Blog - Page 7 of 9 - West Los Angeles Dental Care

Home  /  Blog

Your Santa Monica Dentist and Cavity Treatment Options

February 9, 2013 Afshin Golyad DDS.

When acids are present on a tooth’s surface, the tooth’s mineral content decreases, allowing a hole to form. The result of this is what we commonly call a cavity. Your Santa Monica dentist will need to act quickly in order to treat any cavities. The dentist’s main priority will be to remove damaged or decayed parts of the tooth, and rebuild the tooth with some form of filling material or replacement. Treating cavities quickly is important, since decay is progressive. This means that once a tooth begins to decay and once its mineral content begins to erode, the tooth will continue to deteriorate until a person’s health is affected. In extreme cases, tooth decay can lead to complications that may require oral surgery, root canals, and other more expensive and serious treatments. It is always better to treat a cavity early on, when it can be resolved with filling.

Treatment for cavities can actually provide some protection from further tooth decay in the future. In most cases, cavity treatment begins with an injection of local anesthetic. The dentist will then use a high-speed dental drill to remove the part of the tooth that is decayed. He will or she will often use a liner to minimize tooth sensitivity. The dentist will then select the right material to fill the tooth and will layer the filler on top of the liner in order to rebuild to the tooth.

After cavity treatment, it is normal for the tooth to be sensitive for day or two. If a cavity was deep and treatment more involved, the tooth will likely be sensitive to cold foods and hot beverages for a little bit longer. Within two weeks, most patients find that their new tooth feels completely comfortable. If this is not the case, this may be because there is the space under the filling that must be removed. It can also signify an infection which may require a root canal. In rare cases, a second appointment is needed to reduce the filling a comfortable level, if the filling is built up too high. If you do not appear to be healing normally or have any questions about the healing process, do not hesitate to contact your dentist.

In many cases, cavities can be completely prevented with regular cleanings. This is because the acid that causes tooth cavities actually comes from bacteria called mutans streptococci and lactobacilli, which live in dental plaque. When your dentist is allowed to clean your teeth every six months, he or she can remove the dental plaque, thereby reducing the amount of bacteria and eliminating the amount of acid on your teeth. Another way to reduce the incidence of cavities is to reduce the amount of sugar that you eat. The bacteria that cause the acid which creates cavities feed when you do. When you eat sugars, these bacteria are able to secrete more acid more quickly. Therefore, by brushing your teeth after a sugary meal and by reducing the amount of sugar you eat, you can often reduce the amount of acid that the bacteria produce.

If it has been some time since your last cleaning, the amount of plaque and therefore bacteria in your mouth may be increasing. Therefore, to prevent cavities, contact West LA Dental today for an appointment.


Talking to Your Santa Monica Dentist About Oral Cancer

February 9, 2013 Afshin Golyad DDS.

Oral cancer is something that no one wants about, but it can be a very important subject to discuss with your Santa Monica dentist. Oral cancer refers to a disease in which cancer cells develop in the oral cavity or in the area of the lip or mouth. The oral cavity refers to the upper and lower gums, the lining of the inside of the cheeks and lip, the front two thirds of the tongue, the part of the mouth underneath the tongue, the bony palate at the top of the mouth, and the area behind the wisdom teeth. If any of these areas develop cancer cells, oral cancer is the result.

Oral cancer most often affects people who are over the age of 45, but it can affect much younger patients as well. Like most cancers, oral cancer is most easily treated when it is discovered early. There are many stages to this type of cancer:

1. Stage one: In stage one oral cancer, the cancer cells cover an area of no more than 2 cm and have not spread to the lymph nodes.

2. Stage two: In stage two oral cancer, the cancer covers an area of more than 2 cm but less than 4 cm. Again, at this stage the cancer has not spread to the lymph nodes.

3. Stage three: In stage three oral cancer, the cancer may have spread to one lymph node, generally on the same side of the face as the cancer cells. The cancer may also be more than 4 cm in area in order for the cancer to be considered that stage three.

4. Stage four: In this stage of oral cancer, the cancer may spread to tissues beyond the oral cavity or lip. The lymph nodes may contain cancer cells at this stage of the cancer.

