As a Dentist We Treat Patients Suffering From Acid Reflux In Order to Prevent Erosion

If you have acid reflux, a trip to the dentist is in order. Acid can erode your teeth as it comes up from your stomach.  The more frequently the attacks occur, the greater your risk of tooth damage.  With seven million U.S. adults suffering from acid reflux, this is a major cause of tooth damage and known as reflux-induced erosion. 

We can help to prevent damage by keeping teeth clean and healthy along with strengthening them.  Regular teeth cleanings and fluoride treatments can help along with bonding procedures to seal in the dentin.  When more serious erosion has occurred, we often recommend dental crowns in order to protect the teeth.  A crown can be made of either silver amalgam or ceramic and will cover all sides of the tooth.  This way the acid cannot directly touch the tooth.  Simultaneously, if bone loss has started due to reflux-induced erosion, a crown can save the tooth, preventing it from being pulled.  

We recommend that you visit our dentist office at least twice a year and more frequently if you suffer from acid reflux.  This allows us to identify any signs of erosion immediately and provide treatment before bone loss occurs.  It is far better to fortify teeth on a consistent basis than to wait until there are holes or other damage to your teeth. 

Additionally, you can reduce your risk of reflux-induced erosion by seeing your family doctor and asking them to prescribe medication that you can take on a daily basis.  Typically, a once a day pill can help to keep your reflux under control.  Otherwise, you can take a drug store antacid to help reduce the acid as the attack begins.  Some patients also find that drinking a glass of soy, almond, or cows' milk can help their stomach to calm down. 

One way, to feel better while reducing the frequency of your acid reflux attacks, is to monitor what you eat.  Keep a food journal and write down every time that you have an attack.  Look for a common denominator.  There may be particular foods you are eating that are causing problems with your digestive system.  Once you know what they are, you can easily eliminate them from your diet until you have the condition at a more controllable level. This is incredibly important because not only is acid reflux uncomfortable, but it can damage other areas of your body like your teeth. 

As a dentist, we also recommend avoiding things that could further irritate your teeth.  This means staying away from foods that have a high acid content like lemons and limes.  You should also practice caution when brushing your teeth and use a soft toothbrush in order to prevent accidental erosion of the enamel.  Even dental procedures like teeth whitening need to be performed with caution so let us know about your condition right away. This will allow us to incorporate that knowledge into any treatment plans that we recommend. 

Your Local Alexandria Dentist Can Prevent Bad Breath

If you struggle with bad breath a trip to the dentist can help.  This is a common issue that many people deal with.  Unfortunately when bad breath becomes excessive it can ruin a conversation, cause people to become embarrassed, and present an overall impression of bad health.  That impression may not be so far from the truth.  Bad breath can be a sign of an infection, oral or otherwise. 

Statistically 80 percent of bad breath comes from something inside of the mouth. The other 20 percent is likely caused by a respiratory infection.  If you are not feeling well and have constant bad breath you should call your physician to see if you need to be taking medication.  A lingering sinus infection is one of the health issues that can lead to bad breath and it can easily be treated with a course of antibiotics. 

If you are otherwise in good health, your bad breath is caused by an oral health or hygiene issue.  This is something your dentist can directly help you with.  At Old Town Dentistry we recommend that patients have their teeth cleaned at least twice a year.  This allows our dental hygienist to remove lingering bacteria and plaque from on and in between teeth as well as along the gum line.  Bacteria and plaque can create a foul smelling odor, especially when trapped in between teeth.  This is partly why flossing is so important removing bacteria and plaque which will greatly reduce bad breath.  

After your teeth cleaning our dentist will inspect your teeth and gums to determine if there are any infections or tooth decay – both can create bad breath.  These are two major oral health issues that may naturally produce a bad smell because they are a sign of something being infected inside of your mouth.  Just like an infection in the rest of your body can create an odor, this can as well. Treating it will help you to feel better along with reducing these symptoms. 

