by Matthew Brady

For 10 years, George Labbad of West Palm Beach avoided dentists. “I had this thing against dentists,” he says. “They inject you, they drill, they fill, then on to the next patient.” Then a friend recommended highly rated cosmetic dentist Karen Glerum of Boynton Beach, Fla. After two years with Glerum and between $12,000 and $15,000 in procedures that included porcelain crowns, whitening, tooth-colored fillings and Invisalign braces, Labbad, 54, is all smiles.

“I can laugh and open my mouth and all you see is white,” he says. “The experience has totally enlightened me about dentistry.”

Almost 32 percent of Angie’s List members polled say they’ve had cosmetic dentistry, with crowns being the most popular procedure, followed by whitening, veneers and braces. While some say they get cosmetic work for healthier teeth or to feel more confident, 50 percent say they did it to improve their appearance.

Member Carl Vonderau of San Diego sees highly rated Dr. Lawrence Addleson for all his dental needs, from porcelain inlays to regular cleaning, and puts it simply: “It’s nice to have teeth that look good.”

The cosmetic dentistry category is the fastest-growing in the dental industry, according to the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, with 200 percent growth in procedures since 1996 and 300 percent growth in teeth whitening alone. But the line between the profession of who can offer general and cosmetic dentistry is ill-defined and in many cases, nonexistent. The American Dental Association doesn’t recognize it as a specialty and any general dentist can market himself or herself as a cosmetic specialist.

Although about 93 percent of cosmetic dentistry reports on Angie’s List bear a grade of B or better, experts agree consumers must find a dentist they can trust. Addleson compares it to hiring a plumber or house painter — you get what you pay for, except the stakes are much higher. Bad cosmetic dentistry will at best leave you with an ugly smile, he says. At worst, it can devastate your oral health.

Few regulations for specialization

Who can do cosmetic dentistry or even what it is remains largely up to the interpretation of each dentist. Procedures the ADA considers potentially cosmetic —braces, porcelain crowns, veneers, bridges and bonding — can be legally performed by a general dentist but also overlap into the specialties of orthodontics and prosthodontics.

“Cosmetic dentistry can range from low-level whitening — I’m talking Crest White Strips — to full-mouth reconstruction,” says highly rated Dr. Michael Moats, a cosmetic dentist in Buffalo Grove, Ill.

As a result, the consumer is often confused about whom they should see for cosmetic work, says highly rated prosthodontist Dr. Keith Progebin of Washington, D.C. “Just because [a dentist] can do something doesn’t mean he or she should do it or is capable of doing it to the same standard of care as the specialist.”

Prosthodontics is the only specialty recognized by the ADA for cosmetic procedures. It requires a three-year accredited fellowship in all aspects of cosmetic dentistry, implants, dentures, full-mouth reconstructionand other complex issues.

Not that Progebin wants patients lining up at his door for only teeth whitening, basic inlays and veneers. In the absence of regulation, he says patients must be proactive in evaluating the work they need, asking good questions of their general dentist and seeking a second opinion of a specialist, if necessary.

Consumer caution necessary

Georgia McNulty-Hook of Redwood City, Calif., outside of San Francisco says she knows all too well the high cost of bad dentistry. “I wanted my teeth to look like a movie star’s,” she says, and adds that she went to Dr. Glenn G. Lew based on his glossy advertisements and plush offices.

“I’m 64. Old people get old-looking teeth — yellow. When Dr. Lew told me, ‘I’m going to crown every tooth,’ I thought, ‘Why not?’ He said it would be beautiful.”

The process took two years, required more than 15 crowns and cost more than $20,000. In fall 2010, one of her front crowns fell out. She paid Lew, who has a negative grade on Angie’s List, about $1,500 out of pocket before stopping payments on her 20 percent share of the insurance cost.

She says she’s been told by another dentist the remaining crowns will fall out eventually because her gums can’t support them.

Lew declined to comment on her case, citing federal privacy laws, but says his track record speaks for itself. “I have many, many happy patients from a career that spans 33 years now,” he says. “On occasion, as in any profession, difficulties arise with cases. I deal with these on an individual basis and always stand by my work.”

