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Tagged: oral health southport dental

Do I Need My Wisdom Teeth Removed?

wisdom-teeth-removalWell, OK, the pain says it’s time to have your wisdom teeth removed. Many dentists refer you to an oral surgeon for this procedure. Dr. Mills’ advanced surgical techniques allow Southport Dental to perform many of these extractions without the inconvenience of scheduling an appointment with an oral surgeon. Only in special circumstances of extreme compaction will Dr. Mills recommend an oral surgeon. And the other good news is it should only take a few days for your mouth to heal and for you to feel back to normal.

Why Take Them Out?

Wisdom teeth are a third set of molars in the back of your mouth. They usually come in between the ages of 17 and 25, and they’re spotted on X-rays. Most people have them removed for one of these reasons:

  • They’re impacted. Because they’re so far back in your mouth, wisdom teeth may not come in normally. They can be trapped in your jawbone or gums, which can be painful.
  • They come in at the wrong angle. They may press against your other teeth.
  • Your mouth isn’t big enough. Your jaw has no room for an extra set of molars.
  • You have cavities or gum disease. You may not be able to reach your wisdom teeth with your toothbrush or dental floss.

Before Surgery

You’ll meet with Dr. Mills to discuss the entire process. At this appointment, make sure you:

  • Talk about any health problems you have.
  • List any drugs you take on a regular basis.
  • Ask any questions you have about the surgery.
  • Discuss what type of anesthesia you’ll have. You can either be numb or asleep during your surgery.
  • Plan time off from work or school to have your surgery and rest afterward at home. Set up child care, pet care, or a ride home if needed.

During Surgery

Your surgery should take 45 minutes or less. You’ll get one of these types of anesthesia so you don’t feel pain during the removal:

  • Local: We will numb your mouth with a shot of Novocaine in your gums.
  • General: You may also breathe nitrous oxide, or laughing gas, to relax or even doze during surgery. You should feel alert again shortly afterward.

Dr. Mills may have to cut your gums or bone to get the teeth out. If so, he’ll stitch the wounds shut so they heal quickly. These stitches usually dissolve after a few days. He may also stuff gauze pads in your mouth to soak up some of the blood.

After Surgery

Everyone responds differently to anesthesia. If you had a local anesthetic and feel alert, you might be able to drive home to begin your recovery. You might even be able to go back to work or do your normal activities. If you had general anesthesia or still feel drowsy, you’ll need someone to drive you home.

Most people have little to no pain after surgery. You’ll likely have swelling and mild discomfort for 3 or so days. Your mouth may need a few weeks to completely heal.

Follow your doctor’s instructions for a quicker recovery. Here are some tips for the first 3 days after surgery:

Dos:

  • Use an ice pack on your face to curb swelling or skin color changes.
  • Use moist heat for a sore jaw.
  • Gently open and close your mouth to exercise your jaw.
  • Eat soft foods like pasta, rice, or soup.
  • Drink plenty of fluids.
  • Brush your teeth starting the second day. Don’t brush against any blood clots.
  • Take the drugs your doctor prescribes to ease pain or swelling.
  • Call your doctor if you have a fever, or if your pain or swelling doesn’t improve.

Don’ts:

  • Don’t drink through a straw. Sucking may loosen blood clots that help your mouth heal.
  • Don’t rinse your mouth too harshly. Your doctor may suggest rinsing gently with saltwater.
  • Don’t eat hard, crunchy, or sticky foods that may scratch your wounds.
  • Don’t smoke. Smoking can slow your healing.

About Southport Dental PC

New patients are always welcome. We will not make you wait weeks to get the dental visits you want. Let us know what you want to accomplish at your first visit and we will make it happen! We take the time with our patients to explain their treatment options and inform them of additional preventive care.

Contact us today to learn more.

Southport Dental Indianapolis | Kicking the Tobacco Habit is Good For Your Teeth

SmokingBadforTeethKicking the tobacco habit is not just good for your body, but good for your teeth and gums. Smoking causes bad breath and stains the enamel on your teeth. In addition to having unsightly teeth, smoking can cause serious health conditions. Because of the carcinogens in cigarettes, smoking is associated with an increased risk of oral cancer, which can be deadly. Smoking and tobacco products can lead to gum disease by affecting the attachment of bone and soft tissue to your teeth.

