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Do you have a
question for
Dr. Eisen or Dr. Jesin?
Click
here. |
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Am I too old to have implants? |
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The vast majority of the population are
good candidates for implants. Only those who are suffering from major
diseases, or patients who lack sufficient bone for placement may be
exempt. Age does not seem to be a factor. In fact, implants offer a
welcome alternative for elderly patients who have suffered with
ill-fitting dentures for years. |
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Do I have gum disease? |
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Periodontal disease is an
infection of the teeth, gums, and the bone that surrounds
the teeth. Most people who have periodontal disease aren't
even aware of it. It's rarely painful, especially in the
early stages.
Some of the warning signs of
periodontal disease are:
persistent bad breath
bleeding gums when brushing or flossing
soft, swollen or tender gums
gums pulling away from the teeth
loose teeth
changes in the spaces between your teeth, which reflect
changes in the underlying bone
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Does whitening harm my teeth? |
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The ingredients in whitening agents have been used by
dentists for over 70 years to enhance the smiles of millions
of people. Study after study has proved these solutions to
be safe and give incredible results without damaging or
weakening tooth structure. |
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Do
silver fillings cause Alzheimer's disease? |
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No. In a
study published in the Journal of the American Dental
Association, researchers at the University of Kentucky
found that there was no connection between Alzheimer's
disease and the mercury used in dental fillings. |
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What
can I do about my canker sores? |
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Canker
sores affect millions of people. For some, they're an
occasional nuisance. For others, they are a nearly
constant source of discomfort. If you've ever had a
canker sore, you know they hurt. The precise cause of
these irritating mouth ulcers, also called "aphthous
stomatitis," is unknown. But certain factors appear to
trigger the onset of canker sores in some people.
Mouth injury/irritation
There are several everyday occurrences that can cause
minor injuries to the inside of your mouth. For example,
some people subconsciously bite on their lips or the
inside of their cheeks. Food with sharp edges can cut
your mouth or gums. Ill-fitting dentures or braces that
rub against the inside of the cheek or gum can abrade
the inside of your mouth. Brushing too vigorously can
have the same effect. And finally, we've all
accidentally bitten our tongue or the inside of our lip.
All of these injuries can open the door to canker sores
by breaking the skin on the mouth's mucus lining. When
this happens, the mouth is much more vulnerable to
irritants that can cause canker sores.
Nutritional deficiencies
Several studies have indicated that canker sores are
more common in individuals who are deficient in iron,
folic acid and other B vitamins. An improved diet or
supplements can eliminate deficiencies; ask your doctor
for a nutritional assessment.
Food irritation
Some people get canker sores when they eat certain
things; this indicates that they may be allergic to one
or more foods. Eliminating the offending food can
dramatically decrease canker sore outbreaks. But how do
you find out which food provokes the mouth sores? Keep a
journal, noting all of the foods you eat and the
incidences of canker sores. This will help you identify
the culprit. Some of the most common offenders are
chocolate, mustard, nuts, tomatoes, shellfish, and
pineapples.
Toothpaste with SLS (sodium lauryl sulfate)
A common ingredient in many toothpastes might be linked
to an increased incidence of canker sores in some
people. A study in Norway linked sodium lauryl sulfate,
or SLS, to canker sore occurrences. If you suspect that
you have SLS sensitivity, try switching to an SLS-free
toothpaste for awhile, and see if that helps.
Stress
Stress can have many negative effects on the body, and
canker sores are one of them. Several studies have shown
that individuals who lead extremely demanding, stressful
lives have a higher incidence of canker sores. During
stressful periods, the body's immune system is affected.
Scientists haven't pinpointed the exact cause of this
mind-body connection, but it's safe to say there are
overall health benefits to reap by reducing stress in
your life. And you might just lose those annoying canker
sores!
Canker sore treatment
There are no surefire cures currently available for
canker sores; often, you just have to let them run their
course. There are several options for relieving canker
sore pain, however. Ask your dentist which would work
best for you.
- Corticosteroids:
These are prescription gels or creams that reduce
the inflammation caused by canker sores. Ask your
dentist if one of these compounds would work for
you.
- Anti-bacterial
mouthwashes: Only a few mouthwashes on the market
have been clinically proven to reduce bacteria;
Listerine and medicated mouthwashes that contain
chlorhexidine gluconate are a few. The latter
ingredient can stain teeth, however, so use this
only under the advice of your dentist or physician.
- Pain relieving
(analgesic) gels: These contain active ingredients
benzocaine or Diphennhydramine HCL to relieve pain;
some even form a protective film over the canker
sore. They are available over the counter. Stronger
prescription analgesics are available as well;
especially effective are the medications that
contain 2 percent lidocaine. Ask your dentist which
would work best for you.
- Aphthasol:
Recently approved by the FDA, aphthasol has been
shown to reduce canker sore pain and shorten healing
time. Again, ask your doctor if this treatment would
be appropriate for you.
