The Truth About Acid Reflux and Your Teeth From our Dental Office

In our dental office, we help patients that suffer from acid reflux disease and are dealing with tooth erosion as a result.  Reflux-induced erosion is a common problem that can impact both children and adults.  As acid travels up through the esophagus, it enters the mouth and can start to attack the teeth.  The acid will start to wear away the teeth one layer at a time until they become thin and brittle.

According to a report by the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project between twenty and thirty percent of U.S. adults, experience the symptoms of acid reflux or GERD on a weekly basis.  A full sixty percent of the population has these symptoms at least yearly.  This manifests as a burning sensation in the chest and throat as acid works its way backwards and up the esophagus. This proves problematic for many people, making it difficult to eat and sleep along with interfering with their concentration at work. Acid reflux also creates health problems in the stomach, esophagus and throat in addition to impacting the teeth.

In our dental office, we want to know if our patients have acid reflux so that we can help to prevent erosion in addition to treating it.  By keeping teeth healthy and clean, they will remain stronger.  For example, people that have cavities or gum disease will naturally be more susceptible to getting cavities and suffering other dental health issues. While cleaning teeth, we can remove bacteria from the teeth and gum lines so that they can remain healthy and cavity free.  We can also provide a fluoride treatment for teeth that need strengthening and are at risk for erosion. These preventative steps aid in keeping the mouth healthy.

If the erosion does occur, it will first attack the enamel and cause it to wear away.  As it does, the dentin underneath will become exposed which leads to sensitive teeth.  When food touches the dentin it is simultaneously touching the nerve endings inside of it.  This can lead to the pain signal being transferred to the brain, leading to an increase in sensitivity that many patients complain of.  In this early stage, we can help by completing a bonding procedure to seal the dentin.  This works well in the beginning stages but as erosion becomes more advanced; the teeth will become weak, thin and brittle.  At this point, the best way to protect the teeth is to place a crown around them.  A crown is a cap that surrounds the tooth and prevents anything from touching it.  This procedure allows us to save a tooth that may have otherwise been pulled due to erosion.

In our dental office, we also recommend that patients take medication to control their acid reflux.  By seeing your doctor, you can get a prescription that will help you to feel better and to protect your teeth.  If an attack does occur, you should avoid brushing your teeth for an hour, but be sure to rinse your mouth in order to neutralize some of the acid.

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Common Dental Myths Debunked by Our Dental Office

In our dental office, we are regularly asked questions about oral health, and some of the things we hear are based on myth rather than reality. It is normal for dental myths to circulate throughout the community, but a few can lead to unhealthy habits, so it is important to visit our dental office to ask questions if you have them. This way, we can make sure you are armed with the correct information that can lead to healthy teeth and gums. In the meantime, here are some truths you should know.

Myth #1: Natural sugar is not bad for your teeth.
The Truth – All sugar is bad for your teeth. Whether it is found in fruit juice, honey, etc., the more sugar and starch that you eat and drink, the more likely you are to get cavities. We recommend that you brush your teeth after eating and rinse your mouth after drinking juice, milk, or anything else high in sugar.

Myth #2: Baby teeth do not matter since they are going to fall out anyway.
The Truth – Baby teeth are incredibly important. We encourage parents to take care of their children's baby teeth by brushing and flossing them on a daily basis and visiting our dental office for a professional cleaning once or twice a year. This allows us to keep their teeth healthy and cavity-free. Remember that your child's teeth will hurt if they get a cavity, just like it would if you got a cavity. Taking care of them is not optional if you want to keep your children healthy and comfortable.

Myth #3: If my gums bleed, I should avoid brushing them.
The Truth – Gums that bleed typically do so because of gum disease. Yes, you can irritate your gums by brushing too aggressively, but if you are applying steady pressure, they should be fine. Brushing them is a way to help them return to better health because any plaque that is presently irritating them needs to be removed. If they continue to bleed, visit our office for a dental examination and deep cleaning.

Myth #4: Hard toothbrushes are the best for your teeth.
The Truth – It is easy to understand why it would seem like hard toothbrushes are the best. In truth, they can damage your teeth. Aggressive brushing can lead to erosion, and when the enamel erodes, it will not grow back. When too much of it is lost, you could have sensitive teeth that can only be helped with another dental procedure, such as the placing of a dental crown or a bonding procedure. To protect your teeth and keep them clean, we recommend using a soft or electronic toothbrush. By brushing with even pressure for two minutes at a time, you can get your teeth sparkling clean without the risk of being too aggressive.

We invite you to call our dental office and schedule an appointment to ask all your oral health questions. This way, you can receive the information you need for lifelong oral health while making sure you are not operating under any dental myths.

