My Mercury Filling Fell Out: What Now?

/0 Comments/in , /by

Mercury was used almost exclusively for decades in tooth fillings. Dental professionals now know how toxic mercury is and it is rarely—if ever—used in fillings. There are so many more effective and safer alternatives that it doesn’t make sense to use mercury. If you have an undamaged tooth filling with mercury, most experts agree that you shouldn’t do anything. It’s the mercury vapors that are dangerous, and those vapors are only released when the mercury is cracked or disturbed, such as when the mercury filling is removed. But what if your mercury filling falls out?

Contact Your Dentist Right Away

If your mercury filling has come out, contact your Owensboro, KY dentist right away. No matter what condition the filling is in, or the tooth, you’ll need immediate treatment.

Store the Filling

If you know where the mercury filling is, store it securely in a sealed plastic bag. Don’t finger it or lay it on any surface in your home. You don’t want to accidentally spread any toxicity from the mercury.

Care For Your Tooth

If your tooth is painful or sensitive after the loss of the filling, use your judgment for self-care until you can get into your Beaver Dam, KY dentist for tooth restoration. Consider taking an over-the-counter pain reliever in combination with an over-the-counter numbing agent. These types of numbing agents are very effective and can keep you comfortable until you’re able to see the dentist.

Avoid Chewing on the Tooth

In the meantime, avoid chewing on the tooth with the lost filling. You have no way of knowing how much mercury is still in the tooth cavity, whether vapors are being released or how food debris may further damage the tooth.

Above all, don’t panic. Once you visit your Beaver Dam, KY dentist, they will be able to assess the situation and offer a safe treatment.

Emergency Dental Supplies to Keep on Hand

/0 Comments/in , /by

You can always rely on your Owensboro and Beaver Dam, KY dentist to take care of you in emergency situations. But between the time you experience the emergency and the time it takes to get to the dentist, there are some things you can do it help yourself, too. Following are the essential emergency dental supplies you should always keep on hand.

Numbing Ointment

Tooth pain can be absolutely excruciating. For nearly instant relief, use a numbing ointment on the affected area. Many people use a cotton swab to apply it. Within a few seconds, it should start working and give you relief until you can get to the dentist.

Over-the-counter Pain Medication

It’s a good idea to keep acetaminophen and ibuprofen in the house to assist with the pain from a dental emergency. Follow label instructions and never take more than the recommended dose.

Gauze

In cases of bleeding—and a knocked-out tooth can result in a lot of blood loss—you’ll want to have sterile gauze on hand. You can fold the gauze over on itself to pack the area where the tooth came out. Apply dental pressure to control bleeding. Keep replacing with clean gauze as it gets soiled.

Dental Mirror

A dental mirror is a small mirror on an angled metal stick. This will allow you to see way back inside your mouth, much like a dentist can. A dental mirror may help you to assess what the problem is with a molar or an area of sensitive gum tissue so that you can explain it over the phone to your dentist.

When you have a dental emergency, contact your dentist right away. If you end up needing a tooth extraction in Beaver Dam, KY or something else, your dentist will be able to treat you accordingly.

Why Are My Teeth Shifting?

/0 Comments/in , /by

There’s a common belief that adult teeth should not shift. But natural teeth shift slightly during the entire lifetime. If you’ve noticed gaps or changes in the way your teeth align, it’s likely that this is just a normal part of life. However, if you notice that the teeth shifting is more severe, that your bite alignment is changing, or that some teeth are also becoming loose, this is not something you should ignore.

Your Owensboro, KY Dentist Monitors Shifting of Teeth

Although your dentist in Owensboro, KY may not come right out and say it, each time you have a dentist visit, they are monitoring your teeth for shifting. Normal amounts of teeth shifting won’t be cause for treatment. But if your dentist sees extreme shifting going on, they will certainly bring it up and talk to you about potential problems.

