After Dental Implants

After dental implants, it is important that you do not disturb the wound in any way. This includes rinsing, spitting, or touching the afflicted area. Interfering with the stitches heightens your risk for complications. The amount of recovery time may be increased and an infection could also occur.

Patients are likely to have bleeding occur during the first 24 hours after surgery. Control any excessive bleeding with a gauze pad on the wound for upwards of 30 minutes. If you are bleeding for longer, give us a call right away for instructions.

To control the pain when the anesthetic wears off, take general over-the-counter pain medication such as Tylenol or Aspirin. Your oral surgeon might prescribe a stronger medication as well.

Your diet will consist of softer foods for the first few days. Avoid hotter substances due to teeth sensitivity.

Remember to keep your physical activity to a minimum. Besides the pain, vigorous activity can loosen your stitches. Your restricted diet can also reduce your energy levels. It’s best to rest while you recover.

After the dental implant procedure, you’ll be instructed to come in 24-48 hours afterward. This is just a precautionary measure to confirm that everything is healing properly.

If you have any questions, please give us a call. To learn more about all the services we provide at Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania, visit www.oralsurgerypa.com for more information. Contact our offices in Philadelphia, Clifton Heights, or Folsom to learn more.

New Patient Information

For our new patients visiting Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania for the first time, we want you to know what you should expect. Your initial visit will consist of a diagnosis of your dental issue and the treatment options. For dental problems that require a quick fix, it might be possible to do the surgery during the same day. More often than not we will need you to come back another day to treat the issue.

 

During your visit please be advised that we will need a list of medications you are taking, completed insurance forms, and a photo ID. X-ray’s will be taken unless you have a copy of your recent x-rays.

 

It is important that you don’t eat or drink 8 hours prior to your scheduled surgery time. Patients under the age of 18 require supervision by a legal guardian.

 

If you have any questions, please give us a call. To learn more about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.oralsurgerypa.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania, located in Philadelphia, Folsom, and Clifton Heights, call 215-463-4141.

Wisdom Teeth Removal

Your wisdom teeth are the final set of molars to emerge in the back of your mouth. When this happens, they will either come in naturally or crowd your gums due to a lack of space. If your wisdom teeth protrude from your gums, they need to be extracted at your local dental office.

 

At Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania, we can easily detect wisdom teeth in need of removal. This consists of a physical examination and routine x-rays. In most cases, wisdom teeth erupt at an angle that causes crowding for your teeth and possible damage to your jawbone or nerves. Partially impacted wisdom teeth, those which didn’t fully emerge from the gums, increase your chances for bacteria formation. This leads to a variety of dental issues, such as cavities and periodontal (gum) disease.

 

If your wisdom teeth are causing you pain or there are signs of an infection, please give us a call. The earlier we remove your wisdom teeth, the lesser the chance that your teeth will shift and create future problems.

 

If you have any questions, please give us a call. To learn more about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.oralsurgerypa.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania, located in Philadelphia, Folsom, and Clifton Heights, call 215-463-4141.

After Removing Multiple Teeth

Extracting multiple teeth is much more complicated than removing just one. It has more side effects, risks, and recovery time. If you have multiple teeth removed, be prepared to adjust your entire oral hygiene routine and diet. You’ll also encounter side effects that include bleeding, swelling, and pain.

 

After your extraction, our doctors at Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania advise patients to use ice packs for the first 36 hours to limit the swelling. For pain management, utilize over-the-counter medication like Tylenol or aspirin. Your surgeon may prescribe stronger medication if needed. Limit your diet to softer foods and approved liquids. Avoid engaging in any vigorous physical activity. You’ll want to avoid irritating your stitches.

 

It is very important that you don’t rinse your mouth out the first 24 hours after surgery or while there is still bleeding. After 24 hours, use warm salt-water to rinse away the debris and food particles.

 

You can read more about the post-extraction process on our website.

 

If you have any questions, please give us a call. To learn more about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.oralsurgerypa.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania, located in Philadelphia, Folsom, and Clifton Heights, call 215-463-4141.

