complications. Gum disease, the inflammation of the gums, starts when dental plaque builds around teeth. There are over 1000 bacteria in dental plaque, which, if left to breed, can cause cavities, gingivitis, and periodontal disease. Periodontal disease, in turn, can cause health complications, such as:

Blood Vessel Disease

A different type of plaque, made of cholesterol, calcium, fat, and other blood substances, can build up inside arteries, known as atherosclerosis. This fatty plaque can cause coronary artery disease, narrowing or limiting blood flow to the heart.

Heart Attacks

People with gum disease are 2 to 3 times more likely to have a heart attack and other serious cardiovascular diseases. Not everyone with gum disease has heart problems, and many people with heart disease have healthy gums.

Periodontal disease, the inflammation in the gums and bacteria, can cause narrowing of essential arteries, increasing heart disease risk. To date, there is no evidence that treating gum disease will prevent heart disease and its complications, but the link between the two conditions is compelling enough.

Practicing good oral hygiene such as brushing twice and flossing once a day can reverse an early stage of gum disease, known as gingivitis. Untreated gingivitis can lead to periodontal disease, causing receding gums and eventually make the tooth loosen and fall out.

Stroke

The research abstracts given at the American Stroke Association’s International Stroke Conference prove that periodontal disease heightens the threat of strokes. This is a result of the hardening of the brain’s large arteries and severe asymptomatic artery blockages.

The research found that:

The risk of having a stroke relating to blood vessels in the back of the brain that controls coordination, vision, and other vital bodily functions was tripled in people with gum disease as compared to those without it.
The threat of having moderately acute narrowed brain arteries caused due to plaque buildup was doubled in people with gingivitis or gum inflammation than those without gum disease.
The risk of having severely blocked brain arteries was 2.4 times more in people with gingivitis as compared to those without it.

Research states that people with gum disease had a higher risk of stroke due to intracranial atherosclerosis than those without gum disease. The research concluded that gum disease treatment could reduce your risk of developing stroke by improving control over its risk factors such as diabetes, cholesterol, and high blood pressure.

Alzheimer‘s Disease

Research has found that people aged over 70 with chronic gum disease were 70% more likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease than those without periodontitis. The study concluded that chronic periodontitis might play a crucial role in developing Alzheimer’s disease. Therefore, it is essential to prevent the progression of periodontal disease to maintain your physical health. Lately, studies have also connected periodontal disease to a reduction in cognitive ability.

Poor oral hygiene is the major risk factor for periodontal disease. Schedule an appointment with our dentist in Urbandale to learn more about what you can do to practice good oral hygiene. Our periodontist can help you identify early signs of gum disease and treat them accordingly.

Author: Plaza Dental Group

Tooth Abscess: Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention

Diagnosis of tooth abscess

Three most common types of tooth abscess:

Symptoms of Tooth Abscess

Causes of Tooth Abscess

Treatment of Tooth Abscess

Prevention of Tooth Abscess

Root Canal Procedure and How It Affects Dental Health

Why a Root Canal Is Needed

Signs to Help You Decide If You Need a Root Canal

Root Canal Therapy: The Procedure

Root Canal Completion

Benefits of Root Canal Therapy

How to Identify and Treat Impacted Teeth?

What causes an impacted tooth?

What are the symptoms?

Complications occurring from an untreated impacted tooth

How to identify impacted teeth?

What is the treatment for impacted teeth?

Everything You Need to Know About Tooth Polishing Procedure

What is tooth polishing?

Tooth polishing procedure

Benefits of tooth polishing

Tooth polishing cost

Polishing teeth at home

Tooth polishing precautions

Gum Disease and Other Ailments: What Is the Common Connection?

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