Wednesday, January 31, 2018

Question From Our Member

Questions From Our Members

E. Munds of Stockton, California asks: 

“I have been told that since I have diabetes it is really important to have regular dental check-ups.  Is this true?”

Savon’s Answer

Keeping in mind that we are not dentists, we did some research and for the best information at Northgate Dental and Dr. Catherine Cox.

Dr. Cox says:  “Yes, if diabetes is left untreated, it can take a toll on your mouth. Here’s how:
  • You may have less saliva, causing your mouth to feel dry (dry mouth is discussed above)

  • Because saliva protects your teeth, you’re also at a higher risk of cavities

  • Gums may become inflamed and bleed often (gingivitis)

  • You may have problems tasting food

  • You may experience delayed wound healing

  • You may be susceptible to infections inside of your mouth

  • For children with diabetes, teeth may erupt at an age earlier than is typical
Regular dental visits are important.  Research suggests that treating gum disease can help improve blood sugar control in patients living with diabetes, decreasing the progression of the disease.  Practicing good oral hygiene and having professional deep cleanings done by your dentist can help immensely.”



Original post from our February 2018 Newsletter!

Monday, January 29, 2018

Single Tooth Implants, Explained

This is a subject that many people don't understand, myself included.  The following is an article that explains the entire process, in detail, with pictures!  Ordinarily I wouldn't just randomly post a link but I believe this will help to explain what an implant is, in what instance it would be the preferred treatment and what is involved in the process. I have to give props to Colgate for this one....very good and informative stuff!  

Click here for the link, and enjoy! 

Keep smiling!!

Wednesday, January 24, 2018

Can Using Urine Grow Human Teeth?

I know disgusting...but if you or someone you know are missing teeth this may be something to look into in the future.

Chinese researchers have been able to generate human teeth buy using urine. They have done this by isolating the necessary stem cells from the urine. Once the stem cells are isolated, they are able to implant those cells into the human jaw then they found a way to generate structures that are similar to human teeth.

Is using urine the safest way to obtain stem cells? Many researchers have found that urine is the safest out of all the human stem cell generation. As weird as it sounds, using urine isn't all that unusual. Scientists have used the cells to form a lining in bladders, helps generate muscles/nerve cells and may even be used to create cartilage and bone!

For more information on using urine to grow human teeth click here!

Wednesday, January 17, 2018

Can Modern Dentistry Ease Dental Phobias?

According to the Columbia University of Dental Medicine, 40 million Americans avoid seeing the dentist because of their anxiety and fears.

Dental training today has advanced to the point where dentists mostly use general anesthesia for sedation. Using Nitrous Oxide helps reduce the anxiety of patients and keeps them from putting of important dental procedures.

Other new alternatives dentists are using to help reduce anxiety is:

  • Having patients wear virtual reality goggles to help take their mind off of the procedure. 
  • No drill dentistry - now a laser beams are used to excavate and clean moderate sized cavities.
  • Showing their patients what technology will be used and how it will operate. This builds the patients trust. 
There are more options to help reduce your fear of going to the dentist then there has ever been before, thanks to modern technology!

Tuesday, January 16, 2018

The Effect of Eating Disorders on Your Oral Health

Bulimia and Anorexia are eating disorders that can lead to many physical problems, including dental pain, discomfort and erosion of the teeth and gums. It is estimated that nearly 90% of Bulimic patients have signs of tooth erosion due to purging (vomiting). 
Bulimia Nervosa is an eating disorder that harms your overall health and can be particularly destructive to teeth. The digestive system contains strong acids that break down food. When vomiting is used to purge food from the body, these acids attack tooth enamel, leaving them vulnerable to pain and sensitivity, cavities and cracks.. Vomiting often can severely erode tooth enamel and over time, teeth will become sensitive to hot or cold, and become worn and translucent.
Anorexia Nervosa is a disorder in the same category as Bulimia.  It also causes overall deterioration of the body and adversely effects the mouth and teeth due to malnutrition and vitamin deficiency. This can cause lesions to form on the surface of the teeth, periodontal disease, mouth sores, enlargement of the salivary glands, dry mouth and redness or dryness of the lips. 
If you or a loved one shows signs of poor oral health because of an eating disorder, contact a dentist as soon as possible and seek help for the condition.  The sooner one begins treatment, the better.  When it comes to your oral health, prevention can go a long way toward preserving the teeth and gums until your eating disorder is under control.
Keep Smiling! 

