COFFEE, TEA OR OUCH!!!

Has your morning cup of coffee turned on you? Have you given up popsicles and snow-cones? Increased sensitivity can make eating and drinking miserable. If your particular issue has nothing to do with decay, do you just have to live with sensitivity and without hot cocoa and ice cream? What causes tooth sensitivity and how can you treat it?

Sensitivity happens when the nerves inside the dentin are exposed to external stimuli. This can be caused by decay as well but also just wear and tear. How did your teeth become sensitive? The following are some of the common causes of sensitivity:

• Acid Reflux – People with gastroesophageal reflux disease can have increased sensitivity. The increase in acid can prevent teeth from remineralizing properly.
• Gum Recession – Age, gum disease and/or improper brushing can cause the gums to receed and expose dentin.
• Tooth Grinding – Gritting and grinding teeth can wear away the enamel and expose dentin.
• Poor Diet – Exposing teeth to acidic foods and beverages can eat away enamel.

Luckily, there are things that can be done to prevent making sensitivity worse. Using a toothpaste formulated for sensitive teeth with a very soft brush and the correct brushing technique can help prevent further damage. Eliminating or limiting acidic foods and drinks can also prevent future erosion to your worn enamel.

To help diminish sensitivity, we can apply fluoride varnish to help strengthen weakened enamel or, if there is decay, a restoration like a filling or crown may be necessary.

Don’t live with the misery of tooth pain. Call us today to determine the cause of your sensitivity and we’ll put together a plan to stop the pain and discomfort.

How Sweet It Is!

You may already know that Xylitol is good for keeping oral bacteria at bay, but did you know that it may also decrease the occurrence of ear infections and asthma attacks?

Xylitol is a natural sugar alcohol sweetener produced by many plants including: strawberries, corn, wheat , and rice. It interrupts an oral bacterium’s ability to digest sugar. Without their main food source, the bacteria die; this helps to prevent tooth decay.

One research study shows there is another important benefit of xylitol; kids who chew xylitol gum or drank xylitol syrup not only had healthier teeth, but they experience fewer ear infections. Now, some dental professionals claim to have also seen a decrease in asthma problems as well.

An ear infection typically starts out as a runny nose which most people treat with an antihistamine or a decongestant. Unfortunately, your nose needs to run in order to wash out bacteria so artificially blocking that flow can push the bacteria through the Eustachian tubes to the ears, sinuses and lungs.

In addition to products like gum and sweeteners, xylitol can be found in a nasal rinse. The xylitol rinse makes the bacteria too slippery to attach to tissue which allows your runny nose to flush them out of your nasal passages.

Anyone of any age can benefit from xylitol whether it is in chewing gum, nasal rinse, toothpaste, lozenges, or in a granular form like table sugar.  We can discuss how much xylitol you need when we next see you. 
Note: Xylitol is poisonous to dogs. Don’t allow your dog to eat anything that contains xylitol.

Overbite Underwhelming.

One of the first toothpaste mascots was a cute bucked-tooth beaver. Sure, he was popular for his nearly 50 year run, but that overbite that was so cute on him isn't nearly as cute on you (or comfortable).

Overbites, a misalignment of the jaw, can be caused by a number of factors including:
    •    Facial injury;
    •    Thumb sucking;
    •    Genetics;
    •    Poor posture;
    •    Arthritis;
    •    A mouth too small for your teeth;
    •    Habits like teeth grinding and clenching;
    •    Early loss of primary or permanent teeth;

    •    Ill-fitting dental restorations; and/or

    •    Weak or malfunctioning jaw muscles.

While the cosmetic issues are obvious, a misaligned jaw is also serious condition that affects many people adversely. That overbite, also known as a malocclusion, can be the cause of many chronic, painful conditions including:

    •    Miraines;

    •    Sleep apnea and related health effects;

    •    Hindered opening and closing of the jaw;

    •    Difficulty chewing;

    •    Pain when chewing;

    •    Breaking a tooth;

    •    Difficulty forming words;

    •    Difficulty cleaning your teeth;

    •    TMD—jaw joint disorder;

    •    Facial, neck and back pain; and/or

    •    Abnormal facial appearance.

Luckily, this is not an incurable situation. There are several treatments which we can use to relieve your discomfort.

If you are experiencing problems with your bite, we need to examine you as soon as possible.

Let us increase your comfort and give you a reason to smile!