Blog

CAN I SMOKE AFTER A ROOT CANAL?

A root canal treatment has a 95% success rate of restoring the health of an infected tooth. However, a simple mistake like smoking can undo all of the time and money spent on repairing your tooth. Read on in this blog from Dawson Modern Dentistry to find out why smoking is not a good idea after a root canal and how to avoid it. How Smoking Negatively Impacts Healing There are several reasons why smoking after receiving a root canal is a bad idea. For one, smoking is generally unhealthy for you and can cause lung cancer. In terms of your oral health, it increases your likelihood of needing another root canal and developing gum disease.  Smoking increases inflammation which prolongs the healing process. While smoking negatively impacts your oral health in general, you are especially vulnerable when you are recovering from an invasive procedure like a root canal.  Because cigarettes and tobacco products contain toxic chemicals, this can cause complications with the tissues inside of your mouth and lead to infection. This is the last thing you want after spending money and investing time in treating your tooth with a root canal. If the root canal procedure fails, you may be able to do retreatment, but you could end up needing an extraction. When Is It Safe To Smoke After A Root Canal? Ultimately, we recommend that you quit smoking altogether, as there are no tobacco products on the market that are approved by the ADA and they are deemed very detrimental to your oral and overall health.  However, the first three days after the root canal procedure are the most crucial to your recovery. After the third day, you can start to return to your normal activities, including smoking. During the first three days of your recovery, you should strictly follow aftercare instructions like avoiding all forms of suction, including drinking through straws or smoking. How To Stop Smoking We know it can be difficult to quit smoking cold turkey due to the addictive effects of nicotine. However, these tips can help you abstain from smoking for a few days when it is most crucial for your mouth’s healing: * Replace smoking with other activities like exercise, meditation, or yoga * Avoid triggers that make you want to smoke * Look for support from friends and family * Remind yourself why you’re quitting * Reward yourself with the money you’ve saved HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT ROOT CANAL AFTERCARE? CONTACT US AT DAWSON MODERN DENTISTRY It’s so important that you follow your dentist’s aftercare instructions after root canal treatment. If you don’t, then the root canal could have been for nothing. Your tooth can become infected and this may result in the loss of the tooth, which will end up needing to be replaced. Contact us at Dawson Modern Dentistry today to schedule a root canal consultation with Dr. Ashley Dawson-Sutton.

How Do Clear Aligners Straighten Teeth?

Custom-made, clear aligners are a great alternative to metal braces for adults and teens who need mild to moderate orthodontic treatment. Our dentists will take impressions of your teeth, which will be sent to an off-site lab for fabrication. Once your custom aligner trays are ready, you will return to our office to try them in and ensure a proper fit. You’ll need to wear your aligners for at least 22 hours a day and change them out every two weeks for a new set. The aligners move your teeth gradually into proper alignment. Invisalign® is a popular choice because of its ease of use and clear appearance. You won’t have to worry about eating certain foods or needing special tools to clean your teeth. Your dentist will be able to recommend you to certain brands depending on your needs. While traditional metal braces are still effective in some cases, their gradual movement can cause discomfort as the teeth shift into place. This can cause many patients to stop wearing their devices, making the process take longer to complete. With custom-made, clear aligners that are only worn during the day and night, patients find them much more comfortable to wear throughout treatment. Clear aligners have many benefits over traditional braces that, include improved social confidence, reduction in tooth sensitivity, and improved hygiene. Patients can brush and floss like normal without the fear of getting food stuck in their teeth or causing damage to their appliances. Each set of aligners is removable, so you can take them out to eat and clean your teeth. Most patients also find them to be more comfortable than metal brackets and wires that rest against their cheeks and lips. HOW CLEAR ALIGNERS STRAIGHTEN TEETH? While clear aligners are removable, they do work to reposition the teeth using a series of custom trays made from BPA-free clear plastic. Each tray is worn for a certain number of hours per day or at night to slowly guide your teeth into proper alignment. Because they’re removable, patients can enjoy their favorite foods and drinks without the worry of the bulky parts getting in the way. For the best results, be sure to wear your aligner for the recommended amount of time per your schedule. Some patients find that their teeth are much easier to clean after they’ve been straightened with clear aligners. Because the teeth are gently repositioned in stages, they also tend to appear more, even when you smile! Patients typically report feeling more confident once their treatment is complete. BENEFITS OF CLEAR ALIGNERS A benefit of using a clear aligner is that the trays are removable, so patients can remove their aligner before meals and brush and floss with ease! Patients also appreciate the ability to remove the tray for photos and other special occasions. The treatment process is also discreet. The clear aligners are virtually invisible when worn and do not attract unwanted attention the way traditional metal braces do. Many teens and adults considering orthodontic treatment prefer that their teeth be straightened with a method that is less noticeable to others. Another benefit of clear aligners is that the procedure is reversible. If a patient decides they no longer want to wear their aligners, the trays can be removed. Traditional metal braces cannot be removed until the treatment is complete, even if the patient decides mid-treatment that they no longer want to pursue orthodontic treatment. With these aligners, the process can be stopped at any time without altering the results of previous treatments. In addition, these aligners are typically more comfortable than traditional metal braces. Since they are made of smooth plastic that is custom fit, they don’t irritate the lining of the mouth or gums as metal brackets can. They’re also less likely to cause cuts in the mouth from the wires as with traditional braces. Finally, many patients find the treatment time associated with clear aligners to be shorter time period than with conventional metal braces. Call Dawson Modern Dentistry at (704) 565-9512 or visit Dentist in Matthews, NC, at 3555-2 Matthews-Mint Hill Rd, Matthews, NC 28105.

