It’s that time of year again! Tis the season for getting together with friends and family consuming sugary treats and drinking alcoholic beverages. As you enjoy yourself during this holiday season we remind you to be kind to your teeth. The hustle and bustle of the season can cause us to overlook our routine oral hygiene tasks. Whether you drink red or white wine remember to avoid swishing it around in your mouth. The high acidity levels in these beverages can cause the enamel of your teeth to erode. To protect yourself from this remember to drink water in between, this will help rinse your teeth of these acids. Eating the holiday cookies and candies increase our risk of developing cavities. Try to brush and floss regularly, if you do not have the time to do that chew a piece of sugarless gum this will help boost the flow of saliva helping to wash away the bacteria. Stress from the holiday can also infringe on our sleep causing us to grind and clench our teeth giving us jaw pain and headaches. Your dentist can help you with that and make you a custom night guard to wear at night. So remember eat drink be merry and maintain good oral hygiene!

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According to a study done by the National Institute of Dental Craniofacial research, 70 percent of people do not utilize their dental insurance for the year. With 2011 coming to an end, it is to your advantage to review your dental benefits that may be expiring by the end of the year. To help prevent tooth decay and gum disease the American Dental Association recommends having your teeth cleaned and examined twice a year as well as any necessary x-rays. Most dental plans cover these routine services at 100 percent. Many insurance plans are based on a calendar year. They allow each family member an amount of money to be used for whatever dental treatment is necessary within the year. If you have not used all the money they have allotted you for the year it cannot be carried over into the following year. So do not delay the end of the year is quickly approaching, maximize your dental insurance by scheduling any necessary dental treatment today!

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It’s that time of year again school has begun. The shopping is done for new clothes, shoes and the backpack. A trip to the physician’s already on the calendar for your child’s routine physical check-up. Have you scheduled your child’s routine dental check-up? Along with your child’s physical appointment there should be a visit scheduled to see the dentist. In fact in many states including New York and Pennsylvania it is a requirement for your child to see the dentist before entering school. The reason for this is because studies have shown an increase in pediatric dental disease linking your child’s dental health to their overall medical health. Keeping your child’s mouth healthy will help keep their body healthy. Tooth decay can be very painful and when a child has a toothache it can interfere with their concentration and learning capabilities. The center for disease control reported tooth decay in baby teeth has increased among children between the ages of two to five years old. So keep your child healthy from head to toe, call your dentist today and get them ready for a great school year!

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According to surveys and studies men are less likely than women to take care of their physical health, including their oral health. Rather than visiting the dentist for routine check-ups men are waiting till they have a problem. Statistics show that when it comes to their oral health, the average man brushes 1.9 times a day and will lose 5.4 teeth by the age of 72. For men who smoke the number of teeth lost can increase to 12 by age 72. Men are at greater risk of developing  periodontal disease which has been linked to cardiovascular disease, increasing the risk of a heart attack or stroke. Since men are often on more medications than women, certain side affects from those medications such as dry mouth increase the risk for tooth decay. Men do you smoke or chew tobacco? If so it is especially important for you to see your dentist for routine checkups and oral cancer screenings since 95% of oral cancers occur in men over 40 years old. If you participate in any sports you should be fitted for a mouthguard  because you are at greater risk for trauma to your mouth and teeth. So men stay healthy, do not delay schedule your dental check-up today!

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Plaque is a sticky film of bacteria that forms on teeth and gums. When we eat the bacteria in plaque release acids that attack the enamel of our teeth. These repeated attacks can cause the enamel to weaken, eventually causing tooth decay. Since many of the foods we eat cause plaque bacteria to produce acid, it is very important that you brush and clean between your teeth daily. Plaque that is not removed will eventually harden into calculus or tartar. This kind of build up irritates the gums making them red and tender causing them to bleed. Over time the gums may recede from your teeth forming pockets that can fill with bacteria and puss. If you do not have your gums treated, the bone around the teeth can get destroyed causing the teeth to become loose and possibly needing to be removed. The main cause of tooth loss in adults is caused by periodontal disease. How can you prevent this from happening to you? Brushing twice daily, cleaning between your teeth ,using a fluoride toothpaste, eating a well balanced diet and visiting your dentist regularly will help you keep your gums healthy giving you a beautiful smile!

