Cold Sores
Cold sores typically form outside the mouth and happen as the name depicts due to cold and related virus.

Canker Sores
As opposed to cold sores, canker sores occur inside the mouth. They are small and occur as an ulcer and can be extremely painful. While the causes of formation of these cankerous sores are not known, it is believed that excessive consumption of acidic food often cause the sores to occur and multiply. Sometimes sudden injury to the tissues in the gums could also lead to their occurrence.

Unlike cold sores, canker sores are not easy to deal with. There are two types of canker sores – simple and those that can be not so simple. Simple canker sores are the most common type of canker sores and can be treated rather easily. On the other hand, the serious canker sores typically happen to those who have had it before. The ongoing or recurrence of the canker sores is a manifestation of a bigger problem at hand, which one often tends to ignore. Often dentists or doctors attribute the occurrence and reappearance of canker sores to deficiency of major vitamins in the body like vitamin B-12, zinc, folic acid, iron. It can also be the cause of nutrition deficiency or various gastrointestinal tract diseases.

Whatever the causes of these sores, they are extremely painful to bear. These fleshy and watery growths in the insides of the cheek, tongue or on the palate can make life unbearable. Often the pain and discomfort results in fever and temperature as well.

How can one treat canker sores? If you feel that the pain and discomfort is getting unbearable, it may help to visit your dentist. If the problem isn’t as serious, one may look at over-the-counter medications and oral rinses that might temporarily relieve you of the pain as well as kill the infection, if the cause is superficial. However, if the sores are due to other serious problem, continued use of these rinses or medications may not do much in terms of relief; rather prolonged use could often enhance the irritation and make the situation worse.

If even after over the counter medications there isn’t much in terms of relief, it perhaps is a sign that there may be more that what meets the eye. In such a scenario, do not waste time and consult your dentist to get appropriate treatment.

What to look for in a toothbrush:

• The first thing to note is that a toothbrush should be replaced roughly every 1-3 months. Doing this will ensure the quality of the bristles and their effectiveness of removing plaque from your teeth.
• Most people have varying sized teeth. This is something to consider when buying a toothbrush; how big your teeth are. If your teeth are small and your brush head is large then you will likely rub your gums with the bristles causing irritation or even bleeding. If this is the case switch to a smaller brush head. A smaller brush head will also make it easier to get into the smaller spaces between teeth for deeper cleaning.
• Another thing to consider is the firmness or stiffness of the bristles. Some people may prefer or require firmer bristles but generally speaking many dentists agree that softer bristles work better for removing plaque in a gentle manner that won’t damage the enamel of the tooth.
• The handle of the tooth brush is also important. Choosing a handle that feel comfortable in your hand will actual improve your ability to clean your teeth. If you hold your toothbrush and it feels uncomfortable you will likely brush improperly and less often.
• Electric tooth brushes are great alternatives to standard toothbrushes. There are countless brands and styles to choose from. When it comes to using an electric toothbrush a consultation with your dentist will help narrow down the choices. You may have specific needs that not every toothbrush can provide for you and knowing about these needs is essential to taking care of your teeth.

What is dry socket?

The hole in the bone that a tooth sits in is known as a socket. When a tooth is pulled the socket becomes open.vThe natural response of the body is to create a blood clot so that tissue can eventually grow over and protect that area that once housed the tooth. However, on some occasions the clot does not form or dislodges. This exposes the underlying nerves, tissue, and bone to the environment of your mouth (air, food, water, etc.) and can cause intense pain and even infection.

Dry socket can be identified by its appearance (a dry socket instead of a healthy blood clot where the tooth was pulled from) and its characteristic pain which can at times radiate into the ear. Sometime this happens by chance but dry socket occurs more frequently in individuals who smoke, have poor oral health, use birth control, or have a tooth pulled because it is wisdom tooth. Naturally, one way of reducing your likelihood of getting dry socket is by refraining from smoking and taking better care of your mouth.

What you can do if you get dry socket

If you have dry socket there are few ways you can treat it.

• The most common way is over the counter NSAIDs such as aspirin and just wait it out.
• Another thing that is advisable is to see your dentist. This will ensure there isn’t an infection and if there is they can give you antibiotics, clean the socket, and place medicine in the socket to promote healing and keep it clean.

Dry socket isn’t considered very common, but is by no means rare and does occur. If you have a tooth pulled and pain begins a few days after the procedure examine your mouth and consult a dentist.

Causes and Remedies

1. One obvious cause of bad breath is simply: food. The things that we eat leave remains in our mouths and can smell poor. Onions and garlic come to mind for most people. The reason that these smell so strong is that the enzymes in our mouths can’t break down the aromatic compounds and so the stinky garlic or onion smell persists until you swallow all of the remaining chemicals. An easy remedy for this is brushing your teeth and rinsing very well or simply not eating these foods at all. For simple bad breath not caused by food (maybe you haven’t brushed your teeth in a few hours) try a glass of water or a slice of bread.

2. Other causes of bad breath can be a little more serious. Many people brush their teeth but neglect to floss. By not flossing you do not clean the spaces between your teeth as well as your gums. These areas act just like your teeth and contain bacteria and plaque that needs to be removed. Flossing will remove this and can help reduce bad breath. Your tongue falls into this category as well. Brushing your tongue or using a tongue scraper will help keep it clean and reduce bad breath.

3. Another cause of bad breath is oral infection or colonization by harmful bacteria, especially on our tonsils or other areas of our mouths. If you brush your teeth, floss, use mouthwash, and don’t eat stinky foods and still seem to have poor breath it is imperative you see a dentist or doctor immediately as this can be a sign of a serious condition.

