Happy Valentine's Day!

Roses are red

Violets are blue

Watch out for gummy bears

and jaw breakers, too

Valentine's Day will be here in nearly a week! Whether you're spending the day with a loved one, having a fun party with your friends, or simply relaxing before the work week, you are sure to encounter a few yummy desserts and candies. While everyone enjoys something sweet once and again, it is always good to consider how they impact your health. Here are a few tips for keeping your mouth in good shape during Valentine's Day.

1. Not all candy is created equal. 

• Some candies are worse than others. Tough candy that stays in your mouth for a prolonged period of time such a jawbreakers and suckers can lead to cavities or even chipped teeth. The best option for this type of sweet is to opt for a sugar-free alternative. This way, you are satisfying your sweet tooth without the risk of tooth decay. 
• Also, be on the lookout for chewy candies like gummy bears, taffy, and caramel. Even though these treats are sure to satisfy, they are stubborn and tend to stick to your teeth. This makes these chewy confections more difficult to break down with saliva.  

2. Select your beverages with care.

• While they might be packed full of vitamin C, it is best to avoid drinks that have too much citrus like orange grapefruit juice. The acid from these beverages can erode away your enamel and weaken your teeth.  
• If you are wanting a soda with your meal, keep in mind that its carbonation and sugar can also damage your enamel. Sugar-free sodas are a better alternative, but water is always the best option. 
• Even though most people enjoy a nice cup of coffee in the morning, the caffeine coupled with its dark color can dry out your mouth and stain your teeth. Consume it in moderation and try drinking with a straw to avoid some of those stains. 
• If you find yourself wanting to a cold drink, try refrigerating it instead of adding ice. Chewing ice can lead to dental emergencies and isn't the safest way to go. 

3. Look out for your pearly whites.   

The best way to prevent cavities and other dental health diseases is to take care of your teeth. Remember to brush your teeth twice per day and floss once. If you decide to eat or drink anything too acidic, try waiting at least thirty minutes before brushing your teeth.



Source: Mouth Healthy by the American Dentist Association

Our aim is to treat all patients with respect and provide a stress-free experience for the whole family. If you would like to schedule a cleaning after eating Valentine's Day sweets or have any questions, feel free to call one of our three convenient locations.

North location on Hymeadow Drive: (512) 250-5012  
Central location on Jollyville Road: (512) 346-8424  
South location on William Cannon Drive: (512) 445-5811

Smoking and Oral Health

A few months ago, we discussed smoking and its relationship to adult periodontitis. Here we are going to answer a couple of questions regarding smoking and oral health. As always, please contact your doctor if you have any questions about smoking or your health.




Is smoking really that bad for me? 
Smoking tobacco products causes bad breath and usually stains your teeth. Once inhaled, the smoke particles can live inside your lungs, throat, and mouth for hours. Tobacco can cause a myriad of problems such as lung cancer, oral cancer, various gum diseases, and a more gradual healing process after dental procedures. Since the 1960's, over 20 million people in the United States alone have died due to smoking related illnesses and more than 10% of those lost their lives from being exposed to secondhand smoke.

What about cigarette substitutes? Aren't those safer?
Hookah, for example, has 100 times more tobacco than a normal cigarette making it an unsafe option. Flavored cigarettes have 500% more nicotine than most cigarettes. Even smoking tobacco from a pipe can lead to a higher risk of contracting cancers in the mouth, lungs, lips, colon, and even pancreas. The best smoking alternative is to simply stop.

How do I quit?
There are many resources for helping kick tobacco addiction. Visit smokefree.gov to read about different strategies and support options.

Source: Mouth Healthy by the American Dental Association




Once again, if you have any questions regarding your oral health, please feel free to call us at one of our three convenient locations. We are here to provide a fun and stress-free dental experience for you and your family.

North location on Hymeadow Drive: (512) 250-5012 
Central location on Jollyville Road: (512) 346-8424 
South location on William Cannon Drive: (512) 445-5811

Fluoride and Its Benefits

What exactly is Fluoride? 
While most people don't consider fluoride in their everyday life, it has caused concern for some individuals. Even though this opinion is fairly rare, it is still good to brush up on what exactly fluoride is and some of its uses. To start, fluoride is an ion derived from the element fluorine. It is naturally found in water, usually in very small quantities.


