January 18th, 2012 —
Dreams of tooth loss are very common. In general, teeth are symbols of our aggressiveness or “bite”. Like the saying goes, ” I can’t get my teeth into that”, which means I have little control over that particular situation.
If you dream about losing your teeth in general, it is associated with “loss” in general–such as our youth, vitality, etc. It’s been said that a dream about a rotten tooth is a symbol of our painful feelings that keep aching until we find relief. This can be an unresolved conflict with another. False teeth clearly indicate fear of losing one’s true self.
Losing teeth may also mean you are nervous about saying something to someone you know you should, but are afraid.
Although the symbolic meanings are very possible, it may actually be that you are having a dental problem for which your conscious mind is not aware!!
If you haven’t seen a dentist in a while, then pay attention to that dream and come see me!
November 7th, 2011 —
Myth: Silver fillings are stronger than white fillings.
Truth: Silver (amalgam) fillings can actually weaken the supporting structure over time. Because the amalgam compound isn’t physically bonded to the tooth, like white fillings are, the filling flexes against the enamel under the forces of biting pressure. The filling, over time, creates micro-cracks that can lead to tooth fractures. Tooth-colored fillings (small sized composite fillings and larger porcelain ones and derivatives), when done successfully, are less likely to cause such problems. The issue of how the filling wears over time is another subject and is influenced by a person’s bite, habits, diet and home-care.
September 27th, 2011 —
A 38 year old professional man came to my office asking me to enhance his smile. The fact that his hand covered his mouth during our initial meeting spoke volumes about his self-consciousness. He confessed that his feelings about his smile were adversely affecting his social and business life. I gently asked him to envision not only what a beautiful smile would look like on HIMSELF, but to also envision a life where self confidence replaced embarrassment. This became a very powerful exercise for him and ultimately motivated him to make the best decision for his smile, dental health, and confidence. Through a careful smile assessment, we were able to identify his specific cosmetic goals: vastly improved alignment, straighter, longer, more proportioned, and brighter teeth, and the elimination of the “dark triangles” of space between the teeth, along the gum line. While it was possible to achieve his cosmetic goals with restorative dentistry alone, we discussed the advantages of beginning the process with adult orthodontics. By moving his teeth into ideal position, we could insure the benefits of long-term stability of the jaw joint, muscles, gums, bone support, and teeth. After completion of 16 months of orthodontics, we began the process of designing and building a smile that would belong on his face with his coloring and features. A combination of all porcelain crowns and laminates on his upper and lower front teeth successfully transformed him from the outside in, and the inside, out! His hands no longer cover his mouth and he smiles at the drop of a hat!!
September 12th, 2011 —
These are times in life when uncertainty gives us the opportunity to look beyond our own circumstances and address the needs of others. As the uncertainty of financial security looms large, it seems that everyone is affected, and is concerned about their futures. In the spirit of being of service to others, one of the things I thought I could do to help my patients and their loved ones, is to give some counsel about keeping your dental expenses down for the length of the economic downturn. I offer this advice purely in the spirit of helping you, help yourself. Although some of this is good common sense, I know from personal experience that sometimes our common sense fades in the face of stress. I hope this will give you new insights to help you improve your health and save you money in the long run.
“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”. This mighty maxim is the backbone for health, period. Every single minute you invest in dental health pays a dividend. You just can’t overdo prevention. The costs of dental treatment, like cost of living, increases over time. Therefore, keeping healthy on a daily basis not only hedges against disease in the future, but keeps the cost of future dental expenses at bay. Prevention can be enhanced in following all the home care instructions that I have reinforced in your continuing care (check-up) appointments. Choosing to miss a check-up appointment because nothing hurts and/or you want to save the cost of the appointment, my create a situation in which the cost of having more conservative treatment (and less costly) is not available to you down the road. Too often we think that because we are not having any discomfort, there isn’t anything wrong. This is not only untrue, but dangerous thinking. At the point of discomfort, the damage has progressed far enough that treatment needed to fix the problem is now more invasive and complicated, the costs are greater, and the favorable long term prognosis is diminished. So, brush, floss, keep your check-up appointments, wear your protective guard (if one has been prescribed for you), brush, and floss and rinse some more, and if you have even the slightest discomfort, make an appointment to see me!!
