Does Pineapple Really Help Wisdom Teeth Swelling?

No one wants to get their wisdom teeth out and honestly no one is ever ready for wisdom teeth extraction. Most people have to go through this procedure. It is just only a matter of time until your doctor says you are ready. You can expect a few days of recovery from this procedure. If you are getting your wisdom teeth out soon you should be ready to expect some pain afterwards and a swollen face also. A trend that has been floating around social media has said that drinking pineapple juice before surgery can help with the swelling afterwards.

There is some truth to this but not much. Pineapple does have an enzyme called bromelain which is an anti-inflammatory enzyme. This enzyme can help with swelling however drinking pineapple juice is not the way to do it. Pineapple juice also has a bunch of sugar and acid which can be alarming for your teeth. By drinking an excess amount of pineapple juice you would be risking getting tooth decay from all the sugar and acid.

There have been no studies that show that drinking a large amount of pineapple juice to get the enzyme bromelain before tooth extraction actually works. There is really no evidence that supports this dental hack. This hack could really hurt you more than help because of all the sugar and acid.

If you still want to try this hack before getting your wisdom teeth taken out don’t drink the juice just eat the actual fruit. This is a much healthier way of getting all of the nutrients a pineapple has to offer.

If you do have questions about your surgery and how you can prepare for it just contact your Dentist Spanish Fork and he will help you out. He can give you suggestions on how you should prepare and if you have any other questions don’t hesitate just give us a call today.

Healing After Wisdom Teeth Removal

Recovering from getting your wisdom teeth removed can be hard. After your Dentist Spanish Fork Utah has taken those teeth out it may take up to two weeks to fully recover but most of the pain and swelling will subside within the first three days. There are things that you can do at home to help with your recovery. You can help your swelling and pain go down.

Within the first 24 hours of your wisdom teeth removal you will develop blood clots over where your wisdom teeth used to be. Within 2 to 3 days almost all of your swelling should be gone. If you have stitches in after one week your dentist will take them out. After this first week most of your pain should be gone but what is left will subside after the next week.

There are things that you can do to help your recovery move quicker and to help pain go away. After surgery before you leave your dentist or doctor should give you instructions on how to take care of your teeth for the next few days. While at home you can rinse your mouth with salt water to help clean the wound. When you are done do not spit it out rather just dump your head over the sink and let it wash out. For the first 24 hours you may be told not to rinse your mouth if so just wait to do this for about 24 hours.

The best way for you to manage your pain is to use your pain medication and take advantage of your ice. Ice can really help you. If you want your swelling to go down faster make sure you are using that ice.

After you get your wisdom teeth out you should avoid using straws, eating food that needs you to chew, and hot drinks. These things can cause complications in your recovery process if you use them. For the first few days you should be eating only soft foods that don’t require much or any chewing.

If you have any questions about your wisdom teeth removal please give us a call today.

What Toothbrush is Right For Me

The most important part about your dental health is taking care of your teeth and the tool you use to do it is your toothbrush. Your toothbrush is very crucial for your health so it is important that you make sure that you have a good toothbrush. But what is a good toothbrush? Are there toothbrushes that should not be used? What is the best toothbrush to use? These are some very good questions that need to be answered.

There are many different types of toothbrushes and it can be hard to determine which one is better. To start, look at and feel the bristles. Dental professionals suggest that your toothbrushes bristles are soft. Soft bristles will put less stress and pressure on your gums. When the bristles are soft it is also a lot more comfortable. If your toothbrush has soft bristles you are headed into the right track.

Most dentists will also suggest that you use an electric toothbrush. An electric toothbrush will do a lot more cleaning compared to a normal toothbrush. An electric toothbrush is great at cleaning everywhere in your mouth in an effective manner. These toothbrushes remove plaque more easily to ensure that you get a clean brush every use. They are also just easier to use. You do not have to scrub as hard because the toothbrush does it for you.

There are many different brands of electric toothbrush and all are great. The leading brand is Philips Sonicare. Many see this as the best toothbrush brand out there so if you are looking for a new toothbrush start with the sonicares and see if you like them.

Finding a toothbrush can be hard if you are struggling to find one you can always as you Dentist Spanish Fork his suggestions. If you have a toothbrush related question or any questions at all just give us a call today.

Sedation and Wisdom Teeth

When you are ready to get your wisdom teeth out you can have a few options on how the operation is done. Your Dentist Spanish Fork wants you to have a very stress free and comfortable procedure. For wisdom teeth removal we do offer IV sedation to provide a stress free environment for tooth extraction. IV sedation is not the only option though. If you choose to, you can be awake during the tooth removal.

