Porteous Family Dentistry

The Green Goblin of oral hygiene is an influx of cavities in one’s mouth. Most patients are aware that brushing and flossing is the central defender of cavities. However, few people know about these foods, drinks, and other tips that may help prevent cavities and tooth decay.

• Cheese- Evidently, being cheesy isn’t always a bad thing. Casein, a protein included in cheese, increases calcium levels in the mouth. Because teeth already partially consist of calcium, salivary calcium helps mineralize teeth, which prevents cavities. This does not mean that you should eat 5 cheese sandwiches a day. However, a dose of cheese every now and then wouldn’t hurt. In fact, it might help!
• Sugar Free Gum- Believe it or not, chewing sugar free gum has been doctor recommended to avoid cavities for years. The reason – sugar free gum consists of a sugar substitute called “xylitol.” This isn’t the same teeth-rotting sugar substitute included in diet soda. Xylitol prevents cavities because bacteria cannot use it to grow or produce acid.
• Dark Chocolate- Perhaps indulging isn’t as guilt-stricken as one would think. It turns out that dark chocolate contains cocoa beans with strong antioxidants that can prevent tooth decay. Tannins, the component in dark chocolate that give it its bitter taste, prevent oral bacteria from sticking to one’s teeth. The polyphenols in dark chocolate not only limit bacteria, but also work to cease bad breath by neutralizing microorganisms. Remember that DARK CHOCOLATE – not milk chocolate or white chocolate – is the cavity killer.
• Using a Straw- Carbonated beverages are never a wise choice regarding oral health. However, there is a way to limit cavity growth while consuming soda: using a straw. Using a straw prevents the soda from hitting your teeth, reducing the chances of tooth decay and cavities. However, the best way to avoid cavities regarding soda is NOT DRINKING SODA.
• Red Wine- *For the 21+ only* While many believe that wine is an unfavorable drink for teeth due to the stain left behind, one study suggests otherwise. It was found that wine has many components that actively prevent tooth decay and cavities. This isn’t saying that one should excessively drink wine, and isn’t even proof that red wine is effective in fighting cavities. It merely says that wine consists of cavity fighting components.

Have you ever felt anxious before a dental appointment? Well, you’re not alone. Dental surgery, while very common and safe, is usually not something people look forward to. Thankfully, we have a solution to this common scenario. With sedation dentistry, we can literally calm your nerves and send you off with a bright and grateful smile when you leave our office.

What is Sedation Dentistry?

Sedation dentistry is the administration of drugs called sedatives that are used to calm patients before and during a dental procedure. These drugs directly affect the central nervous system, depressing the areas related to awareness.

These sedatives can be administered in different ways. One option is inhalation: patients inhale a combination of oxygen and nitrous oxide (also known as “laughing gas”), a mixture that provides an adequate level of sedation for the patient. Another method is oral administration: the patient swallows pills or fluids to ensure an anesthetic and calming effect. And finally, sedatives can be taken intravenously with the medication being injected directly into the bloodstream via needle.

Why Should I Consider Sedation Dentistry?

The main benefit of taking sedatives is to eliminate anxiety during a procedure. You will be relaxed, comfortable and more accepting of the procedure.

Advantages of sedation dentistry include:

• Movement: As sedation depresses the nervous system, you will be less prone to moving and reacting to the procedure with potentially damaging motions.
• Cooperation: Children or patients with mental disabilities may have a hard time sitting still during a visit. Sedation dentistry allows them to relax and thus cooperate more readily.
• Time: Longer appointments are sometimes harder for patients to sit through. Fortunately, sedation dentistry ensures that you will be more comfortable and less exhausted, simplifying the appointment even during a long procedure.

Contact us to find out how we can make your next appointment worry-free with sedation dentistry!

Most likely, you have heard of root canal therapy, also known as endodontic treatment. You may also know that this treatment can save your natural teeth to avoid the need for dental implants or bridges. We love saving teeth! When the tooth’s pulp is infected, we can go in and remove it to avoid further decay. If you are experiencing the most common symptoms, your general dentist will likely recommend non-surgical endodontic treatment with our practice. So what are the symptoms that indicate you may need root canal therapy?

Common Symptoms That May Indicate You Need Endodontic Treatment:

1. Sharp pain while chewing. This type of sharp pain while eating can be an indicator of a few different problems that may have led to an infection. Tooth pain while chewing most likely means there is tooth decay or a cracked tooth, both of which can open up pathways for bacteria to infect the tooth’s pulp. If this has happened, you will most likely need root canal therapy.
2. Sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures. If exposing your teeth to hot and cold substances (such as hot coffee or ice cream) causes a lingering pain, it could be the result of an infected or cracked tooth. This, of course, would require endodontic therapy to restore health.
3. Swollen, painful gums. Symptoms that occur in the gums often point to an abscessed tooth, which means the infection is located between the gums and the tooth itself. This type of infection can easily spread to the surrounding bone and gum tissue and sometimes require endodontic therapy as part of the treatment plan.

