Some patients want to know more than that. They want to know the best tools for proper brushing and flossing. We can’t blame them — there are a LOT of options out there! So what is the best toothbrush and toothpaste to use?

Gairhan Dental Care is familiar with the varieties of toothbrushes and toothpaste out there. We know all the choices can be overwhelming, so we want to provide a few guidelines that can help you make the right choice for your oral health.

What’s the Best Toothbrush to Use?

If you’ve walked down the tooth brush/tooth paste aisle at the store, you probably know there are dozens of options for toothbrushes available. Colors, styles, manual, electric, “indicator” bristles, plain bristles, soft, medium…it’s a lot to take in! So what do you look for in a good toothbrush?

There are two main types of toothbrushes — manual and electric. Either toothbrush is fine to use, though electric toothbrushes tend to do a better job.

However, small children may not have the coordination to use an electric toothbrush well. For them, a manual toothbrush may be the better way to go. Adults and teenagers, however, would do better with an electric toothbrush because it has better scrubbing power and may have better reach than a manual toothbrush.

Do Toothbrush Bristles Matter?

It’s also important to get the right toothbrush bristles. The best choice is soft bristles, particularly if you have sensitive teeth and gums. Medium bristles are stiffer and can irritate your gums, especially if they are already irritated. Children need soft bristles because they tend to press harder sometimes when they brush, and you don’t want them doing damage to their teeth and gums.

Some toothbrushes come with colored bristles that fade over time. This can be a good option if you forget to change your toothbrush (manual) or toothbrush head (electric) every three months or so.

Once the bristles are faded, it’s time to change your toothbrush. This keeps bacteria from building up in your toothbrush. It also keeps the bristles strong and fully effective. Bent, dulled bristles don’t clean as well.

What Is the Best Toothpaste to Use?

As many toothbrushes as there are available, it seems there are twice as many types of toothpaste. Once again, the options can be overwhelming.

Which flavor is best? Do you want cavity protection, tartar control, or enamel protection…or aren’t those the same things? What about sensitive toothpaste? What about whitening toothpaste?

There is one thing you need to look for when choosing the right toothpaste: fluoride. Luckily, nearly every toothpaste available has fluoride, so that should make your search very easy. After that, it’s a question of preference because most toothpaste types are very similar. If you do have tooth sensitivity, sensitive toothpaste may offer a little extra protection.

Wanting whiter teeth? There are plenty of teeth whitening products to whiten your teeth at home. However, when it comes to tooth whitening, doing that professionally is the best way to whiten teeth. Gairhan Dental Care offers professional whitening treatments as part of its cosmetic dentistry services that deliver results in as little as one visit.

That’s far better than whitening toothpaste or teeth whitening strips, which can take weeks or months to produce any noticeable results. Also, if you do have sensitive teeth, whitening toothpaste may cause your teeth to from a weakening of tooth enamel.

The bottom line is the best toothpaste is fluoride toothpaste, so look for that first. After that, the choice is yours.

Does Charcoal Toothpaste Work?

Some people have asked about using charcoal toothpaste, which is supposed to whiten teeth. It does this because there are abrasives in the toothpaste that essentially buff stains from your teeth. While this is OK for occasional use, daily use of charcoal toothpaste can wear down your enamel. Your teeth can feel more sensitive, and the weakened enamel could make your teeth more vulnerable to tooth decay.

We don’t recommend using charcoal toothpaste, but if you do use it, use it very sparingly. Do not use charcoal or any whitening toothpaste if you have braces. It could change the color of your teeth around the brackets while keeping them the same under them.

That means that when your braces are removed, you will have dark squares in the center of every tooth. That’s definitely not going to look good!

Dental Cleanings in Jonesboro, AR

Gairhan Dental Care serves patients in the Jonesboro, AR, area and provides dental care from general cleanings to tooth whitening to crowns and veneers. We are happy to offer advice on the best way to brush your teeth to keep your teeth clean and healthy because we know your oral health affects your overall health.

Unhealthy teeth can’t chew food properly, and you may not want to eat if you have a mouthful of painful teeth! That’s why good oral hygiene is so important. Regular visits to your dentist for a thorough exam and cleaning is also important. You need to visit your dentist for a checkup once every six months.

If your teeth need a good cleaning, schedule an appointment with us, and let us give you a clean, polished smile. We will examine your mouth for any signs of tooth decay or gum disease and will treat any issues we find. Your oral health is important to us. We’re here for you when you need us!

At Gairhan Dental Care, we often have patients who ask us about the symptoms of gum disease and how to treat it. We explain the two main stages of gum disease, the causes, the symptoms, and the treatment. With this information, our patients can protect their oral health better. So can you. 

What Is Gingivitis?

Gingivitis is an irritation of the gums caused by various factors, from poor oral hygiene to genetics, malnutrition, certain medications, or other oral problems. Gums with gingivitis become red and sore and may bleed during brushing. 

