Allergies, Sinus Pain and Tooth Pain

 

If we seem obsessed with seasonal allergies, it is because everyone is suffering this year more than usual. Everyone is continually surprised by the odd pains they experience as side effects of their "hay fever," like pains in their molars. Let's start at the beginning.

The human body tries to eliminate those pesky allergens with mucus. Yes, the mucus really wants to be your friend, an ally in this battle; but if the mucus doesn't flow out, when you try to blow it out, it hangs around in your sinuses creating congestion and causing pressure and pain. We have many sinus cavities in our skulls, but the ones on either side of your nose (aka the maxillary sinuses) need to drain upward, an action not so easily accomplished if we are upright, which we are for most of the day. These sinuses sit on your upper jaw, and when congested they can put pressure on the surrounding areas causing pain in your upper teeth, cheeks, and right below the eyes. If your sinuses become inflamed or infected, the pain could be even more extreme. Not only do those allergens make your eyes and nose run, they can indirectly create tooth pain.

If you are experiencing dental pain and are prone to allergies accompanied by nasal congestion and sinus infections, then you can probably assume that sinus pressure is causing the pain in your teeth. If you're not so sure, give our office a call.

Why Your Teeth Are Important

Teeth are important because:

• They help you chew your food – without teeth we would have to drink liquids and miss out on some wonderful, nutritious and delicious foods.
• They help form words – If you lose a tooth you will notice you talk differently then you did before. Imagine what it would be like if you lost all your teeth at once. It would be hard to talk so other people could understand.
• They help make you look happy – Clean and well taken care of teeth show other people that you care about yourself. Clean teeth will also make you feel good about yourself and others will see that in your healthy white smile.

When you take care of your teeth by brushing, flossing every day and regular dental visits at our office, your teeth will remain strong and healthy. It is important to start good habits now so when your older taking care of your teeth will be easy. When you get older and grow in your adult teeth they will be the only teeth you have for the rest of your life so you better start good habits and take care of them now!

Bleeding Gums Are Not Normal

 

Fallacies exist about bleeding gums. They usually come about because people want to ignore the problem. Many people simply do not want to believe bleeding gums are not normal. They think if they forget about it, it will go away. This is not the case. The problems indicated by bleeding gums will not disappear. More importantly, the cause or causes of bleeding gums will continue to exist.

What Causes Bleeding Gums?

There are several possible causes for bleeding gums. You could suffer from a medical problem such as hemophilia. You could have diabetes or Van Willebrand’s disease. There is also the possibility that your medication can be the cause. If you are on blood thinners, for example, your gums may bleed. Oral cancer, hormonal changes and vitamin deficiencies can also result in bleeding gums.

Yet, the major cause of bleeding gums is the growth of bacteria in the mouth. If you do not take proper care of your gums, bacteria will increase. If it does, the following will occur:

• Bacteria will continue to grow
• As they increase in numbers, they release toxins into your gum tissue
• Your gums become sensitive. They are swollen and may begin to bleed when brushing occurs
• Bacteria also begin to form a whitish-grey sticky substance on your teeth. This is plaque
• Plaque grows on your teeth. As it does so, further toxins enter your tissue and create pockets in your gums. This begins to separate the placement of your teeth
• It becomes difficult to eat hard foods such as fruit without noticing the changes in your teeth
• Tartar takes the place of some plaque
• Overtime, you develop constant bad breath
• Bacteria continue to release toxins, the gap between your teeth and gums widen, becoming visible.
• As the gaps becomes larger, your teeth begin to loosen
• When the gum disease enters its serious stages, you may lose teeth as they fall out

Bleeding gums is part of a process called gum disease. In the beginning, your gums may bleed only when brushing. Later, they may bleed when you eat. Touching your gums may hurt and cause bleeding to occur.  The more sensitive your gums become, the more advanced the disease is. You will progress over time from the early stages of gum disease – gingivitis, to the later stages – periodontitis. Periodontitis has no cure. There is no remedy, only a treatment. This may include the replacement of your teeth.

