Sugar and Teeth

Dr. Christopher Emuedue of Greenville Family Dentistry can provide patients with a list of benefits that water gives teeth, but when it comes to sugar, there are none. Sugar plays a harmful role in tooth decay because sugar contains acid that attacks tooth enamel. It’s not the sugar itself that does the damage, but rather the chain of events that occur after consumption. Allow us to explain.

There’s a constant battle of bacteria that occurs in the mouth on a daily basis. This is because the teeth are frequently under attack by acids. When you consume sugar, the sugar latches onto tooth enamel, though saliva washes the sugar away, these acids can linger. We encourage you to reduce sugar intake to prevent cavities. Keep your mouth as clean as possible by brushing at least twice a day, flossing and least once a day and visit our office at least twice a year for dental checkups.

If you have questions or concerns regarding dental health, 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.

Dry Sockets

When patients need to have teeth extracted, they’re in good hands at Greenville Family Dentistry. Extractions are a routine procedure and have a very high success rate. However, we do want our patients to be on the look-out for dry sockets and to know what to do should one develop.

After a simple extraction, a bit of the jawbone is exposed at the end of the empty socket. Ideally, the socket will quickly be sealed off with a blood clot, but there are some medications which interfere with clotting. This is why it is important for patients to disclose their full regimen of medications to us. The socket will close after a few days, but during that time, the clot must not be disturbed, or else the socket will dry out, causing pain and posing a risk of infection. Patients are always warned not to sip through straws for fear of dislodging the clot.

When dry sockets do develop, it is usually after a complicated extraction which required incisions and sutures. If a patient’s pain does not subside forty-eight hours after the extraction, they should return for an examination. We can treat a dry socket by cleaning and dressing it and will carefully monitor it afterward.

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.

 

Cleaning Fixed Bridges

When patients at Greenville Family Dentistry get permanent bridges, we strive to ensure their new restorations last. Oral hygiene remains important for people with prosthetic teeth, but there are a few changes in habit they will need to make.

Keeping a fixed bridge clean of plaque requires that the gap between it and the gum line be flossed. To loop the floss around the bridge, patients will use a threader, which is a floppy device shaped like a sewing needle. People who have worn braces are already familiar with it. Patients might also be interested in specialty floss which has stiffened ends, allowing it to be pushed through the gap.

Christmas tree brushes, also known as proxy brushes, are another useful tool, particularly with implant-supported bridges which have larger gaps separating them from the gums. These brushes can be attached to longer handles for ease of use. Makers of electric toothbrushes and water picks are also manufacturing tips for use on implants, including those supporting multiple teeth.

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.

 

Restorative Crowns

Greenville Family Dentistry offers crowns to repair smiles and restore function to a patient’s teeth.  Dental crowns are a restorative option for teeth that have a significant amount of decay or are at risk of being chipped.  A crown fits over the tooth like a little cap, and completely covers the tooth. 

The process for installing a crown can usually be completed in two visits.  To prepare the tooth your dentist will remove any decay, and may need to reshape the remaining tooth to ensure a great fit for the new crown.  Once the tooth has been prepared, your dentist will take an impression of the area.  This impression is sent to a dental lab where the crown is fabricated.  Ask us about temporary options to wear while your new crown is being made.  Once your custom crown is made, the crown will be cemented into place by your dentist at a second appointment.  Our crowns blend right into your natural smile and can last a lifetime!

To learn more about crowns and all 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.

Night Guards for Teeth Grinders

Bruxism is the term for any regular grinding of teeth or clenching of the jaw.  Many teeth grinders only do so at night and may not even realize it.  If you wake up with a sore jaw or a dull headache, these could be signs you are grinding your teeth at night and you should consult a dentist. Greenville Family Dentistry provides custom night guards to protect patient teeth from the negative effects of teeth grinding.

To outfit you with a new custom night guard, we begin with taking an impression of your mouth.  This impression is sent to a dental lab where your custom product will be fabricated and fit.  Ask us about temporary options to wear while your night guard is being made.  On your next visit you can bring your custom night guard home, and with correct care, it will last for 10 years.  The night guard will also help align the jaw and improve sleep!

To learn more about night guards and all 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.

Bridges

Missing teeth wreak havoc on your mouth over time.  Gaps in the teeth can cause problems with eating and speech, and when a tooth is missing long enough the jaw bone is vulnerable and the structure becomes compromised. At Greenville Family Dentistry, we install permanent bridges that replace missing teeth and still look natural.

Permanent bridges use healthy teeth on either side of a missing tooth to anchor a replacement in the appropriate location.  The replacement tooth is held in place by caps on the teeth on either side.  This can typically be accomplished in two visits.  First, an impression of the area is taken so that a dental laboratory can create a bridge that will fit perfectly.  While your new bridge is being fabricated, we can provide a temporary bridge for you to wear.  On your second visit, the bridge will be cemented into place.  With proper care bridges can last a lifetime, but can be replaced if needed.

To learn more about bridges and all 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.

What is a Frenectomy?

A frenectomy is a procedure to remove a frenum, or muscular attachment between two tissues, from the mouth.  At Greenville Family Dentistry, frenectomies are performed to correct a number of issues patients may have with their teeth, lips, and tongue.

There are three main frenums in your mouth.  One is located underneath your tongue, and removing this is called a lingual frenectomy.  Patients with an enlarged frenum underneath their tongue will not be able to move their tongue freely.  This interferes with speech and is often called ‘tongue tie’. Lingual frenectomies are typically performed on young patients, who can recover quickly and continue to develop their speech.

Another two frenums in your mouth are between the font teeth (both upper and lower) and connects the inner surface of the lip with the gum. Removing this attachment is called a labial frenectomy.  Patients who have receding gums can benefit from this procedure, because a strong frenum from the gum to the lip can cause extra pulling on the gums and lead to further recession.

To learn more about frenectomies and all 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.