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Archive:
- 2021
- March (6)
- A New Dental Pain Management Approach Reduces the Need for Narcotics
- Why Early Dental Visits Could Brighten Your Child's Dental Health Future
- Frequent Sinus Infections? Take a Trip to Your Dentist
- This Minor Dental Procedure Could Make Breastfeeding Easier for an Infant
- Evidence Mounting That Vaping is Hazardous to Your Oral Health
- The Causes of Chronic Jaw Pain Might Be Similar To Fibromyalgia
- February (7)
- Don't Avoid Dental Care While You're Pregnant
- Eating the Right Kind of Carbs Can Help You Avoid Gum Disease
- The Different Types of Dentures
- How You Can Help Your Smile Stay Attractive as You Get Older
- 4 Tips for Improving Daily Brushing and Flossing
- Are You at Risk for Tooth Decay? Answer These Questions To Find Out
- Here's What You Need To Know About Dental Insurance and Choosing a Crown
- January (6)
- Tips for Winter Tooth Sensitivity
- Hockey Season Is Upon Us - Is Your Star Athlete Ready With Mouth Protection?
- Although Challenging, Cleaning Around Implants Boosts Their Longevity
- Flexible RPDs - a Sound, Temporary Way To Replace Missing Teeth
- Help Your Dentures and Your Health by Taking Them Out at Night
- Your Food's Micronutrients Make a Difference in Your Dental Health
- 2020
- December (7)
- Change the Appearance of Your Teeth With Veneers
- Porcelain Veneers Could Change Your Smile and Your Life!
- 3 Reasons Why Dental Implants Are a Sound 'Smile' Investment
- Call the Dentist Immediately If You Have a Loose Tooth
- Eliminating an Infant's Lip or Tongue Tie Can Make Breastfeeding Easier
- Two Major Causes for Implant Failure and How You Can Prevent Them
- An Oral Irrigator Could Make Flossing Easier for You
- November (7)
- Could a Metal Allergy Stop You From Getting Dental Implants?
- Today's Dentures Are More Secure and Comfortable to Wear
- A Mild NSAID May Be All You Need To Manage Discomfort After Dental Work
- 4 Things You Can Do To Protect Oral Health During Cancer Treatment
- That Energy Drink You Take for a Boost Might Be Hurting Your Dental Health
- What Is Baby Bottle Tooth Decay?
- A RPD Could Be Your Answer to Replacing Missing Teeth
- October (6)
- Transform 'Smile Zone' Teeth With Composite Resins
- Use Appropriate Hygiene Products for Maximum Smile Protection
- How to Ensure Your Child's Teeth and Gums Stay Healthy Now and Later
- 4 Ways Saliva Protects Your Mouth Against Disease
- Far From a Safer Alternative to Smoking, Vaping Could Ruin Your Oral Health
- Your Teeth Don't Grow Like a Squirrel's, So Protect Them From Excessive Wear
- September (6)
- Direct Veneers Offer a Quick and Affordable Alternative to Traditional Veneers
- Want to Improve Your Athletic Performance? Try Tuning Up Your Dental Care
- Take These Steps to Alleviate Chronic Dry Mouth
- 3 Ways to Protect Your Dental Work From an Early Demise
- Improve Your Smile With These Dental Enhancements
- Some Simple Cosmetic Techniques Could Help Your Smile Age Gracefully
- August (6)
- Reducing Your Child's Dental Anxiety Now Could Benefit Them for a Lifetime
- We Need to Act Quickly to Save Your Loose Tooth
- Even All-Natural Fruit Juices Could Raise Your Child's Risk for Tooth Decay
- Don't Forget Brushing and Flossing Even During Summer's Dog Days
- Your 'Toothache' Might Signal a Problem Other Than in Your Mouth
- How to Care for Your Child's Valuable Primary Teeth
- July (7)
- Implants Make Dentures More Secure, Comfortable and Bone-Friendly
- These High-Tech Tools Help Your Veneers Look Attractive and Natural
- Use This Product to Check Your Brushing and Flossing Effectiveness
