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4 Dental Issues Associated With Popcorn Kernels

Fri, 07 May 2021 07:21:34 GMT

Whether you're snacking in a movie theater or popping your own microwave bag at home, fresh popcorn is a delicious snack, However, many people can suffer dental issues due to the buttery treat. When you shove a handful of popcorn in your mouth, you may suddenly bite down on a hard kernel or get some kernels stuck in your teeth.

A dentist can help repair and restore your mouth when popcorn problems occur. Learn about the various problems popcorn can cause and how a dentist will help treat the issues.

1. Cracked Teeth

A majority of the popcorn you eat is soft with a slight crunch. Occasionally, you will bite down on a hard kernel. A kernel may be strong and the dense nature of the seed can cause major damage to your teeth. If you chew with your front teeth, you could cause a chip in the teeth.

A majority of people will chew popcorn with the back molars where cracks are possible. The impact of a clenched jaw can result in a cracked tooth when the kernel is positioned just right. If any nerves are exposed in the teeth, then you may suffer extreme pain.

If a tooth does crack, you should see a dentist as soon as possible. A dentist can help fuse together the cracked parts and restore the original shape of the tooth. Other options may include a dental cap or crown to cover the tooth and add extra protection.

A cracked tooth left untreated can not only cause pain but also risk the complete loss of the tooth if bacteria and decay occur.

2. Gum Abscesses

Besides whole kernels, popcorn is filled with fragments of kernels that can cause damage to the mouth. The kernels can cut gums and cause them to bleed. Small pieces of kernels might also get caught in the gums. When kernels get trapped inside, pockets may form, which allows bacteria inside the gums. Excess bacteria may result in a gum abscess.

Signs of a gum abscess may include swollen or red gums. If left untreated, a gum abscess can lead to serious issues and may result in a root canal to help repair teeth. If a kernel remains trapped in the gums, a dentist can perform a deep cleaning. The cleaning will help remove the kernel and any present bacteria.

3. Kernel Burns

When popcorn cooks in the microwave, the moisture inside kernels heat up, create steam, and pop open. When popcorn kernels don't pop, they often remain pressurized and very hot to the touch. Even the popped corn can remain hot. If you don't wait long enough, you could end up burning your gums or the roof of your mouth.

Typically, the burns may heal on their own, but sometimes you may need treatment or antibiotics. If the gums do not heal, you could have an infection risk that a dentist should examine.

4. Tooth Cavities

On its own, popcorn shouldn't pose too many problems for your teeth, but additions to the popcorn can create cavity issues. Flavored popcorn treats with caramel or sugar can get stick to teeth and help create cavities. If flavored popcorn gets stuck to the teeth, then you will expose the teeth to bacteria that feed on excess sugar and risk enamel decay.

Try to brush your teeth shortly after you eat popcorn to avoid the formation of cavities or soft spots.

For more information on our dental services, contact us at Joseph M. Perry, D.D.S. P.A. We will help you with any dental issues you have and restore the health of your smile.

Frequently Asked Questions About Senior Dental Health

Fri, 26 Feb 2021 07:32:46 GMT

Modern humans appear to enjoy ever-increasing longevity, with studies indicating that life expectancy increases by three years every generation . However, as people live longer, they inevitably live more of their years as senior citizens. During those years, they may find themselves facing age-related threats to their dental health.

If you want to keep your mouth in optimal condition throughout your life, you'll benefit from understanding how age can influence dental issues and how to combat those issues. Examine the answers to these frequently asked questions about senior dental health.

How Does Aging Affect Tooth Enamel?

The shell of enamel that covers and protects the inner tissues of your teeth must endure many challenges as the decades go by. This material tends to grow thinner and weaker after years of chewing and exposure to acidic beverages. As the enamel thins, your teeth may appear yellow and become more sensitive to heat or cold.

You can preserve more of your tooth enamel by using a fluoride toothpaste and drinking fluoridated water. This element helps to add mineral strength to tooth enamel. Avoid acidic foods and drinks (or rinse your mouth after consuming them). Get plenty of calcium and other nutrients that strengthen teeth and bones.

Why Do Older Individuals Commonly Lose Teeth?

Although people of any age can lose teeth, the problem grows more likely to occur as you age. By age 65, 26 percent of Americans have retained eight or fewer teeth, while 17 percent have no teeth at all. The most common cause of this tooth loss involves a condition known as periodontal disease.

In periodontal disease, tartar above and below the gum line attracts bacteria that provokes an immune system response. The resulting chronic inflammation causes receding gums and loosens the tissues anchoring the teeth in place. Periodontal disease can grow progressively worse over many years until you finally lose teeth from it.

Periodic checkups allow your dentist to catch periodontal disease early, so keep up those appointments. If you do have periodontal disease, your dentist can perform procedures such as root planing and scaling to remove accumulated tartar and kill the invading bacteria.

How Does Mouth Dryness in Seniors Harm Dental Health?

As you get o lder, you may notice that your mouth often feels dry. People grow more vulnerable to dehydration as they age, but they may also take medications or undergo medical therapies that promote dryness of the mouth. This problem doesn't just create discomfort; it can also set the stage for dental problems.

Saliva normally provides a protective barrier against bacteria for the tooth enamel. Without this protective barrier, your teeth may have more trouble with decay and cavities. The addition of periodontal disease adds to the threat, since receding gums leave more of the teeth's surfaces exposed.

You can fight back against dry mouth in several ways. Get into the habit of keeping water or some other sugarless drink on hand, sipping regularly to keep your mouth moist. Sugarless hard candies or mints can encourage saliva production. Steer clear of drying beverages such as alcohol and caffeinated drinks.

What Special Dental Hygiene Issues Should Seniors Consider?

As the risk for tooth loss rises, seniors often replace their missing teeth with dentures. However, even a mouth without teeth requires thorough dental hygiene. In addition to brushing your gums, make sure to clean your dentures every day according to your dentist's recommendations. This step eliminates potentially-harmful bacteria.

