Learn more about the risks to your oral health during pregnancy.
Dry mouth, or xerostomin is the result of decreased saliva production, which affects up to 60% of older adults. Saliva lubricates the mouth helping to prevent decay and protect tooth enamel. But don’t worry; there are plenty of ways to manage this condition.
Dry mouth can be caused by a variety of reasons, including medications you may be taking, radiation or cancer treatments, smoking, immune deficiency, systemic diseases (such as Diabetes, Parkinsonís, Sjogren syndrome) or salivary gland aplasia.
To read the entire article , please visit plus.HealthyTeeth.org
San Diego Smiles
Kurt Christensen, DDS - Steven Krause, DDS, MAGD
337 West Madison Avenue
El Cajon, CA 92020
Phone: (619) 442-8841
Website: www.SDSmileStudio.com
An Effective and Easy Treatment in the Fight Against Cavities
Children do not always clean their teeth as well as needed. There are grooves and contours in the back teeth that often get missed while brushing. When plaque forms on these teeth, decay will set in. Any amount of decay means a restoration will be necessary.
With one application of a dental sealant, the chances of decay starting can be greatly reduced. The treatment is quick, easy, and has been proven to be very effective in cavity prevention.
First, the teeth are cleaned and then sterilized. One thin coating of the sealant is applied. It is bonded to the teeth with a curing light. As the sealant is clear or white in color, it is never visible. And that is the whole procedure that is effective both for children and adolescents to help them keep their natural teeth throughout their life.
San Diego Smiles
Kurt Christensen, DDS - Steven Krause, DDS, MAGD
337 West Madison Avenue
El Cajon, CA 92020
Phone: (619) 442-8841
Website: www.SDSmileStudio.com
Learn more about dental care for people with special needs.
Periodontal disease is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults, with 75% of adults over 35 showing problem signs.What is often referred to as the silent mouth disease, initial symptoms can easily go unnoticed.Bacteria lives in plaque, which hardens over time and can cause gum irritations such as gingivitis.
Left untreated, bacterial infections affect the gums, ligaments and bone supporting the teeth, and can enter the blood stream and may be related to other diseases such as Heart Disease and Diabetes.
To read the entire article , please visit plus.HealthyTeeth.org
Gum Surgery Can Be Avoided
If you have been told you need gum surgery, there is an alternative approach that will correct the problem. Today's laser technology is nearly a miraculous solution with a less invasive approach that produces positive results in most cases. We have treated many patients with our FDA-approved laser, and they have been astonished that the treatment is virtually painless as well as successful in returning the gums to a healthy state. As an added plus, this process can regenerate some of the bone mass in the dental arches that has been lost due to years of gum disease.
San Diego Smiles
Kurt Christensen, DDS - Steven Krause, DDS, MAGD
337 West Madison Avenue
El Cajon, CA 92020
Phone: (619) 442-8841
Website: www.SDSmileStudio.com
Nutrition Tips
Following a proper and nutritious diet not only helps keep your body healthy, but your mouth as well. Nutrition plays an important role in the health and cleanliness of your teeth, gums and mouth.
Limit Soda, Coffee and AlcoholAlthough these beverages contain a high level of phosphorous, which is a necessary mineral for a healthy mouth, too much phosphorous can deplete the body's level of calcium. This causes dental hygiene problems such as tooth decay and gum disease. Beverages containing additives such as corn syrup and food dye can make pearly white teeth appear dull and discolored. Therefore, it is best to choose beverages like milk, which helps strengthen teeth and build stronger enamel, giving you a healthy, beautiful smile.
Drink Tap Water When PossibleIf bottled water is your main source of drinking water, you could be missing the decay-preventive benefits of fluoride.
Monitor Your Low-Carb LifestyleDespite their popularity, low-carb diets can cause bad breath. A balanced, dental-healthy diet can help reduce tooth decay.
Increase Your Calcium IntakeAfter age 20, both men and women lose more bone mass than they form so it is important to restore lost calcium with a daily supplement and by eating fruits and vegetables high in calcium, such as dark leafy greens. These foods will also help to lower the acid buildup in the saliva that can lead to breakdown of tooth enamel.
Take a Daily Dose of Vitamins C and DThese vitamins help support the absorption of healthy mouth minerals such as calcium and phosphorous, which support the bone and gum tissue, keeping it healthy. This is an easy way to maintain dental hygiene and fight gum disease.
