Archives for December 2022

Are Invisalign Trays or Bleaching Gel Making My Gums Burn?

Posted on December 29, 2022 by AllSmiles.

I am using my last set of Invisalign trays for teeth whitening. I bought carbamide peroxide gel, and I use it as directed. My dentist charges too much for whitening and will not give me a discount. Today is my second week of whitening, and now my gums are burning. How do I know whether the trays or the bleaching gel make my gums burn? Have I ruined my gums? Thank you. Sakura

Sakura,

Thank you for your question. We recommend pausing your teeth whitening and getting an exam from your dentist.

Are Invisalign Trays or Bleaching Gel Making Your Gums Burn?

Upper and lower Invisalign aligners, available in Monroe, LA from David Finley, DDS

Invisalign trays that don’t fit well enough may ooze bleaching gel on your gums

Whether Invisalign trays or bleaching gel is making your gums burns depends on several factors, including:

Bleaching trays – Although the Invisalign trays may seem to fit your teeth, any bleaching gel oozing from the top of the aligners will burn your gums. Custom bleaching trays from your dentist will keep the gel on your teeth and away from your gums.
Bleaching gel strength – The strength of the bleaching gel may be too potent for your teeth and gums. A lower-strength gel may help.
Bleach gel contents – The bleaching gel may contain irritants that make your gums burn. Check the ingredients.
Too much bleaching gel – Overfilling the trays or leaving the gel on your teeth longer than directed can cause teeth sensitivity and burning gums.

Have Your Ruined Your Gums with Bleaching Gel?

The burns on your gums from bleaching gel will turn white and may peel, but you should recover in a week or two. Still, discontinue whitening until you know why your gums are burning.

When Can You Resume Teeth Whitening?

You can resume teeth whitening when you know that you have bleaching trays that will not ooze out any gel and bleaching gel that is not too potent for our teeth and gums. We recommend the following:

Schedule an exam to ensure you do not require treatment from a dentist to help your gums heal.
Check other dental practices for their teeth whitening costs.
Only use custom trays made for bleaching our teeth.
Start with a low-strength bleaching gel to avoid burning gums and sensitive teeth.

Monore, Louisiana, accredited Fellow of cosmetic dentistry Dr. David Finley sponsors this post.

How I Can Find a Cooperative Dentist for My Autistic Child?

Posted on December 26, 2022 by AllSmiles.

My youngest daughter is three years old and autistic. I am looking for a new pediatric dentist for her because the last dentist she saw did not work well with her. My daughter dislikes change, so going to a new dental office will be traumatic.

One of my concerns is that the previous dentist would not allow me to come into the treatment room with my daughter. They said that children seem to look at their parents and play off the parents’ anxiety, which makes treatment more difficult. That approach did not work well for my daughter, so I decided to find a new dentist for her. How can I find a dentist to respect the fact that I know my daughter’s behavioral patterns? Thank you. Kristin

Kristin,

Thank you for your question. We understand our concerns about your daughter’s comfort during dental visits. Her memories of dental visits impact how she will feel about going to the dentist as she ages.

Can You Accompany Your Child to the Treatment Room?

Many dental practices prefer that parents not accompany their child in the treatment room (operatory). Some dental professionals choose to build rapport and trust with the children without a parent present. They also find that many children are more relaxed without their parents present, particularly if the parent has dental anxieties.

Still, each child is different, and you understand your daughter’s needs. You can look for a few pediatric dental offices or offices that offer dental services for the entire family. Below are a few tips to consider when you call the offices:

Ask about the dental practice’s policy for parents accompanying children in the treatment area.
Explain that your daughter is autistic and why, at least for the first visit, you would want to accompany her.
Try to discern if the dental team hesitates about honoring your request.
Schedule a consultation with the dentist before scheduling your daughter’s exam

Sedation Dentistry Can Help

Although you will find a dental practice to accommodate you and your daughter, she may still struggle during an appointment. Speak with the dentist about light sedation to help your daughter relax before the visit. Dental offices that willingly work with patients’ needs are used to it and find ways to make their patients comfortable.

Monroe, Louisiana, dentist Dr. David Finley sponsors this post. Dr. Finley is a Fellow of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry and the Academy of General Dentistry.

How Can I Stop Gagging from My New Dentures and Adhesives?

Posted on December 22, 2022 by AllSmiles.

How can I stop gagging with my new denture and adhesives? I got new upper and lower dentures in early October. Whenever I wear the upper denture, I either gag from the denture or the adhesive. I still gag whether I use adhesive cream, strips, powder, or gel. My dentist says I should try different brands, but I am exhausted and can’t chew my food. I got dentures so I could eat again, not choke. How can I control gagging? Thank you. Sergey from IL

Sergey,

Thank you for your question. We understand your disappointment with receiving a denture that creates more concerns than it resolves.