Seniors who experience hand pain and stiffness from conditions such as arthritis may struggle to brush and floss effectively. If you find holding floss or a manual toothbrush awkward or painful, ask your dentist about options such as electric toothbrushes, water flossers, and other ergonomically-friendly devices.

Joseph M. Perry, D.D.S., P.A., can help every member of your family maintain their best dental health at any age. Contact our office today to schedule a dental consultation or treatmen t.

Understand Oral Health Below the Gumline

Wed, 23 Dec 2020 08:15:01 GMT

If you have a beautiful smile, you may assume your oral health is perfect. However, some tooth complications arise under the gumline, making them harder to notice until it's too late. If you would like to know more, keep reading to learn about your overall oral health.

Root Carries

Root carries are cavities on the tooth's root, and they can happen to anyone but are commonly associated with aging because as you get older, the risk of gum recession increases. However, other risk factors for gum recession and root carries include poor oral hygiene, aggressive brushing, diabetes, crooked teeth, tobacco use, trauma to the tooth, and certain medications.

Depending on the situation, you may not be able to see the cavity on the tooth, so look for other symptoms, including pain in the affected area, swelling, and an infection around the tooth. Treatment for the cavity is as simple as any cavity, but treating the underlying cause may not be so easy. For example, if periodontal disease is causing root carries, you may need to undergo periodontal therapy and grafts to reprotect the exposed roots.

Root Cracks

A tooth can develop a crack at any spot, but root cracks are particularly dangerous because they give bacteria an easy entry to the tooth's pulp. When this happens, a tooth abscess can develop, and the only ways to treat a tooth abscess is with root canal treatment or extraction. Causes of root cracks include age, teeth grinding, big fillings, chewing hard foods, trauma to the mouth, and sudden changes in the temperature of the mouth.

If the dentist discovers root cracks on the tooth, treatment depends on the severity of the damage. If the crack is too big, the tooth may need to be removed. But for smaller cracks, the tooth can often be saved. However, you will need root canal treatment, and a crown to better protect the tooth. Plus, while the success rate of root canal treatment is high, there is always a chance it could fail or the infection could return.

Pockets

Pockets are a direct cause of gum recession. Pockets happen when irritation to the gums causes the gums to slightly pull away from the teeth. At first, the gap may be unnoticeable, but if left untreated, plaque gets trapped inside.

As long as you continue brushing your teeth properly, this isn't an issue. But cleaning pockets, especially deep pockets, is hard. As a result, the plaque quickly hardens into tartar, which further irritates gums. This may cause them to pull away even more to make bigger pockets that trap more plaque.

If you notice gum pockets, you'll need to work with your dentist to create a treatment plan. Your dentist will clean and smooth the tooth inside the pocket. If done early enough, the gum may heal and return to its natural position. In severe cases, however, you may need surgery to reposition the gums or add new gum tissue.

Jawbone

Oral health doesn't just consist of your teeth and gums; your jawbone plays an important role too. Your jawbone is the main support structure for your teeth, and they have a symbiotic relationship. When your teeth are strong and healthy, your jawbone stays healthy. But when you lose teeth, your jawbone shrinks. Similarly, if your jawbone starts to shrink, it becomes too weak to support teeth.

A smaller jaw leads to many complications. For example, the more your jaw shrinks, the more the shape of your face changes, and the risk of a collapsed facial profile increase. If the jaw is unable to sit properly because of atrophy, it may lead to facial pain, TMJ pain, and headaches.

Many people often overlook oral health, especially as people age. However, poor oral hygiene and bad habits can lead to complications above and below the gumline. If you would like to learn more, contact us at Joseph M. Perry, D.D.S., P.A.

9 Dental Problems That Porcelain Veneers Can Fix

Tue, 27 Oct 2020 08:21:05 GMT

Porcelain veneers consist of thin porcelain shells that slip over teeth to conceal imperfections. And despite their thinness, porcelain veneers are very durable. This is because ceramists create veneers in temperatures reaching over two thousand degrees Fahrenheit . Their thinness and durability make porcelain veneers ideal to treat a range of dental problems.

Keep reading to learn about nine dental problems porcelain veneers can help with.

1. Discolored Teeth

Tooth whitening doesn't always succeed in removing stains from teeth. This is usually because the stains are intrinsic rather than extrinsic. Intrinsic stains usually occur because of medications, tooth infections, and sometimes after root canals. A cosmetically trained dentist can match a veneer to the shade of the surrounding natural teeth to conceal stains and restore a smile.

2. Misshapen Teeth

Sometimes, because of genetics or issues with tooth decay or tooth trauma in childhood, secondary teeth come through misshapen. These teeth may be noticeably smaller than the surrounding teeth. They might also have some discoloration. A porcelain veneer can easily fit over a misshapen tooth to disguise it completely.

3. Misaligned Teeth

Teeth become misaligned for various reasons. Sometimes, a jaw is too small to accommodate all the teeth, which leads to overlapping and crookedness. And bad oral habits like nail-biting and thumb sucking can cause misalignment. Even if a tooth twists to one side, a veneer can conceal the imperfection. But the cosmetic dentist will need to remove some tooth structure beforehand.

4. Worn Teeth

Teeth suffer gradual wear and tear over time. This wear and tear might be worse if a person enjoys acidic foods and drinks. Oral habits like chewing on pens and opening packets also advance the progression of wear and tear. Worn teeth appear pitted, brittle and translucent around the edges. Porcelain veneers are hard and so can provide support and stability as well as beauty.

5. Short Teeth

People with short teeth in the front of their mouth, in the smile zone, have gummy smiles that stand out for the wrong reasons. Porcelain veneers are a faster alternative to orthodontic treatment in regard to this issue. The porcelain shells can lengthen short teeth to create a more pleasing, natural smile.

6. Gapped Teeth

Although orthodontic treatment is often the recommended approach to gapped teeth, porcelain veneers are also an effective treatment. If a patient doesn't want to undergo orthodontic treatment for some reason, then porcelain veneers can help to close the gaps between teeth. Dentists can often do this by placing a few veneers on the upper teeth in the smile zone.

