Dental Health

Have you ever got a dental crown or dental implant? If yes then there is a very good chance that you know the process involved in making a crown or an implant. Before the dentist can make either of these, they need to take exact measurements of your teeth, gums and surrounding tissue. The method by which this is done is known as a dental impression. Dental impressions are an essential part of dentistry across the world. 

What are dental impressions? 

Dental impressions are used as diagnostic tools and for dental restorations like crowns, implants, retainers and mouth guards too.  Dental impressions are used to create casts and models of your mouth. This gives your dentist an idea as to how your teeth, gums, dental arches etc which are unique to you come together and how they fit with one another. Dental impressions are widely used for – 

• Dental Crowns 

• Dental Implants 

• Dental Bridges 

• Veneers 

• Dentures 

• Retainers 

• Clear Aligners 

• Mouth and Night guards 

• Teeth whitening trays 

Type of dental impressions 

Dental impressions can be made using traditional methods or digitally.  

Traditional impressions 

The traditional method involves putting a putty like substance in a metal tray which you need to bite on to create an impression. In a few minutes the putty like substance sets and hardens. A dental impression is thus created. The resultant mold is then sent to a dental lab which creates a cast of your mouth by pouring acrylic or plaster in the dental impression. These are 3D replicas the patient’s teeth. Dental casts can be created from many types of dental stone, metal or plastic, depending on the intended use and the durability requirements of the cast. 

With new developments in technology dental impressions can now be made digitally. 

Digital Impressions 

Digital impressions are 3D intra oral scans of the teeth, gums, tissue et al that create a virtual image of your mouth. The scan allows a dentist or orthodontist to have a look at your teeth in a 3D setting on a computer giving them a more accurate picture than any X-ray or traditional mold can. Generally, the dentist or his/her assistant will prepare the patient’s teeth by clearing the area and then moving a small wand around the insides of your mouth. This wand has a digital camera that captures multiple pictures and also takes measurements and then adds all of these together to create a precise image of the insides of your mouth that is visible on a computer screen and which can be manipulated (turned right, left, upside down) by the dentist to understand the issue at hand and diagnose the problem better. Digital impressions are currently changing the way dentists create dental impressions and restoration appliances for patients all over the world. 

Benefits of digital impressions 

There are multiple benefits of digital dental impressions – 

1. They are more accurate than the traditional method because the model is generated using lasers and computers. Not just accurate digital impressions also give more detail which means your treatment can be fine tuned to each tooth. 

2. Because the images created are more accurate this leads to better quality of the restoration device being made be it implants or bridges or dentures. 

3. The whole process of capturing the digital impression is much quicker when done digitally. This creates a more convenient experience for the patient. 

4. Some patients have a gagging reaction when using the traditional method in which the putty like substance is put in the mouth making the whole process an unpleasant experience. Digital impressions eliminate this problem completely. 

5. The hard trays used during the traditional method of taking digital impressions are cold and can cause discomfort to many people. This step is completely eliminated when using digital impressions. 

6. The digital impression thus created can be stored electronically for as long as one wants, which saves space, supports a paper-free environment and makes record maintenance more efficient. 

7. Digital impressions remove much of the effort and guesswork needed with traditional impressions, and greatly reduce errors which means lesser adjustments and follow up visits for the patient. 

Dental impressions do not carry any major risks.  Digital impressions are now preferred over the traditional methods because a good dental impression can lead to a better fitting device thereby saving a patient’s time and money. Both dentists and dental assistants may undergo training to take digital impressions. 

In summary we can say that digital dental impressions are here to stay because they are comfortable, non-messy and provide good quality impressions leaving no or very little margin of error leading to quicker service experience and are as cost effective as any of the traditional methods.  

Ensure Dental Care is a family dentist near you. Ensure Dental Care is the one of the best family dental clinics located in Saginaw Texas. We also get patients from Fortworth. We accept all major insurance providers. We have an in-house payment plan and accept care credit too. We have a very experienced and professional team of dental practitioners and we look forward to serving you to the best of our abilities. Ensure Dental Care offers emergency dental services. Irrespective of the problem we offer same day emergency treatments. We entertain walk ins as well. If you wish to know more about this subject or you want to avail any of our services, please call Ensure Dental Care on 682-213-4114 for an appointment today.  

Hope you enjoyed reading this blog and learnt something new today. Please recommend our blog, share it with your family and friends who may also benefit from this information.  

We would love to hear from you. If you want to interact with us or give feedback and suggestions about our website, content or services on social media you can follow us on instagram. Our instagram handle is @ensuredentalcaresaginawtx. Look out for exciting offers, deals and more fun stuff on our social media handles. We look forward to interacting with you on instagram and Facebook soon.  

Wondering what are the social six? And what does that have to do with dentistry and why should we be reading about it? Fret not. Your favorite blog is back to explain these terms and why they should interest you.  

What is the social six? 

The top front six teeth that we see when person smiles are known as the social six. Many cosmetic treatments focus only on these 6 teeth. And whether we should only look at the social six when going in for orthodontic treatments and smile correction procedures is the topic of exploration of today’s blog. 

So, should we be looking at only the social six? 

