February 8th, 2020
Category: cincinnati dentist
Just as the name implies, dry mouth is when you don’t have enough saliva in the mouth. The medical name for dry mouth is xerostomia, but we’ll just refer to as dry mouth!
If and when the salivary glands don’t produce enough saliva in the mouth, you have dry mouth.
Certain situations can give you very short-term dry mouth; let’s say you are competing in an athletic event and you become dehydrated or you have to give a speech and you’re more anxious and nervous than normal. Both can be considered occasional occurrences of dry mouth, but what we’re talking about is when dry mouth becomes a more long-term or persistent issue.
Let’s take a closer look at what you should know about dry mouth.
How Does Dry Mouth Happen?
First and foremost, dry mouth can easily occur if you become dehydrated. That’s why we encourage you to drink water, since it is one of the best ways to make sure your body is getting the fluids it needs to work optimally.
To work against this form of dry mouth, which can still impact your oral health, try tracking your water intake each day to see if you are getting enough. Or, if that isn’t for you, keep some form of water bottle or water container near you as you work, and make it a challenge to drink as much as you can each day. Either way, you can become more self-aware about how much water you are taking in.
Other than situations where nerves or dehydration may be at play, several things can sometimes cause dry mouth:
- Issues with your sinuses or changes in your nose such as a blocked nose. If you are routinely forced to breath only through your mouth, or mostly through your mouth, this can contribute to dry mouth.
- If you are diabetic you may also have an issue with dry mouth.
- Certain medications. This is one of the most common reasons that people get dry mouth. One of the reasons we ask you about your medications is that certain medications are known to result in changes in your mouth including dry mouth. Examples of some medications that can result in dry mouth include certain decongestants and insulin for diabetes. Every medication and brand is going to differ, so speak with your dentist to learn more.
- Certain immune-related conditions. There are immune related conditions that can damage salivary glands and can impact “normal” saliva production.
- Chewing tobacco or smoking cigarettes. Unfortunately, chewing tobacco or smoking cigarettes exposes the mouth to chemical ingredients that hinder saliva production. As a result, many times smokers can have severe dry mouth.
There are other causes of dry mouth, but these are some of the most common. If you suspect you have dry mouth, let us know, so we can proactively help you determine the cause and come up with solutions to treat it.
Others Signs You May Have Dry Mouth
Think that your mouth has routinely felt extra dry? Or do you feel like you can never quite hydrate enough to get your mouth feeling back to normal? Another feeling you may experience if you suddenly have dry mouth is that your saliva may feel thick or even stringy. Besides having a mouth that simply feels extra dry, these are other symptoms people sometimes have with recurrent dry mouth.
Why You Don’t Want to Ignore Dry Mouth
As you know, saliva works to naturally cleanse the mouth. When there is a lack of saliva, bacteria has the ability to multiple even faster than it normally would. Even over a short period of time, that can contribute to bad breath and other symptoms.
Said another way, while dry mouth itself isn’t necessarily serious, it can result in quick dental decay in the mouth. In some severe situations, it can also impact your quality of life since it can make speaking or even eating more difficult.
A dry mouth can also exacerbate the side effects of diabetes, which will then lead to an increase in your glucose levels. That, in turn, can be very harmful for the body, so don’t ignore these symptoms if you feel you have dry mouth and you have diabetes.
Let us know if you suspect you have dry mouth, since treatment can help you avoid rapid dental decay. Whether it be different medications, a shift in what you are consuming, an artificial saliva substitute, or another treatment, we are here to help you treat your dry mouth.
We Want You To Achieve The Smile You’ve Always Wanted
As you can see, many causes of dry mouth can be managed and there are effective treatment options to work against short- and long-term dry mouth. It is important to manage your dry mouth, and not ignore it, because not only can bad breath can become a problem—but your oral health, and overall health, can suffer if you don’t treat it!
At Hagen Dental, we want you to achieve the smile you’ve always wanted—and that smile is one you’ll have with ultimate confidence about your oral health, too! We hope to see you and your family for your next appointment. Give us a call today at (513) 251-5500 or visit our website for convenient online scheduling.
January 28th, 2020
Category: cincinnati dentist
Ordering that special someone’s favorite flowers. Looking for that heartfelt card that will make your significant other smile. Looking for the perfect gift. Making dinner reservations for a memorable, rare evening out. Maybe buying some delicious chocolate…
All of these things are common as people prepare for Valentine’s Day. You also want to have good oral hygiene as you prepare for Valentine’s Day this year to make sure your mouth is extra kissable!