Soft Tissue/Gum Grafts

It may seem redundant, but brushing and flossing every day is necessary for your oral health. Neglecting your dental routine leads to periodontal (gum) disease. The early stages, like Gingivitis, can be reversed. Advanced stages require aggressive treatments like Soft Tissue or Gum Grafts. Dr. Ramin Bahram and his staff at Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania offer this procedure to our patients. Contact our offices in the Philadelphia, Folsom, and the Clifton Heights areas.

 

An unclean mouth attracts hordes of bacteria, leaving plaque on your teeth. Gingivitis occurs when these bacteria attack the soft tissues or gums. They become inflamed and painful. Eventually, the bacteria create large pockets. Dr. Bahram and his staff can clean these out, but they’ll still be visible. An abnormal amount of tooth structure will be showing. It’s not only aesthetically displeasing but dangerous too.

 

 

A soft tissue/gum graft is the perfect solution. It restores and heals the gums to their natural state of being. Dr. Bahram begins by applying a local anesthetic to the area. He’ll remove healthy gum tissue from other areas of the mouth, like the roof. It’s stretched out and stitched on the injured area. The results are a newly covered tooth. A successful graft encourages new tissue to grow. The end results are a fresh and healthy looking mouth.

 

Following your post-operative instructions is the only way to guarantee a successful recovery. The healing process takes upward of two weeks. Avoid eating harder foods during this time. Do not engage in any form of vigorous exercise. Don’t brush or floss near the treatment site. If you’re worried or experience signs of an infection, contact Dr. Bahram or your physician immediately. Antibiotics may be prescribed.

 

Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania have four office locations in the PA area. Contact each office in the Philadelphia, Folsom, and Clifton Heights areas. Dr. Ramin Bahram and his staff are available by appointment. Visit our website to learn more.

Dry Mouth

There’s an endlessly long list of reasons why it’s important to get a six-month dental examination. One of them is to get treatment for Dry Mouth, also known as Xerostomia. It’s a lack of saliva in the mouth. The dryness makes it difficult to talk, eat, and drink. Talking to Dr. Ramin Bahram and his staff at Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania can get you on the path to treatment. We have four available locations in Philadelphia, Folsom, and Clifton Heights. Contact us to learn more.

 

Patients with untreated dry mouth experience a lower quality of life. Besides the discomfort of the condition, it can lead to heightened dental problems. The lowered amounts of saliva attract bacteria. It functions like a natural cleansing solution for your mouth. Without it, patients report increased amounts of plaque.

 

Dr. Bahram may ask a few questions to help determine the cause of your dryness. There is a dense amount of medications that can cause dryness. This includes types that treat pain, blood pressure, and even allergies. An autoimmune disorder can also be the case. Sjögren's syndrome is a systematic disease that targets the salivary glands. A side effect of chemotherapy and many cancer treatments results in dryness. Lastly, smoking commonly produces dry mouth.

 

Your recommended treatment varies depending on the root of the problem. This can include eliminating certain foods and drinks from your diet. Sugar is known to dry out the mouth. Cut back on coffee, soft drinks, tea, and alcohol. Talk to your doctor about any medications you take frequently and whether they can be at fault. Try increasing the amount of water you intake too. This should moisten your mouth. There are also products designed specifically for treating dry mouth. Most grocery stores sell different varieties of dry mouth gel. There are also products like toothpaste and mouthwashes that target your symptoms.

 

Dr. Ramin Bahram and his staff are available by appointment at Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania. Our offices are in four separate locations in Philadelphia, Folsom, and Clifton Heights, PA. Visit our website to learn more or call today.

What To Do When A Dental Implant Fails

Dental implants are a common surgical procedure where a trained dental professional inserts artificial roots into the jaws. These are then used to replace missing teeth or correct damaged dental devices. It can take a few months to a year to heal from the procedure. But what happens if you don’t recover, forcing the implant to fail? Dr. Ramin Bahram and his staff at Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania can help. He and his team are available at four different locations in Folsom, Philadelphia, and Clifton Heights, PA.

 

It’s important to keep in touch with Dr. Bahram’s team during the healing process. If you notice any unusual symptoms, contact us immediately. This includes the implant feeling loose, pain, swelling or infection, and bleeding. There are factors that can put you at risk. If you are a smoker, it’s best to stop smoking entirely throughout the healing process. Certain conditions like gum disease and bruxism can cause damage to the implant. Osteoporosis diminishes your bone strength, making it difficult for the implant to anchor. Make sure to discuss any daily medications with our staff to ensure there aren’t any negative interactions.

