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Emergency Dental Care for Children What You Need to Know

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Emergency Dental Care for Children What You Need to Know

In this blog post, we will discuss the importance of emergency dental care for children, outline common dental emergencies, provide guidance on handling such emergencies, and offer advice on preventing future incidents. By learning about emergency dental care, parents and guardians can be better prepared to address dental issues and ensure their children receive appropriate care.

Introduction:

Dental emergencies can happen to anyone, and children are no exception. Accidents, injuries, and infections can occur anytime, leading to pain, discomfort, or long-term damage if not treated promptly. As a parent or guardian, it’s crucial to understand the importance of emergency dental care for children, recognize the signs of common dental emergencies, and be prepared to take action when necessary. In this blog post, we will explore emergency dental care for children, providing valuable information and guidance to help you confidently handle these situations.

Common Dental Emergencies:

  1. Toothache: Toothaches are a common dental issue for children and can be a sign of a more severe problem, such as tooth decay, infection, or injury. If your child complains of a toothache, rinse their mouth with warm water, and use a cold compress to reduce swelling. Schedule an appointment with your dentist as soon as possible for proper diagnosis and treatment.
  2. Knocked-Out Tooth: A knocked-out tooth requires immediate attention to increase the chances of saving the tooth. Hold the tooth by the crown (the top part), rinse it gently with water (avoid scrubbing), and try to reinsert it in the socket (if your child is old enough to follow instructions). If this isn’t possible, place the tooth in a milk or saline solution container and head to the dentist immediately. Time is of the essence, so don’t delay!
  3. Broken, Chipped, or Fractured Tooth: If your child suffers a broken, chipped, or fractured tooth, rinse their mouth with warm water to clean the area. Apply a cold compress to reduce swelling, and contact your dentist immediately. Depending on the severity of the damage, the dentist may recommend various treatments, such as bonding, a crown, or even a root canal.
  4. Dental Abscess: An abscess is a severe bacterial infection that can develop around the root of a tooth or in the spaces between the teeth and gums. Symptoms include severe pain, swelling, fever, and a foul taste in the mouth. If you suspect your child has a dental abscess, contact your dentist immediately, as it may require antibiotics or drainage to prevent the infection from spreading.

Handling Dental Emergencies: 

When a dental emergency occurs, staying calm and taking appropriate action to prevent further complications is essential. Here are some general steps to follow:

  1. Assess the situation: Determine the severity of the emergency and act accordingly. In some cases, you may need to visit the dentist immediately, while in others, you may be able to schedule an appointment within a day or two.
  2. Provide comfort: Help your child manage pain and anxiety by offering reassurance, administering over-the-counter pain relievers (if age-appropriate), and applying cold compresses to reduce swelling.
  3. Preserve the tooth (if applicable): If a tooth has been knocked out or broken, preserve it for potential reattachment or repair. As mentioned earlier, gently rinse the tooth with water and, if possible, reinsert it into the socket. If this is not feasible, store the tooth in a milk or saline solution container.
  4. Contact your dentist: Reach out to your child’s dentist to explain the situation and receive further instructions. They may ask you to come in immediately, or they might schedule an appointment within a short timeframe, depending on the severity of the issue.
  5. Follow up with dental care: Ensure that your child receives the necessary dental treatment and follows the dentist’s recommendations for aftercare to promote proper healing and prevent complications.

Prevention and Education: 

While dental emergencies can’t always be avoided, there are steps you can take to minimize the risk of injury and protect your child’s oral health:

  1. Encourage good oral hygiene: Teach your child the importance of brushing their teeth at least twice daily, flossing daily, and maintaining a healthy diet to prevent tooth decay and other dental issues.
  2. Schedule regular dental checkups: Visit the dentist every six months for routine cleanings and exams to catch any potential problems before they escalate into emergencies.
  3. Use mouthguards: If your child participates in sports or other activities that pose a risk of dental injuries, consider having them wear a mouthguard to protect their teeth.
  4. Childproof your home: Reduce the risk of accidents by childproofing your home, especially for younger children. This includes covering sharp edges, securing heavy furniture, and using safety gates to limit access to potentially dangerous areas.

