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Dental bridges are excellent solutions to replace a missing tooth or teeth supported by other teeth besides the gap left vacant. Dental bridges are a perfect option functioning as replacements for missing teeth when you have 1 to 3 teeth missing either in the posterior or the anterior region of your mouth.

You may have lost your teeth because of an injury, or an infection may have resulted in teeth extraction by the Kennewick dentist. Whatever the reasons, it is imperative that you seek treatment to close the vacant Gap you display between your teeth whenever you smile. What are your options for replacing the missing teeth? Learn more about tooth replacement solutions and how soon you can have them in your mouth after tooth extraction from this article.

Immediate Tooth Replacement Solutions After Extracting Teeth

Finding various tooth replacement solutions after extracting teeth is not a challenge. However, if you want an immediate answer to close the gap between your teeth, you have merely one solution available. The solution requires you to plan ahead of time before scheduling the tooth removal.

The only solution available to you for replacing missing teeth immediately after an exception is an immediate load denture. This dental prosthetic is created directly after your tooth extraction procedure is scheduled and placed on your gums soon after the tooth is extracted. However, there are a set of downsides accompanying these prosthetics. They require frequent adjustments and re-lining, resulting in multiple visits to the dentist’s office.

You can have dental implants or dental bridges to replace the tooth you lost. However, both procedures require you to wait for some time for your gums to heal before you can have the replacement tooth. If you prefer fixed prosthetics, dental implants or bridges are better than dentures.

Time Required for Having Dental Bridges in Your Mouth after Tooth Extraction

The time needed for having dental bridges to replace missing teeth depends on how much time has elapsed since the tooth was extracted. If you underwent tooth extractions a few years ago, a dental bridge is developed within two to four weeks. However, if your tooth is still awaiting extraction, you may have to wait five to six months after tooth removal to help your gums shape to stabilize before you can have a dental bridge eventually. During the healing phase, the Kennewick dentist can provide a temporary bridge or a partial denture if you prefer to have one.

What Are Dental Bridges?

Dental bridges are fixed replacements for a missing tooth or teeth supported by healthy teeth on both sides of the gap. Different ways are used for making them, with two primary varieties, conventional and resin bonded, being the most common.

Traditional bridges require two healthy supporting teeth on both sides of the gap ground, like having a dental crown. The artificial replacement tooth is attached on both sides to the supporting teeth.

Resin-bonded bridges work similarly, but instead of supporting the replacement tooth on crowns, they are held by a metal framework and glued to the insides of the supporting teeth.

Traditional bridges last for around ten to 15 years, and resin-bonded bridges have a lifespan of seven-ten years. Depending on how healthy the supporting teeth are, the lifespan of the dental bridges differs accordingly, becoming shorter or longer. Your dentist will perform a thorough clinical assessment to determine which type of bridge works best for your situation before discussing the solution with you.

The Procedure for Having Dental Bridges

The dentist ensures the supporting teeth are healthy and structurally suitable for the dental bridge. After that, the supporting teeth are ground down to remove some enamel to accommodate the dental crown. An impression of the supporting teeth is taken and sent to the dental laboratory to fabricate.

When the final bridge is ready, the fixed prosthetic is attached and cemented in place. The procedures are all performed under local anesthesia, making them seem painless.

Bridges are made from various metals and porcelain materials strong enough to support replacement teeth. The dentist discusses the materials for your bridge in advance to ensure you have one resembling the color of your remaining teeth.

After having a tooth extracted, you must wait for four to six months if you want a fixed prosthetic in your mouth. You can request help from your dentist when recommended tooth removal on your options to replace the missing teeth in your mouth.

Cavities or small holes, also called caries develop on the hard surface of the teeth. The bacteria on the surface of your teeth feasting on sugars create acids. Streptococcus mutans are the common culprits among the bacteria causing cavities.

The bacteria create plaque, a sticky film on the teeth. The acids erode the minerals from the enamel, a coating on the exterior surface of the teeth made from calcium and phosphate. The erosion in the enamel causes tiny holes. The cavity forms after the acid penetrate the enamel and spread to the dentin.

Home Remedies For Cavities

Home remedies for cavities are based on studies from the 30s, suggesting that they are formed by the lack of vitamin D in the diet. The survey of kids who included vitamin D in their diets showed a reduction of cavities. However, better results were observed among people who added vitamin D to their diets removed grain products. This is because grains tend to stick to the teeth.

