How to Have a Healthy Halloween

Halloween marks the beginning of holiday seasons filled with all kinds of delicious treats.  In fact, Halloween is considered one of the worst holidays for your teeth. The amount of candy and sugar consumed is a recipe for developing oral health problems.
 
Last year there were about 41 millions trick-or-treaters in the 5 to 14 age group. These children can have any number of issues that develop from loading up on Halloween candy, including lost sealants and fillings and damaged teeth. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry suggests parents take measures to prevent their children from developing oral health problems after Halloween.

The most important step to help children have good oral health is for parents to have good oral health themselves and to set the kind of example their kids need to see.  It's also essential for parents and children to brush before consuming any type of sugary candy. Parents should limit the amount of chewy or hard candy their children consume. These types of candies stay in the mouth longer, and have the greatest impact on creating decay as a result.

Making sure children's teeth receive some fluoride is also pivotal, in addition to flossing on a regular basis.
If children are going to eat candy, make sure they eat their candy in one sitting to reduce the amount of time they are exposed to sugar. If the children brush their teeth soon after eating the candy, the sugar can only have a minimal effect.

What Happens When You Drink Soda

No one picks up a soda seeking a sugar-rush, an energy crash and a side of depression, but that’s exactly what your body goes through with each can.

But what about diet sodas? Aren’t they harmless? Think again. Here’s a 60 minute time line of what happens in your body after you drink a can of regular or diet soda...

• Within 10 minutes – 100% of your recommended daily intake of sugar enters your system.
• 20 minutes – Insulin goes into overdrive as your blood sugar spikes. The liver transforms all sugar that it can into fat.
• 40-45 minutes – Complete caffeine absorption: dilated pupils, risen blood pressure, and full alertness as adenosine receptors in the brain are blocked to prevent drowsiness. Pleasure centers in the brain are stimulated by the dopamine your body is now producing. (Physically the same way heroine works).
• 60 minutes – CRASH! As your body tries to resume normal function, irritability and sluggishness sets in. Also, time for a potty break! You will soon be flushing out all of the water, bonded calcium, magnesium, zinc, and electrolytes (any of the good) which came with your soda, plus more of your body's mineral reserves along with it. One more thing to look forward to: a caffeine crash in just a few hours.

This is what happens to your body every time you drink a can of soda. But what if you had a habit of drinking a can of soda every day? It does a lot more than just give you a daily sugar high. It affects more than just your pleasure-sensors. Over time, here's what you can expect:

• Super-sized waistline- Diet or regular, both types of soda have been linked to obesity. Soda increases your appetite, causing cravings which lead to overeating.
• Dentist bills – Expect an increase in cavities and tooth decay. The combination of sugar and acid attack tooth enamel.
• Heart Disease – The American Heart Association has published a study stating that women who drink soda daily have a 40% higher risk of heart attacks or death from heart disease than those who rarely drink soda.
• Bone Weakening – Displaces calcium which lowers bone density and increases the risk of fractures and osteoporosis.
• Diabetes – Excessive sugar and calories lead to weight gain and increase the risk of type 2 diabetes. A Nurse’s Health Study found that women drinking one or more servings daily of sugary drinks or soft drinks were twice as likely to develop type 2 diabetes.

One 20 oz bottle of soda contains roughly the same calories and double the sugar of a candy bar milkshake, and the same amount of sugar and calories as 15 cups of buttered popcorn! Why drink calories and sugar? Stick to water and herbal teas, and save your calories for what counts. If you must have a sweet pick-me-up, enjoy a dessert made of whole foods instead.

Tooth Sensitivity

What is tooth sensitivity?

Many patients come into our office during their regular dental hygiene visit with the complaint of tooth sensitivity.  It is often caused by eating or drinking something hot, cold, sweet or acidic. Under normal conditions, the underlying dentin of the tooth (the layer that immediately surrounds the nerve) is covered by the enamel in the tooth crown, and the gums that surround the tooth. Over time, the enamel covering can get thinner, thus providing less protection. The gums can also recede over time, exposing the underlying root surface dentin.

