Dental implants can feel like an absolute “miracle cure” for those with badly damaged or missing teeth and can even help improve the surrounding gum tissue. They create one of the most natural-looking restored smiles of all dental procedures available.

The implant itself is not the artificial tooth, which is a common misconception when people hear the phrase “dental implant.” Rather, the implant is a substitution for your own root and it is drilled directly into your jawbone. (If you got a little dizzy reading that, bear in mind this is done with general anesthesia by your oral surgeon!)

Like any dental procedure, there are some risks and possible side effects involved. So, we will give you a quick overview of how dental implants work and describe some common and also less common side effects, too.

Dental Implants: An Overview

A dental implant is a metal post that acts as a root for an artificial tooth. During this procedure, your own roots are replaced with these metal posts.

Depending on several factors the procedure may require several different stages over a period of several months.

First, the damaged tooth or teeth are removed, and then your jaw will need to be prepared. If your jawbone is not hard or strong enough the dentist may need to do some bone grafting to prepare it, in which case that process will happen on its own ahead of the dental implant surgery. If your jawbone is hard enough as it is, you may be able to have it prepped during dental implant surgery.

The surgeon will cut open your gum and drill holes into the bone, to create a place for the metal post to be inserted, which will now act as your “root.” This part of the process requires time and patience. Once those posts are inserted, they must grow into the jawbone. This can take several months. Because you will have a gap where the tooth is missing, your dentist can provide you with a temporary denture for cosmetic reasons.

The abutment attached to the post can either be done during the implant surgery or in a separate procedure later once the post has grown into the jawbone. The abutment is visible, which is why some people prefer to separate these processes, so they do not have it showing during the months where the post is growing into the jawbone.

Once the abutment is attached and the gum has healed, the artificial tooth or crown is placed. The artificial teeth can be removable or fixed, depending on your preferences and budget. 

Dental Implants: The Side Effects

Once you have had dental implants inserted into your jawbone, you may experience some temporary side effects.

It is common following the procedure for patients to experience

– Some minor bleeding (typically for no more than 24 hours)

– Swollen gums and face (for a few days)

– Bruised skin (for a few days)

– Pain for up to two weeks

These side effects are expected for all patients but they should be temporary. If they do not go away as quickly as expected, this could be a sign of a more serious issue or infection and should be discussed with your dentist right away.

During this period after surgery, you can manage these side effects and pain with medication as prescribed by your doctor, ice packs to ease the swelling and bruising, and a warm salt water rinse to ease pain and also prevent infection.

Additional Side Effects and Complications

While these are less common, it is also possible that some patients will experience

– Infection at the implant site

– Nerve damage

– Injury to the teeth, gums, or blood vessels

– Sinus complications

Some of these complications can be particularly painful and distressing. Nerve damage can leave you with constant numbness, pain, or tingling, which will affect your gums, lips, teeth, and chin. And sinus problems can occur if the implants placed in the upper jaw protrude into the sinus cavity.

It’s quite a blow to fix a dental problem and then end up with a sinus problem!

Your dentist can address these issues but it is imperative that you report them immediately. And the most serious complications, which are extremely rare, may represent that the implants have failed completely. These would be indicated by

– Loose or wobbling implants

– Extremely red and swollen gums after the initial healing period

– An unpleasant smell or taste after the healing period

If your implants fail to fuse to your jawbone, it is possible that one of these reasons contributed to the failure:

– Patient is a smoker and/or drinks alcohol in excess

– Patient has uncontrolled diabetes

– Patient has osteoporosis

One of the most important things you can do prior to a dental implant procedure is to discuss ALL health concerns openly with your dentist. Something you may consider totally unrelated to your dental health could actually complicate your implant procedure. In order to reduce the risk of infection or complication, you should discuss all health concerns and especially all medications beforehand.

Finally, one complication that can also occur after implant surgery is a fracture. This can happen when too much stress is placed on the implant, which is typically a result of teeth grinding. This is why patients must commit to wearing night guards provided by their dentists. Dental implants are a significant investment that should be maintained with proper care, and if you follow your doctor’s orders, you may be able to prevent a number of side effects and complications!

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You have been to the dentist and have been told that it is time for your wisdom teeth to come out. Wondering what that means and what to expect? Read on and we will give you a rundown from start to finish regarding wisdom teeth removal.

Why Remove Them?

Wisdom teeth used to be vital to the chewing process when human diets consisted of courser grains and harder to chew foods. Nowadays, however, they are essentially an extra pair of teeth that do not have much use. Your molars are more than enough to handle today’s foods.

Your wisdom teeth can grow in one of two ways: like regular teeth or impacted. We will leave regular growth alone for the moment but will come back to it after we discuss the more serious issue of impacted teeth caused by wisdom teeth crowding the mouth.

What Does “Impacted”Mean?

Impacted wisdom teeth lie horizontally (or at an angle) instead of vertically like the other teeth, and often they do not emerge from the gum line. Essentially, they are growing sideways instead of up. This occurs because they are actually third molars and there just is not room in your mouth for another set of teeth.

When you picture it, you can see how many problems this can cause. If the teeth never emerge from the gums, they can impact your molars (see how that works?), which could cause extreme pain. It could also cause your other teeth to become more crowded, which is a whole other can of worms.