Not getting sufficient vitamin D makes teeth susceptible to cavities. Other risk factors include:

• Xerostomia or a medical condition is reducing the quantity of saliva in the mouth.
• Having foods that cling to the teeth, such as candy and sticky foods.
• Frequently snacking on sugary foods or beverages like ice cream, cereals, or soda.
• Improper dental cleaning.
• Infant feeding at bedtime.

After tooth decay causes a cavity, getting rid of it at home is impossible. The following home remedies prove to be natural ways to prevent cavities or pre-cavities by remineralizing the weakened enamel before a cavity forms.

The home remedies recommended are the following:

Chewing Sugar-Free Gum

Clinical trials have shown that chewing sugar-free gum after meals are beneficial to remineralize the enamel. Xylitol, an ingredient in the gum, can stimulate saliva production and reduce Streptococcus mutans even as research is ongoing. Another element in sugar-free gum called casein phosphopeptide amorphous calcium phosphate is believed to reduce Streptococcus mutans more effectively than xylitol.

Vitamin D

Vitamin D helps absorb calcium and phosphate from the food you have. Vitamin D can be obtained from dairy products like yogurt, milk, as well as the sun.

Brushing with Fluoride Toothpaste

Fluoride is essential to prevent cavities and remineralize the enamel. Regularly brushing your teeth with fluoride toothpaste can prevent cavities, confirms research. However, most studies involved children and adolescents. Therefore additional research is necessary on the elderly and adults.

Avoiding Sugary Foods

Having excessive sugary foods is a prime culprit for developing cavities. The WHO recommends reducing your sugar intake to below 10 percent of your total calorie intake for the day. If you must have sugar during the day, you must avoid sugary foods. Once you eliminate sugar from your diet, you allow your enamel to remineralize.

Oil Pulling

The ancient practice of oil pulling involving the swishing of oil in your mouth for around 20 minutes and spitting it out is also being claimed as practical to remove toxins from the body and preventing cavities. However, the claims aren’t backed by scientific evidence. However, clinical studies proved that oil pulling could reduce plaque, gingivitis, and other bacteria in the mouth just as effectively as chlorhexidine mouthwash.

Dental Visits

Regular dental visits should be a part of preventive dentistry because cavities develop painlessly and without any symptoms. Regular dental exams and cleanings from the dentist in Kennewick are the best way to identify a hole before it worsens. Early diagnosis helps dentists to provide effective treatments.

Dentists treat cavities in many ways by providing fluoride treatments or dental sealants to children, dental fillings, crowns, root canals, and tooth extractions.

The home remedies mentioned in this article won’t get rid of cavities by themselves. They merely prevent cavities from getting extensive and inhibit new holes from forming. Cavities are best treated by a dentist when they are detected early. It is why you must schedule regular dental appointments without exceptions. The home remedies merely help to remineralize the enamel’s softened or weakened area to prevent cavities from developing.

If you have a cavity on your tooth, the optimal method to get rid of them is to visit your dentist without relying on any other ways you may read in online publications or elsewhere. Preventing cavities is undoubtedly possible, but if you have them, the dentist is the best professional to help you get rid of them.

There is a great interest among many adults today to get plump, fuller-looking lips, as youthfulness is associated with plump natural-looking lips. Many Hollywood actresses have also proven that good looking lips play a fundamental difference in facial aesthetics at any given time.

I feel that extra-thin lips are rather unattractive as compared to plump and fuller lips. What people are unaware of is that a slight loss of collagen is among thefew reasons lips can shrink.

At Family Dental Center, we will help you with your collagen loss problem and fix the aging process. Through the LipLase treatment, which is rather non-invasive, we use laser procedures to help you get fuller lips and maintain their volume, scrapping all your worries and lip concerns.

Quick Facts About Your Lips

• All lips are unique in their own way through their specific patterns and wrinkles. This can even be used as evidence by forensics, just like with fingerprints.
• Lips are among the most sensitive body parts. They consist of about 3 – 5 cellular layers containing millions of nerve endings.
• Lips are a quick indicator that you are ill. They can turn red or blue and can become pale. Even in people with highly pigmented lips, the color change is still evident.
• Lips don’t have sweat glands, so they can sweat. This way, they don’t have a mechanism to protect the delicate membranes and keep them hydrated. This is why lips are prone to becoming dry rather quickly.
• They don’t have much melanin, so they are more susceptible to UV light.
• Lipstick or SPF rich lip balm can help protect the lips and give you a smooth smile.
• There are safe treatments for lips to make them look more plump and fuller.

What is LipLase Treatment?

Professionals define it as a non-surgical, non-invasive lip treatment that uses laser light. It works by adding more collagen volume and simulates more elasticin production, so your lips are enhanced and look fuller.