What you might not know is that gingivitis in itself is not destructive to the teeth. The problem with gingivitis is that, if left untreated, it can develop into periodontitis. This is what causes tooth damage or loss. That’s why it’s so important to stop gingivitis in its tracks — before it becomes more serious.

What Causes Gingivitis? 

Poor oral hygiene may seem to be the most obvious cause of gingivitis. While it is a leading cause, it isn’t the only one. There are several factors that can cause gingivitis. 

• Poor oral hygiene habits. Not brushing or flossing regularly causes plaque — that filmy substance on your teeth — to build up. Plaque can harden and turn into tartar, making it more difficult to clean teeth by brushing and flossing. 
• Genetics. A family history of gingivitis can make a person prone to getting gingivitis themselves. 
• Tobacco habits. Smoking or chewing tobacco can increase your chances of getting gingivitis and make it harder for your gums to heal. 
• Illness. Illnesses such as cancer, diabetes, or AIDS can affect the condition of your gums and make it harder for them to heal. 
• Hormonal changes. Pregnancy, puberty, menopause, monthly menstruation, and other hormonal changes can make gums more sensitive than normal and make it easier for gingivitis to develop.

Medications. Certain medications can drop saliva levels. Saliva protects teeth and gums, so when the medications drop saliva levels, gingivitis can develop. Some medicines can also cause abnormal gum growth, which can lead to gingivitis.

Gingivitis Symptoms

The symptoms of gingivitis are fairly easy to recognize. 

Symptoms of gingivitis include:

• Discolored gums, usually red or purple
• Tender gums that may hurt when touched
• Inflammed or swollen gums
• Gums that are soft
• Gums that bleed during brushing or flossing
• Gums that appear to be receding or pulling away from the teeth
• Bad breath (halitosis)

If you see symptoms of gingivitis, call Gairhan Dental Care to check on your teeth and gums. Be sure to brush and floss at least twice daily for two minutes at a time for good oral health.

What Is Periodontitis? 

Periodontitis is a more serious form of gum disease. Unlike gingivitis, periodontitis can lead to tooth damage or even tooth loss. Periodontitis is when gums become infected, and the infection begins to deteriorate the bone that holds the tooth in place. Without proper treatment, the bone breaks down until the tooth loosens and eventually falls out.

Periodontitis develops from gingivitis, so it has many of the same causes. As the plaque and tartar build up on the tooth, pockets of space develop between the gums and the tooth. Food, plaque, and bacteria build up in these pockets. Without treatment, the bacteria causes an infection that begins to destroy the bone. Eventually, the bone can no longer hold the tooth’s root, and the tooth falls out. 

Periodontitis Symptoms

Some of the symptoms of periodontitis are more extreme versions of the symptoms of gingivitis. Others are more serious and more painful. 

• Extremely red or purple gums
• Swollen gums
• Tender gums that are painful to the touch
• Gums that bleed easily, both during brushing and eating
• Pink on the toothbrush after brushing
• Bad breath
• Pain while chewing
• Gums that have receded so the whole tooth or top of the root can be seen
• Loose teeth
• Pus between the teeth or gum
• Loose gums that allow new spaces to develop between teeth
• Teeth that fall out

Contact your dentist right away if you have any of these symptoms. 

How Do I Treat Gum Disease?

The easiest way to treat gingivitis is to brush and floss regularly. Many dentists will recommend using an electric toothbrush to scrub plaque completely off of the teeth. You should brush at least twice a day for at least two minutes each time. You should also floss your teeth twice daily before you brush. Good oral hygiene habits will eliminate and prevent gingivitis. 

Periodontitis is more complicated to treat. The treatment depends on the severity. Treatments can be as simple as cleaning out the infected pockets and treating the infection with medications. In the more severe cases, surgery may be required to repair the gums and prevent further tooth loss. 

How Do I Prevent Gum Disease?

Prevention of gum disease, for the most part, is relatively simple. Brush and floss regularly, and see your dentist for proper cleanings every six months. 

Proper oral care can prevent the buildup of plaque, which leads to gingivitis. Stopping gingivitis in its tracks can keep it from becoming more serious periodontitis. 

In some cases, however, gum disease isn’t related to oral hygiene. In those cases, you will want to speak with your doctor about possible causes. If it is related to certain medications, your doctor may be able to change your prescription or provide other medications or methods to reduce drug-induced gingivitis. If it is related to nutrition, such as low vitamin C levels, your doctor may suggest a daily vitamin supplement. 

Gairhan Dental Care Can Help

Regular cleanings are crucial in the fight against gum disease. Gairhan Dental Care can give your teeth a proper cleaning and remove any tartar built up on your teeth. 

