Monday, October 29, 2012

Dental Emergencies during Hurricane Sandy

Hurricane Sandy is bearing down on the East Coast and most business are closed. Government officials caution us to stay home where it's safe. We hope you won't have a dental emergency during this super-storm, but here is some good advice just in case.

What to do in a dental emergency when you can't get to a dentist:


TOOTHACE
Take two aspirin or acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Ibufrofen (Advil) may be the best choice since it relieves inflammation as well. However, do not place an aspirin next to a tooth. You may have heard of this "remedy", but it actually does more harm than good. Placing an aspirin directly on your gum causes an ulceration of the tissue, commonly referred to as an aspirin burn.

Here are some home remedies that might help:

  • Apply oil of cloves. Follow the directions for use carefully and be sure to put it only on the tooth and not on the gum.
  • Cool the swelling: Place a cold compress on the outside of your cheek if there is swelling from your toothache. You can also try holding an ice cube or cold water in your mouth if your teeth are not sensitive to cold.
  • Elevating your head can decrease the pressure in the area and lessen the throbbing.
  • Rinsing with warm water can remove food debris which could be aggravating the area. Stir in one teaspoon of salt into a glass of warm water, swish it around and then spit it out. You can also try flossing away food debris.
  • Avoid eating or drinking anything hot, cold or sweet because it might make matter worse if you have sensitivity.
  • If the tooth feels sensitive to air, place a piece of gauze or even a bit of chewed sugarless chewing gum to plug up the area until you can get to the dentist.

BITTEN LIP OR TONGUE
Cleanse the area gently with a cloth and apply cold compresses to reduce swelling. If the bleeding doesn't top, go to a hospital emergency room.

BROKEN TOOTH
Rinse your mouth with warm water to clean the area. Use cold compresses to keep swelling down.

CRACKED TOOTH
Avoid chewing on that side and get to a dentist as soon as you can.

OBJECTS CAUGHT BETWEEN TEETH
Try to gently remove the object with dental floss; avoid cutting the gums. Never use a sharp instrument to remove any object that is stuck between your teeth. If you can’t dislodge the object using dental floss, contact your dentist.

With any dental emergency, make sure you make an appointment to see your dentist as soon as possible, even if pain subsides.

Our sincere best wishes to you all as we ride out this storm.

The staff at Scarsdale Dental Spa

Friday, October 19, 2012

Halloween Treat Advice from a Dentist


The best and worst Halloween treats for kids

The best treats would be non-sugary goodies such as:

  • stickers 
  • small party favor toys
  • glow-in-the-dark insects
  • rubber worms. 


Small boxes of raisins, almonds, sunflower seeds, pistachios or even pretzels are healthier than most candies.

The worst treats are chewy and sticky candies such as taffy and gummies that get stuck in the crevices of the teeth. High acid candies such as Lemonheads, Warheads and Sour Patch Kids can break down tooth enamel.

We also advise our patients to wait about 30 minutes before brushing after eating sour candies, allowing your saliva to restore the natural balance of acid in your mouth.

Here are some candy comparrisons, as cited in Real Simple Magazine

  • Choose Snickers over Reese's Peanut Butter Cups because it has less fat and fewer calories
  • Choose Peanut M&M's over Skittles because the peanuts help lower the glycemic index so the sugar is released more slowly in the bloodstream
  • Choose Kit Kat over Twix to save calories and due to smaller amounts of sodium and fat
Parents should also monitor the amount of candy intake at Halloween, and all year round.


Monday, October 1, 2012

Health Facts: Heart Disease


Did you know that people with periodontal disease are almost twice as likely to suffer from coronary artery disease as those without?

Heart disease is the leading killer of men and women in the United States. Periodontal disease can aggravate an existing heart condition, so it is essential to get prompt treatment for periodontal disease.

If you have risk factors for heart disease, such as a family history, or high blood pressure, contact us to discuss your periodontal health. Request an appointment or call our office at 914.713.2424 to schedule a personal consultation during your next visit.

SEE OUR OTHER HEALTH FACTS:
Gum Disease
Diabetes and Periodontal Disease