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Spring is the time for new beginnings, sunnier days and, of course, cleaning. Before you pull out your vacuum and start mopping your floors, don’t forget to spring clean your oral hygiene routine. 

Few things feel as fresh as a healthy smile. Get your oral health routine back on track with new floss, mouthwash, toothbrushes, a dental checkup, and a teeth whitening session. These four easy steps are the perfect spring cleaning routine to prepare your smile for the new season!

Steps to Spring Clean your Dental Routine:

 

1. Replace your toothbrush

How often should you change your toothbrush? Many of the patients at Naperville Dental Specialists are surprised when we tell them to replace their toothbrushes every three to four months. If you’ve been sick or the toothbrush bristles have frayed, we recommend changing them sooner.  

When you buy a new toothbrush, choose one with soft bristles so you don’t injure your gums while brushing. Frequently swapping your toothbrush will improve your oral hygiene and prevent the spread of germs during cold and flu season.

2. Stock up on your oral hygiene products

 

Mouthwash

Wondering how long your mouthwash lasts? Generally, your mouthwash will be effective for two years after its manufacture date. Check the expiration date to ensure it’s still working for you. Expired mouthwash will not be able to fight gum disease, prevent plaque buildup or stave off bad breath.

Toothpaste

Most people don’t realize that toothpaste can expire. Your toothpaste will typically expire two years from its manufacturing date. When shopping for a new toothpaste, ensure it includes fluoride and has the American Dental Association (ADA) seal of approval. 

Waterpik

If you’re unfamiliar, Waterpik® is a popular brand of water flosser that some people use in their oral hygiene routine. If this is part of your regimen, your Waterpik tip should be replaced every six months to minimize mineral deposits. 

Floss 

Regular flossing is incredibly important. Stock up on fresh floss or floss picks this spring so you can floss daily and keep your gums and teeth healthy. 

Dental Guard

It is advised that you visit your dentist twice a year to check your night guard. Dental guards lose their effectiveness when they lose their thickness. Less material means less ability to absorb the shock from your teeth and more space for bacteria to creep in. Your dental guard should be replaced if it is thinning, frayed or deformed. 

3. Book your bi-annual dental checkup and cleaning

 

One of the best ways to spring clean your smile is to book a dental exam and cleaning with your Naperville general dentist. Even if you don’t have any noticeable concerns, checkups and cleanings are essential for preventing and catching oral problems before they become a larger concern. 

Plus, the clean you get from a professional is impossible to match at home. Our skilled hygienists use special tools to gently remove hardened plaque and surface stains, reducing your risk of tooth decay and gum disease and leaving your enamel nice and shiny.

4. Brighten your smile

 

Are your teeth looking dull or discolored after a winter of enjoying comfort foods and beverages? While a revamped oral hygiene routine can be helpful, brushing and flossing can’t eliminate those deeper-set stains. You will see significantly whiter teeth without damage with just one professional teeth whitening session. 

Spring into action and visit your Naperville dentist!

As you work through your spring cleaning to-do list, make sure to schedule your dental cleaning in Naperville. Our Naperville general dentists and specialists look forward to helping get your oral hygiene routine back on track!

 

It can be alarming when you notice a bump on your gums, especially if it’s painful. While any time you experience changes in the soft tissues of your mouth or have oral pain, you should visit your dentist, not every bump is a sign of a serious issue. In this post, we’ll cover the causes and what to do to get relief. 

Why Is There a Bump on My Gums?

Here are a few common reasons why you might have a bump:

• An Abscess – An extremely sensitive, painful bump on your gums that looks like a pimple is likely an abscess. An abscess is due to a bacterial infection and occurs as pus collects under the gum, forming a bump or boil. 

There are different types of abscesses, including a periodontal abscess, which is usually caused by periodontitis (advanced gum disease), and a periapical abscess, which is an infection at the tip of your tooth’s root from tooth decay or an injury. A periapical abscess usually presents as a bump on the gums above or below the affected tooth.

