How Will Sedation Dentistry Help Me?

Each year, an estimated 10 percent of the U.S. population purposely avoids vital dental treatment due to fear, anxiety and sometimes powerful phobias. These people are more at-risk for developing serious dental health conditions that are normally detected and treated during checkups.

Sedation dentistry provides a solution to stress, leaving the patient free of anxiety. Sedation dentistry uses carefully applied medication, which allows the patient to relax while the doctor performs treatment. In this way, multiple procedures can be performed during a single visit. 

The three most common types of sedation are:

·          Inhalants – Nitrous oxide, also known as laughing gas, works very quickly. Patients feel its effect within five minutes of administration and can settle into a comfortable relaxed feeling, while remaining fully awake. Most patients will have very little memory of the procedure. With a five minute dose of pure oxygen, patients can drive themselves home without lingering effects.

·       Oral Sedatives – This type of medication is taken in the form of anti-anxiety pills prior to treatment. The patient remains conscious and can respond to directions and requests, but doesn’t experience any pain or distress. The patient will feel a bit groggy before and after the procedure so your dentist will request that you have someone to drive you to and from your appointment.

·       Intravenous (IV) Sedatives – This sedative is administered directly into to the blood stream through a needle. It will reduce awareness and memory by inducing a “twilight sleep.” During the procedure, the patient is free of discomfort. Patients will need someone to take them home.

Benefits of Sedation Therapy

More dental care providers are offering sedation dentistry so that they can limit a serious obstacle to their patients’ oral health. Being able to eliminate any feelings of alarm, panic and fear from people who would rather suffer through tooth pain than visit a dentist is a significant step in the direction of better health.

Research has demonstrated time and again that the key to improved overall well-being is optimal oral health through regular cleanings and professional checkups. Professional dental organizations, which include the American Dental Association, have declared preventive measures, such as brushing twice a day and flossing regularly, essential in the early detection of many harmful conditions, such as oral cancers.   

Located at 209 W. Pecan in Coleman, TX, Dr. Lawrence Thompson offers oral conscious sedation and nitrous oxide to his patients. If you are seeking a dentist who is focused on patient needs and who can effectively ease the fear associated with visiting the dentist, contact his office today.

How to Handle Dental Emergencies

 Most of the time, people who visit our Coleman, TX  dental office do so for cleanings and checkups as part of an ongoing commitment good dental health. Other times, there are dental emergencies that need immediate attention. In dental emergency situations, you can contact our office and we will work to fit you in as soon as possible.

What defines a dental emergency?

Dental emergencies typically refer to conditions in which the teeth or gums are seriously damaged and require professional treatment. Sometimes, treatment must be done right away in order to prevent even more serious consequences from occurring. Examples of dental emergencies might include injuries, which can range from chipped, broken, or knocked-out Teeth.

Other forms of dental emergencies involve infections of the tooth or surrounding tissues. If infections spread below the gum line, they can lead to an abscess and significant discomfort. Abscesses are especially dangerous because they damage supporting structures below the teeth and, if left untreated, can enter the bloodstream and spread to other parts of the body.

What to Do in a Dental Emergency

In cases where the tooth is knocked out, it might be possible to replace it in the socket, so long as the tooth is handled properly and the patient gets to the dentist within an hour or so. However, many times it becomes necessary to consider replacements for the missing tooth, such as a bridge or dental implant. Some dental emergencies involve damage to dental work, such as lost fillings and crowns. This often results in discomfort or pain. While waiting to see the dentist, patients can diminish pain by applying clove oil to the tooth. Dr. Thompson will help restore function with a temporary or more short-term solution until your new, permanent is complete.

Contact Your Emergency Dentist

When you are suffering from a dental emergency, you want a dentist that you can depend on to treat the condition promptly. You want someone who can put you at ease during a stressful time. Call our Coleman office immediately if you have experienced a dental emergency. We will provide advice over the phone and have you visit our office as soon as you can.

Dr. Thompson has extensive experience dealing with all manner of tooth trauma and dental emergencies. You don’t have to put up with pain or wait until the problem gets worse. Contact our Coleman office today.