If you are suffering from bleeding gums, you may have gingivitis. Your dentist can help you treat it. You, yourself, can create a plan to make bleeding gums a thing of the past. The plan is a thorough and proper dental oral hygiene program and continous maintenance.

Ending The Abnormality Of Bleeding Gums

Once you recognize bleeding gums to be abnormal, you are on your way to getting rid of them and gum disease. After you consider what causes your gums to bleed, you can treat it immediately. It all starts, easily enough with a toothbrush and toothpaste. Simply brush your teeth everyday with recommended toothpaste, such as all-natural botanical product. Combine this with daily flossing using the correct width of floss. Add to it a daily rinse or gargle with non-alcohol-based mouthwash or plain salt water.

The final ingredient to this gum disease free program involves your dentist. Be sure to see Dr. Steppler once a year for a dental check-up, followed with visits twice annually to our dental hygienist. This is for your teeth cleaning. We will make sure all plaque is gone and your mouth is healthy. Follow our regular hygiene program schedule, and you should say farewell forever to bleeding gums.

Conclusion

Bleeding gums are not normal. They are a symptom of a more serious problem. Once the cause is identified, we can treat it. Treatment usually involves the daily execution of a proper dental oral hygiene program. If you stick with this program, you can keep bleeding gums from being a “normal” part of your life.

What you eat can affect your teeth!

Americans are consuming foods and drinks high in sugar and starches more often and in larger portions than ever before.  It is clear that "junk" foods, drinks and foods high in carbs and fats gradually have replaced nutrious beverages and foods for many people.

Alarmingly, a steady diet of sugary foods and drinks can ruin teeth, especially among those who snack throughout the day.  When sugar is consumed over and over again in large amounts the harmful effect on teeth supplies food for bacteria which produces acid.  The acid in turn can eat away the enamel on teeth.

Almost all foods have some type of sugar that cannot and should not be eliminated from our diets.  Many of them contain important nutrients and add enjoyment to eating.  But there is extra risks for tooth decay if your diet is hight in sugars and starches.  Starches can be found in everything from bread to pretzels to salad dressing, so read labels and plan carefully for a balanced and nutritious diet.

Reduce your risk of tooth decay:

• If you choose to consume sugary foods and drinks, do so with meals.  Saliva production increases during meals and helps neutralize acid production and rinse food particles from the mouth.
• Limit between-meal snacks.  If you crave a snack, choose nutritious foods, and consider chewing sugarless gum afterward.  Sugarless gum increases saliva flow and helps wash out food and decay-producing acid.
• Drink more water.  Consuming optimally fluoridated water can help prevent tooth decay.  If you're choosing bottled water, check the label for the fluoride content.
• Brush your teeth twice daily and floss daily  with ADA - Accepted dental products.
• See us regularly for dental check-ups.

Types of Dental Examinations

This blog is covering the types of dental examinations that we use to aid in appropriate treatment. The first examination is the comprehensive oral evaluation. As the name implies, this is an examination that should involve the entire oral complex. This exam is done most frequently with a patient who is new to our dental practice or who has not been seen by their dentist for a number of years. During this exam, we will review the patients current and past medical history as well as the patients current and past dental history. There is often much to be learned before even looking in the patients mouth. A patients expectations, past dental treatment and anxiety level can all be discussed to aid in making the patient more comfortable and informed. Once we begin to examine the patient we will look at much more than teeth. We will also look at the patients periodontal (gums) health. This is accomplished by measuring the space between the teeth and gums.  Excessive tooth wear or mobility of teeth should also be noted. The comprehensive exam will also include an oral cancer screening and a review of any bite or TMJ (jaw joint) issues. After a visual examination, often a complete set of dental x-rays will be imaged. A complete radiographic series should be accomplished every 3-5 years depending on the patients condition. Occasionally, diagnostic molds (impressions) of the teeth will be taken as well as photographs of the mouth. All of this information will be used to determine the level of health and potential need for treatment.