September 7th, 2011 —
Myth: If my gums recede around my teeth, the gums will eventually grow back.
Truth: Getting “long in the tooth” is usually caused by one of 3 things –recession due to bone loss around the tooth from periodontal disease, mechanically from aggressive tooth brushing, and orthodontic treatment. Gums do not “grow back” into place no matter how clean you keep your mouth. Gum tissue around the tooth acts like a gasket to keep bacteria away from the supporting jawbone, so it’s important beyond just the esthetic problem. Gum tissue can be surgically grafted onto the root surface to increase the amount of gum tissue coverage and make the tooth look more natural.
August 31st, 2011 —
Myth: Young children don’t need to see a dentist unless they have a specific problem because it’s too early to determine what is going on with their teeth and they can’t tolerate it anyway.
Truth: Infants as young as a year old should definitely be seen by a dentist if they have a specific problem with a “baby tooth”. Common problems include trauma to the teeth and/or face from a fall, tooth decay from inadequate supervision of diet and brushing, and developmental defects of the tooth enamel. Premature loss of baby teeth can have real consequences for the child’s future dental, jaw and facial development. Every child develops differently and it’s up to the parent to determine the specific needs for evaluation by a dental professional, based on the child’s behavior, mental status, sociability and assumed level of health. Some children can wait until age 4, but sometimes an earlier visit to the dentist can give you that proverbial pound of cure. Speak to your dentist about your infant’s dental needs. There are things to do even before the baby starts teething!
August 10th, 2011 —
Myth: Infections in my mouth can just be treated with antibiotics.
Truth: Infections are a body’s way of communicationg it is under attack. It’s a bold “HELP ME!” Antibiotics can play a vital role in controlling the symptoms (pain, swelling, fever) and altering the course of healing by giving it the ammunition it needs to alter the attack on cells of the mouth. The antibiotic will usually, in short order, make you feel better. BUT, the cause of the infection (an infected wisdom tooth that can’t be properly cleaned, gum disease that hasn’t been controlled, or a tooth’s nerve in the process of dying) must be treated by a professional. Without such treatment, the likelihood that the infection will occur with a vengeance is more than probable. So, listen to what your body is telling you and take care of the source of the problem. Your mouth and heart will thank you.
August 3rd, 2011 —
Myth: I have bad breath because of acid reflux. Listerine and Nexium are the only things that take care of it.
Truth: Although there is evidence that excessive stomach acid may produce a release of undesirable and noxious gases that can be perceived as bad breath, the predominate case of bad breath is from what’s going on in your mouth. The odor of bad breath is offensive because of the presence of sulphur compounds that are created when colonies of bacteria digest simple sugars. It takes a perfect oral “trifecta” for the creation of all the unhealthy compounds that alter oral health–there must be all 3!–a host (your mouth), plus plaque (organized bacteria) and a food source (un-removed simple sugars or starches). So, while a visit to a gastroenterologist and/or nutritionist may help reduce or elimate the need for Nexium, be sure you get evaluated for the presence of gum disease. The Listerine is only masking the larger and smellier problem.
June 22nd, 2011 —
Why are crooked teeth a problem? Teeth that aren’t aligned create what dentists call “malocclusion” or “bad bite”. Left untreated, malocclusion can lead to periodontal disease and create abnormal stresses on the teeth and jaws, which may lead to malfunctioning of the jaw joint, tooth fractures and premature wear. Straight, properly aligned teeth can help you avoid these negative effects. Achieving properly aligned teeth is much more than enhancing your appearance–it’s a true HEALTH benefit!!
April 27th, 2011 —
Myth: If I have an infection, it only affects my mouth and nothing else.
Truth: The mouth is in communication with the rest of the body. Infections of the mouth, when left untreated, have the capacity to affect the health of other organs–namely the heart, lungs, and pancreas. Furthermore, recent and well- documented studies have shown that people with untreated periodontal disease, combined with a family history of cardiovascular disease, are 5 times more likely to develop a stroke. So, dental disease and infections are truly serious issues. Put your money where your mouth is.
