Our smiles are an outward representation of our innermost selves. They share our feelings with the world, welcome others to join us, and tell everyone around us how they feel. However, if you have a less-than-perfect smile, you may be worried about sharing it. Sometimes brushing and flossing isn’t enough to keep your oral health on track and looking great. When rarer oral health concerns such as salivary gland disorders appear, you may need additional help from your dental team. McCartney Dental is dedicated to providing its patients with excellent oral health care regardless of their challenges. Learn more about salivary gland disorders and how our team can help control their symptoms below.
Our oral cavity is a complex system containing numerous tissues and organs contributing to our dental health. One of the more ignoble components of our oral health is saliva. This viscous, enzyme-packed substance ensures our smiles stay beautiful and healthy. Saliva is generated by glands in the oral mucosa, the mucus membranes that line our palettes, cheeks, and lips. While this substance may be considered unsavory outside of our mouth, within the oral cavity, it is one of the most essential parts of dental health.
The most basic role of saliva is to keep the inside of our mouths moist and healthy. It lubricates our oral cavity while eating and chewing and begins the digestion process continued by our digestive tract. If you’ve ever tried to swallow food with a dry mouth, you know how essential a part of that process it is. Salivary gland disorder isn’t a term describing one disease. It describes a collection of symptoms that many sources can cause. One such source is Sjogren’s Syndrome, which impacts the effectiveness of the salivary glands and tear ducts. Part of this condition limits the ability of these organs to produce sufficient fluid to keep these systems operating normally. While it can impact other body parts, these symptoms are included in a diagnosed salivary gland disorder.
Some symptoms of a salivary gland disorder include:
Again, these are not symptoms of any particular disease. Rather, they are a combination of symptoms that fall under a salivary gland disorder. They may be the result of a single disease or condition or multiple. However, without being treated, this syndrome can lead to significant oral health concerns. Saliva protects our mouth by washing out bad bacteria and food debris. It also creates an environment that is hostile to streptococcus mutans, the bacteria responsible for tooth decay. It also serves to lubricate our oral cavity and help it function properly while chewing, swallowing, and even speaking.
If you’re struggling with the oral health concerns of a salivary gland disorder, it’s time to contact McCartney Dental. Our team will work with you to help manage your oral health symptoms and take steps to protect your smile from the risks of low saliva production. You can call us today at (941) 423-4334 or stop by our offices in North Port, FL.
There is so much focus on gum disease and tooth decay that many people believe these are the only oral health conditions we need to worry about. Many other conditions that are often not talked about can impact our smile. The primary reason for this radio silence is their relative infrequency. Thrush, for example, is a fungal infection primarily affecting the very young, old, or immunocompromised. Another such condition is oral lichen planus, an inflammatory condition that impacts the oral mucosa. McCartney Dental provides comprehensive care and education about a full range of oral health concerns, including oral lichen planus.
Oral lichen planus is a condition that can range from irritating to painful in its manifestation. In most identified cases, it occurs due to autoimmune diseases such as type I diabetes. However, this is not the only case when it can appear. The first signs of this condition are white patches or lines within the oral mucosa. Redness, swelling, open sores, and burning sensations in the oral cavity often follow this.
The oral mucosa is the mucus membranes within our mouth found in the cheeks, lips, and upper and lower palettes. These membranes contain the glands necessary for producing saliva and serve several other purposes. This is the area where oral planus lichens makes itself known in our bodies and where the majority of the symptoms appear.
Common symptoms that indicate the presence of OLP include:
These symptoms indicate it’s time for you to receive immediate oral health care. These symptoms will not resolve themselves on their own. They also represent a series of indicators of other oral health concerns that can be more concerning than oral lichen planus.
Taking prompt action to treat these symptoms can help ensure the condition doesn’t advance. Oral lichen planus is not curable, but the symptoms can be managed to limit their impact on your overall quality of life. Further, by seeking treatment, you’re taking steps to ensure that these symptoms truly represent OLP.
Treatment methods for this condition include:
Spicy foods have been shown to have a notable impact on the severity of the symptoms. By eliminating or reducing them in your diet, you’ll be taking steps towards improving your overall experience with oral lichen planus.
If you’re living with the symptoms of oral lichen planus, give our offices a call today. We’ll bring you in for a consultation and dental exam to identify the source of your concern. Together we’ll work to find a treatment plan that matches your lifestyle and relieves the symptoms of OLP. Start by calling (941) 423-4334 or visiting our North Port, FL offices today!
When it comes to our patients, we’re dedicated to offering a variety of effective approaches to caring for their dental concerns. Periodontal disease is one of the most common concerns faced by Americans. Gingivitis is the most well-known form of periodontal disease called gum disease. While relatively easy to treat, this condition can convert into more concerning periodontitis when left untreated. Antibiotics are a valuable tool in managing periodontal disease during treatment and are often used in conjunction with more direct approaches. Keep reading to learn how McCartney Dental uses antibiotics as part of our approach to curing periodontal disease in our patients.
