Tag Archives: periodontal disease

Emergency Dentist

Deep Cleaning has Left Me in Terrible Pain

I’m 53 years old and never had a problem with my teeth until I had a deep cleaning done because I was told I have deep gap pockets. The procedure itself was nightmarish and I never want to go through that again. However, ever since the cleaning my teeth are sensitive and hurt all the time. I think I made a mistake in having this done. Is there anything I can do?

Pamela

Dear Pamela,

A woman grabbing her jaw in pain, in need of emergency dental care

It sounds like you have advanced periodontal disease. If it does not get taken care of soon, you could lose your teeth. The disease will eat away at the bone that supports your teeth. Most deep cleanings are done with an anesthetic so that the patient does not experience the pain you described during the procedure. I would recommend you see another dentist to have this completed. Call a periodontist. These are gum specialists. Tell them about your situation and they can probably get you an urgent care appointment.

The post-operative pain tells me you have an active infection. One way to deal with this is by having a course of antibiotics during the duration of your treatment. This will help keep the infection at least in check while the periodontist gets everything cleaned out. Let them know about the pain you experienced in your last deep cleaning so they can be sure to give you the right amount of anesthetic so this doesn’t happen to you again.

I know you are probably leery of any treatment right now after your last experience, but I cannot emphasize enough how important this is. I wasn’t kidding when I said you could lose your teeth. Please see that periodontist as soon as possible.

This blog is brought to you by Lafayette, LA Dentists Drs. Foreman and Thimmesch.

Zoom Whitening

Zoom Whitening and Blood Thinners

I have been wanting to whiten my teeth for some time now. I think I want to do it quickly with that in office procedure that uses the lights. The one thing that is holding me back is that I am on blood thinners because of a heart attack. I have been stable for a while on the same dose and my heart is healthier. Is there a risk for people on blood thinners with this procedure? If so, do I have any options?

Annie

Dear Annie,

Patient under a Zoom Whitening light
Zoom Whitening Light

When you are on blood thinners is important to avoid invasive procedures because the medicine is designed to stop blood clotting in order to protect you from another cardiac event. If you needed an invasive procedure, your doctor would ask you to stop the medications for a while.

The procedure you are referring to is Zoom Whitening and it is an effective way to whiten your teeth quickly. It is not an invasive procedure and as such will not generally cause any bleeding.

That being said, your oral health is a big factor in that. If you have gum disease, your gums will bleed much more easily, even at the slightest pressure on them. I would want to make sure your oral hygiene is in top shape for two months before proceeding. You will need to brush twice a day and floss once a day. Make certain there is no blood on your floss every time before even considering moving forward.

You will also want to have a thorough professional cleaning done as well. Otherwise, your results will be splotchy because there will be a film over parts of your teeth.

I hope this helps you make a decision. Consult with your dentist and see about the health of your gums. If there is any periodontal disease present, that will need to be addressed before moving forward.

This blog is brought to you by Lafayette, LA Dentists Drs. Foreman and Thimmesch.

Dental Implants

Dentist Said I Have to Get Dentures

I have dental insurance for the first time and just started going to the dentist. My teeth are pretty bad and some of them have started coming out. My dentist said I have advanced gum disease and will need to extract my teeth and get dentures. Is it at all possible that I could get dental implants instead?

Susan A.

Dear Susan,

Implant Overdentures
Implant Overdentures

You are in a tough position. At some point, dental implants will be possible, but you are going to have to get that periodontal (gum) disease under control first. That will be imperative. After that, I would make sure your dentist does adequate diagnostics. That would need to include a CT for two reasons. First, you want to make sure you have enough bone structure left to retain your dental implants. Second, dental implants are a 3D procedure and you need 3-Dimensional images in order to ensure proper placement.

If you don’t have enough bone structure, you will need to have a bone grafting procedure done first. Then, after a time of healing, it will be okay for you to go forward with your dental implants.

What you will want to get is called implant overdentures or implant supported dentures. With this, you will have between four to eight dental implants placed and then, after a period necessary for osseointegration (meaning bone integrating with the implants), have a denture anchored to them.

This blog is brought to you by Lafayette, LA Dentists Drs. Foremen and Thimmesch.