Frisco TX Dentist Blog | Robert A. Neal, DDS

Spinbrush Electric Toothbrushes Can Chip Teeth

February 22, 2012 By The Frisco Dentist Leave a Comment

While brushing your teeth, you most likely do not consider the possibility of a piece of your toothbrush breaking off and chipping your teeth. And why would you? Unfortunately, with a few electric toothbrushes, this has actually happened.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has reported that this is a real concern with the battery-powered Arm & Hammer Spinbrush (formerly known as the Crest Spinbrush). “It’s important that consumers know how to avoid the risks associated with using the Spinbrush,” said Shumaya Ali, M.P.H., a consumer safety officer at the FDA. “We’ve had reports in which parts of the toothbrush broke off during use and were released into the mouth with great speed, causing broken teeth and presenting a choking hazard.”

Since the FDA regulates all toothbrushes as medical devices, they want to push for safety precautions for all electric toothbrushes. They have found that the Spinbrush has caused the following [reported] injuries:[..Read More]

Filed Under: Dental Health, Dental Hygiene, Toothbrushes

Causes of Bad Breath (Halitosis)

February 15, 2012 By The Frisco Dentist Leave a Comment

Bad breath–clinically called halitosis–can be more than a simple health problem; it can be a social problem as well. Chronic sufferers of bad breath can assure you that resolving bad breath is more complicated than brushing your teeth regularly. It can be masked with mouthwashes, sprays, and tons of breath mints, but they only do just that for bad breath: mask it. True halitosis is actually a symptom of another condition.

Poor dental hygiene is commonly flagged as the cause, but if you brush and floss regularly, this factor can be weeded out. Halitosis can also be caused by certain medications, diet, diabetes, acid reflux, lactose intolerance, tobacco use, dry mouth (xerostomia), or other periodontal problems.[..Read More]

Filed Under: Dental Health, Periodontal Disease

Recovering from Gum Graft Surgery

February 8, 2012 By The Frisco Dentist Leave a Comment

Finally, let’s talk recovery from gum tissue graft surgery. You will not have to be hospitalized or anything like that; you can go home immediately after your surgery, but you will need a ride home.

Until the area has healed, do not brush or floss the gum lines that were affected. Instead, rinse your mouth with a special, dentist-prescribed mouthwash to clean the area and help prevent plaque buildup. Additionally, your periodontist may prescribe an antibiotic to cull the risk of infection.

For at least a week post-gum graft surgery, eat only soft, cool foods. For example, you can eat eggs, gelatin, yogurt, cottage cheese, pasta, ice cream, and well-cooked (super soft) vegetables. Definitely keep raw vegetables and crispy fruits, such as apples and pears, out of your diet until you are completely healed.[..Read More]

Filed Under: Cosmetic Dentistry, Dental Procedures

What to Expect in a Gum Graft Procedure

February 2, 2012 By The Frisco Dentist Leave a Comment

Now that we’ve gone over why you might need gum graft surgery, let’s discuss what you can expect during said procedure.

Depending on the periodontist and his or her policies, what anesthesia you receive will vary. Some will only numb the areas directly, some will offer IV anesthesia, and some will offer relaxing meds on top of the anesthesia. The relaxers could be nitrous oxide (laughing gas) or prescription tranquilizers for the patient to take before the procedure, such as Valium.

There are three different types of gum grafts. Since not every patient has the same condition for needing a gum graft, not every patient needs the exact same procedure.[..Read More]

Filed Under: Cosmetic Dentistry, Dental Procedures

Gum Tissue Graft Surgery – Why Do I Need it?

January 26, 2012 By The Frisco Dentist Leave a Comment

Receding Gums

Any surgery always sounds scary, and no one is really ever that thrilled to have to “go under the knife.” If you’ve had your wisdom teeth removed or a root canal, the thought of having any other oral surgery will be less appealable than usual. But if you’ve been told by your dentist or periodontist that you need a gum graft surgery, you can relax a little. It sounds far worse that it is, and it doesn’t have nearly the painful recovery of a root canal or wisdom teeth extraction.

So why do you need this type of surgery at all?

Most gum grafts are prescribed due to gum recession, which can be caused by gum disease or aggressive brushing. Gum recession is a process where the gum line that surrounds your teeth starts to recede toward your jawbone and expose the root. With the root exposed, your teeth will become more sensitive to temperature, home dental care, and dental cleanings. If left untreated, some foods–such as those with high sugar content–can actually become painful to chew on the side of the exposed root. At the extreme scenario, gum recession can cause tooth loss.[..Read More]