- New Studies Show: Sealants Could Help Your Child Avoid Tooth Decay
- Floss First or Brush First? You Be the Judge
- Have Fun This Summer But Play it Safe for Your Dental Health's Sake
- Seek Immediate Treatment for this Advanced Form of Gingivitis
- June (6)
- That Odd 'Lacy' Mouth Sore is No Cause for Alarm
- Treating Gum Disease is Good for Your Whole Body, Not Just Your Mouth
- Sedation Can Help a Child Receive Needed Dental Care Now and in the Future
- A Little Dairy Can Go a Long Way for Maintaining Healthy Teeth
- Prevention and Early Detection of Root Cavities Could Save a Tooth
- Behavioral Therapy Could Reduce a Child's Dental Anxiety Without Drugs
- May (7)
- This Young Woman's Cancer Experience a Teachable Moment for all of us
- 4 Problem Areas That Could Affect Your Child's Teeth
- A Retainer-Like Device can Preserve the Space Left by a Lost Primary Tooth
- Maintaining a White Smile
- Take These Measures to Lower Your Child's Tooth Decay Risk
- Tooth Troubles for NBA Star Isaiah Thomas
- 3 Surprising Things You Should Be Doing to Improve Your Dental Health
- April (7)
- 4 Things You Should be Doing Now for Your Baby's Long-Term Dental Health
- Why and How to Save a Diseased Tooth
- Avoid Becoming a Dental Injury Statistic - Get a Custom Mouthguard for Your Young Athlete
- Think Twice Before Considering Botox for Chronic Jaw Pain Relief
- Developing a Good Oral Care Routine
- Facial Nerve Pain Can be Controlled
- Diabetes Can Make Getting an Implant Difficult, But Not Impossible
- March (6)
- Take Steps to Save an Incoming Tooth's Place to Avoid a Poor Bite
- Don't let Gum Disease - the 'Other Dental Disease' - Rob you of Your Smile
- 3 Things You Can Do to Help Your Child Avoid Tooth Decay
- A New Veneer with Minimal or No Tooth Alteration
- Ease Your Child's Discomfort During Teething
- Manage These Risk Factors to Reduce Your Risk of Tooth Decay
- February (6)
- What to Do For Mouth Injuries Your Child Might Encounter
- Practice Proactive Prevention to Enhance Your Child's Dental Development
- See Your Dentist to Find out the Real Cause for Your Tooth Pain
- Wearing Dentures 24/7 May Not Be a Good Idea - Here's Why
- It's Best to Avoid This Online Trend for Your Enamel's Sake
- Why Gum Disease Could Affect More Than Your Oral Health
- January (7)
- 4 Ways You Can Improve Your Smile in the New Year
- Importance of Dental Health for Children
- Keep an Eye on Your Young Children's Fluoride Intake
- No Matter When the New Decade Begins, Be Sure You're Partnered With Us for Your Dental Care
- Veneers May Not Be the Best Option for Your Teenager's Teeth
- Dental Care During Pregnancy is Safe and Essential
- 4 Things to Do to Keep Your Child's Dental Development on Track
- 2019
- December (6)
- Don't Worry About Dental Amalgam: It's Safe for Treating Cavities
- Certain Osteoporosis Drugs Could Pose a Future Risk to Your Dental Health
- 4 Common Causes for Gum Recession
- 3 Things You Need to Know Before Getting a Crown Restoration
- New Materials Add Strength to Veneers' Beautiful Life-Likeness
- Here's How to Cut Through All the Choices to Find Your Right Toothbrush
- November (6)
- Vaping Could Be Just as Harmful to Your Teeth and Gums as Smoking
- Inflammation is a Key Element in Both Oral and Systemic Diseases
- Make Your Baby as Comfortable as Possible During Teething
- Fluoridated Drinking Water Helps Curb Tooth Decay Safely
- 4 Foods That Are Good for Both Your Mouth and Your Body
- Implant Failure Is Rare, but Possible. Here Are a Few Ways to Avoid It
- October (7)
- Clean Your Implants Just Like Your Other Teeth
- Certain Treatments for Osteoporosis Could Complicate Oral Surgery
- Are Dentures Right for You?