Addleson, not commenting specifically on McNulty-Hook’s situation, says bad cosmetic dentistry is fairly common and estimates about 25 percent of his practice is doing over other dentists’ shoddy dental work. Progebin estimates his redo’s on bad work from other providers is closer to 50 percent.

Patients should expect quality cosmetic dentists to offer an abundance of before-and-after photos. “If a dentist can’t show you his work, it probably means he hasn’t done any or it looks like crap,” Addleson says. Also, make sure the photos are of that dentist’s work, he adds, pointing out that some dentists buy before-and after photos to misrepresent their skill.

“Ask to talk to the patients in the photos,” he says. “Every photo on the wall, I not only did the work, they are only my patients.”

While all dentists can do cosmetic dentistry, Addleson, who’s past president of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, says skill levels vary. The AACD, with 7,000 members worldwide, is the largest cosmetic dentistry association and offers six levels of membership, from general members with no requirements up to accredited fellows, like Addleson, who must pass oral and written exams and submit 50 examples of work for peer review.

Health first

Regardless of a dentist’s background, aesthetics always should take a backseat to oral health. That means a full oral exam that includes X-rays, gum exam and cleaning. Dentists shouldn’t start the aesthetics until they’ve addressed the other issues.

“Just because we do cosmetic dentistry doesn’t mean we can ignore that for which we are trained,” Addleson says. “Especially gum disease. If you have gum disease in the front of the mouth and then you do veneers, that tissue is going to recede and then it looks like hell.”

Broken or cracked teeth also point to problems with a person’s bite that a good cosmetic dentist will correct rather than cover up. Addleson turns away patients who don’t want to address oral health problems. Moats does the same.

“I had a woman in here, she wanted six veneers,” Moats says. “I said, ‘No problem, but your bite is wrong. If we don’t correct that first, whatever work I do will break.’ She didn’t like what I said, went to another dentist and came back several months later with broken veneers.”

In extreme cases when a patient needs full-mouth reconstruction, Progebin recommends consulting a prosthodontist. “The specialist acts like a project manager,” he says. “There’s got to be one person in charge. I’d send you to the orthodontist. I’d send you to the periodontist or oral surgeon. I’d coordinate [dental care] for you.”

Vonderau says he feels like Addleson is interested in his oral health, not just expensive procedures, because the dentist declined to whiten one of his teeth. “It’s had a root canal and he would have to drill into the tooth to do an effective bleach,” he says. “It would weaken the tooth too much. He’s a perfectionist and that’s good.”

Also, for the convenience of all our wonderful patients we will be open on Monday, December 26, 2011. Great for students, teachers, and anyone else who is home or off for the Holidays.

Reminder: This is your last chance to utilize your 2011 insurance benefits!!

Please call the office to schedule an appointment. 561-374-8922

Happy Holidays and Hope to see you soon!

Dr. Glerum & Staff!

Dear Patient,

We’re heading into the fourth quarter of the year. Do you have unused dental benefits that will expire in a few months? If so, call us today to make sure your dental health is taken care of, and covered!

Sincerely, Karen Glerum, D.D.S.

The Price of Dental Health

Everything has its price, including dental care – especially when it’s a lack of dental care.

A study in the Journal of Periodontology discovered that cumulative health care costs were 21 percent higher for patients with severe periodontal (gum) disease than for those without gum disease. While the immediate conclusion might be that the higher costs were attributed directly to tooth and gum issues, it’s important to recognize that dental disease and infections in the mouth can easily travel into the body, and cause havoc with many other, seemingly unrelated, health issues.

While more research continues to be conducted, findings to-date confirm a link between gum disease and diabetes, and a possible link between gum disease and a higher risk of heart disease, stroke and preterm births. People with respiratory diseases or osteoporosis may also be threatened by existing gum disease.

And then there’s the issue of taking time off from work and school. Statistics released by the Dental, Oral and Craniofacial Resource Center show that over 164 million hours of work were lost in a single year by employed people in the United States, and over 51 million school hours were missed annually by school-aged children due to a dental problem or visit to a dental office.

The price of poor dental care can also be felt on a social level, made evident on the employment front. For example, employers have been known to view potential job candidates with missing front teeth as less intelligent, less trust-worthy and less desirable than ones with a full set of healthy teeth.