The dentin contains a large numbers of pores or tubes that run from the outside of the tooth to the nerve in the center. When the dentin is exposed, these tubes can be stimulated by changes in temperature or certain foods.

 

What causes it?

 

Exposure of the dentin can occur due to a number of different factors such as:

• Gum recession due to age
• Acidic beverages (such as soda) that cause enamel erosion and dentin exposure
• Tooth grinding – this may actually cause most or all of the teeth to feel sensitive
• Brushing with a very abrasive toothpaste, brushing incorrectly and/or brushing more than three times a day could result in a loss of enamel
• Gum disease, which can result in gum recession
• A chipped or fractured tooth exposing the dentin

In addition, some dental treatments can cause sensitivity. Treatments such as teeth whitening, professional dental cleanings, having braces put on or getting a filling placed have been known to cause sensitivity for a short period during or after the procedure.

What can you do about it?

The first step in doing something about dental sensitivity is to find out what the cause is – your dentist can help you with this. If the sensitivity is due to exposed dentin, there are a number of steps you can take, as can your dental professional, to help reduce the sensitivity. These can include:

• Using a very soft bristle tooth brush
• Brushing correctly to help prevent abrasion of the enamel and recession of the gums
• Using a toothpaste specially formulated to help reduce sensitivity
• The dentist can:
  • Apply a fluoride varnish on the sensitive areas to help strengthen the tooth
  • Prescribe a high fluoride tooth paste to use every day
  • Place a dental restoration to build up the areas that have lost enamel

In the end, whether you need an in-office procedure or over-the-counter products, the most important step is to visit your dentist so that he or she can determine the cause of the tooth sensitivity and help you find a solution that will work.

Is Sugar a Poison?

Check out this video from Dr. Lustig.  I think you will be surprised.  Recently I was put on a "no sugar" diet.  I went shopping yesterday and was amazed to find out that there are very few items in a grocery store that do not contain sugar or high fructose corn syrup.

So when you pick up your next soda, think what it is doing not only to your teeth, but your body and overall health!

Oral Health During Cancer Treatment

Many people undergoing cancer treatments feel that a visit to the dentist should be avoided.  According to the American Dental Association, regular visits to the dentist before and during your cancer treatment are critical.  The dentist should be part of your cancer treatment team.

Cancer treatments can affect all parts of your body, including your mouth.  Also, your oral health can make a difference in how your cancer treatment proceeds.  An unhealthy mouth can increase the risk of developing oral adverse effects, often called "side effects," to cancer therapies and can even interfere with treatment.

How Can the Dentist Help?

The dentist can be an important part of your treatment team.  He can help you begin those treatments with a a healthy mouth and may be able to help relieve oral side effects of treatments.

During cancer treatment, painful sores can develop in your mouth, which can interfere with speaking and eating.  Dry mouth is another possible side effect.  This can be a problem because, in addition to causing discomfort, it can increase your risk of developing caries (tooth decay).  Saliva washes away food particles from your teeth, which helps reduce that risk.  The dentist can give you an artificial saliva that will make you more comfortable and help protect your teeth.

Cancer and its treatments can weaken your immune system, which can make you more likely to develop infections.  If an infection become serious enough, your physician may need to change or even stop your cancer treatment until the infection resolves.  Because you are prone to developing infections during this time, you should start your treatment with a healthy mouth.  Having a dental examination and completing any necessary treatment before starting cancer treatment are ideal.  The dentist can treat gingival (gum) disease, tooth decay or other infections involving your teeth.

Some cancer treatments can increase your risk of developing tooth decay.  This is especially true for people who have head or neck cancer.  Radiation treatments for head and neck cancer can result in dry mouth, which increases your risk of developing tooth decay.  To reduce this risk, the dentist can give you special trays that fit in your mouth.  These trays are used to apply fluoride gel regularly to your teeth during cancer treatment.  Fluoride helps strengthen and protect your teeth.

