It’s very easy to feel like you need to simply buck up and get over it if you’re someone who deals with dental anxiety. However, whether you get some minor jitters or serious nerves kick in, this outlook may set you up for failure! When anxiety takes over, you may simply feel unable to follow through with care that you require for your smile. Good news: Dental sedation can help. While we provide a full variety of sedation choices for an even wider variety of reasons, let’s cover some we hear quite often!
Facial Trauma: Why Come To Us?
When you experience serious facial trauma, you find that the emotional weight you face is not only in regard to dealing with the associated discomfort but also with the journey ahead. Determining the best way to heal and to regain your appearance can feel like an insurmountable feat. Fortunately, immediately heading toward the care you need and a beautiful outcome requires nothing more than for you to schedule a consultation with our team. We invite you to contact us today and would like to share some reasons a visit with our team is well worth it.
Impacted Wisdom Teeth: Symptoms And Care
When an impacted wisdom tooth affects you, the solution you will need is wisdom tooth removal. However, how are you supposed to know if your third molar is impacted, if it’s causing you problems, and if it needs an extraction? If you are seeing your general dentist every six months, this will generally be something that comes to light through dental imaging during checkups. However, perhaps you have not been to the dentist in quite some time. Let’s explore common symptoms and treatment, so you know just what to do.
July 4th: Protect Those Implants!
What plans do you have for celebrating Independence Day? Whatever they are, if you’re an implant wearer, you and your dental implants will be celebrating together! Of course, that means that you’ll probably be enjoying some fun party fare that you might not usually snack on. So, to ensure you make it through the fireworks and food without damaging your smile in the meantime, we suggest you make your way through some easy to follow and very helpful tips first.
How Technology Helps Us See Your Teeth
Just as office technology has advanced in the last decades, dental technology has improved the ways we can care for your smile. There was a time when simple magnification could make a difference in diagnosing and treating dental issues, but we have moved far beyond that point. Knowing your dental office has access to the most current technology insures your oral health is well cared for. Dental technology can also increase your comfort and safety, and saves you time at every appointment. (more…)
Should You Worry About A Bump In Your Mouth?
Our mouths and tongues are full of nerve endings, and they often sense even tiny changes in our mouths. For children, that may be a wiggly tooth, or the sensitive area when a new tooth is coming in. By the age of 20, most people have attained their full set of teeth, and new lumps, bumps or sensitive areas may be a sign of oral pathology. In addition to any change you may spot on your own, you will be happy to know that your dentist keeps a close eye on all aspects of your oral health, at every checkup and cleaning.
Pay Attention to Anything New
Your tongue may alert you when something is different in your mouth. Other times, you may be brushing your teeth and hit a sensitive area that didn’t used to be there. White patches, reddish patches, or any new patch with a different color or texture form the surrounding skin should evaluated by a trained professional. Other things that should receive professional evaluation include a sore that doesn’t heal, or a tender area that doesn’t resolve naturally in a few days. There may be no cause for concern, but it is always better to catch an issue early.
When In Doubt: See Your Dentist
While you may notice something seems different, it is not necessary that you know what to do about it. Whenever you have a concern, you should schedule a visit. A dental professional can help you decide whether more detailed investigation is warranted, and help with referral, as needed.
Let Us Take Dental Worry Off Your Shoulders
We are your partners in good oral health. If you notice a change in your mouth or teeth, be sure to let us know. Schedule the time you need in Rohnert Park, CA by calling Santa Rosa Oral Surgery at 707-584-1630 to schedule your visit today.
After Oral Surgery: What to Expect
If you have scheduled an oral surgery procedure, or if you have a loved one in that situation, you may be wondering what to expect after the oral surgery is completed. While every situation is different, there are some guidelines that fit most situations and procedures. We want every patient to be well informed and comfortable before, during and after oral surgery. Your consultation appointment is an excellent time to ask questions about your specific oral surgery aftercare instructions. We provide written aftercare instructions, and will always take the time to keep you informed. (more…)
Choosing Implants: 3 Things You Don’t Have To Worry About
Do you think that dental implants sound like an effective choice for your smile? However, some of your uncertainty relies on the fact that you don’t know if they really offer anything that sets them apart from other prosthetics? For starters, there are most definitely some things that you won’t have to worry about if you choose implants. Find out more and then learn everything you need to know during a visit.
#1: Damaging Remaining Teeth
A traditional bridge will require you to rely on support from remaining natural teeth. A partial denture will need support from teeth, too. Dental implants are free-standing, which means you don’t need to worry about affecting nearby teeth.
