The Benefits of Tongue Scraping

Many times, we go to the dentist with the idea that our oral health is focused, first and foremost, on the teeth and gums. However, we should look more at one appendage that is just as crucial when it comes to wellness – the tongue!

We use it to taste, and we use it to talk. But do you know the proper techniques to take care of your tongue?

Ashly Rothrock, a member of dental hygienist team at Artistic Dental, has all of the answers:

“Scraping the tongue removes bacteria and toxins from the surface that can cause bad breath, block taste buds, and interfere with digestion. Harmful bacteria that remain on the tongue surface cause a foul odor resulting in halitosis. Taste buds can be blocked by bacteria which interferes with the ability to taste food and drinks,” fairly straightforward – but a clean tongue can also help dentists identify other problems that may stay hidden in your mouth:

“Abnormalities on the tongue such as lesions and discoloration are easier to detect on a clean, healthy, tongue.”

So, tongue scraping it is. Now we just need to know with what, and how often –

“Tongue scraping should be done daily along with brushing, flossing, and rinsing, and there are special tongue scrapers available. Some have plastic ridges and grooves that aid in removal of bacteria. Others have bristles that are a little harder than that on the toothbrush. Since a soft toothbrush is recommended, an additional tongue scraper is helpful to avoid fraying the toothbrush bristles quicker.”

Ashly also noted that many toothbrushes come with scraping mechanisms on the back of the brush head, and that in a pinch, the bristled brush head itself will do.

So along with your regular routine of brushing and flossing don’t forget to include tongue scraping for optimum oral health. If you have any further questions or need to schedule an appointment for a teeth cleaning and checkup be sure to book today. Our end of year appointments are filling up!

Why is it necessary to remove your wisdom teeth?

We know many out there indulge in watching video of dental patients coming off anesthesia after a major treatment or wisdom teeth removal. Having wisdom teeth taken out is really not a laughing matter, but it is a rite of passage in some, a stepping stone from childhood to young adulthood. While it is all well and good, it still begs the question – why is it necessary to have them removed? 


As you mature, the third molars (wisdom teeth – the ones farthest back) are the last to develop, leaving little to no space for them to grow in the correct position. It’s easier to remove them before they have fully formed, at around the age of 25. Wisdom teeth received their name from usually arriving in the late teen years, signifying the passage into adulthood, hence the term “wisdom.” 


If they are left to grow in, there is a good chance of infection or damaging other teeth through crowding. This can occur when the jaw is too small to fit the teeth. If they are not removed before they develop, they can damage nerves, which in turn causes constant pain.


Due to the location of wisdom teeth, it’s very difficult to efficiently brush and floss the area. This can cause painful tooth decay and cysts, as well as infecting nearby teeth. Being that they come in last, they often don’t have other teeth to guide the direction of their growth, leading to further discomfort. Their removal is beneficial to the health of the second molars, allowing easier reach for brushing and flossing, and eliminating a contact space for bacteria to grow. 

Pericoronitis is an inflammation that leads to an infection in the tissue surrounding wisdom teeth. This infection is very painful, and has been known to send people to the ER. Swelling of the tongue can also occur, which closes the airway and can complicate respiration. Older patients are more susceptible to complications due to their bones becoming more brittle. 

Symptoms

• Pain, swelling or jaw stiffness near an area impacted by the third molars.
• Crowding of other teeth is an issue from unsupervised wisdom teeth, because they can push other teeth and force them to crowd.
• An infected swelling in a flap of gum tissue formed on an impacted area.
• Even if you don’t have any symptoms there is still a possibility of needing to have them removed before they cause nerve damage. 

How are these problems diagnosed?
The ideal age to start monitoring wisdom teeth growth is around 14, but development is different from patient to patient, which is why it’s important to monitor. The dentist will check signs of a wisdom tooth’s growth through the gum or crowding of nearby teeth and use a dental probe to feel the tooth. X-rays are used to see if problems may occur in the future by looking at the placement of the wisdom teeth. It may seem like a daunting task to have your wisdom teeth removed, but doing so can help prevent numerous complications to the teeth, gums and to oral health.

Dry Mouth: Causes and Treatments

Dry mouth is a common problem, especially among seniors. It is most often caused by certain medical disorders and it can be a side effect of some medications. It can also be caused by medical procedures whereby the saliva glands get damaged or as a result of nerve damage to the neck and head area from surgery. Dry mouth has also been known to happen in patients receiving chemotherapy and radiation treatments.

Lifestyle choices are another cause of dry mouth. People who chew or smoke tobacco usually experience dry mouth, because these habits effect how much saliva the mouth can make.

The most common symptoms of dry mouth include:

• Dry chapped lips and skin
• Thirst
• Bad breath
• Dry throat and nasal passages
• Dry and raw red tongue
• Trouble tasting, chewing and swallowing

In addition to causing the symptoms listed above, dry mouth is a concern because it can affect your oral health and raise the risk of gum disease, decay and thrush.

Dry mouth is particularly an issue for seniors and it can make it more difficult for those that wear dentures. Dentures can become loose when the body is not providing enough saliva.

Fortunately, there are treatments available. If you believe your dry mouth is caused by the medication you are taking you should discuss this with your physician. The doctor may offer an alternative or change the dosage of your medication. If you are not seeing any changes your doctor may suggest trying an oral rinse or perhaps prescribe a medication that will help boost saliva production.

Here are a few other ways to help improve saliva production and fight dry mouth:

• Chew sugar-free gum
• Drink plenty of water, staying hydrated is essential
• Brush with a fluoride toothpaste
• Put an humidifier in your bedroom to help add moisture to the air if you have a tendency to sleep with your mouth open
• Avoid salty or spicy foods
• Visit your dentist regularly

The Difference Between Crowns and Veneers

Crowns and veneers are both treatments that are utilized by dentists to address various different situations. However, the disparities between them can often be confusing to the average patient. The Artistic Dental team is here to help, and ready to show you all the differences!

Dental crowns and veneers are fairly similar to one another in their goal to give you a cleaner smile, but there are some differences. Veneers are thin pieces of porcelain applied to the front of teeth; they can radically transform imperfect smiles for the better. If your teeth are discolored, worn down, chipped, broken, misaligned, gapped, uneven or irregularly shaped, veneers might be a great choice. However, if you’ve previously had root canal therapy, crowns will provide fragile teeth with more structural support. Crowns and veneers are made with the same materials, but unlike veneers, crowns encapsulate the entire tooth. If you have attractive teeth that are simply misaligned, braces are probably a better choice. All procedures are now done in aesthetic full-porcelain avoiding the ugly “metal under crown” look.

Both are options that can greatly improve your confidence and, most importantly, your smile and overall oral health. However, the variations between these procedures – whether a veneer or a crown is more appropriate, for example – are immense. Oftentimes crowns are utilized when more damage has been done to the teeth or gums, and when veneers cannot accurately correct these issues. When the issue is primarily cosmetic, compromises the face of the tooth, a veneer may be the best option.

We suggest that you find out how experienced your dentist is when it comes to working with veneers. You’ll also want to ask what kind of satisfaction guarantees the office provides. If you experience problems with your veneers down the road, it is imperative that you know what options are open to you.