Oral Health Archives - Smile Glen Ellyn Restorative Dentist
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15Jan

For those who have a highly diseased tooth, root canal treatment is an effective way to save it. The common dental procedure removes infected pulp from the inside of the root of the affected tooth. The canal is cleaned, filled, and sealed to prevent infection or damage. The tooth is often restored after the root canal treatment so that it can return to full function and normal appearance.  If Dr. Gibbs has recommended a root canal, you may have a few questions.

What is Dental Pulp?

Dental pulp is found in a tooth’s pulp chamber. Pulp is found just under the dentin layer beneath the enamel. The shape of a tooth’s pulp chamber determines the size of a tooth. Pulp is a soft substance composed of nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissue. The pulp extends out into the root canal of the tooth.

Why does pulp need to be removed?

There can be several reasons why the pulp of a tooth needs to be removed during root canal treatment. When the pulp becomes damaged, it can begin to decay and deteriorate. Over time, this can cause infection and other complications. To restore the tooth’s health, your Glen Ellyn dentist will need to drill out and remove all the pulp in the tooth.

What Damages a Tooth’s Pulp in the First Place?

Pulp can become inflamed, irritated, or infected because of deep decay, large fillings, trauma to the face, cracked or chipped tooth, or repeated dental procedures on the tooth. When the pulp becomes damaged, it can cause a lot of pain. If left untreated, it can worsen and affect the whole tooth or other surrounding teeth. Early root canal treatment can relieve pain, prevent further damage, and save the natural tooth.

patient undergoing dental procedures

What are the signs a root canal is needed?

Sometimes, the signs that indicate you need a root canal are obvious. You may suffer from a severe toothache, or notice a cavity. Other times, it takes the experienced eye of a Glen Ellyn, IL dentist to determine that root canal treatment is needed. Dr. Gibbs can often spot the sign of problems before it escalates. For most people, physical symptoms are not too bad until the problem becomes more advanced. Here are some of the signs you may need root canal therapy:

  • Chipped or Cracked Tooth
  • Persistent Toothache
  • Long-term Sensitivity
  • Dark or Discolored Tooth
  • Swelling
  • Bump on the Gum

The Root Canal Procedure

The root canal procedure can require more than one visit to the dental office. Dr.Gibbs will remove the affected tissue or pulp from the tooth. Then, the inside of the tooth is cleaned. Once it is cleaned it will be filled with a dental composite and then sealed. If the tooth has a lot of decay, Dr. Gibbs may recommend a crown to strengthen it and prevent it from breaking.

Will a Root Canal Include the Use of Anesthesia?

Each individual has their own level of pain tolerance. For most root canals, a local anesthetic will be used to numb the area around the tooth being treated. The area should continue to be numb for several hours after the procedure. For patients who suffer from dental anxiety or phobia, other types of sedation dentistry may be offered. Minimal sedation to “take the edge off” may help some patients relax even though they will still be awake for the procedure. In some instances, an oral sedative is given prior to the procedure. Dr. Gibbs will discuss your need for anesthetics.

Root Canal Recovery

The tooth may be a little sensitive for a few days after a root canal treatment, especially if it was infected before the dental procedure. Over-the-counter pain medications are usually enough to manage the discomfort. Most patients return to normal activities the day following the treatment. You may notice the tooth feeling a bit different from your other teeth for a few days. Contact Dr. Gibbs if you experience any of these symptoms:

  • Noticeable swelling inside the mouth
  • Hives or itching, or other signs of an allergic reaction to medication
  • Acute or severe pain
  • The return of symptoms that you had before the root canal

Root Canal Outlook

Root canals have a huge success record and with proper dental hygiene, they should provide results that last your lifetime. Dr. Gibbs places a crown on a tooth following the root canal treatment that will provide extra strength and durability for the tooth.