- There Are a Lot of Bacteria in Your Mouth but Only a Few Mean You Harm
- 3 Reasons to See a Pediatric Dentist
- Don't Panic Over Your Child's Teeth Grinding but Do Keep an Eye on It
- Here's What You Need to Know About Teeth Whitening
- September (6)
- How Early Dental Visits Can Improve Your Child's Oral Health
- Periodontal Maintenance Can Help You Avoid Another Episode of Gum Disease
- Facial Nerve Pain can be Managed with Effective Treatment
- The Digital Revolution Is Transforming Implant Therapy
- Your Reoccurring Sinus Infections May Actually Be Caused by Tooth Decay
- Dental Sealants Give Children an Added Boost Against Tooth Decay
- August (7)
- Look for These Basics When Buying Your Next Toothbrush
- Jaw Joint Disorders may be Connected to Other Health Problems
- You Need a Dentist to Remove Tartar From Your Teeth
- Smoking Could Increase Your Gum Disease Risk
- You May Need to Postpone an Upcoming Dental Visit if You Have Shingles
- Don't Let Gum Disease Cut Short Your Implant's Service Life
- If Appropriate, Antibiotics before Implant Surgery Could Reduce Infection Risk
- July (6)
- Primary Teeth are Critical to Future Dental Health and Worth Preserving
- How to Keep Your Teeth and Gums Healthy During Pregnancy
- Affordable Veneers Can Give You a New Smile
- You can Get Relief from Facial Pain
- Simple Steps to Follow if Your Child has a Toothache
- Even All-Natural Fruit Juice Could Increase the Risk of Tooth Decay
- June (6)
- See Your Dentist ASAP to Save Your Loose Tooth
- Anchorage Tools Help Orthodontists Correct Complex Bite Problems
- Here's How You Can Protect Your Child's Teeth from Tooth Decay
- 3 Things You Can do to Help Promote Your Child's Dental Development
- What You can Do to Stop Sugar from Harming Your Health
- Manage Your GERD Symptoms to Prevent Enamel Erosion
- May (7)
- Consider an Effective and Affordable RPD for Teeth Replacement
- 'Prepless' Veneers can Transform Your Smile Without Altering Your Teeth
- You May Not Need a Narcotic to Manage Post-Dental Work Pain
- Let Dental Implants Keep Your Smile Healthy
- Catch Root Resorption Early for Best Chances of Saving Your Tooth
- 3 Tips for Successful, Safe Home Teeth Whitening
- An Implant Restoration Could Prevent Bone Loss
- April (6)
- A Minor Procedure Could Make Breastfeeding Easier for You and Your Baby
- To Detect Oral Cancer Early, See Your Dentist
- Your Teenager's Teeth May Not Be Mature Enough for Veneers
- Keep up Regular Dental Care While You're Pregnant
- Avoid Bone Loss around Tooth Roots through Regular Dental Care
- Don't Use Benzocaine Products to Ease Your Baby's Teething Pain
- March (6)
- Spring Into Better Oral Health
- A Traditional Bridge Might be the Right Solution for Your Missing Teeth
- 4 Common-Sense Tactics to Lower Tooth Decay Risk Between Dental Visits
- No- or Minimal-Prep Veneers Reduce Permanent Alterations to Your Teeth
- Surgically Accessing Sinuses can Help Grow New Bone for Implants
- 3 Things You Should Know About Teeth Grinding
- February (6)
- 3 Ways to Take the Jitters Out of Dental Visits
- Composite Resin Could Amp up Your Teeth's Attractiveness in Just One Visit
- Test You're Brushing and Flossing Success with a Plaque Disclosing Agent
- Stop Gum Disease Before it Harms Your Health
- Conscious Sedation Eases Treatment Anxiety for Young Dental Patients
- Legal or Not, Marijuana Poses a Health Risk to Your Gums
- January (7)
- 3 Things You Might Notice with Your Child's Teeth That Need a Dentist
- A New Resolution - Floss!
