Skip to main content

Author: Karen Girard

What Do I Do if I Chip a Tooth?

When chipping a tooth, you will only feel pain if the chip exposes the nerves in the inner layer of the tooth. If the nerve is exposed inside a tooth, you may experience increased tooth sensitivity or pain when chewing. A chip on the pointed chewing surfaces on the back teeth is commonly referred to as a “broken cusp,” and is rarely painful. However, it is advised to have this examined by a professional at Lindner Dental as you may need a crown to restore the shape of the tooth.

What are the Causes of a Chipped Tooth?

The most common causes of a chipped tooth include:

  • Falling & injuring your mouth
  • Biting on hard candy, food or a bone
  • Suffering trauma to the face from an accident or sports related injury
  • Cavities which can weaken the tooth

At-Home Care for a Chipped Tooth

If you have a chipped tooth, it’s best to make an appointment with the professionals at Lindner Dental. In the meantime, follow the steps below:

  • Rinse your mouth with warm water
  • If there is bleeding, apply pressure to the area with a gauze
  • Cover the chipped tooth with dental cement until you see a dentist

Professional Care for a Chipped Tooth

In cases where it’s a small chip, no additional treatment will be needed. Generally, the chipped tooth will be smoothed and polished. When minor damage affects the tooth enamel, you will need a filling, crown or cap to cover the chipped tooth. This will also protected the inner layers of the teeth from infection. When the tooth nerve is exposed, you will need a root canal to remove the damaged nerve.

Contact Lindner Dental at 603.944.9196 to book an appointment for your chipped tooth!

How Many Dental X-Rays Do My Children Need?

X-rays are a valuable tool for discovering issues in the teeth and bones. In order to properly diagnose dental diseases, X-rays are a crucial instrument, but they are not necessary for every exam. Patients who are at low risk for tooth decay and gum disease should have X-rays less frequently. By scheduling an X-ray, dentists are able to determine if a patient shows signs of disease or other potential problems that are otherwise unseen to the naked eye.
Generally, dentists offer X-rays once they’ve discovered signs and symptoms of a potential dental disease due to diet, hygiene, fluoride use or a number of other factors.  The dentists at Lindner Dental will check your child’s teeth, health history and risk factors prior to deciding if an X-ray is necessary.

See Below for the 5 types of X-rays that may be used on children:

Bitewing X-rays display the area between the teeth that cannot be seen directly. These X-rays are only necessary if the teeth in the back of the mouth are touching each other.

Periapical X-rays help dentists to view the crowns and roots of one or multiple teeth that are next to each other.  This type of X-ray displays the supporting bone structure of the teeth and a child’s permanent teeth growing below the baby teeth.

Panoramic X-rays show all teeth on one film along with the upper and lower jaws. Panoramic X-rays are most commonly used when a child has injured his or her face or is undergoing orthodontic problems.

Occlusal X-rays are used to view either the upper or lower teeth on one film. Occlusal X-rays are beneficial if the dentist does not have a panoramic X-ray machine or the child is struggling in taking a bitewing X-ray.

Orthodontic X-rays display the head from the side view. It is primarily used to evaluate jaw growth and the relationship of bones in the skull.

Lindner Dental takes all safety precautions when providing patients with an X-ray. With our advanced X-ray equipment, we can prevent unnecessary radiation and focus the X-ray on a specific part of the mouth. Contact us today at 603.624.3900 to schedule an appointment with our pediatric dentists in Bedford NH.

Get the Facts about Wisdom Teeth

Most people get their wisdom teeth in their late teens or early twenties. These are the last set of molars to grow in and when properly aligned, can be a crucial asset to the mouth. Unfortunately, more often than not, wisdom teeth are misaligned and must be removed.

If wisdom teeth are misaligned, they may be angled horizontally, away or toward the second molars, or angled inward or outward. Wisdom teeth can actually damage adjacent teeth and compromise the jawbone or the nerves if not removed.  When enclosed within the soft tissue, wisdom teeth can end up erupting through the gum. In instances of partial eruption, bacteria enters around the tooth and causes infection. This can lead to tooth decay, gum disease, swelling, a stiff jaw, pain and general illness.

Do I Have Wisdom Teeth?

Your dentist will periodically take an X-ray to see if your wisdom teeth came or if there are any issues with the alignment. Additionally, you may need to see an oral surgeon for further evaluation. Many dentists recommend that wisdom teeth be extracted before any complications arise. Removal of the wisdom teeth is an easier process on young people because the roots are not fully developed and the bone is less dense.

How Are Wisdom Teeth Extracted?

The ease of extracting your wisdom teeth is completely dependent on the position and stage of development. Wisdom teeth that have erupted through the gums can be easily extracted, but when they are under the gums and embedded in the jawbone, an incision is required. In this situation, the wisdom teeth should be extracted in smaller sections in order to minimize the amount of bone that needs to be removed.

Contact Lindner Dental at 603.944.9196 to schedule an X-ray for your wisdom teeth!

Treating Mouth Sores

Canker sores are one of the most common mouth sores that can arise at any age. These are painful and small ulcers that erupt inside of the mouth, tongue, lips and throat. Symptoms include small, painful, crater-like ulcers that can be caused by acidic or spicy foods, vitamin deficiencies, stress and a number of other factors.

