Five Ways to Preserve Your Teeth for Life

You may have heard the expression: "If you just ignore your teeth, they will go away." That may be true - but by practicing good oral hygiene, more and more people are now able to keep their natural teeth in good condition for their entire life. So we prefer to put a more positive spin on that old saw: "Take care of your teeth and they will take care of you - always." What's the best way to do that? Here are our top five tips:

1. Brush and floss every day. You knew this was going to be number one, right? Simply put, tooth decay and gum disease are your teeth's number one enemies. Effective brushing and flossing can help control both of these diseases. Using a soft-bristle brush with fluoride toothpaste and getting the floss into the spaces between teeth (and a little under the gum line) are the keys to successful at-home tooth cleaning and plaque removal.
2. Don't smoke, or use any form of tobacco. Statistically speaking, smokers are about twice as likely to lose their teeth as non-smokers. And "smokeless" tobacco causes tooth discoloration, gum irritation, an increased risk for cavities, and a higher incidence of oral cancers. Of course, smoking also shortens your life expectancy - so do yourself a favor, and quit (or better yet, don't start).
3. Eat smart for better oral (and general) health. This means avoiding sugary between-meal snacks, staying away from sodas (and so-called "energy" or "sports" drinks), and limiting sweet, sticky candies and other smile-spoiling treats. It also means enjoying a balanced diet that's rich in foods like whole grains, fruits and vegetables. This type of diet incorporates what's best for your whole body - including your teeth.
4. Wear a mouthguard when playing sports. An active lifestyle has many well-recognized health benefits. But if you enjoy playing basketball, bicycling, skiing or surfing - or any other sport where the possibility of a blow to the face exists - then you should consider a custom-fitted mouthguard an essential part of your gear. Research shows that athletes wearing mouthguards are 60 times less likely to suffer tooth damage in an accident than those who aren't protected - so why take chances with your teeth?
5. See your dentist regularly. When it comes to keeping your smile sparkling and your mouth healthy, we're your plaque-fighting partners. We'll check you for early signs of gum disease or tooth decay - plus many other potential issues - and treat any problems we find before they become serious. We'll also help you develop healthy habits that will give you the best chance of keeping your teeth in good shape for your whole life.

If you would like to learn more about keeping your teeth healthy for life, please see our website at www.myParkDental.com or call us at (239) 263-1151 to schedule an appointment for a consultation, and find out whether dental implants might be right for you. You can learn more in the Dear Doctor magazine articles "Tooth Decay - The World's Oldest & Most Widespread Disease" and "Dentistry & Oral Health For Children."

How Dental Implants Saved Taylor Hicks' Smile

If (heaven forbid) you were to lose your two front teeth in an accident, and you needed to choose a tooth replacement method, which one would you pick? Once upon a time, that question faced Taylor Hicks, the former American Idol winner who now plays a regular gig in Las Vegas. Back then, when he was a high-school basketball star, Hicks happened to receive a blow to the mouth at a playoff game. As fate would have it, he also happened to be the son of... wait for it... a dentist. So what did he do?

The down-to-earth song stylist recently told Dear Doctor magazine how, immediately after the accident, his father administered first aid, getting him back into the game before it ended. Then, a short while afterward, Hicks had the gaps in his smile fixed with dental implants.

We think he made a good choice. While there are other tooth replacement systems, none offer the benefits provided by dental implants. In case you need a reminder, here are some facts about dental implants:

• They have the highest success rate of any tooth replacement procedure - above 95%
• They are the most durable type of replacement tooth - with proper care, they can last for the rest of your life
• They look and "feel" completely natural, and require no special maintenance
• They are the only tooth replacement system that essentially stops bone loss in the jaw (a natural consequence of tooth loss), helping to maintain good oral health
• Over the long term, they can offer the best value for your investment in dental care

What makes dental implants work so well? Unlike bridgework or other methods, lifelike implant crowns are supported by a screw-like titanium metal insert, which actually becomes fused with the bone of the jaw. This not only provides the prosthetic teeth with a rock-solid anchorage, but it also helps provide the physical stimulation that bone needs to keep itself healthy. Lacking this stimulation, the jaw bone begins to atrophy and erode (melt away) - and if left untreated long enough, it can result in the appearance of premature aging and other oral health problems.

So if you have missing teeth - whether from an accident, disease, or another cause - please see our website at www.myParkDental.com or call us at (239) 263-1151 to schedule an appointment for a consultation, and find out whether dental implants might be right for you. You can learn more in the Dear Doctor magazine articles "Dental Implant Surgery" and "Dental Implants."

