Did you know that more people experience pain from dentures that don’t fit right than patients who receive root canals? Improperly fitting dentures can cause continual pain. Perhaps the worst part about denture pain is that it is completely unnecessary and entirely avoidable.

Whether you wear full or partial dentures, you can wear them comfortably by working with your dentist to make sure they fit right. You should have your dentures checked once a year, even if you don’t have any pain or discomfort while wearing them. If your dentures feel like they don’t fit right, ask your dentist to grind down some of the pressure points on the dentures to relieve your pain. If that doesn’t work, ask to have your dentures realigned. If problems still persist, ask to have the set replaced with a new set of dentures.

Dentures need regular maintenance to stay in the best shape possible. When they don’t fit or are ignored, non-fitting dentures can cause gum sores and constant pain. They can also loosen your remaining teeth, making them vulnerable to extraction. If you can afford it, you might consider dental implants, which cost more than dentures but are less likely to not fit right.

If you’re experiencing mild dental pain, treat your mouth to a smile by seeing your dentist today and having your dentures checked.

Do you know what the most painful dental procedure is? According to a February 2012 Consumer Reports article, tooth extractions hold the top spot when it comes to dental pain. Having a tooth pulled is painful because it results in a wound that needs to heal. If an article like this makes you fear the dentist even more than you already do, keep reading and you may just find your fears relieved.

Out of all the people interviewed by Consumer Reports, only six percent of those who had teeth pulled said the pain was severe. More than 60 percent said they experienced only mild pain after having a tooth pulled. Thirty percent said they had no problems after the most painful of dental procedures.

What’s all that mean for you? If fear of pain keeps you from going to the dentist to have dental problems resolved, you should know that the pain you experience while you avoid the dentist is likely worse than what you’ll experience getting the problem fixed. Even root canals aren’t painful when they’re being performed. Most of the pain comes from the toothache before the procedure is performed.

Dentists have an array of pain management options at their disposal to treat you and make your dental procedure a pain-free, pleasant one. Most patients avoid serious pain with local anesthetic during the procedure and over-the-counter pain medication afterwards. If you have a root canal, you can expect mild pain and swelling for a few days after the procedure; that pain will pale in comparison to what you’re experiencing now if you’re avoiding the dentist out of fear.

For the sake of your own comfort, free your teeth from pain and your mind from fear by giving a good dentist a chance to help you heal.

In this third and final look at common cosmetic dental procedures, we’ll consider the unnecessary removal of wisdom teeth, excessive x-rays and surgery for temporomandibular joint disorder. As with the other cosmetic procedures we’ve considered over the past few weeks, there are times when wisdom teeth must be pulled, x-rays are called for and TMJ surgery is beneficial; however, there are many more times when these expensive procedures are performed simple because they can and not necessarily because they should. How can you tell the difference?

Consumer Reports is running a story this month in their magazine on dental treatments and insurance. In that article, they quote a dentist named James Bader, D.D.S. as saying “for all treatment recommendations, ask your dentist why. Listen, and see if it makes sense. You should understand the basis of the treatment.”

We agree with Bader’s advice. If you’re not sure why your wisdom teeth should be pulled, don’t understand why you need another set of dental x-rays or aren’t convinced that TMJ surgery will alleviate your pain, ask your dentist to explain why he thinks you need the procedure done. Make sure you understand what it costs and listen carefully to see his explanation makes sense to you.

When To Remove Wisdom Teeth

In general, unless your wisdom are causing you pain or problems like dental crowding or tooth movement, you are probably fine leaving them in, and saving yourself the cost and pain that comes with extracting them. Simply removing wisdom teeth because you can, or because you don’t need them, isn’t necessarily a good enough reason to justify the action.

Excessive X-Rays

One set of bitewing x-rays each year is enough for most people. Unless you have dental problems or pain that your dentist thinks a set of x-rays may help diagnose and treat, you might even be able to go 18 months in between dental x-rays. Avoid having x-rays done more frequently than 12 months as a purely preventative or precautionary action.

TMJ Surgery

TMJ is a painful condition that unfortunately, is rarely improved through surgery. Often, the best treatment for TMJ is to wait for it to go away on its own. Sometimes, a mouthguard for nighttime wearing can be helpful, and it costs a lot less than surgery.

Last week we talked about teeth whitening and concluded that although it’s one of the most common cosmetic dental procedures available, it’s likely a waste of money for most people. Today we’ll consider amalgam filling replacement.

All About Amalgam

Most fillings are amalgam in nature - meaning they’re made of a composite material including metal and mercury. While these fillings are more noticeable than porcelain or composite fillings, they tend to be stronger and more durable than their less-noticeable counterparts. If you are considering replacing an amalgam filling simply because you want a filling that’s less likely to be noticed by someone looking in your mouth, think about the drawbacks:

• You have to remove tooth structure to get the amalgam filling out
• Amalgam fillings with mercury in them aren’t linked to any ill health affects
• The replacement fillings will be weaker and less durable than what you had before

In addition to these common-sense reasons, you can save yourself money by keeping a perfectly good, well-functioning amalgam filling in your mouth.

