Avoiding Extractions
If you pay regular visits to Dr. Patenaude, chances are you may never need to have a tooth extracted. Most are preventable if caught in time.
Even if you develop a toothache or an acute or chronic abscess, your tooth does not necessarily have to be extracted. Today the science of endodontia (root canal treatment and filling) has been so perfected that over 90 percent of these nerve-exposed, decayed, or infected teeth can be saved!
There is an ongoing search to make simpler, more accurate and effective techniques available to the profession. Most dentists can perform root canal therapy, but your dentist may refer you to a specialist call an endodontist. He is trained specifically in this field, and does this work on a daily basis. Dr. Patenaude, with the aid of x-rays and knowledge of his own expertise, can and should judge of when to refer you to a specialist.
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Canker Sores
If you've been troubled by canker sores in your mouth recently, Dr. Patenaude may recommend treatment that can help them to heal more quickly. Canker sore are small white ulcers that may appear on the mucous membrane tissue of the mouth. They often appear on the inner lip, the lining of the cheek, or on the undersurface of the tongue. Even though this is considered a minor condition, it can be painful and last from one to two weeks before subsiding.
The exact cause if not known, but some scientists believe canker sores may be associated with an allergy to citrus fruits or result from a delayed hypersensitivity to certain mouth bacteria. Some believe that tension might be the culprit. Lots of students break out with canker sores before exam week. Brides before the wedding day, etc. It may help to get as much rest as possible and to eat a well-balanced diet and avoid salt and citrus fruits. These measures may help the sores to heal within a few days.
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Cold Sores
Cold sores occur with most of us occasionally. They appear around our mouths in various locations including lips, palate, and gums. They begin as multiple eruptions that soon break down and form ulcers. The ulcers may be single or multiple and are caused by the herpes simplex virus which is a normal resident of the mouth. When something happens to break down mouth tissues, the virus bodies gather at this point of reduced health to cause the sore.
When it occurs on the lips we call it a "cold sore" and it is found most frequently in children under the age of seven. Sunburn is the most common cause. Small, transparent blisters form that soon coalesce and rupture, yielding a yellowish fluid that then hardens to form a crust that eventually heals. These ulcers result from viruses, which are already present in the mouth and do not represent a new viral invasion. We call them "cold sores" because the common cold is often the agent that lowers resistance and brings on the acute attack.
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Decay an Occupational Hazard
Did you ever think of tooth decay as being an occupational hazard? Well it is, at least indirectly. Certain types of dental decay, especially those occurring on the neck of the teeth (gingival decay) are frequently associated with occupations involving constant and direct with the public. Salespeople, secretaries, and bank clerks, to give just a few examples, need to talk to their customers from a distance of only a foot or two. Concerned about stale or unpleasant breath, many of these people make almost constant use of chewing gum, fruit drops, or candy mints as breath sweeteners. Dental decay is then almost inevitable.
This habit should be avoided strenuously. Sugarless gum and drops can help. Keeping a toothbrush handy for use after lunch and coffee break should also do the trick. Remember: your breath doesn't have to be minty to be acceptable.
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Diet and Decay
What, how and when we eat has an ultimate effect on every tissue in our body, but perhaps nothing is affected to a greater degree than our teeth. If unrestricted amounts of refined carbohydrate foods, saturated with sugars that feed bacterial plaque, are consumed and allowed to remain on teeth, tooth damage will definitely result.
Decay occurs as a result of a very complicated process that someday may be eliminated by a vaccine or other medical breakthrough. It has been the focus of researchers for years. There are even many types of decay and many different causative factors. As part of this complex problem, we must include diet, age, general systemic health, drug use and prophylaxis. The latter includes all aspects of the cleaning process such as removal of food debris, bacterial plaque and deposits of dental calculus (tartar). Of these, plaque is the greatest offender. Chewing foods such as fresh fruits and vegetables will not remove plaque, but it does reduce its formation.
