Carolina Complete Dental Blog

Do You Have an Abscessed Tooth?

June 27, 2024

No one wants Goose Creek dentist, Dr. Barganier at Carolina Complete Dental Care discusses causes and symptoms of an abscessed tooth as well as treatment options. to think about the words “abscessed tooth” applying to their own mouth, but to paraphrase Sun Tzu, it’s a good idea to know your enemy. Causes of an abscessed tooth include:

Tooth decay
Gum disease
A cracked tooth

When a tooth is compromised by one or more of these conditions, bacteria may enter the pulp of the tooth and form a buildup of pus called an abscess. Left untreated, a serious infection may result. Some symptoms of an abscessed tooth may include:

Pain and swelling
Redness in the gums
A bad taste in the mouth
Fever

There are different methods for the treatment of an abscessed tooth. Dr. Barganier will assess the severity of the infection and may recommend one of the following:

Antibiotics to kill the infection
Draining the infection
Cleaning between tooth and gum
Root canal treatment

Practicing good oral hygiene and keeping up with routine dental checkups will reduce the likelihood of developing an abscessed tooth. If you want to discuss a troublesome toothache or any other oral health issue with Dr. Barganier at Carolina Complete Dental Care, don’t hesitate to contact us today.

The content of this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.

This Film Can Wreak Havoc on Your Child’s Smile

June 13, 2024

We’re not talking Goose Creek dentist, Dr. Barganier at Carolina Complete Dental Care talks to parents about what tartar is and how to prevent it from affecting your child’s oral health. about a movie, but a hardened substance on your child’s teeth called tartar or calculus—another slightly confusing term, right? No math equations here, except maybe Plaque + Time = Tartar.

That’s right, tartar begins as plaque, which is the accumulation of tiny food particles and bacteria. Our mouths are home to upwards of 700 different types of bacteria, but the majority of them are neutral or beneficial.

However, the bad types are capable of outweighing the good and leading to gum disease and cavities—thus begins our quest to vanquish these bad bugs before they can create a cozy home!

Armor Up

To prevent tartar formation, which can only be removed by a dentist or hygienist, your little one will need help removing plaque.

If it’s time for your child to have a dental checkup and professional cleaning, we’d love to help ensure the smile they share is their healthiest and brightest. Contact Goose Creek, SC dentist, Dr. Barganier at Carolina Complete Dental Care today to schedule a visit!

Is My Child’s Loose Tooth Causing Them Pain?

May 27, 2024

If you’re a parent Goose Creek dentist, Dr. Barganier at Carolina Complete Dental Care answers the question, “Does having a loose baby tooth hurt?” and gives advice on handling this milestone. or you’re lucky enough to work with infants and toddlers, you know that teething is not the most fun phase they’ll go through. Teeth having to push their way through gum tissue sounds rough, so it’s no surprise that as it happens, your little one will likely be sensitive and in need of more soothing than usual.

Because welcoming those small pearls can feel like an arduous ordeal, you might wonder if losing them is difficult or painful, so let’s talk about it!

Most children experience the loosening and wiggling of a baby tooth around the age of 6 or 7, beginning with which tooth was first to arrive (usually one of the lower front teeth). Unless there’s a sign of infection, like redness or swelling of the gums around the tooth, the process of it becoming more wiggly shouldn’t hurt.

More About this Milestone

If you’d like more assurance, we can explain how loose teeth should be treated and how you can help your child through what might feel like a scary process at first.

If you’ve got any questions or would like to schedule a visit for your little one, contact your Goose Creek dentist, Dr. Barganier at Carolina Complete Dental Care today!

How Do I Answer My Child’s Dental Questions?

May 13, 2024

Kids aren’t afraid Goose Creek dentist, Dr. Barganier at Carolina Complete Dental Care gives answers to some common questions that kids might ask about their teeth. to ask questions about everything under the sun, and teeth are just one of the many mysteries they will ponder. At Carolina Complete Dental Care, our pediatric patients come up with some of the most interesting questions we hear—and we hear questions all day!