If you’re unsure whether you’re suffering from gum disease, schedule an appointment, and let us check for you. We can evaluate your teeth and gums for any signs of gum disease and recommend oral habit changes to prevent further deterioration. 

Preventing gum disease can keep your teeth healthy and in place for many years to come.

Gairhan Dental Care works hard to keep the teeth of our Jonesboro, AR, patients healthy with regular cleanings and examinations. We also encourage our patients to perform routine tasks that will keep their teeth healthy and strong. The most obvious is to brush your teeth every night before bed, but did you know there are other things you can do to help? Let’s look at a few habits to improve oral health.

Nighttime Habits for Healthy Teeth

Oral hygiene is important throughout the day. You should brush your teeth in the morning and brush after lunch if you can. You want to stick to a diet low in sugary foods to avoid excess plaque leading to tooth decay. You also want to cut back on sugary drinks, particularly sodas. 

While all these daytime habits help, your nighttime habits are just as important for keeping your teeth healthy and strong. These habits go for children and adults! Here are some suggestions for starting at dinnertime and lasting until bedtime. 

Stop Sugary Foods and Drinks After Dinner

The less sugar you ingest before bedtime, the less you have to clean off your teeth, and the less bacteria grows in your mouth while you sleep. Sugar forms plaque on your teeth, which traps bacteria against your enamel — the hard outer shell that protects the inner living portion of your tooth. That bacteria will eat away at your enamel, decaying the tooth and causing cavities. Cutting back on sugar helps lower your chances of tooth decay. 

Drink Water Before Bed

Water cleanses your teeth and gums, reducing the chances of tooth decay and gum disease. Water also keeps your mouth moist, preventing dry mouth, which can also cause bacteria to grow rapidly. Plus, water is just good for you overall! 

We know what you’re thinking: Drinking water before bed means getting up in the middle of the night for a bathroom trip. Here’s a solution: Drink lots of water until about half an hour before you go to bed. Take that bathroom trip, then, then again, right before you slip under the covers. That way, you can get healthy teeth and plenty of sleep! 

Floss Your Teeth!

You probably think you should brush your teeth first, then floss. Actually, that’s backwards! You should floss your teeth first because flossing loosens and removes plaque and food particles from between your teeth. Some of that plaque and particles end up on the surface of your teeth. That’s good because then you can brush it all away. By flossing first, you can get your teeth even cleaner than if you flossed after you brushed! 

Brush Your Teeth!

This is the most obvious one: You should always brush your teeth before bed! If you’re going to do the next step (and we’ll get to that shortly!), you should brush your teeth at least half an hour before bed. 

When you brush, use a soft-bristled toothbrush to prevent gum irritation and the wearing down of your enamel. You should use fluoride toothpaste (almost all of them are nowadays) and brush for at least two minutes each time, making sure to cover all sides and top of each tooth. If getting your back teeth is tricky, try using an electric toothbrush. It does the scrubbing for you, so you can maneuver it into place to get the back of your teeth cleaner than with a manual toothbrush. 

Ensure you don’t eat or drink anything for at least half an hour after brushing so the fluoride has time to react with your saliva and protect your enamel better. 

Use Mouthwash

A fluoride mouthwash provides extra protection for your enamel and gums. Should you use mouthwash before bed? You certainly can, but use it half an hour after you brush so your toothpaste fluoride has time to work first. That way, the mouthwash adds to the protection. Otherwise, using the mouthwash right after you brush simply washes away the toothpaste fluoride. Waiting half an hour doubles your fluoride protection. That extra protection will help prevent sensitive teeth!

Many people prefer to use mouthwash in the morning after brushing, mainly because they want to keep fresh breath as long as possible during the day. Let’s face it — you encounter more people during the day. You only need to use mouthwash once a day, so you can choose the time you prefer, whether first thing in the morning or last thing at night. Either way is good!

Other Ways to a Healthy Mouth

These are the basics of keeping your teeth healthy. There are other things you can do at night. For example, if you’ve recently ended your orthodontic treatment, you need to be sure you wear your retainers to keep your teeth from moving out of place. 

Snoring and sleep apnea can cause oral health problems. Breathing through your mouth rather than your nose can cause dry mouth and increase bacteria growth. Talk with us if you believe you suffer from snoring or sleep apnea! We can recommend treatments to reduce or eliminate your symptoms and improve your oral health! 

Healthy Teeth, Happy Smiles

Dr. Gairhan and the team at Gairhan Dental Care want you to have a healthy smile that can last a lifetime. That’s why we provide high-quality dental care and cosmetic dentistry options such as dental implants and veneers. If you ever have an accident or infection, our emergency dental services can take care of you when you have unexpected dental needs. 

If you’re in the Jonesboro, AR, area, schedule an appointment for your semi-annual cleaning and examination. We want you to keep your teeth clean, strong, and healthy, and we want to help you with exceptional dental services. Working with Gairhan Dental Care, you can enjoy your amazing smile for years!