A good oral hygiene program, including regular, professional cleanings in our office, can go a long way toward preventing gum disease, and all its associated medical, economic and social issues.

If you haven’t already scheduled your next dental visit, please take a moment to call today.

Why Cosmetic Dentistry?

According to a 2011 cosmetic dentist survey, the following are the most common reasons that people decide to improve their smile with cosmetic dentistry:

1. Improved appearance.
2. Self-esteem.
3. Professional success.
4. Health.
5. Improved relationships.

While certain cosmetic procedures, like tooth whitening, can only be done on healthy teeth, there are other procedures that are performed in order to strengthen and improve teeth, and, in the process, they improve the overall appearance of your smile.

For example, dentists agree that chipped teeth are a common reason patients ask for a cosmetic update. Chipped or otherwise damaged teeth can easily be covered with porcelain veneers, mended with dental bonding or covered with crowns or onlays. Your teeth will not only be stronger after most of these procedures, they’ll also look great!

In addition to chipped teeth, we regularly perform cosmetic improvements to fix discolored, uneven, and missing teeth, or gaps in-between teeth. Inevitably, the result is a younger, brighter smile, with the confidence boost that comes from an improved appearance.

Wondering if your smile could use a boost? Please ask us to explain all your options!

Dear Patient,

The busy Fall season’s just around the corner, so make sure to schedule the whole family’s dental appointments now. We hope to see you soon!

Sincerely, Karen Glerum, D.D.S.

HEALTHY GUMS = HEALTHY LUNGS

While a number of studies already link poor oral health to compromised overall health, recently published research also suggests a possible correlation between gum disease and the risk of respiratory infections, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and pneumonia. These serious infections can be instigated when bacteria from the upper throat are inhaled into the lower respiratory tract. The first logical line of defense is to therefore reduce the amount of bacteria produced in the mouth.

If tooth brushing and flossing are not automatic habits for you, you may be encouraging the production of bacteria, thus opening yourself up to the risk of infection and disease, including gum disease.

Gum disease is caused by plaque, a clear, sticky film of bacteria that forms on your teeth. If it is not removed every day by brushing and flossing, it hardens into tartar and can lead to an infection of the tissues surrounding and supporting the teeth. If unattended, this could lead to gingivitis, and then periodontitis — an advanced stage of gum disease.

Periodontitis can result in serious damage as the gums and bone that support the teeth deteriorate, leading to loose teeth, and even tooth loss. Be on the lookout for the following signs of gum disease:

• Gums that bleed when you brush your teeth.
• Red, swollen or tender gums.
• Gums that have receded from the teeth.
• Persistent bad breath.
• A change in the way your teeth or partial dentures fit together when you bite.

Brushing and flossing thoroughly to remove the bacteria that initiate the decay process, eating healthy foods and visiting the dentist for regular, professional cleanings are simple yet effective ways to help avoid this preventable disease.

OPEN WIDE… THE LINES OF COMMUNICATION!

While medications are designed to make us feel better, in some cases their side effects can instigate a second, completely different, problem. That’s why dentists encourage patients to “open up,” in more ways than one!

If you have medical conditions, or if you are taking any medications, please make sure we’re aware of them at the start of your dental visit.

Both daily prescription-strength medications and occasional over-the-counter drugs can have temporary, or even permanent, effects on your oral health. For example, hundreds of common medications, including antihistamines and high blood pressure treatments, can cause side effects that affect your oral health. There may be noticeable changes to your soft tissues, or gum overgrowth, and you may even experience changes to your sense of taste.

Dry mouth is another common side effect of certain medications, including asthma medications and antidepressants. The condition, which leaves the mouth without enough saliva to wash away food from your teeth, may leave you more susceptible to tooth decay and gum disease, and can cause sore throats, problems with speaking, and difficulty swallowing, in addition to fungal infections and bad breath. Some coping mechanisms to deal with dry mouth include sipping water regularly, chewing sugarless gum or sucking on sugarless hard candy, breathing through your nose and not your mouth, and, of course, brushing your teeth at least twice a day and seeing your dentist regularly. Ask us for information on moisturizing mouth spray and other dry mouth coping mechanisms, too.