These types of oral lesions affect about 20% of people and the condition can be inherited. Fortunately, canker sores go away on their own and can be relieved with a simple over-the-counter ointment. Some people prefer a mouthwash which temporarily relieves the lesions. Generally, canker sores heal within 3-10 days and women are more susceptible to an outbreak.

You can also ease the pain of canker sores by avoiding the following:

  • Spicy foods
  • Foods with sharp edges such as nacho chips
  • Acidic beverages and foods
  • Aggressive tooth brushing

If your canker sore is causing a significant amount of pain, contact Lindner Dental.

Mission Pink Blog

Lindner Dental is proud to announce that we will be taking part in the Mission Pink Event on Thursday, October 22nd from 4pm-7pm. This amazing community event is in support of the education of Breast Cancer Awareness and women’s health.

By joining in on this event, you get to experience your own night of retail therapy and enjoy the perks of retailer discounts along with savory treats, innovative fashion and entertainment. Most importantly, this event will truly educate you on the scientific breakthroughs that are completely shifting the face of cancer.

Come get your business involved in Mission Pink!

Lindner Dental Has Received the 2015 Parenting NH Family Favorites Award!

Parenting NH Family Favorites AwardLindner Dental is so thankful for receiving the 2015 Parenting NH Family Favorites Award for Favorite Family Dentist and Greater Manchester Family Favorite Award for Favorite Orthodontist!

We couldn’t be more appreciative for this opportunity and would like to thank all of our valued patients. It has been an absolute pleasure providing pediatric dentistry, orthodontic dentistry, Invisalign treatment and other dental services to the area of Bedford NH.

Learn more about the 2015 Family Favorite Award!

Why Should You Clean Your Tongue

Brushing your teeth is an important day-to-day routine which helps prevent gum disease and tooth decay. However, the only way to eliminate more bacteria in the mouth is by brushing both the teeth and tongue.  In fact, the tongue contains a bulk of the bacteria in your mouth, including bacteria from the environment as well as food and beverages.

While scrubbing your teeth eradicates the bacteria that have attached to your dental enamel, bacteria from your tongue will transfer over to your teeth in just a few hours. By brushing the tongue, bacteria hiding in the hard-to-reach places will be removed and bad breath can be prevented.

We advise brushing the entire surface of the tongue. Next, remove food particles and bacteria by rinsing thoroughly. A tongue scraper is a great way to remove plaque and has a slew of benefits such as fresher breath, less plaque and healthier gums. The most effective way to use this is by scraping the back of your mouth and pulling forward a few times.

The tip of your tongue is actually self-cleansing and unlikely to harbor a large quantity of odor-producing bacteria. The accumulation of bacteria is quite easy to spot; just stick your tongue out and look for white or brownish film. Generally, it’s triangular in shape and covers the back part of your tongue.

Contact Lindner Dental today at 603-944-9196 to schedule a dental cleaning!

What are the Most Common Problems with Baby Teeth?

The most common problem with baby teeth is an issue referred to as Early Childhood Caries. This occurs when a baby’s teeth are in frequent contact with sugary liquids or carbohydrates that break down into sugars, even milk and fruit juices.  The simple sugars sit for long periods of time in the mouth.  Once this occurs, bacteria begin feeding on the sugars and release acid, leading to tooth decay.

If the teeth are left untreated, the decay can cause significant pain, making it difficult to chew and eat. Since baby teeth are “space savers” for adult teeth, if they are damaged in anyway then they cannot help guide permanent teeth into the correct position. This could result in crowded or crooked permanent teeth, or an infected and painful tooth.

Below are some tips to prevent baby teeth decay:

  • When the baby is crying, comfort him or her with water rather than sugary liquids or milk
  • Avoid dipping your baby’s pacifier in sugary liquids, honey, or sugar
  • At bedtime, give your baby plain water
  • Since human breast milk causes decay, use a pacifier or a bottle with water to pacify
  • Use a wet cloth to wipe your child’s teeth after feeding
  • Teach your baby to drink from a cup by the age of one. A sippy cup reduces the teeth’s exposure to sugars

Contact Lindner Dental at 603.944.9196 to setup an appointment for infant or pediatric dental care by the age of 1.

 

How Effective are Whitening Toothpastes?

Whitening toothpastes are ideal for removing surface stains such as those caused by coffee, smoking or the consumption of sugary drinks. When used after a whitening treatment, patients often discover that whitening toothpastes help to maintain results.

While the chemicals dissolve stains, special abrasives found in whitening toothpastes gently polish the teeth.  It’s important to note that whitening toothpastes cannot alter the natural color of your teeth or reduce a stain that goes deeper than the tooth’s surface. Tooth enamel can be damaged if whitening toothpaste is used excessively, so be sure to follow the instructions.

If you are ready to begin your teeth whitening treatment, make sure that there is a seal of approval from an organization such as the American Dental Association. This seal specifies that the toothpaste is safe and effective at eliminating surface stains.

Contact Lindner Dental at 603-944-9196 for other options for  teeth whitening  in New Hampshire!