Why Is Fluoride in My Water? 
Fluoride has been studied in conjunction with dentistry since the end of the 19th century. In 1900, fluoride was deemed as not only safe, as it was naturally found in water, food, and drinks, but even beneficial. By the mid-1940's, fluoride was added to the community water lines in an effort to protect enamel and improve global health.  



Is Fluoride Safe to Ingest? 
Cavities were once rampant in the United States before 1900 and caused concern for health care professionals and patients alike. According to the American Dental Association and numerous sources, fluoride, in small doses, is perfectly safe to consume. In general, there is about 0.7 ppm (Parts Per Million) of fluoride in the water supply. Fluoride is tasteless in this quantity and perfectly healthy.


What Does Fluoride Do to My Teeth? 
Thanks to fluoride, dental health has improved greatly by simply adding it into the community water lines. Cavities are far less common and this can be attributed to better habits that include fluoride such as brushing teeth and rinsing the mouth with water. It is also found in toothpaste and some types of mouth wash. Fluoride helps teeth fight off acidic bacteria that eat away at enamel by initiating remineralisation. Fluoride not only protects your teeth, but it promotes the growth and rebuilding of enamel to create better, stronger teeth. Helpful tip: children don't need as much fluoride as adults so it is best to limit their intake to about a pea-sized dab of toothpaste.

Source: American Dental Association.

Common Practices: 
In order to protect your enamel, it's best to avoid acidic foods and use fluoride in your every day dental routines by rinsing with water, using toothpaste with fluoride, and occasionally swishing with fluoride mouth wash. We also offer fluoride treatments in conjunction with routine cleanings, according to the Doctor's recommendations. If you feel that your enamel has been worn down or you have any questions concerning fluoride and the health of your teeth, feel free to call one of our three offices to schedule a consult. We are here to address any of your concerns and to provide you with a stress-free dental experience.


North location on Hymeadow Drive: (512) 250-5012 
Central location on Jollyville Road: (512) 346-8424 
South location on William Cannon Drive: (512) 445-5811

TMJ Disorders

Temporomandibular joint and muscle disorders, commonly called "TMJ," are a group of conditions that cause pain and dysfunction in the jaw joint and the muscles that control jaw movement. We don't know for certain how many people have TMJ disorders, but some estimates suggest that over 10 million Americans are affected. The condition appears to be more common in women than men.

What is Temporomandibular Joint?

The temporomandibular joint connects the lower jaw, called the mandible, to the bone at the side of the head - the temporal bone. If you place your fingers just in front of your ears and open your mouth, you can feel the joints. Because these joints are flexible, the jaw can move smoothly up and down and side to side, enabling us to talk, chew and yawn. Muscles attached to and surrounding the jaw joint control its position and movement.

When we open our mouths, the rounded ends of the lower jaw, called condyles, glide along the joint socket of the temporal bone. The condyles slide back to their original position when we close our mouths. To keep this motion smooth, a soft disc lies between the condyle and the temporal bone. The disc absorbs shocks to the jaw joint from chewing and other movements.

The temporomandibular joint is different from the body's other joints. The combination of hinge and sliding motions makes this joint among the most complicated in the body. Also, the tissues that make up the temporomandibular joint differ from other load-bearing joints, like the knee or hip. Because of its complex movement and unique makeup, the jaw joint and its controlling muscles can pose a tremendous challenge to both patients and health care providers when problems arise.

What are TMJ Disorders?

Disorders of the jaw joint and chewing muscles - and how people respond to them - vary widely. Researchers generally agree that the conditions fall into three main categories:

1. Myofascial pain, the most common temporomandibular disorder, involves discomfort or pain in the muscles that control jaw function
2. Internal derangement of the joint involves a displaced disc, dislocated jaw, or injury to the condyle.
3. Arthritis refers to a group of degenerative/inflammatory joint disorders that can affect the temporomandibular joint.

A person may have one or more of these conditions at the same time. Some people have other health problems that co-exist with TMJ disorders, such as chronic fatigue syndrome, sleep disturbances or fibromyalgia, a painful condition that affects muscles and other soft tissues throughout the body. 

