Oral piercing may cause different types of complication in the people. It puts a risk to the dental health of the people. Once oral piercing is done, the chances of infection also increase in the area which is pierced. Different kinds of bacteria always remain present in the mouth. When blood vessels present in the tongue are damaged due to piercing, they may bleed in excessive amounts. This may cause excessive loss of blood. Swelling usually occurs after oral piercing is done. It becomes difficult to heal the effects of piercing because tongue is used a lot for different functions. In some cases, swelling may cause hindrance to the breathing process. The risk of different blood borne disease like hepatitis C, B, D, G and tetanus also increases after oral piercing.

When people have barbells fitted in to their tongue they tend to tap it again and again on teeth and gums. This may lead to broken teeth and gum diseases. A large number of people who have oral piercing usually come up with some kind of infection in their gums. The infection which may be caused to the blood vessels which are connected to brain and other crucial parts of body, may even take one’s life. If you search the internet you can get to know about such cases. In case unsterile instruments are used for piercing the tongue, cheek or lips, it may cause HIV or AIDS. If you have to get oral piercing done then visiting a reputable clinic will be the best option.

Dental abscess is collection of pus in the tooth following any infection, and it can be within the tooth in the roots, near the gums, or in the alveolar bone which surrounds the tooth.

Causes:

1. Tooth decay – Tooth decay can be some infection due to micro organisms, which can decay the internal parts of the tooth like pulp, root etc. This tooth decay can be only within the tooth, or sometimes can spread to the underlying tissues like Gingiva, or the surrounding bone.
2. Foreign body – Any foreign body like food particles or bacteria which are trapped in the tissues can cause infection.
3. Injury – Trauma, means sudden injury to the tooth can cause dental abscess formation.

Symptoms:

1. Stimulated or non-stimulated pain. You feel pain sometimes when you are chewing food or sometimes when at rest.
2. Redness in the tissue where infection has occurred and accumulation of pus has occurred.
3. Foul tasting discharge within the mouth from the place where infection has occurred.
4. Rise of temperature at that particular place.
5. Foul breath.

Treatment of Dental Abscess:
Treatment of the abscess includes the removal of the source, then the reduction of symptoms. First, there should be drainage of the pus collected. If there is pus within the tooth in the roots, then Root canal treatment has to be done. And if its in the surrounding tissues, then incising and drainage of the pus should be done.
Antibiotics are administered for removal and destroying of bacteria that caused the infection, and Pain relievers/analgesics are administered for relief of pain due to the infection and inflammation.

Prevention:
There is no preventive measure as no one can be sure when the infection can occur, or injury. But still, its always advised to maintain good dental habits.

Pulp Polyp, also called as Chronic Hyperplastic Pulpitis, or Proliferative pulpitis is a productive pulpal inflammation due to extensive carious exposure of any young pulpal tissue. This is a type of irreversible pulpitis, which is chronic and usually asymptomatic in nature.
It is characterized by development of granulation tissue, covered by epithelium and it results from irritation for a long time.

Causes of Pulp Polyp

• Dental caries in young tooth where significant loss of tooth is seen.
• Fractured tooth, causing trauma to the pulpal tissues.
• Mechanical irritation from chewing, and bacterial irritation provides stimulus.

Symptoms of Pulp Polyp

• They are asymptomatic, and sometimes the masticatory stress can lead to some tenderness.
• Sometimes, localized bleeding may occur.
• The polyps cover the entire cavity by enlarging itself.

Diagnosis

• Appearance of Polypoid tissue – A fleshy, reddish mass fills most of the pulp chamber or extends beyond the tooth structure.
• Polypoid tissue is less responsive when compared to normal pulp tissue.
• Radiographs show a large, open cavity with direct access to the pulp chamber.
• Response is seen on electric pulp testing too.

Treatment

Removal of the polypoid tissue, followed by the extirpation of the pulp. When the pulpal mass is removed, bleeding can be controlled by application of pressure. Formocresol dressing is placed after the entire pulp is removed.

General Tips For Good Oral Health

Eat balanced food, that have minerals and vitamins

Avoid eating sweets or sticky food between meals.

Brush your teeth after every meal.

Use a good tooth paste and tooth brush.

Visit your dentist once in 6 months.

If your child has protruding or misaligned teeth, start orthodontic treatments early (9 years age), for better results.

Never put off meeting your dentist. Minor pain and sensitivity, if untreated can lead to major complications.

Make use of the wealth of information on this site to maintain healthy teeth!!

Dental Visit

Dental Visit

Regular dental visits are essential for maintaining good oral health.

• Please understand that the dental procedures are no more painful as it used to be. Your dentist will use anesthetic sprays and injections to suppress pain.
  
• Chat with the dentist to let him understand your problems better
• If you are feeling any discomfort during treatment, signal the dentist to stop.
• During the dental visit, ask the dentist to explain each step of the dental procedure before hand, if needed.

Adult toothpaste is not recommended until a baby is about three because they may swallow it and get too much fluoride. However there are many varieties of babies toothpaste on the market, in a variety of flavors, colors and branding.

By the time babies are a year and a half, they are more interested in the toothbrush. It is worth giving them a toothbrush as soon as they become interested. By two years of age you can teach them how to brush with a toothbrush twice a day.

Take your baby with you to the dentist from being a tiny baby so he or she can get used to the sights, sounds and going regularly. This should help when a check up is needed once your baby’s teeth begin to grow.

You can help prevent tooth decay by buying the right toothbrush and establishing a regular teeth cleaning routine. Toothbrushes are usually sold with an age recommendation for use on the packaging, for example from birth to two years; choose one specifically designed for your child’s teeth . Children ’s teeth toothbrush should have a long, thin handle that fits in your hand and helps you to reach around all the teeth, and a small head with soft, rounded filaments. Once your baby wants to have a go himself, buy a toothbrush with a chunky, short handle and finger grips. The head should still be small and the filaments soft. You will however still need to assist with the cleaning. You may find it useful to buy a toothbrush with a colored area on the filaments to indicate the tiny amount of toothpaste that is required for cleaning a baby’s mouth. Change your baby’s toothbrush at least every three months, and sooner if the filaments are starting to splay.

Dental home care for babies

Dental home care for babies

Daily removal of food debris and plaque promotes sound teeth and healthy gums. Early initiation of removal helps establish a long life habit of oral care. A disease free and happy mouth brings satisfaction not only to the parents and babies but also the dental team that provides counseling and encouragement.

Parents should be educated about the dental disease process and they will be charged with the responsibility of cleaning their babies teeth daily.

Initially, oral hygiene for the babies probably should be performed when changing the babies diapers. A changing table is a convenient height and usually has appropriate lighting. As the baby grows, knee to knee position becomes preferable. Bathrooms are usually too crowded and not designed for the babies safety.

Finding an appropriate time is also important. The combination of a tired baby and an exhausted parent does not produce a favorable environment for a positive experience. Developmentally, babies are not prepared to accept or understand the activity. Games may be developed or music and singing use :, parents must try to create a positive experience . With time, the baby might become even more less tolerant, but parents should be encouraged to be persistent.

As soon as your baby’s first tooth appears, you should start caring for it. Brushing baby teeth, most experts recommend wiping the tooth a couple of times a day with a cloth. This keeps the residue from milk from sticking to the tooth. Also available are baby toothbrushes that fit on your finger, these have very soft bristles and can also be used to clean the tooth. This is a useful item to use, particularly as more teeth arrive.