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Dry Mouth
As we get older, we notice the effects of aging-wrinkled, graying hair and a variety of new aches and pains. A mouth also is affected by advancing age, undergoing subtle changes.
Reduced saliva flow that results in a dry mouth is a common problem among older adults. It is caused by certain medical disorders and is often a side effect of medications such as: antihistamines, decongestants, pain killers and diuretics. Some of the common problems associated with dry mouth include a constant sore throat, problems speaking, difficulty swallowing, hoarseness or dry nasal passages. Left untreated, dry mouth can damage your teeth. Without adequate saliva to wash away food, and neutralize the acids produced by plaque, extensive cavities can form.
Dr. Patenaude can recommend various methods to restore moisture. Sugar-fee can or gum stimulates saliva flow, and moisture can be replaced using artificial saliva and oral rinses.
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Early Detection of Oral Cancer
One of the hazards that everyone has to be on the alert for is any sign of suspicious growths that could mean oral cancer. This is another reason why Dr. Patenaude takes such care in examining your mouth when you go for a checkup. Oral cancer in its early stages can usually be treated successfully. Among the early signs is a red sore on the lips, gums or inside the mouth that doesn't heal in two or three weeks. Another is a profusion of white scaly patches inside the mouth or on the lips. Any swelling or lumps in the mouth or on the neck, lips or tongue should also be viewed suspiciously. Other symptoms are numbness or pain in the mouth, or bleeding without any apparent cause. Many of these conditions won't cause any pain at first, but Dr. Patenaude and dental hygienists are trained to spot them. If there's any question about the cause, he'll refer you to your family physician. The earlier suspicious signs are noted, the better the chances are for a good prognosis. That's another reason why regular dental checkups are important.
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Growing New Bone
If you have suffered bone loss in some of your teeth or supporting bone because of gum disease, Dr. Patenaude may recommend treatment with one of the new synthetic bone grafting materials. One of these, called Synthograft, is a resorbable ceramic material. Tiny granules are packed into the spaces left by missing or lost bone, providing a resorbable matrix or mold that is shaped to fit the missing bone. This has been shown to encourage the growth of new or regenerated bone, thus stabilizing the teeth and helping to restore them to health. Gum disease comes on so gradually that unless you get regular checkups from Dr. Patenaude, it may have already caused serious damage before treatment begins. Caused by bacteria that attack your gums and teeth, gum disease has several stages. Occasional bleeding of the gums is one the symptoms of this disease. Left unchecked, however, gum disease eventually reaches your supporting bone and teeth and begins to destroy them. Your best protection from this disease is regular checkups by Dr. Patenaude.
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Gum Disease and Bad Breath
When you look at your teeth in the mirror, they may look strong and healthy with no signs of decay. Yet you may be troubles by mouth odor or bad breath. The decay must be there somewhere, but you don't have the instruments or expertise to detect it, especially if it is lurking below the gumline.
Bad breath in an otherwise healthy person is often caused by decomposing food particles and the bacteria that feed on them. It is
Also caused by decaying or diseased teeth and gums. Even the most strenuous and regular brushing and flossing at home can not reverse these problems without Dr. Patenaude's help. Any incidence of bleeding gums when you brush or floss could be a sign that you have gum disease. You may not feel any discomfort in your gums, but the disease is there and may get worse, causing loose teeth and other problems, as well as bad breath.
If you have a mouth odor problem, see Dr. Patenaude for a check up. He can restore any decayed teeth and treat the gum disease so your teeth can be saved and your breath can smell fresh and pleasant again.
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How Fluoride Helps You
If you use fluoride toothpaste, drink water with the recommended level of fluoride, and get regular checkups, your teeth have a much better chance of fighting dental decay. Fluoride is a mineral found naturally in water and many foods. In drinking water, the recommended level is one part fluoride to one million parts water. In many communities where the natural fluoride level doesn't meet this standard, just the right amount fluoride is added to the water supply. The reason is simple: fluoride helps prevent tooth decay. Fluoride strengthens tooth enamel. It works its way in the enamel crystals and makes teeth harder and more decay-resistant. It is particularly helpful to infants and young children whose enamel is still in the formative stages. Statistics abound on its success of keeping decay to a minimum.