Antibiotics are a form of medication used to fight infection. The name antibody literally translates into “anti-life.” However, when used properly, they’re an effective way of preserving human health while battling the bacteria that make us ill. There are many different types of antibiotics available. Each antibiotic attacks the bacteria differently, and multiple forms are often used as a two-prong assault on infection. The varieties of antibiotics commonly used to fight periodontal disease are the following:
There are two ways that antibiotics can be administered when fighting periodontal disease. While oral antibiotics are a common approach, they can also be applied topically. This means that a powder or liquid containing the antibiotic is directly applied to the areas where gum disease is present. This approach allows the medication to start work immediately and be targeted specifically where it’s needed.
If you’re committed to regular oral hygiene and a life with better gingival health, contact our offices today. We’ll schedule a consultation and exam, during which we’ll examine your oral cavity and determine which concerns are present. Start by calling (941) 423-4334 or stopping by our office in North Port, FL, today!
No dental restoration procedure for lost teeth is as effective or beneficial as dental implants. Unfortunately, getting dental implants isn’t possible for some patients, at least initially. Dental implants require that the jawbone be structurally sound enough to accept its implantation. Thankfully, solutions are available for those lacking sufficient bone density to support these important restorations. Bone grafts are used to restore the structural integrity of your jawbone, making it possible to accept dental implants. If you’ve been dreaming of a beautifully restored smile courtesy of dental implants, but are concerned about bone density, read on to learn more.
If you’ve been informed that you may not have sufficient bone density to take advantage of dental implants, don’t despair! Your next step will be discussing bone grafts with our team. Bone grafts are an osseorestoration procedure that enhances bone mass through the use of bone material. This bone material can come from a variety of different sources. Some examples include:
Dental implants require sufficient support to be implanted successfully. However, once they are implanted, they serve to retain and reinforce the strength of the bone. This is due to a property known as osseointegration and its ability to stimulate the growth of new bone. Osseointegration is a process by which the titanium implant permanently fuses with your bone. This strengthens the jawbone and guarantees the implant is never at risk of falling out.
Dental implants are an amazing innovation in restoration dentistry. Never before has it been so easy for dentists to restore a whole and healthy smile to patients who have lost one, multiple, or even all their teeth. Bone grafts allow anyone to benefit from dental implants, even if they initially have insufficient bone to support them.
Contact our offices today if you’re looking for a way to recreate your beautiful smile after losing teeth to trauma or decay. We’ll bring you in for a consultation and exam, during which we’ll cover your entire dental and medical history and discuss your oral health concerns. You can reach us by calling (941) 423-4334 or visiting our North Port, FL offices today!
Everyone knows we should be drinking more fresh, unadulterated water. It’s probably the most common advice you receive from medical professionals behind “get more exercise.” Many believe they’ve found a cheat code in the form of flavored sparkling water. The flavorings don’t have any sugar or calories, so it’s an all-clear on that front. Further, there’s no sodium, so salt intake isn’t an issue. What could be the problem with the sparkling water trend on social media? There’s a hidden danger in that seemingly simple bottle of sparkling water. The team at McCartney Dental is here to reveal this threat and help you protect your oral health.
That ice-cold bottle of water with its bubbling fizz threatens your teeth’ health. While the lack of sugar and salt is an important start, there’s another matter to consider. Those bubbles result from injecting carbon monoxide into the water, imbuing it with that fizzy sensation we all know and love. Unfortunately, when the carbon dioxide infuses the water, it produces another substance as a side effect. That substance is carbonic acid, an unavoidable part of the carbonation process. The normal pH of water renders it wholly neutral and not a threat to your enamel. With the carbonic acid present, the pH shifts to 3, making it an acidic solution that can weaken the strength of your enamel and lead to tooth decay. However, all is not lost. Sparkling water is notably better than sugary soda, sweet tea, or sweetened coffee. While it would be best to avoid sparkling water altogether, there are some things you can do to limit the threat it poses to your teeth.
These include:
Ultimately, the best option is to simply avoid drinking sparkling water for hydration. You can use the same flavoring packets in normal water and avoid the risks associated with carbonic acid altogether. This way, you get flavor and hydration without impacting your dental health.
If you’re looking for more hydration tips that won’t impact the health of your teeth, why not consult your dental professional? The team here at McCartney Dental eagerly provides patient education opportunities. Patients who understand the various facets of their oral health are likelier to make healthy choices for their smiles between visits. This means every visit to the dentist can produce a clean bill of health for your pearly whites! Call 941-423-4334 to schedule your appointment.
