What is a Tooth Abscess?

At Greenville Family Dentistry, if you don’t schedule regular dental checkups or follow a proper oral hygiene routine, you risk developing a tooth abscess. An abscessed tooth is an infection within a tooth that has spread to the root tip or around the root. This infection originates from the tooth’s inner pulp chamber. Prior to the formation of an abscess, the tooth has essentially lost its ability to fight off infection, and bacteria are able to invade the pulp and multiply. As a result, the abscess appears as a collection of pus that is made up of dead white blood cells, tissue debris, and bacteria.

There are many causes for a tooth abscess. A very common cause is when a dental cavity becomes so large and deep that if it reaches the pulp chamber where an inflammatory process develops in the tooth. The initial symptoms begin with localized swelling and pain that gets progressively worse over time. A tender and sore mass (abscess) may then be felt with a finger and your gums may bleed.

If you experience swelling and pain in your gums or teeth, give us a call. For more information about oral health as well as the services we provide at the office, 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.

The Proper Flossing Technique

Every time you visit Greenville Family Dentistry for a checkup, there’s one question we will ask you, “Have you been flossing regularly?” The answer might be yes, or no, but what many of these “non-flossers” don’t realize is that this step plays an important role in dental health. Flossing does more than pick the food out of your teeth and keeping your smile clean and healthy. It prevents against gum disease and tooth decay. If you want to keep your permanent teeth for a lifetime, utilize this proper flossing technique the next time you carry out your oral hygiene routine.

• Break off about 18 inches of floss and wind most of it around one of your middle fingers. Wind the remaining floss around the same finger of the opposite hand. This finger will take up the floss as it becomes dirty.


• Hold the floss tightly between your thumbs and forefingers.


• Guide the floss between your teeth using a gentle rubbing motion. Never snap the floss into the gums.


• When the floss reaches the gum line, curve it into a “C” shape against one tooth. Gently slide it into the space between the gum and the tooth.


• Hold the floss tightly against the tooth. Gently rub the side of the tooth, moving the floss away from the gum with up-and-down motions. Repeat this method on the rest of your teeth and don’t forget the back ones!

If you have further questions about flossing or oral hygiene, give us a call. For more information about oral health as well as the services we provide at the office, 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.

Pregnancy Gingivitis

Swollen gums, which may be sore and more susceptible to bleeding, are common during pregnancy. This is due to the hormone changes – particularly an increase in estrogen and progesterone – which can exaggerate the way in which gum tissues react to plaque. At Greenville Family Dentistry, we can provide expectant mothers with routine exams and cleanings during pregnancy, however, non-emergency procedures should only be performed during the second trimester.

When plaque isn’t removed, it can cause gingivitis. So-called “pregnancy gingivitis” affects most pregnant women to some degree and generally begins to surface during the second month of pregnancy. It is very important for expecting mothers to take treatment steps quickly if they have gum disease because they have a six times greater risk of having preterm and low-birth weight babies. Since the bacteria that cause gingivitis can enter the bloodstream, the bacteria can travel all the way down to the uterus.

If you are pregnant, please notify us when making your next appointment. For more information about dental hygiene or how to schedule an appointment with Greenville Family Dentistry of Greenville, TX, call us at 903-455-6701 or visit our website, www.greenvillefamilydentistrytx.com. 

What is a Cavity?

 

We all know that when we hear the word “cavity” that it isn’t necessarily a good thing, but what is it? Dental cavities, also referred to as caries, are holes in the teeth caused by the destruction of your tooth enamel. Two main factors contribute to cavities – bacteria in the mouth and a diet high in sugar. Here at Greenville Family Dentistry have a variety of options to fill cavities when they arise, however, we’d prefer that they didn’t. Here is how you can prevent your teeth from decay.

The most important thing you can do for cavity prevention is schedule checkups with your dentist regularly. Getting professional teeth cleanings and regular oral exams can spot them early and help prevent problems. You should also avoid foods and beverages that are high in sugar. If you don’t you should at least brush soon after eating them. Good oral and dental hygiene can help you avoid cavities. Brush your teeth at least twice a day and ideally after every meal, using fluoride containing toothpaste. To clean between your teeth, floss or use an interdental cleaner to reach where your toothbrush can’t. 

For more information about dental hygiene or how to schedule an appointment with Greenville Family Dentistry of Greenville, TX, call us at 903-455-6701 or visit our website, www.greenvillefamilydentistrytx.com. 

We all know that when we hear the word “cavity” that it isn’t necessarily a good thing, but what is it? Dental cavities, also referred to as caries, are holes in the teeth caused by the destruction of your tooth enamel. Two main factors contribute to cavities – bacteria in the mouth and a diet high in sugar. Here at Greenville Family Dentistry have a variety of options to fill cavities when they arise, however, we’d prefer that they didn’t. Here is how you can prevent your teeth from decay.

