Invest In Your Dental Health With Your Tax Refund!

Tax season is upon us once again!

According to USA Today, the average tax refund is $3,100.00. While spending that money on new clothes, down payment on a car or a nice beach vacation, people should be more realistic and invest it other places such as their dental health.

Did you know that dental care gets more expensive the longer it's neglected? Brushing and flossing and regular check-ups aren't costly but when you don't brush, floss or see your dentist regularly you can develop serious dental problems like gum disease and cavities which may require surgery down the road.

So why not take some of that tax refund and protect your teeth?

Lose A Tooth? Don't Worry, You May Be Able to Just...Grow Another?

Wow. Isn't technology awesome? Imagine going to the dentist, having a tooth extracted and finding out that you can simply grow another in its place; with a little help from science, that is.  It may be the way of the near future....it may even be cheaper than implants (and we all know that the full process for an implant can take up to 6 months, right?)  Apparently this new process of growing a new tooth can be done in only 9 weeks and it involves stem cell technology.  Unbelievable!

Here is a link to an article that explains the science behind it, and the process.  Amazing.

Now if they could only come up with a way to do an extraction that is non-invasive...well, one can dream, right?

Keep Smiling!

What's Wrong With Refilling A Tooth That Needs Replaced?

Unfortanly this was my dilemma last month, and Dr. Spindel explains why you shouldn't keep refilling a tooth!

"Often when removing an old filling a crack is discovered. Unless the part of the tooth that has cracked is completely removed, a permanent filling is not a great option. Currently, dentists do not have a bond or superglue that can adequately repair cracks and often when a tooth has a crack, entirely removing enough of the tooth to get rid of the crack is not possible without ruining it. In that case, a portion of the crack remains and a dentist's best choice is to "shoe the cusps" with a indirect restoration (either an onlay or crown). Covering the cusps will better distribute occlusal (biting) forces and discourage the crack from propagating. Residual cracks in teeth do not heal themselves and tend to either stay static or propagate further.

So what's wrong with just refilling the tooth with an even larger filling? Even if no crack is found,  unless a dentist can actually onlay the cusps and restore good proximal contacts with a composite filling in one session, a laboratory fabricated restoration is really the best option. If a tooth needs more than three surfaces restored, prepping, taking an impression and sending it to a laboratory is really the most predictable way to ensure a long lasting result. will make it easier to properly restore the tooth to it's proper function. Whether a  crown or an onlay is utilized, fabrication out of the mouth using a model is the best option.

That being the case, it is not unusual for patients to strongly advocate for their dentist to just "put in a filling for the time being and " I will crown it in the future, when I can afford it". That may sound reasonable, but most patients will not fix a tooth that's not broken and will wait until they develop another problem with their restored tooth, even though they were warned that it should have a crown or an onlay.

Unfortunately, sometimes when they do return with a problem, it is too late to salvage the tooth and if it sustains an "unlucky break" ( one that involves the tooth into the boney alveolar housing) the tooth may need to be extracted. At this point the tooth replacement involves an extraction and a three unit bridge or an implant replacement. Both of these options are much more expensive than a single crown would have been. Removable tooth replacement is an affordable option, but most patients prefer not to go this route if they have any other options."


Information was found here!

Bad Breath Doesn't Always Mean Bad Hygiene

Generally, when we encounter someone with bad breath, we think of gum disease or poor oral hygiene habits. The first thought that comes to mind (after trying to escape the close proximity) is that they probably don't brush their teeth regularly. Judgmental lot, we humans! But there may be a much more sinister malady at play.  Think tongue plaque.  Yep, that gross, slimy coating on your tongue that builds up over time and wrecks havoc on the bacteria count in your mouth...  Epiphany! Oh, so this is why the dentist includes a tongue scraper in that little hygiene goody bag you get when you have your teeth cleaned!  Turns out it is an important part (or it should be) of your daily oral routine. Why?  Because that bacteria can cause gingivitis.  That's right, gum disease, aka  periodontal disease, infection, bad breath and extreme embarrassment.  Or, to mention the extreme, loss of teeth.
So why take a chance?   Brush, floss and then scrape your tongue for goodness sake!

Keep Smiling!

Frequent Dental Surgery Questions

I recently had dental surgery, and before I could ask any questions the dental assistant went over all frequent questions that people ask!

• What kind of foods can I eat after surgery?
• Cold, soft foods like jello, pudding and cottage cheese
•  Avoid hard, sharp foods like chips, nuts, and popcorn
• I just had surgery, and the stitches already came out, is that okay?
• Unless told otherwise, losing the stitches in not an emergency, they are usually placed to help control bleeding during the surgery. 
•  How do I avoid a dry socket?
• Don't smoke
• Keep the surgery spot clean
• dont over excert yourself
• What do i do if the surgery site is still bleeding?
• Place a small piece of gauze over the extraction site and bite down for 20-30 minutes at a time. 
• It's not unusual to notice small amounts of blood during the healing process.
• What about pain management?
• The dentist usually prescribes a non-narcotic and narcotic pain medication. 
• The best way to keep pain under control is to alternate the medications.

Massage May Help For TMJ Related Pain

If you suffer from TMJ, Bruxism or a misaligned jaw, you know that the pain associated with it is no joke!  Many people complain of headaches, muscle fatigue and clenching of the jaw.  Chewing food, yawning and sometimes swallowing and talking can be painful. 
As remedies go, what works for some won't always work for others but there is one treatment that seems to get positive reviews all across the board.  Massage!  It is not a cure all for the disease, however it can reduce pain and swelling and make movement of the jaw less painful. 
Look for a massage therapist in your area that is trained for TMJ, or, if you are into the self-care movement, there are plenty of online tutorials that explain how you can do your own massage.  Find something that works for you but always check with your dental provider first!

Keep Smiling!

Take Oral Health To Heart

Valentines's Day isn't the only heat-related holiday celebrated in February! American Heart Month is celebrated every February to raise awareness for heart disease. Heart disease is the leading cause of death for men and women in the United States, but many people don't realize its connection to oral health. The same bad bacteria in your mouth that can cause tooth decay and periodontal (gum) disease have been found in the plaques that build up in heart disease patients' arteries and make them more susceptible to heart attacks and strokes.

You can keep your mouth and heart healthy by brushing and flossing, avoiding tobacco products, exercising regularly and eating a diet that is low in cholesterol, fat, and salt!

Infornation is from a flyer I recived from my dentist, Dr. Ghasem K. Darian at Winning Smiles