More of your most pressing dental questions answered!

 In a continuation of our “ask the dentist” series, Dr. Derek Grytzelius of Bright Side Dental sat down with me to answer more of your dental questions:

Q. How long will swelling occur for after getting all 4 wisdom teeth out?  What should I do to make the process a lot quicker?

A. Every patient is different but I recommend patients ice their mouth immediately after the procedure, twenty minutes on twenty minutes off, for the entire first day.  If you do get swelling, it could last up to a week but it depends because it’s different patient to patient.

Q. Why does my left canine tooth hurt with a stabbing pain when I eat something sweet?

It hurts like I’m being stabbed with a pin.

A. There are so many possible causes for your pain such as decay, recession of gum exposing root surface, fracture or simple sensitivity to name a few.  I would really recommend you visit your dentist so he or she could examine and make a diagnosis. 

Q. I have bottom braces and not top ones, but I’m supposed to get them eventually. I believe Invisalign would work but I didn’t ask my orthodontist. My top teeth are perfect! They just need to move the slightest bit. I wouldn’t even have them on for 7 months! Should I ask about Invisalign?

A. Your dentist or orthodontist would be able to discuss Invisalign with you and determine whether or not you would be a candidate.  Invisalign is a nice alternative to traditional metal braces because they are clear and nearly unnoticeable.  However, if your bite needs to be adjusted then Invisalign may not be an option and traditional braces will be necessary.

Q. I brush my teeth a lot of times a day and now I’m noticing that it’s starting to bleed and get kind of swollen.  Why?

A. You could potentially have gingivitis which is characterized by swollen, bleeding gums.  You could also have a more serious infection of the gums and bones that hold your teeth in place.  This is called periodontal disease.  I would recommend you make an appointment to see a dentist right away to receive proper treatment.  Leaving gum disease untreated can lead to bone and tooth loss.

Q. I have spacers in my mouth for braces and I bit one of them in half.  It’s still in my tooth so should I be worried enough to call the orthodontist?

A. Yes because if the spacer is not working properly this could delay your treatment.  It would be best to visit your orthodontist to have it checked.

Q. What kind of stuff can the dentist use to put you to sleep?  I know that doctors use some kind of drug to make you sleep during a medical procedure especially during an operation. I’ve noticed that dentists use a type of drug that makes you sleep during dental procedures. Is it the same drug or sedatives that doctors use as well as dentists? If it is, what is it called?

A. IV sedation is an option and yes it is the same drugs as a doctor or surgeon would use.  Today there are many different options available if a patient is interested in being sedated for their dental work.  I recommend discussing your needs with your dentist and together you can decide which type of sedation would be best for you.

 Dr. Grytzelius practices at Bright Side Dental with locations in Sterling Heights, Royal Oak, Livonia and Canton, Michigan.  Visit their website at www.BrightSideDental.com for more information.

Your most pressing dental questions answered!

If you haven’t checked it out already, there are tons of really neat forums for real people like you to post your most pressing questions on a variety of topics. Dr. Derek Grytzelius of Bright Side Dental sat down with me to answer some recently posted dental related questions  (Please note: questions were summarized or shortened where necessary for content).

Q. I have the Crest 3D White Strips with Advanced Seal.  My questions is do I brush my teeth before I wear the strips, after I wear the strips, both or at all?  Also, what is your opinion about any other whitening products (toothpaste, strips, mouthwashes, etc.)?

A. You should definitely brush your teeth before using the strips and you can also brush them after if you choose to.  Toothpastes and mouthwashes are not usually as effective as whitening strips.  For more powerful whitening, you should visit your dentist who may offer stronger take-home whitening kits with custom-made trays for your teeth or even in-office whitening.  I offer my patients Zoom which is whitening done in one visit!

Q. I had my wisdom teeth out 9 days ago.  Are my stitches supposed to come out on their own?

A. This really depends on what type of stitches was used; dissolvable or non-dissolvable.  Non-dissolvable will not come out on their own but dissolvable will.  Ask your dentist what type of stitch was used in your case.  If they were non-dissolvable, you will need to visit your dentist again to have them removed.

