Gum Disease: Causes and How to Prevent It!

Good afternoon! Today we are sharing some quick information on something we see more than we'd like to in some patients, gum disease. Take a look at the information below, shared from www.colgate.com to learn more. If you think you may have gum disease or another related issue with your gums, please come in and see us! We have a long history of taking care of our patients like family. This means your satisfaction and dental health really is our top priority! To find out more information about us, visit: http://germantowndentalcare.com/

What exactly is gum disease? 
According to colgate.com, "Gum disease is an inflammation of the gum line that can progress to affect the bone that surrounds and supports your teeth. The three stages of gum disease — from least to most severe — are gingivitis, periodontitis and advanced periodontitis."

What are some signs and symptoms of gum disease? 
Gum disease can be painless, so it is important to be aware of any of the following symptoms:

• Gums that easily bleed when brushing or flossing
• Swollen, red or tender gums
• Gums that recede or move away from the tooth
• Persistent bad breath or bad taste in mouth
• Loose teeth
• A change in the way your teeth come together
• A change in the fit of partial dentures
• Visible pus surrounding the teeth and gums
• Sharp or dull pains when chewing foods
• Teeth that are overly sensitive to cold or hot temperatures

What can you do to help prevent gum disease?

Proper brushing and flossing go a long way toward keeping gum disease at bay. Using an antibacterial toothpaste or mouth rinse can kill bacteria and lessen the amount of plaque in your mouth. Removing dental plaque is the key to preventing gum disease and improved mouth health.

To view the original article, click here. 

What To Do About A Lost Filling Or Crown

In our many years of practicing dentistry here Germantown Dental Care we have seen all kinds of dental emergencies arise. One of those such emergencies is when a filling or crown accidentally comes out. Do you know what to do if this were to happen to your teeth? If not, take a look at the article below, shared from Colgate.com on what to do about a lost filling or crown. And remember, if you are looking for a dentist that cares and takes the time to do your teeth right the first time, contact us at: www.germantowndentalcare.com!

"Fillings are materials used to fill cavities in the teeth. Crowns cover the tops of damaged teeth. Sometimes, fillings or crowns fall out. In some cases, a filling or crown may come loose because there is decay underneath it. The decay destroys part of the tooth, so it no longer has a tight hold on the crown or filling.

What You Can Do

A lost filling or crown is rarely an emergency. However, it can be painful because the exposed tooth tissue is often sensitive to temperature, pressure or air. If you lose a crown, put it in a safe place and make an appointment to see your dentist as soon as you can.

Don't wait too long. What is left of the tooth will not be as strong as your crown. It could be damaged more without the crown to protect it. Also, when a crown is missing for a long time, your teeth may move into the space where the crown was. If this happens, your crown may no longer fit.

Before you see the dentist, here's what you can do:

Apply a little clove oil to the sensitive area with a cotton swab. This will give you pain relief. You can buy clove oil in drugstores or in the spice aisles of many supermarkets. 

If you still have the crown, you may be able to slip it back over the tooth. Before you do that, clean the inside of the crown. Then coat the inside of the crown with tooth "cement," which you can buy in the dental section of your pharmacy. Some tooth cements need to be mixed; others don't. If you can't find tooth cement, you can use denture adhesive or even petroleum jelly. These aren't permanent solutions, but they will help to hold the crown in place until you can see your dentist. You should not use any household glues. They are not safe to put in your mouth. They can damage the tooth and crown. 

If you've lost the filling or crown, you can put dental cement directly on the tooth surface. This will help to protect and seal the area until you're able to see your dentist. 

What Your Dentist Will Do

Decay may have changed the shape of your tooth. Usually, this means that your dentist will need to prepare the tooth again to ensure the new crown will fit. If the crown does not fit securely, it will come off again.

If you lose a filling, your dentist will remove the decay that developed between the old filling and the tooth, and place a new filling."

To view the original article shared, please visit: http://www.colgate.com/en/us/oc/oral-health/conditions/dental-emergencies-and-sports-safety/article/lost-filling-or-crown

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A closer look into our office!

Good afternoon,

We know how important it is for patients to not only know what type of service they will be receiving when they visit the dentist, but also what type of environment they are coming in to.

 

Here at Germantown Dental Care we pride ourselves in having a inviting, cozy office environment for our patients to be welcomed to while they wait for their service. We want to make sure that every visit to Germantown Dental Care is not only pleasant, but done right the first time around. Last week we snapped a few more photos of our office so that our patients, and anyone looking for a new dentist in Germantown can know what to expect when they come in!