Oral cancer is most common in men, although women can also develop the disease as well. People who have been in the sun a lot and who have light-colored skin are more likely to get this type of cancer. Smokers and those who smoke pipe and chew tobacco are more likely to suffer from this type of cancer.

In many cases, a dentist is the first to notice signs of oral cancer. A dentist carefully examining your mouth can notice lumps in or around the gum, mouth, or lip area. A sore in the mouth that does not heal can also often tip off a dentist that you may have oral cancer. If you notice any of these signs of oral cancer yourself, be sure to visit your doctor right away. He or she can perform a biopsy to determine whether you have cancer. However, it is also important to visit your dentist regularly, as he or she will often notice small bumps or lumps before you do. Another common sign of oral cancer is that dentures no longer fit very well. If your dentures do not fit well, you dentist can not only make sure that your dentures fit well again, but he or she can also ensure that you are not developing any of the symptoms of oral cancer.

Visiting your dentist regularly can do a lot more than just keep your smile bright. Visiting your dentist regularly can also actually save your life. If it has been a while since you last saw your dentist, contact West LA Dental today for an appointment.


When Your Santa Monica Dentist Tells You That You Need Oral Surgery

February 9, 2013 Afshin Golyad DDS.

In some cases, if your teeth have been impacted by an accident, have not grown correctly, or other problems have not been fixed in time, you may require minor oral surgery in order to correct the problem. Once your Santa Monica dentist has performed the surgery, you may experience swelling, bleeding, and some aching in the mouth area. Before you go home following your surgery, you will want to speak to your Santa Monica dentist to ensure that you understand the treatment and the procedures you should follow at home so that you recover as quickly and as fully as possible.

After any sort of oral surgery, it is important that you keep an eye out for any dangerous symptoms. The following symptoms can indicate a complication and if you experience any of these, you should contact your doctor or surgeon immediately:

  • Four or more hours after your surgery, you’re still bleeding profusely.
  • Nausea and vomiting.
  • A day or more after your surgery, your pain has not subsided even a little bit.
  • Fever.
  • Swelling continues to get worse or does not heal two days or more after surgery.

If at any point you have any questions or you’re concerned about the way you are healing, be sure to contact your doctor or you surgeon right away. Your Santa Monica surgeon is there to help.

During surgery, you will be given a local anesthetic so that the surgeon can perform the procedure. Depending on how much anesthetic and the type of anesthetic you’ve been given, your mouth may stay numb for several hours or just a few hours. While your mouth is numb, take care not to bite your tongue, lip, or cheeks. After the freezing leaves, you may find this very painful.

What’s the anesthetic wears off, and once the numbness goes way, it is normal to have some pain. The first 24 to 40 hours after oral surgery you will experience the most intense pain. You may continue to experience some discomfort and aching right in the surgery site up to five days after the surgery. How much pain you are in will depend on how healthy you are and the type of surgery you’ve had. Depending on how active you are, you may experience more or less discomfort. If you move around a great deal, you may find that you are in more pain, which is why additional rest after your surgery might be a good idea.

One thing you can do to ensure that to you heal properly after oral surgery is to choose your dental professionals carefully. Qualified, experienced dental professionals can ensure that you get the right treatment and that that treatment is performed correctly. A good professional also takes the time to explain the procedure and its aftermath to you, so that you can be fully prepared. If you need a good dentist to treat a current condition or to offer you a checkup, contact West LA Dental today.


When Your Santa Monica Dentist Needs to Perform an Extraction

February 9, 2013 Afshin Golyad DDS.

If one of your teeth is so damaged that it cannot be saved or if one of your tooth is so infected that removal is the only way to halt the infection, your dentist or an oral surgeon will need to remove the tooth. Tooth removal often begins with a local anesthetic to numb the area. If more than one tooth must be removed, your dentist or surgeon will use a stronger, general anesthetic. The dentist will then remove the tooth and give you stitches, if you need them. After the procedure, your Santa Monica dentist or surgeon may instruct you to bite down on a cotton gauze pad to help stop the bleeding. Once your tooth has been removed, your dentist will discuss whether an implant, a denture, or a bridge will be used to replace the removed tooth.

