When we go to the dental office, one of the words we think we never want to hear is “extraction.” We often associate this word with a painful procedure which involves removing an anatomical part. However, dental extractions can often have very positive effects on oral health. Finley dentistry believes highly in only performing extractions when they are 100% necessary and medically indicated. Additionally. the Finley team of dental professionals holds a very high track record of painless, seamless, stress-free extraction procedures. What Is A Dental Extraction The first question you may ask your dentist is, “what is a dental extraction? Why is it clinically indicated?” These are both very important questions to ask prior to the procedure. An extraction is the removal of a tooth (or multiple teeth) from the socket (or “alveolus”). This is done after the surrounding area is numbed with anesthetic blockers. Then, dental instruments are used to gently remove the tooth from it’s base, without harming the surrounding gum tissue and structures. Bleeding is probably the most common side effect, which often subsides within 24-48 hours. Dental extractions are performed for a variety of reasons, ranging from tooth decay (the tooth cannot be restored and must be removed to prevent the spread of infection) to preparation for orthodontic procedures. Will It be Painful? The short answer is a positive NO! Extractions are usually performed under local anesthesia and the patient feels little to nothing throughout the procedure. Some teeth (such as notorious wisdom teeth) can be more complicated to remove, especially if they are impacted (embedded into surrounding structures). In such cases, stronger anesthetics can be used. The goal at Finley is to feel as little pain as possible, with the best results. We want our patients to feel better and stay on the route to a lifetime of healthy teeth!
0 Comments
Very few of us go to our dental appointment expecting any type of nutritional advice. However, studies show that there is a correlation between oral disease and daily diet. Specifically, prevalence of periodontal disease has been linked to sugar and carbohydrate intake. We have a few facts and tips to keep your gums and body healthy from now on! Two major factors when determining periodontal disease are nutrition and immunity. Periodontal disease usually begins as a small wound and progresses over time into a larger, more invasive issue. In order for this wound to grow, it needs to have access to energy such as sugar and carbohydrates. Although proper dental hygiene can reduce your risks, avoiding these foods altogether is your best bet. Additionally, if vitamin rich foods and antioxidants are not consumed regularly, immunity will be lacking. Foods like fruit, vegetables, berries and omega-3 acids will improve the body’s ability to find disease, including periodontal (gum) disease. Why Are My Gums So Inflamed? When people suffer from periodontal disease, they experience painful, uncomfortable gum inflammation. Depending on the severity, this can often lead to bleeding and tooth decay. Recent studies have solidified the fact that highly fermented carbs contribute heavily to inflammation. Simple sugars such as white bread, pasta, crackers and other frequently consumed foods are a huge factor in the progression and formation of gum disease. How Does It Work? Gum disease can appear for a variety of reasons. The best way to prevent any complications is to go to the dentist at the very first sign of discomfort. This can often be spotted by bleeding when brushing the gums or flossing. Once the gums have become sensitive to disease, consuming sugary foods or beverages will stick right to the area of infection and cause the wounds to grow and develop further. Additionally, bread and carbohydrate rich products will act in the same way, as they too are high in sugar. Early Prevention The best way to prevent or discontinue the progression of periodontal disease is to visit your dental profession right away. Many patients receive annual or bi-annual periodontal exams. Those with compromised immune systems should be especially careful and observant when performing their daily dental routine for any red flags.’ Dr. Finley who is a very experienced Toledo dentist , knows the signs to look for and can advise you on best practices to avoid a worsening dental situation. Call his office now and arrest the decline! (419)472-6645 More Than Just Dentistry Finley Dentistry of Toledo, Ohio has always been a state of the art dental practice. The Finley team proudly specializes in high quality dental care. However, we do more than just cleanings. We strongly support important causes in our community, including breast cancer awareness. How Does Finley Take Action? The crew at Finley feels so strongly about this important cause, that they decided to take more action than many others. We have sponsored Lifetime’s “Stop Breast Cancer For Life” campaign. This is a high profile, nationwide effort to help Americans battling breast cancer. More specifically, this campaign aids those who must undergo invasive mastectomies. They have passed a petition which mandates longer hospital stays for those who go through this painful, emotionally destructive operational procedure. This effort reaches over 60 million people. In today’s society, studies show that almost thirty percent of those 60 million individuals will be effected by breast cancer throughout their lives, whether personally or through a family member. How Can I Pitch In Too? Finley Dentistry encourages everybody in the Toledo community to support them in their effort to fight this widely spread disease. They believe that knowledge and numbers are truly power. We encourage you to stop in our office and speak with our kind staff to see how you can help fight breast cancer too! You can find