While from the point of view of a layman this may be the easiest and pocket friendly solution for correcting one’s smile, professional dentists even cosmetic dentists disagree. Focusing only on the front six teeth will lead to an artificial smile and guess what you don’t just smile, you speak and you also eat with your teeth.  The fact is that people show at least 8 upper teeth when they smile and at least 6 lower teeth when they talk! So, if you focus your cosmetic orthodontic treatment only to the social six you may be doing injustice to yourself. For the most natural-looking smile it is best to treat 2, 4, 8, or 10 upper teeth and also ensure that the bottom teeth match. However, we would not want you to write off the social six treatments options right away because they can be an effective and attractive treatment option for many. And let us not forget that in the case of traditional braces, treatment time can be an average of 18 months while Social 6 braces can straighten your teeth in much less time, due to them having to work on fewer teeth. 

What are the social 6 treatment options available? 

Social 6 braces can be an ideal option for people looking for a quick, effective teeth straightening solution in case of minor alignment issues. Social six braces can be used to correct a wide range of mild orthodontic issues like overcrowding of teeth, mild misalignment, and minor relapsing after other orthodontic treatment like retainers. While they are extremely effective in straightening teeth, they are usually not recommended for severe misalignment and other orthodontic issues. It is important to note they are effective for cosmetic purposes only. 

Now a days there is a growing demand for social 6 braces and there are varied varieties available in the market to choose from. These include options such as clear or invisible aligners from brands like Six Month Smiles and fixed braces with clear or tooth-colored brackets like Invisalign. Here are some of the options of braces one can choose from – 

1. Six Month Smiles – A visible fixed brace with clear brackets and natural tooth-colored wires can straighten teeth in six months (actual time may vary from case to case). These are good for slightly overcrowded teeth and or slightly misaligned or crooked or unevenly spaced teeth. 

2. Invisalign clear aligners – These are also a popular option of clear aligners that work on mild underbites, overbites, crossbites, open bites, spaces between the teeth and other mild orthodontic issues. 

3. STB Social 6 – It is a type of lingual brace which is attached to the back of the teeth and help correct smiles from 6 weeks to maximum 4 months. 

4. Cfast braces – These braces are similar to six month smiles and help correct smiles anywhere between 2 to 6 months. 

5. Veneers – One very common method used for improving one’s smile is veneers.  Dental veneers are thin, custom-made shells that cover the front of your natural teeth. Veneers are excellent for cracked, chipped and discolored teeth. They can transform your smile and make it more uniform, brighter, and healthier. 

6. Crowns – A crown is a dental cap for a damaged tooth. It can be made from a variety of materials, including metal or porcelain. You can get a crown over a molar or your front teeth that were specifically designed to match your other teeth. 

Are there any disadvantages of only focusing on the social six? 

Of course! Everything has advantages and disadvantages and some of the disadvantages of focusing on social 6 are – 

1. You may not be solving the real problems of your teeth. 

2. Your front teeth may look different from the rest of the teeth. 

3. There may be side effects like bruxism and missing teeth if one focusses on a treatment only for social 6. 

4. There can be chipping, fracturing or bite issues in future. 

We leave it you and your dentist to decide whether to focus on the social six but no matter which option you go for we have a wide range of solution to offer that will help improve your smile and boost your confidence.  If you wish to avail any of our services, please call Ensure Dental Care on 682-213-4114 for an appointment today. We are a family dentist near you. Ensure Dental Care is the one of the best family dental clinics located in Saginaw Texas. We also get patients from Fort Worth. We accept all major insurance providers. We have an in-house payment plan and accept care credit too. We have a very experienced and professional team of dental practitioners and we look forward to serving you to the best of our abilities. Ensure Dental Care offers emergency dental services. Irrespective of the problem we offer same day emergency treatments. We entertain walk ins as well. 

Hope you enjoyed reading this blog and learnt something new today. Please recommend our blog, share it with your family and friends who may also benefit from this information.  

We would love to hear from you. If you want to interact with us or give feedback and suggestions about our website, content or services on social media you can follow us on instagram. Our instagram handle is @ensuredentalcaresaginawtx. Look out for exciting offers, deals and more fun stuff on our social media handles. We look forward to interacting with you on instagram and Facebook soon.  

Dental implants or veneers? Is this question bothering you? Well, we plan to help you take a decision on what is best for you by giving you a basic overview about what are dental implants and veneers and what are their advantages and disadvantages and how do the two things differ from one another. So, let’s go! 

What are dental implants and what are veneers? 

Dental implants involve replacement of the root of the tooth in case of loss of tooth. The loss of tooth could be because of injury, accident, tooth decay, gum disease or lack of proper oral hygiene. The alternates to dental implant surgery are dental bridges and dentures. Dental implants are generally advised if one needs to restore one’s ability to chew or improve appearance.  

Veneers on the other hand are thin, tooth colored shell-like structures that are glued to the front of the tooth with the primary objective of improving the appearance of the tooth. Most of the time the reason to get veneers is either a chipped or broken tooth or discolored tooth. It can also sometimes be used to make a symmetrical even smile. So generally, the reasons for suggesting veneers to a patient are cosmetic in nature. However, there are other benefits of veneers too. 

Advantages and disadvantages of dental implants 

Advantages of a dental implant include – 

1. Appearance – dental implants look and feel just like natural teeth. 

2. Durable – Once fitted dental implants can last a lifetime.  

3. Comfort and ease – As compared to dentures dental implants are more comfortable and easier to use. You don’t need to take them out or clean them any differently from natural teeth. They also make it easy to chew and eat food. 

