If you have a toothache, more sensitive teeth, swollen gums, or other signs of tooth decay, you may have an infection caused by bacteria inside your tooth. At Harris Dentistry, we might tell you that you need a root canal treatment to eliminate this infection.

The goal of a root canal is to eliminate the infection and make it less likely that it will come back. Root canal treatments can save an infected or badly damaged tooth, so your dentist doesn’t have to pull the tooth out to fix the problem and relieve your pain (which is a much more complex and costly procedure).

Even though we know it’s not ideal to have to go to the dentist more than once, it’s necessary to finish all three stages of root canal treatment and make sure your tooth is completely free of infection.

Root Canal Roadmap: Navigate Your Treatment with Confidence

Stage 1: Evaluation and Initial Cleaning

In this first step, your tooth will be looked at to ensure you need a root canal. Then, the tooth will be cleaned to get rid of the bacteria that are causing the infection.

After our dentist numbs your tooth, they will cut a small hole in the top so that the root canal can be thoroughly cleaned. This will include using antibacterial solutions to rinse and apply medication.

Before moving to stage two, a temporary filling will be placed in your tooth.

Stage 2: Clean-up and Medications

The second part of your root canal treatment may be done the same day as the first part, but it may also be done a week or two later.

At this stage, the root canal is cleaned more thoroughly to get rid of any bacteria that may still be inside the tooth. Our dentist may also take X-rays to check the length of your root canal and make sure that the whole canal is cleaned.

To treat the infection, our dentist will also put medicine on the tooth.

Stage 3: The Tooth Filling

Once the root canal is completely free of bacteria and your symptoms have gone away, it’s time to fill it. This usually happens 4-6 weeks after the second stage of your root canal treatment.

Before the root canal is sealed, special rubber points are inserted into the root canals to fill them. Depending on the damage to your tooth and the situation, you may have a temporary filling or a permanent one put in.

Contact Us

If you think you might need a root canal, it’s important not to put off your treatment. A root canal is one of the best ways to treat an infected tooth and get rid of the painful symptoms you’ve been having. Call Harris Dentistry to learn more or schedule an appointment.

Treating Halitosis in Boca Raton 

Bad breath and the holidays don’t go well together. Harris Dentistry offers halitosis treatment for patients in Boca Raton, Florida so you can feel confident in your smile this holiday season. If you suffer from halitosis – you are not alone. Below are some tips for treating bad breath during the holidays!

Hydrate Your Dry Mouth 

Water is a great help to wash away any bacteria in your mouth, which can help combat bad breath. Here are some tips to avoid dry mouth this holiday season:

1. Remember to drink water during your holiday feasts. This will help you stay hydrated as well as avoid dry mouth and bad breath. 
2. Limit your coffee and alcohol intake – keyword: LIMIT. We know the holidays are for having fun and celebrating with your family and friends, but both coffee and alcohol encourage you to use the bathroom which can leave you feeling dry as a result. Limiting these drinks can help control the symptoms of dry mouth. 
3. Avoid that holiday cigar. Smoking cigars can dry out your mouth, so if a holiday cigar is a tradition of yours, try avoiding it this year. 

Don’t Pass Up The Veggie Tray

There is always a vegetable tray at every holiday party – don’t skip on those snacks! The crunchy vegetables stimulate the production of saliva, which can wash away the bacteria in your mouth. When you attend your next holiday celebration, eat crunchy vegetables like carrots, peppers, and broccoli. Fruits also have the same effect, so eat as many apple slices as you want! 

Skip The Eggnog

The number one holiday treat that causes bad breath is eggnog. Since the two main ingredients are dairy and sugar, and many people add alcohol to this holiday treat, it is a perfect recipe for bad breath. 

Opt For Sugarless Gum

We know that reaching for a stick of gum is what most people grab first when they want to fight their bad breath. Chewing gum is still a good way of avoiding bad breath, but we suggest opting for sugarless gum this holiday season. When selecting a sugarless gum, look for brands that have the ADA seal on them. 

Don’t Forget Your Gifts, and Don’t Forget To Brush! 

The holiday season is hectic, but it’s important that you continue to brush your teeth on a routine schedule. Your hygiene routine is likely to be disrupted if you are enjoying late nights with friends and early mornings with family. Brushing your teeth for 2 minutes twice a day will always be a great way to combat bad breath.

No Date This Holiday Season? No Problem!

We know that not having a date during the holidays can be lonely, but Harris Dentistry is always here for you to schedule an appointment. We’re more reliable than a holiday date anyway! 

Don’t Let Bad Breath Ruin Your Holidays

If you implement these tips we’ve outlined above, you are sure to have perfect breath for all of your holiday get-togethers! If you have any questions about halitosis, or if you would like to schedule an appointment, please don’t hesitate to call our office at 561-241-7272. 

Happy holidays from Harris Dentistry!

Halloween can seem like a kid’s ultimate daydream. But for their dental health, it can actually be their greatest nightmare. Just because Halloween has the potential to be bad for teeth doesn’t mean you should only let your children eat apples and carrots.