Liplase treatment can also define the shape of lips by enhancing their cupid’s bow. Unlike the dermal filler, which can give you “duck lips,” laser treatment delivers a more natural look every time.

How LipLase Works

Liplase is a dental treatment that uses laser energy and doesn’t involve any needles. The Kennewick dentist performs this procedure both on the inside and outside of the mouth. There are no bruises or side effects to be experienced, so do not worry.

Through laser rays, the deepest parts of the skin are realized and heated to stimulate more collagen production. More collagen means more lip volume, skin laxity, and an anti-aging effect. Together with elasticin, collagen is responsible for preventing saggy skin and maintaining its elasticity.

Collagen is a protein occurring naturally in the skin, and aging naturally causes the loss of this protein. Experts say that you lose 1% collagen every year after the age of 20. It reduces further in menopaused women.

By having more collagen in your system, you maintain a more youthful look, and lips are no exemption. Lips with enough collagen look smoother, fuller, tighter, and create a younger look on an aged face.

What to expect from a LipLase Treatment

A LipLase therapy session lasts for 20 -30 minutes at most. It’s non-surgical, and no anesthesia or numbing medications are used as the process is virtually painless with zero downtime recovery.

You might feel warmth on your lips after treatment due to the laser, but it goes away afterward. A little swelling is also possible, but not serious.

We recommend 3 – 4 LipLase therapy sessions for optimal results and continued collagen production.

Benefits of Liplase

If you seek a non-surgical lip treatment alternative to lip implants, you get these benefits with LipLase:

• There are no incisions or injections involved
• Results come almost immediately after the treatment
• LipLase results are natural-looking as the skin is made to produce its collagen
• There is no downtime required waiting for recovery or results
• Results of treatment improve after each LipLase session

Does Treatment Affect Lip Sensation?

No. LipLase only stimulates collagen production naturally by your skin, so no side effects are experienced that could lead to loss of lip sensation. You can resume your normal daily routine immediately after treatment because no downtime is required.

The procedure is termed a safe and efficient dental treatment. It’s also the best alternative to dermal fillers and if you want to achieve more natural results without surgery.

Dental veneers are thin sheets of porcelain material that dentists use to cover the front of your damaged teeth, enhancing your smile. Your dentist bonds the porcelain laminates in front of your teeth, changing their color, size, length, and shape and enhance the appearance.

Types of Dental Veneers

Dental veneers are of two different types, depending on the material. The dental veneers can either be of porcelain or composite resin material. All the materials mimic your natural teeth color, providing smile aesthetics. However, porcelain veneers are more stain-resistant than composite ones.

Why Do You Need Dental Veneers?

Below are some of the dental problems that your dentist can recommend porcelain veneers to fix:

• Discolored and stained teeth due to root canal treatments, excessive fluoride, and medications such as tetracycline
• Worn-down teeth
• Gapped teeth
• Teeth that are uneven and misshapen
• Chipped or broken teeth

Am I Eligible for Dental Veneers?

Before getting dental veneers at a dentist’s office near you, you should fulfill the following:

• Have healthy gums and teeth. Before the porcelain veneers treatment, the dentist will check your gums and teeth for issues. If you have gum disease or tooth decay, the dentist will first recommend the specific treatments.
• Dental veneers candidates should not clench or grind their teeth. If you clench or grit your teeth, you might not be eligible for dental veneers since the porcelain or composite material is prone to chipping.
• An intact enamel. If you are getting dental veneers, you should have an enamel since the dentist attaches the porcelain sheets to the bony visible part of the tooth. Also, before placing the dental veneers, the dentist sheds some parts of the tooth.

Before the dental veneers procedure, your dentist will check your teeth and determine if they are the best restorations for you. You can also discuss your concerns and expectations with the dentist to help in developing your custom treatment plan. During the first appointment, the dentist can show you dental before and after images to know what you can expect.

Dental Veneers Procedure

When you are getting dental veneers treatments in Kennewick, you will require three visits to the dentist. The first session involves consultations while the other two are for placing the veneer.

Preparing for Dental Veneers

After consulting with your dentist and coming up with a treatment plan for you, the dentist will go ahead and reshape your tooth. Depending on your condition, the dentist can use local anesthesia to numb the area before trimming the tooth.

Next, the dentist will make a model or impression of the tooth and send it to a dental lab to help to make your custom porcelain veneers. The porcelain veneer takes two to three weeks to arrive from the dental lab. In the mean, the dentist will place a temporary veneer and schedule for the next visit.