Atypical Tooth Restorations

When a tooth breaks, chips or cracks, tooth restoration is a helpful way to repair the tooth and protect your mouth from infection and further injury. However, a cosmetic dental treatment has popped up which uses advanced equipment to detect microscopic lines or defects on the surface of a tooth. Some dentists will recommend opening the tooth and filling it with a porcelain or composite material to correct the minor defect which is often unnoticeable to the naked eye.

Use common sense and avoid this kind of cosmetic procedure. Not only is it expensive, but it’s unnecessary. In many cases, your saliva will repair the minor defect. Crowns cost a lot of money and should be reserved for teeth that have genuine, significant decay. Instead of unnecessary restoration, opt for monitoring the decay; if it worsens over time, wait until a crown or filling is legitimately called for to remove the decay and repair the tooth.

Fear of anything is a vicious cycle. Sometimes, fear can be effectively managed by completely avoiding the source of that fear. Most often though, avoidance only makes your life more inconvenient, increases your fear and limits your opportunities. If you’re afraid of driving on the interstate, you can choose to take only surface streets, but you’ll have to plan more travel time and any long road trips will take longer and cost more.

If you’re afraid of going to the dentist and therefore never go, you may be more likely to develop dental pain and problems. Dental problems often start as minor issues that can be easily and painlessly resolved; left unchecked, minor problems turn into major ones that are costly, unpleasant and sometimes, painful to deal with. If you wait until you can’t stand the pain any longer to see a dentist about it, your fear of the dentist always being associated with pain and discomfort will only be confirmed.

The truth is that going to see a dentist for annual checkups and teeth cleanings will commonly reduce the dental pain, discomfort and fear that you experience. The best way to deal with dental fear is to meet it head-on. Confront your fear by finding a dentist that will help you get through it by being sensitive to it. If you don’t have a dentist now, ask friends who they recommend. If you have a friend of co-worker who shares your fear but goes to the dentist in spite of it, ask that person what he thinks of his dentist. If he’s happy with his dentist, chances are good that you will be too.

Visit a few dentists until you find one that you are comfortable with. Be upfront with the dentist about your fear and ask what he and his assistants can do during your visits to reduce it. Some tactics you and your dentist might agree on for lessening your pain and fear include:

• Local anesthetics
• Pain-killing drugs like Novocain
• Pre-arranged hand signals when you need a break from a procedure
• Nitrous oxide gas
• Anti-anxiety medication

Discuss the options with your dentist and make the best choice for you. Just don’t let fear stop you from taking good care of your teeth.

Watch out for the Nutcrackers this Christmas; biting down on something hard could lead to a broken tooth and that could destroy more than just a nice Christmas meal and night of caroling. A broken tooth can cause sensitive nerves to become exposed. An exposed nerve can cause a lot of pain, which may make eating a warm sugar plum or drinking a cold glass of egg nog anything but a Christmas treat.

Most teeth are remarkably strong but they can chip, crack or break if they come into contact with something hard or are hit suddenly. The worst thing you can do when you break a tooth, even if it is on Christmas Eve, is to wait or try to ride out the pain until after the holidays. You have the best chance of saving a broken tooth if you get to the dentist within thirty minutes of the break.

If you break a tooth this holiday season or any time during the year, here’s how to take care of it:

• Look in your mouth and around you on the table or floor for broken pieces of tooth.
• Gather tooth pieces into a small bag or glass.
• See the dentist within 30 minutes if the entire tooth is knocked loose out of your mouth.
• Don’t touch any exposed roots.
• Rinse your mouth gently with saline solution or water.

There are a few simple tips you can follow as well to help prevent breaking a tooth in the first place. Avoid chewing on hard things like ice cubes, frozen candies and nuts. Wear a mouth guard when playing in sports, especially contact sports like football or soccer.

If you do break a tooth and don’t have a dentist or need help outside of normal office hours, Emergency Dental Care USA, Inc. may have a location near you where you can be seen to get your tooth fixed and pain relieved right away.

Webster’s dictionary defines cantankerous as “difficult or irritating to deal with.” Donkeys and old women unaccustomed to change are given as examples of the word. After talking to my mother-in-law recently about some dental problems she’s been having, I’d have to say that Webster’s needs to update their listing to include canker sores as an example.

My mother-in-law has never had good teeth. Lately, it seems like she’s been having one bad problem after another with her teeth and mouth. The latest development includes canker sores. After having four new back molars put into her mouth, she developed a line of painful canker sores along the sides of her tongue. When she went back to her dentist in search of relief from her pain, he told her that it was a reaction to the new molars. Apparently her tongue didn’t know what to do with the new additions to her mouth and just kept rubbing up against them causing canker sores to develop.

One antibiotic shot to her tongue and a little tooth filing later, my mother-in-law was on the phone telling me through rather garbled speech that she’d have to endure another 7-10 days of life with these cantankerous visitors to her mouth. That got me interested in finding out more about canker sores and how they’re treated.

