Post-Extraction Swelling

We’re trusted tooth extractors at Southern Cross Dental in Colorado Springs. As an office that serves people of all ages, we’ve assisted lots of teenagers with wisdom tooth removal, ensuring they will have hygienic, healthily aligned bites. Although we strive to make our patients as comfortable as possible, some swelling after this procedure is normal. We want our patients to understand why so they’ll be more at ease and better able to recognize if something does go wrong.

When a tooth is extracted, the jaw bone will be briefly exposed before the blood clots and seals the socket. The immune system recognizes this as a wound and triggers inflammation. This process prevents harmful bacteria that may have entered the socket from spreading to the rest of the body and concentrates white blood cells where they’re needed. Generally, inflammation is proportionate to the complexity of an extraction, so extractions done with incisions can be expected to cause more swelling.

In the initial aftermath of an extraction, we advise patients to limit swelling by applying cold packs. They should follow the fifteen-on-fifteen-off rule: never put an ice pack on the skin for more than fifteen minutes and always allow fifteen minutes to pass between applications. Swelling should peak within forty-eight, after which the patient can apply the same procedure with hot packs. If swelling is still increasing after three days, the patient should call us for assistance. Red discoloration is a normal part of inflammation, but if the tissue near the surgical site turns black or white, the patient should seek emergency care. In most cases, swelling can be controlled through conventional means and over-the-counter pain medication is sufficient.

Drs. Navid and Faranak Rahimpour operate Southern Cross Dental at 1855 S Nevada Ave, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 80905-2516. To schedule an appointment, call 719-471-1717 or visit Southern Cross Family Dentistry and fill out a contact sheet.

 

Bite Checks

As a family practice, we at Southern Cross Dental carefully monitor the dental development of our pediatric patients. While we use the latest technology to predict where children’s permanent teeth will come in, biannual check-ups are chances for us to ensure the teeth they already have are comfortable and healthy. If we see a problem, we can refer them for orthodontic work, although we’ll remain an important part of each child’s health team.

We’ll ask children to close their teeth together and whether they’ve experienced any pain while chewing or when they wake up. This will help us to establish whether they have an issue with misaligned teeth (also known as malocclusions) or temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJD). If they have TMJD, they may be clenching their jaws subconsciously or grinding their teeth in their sleep. This would result in distinctive wear patterns in their enamel and could further exacerbate malocclusions.

Although the wisdom teeth usually do not erupt until late adolescence, orthodontic work is usually done during late childhood and early adolescence. This is because children’s jawbones have not solidified as much and more extensive orthodontic work can be done on them without the need for surgery. It’s normal for children to get their first orthodontic assessment when they’re about seven, but work would only start at that age in extreme circumstances. An orthodontist may still prefer that we do any necessary extractions, and we will continue to provide cleanings and sealants while orthodontic work is ongoing.

Drs. Navid and Faranak Rahimpour operate Southern Cross Dental at 1855 S Nevada Ave, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 80905-2516. To schedule an appointment, call 719-471-1717 or visit Southern Cross Family Dentistry and fill out a contact sheet.

 

What is TMD?

The temporomandibular joint is a hinge that connects your jaw bone (mandible) to the temporal bones in your skull, in front of each ear.  A general term for any problem or issue with this joint is temporomandibular disorder, or TMD.  At Southern Cross Dental, we help patients prevent and recover from negative effects of TMD.

Patients that grind or clench their teeth often end up with a sore jaw.  Other patients experience injuries with facial trauma that cause jaw pain, or result in the patient feeling their jaw gets stuck or ‘locks’ in either an open or closed position.  A custom night guard keeps the jaw in a neutral position during sleep, and this helps many patients find relief from TMD symptoms.  For any pain, your dentist may recommend an over-the-counter painkiller or warm and cold compresses.  To prevent further discomfort, you may be assigned stretches for your jaw. 

Whatever your symptoms, you don’t have to suffer with discomfort in your jaw.  To learn more about TMD and the services provided at the practice, visit www.scdsmile.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Southern Cross Dental in Colorado Springs, CO, call 719-471-1717.

Cirrhosis and Gum Disease

Dentistry is a crucial part of overall health. At Southern Cross Dental in Colorado Springs, we enjoy keeping up with the latest developments in our field. Recent research has indicated that gum disease is closely tied to diseases elsewhere in the body, and now scientists have found evidence that treating it can relieve symptoms of cirrhosis.

The liver filters toxic substances out of the body, but it can become inflamed. When chronic inflammation causes it to scar over, this is called cirrhosis, and it causes inflammation throughout the body. People with cirrhosis have been observed to have decreased cognitive function as a result of brain inflammation. It was initially unsurprising that cirrhosis patients have unusually high rates of gum disease, since both can be caused by smoking and alcohol use, but studies also found higher rates of gum disease in people with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, suggesting a direct relationship. Bacteria that cause gum disease have also been found in the liver.

Researchers at Virginia Commonwealth University investigated whether cirrhosis symptoms would improve if patients received treatment for gum disease. They found that, following treatment, cirrhosis patients had better cognitive function and increased levels of gut bacteria that fight inflammation. While we are awaiting more research, we have another reason to emphasize why it is so important for people to brush and floss regularly and to encourage people to come to our office to get inflamed gums treated.

Drs. Navid and Faranak Rahimpour operate Southern Cross Dental at 1855 S Nevada Ave, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 80905-2516. To schedule an appointment, call 719-471-1717 or visit Southern Cross Family Dentistry and fill out a contact sheet.

 

Have You Had A Cleaning This Year?

Southern Cross Dental encourages all our patients to maintain a great oral health routine at home, but it is still important to come into the office for regular professional cleanings.  During the holidays, we want everyone looking forward to the New Year and maintaining great oral hygiene!  However much you brush and floss, some harmful bacteria grow in your mouth that cause gum disease and can only be removed by a dental professional. 

It’s important to see a professional regularly not just to clean your teeth, but also to locate and monitor areas in the mouth that may need special attention, and a dentist can tell you if you may be missing a spot or skipping an important step in your regular oral care routine.  During a teeth cleaning, a hygienist thoroughly clean the area above and below the gum line with scaling tools to rid them of plaque and tartar. After the surfaces of the teeth are cleaned, the hygienist flosses between every one of your teeth and may apply fluoride if recommended by the dentist. Come see us for a cleaning to make a great impression during the holidays, and start the year off with your best smile!

To learn more about dental health and all the services provided at the practice, visit www.scdsmile.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Southern Cross Dental in Colorado Springs, CO, call 719-471-1717.