If the teeth partially emerge from the gums but do not fully erupt, they can become traps for food.In turn, it will cause bacteria to accumulate and plaque to form. Gingivitis and periodontitis (gum disease) are diseases that are caused by plaque build-up and you do not want to have to deal with those.

Now, if your wisdom teeth are growing in normally, you do not absolutely have to have them removed. However, most dentists will recommend that you do. Why? Because even growing in straight, there could still be issues.

Think about how hard it is to clean your back teeth. Now imagine another set behind your molars. They will be even harder to get to, right? And we already know what happens if you do not clean your teeth properly.

It should be apparent by now that straight or impacted, your wisdom teeth need to come out.

The Procedure

Sedation

Once the decision is made, your dentist or oral surgeon will discuss your level of comfort and anxiety, and you will both come to a decision about what type of sedation will be used. There are several different types of anesthetic used in oral surgery. You can read about them here.

After the chosen sedation has taken effect, the gums around the wisdom teeth will be numbed with a local anesthetic.

X-Rays

Prior to your surgery date, your dentist should have taken X-rays of the wisdom teeth (and surrounding teeth). If any further X-rays are needed, they will be taken after the sedation and numbing has taken effect.

Surgery

We will spare you the full details of the surgery—you already know that the removal of wisdom teeth is never easy to talk about. What you need to know is that the teeth will be extracted during this time. The length of surgery depends on the positioning of the teeth, including the angle and how deep they are. If you are younger, it could take a shorter time as well.

In most cases, the surgery will require stitches to close the gum area where the teeth were. It is extremely important to follow the post-operative instructions you will receive to prevent further complications.

What to Expect Post-Surgery

Your dentist will give you information about what to expect post-surgery. It will probably also include a list of dos and don’ts. However, you will most likely need to place a gauze pad over the surgical site for around 30 minutes after the operation. During the healing process, you may have to take pain medication and keep an eye out for any pain and swelling, as well as obvious signs of infection.

Sedation

You should come out of the heavier sedation rather quickly once the surgery is complete. Depending on how you react to the anesthetic, you may be groggy for awhile, so it might be a good idea to have someone with you who can drive you home.

The local anesthetic will take a little bit longer to wear off. During this time, your lips and tongue will be numb and feel pretty strange. Your speech will be slurred, and it will feel like you don’t have part of your mouth. Don’t worry, it will wear off over a couple of hours.

Recovery

You can reasonably expect 2–3 days of swelling and discomfort or pain after your surgery. During this time, you can use over the counter medicines like acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil) for the pain. If you received a prescription for pain medicine from your dentist, make sure to take it as directed.

You can also use ice packs to keep the swelling down for the first 24–36 hours. If you are still experiencing discomfort after two days, you can use moist heat on your jaw. Roughly 24 hours after your surgery, you can open and close your mouth gently to exercise the muscles in your jaw.

Eating and Brushing

You probably will not feel like eating too much the first day as you recover from the anesthesia. Your dentist will give you a list of items that will be okay to eat when you feel like it. These will be mostly soft foods like soup or rice. Avoid any hard or crunchy foods until you have been cleared by your dentist.

You can—and should—drink plenty of fluids. However, do not drink them through a straw. The suction can actually loosen blood clots that are helping to heal your gums. Sip drinks slowly.

You can brush your teeth starting the second day after your surgery but be sure to do so gently. Avoid the area in the back of your mouth as much as possible, so you do not disturb the stitches. It is really like having surgery anywhere else on your body; you need to make sure the area remains as clean as possible.

If your pain does not diminish within the first 2–3 days, call your dentist immediately. Your follow up appointment will probably be for 1–2 weeks after the surgery, at which time the dentist will evaluate the healing. If you have followed all of the instructions, you should be cleared and back to normal.

Now that wasn’t so bad, was it?

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Who Is an Orthodontist?

The oral health is very important, as the condition of your teeth could either boost or reduce your confidence. This is blatantly true because if you have a nice-looking set of teeth, you won’t feel bad talking in public. Of course, smiling won’t be a problem. However, if your teeth are in poor condition, especially the alignment, you would certainly not be eager to talk in public, and your confidence would likely be extremely low.

Some people suffer from uneven teeth placement: that is, a set of teeth that aren’t straight. This is where an orthodontist comes in. An orthodontist helps with the straightening of the teeth. They also help with correcting the bites and occlusion of the teeth. The bites and occlusion basically imply the way the upper and lower teeth come together when the mouth is closed. Therefore, we can say that an orthodontist would help enhance the look, smile, and, of course, eating. If the upper teeth and lower teeth don’t fit together, then chewing would be quite difficult and it could even impact the way that you talk.

What Does an Orthodontist Do to Correct Teeth Placement?

Now that you know who an orthodontist is, it is important we go through what this specialist does to straighten the teeth. Well, to realign the teeth of a patient, an orthodontist studies the condition of the patient’s teeth with pictures and X-rays. They analyze the jaw condition to design a tailor-specific treatment plan for the patient. The teeth condition of each patient must be studied to develop a plan that suits the individual’s situation. To this extent, the diagnosis is first made, and treatments are then established based on the diagnosis.

Furthermore, the orthodontists make use of orthodontic devices like braces and retainers in order to correct the alignment of the teeth. So, when you see an individual with braces, you know they have been to the orthodontist. Basically, you visit an orthodontist when your teeth need a realignment.

