All About Dental X-Rays

Posted by & filed under General Dental Articles, oral health.

male dentist examining dental x-rayDental x-rays are a vital diagnostic tool used to properly identify any underlying conditions that may not yet be visible on the surface. At our dental office in Asheboro, we perform dental x-rays only as often as necessary, which can vary from patient to patient depending on their oral needs and health history. We also understand our patients may have questions regarding dental x-rays, and we’d like to answer them so you can make the best informed decisions about your health.

Intraoral & Extraoral

Dental x-rays, or radiographs, are usually separated into two categories — intraoral and extraoral. Intraoral x-rays mainly focus on the details of the teeth themselves. While extraoral x-rays still showcase the teeth, the aim of these photos is to look at the bigger picture of the teeth within the jaw and skull.

A Closer Look at Intraoral X-Rays

We already know that intraoral x-rays focus on teeth. They’re also the most common types of x-rays and can help:

  • Find cavities
  • Check bone health around teeth
  • Detect gum disease

Bitewing x-rays are the most frequently used intraoral x-rays. They allow your dentist in Asheboro to see cavities in between teeth that aren’t yet visible on the surface. The images produced from bitewing x-rays also help keep an eye on the wear and tear of any dental restorations, such as a filling or an implant.

Explore Extraoral X-Rays

Extraoral x-rays are less detailed than intraoral images, but still serve a helpful purpose when it comes to looking at:

  • Impacted teeth
  • The jaw and teeth relationship
  • Growth and development

The most common extraoral x-rays are panoramic x-rays. These images show the entire set of teeth as well the jaws in one photo. Panoramic x-rays are great when looking at tooth development or wisdom teeth eruption and can help identify problems with the jaw (TMJ).

We recommend visiting our Asheboro dental office at least every six months. We may not perform x-rays at every appointment unless it’s necessary, but visits twice a year are recommended so we’re able to catch problems early, making them easier, and often less costly to treat.

April is Oral Cancer Awareness Month

Posted by & filed under oral health, Prevention.

oral cancer awarenessNobody likes talking about any type of cancer. It’s a scary epidemic that continues to take the lives of thousands each and every year. Oral cancer, specifically, is a fairly common type of cancer in the United States with over 45,000 cases diagnosed every year. Of those diagnosed, about 9,700 will lose their battles with the disease. At our Asheboro dental office, we want to take time during Oral Cancer Awareness Month to educate our patients and neighbors on the risk factors and signs of oral cancer, and why it’s so important to catch it early.

The Importance of Early Detection

Oral cancer is very treatable when caught early, which is one of the reasons that maintaining appointments with your dentist is so important. In between your dental visits, it’s best to know the early signs of oral cancer so you’re able to seek treatment quickly.

Recognize the Signs

Oral cancer can develop anywhere from the lips, tongue, and cheeks to in and around the throat. But sometimes diagnosis can be tricky. A lot of oral cancer symptoms can easily be mistaken for other problems. If you recognize any of these signs, call your dentist in Asheboro immediately to schedule an oral cancer screening:

  • Chronic bad breath
  • A sore or several sores that don’t go away
  • A lump on the cheek
  • Difficulty swallowing
  • Changes in your voice

Know the Risks

There are several lifestyle and hereditary factors that can increase someone’s risk of developing oral cancer. Please know that while these are common risk factors, anyone can develop oral cancer even if none apply to them.

  • Gender: Men are two times more likely to develop oral cancer than women.
  • Age: The majority of oral cancer patients are over the age of 55 and on average, most people are diagnosed at 62.
  • Tobacco: Nearly 80% of oral cancer diagnoses are in tobacco users.
  • Alcohol: About 70% of those diagnosed with oral cancer are heavy drinkers.
  • Tobacco & Alcohol Combo: Those who use tobacco and drink heavily have a 15 times greater risk.

This Oral Cancer Awareness Month, take control of those risk factors that you CAN change and quit smoking, chewing tobacco, or using alcohol excessively. If you have other questions about oral cancer, call our dental office in Asheboro.

Welcoming patients from Asheboro, Randolph County, Randleman and beyond. 

“Why Don’t I Get Numb at The Dentist?”

