Healthy Foods that Are Not So Healthy for Teeth

Those healthy foods that are getting your body back in shape for summer may be awesome for your diet, but unfortunately, not so much for your teeth. According to Gentle Touch Family Dentistry, some healthy foods that you enjoy may not be the best for your teeth and gums.

Are those healthy carbs really healthy?

You may have cut out white flour, white bread, potatoes and white rice, but the wheat and whole grain alternatives are just as bad when it comes to your teeth. Because you metabolize carbs into sugar through your saliva, you are still producing acids that will wear away the enamel on your teeth. Whole grains are just as damaging as they can become stuck between your teeth.

Dark Foods and Liquids

You may have eliminated tea, coffee, and red wine from your diet because of staining, but that curry sauce that is helping you lose weight could be just as bad. Blueberries, cranberries, strawberries, and even barbecue sauce can cause stains on your teeth.

Citrus

Grapefruits, Kiwi, oranges, limes, lemons, tomatoes and apples, yes apples, are loaded with natural sugars. However, it is the nature of the fruit itself that can cause the majority of the damage. Eat citrus fruits with other foods and rinse after enjoying.

Dried Fruit

Great for the waistline, but bad for your teeth, dried apricots, papaya, figs, dates, and dried mango's can cause serious damage to your teeth. Just like gummy bears, sticky fruits will stay lodged between your teeth and can be just as bad as that saltwater taffy you gave up to lose weight.

Sports and Energy Drinks

Energy drinks and those sports drinks that you like to consume after a workout may be your favorite treat after pumping iron, but the truth is, they are packed with tooth eroding acids and sugar. Drink water after your aerobics class and leave the energy and sports drinks on the shelf.

If you would like more information regarding healthy food for your body and your teeth, call or click and schedule an appointment with Gentle Touch Family Dentistry today.

Healthy Teeth and Gums and Overall Health

Healthy teeth and gums begin with good oral hygiene, and if you are a bit lazy when it comes to brushing, flossing, and dental checkups, you could be doing more harm than you realize. According to Gentle Touch Family Dental, plaque can cause serious problems for the rest of your body.

The American Dental Association explains that there is a real connection when it comes to the health of your mouth and the health of your body.

Gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss; however, periodontal disease can also cause heart disease, stroke, congestive heart failure, diabetes, and even Alzheimer’s disease.

Gentle Touch Family Dental explains that sticky film that accumulates on your teeth when you sleep, eat, and drink can get into your bloodstream. That unhealthy bacterium will attach itself to the arteries in your heart causing blockages. Your mouth is loaded with healthy bacteria, but without good oral hygiene, it will become overrun with the unhealthy stuff.

Diabetes

If your teeth and gums are unhealthy and you suffer from periodontal disease, the inflammation will weaken your ability to control your blood sugar. Gum disease complicates diabetes as the inflammation impairs insulin utilization. The high blood sugar in diabetics is ideal for gum and other infections. Thankfully, by scheduling regular dental appointments with Gentle Touch Family Dental and practicing good oral hygiene, you can manage the problem.

Heart Disease

Although it is not fully understood why, heart disease and gum disease seem to go hand in hand with as many as 91 percent of patients with heart problems suffering from periodontal disease. Scientists believe that the mouth inflammation causes blood vessel inflammation increasing your risk of a heart attack in several ways.

Blood vessels that are inflamed allow less blood flow between the body and the heart Not only does this raise your blood pressure, but it can also put you at risk for a stroke or heart attack if that fatty plaque breaks off a blood vessel and travels to your heart.

If you would like more information regarding the mouth and body connection for healthy teeth and gums, call or click and schedule an appointment with Gentle Touch Family Dental today. 

Custom Made Mouthguards for Facial Protection Month

It’s Facial Protection Month and that means custom-made mouthguards for the whole family. Spring has sprung and if you and your family love to spend time in the great outdoors playing sports, it’s time to call Gentle Touch Family Dental for custom-made mouthguards.

