Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Dry Socket and Solved

Dry Socket and Solved. Even though they aren’t life threatening like bleeding or abscesses, dry sockets can be extremely painful. They are very common following surgery, and happen to be one of the most painful post extraction problems. Dry sockets are more common with removal of the lower teeth than they are with removal of upper teeth. No matter what type of extraction you have performed, a dry socket can occur with any type.

 
Dry Socket and Solved
Dry Socket and Solved
Although there is really no way to prevent a dry socket, you can help to reduce the risk by following your after surgery directions. Even though you may be following the directly precisely, you could still end up with a dry socket. They are known as a quirk of nature, and will make you feel like you are on your death bed - although you really aren’t. Those who are more at risk to dry sockets include those who smoke following extractions, and those who like to grind their teeth frequently.

A dry socket is a condition where the blood clot that forms after an extraction detaches itself from the socket walls. Sometimes, the clot will dissolve, leaving the bone exposed to food, the weather, and even saliva. Once the bone is exposed, it can become inflamed. The inflammation that occurs is very painful, often times being a deep pain that makes you feel as if you are dying.

If you leave it alone, the dry socket will heal. It will normally take around a month or so, although the pain won’t let up during the healing period. If you have a dry socket, you’ll find that antibiotics and even the strongest of prescription drug won’t cure it. An antibiotic will normally cure infections, although a dry socket isn’t considered to be an infection.

The best way to fight a dry socket is to go back to your dentist and have him pack the socket. Packing the socket is done without any anesthesia and can be quite painful. It doesn’t take long to complete, and it can provide relief from the pain. Once you have a dry socket, you won’t care about anything but stopping the pain. The pain can be so intense at times that you will be willing to do anything to stop the pain - even for a few minutes.

Once the socket has been packed, you will be relived from pain for a day or so. If you go back to your dentist, he will remove the old packing, wash the socket out, and place a new packing in. This way, you can get relief from the pain and help the socket heal. Keep in mind that it will take time to heal - and the best way to stop the pain is to do your best to avoid a dry socket at all costs.
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Saturday, January 21, 2012

Fear of Pain in Dentistry

Fear of Pain in Dentistry. Pain has always been a major issue with dentistry. The fear of pain in dentistry is so high in fact, that many people fail to go to the dentist until their condition becomes so severe that they have no other choice than to see a dentist. A majority of individuals are terrified of the dental chair, although once they are numb, they sometimes fall asleep. Although the numbing shots may be a bit painful, once they are finished - there is literally no more pain.

Fear of Pain in Dentistry
Fear of Pain in Dentistry
Most often, people will concentrate on the thought of getting the shot, which will only magnify the pain. Something that normally doesn’t hurt, can get a lot worse simply by thinking in your mind that it will be painful. In most cases, the numbing shots will work very well with one or two applications. If you are already in pain when you visit the dentist, the shots will put your mind at ease and stop the pain almost immediately.

If you have a tremendous fear of dental pain and simply cannot stand the thought of getting a shot, then you may be interested in laughing gas or IV sedation. Either of the two can help you relax before you the dentist applies numbing shots. IV sedation can either be conscious or put you out totally. Normally, IV sedation is preferred during wisdom teeth removal, as most people don’t want to hear the grinding and snapping of the teeth. It works through your veins, as the anaesthesia is inserted into your arm through a vein.

If you have chosen either laughing gas or an IV sedation, your dentist will administer either of the two before he gives you shots or goes any further. Once the medicine has taken effect, you normally won’t feel anything or remember it. Laughing gas and IV sedation can put your mind at ease, so you won’t be uncomfortable during your surgery or extractions.

Although dental pain is something that many fear, it isn’t near as bad as they may think. Most of the fear stems from not knowing, or thinking that it will hurt more than it actually does. The worst part of dental work is the numbing shots, which actually don’t hurt all that bad. Once you have been numbed, you’ll find that the pain will be gone. Dental pain isn’t near as bad you may hear or think - which is why you shouldn’t fear it.