Conclusion: 

Emergency dental care for children is important to maintaining your child’s overall health and well-being. Understanding common dental emergencies, knowing how to handle them, and taking preventative measures can help ensure that your child receives the appropriate care. Remember to remain calm and consult your child’s dentist for guidance and treatment. In doing so, you’ll be better prepared to protect your child’s smile and maintain oral health for years.

If you have a dental emergency, don’t hesitate to contact Apple Tree Dental Today.

Article compiled by Apple Tree Dental

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How to Assess Your Tooth Decay Risk

 

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How to Assess Your Tooth Decay Risk

Introduction:

We have compiled this article on “How to Assess Your Tooth Decay Risk“. The reference links are at the bottom of the article.

[1]Tooth decay is the cause of cavities, pain, tooth loss and infection. It is the main reason why people seek dental treatment such as fillings, root canal treatment, extractions, and other costly, complicated dental procedures. But here’s the good news: dental caries — the process that leads to tooth decay — is a preventable disease, and early dental caries can be reversed with early intervention.

[2]Causes

When decay-causing bacteria come into contact with sugars and starches from foods and drinks, they form an acid. This acid can attack the tooth’s enamel causing it to lose minerals.

This can happen if you eat or drink often, especially foods and drinks containing sugar and starches. The repeated cycles of these “acid attacks” will cause the enamel to continue to lose minerals. Over time, the enamel is weakened and then destroyed, forming a cavity.

Symptoms

In early tooth decay, there are not usually any symptoms. As tooth decay advances, it can cause a toothache (tooth pain) or tooth sensitivity to sweets, hot, or cold. If the tooth becomes infected, an abscess, or pocket of pus, can form that can cause pain, facial swelling, and fever.

Diagnosis

Tooth decay can be found during a regular dental check-up. Early tooth decay may look like a white spot on the tooth. If the decay is more advanced, it may appear as a darker spot or a hole in the tooth. The dentist can also check the teeth for soft or sticky areas or take an x-ray, which can show decay.

Treatment

Dentists commonly treat cavities by filling them. A dentist will remove the decayed tooth tissue and then restore the tooth by filling it with a filling material.

What Are The Treatments For Tooth Decay And Cavities?

There are several treatments for tooth decay and cavities. Which treatment you get depends on how bad the problem is:

Fluoride treatments

If you have early tooth decay, a fluoride treatment can help the enamel to repair itself.

Fillings

If you have a typical cavity, your dentist will remove the decayed tooth tissue and then restore the tooth by filling it with a filling material.

Root canal

If the damage to the tooth and/or an infection spreads to the pulp (inside of the tooth), you might need a root canal. Your dentist will remove the decayed pulp and clean inside the tooth and root. The next step is to fill the tooth with a temporary filling. Then you will need to come back to get a permanent filling or a crown (a cover on the tooth).

Extraction (pulling the tooth)

In the most severe cases, when the damage to the pulp cannot be fixed, your dentist may pull the tooth. Your dentist will suggest that you get a bridge or implant to replace the missing tooth. Otherwise, the teeth next to the gap may move over and change your bite.

Strategies For Prevention Of Tooth Decay

[3]What Is Tooth Decay?

Tooth decay (also known as dental caries or cavities) is a common diet-related disease that leads to the loss of minerals from adult and baby teeth. In its early stages it can appear as a white or dark spot on the tooth, but as more mineral is lost a cavity or hole may appear.

How Tooth Decay Occurs

Many bacteria live in your mouth and on your teeth in the dental plaque (food build up around teeth). These bacteria use the sugars in the food you eat as the energy they need to live.

When turning the sugar into energy, the bacteria in your mouth create acid as a waste product. This acid dissolves the crystals of your teeth and causes mineral loss, which can lead to signs of tooth decay such as white spots and cavities.

Your saliva works to prevent tooth decay from occurring. It washes sugar out of your mouth and into your stomach, stops acid from causing damage, fights bacteria and can repair the early stages of tooth decay by repairing tooth minerals.

If the amount of acid from the bacteria on your teeth outweighs the protective effect of your saliva, then tooth decay will occur.

Further mineral loss may lead to the cavity going into the center of the tooth (the pulp), which may lead to toothache.

Tooth decay occurs when foods containing carbohydrates (sugars and starches), such as bread, cereals, milk, soda, fruits, cakes, or candy are left on the teeth. Bacteria that live in the mouth digest these foods, turning them into acids. The bacteria, acid, food debris, and saliva combine to form plaque, which clings to the teeth. The acids in plaque dissolve the enamel surface of the teeth, creating holes in the teeth called cavities.

