Thursday, December 22, 2011

8 Tooth Sensitivity Answers


8 Tooth Sensitivity Answers

Why are my teeth sensitive?
Tooth sensitivity is caused by the stimulation of cells within tiny tubes located in the dentin (the layer of tissue found beneath the hard enamel that contains the inner pulp). When the hard enamel is worn down or gums have receded-causing the tiny tube surfaces to be exposed-pain can be caused by eating or drinking food and beverages that are hot or cold; touching your teeth; or exposing them to cold air.
Hot and cold temperature changes cause your teeth to expand and contract. Over time, your teeth can develop microscopic cracks that allow these sensations to seep through to the nerves. Exposed areas of the tooth can cause pain and even affect or change your eating, drinking and breathing habits. Taking a spoonful of ice cream, for example, can be a painful experience for people with sensitive teeth.

Is tooth sensitivity a common condition?
Sensitive teeth are one of the most common complaints among dental patients. At least 45 million adults in the United States and 5 million Canadians, suffer at some time from sensitive teeth.

How can I avoid sensitivity?
Some toothpastes contain abrasive ingredients that may be too harsh for people who have sensitive teeth. Ingredients found in some whitening toothpastes that lighten and/or remove certain stains from enamel, and sodium pyrophosphate, the key ingredient in tartar-control toothpastes may increase tooth sensitivity.
To prevent sensitivity from occurring, use a soft-bristled toothbrush. Avoid using hard bristled toothbrushes and brushing your teeth too hard, which can wear down the tooth’s root surface and expose sensitive spots. The way to find out if you’re brushing your teeth too hard is to take a good look at your toothbrush. If the bristles are pointing in multiple directions, you’re brushing too hard.

How do I know when it’s time to see a dentist?
If a tooth is highly sensitive for more than three or four days, and reacts to hot and cold temperatures, it’s best to get a diagnostic evaluation from your dentist to determine the extent of the problem. Before taking the situation into your own hands, an accurate diagnosis of tooth sensitivity is essential for effective treatment to eliminate pain. Because pain symptoms can be similar, some people might think that a tooth is sensitive, when instead, they actually have a cavity or abscess that’s not yet visible.

How do I describe my symptoms to my dentist?
Sensitivity may be defined as a short sharp pain, which is usually initiated by hot or cold foods or exposure to cold air. Aching often follows. Because sensitivity may mean different things to a patient and dental professional, be sure to clarify exactly what you feel when you discuss the condition with your dentist. Be sure to tell the dentist when the pain started and if there is anything, such as the application of a warm compress, that helps eliminate the pain.

Do some products work to help decrease sensitivity?
Toothpastes for sensitive teeth usually contain a desensitizing agent that protects the exposed dentin by blocking the tubes in the teeth that are connected to nerves. In most cases, these products must be used on a regular basis for at least a month before any therapeutic benefits may be noticed.

What can the dentist do for my sensitive teeth?
Dentists have a variety of regimens to manage tooth hypersensitivity, including both in-office treatments and patient-applied products for home use. If you are diagnosed with dentin hypersensitivity, your dentist may apply a desensitizing agent or a protective coating. You may be prescribed a stannous fluoride gel or an over-the-counter desensitizing toothpaste containing fluoride and either potassium nitrate or strontium chloride. These ingredients help block transmission of sensation from the tooth to the nerve. It also might help to massage the special paste onto your gums with your finger after brushing.

What should I do after the dentist has applied a desensitizing agent?
Listen closely to your dentist’s instructions. He or she may advise you not to eat or drink for a short period of time, to eliminate all sources of irritation, such as acidic foods or medication, highly concentrated foods or flavored toothpastes. You may also be instructed to change oral hygiene habits that are likely to cause abrasion or use a daily fluoride application (a rinse or brush-on gel.)

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Dentists Now Offer Dexis Platinum X-ray



Always at the cutting edge in dentistry, we are now offering the top-of-the-line Dexis Platinum Digital X-ray system to their patients. The Dexis system provides dentists with choices among various state-of-the-art sensors and comes with intuitive, easy-to-use imaging software.
Digital x-rays offer several advantages to patients. Gone are the days of waiting for X-rays to be developed.  The cosmetic dentists can view the X-ray images instantly and review them with patients on the computer screen right away. Patients spend more time discussing their teeth with the dentist and less time waiting for the x-rays to be ready. Viewing digital x-rays with our office means patients will have a better understanding of their dental needs and will be able to make informed decisions about their treatment.
Dexis digital x-rays are more environmentally friendly and expose patients to less radiation than other systems. The system is ergonomically designed to maximize patient comfort. The Dexis patented WiseAngle Cable Exit makes procedures more comfortable for patients and provides cable flexibil­ity to reduce stress on the equipment and increase its reliability.
The Dexis system is a very affordable and effective x-ray option.  It gives very precise and clear images, allowing us to make accurate diagnoses. It’s cost effective and it saves time.
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Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Cancer Therapy Causes Devastating Oral Complications


Cancer Therapy Causes Devastating Oral Complications

Academy of General Dentistry’s Foundation Encourages Cancer Patients to Seek Oral Health Treatment
More than one million Americans will be diagnosed with cancer in the upcoming year, and approximately 40 percent, or 500,000, will develop serious oral complications as the result of their treatment. This July, the Academy of General Dentistry Foundation, an educational arm of the Academy, will launch a campaign to educate physicians, nurses, dentists, medical and dental technicians, and patients about the treatment benefits of preventive dental care for cancer patients.