If you are anxious and nervous about your wisdom teeth removal, having IV sedation may be a great choice for you. For IV sedation you will receive the sedative drug through one of your veins using an IV. Doing it this way will have the drug start working more quickly. You will not feel any pain and be completely comfortable during the whole procedure. After it is all over you will have limited memory of the tooth extraction. IV sedation will help with anxiety and ensure that the procedure runs smoothly. If you do choose to opt for IV sedation you will need a family member or friend to drive you home after the procedure.

You can also choose to be awake during your wisdom teeth removal. Even though you are awake you will be completely numb and you will not feel any pain. You are ensured comfort during the procedure. As part of getting your wisdom teeth removed you will receive local anesthesia to help numb your gums. During the procedure your tooth, jaw bone, and surrounding gums will be numbed to ensure a painless tooth removal.

Any option we provide for wisdom teeth removal is a comfortable and painless option. How you feel about the procedure can help you choose how it is done. Before you get your wisdom teeth taken out we will help you understand all of your sedation options. If you have any questions about wisdom teeth removal please give us a call today.

How to Keep Your Teeth Clean During Christmas

Christmas is an amazing time of year with family and fun. It also comes with many treats and delicious meals. The holidays should be a time to get together with friends and family. Do not forget about your teeth though. During this time of year it can be easy to get caught up in everything that is going on and forget to do the simple things such as brushing your teeth. Your Dentist in Spanish Fork Utah cares about your oral health and does not want you to forget about your teeth this season. There are many things you can do to help you to remember to take care of your teeth.

During these holidays make it an effort to keep your dental routine up. This may be the most important time of year that you brush twice a day with all of those holiday treats waiting to be eaten. If you easily forget to keep your routine up, set some reminders. Put your toothbrush somewhere that you will see every time you wake up or are getting ready for bed.

If you are at a party and go to eat nuts do not open them with your teeth. This may seem like the quickest and easiest way to eat a nut but this will cause serious damage to your teeth. Use a nutcracker.

Don’t forget to drink water. Believe it or not but water helps your dental health. While you’re out enjoying the holidays bring a water bottle you can sip on. The water will wash away some bacteria that may still be on your teeth. With all the holiday treats comes the drinks. Every once in a while this holiday season choose water instead.

When the holidays are over it would be a good idea to come in for a cleaning. This way we can check on your teeth and make sure that they are healthy. If you want to schedule a cleaning or have any questions give us a call today.

Losing a Tooth

Growing up everyone remembers losing their teeth and putting their tooth under their pillow in hope that the tooth fairy will come that night. You would wake up the next morning and find that the tooth fairy left something for you. As a kid losing teeth is fun and exciting. That’s not quite the case if you lose a tooth as an adult. Losing a tooth as an adult can cause many problems that need to be fixed immediately. Teeth can fall out for many reasons as an adult including: gum disease, decay, and accidents.

Is losing one tooth really that bad?
The answer is yes, there are many things that can happen from you losing just one tiny tooth. If you lose a tooth and do not take care of it you could see changes in your speech, eating habits and even your appearance. Missing teeth can also cause problems in your mouth. You could have some teeth loosen, have frequent gum infections and facial swelling. Losing an adult tooth you could say is undesirable and if you do lose one it needs to be taken care of.

What should I do if I lose a tooth?
If you do lose a tooth first call us at Dentist Spanish Fork Utah so we can give you the help you need. If your tooth is knocked out and you go to pick it up do not pick it up with the root. Find the crown of the tooth and pick it up with that. Grab your tooth and rinse with just water and if possible insert your tooth back into your mouth. If you can’t put it back in, use milk or saline solution and put your tooth in. Water will not help preserve your tooth for a long time so if possible do not use water. Keep it as moist as you can as you head to your dentist office.
There we will give you the help you need.

How to Take Care of Your Toothbrush

Dental hygiene is one of the most important aspects of your health. We have all created our daily routine of brushing and flossing and visiting Dentist Spanish Fork Utah a couple times a year. The most important part of our dental health is our tools and they need to be taken care of. If not taken care of properly your efforts of keeping a daily routine may not help you much. Below we will give several tips on how you can take care of your toothbrush.

You should replace your toothbrush about every three to four months or sooner if your bristles start to wear down. When they wear down it does not have the same effect when cleaning. Write down when you replace your toothbrush so you can keep a timetable on it.

After every use, rinse your toothbrush. Your toothbrush comes into contact with your whole mouth and toothpaste can get stuck inside. If you rinse your toothbrush after every use you can make sure you clean it out.

When not using your toothbrush try to keep it dry. If wet bacteria has a better chance at sticking to your toothbrush to avoid this just keep it dry. After rinsing, shake your toothbrush so excess water can come off. Place your toothbrush upright and never lay your toothbrush down flat.

This may seem obvious but never share your toothbrush. This is good to remember no matter what circumstance you are in do not share. Sharing can risk spreading bacteria germs onto your toothbrush.

