Category Archives: common dental problems

A happy smile is a healthy smile! There are a number of steps you can take to keep your smile healthy by reducing your risk of developing tooth decay. Here are a few suggestions from our team. 

Eat a Tooth Friendly Diet  

Reduce the amount of sugars and carbohydrates in your diet. Decay-causing bacteria in the mouth feed on these substances.  

We suggest you reduce grains, beans, seeds, and nuts in your diet when possible. These foods can lead to demineralization of your teeth and bones due to their acidic content. Consider adding foods high in minerals and vitamins to your diet such as apples, leafy greens, celery, or carrots. 

Brush, Floss, Rinse, Repeat 

Routine brushing at least twice a day followed by flossing and a mouth rinse is the optimal at home dental care routine. Brush for at least two minutes in the morning and at night. Use a soft bristle toothbrush that is small enough to reach every tooth.  

Dental Sealants 

Children often get dental sealants to protect the hard-to-reach teeth in the back of their mouths. However, dental sealants can benefit adults and those who have a higher risk of decay. Dental sealants are a layer of plastic-like material that coats the top surface of the tooth. Sealants protect the crevices in the tooth where bacteria reside and minimizes exposure of the tooth to harmful acids and sugars that wear down enamel.  

When left untreated, tooth decay can cause discomfort and spread to other healthy teeth. You can combat tooth decay by reducing sugars and acids in your diet and brushing and flossing regularly. For some patients, dental sealants might be a solution.  

Don’t forget to schedule your next visit to our office. Our team can provide a professional cleaning and check for signs of tooth decay.

A canker sore can make eating, drinking, and talking difficult and even painful. Maintaining your oral health by brushing and flossing may also be difficult with a sore in your mouth, but keeping up with your daily oral hygiene routine is an important step in the healing process. We’ve put together a short guide to everything you need to know about canker sores.

What do they look like? 

Canker sores are usually small, round reddish sores. You’ll find them on the soft tissues of your mouth, such as your tongue, the sides of your mouth, and at the base of your gums. Occasionally, a sore might have a yellow or white colored center. 

What causes them? 

Among the most common causes of canker sores are injuries. This can happen from biting your lip or cheek, an injury from sports, or even vigorous brushing. Certain people are sensitive to toothpastes containing sodium lauryl sulfate, leading to sores. Foods may also cause canker sores in certain people. Chocolate, eggs, nuts, and spicy foods have been known to cause the sores. At times, a diet that is deficient in vitamin B-12 or zinc is the culprit. 

What can I do? 

Your best defense is to keep your mouth healthy. This means keeping up with your twice-daily brushing and daily flossing. With a mouth sore, it may be tempting to avoid the area when brushing your teeth. This can lead to a buildup of plaque and bacteria. Aid the healing process by keeping your mouth clean and healthy. You may also try a mouthwash formulated for mouth sores. When in doubt, or if pain persists, talk to our team. 

Brush thoroughly but gently around sores. Most canker sores heal within a week. If you find you are regularly getting sores, or they are taking longer than one week to heal, schedule a visit to our office. We will assess your oral health and provide you with our expert advice.  

For more information about oral health or to schedule your next visit, please contact our office. We look forward to seeing you.

It usually starts pretty innocently. You’re biting into your favorite hard candy and suddenly you realize that there’s one little hard piece in your mouth you can’t seem to dissolve. You check it out and fear overcomes you when you see it’s a little chipped piece of a tooth. 

Enamel may be one of the hardest substances in the body but like most things in life, it has its limit. Whether you are chewing on ice or grinding your teeth at night, there’s always a chance of putting your teeth at risk. If you have chipped your tooth, there’s no need to panic. Here are a few things our dentist in 06111 can do to restore your beautiful smile: 

Tooth Bonding 

Tooth bonding has many structural uses, and it can be very helpful for repairing chipped teeth. Tooth bonding is a simple procedure that doesn’t require any numbing. The bonding materials and porcelain used are natural in color and can be designed to perfectly match your teeth. Your smile will look good as new, and people will have a hard time noticing you ever chipped a tooth to begin with.  

Dental Crown 

A dental crown is a tooth-shaped cap that helps protect your teeth, while at the same time improving its appearance. An AACD (American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry) dentist will likely use a tooth colored crown made out of porcelain or zirconia to look identical to your teeth. Crowns will also provide the durability and strength your teeth need to withstand daily use. You may only need a partial crown if our dentist sees that the chip doesn’t affect the entire tooth.  