Schedule an Appointment With Us

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, call us immediately. However, these are only some of the most common symptoms; yours could differ. The only way to know for sure is by seeing a board certified endodontist who can give you an accurate diagnosis. Call us to schedule an appointment today.

If you are pregnant, you probably already know how important it is to take care of your body during this exciting time. A good, nutritious diet, regular moderate exercise and adequate sleep help protect both your health and the health of your baby. But what you may not already know is how important your oral health is during pregnancy also.

Recent research has suggested that women with periodontal disease may have a higher risk of unwanted childbirth complications, such as pre-term labor and low birth weight of the baby.   However, luckily, the opposite is also true! A thorough exam by your oral health professional may decrease the chance that you will have these pregnancy and labor problems.

Now we may have you wondering, “What exactly is periodontal disease?” Simply put, it is “gum disease”, a chronic inflammatory condition in the gums that is caused by the presence of bacteria.

So what can you do about it? To ensure the best health outcome for you and your baby, in addition to receiving regular medical care from your obstetrician, be sure to see your oral health professional on schedule during your pregnancy as well. And, as always, practice good dental hygiene at home with routine brushing and flossing.

These simple steps that we all should be doing anyway might just save you and your baby from potentially serious complications when the birthday comes!

We don’t have to tell you: the winter holidays mark one of the busiest seasons of the year. With shopping, parties and vacations jam-packed on the calendar, it’s no wonder that many people take shortcuts when it comes to oral health maintenance during this time. If you are traveling during the holiday season and you want to avoid a January surprise cavity (or worse), here are some simple tooth travel tips to help you keep your smile intact.

1. Don’t leave home with a toothache! If you suspect you have any lurking problems in your mouth, schedule an appointment prior to your travel date so that you don’t end up with a tooth emergency while out of town. Research emergency dental clinics in your destination city and have those numbers handy to ensure that your time off is as relaxing as possible.
2. No one ever regrets buying travel-sized gear. Keeping a travel toothbrush, floss and toothpaste on hand in addition to trial sizes of your favorite toiletries reduces your packing time, and not just during the holidays.
3. Splurge on probiotics! Diseases and germs run rampant in buses, airports and other communal places that you might encounter during your trip. Researchers believe that probiotics are not only good for the gut; they may help maintain optimal oral health too!
4. Toothbrushes don’t last forever! Generally, dentists recommend that you buy a new toothbrush every two to three months when at home. However if you are traveling, your toothbrush is exposed to even more bacteria. It’s best to toss it when you return home and swap it for a fresh brush, even if it hasn’t hit the three-month mark yet.
5. Chewing gum is a limitless oral-health-on-the-go tip! Bringing sugar-free gum with you has multiple benefits; not only does it taste good and make your breath smell fresh, but the gum can help remove food that may be stuck in your teeth as well, acting as a secondary toothbrush.

Nothing compares to the look a child gives us when he or she is told they need braces. The fact of the matter is that many kids and young adults do eventually need some sort of treatment to fix gaps and cracks in their smile. But unfortunately, the combination of metal wires and crooked teeth can cause social embarrassment for many adolescents.

What if there was a solution that not only straightened your teeth but also avoided the hassles of traditional orthodontic braces?

As you may have guessed, there is a solution: a revolutionary treatment appropriately named Invisalign®. Unlike regular metal wire braces, Invisalign® uses clear, removable trays, molded to the shape of your teeth to straighten your smile over time. Invisalign® is a great solution for adults and many adolescents as well.

How do we use Invisalign®?

First we will take an x-ray and impression of your teeth, which will then be sent out for the creation of a 3-D model of your teeth. A series of custom plastic aligners are then created out of liquid resin, hardening in a plastic mold.

How should you take care of your aligners?

In order for the Invisalign® process to be effective, you will need to wear each set of aligners for two to three weeks. In total, the process takes approximately 13 to 14 months. Aligners should only be removed for brushing, flossing and eating. When the treatment process ends, you will be encouraged to wear a retainer at night to maintain your new smile!

What other benefits does Invisalign® have over traditional braces?

While the main appeal of Invisalign treatment is its transparent appearance, it also avoids some of the health disadvantages that are associated with traditional braces, such as the shortening of tooth roots, increased chance of tooth decay and interference with x-rays.

Are you looking for an improved smile? Call us to schedule your Invisalign® consultation!

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