- How Fillings Make Your Smile Healthy Again
- 3 Tips for Helping Your Child Feel More Comfortable Going to the Dentist
- You may Need Orthodontic Treatment Before Obtaining Implants
- Flossing Daily Around Implants will Help Prevent Losing Your Bridge
- 'Get Rid' of Those Unattractive Teeth with Porcelain Veneers
- 2018
- December (6)
- NSAIDs Could be Just as Effective as Narcotics Managing Dental Pain
- What You Need to Know to Buy the Right Toothbrush
- Overcoming Gum Recession will Restore Dental Health and your Smile
- Protecting Primary Teeth from Decay Helps Ensure Future Dental Health
- Stop Smoking to Reduce Your Risk of Gum Disease
- Sealants Provide a Little Extra Protection for Children at High Risk for Decay
- November (6)
- Avoid Implant Failure by Watching Out for These Mouth Problems
- Don't Let GERD Ruin Your Teeth's Health
- The Connection Between GERD and Oral Health
- 4 Things to Know About Diabetes and Gum Health
- Inflammation: the Link Between Gum Disease and Cardiovascular Disease
- Don't Wait - Seek Out Treatment for Gum Recession Now
- October (6)
- Mild Pain Relievers may be all you need for Discomfort after Dental Work
- Stay Ahead of Plaque Buildup with Effective Brushing and Flossing
- Watch for These Developing Bite Problems with Your Child's Teeth
- A Topical Fluoride Treatment Could Protect Your Child from Tooth Decay
- 3 Surprising Sugar Sources Your Baby Might be Consuming
- Sedation Can Help Create a More Positive Dental Experience for a Child
- September (7)
- Managing Diabetes and Gum Disease Together will Lessen the Effect of Both
- What You Should Know About a Home Teeth Whitening Kit
- Treating Gum Disease around Tooth Roots is Hard - but Not Impossible
- A Low Sugar, High Fiber Diet will Help Keep Your Teeth and Gums Healthy
- Have Your Child's Chronic Mouth Breathing Checked to Avoid Bite Problems
- Baby Bottle Tooth Decay
- Stop Gum Disease Before it Gets Started with Daily Oral Hygiene
- August (7)
- Have Your Loose Tooth Examined as Soon as Possible
- Take Years off Your Smile by Treating Age-Related Dental Problems
- Diabetes Doesn't Have to Stop You From Acquiring Dental Implants
- Replacing a Tooth or Saving it - Which Should you do?
- 5 Causes of Bad Breath and What You Can Do About It!
- 3 Reasons You Should Consider Tooth Whitening
- Don't Ignore Tooth Pain - You May Need a Root Canal
- July (7)
- Need an Effective but Affordable Tooth Replacement? Look at a Flexible RPD
- Don't Take a Vacation From Oral Hygiene This Summer!
- Keep Alert for this Extreme Form of Gingivitis
- Signs You May Need a Root Canal
- The Importance of Baby Teeth
- What You Can Do to Support Your Child's Dental Development
- What's So Special About Dental Implants?
