Custom timing for dental check-ups at Pacifica Dental

Custom timing for dental check-ups at Pacifica Dental

There are two main scenarios for going to the dentist: when you want to or when you need to. The second option is less desirable, because, most times, it involves dental pain or discomfort. The ideal option is to have dental check-ups regularly, according to a custom plan built together with your doctor, depending on your needs. At Pacifica Dental, we create such plans for our patients.

Some people think that, in order to have healthy teeth, going to the dentist once a year will suffice. In our opinion, this is not usually enough for most people. As you well know, every person is unique, with specific body types, habits, and health conditions. These factors influence our oral health, which in turn impacts our general health.

For example, permanent teeth are very vulnerable to cavities as soon as they come in, so in children aged six to eight, dental check-ups are recommended at shorter intervals. In adolescence, the teeth are less vulnerable until the wisdom teeth appear, on average around twenty years old. As people age, the rate of dental decay, tooth loss, mouth infections, and gum disease increases. It is also common to find that our teeth will start to move. Our oral health, and hence our general health, varies at different stages of life.

We are aware that smoking is a habit that can lead to various health problems. Not only does it increase the likelihood of bad breath, canker sores and even cancer, but it also strengthens the bacteria in the mouth, making them more resistant. The mouth is already one of the dirtiest parts of the body, and cigarette smoke will encourage the growth of bacteria, which in turn can lead to cavities and gum disease. Smokers are recommended to visit the dentist more often than non-smokers.

Stomach conditions, such as acid reflux, can often have a negative impact on our oral health. If the acidity reaches our mouth, it results in not only bad breath but can also cause cavities at the base of the gums. These cavities can be easily treated if they are found at an early stage. If not discovered right away, they can reach the tooth root or even expand to neighboring teeth, possibly becoming painful and making the treatment process a bit more complicated.

Other factors, such as frequently drinking coffee, red wine or eating sweets, will influence how often your dentist recommends you schedule a visit. To maintain excellent oral hygiene, it is often suggested that patients have professional cleanings 3-4 times a year and follow a personalized hygiene plan.

In conclusion, exactly how long you wait between visits with your dentist depends on the assessment you and your doctor will make. Schedule an appointment with Pacifica Dental and start taking better care of your oral health!

Dental pain – causes and treatment

Dental pain – causes and treatment

Dental pain and sensitivity are quite common after some treatments or procedures performed in the dental office. This does not mean that you should give up regular visits to the dentist, but you should be informed about the possible causes of the pain and know what to expect.

During a filling, we fill the holes created by dental cavities with substances such as composite or amalgam. It is a simple and fast procedure but afterwards, it leaves many patients with sensitive teeth. Some of them may even experience minor dental pain, especially when brushing or flossing, breathing in cold air, drinking or eating hot or cold liquids and foods. These go away naturally within a few days or several weeks. If you want to speed up the process, your dentist may advise you to take anti-inflammatory drugs, avoid foods and drinks too hot or too cold, chew on the opposite side of the mouth, or use a special toothpaste and brush gently.

You may also experience some dental pain after having a crown placed. It is not unusual, and it normally goes away in one to two weeks. If it does not do so, then you should see the dentist and investigate possible causes. One of the reasons of the pain might be tooth decay under the crown. It could be an infection or a pulpal inflammation, especially if you did not have a root canal treatment before the crown. The most common signs of infection are pain when you bite, sensitivity to extreme temperatures, gum swelling and sometimes a fever. Depending on the cause and intensity of the pain, your dentist will prescribe medications or other treatments. In extreme cases, the affected tooth may need to be extracted.

Thanks to modern anaesthetics, tooth extractions have become pain free procedures. Occasionally, after the anaesthetic wears off, some patients experience sensitivity, pain, swelling or bleeding. After a tooth has just been extracted, these reactions are normal and controllable part of the inflammation process, as the body is making efforts to restore balance in the affected area. The tissues begin the healing process with the help of blood circulation and the dental alveoli narrows. A blood clot forms to close the incision site.

Sometimes, the blood clot fails to develop, or it dislodges or dissolves before the wound has healed. We call that alveolar osteitis or dry socket. It usually occurs within three to five days of an extraction. Symptoms of dry socket may include severe pain that often radiates to the ear or temple, bad smell and taste in the mouth or visible bone at the extraction site. These are clear signs that you should see your dentist as soon as possible in order to alleviate the pain and speed up the healing process. The dentist will flush out the mouth with a saline solution to remove any debris that could cause pain or infection and then apply a medicated gel or dressing to the area to ease pain quickly and permanently.

Dental pain is not something that you should ignore. There are multiple causes that can determine it, but after we figure out which one is it, Pacifica Dental professionals will apply the best treatments for you to have a rapid and successful recovery. We specialize in pain therapy and we offer emergency appointments for patients that are in pain.