Monday, January 28, 2013

Your San Diego Dentist Says: Every Day Habits That Ruin Your Teeth

Most people don't realize that their teeth were built strong and go through quite a bit of wear and tear throughout their lifetime. There are some habits though, that San Diego dentist Dr. Kitchen wants his patients to be acutely aware of -- these habits increase your risk of seriously damaging your teeth. Please read this article Dr. Kitchen found on Web MD to take steps to giving your smile some relief:

You plan meals, grab drinks, and play sports without giving much thought to your teeth. But you might not realize how food, beverages, and activities can wreck the health of your pearly whites. Twenty-five percent of U.S. adults over age 65 have lost all their teeth - here's how you can protect your own.

Sugar and Teeth
Sugar is the No. 1 enemy of your teeth, and the longer it stays in your mouth, the worse it is. Sugar is consumed by acid-producing bacteria in your mouth. The acids eat away at tooth enamel. Avoid foods like jelly candies, which stick in your teeth longer than other foods and bathe them in sugar. Dried fruit such as raisins are no better. Reach for fresh fruit instead.
Beverages and Teeth
San Diego DentistSoda is just plain bad for teeth, sugar-free or not. "You're bathing teeth in an acid environment," says Robert Sorin, DDS, clinical instructor in the department of dentistry and oral surgery at New York-Presbyterian Hospital. Club soda is harmful, too, because of its acidity, and so are juices with added sugar. 

Alcohol, even just a glass of wine, is also acidic and can erode the teeth. In addition, alcohol dries out your mouth, reducing saliva production. "Saliva bathes the teeth and helps remove plaque and bacterial accumulations from the teeth's surface. Less plaque equals less risk for bacterial acids to cause decay," Sorin says. Rinse your mouth with water between drinks.

To continue reading this article, Dr. Kitchen recommends heading over to Web MD here.


David L. Kitchen, DDS
9850 Genesee Avenue
Suite 540
La Jolla, CA 92037

Telephone: 858.558.1946
info@davidkitchendds.com

Thursday, January 17, 2013

Preventing and Treating Gum Problems


Healthy teeth depend on healthy gums. Gums protect the base of the teeth, where connective tissue anchors them to bone. Left untreated, gum problems can lead to tooth loss. Fortunately, there’s plenty you can do to keep gums healthy.

2 Types of Gum Disease

Gum disease takes two forms: gingivitis and periodontitis.
Gingivitis occurs when bacteria collect in tiny pockets at the gum line, causing inflammation. The most common symptoms are bleeding when teeth are brushed and persistent bad breath. Gingivitis accounts for about 70% of gum disease. Periodontitis makes up the other 30%.
If gingivitis goes untreated, the inflammation can invade connective tissue and even bone. This causes periodontitis.
Symptoms of periodontitis include:
  • Receding gums
  • Visible pockets of inflammation along the gum line
  • Gum pain
  • Unusual sensitivity to temperature changes
Eventually, even the healthiest teeth can become loose and even fall out.

The Role of Dental Exams in Preventing Gum Disease

“Unfortunately, by the time most people notice any of the warning signs of periodontitis, it’s too late to reverse the damage,” says Sam Low, DDS, professor of periodontology at the University of Florida and president of the American Academy of Periodontology.
That’s why regular dental checkups are so important, according to Low. Dentists spot trouble in the form of pockets of inflammation or places where gum tissue has eroded slightly, exposing the root of the tooth.
  • With regular checkups, the condition of your gum tissue can be compared over time.  Any erosion that has taken place is noted. Dental X-rays can reveal early signs of gum disease.
  • During the exam, the dentist carefully measures the depth of gum pockets around a selected number of teeth. You should have this exam every 18 to 36 months, according to Low.
Unfortunately, not all dentists check carefully enough for gum disease.
“We estimate that only about one-third of general dentists really take the time to really look for gum disease,” says Low.
The American Academy of Periodontology works closely with professional dental groups to encourage better detection of gum problems during dental checkups.
Catching signs of gum disease early may be far more important than previously thought, experts say. Advanced periodontal disease can cause tooth loss. But it may also cause other health problems.