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The Velscope is an instrument being used by dentists to help identify oral disease, which when found in the early stages is easier to treat. Using the Velscope during dental exams helps us locate areas in your mouth that might, if not treated, progress to oral cancer. The statistics show that there is an approximate 83% survival rate when oral cancer is detected early, versus 32% when detected in its later stages. The Velscope exam is a two minute exam. No rinses, stains or discomfort just a natural fluorescent light is used allowing the doctor to see disease that would not be visible to the naked eye. So let us help you protect yourself from oral disease and cancer, take the Velscope exam!

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Have you ever dreamed of having a HOLLYWOOD SMILE? Well now you can stop dreaming and make it a reality. Snap on Smile is a comfortable, removable dental appliance that will change the way your teeth look instantly. If you have gaps, crooked, stained or missing teeth this can be an affordable way to get you the perfect smile. Snap on Smile is made out of an incredibly strong resin material that you can eat, drink, talk and sleep with. Snap on smile snaps over your existing teeth so you can remove it whenever you feel like it. To get you on your way to that perfect smile we would need to schedule an appointment to take upper and lower impressions of your teeth and choose the color that best suits you, no drilling required! If this is something you are interested call us for a consultation. Your new smile is just a phone call away!

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The inside of your tooth contains soft tissue that consists of vessels and nerves. This is called the pulp. The pulp extends through the root canal to the tip of the root that lies in the bone of the jaw. When the pulp becomes diseased or injured it dies. There are many things that can cause the nerve to die. Common causes are a cracked tooth, deep cavity and trauma to the tooth, all of which can allow bacteria to enter into the pulp. When this happens the root of tooth gets infected and can cause an abscess, resulting in pain and swelling. Even if you have no pain the bacteria can damage the bone that anchors the tooth in the jaw. If the tooth is left untreated you run the risk of it being so decayed it would need to be extracted. Your dentist will let you know if they are able to treat your tooth. Sometimes the dentist will refer you to a specialist called an endodontist who only treats root canals. In any case it is very important to routinely see your dentist so that you do not have any dental issues.

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Bad breath or halitosis is an unpleasant condition that can cause embarrassment. Most people are unaware that they even have a problem. If you feel you may have a problem visit your dentist. We can help with identifying the cause and treat you accordingly. Bad breath can be caused by many different things. Certain foods, not eating frequently, dry mouth, medications, tobacco products and an infection can contribute to bad breath. We recommend brushing and flossing daily because food particles that remain in the mouth collect bacteria causing an unpleasant odor. The most common location for mouth related halitosis is the tongue. Approximately 80-90% of the bacteria that cause bad breath are found under the tongue. So, don’t forget to clear your tongue with a tongue scraper or toothbrush. Maintain a good oral hygiene routine by regularly visiting your dentist for cleanings and checkups. If you are constantly using a breath freshener your dentist can recommend an antimicrobial rinse. Don’t let embarrassment get the best of you schedule your dental visit today!

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                                      Cancer Treatment and Your Oral Health

It is extremely important for patients who are undergoing cancer treatments to see their dentist for an examination. This will help ensure overall health. Patients who have been diagnosed with cancer are at a greater risk of developing painful and debilitating oral complications from their treatments. The most common complications for patients receiving radiation therapy include dry mouth, sensitive lesions , hypersensitive teeth, rapid tooth decay and difficulty swallowing.  Your dentist and oncologist can work together before and during your cancer treatments to help minimize and manage such problems. During your treatments your dentist may advise you to brush twice daily and rinse with a special mouth rinse. If you develop a condition called dry mouth an artificial saliva replacement found over the counter will be suggested. To help avoid tooth decay you may be advised to use fluoride applications. Because any infection in your mouth can have serious implications, make sure you routinely visit your dentist. Both your dentist and your physician want your treatment to be as safe and effective as possible.

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