Tuesday, January 21, 2014

Sedation dentistry

One of the most common reasons people put off important dental work and avoid going to the dentist is because they are afraid.  Many people associate dentistry with pain and discomfort.  The truth is that most dental procedures can be done with little or no pain, but that doesn't matter if somebody is already very scared about visiting the dentist. The next two blog posts are going to explain some options for patients who have a lot of anxiety about dentistry.

Local anesthesia

Local anesthesia is the technical term for the numbing medicine that is given for most dental procedures.  This is commonly referred to as "novocain".  Novocain was the name of a popular anesthetic in the past, but in recent decades has been replaced by lidocaine, which works better.  There are several other types of local anesthetic that are also used by dentists, but lidocaine is the most commonly used.  Local anesthetics work by blocking the pain signal sent from nerves to the brain.  This allows the dentist to work on the teeth or gums without the patient feeling any pain whatsoever.  The patient is still fully alert and aware of what is happening.  Local anesthesia is used by all dentists for procedures that would otherwise be painful.

Nitrous Oxide

Nitrous oxide is also known as laughing gas.  Nitrous oxide has been used in dentistry for many years.  It provides a small amount of pain relief (analgesia), but its biggest benefit comes from the sense of relaxation and calm that it provides.  With nitrous oxide, patients are still awake, but they feel somewhat disconnected from their surroundings and are less concerned about what is happening around them.  It works very well for people who are mildly to moderately anxious about dental treatment.   Nitrous oxide is used in combination with local anesthesia for dental procedures.

With nitrous oxide, a small rubber nosepiece is placed over the patient's nose, and the patient breathes a combination of nitrous oxide and oxygen.  The amount of nitrous oxide can be adjusted for the patient's comfort.  After the procedure is finished and the nitrous oxide is turned off, it only takes about two minutes for the effects to wear off.  It's very safe and the most common unwanted side effect is upset stomach.

In the next post, we will discuss some other options for anxiety management that can make dental appointments easier.

Monday, January 13, 2014

Do I really have to floss?

Many people do not like to floss and we frequently hear people ask if it's really necessary, especially if they are regularly brushing their teeth and using mouthwash.  Some people complain that it hurts or makes their gums bleed, or that it just doesn't seem to be worth the hassle.

In our opinion, there is no substitute for flossing when it comes to keeping gums and teeth healthy and clean.  Throughout the day, plaque accumulates on our teeth.  This plaque can cause gum inflammation (gingivitis) that eventually leads to more serious problems.  This plaque sticks to the sides of teeth and the best way to remove it is by physically wiping it off.  This is what you do when you brush your teeth.  The bristles of your tooth brush cannot get between your teeth to clean them effectively, though.  That's what floss is useful for.  Floss goes in between teeth and removes the plaque that's stuck to the side of the teeth.  If the plaque is not removed, it can harden into tartar, which can usually only be removed during a dental cleaning.

If flossing is done correctly, it shouldn't be painful.  The floss should be pulled down between the teeth gently until you feel it "snap" past the spot where the teeth touch each other.  Then it should be pulled against the side of the tooth as it is moved up and down (think of making the floss into the shape of the letter "C").  You can slide the floss below the gumline until there is a slight resistance - don't try to force it any further.  Remember to clean both teeth before you pull the floss out from between the teeth.  There is no need to cut the gums or injure them with the floss.

If your gums bleed when you floss, it is most likely a sign of gingivitis.  If you keep flossing every day for about two weeks, you should find that there is much less bleeding than when you started.  You can actually see that your gums are getting healthier!

 Getting good at flossing takes a little practice, but once you're experienced, it can be done in a few minutes.  There are tools that can be used to make flossing easier as well.  If you're struggling or just uncertain, ask your dentist or hygienist the next time you go for a visit.

Monday, January 6, 2014

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year from everybody at Beautiful Dentistry!  At this time of year, we like to make resolutions to do things that will have a positive impact on our lives.  Don't forget to consider your oral health when you're making your resolutions.  If you haven't been to the dentist in a while or you have treatment needs that you've been putting off, this is the perfect time to get started.  Call us at (704) 633-2612 and we can help you set up an appointment!