Some people hear “tooth extraction” and think the best way to do a cheap tooth extraction is to grab a pair of pliers. In reality, this can cause serious damage to your mouth, not just to the tooth you’re trying to pull. If you have tooth problems, you don’t want just a cheap dental extraction. You want a proper tooth extraction by a licensed professional who knows how to do it without damaging your other teeth, gums, or jawbone. Gairhan Dental Care can take care of your tooth extraction needs, whether it’s through general dentistry or emergency care. Here’s what you should know about tooth extractions.

Signs You May Need a Tooth Extraction

There are a few reasons you may need a tooth extraction. You may have had an accident that nearly knocked out your tooth or broke it into pieces, but it hasn’t completely come out. You may have a tooth that is rotted from tooth decay. You may need to remove a tooth to make room for other teeth to spread out. Perhaps you bit something and broke the tooth beyond normal repair. 

These are some of the main reasons we pull teeth:

• Overcrowding: All, most of, or some of your teeth are overcrowded, causing issues in speech or bite.
• Infection: Extreme tooth decay eroding teeth may infect your gums and other teeth if the tooth isn’t removed.
• Damage: Any trauma from sports or accidents may cause severe trauma resulting in tooth extraction.

What the Extraction Looks Like

What is a tooth extraction going to look like? Will you walk around with a huge gap? What happens after the tooth extraction? Once your tooth is pulled, a blood clot will fill the socket. Eventually, your gums will heal over the socket, protecting it and allowing the bone to heal properly. 

During the first 24 hours, don’t brush or rinse the socket, or the clot may not form properly. After that, it should be OK to eat and brush, though you might stick to soft foods that don’t require a lot of chewing, as your mouth will still be sore. 

The hole should close within a week or two. If it doesn’t, your clot may not have formed correctly, and you may have what’s called a dry socket. Contact Gairhan Dental Care if that’s the case, and we’ll bring you in to medicate the area and try to get it to close properly. 

What Your Dentist Does During an Extraction

Tooth extractions involve a lot more than just pulling the tooth. We need to know the extent of the damage and the best way to get the tooth out without damaging the surrounding bone, tissue, and other teeth. 

Here is what your dentist will do for a proper tooth extraction: 

• Examine the severity of the tooth damage on an initial visit. 
• Schedule an appointment for the tooth extraction.
• Administer anesthetics to numb your mouth before extraction. 
• Extract whatever is left of the natural tooth.
• Stitch the area and place gauze to stop the bleeding and help with blood clot formation.

We will provide more detailed instructions for care before and after your tooth extraction at your initial visit, so you’ll know what to expect.

How to Heal From a Tooth Extraction

You need to take care of yourself after tooth extraction. Without proper care, the blood clot that will help the socket heal won’t form properly. A dry socket could lead to pain and infection and should be treated right away. 

Here are some tips on how to care for your mouth after tooth extraction:

• Don’t use a straw
• Ice the tooth extraction area.
• Use painkillers if needed.
• Avoid smoking or drinking alcoholic beverages after the procedure.
• Don’t eat or drink for a few hours.
• Rinse your mouth with warm salt water for constant disinfection, and call Gairhan Dental Care if you’re suffering from severe pain or suspect a dry socket.

How to Prevent a Tooth Extraction

How do you keep from needing a tooth extraction? It can be easier than you think. The first step is an obvious one: Be sure to brush and floss your teeth regularly. Accidents and injuries are harder to protect against because they’re so unpredictable, but there are ways to help well. 

Here are some preventative measures you can take to avoid tooth extractions:

• Floss before bed and make sure you floss between each tooth and in hard-to-reach places like molars.
• Brush your teeth twice a day, for two minutes each time.
• Floss at least once a day with dental floss between each tooth, including molars.
• Stop bad habits like tobacco use that can accelerate tooth decay and gum disease.
• Use a mouthguard while playing sports.
• Avoid a high-sugar diet.

Tooth Extractions in Jonesboro, AR

A tooth extraction may be the best solution to ease your dental pain. Patients in the Jonesboro, AR, area can contact Gairhan Dental Care if they’re concerned about a tooth. Once you schedule an appointment, we can examine your tooth and let you know if it can be saved or if a tooth extraction is the best way to go. 

How do you stop sensitive teeth pain? Are there home remedies for sensitive teeth? What can help sensitive teeth? Gairhan Dental Care has treated patients with sensitive teeth, and we have treatments that can reduce your tooth sensitivity and suggestions for home remedies for teeth sensitive to cold, heat, bitter, or sweet. 

What Is Tooth Sensitivity?