Prevention and Treatment of Gum Disease

Proper dental hygiene can go a long way toward preventing gum disease. Most of us know the basics:
  • Brush your teeth at least twice a day, for two minutes.
  • Floss every day.
  • Use an antibacterial mouth rinse for more protection from plaque and to improve gingivitis.
  • Smoking increases the danger of gum disease by damaging gum tissue and increasing inflammation. If you smoke, preventing gum disease is one more very good reason to try to quit.
  • If gingivitis occurs, your dentist can scrape away plaque buildup at the gum line.
  • Brushing, flossing, and using an antibacterial rinse can usually prevent gingivitis from recurring.
Managing periodontitis is more complex, because the inflammation has already invaded below the gum line. You’ll need care from a dentist and home care as well.
  • The first step is for a dentist to remove plaque and tartar from below the gum line. You may need a local anesthetic so you don’t feel pain.
  • Next, your dentist may prescribe an antibiotic to prevent infection. Some people, may need periodontal surgery to fold back gum tissue. Periodontal surgery can also treat deeper pockets of infection.
  • Your dentist or periodontist may need to do a procedure called grafting. For that, he takes tissue from one part of your mouth (such as the roof) to replace gum tissue that has eroded, exposing the roots of your teeth.
After treatment, commit to practicing good dental care to reduce your risk of further inflammation and damage. Your dentist or periodontist may recommend more frequent checkups to monitor gum health. Between those visits, brush, floss, and rinse at home to prevent tartar from returning.
Following a healthy diet can help you maintain healthy gums. New research suggests that a diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids, the kinds found in fatty fish (herring, salmon, sardines, trout, tuna,) fish oil, and flaxseed, reduces inflammation.
“Periodontitis is a condition that needs to be managed carefully,” Low says. “But with regular periodontal care, [you and your dental team] can keep gums healthy and prevent tooth loss.”

David L. Kitchen, DDS
9850 Genesee Avenue
Suite 540
La Jolla, CA 92037

Telephone: 858.558.1946
info@davidkitchendds.com

Wednesday, January 9, 2013

The Daily Grind -- What Wears Down Your Teeth


Teeth are built tough. With regular care they can last a lifetime. Still, the daily grind of chewing, brushing, and grinding, along with accidental injuries, can take a toll. Here are three of the biggest threats, and what you can do to avoid them.

Chipped, Fractured, or Broken Teeth

Teeth can sometimes chip or fracture when you bite down on something hard, such as a popcorn kernel or stale bread. “But that kind of injury is actually quite uncommon,” says Steven E. Schonfeld, DDS, PhD, a dentist in private practice and spokesman for the American Dental Association.  

Teeth that have fillings or root canals are at highest risk, because they aren't as strong as intact teeth. “But even intact teeth can chip or fracture if you happen to bite down in just the wrong way on something hard,” Schonfeld says.
More often, teeth are damaged as a result of accidents or sports injuries. When researchers surveyed athletes competing in the Pan American World Games recently, they found that almost half showed signs of tooth fractures believed to have occurred over time during training or competing. In that study, sports most commonly associated with tooth injuries included wrestling, boxing, basketball, and karate. But even non-contact sports such as in-line skating or skiing can result in damage to teeth.
What you can do: If you have fillings in your back molars, it's wise to avoid biting down on hard foods such as bones, hard candies, and ice. Wear a mouth guard if you play sports that pose a risk of injury, and get them for your kids that play sports, too. A 2002 survey of college basketball players found that mouth guard wearers significantly reduced their risk of dental injuries. Simple mouth guards are available at most sporting goods stores. Your dentist can also make a custom-fitted mouth guard.
A dentist can repair chipped teeth. Fractures are harder to fix, especially if the crack extends below your gum line. If you have a badly fractured tooth, your dentist may remove it.

Bruxism: Grinding Your Teeth

Teeth are built to chew and grind food. But unconscious grinding or clenching of teeth, over time, can damage the chewing surfaces. “Chronic tooth grinding, called bruxism, can cause micro-cracks in the enamel, making teeth more susceptible to decay, and even wear down the pointed surfaces of molars,” says Anthony M. Iacopino, DMD, PhD, dean of the University of Manitoba Faculty of Dentistry.
Tooth grinding can also cause headaches, muscle pain, and jaw injury. In many cases, people with bruxism don't realize they have a problem until a dentist notices tell-tale signs on their tooth surfaces. That's one more good reason to get checkup every six months, Iacopino says.

Researchers suspect that stress or anger may lead to tooth grinding. A 2010 study found that people with sleep bruxism were more likely than people who don't grind their teeth to report trouble at work, daily problems, and physical problems.
What you can do:  Stress management techniques may help. “I tell my patients who have signs of tooth grinding to find ways to relax,” Declan Devereux, DDS, says. “Take a walk. Learn to meditate. Avoid stressful or frustrating situations if possible.” For some patients, that may be enough to ease tooth grinding. If not, dentists may prescribe a mouth guard or splint, which fits over the upper or lower teeth, protecting them from becoming damaged.