An orthodontic procedure could be carried out on both children and adults. In other words, you can visit an orthodontist no matter your age. These specialists often have excellent hand coordination, good vision, and a friendly or reassuring attitude towards patients. Great hand coordination and good vision are paramount as they could be working on children’s teeth, which would be very small. Also, a friendly and reassuring attitude help patients feel less stressed with each visit.

How to Become an Orthodontist

Now that you know all about an orthodontist, you might desire to become one yourself. Well, it is great, but it takes a lot of years and even more hard work. It could take 10 to 11 years after high school. An orthodontist is kind of an advanced dentist. So, you have to become a dentist first before becoming an orthodontist. And, before you apply to a dental school to become a dentist, you must have a bachelor’s degree. You spend 4 years bagging a bachelor’s degree, 4 years in dental school and then 2 to 3 years residency in Orthodontics. So, there you have it—it takes 10 to 11 years.

Let’s break it down further for you so that you have a greater understanding. After getting a bachelor’s degree, you are expected to apply to dental school. If you are selected, you would have to complete the doctoral program which takes 4 years. Upon completion, you become a dentist. You earn a D.D.S. or D.M.D. certificate. A D.D.S. represents Doctor of Dental Surgery, while D.M.D. stands for Doctor of Dental Medicine. They both imply the same thing as they comprise the same curriculum. The degree title only depends on the school. While some schools refer to a dental degree as D.D.S., some refer to it as D.M.D.

After becoming a dentist, to become an orthodontist, you must serve 2 to 3 years residency in Orthodontics at a University-affiliated program approved by the American Dental Association. Upon successfully completing your residency, you would be certified by the American Board of Orthodontics. This board is the only orthodontics agency recognized by the American Dental Association for the certification of orthodontists. So, in addition to the D.D.S. or D.M.D. dental degree title, a certified orthodontist also gets the title “M.S.” which implies Master of Science.

It goes without saying that becoming an orthodontist requires an extensive school education. Before you can practice a lot of years (10 to 11 years) must have gone into schooling. Well, it is worth it if you desire becoming one as you become a master in the dental field. A dentist cannot go beyond the overall oral health care such as cleaning check-ups, X-rays, filling cavities, the removal, and repair of tooth issues, etc. On the other hand, an orthodontist is a specialist who could go no further than performing procedures to realign the teeth. So, it is worthwhile if you agree.

The condition of the teeth is very important as it would be evident on your self-esteem. Straight teeth would not only give a beautiful smile but would also bring an increase in confidence. Straight and well-aligned teeth would also ensure that the upper and lower teeth correspond when the mouth is closed. This makes eating much easier. Hence, treating these teeth alignment abnormalities helps patients to feel and look better. An orthodontist is a dental specialist with the extensive schooling background and training to design treatment plans that would help straighten the teeth of patients. Extensive schooling of up to 11 years. In any case, it is worth it. So, if you desire it, then go for it!

How to Treat Your Toddler’s Mouth Sore 

There are remedies for almost any ailment. A sore throat, blisters, foot and mouth, a virus, a fever, and so on, and it is no different with mouth sores. Mouth sores in toddlers are completely normal and, as the symptoms go away by themselves with time, they are usually nothing to worry about and require no treatment. Small children have a weaker immune system than adults, which is what makes them more susceptible to ailments like mouth sores and colds and there are hundreds of over-the-counter products like gels and tablets that can be purchased to offer some relief to your mini-me. However, with more people shunning the use of pharmaceuticals as a form of healing minor ailments in children, natural home remedies for treating mouth sores in toddlers are becoming increasingly popular. You may have heard of home remedies, such as using toothpaste, milk of magnesia, baking soda, coconut oil, and so on to help with the healing process. Some of which work and others that don’t. Here are some of the top natural remedies for toddler mouth sores that are equally as effective as the creams you would find in the drugstore.

Apple Cider Vinegar 

Used for thousands of years to cure a whole range of issues from indigestion to cuts and grazes, apple cider vinegar is top on our list of home remedies for toddler mouth sores. When we think of vinegar, we automatically think of an acidic, sour liquid that stings and burns when applied to wounds or sensitive skin. What the majority of people fail to realize, is that apple cider vinegar is actually alkaline—and infection cannot survive under alkaline conditions. Hence why nature’s magic medicine is so efficient and effective at curing a whole host of illnesses and topical ailments. If your toddler is old enough to be able to swill the ACV around their mouth like mouthwash, then doing this a couple of times a day after brushing their teeth, when their mouth is nice and clean will allow it to be an effective and quick way of getting rid of mouth sores.

Organic Raw Honey

If your child is over a year old, then applying raw, organic honey to the sore can work wonders when used regularly. The natural solution is most effective when applied to the sore using a clean cotton swab a few times a day, especially after feeding time. Honey is used in natural medicine almost all the time, thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties. Research actually reveals that, if applied to a burn, honey is capable of completely eradicating pain in as little as 10 minutes—so there is no reason why it shouldn’t work to heal wounds like mouth sores equally as quickly.  Manuka Honey is actually the specific type you ideally want to be using in order to encourage a wound to heal, but don’t worry too much if you can’t find it locally—any raw honey will do the job just as well.