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Insidious Sugar
Most people are aware that sugar contributes to tooth decay. In the interest of better dental hygiene and weight control they may cut out cakes and cookies and other notorious sweets, The problem is that so much of the food we eat, some of it unsuspectingly, contains sugar.
Aside from the obvious culprits. Sugar is also present in most prepared, foods, such as mayonnaise, relishes, ketchup, spaghetti sauce, soups, fruit drinks, bread, some alcoholic beverages, and countless other items. Sugar is also used in many products that people don't even regard as food; breath mints, cough drops, children's vitamins, liquid decongestants, etc.
Yet the real potential for tooth destruction does not see to be the general availability of sugar so much as the way it is eaten. Snacks, candy, sugared coffee, sugar gum, mints, soft drinks, taken throughout the day expose the teeth to sugar (and the resultant acid) continuously. It's best to limit the number of times one eats sugar.
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Mouth Cancer-Early Detection Vital
Like other cancers, the successful treatment of cancer of the mouth depends upon its early detection. This is another good reason to visit your dentist regularly, at least twice a year.
Of all the major diseases that can cause death, cancer is one of the most curable-provided treatment begins when the disease is still in its early stages. This means either before symptoms appear or very soon thereafter. You see, in the mouth there are lesions (areas of attacked tissue) that are known to be pre-cancerous. There are almost as readily detectable as skin cancer. Generally, the occurrence is about three times as common in men as women.
As in other types of cancer, the specific cause is not known. The following circumstances are accepted as contributing factors in mouth cancers: First and foremost, chronic irritations-whether from badly fitting dentures, broken or jagged edges of teeth or fillings, chewing tobacco and excessive pipe smoking.
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Pacemaker Precautions
Patients with a pacemaker need to take special precautions when dental work is to be done. The dental environment of moderate electromagnetic interference might temporarily inhibit some demand pacemakers. The risk is probably very small but it should be noted and guarded against.
1) Be sure to tell Dr. Patenaude you have a pacemaker when you give you medical history.
2) Tell Dr. Patenaude what type of pacemaker you have, whether asychronous or demand, and be sure he or she understands the needs of the pacer.
3) Your cardiologist should be consulted for specific guidance if electrosurgery or electrocautery is contemplated. There should be no danger with these, but it is best to err on the side of caution.
4) Your dentist should not use an electric pulp tester on you. This is a test used to determine the vitality of the pulp.
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Patients Have A Role Too
Dr. Patenaude has the responsibility of diagnosing and treating your dental problems. Patients have responsibilities too.
Naturally, you should show up for appointments and pay his bills. That's the practical side. In more abstract terms, the patient has the responsibility to care, speak up about what's troubling him. Also you have to maintain good home dental care.
You should fully understand the treatment plan and know the implications in terms of time and money. Then it's up to you to make informed decisions, balancing what you can afford and what's best for you.
If you don't like what your dentist says or are uncertain about suggestions for treatment, you can request the x-rays and any models of your teeth and seek a second opinion. Dr. Patenaude can do a great many things today that weren't possible a couple of decades ago. But he can do them well only with your cooperation and understanding.
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Signs of Oral Cancer
Cancer can affect any of the tissues in your mouth. Smokers (including cigar and pipe smokers), tobacco chewers and heavy drinkers should be particularly alert to the warning signs. Consult your doctor or Dr. Patenaude if you notice any of the following.
" A sore on your lips, gums, or mouth lining that does not heal within 2-3 weeks
" Any white patch inside your mouth or on your lips.
" Any swelling or lump inside your mouth or on your lips or tongue, even though it is not painful or spreading.
" Unexplained numbness or pain in your mouth or throat.
" Repeated bleeding in your mouth with no apparent cause.
