Tag: Injured Teeth

Does Drinking More Water Protect Your Teeth?


Dental health is essential to us all because it not only affects the quality of our smile but, in many ways, it influences our quality of life. Besides the ability to offer a brilliant smile, a healthy mouth allows us to eat correctly, breathe without obstruction, speak with expression, and get into close encounters with fresh breath.

If you follow our blog posts, you understand there are many steps to protect your teeth, like brushing, flossing, and regular checkups. Below, you will learn why drinking water can be added to that list.

Strengthens Teeth

Drinking water, including water enhanced with fluoride, is recommended to strengthen teeth. Fluoride is a component proved scientifically to make teeth healthy and reduce cavities. It supports tooth structure and promotes remineralization. Consuming water with fluoride is an easy way to care for your dental health.

Cleans Your Mouth

Drinking water, along with consistent brushing and flossing, will keep your teeth clean. It rinses off acid and residue left by some foods as well as sugars and bacteria. If these harmful residues are left on the tooth surface and between the teeth, cavities will fill with bacteria. Another benefit of drinking water instead of colas, teas, and coffee is that it doesn’t stain your teeth.

Reduces Dry Mouth

The problem of dry mouth is caused by a lack of saliva, which prevents tooth decay. A dry mouth is also uncomfortable and an indication of dehydration. Drinking sufficient amounts of water daily resolves dry mouth and supports saliva production, hence few cavities.

Reduces Bad Breath

If you experience halitosis regularly, you understand the embarrassment that comes with it. Poor dental health, built-up bacteria, dry mouth, and dirty teeth all play a role in bad breath. It’s no wonder the mouthwash and products designed to eliminate mouth odor are a billion-dollar industry. Drinking plenty of water throughout the day cleans your mouth and rinses away odor-causing bacteria.

Hydrates Your Gums

Dental health is not only about your teeth. It includes your gums. When your gums are in poor health, it could lead to gingivitis and tooth loss. Drinking water promotes saliva production essential for healthy gums. Proper hydration with water consumption will keep your gums hydrated and plump to protect the root of your teeth.

Conclusion

Drinking water is critical for several health benefits, and your dental health is no exception. If you don’t drink at least 60 ounces daily, start making steps to work your way up to eight glasses a day. Keep filtered cold water in your refrigerator and make it your go-to drink instead of Pepsi, tea, or Coke. These steps will increase your water intake and improve your dental health in no time.

If you have any questions on how drinking plenty of water can improve your dental health, we are here to help.

Call our Austin oral surgery office at 512-327-7233 to request a consultation.

Accidents Happen: How to Treat Injured Teeth

More than 5 million teeth are knocked out each year due to trauma dislodging the tooth from the socket. Teeth can be chipped, cracked, or displaced. Injuries can also affect the jawbone and gums. Dental injuries happen, and knowing what to do when they occur could be the difference between losing a tooth permanently and keeping it.

In Austin, TX, contact Hill Country Oral Surgery in the event of a dental injury. Our trained oral surgeons are qualified to treat many types of dental and facial trauma including facial lacerations, intraoral lacerations, avulsed (knocked-out) teeth, fractured facial bones, and fractured jaws.

Knocked Out Tooth? Seek Immediate Assistance

When a tooth is displaced or knocked out, the clock starts ticking. The sooner you obtain qualified dental assistance, the more likely you are to keep your tooth. The sooner a tooth is reimplanted, the better chances are for success. If you’ve lost your tooth, immediately start seeking dental care from an oral or maxillofacial surgeon.

Properly caring for the tooth while you wait to see the dentist can improve outcomes.

  • Do not rub or wipe the tooth as remnants of essential ligaments may still be attached to the tooth. These ligament remnants are needed for a successful reimplantation.
  • Hold the tooth only by the crown, not the root.
  • Store the tooth in salt water or milk until you’re able to get to an oral surgeon. Don’t wait; hurry in.
  • Seek immediate assistance from a qualified medical or dental professional and take all teeth and tooth fragments with you.

What Facial and Dental Injuries Can an Oral Surgeon Treat?

Our surgeons are well-trained in all types of facial and dental trauma. They are on-staff at local hospitals and provide emergency room coverage for many injuries. They have extensive training and hands-on experience in the latest methods for addressing these types of trauma. Our surgeons can treat soft tissue injuries, bone injuries, tooth problems, and trauma to other facial structures like the salivary glands.

Soft Tissue Injuries

Cuts and lacerations on the face are repaired with sutures. We strive to minimize scarring and repair using techniques that offer the best cosmetic results. We also carefully inspect the area to ensure surrounding facial structures, including nerves, salivary glands, etc., aren’t damaged. If trauma has affected these structures, we treat and address any problems.

Bone Injuries

Fractures of the jawbone or other facial bones can be treated by an oral surgeon. For some fractures, immobilization is needed. The jaw may need to be wired shut or plates and screws may be used to hold bones into position. When possible, plates and screws are often preferred as they shorten recovery times and allow patients to return to normal activities sooner. Our goal in treating bone injuries is to minimize change to facial appearance and minimize scarring.

Tooth Injuries

As trained oral surgeons, we have a lot experience helping patients with their teeth. We treat chips and fractures, dislodged teeth, and many other tooth concerns. Often, we collaborate with other specialists including endodontists and restorative dentists.

If teeth cannot be saved or repaired, we can place dental implants to restore a patient’s smile.

Dental injuries happen, and when they do, we have the experience, training, and skill to help you treat them. You can reach Hill Country Oral Surgery in Austin, TX by calling (512) 327-7233.