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Salt Water Rinses Can Keep You From Getting a Postoperative Infection |
Posted on 9/21/2021 by Ankur Johri |
| Now that you're done with your procedure, it's time to start the healing process. Depending on the procedure, our professionals might have told you to start a habit of rinsing your mouth with salt water to help your recovery. This is because, after an operation, you are vulnerable to an infection around the affected area. This risk is most prevalent before the wound heals and seals itself. Therefore, after your procedure, we recommend you dissolve half a teaspoon in a glass of water and use it to rinse your mouth after every meal (as frequently as you can). Warm or slightly hot water is preferable to cold water. You might be wondering about the importance of saltwater. Here is an explanation of how saltwater works and other benefits it can provide for you when rinsing your teeth. How Salt Water Works Humans have used salt water to treat infections for centuries now. Early records show Egyptians, as far as the year 1600 BCE, were using salt to treat infections and treat wounds. Saltwater works by changing the acid-alkaline balance in your mouth temporarily. This balance is also called the PH balance. Bacteria have a difficult time surviving in an alkaline environment as compared to acidic environments. Therefore, salts will temporarily make your mouth more alkaline than before, making it easier to kill any existing bacteria. Saltwater will not irritate your gum tissues and mucous membranes like some brands of mouthwash do. It also helps wash away debris from your teeth, preventing the buildup of plaque and tartar, which may lead to reinfection. Fast Track Your Healing Process Your chances of getting your smile back just got better now that you decided to have your dental issues sorted. However, the procedure is only half the job done. The healing process is the other half. To fast-track, your healing process, be sure to keep your teeth clean and free from any food particles after every meal. Saltwater is sure to make the process faster and easier for you. Don't hesitate to contact us for any other information regarding your dental health.... Read more... |
What We Can Do to Help Remedy an Underbite |
Posted on 9/6/2021 by Ankur Johri |
| You can have an underbite corrected through surgery. This type of jaw correction procedure is recommended for people with a Class 3 malocclusion, or severe underbite. The following information gives you more details about this type of bite. What Is an Underbite? We diagnose people with severe underbites whose lower teeth overlap the upper teeth. This type of alignment happens because of a larger lower jaw and is also called prognathism. This means that the lower jaw projects forward. Usually, the mandible or lower jaw is overdeveloped while the maxilla or upper jaw is underdeveloped. Most underbites run in families or are genetically based. Why Should an Underbite Be Corrected? Besides how it affects a person's appearance, an underbite makes it harder to bite or chew, or can lead to early erosion and tooth decay. Therefore, orthodontics and surgery may be used to correct an underbite or veneers may be added in very mild cases. If surgery is required, we need to x-ray the jaw to see what sections of bone can be removed to create a more perfect dentition. Correcting an Underbite It can take time to correct a Class 3 malocclusion. We will work diligently to review the interrelationship of the bones, joints, and teeth to determine how a patient's skeletal and dental problems are interfering with their dentition. From this assessment, we can develop a treatment plan customized to a patient's surgical needs. Irregularities, such as jaw size and shape, or the crowding of teeth cannot be prevented and therefore may require surgical intervention. If we don't correct this type of bite problem, speech problems, enamel loss, and sleep problems can develop or will continue. Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain may be an issue too. Do you have an underbite that needs correction? If so, we can assist you with a bite problem. By setting up an exam and consultation, we can review your dentition and alignment and find out the best course of jaw corrective surgery for you. Give us a call today to arrange an appointment for an exam and consultation.... Read more... |
Most Common Types of Oral Cancer Surgeries |
Posted on 8/23/2021 by Ankur Johri |
| You have been diagnosed with oral cancer. Now what? The following information give you a better idea about oral cancer procedures and when they are performed. Oral Cancer Locations and Phases When you receive an oral cancer diagnosis, you will also be given the stage of the disease, which is indicated by a Roman Numeral, usually 1 through IV. A lower sate 1 cancer indicates the cancer is smaller and confined to a single area. A higher state cancer, such as IV, means the cancer is larger or has spread to other area, such as the neck or head, or another area of the body. These stages allow us to determine what type of treatment or surgery we'll recommend. Treatment for oral cancer also depend on a patient's overall health and personal preferences. For example, you may just undergo surgery or may need a combination of treatments, such as surgery and radiation or chemotherapy. Removing a Cancerous Tumor Surgery for mouth cancer may include tumor removal. During this procedure the tumor and a small amount of healthy tissue are removed to ensure complete removal of the cancer. A smaller tumor can be removed by minor surgery. If the tumor is large, the procedure may be more extensive, and include removing part of the tongue or jawbone. Removing Cancer that Has Spread to the Neck and Reconstruction of the Mouth If the cancer cells have spread to the lymph nodes in the neck, a neck dissection may be recommended. This process involves removing cancer cells that have invaded the lymph nodes This procedure also helps determine if a patient will need further surgical intervention. Some oral cancer patients undergo reconstructive surgery if teeth or tissue were removed, for instance, to get rid of the cancer. Reconstructive surgery helps a patient to regain their ability to talk or speak. We may transplant grafts to rebuild the bone or add dental implants when performing the surgery. Oral cancer surgeries can affect a patient's appearance and how they talk or speak. Therefore, a subspecialty surgery, such as mouth restriction, may be advised as well. If you would like to arrange an oral cancer screening or discuss surgery options, give us a call now.... Read more... |