What Is a Dental Abscess?  

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Just like other parts of your body, your mouth can develop infections when there is an over-accumulation of bacteria. The result is commonly a dental abscess, which can be a concerning dental situation. Here is a closer look at the dental abscess, why the situation is serious, and how the condition may be treated by your Bellbrook dentist.

Dental Abscess Explained

A dental abscess is a type of bacterial infection that can create a pocket of pus near a tooth. An abscess can have a number of causes but is usually related to some form of tooth trauma or decay. A periapical abscess actually occurs near the root of a tooth where it is not visible. However, most often an abscess will be located in the gums nearby to the affected tooth’s root, so you may spot a small pimple or what appears to be a white-tipped bump. You may also notice:

  • Swelling and inflammation of the gums surrounding certain teeth
  • Excessive toothache
  • Unusually bad or foul breath
  • Fever
  • Dry mouth

The Dangers of Dental Abscess

A dental abscess is considered to be a dental emergency that should be treated as soon as possible. An infection in the mouth has a high likelihood of getting into your bloodstream, which can lead to a list of other health complications. In the most severe circumstances, an abscessed tooth can be a life-threatening situation because the infection spreads throughout the body.

How Dental Abscesses Are Treated

Typically, the dentist will prescribe a round of oral antibiotics to address the infection. You may also be given topical medications or pain medications to help if you are experiencing a great deal of pain. It is rare for a dentist to pull or treat the affected tooth until the infection has been controlled. However, once the infection has subsided or at least improved, you may need further dental care to tend to what issues may have caused the infection to start with.

Find Treatment for Dental Abscess in Bellbrook, OH

Any form of infection related to your teeth is a serious situation that should be properly addressed by an experienced dental professional. If you suspect that you have an abscessed tooth, please reach out to us at Bellbrook Family Dentistry in Bellbrook, OH to schedule an appointment.

 

4 Signs it Might Be Time for a Dental Implant

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Dental implants are structures that get surgically inserted into the surrounding jaw bone in order to provide secure support for crowns, bridges, dentures, and other prostheses. These implants have a very high success rate and can be incredibly beneficial for restoring the integrity and appearance of your smile.

Dental implants are also more common than you may think—about half a million Americans get dental implants every year! Wondering if dental implants are right for you? Here are four common signs we see in our patients that suggest it might be time to explore dental implant surgery.

1. You Have One or More Missing Teeth

It can be embarrassing to be missing a tooth. What many people don’t realize is that the large gap where your tooth used to be can actually change the alignment of your remaining teeth or even lead to the weakening of the jaw bone itself. A dental implant is an excellent way to give you confidence in your smile again while also protecting your remaining teeth and oral tissue.

2. You Have a Tooth That Needs to be Removed

If a tooth is cracked, infected, or damaged and needs to be removed, a dental implant can be inserted as soon as possible following your tooth extraction. You’ll be left with a healthy-looking, natural-looking replacement tooth.

3. Your Dentures Fit Loosely

If you have dentures, you shouldn’t have to worry about them coming loose, feeling uncomfortable in your mouth, or giving you a “sunken in” look on your face. Dental implants provide sturdy anchors for full or partial dentures so you can have greater peace of mind along with a natural-looking smile.

4. You Don’t Like the Mess of Denture Adhesives

Many people simply don’t enjoy the hassle of using dental adhesives. Others might struggle to manage their adhesives and denture care due to issues like impaired fine motor control or low vision. Dental implants essentially eliminate the mess of denture care—you simply treat your implant just like a regular tooth. Brushing and flossing have never been so appealing!

Are you wondering if it’s time to explore dental implants? Call (937) 848-7741 to schedule an appointment at Bellbrook Family Dentistry in Bellbrook, OH.

Eating Your Veggies? 3 Reasons Vegetables Are good for Your Teeth

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Your mom probably told you more than once to eat your veggies as a kid, but continuing to eat your vegetables throughout your life is important—even for your smile. Take a look at just a few of the reasons vegetables can be an excellent dietary addition for the support of a healthy smile.

Crunchy vegetables may actually help clean your teeth.

Take a bite of fresh, uncooked broccoli. Chew it up slowly and feel how the roughage rubs against all the interior parts of your mouth, including your teeth. Vegetables with a lot of fiber like broccoli, carrots, cauliflower, beets, and even celery do a really good job of sloughing away the plaque and tartar that can accumulate on your tooth enamel. Plus, vegetables can do a really good job of cleaning your tongue, which is part of the mouth commonly overlooked during brushing. When you eat foods that clean your teeth, you are less likely to see issues with decay because you have a generally cleaner smile overall.

Fresh veggies are full of smile-supporting nutrients.

Vitamins and minerals are found in the highest concentrations in fresh fruits and vegetables. For example, a single leaf of spinach contains:

  • Vitamins A, B2, B6, C, E, and K
  • Calcium
  • Manganese
  • Zinc
  • Copper
  • Iron
  • Phosphorous

Eating a well-balanced diet with a load of vitamins and nutrients can be really good for bone health, circulatory health, and more, which means this kind of diet also supports a healthy smile.

Some vegetables may fight bad breath.

Sure, some veggies have a pungent smell that may contribute to oddly foul breath, but there are also certain types of vegetables that can actually help your breath. Some fiber-rich vegetables like celery and carrots can actually help encourage your salivary glands to produce more saliva. In turn, bacteria and foul-smelling debris in your mouth can be washed away.

Get Serious About a Healthy Smile in Beavercreek, OH

They say you are what you eat, but really, your health is what you eat, including your oral health. If you are ready to talk about keeping your smile as healthy as possible, reach out to us at Bellbrook Family Dentistry in Beavercreek, OH to schedule an appointment.