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Teeth Cleaning Tips and Secrets

Teeth Whitening

Do you think you are maintaining a good oral hygiene routine? If not, then this blog is for you!

When it comes to dental care and maintaining an oral hygiene routine, it is easy to make specific lifestyle changes instead of relying on the dentist. Here are the most important tips for teeth whitening, refining dental care habits, and keeping your smile healthy and shiny.

●   Say Bye to Soda!

If you often drink soda during a break in the evening, this unhealthy habit will cause havoc on your oral hygiene. Soda contains citric acid and phosphoric acid that affect your teeth’ enamel and make them more vulnerable to cavities and gum diseases.

●   Cut Down on Your Sugar Consumption

Apart from ditching soda, cutting down on sugar consumption will also keep your teeth healthy and clean. Sugar causes bacterial growth in your mouth, which leads to plaque and cavities that attack your gums and tooth enamel. This potentially leads to tooth decay and gum diseases. It is not recommended to stop your sugar consumption, but limiting the intake and flossing or brushing after having a sweet treat can be beneficial.

●   Quit Smoking

Smoking can have a detrimental effect on your oral health. No matter how much money you spend on your dental appointments, if you don’t quit smoking, your oral health is still at risk. The tar and nicotine found in cigarettes attack your gums. Smoking also triggers the production of bacteria in your mouth that cause tooth decay and gum disease.

●   Brushing with Proper Technique

No matter how many times you brush your teeth, it’s essential to brush your teeth with proper technique. Make sure to follow the techniques listed below-

  • Hold your brush at a 45-degree angle.
  • Make circular motions with the brush head pointing towards your gum line.
  • Brush each tooth up to 15 times.

Following these brushing techniques will help in keeping your teeth clean.

●   Brush For Around 2 Minutes

Brushing your teeth for around 2 minutes seems like a long time for many, especially those who don’t care about oral hygiene. But you can spend 30 seconds on each section. For instance, try brushing your top left for 30 seconds, then top right, then bottom left side, and finally the bottom right side. With this technique, you can get a fresh feel and a shinier smile.

●   Take Out Some Time for Flossing

Flossing is one of the most effective teeth cleaning tips which is helpful when you are unable to clean your teeth with a toothbrush, leading to healthier gums and teeth. But just like brushing, incorrect flossing can also lead to damaged gums. To ensure proper flossing technique, you should make sure that you are following these tips:

  • Make sure to do flossing behind the molar teeth for proper cleaning.
  • Keep the floss tight while cleaning the plaques.

●   Avoid Over Brushing

It seems satisfying to brush your teeth aggressively to ensure thorough cleaning and teeth whitening. But over-brushing can also make your teeth sensitive and porous. Thus, it is important to brush your teeth gently and ensure overall oral health.

●   Chew Sugar-free Gum

Although brushing your teeth after eating a meal is desirable, it may not be possible every time. You can chew sugar-free gum to avoid the deposit of excess food while refreshing your breath. Chewing gum boosts the production of saliva in your mouth. As saliva has antibacterial properties, thus it helps prevent bacteria from causing plaque buildup and ultimately leading to tooth decay.

●   Eat Foods that help in Cleaning Your Teeth

As mentioned above, soda and sugar harm your oral hygiene, but do you know what foods you can consume to improve it? Well, consuming crisp and firm foods such as apples, raw carrots, popcorn, and celery is beneficial in reducing plaque buildup. They are not an alternative to brushing but ending your meal with these foods will be helpful to improve your oral hygiene.

●   Prioritize Regular Dental Checkups

You might be thinking that following the above tips will save time and money on visiting the dentist for a regular dental checkup. But it’s not. It will be great if you follow these tips, but regular cleaning and maintaining oral hygiene through the dentist in chandler will help you alert to any potential issues. The sooner your dentist finds the problem, the less painful the treatment will be. Don’t skip the appointment with Peace of Mind Dental Studio to maintain your dental health. All the dentists at POM Dental Studio are highly experienced and proficient in offering top-notch dental care services within your budget.

Wisdom teeth removal is the last resort to eliminate the discomfort and constant pain. It is a common dental procedure, but healing can be challenging sometimes due to unexpected complications. One such condition is bone sequestra, a condition in which small fragments of bone remain behind, hindering the healing process. 

If you or a loved one has recently undergone wisdom tooth removal and is experiencing trouble healing, it may be due to the presence of bone sequestra. It’s crucial to understand this phenomenon to recover quickly. 

What Is Bone Sequestra?

Bone sequestra or sequestrum in singular form are tiny pieces of bone that separate from the tooth during or following a tooth extraction. These fragments can occur when the blood supply to a small area of the bone is disrupted during the procedure, especially if the extraction was surgical or complex.