7. Cracked or Chipped Teeth

Cracked or chipped teeth in the front of the mouth can ruin a smile. A dentist can place a porcelain veneer over a cracked or chipped tooth to conceal the damage. A skilled dentist and ceramist can create a porcelain veneer that resembles the natural tooth in its intact state. They can do this by taking an impression of your teeth before creating the veneer in a lab.

8. Broken Teeth

In the front of the mouth, porcelain veneers and porcelain crowns are much the same things. If a patient has suffered an accident leading to a broken tooth, a porcelain veneer can cover the damage and restore the ability to chew, speak, and eat comfortably.

9. Sensitive Teeth

Teeth can become sensitive with time. This could be linked to wear and tear brought on by poor diet and oral habits. If a patient struggles to enjoy hot and cold drinks or go running in cold weather, porcelain veneers can act as a layer of protection to prevent temperatures from penetrating the enamel surface too deeply.

If your smile is suffering because of one of these issues, porcelain veneers could be right for you. Book your appointment with Joseph M. Perry, D.D.S., P.A., today, and discover just how veneers can help to restore your smile and confidence.

Pregnancy and Your Oral Health

Thu, 27 Aug 2020 08:29:01 GMT

Pregnancy is an exciting time in your life, and you may be overwhelmed by numerous emotions, especially due to hormones. However, while you ride the waves of pregnancy, your dental health may feel the wrath of what hormones, cravings, and morning sickness can do to your teeth.

Problems With Your Oral Health During Pregnancy

You may develop problems with your teeth and gums during pregnancy. These problems include the following:

Gingivitis and gum disease
Enamel damage
Decay
Pregnancy tumors

Gingivitis and Gum Disease

During pregnancy, your hormones change, which can cause you to experience gingivitis - a term used to describe inflammation of your gums. A large percentage of all women develop this oral health issue during their pregnancies. Moreover, if you already had gingivitis prior to pregnancy, the hormone fluctuations may worsen your condition.

When you have gingivitis, your gums swell, become tender, and may bleed easily when you floss or brush. Additionally, if you don't take care of your teeth properly during pregnancy, you may also worsen your gingivitis. Unfortunately, if you don't receive treatment for gingivitis, the condition may worsen and turn into gum disease. With gum disease, you might experience tooth loss.

Enamel Damage

You may also damage the enamel of your teeth during pregnancy. When you have morning sickness, the acid from the vomit can erode the enamel of your teeth. While your pregnancy only lasts nine months, this damage to your teeth is often permanent.

As a result of the damage, your teeth may become more sensitive because they no longer have that protective coating that shields the nerves in your teeth. Therefore, whenever your teeth come in contact with something cold or hot, you might feel pain.

Tooth Decay Risk Increase

Another issue you can experience with your oral health during pregnancy is an increased risk of tooth decay. Your chance of tooth decay increases because you might crave sugar during your pregnancy, and if you turn to refined sugars, you feed bacteria in your mouth. As you feed these microorganisms, they produce an acidic waste that damages the enamel of your teeth and leads to tooth decay.

You might also want to snack during pregnancy, and even snacks like chips will increase plaque formation and elevate your risk for decay.

Additionally, if you suffer from morning sickness, the acid from your vomit will damage your enamel and make your teeth more vulnerable to decay.

Gum Growths

Some women will develop growths of their gums known as pregnancy tumors. Usually, these tumors arise during your second trimester and look like raw raspberries. Typically, these growths appear in between your teeth, possibly because of excessive decay. You might notice that the tumor bleeds easily. Fortunately though, pregnancy tumors are benign and stem from swelling.

Prevention of Pregnancy-Related Oral Health Problems

You may minimize the pregnancy-induced oral health issues you experience by continuing to brush and floss regularly. You want to use a soft-bristled toothbrush - if you don't already - to minimize irritation to your gums when you brush. If you notice that you dry heave when you place a toothbrush in your mouth, you want to aim for a toothbrush with a small head, which is less likely to trigger this reflex.

Additionally, if you experience cravings for sugar, you want to opt for sweet treats low in processed sugar, yet still sweet, such as Greek yogurt, shaved ice, or fruit. You also want to consume enough water.

Unfortunately, a pregnancy tumor isn't combatable, but they disappear once after you give birth and don't tend to cause any long-term complications.

You can make your pregnancy more enjoyable and reduce the oral health issues you experience during and after pregnancy if you take care of your teeth properly during pregnancy. You also want to make sure you schedule a routine visit to get a thorough oral health evaluation and cleaning to reduce your chances of pregnancy-related tooth issues that'll haunt you even after pregnancy.

Schedule an appointment with Joseph M. Perry D.D.S. P.A., serving Statesville, NC, and the nearby region, to keep your mouth healthy during pregnanc y.

8 Simple Tips to Prevent Tooth Decay

Thu, 25 Jun 2020 09:47:23 GMT

Oral health is critical in both adults and children because oral health issues - such as tooth decay, gum diseases, and cavities - can affect anyone. For this reason, you need to see an experienced dentist regularly for the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of dental issues.

Tooth decay is one of the prevalent problems, but you can easily prevent it by adopting effective oral health practices. Below are the top tips to curb tooth decay.

1. Use Fluoride-Based Products

You should always use a fluoride-based toothpaste. Fluoride weakens the acids produced by plaque and strengthens the weak spots on the enamel. This means that the microbe will not get a chance to destroy the enamel.

Fluoride treatments offer another option for people who don't obtain enough fluoride from water or toothpaste. Fluoride can be applied to the teeth with a brush, fluoride trays, or in the form of mouthwash.

Mouthwash products destroy any remaining bacteria in your teeth or tongue. The fluoride levels are usually higher in the mouthwash than that in a fluoridated toothpaste.

2. Brush After All Mealtimes

Bacteria that exist in the mouth digest food debris into acids. Failure to brush your teeth leads to the formation of plaque, multiplication of bacteria, and accumulation of acid that erode the enamel.

Therefore, you should brush your teeth after meal to get rid of the microbes and food debris. If you have a busy schedule, you need to brush at least twice daily. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush to avoid irritating your gums, and change your brush every three months.