The next type of exam to is the periodic exam. This is accomplished during the patients recare and follow up visits. A review of the medical and dental histories will be accomplished. Since the patient is known to the practice the depth of the exam is lessened but still involves evaluation of the entire oral cavity. This exam can be done by the dental hygienist or dentist, and commonly both. The need for current x-rays will be evaluated depending on the patients condition. The patient should have the results of the exam discussed, as well as any recommendations for necessary treatment.

The most obvious dental examination is the problem focused, or “emergency” exam. This type of exam would take place when a patient realizes that they have a problem and need to seek dental care. Commonly this would occur with the fracture of a tooth or filling or the occurence of pain or trauma. As you would imagine, a diagnosis will need to be made before treatment is rendered, and arriving at the correct diagnosis can be quite obvious, or it can be quite a challenge. Visual examination, past dental history, and appropriate dental x-rays are all tools to aid in arriving at a correct diagnosis.

Hopefully, this blog will help our patients understand that not all dental exams are the same. Each is critical to optimal dental health for the individuals that we treat.

Choosing a Toothpaste

Just the number of options you have when you buy a tube of toothpaste can be overwhelming. Should you go for tartar control? Fluoride? Both? Gel or Paste?  And don't forget to think about whitening toothpastes or formulas with all natural ingredients.

When it comes to choosing the best toothpaste for you, it's important to think about your unique oral health needs.

Toothpaste basics

Toothpaste, also known as dentifrice, is available in paste, gel, or powder form. Despite the many types of toothpastes that exist, there are some ingredients common to most varieties. These include:

• Abrasive agents. Scratchy materials, including calcium carbonate and silicates, help remove food, bacteria, and some stains from your teeth.
• Flavoring. Artificial sweeteners, including saccharin, are often added to toothpaste to make them taste better. While many people equate the flavor of toothpaste with mint, toothpaste is available in a variety of flavors, including cinnamon, lemon-lime, and even bubblegum (for kids -- or kids at heart).
• Humectants for moisture retention. Paste and gel formulations often contain substances like glycerol to prevent the toothpaste from drying out.
• Thickeners. Agents that add thickness to the toothpaste, including gums and gooey molecules found in some seaweeds, help achieve and maintain proper toothpaste texture.
• Detergents. Those suds you see when you brush your teeth are from detergents like sodium lauryl sulfate.

Fluoride toothpaste

The most important ingredient to look for when choosing toothpaste is fluoride.

Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral. Its use has been instrumental in the dramatic drop in tooth decay and cavity occurrence that has taken place over the past 50 years. Bacteria in your mouth feed on sugars and starches that remain on your teeth after eating. Fluoride helps protect your teeth from the acid that is released when this happens. It does this in two ways. First, fluoride makes your tooth enamel stronger and less likely to suffer acid damage. Second, it can reverse the early stages of acid damage by remineralizing areas that have started to decay.

Using fluoride toothpaste is an important way to ensure that your teeth are reaping the benefits of this dental-friendly mineral. Don't think you can skip fluoride if you live in an area where the water is fluoridated. Studies have shown that using fluoride toothpaste helps increase the concentration of fluoride in the teeth, even in areas with water supplies containing high levels of the mineral.

Cold and Flu Season Is Here!

Cold and flu season is here yet again. The folks at Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say that a common cold usually includes sneezing, runny nose, sore throat and coughing. Symptoms can last for up to two weeks.

To promote a healthy and clean environment, Dr. Steppler and our entire staff give a great deal of attention to sanitation and sterilization in our office at all times, as well as following all requirements for sterilizing instruments and work surfaces. For the protection of other patients and our staff at Steppler Dental, we always ask that patients reschedule their appointments if they have any type of cold or illness that can infect others.

Also remember to constantly wash your hands and avoid contact with those who are ill! Stay Healthy!

Love Your Teeth This Valentine's Day

On Valentine’s Day, showing our love and appreciation for someone often is communicated with a heart-shaped box of scrumptious chocolate candy treats. Unbelievably, Americans buy more than 35 million heart-shaped boxes of chocolates each year. Here are some other statistics about Valentine’s sweets:

• Americans spend $345 million for Valentine’s candy each year
• Approximately 58 million pounds of chocolate are consumed around Valentine’s Day
• The average American consumes between 10 and 12 pounds of chocolate each year; more than 60 percent of all chocolates in America are enjoyed by women
• About 8 billion candy hearts are sold between Feb. 1 and Feb. 14

While most of us are aware that consuming large amounts of candy during this holiday can contribute to a larger waistline, we may not think about how sweets impact our oral health.

