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Have You Experienced The Hairy Tongue

A hairy tongue?! When bacteria and fungus build up on the papillae of the tongue, the papillae can grow up to 15 times their normal length. This causes the look of the tongue to be “hairy”.

Although it can look pretty scary, this oral condition is actually relatively harmless and should not hurt. Usually when this overgrowth happens, the color of the hairy tongue is black. The tongue can also become green, brown, yellow, or other colors. The color just depends on what substances the papillae of the tongue pick up.

What are the causes of a hairy tongue? When good bacteria are eliminated in the mouth due to a multitude of reasons, this can cause an imbalance. Poor oral hygiene, smoking, drinking excessive coffee/ tea, antibiotic use, dehydration, dry mouth, and regularly using mouthwash with peroxide are some reasons why someone may develop this condition.

Eliminating the contributing factors that cause a hairy tongue to begin with will be the best way to stop the condition from continuing. There are also anti fungal mouthwashes that can help speed up the process.

If you’re concerned about your hairy tongue and would like to speak with our oral experts at our dentistry in Woodbridge, ON, give Pine Seven Dental Centre a call today! We are happy to help and answer your questions.

Let’s Talk About Root Canals With You

A root canal? You most likely don’t want to think about this dental procedure because of the association with pain that usually comes along with it. Contrary to what many people might believe, most patients experience little to no discomfort during root canal therapy. When people talk about the pain associated with root canals, they are most likely talking about the pain caused by the inflammation from the infection inside the tooth. After all is said and done, once the infected tissue is removed, patients have much relief to look forward to.

Root canals are a conservative treatment option for restoring the health and function of an infected tooth that may prevent the need for an extraction. The main goal of this dental procedure is to remove the infected pulp from the tooth while maintaining the tooth’s structure.

When is root canal therapy needed? A few symptoms that mean you might need a root canal include:

  • Severe pain while chewing or biting
  • Pimples on the gums
  • A chipped or cracked tooth
  • Lingering sensitivity to hot or cold, even after the sensation has been removed
  • Swollen or tender gums
  • Deep decay or darkening of the gums

If tooth pulp becomes acutely inflamed or infected because of decay or injury, the tissue will need to be removed in order to save the tooth and stop the infection from spreading. 

Saving the tooth can prevent other troubles from occurring later on, which could include bite problems from teeth shifting position, difficulty eating and loss of jawbone volume and density.

What happens during the procedure? Infected pulp is removed and then we carefully clean and shape the inside of the root canal. We will fill and seal the space with a biocompatible material. Afterwards, you will return to your dentist, who will place a crown or other restoration on the tooth to protect and restore it to full function. 

At Pine Seven Dental Centre in Woodbridge Vaughan , we will always aim to preserve your natural smile as much as possible for the long-term stability of your bite and overall oral health.

Give us a call immediately if you think you may need root canal therapy.

How To Prevent Early Childhood Caries

What are early childhood caries?

Early Childhood Caries (ECC) is a serious infectious disease that causes tooth decay and loss and, when left untreated, can have long-term emotional and intellectual development. ECC refers to cavities that develop in children under six years of age. It can be very painful, result in the premature loss of baby teeth, and compromise the development of permanent teeth.

ECC can develop rapidly in teeth and usually begin to form in children around six months of age. They often occur on the upper front teeth and are caused by frequent consumption of sugary products. After children consume these products, a sugary residue is often left in the mouth for many hours. The bacteria that cause cavities to feed on this sticky residue. Even nutritious foods and drinks like bananas, breast milk and fruit juice have natural sugars that can contribute to cavities.

Symptoms of early childhood caries:

1. White spots around the gums, which can be difficult to detect. These may evolve into brown spots and possibly broken teeth.

2. Loss of teeth, which can cause trouble speaking and eating, affecting the overall health and development of your child.

4. Pain, which can affect eating, sleeping and learning.

5. Infections and fever.

6. Crooked permanent teeth, which can cause confidence issues.

prevent early childhood caries

Prevention

ECC is preventable. Good oral hygiene, regular dental care, good nutrition, and proper feeding is essential to the prevention of ECC. Steps to prevent the development of ECC:

Your child should have their first dental appointment within six months of development of teeth. Your dentist will advise you on risk factors for developing ECC and give detailed information on the risk profile of your child and how to prevent ECC.

After feedings, use a soft toothbrush and water to brush your baby’s gums from birth.

When the first tooth develops, use a soft toothbrush or washcloth twice daily but ideally after feedings. Use a thin layer of toothpaste for children under two years of age. Use a pea-sized amount for children between 2 and five years of age.

Teach your growing child good oral hygiene habits.

Limit your child’s consumption of sugary drinks and foods and feed your child a balanced diet, following dietary guidelines.

Do not give your child a bottle of any sweet liquid before bed. This can be difficult for children under eight months. In these cases, dilute the liquid with water until your child is only drinking water before bed.

As early as possible, serve sugary drinks in a cup, not a bottle. This will prevent liquids from festering in the teeth.

Because parents can share bacteria with their children through sharing meals, parents must practice good oral hygiene or not share utensils, foods and drinks.

Treatment

If not identified and treated early on, ECC can require significant and costly dental work, including anesthesia and surgery, in very young children. Severe ECC (S-ECC) can lead to abscesses and bone damage and may require hospitalization, antibiotics, and tooth extractions.

For more information, schedule an appointment today.

 

Book your appointment now, because it starts with a smile!
Call us today at (905) 856-2535