Five Symptoms of Gum Disease

Do you have gum disease? According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, about half of the adults in America have a mild, moderate or severe form of this disease. But if you're 65 or older, your chance of having it goes up to 70 percent! Periodontal (gum) disease is sometimes called a "silent malady" because major symptoms may not appear until it has reached an advanced stage. How can you recognize the early warning signs? Here are some clues to look for:

1. Redness and irritation of gums. Having red, swollen or sore gums can be a sign of gum disease; however, it could also result from brushing your teeth too vigorously, or using a brush with hard bristles. That's why we recommend using a soft-bristled brush and a gentle cleaning stroke. If you're doing this but you still have irritated gums, it could be an early signal of gum disease.
2. Bleeding when you brush. Despite what you may think, this is never a normal occurrence. If your gums regularly bleed after brushing, it's usually an indication that gum disease is present. You should come in for an examination as soon as possible.
3. Bad breath or a bad taste in your mouth. Bad breath or unpleasant tastes could be caused by what you ate last night - or they could result from gum disease. If the odor or taste is persistent - that is, if it doesn't seem to go away over time - it could indicate a problem with your gums.
4. Gum recession. When you have gum recession, the healthy, pink tissue surrounding the teeth begins to pull back, or recede. This exposes more of the tooth's structure - even its roots - and makes teeth look longer. While gum recession is a common condition that is primarily caused by periodontal disease, many people don't realize they have it because it occurs so gradually. They also may not realize that by the time it is noticed, some underlying bone tissue has already been lost. Gum recession is a condition you shouldn't ignore: If left untreated, it can result in the destruction of more gum and bone tissue, and even tooth loss.
5. Tooth Sensitivity or pain when chewing. Many things can cause tooth pain or sensitivity: an old filling, tooth decay, even a cracked tooth or a root canal problem. Gum disease can also cause this unpleasant sensation. Receding gums may expose the tooth's roots, which aren't as well protected from the mouth's harsh environment as the chewing surfaces; this may cause a sensation of pain when chewing or brushing. If this sensation persists, it's time for an examination to find out what's causing it.

Gum disease is a widespread problem - but it's also very treatable. If you would like more information on gum disease, please see our website at www.myParkDental.com or call us at (239) 263-1151 to schedule an appointment for a consultation. You can learn more in the Dear Doctor magazine articles "Warning Signs of Periodontal (Gum) Disease" and "Understanding Gum (Periodontal) Disease."

Gold or Porcelain Crowns? The Factors to Consider

Gold is more than a financial commodity or a symbol of wealth - it's one of the best materials for restoring damaged tooth crowns, the visible portion above the gum line. It's extremely durable and can last for several decades if properly maintained. It also causes minimal wear to adjacent teeth.

But as new, more life-like materials have come into prominence, gold restorations have diminished in popularity. Dental porcelain in particular, a type of fired ceramic glass that mimics the look and color of teeth, has increased in popularity for use in highly visible areas.

But unlike gold, all porcelain crowns lack strength, tend to be more brittle and can abrade other teeth during biting and chewing. If they break, they can shatter beyond repair. All porcelain crowns are improving dramatically as newer space age materials become available. Historically, though, they are thought of as less unpredictable when used for back teeth; the greater biting forces make them more susceptible to failure than with front teeth.

A Porcelain-Fused-To-Metal (PFM) crown is a hybrid of these two materials that seeks to impart the strengths of both - the aesthetic appeal of porcelain and the durability of gold or platinum. But a PFM crown also has drawbacks: the porcelain surface may still abrade opposing teeth; they can lose their aesthetic appeal if the metal collar becomes visible if gum tissues recede; and they can fail if the porcelain fractures or separates from the metal.

To address some of porcelain's weaknesses, some PFM variations reduce the amount of porcelain by placing it only on the visible side of a cast gold crown. In addition, other porcelain materials are now coming into use that may be more durable yet just as life-like.

Choosing which material to use for a crown depends on many factors: cost, the location of the crown, and, of course, the patient's desires for the resulting smile appearance. It all begins with a comprehensive exam: from there, we can advise you on your options and help you make a choice - gold, porcelain or something in between - that's durable and pleasing to the eye.

If you would like more information about dental implants, please see our website at www.myParkDental.com or call us at (239) 263-1151 to schedule an appointment for a consultation. You can also learn more about this topic by reading the Dear Doctor magazine article "Gold or Porcelain Crowns?."

Jamie Foxx Gets Into Character With Help From His Dentist

If you were a well-known actor, how far would you go to get inside the character you're playing in a movie? Plenty of stars have gained or lost weight to fit the role; some have tried to relate to their character by giving up creature comforts, going through boot camp, even trying out another occupation for a time. But when Jamie Foxx played a homeless musician in the 2009 film The Soloist, he went even further: He had part of his front tooth chipped out!

"My teeth are just so big and white - a homeless person would never have them," he told an interviewer. "I just wanted to come up with something to make the part unique. I had one [tooth] chipped out with a chisel."

Now, even if you're trying to be a successful actor, we're not suggesting you have your teeth chipped intentionally. However, if you have a tooth that has been chipped accidentally, we want you to know that we can repair it beautifully. One way to do that is with cosmetic bonding.