Posted by & filed under General Dental Articles.

numbSometimes we get asked why certain patients have more difficulty getting numb before a dental procedure than other people. At our dental office in Asheboro, we wish we could provide one, solid answer as to why this happens. But the truth is, the reason can vary from person to person, and even from dentist to dentist.

Reason #1: It’s Not You, It’s Us

While nobody likes to admit when they’ve made a mistake, the truth in everything is that mistakes do happen. Including during administration of a numbing agent. Most dentists have more than enough experience, training, and education to get it right most of the time. But if we miss, please know that we don’t like giving you additional injections any more than you like receiving them. We will always do everything possible to keep you relaxed, comfortable, and free of pain during each and every visit, even if we do need to give it another shot (pun intended).

Reason #2: It’s Not Me, It’s You

Now that we’ve established that your Asheboro dentist may accidentally miss the mark, we need to talk about why it’s so important for you to stay as still as possible during the injection. If you flinch or jump, there’s a chance the anesthetic won’t hit the right spot. We know it’s not what anyone really wants to do, but we promise to make it as quick and painless as possible.

Your body can also be the anti-numbing culprit in a variety of ways. First, some people react to the numbing agent differently, and their bodies remove it from the system too quickly. If this happens, you may not get numb at all or only numb for a small period of time. Another possible explanation could be your anatomy. While we know pretty much exactly where each nerve is supposed to be, sometimes we find a patient whose nerve positioning is shifted slightly. So when we think we’re hitting the spot right on, we’re actually not.

Reason #3: It’s Neither of Us, It’s Your Nerves

If you have a tooth that hurts a lot, your nerves don’t behave like they normally do. Sometimes known as a ‘hot tooth,’ an area that’s particularly painful could have nerves that are either overactive or have actually added on additional receptors. Whichever may be the case, both situations require more anesthetic and could make it more difficult to become numb.

We never want our patients to be uncomfortable while in our Asheboro dental office. If you’ve had trouble getting numb in the past, please let us know. We’ll go out of our way to ensure you’re completely relaxed and pain free at all of your visits.

Accepting new patients from Asheboro, Randolph County, Randleman and beyond. 

Common Dental Emergencies & What to Do About Them

Posted by & filed under Prevention.

dental emergencyNobody ever wants to experience an emergency of any kind, and dental emergencies can be particularly concerning and confusing. What’s the right thing to do? What shouldn’t you do? Don’t worry, our dental office in Asheboro is here to help.

Different Emergencies Require Different Care

Not all dental emergencies should be handled the same way, so we’ve outlined some of the most common emergencies and what you can do if they happen to you or a family member. No matter what type of emergency you have, a good rule of thumb is to call your Asheboro dentist as soon as you can.

Chipped or Broken Tooth – First, rinse the mouth and any broken pieces you happen to find with warm water. If there’s blood involved, apply gauze and a bit of pressure to help stop it. Swelling and pain can be reduced with a cold compress.

Knocked Out Tooth – The key to saving a knocked out tooth is to find it as quickly as possible. Once you do, make sure to only touch the tooth crown, not the roots. You can then try to replace the tooth into the socket. If that’s not working, place the tooth in a glass of milk and get to a dentist. Your tooth has the best chance of survival if it’s returned to the socket within an hour.

Toothache – A toothache is typically a sign of a bigger problem and shouldn’t be ignored. Get to your dentist as soon as you can. In the meantime, relieve pain with a cold compress and some medicine. A quick rinse with warm salt water can help too. Whatever you do, do NOT place aspirin directly on the gums as it can cause tissue damage.

Lost Filling – If a filling falls out, it may cause pain because essentially there’s now a hole in your tooth. While you’re waiting to get to the dentist you can buy dental cement at most drugstores that can fill the space. If that’s not an option, a piece of sugarless gum is a short-term fix. Do NOT use gum with sugar as that will increase the pain

At our Asheboro dental office, we’re in the business of keeping smiles healthy, and we never want one of our patients to have a dental emergency. But the truth is, emergencies happen. When they do, we welcome you to call our office for help.

Accepting patients from Asheboro, Randolph County, Randleman and the surrounding areas.