Although cancer therapies such as radiation, chemotherapy and bone marrow transplantation have become more powerful and therapeutically successful over the past 10 years, the cancer-fighting treatments affect healthy tissues as well. The mouth is a frequent site of acute and chronic side effects which can diminish quality of life for cancer patients and negatively affect treatment.

The Foundation is spearheading this educational initiative to ensure patients receive adequate oral health care during cancer treatment. “Oral complications are often cited as the cause of the interruption and premature termination of treatment regimens for cancer patients,” says Spencer Redding, DDS, MED. “Therefore, the oral complications of cancer therapy have the potential to adversely affect treatment outcomes, cancer prognosis, and quality of life for millions of patients.”

Oral complications include salivary gland dysfunction, which leads to dry mouth; rampant dental decay and mouth sores which are painful, diminish the quality of life and can lead to significant compliance problems. According to figures from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), oral complications occur in almost all patients receiving radiation for head and neck malignancies, in more than 75 percent of bone marrow transplant recipients and in nearly 40 percent of patients receiving chemotherapy.

According to recent studies, pretreatment therapy for oral complications can positively affect the outcomes of cancer treatment. “The Academy urges that all members of the cancer treatment team should be fully informed of the treatment plan, with oral care initiated at the outset of cancer treatment,” states J. Gordon Wright, Foundation board member.
The Academy recommends the following pretreatment strategies for all cancer patients:
§  Contact your general dentist
§  Schedule oral examination before initiation of cancer therapy
§  Treat all pre-existing oral disease

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Thursday, December 15, 2011

Your 40–65 Year Old Smile


Your 40–65 Year Old Smile
DURING GENERATIONS PAST, the chances were very slim that a person could keep their own healthy, natural teeth for their entire lifetime. Not anymore. Fortunately, today’s remarkable technology and fantastic advanced materials, combined with a quality dentists’ artistic eye and extensive training greatly increase the likelihood that YOU will keep YOUR smile for life!
Sometimes, as we visit with you—our valued patients and friends—we notice that making various decisions about dental treatments isn’t easy. There are so many choices, and you likely hear lots of differing opinions. To help our patients better understand dental services decision making, we’ve set up a simple framework (explained below). We’re confident that this will help bring additional clarity to your decision making. And, of course, decisions are always YOURS to make. We just want to be sure that you have the very best information.

In addition to reading about YOUR smile’s phase today, you probably have family members, loved ones, and friends who are in the other phases as well. We invite you to pass the information along by sharing on Facebook!
The Must Do’s, The Should Do’s, and The Could Do’s
THE VERY BEST PART OF LIFE IS BEGINNING! It’s a great time in history to be this age! And don’t forget, as science continues to prove, the crucial role proper dental care plays in your overall health and appearance. So exercise, eat right, enjoy yourself along the way, and flash that gorgeous smile more often!
Must do’s.
·         It’s estimated that up to 3/4 of adults over age 35 have some degree of gum disease.  Work with us to be sure you don’t.
·         63% of “boomers” with an oral health problem considered to be an indication of a more serious problem, are unaware of the connection. Don’t skip regular check-ups!
Should do’s.
·         You probably still have silver mercury amalgam fillings, placed when you were a teen. Not only are they unsightly and can damage tooth structure, but some believe they may present other disadvantages. Work with us to systematically replace them with greatly-improved, durable white composite fillings.
·         Half your life lies ahead. You remodeled your bathroom after a few decades—it’s time to remodel your smile! We provide “upgrades” that will allow you to keep your teeth for rest of your life.
Could do’s.
·         Well beyond botox, breast implants, and viagra… Nothing makes you look AND feel younger than a beautiful smile.  It’s true. Today’s whitening treatments—often combined with one of many porcelain veneer options—can create a personal smile makeover that is truly your “fountain of youth.”
Our entire team wants to be your oral health partners for life! Be sure to connect with us on Facebook, if you haven’t already.

