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Dr. David A. Smith

David A Smith

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317-597-8748
12188-A North Meridian Street, Suite 355,
Carmel, IN 46032
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Whole Body Dentistry: The Sinus Connection

By on February 5, 2016

 

Everybody knows someone who’s constantly blowing their nose. It seems like colds, sinus infections, and other nasal conditions are a constant in their lives. In fact, they seem to be sick more often than they aren’t! This might be you, too – do you find yourself constantly reaching for a tissue?

It might surprise you to learn that a lot of those sinus infections could be related to your oral health. In fact, 20 percent of the infections of maxillary sinuses (the ones near your mouth) are related to oral health conditions. At Really Smile Dentistry we’re big believers in the whole body nature of dentistry and this is just one more way you can see oral health reflected in your body!

Sinuses And Smiles: Why The Connection?

If you’ve ever seen a picture of the locations of your sinuses you know the maxillary ones are close to your top row of teeth. In some patients there’s barely any bone there at all, making placing implants and performing other dental procedures difficult.

The close proximity between your upper molars and your sinuses can quickly become a problem if you’re suffering from advanced periodontal disease or a severely infected tooth!

What Oral Health Conditions Cause Sinusitis?

Because the connection is due to how close your sinuses are to your teeth we’re looking at conditions that can spread beyond the tooth and into your bone. The two most common ways this happens is with advanced gum disease or tooth decay that has reached a root, both of which can cause dental abscesses.

Gum disease and tooth decay both have the potential to form large pockets of infected tissue, or abscesses, if they are left untreated. Both are bacterial conditions that only get worse as they spread, and when an abscess forms under the gums or at the root of the tooth there isn’t very far for it to go before it reaches the warm, moist environment of your sinuses.

Abscesses from tooth decay form when the root of a tooth is infected by a cavity. Roots contain soft tissue called the dental pulp, which is full of blood vessels and nerves. When these infections occur it can be very painful, but many patients avoid going to the dentist because of the fear of root canals.

When an infected root is left untreated it will eventually leave the tooth and head into the bone, at which point it’s only a matter of time before an abscess forms. Those painful pockets of infection can eat away at bone and soft tissue until there’s a direct connection between your sinus and mouth. It may be so small that you don’t realize it, but that won’t stop your sinuses from becoming chronically infected.

Gum abscesses can happen at any stage of gum disease but are far more likely in progressed patients. You may notice severe gum recession, loosening teeth, and pus that leaks from between your teeth and gums in advanced gum disease. The pus is a good sign that there’s an abscess present, and though it may not cause constant pain there’s a good possibility that it will lead to the same problems as a tooth abscess.

Treating Dental Abscesses

There are always ways to treat dental abscesses and eliminate the infection that could be causing your sinus conditions.

  • Root canals are used to treat abscesses in teeth, and in many cases allow us to eliminate the infection without extraction. Root canals are not the painful, horrifying treatments you’ve heard of. Instead, the allow us to save your tooth, eliminate pain, and prevent the infection from becoming worse.
  • Abscesses of the gums need to be treated surgically. A procedure to drain and seal the abscess needs to be performed, but in those cases you can still experience plenty of relief.

Find Relief At Our Carmel Office

The key in treating these infections is always to eliminate pain and help you feel better in the long term. If you’re concerned that your chronic sinus problems could have something to do with poor oral health then don’t take chances when we could help you today! Undiagnosed sinus infections could have a quick and easy fix by seeing us as soon as you can!

Schedule an appointment at Really Smile Dentistry by calling 317-597-8748 or by filling out our online request form. We look forward to seeing you soon!

 

Root Canals: What’s The Real Story?

By on October 9, 2015

If you’ve been around the world for any amount of time you’ve probably heard of root canals. These horrifying dental treatments are, if the rumors are true, the worst thing you could ever have happen in your mouth. You’ll suffer from excruciating pain, secondary infection, and complete misery!

Like any controversial medical technique root canals are, of course, nowhere near as bad as they seem. At Really Smiles in Indianapolis we’ve answered a lot of questions from a lot of patients who’ve been worried about root canals and we always tell them the same thing: there’s nothing to worry about!

We want to go over some of the most common root canal myths and help explain why you don’t have anything to fear from this tooth-saving, pain-relieving condition!

Myth #1: Root Canals Are Painful

Let’s explain what a root canal is and why they’re performed as we tackle this myth – they go hand in hand!

When a cavity gets so deep it reaches the root of your tooth it can get quite painful. The soft pulp at the center of a tooth becomes infected and inflamed and needs to be removed to prevent a secondary infection, abscess, and serious pain!

A root canal involves going into the root of the tooth and removing the infected pulp with a series of special tools. Patients who come to our Indianapolis dentist office are always under anesthesia when we perform a root canal, so you won’t feel a thing! And contrary to the idea of a root canal hurting they’re meant to provide instant relief for pain due to infection! Most patients are amazed at how much better they feel once their root canal is complete!

Myth #2: Root Canals Cause Other Illnesses

The origin of this myth goes all the way back to the early 20th century. A man named Dr. Weston Price put for the idea that infections have a focal point, in this case a tooth, that always carries the risk of later infection. This is, of course, untrue!

The staying power of this myth comes from a long history of misunderstanding. Dr. Price’s “focal infection theory” was disproven only a couple decades after he proposed it and has long been considered another historic misunderstanding of the human body.

Root canals don’t leave behind any infected tissue. The center of your tooth is filled with a plastic-like material that leaves it protected and infection free!

Myth #3: Root Canals Are Temporary

There are some people who argue that it’s better to pull the tooth because root canals are a temporary fix. Based on what we told you about how and why a root canal works do you really think that’s true? A root canal removes the infected tissue, cleans out tooth decay bacteria, and seals your tooth safely under a crown so that it’s protected from further harm.

Root canals are permanent solutions that leave you with your natural tooth. We always want to preserve a tooth instead of pulling one – it’s far better for your long-term oral health!

Myth #4: You Only Need A Root Canal If You’re In Pain

Because of their association with pain it might seem like root canals are only necessary when you hurt, but that’s not true at all! A regular dental exam can detect cavities and determine when tooth decay has reached the dental pulp. That’s the exact time you need a root canal, pain or no!

It’s common for patients with infected dental pulp to be in pain but it’s not universal! Cavities that reach the dental pulp can cause infection and decay without causing pain. The pain is usually a sign that things have reached a critical point but root canals can still be necessary well before that!

Don’t Avoid Treatment!

A root canal can be the difference between pain and dental restoration and a healthy, happy smile. If you’re concerned that you might have a seriously decayed tooth don’t put off treatment because you’re scared! Call our Indianapolis dentist office to schedule an appointment today!

You can reach us at 317-597-8748 or by filling out our online appointment request form. We look forward to helping you!

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Monday 7:40 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Tuesday 7:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Wednesday 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Thursday 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
(Friday – Sunday – Closed)

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Meet the Doctor

Dr. David A. Smith explains his vision of life-changing dentistry for Really Smile Dental:

“I chose dentistry as my life’s work because I have the privilege to serve people in a way that is truly life-changing. I was honored with the appointment by Indianapolis Woman Magazine as Makeover Dentist 2008."

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Business Hours

Monday: 7:40 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Tuesday: 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Wednesday: 7:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Thursday: 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
(Friday – Sunday: Closed)

Contact us

Really Smile Dental
Phone: 317-597-8748
Fax: 317-815-1636
URL: reallysmile.com
12188-A North Meridian Street, Suite 355
Carmel, IN 46032

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