Dentist  >  General Dentist

The Importance of A Dental Office Visit

We know that the dental office probably ranks highly among places you would least like to visit on a regular basis. Which, in a sense, is ironic given that people who make a habit of coming to the dentist office at least twice a year ultimately end up spending less time getting treatment. This is because we are able to do two things on these routine visits. First, we keep the teeth clean and remove excess plaque. The removal of excess plaque helps contribute to lowered potential for cavities. Second, we examine your mouth thoroughly, which allows us to catch any budding problems and treat them before they grow into something more serious. However, there are still many people who have not heard the message that visiting your dental office will actually save you time, money, and discomfort in the long run. In a study conducted recently, researchers looked at data concerning dental visits over a 12-month span. To get an accurate assessment, they looked at the 10-year span from 2002 to 2012 and found that the overall percentage of people who visit the dentist at least once every 12 months had gone down in that time period. In 2002, 44.5 percent of people visited the dentist at least once a year. By 2012, that number had dropped to 42.1 percent. This means that fewer people are coming in for an annual checkup.

According to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control), there is already 27.5 percent of Americans who suffer from untreated decay and cavities. In some demographics, children between the ages of 12 and 15, for example, that number is much higher, often around 50 percent. In addition to this, there is an entire segment of the adult population, 14 percent to be precise, that believes the condition of their teeth is poor. A routine, often short, visit to the dentist office can cure many of these problems and help you stay in the best oral health possible. For the folks who have not been to a dental office in a while and need a little more prompting, here are a few additional reasons why you should consider making that appointment as soon as possible.

The mouth, in many senses, is a barometer for the rest of your body. Examining your mouth gives the staff at the dental office an insight into what is going on with your health. An example of this is that we can tell if you have a vitamin deficiency just through the process of examining your mouth. In addition to this, it has become standard practice at dental offices around the country to conduct a routine oral cancer screening when doing your bi-annual examination. This is because of a growing concern about the number of oral cancer cases. For a dentist, it makes sense to perform the screening, because it is easier for us to catch early symptoms, like lesions that may appear on the mouth or in the throat. Catching a disease like cancer gives you the best chance of fighting and curing it, making screenings an important reason to visit the dental office.

General Dentist  >  Painless Dentist

In Our Dental Office We Use Fluoride: Here’s Why

When you visit our dental office, we may discuss fluoride with you. This is especially true if you have children.  Fluoride has become such a household name that it is easy to assume that most people know what it is and why it is good for them. We have found, however, that most of our patients are still unclear as to the benefits and why it helps in the first place.  With that in mind, here is why fluoride is one of our favorite tools for preventing cavities.
What is demineralization?

The process of the enamel on the outside of the tooth starting to wear away or become softer.  Demineralization occurs naturally as a person ages.  It can happen faster due to a poor or acidic diet, a lack of oral hygiene, brushing too aggressively, or failing to visit the dentist on a regular basis.  It creates a risk because teeth that are softer and weaker are less able to fight off tooth decay.  This leads to a situation where cavities are more prevalent.  In order to understand why fluoride is important, you must first know about demineralization and understand that everyone goes through this at some point.  Fluoride, however, can help to remineralize the teeth.  When you drink it, or fluoride is placed onto the teeth, it can strengthen them, and strong teeth are better equipped to fight off tooth decay.  In fact, after a fluoride treatment, the progression of tooth decay can often be stopped, and some of the damage reversed.
Where do you get fluoride?
In its natural state, fluorine is virtually everywhere.  It is in the food that you had for lunch, the air that you breathed in the restaurant and the dirt that you walked on.  While natural, it is not found in significant enough quantities in these states to make a major difference into how strong your teeth are.  In order to get the full benefit, you have to either drink fluoride through the public water or schedule a fluoride treatment with our dental office. In both scenarios, you will decrease your risk of getting cavities by thirty percent. We also recommend that you brush with a fluoride toothpaste two to three times per day in order to further strengthen your teeth.  While the paste is not as effective, it can work well to augment these other activities.
Why it's important to use fluoride –
In our dental office, we can treat tooth decay but prefer for our patients to avoid getting a cavity in the first place.  This can be hard to do considering that the CDC reported the single largest infectious disease in children is tooth decay.  It leads to missed days of school and causes uncomfortable toothaches, making it important to fight the condition and take steps to further prevent cavities. Knowing that, the benefits associated with reducing cavities by thirty percent are significant.  To learn more or to find out how fluoride treatments can help your child or teen, call and schedule an appointment.

