Monday, October 27, 2014

Candy Good for Your Teeth?

As discussed before, poor oral health has been linked to Alzheimer’s, heart disease, and even pancreaticcancer, so good oral care is more important than ever.

girl eating candyThat is why a team of scientists over in Germany have recently made an exciting breakthrough in the world of candy and oral health. They found that, by combining sugar-free candy with dead bacteria, theywere able to reduce the overall amount of bacteria in your mouth. Significantly.

Bacteria tends to collect on the surface of the teeth after eating, which then dissolves the dentin andenamel of your teeth, causing cavities. This candy is able to prevent some of the worse bacteria frombinding to your teeth and creates more saliva flow to help wash it all away.

In the study, one third of the subjects ate candy with 1 mg of the dead bacteria, one third ate candy with2 mg of the dead bacteria, and the rest had candy without the bacteria. In the trials with the bacteria,over 75% of the subjects had a significantly lower amount of bacteria in their mouths after eating thecandy.
Additionally, the subjects eating just one piece of the candy containing 2 mg of the dead bacteria hadmeasurable decreases in the bacteria in their mouths.

The candy works by using heat-killed samples of L. paracasei bacteria combined in a sugar-free candy.These dead bacteria will bind with living M. streptococci bacteria in your mouth, preventing it frombeing able to attach to your tooth surfaces. Then, with the additional saliva produced from eating candy,it all washes away, preventing any tooth damage.

The team behind these findings believe that they can also use the dead bacteria in other solutions, suchas mouth washes, but feel the combination with candy is the best use at the moment.

As always, if you have any questions or concerns about your oral health, your friendly Valencia dentist has all the answers you need. Schedule your appointment today.

Monday, October 20, 2014

Poor Dental Hygiene – The Silent Killer

It’s not mystery that poor dental hygiene can lead to unattractive smiles and tooth loss, but did you know that scientists have found links between your poor dental hygiene and diseases such as Alzheimer’s?
The bacteria responsible for gum disease, P. Gingivalis, has been linked to chronic system-wide inflammation. One of these bacterium harnesses the ability to evade your immune system and travel through your body by hitching a ride with your exposed blood vessels. As the bacteria travels through your arteries, your immune system attacks it causing inflammation… However, it is able to disguise itself from your white blood cells. It leaves a trail of immune responses behind as it travels throughout your body.

poor dental hygieneScientists have also found a link between the same P. Gingivalis and Alzheimer’s disease. In patients suffering from Alzheimer’s, all of them tested positive for the bacteria living in their brain. In contrast, a test of patients of a similar age without Alzheimer’s revealed no traces of the bacteria in their brain. The bacteria are able to access your brain by crawling up the exposed nerves in damaged teeth or by clinging to blood, like above.
Another study shows that men who suffer from gum disease and inflammation also have a 64% higher risk of developing pancreatic cancer in their lives. Studies have only shown, however, that there is a link between P. Gingivalis and pancreatic cancer; not that one causes the other.

And if you have bleeding gums, bacteria is able to attach itself to your red blood cells and travel towards the heart, causing blockages, leading to an increased risk of heart disease. The bacteria will group together, forming clots and decreasing blood flow, and by doing so, they surround themselves in your body’s own platelets and make themselves invisible to your own immune system.

But don’t worry! If your dental hygiene is something to be concerned about, be sure to see your friendly Valencia dentist today to discuss your worries. They can examine your mouth and see if you are at risk of any future illnesses.      

Tuesday, October 14, 2014

Dealing with TMD

TMD, short for temporomandibular disorders, is a blanket term which implies you have an existing problem with your jaw. Specifically, the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). The problem could range anywhere from jaw pain to a complete lack of motion in the jaw. While TMD is common, dentists cannot determine a root cause of the disorder. It seems most likely, however, that it arises due to jaw muscles malfunctioning.
Jaw PainIf you have pain or tenderness in your jaw, face, neck, and shoulders – especially when you open your mouth – you could have TMD.

Other symptoms include a clicking or popping sound when opening your mouth; a jaw that likes to lock in place; a feeling of misaligned teeth; swelling in the jaw; muscle fatigue.
If you have any combination of these symptoms, never hesitate to contact your friendly Valencia dentist. Many tests are available to help diagnose your TMD and bring you closer to a treatment. Your dentist will carefully examine your temporomandibular joint for anything out of the ordinary. They may also take X-rays for a closer look at what is happening inside. Once they rule out other possible causes, they may recommend some of many treatments.

Alternating between ice and heat combined with simple stretches will help ease the pain of TMD. Anti-inflammatory drugs are also an easy solution for dealing with pain and tenderness. Taking smaller bites and eating softer foods can help ease the stress on your TMJ. And if all else fails, laser therapy can help reduce inflammation.

If you have any questions or concerns about TMD, stop by to see your friendly Valencia dentist. They can work closely with you to ensure you are receiving the best treatment possible. They can also refer you to a physical therapist, or even a surgeon if more conventional treatments do not work.