In addition to regular visits to the dentist there are several things you can do to improve your breath at home including:

• Drinking more water.   Saliva is the body’s natural way of washing away bacteria and food particles.  While it doesn’t work 100 percent of the time, it does make a major impact.  So much so that people with little saliva are diagnosed with a condition called dry mouth.  This creates bad breath and puts people at risk for cavities.  You can prevent it by drinking plenty of water. 
• Brushing after meals.  Carry a soft toothbrush with you and use it after eating.  This will remove bacteria, food particles, and any lingering smells created after eating. Even a quick brush will work wonders and make sure to brush your tongue since smells can become trapped there. 
• Flossing every day.  If you want good breath, flossing every day is not negotiable.  To find out if you are flossing enough, use this simple test.  Wash your hands and floss your teeth.  If your fingers stink afterwards it has probably been too long since you flossed.

Implementing a good oral hygiene routine at home and visiting the dentist twice a year will help you decrease your bad breath.  To learn more schedule an appointment with Old Town Dentistry today.

A Dentist Can Identify Early Signs of Oral Cancer

As a local dentist, we help patients to stay in the best possible oral health.  Regular dental examinations and at home preventative care are essential for staying healthy. While, at home, you should brush your teeth after meals, floss, and use an antiseptic mouthwash daily.  When you visit our office we can clean your teeth and gums to remove bacteria and plaque that has built up over time.  This will prevent cavities and gum disease.  We can also look for signs of oral cancer so that if present, you can receive treatments quickly.

Men are at greater risk of oral cancer than women and once a man turns fifty he is at the greatest risk of all.  The American Cancer Society reported that over 35,000 people are diagnosed with oral cancer every year within the United States.  This is a significant number when you consider how little the disease is talked about.  Most people are unaware that this is a common disease and are unsure of what symptoms to watch for.

As a local dentist, we try to educate and inform our patients so that they can watch for signs of oral cancer and schedule appointments quickly if they see something to be concerned about.  There are several signs you can watch for at home including: difficulty swallowing, pain when swallowing, rough patches inside of your mouth, bumps, lumps, sores that won’t heal, and bleeding.  This can all indicate that something is wrong and that you potentially have oral cancer.

A visit to the dentist is the first step in seeing if the symptoms you are experiencing are cancerous or if they are related to other oral health issues such as gum disease.  For example, gum disease can also make your gums bleed and cause pain.  During your dental examination, we will inspect your teeth, gums, and mouth to identify any potential oral health issues that you are experiencing.  If something is identified that appears to be cancerous, you will likely be referred to an oral surgeon so that they can remove a piece of tissue to be tested in the lab.

There are things you can do at home to prevent oral cancer, including:

• Stop chewing tobacco.  Smokeless tobacco products are extremely dangerous for your health.  People that chew tobacco, snuff, or dip are sixty times more likely to get oral cancer.  The increase is staggering.  If you are chewing do whatever you can to quit in order to stay healthy.
• Smoking.  People that smoke cigarettes or cigars have a six times greater chance of being diagnosed with oral cancer.
• Drinking too much.  Drinking alcohol in excess is dangerous for your liver and your mouth.  People that drink too much have a six times greater chance (the same as if they smoked) of getting oral cancer.  Studies are unclear as to what is considered excessive but many doctors agree that over two drinks a day is too much.

If you are worried about your oral health, or want to make sure that you continue to stay healthy, schedule an appointment with our local dentist office.  We will examine your teeth, gums, and mouth to ensure that you are in good health and stay that way. 

Visiting the Dentist While Pregnant

You should visit the dentist twice during your pregnancy to have your teeth examined and cleaned.  When you are pregnant, the hormonal changes put you at greater risk of developing gum disease and cavities.  This can be prevented by having your dental office remove plaque and bacteria from your teeth and gum line.  Your body is working hard to create a child, untreated oral health issues are an unnecessary complication.

Many medical professionals believe that the healthier you are during pregnancy; the healthier your baby will be when they are born and throughout early life.  There are steps you can take to be as healthy as possible including visiting your medical doctor regularly and having your teeth cleaned.  We also recommend that you eat and drink the additional nutrients you need to stay in good health.  This includes loading up on calcium, water, green leafy vegetables, fruits, protein, and more. You should also take a calcium supplement along with your prenatal vitamins to keep your teeth and bones strong both during and after pregnancy.

As a dentist, we get calls from pregnant women wondering if seeing the dentist is safe during pregnancy. It is absolutely safe.  We do ask that patients inform us of their pregnancy so that we can make appropriate adjustments to their treatment plan.  We will not use anything or do anything that could be harmful to your or your child.  Instead, teeth cleanings will actually help you and your child to be in better health.  Our office is safe, family friendly, and comfortable.  Our staff will walk you through the process and answer any questions that you may have so that you can feel relaxed during your dental treatments.

