Handling Dental Trauma in Lynnwood Dentistry

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What to do in Cases of Dental Trauma

Most trauma injuries to teeth occur during normal daily activities, often are circumstances difficult to prevent. From children to adults, traumatic injuries are common. Infants and toddlers, during playtime or even when learning to walk, meet with accidents that tend to knock out their front primary teeth.

Older children to adults, especially those engaged in sports and other active encounters, or get into brawls, or meet with vehicular accidents, suffer trauma to the face, jaws and teeth. Safety measures are not always in place. In these situations where loss of teeth are involved, a dentist expertise is sought immediately. So, what can you do?

If a baby or your toddler’s tooth or teeth get knocked off, take care that you do not implant the displaced tooth back into its socket. Let your dentist do it for you are likely to damage the developing permanent tooth that is just behind the dislodged primary tooth. If this happens to a permanent tooth, it should be carefully picked up by its crown, not by its root, for the root part may still contain vital attachments necessary for a successful transplant.

You can very briefly wash it (in seconds only) in milk or saline solution if it is dirty. If it is possible to replant the tooth, hold it then in place by biting on a clean cloth to keep it in place. Or otherwise, if it can’t be re-implanted immediately, the tooth can be placed in the patient’s mouth, between the teeth and the inside cheek. This is an emergency, and dental attention should be prompt.

Emergency Dental Care at Lynwood Dentistry

We at Song Dental Center provide same day emergency appointments for existing and new patients. If you have a dental emergency, like trauma, do give us a call so can expect you and be ready. Or, you can just walk-in and be assured we will serve you promptly.

Modern Technology in Lynnwood Dentistry

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Dental Benefits of the Laser

Delivering energy in the form of light, lasers act as adjunct in surgical and dental procedures serving as cutting instruments or as vaporizers on tissues the light comes in contact with. Easily and precisely, lasers remove decay from tooth enamel and is also used to prepare the cavity that will receive the dental filling material that seals it. Likewise, during root canal procedures, lasers take out diseased pulp tissue and cleans up the root chambers.

The technology also cuts unwanted or diseased gum tissue, reshaping it in place or where grafting is necessary. Where a piece of tissue has to be taken out for biopsy purposes or a mouth lesion needs to be vaporized, the laser is a helpful instrument. And did you know that it can also be used in teeth-whitening procedures, activating bleaching solutions placed on teeth to speed up the process?

Patients appreciate the speed and convenience this modern technology offers. There is less need for anesthetics or sedation as it is a no-pain procedure in many cases. Patients’ anxiety over the use of the dental drill is lessened with lasers, as well as lesser bleeding and swelling of soft tissue can be expected. It also saves more normal tooth structure in procedures like cavity-removal.
While there may be conditions where lasers are not indicated and that this modern technology is additionally more pricey than conventional means, laser benefits are quite hard to overlook.

Precision Dentistry at Lynnwood Song Dental

In the hands of certified and experienced professionals such as Dr. Song, laser technology provides the speed, safety and precision of modern dental practice in today’s world. If you’re ready to experience this, do come by for an appointment at Song Dental. Find out if laser dentistry is for you, here in Lynnwood.

Symptoms of TMD

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Our Lynnwood Dentistry offers many options to help people suffering from TMD, Temporomandibular Joint Disorders.

First, patients should be aware of the condition.  Consider the following list of potential symptoms, and contact Song Dental Center if you believe you might have a problem in your temporomandibular joint. It’s better if you don’t wait until you feel pain, or increased pain.

Symptoms of TMD/TMJ

  • A pain or a tender feeling in your face, neck, or shoulders.
  • A pain in or around your ears when you chew, speak, or open your mouth wide.
  • Difficulty opening your mouth wide.
  • A clicking in your jaw, or a tendency for your jaw to lock.
  • A clicking, popping, or grating in the area of your jaw joint when moving your jaw.
  • A feeling of fatigue in your face.
  • A change in the way your upper and lower teeth fit together, which may result in difficulty or discomfort when chewing.
  • Swelling in the side of your face.
  • Toothaches.
  • Dizziness.
  • Hearing problems, or a ringing in the ears.

Contact our dentist, Dr. Song, if you have any questions or concerns about your TMD or TMJ conditions.

Handling Allergies in Lynnwood Dentistry

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When Allergies Manifest in the Dental Office

While dental allergies affect a small percentage of the general population, they do happen and are cause for grave concern. In the dental office, practitioners have their share of allergic encounters in patients. Patients themselves may not be aware they are allergic to certain triggers and if such events surface in a dental set-up, it is through a dentist’s training and expertise that the harmful effects are averted and learned from.

Take penicillin, for example. Would you know if you are allergic to penicillin? This popular drug is widely used as an anti-infective in dental practise and, unfortunately, some people have allergies to it. You ought to have a full disclosure of your medical and dental history in your file because good dental practise requires it. As such your dentist will not prescribe it nor any other antibiotic in the same family of drugs but opt for other medications instead. Without this information though, he must be able to give the proper antidote or counter-procedure in a timely manner.

It goes the same when some patients manifest allergies towards latex gloves, impression materials, dental fillings like amalgam and composites, or metals used in dentistry like mercury, titanium, and nickel, among others. Local anesthetics may also trigger allergies. Manifestations include hives, swelling of tongue, pharynx, larynx; there may be bronchospasm, hypotension, or cardiac arrhythmias. Where allergic reactions are concerned, prevention is better than cure. It is in your best interest as a patient that your dentist is well trained and experienced in handling such cases.

