Christmas is just around the corner. We would like to wish all of our family and friends a very merry Christmas. As we all celebrate this wonderful holiday, we would like to make sure that everyone is safe and healthy. In maintaining the integrity of your oral health, please be careful with the treats that surround us during Christmas. Many of the treats that we are given can potentially cause cavities or fractures. As a precaution, if the food product that you try to enjoy requires a lot of force to break down, try cutting it into smaller pieces in order to decrease your chances of fracturing your teeth. If you notice that something has changed or shifted after biting into something hard, please visit your dentist as soon as possible. It is easier to fix small problems with a filling or an adjustment, rather than waiting to address those issues with something more aggressive. We wish everyone a happy and loving Christmas.
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We would like to thank everyone that turned up for our Candy Buy Back Program. It was a success and an event that we will continue to promote for our community. As an update to those that participated, the collected treats have been divided and sent to veterans that have served our country, while some have gone to homeless shelters to be shared with those less fortunate. We look forward to hosting this event again next year!
Thanksgiving is upon us. Here at Larkspur Family Dentistry we are very thankful for the patients that have supported and trusted us with their dental care. We also appreciate our team and family members for being there and helping us. In return, we would like to give everyone tips on how to avoid any major treatments during the holiday season.
As we all gather around the dinner table during Thanksgiving, we advise everyone to enjoy themselves and have a taste of every dish being served. As a precaution, moderation is always key. Also, if you are eyeing that sweet potato dessert that your aunt brought in, try to eat less of the marshmallow in order to lower your sugar intake. This approach will help decrease your risk for plaque build up and caries. While you peruse through the smorgasbord of delicious dishes, try substituting breads and rolls made with simple carbohydrates, for those made with wheat or grain alternatives. Avoiding starchy foods has been documented to be good for your health and teeth. Last but not least, try the vegetable dishes. Vegetables are high in fiber and less likely to be broken down at a fast rate by bacteria in our mouth. If the process of bacterial digestion is decreased, the chances of caries formation is also lowered. We hope you enjoy yourselves during this Thanksgiving and enjoy the company of those you love. Happy Thanksgiving from Larkspur Family Dentistry! We have always been told that moderation is the key to a successful and healthy life. That mantra is true for the consumption of sweets and the overall health of your teeth. As we approach Halloween, the idea of candy and cavities come to mind. As your dental advocate, we would like to give you and your family tips on maintaining a healthy smile.
Tip 1. After every session of sweet consumption, neutralize the pH level in your mouth by drinking or rinsing with water. If you are within close reach of your floss and toothbrush, perform proper oral hygiene 30 minutes after your rinse. The simple carbohydrates found in many refined treats are easily degraded by bacteria into energy and waste. The waste produced can turn our mouth into an acidic environment and promote caries formation. The idea behind the water rinse, or neutralizing the pH level in our mouth, is to prevent an acidic environment from forming, thereby decreasing your risk for cavities. Tip 2. Eat only a reasonable amount of treats, then sell the rest! The Monday after Halloween, November 2nd, bring your glut of candy by our office at 428 Magnolia Ave in Larkspur. We'll buy back the excess candy for $1 per pound and assemble care packages for military personel serving overseas through Operation Gratitude. (operationgratitude.com) This is a great way to allow your kids to enjoy the holiday and also share their treats with others! Tip 3. If you or your child has experienced severe sensitivity during the consumption of your candies, please visit a dentist as soon as possible. Sweet treats are a great way to reward yourself. There is nothing wrong with indulging your sweet tooth. But while you satisfy your sweet tooth, remember to have a glass of water to neutralize the pH level of your mouth and brush your teeth to prevent cavity or caries causing bacteria from satiating their carbohydrate needs. As you avoid cavities, your teeth will remain beautiful, the more kissable you will become.
