Cosmetic Dentistry Blog

Problem: Tooth Decay

Also known as cavities, tooth decay occurs when plaque is allowed to linger on teeth for too long.

Who can suffer from tooth decay? Anyone can get a cavity, but children and older people are the most prone. The incidence among children has been declining, because of the increased use of fluoride toothpastes, but more than half of all children have cavities by the second grade. Older adults are prone to cavities at the root because protective gum tissue often pulls away.

What to do: Brush with a fluoride toothpaste and floss every day. Children can also benefit from sealants applied to the chewing surfaces of their back teeth as soon as their adult molars come in. Older people should be vigilant and those who have a tendency toward dry mouth should receive regular fluoride treatments from a dentist. They should also use a fluoride-containing mouth wash.

Problem: Gum Disease

A bacterial infection caused by plaque that attacks the gums, bone, and ligaments that keep your teeth in place. The early stage is known as gingivitis, the advanced stage is called periodontitis.

Who can suffer from gum disease: Everyone. It is estimated that half of all adults have some signs of gingivitis. Most at risk are people with poor oral hygiene; those with a systemic disease, such as diabetes, and smokers. Women also have a tendency to develop gingivitis during pregnancy. Other risk factors are stress, which weakens the immune system, and genes.

What to do: See a dentist regularly. Let your dentist know if your gums feel tender or bleed. Gingivitis can be reversed with regular brushing and flossing. To combat periodontitis, a dentist or periodontist may perform a deep cleaning around the teeth and below the gum lines and prescribe medication to combat the infection. If the disease has progressed to affect your gums and bone, your dentist might suggest surgery, such as a gum graft.

Problem: Tooth Infection

The pulp inside the tooth is damaged or becomes infected because of decay or injury. The root canal, which connects the top pulp chamber to the tip of the root, may become infected, too.

Who’s at risk: Anyone with a deep cavity or a cracked tooth, which can let in bacteria. An injured tooth can have a problem even if it's not visibly cracked or chipped.

What to do: If you feel pain in or around a tooth, see your dentist. He may refer you to an endodontist, who specializes in root-canal procedures. In one to three visits, the dentist will perform a root canal. He will remove the pulp, clean the pulp chamber and root canal, then fill the tooth. Finally, he may seal the tooth with a porcelain or gold crown.

Problem: Enamel Erosion

Exposure to acid, primarily from soda or citrus drinks, can wear down the surface of the teeth, making them rounded and discolored.

Who’s at risk: Anyone who drinks lemonade, soda and diet soda, or sports drinks all day.

What to do: If necessary, teeth can be restored with bonding materials. But to prevent further damage, you have to change your habits. If the cause is soft drinks switch to water. Second best is to drink sodas with a full meal, then follow with a tooth brushing, sugarless gum, or a gargle with water.

Your child’s teeth and smile are important for more reasons than just aesthetics. Your child needs to develop good dental habits, and proper care of their teeth and gums begins with you. Caring for your child’s mouth includes brushing and rinsing, routine dental exams, and any necessary dental treatments. This can include fluoride, extractions, fillings, or braces and more.

Your child’s overall good health is affected by healthy teeth and gums. Poorly developed and teeth can result in poor nutrition, painful and dangerous infections, and problems with speech development, not to mention self-image.

Proper care of a Child’s Teeth

• The child's teeth and gums should be brushed at least twice daily and especially before bed.
• Your child should see a dentist every 6 months.
• When your child gets permanent teeth, they should begin flossing every night before bed.
• When your child reaches the age of 6, braces and other orthodontic appliances may be needed to prevent long-term problems.

For a pediatric dental visit, contact Dream Smile Dental or call (781) 330-0900.

Why does Starbucks sell 256 thousand gallons of coffee every day? Because the average American generally doesn’t get enough sleep and needs to compensate in order to stay focused throughout the day. Although coffee is a temporary solution, the root of the problem is not really being addressed and we’re missing out on the benefits of a good sleep.

When a person gets the necessary 7 hours of good sleep, there are effects that occur which include enhanced concentration, enhanced mood, reduction of stress effects, optimized immune system and increased pain inhibition. Simply put, good sleep makes us healthier. In fact, it even makes the flu shot work better.

So how do we get this good sleep so we can avoid the ample caffeine intake and the fatigued feeling throughout the day? Well first we have to assess the reason why we’re lacking this sleep. In most cases it’s some form of sleep apnea. This is defined as a disorder in which breathing halts briefly but repeatedly during sleep. Although this sounds like something one would know they experienced, most people don’t even realize they do this.

Snoring is the most common sign that a person suffers from sleep apnea which explains why 23% of sleep partners sleep in separate rooms. But before you send your partner to the couch, consider that they may need to see a dentist that specializes in sleep apnea. Not only because of the daily drowsiness, lack of concentration and lowered immune system, but also because sleep apnea leads to serious health issues. These issues include respiratory disease, stroke and heart attack according to sleep apnea dentist Evetta Shwartzman D.M.D.

A CPAP (machine that forces oxygen through a face mask during sleep) used to be the only way to treat sleep apnea and it still is for severe cases. For less severe cases, a comfortable mouth guard is available that is worn at night. Referred to as The SomnoDent, this guard fits the teeth in such a way that it actually opens up the airway. This allows for more oxygen to enter the body and minimizes lack of breath events throughout the night.

As a result, you wake up feeling more rejuvenated, experience less stress and build up your immune system to handle sickness. More importantly, this actually prolongs your life. By minimizing your chances of respiratory and cardiovascular disease, you’re more likely to live a longer and healthier life.

For photos and more information please contact: Diana@dreamsmiledental.com or call (781) 330-0900.

There are many dental procedures, but it may be the root canal that has the worst reputation of them all. And because of its reputation, at Dream Smile Dental we get lots of questions about them.

It is important to know that very few root canals are painful, very few deserve their reputation. We often get asked, “Will I be in pain during or after the root canal?”

During the root canal treatment your mouth and gums will be entirely numb; you will feel nothing. After the root canal, patients are rarely in pain. There are a few extreme cases, and in those cases, the dentists at Dream Smile will prescribe you something for the pain.

Because of the reputation of the root canal procedure, many patients will say, “well, I don’t feel any pain; can’t I wait on receiving a root canal?”

Unfortunately, the answer is no. It is never a good idea to wait on any needed dental treatment, especially a root canal. If you require a root canal, it needs to be done as soon as possible in order to prevent further infection. The infection can spread too, and really complicate your health, sometimes seriously.

Lastly, we often have people wondering if their insurance company will cover a root canal procedure. But we can’t answer that question. Every insurance plan is set up differently. Therefore various procedures are covered differently according to their fee schedule. Dream Smile Dental works with most insurance plans. To find out what your plan will specifically cover, contact us.