What Can You Do?

Steps you can take to maintain a healthy mouth include

• brushing your teeth twice a day with a fluoridated toothpaste
• cleaning between your teeth every day with dental floss or another product made to clean between your teeth
• stopping use of tobacco products
• rinsing your mouth after vomiting with one-fourth teaspoon of baking soda in 1 cup of warm water
• moistening a dry mouth by drinking water, sucking on ice, chewing sugar-free gum or sucking on sugar-free candies, avoiding mouth rinses that contain alcohol and asking the dentist about artificial saliva

Talk with the dentist about any problems you are having with your mouth.  Because he specializes in caring for your teeth and gums, the dentist can help limit the oral problems that may arise during cancer treatment.  Include the dentist on your treatment team by telling him about your cancer diagnosis and treatment and by giving him the name and telephone number of the physician who is treating your for cancer.

How Stress Affects Your Mouth

Excess stress may give you a headache, a stomachache, or just a feeling of being "on edge." But too much stress could also be doing a number on your mouth, teeth, gums, and overall health.
The potential fallout from stress and anxiety that can affect your oral health includes:

• Mouth sores, including canker sores and cold sores
• Clenching of teeth and teeth grinding (bruxism)
• Poor oral hygiene and unhealthy eating routines
• Periodontal (gum) disease or worsening of existing periodontal disease

So how can you prevent these oral health problems?

Mouth Sores

Canker sores -- small ulcers with a white or grayish base and bordered in red -- appear inside the mouth, sometimes in pairs or even greater numbers. Although experts aren't sure what causes them -- it could be immune system problems, bacteria, or viruses -- they do think that stress, as well as fatigue and allergies, can increase the risk of getting them. Canker sores are not contagious.

Most canker sores disappear in a week to 10 days. For relief from the irritation, try over-the-counter topical anesthetics. To reduce irritation, don't eat spicy, hot foods or foods with a high acid content, such as tomatoes or citrus fruits.

Cold sores, also called fever blisters, are caused by the herpes simplex virus and are contagious. Cold sores are fluid-filled blisters that often appear on or around the lips, but can also crop up under the nose or around the chin area.

Emotional upset can trigger an outbreak. So can a fever, a sunburn, or skin abrasion.

Like canker sores, fever blisters often heal on their own in a week or so. Treatment is available, including over-the-counter remedies and prescription antiviral drugs. Ask your doctor or dentist if you could benefit from either. It's important to start treatment as soon as you notice the cold sore forming.

Teeth Grinding

Stress may make you clench and grind your teeth -- during the day or at night, and often unconsciously. Teeth grinding is also known as bruxism.

If you already clench and grind your teeth, stress could make the habit worse. And, grinding your teeth can lead to problems with the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), located in front of the ear where the skull and lower jaw meet.

See your doctor and ask what can be done for the clenching and grinding. Your dentist may recommend a night guard, worn as you sleep, or another appliance to help you stop or minimize the actions.

4 Great Reasons To Have Regular Dental Check-ups

While a lot of people may not love going to the dentist, regular dental check-ups are essential to good health.  Many people feel that a regular cleaning and exam appointment is "optional" compared to a trip to the general practitioner.
In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control, only 69 percent of men and women over the age of 18 had their teeth cleaned in 2008.  That means about 30% of the population is skipping the dentist!

Here is a list of some non-tooth related health conditions that may be spotted or prevented by the dentist (or go undiagnosed if you skip an appointment).

