Suffering from a Cracked Tooth?

You may have a very common problem in your mouth!

Teeth may crack when subjected to the stress of chewing hard foods or ice or by biting on an unexpected hard object.  Teeth with or without restorations may exhibit this problem, but teeth restored with typical "silver" alloy restorations are the most susceptible.

Symptoms and Signs of Cracked-Tooth Syndrome may include the following:

• PAIN ON CHEWING
• PAIN ON COLD AIR APPLICATION
• UNSOLICITED PAIN ( USUALLY LEAKAGE OF SUGAR INTO TOOTH CRACK)
• NO X-RAY EVIDENCE OF PROBLEM
• EASY VERIFICATION OF CRACK WHEN TOOTH IS PREPARED FOR RESTORATION

Treatment of Cracked Teeth:

1.  Simple Crack:  The majority of cracked teeth (about 9 out of 10) can be treated by placement of a simple crown (cap) on the tooth.  When the tooth is prepared for the crown and a temporary restoration is placed your symptoms usually leave immediately.  If this is the case with your tooth we will place the final crown at your next appointment. 

2.  Complex Crack:  Occasionally, (about 1 out of 10) the tooth cracks into the pulp (nerve) of the tooth.  If the pain persists after placement of the temporary crown, you may have a crack into the nerve of the affected tooth.  This tooth may then require root canal therapy before the final crown is placed.  On occassion a tooth may crack or fracture to the point where it is no longer able to be saved and will have to be removed.  That is why it is so important to see the dentist on a regular basis. 

Please be sure to visit us if you are showing any of the above listed symptons.

MI Paste is HERE!

We are so excited to tell you about MI Paste

 and MI Paste PlusTM.! 

This special tooth "conditioner" is a blend of calcium and phosphate that restores teeth suffering from acid erosion.  MI Paste can be applied in the office or at home.  There are many benefits to using MI paste including preventing and reversing white spots (often from ortho), reducing tooth erosion, and relieving dry mouth.  Many people use MI Paste to relieve tooth sensitivity caused by exposed roots , tooth whitening and cavities. 

Hundreds of Medications that we take every day have a listed side effect of "dry mouth".

 MI Paste helps relieve dry mouth by restoring a "normal feeling" of saliva to the teeth and gums. 

If you are taking drugs to treat cancer or are receiving chemotherapy or head and neck radiation, you may be suffering from dry mouth.  In addition, nausea associated with chemotherapy can result in stomach acid being present in the mouth.  This can lead to dental erosion and decay. 

Talk with any one of our ENVISION Dental Team members about how you can start protecting and healing your teeth.

No more flossing excuses!

There are many excuses I've heard over the years why people do not floss.  All of which are not hurting anyone but the individual giving the excuse.  The bottom line is if you do not floss on a regular basis (at least every 24 hours) you leave food debris and bacteria in between your teeth that your toothbrush can't reach.  Would you leave food out on your kitchen counter for a couple of days and then pack your lunch?  Yikes!  The reality is bacteria are living, breathing and moving organisms around your teeth. Flossing breaks up this pesty party going on in your mouth. So, all the talk you hear at your dental appointment about the importance of flossing is to give you the inside scoop we already know. Maintain a healthy diet, good overall health, regular dental visits, and toothbrushing and flossing after meals will give you the confidence you need for your next dental appointment. No excuses!    -Lynne.

Nutrition and your Dental Health

While most of us know that what we eat has an effect on our body, not everyone realizes that food and drink also have a MAJOR effect on our teeth and oral health and especially on the development of tooth decay.  This means that many of the things we eat are actually causing us to get cavities, but it also means that there are plenty of foods out there that actually help make teeth stronger and less prone to developing decay.

Take for example the loving mom who wants to encourage the little ones to have a healthy snack.  She offers some dried fruit, maybe in the form of raisins, pineapple or cherries.  While these do have health benefits they are also sticky foods that become lodged in the grooves of the teeth.  The sugars contained in these foods keep acid production going and if repeated regularly can lead to tooth decay.  Another common snack food for toddlers and young children are gummie snacks or fruit snacks.  Because these are sticky they are also very common culprits for causing tooth decay.

Carbohydrates are also converted to sugars as they sit in the grooves of teeth and in between teeth causing the teeth to become vulnerable to attack by acids.  Common snacks like crackers and cereal need to be followed by flossing and brushing to help prevent cavities from forming.  We have to be aware of how long we are leaving residue from foods on our teeth and allowing decay causing bacteria to attack the teeth.  It is a good idea to limit the eating of sugar containing food items to mealtimes only.  The flow of saliva is increased at mealtimes and helps to neutralize acids more quickly.  Saliva circulates in the mouth and is normally capable of "rinsing" acids from the teeth.

Juice, soda and the ever popular sports drinks are some of the most common causes of decay in teens and young adults alike.  These drinks are high in sugar content and/or acid content and are commonly sipped all day long.  Sipping these drinks throughout the day does not allow the body to naturally protect itself by removing the acid from the teeth with saliva.  The saliva is constantly being replaced with the sports drink soda or juice leaving the teeth vulnerable.  These drinks are best to be consumed with a meal or in a short time frame so that the saliva can protect the teeth as intended.  It helps to follow these drinks with a swish of water to rinse some of the acid from your teeth. 

