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Why Does a Taste Bud Swell So Much if You Accidentally Bite It? | Issaquah Dentist

When you look at your tongue you may notice that there are bumps on it. These are known as papillae and they help with taste, hence the name “taste buds.” Sometimes these will grow enlarged. There are numerous reasons for this.

Why taste buds swell. Sometimes if you accidentally bite your tongue in the wrong way you can cause your taste buds to swell. This is because the nerve receptors in this area of your mouth are especially sensitive. They can also become inflamed or irritated occasionally. Usually this happens when you have a virus in your body though.

Treating swollen taste buds. Usually, it’s unnecessary to treat your taste buds if they become enlarged. However, if they stay enlarged for more than 7 – 10 days you should definitely give our office a call. We will bring you in for an appointment so that we can look at the size, color, and location of the swelling.

You most definitely want to schedule an appointment any time you have unusual bleeding, pain, or growth in your mouth. These are things that we’ll want to immediately take care of for you.

Preventing swollen taste buds. It’s important for you to maintain good oral hygiene by brushing and flossing twice daily. Make sure you brush your tongue when doing so. When you’re participating in sports, make sure you’re wearing a mouth guard. Additionally, you should avoid smoking and chewing on things that aren’t food. Sometimes you will still experience swollen taste buds.

When this happens, try rinsing your mouth with warm saltwater and drinking plenty of water. Monitor how well your swollen taste buds are healing for you and when or if you have any concerns, make sure you set up an appointment to visit our office so we can look at them for you.

For more information about taste buds, call Dr. Sciabica in Issaquah, WA at 425-392-3900 or visit www.issaquahdentists.com.

Dr. Frank S. Sciabica proudly serves patients from Issaquah and all surrounding areas.

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How to Respond to a Broken Dental Crown | Issaquah Dentist

Most of the time, dental crowns that are placed in your mouth stay there. They don’t slip, they don’t fall out, and they don’t break. Usually. Just because a crown doesn’t break usually doesn’t mean that it can’t.

If you think you may have a broken crown, what do you do? Do you just leave it alone, or do you get it checked out? We have the answer.

About Broken Crowns

Crowns can break due to trauma to your mouth. We had a patient one time who had never had so much as a cracked tooth- until she ran into a pole at school. Crowns can also break during car accidents or plane crashes. You can break a crown surfing, jumping out of a plane, or even biting down on something really hard, such as ice.

Also, you should know that older crowns are more apt to break. That’s because older crowns weren’t made as well as newer crowns, which are much harder to break. In addition, if you haven’t been taking good care of your teeth, cavities can form underneath your crown, and make the rest of your tooth, and your crown unstable. If that happens, the crown has to come off, and a new crown will need to be fitted, after the cavity is repaired.

One of the reasons that you have to continue your good dental hygiene is because if you don’t, not only will your regular teeth be affected, but so will your crowns and other dental work. It is so important that your dental hygiene continues to be an important part of your life if you want to keep your crowns in great shape.

Want to Know More?

Have questions about your crowns? Not sure if all of your crowns are doing the job? Or you just want to find a dentist who will look at all the parts of your mouth, and not just your crowns? Give us a call. We would love to talk to you about your crowns, and all your other teeth as well.

For more information about crowns, call Dr. Sciabica in Issaquah, WA at 425-392-3900 or visit www.issaquahdentists.com.

Dr. Frank S. Sciabica proudly serves patients from Issaquah and all surrounding areas.

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Having a Fever Along with a Toothache Is Never Something to Ignore | Issaquah Dentist

If you have a toothache, then you want to consider all of the symptoms that you have. This is because when there is a fever that comes along with the aching tooth, then you need to make sure to have this looked at.

Why a Fever is a Bad Thing with a Toothache

If you don’t have the flu or a viral bug but a toothache that doesn’t go away and continues to persist, then you may have an infection. This infection can travel through the body and into places you don’t want it to reach. It can become dangerous to the person.