As the surrounding tissue heals, the body attempts to eliminate foreign materials, such as bone fragments. So, these pieces push against the surface, causing immense pain, injury to the tongue, and other complications. 

Why Does Bone Sequestra Occur After a Tooth Extraction?

During a bone tooth extraction, the trauma to the surrounding tissue can lead to reduced blood supply in small areas of the jawbone. As the portion doesn’t receive enough oxygen and nutrients, the bone parts die and separate from the healthy bone, resulting in a sequestrum. 

Some common risk factors include:

  • Surgical extraction of impacted or partially erupted wisdom teeth
  • Poor oral hygiene after the procedure
  • Bone conditions
  • Smoking or delayed healing
  • Infection or poor blood clot formation

Common Bone Sequestra Symptoms to Watch For

Identifying a bone sequestra is quite easy. You can feel something hard protruding or pressing against the soft tissue. It may or may not cause pain, but it can pique your interest in learning more about it. In many cases, it’s the dentist who alerts patients. However, you can look out for the following symptoms if you suspect having a sequestration. 

  • A hard, white, or yellow piece protruding from the extraction site
  • Pain or irritation in the gum area
  • Swelling or mild inflammation around the socket
  • Delayed or slow healing
  • Mild bleeding when brushing or rinsing
  • A gritty or sharp feeling on the tongue near the socket

If you are experiencing these symptoms, visit Peace of Mind Dental Studio today. 

Bone Sequestra After Wisdom Tooth Removal

Bone sequestra wisdom tooth cases are quite common. Did you know that over 5 million people in the USA have their wisdom teeth removed every year, which translates to approximately 20 million teeth being extracted annually. 

As wisdom teeth are located deeper in the jaw, the extraction often requires removing bone tissue, increasing the likelihood of a sequestration forming. 

Can Bone Sequestra Delay Healing?

Yes, bone sequestra can delay the healing process. It is a piece of dead bone in your gum, which can result in the following:

    Preventing the complete closure of the gum tissue

    Increasing inflammation

    Causing discomfort during eating or brushing

    Leading to minor infections if not cleaned properlyOften, the body eventually expels the fragment, and healing isn’t hindered. However, you must consult a dentist so they can monitor the area and remove it, if needed. 

Treatment and Removal of Bone Sequestra

If the bone fragment is invasive and causes discomfort, your dentist may recommend extraction. It is a simple procedure that involves the following:

  • Loose tissue or debris is removed.
  • The sequestrum is removed using dental tools.
  • If the bone is lodged deeper, it requires administering anesthesia and making a small cut to remove the fragment.
  • Antibiotics are prescribed, and patients often require pain relief medications for post-surgical comfort.

Preventing Bone Sequestra After Tooth Extraction

It is not possible to prevent bone sequestra from forming, but post-operative care can help reduce the risk. 

Here are the tips that will help:

  • Keep the area clean with gentle saltwater rinses
  • Avoid smoking or using straws during healing
  • Stick to soft foods and avoid biting near the site
  • Attend all follow-up appointments
  • Don’t poke or disturb the area with your tongue or fingers

When to Seek Professional Help?

If you have had a tooth extraction and the pain hasn’t subsided despite taking your medication on time, it is advisable to consult us at Peace of Mind Dental Studio. If you witness symptoms of bone sequestra, do not attempt to remove them on your own. For a smooth recovery and to avoid infection, it is recommended that you consult a professional. 

Conclusion

A bone sequestrum isn’t an alarming problem, but like any other dental issue, it requires prompt action. Understanding these symptoms and post-operative issues will help. 

For more information on bone sequestra, tooth extraction, and the complications, book an appointment with us at Peace of Mind Dental Studio. We will be happy to assist you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Que: How do I know if I have bone sequestra after tooth extraction?

Ans: If you feel a hard, white, or yellow piece near the extraction site, protruding abnormally, it might be a bone sequestra. 

Que: Will bone sequestra go away on its own?

Ans: Yes, in some cases, the body may push out the piece automatically, but in most cases, it requires surgical removal.

Que: How long does bone sequestra delay healing after wisdom tooth removal?

Ans: Depending on the size and location of the fragment, the healing may be delayed by a few days or even more than a week. 

Que: Can bone sequestra lead to infection?

Ans: Yes, it can lead to infections as bacteria may get trapped and cause problems. 

Que: Is bone sequestra the same as dry socket?

Ans: No, it is a piece of bone lodged in the soft tissue, while a dry socket is caused by a lack of blood at the extraction site. 

Written by Dr. Silverman

Dr. Silverman is the co-founder of Peace of Mind Dental, a Chandler Arizona, general dentistry practice.

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