People with certain medical conditions may require special consideration in the dental chair. For example, patients with low blood pressure may require a more upright positioning in the dental chair. Did you know that a high consumption of herbal teas could cause low blood pressure? Low blood pressure puts people at risk of fainting in the dental chair, so in addition to updating us on the drugs you are taking, make sure you keep us advised of any herbal remedies or alternative medicines you may be taking, too, as most people don’t realize that multivitamins, ginseng tablets and herbal teas can also be considered drugs.

If you’ve had heart surgery or joint replacement, or are immunosupressed due to illness, radiation treatment or a drug you are taking, please let us know. Sometimes we need to prescribe antibiotics before we even start dental work, in order to avoid possible infection or complications in the event you bleed during your dental procedure.

As you know, our office keeps a file on your dental history. In that file is also any background information you’ve shared with us about any medical conditions you have or any medications you may be taking. Some drugs can interact with medications that we may need to prescribe for your dental work, so it’s important that we know which drugs you are taking and in what doses.

Please also remember to share your oral health history with your physician as, while you may not link your gum disease to your overall health, research has shown that gum disease is a chronic inflammatory disease that may put you at a higher risk for other diseases including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and Alzheimer’s disease. Be sure to let your dentist or periodontist know if you have any of these medical conditions, or if you have a family history of disease.

Dear Patient,

June brings weddings, social occasions and the beginning of summer! Why not refresh your smile for the new season with either in-office or take-home tooth whitening?

Sincerely,
Karen Glerum, D.D.S.

When Whitening Won’t Work

While in most cases tooth whitening is a fast, easy way to brighten and beautify your smile, there are instances where whitening simply won’t work. One of those instances is when a patient’s teeth are discolored not because of regular staining, but because of severe enamel damage.

Tooth enamel, the hard, outer layer of the tooth, protects the softer, more sensitive dentin underneath. When the enamel wears away, not only does protection against hot and cold wear away, so does the white appearance of the tooth. Because dentin is typically a pale yellow color, when it starts showing through the thinned enamel, the teeth appear as a discolored hue. We don’t recommend bleaching teeth that show signs of eroded enamel, and, in fact, because the enamel is worn down it makes more sense to both whiten and protect the teeth with the application of dental veneers or porcelain crowns.

Although tooth enamel is one of the hardest substances in the body, it isn’t invincible. The effects from acidic foods and drinks, medications, and acid reflux, for example, can permanently damage tooth enamel. Unlike a broken bone that can be repaired by the body, enamel has no living cells, which means the body cannot naturally repair worn out, chipped or cracked enamel.

The attractiveness of enamel damaged teeth can typically be restored with the application of porcelain veneers — thin, toothcolored custom-made porcelain “shells” that fit over the front of your teeth. Veneers also provide the benefit of correcting the appearance of teeth that may be chipped, broken, poorly shaped or slightly crooked. Teeth that are more severely damaged can be physically strengthened and cosmetically restored with the application of dental crowns.

Are you wondering about whitening, and if it would work for you? Please take a moment to call 561-374-8922 now, for a no-obligation consultation. We’ll explain all your options, and let you decide. Chances are, the solution is easier than you think!

Enamel Education

While we endeavor to help our patients avoid tooth problems, the reality is that by the time many people get to the dentist, they are already experiencing symptoms of dental distress.

Many common dental complaints — both physical and cosmetic — can be traced back to enamel damage.

Tooth enamel is the hard, outer layer of the tooth. While it’s one of the hardest substances in the body, it isn’t invincible, and can be permanently damaged by the effects of the acidic foods and drinks we consume almost every day. Unlike a broken bone that can be repaired by the body, enamel has no living cells, which means the body cannot naturally repair worn out, chipped or cracked enamel.

Are you, or is someone you know, experiencing one or more of these symptoms?

• Tooth sensitivity. Tooth enamel protects the softer, more sensitive dentin underneath, so when the enamel wears away, so does protection from hot and cold.
• Tooth discoloration. As the tooth enamel wears away, the dentin underneath comes more into view, resulting in a yellow discoloration to the teeth.
• Tooth transparency. With enamel erosion, patients often notice that the tips of their front teeth start to look transparent, and in some cases the erosion actually changes the shape of the teeth.
• Cracks in the teeth, or dental decay.