How Effective Is Invisalign?

Invisalign promises to help you get straighter teeth within 18 months while keeping your smile intact. This orthodontic treatment has only been around for two decades and has gained massive popularity in recent years.  According to the manufacturing company [https://www.researchgate.net/publication/263131814_Treatment_outcome_and_efficacy_of_an_aligner_technique_-_regarding_incisor_torque_premolar_derotation_and_molar_distalization], Invisalign “can effectively perform major tooth movements, such as bicuspid derotation up to 50° and root movements of upper central incisors up to 4 mm”.  We have worked with hundreds of patients with orthodontic issues and have helped solve their problems with Invisalign. If it sounds too good to be true, let’s take a closer look at the Invisalign treatment to help you understand how effective it is.  WHAT RESEARCHERS SAY Based on a study published in the Australian Dental Journal [https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/adj.12480], Invisalign is the most efficient clear aligner on the market. Researchers noted that the efficiency of the product’s versions released after 2010 has improved, now applying more force on the wearer’s teeth. In another study published on PubMed Central [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6160377/], researchers noted that Invisalign works well for non-extraction treatment of mild to moderate malocclusions of non-growing patients. In other words, Invisalign helps solve bite and misalignment issues in late teens and adults. Other conclusions of the study include: * Invisalign can solve most moderately complex issues in a shorter time than alternatives but can take longer when treating complex issues. * Invisalign can straighten dental arches by leveling and de-rotating the teeth.  * The use of additional Invisalign attachments is effective for different types of movements like overbite control, expansion of maxillary posterior teeth, and canine and premolar rotational movements. * The bottom line is that Invisalign works well to solve most bite and alignment issues in teens and adults by shortening the treatment period. Its efficacy as regards more complex issues is still under debate. Schedule an appointment with us today.

Top 4 Benefits of Having a Family Dentist

A family dentist is a dental health professional with enough training to take care of your entire family’s oral health needs. From kids to adolescents and adults to senior citizens, a family dentist provides preventative, restorative, and emergency oral care for patients of all age groups. We have helped hundreds of families resolve their oral care issues and know all about the benefits of having a family dentist. Read on to find out what they are. * Convenience Having a family dentist is very convenient as you can fix a single appointment for one or several of your family members at once. It also simplifies oral care since you don’t have to take days off work and fix multiple visits at different dental offices. You end up saving a lot of time and effort. * Keeps Anxiety Away Dental anxiety is a serious concern for millions of adults in the country. When you choose a family dentist, you keep anxiety away as the dentist will also be a friend who can put you at ease when you come in for a consultation.  * Knowing Your Family History  Your family dentist will have a log of your family’s entire oral health history, enabling them to suggest appointments, treatments, and preventative care based on your needs. Also, a family dentist will know to check for changes since your previous visit and keep tabs on how a family member is coping with treatment or recovery. * Lasting Relationship Having a family dentist helps you build a lasting relationship based on trust and openness. Hence, you or any of your family members are far more likely to express and address any concerns and take care of them as soon as they occur. Schedule an appointment with us today.

Worst Foods For Oral Health

Maintaining a healthy diet is one of the best things you can do to help your oral health. Certain foods and drinks can make it easier for your teeth and gums to be attacked by bacteria and cause tooth decay and gum disease. On the other hand, some foods can actually help protect your teeth and help with overall oral health. Here is a list of some foods and drinks that can harm our oral health: * Sticky Foods Sticky foods should be avoided when possible. Because sticky foods stick to the teeth, they can lead to tooth decay. Sticky foods include lollipops, granola bars, chewy candies, some sugary snacks, etc.  * Starchy Foods Starchy foods can increase your risk of tooth decay. Starchy foods may break apart easily, exposing their sugary content to bacteria in your mouth. Starchy foods include potato chips, French fries, cakes, cookies, donuts, and bread. * Sugary Foods Sugary foods can cause tooth decay. The sugar combines with bacteria in your mouth to create an acid that eats away at tooth enamel. Soda, candy, cookies, and other sugary foods should be avoided whenever possible. * Acidic Foods Many foods can cause sensitivity or erosion of the teeth, including oranges, lemons, limes, and grapefruits. These foods are highly acidic, which not only wears down tooth enamel, but also creates the perfect environment for bacteria to thrive. Over time, this can lead to dental decay, cavities, and gum disease. * Dry Foods Dry foods such as chips, crackers, and pretzels can increase your risk of tooth decay. This is because the starches that are in these foods break down into sugars when exposed to saliva. These sugars can then feed the plaque and bacteria on your teeth, which can contribute to tooth decay. * Tobacco Products Cigarettes, chewing tobacco, cigars, pipes, and other tobacco products all contain nicotine, which irritates the gums and promotes bacterial growth. Cigarette smoke also stains the teeth and causes bad breath. Chewing tobacco contains 28 chemicals that have been shown to cause damage to the gums. It also contains high levels of sugar, which can cause tooth decay. Chewing tobacco is also linked to oral cancer. * Citrus Fruits Citrus fruits, such as oranges, lemons, and limes, are acidic and can harm tooth enamel by wearing it down. Over time, enamel erosion can cause tooth sensitivity, discoloration, and decay. Avoid citrus fruits and rinse your mouth with water or mouthwash after consumption. Do you have a question? Or do you wish to schedule an appointment with us? Call Dawson Modern Dentistry at (704) 565-9512 or visit Dentist in Matthews, NC at 3555-2 Matthews-Mint Hill Rd, Matthews, NC 28105.