Salt Water

Salt water is a well-known cure for surface wounds, as it is basically a natural antiseptic. Salt water can offer heaps of relief with regards to numbing the pain caused by a mouth sore and it has the added bonus of penetrating the bacteria in the sore and healing it at the same time. A salt-water rinse can be given to your toddler as often as once an hour if the pain is really bad. Be aware that it can cause dehydration in little ones, so always remember to give them some water to drink shortly after they swill with salt water. We always recommend using organic products when using home remedies to treat ailments, so it is best to use either Himalayan rock salt or organic sea salt rather than standard store-bought table salt. Applying pure salt to the sore will be rather painful, so it’s best to always dilute it somewhat so that further irritation can be avoided.

Recurring Mouth or Canker Sores in Kids

Earlier in this article, we mentioned that mouth sores are usually nothing to be worried about, even in kids—given that the pain they cause is manageable with natural remedies and they heal by themselves after about a week. That said, if you notice that your child is not showing any signs of improvement, say, after 10 days, or the sores keep reappearing, then it could be time to visit your dentist to rule out any other underlying issues that could be cause for concern. Most often, your dentist will be able to advise you with regards to the best products to use that will be gentle, yet effective at helping you and a toddler maintain a healthy and sanitary dental routine. It could well be that the products you and your toddler habitually use are too harsh or they produce an allergic reaction in your child.

Conclusion

As a parent, especially if you are totally new to the complex world of parenting, it can be tempting to rush off to the doctor at the first signs of trouble. When it comes to dealing with mouth sores in toddlers, natural remedies are a great way to put your mind at rest by knowing you will be alleviating your pain, healing the cause of the issue and ushering them toward a swift recovery, using only mother nature’s products. If you are concerned that your child is suffering from mouth sores due to allergies, then steer clear of using pharmaceutical chemicals.

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Despite what many people think, chewing gum with braces isn’t actually as bad as initially presumed. Most people who get braces try to stay away from chewing gum as they have heard it can get caught in the wiring, become really sticky, and get jammed behind the wiring and remain on the tooth which can cause decay.

It Remains Debateable

To this day, the question of whether or not you should chew gum with braces remains debateable between dentists. Some are still adamant that it is a no-go item and will cause a major delay to the amount of time that the braces are needed. Others suggest that chewing gum can actually be beneficial for those with braces and that it helps to improve oral hygiene. Looking at both sides of the argument there is no real logical reason that you shouldn’t chew gum when you have braces; however, you will probably have to be a bit more careful when doing so.

How to Chew Gum with Braces

While it’s not exactly rocket science, chewing gum while wearing braces does need to be a bit more strategic. The most important factor when chewing gum with braces is to ensure that it is always sugar-free. Gum that contains high amounts of sugar tends to be a lot stickier than sugar-free gum. Along with good oral hygiene, sugar-free chewing gum is always advisable, but it is especially vital for people with braces. Now that there is metal stuck to your teeth you will want to try and prevent the gum from moving around your cheeks. This will reduce the likeliness of the gum getting tangled in the wires. Another thing to be cautious about is how excessively you are chewing it. A slower movement will again reduce the chance of the gum getting stuck and will also lower the risk of the wires from bending. For those who are still unsure whether or not to chew gum with braces, there is specialized dentist gum that can be obtained from your dentistry professional.

The Problem with Sugar

We have all been told over and over about how bad sugar is for our teeth, but you may have noticed that, when getting braces fitted, your dentist overly expresses how you should avoid sugary foods at all costs. This is mostly because of the fact that sugar is tacky and can stick to the teeth. The longer this sugary film coats the teeth, the more stubborn it becomes, creating a stronger risk of tooth decay. When braces come into the equation, these sugary foods (including sugary chewing gum) can easily get lodged into hard to reach places resulting in the sugar-filled food particles to just sit directly on the tooth for who knows how long.

The Top Benefits from Chewing Gum with Braces

Not only is chewing gum with braces fairly safe, it actually has several benefits. Anyone who has had braces fitted will know that brushing the teeth becomes much harder. Food can often get jammed between all the wiring and fixtures which makes the cleaning process much harder. Chewing gum promotes the production of saliva, and when this happens, the bacteria in our mouths get washed away. Therefore, effectively combining chewing gum with a regular and sufficient oral hygiene routine will significantly reduce the harmful bacteria in the mouth. On top of this, many artificial sweeteners that are found in sugar-free gum has been found to prevent tooth decay.

A Stronger Jaw

Ever heard of face yoga? Well, the overall gist of it is that you pull funny and rather strange faces in order to tone up your facial muscles. Obviously, you wouldn’t need (or want) to attend the gym to do such exercises, but reports do say that it is effective. The motion that the mouth makes when chewing gum is great for strengthening your jaw. Including the chewing of gum into your daily routine will mean that once those braces are removed, you could be left with not only straight teeth but also a strong and toned jaw.

Will Chewing Gum Damage the Wires?

The most common reason that dentists used to give as to why you shouldn’t chew gum with braces was because it could damage the wiring which could lead to the teeth being misaligned. That would also cause more work for the dentist and, in most cases, a higher bill for you. Nowadays, the wiring that is used for braces is a lot more flexible and resilient meaning that they aren’t as susceptible to bending as a result of chewing gum. Having said that, as stated above you should still be cautious when doing so, just to be safe.

