DO I NEED FLUORIDE THERAPY?

Fluoride is a nutrient necessary to help patients develop and maintain strong, healthy smiles for life. For kids who are still learning to properly care for their smiles, those patients who struggle with chronic tooth decay, and those who have sensitive teeth, oral or topical fluoride therapy may be a great way to improve the strength of tooth enamel. In this post, we’ll discuss some of the benefits of fluoride therapy, and when you can benefit from these preventive dentistry services. What is Fluoride? Fluoride is a mineral compound that can bind to the porous tooth enamel, strengthening teeth by replacing the weaker hydroxyl molecule of tooth enamel. As your teeth are constantly attacked by acidic plaque produced by oral bacteria, using fluoridated toothpastes and topical fluoride treatments can prevent damage and weakening of the tooth enamel. Who Should Receive Fluoride Treatment? Fluoride treatments are beneficial in a variety of situations, including improving oral health for: * Young children who are still developing their primary or adult teeth and may need oral fluoride supplements if they don’t receive adequate fluoride from tap water or their diets. * Kids who have developed their primary or adult teeth, may still need topical fluoride treatments during six month dental exams to help them maintain optimal oral health. * Patients with sensitive teeth who may also benefit from topical fluoride treatments during their biannual dental checkups, and following teeth whitening, we may recommend topical fluoride therapy to avoid dental sensitivity. * Adults, teens, or kids who experience frequent tooth decay should consider receiving topical fluoride treatment to improve their oral health. How is Fluoride Therapy Completed? Topical fluoride treatments are easily applied during any six month dental exam. We simply paint a coat of fluoride onto your teeth, and you’ll allow it to sit for at least half an hour before consuming any foods or beverages. For those patients who need ingested fluoride supplements, our team can provide prescriptions as necessary. In some cases, we may also recommend prescription strength fluoride toothpaste to strengthen teeth every day. For patients with dental sensitivity and those who experience frequent, severe decay, regular at-home topical fluoride gel may be recommended. Meet the Distinctive Dentistry of Maitland Team At Distinctive Dentistry of Maitland, our Altamonte Springs dentist and dental care team offer a wide range of treatment options to help patients keep their smiles healthy. We focus dental care plans on helping patients keep their smiles whole and healthy, and fluoride treatments are just one of the many preventive services we offer to strengthen smiles. If you want to learn more about our preventive dentistry services, contact our Altamonte Springs dental team to schedule an appointment with us today.

Top Tips for Overcoming Dental Anxiety

Dental phobia or fear of the dentist is a common condition that affects many people, and it causes them to avoid going to the dentist. Dental anxiety can cause people to delay going to the dentist, which can lead to dental issues. Discuss your dental fears It is important to discuss your fears before undergoing any dental treatment. Your dentist can discuss your fears and reassure you about them. When speaking to the dentist about your discomfort, be specific about what makes you feel anxious. That way, you can get tips and advice on how to overcome those fears. For instance, if the sound of a drill bothers you, the dentist can let you know that it will only be used for a short period of time and then switched out with a soft tool.  Agree on a signal It’s common for patients to feel uncomfortable at the dentist’s office due to a number of factors. Some of them include the sound of the drill, the proximity of their cheek to the suction tube, or the smell of chemicals used to clean the teeth. If you feel nervous, tell your dentist about it and agree on a signal beforehand. This way, you can inform your dental hygienist that you need a break. The signal should be something simple so that your dentist doesn’t confuse it with something else. For example, you can simply raise your hand to indicate you need a short break. You can also nod your head or raise your eyebrows to indicate that you’re uncomfortable and need to take a break. Take a friend or family member with you It’s perfectly normal to feel nervous before a dentist appointment, but bringing a friend or family member along can help prevent you from feeling alone and awkward in the dentist’s chair. Your friend or family member can distract you during your appointment, helping to ease your tension. They can also help you remember the things you are supposed to talk about with your dental assistant or dentist. They can even tell you if you need to speak up!  Have a distraction with you If you’re feeling anxious during your appointment, bring your phone or some headphones to listen to some music. You may also bring your book or magazine to read in case your dentist is running behind. This will give you some time to relax and ease your anxiety. If your child becomes frightened at the prospect of sitting in the dentist’s chair, having his favorite toy with him can help him cope with his anxiety. Ask for sedation dentistry There are two different types of dental sedation you can use to relax during a dental procedure. The first is nitrous oxide, which is also called laughing gas. It is inhaled through a mask that is placed over your nose. Nitrous oxide allows you to feel relaxed but conscious during your dental treatment. The second type of sedation is oral sedatives, which allow you to be in a more relaxed stage. To find out more about the dental services we offer at Distinctive Dental on Maitland, call (407) 830-9800 or schedule your consultation online. You can also visit us at 609 Maitland Ave STE 1, Altamonte Springs, FL 32701.

