Our Blog

Summer is almost here, which means a season full of vacations, adventures and great memories is just around the corner for our patients at Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery of Coastal Georgia.

Everyone wants a glowing and radiant white smile when the sun comes around and we have a few reminders to keep your pearly whites healthy and beautiful over the summer! Try to stay away from drinks that will stain your teeth like coffee, soft drinks, or dark colored juices. Not only will drinks like this weaken your enamel but they will also darken that fabulous smile you're working on! Another tip is to try and focus on brushing your teeth; everyone knows that when busy schedules start picking up, getting a good brushing session in tends to take the backseat! A good tip for keeping your mouth safe from staining and other possible pitfalls is to rinse your mouth with water after any meal you can’t fully brush your teeth after. Your teeth, inside and out, will benefit!

And remember, whether you are headed to a barbecue, a camping trip, or just having fun in the backyard this summer, we want to hear all about it! Make sure to let us know what you’re up to below or on our Facebook page! We also encourage you to post any photos from your adventures!

Our bodies give us clues, sometimes, when there is something going on that requires a visit to a dental professional. Tender gums can be a sign that you’re at risk for gingivitis. Temporary sensitivity to heat and cold can indicate a cavity. Morning headaches can mean you’re grinding your teeth in your sleep.

And sometimes, there are more urgent warning signs. You should see Dr. Theodotou immediately if you experience any of the following symptoms:

• Severe or continuous tooth pain
• Painful, swollen, or inflamed gums, or a sore on the gums near the root that looks like a pimple
• Pain or stiffness in the jaw, or swelling in the face and cheek
• Pressure-induced pain when biting down or chewing

The common denominator here is clear: significant or lasting pain is a symptom that you should never ignore. Pain in any of these areas could be caused by a tooth that is badly damaged or cracked, an abscessed tooth, pulp damage or infection, problems caused by an impacted wisdom tooth, or periodontal disease that has spread to tissue and bone.

Does severe pain always mean you will need an extraction?  No. Even in the case of serious injury or infection, your dentist, orthodontist, periodontist, or endodontist will do their best to save your tooth. After all, these professionals are in the business of saving teeth.

So if pain is a strong indication, but not always a conclusive one, what is the number one sign that you might need a tooth extraction?

• Your dentist, orthodontist, periodontist, or endodontist recommends it.

After all, dentists are in the business of saving teeth, and have devoted years to studying the very best techniques to do so. If your dental professional tells you that a compromised tooth requires extraction, you need to take that recommendation seriously—not just to relieve your pain, but to prevent damage to nearby teeth, gums, and bone.

And sometimes, although there might be no uncomfortable warning signs, your dentist or orthodontist might advise extraction. Impacted wisdom teeth, even if you don’t see or feel them yet, could damage nearby teeth as they erupt. Your orthodontic treatment might require a tooth extraction because of serious overcrowding. Rarely, you might even have an extra (“supernumerary”) tooth that is blocking your permanent teeth from erupting.

If you need a tooth extraction for any reason, but especially when a tooth is seriously damaged or impacted, your dentist or orthodontist will often recommend that you see an oral and maxillofacial surgeon. Why?

• Education and Training—Oral surgeons have advanced surgical training. They study at a hospital-based residency program for an additional four to six years. Here they train with medical residents in treating the hard and soft tissues of the face, mouth, and jaw.
• Experience—Because oral surgeons are surgical specialists, they regularly perform extraction procedures of all kinds.
• Complications—If your case should prove to be more difficult than a simple extraction—if, for example, the tooth’s roots lie close to a nerve—your oral surgeon has the knowledge and training to treat your specific circumstances.
• Anesthesia—Oral surgeons are experts in all forms of anesthesia, so whether you opt for a local anesthetic or would prefer sedation dentistry, you will be able to select the anesthesia you feel will provide the most comfortable experience.

If, sometimes, your body lets you know that a tooth needs attention, take that warning seriously! And, if your dental professional has recommended a tooth extraction, making an appointment at our Pooler office with Dr. Theodotou is a good idea—every time.

Earth Day began in 1970 as an event to raise awareness of our environment. What began as a single day in April is now recognized around the world to bring attention and education to global environmental issues. Conserving our natural resources, reducing water and air pollution, and developing green technologies are all ways in which we can improve the environment around us.

Reduce, Recycle, and Reuse

One of the easiest ways to participate in Earth Day is by simply reducing the amount of refuse that ends up in landfills. Many communities have recycling programs for paper, plastic, and metal refuse. By keeping recyclable items out of landfills, we reduce the need for new disposal space and the amount of energy needed for burning refuse. Recycling products also helps conserve the resources that are used in making new products.

You can save money by reducing your consumption of many everyday products. Single disposable water bottles can be recycled but they are costly. By using filtered faucet water, you can conserve your financial resources. Disposable paper towels can also be wasteful. Consider reusable cleaning rags for the majority of your chores.