Q. I had my braces removed last April but my teeth went right back to the way they were so my orthodontist put me in a clear retainer with rubber bands and it does not seem to be helping at all.  If my teeth don’t get better I might have to get braces back on.  Is there any other thing I can do to fix my teeth without braces?

A. An option available as an alternative to traditional metal braces is called Invisalign.  Invisalign is the invisible way to straighten teeth.  It is a system that uses a series of unnoticeable custom-made aligners to gradually straighten your smile.  You would need to ask your dentist or orthodontist if you would be a candidate for Invisalign since it is not the right treatment for every patient. 

Q. One of my friends is quite nervous about dentists and going there, but he has a problem with his wisdom tooth.  What will happen during the wisdom tooth extraction process? And will he feel it?  He says he wants to have the numbing anesthetic, and not be under (as in, asleep during the process).

A. Your friend would be completely numbed during the procedure to remove his wisdom teeth.  Strong pressure will be felt while the teeth are removed but he should not feel pain during the procedure.  There are different sedation options available such as IV sedation where he would be asleep for the entire procedure.  Another option is nitrous oxide which would relax him but he would still be awake.

Dr. Grytzelius practices at Bright Side Dental with locations in Sterling Heights, Royal Oak, Livonia and Canton, Michigan.  Visit their website at www.BrightSideDental.com.

How much is too much?

As kids our moms warned us that having too many sweets would rot our teeth.  Well guess what, mom was right!  A typical can of soda can contain as much as 10 teaspoons of sugar!  And we all know that some Americans, especially teenagers, sure can guzzle their soda! 

Do you know how much sugar you and your family drink every day?  According to the American Dental Association (ADA), the consumption of soft drinks, fruit juices, and sports drinks has increased by 500% over the past 50 years in the United States.  The ADA reports that Americans consume more than 53 gallons of carbonated soft drinks per person per year.  Some people find it difficult to avoid these sugary drinks since there are nearly 450 different soft drinks available in the United States.

What’s alarming is that most people don’t realize how much sugar they, or their children, consume on a daily basis.  A research project published in the Journal of the American Medical Association concluded that the average American eats the equivalent of 21 teaspoons of added sugar a day and that’s about 2 ½ to 3 times more sugar than recommended.

Excess sugar consumption is associated with obesity, diabetes, and other conditions linked to heart disease.  The study warns that eating a diet that is extremely high in sugar can be as dangerous as having one that is high in fat. 

The study showed that people who ate the most added sugar had the lowest HDL, or good cholesterol and people who ate the least amount of sugar had the highest HDL, or bad cholesterol.  The study concluded that eating large amounts of added sugar more than tripled the risk of having low HDL, which is “a major risk factor for heart disease.”

The American Heart Association recommends limiting added sugar in the diet to no more than 100 calories a day for most women and 150 calories a day for most men.  That equals about 6 teaspoons of sugar a day for women and 9 teaspoons for men.  Did you know, however, that just one 12-ounce can of regular soda can have up to 10 teaspoons of sugar! 

Eating and drinking excessive amounts of sugar affects the health of your mouth, too.  Consuming too much sugar may lead to oral health problems such as tooth decay and gum disease.  Sugar weakens and erodes enamel, the protective outer surface of teeth, and this makes teeth more susceptible to harmful bacteria and decay.

Simply put, eating and drinking too much sugar can cause cavities.  A cavity starts as a small hole in your tooth.  The ADA explains on their website that when you eat or drink sugary or starchy foods, the sugars and plaque on your teeth mix together to make an acid.  The acids in your mouth attack your teeth and can make cavities.

Cavities cannot be fixed by themselves.  They can only be fixed by a dentist who will remove the decay and put a filling in the hole left in your tooth.  So what can you do to prevent cavities?  The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, flossing at least once per day, visiting the dentist regularly, and making nutritious food and beverage choices. 

Bright Side Dental is a dental office with locations in Sterling Heights, Livonia, Canton, and Royal Oak, Michigan.  Visit www.BrightSideDental.com for more information cavity prevention.