Brighten Your Smile!

This month’s topic concerns one of the more popular and beneficial dental procedures available to patients; teeth whitening.

Everybody wants a nice/bright smile, and today there are many dental products and procedures available to help you improve the look of yours. Some people are satisfied with the improved shine they get from daily brushing and regular professional cleanings.  However, for those who would like to go a step beyond to make their smile look brighter, here are some additional whitening options.

First off, patients should mention their desire to whiten, and the dental team can work with you to figure out which procedures would be most effective. It’s important to know that not all teeth whitening products can correct all types of discoloration. For example, teeth with a yellow tint usually bleach well, brownish-colored teeth may bleach less, and teeth with a grey-ish tint may not bleach well at all.   

In addition, front teeth with large bondings or tooth-colored fillings may not be affected by whitening agents, and could stand out in your newly whitened smile. 

If you are a candidate for teeth whitening, there are multiple ways to whiten your smile:

• In-office bleaching: This procedure, also known as chairside bleaching, usually requires only one office visit.  Either a protective gel is applied to your gums or a rubber shield is used to protect the oral soft tissues. A bleaching agent is then applied to the teeth, and a special light is sometimes used. In-office bleaching may take between 30-60 minutes.

• At-home bleaching:  Teeth whiteners with a peroxide-based agent are used at home to bleach teeth enamel. Options include custom trays in which a small amount of bleaching gel is placed or products where the bleaching solution is embedded into pre-filled disposable trays.  Take-home bleaching products come in different strengths, which can be varied depending on tooth sensitivity or the amount of bleaching desired by the patient.

• Whitening toothpastes: All toothpastes contain tiny abrasives that help remove surface stains. "Whitening" toothpastes in the ADA Seal of Acceptance program have special chemical or polishing agents that provide additional stain removal effectiveness. Unlike bleaches, these ADA Accepted products do not change the color of teeth because they can only remove stains on the surface.

Contact Beachside Dental today to schedule your dental visit and to discuss which teeth whitening option is best for you!

- Dr. Savidan

www.smilemonth.org

Oral Cancer Awareness Month

Did you know almost 42,000 Americans will be diagnosed with oral or throat cancer this year alone? 
Or, that the 5-year survival rate of those diagnosed is just more than 64 percent? When cancer is detected and treated early, treatment-related health problems are reduced.      
The month of April is National Oral Cancer Awareness Month and this blog will focus on the causes, symptoms, and home care remedies for those with oral cancer.

Research has identified a number of factors that contribute to the development of oral and throat cancers. Smokers and excessive alcohol drinkers, older than 50, are the most at risk population. In recent news, the human papilloma virus (HPV), which is sexually transmitted, has been associated with cancers of the throat, or oropharyngeal area. HPV-positive oropharyngeal cancers are related to the increasing incidence of throat cancers in non-smoking adults. 

    

Early symptoms of oral or throat cancer may include:
     • a sore/irritated spot that does not heal     
     • red or white patches     
     • thickened or rough patches     
     • tenderness or numbness in the mouth or lips     
     • difficulty with chewing, swallowing or talking     
     • a change in your bite

During a dental visit, your dentist can discuss your health history and examine any suspicious signs of oral and/or throat cancer. The screening will consist of a visual inspection of the mouth and palpation of the jaw and neck. Regular visits to your dentist can improve the chances that any suspicious changes in your oral health will be caught early.

Those undergoing treatment for oral cancers can alleviate further problems by:     
      • keeping the mouth moist at all times     
      • drink lots of water     
      • chew sugarless gum or suck on sugarless hard candy     
      • use a saliva substitute

Alcohol and Your Teeth

Seeing as how St. Patrick’s Day is a holiday know for “festivities” involving alcohol, let’s take a look at the effects of alcoholic beverages on your teeth.  

For this month’s blog topic, we’ll take a look at how alcohol can affect your entire oral cavity, including your gums and teeth.  

Most alcoholic beverages contain a large amount of sugars and acids which are harmful to your mouth.  Acids in these beverages can demineralize/soften your teeth, and when sugars combine with natural bacteria in the mouth they also form an acid that attacks enamel. 

This is especially true when the teeth are constantly exposed to sugars and starches in alcohol without any breaks.

Much like smoking, alcohol can also dry out your mouth. Because saliva is a powerful tool in reducing the incidence of cavities and maintaining a proper pH in your oral cavity, a dry mouth can accelerate the damage caused by the sugar in alcohol.