Eating disorders are a complex condition affecting many areas of our health. In addition to threatening our nutrition and overall health, they can also impact our oral health. So much so our dentists are often the first individuals to identify the signs of an eating disorder. Raising awareness about the oral health consequences of eating disorders has become a central tenet of the Oral Health Foundation. The McCartney Dental team carries this torch to our patients, informing them about any signs and educating them on the long-term risks. Patient education is critical to ensuring successful oral health treatment, leading us to produce this guide on the oral health signs of eating disorders.
The term eating disorder covers a broad range of mental health conditions that impact the normal and healthy consumption of food. Among these conditions can be found anorexia and bulimia, among others.
The impact of eating disorders on our oral health occurs due to factors including nutrient and vitamin deficiencies. In addition, self-induced vomiting regularly bathes the teeth in acid, weakening and eroding the enamel. Some signs of eating disorders identified by oral health include:
These signs are generally identified through a standard dental check-up. When an eating disorder is suspected, they often will approach their patients and calmly discuss the observations they make. They may suggest using high-fluoride toothpaste or getting dental sealants to protect the teeth. However, our dental team is here to guide you and provide non-judgemental support and care. If you need help conquering your eating disorder, we can help hook you up with resources that can deliver the help you need.
The team at McCartney Dental is here to help you achieve your oral health goals. Call us today if you’re looking for help with preventative care or are considering restoring your smile with dental implants. We’ll schedule a consultation appointment and help produce a dental treatment plan to address your oral health concerns. Call us at (941) 423-4334 to get started with our team!
Eating disorders are a complex condition affecting many areas of our health. In addition to presenting a threat to our nutrition and overall health, they can a
“Mewing” has garnered internet fame over the past few years. What started as a small idea on websites like Reddit and YouTube, people from both sides of the argument have debated whether it works or not. Does mewing work, though? It’s hard to believe that something as simple as chewing or positioning the tongue differently can change your face’s shape.
Dr. Mike Mew in London was the first to think of the practice. His father was the doctor responsible for creating orthotropics, a holistic form of orthodontics. To understand what mewing is, you have to understand how orthotropics works. A different set of beliefs than general orthodontics rules it. The difference between the two practices is understood by asking what causes crooked teeth. And how do straight teeth create a better-looking face?
Understanding this fundamental gap is crucial since it underlies the two drastically divergent treatment philosophies. In traditional orthodontics, aligning the teeth involves using fixed devices like braces. Orthotropics uses moveable appliances to promote correct tongue position. The logic behind this is that if the tongue is positioned on the roof of the mouth, it will compel the maxilla to broaden, freeing up space for the tooth, encouraging the jaws to develop stronger and forward, and eventually improving the appearance of the face.
Orthotropics and orthodontics appear to be similar on the surface. They aim to address the same issue but do it differently. What, then, is mewing? Dr. Mike Mew advocated mewing as a non-orthodontic, non-orthotropic method for people to straighten their faces. Mewing simply keeps the tongue in the right place and builds jaw muscles. Dr. Mike Mew has developed several methods supported by orthotropics to enhance facial posture and produce a better-looking face. Even while each mewing technique focuses on something different, they all aim to achieve the same goal: enhancing the facial form by correcting the posture of the face. The video below shows several mewing methods while Dr. Mike Mew explains how posture, swallowing habits, and tongue position all affect the appearance of the face.
Does mewing work is a complicated question with no simple solution? The key factors are the practitioner’s age, goals, and expectations. Most mewing practitioners are teenagers or adults who learned about the technique online. Their goal is to improve the appearance of their faces, particularly the jawline. Regarding the effectiveness of mewing, age plays a significant role. The less effective mewing will be, the older one is. This is because it is just more brutal to bring about change the more developed the body is.
Mewing hasn’t been proven to be effective. However, general orthodontics has been proven to work countless times. At McCartney Dental, our team of orthodontists can ensure your procedures are done correctly. Call us at (941) 423-4334 to schedule an appointment today.
Oral thrush is an infection that builds up on the mouth’s lining and causes the disease known as oral thrush. In your mouth, candida is a typical organism, but occasionally it can overgrow and create symptoms. Creamy white lesions, typically on the tongue or inner cheeks, are a symptom of oral thrush. Sometimes, tonsils, gums, and the back of the throat can become infected with oral thrush.
Although oral thrush can affect anybody, infants and elderly people are likelier to have it, and in other persons with weakened immune systems, specific medical problems, or those taking particular drugs. Oral thrush is a minor issue if your immune system is strong, but if your immune system is weak, symptoms may be severe and hard to manage. You might not even first experience oral thrush symptoms. Some warning signs and symptoms include:
In severe cases, your esophagus may become infected with lesions mainly caused by cancer or an immune system compromised by HIV/AIDS (Candida esophagitis). This causes sore throats, trouble swallowing, or the sensation that food is becoming trapped there. With recognizable white mouth sores, newborns may also have eating issues or become restless and agitated. During breastfeeding, they might infect their moms and spread the disease. The infection can then spread from the baby’s mouth to the mother’s breasts.