Impact of Sweets on Your Teeth

Each time bacteria come into contact with sugar in your mouth, acid is produced, which attacks your teeth for at least 20 minutes. And the bacteria that cause cavities thrive in sweets and sodas. Cavities are caused by tooth decay that destroys the tooth structures and can affect both the enamel and the inner layer of the tooth.

Sweets That are Tough on Your Teeth

Some foods and candies create more problems for your teeth than others, including those that are sticky, dissolve slowly or are sucked, such as lollipops, hard candies, toffee, gum drops, taffy, caramel corn, peanut brittle, dried fruit, chocolate-covered raisins and high-energy sports bars.

Keep Your Teeth Healthy

To maintain good oral health, brush your teeth at least twice a day, use floss daily, eat nutritious foods, limit snacks, including candy, pretzels, and chips, and visit Dr. Steppler regularly for cleanings and exams.

Protecting Tooth Enamel

There's a lot more that goes into a great smile than just keeping the pearly whites, white.  Protecting tooth enamel plays an important role in having a beautiful and healthy smile.

What is tooth enamel?

Enamel is the thin outer covering of the tooth.  It's the hardest tissue in the human body and it helps protect teeth from the wear and tear that comes with chewing, biting and grinding.  It also helps insulate teeth from hot and cold, making it possible to enjoy ice cream or hot coffee.  While enamel is hard, it can chip or crack.  Once the enamel layer is lost, it cannot regenerate.

What causes enamel erosion?

Enamel erosion happens when acids wear away the enamel on teeth, which can lead to the loss of tooth structure.  The calcium that's in saliva will usually help strengthen teeth after you have a small amount of acid, but too much acid prevents that from happening.  Enamel erosion can be caused by a number of things:

• Excessive consumption of carbonated drinks - sodas and other carbonated drinks
• Fruit drinks (some acids in fruit drinks are more erosive than battery acid)
• Dry mouth or low salivary flow
• Diet (high in sugar and starches)
• Acid reflux disease
• Gastrointestinal problems
• Medications (aspirin, antihistamines)
• Genetics (inherited conditions)
• Environmental factors (friction, wear and tear, stress and corrosion)

Protecting Tooth Enamel

There are some simple things that you can do to help take care of your enamel and keep your teeth healthy:

• Brush and floss daily.
• Use fluoride toothpaste.
• See Dr. Steppler for regular check-ups and cleanings.
• Drink sodas in moderation.
• Be careful about other beverages also.
• Sip with a straw (helps acids from acidic drinks to bypass your teeth).
• Be mindful of snacking.
• Chew sugar-free gum.

Taking good care of your teeth lets you show off a great smile - and a healthy mouth - for a long time!

Bleeding Gums - Why does it happen?

Bleeding gums are the result of an inflammatory disease of the gums.

This is called gingivitis, healthy gums don’t bleed, even in cases of an irritation, such as brushing the teeth. They fit tightly around the teeth, have a light pink color and, when observed at close range, show a fine stippling, like an orange. Bleeding gums are always a sign of gum disease. Oftentimes, you don’t notice the bleeding directly – only when you brush your teeth or when lightly probed, there is a noticeable loss of blood. Bleeding gums in themselves are a symptom and not a disease. The disease associated with bleeding gums is an inflammation of the gums, so-called gingivitis.

The most frequent cause of gingivitis is plaque. So plaque not only causes cavities, but also inflammation of the gums.  Although plaque-induced gingivitis may be influenced by various factors such as medications, or hormonal changes (e.g., pregnancy, taking the pill, puberty), plaque is always the major cause and gets the ball rolling.

If the inflammation of the gums is not treated or treated incorrectly, then the inflammation may turn into a chronic inflammation of the gum tissues, or so-called periodontitis. Other causes of gingivitis are, e.g., fungal diseases, congenital – i.e., genetic – diseases, irritations due to foreign objects, also protruding crown margins or filling edges.