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Oral Health Affects the Whole Body



People tend to think of beautiful straight teeth as a purely cosmetic concern – a luxury rather than a necessity. However, teeth that are crooked, stained, or have other problems can cause physiological problems in the rest of the body or can be an indicator of other health problems.
Crooked and crowded teeth are hard to clean properly, potentially leading to tooth decay, gum disease, and tooth loss.  A bad bite can also cause abnormal wear of tooth surfaces, poor speech, and excessive stress on the jaw bone and gum tissue.
Poor bites can also influence chewing and swallowing and food selection – leading to nutritional problems. Pain in the jaw or teeth can lead to pain in the head, neck, shoulders, or elsewhere in the body. Oral pain often leads to diminished activity, lost work days, depression, sleep problems, and missed school for children.
In addition, problems with your teeth can be an indicator of whole-body health issues.  Scientific research indicates a link between gum disease and many other overall health problems including: high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, arthritis, premature births and many more.
Sometimes teeth can reveal a previously unknown health condition. Conditions that can be detected in the mouth include diabetes (causes gum infections), acid reflux (teeth are much more prone to decay), some auto-immune disorders (the soft tissue in the mouth and salivary glands can be affected), liver diseases (the soft tissue in the mouth is jaundiced) and many more.
On the other hand, teeth that are well-cared for have a host of psychological and physiological benefits. If you visit your doctor regularly you can avoid infections in the mouth that could spread to the rest of the body.  If your bite is well-aligned, your mouth will be comfortable, you’ll be able to speak easily, and you can eat anything you want.  A beautiful smile can increase your self-esteem and encourage you to smile more (something everyone could use!). And increased self-confidence generates success.
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Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Holiday Food Warning!



When most people think of foods that can harm your teeth, they think of candy.  However, there are a lot of other foods to avoid, unfortunately, many of them are popular during the holidays.  We want you to be aware of your choices.
Sugar: Sugar, of course, is the #1 culprit in causing cavities. The worst offenders are sticky foods like lollipops, hard candies, and gum drops.  They give you a double whammy. Not only are they high in sugar, but they also stick to your teeth for a long time after you eat. Surprisingly chocolate is less likely to be a culprit because it binds with fat molecules and doesn’t stick to teeth as well as other candies. If you do eat a lot of sugary foods, try to do so at mealtimes when increased saliva can wash sugar off teeth.
Starches: Bread and potatoes are very popular parts of traditional holiday meals. But, the refined flour in white bread and the starch in potatoes are essentially sugars and so will affect your teeth the same way refined sugar does. So cut back on those rolls, mashed potatoes, holiday cookies, and potato chips.
Alcohol: An occasional drink at a holiday party is okay. But excess alcohol wears away tooth enamel, discoloring teeth and making them vulnerable to cavities.
The good news is there are a lot of foods that are healthy for your teeth as well.  In general most fruits and vegetables help strengthen your teeth – as do a lot of foods containing protein.
Fruits and Vegetables: Any fruit or veggie with a lot of fiber will help out. Onions, celery, kiwis, parsley, and apples are all singled out by experts as being particularly good for your teeth. So look for holiday recipes that include these foods.
Dairy Products: In general cheese, yogurt, milk, and other dairy products (without added sugar), are good choices for the teeth. They help generate saliva which washes sugars off the teeth and they contain calcium, which strengthens them.
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Monday, December 12, 2011

Diseases of the Respiratory Tract and Your Oral Health


Because the oral cavity surfaces are in close proximity with the surfaces of the trachea and lower airway, bacteria that reside in the oral cavity can be breathed into the lower airway, causing infection. These bacteria may be pathogenic bacteria which are not normal members of the oral flora or they may be opportunistic organisms. Additionally, oral inflammation, for example, in the form of gum disease, can result in the release of biologically active inflammatory mediators into the oral fluids that may also be breathed into the airway and cause inflammation and increased susceptibility to infection.
Recent evidence suggests that oral bacteria and oral inflammation can be associated with respiratory diseases and conditions that can cause serious illness and even death.  Furthermore, some respiratory illnesses, such as asthma, may have an effect on oral facial morphology or even on dentition.  There are several important respiratory diseases that may be influenced by oral bacteria or oral inflammation.
§  Pneumonia - Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs that is caused by bacteria, mycoplasma, viruses, fungi, or parasites.  Bacterial pneumonia is a common and significant cause of death and illness in the human populations.  Pneumonia, together with influenza, is an important cause of throughout the world.  Pneumonia also contributes to morbidity and a decline in the quality of life as well as increased medical costs.  Bacterial pneumonia is composed of several subtypes, all of which have a correlation to oral health status.
§  Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) - Patients with COPD have chronic airflow obstruction due to narrowing of the airways, with excess production of sputum resulting from chronic bronchitis and/or emphysema.  Chronic bronchitis is defined as the result of irritation to the bronchial airway and excessive secretion of mucus sufficient to cause cough with expectoration for at least three months of the year over two consecutive years.  Emphysema results from the distention of the air spaces next to the terminal bronchiole with destruction of the alveolar septa.  Although this condition is associated with certain symptoms, the definitive diagnosis of emphysema can only be made by observation on a tissue level.
Recent research points to possible associations between oral health, especially dental plaque and gum disease, and respiratory diseases such as community-acquired pneumonia and COPD.  Further research into these associations may allow development and routine implementation of simple and effective strategies to prevent respiratory disease in vulnerable populations.
photo credit: nlm.nih.gov
article source: Scannapieco, Frank & Mylotte, Joseph; Periodontal Disease and Overall Health: A Clinician's Guide