According to the Academy for Sport Dentistry, everyone who plays recreational sports should be fitted with a mouth protector. Even if you are at the park with your kids, a mouthguard is a great idea, especially if you want to prevent a trip to the ER because of an unfortunate accident on the monkey bars. In a study done from 2001 to 2008 it was discovered that the five most common injuries in children were: 

1. Basketball
2. Football
3. Bicycling
4. Playgrounds
5. Soccer 

The American Dental Association estimates that about 12 millions kids, teens, and young adults were under a doctor’s care or landed in the hospital because of a sports related injury. That resulted in 20 million school days lost and about $33 billion in emergency healthcare costs. However, according to Gentle Touch Family Dentistry, some of the injuries could have been prevented with a custom fitted mouth protector.

Although there are three types of mouth protectors available, there are some things to consider.

Stock-Stock mouthguards are made to fit everyone, and because they are not custom made can be bulky and uncomfortable making it tough to talk and even breathe. You can find stock mouthguards at pharmacy or sports store.

Boil and Bite-These types of mouth protectors are available from your local sports store or over the counter at your local pharmacy. Before use, you heat it up and place in your both to fit your teeth.

Custom Made Mouthguards-The best of the bunch, these types of mouthguards are made by Gentle Touch Family Dentistry and will fit your teeth perfectly. Dr. Ahmed will take an impression or mold to make your new mouth protector that is comfortable and easy to wear.

Everyone who participates in a sport whether it is surfing, water polo, tennis or racquetball should consider a custom made mouth guard. Call or click now and schedule an appointment with Gentle Touch Family Dental for the whole family.

Custom made mouthguards really can prevent an unexpected trip to the emergency room. Call or click now and participate in Facial Protection Month. 

How Plaque and Tartar Affect your Teeth

That sticky plaque that is left on your teeth after you eat and when you get up in the morning could turn into tartar. According to Gently Touch Family Dental, tartar, also called calculus, is hard plaque that has actually calcified. Unfortunately, once the plaque has turned to tartar it is virtually impossible to remove yourself. No amount of brushing or flossing will get rid of the tartar.

Growing Epidemic

Plaque and tartar is a growing epidemic with billions of people all over the world being affected. If you are one of those billions who are dealing with gingivitis, or periodontal disease, chances are you have plaque and tartar as well.

Good and Bad Bacteria

Your mouth is full of bacteria, and while most of the bacterium is good bacteria, harmful bacteria will start to overpower the good stuff if you do not practice good oral hygiene. The beverages and food that you consume will quickly convert to bacteria and plaque and can even affect your dental restorations.

Prevention

Gentle Touch Family Dentistry explains that brushing twice, flossing once each day along with regular checkups and professional cleanings can help prevent plaque and tartar build up. Make sure you watch your diet as well by avoiding sugar, acidic and starchy foods.

Tartar forms underneath your gum line and will irritate your gum tissue. Unfortunately, unless a dentist, who may recommend tooth scaling and planing, removes it the vicious cycle will continue as the tartar gives the fast growing sticky plaque a larger surface to grow on.

The Dangers of Plaque and Tartar

Uncontrolled tartar and plaque are dangerous, but can also be detrimental to your smile. Tartar absorbs stains, and if you drink coffee or tea, or smoke, you will have yellow or brown stains on your teeth and along your gum line. Tartar and plaque can also cause gum disease, tooth decay, and even tooth loss.

If plaque and tartar is affecting your smile, call or click and schedule a dental checkup with Gentle Touch Family Dentistry today. 

Dental Bonding: Fastest Way to a New Smile

Thanks to dental bonding, you can have your chipped or cracked teeth repaired without having to spend more than one appointment in the dentist’s chair. These days your dentist can bond ceramic or other restorative materials on to your natural teeth to repair cracks or chips.

When you schedule a restorative and cosmetic consultation with your dentist, ask about cosmetic bonding. Dental bonding is the perfect solution if you are unsure about dental veneers. Dental veneers are a great option, but are permanent and more expensive than dental bonding. Some insurance companies will cover dental bonding but not porcelain veneers.

