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Posts for: January, 2019

Dr. Travis Stork: If Only I'd Worn A Mouthguard!

By Linda Drennen, DMD
January 26, 2019
Category: Dental Procedures
Tags: celebrity smiles   mouthguard  
DrTravisStorkIfOnlyIdWornAMouthguard

If we could go back in time, we all probably have a few things we wish we could change. Recently, Dr. Travis Stork, emergency room physician and host of the syndicated TV show The Doctors, shared one of his do-over dreams with Dear Doctor magazine: “If I [could have] gone back and told myself as a teenager what to do, I would have worn a mouthguard, not only to protect my teeth but also to help potentially reduce risk of concussion.”

What prompted this wish? The fact that as a teenage basketball player, Stork received an elbow to the mouth that caused his two front teeth to be knocked out of place. The teeth were put back in position, but they soon became darker and began to hurt. Eventually, both were successfully restored with dental crowns. Still, it was a painful (and costly) injury — and one that could have been avoided.

You might not realize it, but when it comes to dental injuries, basketball ranks among the riskier sports. Yet it’s far from the only one. In fact, according to the American Dental Association (ADA), there are some two dozen others — including baseball, hockey, surfing and bicycling — that carry a heightened risk of dental injury. Whenever you’re playing those sports, the ADA recommends you wear a high-quality mouth guard.

Mouthguards have come a long way since they were introduced as protective equipment for boxers in the early 1900’s. Today, three different types are widely available: stock “off-the-shelf” types that come in just a few sizes; mouth-formed “boil-and-bite” types that you adapt to the general contours of your mouth; and custom-made high-quality mouthguards that are made just for you at the dental office.

Of all three types, the dentist-made mouthguards are consistently found to be the most comfortable and best-fitting, and the ones that offer your teeth the greatest protection. What’s more, recent studies suggest that custom-fabricated mouthguards can provide an additional defense against concussion — in fact, they are twice as effective as the other types. That’s why you’ll see more and more professional athletes (and plenty of amateurs as well) sporting custom-made mouthguards at games and practices.

“I would have saved myself a lot of dental heartache if I had worn a mouthguard,” noted Dr. Stork. So take his advice: Wear a mouthguard whenever you play sports — unless you’d like to meet him (or one of his medical colleagues) in a professional capacity…

If you would like more information about mouthguards, please contact us or schedule an appointment for a consultation. You can read more in the Dear Doctor magazine article “Athletic Mouthguards.”


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A New Resolution - Floss!

By Linda Drennen, DMD
January 16, 2019
Category: Oral Health
Tags: oral hygiene  
ANewResolution-Floss

Now that we’re into the New Year, it’s a good time to look over your list of resolutions. Did you remember to include dental health on your list? Here’s one simple resolution that can help keep your smile bright and healthy through the New Year and beyond: Floss every day!

Your oral hygiene routine at home is your first line of defense against tooth decay and gum disease. While brushing your teeth twice a day effectively removes much of the food debris and dental plaque from your teeth, brushing alone is not sufficient to remove all the plaque that forms on your teeth and around your gums. For optimal oral health, flossing once a day is also necessary.

Which teeth do you need to floss? Any dentist will tell you, “Only the ones you want to keep!” And yet according to a national survey of over 9,000 U.S. adults age 30 and older, nearly 70% don’t floss every day, and nearly one third admit that they don’t floss their teeth at all. Unfortunately, if you don’t floss, you’ll miss cleaning about a third of your tooth surfaces. When plaque is not removed, this sticky film of bacteria releases acids that cause cavities and gum disease. With dental floss, however, you can clean between the teeth and around the gums where a toothbrush can’t reach.

Flossing is an essential component of good oral hygiene. Still, daily flossing seems to be a harder habit to get into than brushing. Some people tense up their cheek muscles while flossing, making it harder to comfortably reach the back teeth, so remember to relax as you floss. If unwaxed floss doesn’t glide easily between teeth, try waxed floss. If you have trouble using traditional dental floss, you can try threader floss, which has a rigid tip, interdental brushes, floss picks, or a water flosser, which cleans by way of pressurized water.

It’s not too late to add one more resolution to your list, and flossing is a habit that will go a long way toward keeping you in the best oral health. And along with good dental hygiene at home, regular professional dental cleanings and checkups are key to a healthy smile. If you would like more information about maintaining excellent dental health, please contact us or schedule a consultation. To learn more, read the Dear Doctor magazine articles “Daily Oral Hygiene” and “Flossing—A New Technique.”


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Crown Lengthening Might be Necessary for Seniors with Tooth Decay

By Linda Drennen, DMD
January 06, 2019
Category: Dental Procedures
Tags: crown lengthening  
CrownLengtheningMightbeNecessaryforSeniorswithToothDecay

While tooth decay is a potential problem at any age, the risk increases as you grow older. Not only are senior adults more susceptible, decay is often more difficult to treat. That’s because cavities can occur at or below the gum line, often due to gum recession.

