Dental Info

According to a just published Study in Science Advances   P gingivalis and associated neurotoxins (gingipains) are causitive factors in Alzheimers disease and dementias. The scientists found it likely that antimicrobials (AB 1-42) seemed effective in inhibiting the neurotoxins that were causitive agents of plaque formations. P Gingivalis is a gram negative anaerobic bacteria that may also play a role in cardiovascular disease as well. In fact another study menitons that 100 percent of patients with cardiovascular disease had P. gingivalis arterial colonization. Part of the above mentioned study involved infecting eight  mice with P Gingivalis and demonstrating" that the bacteria invaded the brain of all eight mice after an oral infection for 6 weeks"  In a separate experiment, the researchers were able to  treat brain infected mice with gigipain inhibitors that diminished P gingivalis concentrations in their brains. This is exciting news since these find...

Above any other medical need, people are more likely to skip seeing the dentist because they can’t afford it. Many people choose not to buy dental insurance because it’s an added cost without a lot of perceived value. For some reason, people simply feel more comfortable taking this risk because they don’t fully understand the consequences of oral health problems. But it’s a risk indeed. You can develop a facial or oral injury just as easily as any other injury and oral infections and diseases are just as common—if not more common—as any other. Beyond the critical events of oral injury or infection, preventive dental care (aka your regular cleanings and check-ups) is crucial for catching problems before they become dangerous. Seeing the dentist regularly can help you address a surprising number of overall health and wellness issues. Still, dentists understand that medical costs are rising, the world of insurance is often a mystery, and sometimes you’re just at a loss. Salt Lake Cit...

Cold sore. Fever blister. Herpes Simplex Virus-1. These babies go by a lot of different names, but the experience is always the same: Telltale burning or itching near the lip A red bump appears a day or so later Bump becomes a cluster of blisters Blisters dry up and scab over The scab falls off The whole process usually takes two weeks or less.     Infamous for irritating pain and ruining first dates everywhere, cold sores sure wreak a lot of havoc for something so small. A cold sore is a symptom of the herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1) in your system. HSV-1 is so common that most people are exposed to it in childhood. Many people can have and spread the virus without ever actually having a cold sore. Catching & Spreading a Cold Sore Sadly, once you catch HSV-1, there is no permanent cure. Thankfully, it won’t do much harm. If you have HSV-1, you might occasionally experience cold sores with long periods between each outbreak. This is because HSV-1 has the habi...

Your Mouth: A Picture of Health Did you know that when a dentist looks at your mouth, they can tell a lot more than just how often you’re brushing? It’s true—your oral health is like a window into your lifestyle and habits. Michael Colleran, DDS should know. We’ve seen mouths from all over San Luis Obispo in our office! If you’re not taking care of the rest of your body, your gums will give it away. Hormones, sickness, stress, diet, smoking, prescription medicine, and more can all affect your gum health, and that goes both ways. If you don’t take care of your gums, the consequences will stretch beyond just your mouth. Unhealthy gums can lead to an unhealthy heart, diabetes, pregnancy complications, memory problems, tooth decay, and more. Your mouth is naturally good at washing away and fighting germs. But without proper oral hygiene, those bacteria can lead to gum disease. When it comes to your oral health, it’s more than just pearly white teeth you want. Healthy gums play an imp...

Today’s dental implants boast a long-term success rate of near 97%. Because implants support surrounding teeth, encourage new tissue growth and continued bone formation, and give patients back their chewing ability and full smile, they have become the industry standard for tooth replacement. Today, the Las Vegas dentists of Wagner Dental would like to share some interesting history about dental implants and how we got to where we are today. History of Dental Implants 600 AD : The Mayans attempted the first recorded dental implants, using shells to replace teeth. 800 AD : A stone implant was found among cultural artifacts from early Honduras. 4,000 Years Ago : Carved bamboo pegs were used to replace missing teeth in China. 3,000 Years Ago : The first recorded case of a metal replacement tooth (a copper peg) fixed to a jawbone occurred in the mouth of an Egyptian king. Experts believe it may have been placed after death due to how painful placement would have been to a living...

There is a law of nature that states: “function follows form.” This saying means that how something appears determines how it works. For example, you may own many screwdrivers of different sizes and shapes (form) to loosen all different kinds of screws (function). Think of a watering can with a long spout that’s perfect for pouring water right where you want it, versus one with a broad spout meant to cover large areas more quickly. When you think about it, this principle also applies to your smile. A mouth with missing teeth isn’t nearly as functional as a mouth with a full set of chompers. Enter: cosmetic dentistry. While the word “cosmetic” makes these treatments sound optional, many times they are necessary to improve physical function or mental and emotional well-being. Read more from Dr. David Case to learn about cosmetic dentistry and the positive impact it can have on your life. Types of Cosmetic Dentistry Whitening  — an absolute favorite when it comes to confidence-b...

If you’re a new mom or about to be one, you’re likely already used to putting your needs second to the needs of this beautiful new little person in your life – but maintaining good oral hygiene is still important for keeping you and your baby in tiptop shape. If something happens and you need dental work, it shouldn’t prevent you from breastfeeding regularly or from seeking the treatment you need. Dr. James Fili is an experienced dentist in Dubuque and can explain how prioritizing your own health needs is safe and important during this stage of a woman’s life. Dental Procedures Safe for Breastfeeding You shouldn’t be surprised to hear that regular brushing and flossing is safe for breastfeeding mothers. In fact, it’s probably never felt more luxurious! Especially as you’re likely eating everything in sight (and perhaps indulging in sweet treats, too), it’s a good idea to keep those pearly whites as clean and healthy as possible. We know how difficult it is to take care of yoursel...