How to Become a Dentist

Posted by & filed under General Dental Articles.

become a dentistAt our Asheboro dental office, we love what we do and we find our jobs rewarding. We get to help our patients’ mouths stay healthy, which can directly affect their overall well being, and we even get to see some dramatic smile transformations and change lives. We’d go as far as to say it’s the best job in the world. But how do you know if a career in dentistry could be right for you? Let’s take a glimpse at how you become a dentist and what your job could look like.

What Does a Dentist Do?

You’ve been to a dentist before (or at least we hope!), so you have a basic understanding of what a dentist does. But depending on your own dental experiences, you may not know that a dentist can do a whole lot more than your routine dental exams, x-rays, and sometimes cleanings.

Dentists are responsible for diagnosing problems, developing treatment plans, and treating conditions that affect oral health. They not only look at the health of teeth, but also the gums and the mouth as a whole. Depending on the needs of their patients, dentists’ duties can include removing decayed sections of teeth and replacing them with fillings, eliminating damaged tooth roots and placing a dental crown, and even extracting teeth. They’re a key component to anyone’s medical team and their work is a unique blend of art and science.

Steps to Becoming a Dentist

  • Get a Bachelor’s Degree. Most dental schools require a 4 year Bachelor’s degree before admitting students into their doctorate programs. Try to take some classes in biology, chemistry, and other sciences during undergraduate school.
  • Pass the Dental Admissions Test (DAT). This exam tests a scholar’s aptitude and knowledge of the sciences. A minimum score is needed to gain entrance into dental school.
  • Earn a Dental Degree. In dental school, students will traditionally focus on coursework their first two years, and gain some clinical experience during the final two years.
  • Obtain State Licensure. Licensure requirements vary depending on the state you’d like to practice in, but all states require that dentists-to-be pass the National Board of Dental Examinations.

Does the Country Need More Dentists?

If you think dentistry may be the career for you, we have good news. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the projected job growth for dentists is around 18% through 2024, which is more than double the average growth for other occupations.

At our dental office in Asheboro, we encourage anyone exploring a career in dentistry to perform their own research to see if it sounds like something they’ll enjoy doing.

Accepting new patients from Asheboro, Randolph County, Randleman and beyond. 

Top 7 Ways to Show Your Smile Some Love

Posted by & filed under Cosmetic Dentistry.

love your smileAt our dental office in Asheboro, we love helping our patients get a smile they’re proud of. But visits to our office twice a year are only part of what you can do to make sure you’re showing your smile the love it needs to stay healthy. If you want to get and maintain a smile you’re happy with, check out the top 7 ways to care for your smile.

  • Brush, brush, brush. This may seem like a no-brainer, but we have to say it. Brushing your teeth twice a day with a soft-bristled toothbrush is one of the most important things you can do to keep your mouth free of decay causing bacteria.  
  • Floss everyday. We get asked often if flossing is really that important. The short answer: Yes! If you don’t floss, you miss cleaning 35% of each tooth. Food particles and bacteria love to hide in between teeth, and you don’t floss, it’s left there and can lead to cavities.  
  • Kick the tobacco habit. About 80% of those with oral cancer use tobacco. Whether it’s chewing tobacco or smoking cigarettes, if you want to keep your mouth healthy, you should try to quit.
  • Ease up on dark-colored drinks. We’re talking about drinks like coffee, tea, and red wine. These colorful beverages can stain teeth. Usually a professional whitening can reverse that, but other times, the staining seeps into the enamel requiring a more advanced cosmetic dentistry treatment to mask it.
  • Drink more water. If we could have our patients drink only one thing, it’d be water. Not only is it free of sugars and coloring, it helps neutralize acid that contributes to cavities.
  • Resolve dental problems early and quickly. If you suspect a dental problem, don’t let it go, especially if you’re in pain. Early resolution of many dental concerns can reduce the likelihood that you’ll need more advanced treatment or that a more serious issue will arise.
  • See your dentist in Asheboro twice a year. Ok we already covered the importance of this one, but it’s worth repeating. Getting a dental cleaning and checkup every six months is the best way to ensure no serious problems are creeping up and to remove plaque build up.

If you’re looking for a dentist, have a dental concern, or you’d like to talk about other ways to get a smile you love, schedule an appointment at our Asheboro dental office today.