Most of the time, kids’ questions about teeth are fairly basic:

Why do I have to floss?
Do we really have to brush our teeth every day?
Why do we use toothpaste?
Why do baby teeth fall out?

Sometimes questions are a little more interesting:

Do wisdom teeth make you smart?
Are teeth good for anything besides eating?

Dr. Barganier and your Goose Creek, SC dental team can help you out when it comes to dental questions. We want to give kids the right information so they understand the reasons for consistent oral hygiene, which we hope sets a foundation for their future good health.

If your little one’s dental question has you stumped, don’t hesitate to get in touch with Carolina Complete Dental Care.

Does Your Child Suffer from Bruxism?

April 27, 2024

Goose Creek dentist, Dr. Jason Barganier at Carolina Complete Dental Care tells parents about how to spot bruxism and gives advice on how to help kids break the habit. Bruxism is the dental term for teeth grinding and jaw clenching, a habit that children and adults can develop and maintain, often without being conscious of it—until symptoms hit. Those symptoms can include:

Worn, sensitive teeth
Headaches
Earaches
Facial and jaw pain
Tinnitus

If your child is experiencing any of these symptoms, or you have yourself, you know they can really interfere with their ability to learn and play.

The cause of your child’s bruxism can be as complex as the resultant symptoms, but for a few common culprits, we can recommend tips for how to spot the habit and help your child find relief.

Your Partners in Smile Protection

Bruxism is another reason bringing your child to see your Goose Creek dentist, Dr. Jason Barganier at Carolina Complete Dental Care for regular checkups is important. With our thorough and gentle examinations, we can see whether their enamel is worn, evaluate how their jaw is functioning, and whether their bite could make it harder to break the habit.

Carolina Complete Dental Care is here to help your little one’s smile grow healthily along with them, so contact Carolina Complete Dental Care today to schedule a visit!

Sports Drinks & Energy Drinks: Proceed with Caution

April 13, 2024

Goose Creek dentist, Dr. Jason Bargainer at Carolina Complete Dental Care discusses energy and sports drinks and the adverse effects they can have on children’s teeth. Carolina Complete Dental Care wants to make sure our patients know all about healthy hydration. Most people already know that soda and juice aren’t great for teeth, but now the American Academy of Pediatrics is cautioning parents and caregivers that sports and energy drinks have similar negative effects.

Sports drinks are intended to replace water and electrolytes lost while sweating from exercise. If a child is participating in vigorous, prolonged physical activity, their ingredients may be helpful—but during routine physical activity, plain water is best. Sports drinks can contribute to tooth decay and are high in calories. They are not intended for consumption any time other than strenuous workouts.

Energy drinks are a different—and more harmful—type of beverage, since they contain stimulants such as caffeine and taurine. Energy drinks are not appropriate for children or teens, as they can affect developing brains and cardiovascular systems. Water should be the primary source of hydration for kids.

If you want to know more about sports drinks or energy drinks, don’t hesitate to give Carolina Complete Dental Care a call!

Help! My Child is Terrified of the Dentist

March 27, 2024

Goose Creek dentist, Dr. Barganier at Carolina Complete Dental Care explains why your child might fear the dentist and how to help them through it. If you’re the parent of a young child, you know their brains are similar to sponges that soak up everything around them—especially in their first five years, which neuroscientists say is when they’ll do the most learning and developing in their entire life.

At this formative time, your child may amaze you with what they notice: your facial expressions, the different tones of your voice, and your habits. If your habits include regular dental visits and an excellent oral hygiene routine, they’ll notice and want to emulate you.

If you happen to feel anxious about your dental visits, or you groan when you’ve got to floss and brush, they may synchronize and feel your dread. This could lead to dental fears that stick with them for years—potentially a lifetime!

