Investing in your health will provide

you with enormous

BENEFITS.

Beyond Brushing

Oral Cancer

Periodontal Disease

Mouth Guards

Beyond Brushing

Healthy Daily Dental Habits

We all know we should floss daily and brush our teeth two times a day. Here are some extra tips that can help keep your teeth healthy and beautiful.

Use a toothpaste and mouthwash that contain Fluoride to help protect your teeth from decay.

Hold your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle, brush gently in a circular motion, and hold the toothbrush in your fingertips -- not in the palm of your hand.

Avoid acidic foods and drinks (like soft drinks and citrus foods). If you can't live without your daily coke, the best way to drink it is relatively quickly followed by a thorough swishing of water to remove remaining sugar.

Avoid smoking or excessive amounts of alcohol because they put patients at a higher risk for oral and throat cancer and gum disease.

Replace your toothbrush every three or four months, or when it shows sign of excessive wear, such as bent bristles. It is also a good idea to replace your toothbrush after any type of illness.

Dental Symptoms NOT to Ignore:

Any mouth sore that persists longer than two weeks. This could be an indication of oral cancer. Other symptoms include a lump on the neck or throat, difficulty swallowing, prolonged hoarseness, or unilateral persistant ear ache.

Any abnormality in your mouth such as bleeding or swollen gums, intermittent pain, or sensitivity to hot or cold tempatures should be examined by your dentist immediately. I cannot stress this enough - early detection is the key to maintaining a healthy mouth with little pain or money spent!

Oral Cancer

The number of diagnosed cases of oral or throat cancer is approximately 50,000 individuals, and 13,500 deaths per year in the US alone. The death rate associated with this cancer is particularly high not because it is hard to discover or diagnose, but due to the cancer being routinely discovered late in its development. Best prevention: see your dentist for regular check-ups which should include an oral cancer screening every time.

Periodontal Disease

Indications of Gum Disease: Gums that are red or puffy Bleed when you floss Chronic bad breath or taste Loose teeth or changes in bite

Diagnosis

At our office, we do a thorough dental examination on all our patients every six months. The gums are examined visually and by using an instrument called a periodontal probe pictured below. The instrument gently measures the pocket space between each tooth and gum. This space is called a periodontal pocket. A pocket size of three millimenters or less is a normal range. Dental x-rays may also be taken to check the bone that supports the teeth and to detect other problems not visible during a clinical examination.

Treatment

The type of treatment depends on how far the periodontal disease has progressed. In mild cases, only a thorough cleaning is necessary followed by regular checkups and cleanings. If the disease has progressed and periodontal pockets greater than three millimeters are present with bleeding and swollen gums, the tooth roots may also need to be cleaned (planed) to smooth the root surface and remove any plaque or tartar deposits below the gum line. (See section on Scaling and Root Planing below). When deep pockets between teeth and gums are present (7 mm or greater), periodontal surgery may be necessary to restore dental health. We would then refer you to a periodontist, who specializes in treatment of gum disease. We have excellent referral relationships with the finest specialists in Austin.

Scaling and Root Planing

Scaling and root planing is a special type of cleaning that removes the plaque and tartar below the gumline. This treatment is needed for moderate cases of periodontal disease. The procedure not only removes the bacteria from below the teeth, but also helps control growth of more bacteria and helps gums reattach firmly to teeth. Because this procedure goes deeper than a regular cleaning, your mouth will be numbed. The cleaning may take two to four or more visits to complete, depending on the severity of the periodontal disease. After the treatment, your mouth may feel sore or tender. Keep brushing with a soft toothbrush and flossing your teeth after every meal. You may rinse with warm salt water every few hours. Pain medication may be suggested if you need it, but most people find that it is not necessary.

Mouth Guards

Mouth guards

A mouth guard is a plastic device that fits over your teeth that protects them from grinding and clenching damage. It is worn at the times when you are most likely to grind your teeth (usually at night). Stress reduction may also help to relax your jaw muscles and make grinding less likely. If steps are not taken to stop the damage, bruxism may lead to jaw, muscle, or joint problems and even loss of teeth.

Symptoms of Clinching or Grinding:

Sore, tired jaw

Dull headaches

earaches

sensitive teeth

recessed gums

Sports guards

In high school and college ball, protection is mandatory: a five-yard penalty is assessed against a team when players "forget" to keep mouth guards in the mouth. Aside from penalties, wearing a mouth guard fends off splintered jawbones, fractured noses, cuts to the cheek and lip, fractured teeth and even brain concussions.

Teenage athletes often find "store-bought" mouth guards cumbersome as there may be difficulty talking or breathing comfortably. So, the tendency is to spit it out and risk penalty and injury. Our office offers custom sports appliances that fit perfectly, are inexpensive, and work!

 

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