In order to prevent bad breath from ruining a kissing moment, make sure you are always hydrated. Dry mouth can lead to bad breath and cavities. When our mouth is kept moist with saliva, it washes away and kills bacteria in our mouth that has also been known to cause bad breath. Water can do the same, so keep some H2O handy! Always brush your tongue after cleaning your teeth. It helps ensure fresh breath and the complete removal of unwanted debris that can become trapped on our tongue. The drug store has got so many choices for toothpaste, it’s hard to know which is right for you. We would recommend toothpaste with fluoride to help fight cavities. Whichever brand you choose, be sure fluoride is one of the key ingredients. We’ve talked about proper brushing before, but just to make sure- Brush no less than two minutes a session and be sure to brush the gum line as well as your teeth. Following good oral hygiene practices and staying away from stain causing food products can easily help decrease your risk for darkened teeth. In order to help the longevity of your pearly whites, touch up treatments with dental whitening products can help. If you are considering this approach, it is essential that you avoid stain causing foods while you are bleaching your teeth. During the whitening process the pores of the enamel are opened from the use of bleaching agents, allowing the hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide to enter the dentin layer of the tooth. It is very important that during this time you avoid foods and beverages that contain high levels of pigment, such as coffee, tea, yellow mustard, grape juice, red wine, tomato sauce…
The coloring of your food could penetrate the tooth resulting in a darkened tinge to the teeth; not the results you were expecting while whitening your chompers. The recession of gums can often lead to decay of the tooth root surface, a decrease in periodontal tissue, and sensitive teeth. Recession is often caused by gum disease, abrasion from brushing, clenching or grinding of teeth, or non ideal tooth position. If you are unaware of the main cause of the recession, please visit your dentist for proper diagnosis and treatment.
Recession that is promoted by occlusion problems can be treated by a combination of guided gum regeneration, braces, composite fillings or veneers, and maintained by wearing a night guard. Gum regeneration will reposition the lost gingival tissue to its original location. This can be achieved by harvesting your own tissue or through the use of man made products. The filling or veneer is performed to replace the areas of your tooth that has fractured or decayed due to its previous position. Depending on the severity or damage of the decay, your dentist can determine which treatment maybe best. Orthodontic treatment with braces repositions the teeth to a more ideal and balanced occlusion, in order to prevent further damage of the gingival architecture. Finally, using an appliance to absorb majority of the forces that clenchers place on their teeth, will help prevent further damage. If the main cause of the problem is not addressed, please be aware that the problem may recur. Orthodontic treatment of periodontally involved teeth after tissue regeneration.Ghezzi C, Masiero S, Silvestri M, Zanotti G, Rasperini G. SourceDepartment of Periodontology, School of Dentistry, University of Milano, Milan, Italy. [email protected] As soon-to-be parents of a baby boy, we are developing a new appreciation for how accident prone our little ones can be! When baby teeth suffer trauma, we are comforted in knowing that there will be a permanent tooth erupting to replace it eventually. When children are around the age of 6, they start to have more permanent teeth present. On rare occasions, typically when falling or during contact sports, a permanent tooth can be knocked out completely. If this should happen, retrieval of the missing tooth should be the first priority as it can possibly be replaced by your dentist. It has been documented that using cold Pedialyte solution to store an avulsed (knocked out) tooth has significantly higher periodontal ligament (PDL) cell survival than tap water. The survival and ability of PDL cells to proliferate is critical to the regeneration of oral tissue after damage. The more cells living, the better the chances of tooth survival over the long term. With any dental trauma, your dentist should be contacted immediately.
http://www.jendodon.com/article/S0099-2399(12)00911-9/abstract Expectant mothers can be overwhelmed with all the changes suddenly taking over their bodies!