Bonding the Porcelain Veneers

When your veneers arrive from a dental lab, your dentist will notify you. During the final visit, the dentist will remove the temporary dental veneer and replace it with a permanent one to check its fit. The dentist can make a few adjustments before bonding the dental veneer into place.

Before placing the dental veneer, the dentist can clean, polish, and etch the surface of the enamel. Etching roughens the tooth surface, enhancing bonding using composite resin bonding material. The dentist will then use a special light to harden the bonding material and reshape the tooth to match your other natural teeth.

The dentist can ask you to return for a follow-up appointment to check your gums and the condition of the dental veneer.

Benefits of Dental Veneers

By getting dental veneers, you can enjoy the following benefits:

• Provides a natural appearance of the teeth
• Materials that make dental veneers don’t affect your gums
• Porcelain veneers are resistant to stains, thus provide whitening effects for long
• Unlike crowns, dental veneers don’t require much shaping of the enamel before placing them

Aftercare

At A Family Dental Center, we recommend care after getting dental veneers to maintain the results. Oral hygiene is significant to prevent discoloration. Therefore, you can brush and floss the teeth regularly to eliminate plaque. To avoid chipping the dental veneer, avoid biting on hard objects, clenching, and grinding your teeth.

With regular usage, the teeth are bound to lose their vitality, structure, and color. The introduction of cosmetic dentistry has changed dental treatment. Be it the chewing of food or dental trauma, your teeth’s normal size, shape, and function might deteriorate.

Going for tooth extraction, followed by dental implants, can be a costly and painful affair. Instead, you can opt for the non-invasive dental crowns that serve as a dental cap. When in place, the crowns encase your teeth’s visible part and lie above the gum line.

Based on your dental structure, the dentist might suggest a ceramic or porcelain crown. Apart from porcelain, dental caps can be made from varied materials as metal or composite resin.

Types of Dental Crown

Based on the material of make and utility, dental crowns can be classified into:

Porcelain or Ceramic Crown

Known for its stark resemblance to natural teeth, the porcelain crowns are more suitable for metal-allergic people and can be used for both front and back teeth.

Metal Crowns

Metal crowns include alloys with a high content of silver or gold. Metal crowns are tough and can withstand the biting. Mostly suitable for your grinding teeth and molars, the metal crowns are among the most durable crowns.

Composite Resin Crowns

The least expensive of the crowns, the composite resin crowns are easier to apply and provide better bonding with the teeth. Although they are more prone to fractures, you cannot ignore the aesthetic value.

Temporary and Permanent Crown

A temporary crown can be prepared in the dental clinic, while a permanent crown is to be manufactured in the laboratory. The temporary crown is made from acrylic material or steel and is replaced by the permanent crown once it is manufactured.

Benefits of Dental Crown

Dental crowns are part of cosmetic dentistry that focuses on your teeth’s aesthetic value and simultaneously supports it.

#1: Support to Chipped Tooth

A weak tooth might not be feasible to withstand the pressure of biting and talking. The only replacement is tooth extraction and going for alternative dental prosthesis. With a dental cap, the dentist can protect a chipped tooth from breaking down.

#2: Strengthening Weak Teeth

The crown can support an already broken tooth. The crown encases a tooth and provides its lost strength. Crowns also help to protect the weak tooth from further damage. Your dental structure might not be adequate to support a large dental filling. The dental crown can come to your rescue. The crown can conceal a dental implant or discolored tooth.

#3: Best Dental Prosthesis for Children

Crowns hold dental bridges in place and serve as a good dental prosthesis for pediatrics. Children’s dental structure might not support dental filling or implants. Dental crowns can perform the job perfectly.

The children might fail to maintain oral hygiene, and the risks of the cavity are high. Due to their tender age and behavioral frequency, general anesthesia might not be a good option. Dental crowns can be placed without any pain.

#4: The Aesthetic Value

How can you ignore the importance of a sparkling smile? Apart from boosting your self-esteem, a bright smile can be helpful to socialize. Even teeth whitening might fail to remove some tough dental stains. Getting a dental crown can cap the tooth and restore its lost color.

Based on your need and dental structure, crowns might be made from stain-resistant porcelain, and you can go for a smile makeover.

#5: Crowns Do Not Shift

Dental crowns are placed over the teeth permanently, and chances of shifting places are nil. Unlike other dental prostheses as bridges or dentures, the crowns are comfortable and do not move within your mouth.

Takeaway

Kennewick dentists are experienced in performing the dental crown treatment. The non-invasive treatment requires experience and adequate practice. You have the liberty to choose the material for your crown, and our dentists can guide you accordingly.