Thursday, December 8, 2011

Toddler Tooth Decay


EACH YEAR, MANY INFANTS AND TODDLERS SUFFER FROM EXTENSIVE TOOTH DECAY that could be avoided—and the culprit is surprising. Milk and sweet liquids are the biggest contributors to something referred to as ECC (Early Childhood Caries).
Just like adult mouths, babies’ mouths are full of bacteria that feed on the sugars found in the foods and liquids they consume. One of the byproducts of these bacteria buffets is an acid that can attack tooth enamel and cause cavities.
Now, don’t worry… We’re not suggesting that you stop using baby bottles or that you don’t give milk to your infants and toddlers.  We simply recommends being aware of the issue and taking some simple preventive steps to help avoid a potential problem.
Many parents give their children a bottle to suck on as a way of helping them settle down and doze off at night. Unfortunately, studies show that when a baby falls asleep with the bottle in his or her mouth, the fluid from the bottle can settle in a pool around their fragile teethThis allows the bacteria in the baby’s mouth to feed off the sugar present in the liquid ALL night long, creating a steady stream of tooth-decaying acid. If your child absolutely needs a bottle to suck on as he or she goes to sleep, your best bet is to fill it with warm water. Or, once asleep, at least be sure to remove the bottle from your child’s mouth.
Here are a few other ways you can take care of your baby’s teeth:
·         Only Fill Bottles with Milk Or Formula. If you choose to give your child juice or other sugary drinks, make sure you only do so in a sippy cup so that the sugar doesn’t sit at the front of their mouths too long.
·         Clean Your Baby’s Teeth and Gums. Even before your child’s first teeth have come in, it’s important to gently wipe their teeth with a wet towel or gauze after they are fed.
·         Don’t Dip Pacifiers In Anything Containing Sugar. Some parents dip pacifiers in sweet substances like honey. This can be very damaging for baby teeth.
ECC is an infectious disease that can begin as soon as the baby’s first teeth appear, and it can have lasting, damaging effects on your child’s oral health. Here at our practice we want to help you take care of your baby’s teeth. Not only are they more susceptible to cavities than are adults, but they are also at risk of gum disease if the bacteria in their mouths gets too out of hand.
If you think your child may be a victim of baby bottle tooth decay, set up an appointment to come in and see a member of our team today. We’d love to help return your baby’s mouth to its healthiest state!  And remember to “Like” us on Facebook by clicking here!

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Gum Disease Links to Heart Disease


Gum Disease Links to Heart Disease
WE KNOW OUR PATIENTS want to take the very best care of their hearts. Well, did you know that your simple little toothbrush could rank right up there with your gym membership when it comes to keeping your heart healthy? Yes, it’s true! According to researchers “There are a number of recent studies that suggest gum disease—and other oral health issues—are directly related to heart problems.”
A recent study done by the American Academy of Periodontology reported that people who have periodontal disease are nearly twice as likely to have heart disease. In a second study, it was found that common oral health problems, including missing teeth, gingivitis, and/or cavities are just as good at predicting heart disease as are bad cholesterol levels!
While we are still continuing to learn about these connections, the evidence seems to be mounting each year. One thing is for certain, bacteria in your mouth can enter your bloodstream through your gums. This same bacteria has now been found clumped up in artery plaques. Because of these discoveries, a theory that is gaining more acceptance is that they stick to the fatty plaques in your bloodstream, which then directly contributes to blockages.
There are other theories that revolve around your body’s defenses against bacteria, including the natural response of inflammation. Oral bacteria traveling through your bloodstream can cause blood cells to swell, which can lead to narrowing of arteries and clot risks.

The exact relationships between cardiovascular disease and periodontal disease are still unclear, but today’s research continues to conclude that there’s definitely a connection. With all these new studies and findings, we don’t want you to only focus on brushing. Keep eating healthy foods, exercise regularly, and take care of risk factors like diabetes, high cholesterol, or high blood pressure.
And, when it’s so easy to clear up any periodontal disease problems by seeing us be sure to do that too! It makes good common sense. And don’t forget that prevention now goes a long way in stopping problems in the future.
If you have any questions, be sure to ask. We love visiting with you—our friends and patients.  And if you know of somebody who you want to take care of by sending them to a great dental office, click here.

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