Here are 6 reminders to help you prep for the romantic holiday that’s just around the corner.
Brush twice a day.
One of the best things you can do each day is to brush twice a day. Bacteria builds up for ALL of us, so there’s no way to avoid it. But what you can do is to brush with a toothpaste that has the ADA Seal of Acceptance on it.
Floss…daily.
Are you flossing in between or after meals? One of the biggest culprits that can lead to bad breath (and poor oral hygiene overall) is food that’s still lingering in your mouth, and in particular, in between your teeth. When you don’t floss, food sits between your teeth. That not only causes foul-smelling breath, but it can contribute to plaque accumulation on and between the teeth. In fact, one of the warning signs for persistent bad breath (or almost a bad taste in the mouth) is gum disease, which happens as a result of plaque buildup.
There are other alternatives to traditional floss (such as water flossers and oral irrigators) today, so ask us if you need help in finding a solution that you can adopt for a lifetime.
Cut down or avoid the processed foods.
Ingredients (such as the starches) in common processed foods can hurt your teeth and increase the risk of dental decay. Think of it this way: that starch can be broken down into sugars by enzymes in your saliva, and having so much of that sugar in the mouth can accelerate dental decay.
How so? The sugars commonly found in many processed foods stick to your teeth, and that can rapidly cause plaque to build up. In turn, that plaque attacks enamel and causes not only bad breath, but serious dental decay.
So while the process of dental decay can be true for other foods that stay in our mouth, too, it’s just that processed foods often have lots of starches and/or acids that are extra harmful to the teeth.
Hydrate with water.
Water is great for our health! Not only is drinking water essential to survive, but it naturally helps us with our oral hygiene (and bonus points if it is fluoridated).
When you drink water throughout the day, you are actually helping to wash away food and particles in the mouth…naturally! Another great point? It’s also a guilt-free way to quench your thirst. Plus, water reduce the chances of dry mouth, which is a factor that can put you at risk for dental decay.
All in all, having a high water intake can help with reducing bacteria, but also can be one way you can fight off cavities, and you can even help minimize stains on your teeth by drinking water consistently.
Consider your tongue.
Ever notice what may look like a brown or even white coating on the tongue? You guessed it: the tongue can be a place where plaque can thrive. Do your best to brush your tongue or ask us about options like a tongue scraper to help minimize the bacteria build-up in your mouth.
Make your appointment for your professional cleaning and checkup.
A so-called “teeth cleaning” does more than just clean your teeth! Removing plaque is absolutely essential to preserve your teeth and to fight bad breath, and that’s part of our goal when you come in and see us.
As you know, bacteria builds-up on the tooth surfaces and between the teeth. Brushing and flossing are what you do at home, but a professional cleaning removes bacteria, calculus (tartar), and debris, especially along your gum line. We use special instruments to scrape away this excess tartar and plaque, which can be harmful to your oral health and lead to bad breath you are looking to avoid.
Without doubt, plaque will grow, but it’s all about what you can do to minimize or reduce it!
Also know that we look for other issues or changes with your oral health when you come in to see us. After your teeth are squeaky clean, we fully examine the mouth, searching for disease or other problems, including signs of oral cancer. The first step in treating any problem (minor or serious) is early detection—and that’s why our regular, professional examinations are so key.
Give Hagen Dental Practice a Call Today
We value making sure you feel relaxed and comfortable during your visit just as much as we value your oral health, and we’ll do everything we can to make you and your entire family feel at home and confident in your oral health. We hope to see you and your family for your next appointment. Give us a call today at (513) 251-5500 or visit our website for convenient online scheduling.
January 15th, 2020
Category: cincinnati dentist
Ouch! Think you may have a cracked molar?
A crack in your molar can be challenging to detect, which is why you want to set up an appointment with us if you suspect you or a family member has a crack in any of your teeth. Hairline cracks don’t even show up on X-rays because they are so small, so that goes to show just how you can’t always detect the cracks yourself.
Keep reading to learn signs of a cracked molar; potential causes of cracked teeth; and how your dental care team may recommend a treatment depending on the severity of the crack in your tooth.