 

Short-term implant failure is simple to treat. Dr. Bahram will remove the damaged implant. But what happens if an implant fails in the long run? If the implant has already healed and been restored, treatment is much more advanced. Common long-term failure is caused by Peri-implantitis. This is a serious and chronic infection in the bone and gums. Treatment varies by patient and severity. Frequent dental examinations are a must, with laser therapy and surgery needed to restore the bone. Antibiotics are used as a supplement to other treatments. Other long-term problems are easier to fix. These usually involve prosthetic issues like fractures or damage.

 

Talk to Dr. Bahram about preventing any complications. Any changes to your health can affect the success of your implant. Keeping up a strict oral hygiene routine is critical. Remember to brush twice a day for at least two minutes. Floss daily as well. Antibacterial mouthwash can reduce the risk of infection by eliminating bacteria.

 

Dr. Ramin Bahram and his staff are available at Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania. We can be reached at four separate locations in Clifton Heights, Folsom, and Philadelphia, PA. To learn more, call or visit our website.

Canker Sores

Canker Sores are one of the most common and hated oral problems in the modern world. They’re painful and irritating, making everyday activities like eating unbearable. Dr. Ramin Bahram and his staff at Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania have experience with a triage of oral problems. That’s why we’ve put together a simple guide on Canker Sores and how to treat them. To learn more, contact one of our four locations in the Philadelphia, Clifton Heights, or Folsom areas.

 

Canker Sores are small, yellow or white sores with a red border. They’re often on the soft tissues, like the gums or lips. They come in three distinct forms: minor, major, and herpetiform. Minor, as the name suggests, are small, healing between a week or so. Major sores are quite larger. These can take up to six weeks to heal. Herpetiform appear in clusters of ten to one hundred. They are about the size of a pinprick. If canker sores are severe or reoccurring, visit the dentist or your local physician.

 

There are a handful of naturalistic or holistic treatments for canker sores. Apply ice to the corresponding area on the face. Other remedies suggest placing a wet tea bag over the ulcer. You can also never go wrong with good old-fashioned salt water or baking soda rinse. Combine water with either substance, swishing it around your mouth for a minute or so. Certain studies indicate that there may be a connection between canker sores and nutritional deficiencies. Make sure your diet includes foods that are rich with iron and several B vitamins.

 

Over-the-counter treatment options are also available. Most grocery stores sell a large variety of canker sore relieving products. Benzocaine is a numbing agent used in most of the various gels. Dabbing a small amount of the agent temporarily numbs the canker sores. This gives you a chance to eat or drink pain-free. There are also antibacterial rinses that target canker sores. These clean the area while also soothing the sore.

 

Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania provide treatment for all your needs, including canker sore relief. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Ramin Bahram and our staff, visit our website or call. We have four offices across the PA area, including Philadelphia, Clifton Heights, and Folsom.

Apicoectomy

At Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania, our staff has saved and repaired teeth that are badly damaged or infected. Although we don’t perform root canals, we do perform Apicoectomy. In the cases where root canals are not enough, an apicoectomy is the next step. It is the most common surgery used to save damaged teeth.

 

An apicoectomy removes damaged tissue and seals a tooth’s roots from further infections. The procedure details a small incision made in the gum tissue, exposing the bone and inflamed tissue. The damaged tissue is removed along with the end of the root tip. A filling is placed to prevent infection, and the gum is sutured closed. The bone will naturally begin to heal around the root after a period of months. Afterward, the full function will be restored. Following the procedure, there may be slight discomfort and swelling while it heals. Follow any post-operation instructions given to you by our doctors. For pain relief, use medications approved or prescribed by your doctor.

 

If you have a tooth infection lingering after a root canal, or suspect something might be wrong, please contact us to discuss your treatment options. To learn more about the apicoectomy procedure and our other services, visit https://www.oralsurgerypa.com/ for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Bahram, Dr. Richman, Dr. Mohan, or Dr. Barunas in the Philadelphia, PA area, call 215-463-4141.