As with any addiction, breaking your tobacco habit may take some time. If you are able to kick the habit, it will only lead to better oral health! Your teeth will be whiter and less likely to decay. Everyone wants white teeth, fresh breath, a healthy mouth and firm gums. With help from your dental office, you can achieve all of these. It’s never too late to quit using tobacco. Ask us how to help kick the habit and reasons why it needs to be done soon!.

Southport Dental is proud to employ a talented, friendly staff to make your dental experience exceptional. Our front office staff will find the answers to all your questions and make you feel at home. Give us a call today at 317-494-7366.

About Southport Dental PC

New patients are always welcome. We will not make you wait weeks to get the dental visits you want. Let us know what you want to accomplish at your first visit and we will make it happen! We take the time with our patients to explain their treatment options and inform them of additional preventive care.

Contact us today to learn more.

Southport Dental | Overcoming Dental Fear!

Overcoming Dental Fears IndianapolisAre you afraid to see the dentist? As humans, we are often scared of the unknown. Dental phobia can be one of those unknowns and is incredibly common with estimates that it affects betwen 13% to 24% of people around the world. Being afraid of the dentist means different things to different people. Maybe it’s the thought that the treatment will hurt. It could be that you haven’t seen a dentist in years and are embarrassed by your teeth. Whatever the reason, dental health is crucial to your overall health. Many Americans are at risk of gum disease and early tooth loss-conditions that can affect your physical, social, and mental health.

If it has been a while since you have seen a dentist, make it a point to schedule an appointment soon. The dentist understands your fears. On your first visit to the dentist, the goal is to calm your fears, perform an exam, and make you feel as comfortable as possible. The dentist will then discuss with you the results of the exam and the recommended dental services. When considering treatment, patients are clearly presented with pros, cons, and all available options.

Our staff at Southport Dental is happy to offer dental services to you and your entire family. Only necessary procedures are recommended. In other words, no one is pressured with “up selling” like many chain dental practices.

When our patients require dental care, we offer a wide range of services to meet the needs of every member of the family. We are always available to answer questions about your dental health and about the services we provide for your treatment.

We are accepting new patients! Give us a call today at 317-494-7366.

About Southport Dental PC

New patients are always welcome. We will not make you wait weeks to get the dental visits you want. Let us know what you want to accomplish at your first visit and we will make it happen! We take the time with our patients to explain their treatment options and inform them of additional preventive care.

Contact us today to learn more.

Southport Dental | Are your Teeth Sensitive?

Sensitive Teeth IndianapolisTooth sensitivity is something that affects a number of people. According to the Academy of General Dentistry nearly 45 million Americans experience tooth sensitivity.

It is often caused by eating or drinking something hot, cold, sweet or acidic. Under normal conditions, the underlying dentin of the tooth (the layer that immediately surrounds the nerve) is covered by the enamel in the tooth crown, and the gums that surround the tooth. Naturally, over time the enamel on your teeth wears down leaving the more sensitive and porous inner layer exposed. Factors other than age, often factors that are controllable, can cause enamel to wear down more quickly and result in sensitive teeth.

Here are some reasons why you could be experiencing this mouth malady — and what steps you should take to ease the pain:

  1. You may be brushing with too much force! Sometimes tooth sensitivity comes from brushing with too much force or with too hard-bristled a toothbrush. The simplest solution is to switch to a toothbrush with softer bristles and to be gentler when brushing.
  1. You grind your teeth. Grinding your teeth can wear down the enamel, even though it’s the strongest substance in your body. Grinding your teeth, or bruxism affects millions of adults and children.
  1. You may have gum disease.Receding gums, which are increasingly common with age (especially if you haven’t kept up with your dental health), can cause tooth sensitivity. More than three-quarters of American adults over age 35 get periodontal (gum) disease.  If gum disease or gingivitis is the problem, your dentist may suggest a procedure to seal your teeth along with treating the gum disease itself.

Proper oral hygiene is the key to preventing sensitive-tooth pain. Ask our staff at Southport Dental if you have any questions about your daily oral hygiene routine or concerns about tooth sensitivity.

We are accepting new patients! Give us a call today at 317-494-7366.

About Southport Dental PC

New patients are always welcome. We will not make you wait weeks to get the dental visits you want. Let us know what you want to accomplish at your first visit and we will make it happen! We take the time with our patients to explain their treatment options and inform them of additional preventive care.