4. Speech – Dental implants can help improve speech.  

5. Self-esteem – A tooth loss can be a blow to one’s self esteem and dental implants help get that back. 

6. Health of jaw bone and gums – getting a dental implant is beneficial for the jaw bone as it prevents it from shrinking due to bone loss and it is good for the gums too. 

Disadvantages – 

1. Dental implant is a surgical process and hence comes with some inherent risks. It is an invasive procedure and needs a long time to heal. 

2. There is a chance of damage to other surrounding teeth and soft tissue during the surgery. 

3. There is always a chance that the surgery may not achieve its objectives as envisaged. 

4. Getting dental implants may be costly and need not be covered by insurance. 

On the whole there are more advantages than disadvantages to a dental implant process. 

Now let us see what are the advantages of getting veneers – 

1. Veneers are one of the best options to choose if you need a cosmetic improvement in the appearance of your teeth and smile because they look and feel natural. 

2. Veneers are long lasting (depending on the type of veneers chosen). On an average they can last for more than a decade. 

3. Once you have veneers it can prevent tooth discoloration because they are stain resistant. 

4. Getting veneers is a non-invasive procedure, does not need anesthesia and you can get veneers in a couple of visits only.  

5. Dental veneers are easy to maintain as they do not need any additional cleaning other than the usual oral care of brushing and flossing. 

Disadvantages of veneers 

1. One of the biggest disadvantages of veneers is that they are permanent once glued to your teeth, removing them is not an option. 

2. Because the procedure involves removal of some enamel from the teeth it can leave them sensitive to hot and cold substances. 

3. While dental veneers last long but they can get damaged. They can break, chip or even fall off if one consumes very hard foods or because of teeth grinding. 

4. Getting dental veneers is also considered a cosmetic procedure hence may not be covered by dental insurance.  

As one can see there is a huge difference between the very purpose of a dental implant and a veneer. Hence this is not an easy comparison to do. Both procedures are good and long lasting but they serve different purposes.  However, you can go by the following parameters – 

1. How damaged is your tooth? In case of complete tooth loss an implant is better but incase of a chipped tooth a veneer may be more appropriate. 

2. Factor in the cost of the procedures in case you can choose from either of the procedures. Implants are generally costlier than veneers. 

3. Do you have bite or alignment issues? In these cases, a dental implant is more suitable than a veneer. 

4. How durable a solution are you looking for? A veneer can last more than 10 years but an implant can last a lifetime. 

Last but not the least do consult your dentist who knows your problem and medical history because he/ she can guide you the best. 

Hope you enjoyed reading this blog and learnt something new today. Please recommend our blog, share it with your family and friends who may also benefit from this information. If you wish to avail any of our services, please call Ensure Dental Care on 682-213-4114 for an appointment today.  

We are a family dentist Saginaw Tx. Ensure Dental Care is the one of the best family dentist in Saginaw Texas. We also get patients from Fortworth. We accept all major insurance providers. We have an in-house payment plan; financing options from Sunbit and accept care credit too. We have a very experienced and professional team of dental practitioners and we look forward to serving you to the best of our abilities. 

Ensure Dental Care offers emergency dental services. Irrespective of the problem we offer same day emergency treatments. We entertain walk ins as well. 

We would love to hear from you. If you want to interact with us or give feedback and suggestions about our website, content or services on social media you can follow us on instagram. Our instagram handle is @ensuredentalcaresaginawtx. Look out for exciting offers, deals and more fun stuff on our social media handles. We look forward to interacting with you on instagram and Facebook soon.  

Did you know that more than 36 million Americans do not have any teeth, and more than a 120 million people in the U.S. are missing at least one tooth? Around 15% of these get dentures made while many now a days are opting for dental implants. Dental implants are getting more and more popular because they replace the roots of the teeth and are kind of permanent solution for teeth loss. Moreover, you can get the dental implants to look just like your natural teeth. 

How do I care for my dental implants? 

Well dental implants are no different from your natural teeth when it comes to caring for them. As far as immediate care is concerned if you have just had a dental implant surgery then make sure you drink only cold drinks and avoid eating anything till the anesthesia wears off. Avoid eating or drinking anything hot for at least 24 hours post the dental implant surgery and do not disturb the area with your fingers or your tongue. Also avoid any strenuous exercise post the dental implant surgery for at least 2 days or 48 hours. We are sure your dentist would have already advised you on these. 

Now coming to long term care of dental implants these are some of the things you must do to take care of them.  

1. Brush at least twice a day with a soft bristled toothbrush. You can switch your toothbrush with one that has nylon bristles. Nylon bristles are soft and pliable hence they are softer and gentler on your teeth. Completely avoid any hard bristled toothbrush as they can be abrasive and can potentially damage the surface of the implants. Some dentists recommend using electric toothbrush. Brush around and under the implant crown. Make sure you replace the toothbrushes every 2 to 3 months.  

2. Floss your teeth at once a day as you would usually do if not more. It is very for plaque to get accumulated around dental implants hence flossing becomes very important part of oral hygiene routine once you have had a dental implant surgery. Now a days you get special flosses for dental implants in the market. Study them for advantages and disadvantages before picking anyone. Water flossers work particularly well for cleaning between implants and are much easier to use than traditional floss. Use them at low speed. Read all about water flossing in our blog Water Flossing. 

3. Avoid eating hard and sticky food. Food items like ice, caramel, hard candies, carrots, apples, breads should be avoided. These food items can harm your dental implants and you would not want that would you now? 

