Handling Allergies in Lynnwood Dentistry

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by Lynnwood Song Dental

When Allergies Manifest in the Dental Office

While dental allergies affect a small percentage of the general population, they do happen and are cause for grave concern. In the dental office, practitioners have their share of allergic encounters in patients. Patients themselves may not be aware they are allergic to certain triggers and if such events surface in a dental set-up, it is through a dentist’s training and expertise that the harmful effects are averted and learned from.

Take penicillin, for example. Would you know if you are allergic to penicillin? This popular drug is widely used as an anti-infective in dental practise and, unfortunately, some people have allergies to it. You ought to have a full disclosure of your medical and dental history in your file because good dental practise requires it. As such your dentist will not prescribe it nor any other antibiotic in the same family of drugs but opt for other medications instead. Without this information though, he must be able to give the proper antidote or counter-procedure in a timely manner.

It goes the same when some patients manifest allergies towards latex gloves, impression materials, dental fillings like amalgam and composites, or metals used in dentistry like mercury, titanium, and nickel, among others. Local anesthetics may also trigger allergies. Manifestations include hives, swelling of tongue, pharynx, larynx; there may be bronchospasm, hypotension, or cardiac arrhythmias. Where allergic reactions are concerned, prevention is better than cure. It is in your best interest as a patient that your dentist is well trained and experienced in handling such cases.

Foreknowledge and Alertness in Lynnwood Dentistry

Here at Auburn Dental, our dentists and staff combine the indispensable tools in dealing with allergies. We take thorough medical and dental history seriously that will provide us with background knowledge about your allergies, should you have them. We are nonetheless alert and prepared to deal with unforeseen events should they arise. It’s just the way good dentistry is practiced.

Does Less Sugar Equal Less Tooth Decay?

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We all know that sugar is bad for you. Too much sugar means obesity, lethargy, diabetes, and to your Lynnwood dental clinic it means tooth decay. The common wisdom, from a dental perspective, is that less sugar equals healthier teeth, but there are certain flaws in this logic. It’s important to cultivate a greater understanding of sugar’s effects on our oral health, and thereby foster the habits that will truly lead us to a happier and healthier mouth.

First off, it’s not specifically sugar that contributes to tooth decay. The main culprit is carbohydrates, of which sugar is only a small part. Fruits, vegetables, and grains, all of these are common sources of carbs. You could no more hope to cut carbs out of your diet than you could aspire to cut verbs out of your vocabulary.

Fortunately, it’s not the quantity of carbs that contributes to tooth decay so much as it is the duration of the exposure your mouth has to them. When you eat a sugar-rich meal, your mouth is under attack for maybe twenty minutes while your saliva clears away the remains. This is a lot less harmful to your teeth than sipping a sugary drink throughout the day, constantly assuring a feeding frenzy to your oral bacteria. This is why it is recommended that you limit sugary substances to regular meal times and keep from snacking.

Should I Get an Electric Toothbrush?

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With all the buzz that surrounds electric toothbrushes, many people ask our Lynnwood Dentistry whether or not it is actually worthwhile to replace their old brushes in favor of one of the high-tech alternatives.  The truth is that this is not an easy question to answer, and many factors should be considered when determining what is the right toothbrush for you.

In general, the best brush for you is whichever option you will actually use.  An electric toothbrush honestly isn’t brushing your teeth a whole lot better than you could by yourself, but some people find that it makes the chore an easier part of their routine.  This is particularly true if you’re lacking in manual dexterity, or otherwise have trouble manipulating a normal brush across your hard-to-reach teeth.  Other people also appreciate special functions that come with some electric brushes, like a timer that tells you when you’ve brushed enough or a sensor that tells you when you’re brushing too hard.  If these are areas that you have difficulty with, then maybe the extra cost of an electric brush is worthwhile for you.

Whichever brush you ultimately favor, the most important thing is that you maintain a proper brushing habit.  Use it twice a day, floss appropriately, and get your regular check-ups at your Lynnwood dentistry center.  If you’re not doing this, then there’s really no gadget on the market that’s going to keep your teeth happy and healthy.

Is Your Toothbrush Clean Enough?

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Did you know that your toothbrush can quickly turn into a hotbed of bacteria? Research has shown that as many as ten million microorganisms can be living inside the bristles that you stick into your mouth every morning. It is for this reason that our Lynnwood dental clinic recommends that you take care to maintain a clean and reasonably sanitary brush.

The first thing to realize is that the bacteria on your brush is no particular cause for alarm; it picked up these tiny stowaways from your own mouth, after all, and no one with a healthy immune system should be falling ill from such microbes. However, by keeping these bacteria populations down as much as possible, you can do wonders for your own oral health.

