5 Emergency Dentistry Tips You Can't Afford to Forget

By Arthur Kezian

You never know when a dental emergency is going to pop up.  Whether you've got a cracked tooth, a miserable toothache, or a tooth that's been knocked out, it's important that you get an appointment with a dentist as soon as possible.  In the meantime, be sure to follow these 5 emergency dental tips:

1.       Keep track of the pain

If your toothache flares up when you drink your morning coffee, or if the pain comes surging back when you eat dinner, your dentist will need to know about it.  The more background information you can give him about your symptoms, the sooner he'll be able to diagnose the problem -- and the sooner you'll start to feel better.

2.       Never assume the pain is random

Sometimes, that "random" toothache that suddenly popped up is actually the result of a tiny crack in your tooth.  In the emergency dental world, cracks like these are more common than you might think.  Many times, the only way to see what's really going on is to have your Los Angeles emergency dentist take x-rays. 

And, never assume that the pain will leave as quickly as it arrived.  The longer you wait to get treatment, the worse the pain is going to get.

3.       Always stick knocked out teeth in milk

Just lost a tooth playing hockey? Quickly grab a cup of milk and stick your tooth in it!

Why?

Milk has special chemical properties that protect the cells at the end of your tooth.  If these cells are exposed to the air for too long, they'll start to die.  If too many of them die, your body may reject the tooth when your doctor tries to replant it!

4.       Never clean off a tooth that's been knocked out of your mouth

When you lose a tooth, your first inclination may be to clean it off.  However, by doing that, you're making things more difficult for your dentist. He'll need to see what kind of tissue was attached to the tooth when it came out, so that he can give you better treatment.  By scrubbing the tooth clean, you're removing valuable evidence that your dentist needs!

5.       Go easy on the pain meds

A painful toothache is one of the most common dental complaints.  Even if your Los Angeles emergency dentist can see you right away, you may feel like you can't tolerate the pain.  No matter how bad it is, though, be careful with your pain relief.  If you apply something directly to the tooth itself (like a gel or aspirin), you can burn the gum tissue around it, and wind up in even more pain!

Dr. Arthur A. Kezian DDS 443 N. Larchmont Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90004 (323) 467-2777 
-N.S.

TMJ Pain - 5 Things You Need to Know About It

By Arthur Kezian

Dealing with your TMJ can be a real pain!  If you think that your TMJ - or, your Temporomandibular Joint - might be responsible for your discomfort, there are 5 things you need to know:

1.       TMJ pain won't go away on its own

Because your TMJ is the "hinge" that connects your lower jaw to the side of your skull, you're putting it to work every time you eat, talk, yawn, or chew gum.  If you don't find a skilled TMJ dentist that can solve your problem, your pain and inflammation are only going to get worse.  Plus, that popping or clicking sound that your jaw is making is going to become even more pronounced.

2.       TMJ pain is often mistaken for an illness

Because it sits right next to your ear, lots of people think that their TMJ discomfort is an ear infection.  Or, some people think that their headaches are a result of being sick - rather than a joint problem.  If your doctor says you're not sick, it's time to find a TMJ dentist that can tell you if the problem really lies in your jaw.

3.       TMJ pain has a number of causes

When you're dealing with TMJ discomfort, you're really dealing with a tiny cartilage disc that has slid out of place.  The disc can move around for a number of reasons - like if you grind your teeth, chew too much gum, have a bite that's not aligned properly, or suffer an injury to your jaw.  Even extreme stress can lead to TMJ problems.

4.       You'll need a dentist to diagnose your specific TMJ problem

A good TMJ dentist will start out by giving you a physical exam - including x-rays and checking your bite alignment.  That way, he'll be able to see if your pain is part of a deeper structural problem, or if something else is to blame.

5.       There are a number of ways to relieve TMJ pain

Once your dentist knows what's causing your pain, he can help you get rid of it.  If your bite is out of alignment, braces can fix it - and eliminate your pain.  Or, if you're a big teeth grinder when you sleep, a nighttime mouth guard can immediately make you feel better.

For serious inflammation, your TMJ dentist can give you a corticosteroid shot, but that's typically only done in rare cases.  Some serious cases of pain can be relieved with laser therapy.  The laser softens the cartilage disc, so that it can easily slide back into place.