You may be a good candidate for dental bonding if: 

• You have spaces between your teeth
• Your teeth are chipped or cracked
• You have one or more teeth that is too long or short
• Your teeth are stained
• Tooth whitening doesn’t work 

Enamel Shaping

Often used with bonding, enamel shaping is a comfortable and quick cosmetic dental procedure that will give you immediate results. Gentle Touch Family Dentistry will contour and/or remove your enamel to improve the appearance of your teeth.

Dental Fillings

These days the materials that are used for dental bonding are more natural looking and resilient. Depending on the location of the cavity or filling replacement, Gentle Touch Family Dentistry may choose to use dental bonding material to fill a cavity or an inlay or outlay. Both are used to strengthen a tooth that still has life to it.

Instead of Veneers

As mentioned previously, bonding is not as invasive as porcelain veneers and is reversible. Dental bonding will give you a good idea of what you will look like if you opt for veneers.

Ask Gentle Touch about seeing a picture of your smile. Seeing your smile before anything occurs means to more unfortunate cosmetic dental mishaps.

If you would like more information regarding porcelain veneers, call or click and talk to Gentle Touch Family Dentistry in Farmington Hills today.

Do you Practice Good Oral Hygiene Habits?

Good oral hygiene habits begin with brushing twice and flossing once each day, but in order to keep your teeth and gums healthy, you need to do a few other things to keep you cavity and gum disease free.

The American Dental Association explains that bacteria are alive and well and living in your mouth, however, not all bacteria is good bacteria. Plaque causing bacteria, will cause cavities and gum disease. If you want to keep your mouth healthy and clean, good oral hygiene habits are a must.

Just what is plaque?

Plaque contains bacteria and is that sticky layer of film that will accumulate on your teeth, especially where your toothbrush can’t reach. Even if you brush twice and floss once each day, you will still produce bacteria as certain foods can cause bacteria buildup.

Your dentist recommends that you avoid sugary and starchy food, which can cause high levels of acidic bacteria to form. Plaque irritates your gums and will make them sensitive and red causing them to bleed. If this is happening to you, it could be gingivitis, which is usually reversible, however, if gum disease isn’t prevented and advances to the more serious periodontal disease, which leaves pockets in-between your teeth and gums that fill with bacteria, the bone that surrounds your teeth could be destroyed eventually causing tooth loss.  

Plaque Removal

The best and most efficient way to get rid of plaque is to brush and floss everyday as brushing will remove the bacteria. Use fluoride antimicrobial toothpaste that will help prevent tooth decay. Use dental floss to remove dangerous plaque in between your teeth as your toothbrush cannot reach the cracks and crevices and don’t forget to schedule regular professional teeth cleaning appointments with your dentist.

Following a good healthy diet that is full of fruits, vegetables and dairy products, dairy actually helps strengthen the enamel on your teeth, will help keep your mouth healthy as well as regular checkups with your dentist.

Don’t let plaque get the better of you. Call or click and schedule a dental checkup with your dentist today.

Health Conditions that affect Teeth and Gums

Studies indicate that poor oral health can lead to increased risks when it comes to certain health conditions, however, it can sometimes be just the opposite with gum disease and tooth decay causing health problems as your mouth is the gateway to the rest of your body.

Your dentist explains that there are quite a few health conditions that will put you in the high-risk category when it comes to gum disease and tooth decay.

Pregnancy

According to the American Dental Association pregnancy, a woman’s hormones will change causing gums to swell, become red, and even bleed. If you are pregnant, it is vital that you brush, floss, and eat good healthy foods to avoid gum disease. Women with gum disease can give birth prematurely or deliver babies who have a low birth weight. If you are planning a pregnancy, see your dentist who can take care of any dental issues beforehand. If you are pregnant continue seeing your dentist, but make sure that he or she is aware of your condition as certain procedures may not be suitable for women who are expecting.

Diabetes

Although maintaining low blood sugar is a struggle for some diabetics, so is gum disease as the high levels of blood sugar can cause mouth infections. If left untreated those infections could cause serious and even permanent damage to your gums and jawbone. Severe gum disease, known as periodontal disease, will cause tooth loss if not taken care of. If you are a diabetic, keep your levels in check and make sure to schedule an appointment with your dentist if you have mouth pain, sores, red, or bleeding gums.