We recommend that during your pregnancy you pay extra attention to your oral healthy by brushing after every meal and flossing daily. This will remove most of the bacteria and plaque that tries to form in your mouth.  As an additional precaution, you should rinse your mouth with an antiseptic mouthwash daily.  This will kill much of the bacteria that remains.  As a final precaution, having your teeth cleaned will remove plaque and tartar that you were unable to remove on your own.  These steps will help to prevent cavities, tooth decay, and gum disease from forming.

After Your Baby is Born

We also treat children.  When your baby is born, we can become the dental care provider that your entire family sees.  This is both convenient and provides continuity of care that can help your family to stay healthy throughout the years.

When your baby starts to form their first tooth, you should buy a rubber toothbrush and use it on their gums and teeth.  The pressure will provide relief from pain and it will keep their teeth and gums healthy.  As they grow, you can use a child toothbrush and toothpaste.  An electric one will make the job even easier.  Once you baby has turned one year old you should bring them in for their first trip to the dentist.  Practicing good oral health now will help them stay healthy into adulthood. 

Visit a Dentist Instead of Going to the ER for Your Dental Emergencies

Many people think of the ER and not the dentist when they get hurt.  While the emergency room has its place, ER doctors do not treat conditions related to your teeth.  You could end up waiting in the lobby for hours only to be told to call your family dentist to assist with your emergency.

Even though standard office hours end in the early evening, we are happy to help patients in an emergency.  If we don’t answer the phone, leave a message, state your emergency, and we will call you back as quickly as possible.

There are several reasons you may need to see a dentist immediately.  These include:

·         Severe toothache.  If you are in a lot of pain, it is important to give us a call.  This is likely a sign of tooth decay, a cavity, or a massive bacterial infection. These symptoms will not abate on their own because you need to address what is causing them.  We can treat you quickly and help you to enjoy a pain free life.

·         Pus is coming out of your tooth.  When a bacterial infection enters the inner portion of your tooth, known as the dental pulp, and infects your root system, your body could respond by generating pus.  The pus needs somewhere to go so a hole will develop in your tooth and pus will drain out of it.  If you notice anything along these lines you probably need an emergency root canal to prevent the infection from spreading.

·         A tooth falls out.  Whether playing baseball or in an auto accident, it is fairly common for teeth to be knocked out.  When this happens you can try to save the tooth by placing it into a glass of milk.  Bring it with you so that our dentist can try to reattach it.  If that doesn’t work, we can provide you with a dental implant to replace the tooth.

·         Chipped tooth.  If your tooth is bumped into or hit, you could end up with a chipped or broken tooth.  When this is the case, we can correct the problem quickly so that your roots are not left exposed.

·         Auto accident.  If you’re in a car wreck and bump your mouth, it could lead to loose teeth and bleeding.  Visit our office so that we can inspect your tooth and make treatment suggestions.  Your teeth are precious, making it important to maintain them.

You never know when or where a dental emergency will strike.  When it does, it is important to know who to call for fast results.  Old Town Dentistry has an expert staff that welcomes guests with a smile while providing exceptional patient care.  We treat patients of all ages so whether you have a young child that injures a tooth at baseball practice or need emergency care for an elder patients; we have the staff, tools and equipment needed to get the job done right.

There are many reasons to see a dentist.  It is important to visit the right one.  Old Town Dentistry has an excellent reputation for providing excellent care.  Call us today to experience it for yourself!

Your Dentist Can Treat TMJ Disorders

If you are suffering from TMJ our family dentist can help.  TMJ can be extremely painful and even in patients with mild symptoms it is at best uncomfortable.  There is no need to live with the pain when you can receive treatment from our highly qualified team.

Temporomandibular joint disorders, commonly known as TMJ, occurs when there is poor function or mobility in the jaw joint or muscles. Light TMJ will cause sharp, stabbing pains through your jaw joint when you bite down hard or are eating crunchy foods.  This is a nuisance that can make it difficult to eat even you favorite foods. Eventually with exercise and changing your eating habits the pain could subside but this is not a guarantee.