Signs of a Cracked Tooth
A few signs you may have a cracked tooth include:
- Sensitivity with hot or cold drinks
- Sensitivity to hot or cold food
- Sensitivity with extra sweet food or drinks
- Pain when you chew or bite, often made worse when you “release” your bite
- Swelling you can see near the tooth
If you have pain that is localized to one area of your mouth that becomes a bit more intense when you eat or chew, that may mean you have a cracked tooth. Another sign? If you have hot or cold drinks and it also hurts in that area, it could be indicative of a cracked tooth or something else that’s changed in your mouth! Take note and don’t ignore these changes in your mouth.
Keep in mind: There may also not be any pain associated with having a crack in your molar. That’s another reason why it’s important to keep up with your regular, professional examination and teeth cleaning so we can examine your teeth for cracks.
Potential Causes of Your Cracked Tooth
You might be curious: what might have caused that cracked molar, or other tooth, for that matter?
Not surprisingly, there are several potential things can cause the teeth to crack, despite how strong they are. In general, here are a few potential reasons you may have a cracked tooth:
- Teeth grinding, which can happen during the day or at night
- Chewing extremely hard foods (such as ice)
- Using your teeth like “scissors” to open and/or break into objects
- A sport-related injury or impact to the mouth
- Fillings that have resulted in a weaker tooth over time
- Teeth that have weakened over time, becoming more vulnerable to cracking as a result
- …A combination of the things mentioned above!
What to Do If You Believe You Have a Cracked Molar
What should you do if you or anyone in your family has a cracked molar? That’s an important question.
Depending on the size of the crack in your tooth, you may need treatment for the short- and long-term benefit of your health. In some situations, a cracked tooth can lead to infections, which you obviously want to avoid.
Signs of a tooth abscess include a potential fever, unexplained bad breath, issues when chewing, abrupt sensitivity to heat and cold, and even tender-to-the-touch glands in your neck.
The first step to take is to come in and see us, that way we can diagnose and treat you or your loved one based on the issue at hand.
If it is indeed a cracked tooth that needs repair, potential treatments including bonding, crowns, removing the tooth or a root canal. That recommended treatment will be based on the location of the cracked tooth and how big and how deep the fracture is.
Potential Treatments Options When You Have a Cracked Tooth
Let’s take a closer look at some common treatment options for people with a cracked tooth:
Polishing: In some cases, cracks are very small and only have impacted the outer enamel. In those cases, it may only be aesthetics you are looking to improve, so the treatment would be for cosmetic reasons only. These kind of “craze lines” are a form of wear and tear on your teeth. In this case, we can do polishing to potentially improve the appearance.
Bonding: Bonding is when a tooth-colored resin is used to repair a decayed, chipped, fractured, or otherwise problematic tooth. Put simply, it can be used to effectively change the color and appearance of your tooth.
Crowns: In other situations, a crown may be helpful to fit over (or cap) your damaged tooth.
Root canal: When a crack goes so far that it goes into the pulp (the central area of your tooth), a root canal can be used to remove the damaged pulp and to help preserve and strengthen your tooth as much as possible.
Removing the tooth: In some cases, the root has been damaged to the point where your tooth can’t be saved. In that case, you may want to have the molar removed.
Give Hagen Dental Practice a Call Today
We value making sure you feel relaxed and comfortable during your visit just as much as we value your oral health, and we’ll do everything we can to make you and your entire family feel at home. We hope to see you and your family for your next appointment. Give us a call today at (513) 251-5500 or visit our website for convenient online scheduling here.
Source:
- https://www.healthline.com/health/cracked-tooth#treatment
December 21st, 2019
Category: cincinnati dentist
Gum disease: it is an infection of the tissue that support your teeth.
As you may or may not know, it is causes when a film of bacteria (also known as plaque), builds up enough on the teeth and then hardens, forming tartar.
Early stages of gum disease bring inflamed gums. Sometimes people start to notice they have bleeding when brushing or flossing at this stage, which is also called gingivitis.
But what else should you know about gum disease? Keep reading to learn facts about gum disease that may change your life—or they may just change your oral health habits for the better.
#1: Gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults
When your gums get irritated and inflamed over time, pockets are created between your teeth and gums. That’s why we measure your gumline when you come in to see us, so we can watch any specific areas, and so that we can have a measure over time of your gum health, among other reasons. If the space increases enough, the pockets get deeper and the bone that support the teeth can be majorly damaged or lost. When this isn’t treated, tooth loss will occur because the tooth has no anchor to hold it in place.