Being aware of what causes bad breath can help you prevent it. Many people over react to their breath because they perceive that others can sense it as much as they can, but in reality many people can’t even notice. Chew a piece of sugarless cinnamon gum after meals or brush your teeth, keep your tongue clean, and use a healthy mouthwash and general bad breath (halitosis) should easily be avoided.

Dr. Wagner’s Top Ten Non-Candy Treats for Halloween

Consider passing one of these items to trick-or-treaters instead of candy this year.

1. Sugar-free gum

2. Glow sticks

3. Bracelets

4. Temporary Tattoos

5. Microwave popcorn packs

(Halloween-themed available)

6. Bubbles

7. Monster Teeth

8. Bouncy Balls

9. Vouchers for Local Restaurants

10. Halloween Stickers

]]> http://www.wagnerdentist.com/top-ten-non-candy-treats-for-halloween/feed/ 0 http://www.wagnerdentist.com/halloween-candy-buy-back/ http://www.wagnerdentist.com/halloween-candy-buy-back/#comments Wed, 05 Oct 2011 23:28:35 +0000 Wagner Dental http://www.wagnerdentist.com/?p=455

Trade in your Halloween treats for cash at Wagner Dental’s Third Annual Halloween Candy Buy Back!

At Wagner Dental

2045 Village Center Circle (next to the Summerlin Library) for further information / directions call the office at (702) 878-5599

Receive $1 for every pound of candy you bring in and 1 ticket to participate in our prize raffle. Prizes include iPod shuffle, gift certificates, and a Sonicare toothbrush.*

Click here to visit the Facebook Event.

Drs. Ron and Kent Wagner will then donate the candy to our troops overseas through Operation Gratitude.

Help us collect more than last year’s total of 550 pounds. This year we are hoping to send more than 600 pounds to our troops!

View Larger Map

*Need not be present to win. Raffle will take place on November 3rd.

Tips for Preventing Cavities

Brush Your Teeth
One of the easiest ways to prevent cavities is very obvious; brush your teeth. It’s not always possible to brush your teeth after meals, but when you can you should always take time out of your day to do this. You can also contact your dentist and request information about ways to clean your teeth after meals when you are unable to brush.

Eating Healthy
Eating different foods is also a great way to prevent your teeth from getting cavities. Many people think that it is just sugary foods like candy that give us cavities. This isn’t entirely true. While sugary foods play their role it is actually foods that have sticky carbohydrates like chips, breads, and other grains. The way this works is that those foods stick inside your mouth (much easier than the simple sugars in candy) and the microscopic bacteria feed on them. The bacteria, having been fed by the small particles of food that won’t readily leave your mouth, then cause cavities and damage your teeth. It is for this reason why brushing after meals is double important; to remove not only excess bacteria, but the sticky carbohydrates as well.

Floss Your Teeth
Flossing is another great way to protect your teeth and not to mention your gums. If your gums become unhealthy, your teeth will rot so taking care of both of them is essential for overall mouth health. Brushing can miss the areas between your teeth and flossing will help remove what brushing misses. In conjunction with this, talking with your dentist about potential oral rinses or mouth washes may be beneficial as well.

Cut out Acidic Drinks
Cut down on consuming sodas and juices. Soda and juice tend to be very acidic. This high acidity level can wear down the enamel (a protective layer on our teeth) making the teeth weaker and more susceptible to decay. By replacing your beverages with things less acidic like water you can reduce the damage on your teeth. If you simply can’t live without your morning orange juice or your soda at lunch then you can help reduce the acid’s damage by drinking through a straw. Using a straw will help diminish the amount of liquid that comes in contact with your teeth, however this is not as effective as not drinking the drink at all.

Make Regular Dentist Visits
Last but not least seeing your dentist and getting regular cleanings in one of the best tips for preventing cavities. Oral problems in general develop over time and have many, but small warning signs. By seeing a professional regularly you can prevent these problems from developing. A dentist can also advise you in new ways to prevent cavities and ultimately keep your teeth healthy.

What causes discoloration?
Often your teeth may get discolored due to a bad diet, or after effects of medication. Smoking or excessive consumption of caffeine based drinks can also lead to adamant stains that may be difficult to remove, and make your teeth look yellow and ugly. Not only discolorations, but the enamel of your teeth can also get affected and become rough.

The best possible option is to do away with the discoloration and improve the quality of the teeth with the help of Zoom whitening. Unlike other teeth whitening procedures that claims to giving back the luster of the teeth, Zoom whitening treatment is a procedure that can be done be done at the dentist and is the fastest and the most effective way to get back your winning smile.

Here are some of the advantages of Zoom teeth whitening:

• Most of us shudder at the thought of having to do to a dentist. Zoom whitening promises to be a painless method and is one of the best technologies to get back the natural look of your teeth.
• The technique that is used in Zoom is free of any kind of side effects that can adversely affect your health.
• During the procedure the exposed skin around the mouth and the gums is covered properly, and the ultra violet ray is focused only on the teeth.
• While it is necessary to make a trip to the dentist, a one time sitting of 45 minutes to an hour is enough to complete the treatment.
• The procedure is quick and lasts for almost a year. One just has to take care of his or her teeth with a gel that supports the technique.
• Most dentists feel that it is the most effective way to whiten stained and discolored teeth. The treatment promises to make your teeth at least 8 shades whiter than what one has when they come in for the treatment.
• The procedure is administered by a licensed dentist.

Zoom whitening is the easiest and the fastest way to get back that winning smile.
You can go in for a free consultation with a practitioner who uses the technique and find out more about the advantages of zoom whitening.