All of us will lose baby teeth before our permanent teeth begin to poke through. When children lose their first teeth, it can be an uncertain time. Once a child has loose teeth, they will typically fall out on their own within a few days, or as the child wiggles them with their finger or tongue, but there are some circumstances where a child may need help removing baby teeth. Whether it is one of their last teeth, they have fear around pulling loose teeth, or it is blocking their adult teeth, there are some reasons when pulling them at home is necessary. 

Reasons Not To Pull Loose Teeth

It is best for baby teeth to fall out naturally, so you should avoid pulling loose teeth unless necessary. Pulling a tooth too early can lead to complications like spacing, misalignment, or crowding. Here are some complications that could come from pulling teeth too early or without the help of a professional. 

Risk Of Infection

Pulling a tooth or having a tooth knocked out of your mouth can lead to a higher risk of infection. Damaging the surrounding tissues and gums can cause inflammation and infection if you use your hands or another object to pull the loose tooth. Having a tooth pulled at a dental office by a professional who uses sterile tools and proper techniques to prevent infection. 

Damage To Permanent Teeth

Pulling out a baby tooth at the wrong time can lead to damage to the adult tooth underneath. Pulling them before the permanent tooth is ready to poke through the gums and fill the space could cause weak permanent teeth to form or the tooth to come in crooked.

When Pulling Loose Teeth Is Ok

There are some common signs that pulling a child’s loose teeth is the best option. Loose teeth often occur when the adult tooth is ready to poke through the gums, meaning that it can come out without any issues. Here are some signs it’s time to remove the loose baby tooth. 

Obstructing Adult Tooth Growth

When a baby tooth is obstructing a new adult tooth from pushing through, it is time for it to be removed. Many times, a baby tooth with an adult tooth ready to take its place will be monitored by a pediatric dentist. The dentist may be able to help remove the baby tooth so that it doesn’t affect the growth of the permanent tooth. 

It’s Hanging By A Thread

Baby teeth fall out because the surrounding tissue starts to recede. When a child is ready to lose a tooth, it gets really wiggly and loose. When a tooth is hanging on by just a few fibers, you can help remove it from the child’s mouth by pulling it, and encourage the child to eat something to get the tooth to fall out on its own.

Best Practices For Pulling Baby Teeth At Home

Pulling a tooth can be scary for a child and should be handled with care. If you need to pull the tooth without the help of a dentist, here are some tips to ensure the process goes smoothly. 

• Have clean hands and clean tools: Before handling a tooth, your hands should be clean or you should be wearing gloves to prevent infection. If any tools need to be used, make sure they are also cleaned thoroughly to prevent the spread of bacteria. 
• Use gentle techniques: Pulling loose teeth is no easy task, even if it is already loose. Be patient and gentle with your child and encourage them to help wiggle the tooth to prevent unnecessary pain. 
• Provide reassurance: Providing comfort and reassurance about the process can help your child get through this more easily. Talking to the child about how this is necessary, can be fun (tooth fairy or prizes), and how staying healthy is an important part of life. 

Never Pull Adult Teeth Without A Professional

Since all of us will lose our baby teeth, it is appropriate to gently remove them or encourage children to lose these teeth naturally. However, when it comes to adult teeth, you should always consult with your dentist before the removal of a permanent tooth. There are some circumstances where an adult tooth should be removed, but removing it at home is not a safe option. 

Dentists will be able to use anesthetics, numbing agents, and provide pain medication to ensure that the patient is comfortable. Removing an adult tooth should also come with a placeholder or mediation against further tooth loss. Implants or spacers will be needed to help those who have lost an adult tooth. If a wisdom tooth is removed, you will need proper care and cleaning to avoid infection. Getting this support and help from your dentist can ensure optimal healing and a healthier smile. Our team at Sunset Dental is here to help with any oral health concerns you may have. Reach out to us to get started!

Vaping is becoming an alternative to traditional cigarettes, especially among younger generations. E-cigarettes contain similar chemicals to cigarettes, which can discolor and damage your tooth enamel. Dentists are concerned about the long-term effects of consistent vaping because even if they are a better solution to tobacco cigarettes, e-cigarettes can cause other large health concerns. This blog will discuss whether vaping can stain your teeth and how it can impact other aspects of your oral health. 

What Are E-Cigarettes?

Vaping involves inhaling aerosol liquid that has been heated in a pen or e-cigarette device. Unlike normal cigarettes, vaping doesn’t contain tobacco, but it still contains other harmful chemicals like propylene glycol, nicotine, and flavorings. Those who use e-cigarettes are drawn to them because of their lack of strong smoke smells, lower risks of tobacco-related problems, and the ability to save money on buying packs of cigarettes. While some will say that vaping has a lower risk of cancer and respiratory issues, more research is needed to confirm this. Even if vaping is better than traditional cigarettes, it can still have negative effects on your teeth. 

Chemicals In Vape Juice That Stain Teeth

The chemicals in a vape pen or other e-cigarette device are what can cause tooth discoloration. Nicotine is the number one culprit that stains your teeth if you vape consistently. When nicotine is exposed to oxygen, it starts to turn yellow, which can cause your enamel to turn yellow over time. Similar to acidic food and drinks, nicotine can wear down the top layers of your teeth, making them look lackluster. Failing to brush your teeth or floss regularly will cause staining to appear quicker than in those who keep up with their oral routine.