Accepting patients from Asheboro, Randolph County, Randleman

What You Need to Know About Heart Health Month

Posted by & filed under oral health, Prevention.

heart healthEach February, we celebrate National Heart Health Month. Heart Health Month’s purpose is to increase awareness of just how big of a problem heart disease actually is, and educate the population on ways to decrease the risk of developing heart disease. At our dental office in Asheboro, we’d like to help.

Gum Disease and Heart Disease

We know it may sound strange, taking heart health advice from a dental team, but there’s actually a pretty strong connection between oral health and heart health, and it starts with gum disease. Gum disease, or periodontal disease, occurs when plaque is allowed to build up on teeth, leading to infection. This infection can spread to the bloodstream, causing the body to produce an excess of C-reactive protein (CRP). High levels of CRP can create a whole host of other whole-body concerns including:

  • Inflamed arteries
  • Blood clots
  • Heart attacks
  • Strokes

Heart Disease Facts

  • Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the U.S.
  • It accounts for over 600,000 deaths every year.
  • Someone has a heart attack every 34 seconds
  • Every 60 seconds, someone dies from a heart disease-related event

Reduce Your Risk & Know the Signs of Gum Disease

The biggest mistake adults make is thinking that just because they received a clean bill of health at their last appointment, they can skip their next dental checkup or cleaning. But the scary truth is, gum disease can start very quietly and without noticeable symptoms. If you do experience any of the following signs, please contact your dentist in Asheboro right away:

  • Bleeding when brushing or flossing
  • Puffiness or tenderness of the gums
  • Halitosis (bad breath)
  • Loose teeth

Reduce Your Risk

Besides following tips from the American Heart Association like exercising regularly and avoiding tobacco, you should also follow a proper oral health care routine — visit our Asheboro dental office twice a year, brush twice a day, and floss once a day.

Good dental health is more important than keeping smiles healthy. It can save your life.

Accepting patients from Asheboro, Randolph County, Randleman and beyond. 

“What’s Making My Breath Smell?”

Posted by & filed under oral health.

bad breathAt our dental office in Asheboro, we’re here to help all of our patients reach their smile and oral health goals, no matter what they are. One of the more common concerns we hear is how to combat bad breath. We’re more than happy to help get breath kissably fresh, but we’d also like to educate our neighbors on what may be causing the bad breath in the first place.

Bad Breath Isn’t Just a Mouth Problem

First thing’s first: bad breath isn’t something that only affects your oral health. In fact, bad breath is linked to several serious whole-body health concerns including, gum disease, kidney or liver disease, diabetes, and respiratory tract problems. If you suffer from chronic bad breath, call your dentist in Asheboro as soon as possible.

What’s Causing the Bad Breath?

Food

When bad breath isn’t a constant thing, it may be nothing to worry about. This is usually the case when you eat something particularly pungent like garlic or onions. While the smell can linger even after brushing, once the food leaves your system, the bad breath disappears.

Inadequate Oral Hygiene

Brushing your teeth for two minutes twice a day and flossing once a day can do wonders for a healthy mouth and fresh breath. Proper at-home oral hygiene helps rid the mouth of any food particles that may be wedged in between teeth and kills odor causing bacteria. Without a proper hygiene routine, bad breath is almost a sure thing.

Tobacco Use

Both smoking and chewing tobacco have a host of health risks on their own — oral cancer, tooth loss, heart disease, and stroke, to list a few. Bad breath happens to be a side effect as well. If you currently use tobacco, talk with your doctor or dental team for help on how to quit.

Dry Mouth

A number of things such as medications or mouth breathing may lead to dry mouth. While this may seem like it’s no big deal, a dry mouth is an unhealthy mouth… and often a stinky one too. A mouth becomes dry when there’s not enough saliva production. Saliva normally helps wash away bacteria and neutralize acid. Without it, teeth are left exposed to decay and bacteria that cause bad breath.

You don’t have to live with the embarrassment of bad breath. Call our Asheboro dental office today to schedule an appointment. We’ll review your oral health, habits, and conduct a thorough exam to get to the root of the problem. Then together, we’ll find a solution that’s best for you.

Accepting patients from Asheboro, Randolph County, Randleman and the surrounding areas.

Biting Your Tongue While You Sleep? Here’s Why.

