Quick Answers: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)FAQ: Your Queries, Swiftly Addressed

Gum disease can cause swollen, tender, and bleeding gums, bad breath, receding gums, deep pockets, and tooth sensitivity.
Brushing and flossing twice daily and having regular checkups and professional cleanings are essential for maintaining dental health. These habits help eliminate harmful bacteria from the mouth, which can lead to gum disease, which can lead to tooth loss, jawbone recession, and even more serious health problems. Don’t let gum disease go untreated.

Stages of Gum Disease:

• Gingivitis: the earliest stage of gum disease, and it is caused by plaque and calculus buildup along the gumline. This stage is usually accompanied by swollen gums that may bleed while brushing and flossing. At this point, the disease has not reached the bone underneath the gums and, as a result, is reversible.
• Periodontitis: at this stage, your gums may be receding, and deep periodontal “pockets” may have formed between your teeth and gums. These pockets are hollow areas that harbour tartar, plaque, and disease-causing bacteria. Open and susceptible to infection, it can cause permanent damage to your bones. If you believe you’re at this stage, seek gum disease treatment immediately to prevent further damage, including tooth loss.
• Advanced Periodontitis: during the final stage of gum disease, the infection has progressed and damaged the connective tissues and jawbone that support your teeth. As a result, your teeth can loosen, shift, and even fall out. This may result in changes to your bite and malocclusion, as well as significant limitations to your oral function. We highly recommend immediate treatment and may advise receiving osseous surgery to manage the disease.

Risk Factors:

• Poor dental hygiene
• Tobacco use
• Existing systemic health problems
• Genetic predisposition

Most people can get by with cleanings every six months, while others may need to come in more often. How often you need your teeth cleaned greatly depends on your at-home oral care routine, tendency to develop cavities, and overall dental health.
At SOS Dental, we take preserving your oral health seriously, which is why we recommend getting timely teeth cleaning services on a regular schedule. A personalised cleaning and care schedule that perfectly matches your needs. So, please feel free to schedule a visit to get your first cleaning and establish a custom schedule with us.

Clenching your jaw or grinding your teeth while you sleep puts a lot of extra wear and tear on your teeth. This night time dental concern is a sleep movement disorder called sleep bruxism.

Common Symptoms of Sleep Bruxism include:

• Teeth grinding and jaw clenching during sleep (often loud enough for a partner to hear)
• Loose, chipped, broken, fractured, or flattened teeth
• Worn tooth enamel
• Receding gums
• Tooth sensitivity or pain
• Sore, tired, or tender jaw muscles
• Locked jaw or trouble opening or closing your mouth
• Clicking or popping in the jaw
• Neck, jaw, or face pain and soreness
• Pain that feels like an earache
• Frequent headaches (especially in the morning)
• Damaged cheek tissues
• Disrupted sleep and daytime grogginess

Since bruxism happens during sleep, many people don’t even realise they have it. As a result, it is often first diagnosed by our dentists when they observe signs of wear and tear on a patient’s tooth enamel that are characteristic of jaw clenching and teeth grinding at night.

What causes sleep bruxism?

Although the exact cause of sleep bruxism is unknown, several factors appear to be related. Individuals with the following are at a higher risk of having sleep bruxism:

• Daytime stress and anxiety
• Poor posture
• Malocclusion (misaligned bite)
• Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ)
• Sleep apnea
• Family members with sleep bruxism

Sleep bruxism is more common in children, but people of all ages can suffer from it.

Keeping your mouthguard clean and safely stored when not worn is essential.

• Before you put it in for the night, brush and floss your teeth. When you take the mouthguard out of your mouth in the morning, clean it right away so saliva doesn’t dry on the tray.
• You can brush it with lukewarm water, and if you need a deeper clean, use a mix of lukewarm water with mild dish soap. Scrub it gently with a soft-bristled toothbrush or a denture brush.
• If your guard has hard-to-reach grooves, use a cotton swab to clean out those areas.

