What is Local Anesthesia?

Topical anesthetics are applied are applied to mouth tissues with a swab to prevent pain on the surface level. Your dentist may use a topical anesthetic to numb an area in preparation for administering an injectable local anesthesia. Topical anesthetics also may be used to soothe painful mouth sores. Injectable local anesthetics prevent pain in a specific area in your mouth during treatment by blocking the nerves that sense or transmit pain or numbing mouth tissues. They cause the temporary numbness often called “fat lip” feeling.

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What is Periodontal (Gum) Disease?

It is an infection of the tissues that support your teeth. Your gum tissue is not attached to the teeth as high as it may seem. There is a very shallow v-shaped crevice called a sulcus between the tooth and the gums. Periodontal diseases stack just below the gum line in the sulcus, where they cause the attachment of the tooth and its supporting tissues to break down. As the tissues are damaged, the sulcus develops into a pocket: generally, the more severe the disease, the greater the depth of the pocket. Periodontal diseases are classified according to the severity of the disease. The two major stages are gingivitis and periodontitis. Gingivitis is a milder and reversible form of periodontal disease that only affects the gums. If untreated, gingivitis may lead to a more serious, destructive form– periodontitis.
Some factors increase the risk of developing periodontal disease:
Tobacco smoking or chewing
Systemic diseases such as diabetes
Some types of steroids, anti-epilepsy drugs, cancer therapy drugs, and oral contraceptives
Defective fillings and crooked teeth
Several warning signs that can signal a problem:
Gums that bleed easily and/or are red, swollen, and tender
Persistent bad breath or bad taste
Any change in the way your teeth fit together when you bite
Any change in the fit of your partial dentures
It is possible to have periodontal disease and have no warning signs! This is one reason why regular dental checkups and periodontal examinations are important. You don't have to lose your teeth to periodontal disease. Brush and floss regularly, eat a balanced diet, and schedule regular dental visits for a lifetime of healthy smiles.
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What You Need to Know About Your New Dentures.

Everyone’s experience with new dentures is different and unique. Physical, mental, and oral conditions are individual for each person. Do not compare your progress with new dentures to someone else’s.

Your appearance with new dentures will become more natural with time. Initially, the dentures may feel strange and bulky in the mouth and may cause a feeling of fullness of the lips and cheeks. Muscle tension may cause an awkward appearance, which will improve after you have become more relaxed and more comfortable with your new dentures.

Learning to chew comfortably with new dentures usually takes at least 6 to 8 weeks. Do not get discouraged. Once the habit patterns become automatic, the chewing process will take place more smoothly. The muscles of the tongue, cheeks, and lips must be trained to keep the dentures in position during chewing. These muscles have to relearn what they should and should not do. In the first few days after placement of your new dentures there will be an excess flow of saliva. After a short period of time the salivary glands accommodate to the presence of your new dentures, and the production of saliva returns to normal. In the beginning you will want to chew relatively soft food cut into small pieces. Such as crackers, soft toast, or chopped meat. When biting with your new dentures, place the food between your teeth toward the corners of the mouth, rather than between the anterior teeth. Then the food should be pushed inward and upward to break it apart rather than downward and outward as would be done if natural teeth were present. The position of the tongue plays an important role in the stability of a lower denture, especially during chewing.

Learning to speak with your new dentures should not be very difficult. Speaking normally with your new dentures just requires a little practice. Reading aloud and repeating words or phrases that are difficult for you to pronounce will help with the process of making you feel more comfortable speaking with your new dentures. You are usually more conscious of small irregularities in your speech than those who are listening to you.

Keeping your new dentures clean is very important for the health of the oral cavity. Rinse your dentures and your mouth after meals whenever possible. It is also important that your dentures be removed and placed in a soaking type of cleanser for a minimum of 30 minutes once a day. This is required to effectively kill bacteria on the dentures, as well as removal of all stain. Leaving the dentures in a cleanser overnight is even better. Once removed from the cleanser the dentures should be brushed gently with a soft brush and rinsed thoroughly. They should be brushed over a basin partially filled with water or covered with a wet washcloth to prevent breakage in case they are dropped. Do not use toothpaste to clean your dentures! The gums and the surface of the tongue should also be brushed daily with a soft brush. This will increase the circulation and remove plaque and debris that can cause irritation and offensive odors.

Why Are My Teeth Sensitive?

Is a taste of ice cream or a sip of hot coffee sometimes a painful experience for you? Does brushing or flossing make you wince occasionally? If so, you may have a common problem called "sensitive teeth."

What Causes Sensitive Teeth?

Cavities and fractured teeth can cause sensitive teeth. But if your dentist has ruled these problems out, then worn tooth enamel, a cracked tooth, or an exposed tooth root may be the cause.
A layer of enamel, the strongest substance in the body, protects the crowns of healthy teeth. A layer called cementum protects the tooth root under the gum line. Underneath the enamel and the cementum is dentin, a part of the tooth that is less dense than enamel or cementum.
The dentin contains microscopic tubules (small hollow tubes or canals). When the dentin loses its protective covering, the tubules allow heat and cold or acidic or sticky foods to stimulate the nerves and cells inside the tooth. This causes hypersensitivity and occasional discomfort. Fortunately, the irritation does not cause permanent damage to the pulp. Dentin may be exposed when gums recede. The result can be hypersensitivity near the gum line.
Proper oral hygiene is the key to preventing gums from receding and causing sensitive-tooth pain. If you brush your teeth incorrectly or even over-brush, gum problems can result. Ask your dentist if you have any questions about your daily oral hygiene routine. For more tips on caring for your teeth, see "Cleaning Your Teeth and Gums."

Treating Sensitive Teeth

Sensitive teeth can be treated. Your dentist may suggest that you try a desensitizing toothpaste, which contains compounds that help block transmission of sensation from the tooth surface to the nerve. Desensitizing toothpaste usually requires several applications before the sensitivity is reduced. When choosing toothpaste or any other dental care products, look for those that display the American Dental Association's Seal of Acceptance–your assurance that products have met ADA criteria for safety and effectiveness.
If the desensitizing toothpaste does not ease your discomfort, your dentist may suggest in-office techniques. A fluoride gel, which strengthens tooth enamel and reduces the transmission of sensations, may be applied to the sensitive areas of the teeth. If receding gums cause the sensitivity, your dentist may use agents that bond to the tooth root to "seal" the sensitive teeth. The sealer usually is composed of a plastic material. In cases where hypersensitivity is severe and persistent and cannot be treated by other means, your dentist may recommend endodontic (root canal) treatment to eliminate the problem.