What is tooth sensitivity, and are there sensitive teeth home remedies? Tooth sensitivity is a reaction by your teeth to heat, cold, bitter, or sweet. Reactions can range from a slight twinge to pain lasting for hours. It’s caused by a thinning of the enamel, the hard outer shell that protects the inner, living portion of the tooth. 

Enamel can be thinned by tooth erosion or tooth decay. It’s important to see the dentist if you have sudden tooth sensitivity because if the dentin (middle layer) or pulp (inner layer) of the tooth is exposed, it could lead to infection and tooth loss. 

How Can I Help My Sensitive Teeth?

The best way to figure out how to help your sensitive teeth is to figure out why they’re sensitive in the first place. If you know what’s causing it, home remedies for sensitive teeth may be able to help. If not, we certainly can! 

Here are some of the reasons why your teeth may be sensitive.

• You’re not brushing and flossing every day. Without proper brushing and flossing, bacteria and plaque build-up on the tooth and weaken the enamel. This tooth decay can lead to cavities, gum disease, and tooth sensitivity. 
• You’re not using the best toothpaste for your oral health needs. Fluoride toothpaste strengthens your enamel and helps reduce sensitivity. Some toothpastes are made to reduce sensitivity so they can be used as well. If you have sensitive teeth, avoid whitening toothpastes because they may be harsh on your enamel as they try to penetrate and remove stains. They’ll make your sensitivity worse.
• You’re applying too much pressure when you brush. Scrubbing your teeth too hard can wear down your enamel and damage your gums. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and scrub lightly when you brush. Better still, use an electric toothbrush and let it do the scrubbing for you. 
• You’re taking certain medications. Some prescription medications can reduce minerals in your body, including those that strengthen your enamel. This may lead to tooth sensitivity. If your teeth continue to get more sensitive, speak with your doctor about this side effect and see whether you might have other options. 
• You may be genetically prone to sensitive teeth. Some patients with certain genetic conditions may have teeth that don’t develop properly or have thinner enamel than normal. That makes them prone to more sensitive teeth. They will need extra care to brush and floss regularly, and fluoride or dental sealant treatments may be necessary regularly. 

How Do You Stop Sensitive Tooth Pain?

If taking these steps doesn’t work, there are other ways to reduce the sensitivity in your teeth. If home remedies for teeth sensitive to hot and cold don’t work, then a dental sealant may be the way to go. The dental sealant is safe for all ages and provides a special coating that soaks into the nooks and crannies of the enamel and protects it from bacteria and tooth decay. It also provides a protective coating from foods and drinks that make teeth feel sensitive. 

Regular fluoride treatments may also help. Gairhan Dental Care can provide a special fluoride treatment made to boost your enamel’s strength by providing more fluoride and soaking into your enamel much better than your regular toothpaste would. 

Sensitive Teeth Home Remedies

There are other ways you can help your teeth right at home. The best remedy is to floss at least once daily and brush at least twice a day for a minimum of two minutes each time. Don’t eat or drink anything for at least 30 minutes after you brush so that the fluoride has time to soak into the enamel properly and strengthen it. 

You can also use a fluoride mouthwash for sensitive teeth. There are several available at local retailers. The mouthwash can get to areas your toothbrush may not reach. Again, wait half an hour after using the mouthwash before eating or drinking anything. 

Finally, the best way to take care of your sensitive teeth is to see your dentist regularly! If you’re in the Jonesboro, AR, area, Gairhan Dental Care will provide a thorough examination and cleaning of your teeth when you visit twice a year. We can also provide the option of a dental sealant or fluoride treatment if you need it. 

Don’t live with tooth sensitivity pain! Schedule an appointment with Gairhan Dental Care so we can help!

Gairhan Dental care specializes in Botox treatment, including for TMJ Disorder pain. Botox reduces abnormal muscle movements and blocks damaged nerves, relaxing the jaw and relieving pain. Are TMJ and Botox treatments right for you? We can help you decide!

TMJ Disorder and Botox

Temporomandibular joint disorder is the name of a condition in which your joint is irritated or inflamed. One of the most common reasons for this is excess pressure due to a bad bite. In other words, your teeth don’t line up correctly, causing more pressure on the joining when you bite or chew than what it’s made to withstand. Other factors can include jaw injury, genetic disorders, and autoimmune disorders. 

TMJ Disorder symptoms include: 

• Jaw pain
• Popping or clicking of the jaw during chewing
• Neck pain
• Headaches or migraines
• Swelling of the face
• Pain in the face or ears
• Neck and shoulder stiffness 
• Bruxism (teeth grinding)

Does Botox help TMJ? Yes! Botox for TMJ can help these symptoms because it blocks those nerve receptors damaged by inflammation. It also relaxes the muscles around the area. Reducing stress around the joint reduces inflammation, which alleviates the pain. 

How Does Botox Help TMJ?