Porcelain Veneers 

Porcelain laminate dental veneers are made up of several thin layers of ceramic used to repair chipped teeth. They will be bonded to the teeth to replace the original enamel of the tooth with a special adhesive. Dental veneers are a fantastic way to get your tooth to look whole and healthy again.  

If you have a chipped tooth and would like more information on these methods, or to schedule a consultation, contact our Newington, CT dental office today.

Our dentist might suggest dental sealants for your child during a visit to our office. Sealants are a way to protect your teeth against decay. With any dental treatment, it helps to understand the procedure and how it can impact your child’s oral health.

Why Get Sealants?

Sealants help to prevent tooth decay. Sealants are applied on the back teeth, where decay is most likely to develop. Our dentist in 06111 will often recommend sealants for children and teens, but adults may benefit from sealants, as well.

The further your teeth are in the back of your mouth, the more difficult it can be to maintain the proper dental hygiene needed to keep them healthy. Sealants can prevent up to 80% of decay within the first two years alone. After 4 years, sealants continue to prevent as much as 50% of decay. Children without sealants are more than three times as likely to develop tooth decay than those with sealants.

When Should You Get Them?

Your child's first molars usually become visible around age 6, with the second set around age 12. You will want to talk to us about the best course of action for keeping molars healthy. Sealants are most effective when they are done as soon as the molars break through. Regular examinations with our dentist will determine the best time to have sealants applied.

What Should I Expect?

Sealants are one of the simplest treatments we perform in our office. There is generally no discomfort associated with this process. We will first thoroughly clean your child's teeth, and then use a special gel. The gel is then cleaned off before the sealant is applied. A small blue light is used to harden the sealant in a matter of moments.

What Concerns Should I Have?

There are no side-effects from sealants, and allergic reactions are extremely rare. However, talk to our doctor about any allergies your child has so we can discuss the best possible course of action.

Next Steps

Sealants last for years before needing to be reapplied. It is important to schedule regular visits to our office so that our dentist can check the condition of the dental sealants and teeth on an ongoing basis. If your child had sealants several years ago and you are unsure if they should be reapplied, schedule an appointment with us.

For more tips on keeping teeth healthy and for questions about dental sealants, contact our dental office in Newington, CT.

You still need to take care of your natural teeth. Brush your teeth with a soft toothTaking care of your dentures can seem like an added chore. Don’t worry, with a little effort your dentures can stay clean. Here are 5 tips for keeping your dentures clean and your smile healthy.

1. Rinse Thoroughly

Prior to brushing, it helps to rinse your dentures off.  Run them through water to help wash away food and other small particles. Be extra careful when handling your fragile dentures. Avoid using hot or boiling water, as that could damage your dentures.

2. Clean Your Dentures

Just as you would brush your teeth, your dentures need to be brushed as well. Never use cleaning solutions while your dentures are in. Rather, remove your dentures and carefully brush using a soft toothbrush. Avoid using whitening toothpastes or harsh cleaning materials like bleach products. Talk to our dentist in 06111 about the right type of cleaner for your dentures. Using too strong a solution can cause damage to your dentures.

3. Don’t Forget to Brush Your Teeth

Be gentle when brushing and cleaning your gums. Cleaning your gums will help you reduce your risk of developing an oral infection. If your toothbrush is too rough on your gums, an alternative is to use gauze. Be sure to come see us if you are experiencing gum pain and we can make recommendations.

4. Keep Them Covered

When you remove your dentures for bed, be sure to keep them in a covered container overnight. Use a denture-soaking solution to keep them clean overnight. Water works as a substitute, as your dentures need moisture to retain their shape. If you have any questions about storing your dentures, talk to us and we’ll help you.

5. Care with Adhesives

It can sometimes be difficult to remove your dentures with an adhesive. If you are having trouble, try swishing warm water or a mouthwash around your mouth. Never use any cleaning solution, tool, or foreign object to remove your dentures. Take special care to ensure the grooves of your dentures that attach to your gums are clean and free of adhesive.

When taken care of properly, your dentures will provide you with a lasting smile. Be vigilant in keeping up with cleaning your dentures. If you have any questions about caring for your dentures, get in touch with our office. We would be happy to work with you to figure out a solution for your denture concerns.

