Archives for April 2022

Can a Dentist Who Sees Emergency Patients Help with Wisdom Teeth?

Posted on April 30, 2022 by AllSmiles.

I know wisdom teeth can be complicated, especially if they are impacted, but if a dentist who sees emergency patients can help, I think I should go. I’ve had issues on and off with all 4 wisdom teeth, but now pain in the lower teeth is intense. Last month, I started whitening my teeth, and I think that the bleaching gel irritated the gums around my wisdom teeth. I stopped using the gel last week. My gums are swollen, and although I am not chewing on the wisdom teeth, eating is painful. I had plans for a long weekend and wonder if a dentist would see me right away and help or if I needed just to skip that and call an oral surgeon to get the teeth pulled. – Grayson from NY

Grayson,

Thank you for your question.

It is good that you discontinued teeth whitening because the gel can irritate already inflamed gums.

Can a Dentist Who Sees Emergency Patients Help with Wisdom Teeth?

Hands placing teeth bleaching gel in custom trays

Discontinue teeth whitening on irritated wisdom teeth

A dentist who accepts emergency visits can temporarily relieve or decrease your wisdom teeth pain, but they will not perform surgery during your appointment. Still, seeing a dentist right away is wise. Your pain and swelling are signs of an infection that a dentist must treat.

After relieving your pain, the dentist will x-ray your teeth and determine what treatment you need. Otherwise, the dentist will refer you to an oral surgeon for teeth removal. Some dentists have advanced oral surgery training and experience.

Why Get Wisdom Removed?

You should consider getting wisdom teeth removed when x-rays show they can not erupt entirely and affect your long-term oral health. Wisdom teeth can be complex when they are impacted and will not emerge. Impacted wisdom teeth can become irritated and form a cyst on the jawbone or damage the roots of nearby teeth.

When impacted wisdom teeth push neighboring teeth out of alignment, it creates the need for orthodontic treatment. Partially erupted wisdom teeth also cause pain, swelling, and irritation. They become difficult to clean and can breed bacteria that lead to infection in your gums, bone, and neighboring teeth. A dentist with surgical expertise or an oral surgeon will recommend treatment.

Dr. Duane Delaune, a Metairie, Louisiana cosmetic dentist, sponsors this post.

What Foods Should I Eat or Avoid for TMJ Pain?

Posted on April 29, 2022 by AllSmiles.

I’m trying to decide if I really need to see a dentist or if I can manage what I think is TMJ on my own. My friend researched online and found a site that says if I eat whole foods, my TMJ symptoms will improve. It didn’t promise the symptoms would go away, but it said they would get better. I’ve had mild jaw pain for the past three years, but it’s getting worse. Within the last three weeks, my jaw has locked during my sleep. That is a painful and scary feeling. Can you tell me what foods I should eat to improve TMJ? Anias from Vancouver, WA

Anias,

Whole foods can nourish the body and improve many different conditions. But TMJ (temporomandibular joint) issues may not be related to what you eat. Nerve and muscle tension cause TMJ. Jaw muscles can get strained, injured, or sore. An accident, bruxism (teeth grinding), or facial trauma can provoke symptoms.

What Foods Can You Eat to Improve TMJ?

The foods you can eat to improve TMJ symptoms are related to food texture. The TMJ Association gives this advice on food choices:

Choose soft or blended foods to give your jaw muscles a break.
Try soup or pasta.
Eat soft fruits like bananas and soft steamed vegetables.

What Foods Should You Avoid to Improve TMJ?

Avoid these food to improve TMJ symptoms:

Hard, crunchy, or sticky foods, such as carrots and nuts.
Avoid chewy foods and snacks, including taffy and chewing gum.
Avoid foods that require you to open your mouth wide to bite them, such as apples.

How Can You Relieve TMJ Discomfort?

Visit a dentist with advanced TMJ training

You can relieve TMJ discomfort by following these suggestions:

Alternate warm and cold compresses on the side of your face where you feel discomfort.
Use anti-inflammatory medication (unless it conflicts with other medicines you are taking or is otherwise not tolerable).
Get a dental exam to determine whether you grind your teeth and will get relief by wearing a custom mouth guard at night.

Schedule a consultation with a dentist with advanced TMJ training. You will eventually need an exam and x-rays to identify the source of your discomfort.

Dr. Duane Delaune, an cosmetic dentist in Metairie, Louisiana, sponsors this post.

How Can I Correct My Overlapped Teeth Without Braces?

Posted on April 15, 2022 by AllSmiles.

What is the best kind of dentist to improve my smile without braces? I travel extensively for business, so I do not have the time to commit to years of treatment and the progress-check appointments that go along with it. I have three upper teeth that slightly overlap the tooth next to them. A few of my bottom teeth are skewed also. What type of dentist would know how to correct all of this without braces, and how can I tell if the dentist is really qualified without trial and error? – Thank you. Bethany from NJ

Bethany,

Thank you for contacting our office. Although Dr. Delaune would need to examine your teeth and gums before recommending treatment options, we can offer a few suggestions.

Can You Correct Overlapped Teeth Without Braces?

You can correct overlapped teeth without braces by consulting a skilled cosmetic dentist. We will discuss why the treatment works and how to find the best dentist for your needs.

Porcelain veneers – A skilled cosmetic dentist can bond veneers to the fronts of your teeth to make them appear straight. They can give you a beautiful smile design with veneers that have the color and translucence of natural teeth. You can choose the shade you want, so your smile will also be brighter, too.
Cosmetic contouring – After a dentist takes x-rays to determine whether your teeth are healthy enough for this treatment, they can re-shape your teeth. A dentist can use a laser or sanding drill to remove minimal amounts of tooth structure. After re-shaping your teeth, the dentist will smooth and polish them.
Teeth whitening – Teeth whitening can make your smile brilliantly white before you receive porcelain veneers or after contouring. Brighter teeth will enhance a smile makeover. Whenever you receive porcelain restorations for your teeth, your dentist must complete whitening first to ensure the veneers match your newly whitened natural teeth.

Do not leave your cosmetic dentistry treatment to chance. An experienced cosmetic dentist is the best dentist for a smile makeover.

Finding the Best Dentist for Your Case

Use these steps to find the best dentist for your case:

Schedule consultations with at least two advanced cosmetic dentists.
Ask to see before-and-after pictures of smile makeover cases like yours.
Ask the dentists how they would resolve the issues with your teeth.
Ask how long the dentist has been practicing and how many cases like yours they have completed.
Check each dentist’s website for information on post-graduate training in cosmetic dentistry and their credentials.

You will get beautiful, long-lasting results from a skilled cosmetic dentist.

Dr. Duane Delaune, a Metairie, Louisiana, cosmetic dentist, sponsors this post.