All I Want For Christmas Is...

See what happens when a patient travels hundreds of miles to see the only dentist that was willing to help her. After driving for hours, and only have just met her new dentist, she gets the surprise of a lifetime.

Whiter Teeth May Bring More Employment Opportunities

If you are looking for a job in your area, you may be surprised to learn that having a brilliant smile can greatly factor into an employer’s decision to hire you. The condition of your teeth can tell a prospective employer a lot about you, and you may be surprised to learn what stained teeth can give away.

Tall-Tale Sign of Smoking

Any dentist will tell you that smoking is terrible for your teeth. The nicotine and tar will dull the enamel, and the smoke can dry out your gums. This dryness can also lead to tooth decay. If a potential employer sees that you smoke, you may be passed over in favor of a non-smoking applicant. The cost of healthcare for smokers is higher, making many employers leery of hiring them. Whitening your teeth can erase the signs of smoking, which can give you an advantage with employers who may be put off by your tobacco use.

Coffee Addiction

While considered less-dangerous than a cigarette habit, some employers may be disgusted by teeth stained by coffee. This is especially true among companies that maintain an image of natural living and healthy diets, such as supplement companies or businesses that deal in organics. Health spas and retreats that tout relaxation and herbal remedies may also not be forgiving about a coffee addiction. Don’t let your java habit keep you from landing the job of your dreams! Have your teeth whitened and avoid judgement about your choice of beverages.

Concerns About Hygiene

Some workplaces have had to deal with employees who were not fastidious about hygiene in the past. This can lead hiring managers to note the condition of your teeth, fingernails and hair cut to assess how well you maintain your body. While many people have stained teeth despite good habits, you may find yourself losing job career opportunities based on the assumption that your hygiene isn’t meticulous.

Lack of Confidence

Even if a hiring manager isn’t looking at your teeth consciously, he or she may assume you aren’t confident if your teeth are dull or stained. A brilliant white smile exudes good health and confidence, which can make an unconscious impression on everyone you meet. When you are trying to land a job, these qualities are important.

Prospective employers notice every detail about potential employees. At ties, these judgments can form negative impressions that can outshine your stellar qualifications. If you are concerned that stained, dull teeth may be holding you back from getting a dream job, talk to your dentist. He or she may have a solution that will give you a confident, dazzling smile to wear for your interviews.

A Family Dental Care Center: Dr. Seth Rosen

2030 West Main St.

Jeffersonville, PA 19403

Tip of the Week: Mouthwash the Forgotten Dental Fighter

Are you thinking about adding mouthwash to your daily dental routine? These days, Americans are focused on a white smile, and use chemicals to keep their teeth sparkling. However, mouthwash should be on the list of dental priorities as well. With a little bit of insight from a dentist, you will see why dentists all seem to unanimously agree on this unique product.

The world’s oldest mouthwash

Pliny the Elder, who lived during the time shortly after Jesus Christ died, regularly recommended Romans to use a mouthwash made from salt and water. Today, we are learning that this ancient technique is one of the most effective methods that you can use without buying a bottled mouthwash product. In addition to helping to keep your mouth clean, a saltwater rinse can also have a positive effect on your gums. A saline rinse is also highly recommended after oral surgery.

There is more to your mouth than teeth

It is easy to get swept away with the idea that the only thing you should protect in your mouth is your teeth. Nevertheless, the things that hold your teeth in place are just as vital. In other words, if you do not have gums, you cannot have teeth that feel comfortable enough to eat with. Having bad gums is called periodontal disease, and poor dental hygiene is one of the primary causes. Although avoiding smoking and regular brushing are keys, another way to keep gums healthy is with mouthwash.

Using mouthwash as a dental mouthpiece cleaner

Do you have dentures or another type of plastic dental mouthpiece? Whether you are using dental devices to make your teeth straight or keep them from getting knocked out during a football game, you will need to make sure they stay hygienic. One of the simplest ways to do this is by submerging a mouth guard or invisible braces in mouthwash overnight.

Rinsing away Alzheimer’s disease?

Research has shown that mouthwash does more than fight dental problems. For instance, poor dental hygiene has a significant impact on promoting non-oral issues such as Alzheimer’s disease. Mouthwash is not directly linked to preventing Alzheimer’s, but having a clean mouth is. Interestingly, there have also been moves toward making a mouthwash that can prevent Alzheimer’s.

Regardless, mouthwash has few scientific claims to greatness other than reducing bad breath, killing bacteria and getting the grit out of your teeth. With these benefits alone, it is clear that including mouthwash in your daily routine is going to do more good than harm.