The Recommended Use of Gum with Braces

In an ideal world, brushing the teeth would happen after consuming every meal but, in reality, that is just not possible for everyone. The majority of people follow the guidelines of brushing both in the morning and at night and this same rule applies for those with braces. Flossing is also in the preferred oral hygiene regime, but this can be particularly hard for those with braces. While your dentist has probably advised you on what to include in your oral hygiene practice if they haven’t already mentioned it chewing sugar-free gum after a meal can be massively beneficial. The average time in which you should chew gum for is about 20 minutes as this is plenty of time to clear away the food particles that may linger on or around your braces. Also, by this point, the flavor has probably dissipated and it will feel more like rubber. Excessively chewing gum could have negative results so just keep that in mind throughout the day.

All in all, the dentistry professional who has fitted the braces will give you a rundown on how to care for them and how you should approach cleaning them. If you are still unsure whether or not you should chew gum with your braces on simply contact your dentist for advice.

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Swollen Gums Treatment

You may have noticed from previous trips to your dentist that two different people will likely treat you. The first person who attends to you will be a dental hygienist who will clean your teeth and take any x-rays (if required.) You will then see the actual dentist in the event that you need any repair work performed on your teeth or cavities filled. These two separate professionals work closely together but there are a few important differences between the two of them. Patients can often assume that a dental hygienist and a dentist perform the same roles and that you can substitute one for the other. This isn’t the case at all, as they both have separate and vital roles that need to be carried out alongside each other to give you the best results possible and ensure continued good oral hygiene. This is why you should schedule appointments with both of them on a regular basis and not just assume that a singular visit will fix each and every one of your oral problems, including teeth and gums.

Dental Hygienist vs. Dentist: The Main Differences

Education

The primary difference between a dental hygienist and a dentist is their education level and the extent of their studies. To be able to practice as a dentist, you need to obtain a relevant degree followed by a 4-year stint in a dental college. A dental hygienist, on the other hand, only needs an associate degree in dental hygiene, which lasts just two years. This is one of the main reasons why prospective dental professionals choose to pursue a career as a hygienist—it is a much faster route to being able to work in the dental field and it is well paid.

Licensing Requirements

Regardless of if you want to be a dental hygienist or a dentist, both jobs require you to pass an exam to obtain a license to practice. The major difference here is that a dentist needs to get a license from the specific state they intent on practicing in, whereas a hygienist’s license is valid nationwide.

Role-Specific Duties

When you attend a dental surgery for your appointment, unless you have a particular problem that you know requires treatment (a chipped tooth, for example), you will probably see a hygienist first who will clean your teeth and check for any complications that they might need to make your dentist aware of. The dentist will then do a thorough examination of any potential issues and treat them accordingly. A dentist is the only one who is qualified to do procedures such as fillings, crowns, root canals, and other intrusive specialized treatment, whereas the role of a hygienist is more about general oral health and tooth care.

Prescribing Medicine

A dental hygienist does not have the authority to write and issue prescriptions, whereas a dentist does. While they can check for oral diseases such as pericoronitis and gingivitis, they cannot give you a definitive diagnosis

Salary

Dentists are considered to be actual doctors and, due to the fact that they have to undergo rigorous training, their pay is higher than that of a dental hygienist. This, in turn, means that patients will pay more for their time. If you just need a general cleaning and some dental health advice, then you can save on costs by scheduling an appointment with a dental hygienist instead of a dentist.

Why You Should Visit Both Professionals

Many people are unaware of the fact that their oral health is pretty much directly related to their overall health. Problems with your teeth and mouth can have nasty side effects such as:

• Headaches
• Jaw ache
• Earache
• Nausea
• Fever
• Sinus infections

In more severe cases, poor oral health can result in infections that lead to serious illnesses like cancer and cardiovascular disease. Your dentist and your dental hygienist should both be a priority on your to-do list.

The Importance of Regular Checkups

Preventative health care is key to our vitality as we grow older. Frequent visits to a dental professional are crucial to controlling and managing infections, as well as pre-empting issues like tooth decay and impacted wisdom teeth. While it may seem like a waste of money at the time, especially if you don’t think anything is wrong, it will save you a lot of money in the long run. Ideally, you should make an appointment with a dental hygienist twice a year and a dentist once a year to check for oral cancer and to remove plaque.

Final Thoughts

Our teeth are some of the most prominent features on our face and if you don’t strive to take care of them, you will be causing yourself a major setback in life. While many people believe that you should never judge a book by its cover, unfortunately not everyone follows this age-old saying. If you are interviewing for a job that requires you to work with clients on a face-to-face basis, an employer is going to be judging how presentable you are—all the more reason to ensure that you have a clean set of teeth, fresh breath, and a dazzling smile!

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The Advantages of Becoming a Dental Assistant

Pursuing a career path as a dental assistant in oral hygiene is the perfect opportunity for you to get a taste of what it is like working in the dental field so you can gauge if it is the right environment for you. If you suspect that one day you would like to become a dental hygienist, then starting out as a dental assistant will make it easier for you to further your studies while working in the industry at the same time. Many reputable colleges understand that further education can be expensive so you will often be able to find courses that allow you to continue working as a dental assistant alongside your studies. Plus, even if you decide you don’t want to be a dental assistant for the rest of your working life, you will have gained invaluable knowledge and a necessary skill set that you can apply to every other job title in the dental field.