• Heart Disease - A new study from researchers at Berkeley found that those who make regular visits to the dentist a priority may reduce their risk of heart disease by one-third.  People who have chronic infections in their oral cavity are at a higher risk for heart attack, stroke and coronary artery disease.  When you have an infection around your gums and teeth, it gets into your blood, thickens the vessels and narrows them.  If you have a family history of heart disease, it's very important to be vigilant about oral health.
• Oral Cancer - Every time you have your teeth cleaned, the dentist and hygienist are doing a visual and manual inspection looking for swollen or red areas, ulcerated areas and anything that looks out of the ordinary.  Often times these oral cancers are asymptomatic and the dentist can bring it to your attention.  People who are at especially high risk are smokers and anyone who consumes more than one alcoholic beverage on a daily basis.
• Diabetes - The condition of your teeth and gums may point to diabetes.  There is a definite cause and effect between diabetes and oral health.  Diabetes reduces your body's ability to fight infection-causing gum and teeth issues, and gum disease also makes it hard to control your diabetes.  If you have a family history of diabetes or are a diabetic I suggest talking to your dentist, who may recommend that you have cleanings three or four times a year.  The key thing to remember is that for most of the things that can go wrong with your mouth, it's much less expensive to get regular cleanings than it is to get major procedures such as crowns and root canals later.
• Nutritional Needs - By looking at your tongue and gums, the dentist may be able to tell if you are lacking in certain vitamins and nutrients.  One thing we look for is a pale tongue, which may indicate an iron deficiency.

Overall, seeing your dentist can save you money over time by catching things early as well as helping you stay healthier.  Your dentist is not only concerned about healthy teeth and gums but your overall health.  See your dentist at least twice a year for regular cleanings and exams.

ADA encourages wearing mouthguards during recreational activities

As Spring gets into full swing, many people look forward to getting out and enjoying the sunshine. So when you suit up with your kneepads and wrist guards, don’t forget your mouthguard too, according to the American Dental Association (ADA).

“Most people don’t consider wearing mouthguards while participating in sports that don’t commonly involve physical contact, but a fall off of a bike or an elbow to the jaw during a game of basketball can damage or knock out a tooth, so it’s better to be safe than sorry,” said Dr Maria Lopez Howell, ADA consumer advisor spokesperson and a practicing dentist in Garden Ridge, Texas.

National Facial Protection Month in April offers dental professionals the opportunity to encourage children and adults to use protective mouthguards during sports and certain recreational activities such as rollerblading and skateboarding.

Mouthguards, which typically cover the upper teeth, can cushion a blow to the face, minimizing the risk of broken teeth and injuries to the soft tissues of the mouth, according to the ADA. A properly fitted mouthguard will stay in place and be easy for users to talk and breathe while wearing.

There are three types of mouthguards:

• Stock mouthguards are inexpensive and come pre-formed, ready to wear. Unfortunately, they often do not fit very well. They can be bulky and can make breathing and talking difficult.
• Boil and bite mouthguards are available at many sporting goods stores, and offer a better fit than stock mouthguards. They should be softened in water, then inserted and allowed to adapt to the shape of the mouth. Follow the directions carefully to avoid a poor fit.
• Custom-fitted mouthguards are made by a dentist in a dental office or a dental laboratory based on a dentist’s instructions. An impression is taken of the teeth and a mouthguard is created using the model. Custom-fitted mouthguards are more expensive than the other versions, but because they are customized they can offer a better fit than anything you can buy off the shelf.

Children's Dental Care: Tips to Keep Their Teeth Healthy

Many parents think that they don't need to worry that much about dental care until their children get their adult teeth.  But by then, it's often too late.  In fact, it's important to start teaching your child good oral health from a very young age.

Start Young
From the time that your baby is born, they have critical oral health needs.  Even though actual teeth aren't physically showing yet, it is recommended that you wipe a baby's gums with a soft cloth after feedings.  This removes any excess residue of food plus helps your child get used to the feeling of having their teeth taken care of.  You can do the same thing with the first few early teeth that begin to appear.  Once the teeth are in, start using a small, soft-bristled toothbrush.

