Baton Rouge Dentist

Will piercing my tongue really ruin my teeth?

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I just graduated from high school and really want to get my tongue pierced, but my mom swears I will ruin my teeth if I do. She paid for my braces and doesn’t want me to mess up what we’ve had done. I keep trying to tell her that it will only affect my tongue, not my teeth, but she is positive it will. Who is right?

K.C.

Dear K.C.,

Unfortunately we have to side with your mom on this one. Yes, you initially are only affecting your tongue when you pierce it. There are other things that start to happen, though, when you add a different element that is not native to your mouth.

Cracked and chipped teeth

One problem many people face with tongue piercings is that they chip their teeth.  Tongue piercings are metal so they last a long time. At the same time, metal banging against your teeth when you play with the piercing or biting down on metal when you misjudge where the piercing is at while eating can lead to chipped and cracked teeth. Unfortunately, if that happens, some dentists are hesitant to fix chipped or cracked front teeth caused from a piercing unless the piercings are removed because they know it likely will happen again. Any porcelain veneers or bondings could easily be ruined again.

Shifting teeth

woman with tooth gap

Tongue piercings can also cause your teeth to shift. When things change in the mouth, whether it be a sharp spot on a tooth, a canker, or even something as simple as food stuck between the teeth, we have a tendency to mess with it. We run our tongues on it, feel it, work at it.  A tongue piercing is no different. Often people with tongue piercings will suck on that metal and mess with it without even thinking about it. When that is done over and over, your tongue pushes on your teeth. That pushing can cause your teeth to shift. Especially where you said you have had braces, you may create spaces in your teeth that you didn’t even have before braces.

Oral hygiene

The last struggle people have with tongue piercings is keeping their mouths clean. Oral hygiene is important and isn’t always easy when you have extra parts in your mouth. If you aren’t extra diligent in brushing and flossing, with regular dentist visits, you may develop tooth decay or gum disease.

Hopefully this will help you make a good decision. Best of luck!

This post is sponsored by Dr. Ryan Perry in Baton Rouge, LA.

 

Would a cold cause bad breath or is it something else?

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I work with a lot of kids and I think one of them shared his cold virus with me a few weeks ago. Ever since then my breath has been terrible. My husband has started making comments about kissing me and it’s embarrassing. So I have been brushing morning and night, and after I eat. I always have a mint and gum in my pocket, but it’s not better yet. Is my bad breath from my cold or is it something else?

Janie, Portland

Dear Janie,

Bad breath, or halitosis, is a tricky thing. Typically your mouth is able to keep an amazing balance of the over 600 bacteria that reside there. They function to break down the foods you eat and keep things clean. When something upsets the balance, it can cause bad breath.

There are several things that could be the cause so it may be difficult to pinpoint which it may be for you.

You mentioned you have had a cold. If you didn’t have any problem before you got sick, it may be that the drainage from your cold is causing the smell. Other medical conditions can also contribute to bad breath, such as GERD or acid reflux. If it is one of these, a doctor may be able to prescribe medicine  to help.

Certain foods may be the culprit. Some, such as garlic and onion, have their smell linger in the mouth for quite some time after they are eaten. Also, when protein is eaten, bacteria will break it down, causing a sulfur smell.

Even the mints you are eating may be making matters worse. Many of them have sugars that bacteria in your mouth feed on. This may contribute to the bad breath, as well as lead to tooth decay and gum disease. If you want to freshen up quickly, sugar-free gum would be a better bet.

While you try to determine what may be causing your bad breath, good oral hygiene is the first place to start to fix it. You are wise to brush after eating and at the beginning and end of the day. Flossing and rinsing with a mouth rinse, especially one designed specifically for bad breath, would be a good addition to your daily regiment. This will help get rid of any hiding food particles that bacteria is working to break down, possibly causing the smell.

If your bad breath continues, mention it to your dentist at your next appointment. He may be able to help you determine the cause.

This post is sponsored by Dr. Perry at Baton Rouge Family Dentist.

Does Salt Water Rinse Hurt My Teeth?

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I have a sharp chip in my tooth that created a cut in my mouth. My mother suggested I rinse my mouth with salt water so my sore doesn’t get infected. I’m concerned the salt water will damage my teeth. Is this true or should I follow my mother’s suggestion?
– Katrina from Louisiana

Dear Katrina,

Your mother offered a good solution for your problem. Salt water rinses don’t damage teeth; salt water solutions are known for promoting healing.

The best way to make this mixture is to measure one teaspoon of salt in eight ounces of warm water. Next, pour the mixture into your mouth and swish around the water, not swallowing but spitting it out. You want to use the whole glass and do this several times a day.