[4]To Prevent Tooth Decay:

  • Brush your teeth at least twice a day with fluoride-containing toothpaste. Preferably, brush after each meal and especially before going to bed.
  • Clean between your teeth daily with dental floss or interdental cleaners, such as the Oral-B Interdental Brush, Reach Stim-U-Dent or Sulcabrush.
  • Rinse daily with a fluoride-containing mouthwash. Some rinses also have antiseptic ingredients to help kill bacteria that cause plaque.
  • Eat nutritious and balanced meals and limit snacks. Avoid carbohydrates such as candy, pretzels and chips, which can remain on the tooth’s surface. If sticky foods are eaten, brush your teeth soon afterward.
  • Check with your dentist about using supplemental fluoride, which strengthens your teeth.
  • Ask your dentist about dental sealants (a plastic protective coating) applied to the chewing surfaces of your back teeth (molars) to protect them from decay.
  • Drink fluoridated water. At least a pint of fluoridated water each day is needed to protect children from tooth decay.
  • Visit your dentist regularly for professional cleanings and oral exams.

Researchers are developing new means to prevent tooth decay. One study found that a chewing gum that contains the sweetener xylitol temporarily retarded the growth of bacteria that cause tooth decay. In addition, several materials that slowly release fluoride over time, which will help prevent further decay, are being explored.

These materials would be placed between teeth or in pits and fissures of teeth. Toothpaste and mouth rinses that can reverse and “heal” early cavities are also being studied.

Conclusion:

Thank you for reading this article, and check back frequently for other dental health articles. Should you have any questions, please contact Apple Tree Dental today!

Article compiled by Apple Tree Dental

Article reference links

  1. https://www.healthhub.sg/a-z/diseases-and-conditions/745/Tooth-decay-dental-caries-risk-assessment ↑

  2. https://www.nidcr.nih.gov/health-info/tooth-decay ↑

  3. https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/Tooth-decay ↑

  4. https://www.webmd.com/oral-health/guide/tooth-decay-prevention ↑

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The Right Diet For Your Teeth

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The Right Diet For Your Teeth

Introduction:

We have compiled this article on “The Right Diet For Your Teeth”. The reference links are at the bottom of the article.

[1]You’ve probably heard the saying, you are what you eat; well that’s particularly true for your teeth and gums. Those starchy or sugary foods we love are also loved by the bacteria in your mouth that can cause tooth decay and gum disease.

The difference between a healthy smile and frequent visits to the dentist has a lot to do with your diet. Even with a good oral hygiene routine (brushing twice a day, flossing once a day), it can still be hard to keep your teeth healthy over the long term.

Eating a variety of nutrient-rich foods from all food groups promotes healthy teeth and gums. This means maintaining a balanced diet of fruits, vegetables, protein foods, calcium-rich foods, and whole grains for a healthy smile as well as a healthy body.

So, which foods are best for teeth and gum health?

Some of the best foods for healthy teeth are fresh fruits and veggies because of their high nutritional value and added teeth-cleaning benefits. Then, there are calcium-rich foods, such as low-fat or fat-free milk, yogurt and cheese, fortified soy drinks, tofu, canned salmon, almonds, and dark green leafy vegetables that help promote strong teeth and bones. Chewing on crunchy foods gets the saliva going, which along with water, helps to wash away plaque-causing bacteria and food particles.

[2]Best Foods And Drinks For Healthy Teeth, Gums, And Whole Body

Cheese, Milk, And Yogurt

Cheese is one of the best foods for healthy teeth for a number of reasons. First, it is low in sugar and high in calcium. It contains casein, which is a protein that is particularly useful for fortifying tooth enamel. Cheese is high in calcium, which is important for maintaining bone density. Cheese is also high in phosphate content, which helps balance pH levels in the mouth, which helps to preserve tooth enamel. Another great reason cheese is a friend to our teeth is that chewing it increases saliva production, which helps to wash away bacteria in the mouth.

Aside from good old-fashioned fluoridated water, milk is the best drink when it comes to your teeth. It’s rich in calcium and other important elements. Milk, like cheese, also lowers the acid levels in the mouth, which helps fight tooth decay.