If you need dental work or if you are having a bad toothache, you shouldn’t hesitate to get to the dentist. The dentist will explain everything he is going to do in your treatment, and ask you about other forms of sedation or medicine. Even though you’ll feel the shots, the rest of the procedures you won’t feel at all.  
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Wednesday, January 18, 2012

The Dreaded Root Canal

The Dreaded Root Canal. Sometimes, when you have a toothache, the cause is due to the tooth being severely decayed. If the toothache is causing you severe pain, the never on the inside of the tooth may be dying or already dead. If this is the case, you’ll need to either have the tooth extracted or the nerve removed from the tooth, in order to remove the abscess. Removing the nerve will save the tooth, and is known as a root canal.

The Dreaded Root Canal
The Dreaded Root Canal
Root canals are very common within the world of dentistry, as they represent a known way to save the tooth from dying. Although many people end up having their teeth extracted, others turn to the root canal. This dental procedure isn’t preferred by many, as it can take quite a long time, normally around 3 - 4 hours. If the abscess is severe, it will take longer, as the dentist will have to scrape out all of the dying pulp from inside of the tooth.

Now days, dentists are starting to use machines to do a majority of the scraping and probing associated with root canals. In the past, the dentist had to do it all himself which took quite a bit of time. Now, with the use of a machine, the dentist can drill the hole in the tooth then let the machine to do the scraping. This helps to cut down on the amount of time for a root canal, as well as ensure that all of the dead or dying pulp has been removed efficiently.

The cost for a root canal may also be something that people fear worse than the actual procedure itself. Root canals can cost around $800 to over $1,000 dollars, which makes it something that many can’t afford. Instead of paying a high price to have a root canal, most choose to pay a smaller price and simply have the tooth extracted.

The choice you need to make when thinking about a root canal, is whether or not you wish to save the dying tooth. Sometimes, a dentist will recommend the root canal, especially if he thinks it would be in your best interest to save the tooth. Other times, he will let you make the decision, and decide if you want to save it or just go ahead and have it extracted.

Although the root canal is a procedure that many fear, it is also a procedure that can save the life of your tooth. If you have a dying tooth, you should consider this procedure. It isn’t really that painful, as you’ll be numb the entire time. The only thing that’s really frustrating is the time it takes to complete the root canal. Even though it may be time consuming - it is still an efficient way to save the life of your tooth.
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Saturday, January 14, 2012

Natural Toothache Remedies

Natural Toothache Remedies. Not many people are aware of the fact that several herbs can be used in the relief of toothache pain. Natural herbs such as cloves, calendula, tarragon, and yarrow can be used to help relieve th pain until you can get to the dentist. For many years, different cultures have counted on herbs to help get the pain of a toothache control and get temporary relief.

Natural Toothache Remedies
Natural Toothache Remedies
Native Americans for example, used the inner bark found in the butternut tree to their gums to get relief from toothaches. The butternut tree is found in North America, and is also the cousin of the black walnut tree. Butternut trees are found along rivers in well drained soil, rich woods, and even in back yards. Once the tree matures, it can reach heights of up to 60 feet, with the bark being light grey in color, and the leaves and the fruit resembling the black walnut tree. The bark of the tree can be applied to the gums, helping to alleviate toothache pain.

Yarrow on the other hand, can be found in Asia, Europe, and North America. It normally grows wild in meadows, fields, and in open wood lands. The root of yarrow, is what contains the anaesthetic effect. If you apply the fresh root of yarrow to your tooth or gums, it will help to stop the pain - until you can get an appointment with the dentist and get it taken care of.

The herb known as clove is an evergreen tree, native to tropical areas. These days however, it can be found throughout the world. As many already know, the dried flower bud of clove is what contains the medicine. The oil from clove, when used on a toothache, will help to stop the pain almost immediately. If you compare cloves to other natural toothache remedies, you’ll find clove to be the best.

For many years, natural herbs have been used to stop toothache pain. Hundreds of years ago, herbs were the only way to stop the pain. Dentists were just starting to come around, although they didn’t have near the equipment and sophistication that they have these days. Even though teeth were pulled during these times, it normally happened with alcohol to numb the pain then pliers to remove the tooth.

Throughout the course of time, herbs have proven to be very effective with stopping toothache pain. If you are interested in herbs or have any questions about them, you shouldn’t hesitate to ask your dentist his opinion. Dentists know herbs, and should be able to recommend natural remedies to you if you request them. The next time you experience the pain of a toothache - you should always remember that herbs are a great way to relieve the pain.
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