While these could also be signs of other dental issues, if, after your dental consultation, we do discover you have enamel damage, we will talk about how to correct the problem before it progresses. Treatments could range from fluoride applications and specialized toothpastes to bonding, veneers or crowns, to improve both the appearance and the function of your teeth.

While regular preventive appointments are always wise, it’s especially important to come in for a professional assessment if you’re experiencing any form of dental distress.

Dear Patient,

The countdown to summer is on! Why not book your dental appointments now, while you’re scheduling your vacation plans? Call us today to ensure the most convenient appointment time for you.

Sincerely,
Karen Glerum, D.D.S.

Ensure Purr-fect Oral Health for the Whole Family!

While this obviously isn’t a pet clinic, we know that many of our patients have cats and dogs, so we thought it worthwhile to spend a few minutes discussing dental issues to watch out for in your pet’s mouth.

Like humans, dogs and cats are susceptible to gum disease. In fact, by the time your pet is three years old, there’s an 80 percent chance that his or her gums are already under attack. The same research that has linked poor dental health to poor overall health in humans is applicable for animals. Like in humans, any bacteria and infection in an animal’s mouth may spread through the bloodstream to cause heart, kidney or liver disease. These diseases can cause serious damage to the organs and potentially lead to premature death.

Does your pooch have “doggy breath”? This can actually be odor from the by-products of bacteria in the mouth, and it is often the first sign that your pet has gum disease or other dental problems. Your veterinarian should give Fido or Fluffy a dental checkup and professional teeth cleaning once or twice a year, but, in between visits, you’ll need to make an effort to remove plaque from your pet’s teeth, too. Ask your veterinarian about the many pet-specific oral cleaners and oral hygiene solutions available today, and about dental-friendly foods and treats that will make achieving good oral health easier for both you and your pet.

Be your pet’s best friend by ensuring many years of health and happiness, from head to tail!

Smokeless, but Not Stainless

While the image of a puffy-cheeked ball player might first come to mind when mentioning chewing (“spit”) tobacco, the reality is that smokeless tobacco is also a daily habit to millions of everyday North Americans, both young and old.

It’s important to know that, just because chewing tobacco is smokeless, it’s far from harmless. In fact, because of the practice of “chewing” and “dipping,” tobacco and its juices are left in contact within and around the oral cavity for extended periods of time, subjecting users to an increased risk of mouth and other cancers.

From a cosmetic perspective, whether you smoke or use chewing tobacco, expect to develop tobacco stains on your teeth. Frequent cleanings by a dental professional are absolutely vital and will certainly help delay deep staining, but, occasionally, some of the tobacco stains will seep into the pores of your tooth enamel, and turn whole teeth a darker color.

If your teeth are already stained by nicotine, you’ll want to find out how to best bring them back to a brighter, whiter appearance. Please call for an appointment so we can assess the severity of the staining, and provide options that may involve something as simple as tooth whitening, or perhaps the application of veneers, which will not only provide a whiter appearance, but also straighten and correct any slight imperfections in your teeth.

Dear Patient,

Please enjoy this month’s articles. If you know of someone who may appreciate dental updates, please feel free to forward our emails to them. Your referrals are always appreciated!

Sincerely,
Karen Glerum, D.D.S.

Smile Reflections

The role of an attractive smile in the overall appearance of an individual is significant. Regardless of what a person is wearing, or how makeup is applied, the quality of a smile is what makes — or breaks — first, and ongoing, impressions.

The ideal smile starts with strong teeth and healthy gums. Most people will first notice tooth color, how straight the teeth are, and the alignment of the top and bottom teeth. Observers may also notice a filling or crown that does not blend with the natural tooth structure. In addition, the health and position of the gum surrounding each tooth can add to or distract from the attractiveness of a smile.

We can address, and correct, most smile distractions right here in our office.

Many people don’t know exactly what’s wrong with their smile, only that it’s not the smile they want. Despite straightening teeth, whitening them and undergoing other cosmetic improvements, some people still feel their smile is not “perfect.”