Quick Tips for Brushing Your Teeth

Brushing our teeth is important – we all know that, but along with understanding its importance, we should also know how to brush properly. Knowing the correct brushing technique can improve the durability and overall health of our teeth more so than simply going through the motions of brushing every day. If brushing your teeth is becoming a mindless activity for you, than it’s possible that you could be overlooking crucial steps in your oral hygiene. Follow these correct steps to brushing your teeth to help ensure a long-lasting and healthy smile!

• Choose the right brush
• You’ll want to pick a brush that has soft nylon bristles. Harder brushes run the risk of irritating your gums, so a soft toothbrush will be able to effectively remove plaque and debris from your teeth. You should also remember to replace your toothbrush every 3 or 4 months.
• Use the right toothpaste
• Toothpastes containing fluoride are going to be the most effective in fighting plaque buildup. Fluoride helps teeth resist the acids found in plaque known to cause tooth decay, so choose a toothpaste that not only will help fight plaque, but also strengthen your teeth.
•  Use the proper brushing technique
• Use a pea-sized amount of toothpaste when brushing. To begin, brush in a short vertical or circular motion.
• Spend at least three minutes brushing, and brush only a few teeth at a time. Brush your entire mouth, spending a minimum of 12 seconds in each area. To help keep track of time, watch TV while you brush or hum a song to yourself.
• Make sure to target your back teeth by moving your toothbrush in and out of the back of your mouth until your top and bottom molars feel clean.
• According to many dentists, the inner surfaces of teeth are the most neglected area when brushing. Target the inside of your teeth by taking extra care to brush the inner side of each tooth.
• Brushing your tongue should also be a part of your brushing regimen, as it helps to fight bad breath and bacteria buildup. Gently clean your tongue using the bristles of your toothbrush.
• Finish off your brushing session by rinsing out your mouth with water. Take a sip of water, swish it around in your mouth, and spit it out. Rinsing your mouth helps to get rid of any lingering bacteria. Also be sure to rinse your toothbrush to rid it of any bacteria.
• An optional step is to rinse your mouth with a fluoride-based mouthwash. Using mouthwash for around 30 seconds can help clean your teeth even more.

Properly brushing your teeth will contribute to a healthier smile that you and your dentist can be proud of. Practice good dental hygiene by taking precaution when brushing your teeth so you may have those teeth for years to come. Lawrence Thompson, DDS is a dentist in Coleman, TX. To learn more about his practice, visit www.mycolemandentist.com.

The Power of Dental Implants and Implant-Supported Dentures

Never underestimate the positive impact of a beautiful smile. A mouth full healthy teeth can boost your self-esteem, giving you greater confidence in your social and professional interactions. This is why Dr. Lawrence Thompson is so committed to finding effective ways to replace teeth, and one of the most effective treatments he’s found for badly damaged or missing teeth is dental implants.

If you’ve got numerous tooth problems, you might be putting off dental work, afraid that the only viable solution is traditional dentures. Fortunately, dental implants and implant-supported dentures offer sturdier and more comfortable alternatives.

Why Choose Dental Implants?

The drawbacks of traditional dentures involve the risk of slippage, which can hinder a person’s ability to eat certain foods and affect speech patterns. Dental implants solve this problem by securing the replacement tooth into the patient’s jaw with an artificial root.

Once the artificial root is secured, it serves as a base for a natural-looking crown that fits right in with the remaining teeth, restoring your smile in an attractive way. Dental implants function like real teeth, allowing you to eat and speak like normal.

What about Implant-Supported Dentures?

Implant-supported dentures are an effective solution if you need to replace many teeth. This process uses artificial tooth roots as a base to support partial or complete dentures. Dentures can be non-removable and secured to the implants with retaining screws. This is the most permanent solution and is great for people who don’t want to remove their dentures every day.

Dentures can also be removable, in which case the full or partial denture is hooked to the supporting implants in a way that is secure but not permanent. The dentures can be taken out and cleaned, but when they are in place, they are still supported strongly enough that they won’t move around.

Besides the convenience factor, dental implants help to preserve natural bone. Without a root in place, bone will recede over time, and traditional dentures do nothing to prevent this process from occurring. Implants, on the other hand, stimulate continued growth of the bone, helping patients to maintain the shape of their face.

