Posted on Tue, Apr 10, 2012
A knocked-out tooth is only a problem if it’s a permanent one. Fortunately, this type of injury is generally seen in children as opposed to adults, who usually avoid such trauma. Kids’ “baby” teeth, otherwise known as deciduous teeth, are meant to fall out, like leaves on a tree. By age 12, most permanent teeth are in place. Dental emergencies, such as a knocked-out tooth, require quick action and the services of a dentist to ensure you keep your perfect winning smile and all of your teeth for years to come.
Once you find the missing tooth, pick it up by the crown (the chewing end) and gently rinse it off with water and if the roots are intact, you can guide the tooth back into place and keep it there. Call our office immediately. If your dental emergency happens on a Saturday, we are available by appointment-only to come in and take care of you. Control the initial bleeding from the injury site with cotton gauze then use a cold compress to prevent swelling around the area. For pain relief, consider Tylenol if you’re taking blood thinners or are under the age of 16. Otherwise, keep it in the glass of milk until you get to our office. Remember that the two factors for successfully re-implanting the tooth are time and the condition of the roots.
Try to get to the office within the 30-minute “golden window” to save the tooth. Our office is conveniently located off the Outer Loop by the Jefferson Mall; just give our front office a call and let us know you’re on your way. Once you’re in the office, Dr. Witte will splint the tooth into the mouth with wire and/or a plastic bonding agent. If there is significant damage to the root, you may be asked to come back for a root canal. Again, time is of the essence so don’t wait to call. We’re here for you as your hometown Louisville dentist.
Posted on Fri, Apr 06, 2012
The average American consumes sugar, enjoys a cup of coffee or tea to get started in the morning, and ages (of course!). These voluntary and involuntary aspects are a part of life, but they also have an affect on our teeth. Unless you are one of the lucky few, you have probably noticed grey or yellow stains somewhere on your teeth. Here are a few tips for achieving a whiter smile to give you the confidence to smile as big as you did when you were eight years old!
First, you must address the current stains on your teeth. You can start by creating a solution of half hydrogen peroxide and half mouthwash. Swish this around for a minute or so and give a good rinse. You can also make your own teeth whitening toothpaste by mixing baking soda, toothpaste, and water in a small bowl until you get the consistency of a paste. This approach has been known to be an inexpensive and effective option.
If you feel that your situation is a bit more extreme and you would like to turn to the professionals, there are an array of teeth whitening techniques to choose from. It is best to talk to your dentist to choose the technique that matches your needs and expectations. Most often you will pick a professional whitening solution for the teeth. Contact us if you’re interesting in learning more about having your teeth professionally whitened.
Lastly, you must understand what substances cause stains and which ones can actually help to prevent stains. Coffee, tobacco, dark fruit juice, and wine are all known to cause stains. Sugary and highly acidic drinks are known to break down tooth enamel, creating thin and discolored teeth. Whenever possible, do not let these substances linger in your mouth. On the other hand, apples, pears, and celery all trigger saliva production in the mouth. Eating these foods is like naturally rinsing your mouth. So, an apple a day essentially keeps the doctor and the dentist away!
Posted on Wed, Mar 28, 2012
As your dentist will tell you, flossing is important for maintaining the health of your teeth and mouth, however, it is also very important for maintaining your general health. According to a Harvard Medical School study on longevity conducted in 2002, proper flossing is one of the most important contributing factors to a long life. By flossing properly, you are removing not just food particles, but oral bacteria from your gums and teeth. Removing these bacteria helps prevent serious oral infections such as gingivitis and periodontal disease. These diseases can have significant impact on your health.
Research now links poor gum health (periodontal disease) with various illnesses:
- Heart Disease. Men who have periodontal disease have a 72% greater rate of developing cardiovascular disease. When the oral bacteria are not removed from your gums, it can cause your gums to bleed, allowing an opening for the bacteria to be absorbed into your bloodstream and travel to your organs. When it travels to your heart, it can lead to blood clots and heart disease.
- Respiratory Disease. Although you may only associate your mouth with eating, it also is a direct link to your respiratory system. Oral bacteria are found throughout your mouth, and if not removed, can also find its way into your throat. From here, it can be inhaled into your lower respiratory tract. This can lead to pneumonia, bronchitis, or other respiratory diseases.
- Diabetes. The American Diabetes Association states that gum disease caused by oral bacteria can make diabetes harder to control. The oral bacteria that are absorbed into the blood stream may affect the control over your blood glucose levels, contributing to the disease’s progression at a faster rate.
It may seem that during each tip to your dentist, you are being “pestered” about your flossing habits, but with very good reason. When you floss your teeth regularly, you are removing the bacteria which are always present on your teeth and under your gum line. These are the harmful bacteria associated with gingivitis, periodontal disease, and possibly serious other health risks. The addition of flossing to your daily oral care routine will not only make your mouth healthier, but your body as well.
Posted on Wed, Mar 21, 2012
The staff at A Winning Smile Dental Center wants to encourage our patients to participate in collecting Easter baskets for Wayside Christian.
We’re currently collect Easter baskets to give to the children, but we need your help in preparing the baskets. Here are some specifications to go by if you’d like to participate and donate a basket:
- Baskets can be small and made for either a boy or a girl
- All candy must be individually wrapped
- Toys are allowed
- Baskets are due by April 3
Our staff is participating and we hope you do too! You can drop your basket off at our office anytime before April 3! Thanks in advanced for your help and support.