With a personalized approach and family-oriented practice, you can be assured of the best available treatment here. You can get protection and flexibility at A Family Dental Care, as we offer at-home service. Our dentists can administer crowns at your home too. All the newly-enrolled patients can get a complimentary oral examination.

Do you want your dental implants to be healthy and last long? You should follow the guidelines your dentist provides after surgery. After successful surgery for dental implants in Kennewick, WA, our dentist will give you tips on how you will take care of your implants. The dentist will also provide you with information that will speed up recovery.

Some of the dental implants aftercare guidelines are short term while others are long term especially, maintenance ones.

Short-Term Aftercare Instructions

Getting dental implants is only the beginning of restoring your smile and teeth functions. Recovery and get used to your implants is another step of the process. Your dentist provides you with short-term instructions for fast recovery. The recovery tips include:

Controlling Bleeding

After surgery, the site tends to bleed. If you don’t control bleeding, the blood clot might not form, leading to profuse bleeding. Therefore, the dentist recommends you place clean gauze over the site of surgery. He or she will then ask you to bite down the gauze over the socket for an hour.

In case of excessive bleeding, you can bite down on a moistened tea bag instead. The tannic acid in tea will constrict blood vessels and make it easier for blood clots to form.

Also, our dentist at Family Dental advises you to avoid unnecessary movements to prevent bleeding. Right after surgery, you should do the following:

• Sit upright
• Stay calm
• Avoid any physical exercise

You should also avoid bending, lifting heavy objects, using a straw while drinking, forceful spitting, and smoking. Other than preventing blood clotting, smoking hinders healing.

Pain Management

Right after the effects of anesthesia subside, you are likely to experience pain. In such cases, you can place an ice pack on your face over the site of surgery.

Also, you can use painkillers. The most popular painkillers are Ibuprofen, Advil, and Aleve. However, the above painkillers can interfere with your osseointegration process. Therefore restorative dentistry providers in Kennewick, WA, recommend Tylenol as the best post-surgery pain reliever.

You can take the pain reliever just before the effects of anesthesia wear off if you are experiencing severe discomfort. When taking the painkillers, ensure you follow the instructions provided by the doctor or the manufacturer. Most of the time, you are only allowed to take the medications after 6 hours.

Minimizing Bruises and Swelling

Bruises and swelling appear right after surgery. Sometimes bruises might appear around your nose as a result of sinus lifting. Discoloration tends to form on the sites of bruising but disappear on their own.

For swellings, you can place a cold compress over the site of swelling for at least 15 minutes repeated for 48 hours. Also, your dentist at Family Dental Center can prescribe over the counter anti-inflammatory drugs. However, you should use the drugs cautiously since some can hinder your healing process.

Rest

After successful dental implant surgery, you can go back to work the next day. However, you can take a few days off if your job requires strenuous activity. Also, avoid physical exercise for a week right after surgery.

Long Term Care and Maintenance

Long term care involves care after full recovery. The long term aftercare guidelines involve the following:

Oral Hygiene

Good oral hygiene is essential in maintaining the health of your teeth. First, the tissues around your implant are susceptible to infections if you do not practice good oral hygiene.

During the first days, you can brush your teeth, leaving out the site of surgery. Alternatively, you can use antiseptic mouth rinses. Once your implants have fully recovered, ensure you brush your teeth twice daily and floss at least once in a day. You can also visit your oral hygienist regularly for professional cleanings to prevent the accumulation of plaque on your crown or discoloration.

Diet

Right after surgery, your dentist will ask you to eat soft foods or chew with the sides with your natural teeth. However, once you are fully healed, you can chew on hard foods that will not cause your damage your dental implants

Also, you can avoid colored food and drinks to prevent staining on the crowns. Your dentist will also ask you to:

• Avoid using tobacco products
• Do not bite on hard foods
• Use a mouthguard when playing contact sports

In case of any complications, you can contact our dentist for professional help.

Is brushing a child’s teeth important for various reasons? Your child’s jaw is kept straight by the primary teeth to accommodate permanent teeth. Brushing plays a vital role in helping children to chew, talk, and smile. Healthy teeth also boost children’s confidence and participation in educational activities and social life. When healthy habits are established at an early age, it helps encourage excellent lifelong habits. If your child’s teeth must be removed because of tooth decay, it causes shifting of the teeth to reduce space for permanent teeth to erupt. If children are allowed to continue with poor oral hygiene, the likelihood of their adult teeth decaying increases significantly.

When to Begin Proper Oral Hygiene Routine for Kids?

