Thursday, June 29, 2017

Intrinsic Stains

Visitors to Greenville Family Dentistry will notice that a lot of the discussion of cosmetic dentistry addresses stains on teeth. Whitening is a valuable service to people whose teeth are discolored by extrinsic stains, which are acquired through exposure to certain drinks or smoking, but sometimes discoloration is due to factors that are intrinsic, or on the inside.


Excessive fluoride exposure and certain drugs can cause changes in the color of the pulp, but usually, intrinsic stains are due to traumatic injury. They can still be covered by veneers or bonding, of course, but trauma isn’t just a cosmetic problem. It is likely the patient will need a root canal in order to remove inflamed or infected material, or else the infection may progress and cause pain. Bleaching the outside of a tooth will not cure an intrinsic injury and will do little to improve the tooth’s color. However, if a root canal is performed before traumatized tissue changes the tooth’s color, masking the tooth may not be necessary. Patients should also be aware that as they age, the enamel covering their teeth’s yellow inner layers will simply thin, and that this isn’t the same thing as having an infection. The advanced imaging systems in our office will help us get to the truth of the matter.


Dr. Christopher Emuedue operates Greenville Family Dentistry at 7215 I-30, Suite B, Greenville, Texas, 75402. To schedule an appointment, call 903-455-6701 or visit GreenvilleFamilyDentistryTX.com and fill out a contact sheet.


 

Saturday, June 24, 2017

Bad Breath in Children

Bad breath in children is worth examining because it may lead to the detection of an underlying health issue. However, it could also simply be due to some of the specific challenges children have with oral hygiene, and at Greenville Family Dentistry, we want our patients of all ages to know how to keep their smiles fresh.


Contemporary dental advice for children stresses the need to brush the tongue as much as the teeth. The tongue is a spot where bacteria grow very easily, and in most cases, bad breath is caused by out-of-control bacterial growth. Food debris, which tends to accumulate in the back of the mouth and top of the throat, is food for bacteria, as well, but bacteria also feed on nasal drip. Either a sinus infection or a foreign object in the child’s nose can cause drip, which gets stuck in the top of the throat.


Since saliva is one of the body’s checks on bacterial growth, dry mouth is another environment which fosters bad breath. Children who breathe through their mouths or experience dry mouth as a medication side-effect will likely benefit from saliva stimulation, such as comes from chewing sugar-free gum.


Dr. Christopher Emuedue operates Greenville Family Dentistry at 7215 I-30, Suite B, Greenville, Texas, 75402. To schedule an appointment, call 903-455-6701 or visit GreenvilleFamilyDentistryTX.com and fill out a contact sheet.


 

Tuesday, June 13, 2017

Periodontitis

Gingivitis is a minor form of gum disease and is usually reversible in its earliest stage. If gingivitis is not treated promptly, it can advance to the second stage of gum disease called periodontitis. Periodontitis is an inflammation of the gums that destroys the structures of the teeth and can lead to even more serious problems, including higher blood sugar levels and an increased risk of heart attack and stroke. Dr. Christopher Emuedue of Greenville Family Dentistry can treat periodontitis if it arises, but he would much rather you practice preventive oral hygiene.


Healthy gums are firm and a pale pink. If you spit pink in the sink while brushing your teeth, this is a symptom of gingivitis. Periodontitis, as well as gingivitis, begins with plaque. If plaque isn’t brushed away after eating and drinking, it will fester and lead to tartar which only a dental hygienist is able to remove. There are a number of factors that can aggravate this condition, such as smoking and chewing tobacco, but it’s important to know that it can be prevented by simply brushing your teeth at least twice a day and flossing at least once a day. In addition, you should be visiting us for professional cleanings at least twice a year.


If you have questions or concerns about your next dental appointment, please give us a call. To learn more about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.greenvillefamilydentistrytx.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Christopher Emuedue at Greenville Family Dentistry in Greenville, TX, call 903-455-6701.

Wednesday, June 7, 2017

Nausea after Dental Treatment

You’re sitting in the dental chair getting a routine cleaning. Everything is going fine, but once the procedure is over, you’re feeling a bit nauseous. Visiting the dentist on an empty stomach or too full of a stomach may lead to queasiness or indigestion simply from the positioning of the chair and the smells in the office. Fortunately, Dr. Christopher Emuedue of Greenville Family Dentistry can make adjustments to keep you calm and comfortable.


If you’re feeling a bit queasy before your dental appointment, be sure to let the doctor or one of our hygienists know that you’re feeling this way. Allergies and pre-existing conditions such as infections can upset the stomach during a dental cleaning. If the sick feeling doesn’t disappear, take a look at what might be causing nausea. Perhaps you didn’t eat before your appointment or maybe you’ve taken a medication that has some side effects. Regardless of what’s causing your nausea, Dr. Christopher Emuedue will manage your pain the best he can.  


If you have questions or concerns about your next dental appointment, please give us a call. To learn more about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.greenvillefamilydentistrytx.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Christopher Emuedue at Greenville Family Dentistry in Greenville, TX, call 903-455-6701.

Thursday, June 1, 2017

Consequences of Root Tip Infections

Root tip infections, scientifically known as periapical abscesses, have long been associated with a number of serious health problems. New studies are also linking them with coronary disease, which is why at Greenville Family Dental, we want our patients to understand them and see us for regular screenings.


When the outer layers of a tooth are cracked or severely decayed, bacteria are able to enter the pulp on the inside and cause an infection at the tip of the tooth’s root. The body’s immune system isolates bacteria by creating an abscess: a pocket filled with pus made up of the bacteria and dead tissue. The abscess often causes extreme pain to the patient’s face and neck, as well as fevers and a persistent terrible taste. If the infection spreads despite the immune system’s efforts, the patient’s life could be in danger.


The type of root tip infection which correlates with coronary disease does not present any symptoms. Therefore, patients need to regularly visit the dentist’s office to get x-rays. They also must not hesitate to have toothaches examined. Cracked teeth can’t heal on their own and the health effects of an infection will only get more severe.


Dr. Christopher Emuedue operates Greenville Family Dentistry at 7215 I-30, Suite B, Greenville, Texas, 75402. To schedule an appointment, call 903-455-6701 or visit GreenvilleFamilyDentistryTX.com and fill out a contact sheet.