3. Floss Your Teeth

Not all food debris can be removed by the toothbrush. Small particles tend to stick in between teeth, and thus you should floss to get rid of them.

4. Limit Consumption of Sugary Snacks

Sugary snacks provide favorable conditions for the multiplication of bacteria in the mouth. Therefore, you need to limit the intake of sugary snacks to prevent an attack on the enamel by bacteria. Instead of sugary snacks, eat more fruits and vegetables.

You should also avoid snacking between meals to reduce bacteria formation. You should also drink water regularly, and offer your kids water in place of sugary juices.

5. Limit Starch Intake

Starch or carbohydrate foods are first broken down in the mouth by saliva. Amylase enzyme in the saliva converts starch into sugar, specifically glucose, which lead to plaque formation. This means that starch creates an acidic environment in the mouth. Hence, the consumption of a lot of carbohydrates could contribute to tooth decay.

6. Use Tooth Sealants

If you experience recurrent tooth decay problems, you can use tooth sealants. These are plastic sealants that coat the teeth surfaces and prevent your teeth from coming into direct contact with food. Anyone can use tooth sealants, but they are mostly used by school-aged children.

7. Consider Antibacterial Treatments

Since a film of bacteria produces the acid that erodes tooth enamel, you can prevent tooth decay if you eliminate the bacteria. Your dentist could recommend antibacterial treatments that are specific to the plaque on your teeth. Therefore, these treatments do not interfere with useful mouth bacteria.

8. Visit Your Dentist Regularly

You should visit your dentist regularly for examination to curb oral problems at an early stage. If you have not noticed any signs of oral health issues, you should go for teeth cleaning and check-up twice a year.

Proper dental hygienic habits can prevent tooth decay. You need reliable dental care services to prevent, detect, and treat oral health problems. At Joseph M. Perry, D.D.S., P.A., we offer exceptional services tailored to your personalized needs. Contact us and schedule an appointment for quality oral health services.

A Guide to Dental Fillings

Mon, 27 Apr 2020 02:49:29 GMT

Americans typically accumulate several permanent fillings by the age of 64, with 92 percent of them experiencing some form of dental caries (tooth decay). Unless you belong to the fortunate few, you either have a cavity that needs filling or you've had fillings before.

If you received most of your fillings at a young age, your parents may have made more of the decisions regarding that process than you did. As an adult, it pays to understand the details of this routine but necessary procedure. Discover some key points to remember.

Fillings Can Prevent or Resolve Serious Problems

Tooth decay begins when a sticky substance known as plaque builds up on tooth enamel. Bacteria feed on the plaque, producing acids that bind to the plaque and etch their way into the enamel, eventually creating a small hole called a cavity.

If a cavity extends all the way through the enamel to the tooth's interior structures, serious problems can develop. Infection of the nerve pulp can lead to acute pain when you chew or expose the tooth to hot/cold substances. Additional complications may include tooth fractures, jaw infections, or tooth loss.

When you fill a decayed tooth, your dentist puts a stop to the decay, pain, and disease concerns. The filling process eliminates the bacteria along with the diseased tissue, while the filling itself protects the sensitive nerve tissue against pain and future bacterial infiltration through that part of the enamel.

Fillings Involve a Multi-Step Process

If you experience cavity-related pain, or if a probable cavity appears during a routine dental exam, the dentist will take X-rays to confirm the diagnosis and examine the depth of the cavity. A local anesthetic numbs the appropriate portion of the mouth to prepare you for the filling procedure.

Next, the dentist uses a specialized tool to remove the decayed area of the tooth. Once the tooth has had all of its decay removed and received a thorough cleaning, the dentist will fill the hole made by the removal process with a hard, sterile material. Some fillings go through additional steps such as light-based hardening.

Fillings Come in a Variety of Materials

Your dentist may recommend different types of filling materials based on your budget, cosmetic considerations, and the location of the tooth undergoing treatment. Common choices include amalgam, precious metals, tooth-colored composites, and ceramics.

Amalgam leaves a dark spot on a tooth, but it also offers the least expensive filling option. Its strength and durability make it a reasonable choice for less visible chewing surfaces such as molars. At the other end of the price range, gold fillings offer optimal strength, although they can sometimes react uncomfortably to heat and cold.

Ceramics offer a sensible compromise between aesthetics and function. In exchange for a relatively high cost, you get all-but-invisible fillings with great durability. Tooth-colored composite resin makes more sense for front tooth surfaces, since its durability can't match its discreet, realistic looks.

In some cases, your dentist may recommend a filling material called glass ionomer. This material includes a fluoride component that offers additional protection for the tooth enamel. This type of filling may not hold up to chewing as well as other materials, but it can prove highly useful for cavities below the gumline.

Fillings Don't Last Forever

Don't assume that a filling represents a permanent, one-time fix for the tooth it protects. Other cavities can form on the same tooth in different locations, with the resulting decay calling for another filling, a permanent crown, or some other response.

Fillings can last for many years, but they can also break or fracture when subjected to strong biting forces, impact injuries, or particularly hard foods. Decay or wear around the cavity may allow the cavity to loosen and fall out. Replace a failed cavity as soon as possible to prevent infection and additional tooth damage.

If you have dental pain or see what looks like a cavity, get the professional advice and expertise your teeth need. Contact the office of Joseph M. Perry D.D.S., P.A.

What to Do If a Permanent Tooth Falls Out

Thu, 27 Feb 2020 03:02:32 GMT

Losing a permanent tooth is one of the most stressful dental emergencies that you can experience. You need to act fast if you have lost an adult tooth because the chances of successfully re-implanting the tooth depend greatly on how quickly you see a dentist. Here is an explanation of what you should do if you lose a permanent tooth so you can be prepared to act quickly and save the tooth.

Retrieve and Clean the Tooth

Your immediate priority after losing a permanent tooth should be to locate the tooth and remove any dirt or debris that may be on it. When you pick the tooth up, be careful to handle it by the crown only, not the root. The root of the tooth is fragile, and it is also covered in connective tissue cells known as fibroblasts that can be damaged if you handle the root.