Don’t place your toothbrush in a small container for a long period of time. If any moisture is inside it will attract bacteria and germs onto your toothbrush. By not placing your toothbrush into a small container you are giving it a chance to dry.

You can make your oral health better if you use these tips with your toothbrush. This will help your mouth stay healthy.

Should I Use Mouthwash

Having a daily routine for your dental care is very important to your overall health. Brushing twice a day and flossing daily. Here at your Spanish Fork Dental we care about your dental health and want the best for you and your mouth. As you clean your teeth daily the question is should you also use mouthwash? Does mouthwash even help?

Mouthwash can indeed freshen your breath. There is nothing like gargling that fresh minty liquid in your throat giving you a feeling of freshness in your mouth. If you have bad breath, mouthwash is definitely a good option. Does mouthwash do anything else for you?

Mouthwash cannot replace brushing and flossing your teeth but it can give you the edge you may need in your mouth. Unlike mouthwash, brushing and flossing uses friction and actually rubs against your teeth to remove plaque. Mouthwash does not have the same effect. Mouthwash can kill bacteria but if you are brushing and flossing everyday it will not make a huge difference.

Pros:
1. Mouthwash will freshen your breath. When you eat you can leave behind some bacteria and mouthwash will get rid of all of that. Mouthwash will get rid of bad breath.

2. Mouthwash can help reduce plaque. With brushing and flossing, mouthwash can help reduce the plaque that can build up on your teeth.

3. Mouthwash has fluoride. Fluoride is a great mineral when it comes to fighting cavities off. Mouthwash is a great source of fluoride as long as you don’t wash it out after use.

Cons:
1. Mouthwash may only mask your bad breath. Depending on how bad your breath is, mouthwash may not be able to do the job. Brushing and flossing daily will guarantee that you have good breath.

2. Can be dehydrating. Mouthwash can reduce your production of saliva.

3. Mouthwash can be irritating. Too much alcohol can be irritating to your mouth and make your mouth uncomfortable.

Overall it is your choice whether you use mouthwash or not it can help but the biggest thing you need to do is brushing and flossing daily.

Dental Emergencies

We all know that dental emergencies happen and need to be taken care of right away. At Spanish Fork Dental we are here for you in all dental emergencies. Accidents do happen and it is important that you know what to do. It could come down to losing and keeping a tooth. If you have an emergency, come to us as soon as you can and we can help.

What is considered a dental emergency?
A dental emergency is anything that needs immediate treatment to stop bleeding, help stop pain, or to save a tooth. We know that any of these things can strike at any time and we are here to help alleviate any pain.

What should you do if you have a dental emergency?
There are many types of dental emergencies that can happen no matter the circumstance. Call us immediately. We can tell you what to do over the phone and have you get to us as quickly as possible. If you get a tooth knocked out keep it moist, if you crack a tooth rinse with warm water to clean it out, and for toothache try rinsing it out floss your teeth and if nothing help come to us.
We are always here for you and ready to help with any dental emergency.

Precautions you can take to avoid dental emergencies.
If you are playing a sport, wear a mouthguard. This will help you if you ever get hit in the mouth. Without the mouthguard you do risk getting a tooth knocked out while playing.
Do not chew ice, popcorn kernels, and hard candies. All of these can crack your teeth and even knock them out.
Never use your teeth when trying to open something. There are scissors so just use the theme instead.

We are ready to help when an emergency comes along. If you do ever have a dental emergency just quickly give us a call and we will help you out.

What are Wisdom Teeth

If you have or have not gotten your wisdom teeth removed have you ever wondered what they really are? Why do they need to get removed in the first place? Wisdom teeth are actually called the third molar. The third molar is called a wisdom tooth because of when the tooth comes in. The tooth does not come into your mouth until your dental arch becomes larger. This typically happened between the ages 17-25. That time of life is referred to as the “age of wisdom”. So because the third molar comes in during this time it is known as the Wisdom tooth. Wisdom teeth are normally the last teeth to come in.

Without removal wisdom teeth can become very painful. There are many reasons why you should remove your wisdom teeth. Your wisdom teeth can damage other nearby teeth and also your jaw. For most patients it takes some pain for them to realize that their wisdom teeth are impacting them. When you have pain in your mouth pay attention to where that pain is coming from. If you feel pain all the way in the back of your mouth when you are eating or brushing your teeth your wisdom teeth have probably erupted. Now it is time to take them out.

What happens when you get your wisdom teeth removed? The first thing you need to remember is that you need to eliminate your anxiety and stress. Here at Dentist in Spanish Fork Utah we help eliminate your anxiety and stress with sedation dentistry. When we are ready to extract the doctor will numb all areas surrounding your wisdom teeth so that you can remain pain free. The doctors will then work fast to extract the teeth so you can have a quick and healthy recovery.