Healing from wisdom teeth removal, infected teeth extractions, or other dental procedures can be tiring and painful. Healing from dental extractions takes rest, proper oral care, and following strict instructions from your dentist. Patients who have multiple teeth removed or have undergone an intense surgery could be feeling stressed and uncomfortable, making healing seem daunting. If you have recently had a tooth removed, there is no need to panic. You can sleep better and eat by following these healing tips below.

1- Prioritize Rest And Relaxation

After any surgical procedure, relaxing, resting, and avoiding strenuous activities will help your body focus on healing. By not exercising or stressing over your healing, your mind and body can focus on generating new cells and clotting the bleeding. Patients should plan to take the day off work or school, rest in bed or a comfy chair, and take some deep breaths. 

2- Maintain Your Oral Hygiene Habits

Even though your mouth is in pain and healing, proper oral care is essential for faster healing. Soft brushing and rinsing your mouth with the provided syringe will limit bacteria or blood buildup that could prolong your healing. Depending on the type of extraction you had, you may need to avoid toothpaste or rinsing your mouth until your surgeon gives you the all clear. Avoid brushing your extraction site, but prioritize cleaning your other teeth during healing.

3- Find Soft But Filling Foods

Eating after a dental extraction can be difficult when you want to avoid infections or dry socket. Most dentists recommend soft foods, but they often don’t keep you full. There are safe food options that can keep you full after an extraction. Some filling but soft foods include:

• Smoothies
• Steamed vegetables
• Blended soup
• Scambled eggs
• Yogurt
• Avocado
• Oatmeal
• Applesauce
• Hummus

4- Stay On Top Of Pain Meds

Prescribed pain medication or over-the-counter pain relievers can be used to limit the pain after a dental extraction. Pain medications can help speed up the healing process by reducing inflammation and keeping you comfortable. Take the medication as prescribed by your surgeon to avoid interfering with healing or overdosing. 

5- Sleep Slightly Elevated

Although it is recommended to rest after a surgery, wisdom teeth or other tooth extraction will cause some blood to drip down your throat and into your digestive system. To limit this, you should sleep with your head slightly elevated while healing from dental extractions. Stacking two pillows or using a travel neck pillow is often enough to keep you from swallowing excessive blood. 

6- Don’t Hesitate To Reach Out To Your Dentist

Patients who have concerns about their healing process or want to know if something is safe after surgery should not hesitate to reach out to their dentist. Asking questions to your surgeon or dentist is not something to be ashamed of, especially if you want to heal quickly. Your oral providers are happy to help you heal quickly and provide insight on what is appropriate after surgery. 

7- Use An Ice Pack

Reducing swelling is important when healing from dental extractions. Patients should use an ice pack or something frozen and wrapped in a towel to reduce swelling. Apply the ice pack to the affected area for about 20 minutes at a time. Don’t leave the ice pack on for too long, or you may notice redness or irritation from the severe cold. Keeping consistent ice on the swelling for at least 24 hours will drastically reduce the swelling for the rest of the healing process. 

Dental Extractions From Sunset Dental

Sunset Dental offers wisdom teeth extraction and other tooth extractions when necessary. Our team is proud to serve our local community and provide better oral health to all people. Working with a quality dentist will help you have better oral health, an improved smile, and proper healing after a surgery. Whether you need a complex extraction or a routine dental cleaning, we are here to help! Sunset Dental works with patients of all ages, allowing us to provide comfort and quality care. Schedule your appointment today to take control of your oral health.

Have you found yourself searching “benefits of xylitol for teeth”? This popular sugar substitute has been boasted to not only taste great, but improve your oral health. But is this actually true?

In this article, we will get into what xylitol actually is, what it does for your mouth, and how it can improve your dental hygiene.

What is Xylitol?

Xylitol is a naturally occurring sugar alcohol that produces a similarly sweet flavor to sugar, but doesn’t affect the body in the same way. It’s unclear when it was first discovered, but during the sugar shortages amidst World War 2, Finnish scientists began to mass-produce xylitol to use as a replacement.