If that’s the case, we won’t be able to fill the cavity in the usual way because the gum tissue is in the way. To make it possible to treat, we may need to perform a minor surgical procedure known as crown lengthening.

As the name implies, the procedure helps expose more of the crown, the tooth’s visible part, from the surrounding gum tissue. In basic terms, we’re repositioning the gum tissue away from the biting surface of a tooth to make room for a filling. It’s also useful for improving a tooth’s appearance by making it look longer, or creating room for a crown or other dental restoration.

After applying a local anesthesia, the dentist (or periodontist, a specialist in the gums) creates a tiny flap of gum tissue with a series of incisions. This allows the dentist to move the affected gums out of the way to access the underlying bone. The dentist then reshapes the bone to adequately support the gum tissue when it’s finally repositioned to expose the crown. In its new and improved position, the dentist sutures the gum tissue in place.

For a few days afterward, the patient will need to restrict their diet to soft foods, avoid strenuous activities and apply an ice pack to help reduce swelling the day of surgery. They will also prescribe a pain reliever and possibly an antibiotic to reduce the chances of infection.

While most people return to normal activities a few days later, you’ll usually have to wait a few weeks for the gums to heal before undergoing any further treatments for the affected teeth. But even with the wait, crown lengthening could make it possible to not only save your tooth but improve your smile as well.

If you would like more information on treating tooth decay, please contact us or schedule an appointment for a consultation. You can also learn more about this topic by reading the Dear Doctor magazine article “Crown Lengthening: This Common Surgical Procedure Restores Function and Improves Appearance.”


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Archive:

