Ask a dentist - Dr. Stephen Perry. My gums hurts! Tell me how to stop pain? Quickly see a dentist. Pain in your gums, particularly in the presence of bleeding is a serious symptom. Many people ignore it too long and end up with systemic blood vessel lining inflammation. Bacteria have overcome your local immune system in the gums and saliva and now can gain access through wounds to seed themselves within your body. Serious consequences have been identified. Treating it requires wound management. How do u stop gum pain and swelling? You need help. Gum pain and swelling is a serious symptom, particularly if bleeding is present. Bacteria have created infection that leads to open wounds that if you had them on your hand, you would be very concerned. In the mouth they are hidden from view. You just feel pain and see bleeding. You are at risk for transient … [Read more...]
Ask a Dentist - Dental Health Colorado
Dental health information should be available for all. That's why our dentists participate in our "Ask a Dentist" service to answer oral and dental health related questions.
Amalgam Fillings: The Truth About the Metal in Your Mouth
Recently the Dr. Oz show came out with a segment entitled “Are Your Silver Fillings Making You Sick?” Within that segment they discussed the toxicity of amalgam, a.k.a “silver fillings” and the dangers they pose to the public. The safety concern raised by Dr. Oz surrounds one of the components of an amalgam filling: Mercury. Mercury is a powerful neurotoxin, and at certain levels can cause neurological disorders, autoimmune diseases and mental disorders. In an amalgam filling, mercury, silver, tin, copper and other metals are combined to form a hard, stable substance that fills in an area of tooth where a cavity has been removed. Mercury is used to make the filling more pliable when being fitted to the tooth, and once it is hardened, is a perfect surface to withstand the daily forces of chewing and grinding. Once the mercury is mixed with the other metals and molded to fit the tooth … [Read more...]
Root Canals and Cancer
There has been a lot of speculation recently about an article that has been making the rounds on social media websites from “realfarmacy.com” regarding a connection between root canal therapy and terminal cancer. As both doctors and scientists, it is important that we here at Dental Health set the record straight. The first thing we want to address is plainly this: There are HUNDREDS of websites out there with similar, oddly-spelled web domains at any given time that spew “information” that at best is controversial and at worst junk science -- meaning not conducted using the scientific method. You may remember those lab reports from high school or college science, in which you had to formulate a question, construct your experiment, gather data, etc. No? well luckily we have a nice brightly colored flow chart that will help jog your memory! While this is a very, very simplified chart of … [Read more...]
Oral Bacteria From Periodontal Disease Can Contribute Towards Hip or Knee Prosthesis Failure
A new Case Western Reserve University School of Dental Medicine study suggests the possibility that oral bacteria from periodontal disease can contribute towards hip or knee prosthesis failure. These same bacteria may also be a factor in arthritis. In a recent university news release, Dr. Nabil Bissada of the department of Periodontics, noted that “For a long time, we’ve suspected these bacteria were causing problems in arthritis patients, but never had the scientific evidence to support it.” The study looked for oral bacterial in the synovial fluid of patients with arthritis, periodontal disease and failed prosthetic joints. The investigators found a correlation between the failed knee and hip joints and the presence of oral bacteria in these failed joints. The authors suggest that patients with arthritis or failed prosthetic joints be examined for the presence of periodontal … [Read more...]
Ask Your Hygienist – Pregnancy and Prevention
What to Expect at Your Dental Visit When You’re Expecting Pregnancy is not an isolated bodily experience, as any pregnant woman can attest to. From morning sickness to mood swings to leg cramps, pregnancy affects your body as a whole and your teeth and gums are no exception. Questions like “In what trimester should I have dental work done?” and “Is it safe to get my teeth cleaned while I’m pregnant?” may not be crossing your mind as you pray for the constant waves of nausea to pass. Rest assured, giving your mouth the attention it needs during these 9 months will be worth it, not only for you but for that beautiful bundle of joy as well. 1st Trimester This can be the trickiest time in pregnancy to have dental work done. Due to the massive amounts of hormones coursing through their bodies, most women are dealing with morning sickness, not to mention food and smell aversions. Another … [Read more...]
Ask a Dentist – Dental Bridge, Filling, Excess Saliva and Tooth Abscess
Dr. Howell answers this round in our "Ask a Dentist" blog. Increase your dental IQ and improve your dental health by staying up to date on health information from a trusted dentist. You can read more about Dr. Howell at Longmont Dental Health. What is the definition or description of: Dental filling? A filling is a dental material to replace a portion of the tooth lost due to fracture or decay. It can be composite (white), silver or gold. Does it hurt when using a dental ultrasonic scaler? Normally no. An ultrasonic scaler is normally not painful to use. If the gums are inflamed or covered with calculus it may be painful to use but hand scaling would also be uncomfortable. What is the definition or description of: Dental bridge? Replaces teeth. A dental bridge is a dental appliance to replace a missing or lost permanent tooth. Normally it is attached to adjacent … [Read more...]
Increase your Dental IQ with Dr. Bruce Howell – Longmont Dental Health
At Dental Health Colorado, we believe that increasing your dental IQ can increase your chances of maintaining good oral health. In order to accomplish this goal, oral health education should take place both inside and outside of our dental office, especially because access to dental care is declining in Colorado. Feel free to ask one of our Dental Health Colorado dentists an oral health question and they will get back to you as soon as they are able. Currently, we have two dentists, Dr. Bruce Howell of Longmont, CO and Dr. Stephen Perry of Boulder, CO signed up to answer your dental IQ questions. Dr. Bruce Howell of Longmont Dental Health has answered a number of oral health questions that are detailed below. Currently, Dr. Howell has been recognized for 70 awards for his responsiveness, reliability and peer recognition. You can learn more about oral health and ask your own … [Read more...]