- June (6)
- Make Efforts to Protect Your Teeth from Disease While Wearing Braces
- Pediatric Dentists Specialize in Dental Care for Children and Teens
- 3 Areas to Watch to Avoid Excessive Tooth Wear
- Bone Grafting Might be Necessary Before You Obtain an Implant
- Gum Disease is Still a Threat to Your Dental Implants
- RPDs Offer Another Tooth Replacement Option for those on a Tight Budget
- May (7)
- Taking the Right Steps to Prevent Early Tooth Decay in Children
- Mouthguards Reduce Risk of Concussion as well as Dental Injuries
- Your Denture Options
- Bone Loss at the Roots can Put Your Tooth in Danger of Loss
- 3 Possible Timing Scenarios for Getting Your New Implant
- Stop Gum Disease Before it Becomes a Major Health Issue
- 4 Things You Should Focus on During Pregnancy for Optimal Dental Health
- April (6)
- Not Crazy about Flossing? Try a Water Flosser
- Don't Let Sports or Energy Drinks Rob you of Your Teeth's Enamel
- Stay Ahead of Gum Disease Re-Infection with Periodontal Maintenance
- Bad Breath in Children
- Instill Good Dental Habits in Your Child as Early as Possible
- Advances in Porcelain Veneers Improve Both Strength and Appearance
- February (5)
- Children with Chronic Health Conditions may Need Extra Dental Care
- Dentures Require Planning and Attention to Detail to Look Natural
- You may Need Orthodontic Work Before Getting a Dental Implant
- We can Rid You of that Lump in Your Mouth you Keep Biting
- Find out What Kind of Tooth Staining you Have Before Seeking a Solution
- 2017
- November (5)
- Paying Attention to Certain Factors Helps Ensure Successful Implant Outcomes
- Tooth Decay can be Less of a Problem with Minimally Invasive Dentistry
- How Effective is Your Oral Hygiene? Find Out with a Plaque Disclosing Agent
- Support Your Child's Dental Development with Preventive Care
- Treating Gum Disease Important to Saving the Underlying Bone
- July (6)
- The Simple Bitewing X-Ray is a Game Changer for Maintaining Dental Health
- Porcelain Veneers: A Less Invasive Way to Transform Your Smile
- 5 Things you can do to Improve Your Child's Future Dental Health
- Loose Adult Teeth Require Immediate Attention and Treatment
- The Benefits Of Dental Crowns
- You Don't have to Suffer from Irritating Canker Sores
- May (5)
- Protect Your Child's Long-Term Dental Health with Regular Office Visits
- Could Dentures Be Right for Me?
- Get a Dental Exam as Soon as Possible if you Suspect Gum Disease
- Look at Your Options for Saving a Tooth First Before Replacing it
- Artificial Sweeteners are By and Large a Safe Alternative to Sugar
- March (6)
- Attention to Detail Crucial to a Beautiful Smile Supported by Dental Implants
- Your Case of Gingivitis Could Develop into Something More Harmful
- Why Are Porcelain Veneers Effective?
- Be Sure to have These 3 Essentials Covered Beforehand for Veneer Success
- Conscious Sedation can Help Ease Your Child's Dental Visit Anxiety
- All Gum Disease Treatments Have the Same Goal - Removing Bacterial Plaque
- 2016
- November (6)
- Start Early with Your Baby's Dental Care
- Ensure the Best Outcome with the Right Care for a Teen's Missing Tooth
- Dental Implants can Replace Your Whole Tooth, Not Just What You See
- Reduce Your Oral Cancer Risk with Better Diet and Lifestyle Choices
- Teaching Your Child Good Oral Hygiene Habits
- Follow These Common Sense Steps When Your Child has a Toothache
- July (5)
- Though not Always Seen, it's Still Important to Replace a Missing Back Tooth
- 4 Reasons Saving Your Child's Decayed Baby Tooth is a Good Idea
- Antibiotic Resistance Requires Action - and a Change of Attitude
- Thumb Sucking And Your Child's Developing Smile
- Winning the War on Gum Disease Requires Post-Treatment Vigilance
- March (6)
- 4 Advantages to Using Composite Resins for Restoring Teeth
- Persistent Jaw Pain After an Injury Needs Immediate Attention
- Watch for these 4 Signs of Gum Disease
- Support Your Child's Teeth Development with Proper Hygiene and Dental Care
- 3 Ways Your Dental Hygienist Improves Your Oral Health
- The Benefits of Dental Implants
- 2015
- December (5)
- Sleep Apnea and Behavioral Problems in Children: How Your Dentist Can Help
- Did You Know? February Is National Children's Dental Health Month!
