Posts for the ‘General Dentistry’ Category
Posted on November 4, 2008 9:18AM in General Dentistry
Dry Mouth, called xerostomia, results from an inadequate flow of saliva, and is a symptom rather than a specific disorder. Adequate salivary flow lubricates oral tissues, cleanses the mouth and begins the digestive process as foods are chewed. When salivary flow is reduced, harmful organisms grow in the mouth. Left untreated, dry mouth may lead to oral yeast infection, a burning sensation, rampant tooth decay, bad breath and other oral health problems. Chronic dry mouth can make swallowing difficult. Drying irritates the soft tissues, which can make them inflamed and more susceptible to infection. Without the cleansing and shielding effects of adequate salivary flow, tooth decay and periodontal (gum) disease become more common. Constant dryness and the lack of protection provided by saliva contribute to bad breath. Dry mouth also causes dentures to become uncomfortable. Prescribed and over-the-counter medications are the most common cause of dry mouth. These include antihistamines, decongestants, pain killers, diuretics, anti-hypertensives and anti-depressants. Dry mouth also may result from radiation treatment for head and neck cancers, salivary gland disease, emotional stress, and auto immune diseases. Pregnancy and menopause have also been associated with dry mouth. Increasing fluid intake might alleviate dry mouth. Your dentist or physician may recommend using artificial saliva-available at local pharmacies to keep oral tissues moist. Other remedies include sugar-free gum or candy (to stimulate salivary flow); frequent sips of water; alcohol-free oral rinses; restricted intake of caffeine, alcohol and carbonated beverages.
P.S. Regular dental checkups are important, too. Taking good care of your teeth and gums is critical if you have dry mouth to minimize decay and periodontal disease. Brush and floss twice a day. Your dentist may recommend additional fluoride products to help control tooth decay. If you have specific questions about your dry mouth symptoms, we invite you to contact us at Aesthetic Dental Care of New Jersey for more information.
back to top
Posted on October 13, 2008 2:31PM in General Dentistry
Flossing is just as important as brushing your teeth when it comes to oral care. It is important to understand that brushing alone leaves as much as 40% of the tooth surfaces untouched. By augmenting your brushing routine with flossing, you are getting into all the areas between and under teeth that a toothbrush simply cannot reach. Flossing at night is particularly beneficial, because that is when bacteria laden plaque builds up most. It isn’t just your gums and mouth that benefit from regular flossing, but your overall well-being. Periodontal disease, which can be prevented with regular flossing, has been linked to heart disease, osteoporosis, diabetes, and Alzheimer’s disease. Your teeth can last a lifetime if you practice basic dental care, which involves brushing and flossing regularly, eating a mouth-healthy diet, and visiting your dentist for regular checkups and cleanings. Developing good dental health habits is the best way to prevent tooth decay and gum disease. If it’s been too long since you had professional oral care, we invite you to call AESTHETIC DENTAL CARE at (973) 287.3829 to schedule an appointment and get you back on track. Even severe periodontal disease may be arrested with proper dental treatment.
P.S. Just like most everything, there is a correct way to floss. Be sure to ask your dentist for instructions, and follow them to get the most benefit.
back to top
Posted on September 19, 2008 8:21AM in General Dentistry
The American Dental Association has announced that in Sweden and Norway, the use of silver-mercury (amalgam) dental fillings has been banned. There has been much discussion as to the health and environmental risks of these fillings for some time. In the USA, the use of silver-mercury is still permitted by the government and the FDA. However, many states now require elaborate filtration systems in dental offices to insure that when removed from teeth, silver-mercury filling waste does not get into the sewage system, as it is considered hazardous. New York has such a requirement, and New Jersey will begin enforcement in the coming months. In 2008, there are seemingly better materials than silver amalgam with which to restore teeth. Not only does amalgam contain mercury, which is a toxic substance and is downright ugly, but studies have shown that it is not beneficial to teeth. Imagine the activity of mercury in a thermometer- it expands and contracts as the temperature changes, and does the same thing in your mouth. It contracts, leaving minute crevices that bacteria-laden saliva seeps into, causing decay under the filling. When the filling later expands, it pushes on weakened tooth structure, often causing the cusp of a tooth to fracture off.
Alternatives to mercury-silver fillings are resin/composite restorations or porcelain onlays. Composite is a white material that is bonded to the tooth. Since composite restorations are tooth colored and natural looking, until recently, dental insurance companies deemed that they were only cosmetic and therefore they were not covered under the terms of some policies. However, now the better policies recognize the benefits of composite restorations and do reimburse for them, or at the very least, reimburse at the level of an amalgam filling. Porcelain onlays are harder than filling material and usually last longer. The porcelain is also bonded into place and helps to strengthen the tooth. If you have silver-mercury amalgam fillings in your mouth, chances are you’ll be OK. It is considered unethical for a dentist to advise a patient to have them removed purely for health reasons. However, many patients opt to do so.
If you have questions concerning mercury fillings, you should ask your dentist. If you do not have a dental home, you are welcome to contact us Aesthetic Dental Care of New Jersey (where we haven’t used mercury filling material for over fifteen years) and schedule an appointment so that we can discuss your unique situation. We’re located at 389 Passaic Avenue in Fairfield.
P.S. If silver-mercury amalgams considered so toxic that soon it won’t be allowed to be removed from teeth by regular means, is it really something you want in your mouth?
back to top
|
