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How better to spend the fall months than inside by the fireplace with a warm cup of cider and a book in hand? Dr. Matthew Hilmi and our team at Mid-Hudson Oral and Maxillofacial Practice encourage you to warm up your mind this fall season with a few great books. Sure it may be easy to put off reading when balancing a hectic schedule, but reading is vital to brain development. Besides, reading is always a blast!

This week, we thought we’d ask what you or your child are reading this fall. Do you have any suggestions for must-read books this year? Out of ideas for great fall reads? Ask us for suggestions, and we would be happy to provide a few. You may also ask a local librarian here in Kingston for some ideas.

Happy reading! Be sure to share with us your fall picks or your all-time favorites below or on our Facebook page!

You’ve chosen Dr. Matthew Hilmi for your extraction because oral surgeons are experts in this surgical procedure. When an extraction is necessary, whether because of impaction, injury, or infection, for orthodontic purposes, or for any other reason, we have the skill and experience to ensure that patients have the best possible surgical outcome.

And you want the best possible outcome for your recovery as well. What are some basic steps you can follow at home to speed the healing process? Here are the ABC’s of aftercare to help make your post-extraction recovery a speedy and healthy one.

• Antibiotics

Antibiotics aren’t generally necessary after oral surgery, but, if they are prescribed to prevent infection, be sure to take them as directed. Always finish the entire prescription to ensure that the antibiotics work properly. And, if you have any allergies to medications, always tell us in advance.

• Brush carefully

Don’t brush or floss in the area of your surgical site until you get our approval. You don’t want to damage delicate tissue or sutures. Be sure to brush and floss the rest of your teeth normally, because you want your mouth its cleanest while you heal, but no swishing or spitting! After the extraction, a clot will form to protect the socket, and you’ll need to be careful to avoid dislodging it. Otherwise, a painful condition called “dry socket” can result.

• Clean the extraction site as directed

The directions we will give you for cleaning the extraction site will depend on your specific surgery, but gentle rinsing is usually the recommended way to keep the area clean after oral surgery.

After 24-48 hours, depending on our instructions, you might be asked to use a salt water solution or a prescription rinse to gently cleanse the extraction area. Just remember, the “no forceful swishing or spitting” rule still applies! Rinse after eating and snacking to keep the extraction area clean and free from food particles. A good general rule is to avoid over-the-counter mouthwash for now, because the alcohol it contains can be irritating.

Even with careful attention, sometimes the wound site can become infected. If you notice any signs of infection, including severe pain, redness, prolonged swelling, pus or other discharge around the extraction, or fever or chills, call our Kingston office immediately. Other symptoms such as nausea, heart pain, or shortness of breath should also be reported at once.

• Diet

Eating a nutritious diet after oral surgery can help speed wound healing. Foods rich in proteins, vitamins A and C, and Zinc have been found to assist healing, while alcohol and smoking have the opposite effect.

And while you’re eating for health, eat for comfort, too. The traditional diet choices after an extraction are still the best. Soft, creamy foods such as yogurt, applesauce, pudding, or soft-serve ice cream are gentle on your healing tissue. Drink plenty of fluids in the days after surgery, including clear broth and non-acidic and non-carbonated beverages.

Temporarily eliminate foods from your diet that are grainy, seedy, or crunchy to keep particles out of the extraction site. Avoid sticky and chewy foods, which can dislodge the clot. And while you’re at it, take acidic and spicy foods off the menu—they can irritate sensitive tissue.

Be sure that you protect the clot that protects your socket. Foods that are too hot can interfere with clot formation over the wound, and any use of a straw or other suction can dislodge the clot completely. Use a spoon for your milkshake, and, of course, don’t smoke.

• Every patient is different!

While all of the above suggestions are good generally guidelines, we will have information that has been specifically tailored to your needs. Which leads us to the most important recommendation of all . . .

• Follow our aftercare instructions

You will receive detailed instructions after surgery. Following this advice to the letter is the very best way to make sure your mouth is its cleanest and healthiest.

Taking care of yourself after an extraction isn’t quite as easy as ABC (DEF), but with guidance from Dr. Matthew Hilmi, careful attention to the extraction site, and patience as you allow the healing process to take place, you have all the basics you need for a healthy recovery.

Bad breath, or halitosis, is probably not a matter of life or death. But it can make you feel self-conscious and have a negative impact on your life. The majority of people suffering from bad breath are dealing with oral bacterial. However, there are other causes of this embarrassing problem. Learning more can help you fight this solvable problem.

Five Causes of Embarrassingly Bad Breath

1. Dry Mouth. A decrease in saliva flow can be caused by several things. Most often, medication or mouth breathing are the culprits. As saliva helps wash away food particles from your mouth, it prevents bad breath. Dry mouth can be dealt with by stimulating salivation.
2. Gum Disease and Poor Oral Hygiene. Not brushing and flossing well enough or with enough frequency can lead to gum disease, which leads to bad breath. Halitosis can be a sign that plaque is present on your teeth.
3. Food-Related Bad Breath. Food particles that aren't brushed or flossed away attract bacteria that leads to bad breath. It's especially important to brush after eating strong-smelling foods, such as garlic or onions.
4. Smoking and Tobacco. Tobacco is bad for your health, and that includes your oral health. Smoking or chewing tobacco can contribute toward the development of gum disease, as well as oral cancer.
5. Mouth Infections and Other Medical Problems. A mouth infection, sinus infection or even the common cold can cause you to temporarily have bad breath. Even conditions such as diabetes and reflux can cause halitosis. It's always wise to see Dr. Matthew Hilmi to help determine the cause.

We are Your Ally

Even if you maintain good oral hygiene, it's important to see Dr. Matthew Hilmi at our Kingston office to deal with or avoid problems with bad breath. We can help you uncover the cause of halitosis, while also providing solutions that allow you to enjoy fresh breath without relying on mints and breath fresheners. As is the case with all things related to oral health, we are your number-one ally when it comes to eliminating the problem of bad breath.

Never before have dental implants looked as natural and aesthetically pleasing as they do today. With the help of computer-aided design and computer aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM), Dr. Matthew Hilmi and our team are able to create implants with impeccable fit and finish. Although these technologies have been in use since the 1980s, it's only recently that they became efficient and cost-effective enough to be useful.

Dr. Matthew Hilmi can also take digital scans of your teeth, providing a much more in-depth and accurate representation of them when compared to traditional X-rays. This scan can be used to create a physical model of your teeth through the use of 3D printing technology, allowing for the utmost in accuracy when planning your implant treatment.

Since each of our patients are unique, these CAD/CAM technologies offer a highly customized approach to implant dentistry that helps avoid the "one-size-fits-all" ways of the past. The goal is to have an implant look and function as closely as it can to the tooth it's replacing. That’s why these implants are typically milled using ceramic or composite resin — materials chosen due to their durability and resemblance to teeth.

Even the planning of your surgery can be aided and guided by computers. 3D CT scans create a digital representation of your mouth including all significant anatomical markers. This data is imported into planning software which, coupled with CAD/CAM implant technology, is able to 3D print surgical guides that snap into place over a patient's teeth. This means less risk for surgical error and much more accurately placed dental implants.

The main benefits of CAD/CAM dental implants are that they:

• Are extremely accurate for every patient, down to 50 micrometers
• Have better long-term results and more natural-looking implants
• Can be manufactured quickly, the same day in many cases

Of course this is just a quick summary of the benefits, and a computer-modeled implant may not always be the best option. If you have questions about the dental implants or the technologies we use to make them look as natural as possible, feel free to contact our Kingston office.