4. Avoid using any product on your teeth that can be abrasive or erode your teeth. Choose your toothpaste and mouthwash carefully. Choose sensitive cleaning products. Avoid those which have strong and intense flavors like mint, cinnamon, peppermint etc. Avoid mouthwashes with alcohol. Read more in our blog – How to select the right mouthwash? 

5. Avoid alcohol and smoking. Both these habits are harmful for implants. Dental implants take time to heal sometimes even 6 months hence it is best to avoid these products. Alcohol can slow down the healing while smoking can be bad for the health of the teeth. Also avoid teeth whitening substances. 

6. Teeth grinding and clenching can be detrimental to dental implants. If you suffer from these conditions speak to your dentist and start using a nightguard to protect your dental implant. 

7. Drink a lot of water to increase the flow of saliva in the mouth. Saliva helps remove bacteria and food particles stuck in between the teeth. It can breakdown the acids produced by these bacteria.  If you happen to suffer from dry mouth drinking more water will bring relief. 

8. Go to your dentist every 6 months for a routine checkup and a thorough dental cleaning. Read our blogs titled- Importance of regular teeth cleanings and Deep cleaning vs regular cleaning of teeth.  

Post dental implant surgery care is easy. Dental implant surgery is safe and not only does it restore your teeth but helps maintain the health of the jaw bone. It is because of these reasons that dental implant surgery is becoming more and more popular. According to American Academy of Implant Dentistry over 3 million people alone in US have dental implants and this number is rapidly going up. A note of caution here that dental implants are not suitable for everyone so if you are thinking of getting one make sure you check with your dentist if it is the right choice for you or not. 

We hope the above given tips help you maintain your dental implants.   

Did you find this interesting and informative? If yes, we recommend that you share this blog with your family and friends who may also benefit from this information. If you wish to avail any of our services, please call Ensure Dental Care on 682-213-4114 for an appointment today.  

We are a family dentist near you. Ensure Dental Care is the one of the best family dental clinics located in Saginaw Texas. Just few minutes away from Fort Worth. We accept all major insurance providers. We have an in-house payment plan and accept care credit too. We have a very experienced and professional team of dental practitioners and we look forward to serving you to the best of our abilities. 

About the Author
Dr. Rashi Muthal, your Saginaw Dentist, is a graduate from USC school of Dentistry at Los Angeles and has over 15 years of experience in the field of Dentistry. She prides herself on treating people with compassion, honesty, dignity, and respect.
Dr. Rashi is a member of multiple dental professional organizations including American Dental Association, Texas Dental Association, Fort Worth Dental Society and American Orthodontic Society.

Ensure Dental Care offers emergency dental services. Irrespective of the problem we offer same day emergency treatments. We entertain walk ins as well. 

We would love to hear from you. If you want to interact with us or give feedback and suggestions about our website, content or services on social media you can follow us on instagram. Our instagram handle is @ensuredentalcaresaginawtx. Look out for exciting offers, deals and more fun stuff on our social media handles. We look forward to interacting with you on instagram and Facebook soon. Ciao for now. 

What is a dental crown?  

A dental crown is like a cap put on a tooth to restore its shape or appearance and strength. The crown covers the entire visible portion of the tooth once placed. A crown is recommended if in case – 

• A tooth is cracked and there is a need to keep the entire tooth together. 

• To restore the appearance and strength of a decayed tooth. 

• To cover a chipped/ broken tooth. 

• To restore highly eroded teeth. 

• In case there is a large filling in the tooth which needs to be kept in one place. 

• To cover a discolored tooth. 

• To hold a dental bridge in place.  

• As a covering for a dental implant. 

Crowns are made up of different kinds of materials. These include – 

• Stainless steel or acrylic – generally used as temporary crowns till the permanent one is made from another material. Used mostly in case of children because it can come out along with the milk teeth to make room for the permanent teeth. Moreover, they are custom made, cost effective and do not require too many sittings to fit it. 

• Metal crowns – are the most durable of all types of crowns because the metal takes longer to wear down and can withstand all the biting and chewing. Also, they cannot chip or break. Many people do not prefer them because of aesthetics and the fact that they are expensive. 

• Porcelain or ceramic crowns – generally are the choice of most people because they can be custom made and are of the color as close to the natural teeth color as can be. They are also good for people who may have allergies to metal. 

• Resin crowns – are the least expensive of all crowns but they wear down faster than others and can even make the teeth prone to fractures. 

• Porcelain fused to metal – a good choice of material if one needs the strength of the metal and the natural color of the porcelain to cover the tooth. The only drawback with these is that the metal underlying the porcelain can sometimes show especially if gums are receding.  

Consult your dentist and decide which material is best suitable to make crown for your specific dental needs. 

What is the procedure to get a dental crown? 

A traditional crown may need more than one visit to the dentist. Normally this is the process. 

• The dentist will examine the tooth which needs a crown. This may involve taking x-rays. 

• The dentist will clean and prepare the tooth (file the tooth) to take a mold in order to make a crown. 

• The dentist will then take an impression of the tooth. This can be made using a putty or using a digital scanner. 

• The impressions or scans will then be sent to a dental lab where the crown will be made. 

• The dentist will fit a temporary crown on the tooth in order to protect it before the next visit when the permanent crown would be fitted. 

• A second visit will be necessitated once the permanent crown has come from the dental lab. 