The salt solution doesn’t destroy many organisms in the mouth but it does deter them because it changes the PH balance in the mouth by temporarily making it more alkaline which slows down bacterial growth.

Salt water also soothes the mucosa in the mouth which is the soft tissues in the oral cavity. It also helps with canker sores, tissue irritation from dental treatment and cuts. Salt water treatment is a great solution to oral irritations.

This blog sponsored by Baton Rouge Family Dentist, Dr. Ryan Perry.

Should I Still See My Dentist if I have the Flu or a Cold?

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I have an upcoming dental appointment but I haven’t been feeling great. I’ve been coughing and my nose is running but I don’t have a fever. I keep hearing about flu season but I’m not sure if I have the flu or should cancel my appointment. I have a dental appointment in a few days but have been coughing and my nose is running.  I don’t think I have a fever but with all of the reports of the flu in the news, I’m thinking that I should cancel my appointment.  I’m also not sure if I will be charged for the missing appointment. What should I do?

– Paul in Louisiana

Dear Paul,

It’s not always obvious how infectious you are to others. Also, it’s hard to know if you have the flu or a cold early on with your symptoms. The best thing you can do is take your temperature and monitor it over the next few days.

Since you are suffering from flu-like symptoms, it’s recommended that you reschedule your appointment.  The flu, or influenza, is spread from an infected person through small particles released into the air when you sneeze or cough; even talking may release small particles into the air. A single sneeze may infect numerous people.  Not only can you infect other patients, but you can also spread the infection to the dental staff.  Dental professionals work in direct contact with fluids in the mouth so if you’re infected, they may get the virus. Although they engage in frequent hand-washing and barriers such as: gloves, masks and eyewear to protect themselves from infectious diseases, these are not foolproof.

Be sure to phone the dental office and explain why you need to reschedule. Some offices appreciate that you’re considering their health and the health of other patients and will waive the fee if you’re not a frequent offender.

For more information about Baton Rouge Family Dentist, visit Dr. Perry’s site.

Smoking and Tongue Piercing

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What happens if you smoke cigarettes after you just get your tongue pierced?

Thanks, Andrew

Dear Andrew,

We recommend that you wait about six weeks to smoke after getting your tongue pierced. The reasoning behind this is the newly pierced site is highly susceptible to infection which can be caused from the toxins and tar found in cigarettes. The tongue usually takes about a month and a half to heal completely. So smoking right after increases your chance of infection as well as prolongs the healing time. If you notice an infection starting you should ask your doctor or dentist for an antibiotic. Signs of an infection are pain, redness around the piercing, sometimes bleeding occurs, and a greenish yellow pus that discharges from the site. Keeping your tongue very clean is vital after piercing to prevent bacteria from entering the blood stream. Make sure you use an extra soft toothbrush to gently clean around the piercing as well as rinse with a mouthwash after brushing. Purchase a mouthwash that contains no alcohol because alcohol will make the piercing site burn. Usually warm salt water solutions are necessary to rinse with after a tongue piercing to help the site heal faster and to decrease inflammation. Click on this body piercing site to guide you with the dos and don’ts following a tongue piercing.

Post courtesy of Dr. Perry, Baton Rouge Dentist.

Plaque Disclosing Tablets

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What are plaque disclosing tablets and should you use them before or after you brush your teeth?

Thanks, Stacy

Dear Stacy,

Plaque disclosing tablets are used after tooth brushing and flossing. Plaque disclosing products can come in a tablet form or a liquid. They are made with a harmless vegetable dye that turns your teeth red to show where plaque is left behind. After cleaning your teeth simply chew on a tablet and swish it around in your mouth for about a minute. Afterwards, rinse with water then look in your mouth to see if there is any red coloration around your teeth, if so this is where plaque was left behind and to show you where you’re missing with your tooth brush or dental floss. Plaque disclosing tablets help identify plaque and will help you improve your overall oral hygiene. These products are great for people of all ages, especially young children and those with braces. Ask your dentist if they carry these products at their dental office for you to purchase. If not, there are many sites on the internet that sell these products to help you improve your dental hygiene.

Post courtesy of Dr. Perry, Baton Rouge Dentist.

Can a Tongue Scraper Help With Bad Breath?

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Using a tongue scraper may help reduce bad breath, however will not eliminate the problem of halitosis completely. Post-nasal drip is a common reason for bad breath because it coats the back of the tongue with bacteria so a tongue scraper is somewhat effective in decreasing foul odor caused by sinus drainage. There is no standard treatment in treating halitosis; however tongue scrapers are significantly more effective at reducing the bacteria that causes bad breath over brushing the tongue alone.

