Accidents happen, and knowing what to do when one occurs can mean the difference between saving and losing a tooth. Here are some tips for common dental emergencies: For a knocked-out permanent or adult tooth, keep it moist at all times. If you can, try placing the tooth back in the socket without touching the root. If that’s not possible, place it in between your cheek and gums, in milk, or use a tooth preservation product that has the ADA Seal of Acceptance. Then, get to your dentist’s office right away. For a cracked tooth, immediately rinse the mouth with warm water to clean the area. Put cold compresses on the face to keep any swelling down. If you bite your tongue or lip, clean the area gently with water and apply a cold …
How Tooth Decay Causes Cavities
Tooth decay is the destruction of your tooth enamel, the hard, outer layer of your teeth. It can be a problem for children, teens and adults. Plaque, a sticky film of bacteria, constantly forms on your teeth. When you eat or drink foods containing sugars, the bacteria in plaque produce acids that attack tooth enamel. The stickiness of the plaque keeps these acids in contact with your teeth and over time the enamel can break down. This is when cavities can form. Cavities are more common among children, but changes that occur with aging make cavities an adult problem, too. Recession of the gums away from the teeth, combined with an increased incidence of gum disease, can expose tooth roots to plaque. Tooth roots are covered with cementum, …
What is the Difference Between DMD/DDS for a Dentist?
If you’re looking to find a dentist you may notice that while most are listed with a “DDS”, some may be listed as “DMD”. They both mean the same thing—your dentist graduated from an accredited dental school. The DDS (Doctor of Dental Surgery) and DMD (Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry or Doctor of Dental Medicine) are the same degrees. Dentists who have a DMD or DDS have the same education. It’s up to the universities to determine what degree is awarded, but both degrees use the same curriculum requirements. At our Beaufort dental office, both Dr. Covington and Dr. DuRant graduated with a DMD degree. Did you know that the level of education and clinical training required to earn a dental degree is on par with those of medical …
Why Use a ADA Dentist?
Conduct, Respect, Truthfulness, & Truthfulness When you go to an ADA/American Dental Association member dentist, you can feel confident that your dentist has promised to follow the extensive ADA Principles of Ethics and Code of Professional Conduct. Every ADA member dentist has agreed to practice under The ADA Code and it covers five basic principles: respect for your wants and needs as a patient; to do no harm; to always do good; and to treat all people with fairness and truthfulness. Your doctor-patient relationship is based on the trust and confidence you feel and many specific actions and safeguards. Below are just a few areas from the ADA Code that you can expect your ADA member dentist to follow: If you have any reason to …
What is a Composite Filling?
Composite resins, or tooth-colored fillings, provide good durability and resistance to fracture in small- to mid-size fillings that need to withstand moderate pressure from the constant stress of chewing. They can be used on either front or back teeth. They are a good choice for people who prefer that their fillings look more natural. Composites cost more than amalgam and occasionally are not covered by some insurance plans. Also, no dental filling lasts forever. Some studies show that composite fillings can be less durable and need to be replaced more often than amalgam fillings. It generally takes longer to place a composite filling than it does for a metal filling. That’s because composite fillings require the tooth be kept clean …
Covid-19 – Our New Safety Equipment, Protocols & Procedures
As you are reading this, know first and foremost, we hope you and your family are doing well during these uncertain times. As our office has started to see patients again, we are often asked if it's safe to go to the dentist. Honestly, during the two and a half months we closed our office, Dr. Covington and Dr. DuRant wondered the same thing. When the pandemic first came about there were so many uncertainties about how it spread. As the Covid-19 situation has unfolded, the scientific community has narrowed how the disease does spread. Using this information and after many hours of reading CDC, OSHA and a variety of dental association recommendations, Dr. Covington and Dr. DuRant both felt it was possible to safely reopen the office if …
Temporary Open for Emergency Dental Care Only
Per recommendations from the American Dental Association as well as the CDC, we have elected to temporarily suspend appointments until April (though that date could change). We will be operating as emergency care only. If you have a scheduled appointment during this time, we will be reaching out to you. We apologize for the inconvenience and hope to get back to a regular schedule as soon as we are advised that it is safe to do so. We appreciate your understanding in our efforts to help flatten the curve. During this unprecedented time, please know that the health and safety of our patients and our staff is, as always, our #1 priority. Please revisit this page for updates. If you, as an …
Coronavirus: How we all can make a difference in Our Beaufort Community
While I am far from an expert in Infectious Disease or Public Health, I have been actively monitoring developments and attempting to synthesize information from credible sources. I hope this summary helps put many of the pieces of this puzzle together. While we have no control over governmental responses to COVID-19, each of us can play a significant role in protecting ourselves, our loved ones, our neighbors, our communities ,and yes, contribute to overall public health. I think this message is being lost in all the noise surrounding coverage of the disease. Let me stress: Each of us can contribute to the well-being of others by following simple precautions. Let me explain. Due to the tremendous successes of our Public Health …
Coronavirus Update
Dear Valued Patients, we will be doing our best to keep our doors open during these cautious times and plan to keep all scheduled appointments. We care deeply about your health and well being. We have been closely monitoring recommendations from the CDC as well as the American Dental Association. Due to these recommendations, we ask that If you have flu or cold-like symptoms such as a cough or fever, newly developed shortness of breath, or if you have recently traveled to an area outside the US with known Coronavirus (COVID-19) or been in contact with someone who has traveled or contracted the virus, please call us at 843-986-0177 to reschedule your appointment. While our staff follows strict infection …
Cold and Flu: 5 Ways to Care for Your Mouth When You’re Sick
When she’s feeling under the weather, Beaufort dentist Dr. Ashley Covington says one thing always helps her feel a little more like herself. “Brushing my teeth when I’m sick actually makes me feel better,” she says. “My mouth feels clean, and in a way, I feel like my health is starting to improve.” When you have a cold or the flu, taking care of your body is your top priority—and that includes your mouth. “It’s important to take care of your dental health all year round, but especially when you’re sick,” Dr. Covington says. Here are some simple ways to care for your dental health when you’re not feeling well: Practice Good Hygiene When you’re sick, you know to cover your mouth when you cough and sneeze. Don’t forget to keep up your …