What You Need to Know About Sedation Dentistry

For many people, going to the dentist can be a stressful and anxiety-inducing experience. But thanks to sedation dentistry, patients can now receive the dental care they need without feeling anxious or uncomfortable.

Sedation dentistry involves the use of medication to help patients relax and feel at ease during dental procedures. There are several different types of sedation that can be used, including:

• Nitrous oxide: Also known as "laughing gas," nitrous oxide is a mild form of sedation that is inhaled through a mask. It produces a feeling of relaxation and can help patients feel more comfortable during dental procedures.
• Oral sedation: This involves taking a pill before the procedure that will make you feel drowsy and relaxed. You will still be awake, but you may not remember much about the procedure afterwards.
• IV sedation: This involves administering medication through an IV line to achieve a deeper level of sedation. You will still be conscious, but you may not remember much about the procedure and will feel very relaxed.

Sedation dentistry is especially helpful for patients who have a fear of the dentist, have a low pain tolerance, or require lengthy or complex procedures. It can also help patients with special needs or those who have a strong gag reflex.

It's important to note that sedation dentistry is safe and effective when administered by a trained and experienced dentist. Before your procedure, your dentist will review your medical history and determine which type of sedation is right for you.

In conclusion, sedation dentistry can be a game-changer for patients who struggle with dental anxiety or discomfort. If you're nervous about an upcoming dental procedure, talk to your dentist about whether sedation dentistry may be right for you.

What is an Oral Surgeon?

When it comes to dental care, you may have heard the term "oral surgeon" thrown around, but what exactly is an oral surgeon and what do they do?

An oral surgeon is a dental specialist who has completed advanced training in the diagnosis, treatment, and surgery of oral and maxillofacial conditions. This can include everything from wisdom teeth extraction to complex reconstructive surgery of the face and jaws.

One of the most common procedures performed by oral surgeons is the extraction of wisdom teeth. Wisdom teeth, also known as third molars, can cause a variety of problems when they don't fully emerge or grow in at odd angles. An oral surgeon is trained to safely and effectively remove these teeth, minimizing the risk of complications and ensuring a smooth recovery.

But oral surgeons do much more than just extract teeth. They also treat a variety of other conditions, such as jaw tumors, facial trauma, and cleft palate. In fact, oral surgeons often work closely with other medical professionals, such as orthodontists and plastic surgeons, to provide comprehensive care for patients with complex oral and facial issues.

So, how do you know if you need to see an oral surgeon? If you have a dental issue that requires surgery, your dentist will likely refer you to an oral surgeon for evaluation and treatment. Common signs that you may need to see an oral surgeon include persistent jaw pain, difficulty opening or closing your mouth, or a clicking or popping sound when you move your jaw.

In conclusion, oral surgeons are highly trained specialists who play a critical role in the diagnosis, treatment, and surgery of oral and maxillofacial conditions. Whether you need a wisdom tooth extracted or a complex reconstructive surgery, an oral surgeon can provide the expertise and care you need to achieve optimal oral health. 

The causes of bad breath

Bad breath – also known as halitosis – is an unpleasant condition that can cause a great deal of embarrassment.

And, for many people, it’s made even worse by the fact they don’t even know that they have it.

There are many possible causes for bad breath so, if you think you might have the problem, talk to your dentist.

What you eat affects what you breathe out. Certain foods, such as garlic and onions, contribute to objectionable breath odor and even dieters may develop unpleasant breath from infrequent eating.

If you don’t brush and floss daily, particles of food remain in the mouth, collecting bacteria, which can cause bad breath.

Bad breath can also be caused by dry mouth (xerostomia) which occurs when the flow of saliva decreases.

One of the reasons why it’s especially important to talk to your dentist about bad breath is that it may be a sign of an underlying medical problem such as respiratory tract infection or gastrointestinal problems.

Persistent bad breath or a bad taste in the mouth can also be a warning signs of gum disease.

Smoking can also cause bad breath, stain teeth and reduce your ability to taste foods.

For all these reasons, you shouldn’t put up with the problem of bad breath. Talk to your dentist and find out what might be causing the problem.

How to make your smile brighter

Your smile makes a huge difference to what people think about you and how you feel about yourself.

And there are many options available to help you improve the look and brightness of your smile, including:

In-office bleaching: During chair-side bleaching, the dentist will apply either a protective gel to your gums or a rubber shield to protect the oral soft tissues. A bleaching agent is then applied to the teeth, and a special light may be used to enhance the action of the agent.

At-home bleaching: There are several types of products available for use at home, which can either be dispensed by your dentist or purchased over-the-counter. These include peroxide bleaching solutions, which actually bleach the tooth enamel. Peroxide-containing whiteners typically come in a gel and are placed in a mouth guard.