According to some standards, the perfect masculine smile has square teeth, with the edges of the top teeth following a straight line, while a feminine smile involves more rounded teeth, with the edges of the top teeth following the lower lip line, creating more curvature.

Whether you want to repair a minor imperfection in your smile or you need a full mouth reconstruction, it’s important to be familiar with all your options, and the latest dental techniques available today. Sometimes the smile of your dreams can be achieved with something simple like teeth whitening, dental veneers or tooth or gum contouring — all easy and effective options, taken care of right here in our office.

If you haven’t already reserved a convenient time to come in for your next dental appointment, please take a minute to call us now. We look forward to helping you realize your ultimate smile!

Save Your Breath!

You may already have completed your spring-cleaning and organized your spring wardrobe, so why not view the new spring season as an opportunity to embark on a fresh oral hygiene program, too?

Halitosis (bad breath) is a common oral health concern. Whether one’s chronic bad breath (as opposed to temporary “morning breath,” or bad breath from garlic, onions or other odorous foods) is caused by dental hygiene issues or gastrointestinal problems, the culprit can usually be traced back to bacteria — the root of many dental problems. In fact, bacteria is directly linked to dental caries (cavities) and gum disease, as well as bad breath. Keeping excess bacteria in check is a continual process, beginning with proper dental hygiene.

It’s essential that you brush and floss your teeth daily in order to get rid of the food that can collect between your teeth, on your tongue and in and around your gums. If food particles are not removed, they can decay, leaving an unpleasant odor in your mouth. Because oral bacteria excrete volatile sulfur compounds, it’s essential to continually remove those bacteria from your teeth, gums and tongue. In fact, stick out your tongue. If you see a white layer of plaque at the back of your tongue, you can be sure it’s creating the perfect breeding ground for bacteria — and therefore bad breath — to flourish.

Persistent bad breath can be a sign of gum disease. If you notice you have red, swollen or tender gums that bleed when you brush your teeth, or gaps in-between your gums and your teeth, you may be experiencing the first signs of gum disease. Talk to us about steps you can take to halt or even reverse the indications of this preventable disease.

Dry mouth can trigger bad breath when the production of saliva, known as “nature’s mouthwash” because it washes away bacteria and sulfur compounds in the mouth, slows down. Dieting, fasting, dehydration and certain medications can slow down the production of saliva, as can salivary gland problems or continuous breathing through the mouth. In addition to bad breath, dry mouth can also put patients at risk for cavities and gum disease. When saliva is not present to flush away foods, food particles might adhere to teeth and begin the decay process.

As mentioned earlier, what you eat can cause bad breath, but what you don’t eat can also leave a bad smell in your mouth. For example, low-carb diets force the body to burn stored fat instead of carbohydrates for energy. As excess fat gets burned away, the body releases illsmelling chemicals called ketones through the breath and urine. The high-protein component of low-carb diets can also contribute to halitosis from the breakdown of food particles that produce sulfur compounds.

Tobacco use, a respiratory tract infection, chronic sinusitis, postnasal drip, chronic bronchitis, diabetes, gastrointestinal disturbances, and liver or kidney ailments are also some possible sources of bad breath. If we determine that your mouth is healthy and that your oral hygiene is on track, we may suggest a visit to your family doctor to determine alternate medical causes of bad breath.

©2011 Market Connections^® Inc. | Dental Health News^®

Dear Patient,

It’s spring… finally! Why not welcome the new season with a fresh, new smile? Talk to us about your many dental options. From whitening to Snap-On-Smiles to Invisalign to Porcelain Veneers, a beautiful new smile is just a few short appointments away!

We now work with most dental insurance plans—ask us how to maximize your benefits!

Sincerely,
Karen Glerum, D.D.S.

Healthy Smile, Healthy Outlook

While each dentist may focus on different priorities in their practices, we all preach the same mantra: Take care of your teeth, and they’ll take care of you.

Teeth begin to develop before birth, and throughout our lifetime are responsible for allowing us to process the foods that will keep us healthy, while enabling us to speak properly, have a more attractive appearance and even place higher on a social level. In fact, research shows that a beautiful smile can make you appear more intelligent, interesting, successful and wealthy to others!