#2: People can ignore the symptoms of gum disease
Gum disease can be silent, meaning people don’t always recognize how something is wrong; Gum disease can actually be painless, or the symptoms and signs can be easy to ignore. In other cases, people just “get used to” symptoms so they don’t realize there may be a growing problem. Be aware and don’t ignore symptoms such as:
- Tender gums
- Bleeding gums (like when you brush)
- Swollen gums
- Discolored gums
- Bad breath you can’t explain
- Bad taste in your mouth
- Loose teeth
- Pus around your teeth or gums
- Gums that seem to recede around the teeth
#3: Gum disease explains a lot about chronic bad breath
Ever wonder why someone always has bad breath? Or maybe that person is you, and that’s not something to feel shame about, the point is that bad breath isn’t always just because someone didn’t just brush their teeth. Bad breath can be more of a chronic issue if a person has gum disease. If you think you may have bad breath because it just won’t seem to go away, be sure to ask us about it because it could be a sign you have gum disease or you have major plague build-up in your mouth. We’re here to help!
#4: Your dental team is checking your gum health every time you come in to see us
We’ve talked about the benefits of keeping up with your professional exams and cleanings with us; well, one of the benefits is that we’re noting your depth of the spaces between your teeth and gums. The term we use is “pocket probing” or “charting” so that we can be sure we can diagnose you if you have gingivitis or periodontitis.
#5: Gum disease can be preventable
Often times, gum disease develops due to a lack of proper oral health hygiene over time. But if you break down oral health hygiene, there can be a lot of components at play!
In addition to your oral health, there are other factors that can contribute to gum disease, too: aging, genetics, diabetes, smoking, stress, lack of nutrition, other diseases’ impact on the mouth, hormonal changes, certain medications you may be taking, and so much more—all of these things can also put you at increased risk or just contribute to the development of gum disease.
That’s not to scare you…rather, that list is to show you how much you can control when it comes to preventing or reversing gingivitis.
#6: Life stages and conditions can also put you at greater risk for developing gum disease
We mentioned how so many factors can either contribute, or put you at increased risk, for more plaque in the mouth. Certain cancers, diabetes, and HIV are other conditions where your immune system may be weakened, and can’t fight the bacterial infections that can lead to periodontal disease. Life stages such as pregnancy and stages of high stress an also put you at increased risk as well.
#7: …But gum disease is also treatable
Gum disease is preventable, but it is also treatable (and gingivitis, the early stage of gum disease, is reversible). Turn to your dental care team for support in the process.
Every patient is different, so every plan will be different, meaning we can’t say what course of action we might recommend, but it may include more frequent dental cleanings, scaling and root planing, and/or prescription toothpaste to help you fight the bacteria.
This is also means you want to develop day in and day out proper oral health habits, which also includes not using any tobacco products or similar. Be sure you are properly brushing and flossing daily, using antibacterial toothpaste and mouthwash, and continuing your dental visits for cleaning and checkups with us.
#8: Gum disease can be tied to other health conditions, outside the mouth
Bacteria is no joke, and your body interprets it as an invader, so it acts accordingly! Think of it this way: bacteria in your mouth doesn’t necessarily stay there.
Studies have also suggested there is a link between gum disease and heart disease, stroke, premature birth in pregnant women, and lung problems.
#9: Your diet can help work against developing gum disease
Believe it or not, nutrition and your ongoing diet does play a role in preventing gum disease. Nutrient-rich and vitamin-rich diets that tend to include a lot of whole foods and minimize added sugars—in combination with a regular consumption of water—help to support strong teeth, but it also fosters an environment in the mouth that doesn’t lend itself towards bacteria over-growth.
#10: Gum disease is one of the most common dental diseases affecting those with diabetes
Poor blood sugar control impacts the body in many ways. One of those ways is the increased risk for gum problems.
People with diabetes have a higher risk of gum issues due to that poor blood sugar control; this is important to know because gum disease can also impact blood sugar, causing it to rise. In essence, that then makes diabetes more challenging to manage.
All in all, gum disease for those with diabetes (which impacts as much as 22% of those with diabetes) means your body is less able to fight bacteria that is invading your gum line, and it also unfortunately makes your overall blood sugar management more difficult, too.
We’re Here to Help You Protect Your Oral Health: Give Hagen Dental Practice a Call Today
We value making sure you feel relaxed and comfortable during your visit just as much as we value your oral health—and we’ll do everything we can to make you and your entire family feel at home.