More severe TMJ requires medical treatment from an experienced dentist.  It can make even talking painful and eating is especially hard to do.  People with severe TMJ find that it negatively impacts almost all areas of life. 

Do I have TMJ?

There are signs you can watch for to determine if you have the disorder.  These include:

• ·         Jaw locking
• ·         Popping noise in your jaw
• ·         Headache
• ·         Neck ache
• ·         Pain in the jaw or face
• ·         Stiff jaw muscles
• ·         Pain when you chew
• ·         Change in your bite between your upper and lower teeth

The National Institute of Health estimates that TMJ affects over 10 million Americans so if you are experiencing these symptoms, you are not alone. 

There are several ways to treat TMJ.  These include:

• ·         Gently stretching your jaw muscles.
• ·         Apply moist heat or a cold cloth to the painful area.
• ·         Don’t chew gum, yawn, or sing loudly.
• ·         Use pain medication in moderation.
• ·         Muscle relaxers can assist with helping you to not tighten the jaw.

These treatment options will help you to manage the pain but they don’t do enough to prevent TMJ or to reverse the problem in the first place.  That is why you need to seek treatment from a dentist.  A traditional doctor can prescribe muscle relaxers but they won’t be able to treat the root of the problem, which is necessary for a long term solution.  As a family dentist we routinely recommend having a custom mouth guard created.  A large cause of TMJ is the jaw locking or teeth grinding at night.  This can even cause the jaw to slip out of place.  A customized mouth guard will prevent jaw lock and the top and bottom teeth from touching each other.  This simple treatment can make the difference between waking up in agony or being able to go through your day with minimal pain.

Patients may also benefit from teeth straightening like Invisalign but extreme measures like surgery must be weighed with caution and explored as a last result only.  If you are experiencing any of these symptoms your first stop needs to be our family dentist office.  We will give you a thorough examination, determine the root cause, and provide treatment solutions.  Contact us today to schedule your dental examination and step onto the road of recovery.

How Our Dentist Treats Hyperdontia

Hyperdontia is a condition that needs to be treated by a dentist.  It is when people have too many teeth, or supernumerary teeth, in addition to the teeth they, actually need.  There are cases where an extra tooth or two appear, and others where an entire extra set of teeth come in.  Both can cause extreme discomfort and require treatment by your family dentist.

A child is supposed to have twenty primary (baby) teeth.  As those fall out they should be replaced with thirty-two permanent teeth.  If you end up with additional teeth forming, you should contact your family dentist and schedule an appointment.

What causes Hyperdontia?

It may be hereditary so if you suffered from it, your children may, as well. Other studies have found that environmental reasons can contribute to the formation of supernumerary teeth.  In other words, scientist don’t know the exact cause of hyperdontia.  When these additional teeth develop they are believed to form from the tooth bud either splitting or a second tooth bud forming near the original one. These cases occur more often with permanent teeth than with baby teeth, yet it is still important to look for any additional formations during your dental exam.  It is also unlikely for additional molars to form, though this does happen in rare cases.

How many people suffer from this?

Approximately four percent of the population will end up with too many teeth.  Most often, it will be one or two extra teeth that can easily be removed.

What are the risks of having too many teeth?

Sometimes, the additional teeth won’t break through the gums but continue to prevent other permanent teeth from coming in.  There interference with the development of a patients normal set of teeth can cause discomfort and an inconvenience as your teeth are needed for eating and speaking clearly.

How is hyperdontia treated?

If the extra teeth break through the surface, they can be pulled.  If they are under the surface and causing other teeth not to break through, they may need to be removed surgically.  Not every case requires treatment.  If the extra tooth is not interfering with anything or causing any pain, you may elect to leave it in place.

As a family dentist, we treat patients of all ages and recommend that children start having dentist checkups a young as one years of age.  This lets us monitor their teeth and identify any potential problems like hyperdontia.  By identifying issues early, we can create a treatment plan that involves parents and prevents any unnecessary pain or discomfort.

Those that suffer from any dental abnormalities or conditions need to make sure that they take the time to properly care for their teeth.  By brushing at least twice a day, flossing regularly, drinking plenty of water, and having fluoride treatments you can keep your teeth strong and avoid tooth decay. 

Our general dentist office treats patients of all ages and works to prevent oral health problems through ongoing treatment and patient education.  Contact us today to schedule your appointment and stay on the path to good oral health