more information by checking out this link: www.mylifetime.com/my-lifetime-commitment/breast-cancer Don’t sit back when you have an opportunity to take action. Come and join the Finley team and your neighbors in Toledo in the battle against breast cancer. We are not just another dental practice, we are a force in the community to promote better health! Call Us: 419-472-6645 As we browse the aisles of our local supermarket, wholesale store, or pharmacy, we are overwhelmed when it comes to the dental aisle. We are often forced to compromise between different ingredients and powers of dental products, specifically toothpaste. Some brands claim to whiten while others boast that they fight plaque. The question is, how do you chose which toothpaste is best for you and your family? Toothpaste is an item we use every day, or twice per day, hopefully! It should have a stamp of approval from the American Dental Association. After all, this is an item we are putting into our bodies daily. There are even special toothpastes designed for children, but these should contain the same key ingredients that an adult toothpaste should have as well. Cleaning your teeth is not the only job for this important paste! Your toothpaste should be your frontline of protection. When we think about everything we put into our mouths daily (coffee, sugar, food coloring, etc.) we want to have maximum protection against tartar, plaque and tooth decay. Additionally, we want to protect our precious smile from any form of infection or cavities. This is where the antimicrobial ingredient comes into play. Fluoride is the most common antimicrobial agent in common toothpaste brands and provides sufficient protection against harmful agents. Tartar control is another important factor to consider. Tartar can build up in the mouth, turn into plaque over time and cause cavities and painful, unpleasant damage in the mouth. This is why tartar protection must be written on the label. Toothpastes which contain tartar fighting ingredients such as sodium hexametaphophate will also prevent unsightly staining of the teeth. This will save you many dollars in teeth whitening treatments down the road! For additional tips on how to choose the perfect toothpaste for you and your loved ones, call your dentist! Dr. Finley can help you to choose the right solution. Give him a call today! (419)472-6645 Use the Finley way to your advantage! Studies show that tooth decay is one of the most common disease found amongst Americans. This affects both adults and pediatrics and is often completely preventable. The best way to prevent tooth decay and maintain strong, healthy, beautiful teeth is to understand the cause of the problem. Dr. Finley and the team at Finley Dentistry have a few important facts for you to keep in mind. How Do Cavities Form? Cavities develop when there is sugar present on the enamel. In most cases, these sugars come from the food you eat. As the sugar sits on the teeth for extended periods of time, tiny microorganisms begin to create acidic materials which cause gradual erosion. As the acidic seeps into the teeth, small holes (or cavities) are formed. Cavities are dangerous because they bring along dangerous oral bacteria and compromised teeth. How Can I Prevent Cavities and Tooth Decay? The best way to prevent cavities and tooth decay is very simple: eat healthier and brush regularly! Brushing should be done at least twice per day, with a fluoride based toothpaste and soft brush. Additionally, it is important to be very conscious of brushing all oral surfaces, including molars (teeth in the very back of the mouth), where cavities are most common. You Are What You Eat! Reducing the amount of sugar in your diet is a sure way to prevent potential future cavities. It is especially important to cut out processed sugars as much as possible. Sodas, fruit juices from concentrate and candy (especially gummies) are some of the most common offenders. If you must consume these snacks and beverages, it is important to brush away any residue on the enamel immediately after consumption. Most of us aren’t happy with some aspect of our appearance. For some it is our weight, for others it is facial features. When a group of American adults were recently polled, over forty percent reported being less than satisfied with their smiles, most specifically with their teeth. Many are displeased that they never had the ability to get braces as an adolescent, while others wish that there was a way to brighten their yellow or discolored enamel. Now there is, Dr. Finley can restore and renew your teeth with an easy, painless visit! Why Are My Teeth Dark or Discolored? There are a variety of factors which can lead to tooth discoloration. Most frequently, daily routine activities such as drinking coffee or red wine are big contributors. Tobacco use is one of the most common offenders as well. The good news is, the team at Finley Dentistry uses professional, state of the art whitening treatments to reverse the effects of dark spots, browning or yellowing. Additionally, many times darkening can be a sign of tooth decay or even root canal damage. By visiting the dentist, a comprehensive exam will be performed and any underlying issues will be diagnosed and treated. Can’t I Just Whiten At Home? The answer is yes. At home whitening treatments are always an option, some are reported to be more effective than others. However, at home whitening treatments are primarily bleach based. Bleach is a great ingredient to attack the external enamel stains, but cannot always treat the deeper damage. Professional whitening treatments at Dr. Finley’s office can give you a whiter smile, with safer ingredients and dosages. As the end of August approaches, many parents are getting their back to school checklists prepared. This often includes shopping for school supplies, back to school