•  During the second visit the dentist will remove the temporary crown and if the fit, color and size of the permanent crown is well then, the same will be cemented on to the tooth after a local anesthesia. 

How to take care of your dental crown? 

In case of a temporary crown make sure you don’t eat sticky and chewy substances. Also, any hard food should be avoided. In fact, it is best to avoid eating from that side of the mouth where the crown is fitted. Care also must be taken while flossing teeth so as not to disturb the temporary crown. In case of a permanent crown also it is best to avoid hard or chewy or sticky food items. Brush very carefully and incase there is a tooth grinding issue at night use a night guard post consultation with your dentist. 

Are there any possible complications of getting a crown? 

There are some possible complications that may occur as a result of getting a dental crown fixed. These include – 

• Sensitivity of the teeth towards hot and cold substances. 

• The crown can chip easily especially if it’s a porcelain crown unlike a metal one which cannot break. 

• If not cemented well a crown can be knocked out or can become loose. 

• In case of metal crowns some people can have an allergic reaction to the metal used to make the crown. 

A crown is a good and durable solution to many dental problems and with proper care can last from 5 to 15 years.  

We really hope this blog has been an interesting and informative read for you. We recommend that you share this blog with your family and friends who may also benefit from this information. If you wish to avail any of our services, please call Ensure Dental Care on 682-213-4114 for an appointment today. 

We are a family dentist near you. Ensure Dental Care is the one of the best family dental clinics located in Saginaw Texas. We also get patients from Fortworth. We accept all major insurance providers. We have an in-house payment plan and accept care credit too. We have a very experienced and professional team of dental practitioners and we look forward to serving you to the best of our abilities. 

Ensure Dental Care offers emergency dental services. Irrespective of the problem we offer same day emergency treatments. We entertain walk ins as well. 

We would love to hear from you. If you want to interact with us or give feedback and suggestions about our website, content or services on social media you can follow us on instagram. Our instagram handle is @ensuredentalcaresaginawtx. Look out for exciting offers, deals and more fun stuff on our social media handles. We look forward to interacting with you on instagram and Facebook soon.

You have just had a root canal or thinking of one and you are worried about what precautions you should be taking pre and post a root canal. Of course, you will be speaking to your dentist about all that but want to be prepared with some basic knowledge yourself before you have that talk. Well, you have come to the right place. Today we talk about the precautions you must take post a root canal. 

What is a root canal and what happens in a root canal? 

To put it simply a root canal is advised when there is an infection in the tooth or a tooth is badly damaged. The name root canal comes from the fact that in this procedure the canals of a tooth’s root are cleaned. It generally consists of the following steps – 

1. The infected tooth is numbed with an anesthetic so you don’t feel any pain. 

2. The tooth is drilled to reach the infected area. 

3. The infected area is cleaned, dried and filled with a filling. 

What are the precautions I can take post a root canal? 

Well for the sake of convenience we have divided the precautions into 2 categories – immediately post a root canal and the next few days. 

Immediately post a root canal 

A dentist usually gives an anesthesia for a root canal and immediately post the procedure the anesthesia will take a few hours to wear off. It is important that during this time ideally you don’t eat or drink anything. Especially eating hard food or drinking something hot or cold can be irritating and painful.  

A root canal is a major procedure and there is some discomfort or pain post the treatment. Earlier these procedures used to be very painful but not anymore. Your dentist will advise you on some pain-relieving measures post a root canal. The pain generally reduces with time, if it does not then you need to revisit your dentist. 

For the next few days 

1. Dietary restrictions – Avoid hard foods as much as possible during the recovery period. Have soft foods like soft cereals, oat meals, eggs, pudding, soup, tuna salad, humus, pancakes, mashed vegetables, pasta, yogurt, smoothies and fruits like banana and mangoes. If you are interested, we have a blog on a few such food recipes titled Recipes for soft food. You can check it out. Avoid gums, ice, nuts and hard candies completely. Avoid too cold or too hot food as your tooth may be extra sensitive post the root canal procedure. Avoid spicy food too in order not to irritate the site of the procedure. 

2. Dental Care – Just because you have had a root canal does not mean you can skip the dental care routine. Routine oral care assumes greater importance especially after a procedure like root canal. Post a root canal there is a good chance that your tooth is tender so make sure your do not brush aggressively. Take a little more time to brush the site of the root canal to ensure the site is clean and your tooth heals properly. Make sure to floss gently. You can also use an antiseptic mouthwash (please consult your dentist before doing this) for a few days. 

3. Other precautions – Avoid touching the area of root canal with fingers, tongue or any other hard object. This can lead to prolonged sensitivity. Make sure you take your medicines including the pain relievers on time and for full course. Last but not the least do not miss out on any of the follow up appointments you may have with your dentist. 

A tooth post a root canal needs time and proper attention to recover. While most root canals are successful some may not be. So, keep an eye out for the signs of a failed root canals. These include – 

1. Severe pain or swelling at the site of the root canal or around the area that does not go away in a few days’ time. 

2. Any allergic reaction to any medicine. 

3. Sensitivity of the tooth while eating something. 

4. Presence of any pus around the site of the root canal. 

5. A boil on the jaw. 

6. Discoloration of the tooth. 

In any of the above cases please consult your dentist immediately. Root canals are very safe and very common procedures now a days and one need not be scared of them. With proper care and precautions, you will be fit and fine in a few days. Root canals can help save your teeth. And with a few precautions you can make your root canal procedure a successful one. And after that you can enjoy your life as you had previously. 