None of the items mentioned about mean that there is cancer present. In fact, the high probability is that any condition mentioned is transient or has a perfectly not threatening explanation. It would be wise however; to err on the side of caution and have it checked.
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Stabilizing Loose Teeth
If some of your teeth have become loose and you are in danger of losing them, you should see Dr. Patenaude for treatment as soon as possible. If you are a victim of periodontal disease, the bone that supports the teeth and the gums tends to shrink causing the teeth to become loose. The may also drift out of proper alignment.
One method Dr. Patenaude may use to stabilize your loose teeth is to spint them together and lock them into place. This can be accomplished through the use of attached crowns, The loose teeth are crowned to each other, producing a splinting or supporting effect. They are also properly realigned to improve their appearance as well as their chewing efficiency.
Any tooth that becomes loose is in danger of being lost, and once lost the tooth is gone forever. No artificial tooth can replace the chewing efficiency of a natural tooth. By using the splint technique, Dr. Patenaude can stabilize your loose teeth and give them more years of use.
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Sudden Wisdom-Tooth Pain
If you have a partially erupted wisdom tooth that suddenly begins causing you pain, you should contact Dr. Patenaude immediately for help. Percoronitis (infection in the wisdom tooth area) is often caused when food and bacteria are trapped under the gum line. Until a wisdom tooth is fully erupted, it may be difficult to keep it free of food particles, which begin to decay and attract bacteria. Unfortunately, partially erupted wisdom teeth tend to decay easily. When the nerve is also infected this can cause the severe pain of the tooth.
Top help relive the pain until you get to Dr. Patenaude, you can rinse your mouth thoroughly with a solution of warm salt water. Usually one teaspoon of salt to a glass of warm water. Normally, aspirin is not recommended to relieve this pain because it may cause bleeding problems if the tooth has to be extracted.
Any pain caused by a wisdom tooth infection is considered a dental emergency and should be treated as soon as possible by Dr. Patenaude.
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Vestigial Wisdon Teeth
The last teeth to erupt in the mouth are the third molars, or wisdom teeth. They make their appearance between the ages of sixteen and thirty, or occasionally later. Often they cause problems that are best handled by the removal of these vestigial (no longer functional ) teeth. Wisdom teeth are leftovers from a previous period when jaws were able to accommodate the 32 teeth. Consequently, by the time the third molars are ready to erupt in the mouth of modern man, there is no room for them. Frequently there is no option but for them to burrow beneath the roots of the other molars, wreaking havoc in their attempts to break out. Incidentally, do not worry if one or more of the wisdom teeth fail to put in an appearance. Quite a few people get only three of them, and get fewer or none.
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Vincent's Infection (Trench Mouth)
Vincent's infection is a disease of the gums, and is contagious; it acquired its more common name, Trench Mouth, from the high incidence occurring in the trenches during World War 1. As with most communicable diseases, a health, resistant host will not be susceptible. Vincent's infection is a common occurrence in our colleges. It should be promptly treated by Dr. Patenaude.
The symptoms are:
" An especially foul mouth odor
" Chopping off the tips of the gums between the teeth.
" A layer of Grey , infected tissue covering raw undersurface in one or all four quadrants of the mouth.
" Possible general malaise.
" Fever in more serious cases.
" Progressive destruction of gum tissue which can never be regrown.
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What to Do with Wisdom Teeth?
If any of your wisdom teeth are beginning to erupt or have erupted, the question is, "What to do with them?" Dr. Patenaude may not recommend that they be extracted unless they have become impacted or are crowding other teeth. If that's the case, they should be removed as soon as possible.
Wisdom teeth are a throwback to an age when our jaws were larger and could accommodate third molars without creating dental problems. Today, however, in many cases wisdom teeth do not break through the gum or are only partially visible. They become "impacted", causing damage to second molars and the jawbone, especially when they begin crowding other teeth.
If any of your wisdom teeth grow in straight and can be maintained in a healthy condition, there is no reason to remove them. Only a thorough examination by Dr. Patenaude will provide the best solution to how your wisdom teeth should be treated.