Parents of newborns are regularly questioning at what age they should begin brushing and flossing their child’s teeth. A good rule to follow is to start flossing as soon as the child’s teeth come into contact with each other. When the teeth are in contact, food particles get trapped between them to foster the growth of bacteria and the development of plaque. Not every child needs to have his or her to flossed at a young age, but advice must be sought from a dentist.

How to Brush Baby Teeth?

Excellent oral care must begin before the child’s first tooth appears. It has been recommended by the AAP that following a feeding, the child’s gums must be wiped with a soft washcloth using only water. A dentist recommended cleanser can also be utilized. The child’s teeth must be brushed after the first tooth appears for two minutes twice a day. Parents can use a child-sized soft-bristled toothbrush with a cushioned head and a pea-sized dab of non-fluoridated toothpaste.

Caring for the Child’s Oral Health

Between the ages of 4 to 24 months, plaque can accumulate on the teeth to cause tooth decay, which should be prevented regularly by cleaning the newborn’s baby gums with a soft washcloth after feedings.

Children over the age of two should be given fluoridated toothpaste for preventing decay as their teeth continue to develop. Children must be encouraged to brush their teeth themselves from the age of two. However, parents must be supervising them and follow up by brushing them again to ensure their teeth are clean. Children can resist brushing, forcing upon parents the need to get creative and make the process fun. Brushing for children can be made enjoyable by choosing the child’s favorite cartoon characters to make the experience enjoyable.

By the age of five or seven, children begin to believe they can care for their teeth themselves, but most do not have the manual dexterity to clean their teeth thoroughly. Parents are recommended to allow children to brush by themselves and follow up after that by helping them to brush and floss to make it a family event. Children over the age of five or seven begin to develop molars making it essential for parents to provide them fluoridated toothpaste.

Children must be encouraged to maintain good dental health by educating them about the value of the same on their overall health by the time they are ready for school. After beginning school, less influence can be exerted by parents over the child’s meals and snacks. Therefore an example must be set for children by parents by having a variety of healthy foods themselves followed by consistent oral health care routine of brushing twice daily and flossing without exceptions.

Caring for your child’s teeth without involving a practitioner from pediatric dentistry by the first birthday of the child is not a good idea. Parents must not be under the impression that they can avoid visits to a children’s specialist who can assess the child’s oral and overall health and identify any specific issues in the child’s mouth. Whenever necessary, specialists from A Family Dental Center will recommend treatments for any problems that may have developed or suggest sealants and fluoride treatments to prevent dental caries. The oral health of the child must receive as much attention as adults. It is for parents to understand their children have different dental needs than them, and caring for them appropriately is a necessity rather than an exception. Children’s baby teeth fall off by the age of six or seven by which time they should be taught the value of retaining their permanent teeth for as long as possible. The task may appear challenging but can be easily accomplished. Children must be taken for regular dental checkups, and cleanings taught the value of caring for their permanent teeth, educated about nutrition and diet, and, most importantly, encouraged to believe they can get off to good oral and overall health by caring for their teeth.

(Want some dental care tips for kids? Read about how you can care for your child’s teeth from an early age to ensure he or she develops good habits to last forever.)

The Corona-virus has hit the world with a bang. Although the first traces of this pandemic virus were detected in Wuhan, China, in the last phase of 2019, 2020 has been infested with widespread of the COVID-19.

Every nation is trying its way to combat the community spread of the Corona-virus, but very few have succeeded in the endeavor. Social distancing is the only way to stop gathering at a place and stop the spread of the COVID-19 virus, as the medical fraternity is yet to invent a vaccination or immunization against this apparently “tame” virus.

The Corona-virus spreads through the bodily discharge of an infected person. Sneezing, coughing, spitting in public places has been declared an offense in some nations to restrict the spread of the COVID-19, while some authorities have made covering the face in public place mandatory.

The Corona-virus and Dentistry

In the present COVID-19 pandemic crisis, the dentists, auxiliaries, and patients undergoing dental treatment are at the highest risk of infection. Most of the dental procedures, be it treating dental emergency or teeth whitening, the treatments require close contact with the patient’s oral cavity, saliva, respiratory tract secretion, and blood. Asymptomatic patients may be carriers, and human saliva is rich in the COVID-19 viral load.

You cannot avoid dental emergency treatment, and it is suggested to maintain all possible precautions while undergoing dental treatment. Your oral health can portray the overall health of your body and the immunity level.

What is Emergency Dentistry?

It is essential to understand the subtle difference between a standard dental ailment that can be treated in due time and a dental emergency that can pose a threat to your health and require immediate medical attention. In the outbreak of the pandemic effect of the Corona-virus, dentistry needs special precautions to avoid the spread and contamination of this disease.