We really hope this blog has been an interesting and informative read for you. We recommend that you share this blog with your family and friends who may also benefit from this information. If you wish to avail any of our services, please call Ensure Dental Care on 682-213-4114 for an appointment today.  

We are a family dentist near you. Ensure Dental Care is the one of the best family dental clinics located in Saginaw Texas. We also get patients from Fortworth. We accept all major insurance providers. We have an in-house payment plan and accept care credit too. We have a very experienced and professional team of dental practitioners and we look forward to serving you to the best of our abilities. 

About the Author

Dr. Rashi Muthal, your Saginaw Dentist, is a graduate from USC school of Dentistry at Los Angeles and has over 15 years of experience in the field of Dentistry. She prides herself on treating people with compassion, honesty, dignity, and respect.
Dr. Rashi is a member of multiple dental professional organizations including American Dental Association, Texas Dental Association, Fort Worth Dental Society and American Orthodontic Society.

If you want to interact with us on social media or give any suggestions you can also follow us on instagram for offers, deals and more fun stuff. Our instagram handle is @ensuredentalcaresaginawtx. We look forward to interacting with you on the instagram soon

Ensure Dental Care offers emergency dental services. Irrespective of the problem we offer same day emergency treatments. We entertain walk ins as well. 

We would love to hear from you. If you want to interact with us or give feedback and suggestions about our website, content or services on social media you can follow us on instagram. Our instagram handle is @ensuredentalcaresaginawtx. Look out for exciting offers, deals and more fun stuff on our social media handles. We look forward to interacting with you on instagram and Facebook soon

Use of antibiotics in dental problems is very common. It is estimated that out of all antibiotics prescribed a large percentage is for dental infections. Antibiotics are generally prescribed by the dentists in bacterial infections. In fact, it is likely to be one of the first things to be recommend by your dentist in case of a dental infection. Today we will see which antibiotics are used in dentistry and the role played by them in fighting dental infections. 

What is a tooth infection? 

When harmful bacteria get into the root of the tooth it can cause pus formation. Such an infection is also called tooth abscess. A child or an adult can suffer from an abscessed tooth. A tooth abscess generally does not heal on its own and required a visit to the dentist.  

It can be caused by – 

1. Tooth decay 

2. Injuries to the tooth 

3. Previous dental work done on the tooth 

Most common symptoms of tooth infection are  

1. Toothache 

2. Swelling of surrounding tissue 

3. Tooth sensitivity 

While some dentists may be able to drain out the pus without the use of antibiotics but in most cases, antibiotics are used. Tooth abscess not treated well in time can become life threatening as it spreads to the jaw, neck, head and other body parts. Read more about tooth abscess in our blog with the same title. 

When are antibiotics used in dental infections? 

In case of a severe infection or if the infection has spread a lot there are good chances that your dentist will prescribe antibiotics. In cases where the patient has a weak immune system then the dentist may prescribe antibiotic for even a not so severe or localized infection. 

Which antibiotics are generally prescribed in dentistry? 

The type of antibiotics used by the dentist will depend upon the type of bacterial infection one has. There are more than 150 types of bacteria found in the mouth and most of them can potentially cause dental infections. The 2 most commonly used antibiotics of the Penicillin class are – 

1. Penicillin – is the most commonly used antibiotic since its discovery all over the world. 

2. Amoxicillin – as per the International Dental Journal, amoxicillin is the most commonly prescribed antibiotic for dental infections. 

Many people however now a days are allergic to penicillin. In case you are one of those make sure you inform your doctor about it before they prescribe these medications. For people with allergies the dentist may prescribe – 

1. Clindamycin – It is effective against a large spectrum of bacteria. 

2. Azithromycin – is also capable of halting the growth of a large number of bacteria. 

3. Metronidazole – is generally not the first choice of antibiotics recommended by dentists but they use it in case other antibiotics do not work on a patient for some reason. 

The dosages of these antibiotics can vary from 500mg/ 8 hours to up to 2000 mg/ 8 hours.  

Side effects of antibiotics  

While antibiotics do a great job of treating a tooth infection fast and not allowing it to spread and give almost instant relief to the patient one must be aware of the side effects of these antibiotics too. Diarrhea, gastric upsets and nausea are some of the most common side effects of these antibiotics. Some like metronidazole can have severe side effects like seizures, anesthesia of the limbs and it is also incompatible if alcohol is consumed. These are some of the reasons why dentists avoid this particular antibiotic however if your dentist is recommending it, then they must have outweighed the benefits vis a vis the risks associated with it. 

Besides these, dizziness, rash, yeast infections are also some of the common side effects of all the above antibiotics. 

What care must you take while on antibiotics?  

1. Please inform your doctor about any allergies that you may have, including those from any medicine. 

2. Please make sure you check with the doctor if antibiotic prescribed is suitable for children, pregnant women or breastfeeding women as the case may be. 

3. Make sure you complete the entire course of medication given. Many people stop taking the medicine the moment they get relief from their symptoms. This is a very bad habit and can result in one developing antibiotic resistance which will make it more difficult for you to get rid of any future infections. 

4. Please consult your doctor/ dentist if you observe any side effects. While some are common it is always advisable to check in with them for any course correction. 