Foreknowledge and Alertness in Lynnwood Dentistry

Here at Auburn Dental, our dentists and staff combine the indispensable tools in dealing with allergies. We take thorough medical and dental history seriously that will provide us with background knowledge about your allergies, should you have them. We are nonetheless alert and prepared to deal with unforeseen events should they arise. It’s just the way good dentistry is practiced.

Does Less Sugar Equal Less Tooth Decay?

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We all know that sugar is bad for you. Too much sugar means obesity, lethargy, diabetes, and to your Lynnwood dental clinic it means tooth decay. The common wisdom, from a dental perspective, is that less sugar equals healthier teeth, but there are certain flaws in this logic. It’s important to cultivate a greater understanding of sugar’s effects on our oral health, and thereby foster the habits that will truly lead us to a happier and healthier mouth.

First off, it’s not specifically sugar that contributes to tooth decay. The main culprit is carbohydrates, of which sugar is only a small part. Fruits, vegetables, and grains, all of these are common sources of carbs. You could no more hope to cut carbs out of your diet than you could aspire to cut verbs out of your vocabulary.

Fortunately, it’s not the quantity of carbs that contributes to tooth decay so much as it is the duration of the exposure your mouth has to them. When you eat a sugar-rich meal, your mouth is under attack for maybe twenty minutes while your saliva clears away the remains. This is a lot less harmful to your teeth than sipping a sugary drink throughout the day, constantly assuring a feeding frenzy to your oral bacteria. This is why it is recommended that you limit sugary substances to regular meal times and keep from snacking.

Should I Get an Electric Toothbrush?

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With all the buzz that surrounds electric toothbrushes, many people ask our Lynnwood Dentistry whether or not it is actually worthwhile to replace their old brushes in favor of one of the high-tech alternatives.  The truth is that this is not an easy question to answer, and many factors should be considered when determining what is the right toothbrush for you.

In general, the best brush for you is whichever option you will actually use.  An electric toothbrush honestly isn’t brushing your teeth a whole lot better than you could by yourself, but some people find that it makes the chore an easier part of their routine.  This is particularly true if you’re lacking in manual dexterity, or otherwise have trouble manipulating a normal brush across your hard-to-reach teeth.  Other people also appreciate special functions that come with some electric brushes, like a timer that tells you when you’ve brushed enough or a sensor that tells you when you’re brushing too hard.  If these are areas that you have difficulty with, then maybe the extra cost of an electric brush is worthwhile for you.

Whichever brush you ultimately favor, the most important thing is that you maintain a proper brushing habit.  Use it twice a day, floss appropriately, and get your regular check-ups at your Lynnwood dentistry center.  If you’re not doing this, then there’s really no gadget on the market that’s going to keep your teeth happy and healthy.

Is Your Toothbrush Clean Enough?

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Did you know that your toothbrush can quickly turn into a hotbed of bacteria? Research has shown that as many as ten million microorganisms can be living inside the bristles that you stick into your mouth every morning. It is for this reason that our Lynnwood dental clinic recommends that you take care to maintain a clean and reasonably sanitary brush.

The first thing to realize is that the bacteria on your brush is no particular cause for alarm; it picked up these tiny stowaways from your own mouth, after all, and no one with a healthy immune system should be falling ill from such microbes. However, by keeping these bacteria populations down as much as possible, you can do wonders for your own oral health.

Start by storing your brush upright. Bacteria thrives in a damp environment, so it helps to allow the bristles to dry out between brushings. You may also periodically soak the brush in alcohol, antiseptic mouthwash, or the like to purge away stubborn cultures. If you’re sensitive to such substances, ten minutes in boiling water can serve just as well. It is important that you don’t microwave your brush or put it in the dishwasher, however, because these can destroy the fragile bristles.

No matter what you do to keep your brush clean, it is recommended that you replace it every three months. If you are suffering from gum disease, this interval can be significantly shorter. Talk to your dentist to determine exactly how frequently you should change brushes.

Cold Sores

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Nobody likes a cold sore.  They’re painful, unappealing, and difficult to get rid of.  Should you find yourself suffering from one of these unfortunate sores, our Lynnwood Dentistry advises that you take the following steps in order to expedite recovery, minimize pain, and prevent the virus from spreading:

  • Cold sores are caused by a herpes virus.  Therefore, they cannot be cured.  However, you can buy over-the-counter drugs that can be effective in reducing the pain of the sores, minimizing cracking, and facilitating the healing process.

  • Keep your sores clean.  Cold sores are vulnerable to bacterial infection, which will prolong the sores and cause you undue pain.  If the area becomes dirty, wash your sore gently with soap and water.

  • If you are spending any significant time in the sun, apply sunblock to your lips and face.

  • Remember: You are contagious!  Wash your hands after touching a sore, don’t kiss people, and don’t share beverages, utensils, or anything else that comes into contact with your lips.

  • You can spread the virus to other parts of your own body if you are not careful.  Your eyes and your genitals are particularly vulnerable.  Wash your hands before touching other parts of your body, or you could become afflicted with blindness or genital herpes.

  • Replace your toothbrush, and keep your brush away from those of the other members of your household.

Your sores will be contagious until they have completely crusted over.  Cold sores should heal by themselves within seven to ten days.