Archives for May 2023

My Wisdom Tooth Is Emerging Brown. Is It Rotten?

Posted on May 30, 2023 by AllSmiles.

I wonder if my emerging wisdom tooth is already rotten because it is brown. This tooth is on the lower left, and the nearby back teeth are dark near my gums. I may have cavities or enamel damage from acid exposure on my teeth. I am concerned about the wisdom tooth because it is dark but has not fully emerged yet. Isn’t that weird? Thanks. Ashlee

Ashlee,

Dr. Thomas would need to examine and x-ray your teeth for an accurate diagnosis. However, we will explain what may be happening based on your description.

Is Your Brown Wisdom Tooth Rotten?

If an emerging wisdom tooth is brown, it may be due to defective tooth enamel. Decay that starts but stops with treatment can darken tooth enamel. However, an erupting brown tooth can result from a health condition that occurred while the wisdom tooth’s enamel was forming.

Partially impacted wisdom teeth are at risk of decay, affecting the gum tissue around them and neighboring teeth. Defective tooth enamel can make a tooth susceptible to decay too, and the tooth may eventually need a crown. However, our jaws usually don’t have enough room for wisdom teeth, and a dentist or oral surgeon extracts them anyway. So, although your brown wisdom tooth is not an emergency, we recommend consulting with an experienced dentist to evaluate its condition, as well as the surrounding teeth. The dentist will determine whether you need dental fillings for your surrounding teeth and if your wisdom teeth require any attention.

Sugar Land, Texas, dentist Dr. Siny Thomas of Cornerstone Dentistry sponsors this post.

Could a Dental Crown Cause My Oral Sores and Yeast Infection?

Posted on May 26, 2023 by AllSmiles.

I got a new dental crown in March and have had oral sores and a yeast infection since then. My saliva is in overdrive, but my lips are chapped and have sores in the corners. Makes no sense. With sores and an oral infection, my breath is strong, and I have a bitter taste. Sugar and gluten make things worse. Could the new crown or the process of getting it cause a yeast infection? I am concerned that I will need a replacement crown. I always need sedation at the dentist anyway and worry about undergoing another procedure. Thank you. Soleia from San Jose

Soleia,

Your signs and symptoms may be related to your dental treatment, yet have different sources.

Oral yeast infection and sores – Stress can cause oral infections, but the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention acknowledges that other factors, including a weak immune system, antibiotics, and health factors, may contribute to oral yeast infection.
Bad breath and bitter taste – Bad breath alone can have a variety of causes. Bad breath and bitter taste often improve with better oral hygiene, which can be challenging if your mouth is sore and irritated.

What Is Causing Your Signs and Symptoms?

Although a new crown usually does not cause oral sores or thrust, contact your dentist or primary care doctor

A stressful dental appointment can lead to burning mouth syndrome, which often includes dry mouth. But if your saliva production has increased, burning your mouth would not be the cause. Still, stress can cause an oral yeast infection and sores without having burning mouth syndrome.

Extra care with flossing at least once daily and brushing your teeth after each meal can improve bad breath and bitter taste. If the infection and excess saliva production continue, schedule an appointment with your dentist. You may need an antibiotic called Nystatin to clear the infection.

You haven’t told us about any discomfort with the crown, so you should not need a new one. Nor does it seem that you need to worry about needing dental care and sedation to resolve your concerns. Schedule an appointment with your dentist or primary care doctor for an exam and further advice.

Sugar Land, Texas, dentist Dr. Siny Thomas of Cornerstone Dentistry sponsors this post.

Why Is My Mouth So Dry at Night?

Posted on May 19, 2023 by AllSmiles.

I had a dental exam and cleaning two weeks ago, and the dentist said I have three new cavities. She says I have new cavities because my mouth is dry. I know I have nighttime dry mouth at night because I wake up at night choking sometimes. I keep water on my nightstand. But how do I know that I have cavities from dry mouth? Why would my mouth be dry at night anyway? I chose this holistic dentist because she replaced silver cavities with composite. I am concerned that she is looking for more cavities to fill because my teeth are otherwise healthy. Thanks. Athena from Omaha, NE

Athena,

Thank you for contacting Cornerstone Dentistry of Sugar Land regarding your concerns about nighttime dry mouth and cavities. Dr. Thomas would need to complete an oral exam and review your medical and dental histories for an accurate diagnosis. However, we will explain five causes of nighttime dry mouth.