If you do have an abscess, it will often be accompanied by other symptoms including:

• Swollen gums
• Bad breath
• Sensitivity to hot and cold
• Fever
• Discharge
• Fatigue
• Facial swelling
• Persistent pain that may spread to the ear, jaw and neck

It’s important to have an abscess evaluated and treated. It won’t go away on its own. While it can drain and provide temporary relief, the infection will still be present and can spread to the jaw and supporting tissues. In rare cases, a dental infection can reach the brain and cause serious health complications. 

Treatment for an abscess will involve treating the infection, whether through periodontal care or a root canal, and, sometimes, antibiotics. We might also drain the abscess to give you immediate relief. 

• A Canker Sore – We’ve had patients at our Naperville dental practice visit worried they had an abscess and it turned out they had a canker sore, or aphthous ulcer. Even though canker sores are benign and don’t cause serious issues, they can be extremely painful.

A canker sore usually looks like a flattish, yellow or white bump or blister on the gums surrounded by a red border. The sores can appear in a cluster and they make talking and eating difficult. 

Canker sores are not contagious and no one knows exactly what causes them, though it’s thought that the following can play a role:

• Stress
• Vitamin deficiencies
• Food allergies
• Genetics
• illness
• Mouth injuries
• Certain medications 

The mouth ulcers don’t usually require treatment and tend to resolve on their own within two weeks. 

• Cyst – A cyst will look like a small, liquid-filled bubble, or bump, on the gums. Dental cysts tend to pop up around the root of diseased, malpositioned or impacted teeth. Many times, cysts are painless. However, they can grow larger and put pressure on the teeth and jaw or become infected, both of which will cause pain. 

While you should have a cyst looked at by your Naperville general dentist, whether it requires treatment or not will depend on its cause and size. Most cysts resolve on their own, however, some need to be removed surgically. 

• Oral Fibroma – An oral fibroma appears as a smooth, hard bump on the gums. A fibroma is a tumor-like mass of connective tissue that’s almost always benign. Fibromas develop when an area of the mouth is constantly irritated or traumatized, such as from a habit like biting the inside of your cheek or from ill-fitting dentures or another oral appliance.

Treatment will depend on the size, location, type and cause of the fibroma. You may need to have your dentures or oral appliance re-fitted so that it stops irritating your mouth. 

Though fibromas aren’t usually painful, if they get larger, they can become easily irritated, leading to discomfort. In those cases, surgical removal could be recommended. 

• Bony Growth – A bony, round, hard bump on the gums is known as a dental torus (or tori plural). It’s a bony protrusion that grows on top of existing bone. The bumps are usually smooth and covered completely in gum tissue. 

The different types of dental tori are classified by their location. For example, a torus mandibularis is located on the inside of the lower jaw on the side nearest the tongue. A torus palatinus is a protrusion from the roof of the mouth, or palate. 

Dental tori don’t usually interfere with function or cause pain. Rarely, a tori will continue growing and become irritated or get in the way of dentures. In these cases, it may need to be removed. 

There isn’t a known cause of bony growths on the gums but some experts think bruxism, genetic factors, diet and/or stress on the jaw from a bad bite may be the cause. 

• Oral Cancer – While most bumps are benign, occasionally, a small growth or lump on the gum tissue is a sign of oral cancer. It might be accompanied by other symptoms, such as:
• A red or white patch on your gums
• Thickening of the skin
• A sore that bleeds and/or won’t heal
• Jaw or tongue pain
• Loose teeth
• Sore throat
• Difficulty chewing or swallowing

Risk factors for oral cancer include:

• A family history of oral cancer 
• Heavy drinking
• Tobacco use
• Having human papillomavirus (HPV) 
• Being over age 40
• Having a weakened immune system
• A lack of fruit and vegetables in the diet

At Naperville Dental Specialists, we offer VELscope oral cancer screenings. VELscope is a small, handheld tool that uses light to painlessly identify pre-cancerous and cancerous lesions.

When caught early, oral cancer has a high survival rate. If you’re worried a lump is cancerous, schedule a visit at Naperville Dental Specialists. It’s also good practice to have a screening as part of your routine dental exams. 