Once you have retrieved the tooth, examine it to determine if it can be saved. Teeth that are broken or severely cracked are often unable to be re-implanted. If the tooth is dirty, rinse it with milk or water to remove as many contaminants as possible. Do not brush or scrub the tooth because this can damage fibroblasts and increase the chances that you will break the tooth.

Store the Tooth and Visit Your Dentist

The way you store the lost tooth on the way to see your dentist will have the greatest impact on replantation viability. The best way to store the tooth is to try to reinsert it in the dental socket. If the tooth is turned the right way and isn't broken, the tooth will often slip back into the socket with little resistance. Place gauze over the tooth and bite down gently to hold them in place.

If you can't place the tooth back in its socket, the next best option is to keep it moist outside of your mouth. Unfortunately, water will not do much to preserve the tooth's fibroblasts while you're on your way to the dentist. Instead, you should submerge the tooth in a cup of milk or your own saliva to maximize the amount of time before the fibroblasts on the root begin to die.

Replantation and Follow-up

The biggest complication of re-implanting a lost permanent tooth is that the nerves, blood vessels, and supporting tissues in the dental socket cannot be repaired. Because of this, replantation depends solely on the ability of the fibroblasts to fuse the root of the tooth with the jawbone. The damaged nerves and blood vessels will also cause the pulp of the tooth to decay over time, so a root canal is almost always required.

The first steps your dentist will take are to administer local anesthetic, cleanse the area with saline, and suture any cuts or tears in the gums. The dentist will then verify that the tooth is positioned correctly and apply a splint to hold the tooth in place for a number of weeks. The splint is made of dental resin and wire that runs from the loose tooth to one or more adjacent teeth.

Your dentist will perform a root canal during a follow-up visit, normally before the splint has been removed. You will also be prescribed antibiotics to reduce your risk of infection from germs that may have been present on the lost tooth. Several follow-up visits will be necessary to assess how well the tooth is reintegrating with the jawbone and to eventually remove the splint.

Replantation of a lost permanent tooth is a relatively simple process, but success is entirely dependent on how you react and how quickly you see your dentist. Keep these tips in mind and visit Joseph M. Perry, D.D.S., P.A. , if you experience a lost tooth or any other dental emergency.

Eat These 3 Foods for Healthy Teeth

Thu, 02 Jan 2020 03:10:38 GMT

Proper brushing and regular dental check-ups are essential aspects of oral care, but so too are foods that are good for your teeth. Here are three foods that'll help your teeth stay healthy, along with how you can easily incorporate them into your regular diet.

Almond Slivers on Your Salad or Cereal

Almonds are full of healthy nutrients, including calcium which the body uses to maintain strong teeth and bones. They also require chewing, and the nuts can scrape plaque off of your teeth as you eat them.

While any almonds are beneficial so long as they're not coated in sugar, which promotes tooth decay, almond slivers are an especially good way to incorporate the nut into your diet. Compared to other ways that you could eat the nuts, a sprinkling of almond slivers on a dish offers the following benefits:

The almond slivers are smaller than the full nut, so they're easier for people with weak teeth to eat.
The other foods in a salad or cereal add flavor, so you'll be less prone to get sugar-coated almonds that have extra flavor.
The almond slivers are a natural addition to a meal, so you can enjoy them without snacking if you try to avoid eating at non-meal times.

Moreover, almond slivers can be incorporated right into a salad dish when you entertain. Many people like the nuts in a salad.

Cheese as an After-Meal Dessert

Cheese has been scientifically demonstrated to help promote healthy teeth, and not just because it contains calcium and protein.

In one study , subjects ate cheese and had the pH of their mouth measured at 10-, 20- and 30-minute intervals afterward. The pH of their mouths increased at each interval, which means their mouths became less acidic because a low pH correlates to a more acidic environment. This makes cavity formation less likely, for cavities are less likely in higher pH (less acidic) mouths.

Since cheese's benefits are pH-based and last for a demonstrable amount of time, you don't want to eat other foods after having some cheese. Another food could alter your mouth's pH in a different way and counteract the positive changes that cheese provides. Additionally, eating food anytime during the 30-minute span that cheese is effective could limit the benefits of cheese.

Given these considerations, one of the best times to eat cheese is an after-meal dessert. As a dessert, cheese counteracts and pH-reducing effects that other foods might have and the effect lasts. As long as you don't eat again within a half-hour of finishing a meal, you'll get protection from cheese for a full 30 minutes.

Alternatively, you can eat a slice or wedge of cheese as a stand-alone snack. You'll still increase the pH in your mouth and likely not eat again for at least a half-hour. You just won't counteract any acidifying effects that other foods have on pH balance, since you haven't consumed other foods at this time.

Spinach in Your Salad

Spinach contains many nutrients that are good for oral health. Specifically, it has the following minerals and vitamins:

Folic acid, which may help treat gum issues.
Beta-carotene, which helps maintain strong enamel.
Calcium, which helps maintain strong teeth.

Spinach also goes very well with the other two foods listed. The dark leafy green can form the foundation of a salad that almond slivers are sprinkled on top of. Also, spinach goes well with cheese. You can either eat a piece of cheese after a salad, or you can incorporate cheese directly into a salad and make sure your last bite of the salad has a good amount of cheese.

For help keeping your teeth healthy, contact Joseph M. Perry D.D.S. P.A.

4 Factors That Affect Implant Placement After Tooth Extractions

Mon, 21 Oct 2019 03:19:07 GMT

When a tooth is broken or decayed beyond repair, extraction may be the best option instead of a root canal or restoration. In fact, some dentists are even able to place the implant into the jawbone the same day they place a temporary tooth. Once your jawbone has healed enough, then the permanent crown can be placed on top of the implant.

On the other hand, some patients must wait a while for their bone to be strong enough to support an implant. If you are curious about how soon you can get an implant after an extraction, here are four factors to consider.

1. Your Current Health Conditions

The good news is that dental implant surgeries have high success rates. In the past, implants were contraindicated for some health conditions. However, you and your doctor can work together to find ways of managing your condition beforehand. For instance, if you have diabetes, your doctor may encourage you to get your glucose levels under control after your extraction and before implant surgery. Since diabetes can slow bone healing, patients who manage their symptoms have better success rates.

