How are teeth cleaned at the dentist

The Teeth-ing Troubles

THE DENTIST'S VIEWPOINT: Why Are Fluoride Treatments Important In Children?

THE DENTIST'S VIEWPOINT: Why Are Fluoride Treatments Important In Children?

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Cellulitis and Dental Infection

Cellulitis due to Tooth Infection??

Cellulitis is a common skin infection caused by bacteria.

Causes

Staphylococcus and streptococcus bacteria are the most common causes of cellulitis.

Normal skin has many types of bacteria living on it. When there is a break in the skin, these bacteria can cause a skin infection. Skin in the infected area will become red, hot, irritated, and painful.

Risk factors for cellulitis include:

1.Dental infection

2.Periodontal abscess

3.Cracks or peeling skin between the toes
4.History of peripheral vascular disease
5.Injury or trauma with a break in the skin (skin wounds)
6.Insect bites and stings, animal bites, or human bites
7.Ulcers from certain diseases, including diabetes and vascular disease
8.Use of corticosteroid medications or medications that suppress the immune system
9.Wound from a recent surgery

                                               How does Dental abscess lead to Cellulitis?? 

The infection from the root and the surrounding support system of the tooth finds its way through the least path of resistance to the tissue spaces.

Symptoms of cellulitis include:

Fever
Pain or tenderness in the affected area
Skin redness or inflammation that gets bigger as the infection spreads
Skin sore or rash that starts suddenly, and grows quickly in the first 24 hours
Tight, glossy, "stretched" appearance of the skin
Warm skin in the the area of redness

Signs of infection:

Chills or shaking
Fatigue
General ill feeling
Muscle aches and pains
Warm skin
Sweating

Treatment

Most of the time, treatment involves antibiotics taken by mouth and close follow-up by your doctor. You may be given painkillers.

You should raise the infected area higher than your heart to reduce swelling. Rest until your symptoms improve.

You may need to stay in a hospital if:

You are very sick (for example, you have a very high temperature, blood pressure problems, or nausea and vomiting that does not go away)
You have been on antibiotics and the infection is getting worse
Your immune system is not working well (due to cancer, HIV)
You have an infection around your eyes
You require antibiotics through a vein (IV)

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Dr.Sreenita

Dental Emergencies

 Dental Emergencies

                                  

Accidents happen, and knowing what to do when one occurs can mean the difference between saving and losing a tooth. Here are some common dental emergencies and how to deal with them. For all dental emergencies, it’s important to visit your dentist as soon as possible. Most dentists reserve time in their daily schedules for emergency patients so be sure to call your dentist and provide as much detail as you can about your condition. If the accident occurs when your dental office is not open, visit your local emergency room.



Question: What do I do if I knock out my tooth?
Answer: For a knocked-out permanent or adult tooth, keep it moist at all times. If you can, try placing the tooth back in the socket without touching the root. If that’s not possible, place it in between your cheek and gums, in milk. Then, get to your dentist’s office right away.

Q: What if I crack my tooth?
A: For a cracked tooth, immediately rinse the mouth with warm water to clean the area. Put cold compresses on the face to keep any swelling down. See your dentist as soon as possible.

Q: If I bite my tongue or lip, how do I treat it?
A: If you bite your tongue or lip, clean the area gently with water and apply a cold compress. See your dentist or go to the emergency room as soon as possible.

Q: How do I treat a toothache?
A: For toothaches, rinse your mouth with warm water to clean it out. Gently use dental floss to remove any food caught between your teeth. Do not put aspirin on your aching tooth or gums; it may burn the gum tissue. If the pain persists, contact your dentist.

Q: What if I think my jaw is broken?
A: If you think your jaw is broken apply cold compresses to control the swelling. Go to your dentist or a hospital emergency department immediately.

Q: How do I remove an object that’s stuck in my mouth or teeth?
A: For objects stuck in the mouth, try to gently remove with floss but do not try to remove it with a sharp or pointed instrument. See your dentist or go to the emergency room as soon as possible.

Q: How can I avoid a dental emergency?
A: There are a number of simple precautions you can take to avoid accident and injury to the teeth:
Wear a mouthguard when participating in sports or recreational activities.
Avoid chewing ice, popcorn kernels and hard candy, all of which can crack a tooth.
Use scissors, NEVER your teeth, to cut things.

