Malocclusions, also known as crowded teeth, crossbite, overbite, underbite, and open bite, are misalignments of our teeth that can lead to oral implications. Malocclusions are hereditary but may also be caused by frequent pacifier use after the age of three, prolonged bottle feeding, injuries that caused a misaligned jaw, impacted teeth, or poor dental care. Some treatments that can help with malocclusions are braces, removal of teeth, jaw surgery, or wires to help stabilize the jawbone.

Bleeding gums is a common symptom of gum disease. There are chances that bleeding gums can be caused by brushing our teeth too aggressively, or from an orthodontic wire poking you. However, most bleeding tends to come from gingivitis or gum disease. This occurs when bacteria are stuck to our teeth, which resulted in the build-up of plaque. If the plaque is not removed, it can harden into tartar, which irritates our gums and increases the chances of bleeding and periodontitis.

A wire that breaks or protrudes out of a bracket or band can poke your cheek, tongue, or gums, so try using the eraser end of a pencil to push the wire into a more comfortable position. If repositioning the bracket or wire is unmanageable, cover the end with orthodontic wax, a small cotton ball, or a piece of gauze until you arrive at our office. Do not cut the wire because that could result in swallowing it or breathing it into your lungs.

Reattach loose brackets with a small piece of orthodontic wax to supply a cushion until you can make it to our office. If the bracket has broken off completely, save it because it can be recemented or replaced by our office.

Gum disease is branched from gingivitis, which is an inflammation of our gums. This commonly happens due to poor oral hygiene and results in swollen gums and bleeding when brushing or flossing. However, as gingivitis becomes gum disease, also known as periodontitis, your gums may become swollen, red, and lead to recession.

Gum recession is a condition where your gums begin to pull away from your teeth, which ends up exposing your tooth roots. Gum recession stems from periodontal disease and can be caused by aggressive brushing, plaque buildup, hormonal changes, genetics, and certain orthodontic appliances such as tooth bands.

A healthy smile is at the top of all our lists. However, as time goes on, we may notice that our teeth start to become stained. Stained teeth are caused by lifestyle habits such as what we eat, what we drink, poor dental hygiene, medications, and our natural age. It is very important to care for our teeth while undergoing orthodontic treatment as the part of the tooth underneath the brackets are not exposed to the same level of decay as the rest of the tooth. This means when the brackets are eventually removed, the tooth enamel underneath the brackets could be whiter than the rest of the tooth.

Tooth sensitivity can be uncomfortable. If you experience tooth sensitivity when you eat or drink hot or cold items, this can be a sign of cavities or root exposure. This should be checked by your family dentist at your next dental appointment. It is important to know that after most orthodontic treatment has completed, tooth sensitivity is quite common. This is because parts of the teeth have been protected throughout treatment and exposure to decay causing elements and hot and cold temperatures are causing sensitivity. Sensitivity caused by orthodontic treatment is temporary and should subside within a few weeks to a few months.

Watch for signs in your mouth, such as bleeding, sensitivity, pain, discoloration, a sore, lump, or anything abnormal, as they can be early signs of an oral disease. Inform us when this occurs so we can examine the area for any treatment that may be needed.

Some discomfort following a tooth extraction is expected, but if it goes on an hour after the procedure, call our office. To keep yourself relatively comfortable, place a gauze pad over the extraction site and apply pressure by biting down on it.

An injury to the soft tissue in your mouth, such as the tongue, cheeks, gums, or lips, can cause bleeding. In this case, you can control the bleeding by following these steps:

• Rinse your mouth with a mild mixture of salt and water. 
• With a moistened piece of gauze or tea bag, apply pressure to the bleeding area, holding it in place for 15-to-20-minutes. 
• Hold a cold compress to the outside of your mouth or cheek in the impacted area for 5-to-10-minutes, as it will work to control bleeding and relieve pain. 
• If the bleeding continues, despite your efforts, call our clinic or go to the nearest hospital emergency room. Keep applying pressure to the bleeding area with gauze until you are seen and treated.

Rinse your mouth with warm water and use dental floss to dislodge any food that lies between your teeth and brackets. When your mouth is swollen, apply a cold compress to the outside of your mouth or cheek. Aspirin, or any other painkiller, should not be put against your gums near the aching tooth since it may burn your gum tissue.

Salvage any pieces and rinse them in warm water, along with your mouth. For bleeding, apply a piece of gauze to the area for roughly ten minutes or until the bleeding completely ceases. Then, apply a cold compress to the outside of your mouth, cheek, or lip near the broken or chipped tooth in order to limit any swelling and relieve discomfort.

Dislodged (also known as luxated) teeth, occur when a tooth is pushed sideways out of, or into, its socket. Root canal treatment is usually needed if it happens to your permanent teeth, and should be performed within a few days after the injury. For children who experience this with their baby teeth, your family dentist will monitor the recovery process carefully, intervening the moment unfavorable changes occur.

Apply a cold compress to the outside of your mouth or cheek in the affected area to relieve any discomfort. An over-the-counter pain reliever, such as Tylenol or Advil, can also assist you in the meantime.

Knocked-out (also known as avulsed) teeth, are exactly what they sound like – teeth that have been completely knocked out of their socket. Time is of the essence here. The tooth should be handled gently, without touching the root surface. A knocked-out tooth should be quickly and gently rinsed in water, without any soap or other cleaning agents. You should also avoid scraping or brushing the tooth with a toothbrush. If you can, place it back in its socket as soon as possible – the less time it spends outside its socket, the greater chance there is to save it. Once the tooth is placed back in its socket, your dentist will check for other dental and facial injuries, and then a stabilizing splint will be placed for a few weeks to support the tooth. If the tooth cannot be placed back in its socket, you should place the tooth in a bag of milk and head to your dentists office, or nearest emergency room.

An abscess is an infection around the root of a tooth or within the space between your gums and teeth. These represent a severe condition that can harm tissue and surrounding teeth, as the infection can potentially spread to other parts of your body if neglected. To ease the discomfort and draw the pus near the surface, rinse your mouth with a mild saltwater solution a few times per day. Abscesses resemble a pimple-like swelling on the gums and typically cause discomfort, and they can carry the threat of serious oral and general health issues.