If you have osteoporosis and are treated with intravenous bisphosphonates, you raise the risk of implant failure since they decrease blood supply to bone tissue. To speed up how soon you get an implant - and to improve success rates - you and your doctor may opt to treat your condition with an intraoral medication instead.

2. Your Habits

You can improve how soon you get an implant by following your doctor's orders to the letter. You should also abstain from certain habits, like smoking. In fact, after a tooth is extracted, it is vital to wait at least 48 hours to smoke since it can dislodge blood clots.

Blood clots protect the empty socket where the tooth once was. If you dislodge a blood clot, you leave the nerves, gum tissue, and jawbone open to infection - meaning delayed implant placement.

3. Your Jaw Ridge Strength

When your doctor extracts a tooth, he or she will inevitably be removing a little bit of the alveolar ridge. The alveolar ridges are the extended bone structures in your upper and lower jaws that contain the tooth sockets. Your doctor will try and remove as little of the ridge as possible, as the remaining bone can affect how soon implants can be placed. However, some patients have weak ridges to begin with.

For example, dentures tend to cause ridge resorption, so if you wear a partial denture, you may not have a lot of ridge bone left to adequately support an implant. In these types of cases, your doctor may opt to place a bone graft and collagen plug in the healing site after extraction. Collagen plugs help the graft integrate into the site for ridge preservation.

4. Your Gum Tissue

Believe it or not, your gum tissue can play a role in how soon you get an implant placed. For instance, if you have gum recession near the extraction site, you might need to let that heal beforehand. Gum recession occurs more frequently in patients that naturally have thin tissue. But gum recession can be exacerbated by teeth grinding (bruxism) and over-zealous brushing.

Besides making the implant less likely to succeed, receding tissues can expose the implant and make it easier for debris to get underneath the implant's crown.

A deep cleaning (e.g. scaling and root planing) can remove any plaque that has gotten into receding gum pockets. Once your gums have healed from the cleaning, then your doctor may recommend bone and gum grafting, since both procedures can increase the chances of implant retention.

Numerous factors play into how soon you can get an implant after an extraction. Call our office today and schedule an appointment with Joseph M. Perry, D.D.S., P.A. to learn more.

Reasons and Methods to Avoid Overzealous Tooth Cleaning

Wed, 24 Jul 2019 03:32:18 GMT

Cleaning your teeth on a twice-daily basis is one of the most basic fundamentals of dental self-care. But although you should avoid neglecting your daily cleanings, you should also avoid overdoing it. Here are the reasons and methods for avoiding overzealous cleaning in your daily oral care routine.

Reasons

Brushing too hard may not sound like a big deal at all, but it really can be. Learn why you should keep a light touch when brushing and flossing.

Avoid Irritating Gums

Brushing too hard may irritate gums. When irritated, the gums may become tender and start to bleed. But over time, irritated gums may actually start to pull away from the teeth and recede, exposing the roots of your teeth. Receding gums won't grow back, and the exposed tooth roots are highly susceptible to decay, so you want to avoid this outcome.

Keep Enamel Healthy

Enamel is an extremely hard substance, so it seems odd that your toothbrush could damage it. However, harsh scrubbing with an abrasive substance (such as toothpaste) can erode the enamel over time.

Brushing more gently can avoid wearing your enamel away, which is important because enamel doesn't grow back once it's gone, and it's the most important thing that protects your teeth from decay.

Prevent Tooth Sensitivity

Tooth sensitivity can arise from either receding gums or thinning enamel. The reason thinning enamel causes sensitivity is because the dentin is no longer as protected by the enamel, so the tiny tubules in the dentin can be accessed more easily by substances that trigger nerve pain inside the dentin (such as hot or cold substances).

Gum recession can cause sensitivity because it exposes the roots of the teeth, and they're not protected by enamel at all, so they tend to be more sensitive.

Methods

Keeping your brushing technique from damaging your teeth isn't hard once you get used to using a lighter touch. Here are some methods you can use to help.

Ask Your Dentist to Demonstrate

If you suspect you've been brushing too hard (or your dentist says you have been), ask your dentist to demonstrate the proper brushing technique with the proper amount of pressure.

Choose a Pressure-Sensitive Toothbrush

Some electric toothbrushes have features, such as a timer, that lets you know when your two minutes are up, and a pressure sensing feature that alerts you when you're pushing too hard. Investing in one of these toothbrushes can help you keep your teeth squeaky clean without damaging them over time.

Don't Brush When Enamel Is Soft

You've probably heard that brushing your teeth twice a day is the minimum and brushing after each meal is better. But according to some relatively new research , brushing just after eating is the worst time to brush. The acids produced by bacteria on your t eeth mean enamel is especially soft just after you eat, so you should always wait a half-hour before brushing.

Choose Gentle Flossing Options

If you floss too hard, you can cause just as much damage to your gums as by brushing too hard. But if your teeth are tightly spaced together, you may not be able to get the floss in without applying too much force. In this scenario, you may need to try a gentle gliding type of floss or even a water flosser. Talk to your dentist about your options.

These reasons and methods will help you revamp your dental cleaning habits so that you don't accidentally erode your enamel, make your teeth more sensitive, or cause your gums to recede while cleaning your teeth.

Joseph M. Perry, D.D.S., P.A. , can help you keep your teeth clean and healthy through professional dental cleanings, exams, and treatments. We offer dental services for the entire family, including both children and adults. Get in touch today to learn more about how we can help or to schedule your next dental appointment now .

Dental Care Tips for Middle School-Aged Kids

Wed, 29 May 2019 04:10:23 GMT

The middle school years can be challenging years for both the child and their parents. During this time, children often feel socially insecure and vulnerable. Puberty begins, and kids begin exploring their own independence. These changes can have an impact on every aspect of your child's life, including their dental health and oral hygiene habits.

So how do you encourage good dental care and set your middle schooler up for a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums? Start by following these tips.

