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Regardless of the type of dental emergency you experience, it is important that you visit Rick Johns Dental for emergency dental care as soon as possible. A chipped or cracked tooth requires professional attention, as bacteria may gather in these areas, potentially causing infection that could require a root canal. Remember, you may be capable of managing pain, bleeding, and swelling at home, but by visiting our office for immediate treatment, you can fight infections and minimize lasting damage to your mouth, teeth, and gums under the expert care of our emergency dentist.

24/7 Emergency Dental Care

Rick Johns Dental is proud to offer emergency dental care around the clock, seven days a week. Dental emergencies do not wait for regular business hours, and if you experience a serious dental emergency, you need immediate treatment. Whether you have a broken tooth or if you have bitten through your tongue, do not hesitate to visit us day or night. Until you arrive at our office, however, there are some helpful steps you can take if you encounter a serious dental dilemma.

Managing Your Dental Emergency

If a toothache is causing problems, you can probably keep the discomfort under control until our emergency doctor can treat you. Start by checking the gums that surround the affected tooth for inflammation, bleeding, or foreign objects. There may be food lodged in the gum that could be removed by flossing. You can control pain by placing a cold compress against your mouth, or by using an over-the-counter oral numbing agent.

More serious situations may be extremely time sensitive, and require immediate emergency attention. For example, if a tooth is completely knocked out, carefully clean it with water. Try to place the tooth back into its socket or briefly store it in a cup of milk if it will not fit back into the gum. Never pick up a tooth by the root or force it into the socket. Come straight to our office, as your tooth will need to be replaced within a short amount of time. Similarly, if you have bitten through your lip or tongue, the American Dental Association recommends carefully cleaning the area before coming as quickly as you can to our emergency dental office for treatment.

Remember, there is no reason you should live with discomfort. By visiting our Highland, IN office immediately in an emergency, you can take control of your oral health comfortably and safely.

Now that we're in the thick of the summer, there are more and more outdoor activities. After years of trying this or that product I've come with a list of great products that won't melt while your in the sun! I've also chosen products that are not only good for the heat but a little goes a long way so they should last you in to the winter months as well.

Let's start the canvas off with your foundation.  I skip it!
Yes, there are great tinted moisturizers that work great in lieu of a heavy foundation. For instance my favorite is Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF20. Not only is it build-able coverage but it's got some sunblock. She's got two sizes of this great product, and it lasts and lasts. All you need is a 2-3 dots depending on your desired coverage. The coverage is great and you feel no product residue on your face. Really!
On low key weekends I put some of this on with a coat of mascara and I'm good to go.

Concealers up next!
If I'm going out, I like to add a little under eye concealer to cover any circles or baggage I might be carrying ;) Nars Creamy Concealer has an amazing creamy lightweight formula that just melts in to your skin.  This product covers dark circles and red spots.  A little tip I learned is to put some concealer along the bridge of your nose and above your lip to add a glow to your face. Don't forget to blend out!
Got a bigger blemish? A thicker, not budging, covers tattoo concealer- I'd have to go with Kat Von D's Lock-It Tattoo Concealer.  The smallest amount of product is all you need and your good for the entire day.

Eyes, eyes, eyes!
I'd recommend going for a tinted base like Macs Paint Pots. These suckers have a lightweight feel and last all day. Shades range from skin tone to darker tones for a smokey eye. I like the shade Painterly, looks like my skin but a bit brighter. Next step, a nice gel eyeliner will stay in place without moving to the middle of your eyelid or all under your eye. I like Marc Jacobs Highliner Gel Crayon, he's got the blackest of blacks among a bunch of other fun colors.
Mascara, any waterproof one will work.  It all depends on your preferences, such as do you like more length, volume, curl. My choice is Maybelline Great Lash, Waterproof version with the curled brush.  It gives me the look of full curled lashes.

Cheeks!
Nars Multiple - Done and done, this color stick is good for lips and cheeks. They have a matte version as well, so depending on your preference you can get the look you want. The range of colors are great too.  Reds, pinks, peaches and darker shades for contouring and bronzing.  I like the matte version in Anguilla, it's a salmon shade that is super flattering.

