Category Archives: News

Aesthetic Dentistry Helps Self-Esteem of Children

Posted on January 23, 2012 in Dental Care For Kids, News by Scott

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Aesthetic Dentistry Helps Self-Esteem of Children

Children with damaged, discolored or missing teeth sometimes have problems with self-esteem that can be improved through aesthetic dentistry.

When a child has lost one or more front teeth, the dentist can replace these teeth with an aesthetic maintainer. The artificial teeth can be placed onto a removable or cemented dental appliance. Also, dentists can apply aesthetic veneers, or plastic facings, on discolored primary front teeth.

For mildly or moderately decayed front and back teeth, dentists now are able to place tooth-colored dental fillings. These materials have been dramatically improved and eventually, dentists no longer will need to place silver fillings. These tooth-colored fillings are bonded to the tooth surface and they not only are beautiful but strong as well.

For severely decayed front and back teeth, silver-colored dental crowns no longer are the norm. Dentists now have tooth-colored plastic and porcelain materials that can be used to cover the entire surface of the tooth to restore both function and aesthetics. Some of these crowns have metal linings but still have tooth-colored facings that allow for beautiful aesthetic restorations.

Many children benefit dramatically from aesthetic dental care on their primary teeth. Be sure to consult with your dentist if you have questions about whether aesthetic dentistry is right for your child.

How Medications Affect Your Dental Health

Posted on January 23, 2012 in Dental Care Tips, News by Scott

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How Medications Affect Your Dental Health

If you’re taking medications for certain health conditions, it may not have crossed your mind that they can also impact your oral health. After all, medications are supposed to bring equilibrium back to your system, not stir things up, right? Truth is a variety of prescribed medications can affect your teeth.

Antihistamines may cause dry mouth syndrome, which can lead to sore gums, making the mouth more prone to infection. Contraceptives and blood pressure medications may cause mouth sores, gum inflammation and discoloration. Blood thinners can interfere with your ability to form blood clots or cause heavy bleeding after a tooth extraction. Anti-seizure medications can cause an overgrowth of gum tissue (gingival hyperplasia) and make it difficult to practice good oral hygiene.

When you’re taking medications and start taking other medications — whether prescribed, over-the-counter or illegal – it can change the effects of both the original and the new medications. Simply put, when certain drugs interact, they may increase or decrease the effects or produce another, unintended effect. This is why it’s so important to keep your dentist informed about all the medications you take; any teeth medications you are prescribed will take this into consideration.

Dental Care For Baby Teeth

Posted on November 4, 2011 in Dental Care For Baby Teeth, Dental Care For Kids, How to Brush Your Teeth, News by Scott

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Taking Care of Baby’s Baby TeethDon’t wait until your baby sprouts his or her first teeth to start thinking about protecting their oral health. Good dental care starts from the time your child is born.It’s important to make dental hygiene a regular part of your daily infant-care routine. Start by taking a wet washcloth and wipe your baby’s gums to clear away residue after feedings. Once primary teeth (e.g. baby teeth) come in, use a soft toothbrush and water to brush away debris, and avoid putting your baby to bed with a bottle to prevent baby bottle tooth decay.

Your dentist can tell you when it’s safe to start using fluoride toothpaste, but a pea-sized amount is usually recommended after the age of 2. Children should learn to spit out the toothpaste and rinse with water to prevent dental fluorosis. You can start teaching your child how to brush on their own after the age of 3.
How to floss properly should be introduced once teeth are large enough to touch each other. Regardless of when they start brushing their own teeth, children should be supervised until they are responsible enough to do it properly on their own.

Dentists recommend that children visit the dental office by their first birthday, and have regular dental visits twice a year — just like anyone else. Your dentist or pediatric dentist will not only check for signs of tooth decay, but can also look for any pre-existing conditions that may cause future dental problems.

A dental visit is a great time for your dentist or dental hygienist to show you the proper way to care for your child’s teeth. And thanks to modern dental practices combined with a gentle, caring dental staff, your child has no reason for dental anxiety.

Remember, excellent dental care will turn children’s toothless grins into gorgeous smiles, so get them started early for a lifetime of dental health.

Diet & Exercise May Prevent Gum Disease

Posted on November 4, 2011 in Dental Care Tips, Diet and Exercise, News by Scott

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Diet & Exercise May Prevent Gum Disease

Can working out improve your dental health? Yes, according to one study. Researchers at the Case Western Reserve University School of Dental Medicine have discovered that people of a normal weight who exercise regularly and maintain a healthy diet are less likely to have gum disease. The study, published in the Journal of Periodontology, suggests that a healthy lifestyle may help prevent periodontal disease.

Researchers took the same factors that lower the risk of diabetes and heart disease into account when analyzing data from 12,110 participants. They found that those who exercised regularly, had healthy eating habits and maintained their weight were 40 percent less likely to develop periodontal disease than their counterparts. Those who met two of the criteria lowered their risk by 29 percent, while participants with just one healthy virtue had a 16 percent less chance of developing gum disease.

Overall, only 7 percent of those who met all three of the criteria had some form of gum disease. The participants who had a poor diet, limited physical activity and were considered overweight totaled 18 percent, suggesting that obesity can more than double your chances of developing periodontal disease.

Scientists aren’t exactly sure why these factors may decrease your chances of developing gum disease. It’s already known that healthy eating can help build up your immune system. Scientists now theorize that eating healthy foods, such as fruits and vegetables, may also help remove dental plaque from teeth. It’s also believed that obesity promotes gum inflammation, while physical activity may decrease it.

While a healthy lifestyle may help improve your dental health, it’s not a substitute for maintaining a good oral hygiene routine. Brushing and flossing daily and seeing your dentist twice a year are essential.