- Replacing a Back Tooth May Help You Avoid Future Dental Problems
- Is Dental Treatment Safe During Pregnancy?
- Treating Dry Mouth is Important for Maintaining Good Oral Health
- 2014
- September (6)
- New Partial Dentures More Comfortable and Durable Than Older Models
- New Guidelines Issued for Administering Antibiotics Before a Dental Procedure
- Bone Grafting can put Implants Back on Your Options List
- 5 Oral Health Care Tips To Remember This Summer
- Removing Bacterial Plaque is Critical to Halting Advancing Gum Disease
- Early Detection is Critical to Surviving Oral Cancer
- August (5)
- Our Arsenal of Weapons in the War Against Gum Disease
- Overcome Oral Cancer With Screenings and Lifestyle Changes
- Taking Precautions Before, During and After Implants Will Help Ensure Success
- Home vs. Professional Teeth Whitening - Weighing Your Options
- Preserving or Restoring Teeth - Both Paths Lead to Better Oral Health
- 2013
- October (6)
- Health Risks of Oral Piercings
- Cancer Treatment and Oral Health: What You Should Know
- Treating Thumb Sucking Now Could Reduce Orthodontic Treatment Later
- Patients in Syracuse Seek Veneers to Mask Dental Blemishes
- Loose Teeth - A Sign of Trouble That Requires Quick Action
- Implant Overdentures: a Marriage of Options for Lower Jaw Tooth Replacement
- 2012
- August (7)
- Can Thumb Sucking Harm Your Child's Teeth?
- Testing Your Knowledge: Do Your Children Have Good Oral Health?
- Enhance Your Smile Through Teeth Whitening
- How Do Dental Implants Help Preserve Your Youthful Appearance?
- Are Dental Implants Okay For Teenagers?
- Questions You Should Ask Before Getting Porcelain Veneers
- Your Dentist May Be Able To Help You Stop Snoring
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Dentist Blog
Posts for: June, 2020

Looking in the mirror, you probably focus on your teeth and gums—i.e., your smile. Your dentist, though, will take the time to look deeper into your mouth, searching for anything out of the ordinary. That could be a type of mouth sore known as lichen planus.
Lichen planus are lesions that can appear on skin or mucus membranes, including inside the mouth. The name comes from their resemblance to lichens, a fungus found on trees or rocks (although the sore itself isn't fungi). As such, they often have a lacy pattern of lines emanating from purplish bumps.
Again, the first indication you have such a condition may come from your dentist. Sometimes, though, you may notice greater sensitivity to spicy or acidic foods and, if the gums are affected, irritation when you eat or brush.
If you find out you have lichen planus, don't be alarmed—it usually doesn't pose harm to your health and it's not contagious. Its appearance, though, could be mimicked by more harmful medical conditions, so your dentist will want to confirm the lesion observed is truly lichen planus.
It's routine, then, for your dentist to excise a small sample of the sore's tissue and send it to a pathology lab for biopsy. Although results will more than likely confirm lichen planus or some other benign lesion, it's better to err on the side of caution and ensure you're not dealing with something more serious.
If you are diagnosed with lichen planus, you may need to take steps to manage symptoms. In most people, the sore will go away on its own, although there's no guarantee it won't reappear sometime later. In the event it lingers, your dentist may prescribe a topical steroid to help ease any discomfort.
You can also minimize a future outbreak by practicing effective daily oral hygiene to reduce the bacterial populations that may contribute to the condition. And when you're symptomatic, try avoiding spicy or acidic foods like citrus, peppers or caffeinated beverages.
Lichen planus is more bothersome than harmful. Taking the above steps can help you avoid it or deal with it more effectively when it occurs.
If you would like more information on lichen planus, please contact us or schedule an appointment for a consultation. You can also learn more about this topic by reading the Dear Doctor magazine article “Lichen Planus: Mouth Lesions That are Usually benign.”

