Baton Rouge Dentist

Is Chest Pain Related to a Toothache?

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Hello there,

My grandmother is getting up there in age, but she dislikes going to the hospital and distrusts doctors. She’s in good health, but has started complaining of both a toothache and chest pain. She says that the chest pain is not new, but the toothache is.

Is chest pain along with a toothache an issue when you get older? Is it an emergency? Does she need to go to the doctor, or the dentist?

Travis, from Rochester, MA

 

Hi Travis,

A toothache and chest pain can mean a heart attack. You need to have her checked right away!

In a heart attack, the patient can have pain in the left arm or in the left jaw. Jaw pain is felt in about 10% of the cases. And remember that, due to how nerves travel through the body, everyone’s symptoms can be different. Instead of facial pain, you may experience a toothache, as pain can radiate through the lower left part of jaw, or across the lower arch. Despite your grandmother’s resistance, this is urgent and important.

Dental issues are not limited to the mouth. Good oral health and good cardiovascular health are linked. On the flip side, those with extensive gum disease are at risk for diabetes or cardiovascular disease.

Once your grandmother is better, you should take her to see a family dentist regularly. Regular assessments will cut down on the emergency dental trips, as well.

This blog post is brought to you by Baton Rouge emergency dentist, Dr. Ryan Perry.

 

How Long Does Tooth Whitening Last?

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Hi there,

I got a free teeth whitening kit with custom trays as a promotion from my new dentist. At first, I was so pleased with the results after just a few weeks. My teeth looked so much brighter! However, it didn’t last very long — they’ve gone back to their usual shade. I’m due to go back in for a check-up anyway. Did my dentist give me a poor quality kit on purpose, so I’d come back in for a real whitening? Or is it just a coincidence?

Alice, from Versailles, Kentucky

 

Hi Alice,

The whitening kit you received was likely a professional-grade whitening kit. How long your teeth whitening lasts is based on several factors, such as:

  • Whether you drink coffee, tea, or red wine
  • Whether you eat dark-colored foods like tomato sauce, soy sauce, or curry
  • Whether you are a smoker

If you enjoy any of the above to excess, your teeth will stain more quickly. Enjoying them in moderation, along with healthy oral habits, will extend how long your teeth whitening lasts.

To prevent staining your teeth, try the following tips:

  • Avoid eating acidic foods — they will wear down your enamel faster
  • Brush your teeth after meals or at least 2-3 times a day
  • Avoid sipping on acidic beverages such as coffee or tea, or sugary beverages like cola or sports drinks. Drink them quickly, or use a straw to minimize contact. If you can, brush your teeth immediately after.
  • Cut back or quit smoking.

You can also use your whitening kit for a few days to get your teeth back to the shade you like, and talk to your dentist about your options at your next visit.

This blog post is brought to you by Baton Rouge teeth whitening provider, Dr. Ryan P. Perry.

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.

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.

What are bitewing x-rays?

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I got a extraction a month ago and had an x-ray taken of the extraction site. I went to get a check-up this past week and they took more x-rays. I asked “what are you doing” and she said, “we are taking bitewing x-rays” and my question is why did I need more x-rays because they took one last month?

Thanks, Jeff

Dear Jeff,

It is standard procedure for a dentist to take an x-ray after an extraction site to make sure there is no part of the tooth left in the socket. Your bitewing x-rays taken at your dental check-up are necessary in order to see if you have tooth decay in between your teeth. Bitewings are usually taken either every six months or once a year depending on insurance and your dental needs. This type of x-ray is necessary for your dentist to do a proper dental exam. It is difficult to diagnosis tooth decay in between the teeth without a bitewing x-ray. Next time you are uncertain about a procedure don’t hesitate to ask so you feel more comfortable and have an understanding of what is needed and why.

Post courtesy of Dr. Perry, Baton Rouge Dentist.

How does chemo affect your teeth?

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I have recently been diagnosed with breast cancer and will be starting chemotherapy very soon. I was wondering how this will affect my teeth.

Thanks, Suzzanne

Dear Suzzanne,

Some common side effects of chemotherapy that affect our teeth are vomiting and a dry mouth. The longer you have to go through your chemotherapy treatments the more susceptible you can be to dental problems. It’s very common for patients to experience nausea from chemotherapy causing vomiting which leaves acid on our teeth, eroding the enamel, which can lead to tooth decay. We recommend rinsing out your mouth several times a day with a baking soda solution using ¼ teaspoon of baking soda with 8oz of warm water, after words rinse with water and wait 30 minutes before brushing your teeth with an extra soft toothbrush. Using baking soda to rinse your teeth after vomiting helps neutralize the acid caused by vomiting.

Many patients complain of a dry mouth from chemotherapy treatment. The dryer our mouths are the more prone we are to plaque and tooth decay. Some things you can do to help keep your mouth moist are sipping on water throughout the day, sucking on ice chips or sugar free candy, or chew sugarless gum. Avoid mouthwashes with alcohol because the alcohol will dry your mouth out even more. Prescription fluoride toothpastes prescribed by your dentist should be used twice a day as well as flossing daily to help in the prevention of tooth decay.

Other side effects of chemotherapy affecting our oral health are swelling of the oral tissues, mouth sores, tissue and tooth pain, cracking of the lips, and difficulty swallowing. We recommend you consult your oncologist and your dentist about your dental concerns to learn more about the prevention of dental complications during your chemotherapy treatments.

Post courtesy of Dr. Perry, Baton Rouge Dentist.