A beautiful smile begins with healthy bones, gums and strong teeth. Covered with enamel, the hardest substances in the body are teeth, which are necessary for tearing, cutting and grinding food in preparation for swallowing and digestion. Each type of tooth is responsible for a specific function in the eating process. Starting at the front, the incisors — the front teeth — cut food when you bite into them. The longer, sharper canines beside them tear the food, while the premolars behind them grind and mash the food with their flatter surfaces. The molars, at the back of the mouth, make sure food is well chewed before entering the digestive track.

Knowing the specific function of each type of tooth, you can understand why it’s so important to have a full set of healthy teeth, to ensure you’re able to eat all the right foods to keep your whole body healthy. Good general health starts with good nutrition. This is the reason we constantly stress the importance of taking care of your teeth through daily flossing and brushing, and regular dental visits.

If you haven’t already reserved a convenient time to come in for your next dental checkup, please take a minute to call us now. We look forward to helping you improve and maintain, not only your beautiful smile, but your overall health, too!

Protect Your Teeth Against Enamel Erosion

Enamel is the hard, protective outer layer of your teeth. If it erodes, it can be very uncomfortable, with symptoms ranging from tooth sensitivity and discoloration, to painful cracks in the teeth. What is tooth erosion caused by, and how can you prevent it?

The acid in the foods and drinks we put in our mouths can cause tooth enamel to wear away. While the calcium contained in your saliva will help remineralize (strengthen) your teeth after enamel is exposed to small amounts of acid, saliva alone is not enough to fight a constant barrage of acids from carbonated drinks, fruit juice or wine, or even the effects of acid reflux or frequent vomiting.

Follow these tips to help avoid the destructive effects of acid on your tooth enamel:

• Reduce or eliminate drinking carbonated drinks.
• If you do enjoy an occasional carbonated or acidic drink, have it pass through your mouth quickly — don’t sip it over an extended period of time — and use a straw, when possible, to reduce the liquid’s exposure to your teeth.
• Rinse your mouth with water after consuming an acidic drink, and wait an hour before brushing, to allow the enamel to remineralize.
• When you do brush, use a soft toothbrush, and fluoridated toothpaste.

Please ask us to discuss the causes, effects and steps necessary To fight enamel erosion in order to maintain the most healthy, comfortable and attractive smile possible.

©2011 Market Connections^® Inc. | Dental Health News^®

Dear Patient,

Celebrate Valentine’s Day — and every day — with a beautiful smile! Ask us for tips on how to ensure your brightest, most attractive smile, and your freshest breath.

We look forward to seeing you soon!

Sincerely,
Karen Glerum, D.D.S.

Toothache Tips

A toothache can be a symptom of a deeper problem, which is why one should never be ignored. Here are a few tips to help provide you with some relief for before you arrive at the dentist:

• Rinse your mouth out with warm salt water.
• Floss teeth to dislodge any trapped food particles.
• Take aspirin, ibuprofen or acetaminophen to relieve the pain, but do not place an aspirin directly on the affected area.
• Use a cold compress on the outside of your cheek to help relieve any pain or swelling. Never use heat as heat incubates and promotes bacterial growth.

Now, here’s a riddle: When is a toothache not a toothache? The answer is, when it’s sinusitis.

Sinusitis, the inflammation of one or more sinuses due to a bacterial infection or sinus congestion from a cold, flu or allergy, can sometimes have the same symptoms as a toothache. As the roots of the upper teeth lie very close to the floor of the maxillary sinuses (the sinuses located between the eye sockets and the upper jaw), any inflammation of these sinuses when a cold, flu or allergy attack can feel like a toothache.

If you are unsure as to the cause of your toothache, please make a dental appointment to have it evaluated, to ensure you receive the proper treatment.

Picky, Picky

Most wooden toothpicks in the United States come from birch trees in Maine, where the tree trunks are sliced into thin sheets and then cut and milled into individual toothpicks. While toothpicks work well to remove food trapped between teeth, they should be used only when dental floss is not readily available, and certainly not as an everyday replacement for floss.