Lips
I'd go for a lip gloss or a light lipstick. If you've seen "Mia Week" on Facebook you know I'm a lip balm junkie. Same goes for lipstick, I love all lip products.  So I'm going to narrow it down to the 2 I'm currently rocking.  MAC has a sheen supreme version, it's has the moisture of a lipbalm with great colors. Clinique has the Moisturizing Lip Colour Chubby Stick, which again is like a lip balm. I tend to go for shades that are my lips but better shades. MAC's Impressive and Viva Glam 2 are great. And Clinique's Heaping Hazelnut is a lovely shade. If I'm going out big I'll go for a deeper shade, like a red or purple.  Here's a dental tip for you - a blue based pink or blue based red shade helps your teeth look whiter.

I hope this helps you ladies with a melt free face this summer!  Remember drink lots of water, use sunblock and moisturize! Prevention is better than a cure when it comes to blemishes and aging skin!

*All products except mascara can be found at Sephora. You can pick up the mascara at any drugstore*

xo Mia

(None of these products are endorsed specifically by Rick Johns Dental)

There are many ways in which your oral health has an impact on your overall general health. There are naturally occurring bacteria in the mouth. Some of those bacteria, including strep and staph, are harmful, while other bacteria are essential for the balance of intestinal flora. The healthier your mouth is, the less likely it is the harmful bacteria will travel to other parts of your body to infect it and make you sick. There is much more to good dental hygiene than brushing and flossing.

Historical Methods of Maintaining Oral Health

Ancient civilizations relied on natural remedies for maintaining oral health. Around 250 AD, the Kemetic Egyptians used myrrh and other herbs as antiseptics for treating infected gums. Two centuries later, the Nubians, who lived in the Nile River valley, drank beer to ease the pain of infected teeth. That probably sounds crazy, but their beer was effective because they used grains that were contaminated with the same bacteria that produce the antibiotic tetracycline.

Today's Biggest Dental Hygiene Challenge

In the past, tooth decay was more of an issue because there was no routine dental care, and problems that are routinely treated today went untreated. Thanks to fluoridated water, and toothpastes containing fluoride, tooth decay is far less problematic than it was a century or more ago. Gum disease has replaced tooth decay as the most serious dental problem facing people today. According to the American Dental Association, a staggering 80 percent of Americans over age 65 suffer from some form of periodontal disease.

Ironically, if that infection attacked any other part of your body, especially in a place where it was clearly visible, you would head to your doctor for treatment immediately. People tend to ignore gum tenderness and bleeding. When the tenderness and bleeding aren't treated, the inflammation can turn into periodontitis. The longer you allow the inflammation to go untreated, the greater the likelihood that it will affect other body parts. Make sure to visit Dr. Rick Johns at Rick Johns Dental regularly to be proactive about dental health!

Researchers are now discovering that untreated inflammation in the mouth acts as a driving force for multiple chronic illnesses, including clogged arteries, heart attacks, arthritis, and even cancer. That inflammation is one of many hypotheses that may explain how chronic infections can trigger systemic diseases, and even intensify existing ones. Bacterial overgrowth in the inflamed gum tissue can enter the bloodstream through the food you eat, and from daily brushing.

Caring for your mouth at home is just as important as visiting our office for exams!

Canker sores are painful lesions that form in the soft tissues of the mouth, usually along the inner lips, under the tongue, and along the cheek walls. They are usually small and round, and take on a white or yellow hue. Though most are generally harmless and tend to heal on their own within a week or two of appearing, canker sores can be very irritating.

Only about one in five people develop canker sores. Of those who do, many develop them recurrently as a result of external factors. Though canker sores have been connected to allergies and hormonal changes, many people who are prone to developing canker sores find that their outbreaks are stress-related.

A combination of emotional stress and fatigue can be a perfect storm for the development of mouth sores. Some people say they are not under stress when canker sores form, but the sores appear several days after a stressful event or situation instead. Managing stress, reducing anxiety, and getting plenty of sleep may help prevent canker sores from forming and ensure that existing ones heal more quickly.

What to do if you develop canker sores

Do not be alarmed if you develop a canker sore. They are not contagious and are not harmful to your health. Over-the-counter oral numbing products can be used to manage pain, as can ice chips. Canker sores may heal faster if you apply milk of magnesia to them daily and avoid spicy foods that could irritate them.

You should contact your doctor if you find that your canker sores are unusually large or persist without healing for several weeks. Our team at Rick Johns Dental also recommends seeking out professional treatment if you experience extreme pain or a fever develops in association with a canker sore outbreak.

For more information about canker sores, or to schedule an appointment with Dr. Rick Johns, please give us a call at our convenient Highland, IN office!