The most important thing you can do for cavity prevention is schedule checkups with your dentist regularly. Getting professional teeth cleanings and regular oral exams can spot them early and help prevent problems. You should also avoid foods and beverages that are high in sugar. If you don’t you should at least brush soon after eating them. Good oral and dental hygiene can help you avoid cavities. Brush your teeth at least twice a day and ideally after every meal, using fluoride containing toothpaste. To clean between your teeth, floss or use an interdental cleaner to reach where your toothbrush can’t.

For more information about dental hygiene or how to schedule an appointment with Greenville Family Dentistry of Greenville, TX, call us at 903-455-6701 or visit our website, www.greenvillefamilydentistrytx.com. 

 

Your Child’s Visit to Greenville Family Dentistry

At Greenville Family Dentistry, we are always welcoming new patients regardless of age. The idea of early dental visits can be surprising to many new parents, but the general rule of pediatric dentistry is that your child should have their first visit by their first birthday. At Greenville Family Dentistry, our staff takes pride in providing your child with a positive experience. Here is how we make that happen.

The best way to prepare for this visit is to consider what you want to know, what you want to look for and what you should expect. Be prepared to ask about any concerns you may have while we get to know your child and teach them good oral hygiene habits. Teaching children these habits early can lead to a lifetime of good dental health.

You can also expect us to review your child’s history, respond to your questions and concerns, as well as talk to you about your child’s overall oral health, including: development, teething, biting, oral habits such as sucking, and factors that affect the risk of cavities, such as diet and hygiene practices.

For more information about pediatric services or how to schedule an appointment with Greenville Family Dentistry of Greenville, TX, call us at 903-455-6701 or visit our website, www.greenvillefamilydentistrytx.com. 

How to Have a Tooth Friendly Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is right around the corner and it is an infamous holiday for an abundance of food choices, many of which are not particularly healthy for your waistline or your teeth. Foods that contain sugars of any kind can contribute to tooth decay and this might be a problem when it comes time to devour pumpkin pie and candied yams. Fortunately, at Greenville Family Dentistry we have some foods to recommend so that you can have a tooth friendly Thanksgiving.  

For appetizers, put out plates of cheese and mixed nuts for guests to snack on while dinner is being prepared. Cheese is great for teeth because it contains strength-building calcium. Casein, a protein found in milk products, fortifies the surfaces of teeth to help prevent cavities. For the main course, green beans are often served as a side dish. This year, rinse your green beans in sesame oil. Rinsing with sesame oil in place of mouthwash has been shown to reduce the effects of plaque and even, in some cases, to reverse the effects of gingivitis. In addition, we can’t forget about dessert. We suggest whipping something up that contains pears and honey, because pears have been shown to neutralize acid on the surface of the teeth, while honey acts as a natural antiseptic. Surely you have to wash all these delicious dishes down with something, so stick to tap water because tap water contains fluoride which reverses damage to enamel caused by acids.

For more information about oral health or how to schedule an appointment with Greenville Family Dentistry of Greenville, TX, call us at 903-455-6701 or visit our website, www.greenvillefamilydentistrytx.com. 

Cleaning Your Tongue

When you think about taking care of your oral health, you probably think about your teeth and gums. But did you know that you tongue should get just as much attention? At Greenville Family Dentistry of Greenville, TX, we are reminding patients to brush their tongue and letting them know why it is important.

Our tongues can become harbors for bacteria. The whitish film that builds up on it every day is from our food, drinks, and saliva. Removing it helps keep a cleaner mouth. It helps keep away plaque build-up which keeps away cavities and gum disease. In addition, keeping a clean tongue is a great way to avoid bad breath. Bacteria are what cause bad odor and the more you remove, the more fresh your breath will be.

Clean your tongue after brushing and flossing your teeth. To clean your tongue, you can use your toothbrush or a tongue scraper. To use a toothbrush, put a small amount of toothpaste on your toothbrush and brush the tongue up and down and then side-to-side. Rinse the brush every couple of strokes to get rid of the bacterial film you are removing. You do not want to redeposit it. Tongue scrapers are sold in most places that sell dental supplies. There are metal ones and plastic ones. Take the scraper and drag it down your tongue, starting from the back. Be firm, but do not hurt yourself. After each stroke, rinse off the scraper. Rinse your mouth after you are done cleaning your tongue.

For more information about oral health or to schedule an appointment with Greenville Family Dentistry of Greenville, TX, call us at (903) 455-6701 or visit our website, www.greenvillefamilydentistrytx.com.