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Advanced cosmetic and general dentistry

Will oil pulling get my teeth white?

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I heard about oil pulling a year or two ago. I am wondering if this practice really can get my teeth white. Thanks. Dynah

Dynah – Oil pulling has been practiced in southern Asia and India for centuries. It involves placing a tablespoon or so of edible oil in your mouth, swishing the oral around in your mouth and between your teeth.

The concept is that unwanted bacteria in your mouth will cling to the oil, and when you spit out the oil, the bacteria will go with it.

Some studies show that oil pulling may remove bacteria from your mouth, but it’s not a substitute for flossing your teeth daily and brushing them twice a day. And there is no evidence that shows it will whiten your teeth. Even whitening toothpaste won’t remove stains that are embedded in your teeth. If done with incorrect technique, oil pulling can cause stiff jaw muscles, dry mouth, and loss of taste.

If you want to remove stains from your teeth, it’s best to see a dentist to determine the cause of the stains and how the stains can be safely removed without making them more noticeable.

This post is sponsored by Lowell dentist Dr. Michael Szarek.

My daughter is getting her tongue pierced. What are the risks?

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Our 19 yr old daughter is getting her tongue pierced in 2 weeks. She doesn’t live at home, but we see her several times a week. We are still very close. When she was visiting over the weekend, she let us know that she is getting her tongue pierced. I asked her if she knew about the risks. Her reply was that 3 or 4 of her friends have done it with no problems. She agreed to talk with me about it again before she does it. I am not going to try to stop her, but I want to know some facts that I can share with her so that she can at least take some precautions. I would like to know for myself too so that I can be aware if things don’t go well. What are the risks? Thanks. Dana

Dana – We understand your concern. We will share some of the risks with you. As with any type of puncture or wound, a tongue piercing can cause swelling, pain, and infection.

Saliva flow will increase. The tongue ornament can cause damage to the gums, teeth, or dental restorations. Sensitivity to metal can also occur. If vessels in the tongue are pierced during the procedure, prolonged bleeding can occur.

If the jewelry is mistakenly swallowed, damage to respiratory or digestive organs can occur. Bacteria can collect on the jewelry and cause secondary infection.

You can also suggest that your daughter speak with her dentist regarding what she should consider before piercing her tongue, as well as what she can expect afterward.

This post is sponsored by Lowell cosmetic dentist Dr. Michael Szarek.

Get rid of abscess without dentist?

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I have a tooth abscess. I know it because I’ve had one before. This is definitely not in my budget to get it fixed. What can I do to get rid of it without a dentist? V.C.

V. C. – A tooth abscess is caused by a bacterial infection. You need the help of a dentist to drain the abscess, perform a root canal treatment, and get rid of the infection. It’s not something that you can do yourself.

It’s important that you get dental treatment right away before the infection spreads. An infection that is left untreated can be life threatening.

If you don’t have a regular dentist, contact an emergency dentist for an appointment.

This post is sponsored by Lowell dentist Dr. Michael Szarek.

Probing depths not reduced after scaling?

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Hi, Dr. Szarek;

I recently had periodontal scaling done due to gum disease. At my most recent maintenance appointment, however, the probing depths in some areas were not different than my previous appointment. Is this normal? Shouldn’t treatment have reduced the depths of the pockets or does this take more time?

Phyllis in Boston

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Electric toothbrushes better?

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Dear Dr. Szarek;

I have a basic question. Do Waterpiks and electronic toothbrushes get teeth cleaner than brushing with a regular toothbrush?

– Hannah in Boston

Dear Hannah;

Waterpiks and electronic toothbrushes do not necessarily get your teeth cleaner than brushing with a regular toothbrush. However, they have some features that can make it easier to clean your teeth well. Waterpiks can be useful to clean debris when you have spacing between your teeth. It is a good idea to purchase one that you can use in the shower, however, because Waterpiks can be messy. Also, be sure to only use it at medium pressure since higher pressure can cause gum recession.

Many patients have better oral hygiene when using electronic toothbrushes because most have a timer function that encourages the user to spend sufficient time brushing (three minutes). Of course, if you brush appropriately and for the recommended time with a standard toothbrush you can get the same result.

This post brought to you by Lowell cosmetic dentist Dr. Michael Szarek.

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