Posted by & filed under oral health.

biting tongueWe’ve all experienced the unpleasant sensation that goes along with biting our tongues, but the positive (if there is a positive to something so painful) is that we can usually identify how we did it. However, there are some people who experience the annoying aftermath of tongue biting and have no idea how it even happened. Usually this occurs when someone bites their tongue in their sleep. But how and why does this happen? Our Asheboro dental office has some answers.

Possible Explanations

There are several potential reasons you bite your tongue in your sleep. Some common causes can include:

However, if nighttime tongue biting is chronic, there are three typical conditions that usually point to a more serious concern.

Nocturnal Seizures

While seizures can generally occur at any time, there are instances when there are no daytime signs at all and symptoms are experienced during sleep alone. These are referred to as nocturnal seizures. Like any other seizure, nocturnal seizures cause individuals’ muscles to tighten and they experience erratic, uncontrollable movements, including tongue biting. Medication can help control seizures and limit tongue biting.

Rhythmic Movement Disorder

More common in children, rhythmic movement disorder causes sudden jerks and other sharp movements during sleep. Usually the head and neck are affected and can cause someone to bite their tongue. Kids normally grow out of the disorder, but medication may be appropriate.

Bruxism

Bruxism, more commonly referred to as teeth grinding, is characterized by the continual grating of the top teeth against the bottom or consistent clenching of the jaw muscles. While this can happen while someone is awake, it’s commonly experienced subconsciously during sleep. The act of grinding your teeth can cause chronic tongue biting as well as additional dental concerns such as chipping or breaking of teeth. Usually, your dentist in Asheboro will make a night guard to protect your teeth, and your tongue, from the effects of bruxism.

Have you been experiencing unexplained tongue trauma? Call our dental office in Asheboro to schedule an appointment. If signs point to teeth grinding, we’ll work with you to determine the treatment that’s appropriate for you. If something else is suspected, we’ll recommend that you speak with your physician.

Welcoming patients from Asheboro, Randolph County, Randleman and beyond. 

“Why is My Mouth So Dry?”

Posted by & filed under oral health.

dry mouthWe’ve all experienced it at one time or another. The dry, cracked lips, the bad breath, the sticky tongue, and every other uncomfortable sensation we get when our mouths are dry. Sometimes, it’s short-lived and goes away quickly. No big deal. However, it’s those times when dry mouth is chronic when our dental office in Asheboro becomes concerned.

What’s the Big Deal?

Dry mouth may seem like a simply annoying thing that happens. But if it happens a lot and lasts a while, there’s definitely a reason to be concerned. Healthy mouths require adequate saliva production to stay healthy. It helps rinse away food particles and bacteria and it neutralizes damaging acid. Without it, the mouth is in danger of tooth decay and other oral health concerns.

What Causes Dry Mouth?

There are several possible explanations to dry mouth. Some are fairly common and are easily fixed. Others are a bit more complicated and require input from your medical team.

  • Medications. Hundreds of prescription and over the counter medicines list dry mouth as a side effect. Read the packet of all medicine and discuss regular medications with your dentist in Asheboro.
  • Disease. Diabetes, Parkinson’s, HIV/AIDS, Sjögren’s syndrome, and others can lead to dry mouth.
  • Dehydration. This is incredibly common and easily remedied. Drink more water and you should feel relief.
  • Mouth Breathing. When people can’t effectively breathe through the nose, they open their mouths to get enough oxygen in. This constant exposure to air can be incredibly drying.

How Do You Treat Dry Mouth?

Dry mouth treatment greatly depends on the case and the cause behind it. Sometimes a shift in medication may be appropriate. Other times, adding in a medicine that helps produce saliva can help. Either way, there are some things you can do in your everyday life to keep your mouth wet, limit the severity of dry mouth, or avoid it in the first place.

  • Drink water throughout the day
  • Avoid smoking and drinking alcohol
  • Limit caffeinated beverages
  • Chew sugarless gum

Don’t forget, our Asheboro dental office is always here to help as well. If you’d like to speak with someone about your dry mouth or possible treatments, call us to schedule an appointment. We’ll determine the cause of your symptoms and work together to find the appropriate solution for you.

Welcoming patients from Asheboro, Randolph County, Randleman and beyond.