 

Sectioning Teeth

When tooth extractions are difficult, patients come to the Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania. There are many reasons why a tooth may need to be extracted, but when it is impacted or has very large, curved roots, a more complicated extraction process may be necessary. Those extractions often require the tooth to be sectioned.

Sectioning a tooth means splitting it up and removing the individual pieces. This requires less force than trying to pull the entire thing out at once and is less likely to hurt the jaw bone. Often, this is done during wisdom tooth extractions. While drawings of molars conventionally represent them as having two roots, the upper ones often have three and can be tricky to pull, especially when they are at an angle. By drilling them into pieces and pulling out each section, we eliminate the need to twist them around, lessening the chance that a root will break off. This also means there are fewer ligaments anchoring each section. Sectioning a tooth does not make the extraction process painful for patients; they are kept numb and a steady stream of water prevents the drill from overheating.

Drs. Bahram,Richman, Mohan and Dieu operate at Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania at 2546 S. Broad Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19145. To schedule an appointment, call 215-463-4141 or visit Oral Surgery PA and fill out a contact sheet.

 

Bite Collapse

People in need of an oral surgeon have often suffered extensive wear to their teeth. When teeth are worn down or absent, the patient may experience bite collapse, which is also known as loss of vertical dimension. Since fixing this is one of the most important aspects of what we do, we want to make sure our patients understand how it affects them.

Vertical dimension loss doesn’t only occur when tooth enamel is eroded; it can also occur when the front teeth are tilted outwards and back teeth are missing or broken. The loss of bite dimension is often evident from the appearance of the patient’s face, which may be wrinkled and have a mouth that is disproportionately small compared to the surrounding features. It also can be the cause of temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJD), which causes pain throughout the head, neck, and shoulder and can lead to more tooth grinding.

If your teeth are worn down extensively, your dentist might refer you to Oral Surgery Consultants of Pensylvania for extractions.  After healing, you would follow up with your dentist for any restorative work.

 

Drs. Bahram, Richman, Mohan and Dieu operate at Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania at 2546 S. Broad Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19145. To schedule an appointment, call 215-463-4141 or visit Oral Surgery PA and fill out a contact sheet.

 

Diabetes and Implants

American Diabetes Month is observed in November, and we at the Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania want to send it off with a word about implants. Placing implants is one of our specialties which makes the biggest positive difference in patients’ lives, but people with diabetes were not always sure whether they could receive them.

Diabetics are at increased risk for gum inflammation (gingivitis) and periodontal disease. This means they are at increased risk of losing jaw bone structure and would benefit from implants, which help to stabilize other teeth. But implant failure was long associated with chronic inflammation and people with uncontrolled blood sugar take longer to recover from wounds. Placing implants requires surgical incisions, which led doctors to question diabetic patients’ candidacy.

In recent years, the American Dental Association has taken steps to resolve this problem by surveying the available scientific studies. Their conclusion is that diabetic people do not have higher rates of implant failure than the general population. In people with uncontrolled diabetes, the longer recovery time and need to control inflammation are important factors to consider, but fixed prosthetics are not off-limits to them.

Drs. Bahram, Richman, Mohan and Dieu operate at Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania at 2546 S. Broad Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19145. To schedule an appointment, call 215-463-4141 or visit OralSurgeryPA.com and fill out a contact sheet.

 

Alcohol and Oral Cancer

Oral cancer is one of our top concerns at the Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania. We strive to educate the public about risk factors, including tobacco use and HPV and to recognize signs of pathology, such as soreness and discoloration. Recently, the American Society of Clinical Oncology released a statement which warned that alcohol is also a major risk factor for many cancers, including oral cancer.

Why alcohol causes oral cancer is still unclear. Current understanding of the evidence indicates that alcohol breaks down the lining of the mouth and that when it rebuilds, its DNA is damaged, causing the tissue to be deformed. Distinguishing alcohol effects from tobacco effects had been a problem for a long time, but scientists are now confident that alcohol in any amount increases cancer risk. Heavy drinking and drinking combined with smoking are still more dangerous, but the type of alcohol consumed is irrelevant.

There is some good news. The same study also found that when people stop drinking, their risk of oral, oropharyngeal, and other aerodigestive tract cancers declines to the level of non-drinkers.