Reference material: American Dental Association

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Unerupted /Impacted teeth

Impacted Tooth

An impacted tooth is a tooth that fails to fully pass through the gums.


Alternative Names
Tooth - unemerged; Unemerged tooth; Dental impaction; Unerupted tooth

Causes

Teeth start to pass through the gums (emerge) during infancy, and again when the primary (baby) teeth are replaced by the permanent teeth.

If a tooth fails to emerge, or emerges only partially, it is considered to be impacted. The most common teeth to become impacted are the wisdom teeth (the third set of molars). They are the last teeth to emerge, usually between the ages of 17 and 21.

An impacted tooth remains stuck in gum tissue or bone for various reasons. It may be that the area is just overcrowded and there's no room for the teeth to emerge. For example, the jaw may be too small to fit the wisdom teeth. Teeth may also become twisted, tilted, or displaced as they try to emerge, resulting in impacted teeth.

Impacted wisdom teeth are very common. They are often painless and cause no apparent trouble. However, some professionals believe an impacted tooth pushes on the next tooth, which pushes the next tooth, eventually causing a misalignment of the bite. A partially emerged tooth can trap food, plaque, and other debris in the soft tissue around it, leading to inflammation and tenderness of the gums and unpleasant mouth odor. This is called pericoronitis.


Symptoms
1.Bad breath
2.Difficulty opening the mouth (occasionally)
3.Pain or tenderness of the gums (gingiva) or jaw bone
4.Prolonged headache or jaw ache
5.Redness and swelling of the gums around the impacted tooth

6.Swollen lymph nodes of the neck (occasionally)
7.Unpleasant taste when biting down on or near the area
8.Visible gap where a tooth did not emerge




Exams and Tests
Your dentist will look for swollen tissue over the area where a tooth has not emerged, or has only partially emerged. The impacted tooth may be pressing on nearby teeth. The gums around the area may show signs of infection such as redness, drainage, and tenderness. As gums swell over impacted wisdom teeth and then drain and tighten, it may feel like the tooth came in and then went back down again.

Dental X rays confirm the presence of one or more teeth that have not emerged.


Treatment

No treatment may be needed if the impacted tooth is not causing any problems.

Over-the-counter pain relievers may help if the impacted tooth causes discomfort. Warm salt water (one-half teaspoon of salt in one cup of water) or over-the-counter mouthwashes may be soothing to the gums.

Removal of the tooth (extraction) is the usual treatment for an impacted tooth. This is usually done in the dentist's office, but difficult cases may require an oral surgeon. Antibiotics may be prescribed before the extraction if the tooth is infected.


Outlook (Prognosis)

Impacted teeth may cause no problems for some people and may never require treatment. Treatment is usually successful when it does cause symptoms.

It is often preferable to have wisdom teeth removed before age 30 due to the flexibility of bone, which will allow an easier removal and better healing. As a person ages, the bone becomes more rigid and complications can develop.



Possible Complication

Complications of an impacted tooth include:
Abscess of the tooth or gums
Chronic discomfort in the mouth
Infection
Malocclusion of the teeth
Plaque trapped between teeth and gums

When to Contact a Medical Professional

Call your dentist if there is an unemerged tooth (or partially emerged tooth) and pain in the gums or other symptoms have developed.

MORE INFORMATION ON THIS TOPIC

Review Date: 4/5/2012
Reviewed By: Paul Fotek, DMD, Florida Institute for Periodontics & Dental lmplants, West Palm Beach, FL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M. Health Solutions, Ebix, Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is an independent audit to verify that A.D.A.M. follows rigorous standards of quality and accountability. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial policy, editorial process and privacy policy. A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics and subscribes to the principles of the Health on the Net Foundation (www.hon.ch).

Pus In The Mouth : Dental Abscess

Tooth Abscess:
A tooth abscess is a collection of infected material (pus) due to a bacterial infection in the center of a tooth.

Overview 

Alternate Names
Causes
Symptoms
Exams and Tests
Treatment
Outlook(Prognosis)
Possible Complications
When to Contact a Medical Professional
Prevention 

What Is a Tooth Abscess?