Start by storing your brush upright. Bacteria thrives in a damp environment, so it helps to allow the bristles to dry out between brushings. You may also periodically soak the brush in alcohol, antiseptic mouthwash, or the like to purge away stubborn cultures. If you’re sensitive to such substances, ten minutes in boiling water can serve just as well. It is important that you don’t microwave your brush or put it in the dishwasher, however, because these can destroy the fragile bristles.

No matter what you do to keep your brush clean, it is recommended that you replace it every three months. If you are suffering from gum disease, this interval can be significantly shorter. Talk to your dentist to determine exactly how frequently you should change brushes.

Cold Sores

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Nobody likes a cold sore.  They’re painful, unappealing, and difficult to get rid of.  Should you find yourself suffering from one of these unfortunate sores, our Lynnwood Dentistry advises that you take the following steps in order to expedite recovery, minimize pain, and prevent the virus from spreading:

  • Cold sores are caused by a herpes virus.  Therefore, they cannot be cured.  However, you can buy over-the-counter drugs that can be effective in reducing the pain of the sores, minimizing cracking, and facilitating the healing process.

  • Keep your sores clean.  Cold sores are vulnerable to bacterial infection, which will prolong the sores and cause you undue pain.  If the area becomes dirty, wash your sore gently with soap and water.

  • If you are spending any significant time in the sun, apply sunblock to your lips and face.

  • Remember: You are contagious!  Wash your hands after touching a sore, don’t kiss people, and don’t share beverages, utensils, or anything else that comes into contact with your lips.

  • You can spread the virus to other parts of your own body if you are not careful.  Your eyes and your genitals are particularly vulnerable.  Wash your hands before touching other parts of your body, or you could become afflicted with blindness or genital herpes.

  • Replace your toothbrush, and keep your brush away from those of the other members of your household.

Your sores will be contagious until they have completely crusted over.  Cold sores should heal by themselves within seven to ten days.

Brushing Up on Brushing

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Do you know how to brush properly?  Our Lynnwood Dentistry sees all too many patients who come in with excessive plaque buildup, diminished gum lines and outright tooth decay that could very easily have been avoided with the right brushing habits.  If you need a refresher course on the recommended tooth brushing routine, try reading through our easy-to-follow points below:

  • Keep a schedule of twice a day, two minutes at a time.  It is best to plan your brushing before you go to bed and after you wake up, as your mouth is less able to defend against bacteria as you sleep.
  • Floss at least once a day.  If you are flossing, do so before you begin to brush.
  • Don’t brush directly after eating!  Acids in your food can weaken your tooth enamel, and it needs time to recover or else it can be stripped away by your brush.
  • Brush in a circular motion, with the brush held at a forty-five degree angle with your teeth so as to gently massage the gums.  Don’t scrub your gums too hard, or you can break them down.
  • Remember to brush your tongue.  Plaque can build up there as easily as on your teeth.

Strokes and Dental Care

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After you’ve suffered a stroke, your dental care is frequently jeopardized. It may be harder for you to brush or floss, you might suffer from a dry mouth, and your medication might have adverse effects on your dental procedures. Our Lynnwood Dentistry advises that you take these special steps to assure that your stroke doesn’t continue to take its toll on your teeth.

First of all, you’ll want to inform your dentist of the types and dosages of any medication you’re taking. Anticoagulants are of particular concern, as they can cause excessive bleeding during dental procedures. It also helps to tell the dental staff if you have any other special needs brought on by your stroke; if you’re suffering from memory loss, have your instructions written down. If you have trouble writing, try to get your appropriate paperwork in advance.

At home, you may find that your daily brushing routine is more difficult than before. You might consider making changes to your toothbrush or floss in order to accommodate a weaker grip. Maybe you’d be better served with an electric brush, or perhaps you just need to wrap your brush handle in some additional padding. There are many ways to help assure that you can continue to maintain a clean, healthy mouth after your stroke.

Bite the Bullet and Stop Biting Your Pen!

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Some people like to chew. Pens, pencils, bottle caps, all of these are reduced to a pulpy wreck between their teeth. Unfortunately, a lot of this can be very bad for you, and Song’s Lynnwood dental center advises that you break the habit before you end up breaking a molar.

Quite frankly, the human mouth was not built to handle anything much stronger than a tender bit of meat. Habitual chewing of hard substances like pen caps, or even ice, can wear down enamel and eventually damage a tooth. Some of us are able to put our chompers to effective use against packaging material, but this is just as destructive. If you’re a chronic chewer, it’s time to stop.

There are options available for habitual chewers. Sugar-free gum can provide a tooth-friendly alternative, hopefully to wean you off of the practice entirely. If you’re already experiencing wear from your chewing, consult your Lynnwood dentist.