What are the benefits of Botox TMJ treatment? They can go beyond just temporarily relieving your pain. Botox can reduce the stress around the joint that causes inflammation. As your muscles relax, you’ll have less jaw pain, but you’ll also have fewer headaches. Relaxing your jaw can also relax the rest of you, making you less anxious or stressed. You may find you clench your jaw less. This saves your teeth from the excessive wear caused by bruxism. It may also allow you to sleep better, thanks to less bruxism and stress. 

Does Botox Help TMJ Alone? 

Botox works well on its own, but it’s also used in conjunction with other dental appliances to bring relief of TMJ symptoms. It can be used with therapies such as night guards that prevent bruxism. It can also be used in conjunction with physical therapy to strengthen the jaw muscles. Botox can also reduce pain and inflammation while the bite is being corrected through orthodontic treatment. 

Botox works just as well on its own. But if you’re looking to repair your jaw problems while getting treatment for the symptoms, Botox will work well with other therapies. Gairhan Dental Care can consult with you to determine if you need multiple therapies for your TMJ Disorder, including Botox. 

Botox and TMJ Treatments in Jonesboro, AR

Will Botox treatment help with your TMJ pain? There’s a good chance it will! The best way to find out is to visit Gairhan Dental Care if you are in the Jonesboro, AR, area! We provide Botox treatment for a variety of needs and issues. Botox is currently used to treat more than 20 medical conditions, including TMJ Disorder. 

Schedule an appointment and we will provide a free, no-obligation examination. We’ll give you all your options and help you decide which one is best for you. TMJ Disorder can be painful and damaging to your teeth. Thanks to Gairhan Dental Care and Botox treatments, you don’t have to continue to live with that pain. 

Before you say goodbye to your perfect smile, let Gairhan Dental Care fill that cavity and save your smile. It’s important to have a cavity treated right away. The longer you wait, the worse the damage to your tooth and the more intense (and expensive) the treatment to save or replace it becomes. So let’s explore what happens if you don’t get cavities filled.

How a Cavity Forms

Before we talk about filling cavities, let’s talk about what a cavity is and how you can prevent it. A cavity forms due to tooth decay, which happens when plaque and tartar are not cleaned from the tooth properly or regularly. Plaque and tartar contain bacteria that eat away at the tooth’s enamel — the hard outer shell that protects the living part of the tooth inside. When the bacteria eats through the enamel, it creates a cavity. 

Left untreated, the cavity makes its way to the dentin or the second shell of the tooth. Unlike enamel, dentin contains nerves, so the cavity may begin to hurt. Once the cavity makes its way to the center of the tooth, it hits the pulp, which contains the live tissue of the tooth and the blood vessels that keep it alive. The pulp also has more nerves. If a cavity hits the pulp, it can cause an infection or abscess. That infection can not only kill the tooth, but it can also get into the bloodstream and make you ill. The infection can kill the tooth, which leads to tooth loss. 

How to Prevent Cavities

How do you prevent cavities? Cavity prevention is very simple: Brush and floss your teeth at least twice a day, every day. That’s the main way to prevent cavities. You also need to visit the dentist at least twice a year for a thorough cleaning. 

At Gairhan Dental Care, we will clean your teeth thoroughly with our specialized dental tools. We will also remove any tartar that’s built up on your teeth. This is important because the tartar, or hardened plaque, holds tooth-decaying bacteria against your tooth, allowing the bacteria to eat away at your enamel. Only your dentist can remove tartar, which is why it’s so important to see a dentist twice a year for cleanings. 

How Long Can You Leave a Cavity Untreated?

What happens if you don’t fill a cavity? It may take a while to spot a cavity. They start small and on the enamel, which contains no nerves. That means the cavity won’t hurt at first. If you catch the cavity early, the treatment will be a lot easier and less expensive. This is another reason to visit your dentist regularly — they can spot early cavities with examinations and x-rays. 

A cavity may start small, but it may grow faster than you think. The cavity can penetrate the tooth to the pulp in as little as three months. Once it’s there, it will be painful and cause infection and tooth loss. The sooner you find and fix the cavity, the less painful it will be. 

How We Treat Your Cavities

Now that you know what happens if you don’t get a cavity filled, let’s talk about what happens when you fill a cavity. The doctors at Gairhan Dental Care know how important it is to treat a cavity early and properly, and we will recommend the proper treatment for the cavity depending on how far it’s penetrated the tooth. In the early stages, the tooth can likely be saved with a filling. Once the tooth is infected or dead, it probably will need to be replaced. 

We offer cavity treatment through our general dentistry services. We determine the best treatment by starting with a full examination and x-rays. We’ll see how deep the cavity goes. From there, we can treat it with a metal or ceramic filling. If the tooth is left discolored or misshapen, we can repair it using our cosmetic dentistry services. If the tooth is severely damaged, a crown may be needed to repair the tooth properly. The most severe damage may require pulling the tooth and replacing it with a dental implant. 