Reusing items saves both the environment and your finances. A large number of products can be re-purposed to create a new item. Old furniture can be remade into a new piece. Old clothing can be used for craft items. If you are not able to find ways to reuse your old items, donate them to a charity. Remember to continue your positive environmental steps on a daily basis.

Other things you can do to improve the environment

Everyone, young or old, can find ways to participate in improving the environment. Some ideas include:

• Planting trees
• Picking up litter
• Reducing energy consumption
• Walking, bicycling, or carpooling to work or school
• Disposing of hazardous waste properly
• Using rain barrels to conserve water for plants

Earth Day is designed to appreciate and celebrate the health of the earth. Keeping the earth healthy is important, but keeping your mouth healthy is important, too. Healthy teeth and gums contribute to your overall health and well-being, so remember to call our team at Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery of Coastal Georgia to schedule an appointment. Have a happy and healthy Earth Day, from Dr. Theodotou!

We’re used to seeing athletes wearing mouthguards at practice or play, because dental trauma is one of the most common (and predictable) sports injuries. But it’s not just athletes who are at risk, and there are some events in our daily lives that we just can’t predict. Car accidents, falls, workplace injuries, even innocent playground structures can take their toll on our smiles.

A major chip or a crack in your tooth is upsetting enough, and should be seen by a dentist as soon as possible. It’s even more unnerving when a tooth is knocked out completely. The technical term for a tooth which has been knocked out is an avulsed tooth, and it is a true dental emergency.

If you should suffer a partially or completely dislodged tooth, there is a possibility that your tooth can be reimplanted—if the damage isn’t too severe and if you get to your oral surgeon or dentist immediately.

How can a lost tooth be saved? This is possible because of the complex biological engineering that anchors our teeth within the jaw. The root of a tooth is surrounded by the periodontal ligament. This connective tissue attaches the tooth to the alveolar bone of the jaw. When a tooth is knocked out, this ligament splits apart, leaving some tissue on the tooth root and some within the tooth’s socket.

To successfully reimplant a tooth, the connective tissue cells around the root of the tooth need to be vital, so that they can begin to reattach to the connective tissue left in the socket. Over time, this reattachment is complete, and the tooth becomes firmly anchored to the bone again.

It’s important to protect your tooth before you see Dr. Theodotou to make sure there will be enough healthy tissue for reattachment. First of all,

• Don’t panic! If you or a friend or family member lose a tooth, call your oral surgeon, your dentist, or your emergency health care provider as soon as possible. You will get specific instructions for your specific situation.

If you are unable to reach your health care provider immediately, there are some general rules for taking care of an avulsed tooth:

• Find the lost tooth. Don’t touch the root—use the crown, or top part of the tooth, to pick it up. You are trying to preserve and protect the connective tissue on the root surface.

• If the tooth is dirty, gently rinse it in milk, saliva, or water. Don’t wipe it off, though. You could damage those connective tissue cells mentioned above.

• Place the tooth back in the socket, if possible. Gently hold it in place with your fingers or bite down (again, gently). You can also place the tooth in your mouth next to your cheek.

• If returning the tooth to the socket is not an option, or if you are worried about a child possibly swallowing the tooth, keep the tooth moist. Whole milk or solutions sold just for the purpose of preserving an avulsed tooth are better choices than water, which damage the tissue cells on the root. And never wrap the tooth tightly—this can also damage the connective tissue.

Above all,

• Don’t delay! The faster a tooth is reimplanted in its socket, the greater chance you have of keeping it. Really, every minute counts. Reimplantations are more successful if they take place within 30 minutes. After an hour out of the mouth, your tooth’s chances of successful reintegration are lower—but still worth pursuing!

What will your oral surgeon do?

• Evaluate the avulsed tooth.

There are variables which can affect whether or not a lost tooth is a good candidate for reimplantation. Trying to replace a baby tooth, for example, could interfere with the formation of the adult tooth. An adult tooth that is broken will probably require a different type of treatment.

• Prevent infection.

You might be given antibiotics and a referral to your doctor for a tetanus booster if needed.

• Clean the site.

The socket will be gently irrigated to clean the area and to remove any clots that may have formed which can interfere with the tooth’s placement.

• Recommend or perform a root canal.

Nerves and blood vessels within the tooth’s pulp generally don’t recover after a serious traumatic injury, so a root canal procedure could be necessary to preserve the health of your tooth. This procedure might be done immediately, or might be recommended for a later date.

• Stabilize your tooth.

The tooth must be stabilized after being reimplanted, so Dr. Theodotou will use a splint to anchor the tooth to the teeth next to it. The splint can be flexible or rigid, depending on the condition of the alveolar bone. Splinting generally takes from two to eight weeks, and you will be given detailed instructions for taking care of the area while you heal.

Dr. Theodotou can offer you your best options for successful treatment because oral and maxillofacial surgeons are experienced in treating not only avulsed teeth, but dental trauma in the surrounding area as well. Losing a tooth is an alarming experience. But with prompt action, and a trip to our Pooler office, it might be possible to make that loss only a temporary one.