The first thing you need to do is reassess whether the dental issue that you are facing is a dental emergency and whether you need to pay a visit to the dentist immediately. It is you who can decide on your present state before visiting the dentist, and answering the questions might assist in determining your state.

Severe and unbearable pain, accompanied by swelled and bleeding gum, can be a dental emergency, and you would need to rush to the dentist. A chipped tooth that is causing persistent inconvenience and pain is a dental emergency. You would also need to visit the dentist after an accident or dental trauma. If you have a knocked-out tooth, it is better to try and put it back in the socket. Otherwise, preserving the same in a container and bringing it to the dentist can be helpful.

Reducing the Chances of Cross-Infection

The spread of the Corona-virus is in geometric progression, and each day the infected toll is leaving behind the toll of the previous day. Under such circumstances, most clinics have postponed regular dental checkups or dental whitening. But you cannot ignore a dental emergency and need immediate attention from the dentist.

The dentist should maintain adequate safety precautions due to the high risk associated with the oral cavity examination. Covering of the face and use of disposable gloves is a must. But what is more dangerous is the instruments that the dentist might use to examine you.

The COVID-19 virus can potentially survive on the surface for several days. Premises and areas around the clinic should be sanitized after every visit of the patient to reduce the chances of the spread of the Corona-virus. The bio-burdens should be disposed of as per laid down procedures, and service of professional cleaners might be taken.

The floors and washrooms of the dental clinic should be thoroughly disinfected with industrial disinfectants. If possible, disposable instruments may be used for a dental examination as the oral cavity is a hotspot of the COVID-19 virus.

The Emergency Clinic

A Family Dental Clinic is where you can be assured of the best treatment for a dental emergency. The Kennewick dentists are well sanitized and experienced to take good care of you during the outbreak of the Corona-virus.

To reduce the chances of the spread, we are open only to treat dental emergencies. With personalized approaches, A Family Dental Clinic is worth paying a visit.

Wisdom teeth are large teeth that grow at the very back of the mouth. In some cases, there is not sufficient space in the mouth for them to shift in the right direction. This causes them to break or come out partially.

When this happens, wisdom teeth get impacted which further led to other issues like pain or an infection. The time it takes wisdom teeth extraction takes depends on the extent of damage to the teeth and the difficulty of the surgery.

Problems Associated With Wisdom Teeth

Impacted wisdom teeth lead to the following issues:

• Pain
• Infection or gum disease (periodontal disease)
• Trapping food and debris
• Development of cyst around it
• Damage to a surrounding bone or teeth
• Decay in a partially erupted wisdom tooth
• Complications with orthodontic treatments for straightening other teeth

What is Wisdom Teeth Removal?

Wisdom tooth extraction is a surgical process of removing one or more wisdom teeth. It is performed by a dentist or an oral surgeon.

What Happens If You Wait for a Long Time to Get Wisdom Teeth Pulled Out?

Most extractions do not need instant action from an emergency dentist. But waiting for too much long time can result in orthodontic problems, infection, or even an abscess in the mouth.

How Much Time Does it Take to Recover?

Recovery time after wisdom teeth extraction will be gradual and different for every patient. But few people notice improvement after two weeks. However, if you have swelling, bruising, and pain on the surgical site, it will also require some time to heal.

Some patients require additional stitches to help close the wound.

The professional dental surgeon will discard the stitches after one week.

The entire healing process can be split into the following:

• First 24 hours – During the first 24 hours, blood clots will develop
• 2 to 3 days – Swelling of cheeks and other areas mouth improves
• 7 days – The dentist removes the remaining stitches
• 7 to 10 days – Jaw soreness and hardness subsides
• 2 weeks – Any mild bruises left on the face heal

How to Make Healing Faster?

Do not dislodge the blood clots in the first 24 hours.

It is because if the blood clots get ejected from the wound, or infection exists, recovery may take a long time. Avoid:

• Brushing teeth next to the extraction site
• Wash mouth and drink hot drinks
• Sucking on smoking, straws, or drinking alcohol for minimum 24 hours
• Consume food that requires chewing

You can gently rinse your mouth with antiseptic mouth rinse after one day.

Foods to Eat and Avoid

Eating a healthy meal and staying well hydrated is essential for recovery. Your doctor will give you specific instructions on what food you can eat the first few days of the recovery.