Periodontal (gum) disease can do unpleasant things to your mouth, including losing teeth. Its effects, though, may not be isolated to the oral cavity: Gum disease could make other diseases in the body worse.
Gum disease is a bacterial infection most often caused by dental plaque, a thin bacterial film that builds up on teeth in the absence of effective oral hygiene. At the outset it may infect your gums causing them to swell, redden or bleed. Eventually, though, the infection can advance deeper toward the tooth roots and bone.
There are various methods to treat gum disease depending on the extensiveness of the infection. But these methods all share the same objective—to remove all uncovered plaque and tartar (hardened plaque). Plaque fuels the infection, so removing it starves out the disease and helps the body to heal.
The damage gum disease can do to the teeth and the surrounding gums is reason enough to seek treatment. But treating it can also benefit your overall health. That's because the weakened gum tissues often serve as an open portal for bacteria and other toxins to enter the bloodstream. From there they can travel to other parts of the body and cause disease.
Gum disease also shares another feature with some systemic conditions: inflammation. This is the body's response to disease or trauma that isolates damaged tissues from healthy ones. But with gum disease, this inflammation can become chronic and ironically do more harm than good.
A gum infection may also increase the body's overall inflammatory response, in turn aggravating other diseases like diabetes, heart disease or arthritis. Treating gum disease lowers inflammation, which in turn could ease inflammation in other conditions. Likewise, reducing your body's overall inflammatory response by properly managing these other conditions might make you less susceptible to gum disease.
It's important then to prevent and treat gum disease as if your overall health depended on it—because it does. You can prevent it by brushing and flossing daily and undergoing regular dental cleanings to remove plaque. And see your dentist promptly at the first signs of gum problems. Likewise, follow a physician-supervised program to manage any inflammatory conditions.
If you would like more information on preventing or treating gum disease, please contact us or schedule an appointment for a consultation. You can also learn more about this topic by reading the Dear Doctor magazine article “Good Oral Health Leads to Better Health Overall.”

You have a wonderful pediatric dentist who's great with kids. Their dental office is a children's wonderland with cheerful colors, toys and a staff that tries to make things fun. But no matter what you do—including rewards and positive praise—it's not enough to calm your child's anxiety during dental visits.
Even with the most conducive clinical environment and parental efforts, some children still have an inordinate fear of seeing the dentist. Their anxiety could be a roadblock to getting the treatment they need to maintain good oral health and development. And if that fear carries over into adulthood, they may get into the habit of postponing needed care.
But dentists have an important tool they can use to help children relax: conscious sedation therapy. Using proven sedation medication, dentists can place patients in varying degrees of suppressed consciousness.
Although often used in conjunction, sedation is not the same as anesthesia. The latter is used to eliminate pain during dental procedures. Sedation, on the other hand, aims to calm the negative emotions generated by dental anxiety. A child under sedation can still breathe normally without assistance and respond to physical stimulation or verbal commands.
Sedation medications can be administered orally, usually in syrup form, or with an intravenous (IV) drip. Two of the more popular drugs are Midazolam and Hydroxyzine, both of which act fast and then leave the body quickly after the procedure. These types of sedation drugs have a very low risk of side effects compared to general anesthesia.
While under sedation, the child's vital signs (heart rate, respiration, blood pressure, etc.) are continuously monitored. Afterward, they'll wait in recovery until their vital signs are back to their pre-sedation levels. They can then go home to rest for the remainder of the day, and then usually return to school or other normal activities the following day.
Besides making it easier for a child to receive needed dental care, conscious sedation can also make the overall visit more pleasant, and lead to more positive memories of the experience. This may indeed help them later in life to overcome any lingering anxiety and continue regular dental care throughout adulthood.
If you would like more information on reducing your child's dental visit anxiety, please contact us or schedule an appointment for a consultation. You can also learn more about this topic by reading the Dear Doctor magazine article “Sedation Dentistry for Kids.”