Drs. Bahram, Richman, Mohan and Dieu operate at Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania at 2546 S. Broad Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19145. To schedule an appointment, call 215-463-4141 or visit OralSurgeryPA.com and fill out a contact sheet.

 

Caries in Seniors

The high rate of tooth decay among seniors makes it especially important for our patients to understand how to properly clean implants. According to information from the Centers for Disease Control, one in five seniors has untreated tooth decay. Since it’s not just natural teeth that are vulnerable, people need to understand why seniors have the second-highest rate of caries after children.

That caries commonly develop in seniors who had good health earlier in life implies that their increased tooth decay is due to a change in lifestyle, instead of being a generational feature. Seniors often have dexterity and motor control issues that make it difficult for them to maintain thorough oral hygiene. They also often change their diets to focus more on soft food which gets stuck between their teeth more easily and tend to be high in sugar. Lots of medications cause dry mouth as a side effect, and this makes it harder to remove food debris and fight the growth of decay-causing bacteria colonies. Other issues are that seniors may not have coverage for regular cleanings or simply forget to brush and floss.

These issues are important to take into account when assessing patients for implants, but they are also all fixable. Potential implant patients should discuss how to clean implants and dentures properly with their dentist.

Our doctors at Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania at 2546 S. Broad Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19145 would gladly evaluate you for a dental implant.  To schedule an appointment, call 215-463-4141 or visit OralSurgeryPA.com and fill out a contact sheet.

 

Reducing Children's Anxiety

Children are commonly anxious around strangers, and at the Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania, we’re aware that particular care needs to be taken psychologically while preparing them for tooth extractions. There are things parents can do to help calm their child, but we first want to establish that we are happy to answer all their questions about what exactly will happen during the surgery and recovery.

Children usually take their cues from their parents, so we hope that if the parents feel they have a good understanding of the procedure, they will demonstrate calm and optimism. We don’t do extractions lightly and want to ensure that each child understands why they are necessary. Although we are skilled in safely applying IV sedation, it is often the case that only local anesthetic is necessary for simple extractions. Knowing that they will be free of pain, but not completely out of control is a great comfort.  Another thing parents can do to keep their child in a positive mindset is focus on planning for post-operation care. This includes things like preparing soft meals and coming up with things to do if the child misses a day of school.

Our doctors at Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania at 2546 S. Broad Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19145 will be happy to treat your child.  To schedule an appointment, call 215-463-4141 or visit OralSurgeryPA.com and fill out a contact sheet.

 

Post-Operative Lip Swelling

As specialists in tooth extractions, we at the Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania regularly give patients local anesthetic. This has the advantage of having the fewest side effects, but there is one common complication, which is the swelling that occurs if the patient bites their lip shortly after the surgery.

Because of how the nerves of the mouth are structured, numbing the extraction site requires numbing most of the mouth. Regardless of what kind of anesthetic is used, the effect may last for several hours. Because of this, it is easy for patients, especially children, to bite down on their numbed soft tissue. When this happens, the tissue commonly swells up to several times its normal size and turns white.

While the swelling is unpleasant to look at and may be uncomfortable, it is usually something that goes away after a few weeks without causing any lasting harm. Over-the-counter painkillers are usually all that are necessary or appropriate. However, if the patient continues to chew on the ulcerated tissue, it could develop an infection, which would result in a fever. This is why it is important for the caregivers of children undergoing wisdom tooth or other extractions to do their best to make sure their child knows not to chew their numb lip.

Drs. Bahram, Richman and Dieu operate at the Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania at 2546 S. Broad Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19145. To schedule an appointment, call 215-463-4141 or visit OralSurgeryPA.com and fill out a contact sheet.

 

Stress and Tooth Damage

Some common causes of enamel erosion include periodontal disease and acid reflux, but the public is increasingly becoming aware of how stress can contribute to tooth damage.

There are two ways in which stress is known to harm oral health: by worsening periodontal disease and by causing bruxism. When people are stressed, their immune systems don’t function as well. This prevents the body from fighting off infections, allowing bacteria to increase their activity in the gum pockets. In turn, they create plaque, leading to tooth and gum decay, and in the worst cases, damaging the jaw bones.

