Category Archives: General Dentistry

General Dentistry, Toothache

How do I stop a toothache without going to a dentist?

My tooth has been hurting for over a week. How do I stop it from aching without going to the dentist? Victor

Victor – Whether or not you can stop the toothache depends on the cause of the toothache. Sometimes food trapped between your tooth and gums can cause a toothache. Try thoroughly flossing around the tooth and between the tooth and your gums. If you find that food debris was trapped there, you may get relief from your toothache.

If you don’t get relief, you will need to see a dentist to have your tooth examined. You may have a cavity in your tooth that needs to be filled, or your tooth might be infected, in which case a root canal treatment will be needed to remove the infection. Don’t worry though. A root canal treatment can be a painless procedure.

You may get temporary relief with over-the-counter topical toothache pain reliever. Look for a brand that has an American Dental Association seal of approval, such as Benzodent®.  Keep in mind that an over-the-counter product is no substitute for a dental appointment. An examination and x-ray will determine the cause of your pain, and your dentist will let you know your treatment options.

This post is sponsored by Plano dentist Dr. Miranda Lacy.

General Dentistry

Why is my tongue white?

My tongue is white. Maybe it’s been that way for years. I don’t know. I am noticing it more since I bought a tongue scraper. Is this a problem? Why causes a white tongue? Thanks. Beth from Frisco

Beth – When you use a tongue scraper, it removes bacteria, food debris, and dead cells from the surface. You will see white or cream-colored residue as the tongue scraper removes it.

If your tongue is  white after using the tongue scraper, or it’s best to bring it to the attention of your dentist or medical doctor for examination and to see if there is a need to be concerned, and to receive an accurate diagnosis for your case. There are several conditions that can cause your tongue to be white, even after the tongue scraper is used. Some of them are listed below.

  • Candidiasis (as oral thrust or moniliasis) – This if a fungal infection that causes red or white patches in your mouth, including your tongue. It can be painful and cause bad breath. The Candida alibcans yeast can flourish after antibiotic treatment, when your mouth is excessively and continuously dry (from medication or a medical condition), or if your immune system is compromised. Your dentist will review your medical condition to find the underlying cause and recommend treatment.
  • Inflamed papillae (finger-like projections on your tongue) – When bacteria, debris, and dead cells get lodged between the inflamed papillae, your tongue will be white and coated. Smoking, excessive alcohol use, dry mouth, fever, and dehydration can cause inflammation
  • Medication – Certain medication is associated with white patches or discoloration of your tongue.
  • Medical condition – Certain medical conditions, including some auto-immune disorders can cause discoloration of your tongue.
  • Leukoplakia, or thickened white patches on the gums, inside of cheeks, and tongue, is common with tobacco users. It is not dangerous in itself, but it can be a precursor to cancer.

An examination and review of your medical history, along with tests or blood work, is required to receive an accurate diagnosis.

This post is sponsored by Plano dentist Dr. Miranda Lacy.

General Dentistry

My jaw still hurts after I fell last month

I fell in late May. I fell mostly on my left shoulder but my face hit the ground a little too. My jaw was very sore when I fell, but it still hurts a little. It doesn’t hurt all of the time, but the pain can get intense. Could I have injured a tooth? Thanks Beth

Beth – You may have injured a tooth during your fall. But you may have even traumatized or fractured your jaw.

You need an examination and x-ray to determine the cause of your pain. Make an appointment with your dentist right away. If the problem is left untreated, it can worsen, eventually cause more pain, and be more difficult to treat.

This post is sponsored by Plano TX dentist Dr. Miranda Lacy.

General Dentistry

I’m 24 years old with 4 baby teeth

I am 24 years old and I still have 4 baby teeth. 2 top teeth and 2 bottom ones. Am I ever going to get my permanent teeth? Natalia

Natalia – A definite answer to your question can only be determined by an exam and diagnostic studies. When primary teeth persist in adults, it is often the lower molar permanent teeth that fail to erupt.

There are several reasons that primary teeth don’t erupt. The most frequent reason is congenital. In other words, from birth, the permanent teeth were not present to succeed the primary teeth. The second reason is that the permanent teeth are impacted in the gums. The teeth may be incorrectly positioned, or there may not be enough space for them to erupt.

A dentist can perform the necessary studies to let you know what you can expect regarding your permanent teeth. Orthodontic or restorative treatment may be recommended.

This post is sponsored by Plano dentist Dr. Miranda Lacy.

Cosmetic Dentistry, General Dentistry

The dentist’s drill chipped my tooth

I had 3 cavities filled on Tuesday. Everything seemed to be going fine. I didn’t feel any pain with the drilling, and I was quite pleased. But then the drill hit one of my front teeth! I know that I must have looked alarmed, because the dentist kept saying everything is okay. This is not the dentist I would normally go to. This one is less expensive than my regular dentist, so I decided to give him a try for a cleaning. I liked him so I decided that I would let him fill my cavities. This was just my second visit. When I got home and really looked at my teeth, I saw I small chip on a left front tooth! I am torn about what to do. It’s not difficult to see the chip. If this dentist didn’t tell me that he chipped my tooth can I trust him to fix it, or will he just say that he fixed it? – Noel T.