We hope to see you and your family for your next appointment. Give us a call today at (513) 251-5500 or visit our website for convenient online scheduling here.
December 9th, 2019
Category: cincinnati dentist
Do you ever notice that your gums are bleeding when you brush or floss?
Most of the time you don’t want to ignore your bleeding gums! Here we break down your questions on what to do about bleeding from your gums:
November 20th, 2019
Category: cincinnati dentist
Flossing: it’s so important because it removes plaque in-between your teeth.
November 6th, 2019
Category: cincinnati dentist
Remember when mom used to say, “Sit up straight!?”
Well, she wasn’t kidding, and she was right about the importance of posture: it can actually have quite a few negative effects on your health when you have poor posture.
Having poor posture can put lots of undue stress on the body, but it actually can lead to negative health consequences you may not have even been aware of. Here are just a few ways that poor posture can affect your health over time:
It can impact your oral heath
You may be saying, “How can that be?” First, think of just how many things we do each day can impact what we call “posture.”
Do you look down at your phone when texting or when using apps? (Consider how some people use their phones more than 4 hours per day; that’s four hours where your head is putting a strain on your neck, back, and spine.)
Do you find yourself waking up in pain after some nights of sleep—a sign you could have poor posture even throughout the night? Do you know if your workstation is set up to be as ergonomically correct as possible?
If and when you slouch, you do tend to push your lower jaw forward. In turn, that can put pressure on your spine. Over time—just like many things with our health—this can contribute to a bite becoming misaligned. It can also mean your teeth do not align as they once did or as they should.
Your jaw can then try to compensate, which can cause further damage and can even damage the teeth in your mouth if left unchecked. Another issue that can at times be a result (or associated with) poor posture is TMJ Disorder. This is when people have issues or problems with their jaw and the muscles in your face that control it. (Ask us for more information on TMJ Disorder and TMJ-related pain/disorders.)
It can result in back pain
This one is probably not so surprising. It’s one of the most shared effects of bad posture and chronic back pain is, unfortunately, quite common. Whether it is pressure on the spine, disc generation, or a combination of things, poor posture can be at the root of many back aches and pains.
It can lead to poor digestion
Do you notice you are slouching over your desk each day if you work a job that requires you to sit at a desk? Over time, that kind of slouched posture can compress your abdominal organs and negatively impact the way your metabolism and digestion naturally occurs.
It can make arthritis worse
Over time, some people can experience mis-alignment of your spine or knees due to poor posture. Think of it this way: you’re adding pressure to one part of the joint and that can cause pain. That can worsen arthritis of the knees or even in other areas of the body. Ouch!
It can pinch nerves
If your spine, bones, and surrounding tissue start to adapt because of your bad posture, you can experience pain when the skeletal systems comes into contact with the surrounding nerves. Just as it sounds, that nerve is being pinched—and you will no doubt feel the pain as a result!
It can impact mood
Who would willingly do something that could negatively impact their mood?! Not us! Research has shown evidence that poor posture can negatively affect your mood—or at least, the other way around—where good posture can boost your mood (1).
The point is: our bodies are working optimally when we have good posture, and our mood is just one more way our bodies can be telling us we need to adjust something.
Good Posture Is Good for Your Oral Health
Good posture promotes your overall health and it also promotes a healthy smile. It also can help you combat certain jaw-related issues, too.
To work against doing any kind of damage to your teeth or jaw, focus on first setting up your workstation so that you aren’t looking down to your work or to your computer. You can also take these steps to work towards good posture:
- No matter what you do for work, take breaks during the day and when possible, take a walk
- Stretch, stretch, stretch! You want to do all you can to work against any slouching or positions your body is in that contribute to poor posture
- Work in an exercise routine that builds a strong foundation (or core) and posture
- Watch the amount of time you put your head downwards towards your phone to scroll through social media, to check email, or to text. That’s a lot of pressure on your neck!
Wondering if you’re practicing good posture while you read this? This isn’t an exhaustive or comprehensive list, but some quick tips that you can use:
- First and foremost, sit up straight!
- In general, your line of sight should be level with the top of your computer monitor.
- Lift your chest, pull your shoulder blades back and make sure they are down.
- Aim for your feet to be flat on the floor if you are sitting.
- If you are sitting with a keyboard, your elbows can be at a near-90 degree angle when your fingers are in the typing position in the home row of the keyboard; that helps to put the least amount of stress on your muscles.