Put Out the CigaretteSmoking cigarettes is one of the greatest contributors to the aging mouth. According to the Center for Disease Control, more than 22 million women in the United States smoke cigarettes. In addition to staining teeth, smoking interrupts calcium absorption in the body and can also cause potentially life-threatening diseases such as oral cancer. So stop smoking and enjoy the health benefits as well as a healthy, beautiful smile.
The above article is from: OralB.com
San Diego SmilesKurt Christensen, DDS - Steven Krause, DDS, MAGD337 West Madison Avenue
El Cajon, CA 92020
Phone: (619) 442-8841
Website: www.SDSmileStudio.com
Learn more about Bad Breath, which is also known as Halitosis.
You Won't Be Disappointed with KöR™ Whitening
We offer our patients the latest treatment methods, and for patients with severely stained and discolored teeth, we are pleased to be able to whiten their smiles with KöR Whitening. Although there are methods that work well for most whitening needs, there are more difficult cases that require the KöR system. One example of hard-to-whiten teeth would be the staining from taking the antibiotic tetracycline.
If you have been disappointed with other whitening techniques, you will be amazed with the results you obtain for a brilliant white smile from KöR Whitening.
Bad Effects Of Dental Grills
Dental grills, also known as “grillz,” have become popular among some teens and adults due to their popularity among celebrities, especially rap musicians. Grills are decorative covers that snap over one or more teeth. They are usually made of gold, silver or other precious metals. But less expensive grills are often made from base metals that can cause irritation or an allergic reaction.
There are no long-term studies of dental grills, so there are no data about long-term safety or about problems resulting from long-term wear.
Grills can promote plaque buildup and tooth decay because food particles and bacteria may build up between the teeth and the grill. A grill may also cause abrasion of the teeth that border it. Excessive wearing of grills may discolor teeth, too, so grill fans may need to whiten teeth when they decide to stop wearing the grill.
Anyone who wears a dental grill should be especially attentive to dental hygiene, and follow a consistent routine of twice-daily tooth brushing and daily flossing. Also, be sure to remove the grill before eating and rinse it often to remove bacteria and food particles. Talk to your dentist before getting a dental grill and be sure to find out how best to reduce the risk of bacterial buildup and other complications.
The above article is from: OralB.com
San Diego SmilesKurt Christensen, DDS - Steven Krause, DDS, MAGD337 West Madison Avenue
El Cajon, CA 92020
Phone: (619) 442-8841
Website: www.SDSmileStudio.com
Saliva has an important job to do in your mouth. For starters, it helps to remove food particles. But it also helps prevent tooth decay and infection by washing away plaque and keeping disease-causing bacteria from building up on your teeth and gums. But saliva can’t do all that work by itself. So it’s important to remove plaque yourself by practicing good oral hygiene, which means proper flossing each day, and twice-daily tooth brushing.
Most of us don’t think about the moisture in our mouths until our mouths become dry. A variety of conditions can cause dry mouth, also known as xerostomia, including the following:
- Cancer treatments. If you have any type of cancer of the head or neck and you receive radiation therapy, dry mouth is a common side effect because the radiation damages the salivary glands in addition to destroying the cancer. Some medications used to treat cancer in any part of the body can also cause dry mouth.
- Prescription medications. Hundreds of common medications, including many antidepressants and medications for high blood pressure, can contribute to a dry mouth. If you take medications that seem to make your mouth feel dry, be especially vigilant about tooth brushing and proper flossing.
- Nerve damage. Some types of injuries to the head or neck can damage the specific nerves that tell the salivary glands to produce saliva.
- Chronic illness. Diabetes, HIV/AIDS, and Parkinson’s disease are among the diseases that can contribute to a chronic dry mouth.
- Drug use. Methamphetamines have been associated with dry mouth.
To read the entire article please visit: OralB.com
San Diego SmilesKurt Christensen, DDS - Steven Krause, DDS, MAGD337 West Madison Avenue
El Cajon, CA 92020
Phone: (619) 442-8841
Website: www.SDSmileStudio.com
If the thought of seeing your dentist gives you chills every six months, an anesthetic may be the solution. Sedation dentistry uses a combination of techniques, ranging from nitrous oxide or "laughing gas" to general anesthesia, to relax a patient during surgeries or otherwise uncomfortable appointments. For even the most severe dental phobias, there is no longer a reason to avoid the dentist altogether.