Yogurt is packed with calcium and probiotics that protect you against cavities, gum disease, and even bad breath.

Water

Water is unlike any other drink, and is by far the healthiest drink available. Our bodies are made of 60% water, and staying hydrated helps your system distribute healthy nutrients, gets rid of waste, gives your skin a healthy glow, and keeps your muscles moving. And drinking water really helps your teeth stay healthy – especially if it’s fluoridated. Drinking water with fluoride, which is “nature’s cavity fighter,” is one of the easiest and most beneficial things you can do to help prevent cavities. And, water helps wash away food particles and keeps your saliva levels high.

[3]Leafy Greens

Leafy greens typically find their way onto any healthy foods list. They’re full of vitamins and minerals while being low in calories. Leafy greens such as kale and spinach also promote oral health. They’re high in calcium, which builds the enamel on your teeth. They also contain folic acid, according to the Indian Academy of Sciences. Folic acid is a type of B vitamin that has numerous health benefits, including possibly treating gum disease in pregnant women, according to the International Journal of Health & Allied Sciences. If you have trouble getting leafy greens into your diet, add a handful of baby spinach to your next salad or throw some kale on a pizza. You can also try adding some greens to a smoothie.

Apples

While the ADA recommends steering clear of most sweet foods, there are some exceptions. Fruits, such as apples, might be sweet, but they’re also high in fiber and water. The action of eating an apple produces saliva in your mouth, which rinses away bacteria and food particles. The fibrous texture of the fruit also stimulates the gums. Eating an apple isn’t the same as brushing your teeth with toothpaste that contains fluoride, but it can tide you over until you have a chance to brush. Pack either a whole apple or apple slices in your lunch to give your mouth a good scrubbing at the end of the meal.

Carrots

Like apples, carrots are crunchy and full of fiber. Eating a handful of raw carrots at the end of the meal increases saliva production in your mouth, which reduces your risk of cavities. Along with being high in fiber, carrots are a great source of vitamin A. Top a salad with a few slices of raw carrot, or enjoy some baby carrots on their own.

Celery

Celery might get a bad reputation for being bland, watery, and full of those pesky strings, but like carrots and apples, it acts a bit like a toothbrush, scraping food particles and bacteria away from your teeth. It’s also a good source of vitamins A and C, two antioxidants that give the health of your gums a boost. Make celery even tastier by topping it with cream cheese.

Almonds

Almonds are great for your teeth because they are a good source of calcium and protein while being low in sugar. Enjoy a handful of almonds with your lunch. You can also add a handful to a salad or to a stir-fry dinner.

Along with adding more leafy greens, dairy products, and fibrous vegetables to your diet, pay attention to what you’re drinking. Since it has no calories or sugar, water is always the best pick, especially compared to juice or fizzy drinks. Your diet makes a big difference when it comes to a healthy smile.

Conclusion:

Thank you for reading this article, and check back frequently for other dental health articles. Should you have any questions, please contact Apple Tree Dental today!

Article compiled by Apple Tree Dental

Article reference links

  1. https://dentistry.uic.edu/news-stories/the-best-foods-for-a-healthy-smile-and-whole-body/ ↑

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Should I Use A Mouthwash

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Should I Use A Mouthwash

 

Introduction:

We have compiled this article on “Should I Use A Mouthwash” The reference links are at the bottom of the article.

[1]Mouthwash, also called oral rinse, is a liquid product used to rinse your teeth, gums, and mouth. It usually contains an antiseptic to kill harmful bacteria that can live between your teeth and on your tongue.

Some people use mouthwash to fight against bad breath, while others use it to try to prevent tooth decay.

Mouthwash doesn’t replace brushing your teeth or flossing in terms of oral hygiene, and it’s only effective when used correctly. It’s also important to understand that different product formulas contain different ingredients, and not all mouthwashes can strengthen your teeth.

Keep reading to find out everything you need to know about using mouthwash.

When to use mouthwash

Some people use mouthwash as part of their daily teeth-cleaning routine. But you can also use mouthwash in a pinch to banish bad breath.

There’s really no hard and fast guideline for when to use mouthwash for bad breath. But it isn’t going to work to strengthen tooth enamel or fight gum disease unless you use it right after brushing and flossing.