As a dental assistant, you will never find your job repetitive and boring as you will be required to handle a huge variety of tasks. Here are just a few of the duties you will be expected to keep on top of as a dental assistant.After all, a busy office relies on their dental assistants to keep things running smoothly and efficiently.

• Directly interacting with patients and answering any questions they have prior to their appointment with the dentist
• Sterilizing instruments prior to dental procedures
• Assisting the dentist during appointments and procedures
• Post-procedure aftercare
• Processing lab tests and X-rays
• Office admin like scheduling appointments and keeping patient records

There are also many other hands-on tasks that will keep you busy during your working day.

Becoming a Dental Hygienist

The role of a dental hygienist is more patient focused. A dental assistant will be required to help out with a range of office jobs, including patient care, but a dental hygienist is much more hands on. Dental hygienists always work with patients on a one-on-one basis and they are rarely responsible for anything to do with admin, aside from updating patient records. A few of the key job roles include:

• Cleaning patients’ teeth (removing stains, plaque, and tartar)
• Detail oriented mouth work
• Taking X-rays
• Debriefing the dentist on a patient’s oral health
• Documenting records
• Instructing patients on dental hygiene and oral care

Dental Assistant vs. Dental Hygienist

The two jobs can be similar in certain ways, but they have very distinct traits that set them apart. A dental assistant tends to be much more behind the scenes, whereas a hygienist will be doing hands-on work almost exclusively. When it comes to deciding which role would suit you best you need to weigh up certain options such as the length of training, the total cost of qualifying for a job and also the nature of the work. Many people aren’t massive fans of interacting with people all day long, or getting up close and personal with a stranger’s mouth. And that’s fine; it just means you might be better suited to more of an admin role.

Salary Comparison and Predicted Job Growth

• Official figures from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) state that the average salary of a dental assistant came in at $37,630 last year.
• Statistics also show that the average income of a dental hygienist is $74,070 per annum.
• Job growth for dental assistants is set to grow a lot faster than other roles. Between 2016 and 2026 it’s predicted to increase by 19%.
• Job growth for a dental hygienist will also grow to around 20% between now and 2026.

Why Become a Dental Assistant?

Becoming a dental assistant will offer you so many benefits, including an exciting daily work routine and also the ability to learn more about dentistry first hand. A dental assistant training course is going to be your best and fastest option for a well-paid opportunity that will allow you to get your foot in the door in the dental industry. It is also worth noting that while potential employers will obviously require certain qualifications, actual work experience is invaluable. After all, you can study everything to do with dentistry on paper, but putting it into practice is going to give you unrivaled experience that not everyone is lucky enough to have on a resumé.

Final Thoughts

A dental assistant is a highly sought-after position, as it offers job security as well as a good salary that is set to increase quite dramatically over the coming years. For those of you who are still worried that you will miss out on all of the hands-on excitement if you choose this career path over another in the dental field, then rest assured there is no reason to be concerned. Several states are authorizing dental assistants to handle functions like taking dental impressions, applying sealants and handle particular restorations.

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There are several dental glue or cement products that are available for home use. It is important to point out up front that nothing that can be bought by an individual through the pharmacy or a website will be of as high a grade as what the dentist will use on you. These adhesives are meant for temporary fixes only and do not substitute for a visit to your dentist as soon as they can see you. This article goes into more depth as to the difference between the temporary dental glue that is available over the counter and the professional grade cement that only your dentist can use.

Lost or Broken Filling

Cavities are fairly straightforward to repair with dental crown glue. You will need to follow the exact instructions that come with the product but the process consists of a few basic steps. The area should be rinsed out with warm water and all loose debris removed. The glue material can then be pressed into the cavity, smoothed over, and left to set and cure per the product’s directions. Some dental glues adhere better in cavities than others, so make sure to read reviews to get an idea of how it will work for you.

Broken Tooth

There are many types of broken teeth. You may be dealing with anything from a cracked tooth to a chip to having had half of your tooth completely break off and damaged the entire tooth structure. Likewise, you could be dealing with a permanent crown, a temporary crown, or a totally natural tooth. In most cases, where a broken tooth is the problem, further work will likely need to be done by your dentist to ensure it has been treated properly for long-term use.  Therefore, while dental crown glue can be used to temporarily fix a tooth in this situation it would be best to use a product that is not maximum strength. Using something that the dentist will have difficulty grinding away can cause complications in future repair work.

The exact method in which the dental crown glue can be used to temporarily fix a broken tooth really depends on the situation. In most cases, you will just be looking to cover any exposed area. Spread the glue as best as you can and if there is still pain after it has set then a second layer may be necessary. Follow up with your dentist as soon as possible.

Crowns

If you are looking specifically to reaffix a crown with dental crown glue then it is possible. First, you need to make sure that the crown itself is fully intact and that the remainder of the tooth did not break. This should be the case if the problem is simply that the original cement failed. If the crown or tooth is broken, do not attempt to replace it yourself. Instead, use the dental crown glue to cover any exposed tooth if there is pain and follow up with your dentist. Crowns that use a post may be more difficult to place and better suited for a dentist to fix.