Obesity

Your dentist explains that being overweight or obese can cause dental problems in two ways. Firstly, people who are obese make poor food choices. Those food choices are usually loaded with sugar. Sugar will increase the risk of health problems and tooth decay. Secondly, a high body fat count could be to blame for speeding up the process. Two recent studies have shown that periodontal disease progresses faster in obese people than people of average or normal weight.

Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a condition that causes fragile bones, including the jawbone. If you have osteoporosis, your bones will become weaker which could eventually lead to tooth loss. Research indicates that women could have a higher risk as those with osteoporosis have a higher rate of gum disease.

Cancer

Cancer on its own will not cause any oral health issues, however, cancer treatments can. Studies have shown that over a third of all cancer patients will experience a dental complication of some kind as a direct result of the treatment. Some common issues include changes in taste, oral infections, dry mouth, and inflammation. If you are being treated with chemotherapy or radiation for cancer, it is important to schedule regular dental appointments to keep your teeth and gums healthy.

The Mouth and Body Connection

Your teeth and gums are just as important as the rest of your body, and if you are slack with your oral hygiene habits, you could be asking for trouble.

The American Dental Association explains that brushing twice and flossing once each day should be part of your oral health routine. You should also follow a good diet with plenty of fruits and veggies. Include dairy products as well for strong bones and teeth. Of course, regular dental checkups, twice a year or more so if you are susceptible to tooth decay or gum disease, should also be added to the mix.

The health of your mouth is a reflection of your entire body as your mouth really is the gateway to the rest of your body.

Regular checkups can tell your dentist quite a bit about the rest of your body, including whether or not you could be at risk when it comes to chronic disease.

Poor Oral Health Can Affect your Overall Health

Recent studies have suggested that your mouth mirrors the rest of your body as a whole. In other words if your mouth, teeth and gums are healthy, your overall health is probably good as well. On the other hand, poor oral health could indicate other health issues.

The Academy of General Dentistry explains that there is a relationship between stroke and heart disease and periodontitis. Perodontitis is the more serious form of gum disease and can cause other health implications as well. Studies also show that pregnant women who have gum disease are more likely to give birth prematurely.

Other research is showing that over 90 percent of all systemic diseases have oral manifestations including dry mouth, mouth ulcers, and gum problems. 

Some of the diseases include: 

• Diabetes
• Oral Cancer
• Leukemia
• Kidney Disease
• Heart Disease 

If you have regular checkups with your dentist, he or she may be able to spot or even diagnose a health problem in the early stages.

Keeping your mouth healthy should be a priority, and if you can’t remember the last time you saw your dentist, call or click and schedule an appointment today.

Dry Mouth Can Affect Teeth and Gums

If you are always thirsty, you could have Dry Mouth. According to your dentist, Dry Mouth is a condition that affects billions of people all over the planet. Dry Mouth is uncomfortable, but most importantly, Dry Mouth could have a drastic effect on your teeth and gums.

Although everyone is different, the majority of sufferers have similar Dry Mouth symptoms.

Signs and Symptoms 

• Bad breath
• Horsy throat
• Sore throat
• Pain when swallowing
• Constantly thirsty
• A dry or sticky feeling
• Mouth sores
• Split skin
• Cracked lips
• Dry throat
• Tingling or burning on your tongue
• Problems with tasting and chewing food
• Difficulty swallowing food 

Complications

The Mayo Clinic explains that people who have Dry Mouth sometimes find it hard to sleep because of constant thirst. If you suffer from Dry Mouth, you may also find yourself sitting in the dentist’s chair more often than you would like, as Dry Mouth is a condition caused by a lack of saliva.

Your salivary glands help keep your teeth and gums healthy by washing away the food particles, debris and bacteria. If you aren’t producing enough saliva, the bacteria will convert to acids that can erode the enamel on your teeth causing tooth decay. Your gums will also pay the price if natures thirst quencher isn’t doing its job.

If you have Dry Mouth, your mealtimes could be less than enjoyable. Your saliva helps you taste, chew, swallow, and enjoy your food. If you have Dry Mouth, you probably know how tasteless breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks have become.