Posted on Wed, Mar 14, 2012
A Winning Smile Dental Center is happy to announce that we are now accepting new Passport Insurance patients.
We’ve expanded our practice and have recently completed construction on the new addition. Now’s a great time to make an appointment or request an appointment online.
Betty and Jennifer will be happy to take your call, answer any insurance questions you might have, and get you scheduled to see Dr. Witte or Kristie, our Dental Hygienist.
Our office hours are:
Monday 9:00 to 6:00
Tuesday 9:00 to 7:00
Wednesday 9:00 to 6:00
Thursday 8:00 to 1:00
Friday 8:00 to 1:00
We look forward to seeing you soon!
Posted on Tue, Feb 28, 2012
The first tooth is a milestone every parent looks forward to. But unlike many other milestones your baby will reach during his or her first year, it’s a little more difficult to predict when the first tooth will erupt.
Even though it may take months before you see that first bottom tooth, your baby’s tooth buds were developed while he was still in the womb. If your baby is an early developer, you might see his first tooth come in as early as three or four months, but don’t be alarmed if your baby is ten months or more and still doesn’t have any teeth. Each baby develops at his own pace and it’s completely normal if your baby is walking or crawling around still toothless!
What to look for
Here are some classic signs that your baby’s teeth may be on their way in. It’s important to remember that the teeth can be working below the surface months before they actually pop through.
- Excessive drooling
- Crankiness or unexplained fussiness
- Swollen gums
- Constant gnawing on toys or fingers
- Low-grade fever
How to care for your baby’s teeth
Although you probably won’t bring your baby in to see the dentist until his first birthday, you can care for your baby’s teeth at home by gently wiping down the gums and teeth with a warm, wet cloth after each feeding.
If you live in the Highview or Okolona area of Louisville and are ready to make an appointment for your family to see the dentist, contact our office. We see children and adults and can answer any questions you have about your child’s teeth.
Posted on Fri, Feb 24, 2012
It’s been a long journey for our staff and patients, but our office addition is finally complete! Well, almost. We still have to renovate the existing building and tie up some loose ends in the new addition, but otherwise we’re at the finish line.
We want to say a quick thank you to our wonderful patients for hanging in there with us through the mess of the remodel and addition. The end result is amazing and will provide you with a much more comfortable experience each time you visit our office.
These two videos below walk you though both the outside and inside areas where you’ll notice a new, large waiting room as well as a new reception area for Juile and Betty. New patient rooms are equipped with the most up-to-date technology available.
Schedule your six-month check up today and check out our great new addition!
Posted on Fri, Feb 03, 2012
The American Dental Association sponsors National Children’s Dental Health Month each February. This is to raise awareness about the importance of establishing healthy oral health habits early on in life.
You probably bathe your baby or toddler every night, but taking care of his or her teeth should also become part of your nightly routine. We’ve talked a lot about taking care of your child’s teeth in the past, and what better time than now to remind parents of some important details when it comes to their children’s teeth?
Because tooth decay is the leading infectious disease in children, regular dental visits should be a crucial part of your child’s life every six months. Even before the first baby tooth erupts in infants, you should be thinking about putting a dental health plan in place. Some things you should consider include:
- Cleaning your infant’s gums with a clean, damp cloth
- As the first teeth erupt, begin brushing them with a very soft toothbrush with little or no paste
- Brush your child’s teeth thoroughly before bedtime
- Have your child begin to brush with assistance until age 7-8
A Winning Smile Dental Center is a family dentist in Louisville and cares for both children and adults. Contact our office to schedule a visit for your family.
Posted on Fri, Jan 20, 2012
One of the most common complaints we get from patients is that they wished they had whiter teeth. Everyday habits and lifestyles can leave teeth yellowish or stained in color.
Our office now has a couple of options available for people looking to brighten their smile: in-office whitening or at-home trays.
Whether you choose to get your teeth whitened in our office (the quickest way to achieve results) or by using at-home trays (done in the privacy of your home) each whitening service offers its own set of benefits. It’s up to the patient to decide what is best for them.
You can read more about each option on our tooth whitening page on our website, and don’t forget to ask about our whitening for life program!
Whiter teeth could be just an office visit away! Click here to learn more!
Posted on Thu, Jan 19, 2012
An article in the Courier Journal titled, “Dentist Check for Non-Dental Problems” by Michael Binbaum, caught my interest for a number of reasons. The article highlighted the relationship between conditions in your mouth and disease or conditions in the rest of the body.
Not many people associate a healthy mouth with an overall healthy body, but the teeth and mouth can actually say a lot about how healthy a person is. Below are some of the conditions highlighted in the Courier Journal article. Your dentist may be the first to identify these conditions, so don’t miss out on your regular six-month check-ups.
- Type 2 Diabetes—Gums that bleed easily in the absence of plaque or Leukemia
- Acid Reflux—Pitted teeth
- Oral Cancer—White spots of an irregular nature that don’t heal in a couple of weeks
- Kidney Disease—A sweet ammonia breath
- Osteoporosis—Certain dark areas on x-rays
- Bulimia—Front teeth that are very thin or worn away
Your dentist, if diligent, can often detect these conditions before they become tragic and can refer you for an evaluation and/or treatment.
So remember to see your dentist regularly for checkup and screenings. If you’re looking for a new dentist in the Okolona or Highview area, contact our office to schedule an appointment. It might save more than your teeth.