It's National Dairy Month and time to pay tribute to the aurochs, those shaggy creatures who once roamed the Fertile Crescent until people began domesticating them about 8,000 years ago. Today we call them cows, the source of nutritious dairy that can help us, among other things, maintain a healthier mouth.
Since the first auroch roundup, we humans have been drinking milk and eating cheese with abandon—excepting those who suffer from lactose intolerance or who avoid dairy for other reasons, such as the high saturated fat content of some dairy products. However, dairy confers many health benefits, so if you haven't quite made up your mind about this particular food group, you should consider that milk, cheese and other forms of dairy are chock-full of nutrients. And, it just so happens, some of these nutrients are especially beneficial for your teeth.
Calcium. You can get this important mineral from different foods, but dairy is loaded with it. Similar to our bones, tooth enamel absorbs calcium, which in turn strengthens it against decay.
Phosphorus. Phosphorus, another mineral found in dairy, is highly beneficial for overall health. In regard to teeth, phosphorus helps calcium maximize its strengthening ability in enamel.
Vitamin D. This nutrient helps your enamel absorb calcium, whereas a vitamin D deficiency increases your susceptibility to both tooth decay and gum disease.
Casein. This dairy protein can form a protective film over teeth. Coupled with other nutrients, this further reduces your risk of tooth decay.
Eating dairy is definitely beneficial for your dental health. If needed, you can select lactose-free dairy products. And to cut down on saturated fat, you can choose low-fat or fat-free dairy products. You can, for example, drink non-fat or low-fat milk, or indulge in some non-fat Greek yogurt with granola or in a fruit smoothie. Cheese is also an excellent type of dairy for teeth because it reduces decay-causing acidity during and after meals. So try eating a bite of cheese by itself, or experiment by adding it to vegetable dishes or salads.
As in most things, incorporate dairy into your diet in moderation. A little of this popular food group can go a long way toward keeping your teeth healthy.
If you would like more information about nutrition and your dental health, please contact us or schedule a consultation. To learn more, read the Dear Doctor magazine articles “Nutrition & Oral Health” and “Nutrition: Its Role in General & Oral Health.”

Tooth decay is one of two dental diseases most responsible for tooth loss (gum disease being the other). In the absence of treatment, what starts as a hole or cavity in a tooth's outer layers can steadily advance toward its interior.
Most people associate cavities with the crown, the part of a tooth you can see. But cavities can also occur in a tooth's roots, especially with older adults. Root cavities pose two distinct difficulties: They can lead to more rapid decay spread than crown cavities within a tooth; and they're harder to detect.
Tooth roots are ordinarily covered by the gums, which protects them from bacterial plaque, the main cause for decay. But roots can become exposed due to receding gums, a common problem with seniors who are more susceptible to gum disease.
Unlike the enamel-covered crowns, tooth roots depend on gum coverage for protection against bacteria and the acid they produce. Without this coverage, the only thing standing between tooth decay and the roots is a thin material called cementum.
If decay does enter a tooth's interior, saving it often requires a root canal treatment to remove decayed tissue in the inner pulp and root canals, and then replacing it with a filling. But if we're able to discover a root cavity in its early stages, we may be able to fill it like a crown cavity.
The best strategy, though, is to prevent root cavities from forming. This starts with a dedicated daily regimen of brushing and flossing to remove dental plaque. If you're at high risk for root cavities, we may also recommend antibacterial mouthrinses and other aids.
Regular dental visits are also a must: a minimum of twice-a-year dental cleanings to remove stubborn plaque and calculus (hardened plaque) deposits. For added protection against root cavities, we can also apply fluoride varnish to strengthen teeth. And regular visits are the best way to detect any cavity in its early stages when treatment is less invasive.
A heightened risk of dental problems like root cavities are a part of the aging process. But partnering together, we can lower that risk and increase the longevity of your teeth.
If you would like more information on root cavities, please contact us or schedule an appointment for a consultation. You can also learn more about this topic by reading the Dear Doctor magazine article “Root Cavities.”