The determination of the cause is Dr. Steppler's first step in treatment. In most cases, professional oral hygiene, the removal of the causes, and educating our patients are sufficient to treat gingivitis. Periodontitis cannot be treated with oral hygiene; treatment can only be accomplished through periodontal scaling treatments followed by regular and more frequent periodontal maintenance visits with our hygienist.

Understanding Your Dental Insurance

A dental insurance plan is a contract between you and an insurance company that, in most cases, is coordinated by your employer. If that’s the case, the insurance company and your employer are responsible for negotiating the details of the plan. Because your dental office has no control over this contract, they cannot request additional coverage for you.  Having dental insurance is better than not having it, expecially if you get it through your job.  However, don't expect free or nearly-free care.  Dental insurance only assists you in the cost of your care, and will cover a portion of the cost not 100%.

Common insurance plans

There are several kinds of dental insurance plans. The four most common kinds of plans are:

• direct reimbursement programs
• preferred provider organizations (PPO)
• capitation plans (also called dental health maintenance organizations- HMO)
• and indemnity or "usual, customary and reasonable" plans

Direct reimbursement programs

In direct reimbursement programs, your employer reimburses you directly for part or all of your dental treatment. All procedures and treatment methods are usually covered, and you can see any dentist you choose.

Preferred provider organizations

In a preferred provider organization, you must choose from a group of dentists who have agreed to discount their fees so that they can be a part of the organization.

Capitation plans

In a capitation plan (also called a dental health maintenance program), participating dentists are paid a set amount for each patient enrolled in the plan. Dentists are paid this set amount no matter how often you visit them (or don’t visit them) and no matter what kind of treatment you get. This generally means that the more work these dentists do for their patients, the less money they’ll make.

Indemnity plans

The most common insurance programs are indemnity plans, which are also called UCR programs. UCR stands for "usual, customary, and reasonable." In these plans, you may choose any dentist and pay on a traditional fee-for-service basis. The insurance company, who is paid a monthly premium by your employer, then reimburses you for between 50 and 80 percent of the dentist’s fee. You are responsible for the remaining 20 to 50 percent after meeting a pre-determined deductible payment. The amount of the deductible is set in the contract between your employer and the insurance company.

Referring to the program and its fees as "usual, customary, and reasonable" is misleading. Most people assume that insurance companies have gathered statistics and that these statistics are the basis for UCR fees. This is simply not true in many cases. These UCR fees often do not represent local dentists’ fees or the available treatment options. They may be, in fact, simply fees that are set by the insurance company. As a result, different insurance companies often have different UCR fees for the same geographic area and for the same group of dentists!

Behind the times

The annual limit of dental insurance benefits has hardly budged in forty years. Back in 1960, the average annual coverage maximum was one thousand dollars. Forty years later, it still sits at approximately one thousand dollars, despite inflation and cost of living increases.

The benefits have remained the same, but fees for procedures have tripled or even quadrupled. And most insurance plans often exclude new treatments they can label as "discretionary," including common treatments such as implants, porcelain veneers, orthodontic treatment, bonding, and whitening.

The choice is yours

If you were to build a house, would you rather have the least expensive contractor who used the cheapest materials and technologies? Or would you rather build a home that will last using quality materials?

You have similar choices when it comes to your dental and health care. In many cases, your insurance company wants you to consider only the cheapest dental procedures, but Dr. Steppler and Team believes that you should be able to choose the best dental treatment and materials for you and your family.

Steppler Dental Care works with most insurance dental plans

Dr. Steppler and his team are available to help patients wade through all the details of your plan; from copays to deductibles and limitations. Our team has worked with almost every dental insurance plan in the Greater St. Louis area and can can help you navigate the details while maintaining that beautiful smile of yours. Dr. Steppler is a progressive and proactive doctor who focuses on the latest methods and techniques that dentistry has to offer. He is dedicated to preserving your natural tooth structure, taking care of all your dental needs in a comfortable, caring and informative environment.