clothes and backpacks and annual school physicals. However, many parents often forget to schedule their child’s annual dental checkup or bi-annual cleaning. College students tend to be especially forgetful and this can cause many complications. It is best to set yourself up for a successful academic year by putting your brightest, cleanest smile forth. This can be achieved by scheduling your regular dental appointment. Studies throughout the years show that high school and college students are least likely to attend their dental cleanings and checkups. Additionally, one of the most common to-do tasks during holiday breaks is attending to dental issues which arise during the semester. So How Can We Break The Cycle? Encourage your teenagers and college students to take care of their dental hygiene! According to an article in Webmd: http://www.webmd.com/children/news/20140506/doctors-should-give-toddlers-fluoride-treatments-us-task-force it is important to use fluoride treatment on children at a young age. When completing back to school shopping, make sure your student stocks up on dental floss, a great quality toothbrush and fluoride rinse. Toothbrushes are only designed to last for a few months, so if they are going away for a long semester make sure they have access to a fresh one! Call us for more info about fluoride and its benefits for children. And be sure to book your before school appointment. Call (419)472-6645 TODAY! Growing up, we are always told to brush and floss our teeth. This usually develops into a routine, which is reinforced and monitored by our parents and caregivers. However, as we become adults, many of us forget these proper oral hygiene habits. We often begin to become increasingly tired and even skip flossing altogether at times. Even worse, adults have the lowest consistency for attending their routine dental cleanings. Why are dental cleanings so important? Oral health is a huge part of the overall health of a person. When teeth begin to decay, many other body systems and organs are affected as a result. Additionally, periodontal (gum) disease, is a leading cause of costly, painful dental visits later down the road. This decrease in oral health can lead to poor eating habits, poor digestion and even leave you prone to bacterial infections. At Finley Dentistry, we will educate you to understand the importance of regular dental cleanings and exams to help prevent tooth decay and gum disease. The best way to prevent oral pathology is to visit your dentist for regular cleanings. Gingivitis and enamel decay are easily preventable, with a simple phone call to Finley Dentistry! Call us today and smile the summer away! 419-472-6645 There is a very common diagnosis in the dental world referred to as “bruxism.” In simple terms, this means teeth grinding. This effects millions of Americans, from pediatrics to adults. It can cause sleep deprivation and even migraines. If you are diagnosed with this condition, it is important to see your dentist to obtain proper protection. Without protective gear, you may be prone to chipped teeth and jaw damage or jaw pain which can be irreversible. You may also cause yourself to have an overbite or underbite, which will cause severe discomfort and even possibly chewing and speaking complications. Mouth guards, or “bite guards” can be purchased at the store or at your dentists office. It is ideal to have your dentist supply you with this item because then it will be custom fit. Additionally, it can be adjusted to fit your mouth, jaw and teeth. This device is only worn at night, so nobody will know! It will stop your mouth from grinding your top and bottom teeth together and you will gain more restful. quality sleep. Mouth guards are made to custom fit the individual contours and shapes of you mouth and it’s structures. Your dentist will take a mold or impressions with soft material. This material will then harden into place and will be sent off to a lab where your custom bite guard is made. Once you come back to the dentist’s office for your final fitting, you can have your mouth guard adjusted to obtain optimal comfort. So if you are experiencing lack of sleep, headaches or unexplainable tooth damage or pain, consider seeing your dentist for a bite guard! As parents, we watch as our infants develop into toddlers. We watch as they begin to explore the world around them. We help them grow and learn. However, due to the fact that our children's’ teeth will be replaced with permanent ones we tend to overlook important dental facts. Starting Healthy Dental Habits Early In Life As usual nature has a plan for its designs. The baby teeth by staying in place until the adult teeth are ready to erupt , serve as a guide for the adult teeth. Baby teeth that come out due to decay before their proper time will not serve as place holders and the resulting shifting of remaining teeth will prevent the adult teeth from growing in straight. Toddlers are constantly teething and putting things (often besides food) in their mouths. It is essential to keep their developing teeth and gums healthy. The decay can lead to other health problems in the body of a child much the same as an adult. And when your toddlers become preschoolers it is time to start their dental care in a professional setting and get them used to a lifetime of good dental health. Choosing a dentist who will get to know your child for years to come is essential. It is important that they establish proper dental hygiene habits and reinforce these with both you, your spouse and your child. This includes teaching proper cleaning habits, such as brushing, flossing and rinsing with fluoride rinse. This will impact their overall health for years to come. So start off your preschooler’s well being with a smile! Call Finley Dentistry 419 472 6645 For your appointment TODAY! |
Archives
March 2023
Categories |