Dentists can often tell if a patient is a habitual toothpick user by the telltale toothpick marks in his or her mouth. Overzealous toothpick users can cause serious problems in the mouth, including lacerated gums, damage to tooth enamel, chipping or breakage of dental veneers or bonding, and even worn tooth roots, especially where the gums have pulled away from the teeth to leave the root surfaces exposed.

While toothpicks can be a good occasional solution to cleaning teeth in a pinch, we would prefer to show you the proper flossing technique and have you develop a habit of flossing — instead of picking — on a daily basis.

©2011 Market Connections^® Inc. | Dental Health News^®

Dear Patient,

Happy New Year! Now’s the time to take charge of your New Year’s resolutions, starting with improved dental—and, consequently, overall—health for this year.

We look forward to seeing you soon!

Sincerely,
Karen Glerum, D.D.S.

Mediating Mouth Misery

From oral irritations to dental disasters, your dentist is your best source of information on how to best soothe your dental distress.

Mouth Sores. Canker sores and cold sores are common, annoying mouth irritations that are often confused with one another.

The first sign of a cold sore is usually a tingling sensation around the mouth, followed by painful, fluid-filled blisters on the lips and around the mouth. The blisters typically burst and scab over, usually healing in about a week.

Canker sores appear inside the mouth, presenting as small ulcers with white or gray bases and red borders. A bite or burn inside your mouth can trigger a canker sore, as can certain foods.

Talk to us about the best ways to soothe your mouth sores, and have us check them out if they don’t clear up after a week.

Burned Tongue/ Burned Palate. The delicate tissues on your tongue or palate can burn easily from too-hot food or drink in your mouth. In these cases, the first thing you’ll want to do is cool the burned area immediately, to not only soothe the burn, but also to make sure the heat loses its power to damage the surrounding cells. The quickest and most effective way to do this is to hold cold water in your mouth, or suck on an ice-cube.

Once the initial burn subsides, allow your injury to heal for a few days by avoiding spicy foods, acidic foods like tomatoes and citrus fruits, irritants like vinegar, and sharp, salty foods like chips.

Knocked-Out Tooth. Whether it’s a sports injury, a slip and fall, or perhaps a confrontation with a boxing wannabe, you or someone in your company may suffer the bad luck of having a permanent tooth knocked out or loose.

If it’s knocked out, the first thing to do is find your tooth and, holding it by the crown, gently rinse off the root of the tooth with clean water. Do not scrub it or remove any attached tissue fragments — if reconnected immediately, there’s a chance the torn periodontal ligaments can reattach to the gums. Carefully place the tooth back in its socket, and bite down gently on a soft cloth or moistened teabag to keep it in place. If the knocked-out tooth, however, belongs to a child or if the patient is not able to keep the tooth safely in his or her mouth, put the tooth in a cup of milk.

If a tooth is only knocked loose, the immediate procedure is very similar: simply guide the tooth back into its proper place with your finger and bite down gently.

In all these instances, call our office immediately, or get to an emergency dental clinic within 30 minutes of the incident, in order to have the best chance of saving the tooth.

Please don’t hesitate to call our office (561.374.8922) for advice on all your dental questions.

My Gum Disease Is Linked to What?

You’ve probably heard us talk about the “mouth-body connection” and how periodontal (gum) disease has been linked to heart disease, stroke and diabetes, in addition to pregnant women’s chances of giving birth to pre-term, low-weight babies. Did you know, however, about the correlation between gum disease and rheumatoid arthritis, kidney disease, and even certain cancers?

While rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and gum disease are both systemic inflammatory diseases, it is interesting to note that patients with RA are eight times more likely to suffer from gum disease than those without RA.

Also important is the correlation between gum disease and kidney disease. We know that gum disease is a leading cause of tooth loss in adults, so it’s noteworthy to learn that toothless adults are more likely to have chronic kidney disease than adults with all their teeth.

Men with tooth loss and a history of gum disease are reported to have an increased risk of developing certain cancers. While more research continues to be conducted, associations have been noted between gum disease and kidney, pancreatic and haematologial cancers, although gum disease may just be a marker of a susceptible immune system. Severe gum disease has also been documented as a risk factor for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

Let’s talk about your periodontal health, and we’ll work to ensure your healthy body starts with a healthy mouth!

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