For best results, teeth should be freshly cleaned before using use mouthwash.

How often should you use mouthwash?

It bears repeating that mouthwash isn’t a replacement for brushing and flossing. It’s also not necessary to use mouthwash in order to keep your mouth clean. Most mouthwash products recommend that you use them twice per day, after brushing and flossing.

[2]Do I Need to Rinse?

Mouthwash is not a substitute for brushing and flossing. But if you have trouble doing those correctly, rinsing can help protect you from cavities or gum disease. Fluoride rinses help prevent tooth decay.

“Mouthwashes, when added to a good home care regimen of brushing and flossing, can target a condition that you are facing,” Wolff says. “You don’t swish for 2 minutes with a whitening mouthwash and suddenly have white teeth. But if you brush well and keep the plaque off of them and use that mouthwash as part of the package, you do get whiter teeth.”

A mouth rinse won’t cure serious problems, though. If you have regular bleeding of your gums or consistently bad breath, for example, see your dentist. They might prescribe a mouthwash that’s stronger than the kind you buy over the counter.

Mouthwash Ingredients

Read the labels carefully on over-the-counter types. Ingredients — and the benefits they provide — vary by brand.

They usually include one or more of these:

  1. Fluoride. It helps reduce tooth decay and prevent cavities.
  2. Antimicrobials. They kill the bacteria that cause bad breath, plaque, and gingivitis, an inflammation of the gums at the early stages of gum disease.
  3. Astringent salt. It’s a type of deodorizer that can temporarily cover up bad breath.
  4. Odor neutralizers. They can attack the cause of bad breath.
  5. Whiteners, such as peroxide. They can help against stains on your teeth.

How Do I Choose a Mouthwash?

It’s sometimes hard to find one product that ticks all the boxes. “Select a mouthwash based on the largest condition that you need to treat,” Wolff says.

Look for products with an American Dental Association (ADA) seal on the label. The group awards it to companies that show scientific proof that their products work.

If you prefer organic or natural products, the ADA recognizes some of those mouth rinses, too. You can also find the ADA seal on some generic and store brands.

[3]How to use mouthwash

Each brand of mouthwash has its own set of instructions on how to use their mouthwash on a bottle, so if you are in doubt, you should always aim to follow the manufacturer’s guidelines or you can follow the following steps:

  1. Start by pouring the mouthwash out of the bottle. Manufacturer advice on how much often varies, by we recommend that you use 15ml.
  2. You then rinse the mouthwash continuously around your mouth, making sure the liquid is comes into contact with all areas of your teeth.
  3. Gargle for at least 30-60 seconds. This helps to ensure that the mouthwash can reach the back of your tongue and fight the bacteria there.
  4. Spit out the mouthwash.

Conclusion:

Thank you for reading this article, and check back frequently for other dental health articles. Should you have any questions, please contact Apple Tree Dental today!

Article compiled by Apple Tree Dental

Article reference links

  1. https://www.healthline.com/health/how-to-use-mouthwash ↑

  2. https://www.webmd.com/oral-health/features/mouth-rinse-rules ↑

  3. https://theneemtree.co.uk/blog/health-tips/mouthwash-dos-and-donts/ ↑

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What Does Dental Cleaning Entail?

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What Does Dental Cleaning Entail?

Introduction:

We have compiled this article on “What Does Dental Cleaning Entail?” The reference links are at the bottom of the article.

[1]Many people dread teeth cleanings. Between the prodding, strange noises, and occasional jaw discomfort, it’s easy to understand their apprehension. But for most, a teeth cleaning is simple and painless.

Knowing exactly what is going on during the process can help ease your stress and allow you to better enjoy the minty-fresh results.

[2]Pretty much everyone knows how important it is to have routine dental cleanings to help prevent both cavities and gum disease. But what many people don’t know is that there are actually two types of cleanings — the routine cleaning you have (or should have) every six months and a much deeper cleaning that’s usually reserved for people with moderate to advanced gum disease. Even if you haven’t heard of a deep dental cleaning before, you might have heard it called by its “other” name — root planing and scaling. That’s a little more descriptive, but it still doesn’t describe what a deep cleaning does, or when and why it’s performed. Here’s how to tell the difference between the two types of cleaning and how to know which one you’re going to need.

