What is a Dental Abscess?

If you get a cavity, you want to get it fixed by our Lynnwood dentistry clinic as soon as possible. Otherwise, you are at risk of developing a debilitating infection that will cause you a lot of pain and grief. This infection is known as a dental abscess.

Cavities and Dental Abscess

The cause of an abscess is the same bacteria that causes cavities. When the cavity penetrates deep enough, the bacteria begins to flourish in the soft tissues and the bones of your face and neck. It manifests itself as a pain in your mouth, face, jaw, or throat region, and can include any of the following symptoms:

  • Redness or swelling in the mouth or face
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Fever
  • Chills
  • Diarrhea
  • Tenderness
  • Pus drainage
  • Difficulty opening your mouth
  • Difficulty swallowing

Should you experience these symptoms, it is time to visit our dentist right away.

Do You Need to Remove Your Wisdom Teeth?

Wisdom Teeth

Wisdom teeth are frequently the last teeth to erupt in your mouth, generally appearing as you enter adulthood. Our Lynnwood dental clinic offers wisdom tooth extractions, which are common and simple procedures that many adults have to go through. However, the idea that wisdom teeth must necessarily be removed is a common misconception.

If you have wisdom teeth, consider the impact they have on your mouth. Have they come in crooked? Are they crowding your other teeth, throwing your bite out of alignment or putting strain on your jaw? Finally, how easy is it for you to care for these teeth?

If their position makes brushing and flossing an ordeal, they could quickly turn into a hotbed of bacteria that could ruin your entire mouth. Any of these conditions can make you a candidate for a wisdom tooth removal. If you think you could live comfortably with your wisdom teeth, however, then you may very well be one of the lucky ones.

Call our office to schedule your wisdom tooth extraction, or to explore your options with your wisdom teeth.

These Five Culprits Can Cause Teeth Sensitivity

Causes and Treatments of Teeth Sensitivity

When you’re experiencing tooth sensitivity, it is a sign that there is an issue in your mouth that you have to look into. Learn more about common causes of sensitive teeth, and how to solve them.

The outer layer of your teeth – the enamel – is worn out. It can also happen that the outer layer that protects your roots – the cementum – is also worn away. This is called dental erosion which happens when your teeth are exposed to too much acid (like from soda, acid reflux, or excessive vomiting). Over time, they weaken the outer layer and cause damage to your teeth. Use a straw instead if you cannot avoid these beverages, or see a specialist for acid reflux and excessive vomiting.

A cavity has penetrated into dentin of your teeth. Dentin is the second protective layer of teeth, and this means the enamel has already been compromised. Dentin involvement can cause serious sensitivity and if caught early, a fluoride treatment can work. Otherwise, it can only be mechanically restored by a filling, a root canal, or a dental crown, depending on how much damage is involved. Tooth extraction can also be considered.

Your gums have receded, exposing nerves. This may be due to gum disease, brushing your teeth too hard or using a hard-bristled toothbrush, sustaining a gum injury, smoking, or even just genetics. Treatment will depend on what is causing gum recession.

There is a crack in your tooth. A cracked tooth can expose the tooth’s pulp, the soft tissue containing nerves and blood vessels, leaving it open to irritation. A crack can appear after trauma to the mouth, chewing hard foods, and simply having brittle teeth. Grinding and clenching your teeth can also lead to cracks. See your dentist for treatment so that the break doesn’t get worse.

You just had a teeth bleaching session. Bleaching can cause your teeth to become sensitive. If you bleach only occasionally, you might not experience this side effect. But if you do it regularly, or use a bleaching kit that’s too strong, or get them professionally whitened, the peroxide in the bleach can wear down your teeth’s enamel. It can be aggravated, causing sensitivity. If using a desensitizing toothpaste will not help, then you must see your dentist, who may apply a sealant on your teeth to protect the open tubules.

Treating Tooth Sensitivity in Lynnwood

Teeth sensitivity is more common than you think. So when it happens to you, find out when you visit your Lynnwood Song Dental Center.

Care for TMJ Pain Song Dental

When Pain and Popping in the Jaw Happens

The temporo-mandibular joint or TMJ is that joint that connects your lower jaw (or mandible) to your skull, at the temporal area just in front of each ear. Several medical conditions, apart from traumatic injuries, affect not just the joints themselves, but involve their surrounding muscles, tendons and bones as well. With them, even nerves and blood vessels are affected. Certain habits promote the TMJ Syndrome – like poor head posture, aggressive or excessive gum chewing, teeth grinding, lack of sleep, and even stress. The pain can also be traced to a tooth misalignment or a bad orthodontic brace.

Headaches, earaches, and stiffness of jaw muscles are felt. Some symptoms can be quite disturbing, like popping sounds in the ear, jaw clicking, and sometimes the fearful locked jaw. Most symptoms are home-remedies, like applying ice packs, massages, and pain-killers. But if the problem still persists, then a look at a medical practitioner is the next step.