Root Canal Complications

Most of the time, there are no complications from root canal treatment. However, in rare cases, it is possible that they can occur. Here are four rare but possible root canal complications:

  1. Infection. If bacteria enter the tooth during the procedure, an infection may occur. Antibiotics can be prescribed to treat the infection and in extremely rare cases, the tooth may need to be re-treated.
  2. Broken Teeth. If the crown is not placed in a timely manner following a root canal, there is a chance that the tooth could break.
  3. Fractured Root. In very rare cases, a root could have small pre-existing cracks that could cause a root to fracture during the procedure.
  4. Numbness. If the material was to move outside the placement area, it could cause numbness and inflammation. It’s also possible that the nerve could get bumped, punctured, or bruised during the procedure, although this is not likely.

 Contact Us

If you have any tooth that is bothering you, it’s important to make an appointment right away. Don’t hesitate to contact our offices to schedule an exam. You can also use our online contact form. We will take care of you!

15Aug

smiling womanWhen gum disease is discovered early, it is more easily treated and, in most cases, can be reversed. As it progresses, it becomes more difficult to treat. The earliest stages of gum disease can advance to a more serious problem and can lead to the loss of teeth or other health problems. Knowing the different types of gum diseases can be beneficial for treating and even preventing it altogether. Let’s take a look at the various stages and types of common gum diseases.

Six Types of Gum Disease

Gingivitis: Healthy gums appear pink and feel firm. If you notice your gums turning red, bleeding easily, or are red or swollen, you might have gingivitis. This is the mildest form of periodontal disease. In most cases, it is due to the lack of good oral hygiene. At this stage, it is reversible, if treated properly by your Glen Ellyn, IL dentist coupled with good oral care at home.

Periodontitis: This is another term for advanced gum disease. This goes further than affecting gum tissue and spreads below the gum line and affects your teeth. It can cause deterioration of the jawbone and cause tooth loss as well as jawbone atrophy. Symptoms of periodontitis include chronic bad breath, gingival pockets containing pus, and receding gum lines.

Aggressive Periodontitis: This stage of gum disease progresses rapidly. The ligaments holding teeth in place, bones, and gingival tissue continue to deteriorate at an advanced pace.

Chronic periodontitis:  This is a slow occurring deterioration. The inflammation of the gums and bone loss continues to occur but at a slower rate.

Systemic periodontitis: Gum disease occurring due to systemic disease is considered systemic periodontitis. Some of the systemic conditions include:

  • Diabetes
  • Respiratory disease
  • Heart disease

Necrotizing periodontal disease: Those who suffer from this type of gum disease usually have other underlying conditions including HIV, malnutrition, or immunosuppression. Death of the living tissue, alveolar bone, and ligaments don’t deteriorate due to a disease. Rather, they begin to deteriorate because they are deprived of the nourishment needed to stay healthy.

What can I do to prevent gum diseases?

There are several things you can do to help prevent gum disease.

  •  Brushing your teeth regularly helps remove debris and plaque that can become trapped between teeth and gums. Remember to brush your tongue as well as bacteria likes to hang out there too.
  •  Flossing at least one time a day helps remove plaque and food particles that cannot be reached by brushing alone.
  • Using mouthwash helps reduce plaque and prevents it from building up.  Swishing it around in your mouth as directed can help remove any leftover food particles that were missed by brushing and flossing.
  • Risk factors such as age, diet, genetics, and smoking can increase your risk of developing gum disease. If you are at an increased risk, discuss it with a dental professional at Smile Glen Ellyn.
  •  Regular dental checkups with Dr. Gibbs can help prevent gum disease and other dental problems. A dental professional can examine your teeth, gums, bite, and bone structure to determine if you are at risk for developing gum disease. Early detection is the key to protecting your teeth and gums.

Contact Dr. Gibbs

The key to successful treatment is early diagnosis. Routine visits are part of helping you maintain good oral health. If you have any questions about gum diseases or your oral health, please contact us. We are here to help you! Schedule your visit with the team at Smile Glen Ellyn today.

