Good Teeth: They Don't Have to Be in Your Genes

Each time you have your teeth cleaned, the oral hygienist looks at your teeth, tongue, and your mouth tissue. Excessive soft tissue problems can cause your teeth to look different, and it can also cause you to have discomfort. If you have this problem, below are two procedures a cosmetic dentist can do to help you.

Lingual Frenectomy

The lingual frenum is muscular attachment that is located under your tongue that connects the bottom center of your tongue to the floor of your mouth.

If your frenum is very long, it can cause problems with the movement of your tongue. This can result in problems with your speech and chewing. This can also make your tongue look a little strange.  You may hear this condition called "tongue tied."

The cosmetic dentist can shorten this soft tissue by doing a frenectomy procedure on you. They will cut off the extra soft tissue using a surgical tool or a laser. When the procedure is finished, the dentist may prescribe pain medication to you or have you take over the counter medication.  The dentist will go over your aftercare instructions with you.

The dentist will ask you to start using your tongue the day after your surgery. You will be able to drink and eat normally, but you do need to make sure you keep food away from the surgical area for a few days.  You can use a cold compress or eat ice chips to help with the pain. Your dentist will go over any other after care instructions with you.

Gum Contouring

In some cases, the excessive gum tissue may cause your teeth to look shorter. To take care of this problem, your dentist can do a procedure called gum contouring. The dentist will numb the area first. They will then use a tool, such as radio surgery, laser, or scalpel, during the contouring procedure. Your dentist may ask you what technique you would like them to use. They will use this tool to trim away the extra tissue, and then reshape the gum tissue that is left until it looks natural.

After the procedure is finished, the dentist will ask you to take over the counter pain medications, if needed. If you are in very bad pain, they may prescribe you stronger pain medicine. You will have to eat cool, soft foods, such as cottage cheese, yogurt, pasta, and eggs for a few days after the surgery.  Your dentist will give you directions on when you should start brushing your teeth, and the proper way to brush them while you are healing.

Your dentist can go over these procedures in much more detail so make sure you ask them any questions you may have, or you can talk to a business like Dental Associates PC.