What Can Be Done 

• Sugarless gum and hard candy that is sugar free can help stimulate saliva flow
• Nix the caffeine as it will dry out your mouth
• Use a no-alcohol mouthwash
• Keep a water bottle handy and drink, drink, drink
• Look for saliva substitutes that contain xylitol
• Try a mouth rinse that is made specifically for Dry Mouth
• Avoid non-prescription decongestants and antihistamines
• Don’t breathe through your mouth, use your nose
• By a humidifier to keep moisture in the air
• Use fluoride toothpaste
• Schedule twice-yearly checkups with your dentist
• Ask your dentist about prescription tooth products for Dry Mouth 

If you or someone you know suffers from Dry Mouth, call or click and schedule an appointment with your dentist who may be able to help. Call or click today. 

Smoking can cause Tooth Loss

If you smoke or use tobacco, you are putting your teeth and gums at risk. Every time you take a puff or chew, your teeth and gums are paying the price.

According to WebMD, tobacco use does more than stain your teeth. Cigarettes, pipes, cigars, Hookah, and chewing tobacco can also cause chronic halitosis.

Your dentist explains that nearly half of all periodontal disease, the most serious form of gum disease in smokers, is caused by smoking. If left untreated, chronic gum disease could cause you to lose your teeth.

According to recent studies, tobacco could be one of the biggest, if not the biggest risk factors when it comes to periodontal disease.

Periodontal disease is a serious bacterial infection that actually destroys the bone and soft tissue that anchors your teeth to your jawbone. Bacteria grow in the plaque that forms inside the pockets that surround your teeth. Your body’s reaction is to kill the plaque, which leads to the breakdown of bone and soft tissue.

During the earlier stages of gum disease, also known as gingivitis, you will notice that your gums might bleed when you brush and floss. If left untreated, the infection will get worse and break down your gums. When this occurs, your gums will separate from your teeth while forming pockets. The worse the gum disease, the deeper the pockets. The pockets fill with bacteria, food particles, and plaque and destroy the structures that support your gums and teeth. People with serious periodontal disease could have teeth that are painful and loose, some may lose their teeth completely.

According to your dentist smokers have more tartar than people who don’t smoke. This could be because of the lack of saliva. Calculus or tartar is plaque that is hardened and must be removed by your dentist.

Smoking also makes gum disease treatment more difficult as smoking will hinder healing. A recent study indicated that people who smoke were two times more likely to lose their teeth after periodontal treatments than people who did not smoke. Smokers also do not respond very well following oral surgery treatments and are less likely to have success with dental implants because the bones will not heal properly.

If you smoke or chew tobacco call or click and schedule an appointment with your dentist who may be able to help you kick the habit for good. Call or click now. 

Bad Oral Health Habits

You may think you are doing the right thing when it comes to your teeth and gums, but according to the American Dental Association, some of your oral habits may not be as healthy as you think.

Ice

Chewing on ice is a bad habit, and one that makes your dentist cringe. You may be saying it’s only water, but once it freezes, you could be setting yourself up for chips, cracks or even a broken tooth. Chewing on ice can also cause gum damage. Your blender has a special blade just for ice. You can only imagine what ice does to your teeth. Keep the ice in your glass and your dentist will be happy.

The Wrong Toothbrush

If you use a brush that is too hard it will cause gum recession and abrasion to the roots of your teeth. Your dentist recommends that you use a multi-tufted soft bristled toothbrush to avoid gum damage.

Brushing with Too Much Force or Too Frequently

Even if you are using a multi-tufted soft bristled toothbrush, you could still damage your teeth and irritate your gums if you use too much force. A gentle whisking action is really all you need to break up the plaque on the surface of your teeth. Brushing too often could also be damaging your teeth. Morning and night is sufficient as too much brushing, especially right after you eat, could cause enamel erosion.

Nail and Pencil Biting

Chewing on anything other than food will cause damage to your teeth and gums. Nail and pencil biting are nervous habits that could cause chips or breaks.