Friday, January 12, 2018

Warning signs of a tooth abscess

We all know tooth pain is the worst possible pain. It makes eating and drinking very difficult, and may also cause an infection in or around the tooth called an abscess.

Here are some warning signs of an abscess:

Throbbing pain
Tender tooth
Gums are red and swollen
Swollen face
Fever
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, please call your dentist right away

Wednesday, January 10, 2018

What Is The Isolite Mouthpiece?

Isolite is a mouthpiece that has been developed to help make dentistry easier and safer.

This mouthpiece accommodates every patient from children to the elderly. When the mouthpiece is place in the mouth the tongue and cheeks are retracted and protected. This helps decrease any risk of injury during procedures. The mouthpiece also has a light for better visibility as well as an internal suction, minimizing the the chance of debris aspiration. As an added bonus, the mouthpiece has built in bite blocks so the patients can rest their jaw!

Click here for the full article!


Image result for isolite mouthpiecesImage result for isolite mouthpieces

Friday, January 5, 2018

Poor Dental Heath Links To Malnutrition.

Malnutrition is a growing problem in society these days. There are many programs, treatments, supplements and plans available to help people who suffer from this. Malnutrition is most common among senior citizens than with any other age group. One of the reasons for this could be because of poor dental health. 

Seniors that have dental issues eath are more likely to eat poorly or not completely chew their food. If they have a sore tooth, missing teeth, a denture that does not fit too well, a broken denture or even a poor quality denture, it would make it uncomfortable for them to eat and chew properly. Nutrients are dispersed in the body more-so when the food is chewed. Food not chewed properly will be digested but the nutrients that the food contains will not all be received by the body.

If you or someone you love is suffering from malnutrition, be sure to talk to them about their dental health. Find out if they are having trouble eating due to something going on with their teeth or dentures. If so, have them checked by a dentist as soon as possible.

Wednesday, January 3, 2018

Treating The Geriatric Dental Patient

This topic came about this month because of a call I received from an older gentleman whose wife was diagnosed with advanced osteoporosis.  She needed implants and he had spoken to several doctors…all of whom were general practitioners and very qualified but all of whom he felt were not knowledgeable enough on the subject, and he wanted to know more.  He asked where to go for a good opinion.  I recommended an oral/maxillofacial surgeon.  The point, however, is that this patient was prepared.  He was really doing his homework.  I was impressed.  I asked him what prompted him to be so conscientious. He said his family doctor. Good call.  I'm sure you will agree this was an unusual occurance. This doctor gracefully deferred to the dentist.
It is unfortunate that elderly patients often do not understand the correlation between the medications they take and their effect on dental treatments; or even the medical conditions they may have and their effects on dental health.  Doctors and dentists do consult, but the root of the problem lies with the patient’s failure to fully disclose their medical issues beforehand.  This because they have no idea that one problem has anything to do with the other…such as diabetes, which has an effect on gum disease or, osteoporosis, which can weaken the jawbone and cause issues during extractions, grafting and implant surgery.
So, how do we educate the patient and make them understand the importance of disclosure?  Well, it appears that also falls on the dentist in most cases...if they dont tell, the dentist has to ask. It's difficult to teach an old dog new tricks.  That said, we can offer educational pamphlets or articles, but more often than not a dentist will have to drag information out of them, because they come from a time when things were simple! They just don't understand the complexity of today's world.
Now, I have heard it said that a doctor is not a dentist, but a dentist has to be both!  I'm sure you would agree.