If it is clear that the cement from the crown is the only portion that has failed then you may be able to reseat and seal the crown. Start by removing any leftover cement from both the inside of the crown and the outside of the tooth. A paperclip might be useful when cleaning out the crown. A toothpick, floss, or toothbrush can also be helpful with cleaning cement off the crown and the tooth. After both the crown and tooth are clean, try placing the crown back on the tooth. When it is in, bite down gently to check the fit. You might need to try a few different angles to figure out exactly the best way to put it in. Practice this a few times until you are comfortable with placing it.

““The short answer is ‘yes you can – but I don’t recommend it’. It is difficult to have the proper light and dexterity to work on your own mouth at home. It takes a very steady hand and precise application to make many of these over-the-counter remedies work properly, even temporarily.

I have seen patients show up in the office with home repair material or worse, Super Glue, gobbed all over the tooth and surrounding areas wanting me to examine and fix the problem. What most patients fail to consider is that all of that material must be removed completely in order for me to diagnose and treat the problem. Removing the material could be painful. Save yourself the trouble. Get in to see an emergency dentist before resorting to home remedies.””

Dr. David Hudnall

Following the instructions that come with the dental glue for preparation, apply a small amount to the interior of the crown. Place the crown on your tooth and bite down gently to make sure it is in the proper position. If your bite does not feel correct then remove the crown, clean off the glue from your tooth and crown, and try again. Once you are sure that the crown is in the right place wipe away any excess glue that may have seeped out and rinse very well with water. Let the glue set for as long as directed before attempting to eat.

There are a few other types of repairs that are less common, such as bridges and implants. It is not recommended that these be repaired yourself since they tend to be more complex. Before attempting any of these fixes you should always check with a dentist in order to make an informed decision as to the best course of action. In some cases, using dental glue or cement on your broken tooth may cause more harm than good. If used improperly it can damage dental appliances or even lead to tooth damage that requires more invasive work, like a root canal. In all cases, be sure to follow the instructions that come with your dental glue since the majority of negative experiences tend to come from those who skip steps or do not properly prepare the area. Follow up with your dentist as soon as possible as well so they can verify your work and make a more permanent repair if necessary.

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To determine how to treat dental crown pain at home, first, you should understand the potential causes. It may not be possible for an individual to determine exactly why they are having pain but knowing the possible reasons can help with determining what pain relief methods to try. This article goes into depth as to all of the common reasons that a crown may be causing pain, but the highlights are:

1. Inflammation and irritation at the site immediately after the procedure
2. No root canal was done and the root has become irritated or started to decay and die
3. The fit is incorrect so chewing presses down further on your tooth than it used to. This can be further aggravated if you grind your teeth at night.

Immediately after getting a crown installed, it is common for the tooth to experience sensitivity due to the procedure and the new addition of the cement on the tooth. This sensitivity may just be pain but it can also be in the form of occasional sensitivity to temperature, especially cold. To try to combat this a toothpaste made specifically for sensitive teeth should be used. If particular temperature sensitivity is noticed, then try avoiding food and beverages of that temperature extreme for a few days while the tooth gets acclimated to the crown.

General pain in the area may respond to an over the counter pain reliever, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen. Do not take more than the recommended amount if the normal dosage does not seem to be working. This is also not a long-term fix so discontinue use after a few days to determine whether or not the pain is chronic.

“Ibuprofen and acetaminophen are the gold standard for treating pain and inflammation of all types. Ibuprofen, in particular, is very helpful in combating mild to moderate toothaches. Just remember to follow the dosing instructions explicitly and do not take more than directed.”

If you would rather not use any chemical pain relievers there are a few other home remedies to try with items that can be found around most houses. A hot or warm salt water rinse is a popular method for relieving tooth pain. Simply mix a tablespoon of salt with a glass of hot or warm water until it dissolves, then rinse, swish, and spit with this mixture until it is gone. This can be done as often as desired. Some other possible rinses include 3% hydrogen peroxide, alcohol, and peppermint tea. These all kill bacteria and the alcohol can be numbing to reduce irritants around the crown. Apple cider vinegar and tea tree oil are anti-inflammatory and can be applied to the crown area with a soaked cotton swab or cotton ball. There are even a few foods, like cucumber, that may have anti-inflammatory properties which might help when chewed and applied to the area. Many such home remedies can be found listed and explained here.

Many people grind their teeth at night and do not realize it. Often, the only way they figure out they are doing this is when they begin having pain in one or more teeth, or the jaw in general, along with a few other symptoms. A night guard is the easiest way to relieve the stress of grinding by introducing a thick cushioned layer between the top and bottom teeth that absorbs the force. If a crown has been installed with an incorrect bite alignment in someone who grinds their teeth but does not wear a night guard, this can quickly become a problem. Though grinding can affect multiple teeth at once it will be very noticeable when one of them changes their structure and now sticks out. If it is more than a few days after the crown installation and pain or sensitivity begins or increases, it may be because you are grinding your teeth at night. Try an over the counter night guard and see if the pain is reduced after a few days.