For more tips on keeping your mouth healthy or to schedule your next appointment, contact our dental office in Newington, CT today.

When you are traveling, it can be challenging to keep up with your usual daily routine. For many people, this can include having difficulty finding the time to properly brush and floss. Whether you are traveling for business or pleasure, our dentist in 06111 has gathered a few helpful tips to help you stay on track with your oral health while you are away from home.

Pack Wisely

Be sure you are traveling with enough toothpaste and floss to last your entire trip, if possible. If space is tight, travel sized products can be a great option. You may also wish to purchase a disposable toothbrush for use during your travels. These often require less space and will not cause distress if accidentally left behind. Some disposable toothbrushes even come with toothpaste already applied. These can be ideal for a one-day trip.

Cover Your Toothbrush

When you travel, you are likely to encounter new and varied germs along the way. Whether you are at a hotel or visiting family, you may be required to share surfaces used by many other people. Consider using a toothbrush cover that slips over the head of your toothbrush to protect it from contact with sinks or nightstands.

Drink Water

One fun part of travel is being able to eat and experiment with new and unusual foods. However, eating and drinking sugary or acidic drinks can be damaging to your teeth. Drinking water is an excellent way to wash away bacteria, as well as helping neutralize the acids that damage tooth enamel. Water also stimulates the flow of saliva, which helps to keep your teeth strong and healthy.

Don’t Break Your Good Habits

Be sure to continue your daily oral hygiene routine while you travel. This should include brushing for two minutes, twice each day, as well as regular flossing. Traveling can make this difficult to fit in, but doing so will keep your mouth healthy.

Travel can be both fun and stressful. Don’t lose track of time and forget to brush and floss. Your teeth depend on regular, thorough care. After your return, schedule a visit with us. We will provide a comprehensive cleaning and examination while you tell us about your trip.

To schedule your next visit to our dental office in Newington, CT, please contact our team.

Are you experiencing oral pain? Well, you've come to the right place!

If you are not careful, common dental problems can creep up on you without warning. Did you know that oral problems can lead to many other dental health issues? This blog post is all about common dental problems and how they can affect the mouth if not treated.

1. Gum Disease

Gum disease is one of the most common dental problems, but it's also easiest to prevent with proper oral care. This disease is caused by dental plaque buildup around the teeth and usually starts with gingivitis. It can lead to other more serious dental problems if not treated early on by your dentist.

Gum disease is characterized as chronic when there are signs of inflammation or ulceration for three months or more; it's acute otherwise. If you start experiencing any symptoms such as bleeding gums, dental plaque, or bad breath, you should visit your dentist as soon as possible.

Here are some other symptoms of gum disease:

• Swelling and tenderness in the gums and mouth


• Red patches on the gums that bleed when touched


• Sores inside the cheeks near teeth (painful to eat)

If you think you have gum disease avoid eating sticky foods, candies, and drinking sodas. Your dentist will usually prescribe an antibiotic to help in the healing process. They may recommend dental surgery as a more serious treatment option if you have chronic gum disease that has not been treated for some time.

2. Tooth Decay

Dental decay, or dental caries, is an oral disease caused by the destruction of tooth enamel. This problem occurs when acids produced by bacteria in tooth plaque react with natural minerals in teeth to cause tooth decay. If the plaque on your teeth hardens, then you will have to see your dentist to get it removed.

Here are some tooth decay symptoms:

• Pain while chewing or after eating/drinking acidic foods and beverages, such as soda, juice, sports drinks, coffee, or tea.


• Sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures in the tooth area (painful to eat ice cream).


• White spots on teeth that cannot be removed with toothpaste or a toothbrush.


• A sour odor coming from the mouth (halitosis) and bad breath.

3. Cavities

Cavities are dental problems that result in a hole in the tooth. This hole is caused when tooth plaque, food debris, and saliva stick to your teeth and hardens. Similar to tooth decay, the acid will begin to damage the enamel. When dental caries progress into an open cavity, the decay can cause teeth to break off in pieces or fall out.

Here are some warning signs of this common dental problem:

• Toothache or tooth pain that won't go away


• Uneven dental wear on the teeth, as if they've been grinding (also called bruxism)


• Soreness when eating sour foods like lemons and some candies

Some dental diseases such as plaque buildup on your teeth require dental visits more often than others. It is also recommended that you see a dental hygienist every 3 months rather than a dentist because dental hygienists specialize in specific oral issues.