10Mar

If you have a compromised immune system or you regularly use inhaled steroids, you need to be aware of oral thrush. Oral thrush is an infection that is caused by an overgrowth of yeast in your mouth or throat. In other words, it is essentially a yeast infection that can develop in your mouth. Like other yeast infections, oral thrush is irritating, but it is hardly life-threatening. It can also be treated with the help of your good Glen Ellyn, IL dentist.

Smile Glen Ellyn

Dr. Thomas Gibbs has been practicing dentistry at Smile Glen Ellyn since in 1978. The areas of expertise of him and his team include cosmetic dentistry and family dentistry, and he will be more than happy to address any questions or concerns that you may have about oral thrush. For more information about Dr. Gibbs or to schedule an appointment, contact Smile Glen Ellyn today.

 

5Jan

Even though it can sometimes feel like cavities can’t be avoided, there are ways you can keep from having to deal with the pain and frustration it causes. Understanding what a cavity is and how it can be prevented can help you improve your dental hygiene and keep those pesky holes away.

Cavity Anatomy

A cavity is a hole in your tooth that comes from a buildup of plaque. When food particles are left on your teeth, bacteria creates a sticky residue called plaque. The acidic compounds in plaque break down the enamel of your tooth, and that’s how you end up with cavities.

Keeping them Away Can be Easy

The good news is that they can be prevented. Proper dental care at home (brushing, flossing, and fluoride mouthwash) along with check-ups with your Glen Ellyn, IL dentist every six months can help reduce chances of cavities and keep your smile looking great.

If you’re due for a check-up, call today to make an appointment with Dr. Thomas Gibbs at Smile Glen Ellyn.

8Dec

Having a healthy oral hygiene routine is important to your health in more ways than you might realize: recent research is showing by preventing the development of gum disease, you may potentially help prevent certain cancers.

Researchers at the University of Helsinki and the Helsinki University in Finland, as well as the Karolinska Institute in Sweden, say that the bacteria that induces periodontitis has similarities in how they propagate to the onset of pancreatic cancer. Periodontitis, the inflammation of tissues around the teeth, is caused by a bacteria that causes low-grade inflammation in the gums, which can help the bacteria reach other parts of the body.

The researchers published their study in the British Journal of Cancer, finding that an enzyme produced by the bacteria to help it successfully propagate can also activate enzymes that help cancer cells anchor into other parts of the tissue. This enzyme can also reduce the abilities of the immune system to work in protecting the body. Another study found that periodontitis has a connection to cancer mortality, particularly in pancreatic cancer.

When you need oral care from a Glen Ellyn, IL dentist, Smile Glen Ellyn is ready to meet your needs. To help prevent periodontitis and protect your oral health, call Dr. Thomas Gibbs to make an appointment today.

5Oct

Most of us think of sugar as the number one enemy of healthy teeth. However, there are other foods and drinks that can wreak havoc on your oral health as well. This is why simply eliminating or reducing the amount of sugar from your diet is simply not enough. Dr. Thomas Gibbs knows that this is a common misconception and works to educate patients on the best ways to improve oral health.

More Sugar Anyone?

Sugar can cause cavities when it mixes with the plaque on teeth and creates an acidic environment that wears on the enamel of your teeth over time. Many people understand that sugary foods and drinks aren’t the healthiest choices for good oral health; however, few understand why. As a result, many people will cut down on sugary foods or choose sugar-free options thinking they are improving their oral health.

What Else Can be Done to Protect Tooth Enamel in addition to  Eliminating Sugar?

Your Glen Ellyn, IL dentist understands that most patients think that eliminating sugar will stop the slow assault on tooth enamel and reduce cavities. However, there are other factors that should be considered as well. Acidic foods and drinks may or may not be sugary, but the acids present in these foods and drinks can be just as troublesome as sugary foods because they wear away at tooth enamel as well. This is why it’s a good idea to reduce your consumption of acidic foods as well as sugary foods and drinks, or remembering to rinse or brush after having these foods. The Smile Glen Ellyn team is committed to educating patients and providing tips to help preserve tooth enamel and improve overall oral health.

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