This is why it is important to speak with our office when you notice a toothache. Having it taken care of right away is always the best way to go about any sort of oral pain.

If you do not contact us immediately, and the pain persists, plus you develop a fever, then you need to contact us right away. This is a dental emergency and you need to speak with our dentists regarding a pain medication, anti-inflammatory and antibiotic that you should be started on.

Usually, when there is pain and a fever, you will also notice a painful, pus filled area under, to the side or inside of the infected tooth. This is an abscess that is filling with the infection. Our dentists can take care of this issue for you.

Reach Out to Us Now for Help Managing Your Situation

Speak with us today regarding the toothache and fever that you have. This is a serious issue that needs to be addressed and our dentists are equipped to handle it. We will provide you with a way to get the help needed so you can take care of the infection and tooth, while also removing the pain. You don’t have to deal with it, call us now.

For more information about toothache pains, call Dr. Frank S. Sciabica in Issaquah, WA at 425-392-3900 or visit www.issaquahdentists.com.

Dr. Sciabica proudly serve patients from Issaquah and all surrounding areas.

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Symptoms of Sensitive Teeth | Issaquah Dentist

A lot of people have sensitive teeth, but they may not have realized what that meant until it was officially diagnosed. We see people all the time who are showing symptoms of having sensitive teeth. Do you have sensitive teeth? If you are not sure, we can help.

The symptoms show up slowly, so you may be in the early stages of a problem. Here are a few symptoms to watch out for if you think you may be slowly getting sensitive teeth.

Temperature Changes Cause Discomfort

The first symptom that most people note when developing sensitive teeth is that temperature changes in their mouth begin to cause them discomfort. If you have started to notice that going from standard body temperature to either hot or cold temperatures starts to make your mouth a bit sore, this could be due to increased tooth sensitivity. Some people only have discomfort with one temperature, usually cold, while others get discomfort with both.

Sensitive Teeth Can Also Lead to Headaches

If you have started getting more headaches, it could also be a symptom of sensitive teeth. When your teeth become more sensitive, no matter what the sensitivity is, it can lead to pain and pressure in your head. When you avoid the items you have developed a sensitivity to, the headaches should subside. If you have noticed this pattern, you need to come in for a checkup.

People all around the world struggle with the discomfort of sensitive teeth on a daily basis. Thankfully, we can do a lot to minimize, if not eliminate, sensitive teeth. Call our office today and let us see what we can do to help you remove that type of discomfort from your life. Just because you find yourself shying away from certain items now, does not mean you need to live the rest of your life like that.

For more information about sensitive teeth, call Dr. Frank S. Sciabica in Issaquah, WA at 425-392-3900 or visit www.issaquahdentists.com.

Dr. Sciabica proudly serve patients from Issaquah and all surrounding areas.

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Calcium Needs to Be a Big Part of Your Diet When Restoring Your Oral Health | Issaquah Dentist

If you think about calcium, you probably already know that it is essential for healthy bones. Do you know that it is just as important for your oral health? Of course, you need calcium to keep your teeth strong, but it is also needed for your jaw.

Calcium is also important in muscle health. It is absolutely essential when it comes to oral health. What happens if you have had problems, and you are trying to restore your oral health? Do you still need calcium? The answer is a resounding yes!

Each Part of Your Mouth

There is not a part of your mouth that does not need calcium. It is found even your blood vessels and nerves. When trying to restore oral health, you will want to make sure that you ingest enough each day. Not only will you end up with a healthier jaw and teeth, it will help you to heal.

Calcium and Gum Disease

In many cases, a calcium deficiency can be linked to gum disease. In several studies, people who had enough calcium in their diets had healthier gums than people who were not getting enough calcium. Gum disease can lead to other health issues beside just oral ones.

Sources of Calcium

Dairy is possibly the best-known source of calcium. Milk, cheese, and low-sugar yogurt are all great sources. Leafy green vegetables are another great way to add calcium to your diet. Supplements can help as well.