Natural Reasons For Noticeable Teeth Shifting

Sometimes, even benign reasons can cause more noticeable shifting of teeth. These include:

  • Recent removal of orthodontics, when teeth are subtly moving into a more permanent position
  • Loss of tooth, where abutting teeth move closer together to fill in the gap
  • Wisdom teeth removal, where the natural teeth move ever so slightly apart to make use of the extra space

Problematic Reasons For Noticeable Teeth Shifting

There are other, more serious reasons why your teeth may be shifting, too. These include:

  • Advancing periodontal disease, where teeth and gums are succumbing to bacterial infection
  • Bone loss in the jaw, where the connection between the tooth root and the jaw is becoming tenuous due to bone degeneration
  • Teeth grinding, an unconscious movement that places excessive stress on teeth, gums and jaw

If you get routine preventative care in Owensboro, KY, you don’t have anything to worry about. Your dentist will ensure that your teeth and gums are as healthy as possible!

Why Is Follow-Up Dental Care So Important After a Tooth Extraction?

/0 Comments/in , , /by

There are several reasons your dentist in Owensboro, KY, may wish to see you after a tooth extraction. Initially, they may want to make sure you’re healing properly and not having issues with infection. You may also have stitches that need to be removed. More importantly, however, your dentist needs to discuss techniques to prevent bone loss.

Bone loss happens when you lose a tooth and put nothing in its place to fill the hole. Over time, the bone beneath the gum in this area will recede, leaving a large dip you can easily feel with your tongue. This dip worsens over time, and may cause a host of problems, including the following:

Gaps Between Teeth

As bone loss worsens, the teeth surrounding the empty space may shift and begin to spread out from one another. The result could leave you with an unsightly gap where you once had none. A tooth gap may not be a serious issue, but it does affect the appearance of your smile and possibly your self-esteem.

Open Bite

An open bite is more serious because it prevents your upper and lower teeth from coming together at the front of your mouth. It may be difficult to speak clearly with an open bite. It’s also more difficult to eat, bite, and chew. Your risk of choking is greater with an open bite, and something so simple as eating a sandwich may feel impossible.

Facial Deformity

Over time, if left untreated, dental bone loss can lead to facial deformity. The structure of your face may change, making you appear much older than your biological age. It’s important to follow up with your dentist after a tooth extraction if you wish to maintain a youthful appearance. In most instances, simple dental implant surgery is the solution.

For more information on dental implants in Ownensboro, KY, call Travis Wilson, D.M.D. today to schedule a consultation.

3 Myths About Visiting the Dentist 

/0 Comments/in , , /by

There are many common myths that people have about visiting the dentist. Most myths come from an unrealistic fear of the dentist. And most of those fears stem from avoiding the dentist, which only exaggerates imagined scenarios. The more you visit your dentist in Owensboro, the more you’ll see that these myths have no basis in reality. Following are some of the most common myths about dental visits.

1. Dentists Enjoy Using the Drill

Dental drills are only used when significant tooth decay is found and needs to be removed. The drill enables the dentist to “drill out” the decay and clean up the sides and edges so that a clean surface can be created in which to accept the filling material. Dentists don’t particularly enjoy drilling teeth, insomuch that it means there is bad decay happening. But a drill is a useful tool that helps the patient’s tooth from being completely destroyed from decay.

2. The Dentist is Going to Pull All My Teeth

A dentist’s main objective is to save natural teeth. There are more tools and technological advances available today than ever before. Your dentist in Owensboro would rather use those tools and techniques to save your natural teeth than to have to pull a tooth. And, in a worse case scenario when a tooth can’t be saved, a dentist will never pull a tooth without discussing it with the patient beforehand.

3. A Dental Visit is Only Needed for a Toothache or Damaged Tooth

This is a very harmful myth, because it keeps people from visiting the dentist as frequently as they should. In fact, you should have a dental exam at a minimum every six months. If you do this, dental work can be largely preventative, and you may never need extensive dental restoration work. However, when you only visit the dentist is dire circumstances, extensive work may be needed.

Don’t let false myths about dentists keep you from getting the dental services you need for optimal oral health. Visit us soon and see for yourself just how pleasant a dental visit can truly be.

