How to deal with dental emergencies, from Advanced Aesthetics of Glenville

Dr. Roy Oyangen knows that summer is a season in which many patients experience dental emergencies - especially while they're on vacation. From a toothache to a chipped tooth to a lost filling, summer brings with it a greater chance of people damaging their teeth when they're out and about. Here are a few tips for how to deal with dental emergencies:

Toothaches: Rinse your mouth with warm water and floss to remove any food lodged in your teeth. A pain reliever such as aspirin may be taken to dull the pain. If swelling appears, hold a cold compress to the outside of the mouth or cheek. If your toothache is severe, or lasts longer than one day, schedule an appointment to see us as soon as possible.

Chipped/Broken Teeth: Save any pieces you can. Use a cold compress on the outside of your mouth to relieve pain and swelling, and apply gauze to the area for at least ten minutes if there is bleeding. Visit our office as soon as you can.

Objects Stuck in Teeth: Try flossing to carefully and gently remove the object. Never use a sharp or hard item to remove objects in your teeth; you risk injuring your gums and scratching your teeth. If you are unable to remove the object, visit our office.

Lost Filling: Sugarless gum and over-the-counter dental cement can work as temporary fillings, but be sure to make an appointment with us as soon as you can to replace a filling!

Lost Crown: If you cannot make it in to see us right away, apply a little clove oil to the sensitive area of the tooth with a cotton swab. Then slip the crown back on the tooth using dental cement or denture adhesive to hold it in place. Don’t use any kind of glue on your teeth. Be sure to make an appointment to see us to properly fix the crown as soon as possible.

Mouth Injuries: Injuries to the soft-tissue of the mouth such as the cheeks, tongue, and gums often result in bleeding. To stop the bleeding first rinse your mouth with a mild salt water solution. Then use a moistened piece of gauze to apply pressure to the site for 15-20 minutes. Holding a cold compress to the outside of the affected area will help ease pain and control bleeding and swelling. If the bleeding persists see us immediately or visit a hospital emergency room. Continue to apply gauze until you are treated.

For more information on dental emergencies, please call us or ask us on our Facebook page! For a full list of medical emergencies and how to deal with them, please visit the American Dental Association.

Ask Dr. Oyangen: How does Invisalign work? [Video]

Part of what makes Invisalign treatment really "sing," is that the treatment is customized for each patient. To find out if you are a candidate for Invisalign treatment, the first thing Dr. Roy Oyangen does is take an impression of your teeth and digitizes it. Using special software, the doctor looks at the current positioning of your teeth, and compare it to the way your teeth should look.

Then, our experienced staff uses special software to map out the exact path your teeth will take from the beginning of your treatment to the end. Based on the results, a set of custom aligners are created just for your teeth. Throughout the course of treatment, you will be required to wear these clear, removable aligners one at a time; with each one moving your teeth closer and closer to their final, perfectly aligned position. The best thing about Invisalign treatment is that nobody around you will even know you are wearing braces!

For more info on Invisalign, we encourage you to give us a call at 518-399-4696!

Friday toothbrush trivia with Dr. Oyangen!

Did you know that people have been brushing their teeth for thousands of years?! In fact, the first “toothbrush” was created around 3000BC! Ancient civilizations used a thin twig with a frayed edge to rub against their teeth for cleaning.

The first toothbrush with bristles – very similar to today’s toothbrushes – was invented in 1498 in China. Brushes were made out of bone or bamboo with bristles made from the hairs on the back of a hog’s neck.

It wasn’t until 1938 that the first nylon bristle toothbrush was introduced and people quickly became aware of practicing good oral hygiene.

Here are some other interesting facts about your toothbrush (and toothpaste), from Dr. Roy Oyangen and team:

• Most people are said to use blue toothbrushes over any other color
• The first toothpaste was used in 500 BC in China and India
• On average, children smile about 400 times per day
• Your toothbrush should be replaced every two months
• The first known toothpaste was used in 1780, Crest was introduced in the US in 1955 and Colgate in 1873