A tooth abscess is a collection of infected material (pus) due to a bacterial infection in the centre of a tooth.

REFERENCE FROM A.D.A.M.

Alternative Names

1.Periapical abscess;
2. Dental abscess; Tooth infection; Abscess - tooth

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M1ie1cpKlLw

Top
Causes

A tooth abscess is a complication of tooth decay. It may also result from trauma to the tooth, such as when a tooth is broken or chipped. Openings in the tooth enamel allow bacteria to infect the centre of the tooth (the pulp). Infection may spread out from the root of the tooth and to the bones supporting the tooth.
Infection results in a collection of pus (dead tissue, live and dead bacteria, white blood cells) and swelling of the tissues within the tooth. This causes a painful toothache. If the pulp of the tooth dies, the toothache may stop, unless an abscess develops. This is especially true if the infection remains active and continues to spread and destroy tissue.

Symptoms

The main symptom is a severe toothache. The pain is continuous and may be described as gnawing, sharp, shooting, or throbbing.

Other symptoms may include:

Bitter taste in the mouth
Breath odour
General discomfort, uneasiness, or ill feeling
Fever
Pain when chewing
Sensitivity of the teeth to hot or cold
Swelling of the gum over the infected tooth, that may look like a pimple
Swollen Glands of the neck
Swollen area of the upper or lower jaw -- a very serious symptom

Exams and Tests

The dentist will closely look at your teeth, mouth, and gums. You may have pain when the dentist taps the tooth. Biting or closing the mouth tightly also increases the pain. The gums may be swollen and red and may drain thick material.

Dental x-rays and other tests can help your dentist determine which tooth or teeth is causing the problem.

Treatment

1.The goals of treatment are to cure the infection, save the tooth, and prevent complications.

2.Antibiotics may be given to fight the infection. Warm salt-water rinses may be soothing. Over-the-counter pain relievers may relieve the toothache and fever.

3.Do NOT place aspirin directly over the tooth or gums, because this increases irritation of the tissues and can result in Mouth ulcers.

4.A root canal may be recommended in an attempt to save the tooth.

5.If there is a severe infection, the tooth may be removed or surgery may be needed to drain the abscess. Some people may need to be admitted to the hospital.

Outlook (Prognosis)

1.Untreated abscesses may get worse and can lead to life-threatening complications.
2.Prompt treatment usually cures the infection. The tooth can usually be saved in many cases.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M1ie1cpKlLw
Possible Complications

Loss of the tooth
Blood infection (sepsis)
Spread of infection to soft tissue (facial cellulitis, Ludwig's angina)
Spread of infection to the jaw bone (osteomyelitis of the jaw)
Spread of infection to other areas of the body resulting in brain abscess, endocarditis,pneumonia, or other complications

When to Contact a Medical Professional

Call your dentist if you have a persistent, throbbing toothache.

Prevention

Prompt treatment of dental caries reduces the risk of tooth abscess. Traumatised teeth should be examined promptly by the dentist.

Root Canal Treatment:

Overview:-
Alternative names
Description
Risks
References

What is Root Canal Treatment:

A root canal is a dental procedure to remove dead or dying nerve tissue and bacteria from inside a tooth.

REFERENCE FROM A.D.A.M.

Alternative Names:
Endodontic Therapy

Description:
A dentist will use a needle to place numbing medicine(anesthetic) around the bad tooth.You may feel a slight prick when the needle is being inserted.
Next, your dentist uses a tiny drill to remove the top part of your tooth and expose the pulp. Pulp is made up of nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissue. It is found inside the tooth and runs to the jaw bone. Pulp supplies blood to a tooth and allows you to feel sensations such as temperature.


The infected pulp is removed with special tools called files. The canals (tiny pathways inside the tooth) are cleaned. Medicines may be placed into the area to make sure all the germs are gone and prevent further infection.
The cleaned tooth area is sealed with a soft, temporary material. Once the tooth is filled, a permanent crown may be placed on top.
You may be given antibiotics to treat and prevent infection.

Risks
Abscess
Loss of tooth
Nerve Damage
Tooth Fracture

References

Pogrel MA. Damage to the inferior alveolar nerve as the result of root canal therapy. J Am Dent Assoc. 2007;138(1):65-69.