Month: August 2017

There are several reasons why your Pell City Dental dentist might recommend having a tooth extracted. It could be to treat a severely damaged tooth or one that has been excessively compromised by untreated tooth decay. At the same time wisdom teeth often need to be extracted to prevent pain and future complications.

After the extraction, Dr. Scott Barnett will likely provide you with a prescription for anti-inflammatory or other pain management medications. If untreated tooth decay caused an infection in your gums, he might also include a prescription for antibiotics.​

It’s important to maintain the health and integrity of the incision site. You shouldn’t be alarmed if your gums bleed a little for the first few days. When this happens you can control the bleeding by lightly biting down on a rolled up piece of sterile gauze.​

After the bleeding stops, you can clear your mouth by lightly rinsing with a little lukewarm salt water. You should never use something harsh like antiseptic mouthwash as this could irritate the tender periodontal tissues.​

It’s also worth noting that tobacco use can severely irritate the incision site. It’s best to abstain from all forms of tobacco use while your gums are healing. This will speed the healing process and help prevent an infection.​

If you are in the Pell City, Alabama area and you need further insights on maintaining gum health after a tooth extraction, you can call 205-473-0044 to speak to a staff member at Pell City Dental.

The anatomy of your teeth is something many people don’t think about and don’t think to ever look at. Here at Pell City Dental, we think it’s important you have a more in-depth understanding of your tooth’s anatomy along with the emphasis of taking care of your smile (especially when it comes to brushing twice a day, flossing daily, and visiting your dentist biannually for an exam). Parts of your teeth include the following:​

– Enamel is the calcified tissue covering dentin in the crown of your tooth. Since it doesn’t contain living cells, tooth enamel cannot be repair itself after damage from decay or from wear. Your dentist can fix it with treatment.​

– Dentin is the part of the tooth beneath enamel and cementum. It contains microscopic tubules, and when dentin loses its protective covering (tooth enamel), the tubules allow heat and cold or acidic or sticky foods to stimulate the nerves and cells inside the tooth, causing sensitivity and possible infections.​

– The crown is the top, visible part of your tooth, normally covered by enamel.​

– The area where the crown joins the root is called the neck.

– Roots are the part of the tooth embedded in bone. The root makes up about two-thirds of the tooth and holds the tooth in place.​

– Gums (also known as gingiva) are soft tissues covering and protecting the roots of your teeth. They cover teeth that have not yet erupted.​

Visit your dentist at Pell City Dental in Pell City, Alabama, to get the best dental care for you and your teeth. Call our dental professionals at 205-473-0044 to make an appointment or set up a consultation today!