Whitening toothpastes: All toothpastes help remove surface stain through the action of mild abrasives. “Whitening” toothpastes include special chemical or polishing agents that are more effective at removing stains. However, unlike bleaches, they don’t alter the intrinsic color of teeth.

Start by speaking to your dentist. He or she will tell you if whitening procedures would be effective for you as whiteners may not correct all types of discoloration.

Making living with dentures easy and comfortable

Your dentures were made to fit you precisely and, if they are cared for properly, they do not change shape.

But you may sometimes find that they can become loose due to natural changes in the gums and bone supporting them. As the jawbone begins to shrink, so do the gums.

If you find your dentures no longer fit properly, see your dentist as soon as possible so adjustments can be made.

Trying to change the fit of your dentures yourself can damage them and make them unrepairable so this would be a costly experiment!

Ill-fitting dentures repaired at home can also irritate the gums, tongue and cheeks.

In an emergency, you could use denture adhesives to keep the dentures stable until you are able to see the dentist.

Even if you no longer have your natural teeth, it’s still important to see your dentist regularly for an oral examination.

The dentist will examine your mouth to check for any problem with the gum ridges, the tongue and the joints of the jaw, as well as screen for oral cancer.

For a variety of reasons, many older adults are more susceptible to oral diseases, including oral cancer. About 95 percent of all cancers are found in people over age 40. However, many of these cancers are treatable if detected early.

Oral tissues are also checked for signs of other diseases that can first manifest themselves in the mouth.

Living with dentures can be comfortable if you continue to care for your oral hygiene and make regular visits to your dentist for a checkup.

How sealants can give your teeth extra protection

Sealants are made from plastic material applied to the back teeth to protect the enamel from plaque and acids.

The plastic bonds into the depressions and grooves (pits and fissures) of the chewing surfaces of the back teeth – premolars and molars.

Although thorough brushing and flossing can help remove food particles and plaque from smooth surfaces of teeth, the toothbrush bristles cannot reach all the way into the depressions and grooves to extract food and plaque.

The benefit of sealants is that they protect these vulnerable areas by “sealing out” plaque and food.

Your dentist can apply sealants quite easily and it takes only a few minutes to seal each tooth.

The teeth being sealed will first be cleaned. Then the chewing surfaces are roughened with an acid solution which makes it easier for the sealant to stick to the tooth.

The sealant is then ‘painted’ onto the tooth enamel, where it bonds directly to the tooth and hardens.

Sometimes a special curing light is used to help the sealant harden.

As long as the sealant remains intact, the tooth surface will be protected from decay.
They usually last several years before a reapplication is needed. Your dentist will check the condition of the sealants during your regular visits and reapply them when necessary.

Sealants are ideal for children because the risk of developing pit and fissure decay starts early in life. However, many adults can benefit from sealants as well.

Your dentist can tell you whether sealants would help your oral hygiene program.

How dentistry has developed over the last 300 years

When you visit a modern dental surgery, its hard to imagine the challenges of dental treatment without all the latest technology.

Yet specialists have been taking care of peoples teeth for thousands of years.

Here are some of the key developments over the last 300 years.

1723: French surgeon Pierre Richard – credited as being the father of modern dentistry – publishes the first book to describe a comprehensive system for the practice of dentistry.

1760: John Baker, the earliest medically-trained dentist to practice in America, immigrates from England and sets up practice.

1790: John Greenwood adapts his mothers foot treadle spinning wheel to rotate a drill.

1790: Josiah Flag, a prominent American dentist, constructs the first chair made specifically for dental patients.

1832: James Snell invents the first reclining dental chair.

1841: Alabama enacts the first dental practice act, regulating dentistry in the United States.

1844: Horace Wells, a Connecticut dentist, discovers that nitrogenous oxide can be used as an anesthesia and successfully uses it to conduct several extractions in his private practice.

1880s: The collapsible metal tube revolutionizes toothpaste manufacturing and marketing.

1890: Hillsborough Miller notes the microbial basis of dental decay in a book which started a world-wide movement to promote regular tooth brushing and flossing.

1896: New Orleans dentist C. Edmond Sells takes the first dental x-ray of a living person in the U.S.

1938: The nylon toothbrush, the first made with synthetic bristles, appears on the market.

1945: The water fluoridation era begins when the cities of New burgh, New York, and Grand Rapids, Michigan, add sodium fluoride to their public water systems.

1950s: The first fluoride toothpastes are marketed.

1960: The first commercial electric toothbrush, developed in Switzerland after World War II, is introduced in the United States. A cordless, rechargeable model follows in 1961.