Dry Sockets

At ProSmiles Dental in Fort Worth, Dr. Archana Lankupalli carries out dozens of extractions every month. Her expertise has relieved many patients of problems from overcrowding or readied them for restorations. The main risk following extraction is a dry socket, and Dr. Lankupalli is committed to helping patients understand post-op instructions and what will happen if they suffer an emergency.

A simple extraction, in which a tooth is pulled straight out, usually does not require sutures. It does, however, require something to seal off the socket to prevent infection and dryness until it closes naturally, which will take a few days. If the patient is not taking a medication which interferes with clotting, the blood clot which forms after the tooth is extracted should be enough to protect the socket, but the patient needs to avoid activities which may cause it to dissolve or break off. Sipping through a straw is one such risky behavior, as the suction can dislodge clots.

Unfortunately, complications are more likely in the cases of extractions which required incisions to the patient’s gums or jaw bone. The follow-up appointment for suture removal will provide Dr. Lankupalli with an opportunity to see if the healing is progressing normally. But if patients feel severe pain or can see that their socket is exposed, they should schedule an emergency appointment immediately. Dr. Lankupalli will numb clean the socket and provide wound dressing with antibacterial medication.

Dr. Archana Lankupalli operates ProSmiles Dental at 9400 Clifford Street, Suite 110, Fort Worth, Texas, 76108. To schedule an appointment, call 817-369-8000 or visit WhiteSettlementDentistTX.com and fill out a contact sheet.

 

Baby Bottle Tooth Decay

That baby teeth are not permanent does not mean they shouldn’t be kept clean. We at ProSmiles Dental want families with young children to know how they can help their children avoid toothaches and be set for a lifetime of oral health. One of the biggest problems facing toddlers is a pattern dentists refer to as Baby Bottle Tooth Decay.

Incisors, the front teeth, are usually the first to erupt, and their fronts are where the sugar from bottled fluid tends to accumulate. The longer sugar remains on a tooth’s surface, the more likely the tooth is to experience decay. Unfortunately, toddlers are often allowed to drink milk or formula from a bottle over a period of an hour or more, keeping their teeth coated in sugar, and because they are unable to access their own drinking water, they have no means of washing away residue.

Parents can prevent Baby Bottle Tooth Decay by teaching their children to drink from cups as soon as possible, ensuring they are getting enough water to drink, and taking away milk bottles once a child is done feeding. (Children should only be given fruit juice and other sugary drinks after they have graduated to cups.) It is also important to begin brushing a baby’s teeth as soon as the first one begins to erupt.

Dr. Archana Lankupalli operates ProSmiles Dental at 9400 Clifford Street, Suite 110, Fort Worth, Texas, 76108. To schedule an appointment, call 817-369-8000 or visit WhiteSettlementDentistTX.com and fill out a contact sheet.