4. Cracked, Chipped, or Broken Teeth

Cracked, chipped, or broken teeth are three distinct dental issues that require different treatments. Teeth grinding is a common cause of cracked teeth. Teeth grinding can be easily treated using a mouthpiece during sleep to hold your jaw and teeth in place. A cracked tooth requires the dentist to carefully fill any holes where the cracked pieces meet with a tooth-colored filling material.

Outside forces usually cause chipped and broken teeth. For example, if you're a fighter and get punched in the face a lot, you might break a tooth. When an accident happens, and you chip or break a tooth, then the dentist has two options:

1. The dentist might be able to repair the tooth in one visit.


2. Wait for the cracked section of the tooth to heal enough so they can put a crown on it.

5. Toothache

Pain in the tooth that may radiate to the ears is a toothache. Toothaches can be caused by tooth decay, tooth grinding, tooth injury, or infection. To get diagnosed, a dentist should examine your teeth for signs of decay and gum disease. Toothache can also be due to conditions such as sinusitis, meningitis, or an abscessed tooth that will need prompt treatment.

6. Stained Teeth

Several different things can cause stained teeth. Depending on what kind of foods you eat, how much you brush and floss will cause your teeth to become yellow or not. Some people get stained teeth from drinking large amounts of coffee or tea. You can also get stained teeth from smoking tobacco.

7. Sensitive Teeth

Many things can cause your teeth to become sensitive. Sometimes sensitive teeth can be caused by tooth grinding, hurt gums, or fillings that are too close to the sensitive area on your tooth enamel.

Here's what you should do if you have sensitive teeth:

• Use a softer toothbrush and use gentle brushing motions when brushing your teeth. If you brush with hard pressure, this will aggravate sensitive areas in your mouth and make it worse.


• Avoid chewing gum since sugar can irritate sensitive gums and lead to more plaque buildup, which is one cause of sensitivity for some people.


• Stop smoking tobacco products because nicotine causes dry mouth, making sensitive teeth even worse than usual (harmful bacteria has increased access).

When you have sensitive teeth, you can become sensitive to extremely hot or cold foods, sour and sweet foods, and sugary foods. If you have sensitive teeth, you'll need to go to your dentist to find a solution.

8. Grinding Your Teeth

There are plenty of different causes for grinding your teeth, including dry mouth, sensitiveness to hot or cold food and drink, pain in the gum tissues due to dental caries, or infected ulcers. Sometimes it can be caused by stress-related tension. Some people will grind their teeth when they are in pain, while others grind their teeth simply because of excessive stress.

Grinding your teeth can be easily treated by using a mouthpiece that holds the grinding jaw in place or using a nightguard. It would be best to protect your teeth from grinding because it can create cracked teeth or break a tooth into pieces.

Here are some warning signs of grinding your teeth:

• Finding small fractures on the chewing surface of your molars. If you have soreness when eating sour food, this could be an indicator.


• Sensitivity in your jaw joint and your teeth.


• If you notice uneven tooth wear or tooth erosion.

9. Wisdom Teeth

The wisdom teeth, also known as third molars, are the furthest back teeth in your mouth. They come in anywhere from age 17 to 25, and wisdom teeth pain is often a result of overcrowding or wisdom tooth impaction. If wisdom teeth cause pain, then it is important to go to the dentist as soon as possible to determine the best treatment for you. Some wisdom teeth will have to be removed with surgery.

10. Oral Mouth Cancer

Many oral cancer cases are a result of tobacco use. It is known to be caused by frequently chewing tobacco or using it in other ways (also smoking, dipping). Tobacco is believed to cause oral cancer because it has 27 carcinogens that can affect oral health. Some specific oral cancers include oral cavity cancer, esophageal cancer, and cancer of the tongue.

Finding Help

East Cedar Dental is a dentist's office with a professional team ready to help you with all your teeth, gum, and oral disease needs. We are committed to providing patients in the Newington, Connecticut area with dental care that is high-quality and affordable.

At East Cedar Dental, the patient's welfare is our top priority, and we offer services for all age groups. We offer treatments ranging from teeth cleaning to major dental surgery. So let us know how we can help protect you from all of these common dental problems.