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Dentist Fairfield CA Blog

Causes for Bumps on the Roof of Your Mouth, Part 1

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Do you have a bump on the roof of your mouth? Chances are, the cause is easy to determine. Read this multi-step series to find out when to handle things on your own…or when to be worried.

The first suspect when you discover a bump on the roof of your mouth is a canker sore. Canker sores are round, open sores in the mouth. They may be white, yellow, or pink. No matter what color they are, they can be extremely sensitive.

Primarily, canker sores appear in the cheeks and gums. But they can also appear in other, less common places, such as the roof of the mouth.

Some causes of canker sores include biting the cheek while chewing and scratching the roof of the mouth with a fork or other sharp object.

Luckily, you won’t usually suffer too long, as canker sores generally resolve on their own within a couple of weeks. Even though they are not contagious, they certainly can be painful or uncomfortable, sometimes making eating difficult.

If you are having a lot of trouble, you may want to try some over-the-counter (OTC) or prescription oral creams to help numb the pain while it heals.

Are Breath Mints Bad for Your Teeth?

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dentist fairfield bad breathWe’ve all been there. Maybe we ate garlic the night before or had one too many slices of onion on our sandwich. Whatever the cause of our bad breath, we want a quick fix, hopefully before our reputation is tarnished.

One instinct is to reach for a breath mint. The problem is, the majority of breath mints are high in sugar. And while sugar does not actually hurt the teeth or gums directly, it does feed bacteria. This allows the harmful bacteria to breed, which is why dentists recommend sugar-free gum. Only with breath mints, there are not many sugar-free options available. And when sugar-free breath mints can be found, they do not have the ability to remove the bacteria that causes bad breath in the first place. The minty flavor and scent merely hides the bad breath, and only for a short period of time.

What about chewing sugar-free gum? Studies show that the chewing action actually increases the production of saliva, which can help to wash away food particles after eating. Another option is a disposable toothbrush that does not need water. Even a breath spray would be better, although it offers temporary relief.

These face-saving products can only go so far, though. The truth is if you find yourself using them frequently, chances are there is a more serious problem than what you ate for lunch. Chronic bad breath, or halitosis, may a sign of a bacterial infection or even gum disease. Either way, the sooner you seek treatment, the easier it will be to solve it. Caught in its early stages, gum disease is easily reversible. Once you are recovered, not only will your bad breath be a thing of the past, but your gums and teeth will be that much healthier.

What to Do About a Cracked Tooth

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Whether a cracked tooth happens as the result of an accident, misuse of the teeth, or even teeth grinding, it should always be evaluated by a dentist. The reason is that even though a cracked tooth isn’t causing any symptoms, it could eventually cause tooth loss
if left unchecked.

Only a dentist can determine whether the needed treatment is cosmetic or if it requires an additional procedure to save your tooth.   Here are some possibilities of what may happen, depending on the severity of the injury.

Tooth Bonding

Sometimes, if the crack in your tooth only extends as far as the enamel, you may be able to forgo treatment.  Otherwise, you may need tooth bonding. Tooth bonding, also known as dental bonding, is a form of treatment in which a tooth-colored resin is bonded to your tooth to protect it from further damage.  Tooth bonding can also be used to fill in chips and cracks.

Tooth bonding can be used to repair certain cracks and stop them from getting worse, but will not be ideal for every cracked tooth.  You won’t know until you actually visit the dentist.

Root Canal

The next likely scenario is when a crack extends beyond the enamel and into the softer tissues of the teeth.  If this happens, it’s likely that
you’ll need root canal therapy to prevent an infection in your tooth. This is because when a crack leads to the inside of the tooth, it can be a gateway for bacteria and food particles to enter your tooth. This situation is ripe for an infection.

If the damage is extensive or if the crack has been present for some time, your dentist may recommend root canal therapy with a dental crown.
This entails a custom-designed tooth being affixed to the end of the remaining tooth to protect it from further damage. During the actual root canal procedure, your dentist will remove the inner pulp of your tooth to prevent an infection.

The treatment and repair of your tooth, even if it seems drastic at first, is important to secure protection for the tooth in order to avoid an extraction and save your natural tooth.

Extraction

In cases in which the crack in your tooth extends below the gumline, your tooth may be beyond saving. In those cases, your tooth may need to be extracted. Called a split tooth, these are cracks that lead vertically down the tooth and towards the tooth’s root.