What Happens If You Don’t Fill a Cavity

Left untreated, a cavity can cause severe tooth damage or even tooth loss, damaging your smile. You’ll want to keep that beautiful smile of yours! Brush and floss your teeth twice daily for at least two minutes a day. If you’re in the Jonesboro, AR, area, visit Gairhan Dental Care twice a year for a thorough examination and cleaning. We’ll help you catch and prevent cavities and keep that gorgeous smile! 

At Gairhan Dental Care, we see tongue injuries often. Some just require a bit of time to heal, while others may require stitches or treatment from doctors. The type of treatment depends on the severity of the injury. Most of the time, the injury can heal on its own. However, if you’re in the Jonesboro, AR, area, you can visit Gairhan Dental Care and we can evaluate your injury. For now, let’s take a look at some common causes of tongue injuries and how to make a tongue stop bleeding.

Bite and Injuries Resulting in a Bleeding Tongue

Tongue bites are incredibly common. How many times have you been chewing away on tortilla chips, gum, or your favorite dinner food and you accidentally chomp down on your tongue? Most of the time, it just hurts. That’s because your tongue is one of the strongest muscles in your body. Still, it’s not always a match for rapid eating and not paying attention to chewing your food properly. 

Our first tip — slow down. The faster you eat, the better your chances you’re going to accidentally bite your tongue. Slow down and take your time chewing. This actually has several benefits. Aside from not biting your tongue, eating more slowly means you chew your food better. The faster you eat, the better the chances you will overeat before your brain tells you to stop. 

What happens if you do bite your tongue? Check the surface in a mirror. Most of the time, the injury is minimal. There might be a bit of redness or swelling where you bit your tongue. If so, just take it easy. The bite should heal quickly, usually within a week.

In some cases, the injury to the tongue from a bite will result in bleeding. While slightly more serious, most of the time, these small cuts can be treated at home. If the injury is more serious, such as resulting from an impact injury to the face, you may need to call us or visit a doctor right away. More serious injuries may take several weeks to heal.

How to Stop Bleeding on the Tongue

What happens when a bite or injury results in a bleeding tongue? If it’s a small cut, it will likely stop on its own after a few minutes. A deeper cut with more blood will require more attention. Here are a few tips on how to make a tongue stop bleeding.

• Use a dry cloth: Take a dry cloth and apply pressure on the wound for a couple of minutes to slow or stop the bleeding. Keep pressure on the wound until the bleeding stops. 
• Use an ice cube: If the bleeding doesn’t stop with just the cloth, wrap a piece of ice in the cloth and use it to apply pressure to the wound. The cold will slow or stop the bleeding.
• Rinse your mouth: You can use 1 part hydrogen peroxide and 1 part water to rinse the wound and stop the bleeding. Do not swallow the mixture. Instead, just swish it over the wound and spit it out.

If these methods don’t stop the bleeding from the tongue, contact your doctor right away. You may need to visit an emergency clinic if the bleeding does not subside. Also, if the bleeding does stop but the injury shows signs of infection after a couple of days, such as severe pain, pus, or fever, then visit your doctor right away. 

What to Do With a Bleeding Tongue 

If your tongue continues to bleed, the wound may be deeper than you first thought. In that case, you’ll need a doctor to take care of it right away. Because of the bacteria in your mouth and the food and drink you introduce to it, infection will be a strong possibility with a severe tongue injury. 

In the case of a large injury, your doctor will want to clean the wound and likely will close the wound with stitches or sutures. Your doctor likely will prescribe a round of antibiotics to ensure the wound doesn’t become infected. The doctor may also recommend that you clean the wound by swishing it with warm saltwater. This will not only keep the wound sterile, but it will also bring some pain relief to you. 

A doctor’s visit shouldn’t be necessary with a simple bite of the tongue. Most wounds are minor and will heal on their own. However, sometimes a doctor’s intervention is the best way how to stop bleeding of the tongue. If you think your tongue injury is one of those cases, don’t hesitate to see your doctor. The longer a tongue injury goes untreated, the better the chance of infection. 

Getting Help With Your Tongue Injury

If you’re in the Jonesboro, AR, area, you can contact Gairhan Dental Care if you have questions about your tongue injury. We can help you decide whether a doctor visit will be necessary. You can request an appointment for an evaluation of your injury, and we can let you know if your frequent tongue biting is the result of a misaligned bite that may require treatment with braces or clear aligners to fix. Whatever the case, Gairhan Dental Care is here for you!

At Gairhan Dental Care, we’ve seen some of these wild trends on TikTok, and we want to be sure you avoid them at all costs. We want our patients in the Jonesboro, AR, area to be aware of these trends so they know to avoid them. Let us take care of any dental issues or discuss any ideas you have for cosmetic dentistry. A chat with us can save you a lot of pain in the mouth and the wallet later! 