That doesn’t mean that all candies are not the same. There are certain candies that you need to pay a little extra attention to this Halloween season.

Good Candy

One of the best candies you can let your child eat is chocolate. Because it is soft, it easily dissolves off of the teeth after eating, which minimizes the risk of developing cavities.

Another good candy for your dental health is certain kinds of gum. Chewing gum after eating greatly reduces the risk of developing cavities. It can help clean the mouth out and promote the production of saliva, a natural cavity fighter. The best gum to chew is anything that is sugar-free.

The “Be Mindful” Zone

Certain candies are worse for teeth than others. Anything that is sticky can linger on the teeth longer, allowing bacteria to grow and create cavities. It can also pull out any fillings in the teeth, causing painful and potentially deeper cavities.

Hard candy can chip or crack teeth if you try to chew them. Make sure that your child sucks on hard candy, rather than biting it. A lot of hard candies can be sour, which tends to be very acidic and damaging to teeth.

Lastly, one of the greatest classic Halloween treats is the popcorn ball. While delicious, the kernels can become lodged in between teeth and into the gums. This creates areas where bacteria can flourish and eat away at the teeth.

Your Dental Saviors

At the end of the day, there is no particular candy that you should go out of your way to avoid. All candies have the potential to cause damage to the teeth. If you are mindful about what you are consuming and how you are consuming it, you will be just fine. It is important that you floss once a day and brush twice per day. Mouth rinses can also be beneficial after eating.

Happy Halloween and good luck Trick-or-Treating!

There’s always a demand for new ways to whiten teeth. From at-home tips like brushing with charcoal to new professional whitening techniques like ultraviolet light-activated gels, there’s no end in sight. One ingredient that has been getting attention for the past few years is called blue covarine.

Blue covarine is an ingredient in some toothpastes that is supposed to gently whiten teeth through consistent usage.

Does Blue Covarine Toothpaste Whiten Teeth?

The evidence is mixed. A 2015 article in the Journal of Applied Oral Science found that toothpastes containing blue covarine were no more effective than standard whitening toothpaste. In that same study at-home teeth whitening products containing carbamide peroxide, a similar ingredient to hydrogen peroxide, and professional in-office teeth whitening treatments were both far more effective at whitening teeth than either toothpaste.

Another study investigating the effectiveness of blue covarine toothpaste found that it was no more effective than a regular toothpaste. Most of it’s effectiveness came from the abrasive effect of brushing itself rather than the toothpastes ingredients.

A 2019 study from the Journal of Applied Oral Science found that blue covarine toothpaste was less effective than either standard whitening toothpastes containing hydrogen peroxide or toothpastes containing microbead abrasives. Interestingly, toothpastes containing microbeads were the most effective at whitening teeth.

In conclusion, blue covarine toothpaste does not seem to compare to other whitening methods, even other mild teeth whitening products. There’s no reason to use blue covarine over other whitening toothpastes with better ingredients.

Professional Teeth Whitening at Harris Dentistry

Navigating the best way to whiten teeth are home can be overwhelming. You want whiter teeth, but you don’t want to risk damaging or risk wasting your money on something that doesn’t work.

Bleeding gums is a common phenomenon, and it is typically not serious. People may notice some bleeding after brushing and flossing. If someone has sensitive gums, then bleeding becomes more common. Bleeding gums could be an indicator of gum disease but there are various reasons for bleeding gums, which include:

• Plaque or tartar buildup
• Failure to brush consistently twice a day
• Brushing with an old, frayed, or stiff toothbrush
• Flossing aggressively
• Gingivitis

Stopping Bleeding Gums at Home

There are some at-home options to stop the gums from bleeding and potentially stop them from bleeding again.

Gauze

Just like any other part of your body, when it starts to bleed you can put gauze on your gums. Gently hold the gauze on the area to halt the bleeding. If the bleeding continues and you have underlying medical conditions, speak to your dentist.

Ice

Much like gauze, ice is a normal response to bleeding. To soothe the bleeding, and swollen gums apply a small ice pack or an ice cube against the affected area.

Mouthwash

Mouthwash is a good way to stop and potentially help prevent gums from bleeding in the future. The key ingredients when buying a mouthwash are chlorhexidine and hydrogen peroxide. These ingredients can help prevent and treat gingivitis, which leads to bleeding gums.

Using the Right Toothbrush

There are so many options when searching for a toothbrush, which can be overwhelming at times. If you have sensitive gums, susceptible to bleeding, then it is recommended you use toothbrushes labeled as “extra soft” or “sensitive”. Toothbrushes labeled “firm” or “medium” are too harsh on gums. It is important to brush your teeth at least twice a day and to replace the toothbrush every 3 to 4 months.

Gently Flossing Every Day

Starting to floss after a hiatus can cause bleeding originally. However, after a few days of consistent flossing, your gums will become used to the stimulation. Regular flossing will improve overall gum health and should reduce bleeding.