Bruxism, also known as teeth grinding or clenching, can be caused by many things, but stress is one of the most common contributors. As people put strain on their teeth, the enamel wears off or becomes cracked. It is also possible for the teeth to shift out of alignment as a result of prolonged pressure, which weakens their gum and bone support.

Many dentists try to limit the effects of bruxism with night guards. But our specialty office offers implants for people who have suffered the worst damage, including those who have suffered cracked roots.

Dr. Ramin Bahram operates the Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania at 2546 S. Broad Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19145. To schedule an appointment, call 215-463-4141 or visit OralSurgeryPA.com and fill out a contact sheet.

 

Cleaning Fixed Bridges

Our focus on prosthetics at the Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania doesn’t mean we don’t value preventive care. In fact, our patients need to know how to adjust their hygienic practices so that their replacement teeth will last them a long time. We recently discussed cleaning single-crown implants; now let’s turn to fixed bridges.

Anybody who has ever worn braces should understand the basic idea of cleaning a bridge. When the bridge rests on reshaped natural teeth with artificial crowns, patients are advised to thread a strand of floss underneath it and rub the underside of the bridge in the same way they do the sides of their teeth. The floss may be looped around using a threader, which is a flexible device which pulls floss like a needle pulls thread. Some specialty floss is manufactured with a stiffened end so it may be pulled directly.

An implant-supported bridge is cleaned much the same way, except there may be a larger gap between the gum line and the prosthetic crowns. This may afford patients the opportunity to use a proxy brush, which is also known as a Christmas tree brush. A higher-tech option is a waterpick with a tip designed for use on implants.

Dr. Ramin Bahram operates the Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania at 2546 S. Broad Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19145. To schedule an appointment, call 215-463-4141 or visit OralSurgeryPA.com and fill out a contact sheet.

 

Avoiding Dry Sockets

Extractions are one of our specialties at the Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania. We are well-versed in providing our patients with the information they need to avoid post-operation complications, most notably, dry sockets. But dry sockets are more likely following extractions which required incisions, so patients should know how to recognize them and when to ask for help.

Following an extraction, the patient is expected to experience some bleeding. This is a good thing. The clot is necessary for sealing off the socket and preventing it from drying out. If it does dry, the patient will experience great pain and be at risk of infection. For that reason, we need to know about all the medications a patient is on so we can plan what to do if any of them prevent clotting. Patients will also need to schedule appointments if their bleeding does not stop within twenty-four hours.

Patients should also not sip through straws or vigorously brush near the socket for seventy-two hours, as this may dislodge the clot. Empty sockets naturally close quickly, and the risk of dryness is greatest within forty-eight hours of the extraction. Patients who experience severe pain during that time or can actually see that the clot is not in place should also schedule emergency appointments so we may apply medicated wound dressing in the clot’s place.

Dr. Ramin Bahram operates the Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania at 2546 S. Broad Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19145. To schedule an appointment, call 215-463-4141 or visit OralSurgeryPA.com and fill out a contact sheet.

 

Acid Reflux and Tooth Decay

Drs. Bahram,Richman and Dieu of  Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania are greatly experienced in extracting and replacing damaged teeth, but that doesn’t mean we don’t value preventive care. We hope that most people by now are aware of how plaque and smoking contribute to dental decay and periodontal disease, but there’s another major risk factor to adults’ oral health: acid reflux.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a painful condition that is caused by stomach acid escaping upwards into the esophagus and mouth. Just as it causes “heartburn” by corroding the lining of the esophagus, it also causes toothaches by eroding tooth enamel and irritating gum tissue. The enamel erosion is cosmetically unpleasing because it allows the greyish-yellow coloring of the teeth’s inner layer to shine through, but it can also create cracks which put a patient at risk of developing an infection.

Root canals can treat the damage should it get that far and crowns can be replaced with prosthetics. But to prevent acid reflux, the patient will probably have to make some lifestyle changes. These include cutting back on alcohol, fatty and acidic foods and drinks (like tomato juice), caffeine, and chocolate, keeping better posture, and avoiding large meals before bed.

Visit Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania at 2546 S. Broad Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19145. To schedule an appointment, call 215-463-4141 or visit OralSurgeryPA.com and fill out a contact sheet.