Dr. Lawrence Thompson can diagnose your dental health to determine if you are a good candidate for implants. If you don’t have enough remaining healthy bone to support the implant, he can recommend alternative solutions, so contact our office today.

Getting Rid of Bad Breath

Halitosis (or bad breath) is the consistent exhalation of unpleasant odors from the mouth. Bad breath can be embarrassing and make you self-conscious about speaking or being social. Luckily, simple steps are available that can help fight halitosis and produce a fresher mouth.

• Brush and floss regularly
• By brushing and flossing at least twice a day, you are helping to prevent the buildup of plaque, which harbors bacteria known to cause bad breath.
• Scrape your tongue
• A day’s worth of eating and drinking can produce a coating on your tongue containing bad breath-causing bacteria. By brushing your tongue along with the rest of your teeth, you can help to eliminate bad breath. You can also use a tongue scraper to get rid of that coating. A tongue scraper applies pressure along your tongue and literally scrapes off bacteria.
• Avoid foods that cause halitosis
• Thinking about onions and garlic? Brushing hardly helps when trying to get rid of those odors. Unfortunately, it’s just best to avoid these foods, especially when you know you’ll be in close contact with someone!
• Stop smoking
• Using tobacco causes a multitude of issues for oral health, and bad breath is one of them. If you are serious about eliminating your bad breath, then quit using tobacco.
•  Rinse your mouth
•  Using mouth wash is an extra step to take when fighting bad breath. Mouth rinses help fight bacteria that is known to cause bad breath.
• Chew gum
• A simple mint after a meal won’t do it. Mints contain sugar that increase the amount of plaque in the mouth. Chewing sugar-free gum, however, helps to fight halitosis by producing saliva, which helps to resist plaque-building acids.
• Keep your mouth moist
•  Having a dry mouth is a leading cause of bad breath. Acquiring habits that produce saliva can help moisten your mouth and thus fight plaque-producing acids. Chew gum or eat sugarless candies. Using a humidifier at night also helps to moisten the air you inhale.
• Talk to your dentist
• An expert professional will know how to combat halitosis better than anyone. If you have tried a number of methods that haven’t produced results, then talk to your doctor who could check for a possible medical condition.

Lawrence Thomson, DDS is a dentist in Coleman TX. To learn more about his practice visit www.mycolemandentist.com. 

What to Do When You Knock Out a Tooth

Accidents happen, and sometimes they can damage your smile. Whether it’s a fall, fight, car accident, or sports-related injury, teeth break and get knocked out quite frequently. No one expects their tooth to be knocked out (unless they are trying the age old doorknob tooth pull), but when the event happens, it will benefit you to know what steps to take so as to not inflict further damage.

When a tooth is knocked out, save it! Bring the ejected tooth to the dentist when you go in for treatment and hold the tooth by its crown. You can also bring a tooth to the dentist by:

•  Placing the tooth back in the mouth where it fell out and biting down on it, using gauze or a wet tea bag to help keep the tooth in place.
• Placing the tooth in a container and covering it with a bit of whole milk or saliva.
•  Carrying the tooth in between the lower lip and lower gum or under the tongue.
•  Using a tooth-saving storage container, which includes a fluid solution.

For the open socket in your mouth, be sure to:

• Apply a cold compress to your mouth or gums to numb any pain.
•  Directly place pressure on the area using gauze to contain any bleeding.

When you have an avulsed tooth, knowing what to do is just as important as knowing what not to do. Certain actions can do more harm than good, so make sure you are aware of how your tooth can possibly be damaged if it is knocked out.

• Do not handle the roots of the tooth – only the chewing end (the crown) should be touched.
• Do not try to remove any dirt or debris by scratching the root of the tooth.
• Do not attempt to clean or brush the tooth with typical wound-cleaning solutions like peroxide or rubbing alcohol.

The most important step to take when you lose a tooth is to call your dentist immediately. If you have the tooth at your disposal, bring it with you to the dentist office, but know that the only way to fix an avulsed tooth is to utilize the expert care of a professional. 

To learn more, call the Coleman, TX dental office of Lawrence Thompson, DDS.

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Here's to your best oral health ever!