Sometimes, a crowned tooth has caused no problems for years and then suddenly starts being painful. When this happens then usually it is because either decay or damage has occurred. This tends to be due to a lack of proper treatment, like poor oral hygiene or putting undue stress on the crowned tooth. Though they are not made of organic material, crowns still can be cracked and get plaque build-up or allow bacteria in.  If this gets to the tooth underneath the crown then it can cause even more problems that lead to more dental work. This can not necessarily be treated at home but it can be simply prevented at home by being sure to brush and floss on a regular basis and not chewing anything hard with the crowned tooth.

If you have tried these things and had no relief after a few weeks then it is time to see your dentist. They can refit the crown and check for other problems, such as root damage or loose fillings in the area. Sometimes you might actually have a problem with an adjacent tooth but the pain is manifesting in the one that has received the crown. These are things that only a professional can diagnose and treat for the long term. If you have been having pain with your dental crown, do not fear. Try some of these methods and if worse comes to worse take a trip to visit your dentist. You do not need to suffer from pain from your dental crown.

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While general teeth crookedness is very common, there are also several ways in which one’s overall bite may not be ideal, known as a ‘bad bite’ and orthodontic treatment is called for. When the bottom jaw and upper jaw are misaligned in some fashion this is called a malocclusion. The most frequently occurring malocclusion is a deep overbite of the upper front teeth, and there is an opposite type of misalignment that is much rarer called the underbite. The names of these two conditions are fairly descriptive of what exactly they are. In an overbite, the top teeth overlap the bottom teeth vertically. It is also usual for there to be some amount of space horizontally between the front teeth and the teeth on the bottom which are behind them. Conversely, if one has an underbite this means that their front teeth are in front of and overlap the top teeth. Visualize the stereotypical bite of a bulldog to get a better idea of what this looks like. It is less common for underbites to also include a significant amount of space between the two rows of teeth.

Both overbites and underbites are mostly natural occurrences based on several factors. Though they appear different they actually are caused by many of the same things. Genetics is one of the biggest causes when a child develops a malocclusion. If the parents and grandparents had one or the other it is most likely that the children will also have it. There was actually a famous European Royal dynasty called the Habsburgs who had many occurrences of underbite in their family. This happened so much with them that it coined the term the Habsburg jaw.

Another reason one might develop either an over- or underbite is if they used a pacifier or frequently sucked their thumb when they were a small child and their adult teeth were growing in. Underbites may also be caused by tongue thrusting and be an open mouth breather. Both of these situations push the tongue against the bottom set of teeth instead of allowing it to rest neutrally in the middle of the mouth. Over time, this can cause the bottom front teeth to push outward past the top row. There is a subset of overbite called an overjet where the teeth not only come out over the top of the bottom teeth, but they actually protrude abnormally far forward at an angle. An overjet may also be caused by abnormal oral habits such as tongue thrusting.

Overbites and underbites tend to be corrected in similar manners. If the bite is caused for purely dental reasons, meaning that the teeth are simply misaligned, then braces or a retaining appliance can be used to move the teeth back into proper alignment. Sometimes, the misaligned bite is caused by the jaw structure and the only way to properly fix it is to do surgery to realign the jaw itself. This is a more uncommon situation and treatment.

In some cases, the misaligned bite is caused by either the top or bottom jaw growing to be too large or too small. If the misaligned bite is caused by either jaw being too narrow then a multistep process may be used by a dentist to fix it. First, the width of the jaw is expanded using some form of adjustable appliance or retainer. After the jaw has been expanded wide enough to accommodate a proper arc, braces will be used to bring in the front teeth and reform the set of all the teeth. A retainer is usually used for years after the fact to ensure things do not shift around. In cases where the jaw needs to be expanded to fix the overbite or underbite, this procedure can only really be done during the childhood years while the mouth is still growing and able to be adjusted. It is, therefore, important that all children have had an initial dental examination around the age of seven, and certainly no later than ten, so that an assessment can be made as to whether or not there are any orthodontia problems.

Though there are certainly cosmetic reasons to correct a malocclusion, both the overbite and underbite can cause physical problems as one gets older. Because the teeth are misaligned they are not hitting each other in the correct spots when the jaw is shut and can cause fracturing, general pain, or other damage. This can especially be exacerbated if the person grinds their teeth at night and does not wear a night guard. Misaligned jaws can also be the cause of general jaw pain, speech impediments, trouble eating, and various other complications. Those with an overbite that has more than a few millimeters of space between the two rows of teeth are more likely to suffer from sleep apnea since the lower jaw is further back, resulting in a smaller airway that can collapse easily during sleep.

There are external cosmetic consequences to having a malocclusion as well. An underbite will thrust the chin out further than it should be and conversely an overbite generally results in the chin being drawn back further towards the neck than is normal. Depending on the case your chin may either appear much larger or much smaller than it really is. In children, there are appliances that gently coax the jaw of an underbite forward over the span of many months, but usually, the only way to correct this as an adult is with a surgery that realigns the jaw. Since the surgery option has cosmetic implications but can be costly and more invasive then simply correcting the bite on a dental level, it may not be necessary if you are not experiencing any other complications from your misaligned bite.

Most people have some form of overbite but only your dentist will be able to tell you if it is a serious misalignment. If you ever have any trouble with eating, speech, or pain then see them right away for a consultation. Even later in life, these situations can be corrected.

“The window of time for ideal treatment closes fast as a child grows, so this early evaluation is vital for the best outcome. It’s always best to have a child examined earlier rather than later.”
Dr. Greg Grillo

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