Why You Should See Your Dentist

Your dental exam can detect early signs of diseases.  Gum disease may be associated with other health problems like diabetes and heart disease. 

Oral health check-ups can detect tooth decay, gum disease, and oral cancer early.  Have dental exams at every stage of your life, you could have gum disease and not know it.  Also patients who wear dentures should have regular dental check-ups.

Five great reasons to get you your teeth cleaned:

1)  to learn about the best way to keep your teeth clean every day

2)  to keep your mouth healthy, which will help keep your whole body healthy

3)  to help prevent gum disease, which chould cause tooth loss

4)  to remove tartar (a hard build-up that makes it tough to clean your teeth)

5)  to get rid of stains on teeth that cannot be removed just by brushing and flossing

At every exam Dr. Steppler does, we check your mouth and neck for signs of disease.  Dr. Steppler will evaluate your general health when developing a plan for your oral treatment, and refer you to a physician if needed.

Your oral health is an important part of your overall health, so be sure you and your family come in for regular visits.

Healthy Smiles Make the New Year Happy!

 
At Steppler Dental, we wish you a happy new year! We all know that an important part of enjoying your life is being healthy and pain-free. And there is great freedom in being able to smile uninhibitedly, proud of the appearance of your teeth and the image you portray to others.

You can count on Dr. Steppler and his team to keep up with the latest and greatest dental technology and provide you with dental care in a kind and caring environment so that you can reach your dental health goals.

In the upcoming year we will be adding informative and interesting blogging to our list of new year resolutions in our practice!  So check back for news worthy dental news and research about a range of dental issues, from the benefits of porcelain veneers for smile makeovers and cosmetic dentistry, replacing missing teeth with bridges or implants, to the benefits of clear braces with Invisalign.

Achieving the smile of your dreams starts one day at a time and we can help you reach those goals. If you have any questions about smile changes, cosmetic dentistry or Invisalign, don't hesitate to call us at 314-965-3500.

Make 2012 the first year in a lifetime of healthy smiles.

Velscope - Oral Cancer Screening

Dr. Steppler added the VELscope oral cancer screening system to our practice's standard of care! This is cutting edge technology.  Every hour of every day, one person dies of Oral Cancer in North America. Its five-year mortality rate of approximately 50% is higher than that of breast cancer, cervical cancer and skin melanoma, and its incidence and mortality are rising. An increasing number of victims of this deadly and disfiguring disease are younger females and males who do not use tobacco or alcohol.

One potential reason for this trend, is that oral cancer has been associated with a strain of the sexually-transmitted human papilloma virus (HPV). This means that anyone who is sexually active is at risk for mouth cancer. Until recently, the primary method for detecting mouth cancer has been a visual screening that relies on the naked eye view of the oral cavity under white, or incandescent, light as well as palpation. Unfortunately, cancers are often apparent under these conditions only when they are at or near the surface of the mouth or tongue, which in many cases happens only in late stages. Often times, too late.

Now, however, there is new hope in the form of a breakthrough technology with the VELscope. Dr. Steppler uses the VELscope technology, called tissue fluorescence visualization, to shine a safe blue light into the oral cavity that excites the mucosal tissue. When viewed through the patented handpiece filters, abnormal tissue typically appears as an irregular, dark area that stands out against the otherwise green fluorescence pattern of surrounding healthy tissue. If abnormal tissue is detected and determined to be a potential cause for concern, our practice will refer the patient for biopsy and diagnosis.

Early detection is the key to saving lives from deadly oral cancer, and the VELscope technology is helping us do that.

Digital X-ray Technology

Digital radiography:

The computer era has brought us to an exciting new technology called digital radiography.  With this technology, we use computertized equipment and software to capture x-ray images of your mouth and teeth.  We do this by exposing a small sensor or plate that feeds the image into a computer.

The advantages of digital radiography:

Digital radiography has many advantages over traditional dental x-rays:

• they are faster
• they are safer, with no chemical development and less radiation
• we can view images instantly
• we can enhance images to improve viewing
• images can be stored electronically and emailed to specialists and insurance companies

There's no waiting for chemical development, as with film packets.  It's also faster because the x-rays are avilable within moments on the computer monitor, with no development step in between.

