Sports Mouth Guards

Nearly 40% of all dental injuries happen while playing sports. While contact sports like hockey and football are the worst offenders, other activities like cycling and skiing carry a certain risk as well. To help prevent or lessen the effect of sports related trauma, we recommend always using a custom mouth guard.

Mouth guards are semisoft retainers molded to either the maxillary or mandibular teeth. They are usually thicker than a nightguard but still soft and compliant when you bite down on them. If you are wearing a guard and fall or receive a blow to the face, it helps distribute the force of impact over a greater area, thus reducing the risk for chipped or cracked teeth. Likewise, the chance of biting through a tongue or lip is reduced by the blunting effect of the soft plastic. Some athletes also subconsciously grind their teeth in intense situations and these guards can protect against this abrasive enamel wear. 

You can buy mouth guards at almost any sporting goods stores. Most of them are of the "boil and bite" variety, where you heat the plastic in a pot of water and bite down on them. These usually work well enough, but we encourage you to bring the guard to your dental appointment and let us examine it. Misshapen guards can irritate the gums or cause mild orthodontic movement of the teeth.

For a "professional" fit, our office can make custom guards for any patient of record. We start by taking an impression of your teeth, create a stone model and vacuum form plastic over the model until a minimally effective thickness is reached. A short second visit is needed to deliver and adjust the guard to your comfort. If you would like to know more about mouth guards, dental trauma or other preventative oral health measures, please give our office a call!

Dental Questions: How Often are Dental X-rays Taken?

X-ray images of your teeth are part of a complete regular dental examination. There is no other way to fully visualize every surface of the tooth and catch cavities before they become big problems. Likewise, they are a crucial step in diagnosing tooth pain during an emergency appointment. In this article, we hope to shed some light on the frequency and number of x-rays we take at our office. Read on for the full story!

For starters, it is important to recognize the relative safety of dental radiographs versus their diagnostic benefits. A full mouth set of x-rays exposes a patient to the same amount of radiation as a trans-atlantic flight. Likewise, if you spent 2 hours in direct sunlight the day of your appointment, you have received the same amount of exposure as a single film. In short, the risk is nearly negligible. However, we still strive to take as few images as possible, only exposing the teeth that absolutely need to be pictured. 

A full mouth x-ray series is composed of about eighteen films (four bitewings and 14 periapicals) that capture every surface of every tooth. Bitewings are used to visualize the spaces in between the molars and premolars and record the bone height around the teeth. Periapicals provide imaging of the root systems, any possible infections and the spaces between the anterior teeth. We usually take a new full mouth series every three to five years and update bitewings every six to eighteen months. These schedules are not set by patient preference or convenience- rather, they are dictated by guidelines from the ADA in accordance with the patient's specific risk for developing new cavities or gum disease. 

Naturally, these guidelines are not hard rules. We may wish to take x-rays more often if we are monitoring a specific tooth or if you come to an emergency appointment in pain. We calculate the need for radiographs very carefully and only recommend taking them when it is crucial to making a proper diagnosis. If you have any further questions about dental x-rays, exams or cleanings please give our office a call!

Specialist Spotlight: Pacific Oral Surgery

At Thousand Oaks Family Dentistry, we are proud of the network of skilled dental specialists we have created. Whether you are in our office or one of our associates’ offices, know that you will be treated with respect, kindness and experience. Today, we would like to highlight Doctors James Jacobs and Sebastian Carlson of Pacific Oral Surgery!

Oral surgeons handle many dental treatments where the teeth and bones have to be modified or removed in an "operating room" environment. Most commonly, they are tasked with difficult extractions, implant placement and bone grafts. Beyond these, oral surgeons perform a wide array of corrective jaw surgeries for cosmetic and developmental concerns.  Doctors Jacobs and Carlson are well skilled in all these disceplines and bring both expertise and the latest technology to every procedure.

Doctors Jacobs and Carlson are both active members of the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons and the California Dental Association. They operate out of offices in Thousand Oaks, Simi Valley and Ventura to best serve you locally. With your referral, make sure to check out their website for a comprehensive list of pre-operative and post-operative instructions, along with articles on what to expect during your surgery. If you have any more questions or would like to know more about your referral, please give our office a call!

Website: http://www.pacificoralsurgeon.com/

Phone Number: 805-497-8571 (Thousand Oaks Location)

Address: (Thousand Oaks Location)

 

Crown Lengthening

A quick overview of crown lengthening. Once the Decay is acessable, a permanent crown or filling can be placed. 

Crown lengthening is a dental procedure most often performed by a periodontist where an incremental amount of bone and tissue is removed from a tooth's gum line. This is most commonly used to reveal more tooth structure and facilitate the placement of a crown. If a tooth has deep decay or a fracture to the bone level, creating a good seal between tooth and crown is impossible. In order to save the tooth, the "crown" (portion of tooth above the gum line) has to be "lengthened," at the expense of the root. Crown lengthening is also performed on the anterior teeth for esthetic reasons. Uneven gum lines and "gummy" smiles can sometimes be fixed through this procedure. Many times, this must be followed up with crowns or veneers to create a cosmetic appearance. 