Settings that Practice Anti-Anxiety
The dental office has long been the most common setting for routine dental procedures that use sedation and anti-anxiety techniques. These techniques can be used for any type of dental procedure depending on the needs of the patient. Ultimately, your fears and phobias can be managed so that you can receive the dental care you require no matter where the treatment takes place.
Are You a Candidate for Sedation?
Your overall health, as well as physical and mental conditions you may be battling at the time, are important to be able to safely undergo certain types of sedation ñ especially in the dental office. Certain of these conditions may require clearance from a physician: cardiac disease, hypertension, diabetes and respiratory diseases should all be addressed prior to a given type of sedation. Your dentist will take a thorough medical history and physical assessment before proceeding, and if need be, recommend a product like Colgate® Total® Advanced Deep Clean to get home care on the right track. He or she may also ask you to receive medical clearance from your physician.
To read the entire article written by James Burke Fine DMD, please visit Colgate.com
San Diego Smiles
Kurt Christensen, DDS - Steven Krause, DDS, MAGD
337 West Madison Avenue
El Cajon, CA 92020
Phone: (619) 442-8841
Website: www.SDSmileStudio.com
Perhaps you’ve been neglecting a good oral health routine. Or, you’ve done your best, but you’ve developed plaque and tartar buildup. A regular routine of twice-daily tooth brushing and daily flossing is an important part of regular plaque removal for everyone. But if you have risk factors that have caused a buildup of plaque on your teeth and gums to harden into tartar, your dentist or dental hygienist may suggest scaling or root planing your teeth to remove the buildup. If left untreated, severe tartar buildup along and under the gum line can cause the gums to pull away from the teeth, which may increase the risk of gum disease.
Scaling and root planing are common nonsurgical techniques that may prevent the need for more serious procedures, such as periodontal surgery or a root canal.
Here’s what to expect if your dentist or dental hygienist recommends these techniques:
- You won’t feel it. You’ll receive a local anesthetic to numb the area.
- Scaling: Your dentist or dental hygienist removes plaque and tartar from the areas both above and below the gum line.
- Root Planing: Your dentist or dental hygienist uses special tools to smooth rough spots on the tooth roots. This process not only removes bacteria and helps reduce plaque buildup, but it provides a smooth surface for gums to reattach to the teeth.
After a scaling and root planing procedure, be sure to follow your dentist’s instructions and maintain an oral care routine of twice-daily tooth brushing and daily flossing. If your gums are sensitive after the procedure, try a spongy floss, such as Oral-BÆ Ultra FlossÆ, to help prevent painful flossing.
The above article is from: OralB.com
San Diego SmilesKurt Christensen, DDS - Steven Krause, DDS, MAGD337 West Madison Avenue
El Cajon, CA 92020
Phone: (619) 442-8841
Website: www.SDSmileStudio.com
Dry mouth, or xerostomin is the result of decreased saliva production, which affects up to 60% of older adults. Saliva lubricates the mouth helping to prevent decay and protect tooth enamel. But don’t worry; there are plenty of ways to manage this condition.
Children do not always clean their teeth as well as needed. There are grooves and contours in the back teeth that often get missed while brushing. When plaque forms on these teeth, decay will set in. Any amount of decay means a restoration will be necessary.
Periodontal disease is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults, with 75% of adults over 35 showing problem signs.What is often referred to as the silent mouth disease, initial symptoms can easily go unnoticed.Bacteria lives in plaque, which hardens over time and can cause gum irritations such as gingivitis.
If you have been told you need gum surgery, there is an alternative approach that will correct the problem. Today's laser technology is nearly a miraculous solution with a less invasive approach that produces positive results in most cases. We have treated many patients with our FDA-approved laser, and they have been astonished that the treatment is virtually painless as well as successful in returning the gums to a healthy state. As an added plus, this process can regenerate some of the bone mass in the dental arches that has been lost due to years of gum disease. 
If the thought of seeing your dentist gives you chills every six months, an anesthetic may be the solution. Sedation dentistry uses a combination of techniques, ranging from nitrous oxide or "laughing gas" to general anesthesia, to relax a patient during surgeries or otherwise uncomfortable appointments. For even the most severe dental phobias, there is no longer a reason to avoid the dentist altogether.