People who have a rheumatic disease, such as rheumatoid arthritis, may develop TMJ disease as a secondary condition. Rheumatic disease refer to a large group of disorders that cause pain, inflammation, and stiffness to the joints, muscles, and bone. Both rheumatoid arthritis and some TMJ disorders involve inflammation of the tissues that line the joints. 

What are the Signs and Symptoms?

A variety of symptoms may be linked to TMJ disorders. Pain, particularly in the chewing muscles and/or jaw joint, is the most common symptom. Other likely symptoms include:

• Radiating pain in the face, jaw, or neck
• Jaw muscle stiffness
• Limited movement or locking of the jaw
• Painful clicking, popping or grating in the jaw joint when opening or closing the mouth
• A change in the way the upper and lower teeth fit together

Source:  National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

If You Think You Have a TMJ Disorder

After an initial consultation, if our surgeons determine that you suffer from TMJ, initial treatment will involve immediate muscle relief with the use of a pain reliever or anti-inflammatory. Other forms of stress management involve physical therapy or the use of a temporary plastic appliance known as a splint, that moves your jaw forward relieving pressure from your jaw. In some cases, surgery, such as arthoscopy and open joint repair, are required to produce optimal results. 

The main goal at our office is to assess your pain and provide you with treatment that will enable you to have a healthier, pain-free jaw. If you think you may suffer from TMJ, call our office to schedule a consultation today (512) 250-5012.

Implants: Options

Twenty-five years ago, if someone described how missing teeth could be replaced with implants, it might have been called a miracle. Ten years ago, the use of dental implants to replace missing teeth might have been called astounding. Today, implant procedures are called routine. We would like you to have a basic understanding of what implants are, what can be expected from them, and what limitations they might have in your specific area of need.

A dental implant is a synthetic metallic root substitute that is placed or implanted in the jaw bone. It can be used to replace a single missing tooth, provide an abutment (anchor or retainer), replace several missing teeth, or provide added retention to a removable dental appliance such as a full denture. In fact, if you are missing all of your natural teeth, it is possible to have maxillary (upper) and mandibular (lower) fixed replacements. The replacements do not come out and you cannot remove them yourself.

Two separate events are needed when replacing a missing tooth with an implant. First, is the surgical phase in which the implant is placed. In the second phase the replacement teeth are constructed and fixed into proper position.

The implant placement procedure involves making a small incision in the gum area where the implant is to be placed, preparing a site in the underlying bone, inserting the implant into the prepared site, and closing the tissue over the implant with several sutures. This area is left undisturbed, usually for 4 to 6 months. More healing time may vary due to the density of your bone. The lower jaw is composed of bone that is more dense than that of the upper jaw. This healing time allows for the slow integration of the implant within your jaw. The implant is held in place by the bone.

After the healing and integration of the implant, the placement site is exposed by reopening the gum. A post will then be fastened to the implant by cement or with internal threads. The crown, bridge, or other type of replacement will be attached to this post. Some dentists prefer to do all phases of the implant procedure themselves, but many choose to perform either the surgical or prosthetic (the actual construction of the replacement device) only. If this is the case, you will be referred to a periodontist or oral surgeon who will perform the surgical portion of the implant placement.

Implants are very successful. Maxillary and mandibular implants are more than 90% successful. Lower implants have a somewhat higher success rate than upper implants. Occasionally, implants fail, but it is not common. Chances of an implant failure, many times, can be determined during or after the surgical phase before the replacement tooth or teeth are constructed.

*Smokers take note:  There is a heightened risk of dental implant failure among smokers - as much as 20% greater failure rate!

We will discuss with you the requirements and options for your particular situation. There are usually several possibilities for effectively replacing missing teeth. It is important to decide on the design of the implant-retained replacement prior to the actual implant surgical procedure. Position and alignment of the replacement teeth need to be carefully considered before determining the location of the implant.

If you have any questions about implants, please feel free to call Omni Dental Group.

