Month: February 2020

Tooth extractions have always been regarded as one of the most painful and unnecessary dental procedures. Most of the time, anyone who gets scheduled for an extraction ends up feeling like they could skip out on the dental appointment altogether.

What is Tooth Extraction?

Tooth extraction is a dental procedure that involves the removal of damaged or, in other cases, whole teeth. This extraction is usually an outpatient procedure that is done under local, general, or intravenous administered anesthesia.

When Tooth Extraction is Necessary?

Your permanent teeth were meant to last you your entire lifetime, however, some unforeseen circumstances make extractions necessary. Here are some of the reasons why our dentist in Huntington, NY, may schedule you for tooth extraction:

• Damaged teeth- permanent teeth that may have been damaged by decay or trauma may be too damaged to salvage and may require removal.
• Preparing for the application of braces or orthodontia may require some extractions to ensure proper alignment of teeth.
• Wisdom teeth that are taking up too much space and impeding the emergence of other teeth also call for extractions.
• Infections of the gums- periodontal infections that affect the tissues surrounding the tooth may compromise the integrity of the tooth and force it to be extracted.
• Patients undergoing chemotherapy treatments or are scheduled for organ transplants might have to get infected teeth extracted. To cut back on the risks of severe infections due to a compromised immune system.

Types of Tooth Extraction

Based on the severity of your issue, our dentist in Main street Huntington may schedule you for one of these two procedures:

Simple Tooth Extraction

This procedure involves the removal of visible, damaged teeth. It involves applying anesthesia locally to the area surrounding the affected tooth. This serves to numb out the pain as our dentist in Main street Huntington uses an elevator to pry loose the affected tooth, before removing it using a set of forceps. In other cases, you may be given anti-anxiety drugs to keep you calm and relaxed during the procedure.

Surgical Extraction

This extraction is more involving. Surgical tooth extractions ideally are used to remove teeth that are damaged or have not yet emerged and are not visible above the gums.

Our oral surgeon in Smile Huntington will take you through this process painlessly by administering both intravenous and general anesthesia, to ensure that you are unconscious and calm during the whole procedure.

Our oral surgeon will then proceed to make a small incision on your gum and cut through your bone to facilitate the removal of the damaged tooth.

What to Expect During the Procedure?

Before the procedure begins, an X-ray of the affected tooth or teeth will be taken. This will help guide our dentist on the type of extraction to undertake based on the severity of the dental issue.

The procedure will begin with the administering of anesthesia, either locally, intravenously, or general, based on the procedure being undertaken.

During the procedure, you should not feel any pain, other than some pulling or grinding on the tooth. If you are in any pain immediately inform our dentist so that more anesthesia can be applied to ensure a painless procedure.

After the extraction is done, our dentist will set in some stitches to help stop the bleeding and ask you to bite down on a gauze that will be applied to the affected area to initiate your blood clotting process.

Tooth Extraction Aftercare

Aftercare is essential in ensuring the affected site heals as it should with minimal discomfort. You should, therefore, ensure that you manage your pain using the prescribed medications our dentist at Smile Huntington will provide you with. The anesthesia applied during the extraction will wear off a few hours later, and these drugs will help reduce inflammation and pain that will result from the extraction.

The pain you experience should keep on decreasing after the procedure. If this is not the case, you should notify our dentist in Huntington, NY, as this may be a sign that the site is infected, especially if a fever accompanies the pain. It would help if you did the following:

• Change your dental gauze regularly whenever it is soaked.
• Apply an ice pack to cut back on facial inflammation.
• Brush and floss carefully without disturbing the site.
• Rinse your mouth with a warm saline solution every few hours.
• Avoid disturbing the site in any way within the first 24 hours after the procedure, as this will hamper effective clotting and healing. It is not advisable to use a straw, eat solid food, and use an alcohol-based mouth wash or rinse your mouth vigorously.

Visit Your Dentist Nearby

Tooth extractions are not as bad as they sound, they can be carried out swiftly, and our dentists at Smile Huntington are available to ensure that your experience will be pain-free and as comfortable as possible. Book your appointment with us today!

According to the American Dental Association (ADA), individuals are supposed to start seeing a dentist as soon as they turn one year old or develop their first tooth. Early preventive oral care is seen as the best way to preserve optimal oral health and wellness, which is why it is important to seek out pediatric dentistry.

What is Children’s Dentistry?

Pediatric or children’s dentistry is exactly what it sounds like: Specialized oral healthcare designed to address the unique needs of children, or individuals who have not reached puberty. A pediatric dentist is a medical specialist who underwent additional training to better address the needs of children to ensure optimal oral health.

However, why is it so important to seek a specialist? Why is children’s dentistry significant? And what does a children’s dentist actually do?

The Role of a Children’s Dentist

Children’s dentistry is an important part of maintaining proper oral health for kids who have not yet reached puberty. As kids, the mouth and jaws are constantly growing and changing, which makes them prone to special issues adults no longer face. For example, children are more likely to develop under and overbites because of dental crowding.

A skilled pediatric dentist is responsible for identifying issues early in life and creating custom treatment plans to address these problems in a minimally invasive manner. One great example of the role of a children’s dentist is spotting the early signs of orthodontic displacement. If an overbite can be treated before it has time to set, a young patient has a better chance of developing healthy, strong, and properly placed teeth.

Education of Children’s Dentist

Children’s dentistry is also essential for providing proper education and feedback not only to kids but also to parents. When children are young, they are often left in charge of their own oral healthcare without understanding the implications, risks, and how to care for their smile properly.

A pediatric dentist is responsible for teaching children why it is important to brush and floss their teeth on a regular basis. The right individual can also demonstrate the proper techniques and offer creative or unique methods to ensure oral hygiene is being accomplished. One common method taught by a children’s dentist to their patients is to internally sing the alphabet song two times while brushing to ensure all of the plaque is removed.

Besides the children, a pediatric dentist also educates the parents. Parenting is not an innate skill, and many people are prone to mistakes or need a little extra assistance to get things right. When parents bring their kids to a children’s dentist, the specialist offers education in a broad array of subjects that affect oral health. Parents learn how to care for their child’s teeth, what kind of foods affect oral health, what behaviors their children should avoid, and how to be a good role model.

Types of Pediatric Dentistry Treatments

Each children’s dental office will offer a variety of treatments, but there are some consistencies. The majority of pediatric dentists will focus on the following types of care:

• Comprehensive dental cleaning
• Gum disease management
• Fillings
• Nutritional advice
• Habit management
• Early orthodontic assessment
• Care for dental injuries

Depending on the age of the patient, the dentist can also give advice on subjects like pacifier usage, when to start incorporating treats into the diet, and what foods should be avoided to maintain healthy teeth. The dentist is also responsible for identifying problems early and creating a custom treatment plan that ensures optimal oral health and wellness for the child.

Conclusion

Being a children’s dentist is a tough profession because it requires years of education and training, as well as the thorough application of knowledge. The right dentist for you and your family will not only focus on wellness but will also make a visit to the dentist enjoyable and memorable. After all, many kids fear the dentist, but there is no reason to.

If you are searching for a pediatric dentist in Huntington, NY, and would like to work with experienced professionals, consider contacting us at Smile Huntington. Our children’s dentistry emphasizes not only the importance of health but also education and having a great time while in the office.