While crown lengthening allows us to save teeth that would otherwise need to be extracted, it is not without potential drawbacks. Lowering the gum and bone level on a tooth can compromise its long term stability in the jaw. By gaining length in the tooth crown, the roots become gradually shorter and less anchored in bone. This procedure can also negatively affect the adjacent teeth as well. The periodontist needs to create a natural bone contour, and will often need to adjust around the neighboring teeth to make a smooth transition. 

Often times, crown lengthening is only one of a few treatment options. Teeth can also be extruded using orthodontics to create more crown structure. Likewise, a tooth with a questionable longevity can be replaced with a implant in many scenarios. Only a comprehensive dental exam will reveal what can and needs to be done to save a tooth. To schedule an exam or find out about more dental treatment options, please give our office a call!

How Can I Soothe a Toothache?

Note: Never start taking any medication for the first time (even OTC products) without consulting a medical or dental professional first. Never exceed the prescribed dosing for a medication or use it in a method for which it was not designed. 

Toothaches always seem to spring up at the least convenient times. Often enough, they show up 6pm on a Friday before a long weekend. When you can't get to a dentist right away, what should you do about your pain? In this article, we hope to give you some direction (and comfort) in helping your dental woes.

The first thing to do with any type of dental pain is give your general dentist a call. Even after hours, every office should have a means of getting into contact with either your own dentist or one of their associates. An exception to this would be excruciating pain, possibly combined with swelling, fever and warmth around a tooth. In these instances, your first choice should be to head to an emergency room, as this can be the sign of a serious infection. 

Beyond getting into contact with a dental professional, there are a few steps you can take to reduce your symptoms. If the pain feels like it is coming from a tooth directly, we suggest taking an NSAID medication like ibuprofen (Advil). Most dental pain comes from pressure inside the tooth or bones, and is best treated by drugs (such as ibuprofen) with anti-inflammatory properties. We do not suggest taking any left over narcotics you may have on hand, as they are potentially harmful and will not stop the pain as effectively as an NSAID. 

If your pain feels like it is coming from your gums, try flossing gently to see if you can dislodge any stuck food (popcorn kernels are the worst offenders). Beyond this, we recommend rinsing with warm salt water to soothe inflamed tissue. Never try to apply Asprin, Advil or other medications directly to the gums. This will only irritate the tissue and create more pain. We also suggest staying away from topical toothache creams/gels, due to their lack of effectiveness and potentially dangerous side effects.

If your pain has a specific trigger, make note of it and try to avoid using your teeth in that manner. Knowing what causes the tooth to flare up can be an important factor in diagnosing the exact problem. If you would like to know more about toothaches, dental pain or gum pain, please give our office a call! 

Specialist Spotlight: Dr. Lee of Thousand Oaks Endodontics

At Thousand Oaks Family Dentistry, we are proud of the network of skilled dental specialists we have created. Whether you are in our office or one of our associates’ offices, know that you will be treated with respect, kindness and experience. Today, we would like to highlight Dr. Jonathan Lee at Thousand Oaks Endodontics.

Endodontics is the subspecialty of dentistry focused on treating infections and injuries to the nerve of the tooth by performing root canals. here, the tooth nerve is removed and replaced with a resilient filling material called gutta percha. Endodontist may also perform surgical procedures to patch tooth roots or splint teeth after an injury. In his state of the art office, Dr. Lee performs all these procedures (and more!) with compassion and the highest levels of expertise. 

A Conejo Valley native, Dr. Lee completed dental school at USC and his residency at Temple University in Pittsburgh. If you would like to know more about Dr. Lee's office, root canals or why you are being referred to see a specialist, please give our office a call!

Website: http://www.thousandoaksendodontics.com/

Phone number: 805 370 0110

 

Dental Questions: Does the order of brushing and flossing matter?

One of the most common oral health questions dentists receive from patients is the proper order of brushing and flossing. We are here to assure you that there is no recommended order to a standard oral health regimen. As long as you are brushing twice a day for two minutes with fluoride toothpaste and flossing daily, you are experiencing all the benefits of basic home oral hygiene. Dentists typically recommend brushing once in the morning and (definitely) once right before going to sleep/after your last meal. Flossing can take place at any point throughout the day, so long as it happens before you go to sleep. 

Beyond these suggestions, you may want to consider these options as well:

-Brush in the morning before breakfast. Brushing right after a meal can actually damage dental enamel due to the acidic affects of digested carbohydrates and the abrasive nature of toothpastes. 

-Using an alcohol rinse like Listerine after brushing can limit the fluoride activity of toothpaste. If you are at a high risk for developing cavities, consider switching to a fluoride rinse like ACT. 

-Chronic non-flosser? Consider keeping a bag of handle flossers in your car. It's a great reminder to keep those teeth clean!

-While sugar-free chewing gum can help clean/protect teeth, it is no replacement for brushing and flossing. However, a sick of gum after lunch or dinner can help dislodge food and stimulate protective salivary flow. 