#2: Keeping Up With Your Prosthetics
When you choose dentures, you are going to be taking them out of your mouth, then putting them back in your mouth. You’ll take them out to clean them. While this may offer some benefits, it can also lead to drawbacks. You need to cleanse them separately from your smile, you need to remember to store them carefully, etc. With dental implants, they’re just part of your grin.
#3: Repairs And Replacement
Yes, you may eventually need to replace a dental crown, which restores your dental implant. However, those implants basically become part of your body (an extension of it). As a result, there’s generally no reason to need to repair or replace them. Take good care of your smile and they’ll be there for life. Pretty simple, unlike dentures and bridges, which will require repairs and replacement.
Implants Offer Wonderful Benefits For Your Smile
If you’re interested in learning more about what you can expect from wearing implants, just ask us during a consultation. Schedule the time you need in Santa Rosa, CA by calling Santa Rosa Oral Surgery at 707-545-4625 to schedule your visit today.
Dental Implant Wearers: 3 Reasons To Drink More Water This Summer
While we always encourage you to ensure you’re getting enough water, summertime is the right time to focus on increasing your hydration if you’re not already drinking in your 64 ounces a day! Never really understood why this whole hydration thing is so important and you really aren’t certain about how it might impact your dental implants? While H20 is important for your oral health in general, we would like to share a few reasons to make it part of your life if implants are part of your smile.
Reason #1: To Prevent Dry Mouth
When you don’t get enough water in your daily diet, you’re not giving your body enough liquid to remain hydrated. When your body becomes dehydrated, this affects all of your tissues. That means dry mouth becomes a very good possibility. In addition to feeling uncomfortable, it increases the bacteria population in your mouth, which is not good news for your oral health, your breath, or your dental implants. Keeping implants safe means keeping your smile clean, while limiting bacteria.
Reason #2: To Remove Food Particles
When you eat and drink, particles are left behind on your smile. Sugars, carbohydrates, and acids can all lead to tooth decay and can irritate your gums in the process. Successful dental implant wear means protecting your teeth and gums! So, drink more water to flush debris off of your smile.
Reason #3: To Prevent Peri-Implantitis
You know that bacteria overgrowth and inflamed gum tissue isn’t great but do you know why it’s bad for dental implants? Well, when gums swell and bacteria take over, peri-implantitis (inflamed, infected gum tissue that surrounds implants) can lead to failure. Drinking water throughout the day can help you avoid this problem (refer to Reason #1 and #2 for specifics).
Ask Us Your Implant Questions For Successful Wear
Whether you’re curious about your eating habits, hydration, or anything else, we’re always happy to answer questions to promote implants that last. Schedule the time you need in Rohnert Park, CA by calling Santa Rosa Oral Surgery at 707-584-1630 to schedule your visit today.
Easy Ways To Avoid Tooth Loss Due To Decay
When you can avoid tooth decay, we encourage you to do so. Fortunately, there are many avenues down which you may travel to ensure your smile remains cavity-free. While this might sound very relieving to you, it’s not going to help much unless you know just what to do to keep your teeth in exceptional shape, so tooth loss doesn’t have to occur. We recommend that you take some advice very seriously, so you can keep those teeth of yours healthy for many years to come.
Commit To Preventive Care
The best way to ensure you don’t end up dealing with tooth loss because of tooth decay? Follow the preventive care methods that are essential for teeth that remain healthy and avoid decay. First, this means seeing your dentist for professional care. Then, focus on home care (brushing and flossing) and anything else that may work for your unique needs. Use toothpaste that contains fluoride, make sure you’re getting enough calcium, and keep your smile healthy and strong with a varied diet full of vitamins and minerals.
Watch What You Eat
You might be doing everything you possibly can to keep your smile clean and your diet may be packed with some good-for-you stuff. However, if you’re not being careful with your daily habits, you may find that you’re promoting tooth decay (and the possibility of eventual tooth loss). Recognize that if you’re consuming a lot of sugary or acidic foods and beverages, this can take a serious toll on your teeth. Teeth become exposed to an acid environment when you eat such things, which makes for softening enamel and future decay. Remember to follow these types of snacks with water (and a brushing session after about a half hour).
Prevent Decay To Avoid Tooth Loss
Remember that preventing decay and additional damage is often all it takes to avoid the loss of your teeth. Schedule the time you need in Santa Rosa, CA by calling Santa Rosa Oral Surgery at 707-545-4625 to schedule your visit today.
Dr. Rogers was published in CDA’s November Issue. Click above to see his article (pg.601).