Setting The Record Straight

It is true that dental x-rays expose an individual to doses of radiation. However, this very essential tool of dentistry emits only very low and negligible levels that are considered safe for children and adults. Risks are kept to a minimum and dental offices are required to practise safety precautions at all levels. For your concerns, find out what risks may be involved

Firstly, you might wonder if you need x-rays each time you go see your dentist. Frequent taking of x-rays may happen with some patients whose oral health condition requires it. If you are under treatment for an unstable oral condition, regular x-rays are needed to monitor the progress of the treatment and your response. However, if you are a healthy person and haven’t had cavities and other issues for a few years, you don’t need to have x-rays each time.

For most people, dental x-rays every 6 months or on a yearly basis, depending on your oral hygiene, is sufficient.

Is it better and safer to take traditional x-rays on film rather than digital x-rays? In fact, if your dentist uses digital X-rays instead of developing them on film, your risks from radiation exposure are even lower. In fact, as much as 90% reduction in exposure is assured with digital x-ray, and additionally, the results are sharper, clearer, and more precise. X-rays that are digital are quick to access, eco-friendly, and easier to keep as a record.

Pregnant women should never have dental x-rays. Though the process is safe for pregnant women, most patients who are pregnant or suspect to be pregnant would decline to have x-rays until after the pregnancy is over. However, there are situations when it may be necessary to have x-rays. Pregnancy increases the risk for gum disease and hence, radiography may be required. Your dentist will ask you to wear a lead apron that protects the abdomen, chest and pelvis. Know that there is no added risk for breastfeeding women.

Can frequent dental x-rays cause brain tumors? An article came out based on a 2012 study which dealt with dental X-rays and brain cancer, specifically meningioma which is a benign brain tumor. It points out that exposure to ionizing radiation is associated with an increased risk of brain tumors. However, experts said that on the contrary, more than 90% of such tumors are more directly related to medical, not dental, radiographs. More studies are thereby necessary to make causal conclusions.

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Know More About Safe Dental X-Rays in Bellevue

At Overlake Dental, rest assured that our patients necessitating x-rays are afforded the best safety precautions. Bellevue dentistry practices high-technology and safe radiography.

Helpful Diagnostic Tool In Every Dental Office

Dental x-rays or dental radiographs are images of the teeth and surrounding tissues. These images help the dental professional analyze and assess your oral health issues by giving valuable information about the teeth, gums, and surrounding bone structure. Find out how x-rays work and when they are most helpful.

X-rays pass through the mouth in very low levels of radiation that penetrate the interior of tooth, gum, and bone structure. As it is, the teeth and the bone absorb more of the radiation so they appear lighter or whiter on the final image. If there is presence of decay or an infection, those areas appear darker than the rest as they do not absorb as much radiation.

Your dentist may require you to have an x-ray if there is a need. It does not entail special preparation. However, it may be ideal to have to brush your teeth before the appointment. This will ensure a more aseptic environment to work on.

Most x-rays are intraorally taken, or inside the mouth. There are different views, hence, different types of x-rays. There’s the periapical technique that catches images of a few teeth at a time using small film cards inserted in the mouth. It focuses on a couple of complete teeth, from root to the crown. The bitewing technique involves biting down on your teeth, primarily to see the alignment of the crowns. It also checks for cavities between teeth. The panoramic x-ray is a wrap-around image of the patient’s mouth, useful for studying the jaw and the position of the teeth relative to one another. It can also check the wisdom teeth and any present jaw issues.

The cephalometric x-rays (extraoral) capture the image of the entire head in profile. These x-rays are usually used by orthodontists to assess or diagnose misalignment of the jaw, relationships between crooked and non-crooked teeth, and any bite problems.

How helpful are dental x-rays? As earlier mentioned, different x-ray views offer their specific uses. Generally, radiographic images identify abscesses, cavities, cysts or tumors, impaction, and other developmental abnormalities. It enables your dentist to make a plan of treatment, whether that may be a restorative or corrective nature.

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For Better Oral Health In Bellevue

Dental x-rays are one of those diagnostic tools that makes dental treatment efficient and effective.

Easy Treatment And Prevention

Tooth sensitivity can be treated. Once the cause is ascertained by your dentist, there are several treatment options available. And to prevent sensitivity from coming back, know what steps you can take as precautions.

Depending on the cause of your teeth sensitivity, here are some of the treatment options.

• If tooth sensitivity is due to over brushing, your dentist will advise you to alter your brushing mode, and perhaps to shift to a soft-bristle toothbrush which is gentler on the enamel and on your gums.
• If tooth sensitivity is caused by tooth decay, a broken or chipped tooth, the proper restorative work should be in order. Decay should be removed and the appropriate filling material applied. Otherwise, if the tooth concerned can still be saved, root canal therapy may be an option.
• For teeth grinding, your dentist may prescribe the use of a mouthguard, also called a dental guard. It puts a barrier in between your teeth, generally while you sleep at night, to prevent the clenching of your teeth.
• When you have gum recession, your dentist can prescribe several options. You may need a professional cleaning called scaling and root planing. Your dentist may also use desensitizing agents, varnishes, or dentin bonding agents to lessen the sensitivity of the exposed root. Another option for receding gums is flap surgery.
• Visit your specialist if you are experiencing GERD or reflux disease. The acidic content of your stomach may be doing damage to your teeth and a prescription would be necessary to lessen the volume of acid or the acidity per se of the reflux.

