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When bacteria infect the inside of a tooth or gum or the underlying bones that hold the tooth, pus if formed, and this may cause swelling and pain. This is called a dental abscess. A dental abscess in the gum is referred to as a periodontal abscess while that in the root of the tooth is referred to as a periapical abscess. A dental abscess can occur if the tooth is cracked and allows food particles to be lodged inside the tooth, causing bacteria to infect the area. This article takes a look at the diagnosis and treatment of a dental abscess. Diagnosis of dental abscess Diagnosis of a dental abscess usually involves a physical examination as well as a CT scan or a dental X-ray. If the infection is minor (especially if the infection is visible), your dentist may simply physically examine the affected tooth and start treatment. However, it is always recommended that a dental X-ray be conducted to examine the extent of the damage for proper treatment. If the infection is extensive, then a CT scan is always used for assessment. Symptoms of dental abscess If you have a dental abscess, you may experience the following symptoms: Swelling can be visible in the gums and/or the jaw area. Pain in the affected tooth and the surrounding areas such as the jaw, neck, and ear Increased tooth sensitivity to hot and cold drinks or food Tooth discoloration Loose tooth Foul breath that doesn’t go away with normal oral hygiene Treatment for Dental Abscess A dental abscess won’t go away without treatment, so it is best practice to seek immediate medical attention from a registered dentist before the infection can spread to other parts of the mouth. The following are the dental abscess treatment options available. Drainage When the abscess is minor, an incision can be made towards the infection, and then the pus drained to prevent further spreading of the infection. This is usually a temporary treatment and further treatment may be recommended afterward, depending on the gravity of the abscess. Root canal treatment Where the tooth abscess has affected a significant part of the tooth, the dentist may recommend a root canal treatment for dental abscess. Extraction Extraction is always the last option when a root canal is not possible. In this case, the tooth and/or the gum have been severely affected and extraction is the only way to prevent it from getting worse and spreading to other parts of the mouth. How to prevent having an abscess An abscess is usually an infection that arises from improper oral hygiene. Therefore, you should make sure to maintain good oral hygiene by brushing and flossing your teeth regularly. Additionally, avoid foods that promote the breeding of bacteria in the mouth like sugar and starch. Bottom Line A dental abscess is a treatable infection that can be taken care of by a qualified dentist if the infection is discovered in time. If you suspect that you have a dental abscess, Springvale Dental Clinic is here at your service to provide quality dental care. Visit our dentist in Clayton for a proper examination and treatment for dental abscess.  

According to the Australian Dental Association, almost 40% of all childhood dental injuries are due to sporting activities. While it may be impossible to stop our children from playing, taking the necessary precautions, such as giving them the right protective gear, is necessary. Mouth guards serve as the best gear to protect them from dental injury. A custom-fitted mouth guard can reduce the risk of injuries such as broken teeth and injuries to the lips, tongue and jawbone not only to children but also adults. This article takes a look at how mouth guards prevent dental injuries. What are Mouth guards? First things first, mouth guards are referred to as sports guards, which are rubber-like covers designed to fit over the teeth to provide them with support and prevent dental injuries. Some of these dental injuries include: Root fractures Crown fractures Avulsions and luxation Lips and intraoral tissues from bruising and laceration The jaw from dislocations and fracture There are several types of mouth guards, including custom-fitted, boil and bite and stock. The dentist makes Custom-fitted mouth guards and they are the most comfortable. Boil and bite are softened by boiling them in water, then you bite them in position and allow them to get back into their original shape. Stocks are the ready to wear mouth guards How Mouth Guards Helps to Protect You from Dental Injuries Prevention is always better than cure. A mouth guard is now an important necessity in any sporting activity as it will help you protect the potential dental injury. It can also help prevent potential brain injury, which is particularly important in your well being. Although mouth guards are primarily meant to protect the teeth, they also reduce the force from the point of impact. Mouth guards will act as shock absorbers. They will absorb and diffuse shock, providing caution to different parts of the mouth. They will help you prevent both the health of your smile and aesthetic appearance. Mouth Guard Features It is important to wear a mouth guard with the right features during sporting activities so that it can protect you the way it is supposed to. The appliance should be custom fitted specifically for you so that it can serve the intended purpose. A protective mouth guard should: Allow normal breathing and swallowing Be comfortable yet tight-fitting Not cause gagging Be thick enough to provide the right protection against injury (4 mm) Be odourless and Tasteless Allow normal speech Bottom Line Custom fitted mouth guard by your dentist can significantly reduce the risk of dental injuries. Some of the common causes of injury include sporting, recreational and leisure activities. Dental injuries can not only be costly to treat but may also result in a lot of pain. Therefore, any time you are engaging in such activities, it is important that you wear a custom fitted mouth guard by your dentist. Contact us at Springvale Dental Clinic today to find out more about how mouth guards can help prevent dental injuries. You will also learn more about how to use them as well as dental mouth guard costs.

If you’ve ever visited a dental office before, chances are you understand a bit about dental x-rays. Dentists use dental x-rays as a device to assist them in spotting possible dental health issues. X-rays are a form of a light wavelength that goes over soft oral tissues such as gums and cheeks however, it gets absorbed by solid tissues like the bones and teeth, thus letting them be seen on an x-ray image. With x-rays, oral surveys can now be performed without the need for direct visual examination, therefore making the process convenient and comfortable for the patient. However, did you know there are different types of dental x-rays? You may have seen one during your regular visits to the dentist, but the chances are that you haven’t seen them all. Different types of x-rays have different uses. Here are the various types of dental x-rays: There are two main categories of dental x-rays: Intraoral X-rays These are the most commonly used dental x-rays since they give a detailed view of the teeth and bones. Thus allowing the dentist to identify cavities easily, monitor the status of developing teeth, check the health of the jaw bone,and monitor the overall health of your mouth. There are several types of intraoral x-rays, and each of them displays diverse parts of the teeth. Bitewings Bitewings are the popularly used intraoral x-ray, which helps in identifying periodontal issues, tooth decay, and track development of teeth. In this category of x-ray, a film is positioned on the side of your mouth and four bitewings are used to take an image of all the teeth. Periapical This type of x-rays shows the whole teeth from the top to the bottom root. These x-rays are used to spot any anomalies of the surrounding bone and root structure. Occlusal The occlusal x-rays are much bigger than most x-rays. They are used to monitor tooth development and positioning in children. Each image shows almost the full arch of the mouth. Extra-oral X-rays Extraoral x-rays are used to identify oral issues in the jaw and skull. There are quite a few types of extraoral x-rays that can be used: Panoramic These x-rays show all the parts of the mouth on a sole x-ray. The x-ray can see impacted and overcrowded teeth and help in finding tumours. Tomographs This x-ray shows a specific part of the mouth while blurring out all the other areas. It is convenient for scrutinising oral structures that are hard to see clearly. Sialography This x-ray involves visualisation of the salivary glands. The dentist uses this type of x-ray to examine for salivary gland complications. Cephalometric Projections These x-rays show an entire side of the skull. Dentists use this type of x-ray to plan for their treatments. Computed Tomography This is a type of x-ray that shows the inner structures of the mouth in three dimensions. It is used to spot issues in the facial bones, such as cysts and tumours. Bottom Line Making sure you are updated on your dental x-rays is one of our many jobs at Springvale Dental Clinic. As you’ve seen, each type of x-ray is important to us as we require them to detect oral problems that can result in infections, if left untreated. Our dental staff is experienced and trained to know when to take what type of x-ray and how often each is needed based on your oral health. If you have any queries about different types of dental x-rays or are you are planning on getting one, contact or visit us today at Springvale Dental Clinic.