Acid and Tooth Enamel Erosion

As tough as teeth are, they become vulnerable when acid levels in the mouth are too high. Acid erodes enamel, making teeth more susceptible to decay. Acidic foods and drinks, and acid-producing bacteria in the mouth are prime culprits. Enamel erosion may also be due to other conditions such as bulimia, chronic gastritis related to alcoholism, or frequent vomiting related to pregnancy. Researchers have recently recognized another threat: gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
GERD causes the highly acidic contents of the stomach to back up into the esophagus, sometimes even into the mouth, where it can erode teeth. Anyone who suffers GERD is at risk. In a study of 117 patients with GERD, 28 had dental erosion. Another study of 20 patients found evidence in about half of the patients.
What you can do:  Ask your doctor for support and referrals to treat bulimia or alcoholism. If you’re pregnant and vomiting a lot, it might be a good time for you to get a dental checkup (one is recommended during pregnancy).
If your dentist notices signs of enamel erosion and suspects that the problem may be GERD, she is likely to recommend you see your doctor. The only way to prevent further damage is to control your GERD. In addition to taking a prescription acid-blocker medicine, make some changes to what and when you eat to reduce the frequency of reflux. Start by avoiding foods that make GERD worse: chocolate, peppermint, fatty foods, coffee, and alcoholic beverages. Eating smaller meals helps prevent GERD. Also, don’t eat for at least two hours before bed so your stomach has time to partially empty before you lie down.

David L. Kitchen, DDS
9850 Genesee Avenue
Suite 540
La Jolla, CA 92037

Telephone: 858.558.1946
info@davidkitchendds.com


Wednesday, January 2, 2013

7 Secrets To A Healthier Smile


When it comes to lighting up some of Hollywood's brightest smiles as well as tending to the pearly whites of the average Joe, New York City dentist Steven Roth, DMD, does it all. With more than 25 years of cosmetic and restorative dentistry experience, he created a technique that allows patients to "test drive" cosmetic dental procedures (such as temporary veneers) before taking the plunge. We chatted with Roth from his Manhattan office, SmilesNY, and asked him to share the seven things he always tells every patient.

1. You probably aren't seeing the dentist enough.

The standard twice-a-year visit (covered by most dental plans) is only half enough. Adults should see the dentist every 90 days. I know it sounds like a lot (and believe me, I get some resistance from reluctant patients), but, after just three months, the bacteria we clean out of your mouth during a check-up -- it's all recolonized! I know it can seem expensive, especially if you have to pay for the additional visits out of pocket, but it's well worth it from a health perspective. If you think about what you might spend on regularly cutting or coloring your hair, it's really not far off from that.

2. If you're scared of the dentist because you think it's going to hurt, you're not seeing the right dentist.

Today we can manage every single aspect of discomfort with the right medications to handle the annoyance of keeping your mouth open for a long period of time, or anesthesia for more extensive, invasive procedures like root canals. You name the issue, we can address it.

3. If you wait until you feel pain, it's way too late.

Know this: Most dental issues don't cause pain at first. Cavities, before they become deep, are painless. Gum disease -- also silent. But once you're wincing in pain, that means there's probably already an infection or the pockets of your gums have become riddled with bacteria. Bottom line: Make frequent check-up appointments to nip invisible-to-you problems in the bud, and put your dentist on speed-dial should you notice any problems.

4. Nothing can replace good, old-fashioned dental floss.

Sure, you can buy sharp little instruments at the drugstore for picking at your teeth or follow every meal with a toothpick, but until you get in between the teeth, where the surfaces abut one another, you're not attacking the location where some of the worst bacteria hide. The truth is, brushing only gets about 50% of the nasty stuff off of your teeth. Floss is the only thing that can attack the other half. No matter how fantastically high-tech your brush is or how thoroughly you go over each tooth, you still need to floss.

5. Seeing the dentist may save your life.

People are slowly realizing that gum disease might be a sign of heart disease. Some studies indicate a connection but more research needs to be done. It's all about inflammation -- be it of the gums or of the arteries of the heart. Some studies show that bacteria in gum disease is also in plaques in heart arteries. Seeing the dentist can benefit not only your smile and the whiteness of your teeth, but also your overall health.

6. The mouth tells no lies.

I can tell so much about a person just peering into their mouth. I can see if they have certain habits or issues -- whether they drink a lot of soda or coffee and if they have had a drug problem in the past or present. If they are experiencing a lot of stress, they may grind or clench their teeth, leading to gum recession or telltale wear patterns. Acid erosion patterns can betray a bulimic. Bad breath can even say a lot -- be it acid reflux, a poor diet, or even diabetes. You just can't hide these things once you open your mouth.

7. Not all whites are right.

There's no one-size-fits-all shade of white. If you bring in a picture of someone whose bright smile you admire, it's entirely possible it won't suit you. It depends on your coloring and your teeth. It's a bit like hair color in that respect. Everyone has a different potential for whiteness.

David L. Kitchen, DDS
9850 Genesee Avenue
Suite 540
La Jolla, CA 92037

Telephone: 858.558.1946
info@davidkitchendds.com