Let’s look at some of the trends we’ve spotted that are major no-nos for your oral health. 

Gluing ‘Jewels’ to Your Teeth

We’ve seen a trend of people attaching jewels, fake fangs, and other things to their teeth with hot glue or super-bonding glue such as SuperGlue or Gorilla Glue. We’ll say it outright — this is a terrible idea! 

The hot glue can scar your teeth and cause permanent damage, from discoloration to damage that leads to tooth rot and even tooth loss. Hot glue doesn’t just damage your teeth. It can also burn your lips, cheeks, tongue, or gums. Those burns can leave scars or, worse, can get infected. This can cause serious issues with eating. 

You may think those super-bonding glues would be better, but they can be as bad or worse. The glue can cause permanent damage to your teeth. It also can bond the soft tissue in your mouth, either to your teeth or to other soft tissue, such as your lips or tongue. This would require a trip to the emergency room to separate the soft tissue, which will likely be a very painful process. There’s one other thing to remember with these glues — they are highly toxic. You can get very ill from ingesting them. 

Bottom line — just don’t do it! 

Filing Down Or Changing the Shape of Your Teeth

This trend predates TikTok, but it seems to be regaining popularity because of TikTok. Some people believe that they can file down their teeth to give them a “cool” new shape. They reshape them to look like vampire teeth, werewolf fangs, or whatever crazy shape they can imagine. 

Filing or reshaping your teeth can cause all kinds of problems. The most obvious is that it causes permanent damage to your teeth. Once those teeth are “reshaped,” they can’t be returned to normal without intervention from a professional dentist. Filing your teeth can also be incredibly painful. Once you wear away the enamel — the hard, protective shell on the outside of your teeth — you hit the pulp of the tooth. This is where the nerves and blood vessels reside, and hitting that pulp will cause pain. It will also damage and even kill the tooth. Eventually, that tooth will rot and fall out or need to be extracted to prevent or treat an infection. 

Fixing filed teeth can involve expensive crowns or veneers. If the teeth are too damaged or already rotten or dead, the only solution may be to pull the teeth and replace them with a partial or complete denture. So unless you don’t want dentures at a young age, it’s a good idea not to try to reshape your teeth. 

Contact Gairhan Dental Care if you have a problem with the size or shape of your teeth. We have solutions to help you without causing severe damage or life-threatening infections. 

Using Nail Polish on Your Teeth

Another trend we’ve noticed is people who “polish” their teeth with glitter nail polish or different colors. This may be based on an actual dental product that is safe to use on teeth. However, actual nail polish is NOT safe to use and should be avoided. 

Dentists created a product called Chrom Toothpolish to apply temporary color or glitter safely to teeth. It is a non-toxic product that can be removed easily through normal toothbrushing and will not cause permanent damage. It shouldn’t be used with braces or clear aligners and should not be used to “repair” teeth with decay, chips, or cracks. 

While that product is safe to use, actual nail polish is not safe. Like the glues, nail polish is highly toxic and can permanently damage your teeth by changing their color over time. Nail polish can make you very ill and should not be ingested. Your saliva alone will start to digest the nail polish off your teeth, causing it to enter your system. Just don’t do it. 

Let Us Fix Your Teeth!

These are just a few of the “home remedies” we’ve seen and heard about on TikTok, but there are many, many more. Most of these home cosmetic dentistry ideas are damaging and can be outright dangerous. Before trying these, give us a call at Gairhan Dental Care. We may have solutions that work for you, and they will certainly be safer and less painful than what you might find on TikTok! 

During this year’s annual blood drive, we managed to collect 60 pints of blood from our amazing 

blood donors — double the number from 2021! These donations will help save up to 180 lives, just as blood donations helped save the life of Lily Grace. 

Blood Donations Help Families Like Ours

Lily Grace was just four years old when she was diagnosed with a hole in her heart, called sinus venous ASD. She was also diagnosed with PAPVR, meaning two of her pulmonary vessels were pumping blood to the wrong side of her heart. She needed an operation to correct the defects and save her life.

Lily Grace underwent a five-hour, open-heart surgery at Texas Children’s Hospital in Houston. During that surgery, she received two units of blood. This life-saving measure changed how the Gairhan family thought about blood donations. Today, Lily Grace is a happy, healthy 9-year-old. We are forever grateful to those who donated the blood that helped save Lily Grace’s life. We are also forever grateful to our community for stepping up to donate blood every year. Your generosity makes a huge impact for families right here in our community.

Since then, Gairhan Dental Care has partnered with the Red Cross to host an annual blood drive! We want to give back by paying it forward to those who need life-saving blood themselves. 

Thank you to our amazing Jonesboro, AR, community! We’ll see you at next year’s blood drive!