Your immune system typically fends off dangerous invaders like viruses, bacteria, and fungus while preserving a balance between “good” and “bad” germs that typically live in your body. But occasionally, these defenses break down, leading to an increase in candida fungus and the development of an oral thrush infection. Candida albicans is the most prevalent kind of candida fungus. Your chance of developing oral thrush might be raised by several circumstances, including a compromised immune system.
Thrush can be more dangerous for people with compromised immune systems, such as cancer treatment or HIV/AIDS. Oral thrush left untreated might develop into more dangerous systemic candida infections. Thrush can spread to your esophagus or other organs if your immune system is compromised.
Call McCartney Dental at (941) 423-4334 to schedule an appointment right once if you or your kid develops white lesions within the mouth. Severe infections can result from oral thrush. Whether you see thrush in an older child, adolescent, or adult who is otherwise healthy, contact us immediately to see whether further testing is necessary to rule out a medical problem or other possible causes. Your immune system typically fends off dangerous invaders like viruses, bacteria, and fungus while preserving a balance between “good” and “bad” germs that typically live in your body.
An urgent dental situation is a broken molar since it might cause extreme pain, minor chipping, and fractures. Therefore, see a dentist immediately if a molar has broken off at or below your gum line. Broken teeth are more prone to decay and infection because they lack the protective enamel shielding healthy teeth’ nerves and blood vessels. Untreated broken teeth can cause adjacent nerves and tissues to get infected.
An urgent dental situation is a broken molar since it might cause extreme pain, minor chipping, and fractures. Therefore, immediately visit the dentist if a molar has broken off at or below your gum line. Several things can cause a broken molar:
When a molar fractures below the gum line, it must be raised above the gum line by wearing aligners or braces for a few weeks. If the damage is minor, your cracked molar may be fixed with a filling or covered with a crown. They could do a crown lengthening procedure if insufficient teeth are exposed to support the crown. If your tooth cannot be saved, your dentist will extract it and replace it with a denture, endosteal implant, or dental bridge.
Depending on the procedure to fix your fractured molar, your recovery might take several days to a few weeks. In addition to avoiding sticky or hard foods, biting with the cracked tooth exposed, and drinking through a straw, heed your dentist’s aftercare instructions. Broken teeth are more prone to decay and infection because they lack the protective enamel shielding healthy teeth’ nerves and blood vessels. Untreated broken teeth can cause adjacent nerves and tissues to get infected. Your jawbone, nearby teeth, and gums may become bacterially contaminated due to this pollution.
The majority of dentists are capable of extracting teeth with broken gums. Specialized instruments like elevators and forceps will be required to extract the remaining piece of the damaged tooth in these circumstances. Periodically, your gum tissue may need to be removed by the dentist to access the tooth. If the gum tissue is mirrored, your dentist will use sutures to realign your gum tissue once the tooth has been extracted in the proper direction.
Often, a broken tooth won’t come out on its own. An oral surgery team must extract what’s left of the tooth because your jawbone still contains the tooth’s root structure. As was previously said, the longer broken teeth are kept in your mouth, the more likely an abscess or infection may form. You can remedy the problem if your tooth has damage below the gum line. To talk with our group of highly qualified cosmetic dentists at McCartney Dental, call (941) 423-4334. If your molar breaks below the gum line, it can be dangerous.
The term “pimple” is generally used to describe a skin condition involving the presence of black, red, or white bump caused by acne. With the lack of follicles and sebaceous glands (oil glands) on the tongue, you may wonder how you keep getting “pimples” there. Typically presenting as tender red bumps, these “pimples” have numerous causes. Some of them can be avoided if you can pinpoint what’s causing them, while others may indicate the presence of other oral health issues. McCartney Dental can help you learn more about them and how to reduce their frequency.
The most common reason for a swollen bump appearing on your tongue is known as a “lie bump.” The condition that causes them to form is lingual papillitis or an inflammation of the tongue. When the bumps appear, they’re typically white or red. There are many known causes for this condition to appear. Spicy foods tend to rate relatively high, but accidentally biting your tongue is also a frequent cause. The good news is that lie bumps will recover independently, and you won’t need additional treatment to address them.
Other reasons tongue pimples may appear are:
Infection is another reason that a swollen bump may appear on your tongue. You’ll often develop a fever or swollen glands when an infection occurs. It’s essential to see your dental care provider as soon as possible if these symptoms are present.
Call our team today at (941) 423-4334 if you’re struggling with uncomfortable bumps on your tongue and want relief. Our scheduling department will arrange an appointment at our North Port, FL office.