How Slimming Diets Can Jeopardize Your Oral Health

/0 Comments/in , /by

The best way to ensure lasting oral health is to have routine visits to your dentist in Owensboro, KY at least once every six months. You should also practice good oral hygiene at home, brushing and flossing after each meal. However, there’s another way that your oral health can be jeopardized, even when you do all these things. Your diet plays a large and important part in your oral health. And, unfortunately, the popularity of slimming diets is a poor companion to healthy teeth and gums.

Diets That Omit Entire Food Groups

Some of the most popular diets today omit entire food groups. One common diet, the Atkins diet, leaves out fruits and vegetables for the most part, for an entire two weeks. The so-called induction period calls for just one cup of vegetables per day. This makes it impossible for a person to get sufficient vitamins and nutrients in their diet. Of course, as the diet continues, more vegetables are supposed to be introduced. Still, diets like this severely limit access to healthy food groups.

Nutrition and Oral Health

Teeth, gums and bones need a well-rounded diet in order to maintain strength, function and health. It’s not so much the actual protein and carbohydrates, but the macro and micro nutrients in whole foods that enable the body to convert foods into what it needs to be healthy. Those who are malnourished for long periods of time will experience loose teeth, degenerating jaw bone, or even mouth diseases. In this day and age it’s hard to think of a person being malnourished. However, being on a slimming diet for a long time or being on a series of diets can indeed lead to malnutrition.

Your dentist in Owensboro can only do so much. It’s up to you to give your body the nutrients it needs for oral health.

3 New Year’s Resolutions to Consider That Are All About Your Smile

/0 Comments/in , , , /by

Another year is nearly gone, which means it is once again time to start thinking about what you want to do differently for the year to come. As you consider all the New Year’s resolutions that you hope to keep, don’t forget your oral health. Your smile is an important part of who you are, which is why restorative dentistry in Beaver Dam, KY is so popular. Take a look at a few resolutions you may want to consider as this year comes to a close.

Resolve to be more attentive to preventative dental health.

Preventative dental care is all about doing everything you can to prevent dental health issues from occurring. Whether it is your at-home oral hygiene habits or your annual visit to the dentist for checkups and cleaning, these steps can make a world of difference to your oral health.

Resolve to tend to small problems you’ve been neglecting with your teeth.

Maybe you have a small cavity that you have avoided for a while. Perhaps you have bite alignment issues you have never addressed. As the new year begins, tending to these problems could be one of the best things you ever do for your oral health.

Resolve to find out how you can be more confident with your smile.

A confident smile can change everything about how you interact with the world around you. Whether you are not so confident about the appearance of your teeth because you have stains or you really want to make a big change, a good dentist can help the visions of a better smile come to life.

Could a Beaver Dam Dentist help you with your resolutions?

Every new year is a new chance to start the year off right, even when it comes to your oral health. If you have something about your oral health or smile that you would like to discuss with a Beaver Dam, KY dentist, reach out to us at Dr. Travis Wilson Family Dentistry to schedule an appointment.

Does Charcoal Make Teeth Whiter?

/0 Comments/in , , /by

One of the latest trends in oral health is activated charcoal. Before using any trendy products on your teeth, be sure to consult with your dentist in Beaver Dam and Owensboro, KY. Despite what you may have heard online, trendy oral health care products may do more damage than good. Since the results of any oral healthcare product will depend on your individual circumstances, it’s best to talk to a dentist first.

The Allure of Whiter Teeth

Almost everyone wants whiter teeth. White teeth symbolize health and wellness and, quite simply, make a person’s appearance more attractive. This is why teeth whitening products are so popular, and is likely the reason why the idea of activated charcoal has gained in popularity.

Why Activated Charcoal Works

In fact, activated charcoal does work to brighten teeth. However, it’s not for the reasons you may think. Activated charcoal doesn’t contain some “magic” compound that makes teeth whiter. The whitening action comes from the micro-abrasive composition of the charcoal. When a person brushes with activated charcoal, they’re simply scrubbing away with more abrasion than comes from a simple toothpaste. You could get similar results from brushing with baking soda or salt, both of which also are mild abrasive.