Dentist  >  General Dentist

How to Save Money When Visiting Our Dental Office

In our local dental office, we understand that most of our patients live on a budget and saving money is important.  The larger your family is; the more important this can be as paying for medical bills for one person can be difficult, paying for six is even harder.  As a family dentist, we want all of our patients to be able to afford the dental health care that they need.  Using these tips can make it possible. 

• Practice at-home care.  Taking care of your teeth at home is an important way to keep your teeth and your kids teeth, in great health.  It starts with eating a healthy diet that includes green leafy vegetables, lean protein, dairy products and complex carbs in addition to drinking plenty of water.  Try to eliminate sugar from your diet since it can increase your risk of cavities.  You also need to brush teeth throughout the day and floss at least daily.  This will help to remove sugar, bacteria, and plaque before an infection starts.  
• Brush correctly.  When brushing your teeth take the time to make a circular motion that starts at the gum line and works towards the center of your mouth.  Use a soft toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste for the biggest impact.  We can suggest ways to improve your technique in our dental office. 
• Wear a mouth guard.  You can prevent the athletes in your family from getting tooth injuries by wearing a mouth guard while playing sports.  The American Dental Association estimates that this prevents over 200,000 high school and college football injuries every year in addition to protecting adults, younger children, and those playing other sports.  By protecting teeth, you can prevent the expense of a restoration or tooth replacement. 
• Get teeth cleaned.  You should have your teeth cleaned and examined twice a year.  Most dental insurance companies cover teeth cleanings as preventative care.  This is one of the best ways to prevent cavities and infections so with simple preventative care that is typically low or no cost; you can reduce the chance of needing an expensive procedure down the road. 
• Schedule treatments.  There are certain treatments we can do to protect and strengthen your teeth.  This includes completing a fluoride treatment or applying sealant as needed.  These procedures are typically done in children but can be used on adults as well.  
• Know your options.  If your tooth is damaged and needs to be restored or has fallen out and must be replaced, we have multiple ways for doing so.  Let us know what your financial concerns are, and we can recommend a treatment plan that fits within your budget. 

In our dental office, we also provide financing solutions that make getting dental work done affordable and possible.  While you may not have the funds you need at that moment, you can still take care of your health by using this creative option.  Otherwise, we can discuss payment plants with you.  In the meantime, avoid needing a costly procedure by practicing preventative care. 

Visit the Dentist and Keep Your Kids Teeth Cavity Free This Halloween

As Halloween approaches, it is a great time to visit the dentist and have your kid's teeth cleaned.  We recommend that you have their teeth cleaned and examined twice a year so that we can remove any bacteria and plaque that has built up over time.  No matter how hard you try to keep your kids teeth clean, there are spaces that are simply too hard to reach with brushing and flossing alone.  This is why a professional teeth cleaning is so important. By having their teeth cleaned this fall, we can help to prevent cavities and gum disease.  If a cavity has developed, we can treat it right away so that the infection doesn't spread, and their tooth doesn't start to hurt.  Preventing pain is far better than waiting for it to develop before getting treatment. 

This Halloween, visit the dentist and go into the holiday season with a mouth full of healthy teeth.  You can help your kids’ teeth to stay that way by encouraging them to skip the massive sugar overload that comes with Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.  One way to do so is to skip trick-or-treating this year.  Instead, you could throw a costume party for them and all of their friends.  Incorporate fun games and healthy treats instead of bags full of sugar.  If they don’t want to skip the annual tradition, you can still go out but have them trade in their candy for a new toy or another reward.  This will teach them that treats come in multiple forms, not just candy. 

Here are additional ways you can make trick-or-treating healthier, even with the candy.

• Eat before you go.  Feed your kids a dinner that is full of healthy food like lean protein, veggies, complex carbs, and dairy products.  This will help to keep their teeth and body healthy while giving them plenty of energy.  It will also fill them up so that they will be less likely to get hungry and dive into the candy bag for nourishment. 
• Carry snacks.  You should also carry healthy snacks like a piece of cheese or apples so that if your kids do get hungry, they can eat something that is good for them. 
• Drink more water.  Staying hydrated is important for your kids’ health and drinking water can also help your teeth to stay healthy. If they eat a piece of candy, drinking water can wash away some of the sugar that has been deposited onto their teeth. 
• Carry mouthwash.  You can bring a travel size antiseptic mouthwash like Listerine.  Ask your kids to rinse their mouth after eating a sugary treat so that the bacteria are killed.  This is a good idea every day and not just on Halloween. 

As a dentist, we recommend that you limit how much sugar you allow your kids to eat.  Many parents make the holidays a free for all in the treats department.  This is bad for your kids’ oral health and will make it hard for them to limit themselves as they grow.  It is better to start these healthy habits while they are young.