In recent years periodontal (gum) disease has been identified as a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. The research indicates that the most common strain of bacteria in dental plaque can inflame arteries and may create blood clots that induce a heart attack or stroke. In addition to cardiovascular problems, gum disease is also being linked with diabetes, low birth weight babies, premature birth, and some forms of respiratory disease.
My wife often tells me my breath is bad. Is that a dental problem? Any solutions?
Bad breath can have a number of causes including gum disease and stomach problems. Your dentist or dental hygienist can tell you if it might be gum disease, but even without it, bacteria accumulating between the teeth can contribute to bad breath. The best answer for that is flossing once a day. One of the most accepted theories about bad breath is that it is caused by bacteria on the back of the tongue. Sinus drainage causes an accumulation of bacteria that is not easily washed away due to the thick, carpet-like surface of the tongue. Cleaning the tongue is recommended but toothbrushes often cause gagging because of their bulk. Small plastic “tongue scrapers” make it easier to scrape this material from the tongue. For more resistant cases of bad breath, toothpaste and mouthwash containing chlorine dioxide seems to be highly effective. Tongue scrapers and the chlorine dioxide products are available in our office.
I was recently diagnosed with mitral valve prolapse and my doctor told me I should be “premedicated” before I have my dental work done. Why is that?
During the course of routine dental treatment it is possible that bacteria may get into the blood stream. If certain medical conditions are present, it is possible to get an infection called bacterial endocarditis. This leads to inflammation and deformation of the heart and is a life-threatening condition. Bacterial endocarditis is rare but it is serious enough that the guidelines established recommend a course of antibiotics one hour before dental treatment. Conditions that may indicate the need for premedication are mitral valve prolapse with regurgitation, prosthetic cardiac valves, previous bacterial endocarditis, some heart murmurs and joint replacements. The recommendations for premedication prior to dental procedures changed in 2007. There is an increasing problem with antibiotic resistance caused by too much use of antibiotics, therefore we recommend you talk to your physician to see if your particular recommendation has changed.
Does tooth bleaching really work? Is it safe?
Yes, tooth bleaching really does work - and yes, used as directed it is safe. The only really effective bleaching we are aware of is happening in dental offices. In the experience of many of our patients, over-the-counter bleaching is not very effective. The particular bleaching agents we have worked with are only available to dental offices because the companies who make it want to be sure it is used correctly. Bleaching is quick, easy, and relatively inexpensive.
My children have had fluoride treatments and sealants - but they are still getting cavities.
I don’t know what else to do.
There seems little reason for children and teens to get decay since most have had fluoride protection and many have sealants applied to biting surfaces of molars. Two things come to mind. First, many people are filtering their water or buying filtered water for home use. If you are doing that check to see if the type of filtration system you are using is taking fluoride out. From infancy through age 12, fluoride in the water is the best source to make teeth strong and decay resistant. Secondly, most of the children and teens we see with decay are drinking pop frequently. Each can of pop has about 8 teaspoons of sugar and when plaque is present in the mouth, that sugar is immediately converted to acid. That acid attack lasts for 20 minutes after the last sip. Even the strongest teeth will have trouble resisting that kind of assault.
I am hearing a lot about latex allergies. Why are they such a concern all of a sudden?
Latex is used in numerous items such as medical and dental products, balloons, underwear, balls, and rubber bands. As with most allergic reactions, the more often you come in contact with a substance, the greater your chance of having a reaction to it. That reaction might be a minor skin irritation, or it could develop to be a severe allergic reaction requiring emergency medical aid. Latex products such as gloves have been used more frequently in the medical and dental fields, particularly in the area of infection control. That means that medical and dental professionals have a greater than average risk of reacting to it. If you believe you may have a latex allergy you should always inform your medical and dental practitioners. All offices should have non-latex products available for use.
Do you work with insurance companies and offer different financing plans?
Yes and Yes. We offer a variety of financing options including Care Credit, an easy online way to manage your payments. Visit our Financing Options page for details.
I have heard that it is possible to have a porcelain crown made in just one visit. Is that true!
We are now using cutting-edge technology that often allows us to restore weak or damaged teeth in a single appointment. The instrument is called CEREC 3 and it utilizes CAD/CAM (Computer Aided Design/Computer Aided Manufacturing) technology. Porcelain is a ceramic material and has long been recognized as a superior product for dental restorations because it is biocompatible, strong, and highly esthetic. This computer instrument allows us to be so precise in the design of the restoration that we can conserve the healthy part of the tooth, removing only the existing filling and any damaged portion of the tooth. We then scan an image of the prepared tooth into the computer. A new restoration is designed and the information transmitted to a milling machine. Within 15 minutes, using the CAD/CAM technology, we will have a porcelain inlay or onlay that is fit, adjusted, and bonded to place immediately.