Dr. Arthur A. Kezian DDS  443 N. Larchmont Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90004 (323) 467-2777 

-N.S.

Think Replacing Your Silver Fillings with Composites is a Waste of Time? It's Not!

By Arthur Kezian

Millions of people have traditional silver fillings in their mouths.  While they may not like the look of them, most of those people don't see a reason to head to a dentist to replace their fillings.

But here are 4 reasons why replacing silver fillings with composites ISN'T a waste of time:

1.      You can wind up with a brighter smile

If you're like most people with silver fillings, your filled teeth look dark and dingy - leaving you with a smile that could definitely be brighter and whiter. 

Luckily, composite fillings are white, so they're practically invisible once they're inside your mouth.  As an added benefit, a good dentist can blend the resin so that it's a perfect match to your teeth - meaning that no one will know you've got fillings, no matter how many cavities you've suffered!

2.      You can get the mercury out of your mouth

When replacing silver fillings, you remove the mercury threat that's lurking in your mouth.  That's right; those traditional silver filings have mercury in them!  Sure, it's a small amount, but the Food and Drug Administration calls it a "moderate risk".

Composite fillings are made out of resin, so they're a much safer alternative.  You won't have to worry about the FDA assessing their risk anytime soon!

3.      You won't have to worry about them breaking

How many times have you wound up back in your dentist's chair, thanks to a filling that broke, cracked, or chipped?  And, if the damage was bad enough, your dentist had to grind down your tooth and put a crown over it. Talk about uncomfortable!

There's another big problem that comes from broken silver fillings - tooth decay.  Even if your filling only cracks, it makes it easy for bacteria to get inside your tooth.  Plus, the silver fillings themselves can leak - which will rot your teeth!

When changing silver fillings with composites, you get to take advantage of strong resin - which is stronger material, with a stronger bond.

4.       You can eat without being in pain

For some reason, those old silver fillings lead to more tooth sensitivity.  As a result, you might shy away from that cold glass of iced tea or that bowl of ice cream.

But when you replace your silver fillings with composites, your tooth sensitivity woes will likely go away.  That way, you'll be free to eat whatever you want, without tooth pain getting in the way!

Dr. Arthur A. Kezian DDS 443 N. Larchmont Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90004 (323) 467-2777 

-N.S.

These 5 New Cosmetic Dentistry Tools Will Give You a Reason to Smile!

By Arthur Kezian

If you're working with a good dentist, you can give your smile a brand new look.  That's because new tools and techniques are coming out all the time.  All of these advances in cosmetic dentistry have created more natural-looking finished products that aren't nearly as painful or as complicated as you might think!

Some of the biggest advances in dentistry in recent years are:

1.     Teeth whitening

Ask a group of people why they're headed to a Los Angeles cosmetic dentist, and the majority of them will tell you they're going to get their teeth whitened.  There are a few different options for teeth whitening, one of them being bleach trays. This option gives you the ability to whiten your teeth at your own pace in the comfort of your own home.

 

2.     Dental implants

Another big part of dentistry is dealing with teeth that have fallen out.  Before, you had to rely on dentures.  Today, dental implants look natural and feel secure in your mouth.

What are they?

Dental implants are actually artificial tooth roots (usually made out of titanium) that are screwed into your jaw bone.  Then, your dentist installs a crown or a bridge on top.  The end result looks just like a natural tooth!

3.     The use of composite materials

Whether you need a cavity filled or you need a gap in your teeth covered up, a good dentist will use composite materials to do it.  These materials are made out of resin, so they bond securely inside your mouth.  Plus, they can be custom-blended to match your exact tooth shade.

Thanks to composite materials, you can have tons of dental work done, and no one will ever know!

4.     The use of porcelain

Want a smile like an A-list celebrity's?  A good dentist will use porcelain to do it!  Because porcelain is now being used for veneers and caps, you can cover up damaged and discolored teeth.

5.     Gum sculpting

Insecure about your "tiny teeth"?  Embarrassed by your "gummy smile"? Cosmetic dentistry has taken a giant step forward with gum sculpting.  

How does it work?

Your dentist will use a special laser to remove excess gum tissue.  It will expose more of your teeth, which will immediately make them look longer.

Dr. Arthur A. Kezian DDS 443 N. Larchmont Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90004 (323) 467-2777

-N.S.