Surprise (602) 842-4864 Prescott Valley (928) 277-0076 Chino Valley (928) 589-1776 Prescott (928) 443-1200 |
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Oral Piercing Infections |
Posted on 10/19/2020 by Candice |
| When a patient first has an oral piercing, it is important to pay attention to the site and keep it clean to avoid possible infection. The introduction of bacteria can happen simply by eating or drinking or certain sexual activities. Following a new piercing, there may be a time period where the site has redness or minor swelling. Throbbing, a warming sensation around the site or even discharge is also to be expected in some cases. Although this is considered normal. If these symptoms persist beyond the first two weeks you may have an infection and should seek advice from a trained professional to clear the infection. If this goes on untreated, it can turn into a serious blood infection known as sepsis. If there is excessive swelling, heightened sensitivity, severe pain, a fever or a yellowish discharge, these may be signs of an infection. How to Decrease my Chances for Infection There are several simple steps patients can take to greatly decrease their chances of contracting an infection. One of the easiest is to simply watch what they eat or drink while the piercing site is healing. Think about it. A piercing is a wound. Do not eat any foods that might get caught in the site. Avoid spicy foods and limit coffee and alcohol intake as they act as a blood thinner and can harm the cell structure surrounding the piercing site further slowing the healing process and complicating the site. Patients should wash their hands several times a day and avoid touching their face or mouth. They should also avoid sharing food or drinks and kissing. Continue proper dental care by flossing and brushing regularly to keep bacteria from entering the piercing site. Proper cleaning of the piercing site should happen two to three times a day and over-the-counter pain relievers and creams should be avoided. We are available to answer questions regarding oral piercings.... Read more... |
Benefits of Getting a Single Dental Implant for Just One Missing Tooth |
Posted on 10/5/2020 by Candice |
| While most people consider getting a dental implant when they are missing multiple teeth, they can be placed for just a single tooth as well. Some might wonder why would someone want to bother going through the entire process for just a single tooth. But they should consider the consequences. Our biting motion put pressure on both the upper and lower teeth, which in turn cause the gums and the jawbone to work to stay strong and securely hold the patient's teeth. If even just a single tooth is lost and not replaced then that pressure is lost. When it is lost, the jawbone can actually begin to do what is called resorb which essentially breaking down, leading to bone loss in the area where the tooth is missing. If this happens, then additional procedures need to happen before an implant can be placed. This is because when there is bone loss, the underlying structure is not strong enough to support an implant. It also means there is not enough bone mass to embed the implant into the bone. Rather than having to deal with bone grafts and other expensive and highly invasive procedures why not get a single implant now? Those take longer to recover from and can be incredibly expensive. Why Should I get a Single Dental Implant? Implants are made of the actual implant, which is a screw shaped appliance which is embedded into the jawbone. This forms the foundation of the implant. The titanium abutment is the piece which screws into the implant so it is held securely. The final piece of the implant is the crown which is the visible part of the implant. This is attached to the abutment and colored to properly match the rest of the patient's natural teeth. What questions do you have regarding a single tooth dental implant?... Read more... |
Uses of an Oral Splint |
Posted on 9/21/2020 by Candice |
| When it comes to a device such as an oral splint, there could be a number of reasons why our dental professionals may recommend, or even custom fit one for you. Oral care is one of the most important aspects of our overall health care and it is crucial to being able to function on a daily basis and performing basic necessary tasks such as eating, drinking, and talking. It is also tied directly into our self-confidence and esteem. Although, as we mentioned, there are several uses for an oral splint, we would like to share two particular benefits to using one that some of our readers might find would be helpful in their own cases: Ease Tension and Provide Stability For patients who are struggling with issues like TMJ, often times the jaw muscles stay very tense and clenched up. A device such as an oral splint provides the wearer with the ability to relax those stressed and strained jaw muscles. Help To Prevent Bruxism Another fantastic use for these appliances is for people who struggle with grinding their teeth. If you or someone you know has an issue with this condition then you already know the damage it can do, not only to the teeth and gums, but also the pain it can cause in the jaws and all throughout the rest of the mouth. An oral splint can help drastically reduce those problems. To find out how one of these dental devices might help you with these or other issues, all you need to do is get in touch with one of our staff members here at our office. We would be glad to discuss your options with you further, as well as set up an examination to see if you are a good candidate for this method of treatment.... Read more... |
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