Have Sealants Applied to Your Child's Teeth

Sealants are thin layers of a plastic-like substance that a dentist can apply to the grooves on the chewing surfaces of your child's molars. The sealants form a barrier between the tooth and the inside of the mouth so that sugar, bacteria, and plaque can no longer make their way into those grooves.

Sealants are really helpful for protecting against cavities when kids are still working on developing good brushing habits. For an independent-minded middle school student who may not brush as well or as often as they should, sealants can greatly decrease the risk of cavities.

If your child did not already have sealants applied to their 6-year molars, have them applied as soon as possible. When the 12-year molars erupt, your child's dentist can apply sealants to these teeth, too.

The process of having sealants applied is quick and painless. Sealants can last up to 10 years and are easy to replace if they wear out prematurely.

Consider Braces

You might worry that braces will make your child even more self-conscious during these formative years. But ultimately, if your child has misaligned teeth, straightening those teeth will help improve their confidence in the long run.

Some children can get braces when they are in middle school; others need to wait a little longer for their teeth and jaws to mature. However, this is the perfect time to schedule that first appointment with the orthodontist and get an idea of what, if any, orthodontic work your child will need in the coming years. Having a game plan for dealing with a less-than-perfect smile will help you both feel better.

Focus on Aesthetics when Insisting on Good Oral Hygiene

As your middle schooler becomes more independent and, at times a little defiant, you may feel like you're constantly having to remind them to brush and floss. If you feel like you're getting nowhere, try relating the importance of oral hygiene to their appearance. Instead of emphasizing the importance of oral hygiene to prevent cavities, emphasize the relationship between oral hygiene and white teeth.

Middle schoolers tend to be quite conscious of their appearance, and the thought of having yellow teeth may prompt them to do a better job of brushing. Ask your dentist or dental hygienist to give them brushing tips, too. Often, middle schoolers are more willing to listen to adults who are not their parents.

Encourage Healthier Food Choices

This is often the age at which kids start making more of their own food choices. If your child reaches for a lot of sugary drinks and snacks, those choices could have a lasting impact on their dental health. Here are some ways to encourage your middle schooler to choose healthier foods and drinks:

Stock your kitchen with healthy snacks like carrot sticks, apples, and light popcorn.
Take your kids shopping with you, and let them help you choose healthier foods to buy.
Have them help you cook; they're more likely to try healthy meals they have helped prepare.
Be a role model; stay away from sugary drinks and snacks yourself.

Parenting a middle schooler is not always easy. However, these formative years are an important time to focus on dental health and hygiene. Follow the tips above, and contact Joseph M. Perry, D.D.S., P.A. if you are looking for a new dentist for your child or pre-teen.

3 Dental Procedures You May Be Unfamiliar With

Wed, 27 Mar 2019 04:32:49 GMT

Everyone needs to visit their dentist on a regular basis in order to maintain healthy teeth and gums. In some cases, especially if one's oral health is in poor condition, the dentist may recommend procedures such as a full-mouth debridement, scaling (deep cleaning) and root planing. If your dentist has recommended one of these procedures to you, familiarize yourself with it.

1. Periodontal Debridement

If you haven't seen a dentist in a long time nor maintained proper oral health, you may be told you need a full mouth debridement. While the term may sound intimidating to some, it's easy to explain. Those who have not received routine dental cleanings alongside proper oral hygiene practice may accumulate excessive plaque and tartar on their teeth.

When plaque, a sticky film of bacteria, is not removed through routine brushing and dental cleanings, it turns into tartar. Tartar or calculus is the hard and crusty substance that forms on the teeth and gum line. A heavy accumulation of tartar on the teeth can make it difficult for your dentist to examine your teeth and gums. Full-mouth debridement removes this tartar so your dentist can advise you properly.

After the periodontal debridement, your dentist can clearly see the condition of your teeth and gums and recommend a treatment plan. But what exactly does the full-mouth debridement entail, and how is it done?

The dentist or oral hygienist will use an instrument known as an ultrasonic electric scaler to remove excess tartar from the teeth. The elongated wand has a vibrating tip and irrigates with water to rid your teeth of the debris. You should note that the debridement removes only plaque and tartar above the gumline.

2. Deep Cleaning

Maybe your dentist has recommended a deep cleaning, often referred to as scaling. You may wonder what exactly is meant by the term and how a deep cleaning differs from the ordinary dental cleaning that is typically performed every six months.

An ordinary periodic dental cleaning will only remove surface debris on your teeth. The hygienist will not scale beneath the gumline. Thus, if you have tartar or decay underneath the gumline, you may need a deep cleaning, or scaling.

During a scaling or deep cleaning, the hygienist will scale deeper beneath the gum line to remove tartar. Because deep cleaning is more invasive than regular cleaning, you may be given local anesthesia to numb the area before the procedure begins. In most cases, scaling (deep cleaning) requires two office visits.

Your dentist can determine whether the procedure is necessary by examining your gums using a probe that measures the depth of the gum pockets. If you have deep pockets of gum tissue, bacteria can accumulate there, possibly contributing to bone loss. To prevent such effects, your doctor could recommend a deep cleaning.

3. Root Planing

Root planing often follows scaling and is a method of smoothing out the rough spots on the surface of the roots of the teeth. To minimize pain and discomfort, your dentist may give you local anesthesia.

Afterward, expect gum soreness, which should diminish within a few days. Some individuals experience tooth sensitivity that lasts up to a week. Your dentist may recommend a mouthwash to help sooth your gums and promote healing. You can also use a warm saltwater rinse. So that you heal as quickly as possible, be sure to follow your dentist's and hygienist's instructions.

Speak to your dentist about any concerns you may have regarding the above dental procedures. To prevent further issues, remember to stick to a good oral hygiene plan to keep your teeth and gums healthy for life. Brush, floss, and visit the dentist every six months.

3 Dental Resolutions Every New Parent Should Make

Mon, 28 Jan 2019 04:42:32 GMT

Start the year off right with a commitment to support your baby's dental wellness. Make resolutions to keep up with tooth-related milestones, hygiene, and dental office visits for the special little one in your life. Here are three new parent dental resolutions to get you started.