We also need to use some caution in daily consumption of acidic fruits like grapefruit, lemons and limes.  These foods can cause erosion of tooth enamel when consumed on a regular basis.  Avoid sucking on lemon and lime slices as they have a very high acid content.

So you're probably beginning to wonder what in the world you can eat that is not going to be harmful to the teeth and I do have some answers for that!  Foods that are rich in Vitamins A, C and D are vital to healthy teeth and gums.  Vitamin A has been linked to the healthy formation of teeth and skin.  It also contains antioxidants that protect the body from free radicals which cause disease.  Vitamin D forms after being exposed to sunshine and is found in food sources as well.  It promotes calcium absorption which is essential for strong teeth and bones.  Vitamin C promotes healthy teeth and gums, boosts the immune system and is also an antioxidant. 

Take a look at the list of Vitamin rich foods below and keep in mind that what we eat DOES affect you and your health.

The BEST foods for healthy teeth are cheeses, chicken, nuts and milk!!!  And WATER, WATER, WATER.

Vitamin A Foods *  Liver, sweet potatoes, carrots, mango, spinach, cantaloupe, mozzarella cheese, egg yolks and milk.

 Vitamin C Foods * Red and green hot chili peppers, guava, bell peppers, herbs like thyme and parsley, dark leafy greens like kale, mustard and garden cress, broccoli, brussel sprouts, kiwi fruit, papaya, oranges, clementines/tangerines and strawberries.

Vitamin D Foods (Fat Soluable - needs to be eaten with fats to absorb) * Cod liver oil, Fish with raw Atlantic Herring providing the most vitamin D, fortified cereals, oysters, cavier, fortified tofu and soy milk, salami, ham and sausages, fortified dairy, eggs and mushrooms.

Healthy Gums, Healthy You!

     Gingivitis begins 48 hours after you brush.  If you do not remove all of the plaque and food debris from your teeth bacteria begins a destructive path in you gums.
    
You body's immune system, fighting with the bacteria in your gums, starts to destroy the support system of your teeth.  Your teeth are supported in your mouth by bone and connective tissue.  The connective tissue will deteriorate first, then the bone with start to deteriorate until the teeth become loose and have to be taken out.  This process is called periodontal disease.  Periodontal disease not only causes tooth loss but also increases the risk for heart disease, uncontrolled diabetes, endocarditis, upper respiratory infections, and contributes to decreased kidney function. 

    Your Dentist and Hygienist can keep you informed of any signs or symptoms you may have so that you can receive the proper treatment.  Preventative dental care and avoiding smoking are the best ways to keep from getting this serious disease.

Your Hygienist,  Lynne

Say Goodbye to "Silver" Fillings?

To date there are millions of people around the world who have or had "silver" fillings placed in a tooth because of a cavity.  The word silver is actually a bit misleading.  When we speak of a silver filling it does not mean that the filling is made of silver, but more accurately it is silver in color.  In truth these fillings are actually comprised of  up to 50% liquid mercury combined with a powder mixture containing zinc, copper, tin, silver and other metals.  This combination of materials is an amalgam filling. Over time these fillings can turn black in color and cause a multitude of problems. 

The debate is still on as to whether or not silver amalgam is a good material to restore a tooth with and if it is a safe material.  Many dental and health professionals believe that amalgam is a poor choice and just because it was the only option for restoring teeth for many years does not mean that it is the best method to use today.  Over the years other products have been researched and developed that are far better options for tooth restoration.  An amalgam "silver" filling is not an aesthetically pleasing way to restore a tooth and can lead to staining of the teeth.  When preparing a tooth for this type of filling healthy tooth structure must be removed in order to make space for the silver filling.  In addition amalgam fillings expand and contract with hot and cold temperatures causing the tooth to expand and contract and over years of eating and chewing leaking and cracks will occur.  Leaking means that space has developed between the filling and tooth structure and bacteria becomes trapped in this area.  This leads to further tooth decay which requires more tooth structure to be removed which further weakens the tooth. 

Often a tooth will become cracked because of the excessive pressure placed upon it from the amalgam filling.  When this occurs a composite or porcelain filling may be used to correct the issue if the crack is small, however, for larger cracks a crown may be needed to prevent further damage to the tooth.  If the crack is deep a root canal may also be needed to save the tooth.  In some cases a tooth will need to be removed because of a fracture and replacing the missing tooth can be costly.

Another major argument over amalgam fillings is health related.  Some experts say that amalgam fillings are not proven to be harmful to patients, however, these same experts also say that there is no proof that they are safe either.   The FDA has been forced to ammend their status that these fillings are completely safe to:  "Dental amalgam contains elemental mercury. It releases low levels of mercury vapor that can be inhaled. High levels of mercury vapor exposure are associated with adverse effects in the brain and the kidneys".  The information then goes on to argue that amalgam fillings are safe for children over 6 and adults.  And that there is limited clinical studies on dental fillings and their toxicity to children and developing fetuses.  It IS known that mercury itself can have a neurotoxic effect on the nervous system, ESPECIALLY on the developing systems of fetuses and young children.