Here are some steps you can take to keep tooth sensitivity at bay:

• Sticking to your regular and proper oral hygiene routine prevents the occurrence of tooth sensitivity. Brush twice daily with fluoride and floss once daily.
• You can ask your dentist for teeth-sensitive toothpaste and medicated mouthwash that are more gentle on teeth and gums.
• Use a soft-bristled toothbrush, which will help prevent gum loss.
• Avoid too sugary and acidic foods and drinks.

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Available Treatment Options By Bellevue Dentistry

Tooth sensitivity is a treatable and preventable condition for a lot of patients. Come to Overlake Dental and see your Bellevue dentist for the most appropriate option for you.

Most Common Causes of Teeth Sensitivity

Sometimes ordinary daily activities can become a cause for grave concern, such as experiencing a sudden jolt of pain while taking your favorite hot drink or even ice cream. It can also happen while brushing your teeth. These are occasions of tooth sensitivity. The experience can put aside some of your favorite things to do. Find out more about tooth sensitivity and its causes.

What is Tooth Sensitivity? It is a certain pain or discomfort described as a sudden, short, or sharp sensation felt in the teeth as a response to a particular stimulus – like something hot, or cold, or sweet. It can involve just a tooth or several teeth. It can be a temporary or a chronic condition.

We know that teeth are composed of an outer enamel and a second layer called the dentin. The dentin makes up the bulk of the tooth providing added protection. It also surrounds the pulp chamber which is rich in blood supply and nerves. The dentin is porous and softer than enamel. As such, when exposed, it decays more easily than enamel. It contains microscopic tubules that are pathways to the nerve. When the dentine is compromised, it can lead to tooth sensitivity.

What factors can cause tooth sensitivity?

• Too much or overzealous brushing is not good for teeth. Consistently using too much pressure, especially with a hard-bristle brush, can slowly erode the enamel. Sometimes, a vigorous tooth brushing can expose the cementum, the protective layer that surrounds the roots of teeth. This habit weakens the enamel and exposes the dentin.
• Broken, chipped, or a cracked tooth may also expose the dentin.
• Tooth decay can also cause tooth sensitivity.
• Bruxism, or the habit of teeth grinding, can erode several teeth at the same time.
• Gum recession, where the gums pull away from the teeth and expose the roots, creating pockets, makes teeth very sensitive to stimuli.
• Reflux disease or GERD may leave acidic residue in the mouth, slowly eroding the enamel and exposing the dentin.
• Teeth whitening can result in temporary teeth sensitivity. This, however, resolves after a short time.

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Attending To Tooth Sensitivity in Bellevue

If you are experiencing tooth sensitivity, visit your Bellevue dental professional immediately for a proper assessment.

Complications, Treatment and Prevention

If you find out that you may have a dental abscess, it is possible that pain associated with it may subside. Depending on severity, the abscess may resolve on its own. However, it can also mean that the infection is spreading and can become chronic. It may cause serious complications in the long run. Know what treatment options are there to arrest the infection once and for all.

What are the complications of untreated dental abscess? Remember that dental pus is full of bacteria, and though in most cases these infections are treatable, if you delay treatment, some serious complications may arise. One example is osteomyelitis of the jaw, when the infection has involved the bone surrounding the abscessed tooth. The abscess may spread to the back of the mouth, leading to parapharyngeal abscess. It’s also possible to have cavernous sinus thrombosis, where the blood vessels within the sinuses get infected. Sepsis is another complication, a life-threatening condition of the presence of bacteria in the bloodstream.

You may experience certain signs and symptoms of these complications, like swelling of the face and neck, burning sensation on the skin, fever, headache, double vision, or difficulty of breathing or swallowing. Confusion and an increased heart rate have also been reported.

Dental treatment consists of removing the abscess. Drainage of the pus is initiated when a fistula has formed at the site of infection. It’s a passageway created by the pus from the infected tooth that drains to the outside. A tiny bump appears on the gum tissue that indicates the passageway. Your dentist has to drain it and clean it. Antibiotics may be prescribed.

If the pus is within the tooth, your dentist will drill a small access into the tooth and let the pus drain out. If the tooth can still be saved as the damage is not too extensive, a root canal or a new crown may be required. Otherwise, a tooth extraction is indicated and then the drainage of the pus follows.

Can dental abscesses be prevented? You can avert its occurrence by maintaining good oral hygiene. Brushing and flossing regularly can keep bacterial plaque from building up. Also, when you visit your dentist regularly, you can avoid future oral health issues such as abscesses.

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Preventing Dental Abscesses in Bellevue

Do not ignore the symptoms of dental abscess. When you experience their signs and symptoms, see your Bellevue dentist immediately.