  • 2019
      • December (1)
        • Your Smile Can Be Your Passport to the World - Take Care of It With These Tips
      • November (3)
        • Seek Coordinated Treatment If You Have Both TMD and Fibromyalgia
        • Having Diabetes Could Increase Your Risk of Gum Disease
        • Fan of Superhero Film Black Panther Breaks Steel Wire...with Her Mouth!
      • October (3)
        • Behavioral Therapy Could Reduce a Child's Dental Anxiety Without Drugs
        • The Before, During and After of Root Canal Treatments
        • Tooth Sensitivity Could Be a Sign of Deeper Problems
      • September (3)
        • Margot Robbie Knows: A Great Smile Is Worth Protecting
        • Orthodontics: More Than Straightening a Crooked Smile
        • A Partnership With the Dentist Will Help Your Child's Teeth Develop Normally
      • August (3)
        • A Stainless Steel Crown Could Extend the Life of a Primary Molar
        • (Don't) Break It Like Beckham
        • Implant-Supported Dentures Could Improve Your Bone Health
      • July (3)
        • Lingual Braces: An Invisible Way to Move Your Teeth
        • If Appropriate, Antibiotics before Implant Surgery Could Reduce Infection Risk
        • Even Celebrities Like Jennifer Lawrence Aren't Immune From Bad Breath!
      • June (3)
        • Tooth Type and Condition can Affect Root Canal Therapy Effectiveness
        • Smoking Could Shorten Your Implants' Longevity
        • Getting a New 'Tooth in a Day' Will Depend on Your Bone Health
      • May (3)
        • A Different Kind of "Chip Shot" for Pro Golfer Danielle Kang
        • An Implant Restoration Could Prevent Bone Loss
        • Simple Steps to Follow if Your Child has a Toothache
      • April (3)
        • A Minor Procedure Could Make Breastfeeding Easier for You and Your Baby
        • How Shawn Mendes and Miley Cyrus Got Their Stellar Smiles
        • 3 Things You can Do to Ease Chronic Dry Mouth
      • March (3)
        • Catch Root Resorption Early for Best Chances of Saving Your Tooth
        • 4 Things to Avoid if You Want to Support Your Child's Dental Development
        • NBC Star Delivers a Message about the "Perfect" Smile
      • February (3)
        • Dental Sealants can help Prevent Tooth Decay in Children
        • Legal or Not, Marijuana Poses a Health Risk to Your Gums
        • Here's What you Need to Know about a Root Canal Treatment
      • January (3)
        • Dr. Travis Stork: If Only I'd Worn A Mouthguard!
        • A New Resolution - Floss!
        • Crown Lengthening Might be Necessary for Seniors with Tooth Decay
  • 2018
      • December (3)
        • Protecting Primary Teeth from Decay Helps Ensure Future Dental Health
        • J-Lo's Unlucky Break: Chipping a Tooth on Stage
        • Practice the Dental Care Basics to Ensure a Healthy Smile
      • November (3)
        • A Stainless Steel Crown Could Help a Struggling Primary Molar Last Longer
        • Dentures are Still a Viable Choice for Tooth Replacement
        • Julianne Hough Shares a Video - and a Song - After Wisdom Teeth Come Out
      • October (3)
        • Good Oral Hygiene Isn't Just for Teeth
        • New Dental Advances Promise Better Outcomes for Treating Decay
        • What You Should Know About a Home Teeth Whitening Kit
      • September (3)
        • How Kathy Bates Retains Her Movie-Star Smile
        • A Bonded Retainer Might Work for You after Orthodontic Treatment
        • Treating Gum Disease around Tooth Roots is Hard - but Not Impossible
      • August (3)
        • Oral Hygiene isn't Easy with Braces - but it's Still Doable
        • Spice Up Your Teeth
        • 5 Causes of Bad Breath and What You Can Do About It!
      • July (3)
        • What to Expect Before, During and After Implant Surgery
        • Your Dental Care Efforts are Just as Important as Your Dentist's
        • Ariana Grande Breaks Free - of Her Wisdom Teeth
      • June (3)
        • Tips for Picture-Perfect Summer Smiles
        • 3 Reasons for Blood Pressure Checks During Dental Visits
        • 3 Types of Tooth Pain and What They Might be Telling You
      • May (4)
        • Vivica's Veneers: the Making of a Hollywood Smile
        • New Materials Add Strength to Veneers' Beautiful Life-Likeness
        • Root Canal Awareness Week: A Time to Learn How Teeth Are Saved
        • Anchorage Devices Provide More Accuracy, Less Treatment Time for Braces
      • April (2)
        • Why Big Bang Theory Actress Mayim Bialik Couldn't Have Braces
        • Why we Need to Care for a Younger Patient's Bone after a Tooth Loss
      • March (3)
        • Be Vigilant with Dental Care While Wearing Braces
        • Why a Bonded Retainer Might be a Better Choice After Braces
        • Jamie Foxx Chips a Tooth - This Time by Accident!
      • February (2)
        • Don't Ignore Tooth Pain - You May Need a Root Canal
        • Watch What Carbs You Eat to Reduce Your Risk of Further Gum Disease
      • January (2)
        • If You're Considering Braces, Here's How They Work
        • Game, Set, Match: Milos Raonic Says A Mouthguard Helps Him Win
  • 2017
      • December (2)
        • Your Age Won't Necessarily Decide Against Straightening Your Smile
        • Treating a Young, Permanent Tooth Requires a Different Approach
      • November (2)
        • Support Your Child's Dental Development with Preventive Care
        • A Toothless Tiger?
      • October (2)
        • Why the Treatment Model for Your Jaw Joint Disorder Matters
        • Oral Health Concerns for Preteens
      • September (2)
        • Your Next Dental Visit Might Save Your Life - Here's How
        • Life Is Sometimes a Grind for Brooke Shields
      • August (3)
        • The 3 Top Causes for Tooth Sensitivity
        • Kathy Bates Plays It Smart With Professional Teeth Whitening
        • A 4-Step Process for Achieving Your Highest Oral Health Possible
      • July (2)
        • In Today's NFL, Oral Hygiene Takes Center Stage
        • Gum Infection Around Tooth Roots Calls for Immediate Action
      • June (2)
        • Any Time, Any Place: Cam Newton's Guide to Flossing
        • Teens with Missing Teeth may need a Temporary Fix Until They're Older
      • May (2)
        • Sofia Vergara: 'Obsessed' With Oral Hygiene
        • Don't let Periodontal Disease Cause Your Gums to Recede
      • April (2)
        • Eden Sher and the Lost Retainer
        • An Affordable RPD Could be the Answer to Your Missing Teeth Problems
      • March (2)
        • New Front Teeth for a Teenaged David Duchovny
        • Dental Implants: a Durable, Life-Like Solution for your Tooth Loss
      • February (3)
        • Actor David Ramsey Discusses Baby Bottle Tooth Decay
        • A Partial Denture Can Restore a Smile Marred by a Few Missing Teeth
        • Chrissy Teigen's Teeth-Grinding Troubles
      • January (2)
        • The True Cause of Your Gummy Smile Determines How We Treat it
        • Nancy O'Dell on Making Oral Hygiene Fun for Kids
  • 2016
      • December (2)
        • Success with Dental Implants Depends on Attention to Detail
        • Dwight Howard: A Bright NBA Star With a Smile to Match
      • November (3)
        • Avoid Bone Loss around Tooth Roots through Regular Dental Care
        • Actor David Ramsey Says: Don't Forget to Floss!
        • Clear Aligners Make it Easier for Teenagers to have Their Teeth Straightened
      • October (2)
        • Giancarlo Stanton Gets Major-League Mouth Protection
        • Take Your Dentures out at Night to Extend Their Usefulness
      • September (2)
        • Neil Patrick Harris: What the Oscars Host Treasures Most
        • Lasers are Making an Impact in Treating Gum Disease
      • August (2)
        • Jimmy Fallon Can’t Catch a Break - Except in His Tooth
        • 4 Problem Areas That Could Affect Your Child's Teeth
      • July (3)
        • Jason Derulo's Ideal Match
        • Loose Permanent Teeth is a Problem - take Action Now
        • Master Illusionist Benefits from the Magic of Orthodontics
      • June (2)
        • Take These Measures to Lower Your Child's Tooth Decay Risk
        • Dental Crowns for the King of Magic
      • May (1)
        • Welcome to Our Blog

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