What Causes Canker Sores

According to the American Dental Association, canker sores are “annoying and painful” sores caused by “infections from bacteria, viruses or fungus; a loose orthodontic wire; a denture that doesn’t fit; or a sharp edge from a broken tooth or filling.” The ADA recommends having your dentist examine any canker sores that last longer than one week.

Canker sores are actually tiny ulcers that consist of a white or gray base surrounded by a red border. They form inside the mouth and are not contagious. You can develop one canker sore at a time or multiples that come and go over time. While specialists don’t know exactly what causes canker sores, these sources have been suggested along with what was mentioned in the quote above:

• Fatigue
• Stress
• Allergies
• Hormonal changes as part of a woman’s premenstrual cycle
• Adverse reactions to hot or cold beverages
• Intestinal issues like Crohn’s disease

Caring for Canker Sores

Canker sores most often heal on their own within 1-2 weeks. Gels and other topical anesthetics are available over the counter at your local drugstore and may be used to temporarily relieve the pain canker sores cause. Your dentist may prescribe an antibiotic and oral bandages if you have a severe case of canker sores, like my mother-in-law. While you’re waiting for your canker sores to heal, avoid spicy, hot and acidic foods or drinks and be thankful that you’ll soon be free of their unwelcome presence in your mouth.

This Thanksgiving was a memorable one for me. Unfortunately, it wasn’t because the food was abnormally outstanding. My family and I came down with the stomach flu on Thanksgiving; about the only thing we could stomach was a bowl of cheerios and milk. Thankfully, it was a quick bug. We enjoyed our Thanksgiving dinner the next day.

As we sat there eating cold, dry turkey with no gravy or rich, butter-infused stuffing, I thought to myself - “I wonder what happens when mouths get sick.” If you’ve ever wondered the same thing (or are the parents of toddlers who like to ask a lot of ‘why’ questions) then this post is for you.

There’s a Battle Being Fought in Your Mouth

We know what happens when our stomachs get sick — we feel nauseous and often throw up. When we get head colds, our ears, noses and throats feel the pain. When a virus attacks our mouths, the repercussions can be much worse than a common head cold. The mouth is actually the forward battleground in our body’s fight to protect itself from invading viruses.

Sitting so far back in your throat that you might be tempted to overlook them are your tonsils. Two tiny balls of tissue on the right and left side of your throat fight infection-causing germs everyday, and work around the clock to keep you healthy. In that sense, your tonsils are the fighters that go ahead of your body’s attack system and meet viruses head on before they can make you sick.

Signs of Tonsillitis

Sometimes though, a virus attacks your tonsils and takes them down. What that happens, your mouth feels sick. You know you have tonsillitis when your throat hurts and some of these other symptoms appear:

• It’s hard to eat, drink or swallow
• You have a fever
• Your tonsils are red and inflamed or covered in a yellow or white coating
• The glands in your neck are swollen
• Your breath smells bad

A trip to the doctor can help rule out other infections, like strep throat, and confirm whether or not your tonsils are infected. The doctor may prescribe an antibiotic and will tell you to drink plenty of fluids and eat smooth foods like jello, soup and ice cream. In a few days to a week, your tonsils will feel better and will get back to protecting you from mayhem in your mouth.

I remember it like it was yesterday. My family and I decided to try a new Chinese restaurant in town. Five minutes into my meal I heard a crunch and looked across the table at my husband who was covering his mouth with his hand. With a look of dread in his eyes he stated, “I think I just lost a filling.”

I searched his plate in the dim light while he went to the bathroom to check out his mouth in a mirror. Eventually, he was able to figure out which tooth a filling fell out of during a bite of dim sum, but we never did find the filling. We made an appointment with our dentist for my husband to have his tooth checked and a new filling put in place.

Facts About Fillings

Losing a filling is rarely an emergency. At the same time, it’s not something to ignore or it may turn into a problem involving dental decay and more expensive reconstructive surgery. Fillings are made from plastic or metals like gold or silver and are used to fill cavities in teeth.

Sometimes fillings fall out because a little decay manages to form beneath the filling. As the tooth decays beneath the filling, the filling loosens and can become dislodged from a bite on something hard or jagged. Once you loose a filling, your tooth may become painful or sensitive to heat, cold, sweet or salty foods. When a filling is gone, it leaves the tooth exposed to more decay.

Fill-Ins Until You Get to the Dentist

It’s best to make an appointment with your dentist so that you can have the tooth examined, cleaned and a new filling put in. While you’re waiting to see your dentist, you can try putting a little clove oil on the tooth as a natural pain reliever. You may also put a little denture sealant over the tooth to protect it until you can get in to see your dentist. Never use household glues on your teeth though as these are not meant for human consumption and can be dangerous.

Your dentist might want to file the tooth to reshape it after cleaning it to make sure its free of decay. He may also decide to place a crown over the top of the tooth to prevent the filling from coming loose and decay from forming on the tooth again.