Over time, your mouthguard will likely become discoloured: this is expected as the plastic begins to age. If the discolouration bothers you, it is time to switch to a new one. If your mouthguard breaks, cracks, or becomes misshapen due to heat or being crushed, you must replace it with a new one.
If you care properly for your mouthguard, you can expect it to last well over a year, potentially up to 5 years

Several signs and symptoms may indicate the need for a root canal treatment. While only a dentist can provide a definitive diagnosis, here are some common indications that you might require a root canal:

• Persistent Tooth Pain: If you experience intense or lingering tooth pain, especially when chewing or applying pressure to the tooth, it could be a sign of infection or damage to the pulp inside the tooth.
• Sensitivity to Temperature: Increased sensitivity to hot or cold substances, such as beverages or food, that lingers even after the stimulus is removed, can indicate an underlying issue with the tooth’s nerves.
• Gum Swelling and Tenderness: Inflammation and tenderness in the gums surrounding a specific tooth may indicate an infection or abscess at the root of the tooth.
• Darkened Tooth: A tooth that appears significantly darker or discoloured compared to the surrounding teeth could indicate pulp damage or death.
• Dental Abscess: The formation of a pimple-like bump on the gum near the affected tooth, accompanied by pain and discharge of pus, suggests a severe infection that may require root canal treatment.
• Cracked or Fractured Tooth: If a tooth is cracked, fractured, or has experienced significant trauma, the pulp may become exposed or damaged, leading to infection and the need for a root canal.
• Previous Dental Procedures: Teeth that have undergone multiple dental procedures, such as large fillings or dental crowns, are at a higher risk of developing pulp inflammation or infection, potentially necessitating a root canal.

It’s important to note that not all cases of tooth pain or sensitivity indicate the need for a root canal. Only a dentist can diagnose accurately by examining your tooth, taking X-rays, and considering your symptoms. If you experience any of the signs mentioned above, scheduling an appointment as soon as possible is advisable for a thorough evaluation and appropriate treatment recommendations.

After undergoing an extraction procedure, it’s important to take proper care of the extraction site to promote healing and minimize the risk of complications. Here are some post-operative instructions for extraction care:

1. Bite on the gauze: Following the extraction, your dentist may place a piece of gauze over the extraction site. Bite gently but firmly on the gauze for about 30 minutes to help control bleeding and promote clot formation. Replace the gauze as instructed by your dentist if necessary.
2. Avoid rinsing or spitting: To prevent dislodging the blood clot and disturbing the healing process, avoid rinsing your mouth or spitting forcefully for the first 24 hours after the extraction. After that, you can rinse your mouth gently with warm salt water (1/2 teaspoon of salt dissolved in 8 ounces of warm water) several times a day to keep the area clean.
3. Apply ice packs: During the first 24 hours after the extraction, apply ice packs on the outside of your face near the extraction site. It will help to reduce swelling and relieve discomfort. Use the ice packs for about 15 minutes at a time, with 15-minute breaks in between.
4. Take prescribed medications: If your dentist has prescribed painkillers or antibiotics, take them as directed. Follow the recommended dosage and finish the entire course of antibiotics if prescribed. Over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen can also help manage pain, but consult your dentist before taking any additional medication.
5. Avoid strenuous activities: Avoid strenuous physical activities and exercise for the first few days after the extraction. Elevating your heart rate can increase bleeding and delay the healing process.
6. Soft diet: Stick to soft and lukewarm foods for the first few days after the extraction. Avoid hot, spicy, and crunchy foods that can irritate the extraction site or get stuck in the socket. Incorporate nutritious foods like soups, yoghurt, mashed potatoes, and smoothies into your diet.
7. Maintain oral hygiene: Continue to brush your teeth gently, but avoid the extraction site. Be cautious when flossing near the extraction site to prevent injury. Maintain regular oral hygiene practices for the rest of your mouth to keep it clean and reduce the risk of infection.
8. Avoid smoking and alcohol: They can impair healing and increase the risk of complications. Also, avoid consuming alcoholic beverages for at least 24 hours, as alcohol can interfere with blood clot formation.
9. Watch for signs of complications: Keep an eye out for any abnormal symptoms such as severe pain, excessive bleeding, swelling that worsens after a few days, persistent fever, or signs of infection. If you experience any of these symptoms, contact your dentist promptly.

Remember, these instructions are general guidelines. If you have any concerns or questions, don’t hesitate to contact us for clarification and guidance.