TMJ Care with Lynnwood Dentist, Dr. Song

Sometimes, it’s not enough to see your primary physician or a medical specialist only, such as an ENT MD. A consultation with your Lynnwood dentist can be as helpful also, and might just be the specialist you need. In instances where the causative factors are related to dentition, let your dental professional examine you and prescribe the appropriate treatment. Dentists have training and working knowledge of the temporomandibular joint, its anatomy, functions, and related disorders and treatment.

You can be prescribed gentle therapies like massages, medications like muscle-relaxants, or mouth guards if needed. Rarely are drastic treatments employed. Consult with Dr. Thomas Song regarding TMJ treatment and care.

Where is the Sugar Hiding?

Hidden Sugars

You probably have a pretty good idea of what causes tooth decay. We don’t need to tell you that candy, bubblegum, and soda are among your mouth’s biggest enemies. Unfortunately, this isn’t the end of the story. Our Lynnwood Dentistry advises that you keep an eye out for some of the more unknown sources of sugar in your diet.

Sugar in Fruits

Some people assume that food that is healthy for your body is also okay on your teeth, but this is not always the case. Fruit, though highly nutritious, is one of the sneaker sources of sugar. They represent a great source of important vitamins and fiber, but even all-natural, organic fruit can be just as sugary as certain candies. This is especially true in the case of dried fruit and real fruit juices.

Other unlikely tooth rotters can show up in your medicine cabinet. Many medicinal items, particularly cough drops or gummy vitamins, are packed with sugar. A minute or two of sucking on a cough drop can be pretty rough on your mouth. Try to remember to rinse out with water.

The Importance of a Good Mouth Guard

Mouth Guards and Injuries

Our Lynnwood Dentistry may recommend that people who participate in contact sports, and even certain non-contact sports, wear mouth guards. A proper guard offers important protection against crippling dental injuries. Mouth guards are also used while sleeping, commonly known as nightguards.

Even children at a “pee wee” level, where injuries may be less likely, should get started on mouth guards if only to become accustomed to them. They can take some getting used to, but if an athlete starts wearing them at a young age, they will quickly start feeling as natural as any other piece of equipment.

Mouth Guards & Nightguards

Whether if it’s used for sports or while sleeping, there are several options available when it comes to mouth guards. Remember that the quality of protection that you get is going to match the quality of the product you are putting into your mouth. The cheapest mouth guards are not made to fit the unique shape of your teeth and are therefore less comfortable and less protective.

Contact Song Dental in Lynnwood

“Boil and bite” nightguards are an inexpensive way to custom-fit a guard to your teeth, but these can be unreliable and difficult to use. The best way to assure that you’re getting the most beneficial mouth guard is through a dentist. The custom mouth guards we offer are safe, thin, and comfortable. Please contact our dentist in Lynnwood for more information.

When You Lose a Filling

Lost Dental Filling

Despite all the advances in dental care, fillings are never completely invulnerable. A filling will occasionally pop out, possibly after taking a sharp impact, possibly while you are chewing on a sticky food, and maybe for no discernible reason at all. If this happens, it’s important to alert your Lynnwood dentistry clinic as soon as you can in order to replace this filling and protect the fragile insides of your tooth.

If you swallow a filling, do not worry. Modern dental fillings are non-toxic, and should pass from your system harmlessly. However, there are rare cases of a filling going down the windpipe and getting lodged in the lungs; should this happen, you should bring it to the attention of your doctor.

Possible Pre-existing Issues

When you lose a filling, remember that you shouldn’t necessarily blame the taffy that yanked it out or the baseball that knocked it loose. Chances are that there was a pre-existing issue with your filling; maybe you have some decay underneath the filling that let it fall out. With this in mind, you can look at your lost filling as a sign that it’s time to address what might have been a more serious problem in the future.

Why are my Teeth Sensitive?

Some people come to our Lynnwood dentist with concerns about sensitive teeth. It’s a tricky problem, as sensitivity could just as easily be caused by insufficient dental hygiene and surprisingly, it could be caused by too much dental hygiene.

Cause of Tooth Sensitivity

Tooth sensitivity is generally caused by either receding gums, tooth decay or worn tooth enamel. Many people experience tooth sensitivity when they drink hot or cold beverages such as coffee or iced drinks.

Brushing too little invites infection, and brushing hard and too much strips away fragile gum tissues. Unfortunately, you can also expect some sensitivity arising from using antibacterial mouthwashes, teeth whiteners, and other products that are meant to benefit your teeth.

You can even expect some brief sensitivity after a routine dentist appointment and dental procedures such as a dental filling or a dental implant. Sensitivity after a procedure should be temporary.

Talk to our Dentist at Song Dental

If the sensitivity doesn’t go away after a dental procedure or you’re concerned, please contact our dental clinic so our team can take a look. There may be ways to change your dental routine in order to be less harsh on your gums and better habits to take care of your oral health.