- At the same time, you want to keep your stomach muscles tight or “activated”
- If sitting, your hips can be lined up with your ears.
- Make sure you are not leaning towards one half of your body or favoring one half of your body over the other.
Looking for a New Dentist? Give Hagen Dental Practice a Call
We value making sure you feel relaxed and comfortable during your visit just as much as we value the health of your pearly whites—and we’ll do everything we can to make you and your entire family feel at home.
We hope to see you and your family for your next appointment. Give us a call today at (513) 251-5500 or visit our website here for convenient online scheduling!
Source:
- https://health.usnews.com/wellness/slideshows/10-ways-poor-posture-can-harm-your-health?slide=5
October 23rd, 2019
Category: cincinnati dentist
We’re serious about your oral health—but not TOO serious to be able to see the humor in what we do! As such, here are 10 playful oral health memes we hope can make you smile:
1. Maybe I can make up for not brushing?
2. That’s a win!
3. Bring on the tooth fairy!
4. Well, we’d have to agree…
5. What kind of filling!?
6. One for the parents…
7. No list would be complete without a dinosaur meme…
8. A bit of a misunderstanding?
9. Because who doesn’t love Ryan Reynolds…
10. We never thought of that…but so true!
Hagen Dental Practice Is Proudly Serving Cincinnati, Ohio
At Hagen Dental, we help you achieve the dream smile you’ve always wanted. We’re here to provide you with compassionate, gentle, personalized care. Click here to schedule your next appointment or call us at (513) 251-5500.
October 14th, 2019
Category: cincinnati dentist
In the world of dentistry, wisdom teeth are a hot topic. But what’s all the buzz about?
We’re here to fill you in!
What Are Wisdom Teeth?
What makes wisdom teeth different from your other pearly whites? Easy. They’re wiser!
It might sound funny, but it’s actually true. Out of all of your teeth, your wisdom teeth take the longest time to develop, and since you’re wiser when they appear…well, you get it!
Most people don’t develop them until their late teens or early twenties. Being the third and final set of molars to come in, they’re found in the very back of the mouth, and typically grow in pairs—two on the top of the mouth and two on the bottom (3).
Although they might be “wiser,” that doesn’t necessarily mean that they’re important. Similar to your appendix, your wisdom teeth don’t serve an essential purpose. They’re just kind of… there. In fact, some people may never develop them at all.
What Are Impacted Wisdom Teeth?
Often times, wisdom teeth can be impacted. This occurs when they can’t grow normally or in a way that is optimal for your mouth. Because they’re the last to develop, this usually means that they have to fight for a spot in your mouth, sometimes crowding other teeth. As a result, wisdom teeth may grow in at a funny angle, disrupt other teeth, or even become stuck under the gum. As you can imagine, this can cause issues in the rest of your mouth (1).
How You’ll Know if it’s Time to Get Your Wisdom Teeth Removed
Because you don’t necessarily need your wisdom teeth, it’s common practice to get them removed if they’re bothering you or if they are going to cause changes we don’t want in the mouth.
So how do you know if you should get yours removed? There are few things to look out for:
- Pain. If you’re experiencing pain in your mouth of any sort, it’s a good idea to get it checked out!
- Gum Issues. Swollen or bleeding gums? That’s out of the ordinary.
- Bad breath. We’re not talking about morning breath. If you’re regularly brushing and flossing, and still dealing with chronic bad breath, it might be time to get your wisdom teeth examined (3).
How Wisdom Teeth Removal Works
The process of removing your wisdom teeth is probably a lot simpler than you may think. And the best part? Once they’re removed, you can kiss all of those issues goodbye!
For starters, you’ll want to schedule an exam with us.
Dr. Hagen will take an X-ray of your wisdom teeth to get a better idea of how they’re positioned, why they’re causing issues, and a few other key details. After this, we’ll develop a plan best fit for your case specifically.
From there, you’ll set an appointment to remove the teeth.
Don’t fret–it doesn’t hurt! Depending on the severity of how your wisdom teeth are impacted, you’ll most likely be put under some form of local anesthetics. Once your mouth is numb, we typically will carefully loosen and disconnect the tissue surrounding your wisdom teeth. This will make removing the teeth a very smooth procedure, one that really requires more focus than force! (2)
Now the teeth have been removed…
It is common to experience mild swelling, bruising, and pain after you’ve had your wisdom teeth removed. Although the recovery process looks a little different for everyone, it’s usually only a few days of discomfort before you’re back to normal. In some cases, you may be prescribed mild medication to help ease the pain (2).