Contact us today to learn more.

Southport Dental | 10 Facts You Should Know About Tooth Decay

stages of tooth decay IndianapolisTooth decay is the destruction of your tooth enamel, the hard, outer layer of your teeth. To repair a cavity, the decay must be removed and replaced with a manmade substance.

There are different types of materials used to fill cavities, including gold and metal alloys.

If you have ever had tooth decay, you should know:

  1. Tooth decay is one of the most common of all diseases, second only to the common cold.
  2. Tooth decay affects more than one-fourth of U.S. children ages 2 to 5, half of those ages 12 to 15, and more than 90 percent of U.S. adults over age 40.
  3. Tooth decay causes pain, suffering and disability for millions of Americans each year — even more disturbing, tooth decay is preventable.
  4. If it is not treated, in extreme and rare cases tooth decay can be deadly. Infection in an upper back tooth can spread to the sinus behind the eye, from which it can enter the brain and cause death.
  5. Tooth decay is an infectious process caused by acid-producing bacteria. Your risk for decay can be assessed in our office with a simple test for specific bacterial activity.
  6. Three factors are necessary for tooth decay to occur: susceptible teeth, acid-producing bacteria and a diet rich in sugars and refined carbohydrates.
  7. Babies are not born with decay-causing bacteria in their mouths; the bacteria are transmitted through saliva from mothers, caregivers, or family members.
  8. Fluoride incorporated into the tooth structure protects teeth against decay by making the enamel more resistant to acid attack.
  9. Sealants, which close up the nooks and crannies in newly erupted teeth, stop bacterial collection where a toothbrush can’t reach. Teeth with sealants have been shown to remain 99 percent cavity-free over six years.
  10. Restricting sugar intake is important in preventing tooth decay. Your total sugar intake should be less than 50 grams a day (about ten teaspoons) including sugars in other foods. A can of soda may have six teaspoons of sugar — or more!

Contact us today to schedule an appointment and discuss possible tooth decay issues. We are accepting new patients!

You can learn more by reading the Dear Doctor magazine article “Tooth Decay – The World’s Oldest and Most Widespread Disease.”

About Southport Dental PC

New patients are always welcome. We will not make you wait weeks to get the dental visits you want. Let us know what you want to accomplish at your first visit and we will make it happen! We take the time with our patients to explain their treatment options and inform them of additional preventive care.

Contact us today to learn more.

 

Southport Dental | Brush Your Teeth and Gums

BrushingGumsIndianapolisA number of studies link gum disease to your overall health. Brushing your gums is just as important as brushing your teeth. When you brush your teeth, also brush gently into the gums in a circular motion. When you brush the gums in a circular motion, the brush gets into the pockets of the gum to remove and pull out bacteria.

Exercise care when brushing so as not to injure the soft gum tissue. It’s very easy to use too much pressure. Try to find and use a brush with extra soft bristles with rounded ends, which are perfectly adequate while reducing the chances of irritating your gums. The two most important gum care practices to use are regular teeth brushing and cleaning between your teeth to keep your teeth and gums healthy. This helps prevent both tooth decay and gum disease.

Our friendly and professional staff is always available to answer questions about your dental health and about the dental services we recommend for your treatment.

About Southport Dental PC

New patients are always welcome. We will not make you wait weeks to get the dental visits you want. Let us know what you want to accomplish at your first visit and we will make it happen! We take the time with our patients to explain their treatment options and inform them of additional preventive care.

Contact us today to learn more.

Spring Break Dental Tips from Southport Dental

Spring Break Dental TipsSpring break is just a few weeks away. It’s a time when you and your family look forward to getting away together on vacation.

Your vacation is not the time to neglect your teeth. Your overall oral health shouldn’t take a break!

There are a few spring break dental care tips you should know and consider while on vacation.

  1. Drink water. Drinking water throughout the day will reduce the buildup of plaque on your teeth.
  1. Avoid sugary drinks. High sugar drinks such as soda erode the enamel on your teeth.
  1. When traveling, have all regular oral heath essentials with you. Bring healthy snacks (such as apples) that act as a cleanser for your teeth. Carry travel-size toothbrushes and mouthwash for road trips.

Whatever your plans are this spring break, remember to keep up with your dental care. Spring break isn’t the time to give your teeth a break! If you would like to schedule an appointment before your break give us a call.