Flavorings and sweeteners in vape juice can cause deterioration to tooth enamel as well. Similar to soda or sugary foods, the flavorings in your vape can cause stains to darken or cause your teeth to decay. Flavors can also cause adverse health effects

Other chemicals inside e-cigarettes can also impact the look of your teeth. The temperature of your vaping device can also cause a film to form on your teeth, a lack of blood flow to your mouth, and other harmful chemicals to form as you inhale nicotine. The combination of nicotine, flavors, and even the hot aerosol can cause long-term negative effects that are hard to reverse.

Can You Prevent Stains From Vaping?

If you do vape, the best way to limit stains on your teeth is to cut down on the frequency of your vaping or stop altogether. However, if you are unable to stop, following a strict regimen of proper oral care will help limit stains. Brushing, flossing, frequent dental visits, and drinking plenty of water can limit severe staining. In order to keep your smile bright and white, patients should use whitening toothpastes, practice proper brushing and flossing techniques, and avoid food and drink that can worsen stains. 

Other Oral Concerns From Vaping

Getting addicted to tobacco or nicotine can cause more damage to your oral health than just stains to your teeth. For those who consistently vape, there are concerns that may arise in your gums, tongue, teeth, throat, and lips. Other oral concerns that come from vaping include:

• Mouth and throat irritation
• Dry mouth
• Slower healing from oral surgery
• Mouth sores
• Gum disease
• Oral cancer
• Acid reflux
• Nausea
• Bad breath
• Oral thrush

It is recommended that those who are addicted to nicotine or tobacco do their best to stop smoking or visit their dentist regularly. Discussing your habits with your dentist and visiting frequently will help you stay on top of cavities and prevent severe tooth decay. Your dentist could recommend special products or habits that can help you limit stains on your teeth from vaping.

Dental Services From Sunset Dental Care

Sunset Dental can help patients of all ages have better control of their oral health. Patients who vape can benefit from more frequent dental cleanings from a professional in order to limit staining. Our goal is to help you have a smile that you love. 
Our team focuses on services for children, adolescents, and adults alike. Each member of our dental practice is fully trained and licensed to perform cleanings, surgery, or extractions. With our welcoming atmosphere and friendly service, visiting the dentist is a breeze. Reach out to us to schedule your appointment today!

With hundreds of toothpastes and brands on the shelves, it can be hard to determine which toothpaste is best for your oral health. Many brands offer whitening effects, stronger teeth, or less sensitivity, but can they truly deliver? What ingredients help protect your enamel and fight cavities? Looking for the American Dental Association’s Seal and the ingredients below will help you know that you’re getting the best toothpaste.

Fluoride

This is the main cavity-fighting ingredient found in toothpastes. Fluoride is needed to strengthen the enamel and prevent the teeth from decaying. There are two main types of fluoride you should look out for when shopping for toothpaste. 

Sodium fluoride helps prevent tooth decay and is the most common option found in over-the-counter toothpastes. Stannous fluoride will also help prevent tooth decay, but it also helps with gingivitis, sensitivity, and more. 

Potassium Nitrate

Sensitive teeth can benefit from potassium nitrate. Studies have shown that potassium nitrate in toothpaste can decrease the sensitivity of your teeth, but only if you use it consistently. Not all people will need help with tooth sensitivity, so if this is not something you are concerned about, you can avoid this ingredient. 

Calcium Carbonate

In order for toothpaste to clean your teeth, it needs some kind of abrasive agent to lift stains. Calcium carbonate helps to remove stains in a matter of days, as it removes a greater amount of plaque than other toothpastes. Abrasive ingredients in large amounts can harm your teeth, but calcium carbonate is mild enough to be used safely. 

Xylitol

Xylitol helps reduce bacteria and prevents cavities when used in toothpaste. Xylitol is not metabolized by cavity-causing bacteria, which means that the bacteria don’t stick to your teeth. Having this ingredient in your toothpaste can also provide other benefits for your oral health, including remineralizing your enamel, boosting collagen, and reducing infections. 

Zinc Citrate

Benefits that linger long after you finish brushing your teeth are what we all hope for when purchasing a toothpaste. Looking for zinc citrate can help reduce plaque that sticks to your teeth. While other ingredients can help reduce plaque, zinc citrate has been seen as one of the most effective. 

Ingredients To Avoid 

While there are many ingredients in toothpaste that can be helpful or help with the flavor, there are some harmful ingredients to avoid. Some ingredients can be too abrasive to your enamel, causing excessive sensitivity. Let’s look at some of these harmful ingredients.

Activated Charcoal

Many people are turning to activated charcoal because it claims to whiten their teeth, but charcoal is extremely abrasive and can cause long-term damage to your teeth. By wearing down the enamel, your teeth will appear whiter, but may also be more sensitive and prone to cavities. There is really no research or data to show that charcoal is safe or effective as toothpaste.

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate

Some toothpastes contain sodium lauryl sulfate, which creates more of a foam while brushing the teeth. Some people experience mouth sores, redness, and peeling when using toothpastes with sodium lauryl sulfate. These can take a while to heal and cause long-term pain during oral care or dental procedures.

Oral Care From Sunset Dental

Sunset Dental Care is committed to providing oral care for the entire family. No matter what service you need, our team treats every person with compassion and empathy during procedures. Sunset Dental offers a range of services that you may need throughout your life. Cleanings, wisdom teeth removal, veneers, dentures, and more can be completed in our office. 

Dr. Ryder Waldron is committed to helping people love their smiles and feel better about their teeth. We use the latest oral health techniques to treat our patients, so you know you are getting the highest quality care. We have many patients who have been visiting us for years and even bring their kids to us. Visit our office to learn more about our space and book your first appointment today!