Bonding uses tooth-colored materials called "composite resins" (because they contain a mixture of plastic and glass) to replace missing tooth structure. The composite actually bonds, or becomes one, with the rest of the tooth.

Composite resins come in a variety of lifelike tooth shades, making it virtually impossible to distinguish the bonded tooth from its neighbors. Though bonding will not last as long as a dental veneer, it also does not require the involvement of a dental laboratory and, most often, can be done with minor reshaping of the tooth.

Cosmetic Bonding for Chipped Teeth
A chipped tooth can usually be bonded in a single visit to the dental office. First, the surface of the tooth may be beveled slightly with a drill, and then it is cleaned. Next, it is "etched" with an acidic gel that opens up tiny pores. After the etching gel is rinsed off, the liquid composite resin in a well-matched shade is painted on in a thin layer, filling these tiny pores to create a strong bond. A special curing light is used to harden this bonding material. Once the first layer is cured, another layer is painted on and cured. Layers can continue to be built up until the restoration has the necessary thickness. The bonding material is then shaped and polished. The whole procedure takes only about 30 minutes!

If you would like more information about cosmetic bonding, please see our website at www.myParkDental.com or call us at (239) 263-1151 to schedule an appointment for a consultation. You can also learn more about this topic by reading the Dear Doctor magazine article "Repairing Chipped Teeth" and "Artistic Repair of Chipped Teeth With Composite Resin."

It Can Pay to Spend on Dental Implants

If you're missing a tooth, you're not alone; in fact 35 million Americans are missing all of their teeth in at least one jaw! Whether it's one tooth or many, it's important to replace what's missing. Depending on the number of teeth lost, the potential drawbacks to doing nothing may become hard to ignore: impediments to eating, interference with speech, and unaesthetic appearance, for example.

Traditional bridges and dentures are the most affordable options for replacing teeth. Tooth implants - tiny titanium, screw-like substitutes for a tooth's natural root to which natural-looking dental crowns are attached - are pricier but confer an important extra benefit. In addition to addressing the common problems previously mentioned, by acting like the original tooth root, an implant can maintain or stimulate "remodeling," of the jawbone below. Without a tooth root to provide stimulation, mature bone cells will continue to be removed, or resorbed, but no new bone cells will regenerate to replace them, leading to a progressive loss of bone width, height and density. The more teeth are lost, and with less bone structure to support it, the whole shape of the face can change.

Unfortunately, when greater numbers of teeth must be replaced, implants can become financially unrealistic for some people. But in appropriate cases there is a third option: a bridge or denture/implant hybrid. In the case of a bridge intended to fill a gap when multiple teeth are missing, an implant can be used on either side of the gap to support the bridge, leaving the natural teeth undisturbed. Strategically placed implants can be used to support a removable denture, too.

If you would like more information about dental implants, please see our website at www.myParkDental.com or call us at (239) 263-1151 to schedule an appointment for a consultation. You can also learn more about this topic by reading the Dear Doctor magazine article "Your Best Option For Replacing Teeth."

Tooth-Harming Habits to Avoid

Did you know that you probably do at least one thing during the course of an average day that puts your healthy smile at risk? These are some of the more common offenders:

Coffee, Soda, and Sports Drink Consumption
If you really can't give them up, try to consume these beverages with restraint. Their high acidity and/or sugar content can erode protective tooth enamel, making your pearly whites more prone to staining and decay. Even natural fruit juices should be consumed in moderation as they tend to be high in sugar and sometimes acidity (e.g. orange juice). Your best bet? Water, of course. It won't damage your teeth and thanks to fluoridation may even help remineralize and fortify your enamel.

Brushing Immediately After Eating
If you were told to brush after every meal, forget it. Acids in foods and beverages can soften your enamel, and brushing may actually accelerate erosion. Wait at least an hour to brush, which is the time it generally takes for your oral pH to normalize and your tooth enamel to reharden. However, it is advisable after eating to floss and rinse out your mouth with plain water or a mineralized dental wash to help wash away food particles.

Jaw Clenching, Tooth Grinding, Pencil Chewing
These and similar "parafunctional" behaviors - outside the uses for which teeth are designed - can cause undue tooth wear and exert stresses that can cause chips and fractures. They can affect other parts of the oral system, too, potentially resulting in jaw joint pain and muscle spasms, headaches and other head and neck ailments.

It's hard to cut out all high-sugar/high-acid foods and beverages, so where complete elimination isn't possible, focus on moderation and try to consume them only during mealtime. Jaw clenching and other parafunctional behaviors are often subconscious and may be harder to control; in such cases an unobtrusive device like a clear occlusal (bite) guard can alleviate the problem.

If you would like more information about tooth damage and prevention, please see our website at www.myParkDental.com or call us at (239) 263-1151 to schedule an appointment for a consultation. You can also learn more about this topic by reading the Dear Doctor magazine article "Tooth Decay" and "Stress & Tooth Habits."