New research indicates that the health of your mouth mirrors the condition of your body as a whole. When your mouth is healthy, chances are your overall health is good, too. If you are pregnant or are considering becoming pregnant, dental experts say it is important not to overlook oral health care. Your oral health is an important part of your overall health, and good dental hygiene habits not only help prevent oral problems during pregnancy, they also affect the health of your unborn child. • During your pregnancy, you may experience a surge in hormones, which may cause a change in how the body reacts to the bacteria in plaque. This can increase your risk of gingivitis, a condition with symptoms of red, swollen and tender gums that are more likely to bleed. • “Pregnancy gingivitis” frequently occurs any time between the second and eighth months. If you already have gingivitis, the condition could worsen during your pregnancy. Left untreated, gingivitis can lead to gum (periodontal) disease. • Occasionally, overgrowths of gum tissue, called “pregnancy tumors,” appear on the gums during the second trimester. Usually found between the teeth and believed to be related to excess plaque, these growths or swellings are often surgically removed after the baby is born. If you experience pregnancy tumors, see your dentist. If you notice any changes in your mouth during pregnancy, see your dentist. How oral health affects your baby: Some recent research suggests a link between gum disease and pre-term, low-birth-weight babies. However, other studies indicate that treatment of gum disease does not significantly alter gestational term or birth weight. Though findings are inconclusive and further research is needed, we do know preventive dental care during pregnancy improves both oral and overall health and is safe for both mother and child. What you can do • Brush twice daily and floss at least once a day — these basic oral health practices will help reduce plaque buildup and keep your mouth healthy. • Have your teeth professionally cleaned. If you are pregnant or suspect you are pregnant: – Schedule a checkup and a cleaning in your first trimester. If your pregnancy is more advanced, call your dentist for the first available appointment. – Your dentist will assess your oral health and map out a dental plan for the rest of your pregnancy. • The American Dental Association recommends avoiding routine or elective x-rays during pregnancy. • Always call your dentist if you have any questions or concerns. Diet, pregnancy and oral health What you eat during your pregnancy affects the development of your unborn child – including your baby’s teeth, which begin to develop between the third and sixth months of pregnancy. It’s important to receive sufficient amounts of nutrients – especially calcium, protein, phosphorous, and vitamins A, C and D. Calcium, pregnancy and teeth It is a myth that calcium is lost from the mother’s teeth during pregnancy. The calcium your baby needs is provided by your diet, not by your teeth. If dietary calcium is inadequate, however, your body will provide this mineral from your bones. An adequate intake of foods with calcium – dairy products or leafy green vegetables – or the supplements your obstetrician may recommend will help ensure that you get all the calcium you need during your pregnancy. Between-meal snacking When you’re eating for two, you may want to snack between meals. However, frequent snacking on foods high in sugars and starches – such as candy, cookies or potato chips – can lead to tooth decay. Eat nutritious, well balanced meals made up of foods from the five major food groups: breads, cereals and other grains; fruits; vegetables; meat, fish, poultry and alternatives to meat, such as beans, soy or eggs; and milk, yogurt and cheese. When you do eat between meals, make nutritious food choices, such as raw fruits, fresh vegetables or dairy products. Always follow your physician’s advice regarding diet during pregnancy. Some information courtesy of the Academy of General Dentistry The Mouth-Body Connection E EF33 #71593 (rev. 1/13) We all know that kissing is the act of pressing ones lips onto another as an expression of greeting, affection, and love. Kissing has been shown to provide health benefits like lowering stress levels, but, what you may not know, is that kissing can also promote disease through the transmission of bacteria or viruses. Do not despair--the risk of serious infection is very small.
Some of the bacterial diseases that can be transmitted through kissing include meningococcal disease and tooth decay. Studies have shown that in extreme cases there is a chance that meningitis, which is inflammation of the membranes around the brain and spinal cord, and septicemia may develop. Tooth decay can also spread via the transmission of cavity causing bacteria called Streptococcus mutans. Once the mouth is colonized with the infected saliva, the cavity causing bacteria can take over a healthy environment. Here are some guidelines to follow during this Valentine's Day (and every day!) -Do not kiss anyone who is sick -Do not kiss anyone who may have a sore, wart, or ulcer on the oral area -Make sure that your cavity risk has been assessed and that all caries have been stabilized -Ask your kissing partner how long it has been since their last dental check (kiss with caution if they've had cavities within the last three years) -Maintain good oral hygiene and use anticavity toothpaste and mouthwash -Visit your doctor and dentist regularly |
Dr. Hyatt’s Dental CornerAs your family advocate for dental care we would like to provide you with some tips on how to save your money and have a beautiful smile. Archives
December 2015
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