It is the mercury vapor known to be released upon chewing and removal of amalgam fillings that is harmful.  This puts dental professionals at a higher risk than most people at developing health issues.  When we remove these fillings the waste is legally considered a biohazard and dental offices are required to dispose of it through a company specializing in biohazard waste.  They have disposal methods that do not contaminate the environment.

It is the reccomendation of many dentists, Dr. Berard included, that an amalgam filling that is leaking or broken be replaced with a material that will strengthen the tooth and prevent future breaking or cracking.

Dental Implants

At ENVISION Dental we are excited about the advances in dental implants.  They are one of the most signigicant developments in dentistry, and implants have enabled us to improve the quality of our patients' lives.  They are considered to be the "standard of care"!  Implants have been extensively researched for many years and have a very high success rate, often greater than 95%

Implants also have a very high retention rate.  There are now cases that have been in place for over forty years that are working as well now as they did at the beginning.  Patients become excited about implants because they can literally change the rest of their lives. 

After all, the mouth is one part of the body we use all day long- whether we're talking, eating, laughing or singing.  Even during the middle of the night your mouth and teeth are moving.  Implants help our patients feel more comfortable and confident.  

Some of our patients are pleased with the fact that implants are permanent, others enjoy looking better and feeling younger.  Still others are relieved that they no longer have to worry about loose dentures because the retention with implants is so strong. 

Implants are actually placed in the upper or lower jawbone where they bond with the bone and for many cases today, the patient can have a temporary crown placed on the implant the same day.  For others, the implants are allowed to heal and the final restorations are placed at a later date.  There are many options for the final restorations and Dr. Berard can offer you more specific information on which options might be best for you.

The best thing about dental implants is that patients who are missing teeth or suffering from ill-fitting dentures, and the associated discomfort, can now have a predictable permanent result that enhances their quality of life.

Pregnancy and Dental Care!

Dental care is often avoided during pregnancy.  YIKES!!!  This could be harmful to both mom and baby.  Every pregnant woman should be screened for periodontitist, counseled on proper oral hygiene, and treated for preventative and treatment procedures.  According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, dental procedures such as diagnostic x-rays, routine cleanings, periodontal (gum) treatment, fillings and extractions are safe and are best preformed during the second trimester of your pregnancy.  Appropriate dental care during pregnancy may reduce preterm births, low birth weight and infant cavities. 

Lynne
Your Dental Hygienist

To Pierce or not to Pierce...I think not!

The last decade (or two) has seemed to provide an ever increasing number of mostly young people, who are trying to show their individuality or express their personality through body piercing.  Mouth piercings in particular seem to be the most dangerous or have more potential risks than some others.  I was aware of the lip, tongue and cheek piercings, but was just recently enlightened to the uvula piercing that some people choose.  Despite the many reasons that people choose to pierce, I want to share some of the health/dental reasons to reconsider.

There are many potential risks to think about when considering a "mouth" piercing including; infection (sometimes serious enough leading to death), injury to the teeth and gums, damage to fillings, nerve damage, excessive blood loss during or after receiving a piercing, scar tissue, excessive drooling and saliva production as well as possible speech and chewing issues.

Because the mouth is a moist dark area, it is the ideal breeding ground for bacteria.  This can cause serious infection of the piercing site and can include painful swelling, possibly to the point of closing off airways.
Sometimes bacteria from the piercing can lead to a potentially life threatening circumstance, such as inflammation involving the valves of the heart and heart tissue called endocarditis.  Anyone with a heart condition (known or unknown) is at risk for this infection and death can result as a worst case scenario.

Another serious risk of mouth piercings in particular is the possibility of nerve damage.  This damage is caused when a nerve is nicked or pierced causing problems that can be temporary or permanent.  Many reports of loss of the sense of taste and a general "bad" taste have been noted.   Some people also develop a hypersensitivity to the metal jewelry they use in these piercings and have a metallic taste in the mouth.  When the nerves of the mouth are damaged it is also possible to have issues with speech and mouth movement.     

Your teeth and gums also run the risk of being damaged with mouth piercings.  According to a dental journal study as reported on WEBmd, "47% of people wearing barbell tongue jewelry for 4 or more years had at least one chipped tooth".  These jewelry pieces worn through the lower lip can also cause your gum tissue to recede or disappear.  Barbell wearers are especially susceptible to developing gum disease, which is an infection of the gums that leads to bone loss around the tooth and eventually tooth loss if left untreated.  Use nylon jewelry if possible to prevent wear on the teeth and gums.

Another very serious result from piercings is the possibility of contracting blood borne diseases from unsterilized equipment.  These types of infections can include, but are not limited to, Hepatitis B & C, Herpes Simplex Virus and HIV. 

If you are considering getting a piercing(s)  please make sure that you thoroughly research the facility and person doing your piercings and be aware of the potential risks.