How to Brush Teeth
As your child continues to grow and more teeth appear, you can teach your child how to brush and care for teeth correctly.  Starting early is important in developing good oral habits.  Follow the below tips from the American Dental Assocation:

• Choose a soft, nylon bristled brush
• Use a very small amount, just a dab, of fluoridated toothpaste (children under age 8 have difficulty spitting out any excess toothpaste)
• Use a circular motion to clean the teeth
• Start brushing teeth top to bottom and back to front, to get the job done
• Help your child get hard-to-reach teeth
• Encourage brushing twice a day.  Have your child brush and then have a parent follow-up by brushing all the teeth again
• Teach your child to floss every day - there are small floss holders which help children hold the floss more easily

Make Good Choices
In additionn to ensuring good dental care, you can also help make sure your child makes good choices throughout the day.  For instance:

• Limit your child's sugar intake.  Too many sweet treats and drinks can wreck havoc on teeth.  Be careful what snacks you give your children, even healthy snacks can contain a high content of sugar
• Avoid letting your child sleep with a cup or bottle containing juice or milk, since the residue can sit on the teeth all night and cause decay
• Make sure your comunity has fluoride-enriched water.  If not, talk to your dentist about getting your child fluoride supplements
• See the dentist twice a year for regular check-ups starting at age one

More than Helping You Eat
You may think that your child's baby teeth are there for cosmetic purposes, which is indeed true.  But don't overlook the other uses for them, such as helping children to properly chew and eat their food.  Baby teeth are also essential "space holders" in the mouth to save room for the big teeth that will eventually replace them.  Further, baby teeth are also necessary to enable for speech development, so your child can learn to talk clearly.

With so much resting on the health of your child's mouth, it is important to give it the attention it requires.  Remember that a healthy mouth of strong, white teeth can help your child feel confident, while giving them something happy to smile about.

A Smile Goes A Long Way

A genuine smile is an index of your happiness. So, put in a little more joy in your smile. Reach out to others and give a little more of yourself when you smile next time and the next.

According to Dr. Martin Seligman, author of Authentic Happiness, there are two kinds of smiles, the "Duchenne smile" and the "Pan American" smile. Here is how Seligman describes the two smiles, "The first called Duchenne smile (after its discoverer Guillaume Duchenne) is genuine. The corners of the mouth turn up and the skin around the corners of your eyes crinkles (the crow's feet). …The other smile, called the Pan American smile (after the flight attendants in television ads for now-defunct airline), is inauthentic." (Authentic Happiness p.5)

In Duchenne smile, the facial muscles involved in are difficult to control voluntarily. Therefore, it's difficult to fake a Duchenne smile unless you smile from within. The Pan American smile is a perfunctory smile. It is nothing but a courtesy smile as in the case of a flight attendant responding to a patron. It's an expression of courtesy and politeness rather than inner joy. Alas, the Pan Am airline is dead but the smile will live forever.

So how genuinely do you smile when the occasion demands it? Do you habitually put more oomph and joy in your smile? Such a habit might positively influence your health and happiness. There is a study that backs up just such claim.

Psychologists Dacher Keltner and LeeAnne Harker of the University of California at Berkley studied 141 high school senior-class photos from the 1960 yearbook of Mills College. College yearbook photos lend a rich material for smile analysis. Remember how the photographer who comes to take the class photo always asks, "Look at the birdie and smile?" Upon such a request, some instantly break into a radiant smile (Duchenne smile) and others smile perfunctorily for the pose (Pan American smile).

Trained psychologists looked through the Mills College yearbook's 141 photos and separated out the Duchenne from the Pan American smilers. Three women didn't smile at all and had to be dropped out of the study. In the remaining group, the Duchenne smilers and Pan American smilers were fifty-fifty.

All smilers were contacted at age 27, 43 and 52 and asked about the status of their marriage and life satisfaction. Who would think there would be any relationship at all between the smile in a high school photo and the quality of marriage and life satisfaction? The study shows that there might be one, after all.

The women with Duchenne smile were more likely to be married and stay married. They were also more likely to experience greater sense of personal well-being. These results were found to be consistent in a 30-year follow up.

Could the better life outcomes be the result of these women's good looks rather than their Duchenne smile? Researchers investigated that too. They found that good looks had no relationship with the marital status or the life satisfaction.