5. Antibiotic treatment may clear the infection but you may need additional procedures like root canal, fillings or extraction of tooth to keep the infection away. 

6. Don’t miss your prescribed dosage and take the medicine on time every time. 

Did you enjoy reading this blog? We hope this blog has been an interesting and informative read. We recommend that you share this blog with your family and friends who may benefit from this information. If you wish to avail any of our services, please call Ensure Dental Care on 940-274-3229 for an appointment today.  

We are a family dentist near you. Ensure Dental Care is the one of the best family dental clinics located in Saginaw Texas. We even get patients from Fortworth. We accept all major insurance providers. We also have an in-house payment plan and accept care credit too. We have a very experienced and professional team of dental practitioners and we look forward to serving you to the best of our abilities. 

Ensure Dental Care offers emergency dental services. Irrespective of the problem we offer same day emergency treatments. We entertain walk ins as well. 

We would love to hear from you. If you want to interact with us or give feedback and suggestions about our website, content or services on social media you can follow us on Instagram. Our Instagram handle is @ensuredentalcaresaginawtx. Look out for exciting offers, deals and more fun stuff on our social media handles. We look forward to interacting with you on Instagram and Facebook soon.

Just had a dental surgery or an extraction or maybe you just got your braces on, either way you have now been advised to change your diet a little bit for a few days to soft foods in order to protect your sensitive teeth from any damage and to ensure you recover faster. We have all been there and wondered what food should we consume and what we should not. A nutritious meal goes a long way in making sure that we recover fast and properly. A diet of soft food is generally considered good as it provides minimum discomfort to you. A soft food diet may not seem tempting to many but there are so many tasty as well as healthy soft food items that one can have, that you will be surprised. Today we bring you to some of these soft foods that you can easily and quickly prepare at your home. These are tasty and healthy too. 

For Breakfast  

Soft scrambled eggs – Who does not know how to make some scrambled eggs, the trick here is to make them on medium low heat and not letting the eggs dry out. Use butter instead of oil to make them tastier and you could add some cheese too.  

1. Melt some butter in a pan and whisked eggs to the pan when the butter starts bubbling. 

2. As the sides of the egg start cooking, use a spatula to swipe the edges. Keep pushing and folding the eggs slow enough to cook but fast enough not to dry off. 

3. Add salt as per taste and remove from pan and eat a healthy protein rich easy breakfast. 

Oatmeal – If you are one of those who prefers oat meals for breakfast then continue to eat them but with a twist. Blend your oatmeal before adding soft fruits like berries etc and voila you have a protein and fibre rich breakfast at hand.  

You can also make smoothies or sweet and savory crepes for breakfast. 

Soup 

Tomato Gazpacho – A healthy and tasty soup for the soul.  

1. Roughly chop some tomatoes, bell pepper and a shallot. All to be cored and seeded. 

2. Add some salt and cumin and some vinegar to it. 

3. Blend it and strain it. 

4. Add olive oil for emulsification. After it thickens refrigerate it. 

5. Add some soft meat like crab meat on top to make a healthy hearty soup. 

Tip – It is a good idea to have cool or lukewarm food instead of very cold or very hot especially when your teeth are sensitive. 

Other soups you may want to consider trying are Japanese miso soup, creamy potato soup, minestrone soup and creamy Mexican corn chowder. 

Side Dish 

Tofu and Cauliflower mash – Simple and quick side dish for you. 

1. Boil potatoes and cauliflower separately till they soften, drain and set them aside. 

2. Heat olive oil in a pan, add some pods of garlic till they brown. Cool the same. 

3. Puree the pre warmed tofu and garlic in a food processor. 

4. Mash the potatoes and cauliflower together. Add the puree of tofu and garlic to eat. Add salt and pepper as per your taste and there you have it. 

Other side dishes you can easily make and enjoy are mashed sweet potatoes, potato patties, turkey and sage patties and roasted eggplant pate. 

Mains 

Slow roasted citrus and salmon – Salmon is rich in omega 3 fatty acids and is a very good source of lean protein and is also low in saturated fat. It is one of the easiest things to cook. 

1. Preheat oven to 225 degrees. Line baking sheet with parchment paper.  

2. Put some fresh cilantro on it. 

3. Season salmon with salt on both sides after skinning. Place it on top of the cilantro. 

4. Drizzle olive oil on top and rub it in. Place lemon and orange slices on top of the fish. 

5. Roast until salmon is just done. Squeeze juice from lemon and orange on top of salmon before eating it. 

You can also try cauliflower mac and cheese, beef risotto, congee, porridge, polenta and sweet potato lasagna. 

Dessert 

Peanut butter banana ice cream – Only 3 ingredients needed for a nice dessert. 

1. Slice the bananas. 

2. Add them along with peanut butter and cocoa powder to a blender. 

3. Blend till you get an ice cream like consistency. 

4. Serve as it is. 

Keep in mind not to eat hard, crunchy and chewy stuff like nuts, candy, pizza crusts, raw carrots, corn on the cob etc. Have small frequent meals. Move from liquid to pureed and then soft food items after surgery or extraction. Now you can enjoy eating good healthy and tasty food while recovering. 

We hope this blog has been an interesting and informative read. We recommend that you share this blog with your family and friends who may benefit from this information. If you wish to avail any of our services, please call Ensure Dental Care on 682-213-4114 for an appointment today.  