A Family Dental Care Center: Dr. Seth Rosen

2030 West Main St.

Jeffersonville, PA 19403

Clean Teeth Can Prevent Serious Illness

Many people make the mistake of not caring for their teeth properly; this mistake can lead to a lot more than bad breath. Skipping visits to the dentist can lead to serious health problems. Even if you brush your teeth on a regular basis, it is still important to regularly schedule visits to your dentist.

Dangerous bacteria grow in your mouth; these bacteria can only be removed when you receive a professional cleaning. If left to multiply, the bacteria can lead to a variety of health problems:

Heart Problems

If you suffer from gingivitis or from periodontitis, then you are almost twice as likely to have problems with coronary artery disease. Researchers speculate that this occurs when the harmful bacteria from your mouth enters your bloodstream; once in your bloodstream, the bacteria attaches itself to fatty deposits in your heart. When the bacteria attaches itself, it causes inflammation and raises your risk of having a heart attack.

Memory Problems

Visiting your dentist can help your memory. Studies have been done that show a definitive link between people who have poor oral health and those who experience dementia.

The bad bacteria in your mouth can travel through cranial nerves that are connected to your jaw; once the bacteria infects your nerves, then it travels directly to your brain. Just like it does in your arteries, the bacteria cause plaque in your brain; this can lead to memory loss and Alzheimer’s.

Blood Sugar

Research shows that people with diabetes are more likely to suffer from periodontal disease. This research shows that people who don’t take care of their teeth properly have a hard time regulating their blood sugar.

If you visit your dentist regularly, you help your body regulate blood sugar; you also may help stave off diabetes. A simple visit to your dentist can help your body maintain homeostasis; in the long-run this will help you maintain a healthy weight and will keep you healthy.

Skipping Dentist Visits Can Hurt Fertility

Many studies have been done on women who are trying to give birth to a child. These studies seem to show that women who are trying to get pregnant take an average of seven months longer if they do not take care of their teeth. In these studies, it was found that gum disease has negative effects on the bodies of women who are trying to give birth.

These studies also showed that women with gum disease were much more likely to suffer from a miscarriage. It seems that the nasty bacteria in your mouth can travel through your bloodstream and affect your fertility.

It can be tempting to skip a visit to your dentist. Unfortunately, skipping an appointment can be a lot worse for you than most people realize. If you are diligent about your dental visits, then you help your body fight off nasty bacteria and germs that can lead to health problems down the road. When it comes to oral care, a little preventative maintenance can go a long way.

A Family Dental Care Center: Dr. Seth Rosen

2030 West Main St.

Jeffersonville, PA 19403

Flossing – Taking Care of Your Teeth!

Flossing is an essential oral health practice. When you brush your teeth correctly and consistently, a lot of dental plaque is removed. However, there are some areas that your toothbrush is not able to reach no matter how hard you try – e.g. in-between your teeth. Therefore, you need to apply floss on such areas to get rid of plaque properly.

Flossing does more than getting rid of plaque from the areas of your teeth where the toothbrush cannot reach. It also helps to put bad breath under control, polish the surfaces of your tooth, and gets rid of debris that stick to the teeth and gum.

Achieving Effective Flossing

For flossing teeth to be effective, it is recommended that you do it daily, at least once every day. Also, it should last for about 2 – 3 minutes each time. Also, you must floss correctly.

Choosing Your Floss

Your choice of floss should be one that you are very comfortable using. The type of floss you use does not matter, the most important thing is for you to floss and achieve the oral benefits of flossing. One of the best ways to fight plaque and the oral issues that come with it is regular and consistent flossing.

The varieties of dental floss to choose from include;

• Flavored

• unflavored

• waxed

• unwaxed

• wide and regular Flossing Techniques for Adults

Usually, a dentist would demonstrate flossing methods for you to follow. There are various flossing methods, and any of the under-listed methods can be used by an adult;

• The Loop Technique: This flossing technique is also referred to as the circle method. To begin, take a piece of floss about 18 inches, then knot it in a circle securely. Subsequently, place your entire fingers within the loop, with the exception of your thumb. Next, direct the floss through your lower teeth using the index finger, while directing the floss through your upper teeth with the thumbs; ensure that you exceed the gumline, until a ‘C’ shape is formed on the tooth’s sides.

• The Spool Technique; another name for the spool method is the finger-wrap method. To start flossing with this technique, get a piece of floss ready, the same length used in the loop method (18 inches). Taking hold of the floss, wrap each side lightly around your middle fingers several times.