Some people use mouthwashes, eat mints, chew gum, or stay away from offensive foods and drinks to cover up unpleasant odor but this does not work for everyone. If you feel like you can’t eliminate your bad breath problem, consult with your dentist. Periodontal disease (gum disease) is another common reason for foul odor in the oral cavity. When plaque collects under our gums, the bacteria in the gums releases sulfur compounds which have a bad smell causing our breath to be foul. About 75% of the population has some form of gum disease ranging from gingivitis to periodontitis. Signs of periodontal disease are as follows:

  • Red or swollen gums
  • Bleeding or tender gums
  • Hurts to chew
  • Your bad breath just won’t go away
  • Sensitive teeth
  • Loose teeth

We recommend if you are having any of these symptoms see your dentist right away.

Post courtesy of Dr. Perry, Baton Rouge Dentist.

How do I know if its tartar on my teeth and not plaque?

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My teeth are a yellow white color and I am not sure if it is tarter or plaque. When they do the procedures to remove tartar and plaque how clean will my teeth look? Is it a financially wise to have a dental cleaning?

Thanks, Logan

Dear Logan,

Plaque is a very thin soft invisible film on your teeth that can be removed with brushing and flossing alone. As plaque stays on the teeth it calcifies and becomes visible when it is thick enough and turns into tarter. Once tarter forms on your teeth the only way to remove it is to go to the dentist and have a professional dental cleaning. If plaque and tarter stay on your teeth over a period of time it causes your gums to become red, swollen, and bleed easily this is called gingivitis. However if gingivitis is left untreated it turns into gum disease which is when the bone starts to deteriorate around the teeth. This leads to tooth loss. If you want to keep your teeth it is wise to have them cleaned every six months. The longer you go without having them professionally cleaned the more likely you will spend more money on trying to save them when the disease process has progressed.

As for the coloring of your teeth, it could just be the color of your natural teeth. Most people’s adult teeth are not white in color. If after your dental cleaning you still are unhappy with the color of your teeth you do have the option to have them whitened. Ask your dentist about the whitening procedures they offer at the office so you feel comfortable with your smile.

Post courtesy of Dr. Perry, Baton Rouge Dentist.

Does Graves Disease Cause Cavities?

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I’m 16 and I’ve never had a cavity and when I found out I had one I was shocked because I have excellent dental hygiene. I brush my teeth every day, floss, and use mouthwash. Recently I was diagnosed with Graves Disease and lately I have been getting more and more cavities and I’ve been going crazy about it because even my diet is healthy. Is there a connection between Graves Disease and tooth decay?

Thanks, Kelly

Dear Kelly,

As you are well aware Graves Disease is an autoimmune disease causing your immune system to attack your thyroid and causing it to become over active. Medications are used to keep your thyroid in check. Unfortunately there has been no correlation between Graves Disease and tooth decay yet the medications you may be taking to help your condition may be giving you a dry mouth. People with a dry mouth are much more prone to tooth decay. Your oral care at home is vital and it sounds like you are doing exactly what needs to be done. We also recommend that you drink plenty of water throughout the day to help remove plaque from your teeth. Try to limit your sugar intake as well as starchy foods and acidic drinks like soda and Gatorade. Biotene is a dental product that helps promote saliva. We recommend you buy the toothpaste and mouthwash and use it daily. If you are noticing a dry mouth discuss this with your dentist and see what other advice they have for you.

Post courtesy of Dr. Perry, Baton Rouge Dentist.

Is Wrigley’s EXTRA cool breeze sugar free gum good or bad for your teeth?

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I am wondering if sugar free gum is ok to chew?

Thanks, Pat

Dear Pat

Chewing gum does stimulate our salivary glands, therefore helps cleanse our teeth. However chewing gum on a constant basis it not good on our jaw joints and can lead to TMJ issues over time. Chewing any kind of sugarless gum is a much better choice than gum containing sugar which can lead to tooth decay. We would recommend finding gum that contains xylitol. Xylitol is a sugar however a non-fermentable sugar therefore it cannot be transformed to acid by the bacteria in your mouth which helps to prevent cavities. Besides preventing cavities, small amounts of xylitol during the day decreases plaque buildup and promotes your salivary glands therefore preventing a dry mouth. This helps to improve mineral absorption for repairing damaged tooth  enamel while increasing tooth strength. Most xylitol products like toothpaste, mouthwash, gum, and mints can be found at your local health food store.

Post courtesy of Dr. Perry, Baton Rouge Dentist.