A habit of genuine smiling may contribute to happiness and better adjustment in life.  Stable and enduring feeling of joy and cheerfulness may also be positively related to longevity and good health according to another study. This comes from the analysis of autobiographical sketches written by the nuns of the School Sisters of Notre Dame at the time of their final vows.  Take for example, the sketches of two nuns, sisters Cecilia and Marguerite. Sister Cecilia, writing about her life experiences used words such as, "very happy" and "eager joy." The life sketch of sister Marguerite contains no such expressions of happiness.  Both lived in the same monastery and had similar life conditions and yet, life outcomes turned out to be very different for them. Sister Marguerite had a stroke at age 59 and died soon after. Sister Cecilia, as per the last report, is still alive at age 98 and has never been sick.

So, are you doing all that you can to form a habit of happiness? The problem is that some people tend to think they can purchase or seize happiness on demand. The comical example of this is a sign on a Robbins and Baskins ice cream place, "Happiness is served here daily."  Drugs, chocolate, clothes, shoes, movies, sex are some other examples of our attempt to grab happiness through "perishable means." Perishable things may give us momentary pleasure but not happiness.  An example of a "durable item" that can lead to a state of happiness is your repeated and consistent acts of kindness to others. Those acts of kindness are like the deposits in your saving account.

If you don't like your smile, we can help you.  Contact our office and schedule an appointment for free consultation!

Overcoming Dental Anxiety

Do you feel anxious before every dentist appointment?  Do you find yourself feeling sick to your stomach or getting sweaty palms?  Is getting your child into the dentist chair like pulling teeth? Though dental anxiety is quite common, this fear can be easily managed, and is even preventable.

For children, the key is to maintain regular dental checkups every six months, not only to sustain good oral health, but also to build their comfort level with the dentist.  Ideally, it is recommended that parents take their child to the dentist between 6 and 12 months of age.  The earlier you begin, the more your child will develop trust in the dentist and feel more comfortable in the chair.

Talk to your child about their upcoming dental visit in a positive manner, letting them know that the dentist is a freindly doctor who will help keep their teeth healthy.  If your child seems nervous, try reading them a fun children's book about going to the dentist or have them use their imagination to turn the appointment into a new and exciting adventure.  The dentist chair could be their very own space shuttle on a secret mission to attack plaque. Never bribe your child into going to the dentist or use a dentist visit as punishment.  Do not let anyone tell your child scary stories about the dentist.  As a parent or caregiver, set a good example by brushing and flossing daily and visiting the dentist regularly.  If you are anxious about going to the dentist, don't share this nervousness with your child.

If you are an adult who suffers from dental anxiety, the following tips may help to ease your anxiety:

--Choose a dentist that you trust and is willing to listen to and address your concerns.
--Schedule an appointment for a time when you're less likely to be rushed, such as first thing in the morning.
--If you are bothered by the sounds of the office, such as the drill, bring a portable headset with you and listen to your favorite music.
--Use your imagination and picture yourself somewhere relaxing, like the beach.
--Communication is key.  Share your fears with your dentist and dental staff.  They can help alleviate any concerns.
--Visit the dentist on regular 6 month cleanings and check-ups.  This helps avoid emergencies and more distressing appointments.

Same Day Dentistry = Dentistry you need. Convenience you want.

Same Day Dentistry

We understand that your life is busy, which is why we've invested in a system that enables us to provide you with the dental care you need and want in a single visit.  We scan your tooth rather than take a conventional impression.  Then, a custom restoration is designed to fit your unique smile, after which it is transferred to the milling unit where your crown, filling or veneer is created right in our dental office.  The final restoration is placed in your mouth the same day!

Digital Scans

Digital scans use the latest laser technology which is not only extremely precise, but also as safe as the check-out scanner at the grocery store.  Unlike conventional impressions that can be messy, unpleasnt, and cumbersome, a digital scan is clean and fast.

No Temporaries

The benefits of a single visit restoration go beyond saving you time.  Your final crown, filling or veneer can be seated in the same appointment so you can avoid the hassle of a temporary and a second office visit.