We hope you found this guide helpful! If you have any other questions on oral hygiene, flossing, brushing or toothpaste choices, please give our office a call.

Fruit Juice and Baby Teeth

In a recent article, the American Association of Pediatrics has announced that children under the age of 1 year should not be given fruit juice. They propose that juice "offers no nutritional benefits early in life" and that the process of making juice strips fruit of its natural fibers while concentrating sugars. From a dental perspective, fruit juice proposes many threats to developing teeth and can contribute to rampant decay. 

One of the biggest problems with childhood juice consumption is the misconception that fruit juice is "healthy." Whether natural, organic, unfiltered or cold pressed, all commercially available juices are high in dietary sugar. In fact, most rival the sugar content of colas and other soft drinks. This, combined with juice's typically acidic content, makes it a perfect fuel for tooth decay. Liquids are excellent at bathing the teeth, while the sugar content feeds bacteria and acidity weakens enamel. This perfect storm leaves many children with a tell-tale pattern of cavities sometimes known as "Mountain Dew Mouth." 

Small servings of juice once a day (particularly when served with a meal) are generally acceptable from a dental perspective. Multiple servings, putting children to sleep with bottles full of juice and sipping on juice all day (regardless of actual quantity consumed) put a child's dental health at jeopardy. Remember, tooth decay relates to the duration of time consuming a sugary beverage rather than the actual amount of sugar consumed. If you would like to know more about tooth decay, preventing cavities in baby teeth or pediatric dentistry, please give our office a call!

Posts and Cores for Dental Crowns

If you have had a dental crown recently placed (particularly on a root canal treated tooth) you may have been surprised to learn that you needed a post or core placed in addition to the crown. These procedures allow us to maximize the strength of the natural enamel and add structure back to broken down teeth. In every instance, they are an integral part of the long term success of a crown. 

When teeth have root canals placed or deep cavities removed, they are left with a large hole in the center of the tooth or a missing wall of enamel. For a crown to be successfully cemented, the tooth has to have a fairly regular "teepee" shape. Any large holes or divots in the tooth prevent the lab from making a successful restoration.  A core is a bulk of material added to the tooth to provide strength and structure prior to finishing the crown. They are made from a variety of material, depending on the specific needs of the tooth and the plan for the final crown. Many times the endodontist will place the buildup themselves once the root canal is finished. 

When a tooth is missing multiple walls of enamel or lacks enough structure above the gumline (as is common with fractured teeth), a post may need to be placed in addition to a core. Posts are solid metal or composite rods that are cemented in the roots of root canal treated teeth. They extend upward and act as an anchor for the core buildup. Without a post, large cores are prone to failure and fracture. This causes huge headaches, particularly after the root canal and crown are completed. An important point to note is that posts can only be placed on root canal treated teeth, as it needs to be placed within the root system. In rare instances, a root canal may be performed on a healthy tooth so that a post can be placed.

We always try our best to notify patients of the potential need for a post and/or core prior to starting crown treatment. These procedures are not optional steps, but rather necessary precautions for the long term stability of the tooth. If you would like to know more about posts, cores, dental crowns or root canals, please give our office a call!

Irritants in Oral Health Products

Have you noticed a burning sensation after switching toothpastes? Dryness? Canker sores? These are very common problems stemming from both inactive and active ingredients in various oral health products. Take a look at what compounds are generally most problematic and how to avoid them!

One of the most common irritants in toothpaste is Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS). This compound is used in some brands as a foaming agent, surfactant and detergent. While it is not an active ingredient, it theoretically helps the toothpaste create better contact with the teeth. Unfortunately, many patients are sensitive to this ingredient and can develop sores or tissue sloughing (outer layer of skin becomes irritated and loose) in response to its use. The most common sign of an SLS sensitivity is cracking/irritation at the corners of the mouth after switching toothpastes. 

Another common and problematic component in toothpastes is cinnamon flavoring. As a whole, cinnamon is a known irritant with a high potential for reacting with the oral mucosa. Applying it twice a day for two minutes (as with normal brushing) can cause burning and tissue sloughing in many patients. This varies greatly from person to person and has to be judged on an individual level. Some patients love cinnamon toothpaste and handle it just fine!

A final ingredient to pay attention to is alcohol in mouth rinses. Many common "Listerine-type" rinses use alcohol as a antimicrobial in controlling periodontal disease. Unfortunately, alcohol can irritate sensitive gums and dry out the teeth. Alcohol based rinses are still a good choice for patients suffering from gingivitis or periodontitis. However, many patients have a higher propensity towards tooth decay and would benefit more from a fluoride rinse like ACT with fluoride. 

If you start to notice burning, dryness or tissue sloughing in your mouth after starting a new product, discontinue it immediately and give our office a call. If you are having problems finding a toothpaste that doesn't irritate your gums, we suggest trying Biotene toothpaste or Tom's Clean and Gentle with Fluoride. Both of these products were created with sensitive tissue types in mind and are free of unnecessary compounds. If you would like to know more about toothpaste choices, brushing, flossing or dental home hygiene, please give our office a call!