The staff at Southport Dental is dedicated to providing you and your family the highest quality dental care.

About Southport Dental PC

New patients are always welcome. We will not make you wait weeks to get the dental visits you want. Let us know what you want to accomplish at your first visit and we will make it happen! We take the time with our patients to explain their treatment options and inform them of additional preventive care.

Contact us today to learn more.

Southport Dental | Your Indianapolis Southside Dentist

Indianapolis Southside Dentist

Southport Dental, located on the Southside of Indianapolis, has been serving the dental needs of patients for over 20 years. Dr. Ryan Mills, DDS stays current with dental techniques and trends by frequently attending continuing education seminars and courses ensuring that his patients receive the most comprehensive and advanced dental care.

If you are new to the area or are looking for a new dentist, Southport Dental offers a wide range of services to meet the needs of every member of your family. Services provided include regular checkups and cleanings, extractions, crowns and bridges, dentures, implants, root canals, tooth-colored fillings, veneers, lumineers and teeth whitening. The friendly and professional staff is always available to answer questions about your dental health and about the services they recommend for your treatment.

Southport Dental is located on Emerson Avenue between Southport Road and Stop 11. The office is just south of the I-65 bridge, on the East side of the road, in front of the Rosegate Senior Community.

About Southport Dental PC

New patients are always welcome. We will not make you wait weeks to get the dental visits you want. Let us know what you want to accomplish at your first visit and we will make it happen! We take the time with our patients to explain their treatment options and inform them of additional preventive care.

Contact us today to learn more.

Southport Dental | Choosing The Right Toothpaste

toothpasteThese days there are so many different types of toothpastes on the market. You may feel overwhelmed by all the choices available. The truly important thing to remember is to choose a toothpaste that you like and will use everyday.

In choosing a toothpaste, some offer certain benefits over others. You may have sensitive teeth so you will need to choose a toothpaste that’s best for sensitivity. If you are a coffee or tea drinker, you may prefer a whitening toothpaste that helps remove and/or prevent stains from forming on your teeth.

There are toothpastes that meet the oral care of virtually everybody. Whatever your goal is in choosing a toothpaste, make sure that you pick a fluoridated toothpaste. In general, as long as the toothpaste you choose has the American Dental Association Seal of Approval it meets the standards for being safe and effective.

If you have further questions about which toothpaste may be best for you, just ask us on your next appointment.

We are accepting New Patients! Call us at 317-494-7366 to schedule an appointment.

About Southport Dental PC

New patients are always welcome. We will not make you wait weeks to get the dental visits you want. Let us know what you want to accomplish at your first visit and we will make it happen! We take the time with our patients to explain their treatment options and inform them of additional preventive care.

Contact us today to learn more.

Southport Dental Indianapolis | Are You A Good Candidate For Dental Implants?

Dental Implants IndianapolisIf you have a missing tooth or missing teeth you may be a good candidate for dental implants. The ideal candidate for dental implants is in good overall health. Not everyone is a candidate for a dental implant. For a successful implant to take hold, a candidate must have proper bone density and have a strong immune system.

A few signs Southport Dental will look for in evaluating you for implants are: Healthy Gums, Adequate Bone Support and a Commitment to Oral Health.

Dental implants are among the most successful procedures in dentistry. Dental implants are a good solution to tooth loss because they look and feel like natural teeth. Studies show that in healthy patients most implants have a high success rate of 90% or more! The success of the dental implant lasting for years to come is meticulous oral hygiene and regular dental visits.

The steps to see if you are a candidate for implants will require an examination. The exam will include thoroughly examining your teeth, gums, bone density and quantity. Based on your examination and condition of your oral tissue, oral hygiene and personal commitment to aftercare a treatment plan will be recommended.

If you are looking to be evaluated for Dental Implants call our office at 317-494-7366 to schedule an appointment. Our team at Southport Dental takes the time with our patients to explain their treatment options and inform them of additional preventative care.

About Southport Dental PC

New patients are always welcome. We will not make you wait weeks to get the dental visits you want. Let us know what you want to accomplish at your first visit and we will make it happen! We take the time with our patients to explain their treatment options and inform them of additional preventive care.

Contact us today to learn more.

 

 

What our patients are saying about us.

The staff and dentist were nice and very caring. It was an enjoyable experience and they take their time to ensure you are comfortable.

- Kimberly H.

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