Kids Can Be Courageous

If you’re feeling guilty right now, go ahead and put that away as it won’t serve you or your little one. Everyone has some room for improvement, and Carolina Complete Dental Care is here to help show you and your child that visiting the dentist can be not just comfortable, but rewarding!

We would love to help teach your children about dental care and how to make them feel safe and confident before dental visits.

If you’ve got any questions after reading, or you’re ready to schedule an appointment for your little one, contact your Goose Creek dentist, Dr. Barganier at Carolina Complete Dental Care today!

Don’t Drink That! Choosing Teeth-Friendly Beverages for Kids

March 13, 2024

S Goose Creek dentist, Dr. Barganier at Carolina Complete Dental Care gives a quick rundown of which beverages can benefit or harm children’s teeth. tudies conducted in 2016 found that 43% of children ages two and up had cavities—that’s a decrease from 2012 study results that found cavities in 50% of children in the same age group. While that drop gives us hope, it means tooth decay still affects 43 out of 100 children two and up.

We know parents don’t want their children to experience the pain of cavities, and neither do we! Carolina Complete Dental Care is here to help teach you and your loved ones strong prevention methods, such as solid oral hygiene routines and how to maintain an enamel-friendly diet (beverages included).

So, what should your kids drink and what should they avoid to keep their smile healthy and happy? Hint: avoid the sugary stuff like juice and soda! A good rule of thumb is that water should be what they drink most often. But that gets old, so you can also mix in milk (add some chocolate and they’ll be happy!), unsweetened iced green tea (a little honey can sweeten it up without doing as much damage), or healthy fruit smoothies.

Goose Creek dentist, Dr. Barganier is happy to answer your questions and address your concerns. Contact Carolina Complete Dental Care today for more information or to schedule a visit for your child!

Take it Easy After Tooth Extraction

February 27, 2024

Goose Creek dentist, Dr. Jason Barganier at Carolina Complete Dental Care lets parents know how they can help their child’s healing process go smoothly after tooth extraction. At Carolina Complete Dental Care, we’re here to help you as you teach your little ones how to care for their growing and changing smiles. Sometimes our combined efforts will prevent them from needing dental treatment beyond cleanings, fluoride treatments, and sealants, but other times we might recommend extraction to get them back on track for better oral health.

We know that’s not what any parent wants to hear, but Carolina Complete Dental Care will do everything in their power to make the process as comfortable as possible.

Homecare Instructions

Your child’s aftercare won’t look too different from what we’d recommend for you—no strenuous activity for at least 24 hours post-extraction, and you’ll want to have gauze on hand.

If you have additional questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to contact Carolina Complete Dental Care. We hope your young one is back to smiling happily and healthily in no time!

Signs Your Child May Have a Dental Problem

February 13, 2024

Goose Creek dentist, Dr. Jason Barganier at Carolina Complete Dental Care lets parents know their child might have a dental problem if they’re exhibiting these symptoms. Examining your child’s mouth isn’t easy! Their bone structure is still developing, and they might have difficulty opening wide—if they don’t, you’ll probably need a flashlight and a dental mirror for examination.

Your Goose Creek dentist, Dr. Jason Barganier at Carolina Complete Dental Care is equipped with a comfortable dental chair for them to lean back in, an illuminating overhead light, intraoral cameras, and x-ray imaging that helps us get an accurate picture of the condition of their teeth, gums, jawbone, and tongue.

However, if your child is experiencing any dental issue, such as gum disease, a tongue tie, or tooth decay, there are telltale signs you’ll notice, such as your little one avoiding eating or drinking because of sensitive teeth.

Physical Cues

Young children may not be able to verbally express that they’re experiencing pain, but if they’re drooling, rubbing their face, having trouble sleeping, or even acting out angrily, bringing them to Carolina Complete Dental Care is a good idea. We can talk more with you about the most common dental symptoms that indicate trouble and explains potential causes.

If you’re concerned for any reason about your child’s dental health, don’t hesitate to contact Carolina Complete Dental Care! We’re here to ensure your little one’s smile doesn’t cause them pain.