Grinding and Clenching

Known as bruxism, tooth clenching and grinding exerts excessive pressure on your teeth causing them to wear over time. Most people brux at night while sleeping, but clenching and grinding can occur during the day because of stress. If you are a clencher or grinder, call and schedule an appointment with your dentist for a custom fitted mouthguard that may help you stop bruxing.

If you would like more information regarding healthy habits for teeth and gums, call or click and schedule an appointment with your dentist today. 

Tooth Sensitivity Could Be Something More

If you wince in pain when you enjoy an orange, grapefruit, kiwi or tomato you could be suffering from tooth sensitivity. According to your dentist tooth sensitivity can be caused by all kinds of things.

Acidic Foods

Citrus fruits and other acidic foods could be causing tooth sensitivity to hot and cold. If you love citrus, rinse your teeth after you enjoy. Your dentist explains that acidic foods could be stripping away the enamel on your teeth making them extra sensitive.

Tooth Whitening Products

Everyone loves a movie star smile, but if you have been over indulging in tooth whitening strips, polishes, gels, pastes, or mouth rinses, the dentin on your teeth could be exposed. Tooth whitening products contain chemicals and other additives that could be making your teeth and gums sensitive. Try switching brands or see your dentist about professional tooth whitening options. Also, make sure that you buy products that are listing on the American Dental Association approved products list.

Cracked Teeth

You may have a hairline crack or chip in your tooth, and even though it is nearly impossible to see, it could be the reason that you have tooth sensitivity. Those tiny cracks and chips are large enough to allow dangerous food particles and bacteria into your tooth. If bacteria find its way into the pulp of your tooth, you may need a root canal. If the tooth cannot be saved, your dentist may need an extraction.

Old Fillings

If your fillings are older than 10 years, they could be harboring new cavities. Unfortunately, your old silver amalgam fillings could have a leak, a crack, or a chip. Although you may not feel a thing, it is important that you schedule a checkup with your dentist who can make sure that your fillings are sound.

Tobacco Use

While smoking stains your teeth, it also causes bad breath. Smoking and chewing tobacco makes you more susceptible to gum disease and dental caries. Tobacco use can also lead to oral cancer. Quit smoking and chewing and people around you will thank you for it.

Medical Issues

If your dentist has given you a clean bill of health as far as your teeth and gums are concerned, you may be dealing with another medical issue or the medications that you are taking. Sinus conditions, respiratory tract infections, kidney or liver diseases, diabetes, gastric reflux, or dry mouth could be causing your chronic halitosis.

If you are tired of covering your mouth when you talk, call or click and schedule an appointmentwith your dentist who can help determine the cause of your chronic bad breath. Call or click now.  

Celebrate National Facial Protection Month

It’s National Facial Protection month and that means it’s time to schedule an appointment with yourdentist for a custom made mouthguard.

Every April the American Dental Association, the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, The American Association of Orthodontists, the Academy for Sports Dentistry and the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, collaborate in order to promote this event. National Facial Protection Month is in place to raise the public’s awareness and remind athletes, coaches, and parents to play it safe and protect themselves during both group and individual sporting activities.

If you follow the Gentle Touch family Dentistry Blog, you will have learned what you can do in case of a dental emergency. Gentle Touch Family Dentistry also discussed the importance of a custom-made mouthguard. Mouthguards can help prevent teeth from being displaced, broken, cracked or knocked out. Mouthguards can also help block injuries to the tissues and the bones surrounding your teeth. Mouthguards can also help defend against lower jaw and TMJ injuries.

The American Academyof Pediatric Dentistry explains that nearly 39 percent of all dental injuries that occur each year in children and teens are caused by a direct hit or blow to the face because of player to player contact, or because of a hit to the face with a ball or hockey puck.

The associations have five tips to share that could help impede head and facial injuries:

1. Wear a mouthguard when playing any type of sports. Even surfers and skateboarders should invest in a custom-made mouthguard. Although a bit pricier than stock or boil and bite mouthguards, the cost is much less when you compare it to a trip to your dentist or the local hospital.

2. Helmets are essential as they not only absorb impact energy, but can also prevent head injuries.

3. Protective eyewear is imperative, as your eyes are very vulnerable to any type of damage, especially when playing recreational, amateur, or professional sports.