Monday, October 6, 2014

The Tongue: Your Body’s Roadmap to Health

It may often be overlooked, but your tongue can actually clue in your dentist to potentially serious health risks down the line. In addition to being one of the strongest muscles in the body, your tongue can also indicate signs of oral cancer and even AIDS. It is majorly important to see your friendly Valencia dentist at the first signs of tongue oddities. Some things to look out for:

A black, “hairy” tongue.
Though very shocking and typically unsightly, a black and “hairy” tongue is not something to be concerned about. It is likely a sign of poor dental health, or may be a side effect of some antibiotics and chemotherapy.
This is caused when the papillae (the small bumps on the surface of your tongue) that grow on your tongue are not worn down, and are allowed to grow without limits. The extra surface space is the perfect breeding ground for numerous bacteria, which can often take on a dark or black coloring.
Once the bacteria grows on the long papillae, it can take on a hair-like appearance.

TongueA red, “strawberry” tongue.
A healthy tongue is typically pink, but there are a few possible causes for your tongue to turn red.
Benign migratory glossitis, or a “geographic tongue”, is the term for red patches that appear on your tongue. They are typically accompanied by a white border around them. While typically harmless, if they cause discomfort or last for over two weeks, it may be best to consult your friendly Valencia dentist.
A high fever paired with a red tongue is a warning sign for Scarlet fever. If you suspect this may be the case, contact a doctor immediately.
A lack of vitamin B-12 and folic acid can cause your tongue to turn a reddish hue.

A sore, bumpy tongue.
Smoking can cause tongue irritation.
When a taste bud becomes irritated or inflamed, it can cause a large, painful bump on your tongue. However, it’s nothing to be worried about, as it will typically resolve itself with time, however uncomfortable it may be.
Diabetes sufferers will often list a sore tongue as one of their symptoms.
If there is a lump or lasting sore on your tongue, it could indicate oral cancer. If something seems out of the ordinary, it is always safe to check with your Valencia dentist to rule out any other possible illnesses.

A white tongue.
Candidiasis, aka oral thrush, is a yeast infection that often has a white, cottage cheese-like tongue as a symptom. It typically grows in infants and the elderly, and especially after taking antibiotics, which may kill the ‘good’ bacteria in the mouth, leaving behind the oral thrush bacterium. Luckily, some plain yogurt can help restore some of the good bacteria.
Leukoplakia is a condition in which cells in the oral cavity grow unchecked. It is typically harmless, but is often a precursor to oral cancer. If you have white patches on your tongue and in your mouth, check with your friendly Valencia dentist to get the cause determined.


As always, if you have any questions or concerns about your oral health or about your tongue, never hesitate to schedule an appointment with your Valencia dentist today.

Friday, October 3, 2014

Why do I need a crown?

Dental crowns are common restorations prescribed by dentists.  They are tooth-shaped “caps” that cover and support the tooth.  Oftentimes, patients are unclear about the function of a crown and what the procedure entails. It is important to understand why you need a crown and how it will improve your occlusion and smile.

Large broken-down fillings and fractured teeth are the most common reasons why a dental crown is needed.  After removing an existing filling and then cleaning out the decay, the remaining tooth structure must be more than 60% to hold a long-lasting composite restoration.  If there is not enough tooth structure, a crown is indicated.  Attempting to restore a tooth in these situations with a standard filling will eventually lead to failure.  In addition, a tooth that is painful to biting with fracture lines need to be treated with a crown.
“Capping” the tooth protects the natural tooth structure underneath from fracturing.

Similarly, teeth treated with root canals need additional support.  Gaining access to the root canal space requires removing tooth structure that weakens the tooth.  A crown seals out bacteria from the canal space and prevents breakage.

Dental Crown FittingSometimes, crowns are used to change the size, shape and color of a tooth.  Full-coverage crowns, partial crowns, or veneers can close diastemas (spaces) between teeth.  Intrinsic tooth discoloration from medications or trauma can also be corrected with crowns.  Worn-down, chipped teeth can be transformed.  Here, the art of dentistry truly comes to life.  We work closely with lab techs and ceramicists to perfect the contours and shades that create an all-natural, esthetically pleasing smile.

Crowns require two appointments for completion.  At the first visit, the tooth is prepared by
removing old fillings and decay. A new filling can be placed to fill in the “pot-holes” so that
the crown has a solid, smooth surface to rest on. Next, the tooth is shaped so that there is enough room for a porcelain crown to cover it.  At this point, an impression (mold) of the
mouth is made which records the tooth’s dimensions for the lab to fabricate the final
crown.  It takes about two weeks for the finished crown to processed and milled.

Between visits, your tooth will have a temporary crown that saves the space for the final crown. It covers the tooth to prevent sensitivity and protects it.  It is cemented with temporary cement so that it will be easier to remove at the next visit. During this time, a softer diet is recommended, nothing too chewy or hard that can cause the temporary to break or come off.  If something does happen, you should see your dentist as soon as possible.

At the second visit, the crown will be fitted and adjusted into your occlusion.  After polishing, and ensuring a great shade match, the porcelain crown is cemented permanently.

Here at Go Dental - Valencia Dentist, you can rest assured that we are using the best materials for your crown.  We have eliminated traditional metals from the practice and utilize lithium disilicate ceramics and zirconia, which are very aesthetic and long-lasting materials. We stand behind our crowns and hope that by understanding the process better, you can feel comfortable choosing us as your provider.