Noel – You do have a big decision to make. You should let the new dentist know about the chipped tooth right away. It may be wise to schedule an appointment to speak with him in person about it.

After you speak with the dentist, if you don’t want him to restore your tooth, you can ask if he will pay for the cost of having it restored. You can then return to your usual dentist or go to a cosmetic dentist for the restoration. Dental bonding can be made to match the color of your natural tooth. The bonding will be applied to the tooth, shaped, hardened, shaped again, and polished. If it’s done by a cosmetic dentist, people won’t be able to tell where your tooth was chipped.

This post is sponsored by Plano dentist Dr. Miranda Lacy.

General Dentistry

Why is my breath so horrible and my dentist isn’t helping me?

My breath smells horrible. When I blow my breath into my hands it smells like a rotten potato. I brush and floss twice a day and I gargle but it still stinks so bad. I told my dentist and he said that I don’t have any rotten teeth but he didn’t give me any suggestions or clues as to what may be going on. Please help. – T.H.

T.H. – In addition to tooth decay, there are many causes of bad breath.

  • Food and drink – Onions, garlic, certain vegetables, and coffee can cause your breath to have a strong odor. Some of the odors stay on your tongue, so in addition to flossing and brushing your teeth, regularly brush your tongue.
  • Dry mouth – Tobacco and alcohol can dry your mouth. Certain medications, certain diseases, and certain chronic conditions can make your mouth dry and create odor, so drink plenty of water. You can also chew sugar-free gum, or suck on sugar-free candy to assist saliva production. If your mouth is dry, speak with a dentist about how to increase or stimulate saliva production.
  • Toothbrush – Your toothbrush should be changed regularly. Bacteria and germs can cling to your toothbrush and transfer into your mouth and cause additional odor.
  • Nose and throat conditions – Congestion or inflammation in your nose and throat, including sinus drainage can cause breath odor.
  • Oral health – Gum disease can also create strong breath odors. So can faulty tooth restoration; bacteria can breed beneath it.
  • Physical health – Certain diseases and metabolic disorders can cause bad breath. Chronic reflux of stomach acid that often goes into your throat and mouth can affect your breath.

You can decide whether you want to speak with your dentist again about the problem, or get a second opinion from another dentist. If after an exam and review of your medial history, the problem doesn’t seem to be related to your oral health, you will be referred to a medical physician.

This post is sponsored by Plano dentist Dr. Miranda Lacy.

General Dentistry

Does a dentist need to check out my cut tongue or will it heal by itself?

Last Thursday I did something dumb that cut my tongue. I didn’t have scissors so I was trying to break into a hard plastic package with my teeth. The package slipped and cut my tongue. It hit my bottom teeth too but they are fine. My tongue started bleeding and I compressed and iced it but my tongue still hurts. I see a gash in it and every now and then it still bleeds. It will bleed heavy then stop when I compress it and put ice on it. When will it heal? Will it heal by itself? Do I need to have a dentist check it out? Thanks. Dylan R.

Dylan – A cut tongue usually heals on its own. The time that it takes to heal depends on how deeply it is cut. Hydrogen peroxide rinses, antiseptic rinses, or salt water rinses can help.

The concern is that your tongue is still bleeding, and sometimes heavily. We recommend that you make an appointment with a dentist to examine your tongue. The dentist will confirm whether your tongue will heal on its own or if sticthes are needed.

This post is sponsored by Plano dentist Dr. Miranda Lacy.

General Dentistry

Bleeding after dentist appointment

I had my teeth cleaned last Wednesday and there was a substitute hygienist there who was really rough. My gums never bleed, but they bled all through the appointment. I called the dentist’s office this morning because on and off this morning my gums are still bleeding. They told me that the bleeding should slack off today or tomorrow. I keep rinsing my mouth with water but it doesn’t permanently stop. I am not sure that I want to go back to that office. What should I do? – Jackie

Jackie – Your concern is understandable—particularly since your gums do not usually bleed when your teeth are cleaned.

Although gums may bleed during dental cleaning, they should not bleed heavily, unless extensive gum disease is present. It may be that you had more plaque buildup than usual during your most recent cleaning. Your gums may bleed for several days after your dental appointment. You should continue to rinse your mouth and include salt in the rinse.

If the bleeding persists, gets worse, or if it’s enough to worry you, schedule an appointment with your dentist to examine your gums and determine the cause of the problem. Swollen gums should also be examined by a dentist. If you are not comfortable with returning to your current dentist, get recommendations from friends or relatives for a new dentist.

This post is sponsored by Plano dentist Dr. Miranda Lacy.

General Dentistry, Toothache

Can a dentist tell if my tooth is making my ear hurt?

Can a dentist tell if my tooth is making my ear hurt or do I need to see a regular doctor? – Janae

Janae – Pain in your tooth or jaw can refer into your ear. If you have a toothache, sensitivity in your tooth, or if there is swelling in the gums around your tooth, you should see a dentist. The toothache may be causing pain in your ear.

If there is no indication of a problem with your tooth, you may choose to see your medical doctor first.

This post is sponsored by Plano dentist Dr. Miranda Lacy.