Can I Pop a Bump on My Gums?

No. You should never pop a bump on your gums. Even popping a harmless bump will cause irritation and pain, making the situation worse. 

Though an abscess will sometimes drain on its own, popping it can damage the soft tissue and it will release bacteria into your mouth. If an abscess does drain on its own, gently swish with a saltwater rinse to get rid of the foul-tasting liquid and keep your mouth clean. 

 

How to Get Rid Of Bumps on Gums

Unfortunately, there is nothing you can do to get rid of bumps on your gums at home, in most cases. You should see your dentist for treatment if the bump doesn’t go away after a few weeks or it is accompanied by the signs of an abscess or oral cancer we noted above. 

While you’re waiting to see your dentist, you can alleviate pain by:

• Swishing with a saltwater rinse (½ teaspoon of salt dissolved in a glass of warm water)
• Avoiding irritating the bump when brushing or flossing or wearing an appliance
• Taking an over-the-counter pain reliever as needed
• Sticking with a soft foods diet

To prevent painful bumps on your gums in the future:

• Practice good oral hygiene
• Break repetitive habits that cause oral irritation like biting the inside of your cheek or grinding your teeth
• Maintain a well-rounded, healthy diet
• Manage stress
• Avoid heavy drinking and using tobacco products
• Keep up with regular dental exams and cleanings

 

Schedule a Visit with a Naperville General Dentist 

If a bump on your gums is bothering you or causing you to worry, schedule a visit with a general dentist at Naperville Dental Specialists today. We use high-tech diagnostic tools, so we can determine what’s causing the bump and create a personalized treatment plan to help you find relief. 

 

While our Naperville dentists always try to save a patient’s natural tooth, sometimes, due to severe decay, damage or periodontal disease, a tooth extraction is unavoidable. The good news is, we use cutting-edge technology and techniques to make removing a tooth as quick and painless as possible. We also offer a full range of tooth replacement options, including dental bridges and dental implants. 

The team at Naperville Dental Specialists will walk you through exactly what to expect during and after a tooth extraction, but we know having answers in advance can make you feel more relaxed and confident. That’s why, in this post, we’ll be taking an in-depth look at the tooth extraction healing process. 

What Happens During a Tooth Extraction?

When we perform a tooth extraction at our Naperville practice, we numb the tooth and the surrounding area with a local anesthetic. If you’re feeling anxious or you’re undergoing a surgical extraction, such as for impacted wisdom teeth, we can also administer sedation to ensure you’re completely at ease. 

Once you’re numb and/or sedated, your dentist or oral surgeon will use a special tool to rock the tooth and widen the socket. They’ll then ease the tooth out. In some cases, they may need to section the tooth, which means breaking it into smaller pieces for easier removal. You won’t feel any pain during a tooth extraction, just a little bit of pressure.

After extracting the tooth, the doctor will clean the area. If you’re planning on getting a dental implant, if necessary, at this point, we can place bone grafting material into the empty socket to ensure there is adequate bone to support the implant. We may or may not close the site with a few sutures, depending on which tooth was removed. 

How Long Does a Tooth Extraction Take to Heal?

Every patient is unique and some people heal more quickly than others. However, while it does depend on your natural biology and the complexity of your case, in general, the tooth extraction healing stages are as follows:

• The First 24 Hours 

For the first 24 hours after your tooth extraction, you may experience swelling, bleeding and some discomfort. This is all totally normal. A blood clot will start to form, which is necessary to stop the bleeding. About 24 hours post-extraction, swelling should peak and then begin to subside. 

• 1-2 Days Post-Extraction

Your body will do the majority of its healing in the first two days after the procedure. You’ll want to follow our post-op instructions carefully and get plenty of rest. You may still have soreness at the extraction site and a small amount of bleeding. Once the clot forms, it will start to transform into granulation tissue, a mixture of white blood cells, blood vessels and collagen. The granulation tissue helps prevent infection and fills in the hole left behind from the extraction. 