We are a family dentist near you. Ensure Dental Care is the one of the best family dental clinics located in Saginaw Texas. We are just 15 mins away from Fort Worth. We accept all major insurance providers. We also have an in-house payment plan and accept care credit too. We have a very experienced and professional team of dental practitioners and we look forward to serving you to the best of our abilities. 

Ensure Dental Care offers emergency dental services. Irrespective of the problem we offer same day emergency treatments. We entertain walk ins as well. 

We would love to hear from you. If you want to interact with us or give feedback and suggestions about our website, content or services on social media you can follow us on instagram. Our instagram handle is @ensuredentalcaresaginawtx. Look out for exciting offers, deals and more fun stuff on our social media handles. We look forward to interacting with you on instagram and Facebook soon.  

Today we broach a little technical sounding treatment category called endodontic treatments. Let us understand what these are and what kind of treatments fall under this category of treatments. The purpose of this blog is to make you aware of the options you have for treating damaged teeth because the more aware you are the more informed decision you can make about your line of treatment as per your budget, lifestyle and impact on your future dental health.  

Who are Endodontists? 

Dental specialists who specialize in saving teeth. All endodontists are dentists but not all dentists are endodontists. They study more than dentists about diagnosis of tooth pain, root canal and other procedures related to the inside of the tooth. Endodontists treat tooth decay, tooth abscess (you can read more about tooth abscess in our blog titled Tooth Abscess), cracked or fractured teeth and tooth injuries. They are sometimes called root canal dentists however they do much more than just root canals. Endodontists are experts at managing a wide range of complex endodontic problems in an efficient manner. Their purpose is to save the natural tooth because no artificial tooth can replace the look and function of a natural tooth. 

What treatments come under Endodontic Treatments? 

Coming back to the most important question we have to answer in this blog is what kind of treatments come under endodontic treatments. Endodontic procedures involve the inner tissues like the pulp and the nerves in any treatment. Endo means inside and odont pertains to teeth. Endodontists diagnose the problem using x-rays, sensitivity to hold and cold swabs and tapping the affected tooth. 

• Root canal – One of the most common of all the endodontic treatments is the root canal treatment. When the innermost part of the tooth, the pulp gets infected then this treatment is required to save the tooth. The infection can be caused by cavities in the teeth, fractures to the tooth, dental injuries or even repeated dental procedures. The procedure involves carefully removing the infected portion and cleaning the root canals and sealing them off. It is generally performed under anesthesia and may need multiple visits to the dentist. The symptoms that one is in need of a root canal may not always be apparent. Some people experience toothache, swelling of gums, tooth sensitivity etc. while many do not experience anything. Generally, an x-ray is needed to diagnose the problem properly. In case the problem is left untreated it can result in tooth abscess and eventual tooth loss besides causing severe discomfort. 

• Endodontic surgery – If the problem is not solved by a root canal it is possible that your dentist may recommend an endodontic surgery. The surgery allows the endodontists to locate minute canals, any fractures which may not be visible even in an x-ray. Some surgeries are recommended to remove calcium deposits in the root canals or treat any damage to the root or bone surrounding the root during a root canal. This type of a surgery is very accurate, quick and comfortable now a day due to advanced technology.  

• Emergency dental injuries – Some dental injury can be as a result of sports or accident of some kind. Many a times these can be minor like chipped teeth or dislodged tooth but in some cases, it can be a major injury. Endodontists treat the traumatic dental injuries. The treatment in such cases will depend upon the severity of the injury and the location and type of injury as well. 

• Dental Implants – If the infection or injury is so serious that the natural tooth cannot be saved then the endodontists will proceed with extracting the teeth. Ideally endodontists take all measures to save the tooth even in the severest of cases however they may go for extraction as a last resort. Endodontists also perform dental implant surgeries. 

• Endodontic retreatment – In case a root canal was not done properly or if the teeth does not heal properly then a retreatment may be needed to remove and replace materials used in the root canal that did not end well. 

Just like the American Dental Association there is a professional society of endodontists which has more than 8000 members worldwide. It is called the American Association of Endodontists. You can checkout their website https://www.aae.org/ for more information on who are endodontists, how are they different from dentists, what kind of problems do endodontists resolve, the types of treatments they offer and when to see an endodontist. The website covers all the above information given in this blog in much more detail with patient FAQs and testimonials too. Besides these they have many patient education articles. Their motto is not surprisingly “Worth Saving”.  

In conclusion we would like to say Endodontic treatments save teeth and endodontists are tooth saviours.  

Did you enjoy reading this blog? We hope this blog has been an interesting and informative read. We recommend that you share this blog with your family and friends who may benefit from this information. If you wish to avail any of our services, please call Ensure Dental Care on 940-274-3229 for an appointment today.  

We are a family dentist near you. Ensure Dental Care is the one of the best family dental clinics located in Saginaw Texas. We even get patients from Fortworth. We accept all major insurance providers. We also have an in-house payment plan and accept care credit too. We have a very experienced and professional team of dental practitioners and we look forward to serving you to the best of our abilities. 

Ensure Dental Care offers emergency dental services. Irrespective of the problem we offer same day emergency treatments. We entertain walk ins as well. 

We would love to hear from you. If you want to interact with us or give feedback and suggestions about our website, content or services on social media you can follow us on Instagram. Our Instagram handle is @ensuredentalcaresaginawtx. Look out for exciting offers, deals and more fun stuff on our social media handles. We look forward to interacting with you on Instagram and Facebook soon.