Headaches in Denver are a dime a dozen. We all know the frustration of having your day interrupted by throbbing, shooting pains in the head. If you suffer from frequent headaches that never seem to go away, Dr. Paini would like you to know about bruxism , or teeth grinding. At Advanced Aesthetic Dentistry, we love spreading the news about all things dental health, so here is some headache information that just might change your life. Bruxism & Headaches You may not be aware of it, but everyone clenches and grinds their teeth at some point and to some degree. It’s a natural reaction to stress. During the day, you might catch yourself doing it and make a conscious effort to stop, but during the night, you are unaware of it and will naturally grind much harder. Unfortunately, some people in Denver have such problems with bruxism that they may experience: Frequent, painful headaches Damaged, worn-down teeth and surrounding tissues TMJ/TMD According to Dr. Noshir Mehta, chairm...

When you’re suddenly struck with a toothache, floating ideas of home remedies may quickly come to mind. Whether you heard it from your great-aunt or saw it on Pinterest, at-home treatments are everywhere. Charlotte dentist, Dr. Berglass can explain more about how to care for a toothache and when to come in for a visit. Common causes of toothaches are infections, cavities , damaged enamel, a cracked tooth or an exposed root – all good reasons to get yourself to the dentist! Home remedies for a toothache may work for immediate relief, but they’re not likely to last long, and they may not be completely safe. If you like using household ingredients for personal care, you may look into your own pantry for something to relieve the pain, but do your research prior to use–and before things get too out of hand, call your dentist to prevent worse pain or problems. What Are Common Home Remedies for a Toothache? The best-case scenario is some pain relief with a simple ingredient or treatment....

When he became the first president of the United States, George Washington had only one real tooth left! You heard right—just ONE. Everyone has heard something about this great man and his dental history, but if you heard that Washington had wooden teeth, then you heard wrong.  This myth is totally false—and Dr. Gollofon at A.J. Gollofon, DDS is here to tell you the truth. Dental Care in Colonial Times It was a combination of bad genes and even worse medical practices that led George Washington down the path to becoming toothless. Washington experienced many health problems throughout his life, and he was often treated with “calomel,” a common medicine of his time. Calomel contained mercury, which ruined teeth. The toothpaste of that era was also made from very abrasive materials like tree bark and brick dust, which likely continued to break down Washington’s natural teeth. Many people in Washington’s era had fake teeth, but none were made of wood. As disgusting as it sounds to...

Diabetes is a chronic and complicated disease that affects how your body processes sugar—its main source of energy. Diabetes symptoms mostly affect your heart, eyes, nerves, and kidneys, but it can affect your whole body, including your mouth. According to the American Dental Association (ADA) , more than 29 million Americans have diabetes, and almost 2 million new cases are diagnosed each year. Managing your blood sugar is very important if you have diabetes and will help keep symptoms at bay. Taking good care of your oral wellness is actually one key to managing blood sugar. For more about oral health and its connection to diabetes from Dr. Gwendolyn Buck , continue reading. Diabetes & Your Mouth Diabetes can show itself in your mouth by causing: Gum disease:  This condition is surprisingly common among most adults and has an even stronger correlation with diabetes, but it can and should be treated. Dry mouth : Diabetes tends to cause a decrease in saliva, which can be...

There sure are a lot of bright smiles seen around NYC these days! I suspect theres a whole lot of whitening going on. For those who are contemplating the achieving whitened teeth what are the ways to accomplish this in 2019? At the moment, social media is awash with photos of people brushing their teeth with activated charcoal and swearing by it. I wouldn't recommend trying this technique since charcoal seems pretty high on abrasivity to me and who knows what the long term effects are. For the moment, it's probably best to refrain from this new fad, at least until more is known about what consequences it may cause. What are the more mainstream ways to whiten? Using carbamide peroxide or hydrogen peroxide products. These have been in use for many years and have been shown to effective and don't seem to have unknown risks. The known risks involve tooth sensitivity and gingival irritation. Both of these side effects are transitory and disappear when a person stops using ...

Imagine this – you have come to see Lexington dentist Dr. Kevin Brewer for a cleaning and routine checkup. The cleaning goes well, but then he tells you that you have a cavity. You’ve been dreading the possibility of this news and now you fear that something must be wrong since you have been brushing and flossing regularly. At Brewer Family Dental , we see this happen every day and we want to put your mind at ease. Cavities are very common and usually a simple fix. Use this guide to learn about what cavities are and how you can prevent them. Cavities: The Basics Cavities are caused by tooth decay, which is a byproduct of too much plaque. Here’s how it works: every day, our saliva breaks down the food we eat into bacteria and then into acid, which mixes with the saliva and forms the nuisance commonly referred to as plaque. Remarkably, it only takes 20 minutes for plaque to form on your teeth after eating. Plaque is corrosive to the outer layer of your teeth (enamel). If pla...

Disclosure: Ask the Dentist is supported by readers. If you use one of the links below and buy something, Ask the Dentist makes a little bit of money at no additional cost to you. I rigorously research, test, and use thousands of products every year, but recommend only a small fraction of these. I only promote products that I truly feel will be valuable to you in improving your oral health. One of the controversial topics every parent has to contend with is fluoride intake. And with new research bringing up more questions than answers, the connection between fluoride and IQ is all but indisputable. A 2017 study published in Environmental Health Perspectives has linked exposure during pregnancy to reduced IQ in those children later in life. (1) This comes on the heels of dozens of other studies that seem to suggest fluoride impacts the development of the brain and human intelligence. In this article, we’ll review what this study means for you and your baby. New Findings on Prenat...