• 3 Days Post-Extraction

About three days post-procedure, swelling should be minimal and bleeding should have stopped. The area may be a little tender. The empty tooth socket will be on its way to healing, however, you’ll want to continue following your after-care instructions to help keep the clot in place. By 72 hours post-extraction, you might notice that the hole is starting to close. 

• 7 to 10 Days Post-Extraction

Between seven and 10 days after the extraction, the opening where your tooth was should be closed, or at least very close to it, and a new layer of gum tissue will have begun to form. If we used dissolvable stitches, they’ll start to disappear. You shouldn’t have swelling, bleeding or pain at this stage of the healing process. 

• 3-4+ Weeks Post-Extraction

Three to four weeks after the tooth extraction, the extraction hole will be closed, though you may still have an indentation for a few more weeks. 

For a surgical extraction of an impacted wisdom tooth, the jawbone will have to heal as well, which can take several months. While this might sound like a long healing period, the truth is, most patients feel “back to normal” within a few days, but it takes more time for the bone tissue in the jaw to regenerate.

What Should a Tooth Extraction Look Like When Healing?

During the first 24 hours after a tooth extraction, you’ll see a hole where the tooth once was. This empty socket will look deep red and a blood clot will form that reaches to about the level of the gumline. The tissue around the socket might appear whitish in color due to trauma. 

After two to three days, the hole will look smaller and you’ll notice new gum tissue has started to form around the edges. Around this time, we sometimes get calls from patients concerned about white stuff during their tooth extraction healing. As long as you’re not experiencing severe pain, the white stuff inside of the tooth socket is likely granulation tissue and not a sign of infection. 

As we said, granulation tissue is made up of collagen, blood vessels and white blood cells. It looks creamy white and typically develops two to three days after the extraction once the clot has formed. It helps protect the clot and cover the wound. 

By one to two weeks after the tooth extraction, a normal socket will be pink in color instead of dark red. Most of the gum tissue will have healed and the socket will look nearly closed. For larger teeth, such as molars or wisdom teeth, healing can take a bit longer. At the two-week mark, you might still notice a pretty visible indentation. 

Animated-Teeth has a guide with pictures of what a tooth extraction should look like when healing. Though your extraction site may look slightly different, seeing the visuals can be helpful and give you a basic idea of what’s normal and what’s not. 

How Long Does Pain Last After a Tooth Extraction?

Now for the million dollar question: How long does pain last after a tooth extraction? It varies depending on your body and the tooth that was extracted. For a simple extraction, such as the removal of an incisor or a baby tooth, pain lasts, on average, one to three days. 

Pain after a tooth extraction can last longer for teeth with deep roots or those that were surgically extracted. In these cases, discomfort can continue for about a week, with some patients noticing an increase in pain around day five and then a gradual decrease.

If you’re still experiencing tooth extraction pain after seven days, it’s a good idea to check in with your dentist. While a bit of tenderness around the socket is to be expected, significant pain after the first week can be a concern. 

Are There Aftercare Instructions I Should Follow?

Yes. When you visit our practice for a tooth extraction in Naperville, we’ll provide you with aftercare instructions to follow. In general, you’ll want to stick with the following guidelines:

First 24 Hours

• Immediately after the tooth extraction, we’ll give you gauze pads. Fold them up to create a thick surface. Put the pads on the extraction site and bite down on them firmly for about 15 to 30 minutes before checking to see if bleeding has slowed. Replace the gauze pads as needed and use them until bleeding is minimal or stops. 
• If you were prescribed antibiotics, take them as instructed. 
• For pain, you can take an over-the-counter or prescribed pain reliever as needed. 
• Rest for the remainder of the day after your tooth extraction and limit physical activity for a full 24 hours. Prop your head up on pillows to minimize bleeding. 
• Place a cold compress on your cheek in the area of the extraction site to help with pain and swelling. Use it for 10 minutes on and off throughout the first 24 hours. 
• When eating, opt for liquids or very soft foods. 