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When Root Canal is Recommended
If you feel discomfort in a tooth whenever you take hot or cold foods, you may have an infection that attacking the roots. In a dental X-ray, this will show up sometimes as a darkened, diffuse area on the roots. Perhaps the only outward sign of a dental problem is a small cavity on the tooth. But the decay and infection may have extended far beyond the visible evidence.
This does not mean, however, that the tooth must be extracted. If there is enough bone around the tooth worth keeping, your dentist may recommend root canal treatment. With this treatment, the infection causing the problem can usually be eliminated, and you will have many more years of use of your natural tooth. Root canal is, by far the best alternative to extraction. There is absolutely no better substitute than a natural tooth. As with all dental problems, however, this will require good oral hygiene at home as well as regular checkups to protect your dental health.
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When the Injury is Slight
If you or some other family member suffers an injury to the mouth that you consider slight, don't shrug it off, let Dr. Patenaude take a look. Sometimes a minor injury involving the teeth presents no pain or other symptoms at first, but in time it might result in infection and other complications. You wouldn't want to run the risk of losing a tooth by ignoring the problem.
One of the first things Dr. Patenaude will want to do is X-ray the injured tooth to find out how extensive the damage is. If there is an infection, it can probably be treated with an antibiotic. If there is a fracture or if part of the tooth has been chipped, the tooth can be restored using a composite resin or Dr. Patenaude may recommend the tooth be crowned.
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Alcoholism and Dental Care
Excessive use of alcohol has many harmful effects on health, some of which effect dental treatment. These include things like: 1.Bleeding disorders resulting from damage to the liver and the bone marrow. 2. Liver damage and disease which compromise general health and reduces resistance to infection. 3. An increased risk of oral cancer. 4. Increased likelihood of tooth decay and periodontal disease.
In addition, alcohol can interact harmfully with several medications commonly used in dental treatment. Alcohol intensifies the depressant effect of barbituates and tranquilizers creating a higher risk of deep sedation and unconsciousness. Following treatment, the ability to drive may be impaired. Medications used to control high blood pressure and angina have a dilating effect on the blood vessels which is intensified by alcohol. The result is a higher likelihood of low blood pressure and fainting. Even the action of aspirin is intensified by alcohol, causing excessive bleeding by disrupting clot formation.
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Checklist for a Healthy Mouth
The regular examination of your lips, gums, teeth, tongue and mouth lining should be a periodic routine. A self-examination every couple of weeks could be vitally important to your overall health. Here's how to do it:
Look into a mirror in a good light, take out all removable dental devices and look for the following signs of a healthy mouth.
-firm, pink gums will well-defined edges
-smooth, glistening, reddish-pink mouth tissue surfaces
-off-white/yellowish teeth, free from stains, deposits or cavities
-a rough-surfaced tongue of even colour - - occasional small fissures
Since the mouth is an area where the health of the entire body is revealed, it presents us with an ideal indicator of our overall health. Consult Dr. Patenaude if you see anything unusual, have any tooth pain or have extreme sensitivity to hot or cold.
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Why Replace Lost Teeth?
When teeth are lost, they should be promptly replaced. There are exceptions to this rule such as wisdom teeth, but the rule applies to virtually all other teeth. For most people, appearance is the most important reason. Gaps left by missing teeth are unsightly, and the mouth is likely to look caved in or collapsed. Deep creases may form at the outer corners of the mouth, which often leads to an inflammation and makes you look older. Even more important are function disorders. Missing teeth affect your chewing ability, cause your bite to be out of balance and may result in pain in the jaw's hinge joint. Damage to the remaining teeth also becomes more likely. So does periodontal disease which, in part, is the result of a bite which pounds some teeth.
Perhaps most serious of all are misalignments. If teeth are deprived of the support and restraint of adjacent teeth, they will rotate, tip or shift. In addition, when teeth don't meet opposing teeth, they may grow out too far, causing a whole new set of problems.
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