Dental Cleanings: What They Are And How They’re Done

Both routine and deep dental cleanings have one primary goal: To get rid of plaque and tartar deposits that can cause gum disease and other oral health problems. But beyond that, the two procedures are a lot different.

[3]Who Should Undergo And Expected Results

All individuals are advised to undergo professional teeth cleaning at least once every six months for preventative maintenance. If the patient has existing oral problems or disorders, the cleaning should be done more frequently.

Also known as prophylaxis, the procedure removes mineralized plaque or tartar deposits on the teeth surface to prevent the dental problems they can cause when left undisturbed. These deposits can easily accumulate even when a person carefully and regularly brushes or flosses his teeth. Routine brushing may slow down the accumulation of plaque but cannot prevent it completely. The word prophylaxis comes from a Greek word that means “to prevent beforehand.”

Plaque is a soft, sticky film that is infested with bacteria. The long-term accumulation of plaque can easily lead to cavities and, eventually, to tooth decay. Tartar, on the other hand, are hard calcium deposits that build up over time in the same manner that limescale builds up on a kettle or water pipe. In most cases, it has the same color as the teeth, making it hard to notice for some people. In some cases, however, it has a brown or black color. If tartar is not removed, the teeth condition becomes ripe for the growth of bacteria. Through professional dental cleaning, the surface of the tooth is left clean and smooth so bacteria will have a hard time sticking to it.

The Goals Of Regularly Having Teeth Professionally Cleaned Are To:

  • Prevent cavities
  • Maintain good oral health
  • Prevent periodontal disease
  • Prevent too much tartar from building up
  • Remove surface stains

How Does The Procedure Work?

Professional dental cleaning can be performed either by a dentist or a dental hygienist. The procedure involves the use of three cleaning techniques:

Tooth scaling – Scaling is the process of removing bacterial film or buil up substances from tooth surface.

Tooth polishing – Performed after scaling, polishing is the process of making the surface of the teeth smoother.

Debridement – Debridement is used when too much tartar has accumulated and scaling cannot remove them. Using this technique, the dental hygienist will use a variety of dental instruments to carefully loosen the deposits and remove them from the teeth.

Dentists and hygienists usually use the following tools or instruments when performing dental cleaning:

Ultrasonic instruments – These are instruments that use tickling vibrations to gently but effectively loosen up large pieces of tartar. At the same time, it sprays a cool mist of water to wash away the small debris as they come loose. Once the larger pieces have been removed, dentists usually change from ultrasonic instruments to finer hand tools.

Scalers or curettes – These are smaller hand tools that dentists use to manually remove smaller pieces of deposits. They are very effective in scraping off tartar and plaque.

Polisher – This is a hand tool with a soft rubber tip that slowly moves to polish the tooth surface.

Fluoride – Dentists may also apply some fluoride during a teeth cleaning. Available in foam or gel, fluoride helps to strengthen the teeth to compensate for the negative effects that plaque and tartar had on them. If fluoride is applied, the patient will be advised not to eat, drink, or rinse the mouth for at least 30 minutes after application.

Possible Complications And Risks

The process of a professional teeth cleaning does not cause pain, and it is generally comfortable, except for the length of time the patient has to sit with his mouth open. However, the process can be more uncomfortable for those who have plaque and tartar that are harder to remove. If hardened tartar has been removed, subsequent cleanings will take less time.

However, dental cleaning has to be done in a meticulous and careful manner. Thus, it is also important to find a dentist and dental hygienist that can be trusted and has all the necessary training and certification to practice. If the cleaning is done in an overly vigorous manner or it is incorrectly performed, there is a risk of causing injury to the gums, making the gums more vulnerable to infection. Injured gums also cause soreness, gingivitis (swelling and inflammation), and bleeding gums. There is also a risk of damaging the tooth enamel.

Conclusion:

Thank you for reading this article, and check back frequently for other dental health articles. Should you have any questions, please contact Apple Tree Dental today!

Article compiled by Apple Tree Dental

Article reference links

  1. https://www.healthline.com/health/dental-oral-health/what-happens-during-a-tooth-cleaning#step-1 ↑
  2. https://www.rifkindental.com/blog/what-is-the-difference-between-a-routine-dental-cleaning-and-a-deep-cleaning ↑
  3. https://www.docdoc.com/medical-information/procedures/dental-cleaning ↑

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