North location on Hymeadow Drive: (512) 250-5012
Central location on Jollyville Road: (512) 346-8424
South location on William Cannon Drive: (512) 445-5811

Scaling and Root Planing: Reevaluation

The goal of scaling and root planing is to remove all plaque, toxins, and calculus both above and below the gumline. After healing has occurred, the tissues will shrink, and a reevaluation of the condition of the gum and supporting structures will reveal any areas that may need re-treatment. Your oral self-care habits will be reevaluated at the same time and any revisions to our recommendations will be made. We will be polishing your teeth at this appointment. As you will recall, we did not polish your teeth during the root planing and scaling appointments. Although the polishing can, in theory, be done then, we believe that allowing tissues proper time to heal will allow us to make the best reevaluation of our treatment and oral self-care recommendations. That is why there is a time period of several weeks between the root planing and scaling appointment and this prophylaxis and evaluation. Once all tissues have responded and the goals of scaling and root planing are met, a recare interval will be established for you.

At the recare appointment, we will once again be evaluating your oral self-care to determine whether we need to recommend different procedures to keep your oral health at its best. We will reexamine your periodontal tissues for evidence of healing by remeasuring the probing depths around each tooth. Any areas of bleeding will be noted and treated; your teeth will then be polished and a topical fluoride treatment will be applied.

Topical fluoride provides a bacteriostatic action to the oral bacteria during treatment and for several hours afterward. It appears to be harder for the bacteria that cause gum disease to multiply and cause problems when topical fluoride is used.

If the goals of scaling and root planing have not been met, we will either re-treat those areas that have reinfected or refer you to a periodontist for specific periodontal surgery. The periodontal surgery will correct some of the hard (bone) and soft tissue defects that were caused by the periodontal infection.

At this time we may also consider using one or more of the newer nonsurgical therapies available for localized sites that have not healed as much as we would like. The site-specific therapy may be recommended for the first time or as a re-treatment. We will then monitor the results to determine whether a referral to a periodontist is appropriate.

A final word about how often you should have your teeth cleaned:  modern dentistry considers a patient who has had gum disease to be always recovering, never completely "cured." If you do not take care of your teeth and gums, the problem can come back again. It is in the best interest of your oral health to have your teeth examined and cleaned at an interval of 3 to 4 months in most cases, not every 6 months as you have heard for years.

If you have any questions about the prophylaxis and reevaluation appointment, please call Omni Dental Group at (512) 250-5012.

How Can I Keep My Mouth Healthy?: Oral Health for Children

Children's teeth begin forming before birth. As early as 4 months, the first primary, or baby teeth, erupt through the gums. All 20 of the primary teeth usually appear by age 3, although their pace and order of eruption varies.

Permanent teeth begin appearing around age 6. This process will continue until approximately age 21.

Oral Health for Children

To help ensure oral health and a lifetime of good oral care habits:

• Limit children's sugar intake
• Make sure children get enough fluoride, either through drinking water or as a treatment at the dentist's office
• Teach children how to brush and floss correctly
• Supervise brushing sessions and help with flossing, which can be a challenge for small hands

Major Obstacles to Children's Oral Health

Babies

"Baby bottle tooth decay"

• Wipe gums with gauze or a clean washcloth and water after feeding. When teeth appear, brush daily with a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste.
• Put child to bed with a bottle of water, not milk or juice

Thumb sucking

• Not a concern until about 4 years of age or when permanent teeth appear; after this time, it could cause dental changes

White spots on teeth

• As soon as the first tooth appears (at about 6 months), begin cleaning child's teeth daily and schedule a dental appointment

Toddlers

Fear of the dentist

• Hold the child in the parent's lap during the exam

Difficulty creating an oral care routine

• Involve the whole family - brush together at the same time each day to create a good habit

Gradeschoolers

Love of sweets

• Give children healthy snack options, like carrots, raisins, and yogurt

Stains from antibiotics

• Speak to the pediatrician before any medication is prescribed

Teenagers

Braces

• Make sure that teens brush well around braces, using a floss threader to remove all food particles

Oral accidents from sports

• Encourage children to wear mouthguards during sports

The following are key preventative measures to preserve oral health through childhood:

Fluoride treatments to strengthen tooth enamel and resist decay.

Dental sealants to provide a further layer of protection against cavities. Sealants are made of plastic and are painted on the teeth  by a dentist.

A fun oral care regimen to help encourage children to brush more regularly. 

If you have any questions about your child's oral health, please call Omni Dental Group. We have three locations to serve you and your family.

North Austin on Hymeadow Drive:  (512) 250-5012

Central Austin on Jollyville Road:  (512) 346-8424

South Austin on William Cannon:  (512) 445-5811

Source:  Crest