4. Wearing a face shield on the playing field can help you avoid bruised or scratched skin. Racquetballs, handballs, basketballs, and baseballs can cause serious damage to your face regardless of how old you are.

5. The associations sponsoring National Facial Awareness Month also believe that protective gear should be mandatory regardless of the sport. Boxers, hockey players, and football players are all required to wear some type of mouth protector. It has been proven that mouthguards actually help decrease oral injuries.

This spring join the rest of the nation for National Facial Awareness Month and schedule an appointment with Gentle Touch Family Dentistry who can fit out your entire family with custom-made mouthguards. Call or click today.

What To Do in a Dental Emergency

When it comes to sports, whether recreational or professional one of the biggest things players have to deal with are tooth and mouth accidents and now that spring is just around the corner, anyone who plays an individual or competitive sport could be at risk.

Your dentist explains that over 50 percent of all children under the age of 12 in the United States will have some sort of head or tooth injury. The majority of those injuries will occur from a fall, a fight, or a sporting injury. Most head and tooth injuries could have been prevented with a custom made sports mouthguard. According to the American Dental Association, the three types of mouthguards available, stock, boil and bite and custom made will all do the best they can at protecting your mouth and teeth, but because the mouthguards made by your dentist are molded to your teeth and gums they will offer better protection.

If happens, there are some things you can do before you get to the dentist’s office.

If you knock out a tooth, keep the tooth moist and try to stop the bleeding. If you can, try and push the tooth back in. If this is impossible, place the teeth between your cheek and your gums or in a bowl of milk. If the tooth is intact, it is quite possible that it can be saved. You can also purchase a tooth preservation product that carries the American DentalAssociation Seal of Acceptance.

If you have cracked your tooth, rinse immediately with a warm water rinse before placing cold compresses on your face to keep the swelling down.

Clean the area with water if you have bitten your lip or tongue or if it was accidently bitten on the playing feel. Apply a cold compress and see your doctor as quickly as possible.

Toothaches can be helped by rinsing the area with warm water to keep it free from bacteria and food particles. Use dental floss and a drop or two of oil of cloves to help deaden the pain. Never put aspirin on your gums or your teeth.

For more information regarding dental emergencies, call or click and schedule an appointment with your dentist today.

Minimally Invasive or Traditional Porcelain Veneers

If you have been considering Porcelain Veneers, talk to your dentist about minimally invasive Dental Veneers.

Colgate explains that having a less than appealing smile not only affects the way you act around people, but can also have a dramatic affect on your self-esteem. However, sometimes you can be unsure about what cosmetic dental procedures are best for you.

Thankfully, there are several options when it comes to cosmetic dentistry, including minimally invasive Porcelain Veneers.

Talk to your dentist about minimally invasive Porcelain Veneers if you would like to leave as much of your tooth structure as possible. Minimally invasive Porcelain veneers have been designed to cover just the surface of your teeth and are very thin.

One of the biggest advantages of minimally invasive Porcelain Veneers is that you are able to conserve or keep the enamel on the tooth or teeth that are being prepared. In fact, that is one of the biggest reasons that people opt for these types of Porcelain Veneers.

Traditional Porcelain Veneers require anesthetic to remove about ½ mm of the tooth’s enamel. Because not everyone is suitable for minimally invasive Porcelain Veneers, it is important that you discuss possible treatments with your dentist, especially if you are considering traditional Dental Veneers, as traditional veneers are permanent and not reversible.

Your dentist will tell you that because of all of the different cosmetic and restorative dental procedures available, it is vital that you schedule a comprehensive clinical examination, including an esthetic evaluation to determine what types of cosmetic dental procedures, including minimally invasive Porcelain Veneers, are best for you.

Porcelain Veneers are used to mask tooth discolorations, minor misalignment issues, and tooth reshaping; however, there are some misconceptions when it comes to minimally invasive Porcelain Veneers.