After the First 24 Hours:

• You can start to resume your regular activities, however, avoid excessive exertion for 72 hours. 
• Continue with a soft foods diet for several days.
• Continue taking any prescribed medication, including antibiotics, as instructed. 
• Brush and floss your teeth but be careful not to brush the extraction site. 
• You can gently rinse your mouth with a salt water rinse (½ teaspoon of salt dissolved in 8 ounces of warm water). Don’t swish or spit vigorously. If you were told to irrigate the sockets, you can do that to keep the area clean. 

What Can I Eat After a Tooth Extraction?

If you’re experiencing pain after a tooth extraction, you probably won’t be up for eating a big meal. But, keep in mind, good nutrition will help with the healing process. 

As for what to eat after a tooth extraction, during the first 24 hours, liquids or cold, creamy foods will be your best bet. Protein shakes, smoothies (avoid fruit with seeds), yogurt, ice cream and pudding are all good options.

Once you feel ready, you can move on to soft foods. Eat softer foods for about a week post-op. In addition to those suggested above, some of the best soft foods for after tooth extractions, include:

• Scrambled eggs
• Pasta
• Mashed potatoes
• Jell-O
• Mac and cheese
• Cook grains like quinoa or barley
• Soft-cooked vegetables
• Ripe fruit like bananas 
• Fish
• Soft-cooked meats, such as roasted or stewed chicken
• Tofu
• Soup or stew with small pieces of soft-cooked meat and veggies
• Oatmeal, cream of wheat or other cooked cereal
• Pancakes
• Muffins (with no nuts or seeds)
• Soft sandwich bread
• Cottage cheese
• Tuna, chicken or egg salad (without celery or any crunchy additions)

What Should I Avoid After the Procedure?

After a tooth extraction, avoid:

• Spitting, sucking through a straw and vigorous rinsing for three days. The suction created by these actions can dislodge the clot, leading to a painful condition known as dry socket. 
• Smoking cigarettes. This too can interfere with the clot and smoking slows down the healing process. A lot of patients ask, “When can I smoke after a tooth extraction?” We’d recommend waiting at least 24 hours, but if you can stop smoking for seven days, it will be helpful.
• Hard, crunchy foods (i.e., chips, nuts, raw carrots, etc.) and food that can get stuck in the socket, such as seeds and popcorn, for a week
• Very hot, very cold, acidic or spicy foods for the first several days, as well as carbonated beverages and alcohol
• Vigorous activity for at least three days
• Using over-the-counter mouthwash for seven days. Even when swishing with a saltwater rinse, rinse gently during this timeframe.

How Can I Make My Tooth Extraction Heal Faster?

While there isn’t a magic way to make a tooth extraction heal faster, following your post-op instructions will help with your recovery and prevent complications. As with any type of oral surgery, rest, eating a soft foods diet, using an ice pack, maintaining good oral hygiene and avoiding using a straw, swishing or smoking will promote optimal healing.

Are There Any Post-Extraction Complications I Should Look Out For?

Infections after a tooth extraction are rare, but you should give our office a call if you experience any signs of infection, including:

• Fever and chills
• Severe pain
• Redness and swelling in the extraction area
• Lots of discharge
• Nausea and vomiting

Another issue that can occur after an extraction, particularly after wisdom teeth removal, is dry socket. Dry socket, technically called alveolar osteitis, is when the blood clot at the extraction site fails to form or dislodges in the early stages of healing. When this happens, it can leave the nerve and bone exposed in the socket. 

Signs of dry socket include:

• Severe pain or pain that worsens or changes in quality within a few days after a tooth extraction
• An empty-looking socket that appears to have fully or partially lost the blood clot
• Visible bone in the socket
• Pain that travels from the socket to the ear, eye, temple and neck on the side of your face where the tooth was extracted
• Bad breath and/or an unpleasant taste in your mouth

Though dry socket is painful, it’s easily treated. Contact us right away and we’ll help you get relief. 

Expert Tooth Extractions in Naperville, IL

If you suspect you need to have a tooth extracted, schedule an appointment at Naperville Dental Specialists. With modern technology and a team of dentists and specialists, we can take care of all of your dental needs in one location, from the extraction to replacing your tooth.