A split tooth that is usually the result of a crack that’s been there for some time. Removal becomes necessary to prevent infection.

So the moral of this article is, whether you have a superficial crack in your teeth or a deeper crack that’s causing you pain and discomfort, it’s imperative to get in to see your dentist as soon as you can. It may even amount to an emergency warranting being evaluated that same day. In either case, the sooner you have it checked, the better chance you have of saving your tooth and your smile.

Your Teeth Are Trying to Tell You Something

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In a new article by Anjula Razdan on the website, Experience Life, Steven Lin, DDS, holistic dentist and author of The Dental Diet, talks about the mouth–body connection and how nutrition can help address crooked teeth, your oral microbiome, and more.

“In society we see our dental health as more of an inconvenience or vanity factor than anything else,” Lin says. “But does anyone stop to think about why a hole formed in their tooth at all? Your teeth provide crucial signals from your body when it’s in distress and you’re not providing it the right material to be healthy.”

You can read all about Dr. Lin and his view of oral health at https://experiencelife.com/article/what-your-teeth-are-trying-to-tell-you/.  Let us know what you think about the article!

When To Replace Your Electric Toothbrush Head

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Many people think that they get a better clean from using an electric toothbrush.  And they are oftentimes correct.  But does that mean that the standard recommendation to change your toothbrush every 3-4 months no longer applies?  Not really.

The bristles of an electric toothbrush head still wear over time and become less effective, just like a regular toothbrush.  The difference is you only have to change the head instead of the entire toothbrush.

There are situations when you would also need to replace the head more frequently.  For instance, if you have tooth decay or gum disease and have received treatment for it, your dentist may recommend a new replacement head.  The reason for this is because even after you get a cavity filled or have a deep cleaning for gum disease, the bacteria that caused your tooth decay and gum disease may still be present on your
toothbrush.  By switching it out, you will prevent spreading it on your newly cleaned/treated teeth and gums.

Another situation in which you might decide to change toothbrush heads is after you have been sick, so as not to re-introduce the virus or bacteria that caused the illness into your mouth.  Also, if someone else has used your toothbrush, it is a good idea to switch the head to prevent them from passing along any number of problems to you.

Of course, changing the head just because it is getting worn is reason enough to stick to a schedule.  Sometimes a toothbrush will not seem worn even if it is, causing damage to the gum tissue in the form of bleeding and infection.  Also, if you have been improperly storing your toothpaste, an excess of bacteria may have built up on it.  Always store your toothbrush where it can receive good air circulation in order to dry completely between uses.

Keeping an extra head on hand at all time will make it easy to swap it out when the time comes.  Just make sure you remember to change it every three to four months and your electric toothbrush will continue to clean and protect your smile for years to come.

Healthy Toothbrush, Healthy Teeth

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Your toothbrush is one of the most important tools you have to keep your teeth and gums healthy.  So, shouldn’t you be concerned about how you are keeping it in the best condition possible?

The first consideration for keeping your toothbrush in top shape is how it is stored.  Never store it where it cannot air out and dry completely between uses.  This includes a case or in a medicine cabinet.  These types of environments can foster the growth of bacteria and even mold or mildew.  Toothbrush holders that keep the toothbrush upright and provide for a good amount of air circulation are ideal, as long as they don’t allow toothbrushes to comingle.  Just as you would not share a toothbrush with someone, you wouldn’t want them to transfer germs from one to another.

Rinsing your toothbrush after each use is also a step you do not want to skip.  This removes food particles, toothpaste, and bacteria that may have accumulated on there during your brushing.  You needn’t use a special water or disinfectant for this.  Just tap water will do.  Placing it in the dishwasher is also unnecessary, and could damage the bristles.  Simply rinsing it and placing it in a good place to air dry is enough.

The last thing to do is make sure that you replace your toothbrush every 3-4 months.  Do not wait until the bristles are worn or discolored.  This is well past its useful life.  Keeping a spare toothbrush handy at all times is a good idea so that you can change it out regularly.  Replacing it more frequently may be necessary if the bristles are frayed, if someone else has used it, or if you have had recent gum disease or a cavity filled.  The last thing you want to do is spread bacteria.

In following these simple but important steps, your toothbrush will serve its purpose well.