The last important thing to know? Stay away from straws.
It’s best to avoid straws for about two weeks after your procedure. Using a straw can cause what’s called a dry socket, a painful condition in which the bare bones and nerves near the extraction become exposed (2). Pay attention to any other specific recommendations your dentist gives to you at this time, too.
Schedule an Appointment with Hagen Dental
Unsure about your wisdom teeth? We’re here to help. We do all we can to deliver gentle, personalized care so you always feel comfortable—every step of the way.
We always treat you with kindness, compassion, and understanding at Hagen Dental! Call (513) 251-5500 or click the Online Scheduling button here to schedule your next visit.
Sources:
- https://kidshealth.org/en/teens/impacted.html
- https://www.self.com/story/wisdom-teeth-removal-facts
- https://www.dentalwellwi.com/wisdom-teeth-removed
October 8th, 2019
Category: cincinnati dentist
Tap water versus bottled water: what’s the better choice for your health?
To answer that question, let’s first look at the benefit of tap water and then some other top factors to consider.
Water: Why Drink More?
One thing is evident, whether or not you drink bottled water or tap: We need water to keep our metabolisms working properly, for our organs to function, and so that we can control our body temperature.
Water is also critical to lubricate our joints, to help move nutrients through the body, and it ensures oxygen is delivered optimally throughout the body. As you can see, the list goes on and on as to why water is so important.
That’s why even if you’re drinking bottled water, instead of tap, it’s still going to be beneficial to your health. Let’s keep looking at the differences between tap water and bottled, and why you make want to stick with tap water as your choice to hydrate properly.
Fluoride in Your Tap Water
Of course one of the biggest differences between tap water and bottled water is fluoride. More than 70 years of scientific research has consistently shown the benefits of (small amounts of) fluoride being added to our water (1).
Not only is an optimal level of fluoride in community water safe and effective, it helps us to prevent tooth decay by at least 25% in both children and adults. That’s a huge amount! Still skeptical? Also remember that fluoride is found in the great majority of toothpastes and mouthwashes today (1).
That’s part of why the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention named water fluoridation one of 10 great public health achievements of the 20th century, and it just goes to show why tap water is a great choice when it comes to hydration for your family (1).
One thing of note: you may have a home filter that you use with your tap water supply. Home filters may or may not remove the fluoride that’s been added to your water. Look to your specific brand or manufacturer for more information.
Water From a Bottle
Today there are quite a few options when it comes to “bottled water.” Those include mineral, artesian, sparkling, spring, and purified water…and that list seems to continue to grow!
With that said, keep in mind water is pretty much always beneficial for our health—even if that means you’re going for a water that does not have fluoride in it. (After all, the body is made up of 60 percent water.) We’re just pointing out that there are quite a few benefits to choosing tap water over bottled water since it doesn’t contain cavity-fighting fluoride!
That Goes for Kids, Too
Remember, fluoride is going to be one of the most efficient ways to prevent one of the most common childhood diseases – tooth decay. An estimated 51 million school hours and 164 million work hours are lost each year due to dental-related illness and water fluoridation helps fight this (1)!
One thing of note is how often your children are grabbing bottled water versus drinking tap water. That could mean that they don’t get the benefits of fluoride as often as they could.
In order to make sure children are getting the benefits of fluoride in their water, be sure they can refresh with tap water when possible, unless a dentist or physician has told you otherwise.
Here’a a tip: If you just can’t seem to break the habit of using bottled water, aim to try to refill your bottle one or two times with fluoride for every bottle you drink that doesn’t have tap water in it.
The Verdict: Drink Up!
The real verdict is that water is great for your teeth and for your body to operate optimally. With that said, unless in certain situations, drinking tap water is a great solution because It contains fluoride and is therefore strengthening your tooth enamel while you hydrate.
Book Your Appointment with Hagen Dental Practice Today
At Hagen Dental, your dream smile is within reach! We always treat you with kindness, compassion, and understanding and we’re here to earn your trust with personalized, gentle care. Call us today at (513) 251-5500 or book online on our website here.
Source:
- https://www.ada.org/en/public-programs/advocating-for-the-public/fluoride-and-fluoridation/5-reasons-why-fluoride-in-water-is-good-for-communities