Many people struggle with an active gag reflex while getting dental care or wearing dentures. We are concerned because your denture is new, and it seems you need adhesive to secure it. A new denture should fit well and not require adhesives. Dr. Finely, Dr. Thompson, or Dr. Coughran would need to examine your denture and mouth to identify why you are gagging. Still, we will offer insight into how a dentist can improve your experience with dentures.

How Can You Control Gagging from New Dentures and Adhesives?

You can control the gagging from new dentures and adhesives by asking your dentist to check your denture fit. Your dentist can do the following:

Verify whether your denture is too loose and causing you to gag
Determine why your denture fit makes you feel that you need adhesives
Determine whether the top of the denture against the roof of your mouth is triggering your gag reflex

After identifying the cause of your gagging, your dentist can adjust your denture fit or recommend a palateless denture that does not trigger your gag reflex.

What Is a Palateless Denture?

Palateless upper denture

A palateless denture is a denture attached to dental implants. Unlike a removable upper denture that covers the roof of your mouth to create suction and keep it in place, a palateless denture leaves the roof of your mouth (palate) uncovered. A snap-on denture is an affordable option for stabilizing a denture with dental implants.

Researchers reviewed articles on implant overdentures published from 1991 to 2011. The studies show that implant dentures produce predictable results, including.

Enhanced stability
Improved function
A high degree of satisfaction compared to removable dentures

How Does a Snap-On Denture Work?

A snap-on denture works by attaching it to dental implants. An implant dentist or oral surgeon can surgically place implants through your gums and jawbone. After the implants fuse with your bone, the dentist will make a custom denture with a base that snaps onto the implants. If you have experienced jawbone shrinkage, you may need bone grafting before you get dental implants.

The benefits of a snap-on denture include:

It keeps the roof of your mouth uncovered to prevent gagging
Dental implants keep it in place and eliminate the need for denture adhesives
It will fit and feel better than a removable denture
You can eat comfortably

Get a second opinion if your dentist cannot resolve your concerns about gagging with your new denture. Schedule a consultation with an implant dentist to discuss your options for a denture that fits well and relieves your gagging.

Monroe, Louisiana, accredited cosmetic dentist Dr. David Finley sponsors this post.

Can I Treat a Dental Implant Infection at Home?

Posted on December 7, 2022 by AllSmiles.

How can I treat a dental implant infection at home? I have an implant and crown on my upper right premolar that my dentist in PA placed in 1998. I moved to Virginia in 2010 and am on my second dentist here. My dentists offered to replace the loose implant with a dental bridge, but I refused. I am becoming anxious about needing the implant removed. It was challenging to get through the implant process, and now the thought of starting over is scary. Can I do something at home to treat the infection? Are specific antibiotics better for a dental implant infection? – Thank you. Byron from SD

Byron,

Thank you for your question. One of our dentists would need to examine your implant and gums, but we will explain how to treat a dental implant infection.

Can You Treat a Dental Implant Infection at Home?

You cannot treat a dental implant infection at home without the supervision of an implant dentist. An implant dentist must examine your implant, surrounding gum tissue, and bone. You will need an x-ray to determine whether the infection damaged your bone. Although the dentist may prescribe an antibiotic, you will still require professional care for a dental implant infection.

What Is the Treatment for a Dental Implant Infection?

The treatment for a dental implant infection depends on the cause and extent of the condition and inflammation. After taking an x-ray and gently probing around the implant, your implant dentist will determine how to treat the infection. If the infection and bone loss are in the beginning stages, a skilled implant dentist may be able to save the implant.

Treatment may include:

Antibiotics
Clean the gum tissue surrounding the implant
Cleaning the dental implant surface
Disinfecting the implant
Replacing lost bone with a graft
Implant removal

What Is Peri-implantitis?

Peri-implantitis is an infection in the gum tissue and bone surrounding a dental implant. According to the American Academy of Implant Dentistry, the causes of peri-implantitis are the same as gum disease around natural teeth.

What Causes a Dental Implant Infection?

A dental implants with components labeled, including the crown, abutment, and implant screw

Allow a skilled implant dentist to treat an infection

Three causes of a dental implant infection include:

Poor oral hygiene – Failure to keep your mouth, gums, and the area around your dental implants clean can allow bacteria to grow around the implants and promote infection.
Overall health concerns – Uncontrolled inflammatory health conditions, including diabetes, can impact your body’s ability to fight infection.
Parafunctional habits – Nail biting, finger sucking, teeth grinding, and tongue thrusting are oral habits that can disturb dental implants or irritate the gum tissue around them.
Smoking – Even after your jawbone and implants heal, smoking restricts blood flow and increases infection risks.

If you have loose dental implants or an infection around them, rather than try to resolve it yourself, schedule an exam with a skilled implant dentist. Look for a dentist with post-graduate implant training. During the appointment, explain your anxiety and ask the dentist about sedation options to help you relax throughout treatment.