1. Resolve to Schedule that First Appointment

Your infant should have their first dental appointment when their first tooth erupts. Or, schedule a first dentist's office visit by the time your baby is one year old if no teeth have erupted yet. If your baby is older than one year of age, don't worry. Just schedule your baby's first dental appointment as soon as possible.

First office visits are usually low-key appointments. During the simple dental exam, your child may sit on your lap facing you. The dentist sits on another chair. Your child is then reclined toward the dentist's lap.

Babies may be intimidated by the dental chair. The lap method keeps you close while your dentist checks your baby's teeth for the first time. The dentist counts the baby's teeth, looks at all tooth and gum surfaces with a mirror, and may use a gloved finger to touch parts of your baby's teeth and gums.

2. Vow to Be Positive and Calm About Dental Treatments

Be mindful about not projecting your own dentist-related anxieties and fears onto your child. If your child senses that you're worried or fearful of dental treatments, he or she may believe they should be scared, too.

Parents may be fearful of the dentist for the following reasons:

Bad experience at dentist
Shame about tooth decay and neglect
Fear of pain for their child
Anxiety over costs of dental care

Address your fears where your baby can't hear. The less your infant fears the dentist, the easier dental treatments will be for your child and the healthier their teeth will be throughout their life.

At the first dental visit, your dentist may want the hygienist to clean your baby's teeth. They may apply fluoride to protect your infant's teeth. Even though your child may cry and wiggle during the procedures, stay positive and calm.

Tooth cleaning and fluoride application in infancy can help prevent future pain, chewing problems, and tooth decay. By remaining positive and supportive during your baby's preventive dental treatments, you help protect your infant from future tooth pain and suffering.

3. Make a Commitment to Offer Healthy Rewards

During daily life, it's common to offer babies sweet treats when they comply with guidance or stay quiet. Well-meaning relatives may also want to indulge your child with donuts. You may let your baby take a sip of your sweetened soda when you're out shopping or at home on the phone.

Take care of your baby's teeth and your own by sipping on water instead of soda. If your baby wants a sip, the water is healthier. Keep other healthy snacks on hand to replace candy, cookies, and ice cream. Replace tooth-decaying treats with healthier foods like fruit and yogurt bites.

After a successful dental visit, avoid taking your child out for ice cream or a cookie haul at the bakery. Use the following activities to reward your baby after dental visits:

Trip to park or zoo
Visit to library or bookstore for new books
Session of finger-painting or sidewalk-chalk drawing
Playtime at indoor activity gym

When you reward your young child with enriching activities rather than sweet treats after dental visits, they will develop positive memories of dental care days. Then, your child will associate the dentist's office with good experiences and regard dental treatment as a routine part of their life.

Schedule your baby's first dental office visit in Statesville, North Carolina by contacting the dental office of Joseph M. Perry, D.D.S., P.A. today. Our dental practice offers caring, compassionate dental care for children throughout Statesville and the surrounding regions including Charlotte, Winston-Salem, and Hickory.

What You Should Know About Dental Implants

Tue, 27 Nov 2018 04:49:25 GMT

If you are missing one or more teeth, you're not alone. Many Americans have missing teeth from trauma, poor oral hygiene and many other reasons. Regardless, it still likely affects your self-confidence and esteem.

Luckily, thanks to continuing advancements in dentistry, there are many ways to replace missing teeth, and at Joseph M. Perry, D.D.S., P.A., we offer dental implants, one of the best options for missing teeth. If you are ready to have a more beautiful smile, check out these facts you should know about dental implants.

Use the Jawbone for Support

Natural teeth are durable because they use the jawbone for support. Plus, ligaments hold the teeth in place, allowing them to withstand daily wear and tear from grinding and eating.

Dental bridges and dentures are incapable of using the jawbone for support, but dental implants do. The titanium implant is like an artificial tooth root. Like a real tooth root, it sits in the jawbone. Of course, there are not ligaments to hold the implant, but overtime, the jawbone fuses to the titanium implant to solidify the hold.

Replace One or More Missing Teeth

If you are missing one or two teeth, a single dental implant is a great choice because it replaces one tooth. However, if you are missing a lot of teeth, multiple single dental implants may not be cost effective.

Instead, consider an implant-supported bridge; it works like a traditional bridge, but it uses titanium implants instead of healthy teeth to secure the bridge. This process makes them more durable than traditional bridges.

If you're missing an entire row (or both rows) of teeth, implant-supported dentures may be the better choice; they use implants to secure the dentures, but you can remove the dentures for easy cleaning.

Process Is Long and May Involve Multiple Procedures

Dentures and dental bridges take time to craft, but the dental implant process is much longer, and depending on your oral health, other procedures may be necessary.

If your jawbone isn't strong enough, the dentist may need to perform a bone graft to strengthen the jawbone, giving it the volume it needs to support the implant. Once this heals, the titanium plant can be placed, but you'll have to wait for the gums and implant to heal before the implant's crown can be placed.

Poor Oral Hygiene Increases the Risk of Implant Failure

Dental implants are durable, and with proper care, you may never even need to replace yours. As an added bonus, you don't need to worry about the implant falling victim to decay. It's still incredibly important to keep your teeth, gums and tongue clean to prevent peri-implant disease, which is basically gum disease around an implant.

At first, the condition may be mild with little symptoms, including tender, swollen gums. This is known as peri-implant mucositis, but if left untreated, it can advance to peri-implantitis. At this point, the risk of losing the implant increases because the jawbone is also affected.

Insurance May Pay Some of the Cost

Dental implants are expensive, especially if you need additional procedures, but they are an investment in your smile, and insurance may pay some of the cost. Most insurance carriers won't cover the cost of the "dental implant," but they may cover the cost of other procedures, such as the extraction. This assistance can help ease some of the financial burden.

Dental implants are an ideal way to replace missing teeth; they don't damage healthy teeth, and they use the jawbone for support. If you believe dental implants may be the right choice for you, give our office a call today to schedule an appointment with Joseph M. Perry, D.D.S., P.A.