- Saltwater rinses:
While questionable as an effective treatment for
canker sores, rinsing with salt water is completely
safe and inexpensive, so give it a try. Just mix a
teaspoon of salt with a cup of warm water, and
gently swish the solution in your mouth for about a
minute before you spit it out.
- Herbal "tea"
rinses: Naturopathic practitioners believe sage and
thyme to be natural antiseptics. Again, this hasn't
been proven, but it's safe and inexpensive. Steep a
few spoonfuls in a cup of hot water, allow it to
cool to room temperature, then rinse your mouth with
it for about a minute, and spit it out.
- Acemannan hydrogel
patch: The Journal of the American Dental
Association reported that this treatment reduced the
healing time as well as the pain of canker sores.
The patch, which contains a form of aloe vera, has
received FDA approval and is being sold as the
Carrington Patch.
- ORA5: This is a
topical antibacterial compound that utilizes copper
sulfate and iodine to cover the ulcerated area,
greatly reducing the pain. It is relatively
inexpensive (around $6) and is available without a
prescription. Ask your doctor or dentist if she
recommends this treatment.
Most canker sores heal
within two weeks. If yours last beyond that, or if they
prevent you from eating or drinking, have them checked
out by your doctor. |
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Why do
canker sores hurt so much? |
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It's
because a sore on your mouth's lining reacts differently
than a sore on your skin. Because your mouth is a moist
environment, the sore doesn't dry out and scab over.
This causes sensitive nerve endings to be constantly
exposed to friction, foods and beverages. |
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Is
there a connection between gum disease and heart
attacks? |
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There is
growing evidence that the presence of periodontal (gum)
disease can be linked to the incidence of coronary heart
disease. Gums infected with periodontal disease are
toxic reservoirs of disease-causing bacteria. The
bacteria hide in pockets next to the teeth, where the
gums have pulled away from the tooth surface. When gums
are this infected, they frequently bleed.
Researchers at the University of Minnesota in
Minneapolis recently discovered that bleeding gums
common in severe gum disease provide an open doorway for
plaque bacteria to enter the bloodstream. This bacteria,
Streptococcus sanguis, can cause blood clots that block
arteries and trigger heart attacks. "Severe
periodontitis is the equivalent of about nine square
inches of chronic wound around the teeth," said Dr. Mark
Herzberg, director of the study. "It offers considerable
opportunity over time for these bacteria to enter the
blood."
In the study, researchers injected the plaque bacteria
into rabbits' veins and then monitored their hearts.
Clots formed immediately, and within 30 minutes, the
blood flow to the rabbits' hearts was reduced, reported
Herzberg. Researchers caution that they don't know
whether these results can be reproduced in humans.
Nevertheless, this emerging research strengthens the
strong link between poor dental health and heart
disease.
More heartache from gum disease
Other studies have shown that plaque bacteria entering
the bloodstream through infected gums might also cause a
potentially fatal heart disease called infective
endocarditis. This is a bacterial infection that causes
the sac around the heart to become inflamed. Herzberg
has shown that the S. sanguis plaque bacteria is one of
the most frequent causes of endocarditis.
More than just speculation
In a study of 400 older men, researchers in Michigan
found that those with severe gum disease were four and
one-half times more likely to have coronary heart
disease than those without gum disease. The University
of Michigan study, conducted by Dr. Walter Loesche,
analyzed a sample of 400 men in long-term care at the
Ann Arbor VA Medical Center. All men were over 60 years
of age, and those whose gum disease correlated with
heart disease had bleeding from nearly every tooth and
had 14 or fewer teeth remaining. Findings from the same
study also revealed a possible relationship between
regular dental exams and a reduced risk of stroke.
"Patients who saw a dentist at least once a year were
four times less likely to have a history of (stroke),"
Loesche said.
The lesson to be learned? Brush, floss, and see your
dentist regularly. Because we now know that good oral
health can prevent more than just gum disease. |
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What
are porcelain veneers? |
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Veneers
can beautify your smile by improving the color and shape
of one or more of your teeth. A veneer is a thin shell
of porcelain or plastic that's bonded to a tooth,
generally covering only its front and top. Veneers can
be used to close spaces between your teeth, lengthen
small or misshapen teeth, or whiten stained teeth. And
if your teeth are chipped or beginning to wear, veneers
can protect them from damage and restore their original
look.
It takes two or more appointments to restore your teeth
with veneers. On the first appointment, your teeth are
shaped and roughened. From impressions, precise working
models are made of your teeth. It's on these models that
the veneers are crafted to exactly fit your teeth. On
the second appointment, your prepared teeth are polished
and cleaned. Then an adhesive is used to bond the
veneers to your teeth. A harmless high-intensity light
hardens the adhesive.
Once in place, veneers
virtually become part of your teeth. You can use them
like you would your own teeth, because the bond is
extremely strong. The final result is a more beautiful
and natural looking smile! |
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