Call Us If You Need Relief From Bleeding Gums

As always, if you notice changes in your mouth, teeth, or gums you should check with your dentist. If the problem persists, even with the hygiene practices above, call our Boca Raton dental office today at 561-241-7272.

Invisalign® revolutionized the way people look at orthodontic treatment. The clear aligner system from Invisalign® made it possible for people to discreetly improve their smiles. While Invisalign® allows people to love the appearance of their smile and avoids many of the discomforts of braces throughout the process, there should be more to consider when choosing orthodontic treatment. You should consider which treatment option will best treat your individual situation. While you should speak with Dr. Harris before making your final decision, we have included issues that Invisalign® can effectively treat.

Crooked Teeth

Invisalign® is very effective at treating crooked teeth. Clear aligners offer a great solution for people to align their teeth and love their smiles.

Overbite & Underbite

Invisalign® can be used to treat both an overbite and an underbite. An overbite is when the top front teeth extend beyond the bottom of your bottom front teeth. An underbite is when the lower jaw rests in front of the top jaw when the mouth is closed. Invisalign® can be used to move either the top or bottom teeth into the right place so that they align properly with the mouth closed.

Crossbite

A crossbite occurs when teeth don’t line up properly with the mouth closed. This could be the top teeth in the back of your mouth resting inside your bottom teeth or could be one or more of your top front teeth resting behind your bottom front teeth. Invisalign® can move teeth into the proper positions and treat a crossbite.

Gaps in Teeth & Crowded Teeth

These opposite issues can both be treated by Invisalign®. Gaps in teeth occur when there are large spaces between teeth. Crowded teeth happen when there is not enough room in the jaw for all of the teeth, often causing them to overlap or twist. Crowded teeth can make it easy for food to get stuck or plaque to build up, and should be addressed to keep optimal oral health.

Limitations of Invisalign®

While Invisalign® is an excellent option for many orthodontic issues, it does have its limitations. There are times when it may be best to go with braces. For severe orthodontic issues and intrusion and extrusion, braces often offer the force that is needed. It’s also important to note that Invisalign® continues to get better and better. We can now treat more complex orthodontic situations than we could even a few years ago. If you are interested if Invisalign® is the right treatment option for you, contact our Boca Raton office at 561-241-7272.

Kiss Gingivitis Goodbye

Gingivitis is a very common mouth problem among people of all ages. People who have gingivitis may experience little to no symptoms of this dental condition, while others may experience bleeding when flossing or brushing. Gingivitis can become worse over time and can need to be healed by a dentist if left untreated.

At-Home Remedies to Get Rid of Gingivitis

Saltwater Rinse

Rinsing your mouth with salt water is very beneficial in healing gums inflamed by gingivitis. It can also help reduce pain and bacteria, relieve bad breath, and remove particles of food.

To make the rinse, you can add one-half to three-fourths teaspoons of salt into a glass of lukewarm water. After mixing the solution well, you can swish it around your mouth for up to 30 seconds, and then spit out. You can repeat it two to three times a day.

Be sure to not rinse for too long or too often as this could hurt the enamel of your teeth and cause them to erode because of the mixture’s acidic properties.

Turmeric Gel

Turmeric is a plant in the ginger family and turmeric gel has been proven to help prevent plaque and gingivitis. It’s also used in many home remedies as it has anti-inflammatory and anti-fungal properties. Turmeric gel is available in many health food or alternative remedy shops. To use it to treat gingivitis, people should apply it to the gums and leave for 10 minutes before rinsing with water and spitting.

Homemade Mouthwashes

There are several home remedies you can make to help get rid of gingivitis. Follow the following recipes to make your own:

Lemongrass Oil Mouthwash

Lemongrass oil has been shown to reduce gingivitis and the plaque that causes it. To make this mouthwash, dilute 2 to 3 drops of lemongrass oil in water. Swirl around the mouth and then spit out. Repeat up to three times daily.

Aloe Vera Mouthwash

Aloe Vera has been proven to be as effective as the active ingredient in traditional mouthwash at treating gingivitis symptoms. Aloe vera juice does not need diluting and can be used on its own, just as long as it is pure. Like other mouthwashes, you should swirl it in the mouth and spit it out then repeat up to three times daily.

Tea Tree Oil Mouthwash

Tea tree oil mouthwash can reduce the bleeding associated with gingivitis significantly. To make tea tree oil mouthwash, you should simply add 3 drops of tea tree oil to a cup of warm water and then use it in the same way as the other homemade mouthwashes above. Tea tree oil can interact with some medications, so it is best to speak to a doctor before using it for the first time.

Come To Harris Dentistry for Gum Disease Treatment

These are some ways that can help you get rid of gingivitis. However, if your gums don’t heal or you continue to see symptoms of gingivitis, contact us right away. We’re always happy to help and we’ll answer any questions you may have. Give us a call at 561-241-7272 to set up an appointment.