If you have oral troubles because of a lack of calcium, you need to make an appointment to see us right away. A calcium deficiency can lead to tooth loss and other problems. We would like to help you to turn things around and to get back on the right track.

For more information about calcium, call Dr. Frank S. Sciabica in Issaquah, WA at 425-392-3900 or visit www.issaquahdentists.com.

Dr. Sciabica proudly serve patients from Issaquah and all surrounding areas.

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Bruxism Needs to Get Treatment Before It Breaks Your Teeth | Issaquah Dentist

Many people suffer from the involuntary habit of grinding or clenching their teeth while they are sleeping. Known as bruxism, this habit can do more than just annoy your spouse or partner.

If it is left untreated for long enough, bruxism can result in jaw problems, chronic headache, uneven and accelerated tooth wear, and even tooth breakage. If you suffer from bruxism, it is very important that you seek out treatment as soon as you can.

What Causes Bruxism, and What Can Be Done?

The exact cause of bruxism will vary from person to person. Contributing factors include stress levels, a bite patter that is abnormal, a misalignment in the jaw, and other similar conditions. Regardless of the exact cause, the symptoms are similar, and the outcome can be devastating.

Fortunately, there are a number of treatments for bruxism. Depending on what is causing your bruxism, the treatment could be as simple as wearing a specially crafted mouth guard while you sleep. In some cases, you may need to undergo more extensive treatment. In rare cases, you might even need surgery.

Aside from undergoing proactive treatments as outlined above, you might want to consider cutting back on certain things. If you consume a great deal of caffeine or alcohol, this could be contributing to your bruxism. Also, if you are in the habit of chewing anything that is not food—such as pens, pencils, or even chewing gum—you might want to reconsider. These habits train your jaw muscles to clench and will contribute to bruxism.

Get Treatment Right Away

If you think you might have bruxism, you should come see us right away. You might think that it’s not a big deal, but the truth of the matter is that bruxism can lead to serious problems if you neglect it long enough. It is even possible to crack or break your teeth.

So, don’t wait. Contact us today and let us help.

For more information about bruxism, call Dr. Frank S. Sciabica in Issaquah, WA at 425-392-3900 or visit www.issaquahdentists.com.

Dr. Sciabica proudly serve patients from Issaquah and all surrounding areas.

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If You Struggle with Depression, Your Teeth May Show It | Issaquah Dentist

In recent years, scientific research has discovered a close link between your oral health and your overall health. There are many conditions we can identify during a visual examination of your oral cavity, even if you don’t know you suffer from them.

This includes mental health problems such as depression. Recent studies suggest that depression conclude depression is closely related to poor oral health.

Signs of Depression in Your Oral Health

When someone is depressed, they lose interest in everyday activities, and in many cases, the person stops taking care of themselves, including neglecting his or her oral health in general. Not brushing your teeth twice daily and flossing at least once per day can be extremely detrimental to your mouth and set the stage for serious dental conditions in the future.

When you struggle with depression or other emotional condition your teeth will also suffer. Some signs of depression that will show in your teeth are:

  • General dental neglect. If you stop brushing and flossing your teeth regularly, you may have more cavities than usual, and your gums may be tender or swollen without the stimulation from brushing.
  • Periodontal disease. There is a close connection between depression and periodontal disease. Depression can affect your oral health through the salivary glands. When the production of saliva is restricted, you can have dry mouth which results in a higher risk for tooth decay.
  • Oral pain. Many people who have recurrent pain from conditions such as temporomandibular joint disorders (TMJ) also suffer from depression. There is a clear connection between pain and depression, according to scientific studies.

Keeping your regular checkups will let us identify any potential problems that may develop in the future. If you struggle with depression, your teeth may show it at different levels. The health of your mouth, in general, will suffer from the effects of depression.

For more information about depression, call Dr. Frank S. Sciabica in Issaquah, WA at 425-392-3900 or visit www.issaquahdentists.com.

Dr. Sciabica proudly serve patients from Issaquah and all surrounding areas.