The Dangers of Using Activated Charcoal

There are potential dangers in using activated charcoal on a regular basis. For one, the enamel on your teeth is not impervious to abrasives. It’s easier to scrub away important enamel when you’re using an abrasive substance like charcoal. This would leave your teeth more vulnerable to tooth pain and decay.

If you really want whiter teeth, your best option is to get professional teeth whitening from your dentist in Beaver Dam and Owensboro, KY. Contact us today to book an appointment.

Why Does My Tooth Hurt All of a Sudden?

/0 Comments/in , /by

Sudden tooth pain can be brought on by a number of reasons. Often, this is a sign that you need to see your dentist in Owensboro and Beaver Dam, KY. Your dentist will help to determine the cause of your sudden tooth pain and offer necessary treatment. Following are the most common reasons for sudden-onset tooth pain.

Excess Cold or Heat Exposure

Simply biting into something or drinking something that’s very hot or very cold can cause sudden tooth pain. Examples include ice cubes, ice cream, shaved ice treats, hot tea or coffee and other things. Almost everyone’s experienced this every now and then. But if this happens often for you, it’s best to talk to your dentist about the problem.

Receding Gums

If you have receding gums, you could also have an infected tooth. If you suddenly experience tooth pain, it’s possible that your infected tooth is getting even worse. Contact your dentist to have your teeth and gums examined for advancing gum disease.

Enamel Erosion

Your teeth have an outer layer of enamel that protects each tooth. For various reasons, enamel can wear away in spots. This often leaves the tooth overly sensitive to hot and cold temperatures, which usually result in sudden tooth pain. Your dentist may have some solutions for you. Make an appointment to find out what your options are.

Toothache

Toothaches often come on slowly, over time. Other times they come on very suddenly, even waking you in the middle of the night. Toothaches indicate a serious problem with a tooth, and they rarely if ever go away on their own. Call your dentist’s office as soon as possible to get it taken care of.

Your dentist in Owensboro and Beaver Dam, KY can help with sudden tooth pain. Contact us today for relief from tooth pain and treatment.

Woman holds fingers on her cheek showing toothache

The Dangers of DIY Tooth Extraction

/0 Comments/in , , , /by

You notice one of your teeth is severely loose—should you pull it yourself? No matter how loose a permanent tooth may be, you are much better off to trust tooth extraction in Owensboro to a qualified dentist. Here is a look at some of the things that can go wrong with a DIY tooth extraction.

Severe Pain

Tooth extraction can be painful. You are essentially ripping the tooth away from the soft connective tissue that supports it. Even a tooth that is really loose can have bits of connective tissue still in place. This is why dentists inject a local anesthetic to numb the nerves in the area and keep you comfortable throughout the procedure.

Nerve Damage

The mouth, gums, and jaws are filled with important nerves. Trigeminal nerves that lie near the teeth can actually be connected to multiple other points, such as the lips, gums, and chin. Damage to these nerves during extraction can bring about severe side effects, such as changes in speech or constant electrical pulse sensations. If you don’t know where these nerves are located, you could easily damage them during a DIY attempt to pull a permanent tooth.

Damage to Surrounding Teeth

When your tooth is pulled by a dentist, they do x-rays and thorough examinations to get familiar with the shape of your jaws and the positions of the surrounding teeth. They do this to make sure they can dislodge the existing tooth safely without causing damage to any of the surrounding teeth. When you attempt to pull a tooth on your own, you could easily cause permanent damage to the teeth that surround the area.

Work with an Owensboro Dentist to Have a Tooth Pulled

While teeth extractions are a highly routine dental procedure, this is a procedure that should be trusted to an Owensboro dentist. If you have a tooth that you suspect should be pulled, please reach out to us at the office of Dr. Travis Wilson DMD to schedule an appointment.