Archives for January 2024

Throbbing Pain in One Spot in My Gums After Eating

Posted on January 31, 2024 by AllSmiles.

A persistent soreness in my gums between my first and second molars is getting worse. The spot hurts daily and throbs after I eat. The pain decreases in about an hour. It doesn’t hurt again until I eat something. I’ve felt discomfort for about eight months. I asked my dentist to check it during my last dental cleaning, but she didn’t see anything, even after an X-ray. The second molar had a root canal seven years ago. My dentist said we could consider removing the tooth if the pain didn’t go away. I reminded her that my gums, not the tooth, hurt. May I ignore the pain if it didn’t hurt so bad after eating? What could be causing it? Thanks. Klark from GA

Klark,

We are concerned that your dentist recommended an extraction if the pain doesn’t resolve. If you are experiencing ongoing pain and an X-ray didn’t reveal its source, your dentist should have referred you to a periodontist (gum specialist). If the problem is with your gums, it is unrelated to the root canal tooth.

A periodontist may check the pockets between your teeth to see if a periodontal abscess is causing the gum pain. Sometimes, food particles get between the teeth and gums and cause inflammation and pain. If the particles disintegrate, the pain will resolve.

Dental implant with crown, abutment, and implant screw identified

Treat gum pain and disease to prevent tooth extraction and a dental implan

Do you floss thoroughly between your teeth? If not, a lack of flossing can contribute to gum pain. Trapped food and bacteria can lead to gum disease and increase the depth of gum pockets. Unresolved gum disease can result in gum and bone deterioration and, eventually, tooth loss. Getting treatment can prevent the need for tooth replacement options, such as a dental bridge or a dental implant.

We recommend asking your dentist for a referral to a periodontist or self-referring to a specialist. If your discomfort is related to your gum health, a periodontist will find the issue.

Metairie cosmetic dentist Dr. Duane Delaune sponsors this post. Read details about how Dr. Delaune strives to provide some of the best dental care in Metairie.

Does Citric Acid from Lemons Whiten Teeth?

Posted on January 26, 2024 by AllSmiles.

Can I whiten my teeth with lemons or lemon essential oil without damaging them? I know natural lemon is acidic, but will the essential oil work? I read online that lemon oil will whiten teeth without damaging them. If I can find natural alternatives to teeth bleaching, that would be great. So, if not lemons, I’m interested in anything else I can do at home. Thanks. Kamilya

Kamilya,

Whitening your teeth can refresh your smile. If your teeth are in good condition, brighter teeth can look like you’ve had a smile makeover.

Does Citric Acid from Lemons Whiten Teeth?

Citric acid from lemons etches tooth enamel, temporarily giving it a frosty surfer and making it look whiter. However, roughened tooth enamel will eventually attract more stains, making your teeth look worse.

Some Internet articles claim that the citric acid in lemons kills bacteria and whitens teeth. However, pigments in food and drink, not bacteria, cause stains on teeth. Regular toothbrushing removes bacteria-causing plaque. You don’t need lemons to do that.

Do Lemons Damage Tooth Enamel?

Repeatedly using lemons or regularly eating them will thin tooth enamel. The least abrasive over-the-counter whitening system is Crest 3DWhitestrips. However, the 3DWhitestrips are less effective than professional bleaching gel from a dentist. Ask your dentist about a take-home whitening kit if you want an alternative to in-office whitening.

Carbamide peroxide in bleaching gel penetrates tooth enamel to break down stains and whiten teeth. The gel will not erode tooth enamel unless you overuse it. A dentist can monitor your whitening progress to minimize sensitivity and prevent over-bleaching.

We recommend an exam from a dentist to determine whether teeth whitening is safe for your teeth based on the cause of the stains in them. Otherwise, the dentist will recommend cosmetic dentistry alternatives to address your concerns about tooth stains, spots, or discoloration.

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

What Happens If My Tooth Root Broke During an Extraction?

Posted on January 15, 2024 by AllSmiles.

About three weeks after wisdom teeth extraction, I began having pain in the space of the lower right tooth, on the side of my face, and in my ear and eye. Most of the pain is gone except in the back of my eye. My dentist wouldn’t let me see the wisdom teeth that he removed. I wonder if he left something behind. Will the discomfort in my eye go away, or should I get an X-ray from another dentist? I want to begin teeth whitening treatment, but I’m concerned about irritation. Thanks. Alex

Alex,

Although it’s possible to have an infection after wisdom teeth removal, it usually occurs at the gum incision. If there is an infection at the site of a non-impacted tooth, the infection would drain through the opening, allowing healing without complications.

However, if a piece of a tooth or a root remains in the socket, it is at risk of infection even if your gum tissue heals over it.

What Happens If a Tooth Breaks During an Extraction?

If a tooth breaks during extraction, its size and location determine what a dentist should do. Unforeseen complications can occur during tooth removal. Age we age, tooth roots have extra cementum deposits that can cause roots to break during tooth removal.

Small root tip left after tooth extraction

If a small tooth root tip breaks during extraction, it may be best to leave it. A root tip near a nerve or the sinus is risky to remove and should heal without complications.

Large root tip or fragment left after tooth extraction

A large root tip or fragment that breaks during tooth extraction should be removed. A dentist or oral surgeon may need to remove some bone around the root. If your dentist cannot remove the fragment, he or she should refer you to an oral surgeon.

We recommend getting a second opinion and X-ray from another dentist to determine if a tooth root or fragment is in the wisdom tooth socket. The dentist can recommend treatment or refer you to an oral surgeon. If a leftover fragment is beneath the gum tissue, you can ask for a refund from the dentist who extracted the tooth.

Afterward, you can begin bleaching your teeth without concerns about further irritating the wisdom tooth extraction site.

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