You will need to recover a few days after a tooth extraction. Your dentist may give you painkillers to make this period easier to bear. Your dentist may also instruct you to rinse your mouth out with warm salt water a few times a day to help reduce swelling and pain. To help stop bleeding, you may have to change your gauze pad regularly and eat mostly soft foods at first to give your mouth a chance to heal. Staying out of stress and propping your head up with pillows (so that you are not lying flat) can also help stop the bleeding associated with tooth extraction. Ask your Santa Monica dentist for directions about what you should do after your tooth extraction and follow those directions to the letter.

The main goal with most extractions is to prevent infection from spreading to other areas of your mouth or to remove a damaged tooth that cannot be saved. However, since extraction is a type of surgery, it is not without its risks. Any sort of dental surgery can permit bacteria in the mouth to enter your bloodstream. This can cause infections. If you do not easily fight off infections, talk to your dentist before surgery. You may need to take antibiotics before and after dental surgery. If you have heart problems, diabetes, liver disease, artificial joints, or take steroids for Crohn’s disease, asthma, or some other condition, you need to tell your Santa Monica dentist because you may also need additional antibiotics.

Of course, the best way to deal with a tooth extraction is to avoid it in the first place. Good oral hygiene and regular dentist visits can help you avoid the necessity of having a tooth extraction. If it has been six months since your last appointment, an appointment with West LA Dental can help ensure that your teeth stay healthy.


What Does Your Santa Monica Dentist Say: Electric Toothbrushes or Manual Ones?

February 9, 2013 Afshin Golyad DDS.

If you look at any advertisements for electric toothbrushes, you will notice that the ads make a lot of claims. In most cases, manufacturers of electric toothbrushes either imply or outright state that their electric products will clean better than manual models. But is this true?

The fact is, even the experts are in disagreement. Researchers from the Universities of Birmingham, Edinburgh, Manchester and Sheffield have found that while rotating-oscillating head electric toothbrushes provide plaque-removing capabilities than manual toothbrushes, most electric toothbrushes are in fact no better at removing plaque than their far less expensive manual counterparts. On the other hand, other studies published in the American Journal of Dentistry and the British Dental Journal found that electric toothbrushes can be more effective at removing plaque and reducing gingivitis than manual toothbrushes. The American Dental Association has also recommended electric toothbrushes for people with physical limitations.

Before you rush out and spend anywhere from $20 to more than $100 on a fancy electrical toothbrush, though, do consider:

  • Brushing technique is at least as important as what you brush with. Brushing up on your technique may help you more than switching toothbrushes. Good brushing with a manual toothbrush is better for your oral hygiene than brushing hurriedly with an electric toothbrush. If you need a refresher on how to brush, ask your Santa Monica dentist at your next appointment.
  • How you feel about electric toothbrushes? Do you enjoy the way brushing with one of these toothbrushes feels? If so, and if it will encourage you to brush more regularly, consider investing in an electric toothbrush. If not, continue to do a good job with your manual brush.
  • How long do your brush your teeth? Most dental professionals advise that everyone needs to brush twice a day for at least two to three minutes, but many brushers do not brush this long or that frequently. If you do not brush this often or for this long, getting an electric toothbrush will not help you cut corners. You should buy the toothbrush that will help you brush regularly.
  • How are you doing with your current brush? Ask your Santa Monica dentist about how effective your brushing is. If you are not doing the task well with a manual toothbrush or with an electric toothbrush, for that matter, switch the type of brush to see if you can improve.
  • Do you have manual dexterity problems or physical problems, such as arthritis, that might make it difficult for you to hold onto or maneuver manual toothbrushes? This is one situation where an electric toothbrush can be a real help, since it allows you to get in more places inside your mouth without your having to adjust your hand and wrist as much.

Remember: No matter what brush you use, you still need to visit your dentist regularly. Make an appointment with West LA Dental today to see one of our friendly, helpful dentists.


« Previous   1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9   Next »