GUM DISEASE – THE DOMINO EFFECT

Many, many times Dentists and Dental Hygienists hear patients say, “My gums always bleed, that’s normal for me”. It may be something frequently occurring for some, but is it healthy? The journey of oral bacteria and how it affects our whole body is an amazing one. Oral bacteria, plaque, starts so innocently as a little fuzzy coating on our teeth. There are hundreds of different types of bacteria that can form in the mouth, most aiding in digestion and maintaining a healthy balance of the mouth. There are less than 30 bacteria types that are the real trouble makers. If you are thorough with removing the bacteria daily from ALL surfaces of your teeth (in between the teeth too!) the story ends here. Health is intact. For those bacteria left undisturbed/uncleansed you will be amazed to know what they are capable of. It’s far beyond the worries of bad breath! First, the bacteria invades the top layers of the gums causing a gum infection, gingivitis. This can be visible as red puffy gums although, sometimes it is not visible and found hidden in between the teeth. If you were to put a thermometer under an inflamed gum line it would be running a fever. Infection has begun. As the bacterial infection deepens it enters the bloodstream through the weakened gums and can trigger a systemic (whole body) inflammation. The inflammation and bacteria challenge and triggers the liver to become active releasing proteins (C-reactive protein, fibrinogen and interleukin 6). This bacteria and inflammation reaction may be linked to atherosclerosis conditions such as stroke. This body wide awareness of the inflammation now starts to alter our body’s natural insulin process causing hyperglycemia. The domino effect continues as it leads to abnormalities in cholesterol and high blood pressure…. All from a little fuzzy surface on your tooth. Who would have thought! If you notice bleeding of your gums, take action. Our arms and legs don’t bleed when we clean up, neither should our gums. Distinctive Dentistry on Maitland in Altamonte Springs FL specializes in general and cosmetic dentistry. If you want to learn more about gum disease and various treatments for it, please give us a call at (407) 830-9800 or contact us online today!

GINGIVITIS AND ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE: IS THERE A CONNECTION?

After reviewing 20 years of data in an aging study comparing individuals at age 50 and again at age 70 researchers concluded that cognitive function using the “digit symbol test” was in the lower range for 70 year olds with gum disease. During these studies other factors such as smoking and obesity were also taken into account. Even so there was still a strong association of lower scores for those with gum inflammation. This study spurred several other studies. In the UK, researchers were able to get live brain samples from 10 Alzheimer’s patients and 10 from non-cognitive impaired patients. Analysis showed that all 10 Alzheimer samples had P. Gingivalis bacteria present. P. Gingivalis is usually associated with chronic gum disease. The non- impaired samples did not have any of this bacteria present. This then led to another study with the time in 2014 using mice. Once gum disease became established in the test samples, the P. Gingivalis found its way to the brain in these mice. There is sufficient evidence that shows that some bacteria that cause gum disease are capable of motion. This means that they can hitch a ride on the red blood cells when the gums bleed while eating and/or cleaning your teeth. They have even been found to travel up the nerve endings from the tooth to the brain. Once in the brain, it is hypothesized using data from the brain chemicals released that the P. Gingivalis bacteria inadvertently damages the neurons that deal with memory. The good news, gum disease is preventable! Thorough brushing and flossing and regular dental cleanings will do far more than give you that pretty smile. Distinctive Dentistry on Maitland in Altamonte Springs specializes in general and cosmetic dentistry. If you want to learn more about gum disease and various treatments for it, please give us a call or contact us online today!

WHY DO I KEEP GETTING CAVITIES

In a nut shell, cavities are a bacterial disease elevated by sugar intake. There are hundreds of bacteria that can form in our mouths. These bacteria join together in groups we then call “plaque”. Interestingly there are less than 10 bacteria varieties that are responsible for causing cavities. With so few bad bacterial types its amazing how much disease can take place! These bad bacteria for many can proliferate at higher rates than the good bacteria that work to maintain a healthy balance in the mouth. Just having bad bacteria in your mouth does not cause a cavity. In order for a cavity to form you need two components: bad bacteria and sugar. Any time a simple carbohydrate, which will break down into sugar, enters your mouth the bacteria feed on the sugars and produce 20-40 minutes of acid production that attacks and demineralizes your enamel. Does this mean that you can never have a treat again? No, although it is best to limit the treat food to mealtime and have a healthier between meals snack. Most important to remember is that each time you have a carbohydrate type snack or beverage with sugar or innocent hard candy, mint or sugar gum your acid clock restarts! For those of you that re frequent “snackers”, “sippers” and /or “candy, mint, gum poppers” your bacteria are at an all-day all you can eat buffet, keeping your acid clock running. So, what should you do to stop the cavities from forming? A great start is excellent cleaning on a daily basis, suchas using a Sonicare toothbrush and flossing or any aid to clean between the teeth. While you may not be able to control the types of bacteria your mouth wants to make, you can certainly control the amount of bacteria that stays on our teeth. The more bacteria present as we consume sugars equates to a higher amount of acids attacking our enamel. Fluoride treatments are recommended for all ages and best to follow up at home with prescription strength toothpaste dispensed by your dentist. Remember to have regular visits to your dentist. It’s always easier to repair a small cavity that a large one! To learn more about cavities or preventative dental care, please contact our Altamonte Springs office today at (407) 830-9800.