The lack of chemicals also makes digital x-rays safer for the environment.  Digital radiography is safe for you, too.  Because the unit is so sensitive, the amount of x-ray radiation is up to 80% less than with conventional x-rays.

With digital radiography, Dr. Steppler offers you faster and safer diagnosis and dental treatment.

Oral Health Helps Overall Health

As if good teeth are not a sufficient reason to keep your gums and mouth in peak condition, your overall good health is ample motivation.

Gum disease - gingivitis - commonly caused by inadequate brushing and flossing, and lack of regular professional cleanings, is present in about 90% of the population; that in turn leads to more serious periodontal disease, which causes or exacerbates other bodily health issues, including holistic well-being.

Conditions caused directly by gingivitis and periodontal disease include:  bad breath, gum abscesses, tooth loss, digestive disorders and oral pain.  Plus it results in greater health care costs to you.  Prevention is better than the cure!

Because the micro-organisms and bacteria in your mouth travel into your bloodstream, your mouth becomes the gateway to your overall health.  For example, there is a labor-inducing fluid in oral bacteria that is proven to cause premature and low-weight births.  In diabetics, who are more susceptible to various other diseases, studies show that regular professional dental cleanings helps control their blood sugar levels.

Most of the oral bacteria that enters the blood stream are harmless, but in a weakened heart or compromised immune system, opportunistic bacteria increase the risk of stroke or heart attack.  Periodontal disease can also worsen respiratory problems and complicate osteoporosis.

Be sure to brush twice a day and floss daily, but there is no substitute for regular professional cleanings to prevent gum disease.  Call us today!

Got Bad Breath?

If bad breath is an issue with you or someone you love, you may want to consider looking into a fairly new product called BreathRx Mouthwash. In fact, the company that makes this rinse also provides other products to help with bad breath. Just what separates this company from the rest? The answer lies in their complete line of products. Consider their toothpaste, which offers the benefits of regular toothpaste, such as fluoride and tarter protection. However, this company offers one more thing that regular toothpaste makers do not. They have Zytex in their toothpaste. Zytex is a trade mark ingredient in their products. It delivers fresh breath protection like no other dental product around ever has.

Zytex is in their mouthwash, as well. With their mouthwash's dual fresh breath system, your breath stays fresh all day long. This is how it works: BreathRx mouthwash contains two secret weapons for ridding the mouth of unwanted, odor-causing bacteria. The first weapon is Cetylpyridinium Chloride (CPC). This compound is known for killing the bacteria that causes bad breath. It is primarily an antiseptic, and while it is used in a number of mouthwash products, it can also be found in over-the-counter medications. The second special ingredient is Zytex. Zytex neutralizes the remaining odors. When you rinse with this product, you can feel confident that your mouth is being cleaned thoroughly. You can see why they call this product "the dual fresh breath system." In addition, this product will clean your teeth and keep your mouth fresh, without the unnecessary additives such as alcohol and sugar.

BreathRx is dentist developed and recommended by registered dental hygienists, BreathRx with ZYTEX is clinically proven to deliver longer-lasting fresh breath than leading brands.  BreathRx fights bad breath by attacking it at the source, not just masking it with flavor.  By discovering BreathRx you've taken the first step to life-long fresh breath and improved oral health.  Ask your hygienist or dentist today about BreathRx!

Does it matter which toothpaste you use?

Many dentists feel that fluoride toothpastes are best, suggesting consumers check to be sure they select fluoridated toothpastes.  Generally it is true that any toothpaste you buy today will clean your teeth perfectly well, since they almost all contain fluoride.

According to many dental experts, the toothbrush is what really matters.  The brush does 95% of the work.  In all honesty, you do not need toothpaste.  The friction of the toothbrush is the most important thing!

So what is the take-away message for consumers?  Some toothpastes are good for sensitivity, some for canker sores, some for fresh breath, etc.  However for the average patient, just choose the one that is most pleasing to your taste.