Those misconceptions include: 

• Minimally invasive Porcelain Veneers will make your teeth appear too long or too big. In most patients, some tooth reshaping is needed to allow your smile to look better than the one you started with.
• Minimally invasive Porcelain Veneers can cause gum disease. A good cosmetic dentist will make sure to finish and polish the edges of your teeth in order to avoid ledges.
• Your teeth will be sensitive after minimally invasive Porcelain Veneers. Because the tooth enamel is retained, tooth sensitivity is rare. 

If you would like more information regarding minimally invasive Porcelain Veneers, call or click and schedule an appointment with your dentist today.

That Toothache Could Kill You

It’s a New Year, and if you have been putting off a trip to the dentist, you may want to reconsider. That throbbing toothache that you have been dealing with since before Thanksgiving could cause serious problems if you do not take care of it as quickly as possible. Left alone, that toothache could lead to death. Even if the pain is mild, you still need to schedule an appointment with your dentist as quickly as possible.

Your toothache can turn serious, especially if an infection occurs. Called an abscess, the infection can happen inside your tooth or in-between your tooth and gums. One way to tell if you have a pus-filled abscess is throbbing or shooting sharp pain.

WebMD explains that over 40 percent of Americans have been rushed to the E.R. because of a periapical abscess. Although there is no exact explanation as to why this is occurring, but some believe it has to do with rising insurance costs and the fact that Medicare doesn’t cover routine dental visits.

Other signs to look for when it comes to an abscess are swollen glands or a swollen face, a fever, chronic halitosis and neck and jaw pain.

Your dentist explains that an abscess will not disappear of its own accord. What’s worse is that the infection can easily spread in as little as a few hours or a few years. If the infection moves to the heart or brain, it can cause death.

During your dental appointment, your dentist will tap on the suspected tooth. If you wince, it is most likely the abscessed tooth. X-rays will also be taken to confirm that you do indeed have an abscess.

There are three treatments that your dentist may use to treat the infected area, incision and draining, root canal therapy or extraction.

If the abscess is located between your gum and your tooth, your dentist will make a small cut before draining and cleaning the area. The pain will begin to subside almost immediately.

The most widely used tooth abscess treatment is root canal therapy. During this procedure, your dentist drills into the area that is infected before scraping away the dental pulp that contains blood vessels and nerves. Once the roots of your teeth have been filed and cleaned, your dentist will fill them with a sealant before placing a crown over the area.

An extraction is a permanent treatment that is normally used for a very deep abscess. Once removed, the abscess is gone.

If you suspect that you may be suffering from a dental abscess it is imperative that you call or click and schedule an appointment with your dentist today. It literally could mean life or death. Call or click now.

Dental Checkup in the New Year

The New Year has arrived and if you have been avoiding a trip to the dentist for that toothache that you’ve had since August, now is the time to make the call.

The American Dental Association will tell you that avoiding trips to the dentist for any problem, even if you don’t think it is serious, is vital. Cracked teeth, leaky fillings or a chipped tooth could lead to other problems that may not have occurred had you scheduled your appointment when the issue first occurred.

If you have toothache caused by a cavity, you are risking infection and the possibility of an abscess. An abscessed tooth means that the pulp inside it has become infected and could possibly be dead. If that is the case, your dentist will recommend root canal therapy to clean out the dead material, clean it up and seal it before placing a dental crown. If the abscess is located in between your tooth and your gums your dentist may choose to drain the area, which will relieve the pain almost instantly.

The best way to avoid unnecessary emergency trips to the dentist is to schedule regular comprehensive dental exams. During your comprehensive dental exam your dentist will check your teeth and gums looking for anything unusual. Your dentist or dental hygienist will also clean your teeth. The dental exam will also include pictures and x-rays of your teeth and gums and an oral cancer screening. After your dental appointment, you may also want to discuss any restorative or cosmetic dental procedures that you might be considering with your dentist.

A healthy mouth means a healthy body, and if your gums are red, swollen or bleeding, you could be opening yourself up to all kinds of disease. Recent research has indicated that periodontal disease, the most serious form of gum disease, could lead to more serious health issues including diabetes, congestive heart failure, and stroke.

Start 2016 off on the right foot and schedule an appointment with your dentist today.