You can begin with the soft foods like:

• Soup
• Cottage cheese
• Smoothies
• Apple sauce
• Pudding
• Mashed potatoes

Avoid food like:

• Seeds or nuts as they could get stuck
• extremely hot foods as they can burn the surgical site
• Drink from only a straw
• Do not consume food too hastily from the spoon as it can dislodge the blood clots or stitches

How Do I Know If My Child’s Wisdom Teeth Needs Removal?

According to the American Dental Association, kids between 16 and 19 have their wisdom teeth examined by the dentist to see if removal is important or not.

However, there is no perfect age for wisdom teeth extraction. There are certain factors to take into account if your child has wisdom teeth. Find out:

• Does wisdom teeth are impacted? Remember, impacted teeth can grow sideways and result in bigger issues in the future
• Does your kid complain of pain? If your little one is talking about any pain or discomfort, it’s a red flag to consider removal.
• Are they crowded? Crowding happens when teeth are too close together and push against other teeth. This pain can result in infection due to the bacteria growing between them.

Wisdom teeth extraction is a common process to fix or prevent issues with the last set of molars. Make sure you follow the instructions of your dentist to prevent infection and speed up healing. If you face severe pain, fever, a lot of bleeding, or any other unexpected sign, call Kennewick dentist right away.

Despite the improvement in dental care and the advancement of medical science, a significant number of Americans suffer from dental ailments and tooth loss due to decay or periodontal diseases. It is evident that if you do not take care of your teeth, you run the risk of losing them permanently.

The teeth are one of the most used body parts and constant exposure to numerous food sources. Maintaining proper oral hygiene can wade off some of the reasons for dental decay. Of late, the only treatment for tooth loss was dental bridges or dentures. The achievement of medical science has enabled you to get dental implants that are replacement of teeth.

What are Dental Implants?

Implants are replacement of natural tooth and provide a strong foundation for fixed or removable replacement teeth that are artificially prepared to resemble your natural teeth. The implant is a surgical fixture placed into the jawbone that fuses in due time. They serve as roots to hold the bridge or artificial tooth. Once in place, the implants enable the dentists to mount replacement teeth on them. Due to sore spots or poor ridges, ordinary bridges might not be comfortable, but the implants fit perfectly in place and provide a strong base for dentures.

Before Treatment Care

When the dentist has suggested or prescribed for a dental implant, you might need to go through some regulations. You can use toothpaste, toothbrush, and floss to clean your teeth. Paying a regular visit to your doctor is also essential to maintain the shape and appearance of the implant.

Rinsing mouth with an antibacterial mouthwash can keep the germs at bay. The last thing you want before a dental implant is being down with an infection. You can take antibiotics as prescribed by your physician. Unless you are having IV sedation, you can also have a heavy breakfast before undergoing an implant. You can also clear the schedule for the rest of the day. Having ample rest can ease off the mild pain and fasten the healing process.

You might be bothered about the pain and discomfort, but persons who underwent dental implants have testified of minimal discomfort.

Types of Implants

Two types of dental implants are in practice here.

#1: Endosteal Implant

These implants are placed in the jawbone. Endosteal implants are the most commonly used implants. The implants are made of titanium and resemble small screws. The dentists can place the bridges or dentures on these implants.

#2: Subperiosteal Implants

In subperiosteal implants, the implants are placed under the gums but on or above the jawbones. F you do not have enough healthy jawbones, then subperiosteal implants are perfect for you. In such a case, you need not go for bone augmentation procedure to rebuild your jaws to support the implants.

Success Ratio of Dental Implant

Although the success rates of dental implants vary according to the patient or the placement of the implant. The rate of success varies in the case of a single tooth implant or a full implant. With proper care and maintenance, implants can last a lifetime, and surveys have revealed the success rates of implants to be 98%.

Almost all leading insurance firms provide their coverage for undergoing dental implants, and you can consult them to choose a viable medical plan. The major factors contributing to failures of dental implants are hormonal imbalance, chronic infectious disease, patients under the administration of immunosuppressive therapy, and drug or alcohol addicts. If you are not among these, the success rates of dental implants are high.

Age, the diameter of the implant, length of the implant, bone quality, and region of the implant are some of the determining factors for success rates of implants.

Alternative Technique for Dental Implants

When you decide on the replacement of your natural tooth, you might consider dental implants as a superior method. You can also go for full mouth or partial dentures or opt for dental bridges as an alternative technique.

A Family Dental Centre

Excellent dental care, family-oriented service, and personalized approach are bound to make Family Dental Centre your first choice. Apart from dental implants, we offer tooth extraction, wisdom tooth removal, and dentures, amongst other services.

If you reside in Kennewick, we offer free implant consultation to let you know all the minute details before you undergo implants. You can reach us to book your appointment.