In the 1970s, they discovered the health benefits of xylitol for teeth. They noticed that it was insulin-independent, so it was safe for diabetics, and it helped to reduce cavities. This is because xylitol can kill the bacteria that is often linked to plaque build-up and tooth decay.

Since then, xylitol has been a more popular ingredient in sugar-free foods and dental products for its pleasant flavor and numerous benefits.

How Xylitol Benefits Your Teeth

There are a few ways in which xylitol can actually be beneficial for your dental health.

1. Reduces Harmful Bacteria

Streptococcus mutans, the primary bacteria that causes cavities, produce acid when you consume sugar. However, xylitol cannot be metabolized by these bacteria. This means that when you have xylitol, the bacteria will try to ingest it and be prevented from consuming other glucose. This essentially “starves” the bacteria, thereby protecting your teeth.

2. Increases Saliva Production

Saliva is essential for your dental health. It helps to neutralize the acids in your mouth and wash away both food particles and bacteria. Xylitol encourages saliva production and maintains a well-hydrated mouth.

3. Prevents Cavities

Because of its ability to inhibit bacterial growth and activity, using xylitol for teeth regularly can help reduce the chances of tooth decay by up to 80%, according to various studies. This makes xylitol an effective tool for long-term oral health. 

4. Strengthens Teeth

Xylitol promotes the remineralization of tooth enamel due to its ability to absorb calcium and restore essential minerals to the teeth. This helps strengthen your teeth’s enamel, making it more resistant to decay and erosion.

5. Increased Collagen

Besides some of the main benefits of xylitol for teeth, there are some non-dental benefits. Some studies have linked the consumption of xylitol to increased collagen production. Because collagen helps with skin elasticity, more collagen could result in healthier-looking skin and stronger muscles and bones.

6. Reduced Infections

Your mouth is connected to your ears and your nose, which means that your oral health can impact other parts of your body. Since xylitol can reduce the impact of bad bacteria, this can minimize the risk of other infections, improving and contributing to your overall health.

How to Incorporate Xylitol into Your Dental Routine

Curious as to how to introduce xylitol into your dental or daily routine? Here are some common ways to integrate it to get the most benefits from them.

• Chewing Sugar-Free Gum
  You may have seen a number of gum brands advertising their “sugar-free” gums. Most of these use xylitol as the sugar alternative. For an easy and tasty method to introduce xylitol to your body, consider chewing these sugar-free gums.
  
• Xylitol Mints or Lozenges
  You may be able to find some mints or lozenges that have xylitol as an ingredient. This can help bring about the benefits of xylitol for your teeth.
  
• Using Xylitol Toothpaste & Mouthwash
  Many dentists and oral hygienists recommend using xylitol for teeth cleanings. Many dental products, like toothpaste or mouthwash, include xylitol for sweetening and its cleaning benefits. Often brands will advertise their products as including xylitol, but you can also check the ingredients list.
  
• Xylitol as a Sugar Substitute
  To create diabetic- and diet-friendly options, xylitol is used instead of regular cane sugar in packaged foods. Although xylitol is found naturally in some fruits and vegetables, you can also incorporate xylitol-based foods into your diet.

Potential Concerns & Precautions

Though the benefits of xylitol tend to outweigh the negative side effects, it’s still important to be aware of some of the potential risks. 

• Gastrointestinal Effects – If xylitol is consumed in large quantities, you can run the risk of some GI issues; xylitol has a mild laxative effect, so it can cause bloating or diarrhea. To minimize the negative effects, introduce xylitol into your diet gradually.
  
• Toxic to Pets – Xylitol is highly toxic to pets, causing dangerous drops in blood sugar levels to dogs. If you have pets, it’s a good idea to keep any xylitol products far out of reach.

Your Dental Health as a Priority

Not only is it a great sugar substitute, but there are significant health benefits of xylitol for teeth. This means that simply by incorporating certain toothpastes, foods, gums, or mints into your routine, you can have a smile that is healthy and confident.