Heavy drinking can lead to:

• Irritation of the gums, tongue and other oral tissues
• Poor healing following a  dental surgery
• Poor overall dental hygiene habits
• Increase in tooth decay
• Increase risk of periodontal (gum) disease

We at Beachside Dental hope everyone has a happy and safe St. Patrick’s Day, and enjoys the first month of Spring!

The Mouth and Heart Connection

With Valentine’s Day approaching and hearts and cupids seemingly everywhere, let’s take a look at the connection between your mouth and heart.  Unfortunately, many people often ignore the fact that oral health can have a dramatic effect on your overall health.  
Countless scientific studies have show that the relationship between your mouth and your heart is undeniable.

It has been proven that poor oral health can have a direct effect on your cardiovascular system.  For example, people with moderate or advanced periodontal (gum) disease are more likely to suffer from heart disease.  This is important, because 80% of adults have some form of periodontal disease!  

Some researchers have suggested that the bacteria involved in gum disease are able to travel through the bloodstream, attaching to blood vessels and causing clot formation.  
It has also been suggested that the inflammation of the gum tissues in periodontal disease, can also trigger clot formation and potentially be a cause of elevated blood pressure or even a heart attack.

Warning signs of gum disease may include: 

• Red, swollen, tender gums
• Gums that bleed easily
• Gums that are receding
• Chronic bad breath
• Loose teeth

If you have any of these symptoms, it is important to make an appointment with us at  
Beachside Dental, so that we can evaluate your gums, and screen you for any potentially harmful conditions such as heart disease.
   

Morning Breath ... Is There a "Cure?

This month’s blog concerns a topic I find myself talking about A LOT with patients; morning breath!  What is it?  How do you get it?  How can you prevent it?

   According to the Academy of General Dentistry, over 80 million people suffer from halitosis, aka bad breath.  Several million of these individuals also experience what many refer to as “morning breath”.  Imagine waking up in the morning and leaning over to give someone a kiss, only to be denied.  Morning breath is to blame! 

    In short, morning breath is directly related to the mouth drying out while someone sleeps.  Saliva flow is greatly reduced during prolonged sleep, and when the mouth dries out, odor-causing bacteria are allowed to grow in number.  Those that snore or mouth-breathe at night are even more prone to morning breath. 

    There are other factors that can be involved. Patients who regularly take medications are more prone to having dry mouth.  Smoking not only dries out the mouth, but it also causes an increase in oral temperatures which can then lead to an increased number in odor-causing bacteria.  Patients with allergies might have increased mucus levels, which also leads to a growing number of bacteria that cause bad breath.

    So what can be done?  Good hygiene is key!  Make sure to brush your teeth at least two times daily, for two minutes each time.  Also, make sure to brush your tongue or use a tongue scraper, as many bacteria reside on your tongue.  Flossing is also an important way to remove food that accumulates between teeth and causes bad breath.  Mouthwashes can also be a temporary fix, as they freshen your breath while killing certain bacteria as well.  Just be careful not to use a mouthwash with a high alcohol content, as this might also lead to increased dry mouth. 

Flossing Facts

Flossing Facts...

Thank you for your interest in our new monthly blog!  For this month's topic, I'd like to share some interesting information about flossing your teeth.  Many of my patients either do not floss at all, or are confused about flossing and its benefits.  It's time we address this important issue...

According to the Academy of General Dentistry, flossing is the SINGLE most important thing a person can do to help prevent plaque buildup.  Plaque is the sticky/yellow biofilm that will build up on all surfaces of a tooth.  Flossing your teeth is the ONLY way to prevent plaque build-up on the surfaces where two teeth touch one another, known as the interproximal contact.

Flossing also helps prevent tooth decay.  I would say that more than 50% of the cavities I treat are located in the interproximal contact, and flossing would help prevent this by removing debris or food particles which are major sources of tooth decay.

A common complaint that many patients have is that flossing causes their gums to bleed.  In fact, if flossing causes your gums to bleed, it is a sign that you have active periodontal disease (inflammation of gum tissues and the bone).  In addition to having your teeth cleaned professionally every 6 months, flossing is an easy home remedy for controlling periodontal disease.

There are many types of dental floss.  You can try both waxed or unwaxed floss, flavored or unflavored.  There is traditional floss that you can unroll or there are floss sticks that are much easier for younger patients to use.  There are also special types of floss that make it easier to floss underneath "bridges" or other hard to reach areas.

If you have any questions regarding the benefits of flossing, please do not hesitate to contact Beachside Dental at (805) 308-6998 or info@beachsidedds.com.