What Causes Nighttime Dry Mouth?

Lack of saliva production can cause nighttime dry mouth. The causes of dry mouth may include these factors:

Dehydration

If you don’t have enough water during the day, your mouth will become dry as saliva production decreases while you sleep. Try to stay hydrated throughout the day.

Sleeping with Your Mouth Open

Young Asian women sleeping with her mouth open, portraying info on nighttime dry mouth

Nighttime mouth breathing while you’re asleep can cause dry mouth

Breathing with your mouth open while you sleep contributes to a dry mouth. According to the Sleep Foundation, nighttime mouth breathing and snoring or sleep apnea are related.

Medication

Dry mouth is a side effect of some medications, including:

Antidepressants
Antihistamines
Diuretics

Read the fact sheet for your medication to see a list of side effects.

Sinuses or Allergies

A blocked nose from sinuses or allergies may cause you to breathe with your mouth open at night without realizing it. Your mouth will be dry overnight and when you wake up.

Sjögren’s Syndrome

Sjögren’s syndrome is an autoimmune disorder attacking eye and mouth moisture glands. It also causes dryness in other body areas, including joints and skin.

What’s the Connection Between Dry Mouth and Cavities?

Saliva washes away food debris, protecting tooth enamel from acid and bacteria. When your mouth is dry, your teeth are exposed to factors that promote decay.

If you are concerned that you may not have new cavities, we recommend getting a second opinion from another dentist. If you are satisfied with your holistic dentist’s work, allow her to fill your new cavities with a dental composite. Your dentist may work with your medical doctor to identify the cause of your nighttime dry mouth and how to promote saliva production.

Sugar Land cosmetic dentist Dr. Siny Thomas sponsors this post. Read how Dr. Thomas provides patients with some of the best dental care in Sugar Land.

Can Gum Recession Cause a Tooth Cavity?

Posted on May 14, 2023 by AllSmiles.

I had a toothache on and off for six months that got so bad that I finally scheduled an appointment with an urgent care dentist. The dentist said I had a cavity in my canine tooth because the gums above it were thin and had pulled away from my teeth. I set up an appointment to have the cavity filled, and the dentist said that I have a lot of gum recession and three other teeth had gum recession, and I would likely get cavities in them, too. The dentist wants to refer me to a gum specialist. How do I know that gum recession is really the problem? Can receding gums cause cavities? Thanks. Levi from Uniondale, NY

Levi,

Thank you for contacting Cornerstone Dentistry in Sugar Land regarding gum recession and cavities. We commend you for scheduling an urgent dental appointment instead of delaying care.

Can Gum Recession Cause Cavities?

Gum recession exposes teeth and their roots and increases the risk of cavities. According to the American Association of Periodontology, when you notice gum recession, it is one aspect of periodontal recession, affecting your gums, teeth ligaments, and the bone surrounding your teeth. Your teeth can also become sensitive to brushing and hot or cold foods.

What Causes Gum Recession?

Gum recession causes include the following:
Gum disease
Aggressive teeth brushing
Misaligned teeth
Teeth grinding
Autoimmune conditions that may cause gum tissue destruction

What Is the Treatment for Gum Recession?

When tooth root exposure exceeds 3mm, a dentist or periodontist may recommend tissue gum grafting. During a gum graft procedure, you can expect your dentist or periodontist (gum specialist) to do the following:

Numb your gums with a local anesthetic
Take tissue from the roof of your mouth or use another donor source for tissue
Place the tissue in areas of recession
Secure the graft with stitches
Your gums will heal in two to three weeks.

How Can You Prevent Gum Recession?

You can prevent gum recession after your dentist identifies its cause. Recommendations may include:

Brushing your teeth more gently
Wearing a night guard to minimize teeth grinding
Gum disease treatment
Orthodontic treatment for teeth alignment

If you are uncomfortable with the gum graft recommendation from your dentist, you can get a second opinion from a skilled dentist or periodontist.

Sugar Land, Texas dentist Dr. Siny Thomas sponsors this post.