We at Sunrise Dental care for your oral hygiene and want to help you feel the best you can. For comprehensive cleanings and dental care, reach out to schedule an appointment today!

Your teeth are filled with multiple grooves and small crevices. The design of your teeth helps you to chew food effectively and talk, but it can also lead to bacteria build-up or lingering food particles. While teeth may seem small, there is actually a large amount of surface area that is susceptible to cavities. We will look at the risks of cavities and how it is possible for you to get multiple cavities in one tooth. 

What Causes Multiple Cavities

Certain illnesses and oral conditions can increase your risk of multiple cavities. Even if you take great care of your teeth and practice proper oral hygiene, you can still experience cavities. There are essentially five surfaces on a tooth where cavities can form, even though two sides are next to other teeth. 

Certain diets, medications, and genetics can play a role in your likelihood of cavities. Even if you regularly go to the dentist, brush, and floss, you may still experience a cavity. Other instances that can cause cavities or tooth decay include:

• Dry mouth
• Smoking
• Excessive alcohol
• Excessive soda
• Dehydration
• Unbalanced diet
• Frequent snacking
• Lack of fluoride 
• Age of your teeth
• Heartburn or acid reflux

While these instances do pose a risk for cavities, participating or having a few of these risk factors does not automatically mean you will experience cavities. Taking care of your teeth by brushing and drinking enough water will help remove sugar and food particles from the teeth. 

Are Some People More Susceptible To Cavities?

Unfortunately, some people are more prone to cavities than others. The genetics that help to build the shape and size of your teeth can impact how frequently you experience cavities. Some individuals have deeper grooves, especially in the back teeth like molars and wisdom teeth. These grooves can hold more bacteria or food particles that will settle and turn into cavities. 

Those with preexisting conditions like dry mouth, and oral thrush, or those on certain medications can have a higher risk of cavities. Certain routines or medications will cause dryness that can lead to tooth decay. 

What You Can Do If You Are Prone To Multiple Cavities

Patients who deal with multiple cavities may feel discouraged and think there is no hope for their oral health. There are extra precautionary steps you can take to improve your oral health, thus reducing the risk of multiple cavities. 

Visit Your Dentist Frequently

Visiting the dentist for cleanings is recommended every 6 months, but those with frequent oral problems could benefit from going more often. Checking in with your dentist frequently may allow them to fill or remove the cavity before it progresses. 

Consider Using Mouthwash

Many patients lack the fluoride needed to protect their teeth from multiple cavities. Using a mouthwash with fluoride can help remove stubborn food particles while cleansing the teeth of bacteria. 

Look Into Dental Sealants

Dental sealants are essentially caps that are placed over the top of a tooth. It evens out the surface of your tooth and prevents particles from lodging in the tiny spaces. Even if food or bacteria settles in the sealant, it will not damage the tooth enamel or lead to a cavity. 

Can You Have Multiple Fillings In One Tooth?

Depending on where your cavities occur, you may not be able to get multiple fillings. Due to the small size of teeth, there may not be enough room to have multiple fillings. If you have had a cavity on this tooth before, the dentist may not be able to remove the decayed part of the tooth and put in another filling. 

If a filling can not be used to restore your tooth, you may need a crown or other restorative method to keep the tooth from decaying further. Dentists will perform extractions only when nothing else can be done to save the tooth. Fillings and crowns are the best way to prevent further cavities from happening. 

Oral Care From Sunset Dental

Sunset Dental wants to help more people in Utah have bright smiles! Our dentist and hygienists will do all we can to help clean your teeth, fill cavities, remove plaque, and more. When you sit in our chair, you will be treated with respect and understanding. We only complete services that our clients truly need, so no stressful procedures or painful prodding. Sunset Dental meets all health standards needed for a health facility. We keep our space clean, disinfected, and orderly. Reach out to us for your regular cleaning, or to have a more cosmetic service.