Subsequently, manipulate the floss in-between your teeth tactfully while your index fingers and thumbs assume an upward and downward motion. Ensure that the motion is not side-to-side. The most excellent way is to make the floss go up and down, going beyond the gumline, and eventually assuming a ‘C’ shape on each tooth’s side.

More Flossing Tips or how to floss teeth

If you are just starting out to floss, flossing tools like the floss holder or a prethreaded flosser could be quite helpful; this is also the case with someone trying to floss a child or disabled person’s teeth. Again, those suffering limited dexterity either on their hands or arms will find dental floss tools (e.g. floss holder) quite useful.

Bear in mind that flossing and tooth brushing cannot be substituted with irrigating devices like toothpicks. Irrigating devices could possibly work well around braces that keep back food particles, or sections of the teeth that cannot be reached with a toothbrush. However, the fact remains that they are not able to get rid of plaque, and therefore cannot substitute flossing and brushing.

Additional Information

As part of dental hygiene routine, flossing is a practice of using a piece of dental floss – about 18-20 inches long to get rid of food remains or particles between the teeth. Flossing should accompany tooth brushing to help get rid of plaque that the toothbrush alone could not remove completely. Flossing cannot substitute tooth brushing; so ensure that you brush your teeth daily and also floss at least once every day.

If you are not flossing regularly and consistently, you are endangering your oral health. Food particles and plaque hiding out between your teeth and below your gumline can cause tooth decay or gum disease over time if not removed.

Therefore, flossing is not optional as many people erroneously believe, it is a necessary aspect of oral hygiene that should be adhered to properly.

Your oral health must be at optimum always; therefore floss and brush your teeth always, and visit your dentist regularly.

A Family Dental Care Center: Dr. Seth Rosen

2030 West Main St.

Jeffersonville, PA 19403

drsethrosen.com

Why Don’t My Dentures Seem To Fit Anymore?

Dentures can change a person’s life for the better, making it easier to eat and improving a person’s smile. However, while dentures are a durable dental appliance that should provide years of use, there are some things that can happen to make a denture no longer fit properly. A poor fitting denture can make eating and even talking uncomfortable and lead to soreness and injury in the mouth. Here is a look at some of things that can cause an ill-fitting denture.

Jaw Changes

Over time, a person’s jawbone may begin to deteriorate due to missing teeth. While wearing dentures can help to prevent this, some change may still occur. As the jawbone deteriorates, it will change the shape of the mouth causing dentures to no longer fit properly. Even without missing teeth, the jaw’s shape and size may change over time due to normal changes related to aging. These changes can also cause a denture to no longer fit. Gum disease can also cause swelling and other changes in the structure of the mouth and cause problems with the fit of a denture.

Other Health Problems

A variety of health issues can develop in the mouth and cause a denture to not match the mouth. Health problems can also cause sore spots in the mouth that make it uncomfortable to wear the dentures as the denture may press against a sore place in the mouth. Calluses can even develop under a denture that moves slightly. As the callus becomes larger, it can cause the denture to fit more poorly and become uncomfortable.

Denture Damage

Over time, dentures can wear or break. A worn denture can become too flexible causing it to move inside the mouth. A broken denture will likewise cause the denture to fit poorly. A denture that is not properly cared for can develop deposits on the surface of the denture that can cause the denture to not lay flat against the mouth.

Solution

Regardless of the cause of an ill-fitting denture, the solution to the problem is to visit a dentist to have a dental checkup and to have the denture inspected. The dentist can determine the cause of the problem and the proper course of action to make a correction. In most cases, a simple relining of the denture can be performed to make the denture fit the natural changes in the mouth. In the event of more serious changes, a new denture may be needed to correct the problem. If a health problem is causing the denture to fit improperly, the dentist can address this problem as well.

If you or someone you know has a denture that no longer fits well, contact us to see how we can help.

A Family Dental Care Center: Dr. Seth Rosen

2030 West Main St.

Jeffersonville, PA 19403

drsethrosen.com

Steps To Prevent Cavities or Worse

Often times there is not a fundamental understanding how cavities are formed and how they can be prevented.

So I want to take a moment and quickly discuss how a cavity is formed.

It all starts with a substance we call plaque. Plaque is a sticky, invisible film that builds up on your teeth, between your teeth, on your gums, and under your gums.

Plaque can be removed by brushing your teeth and flossing and by your hygienist when you visit every 6 months. If the plaque is left alone, it will combine with bacteria from the food you eat and beverages you drink and form an acid that eats away at your teeth.

Eventually, this acid can destroy enough of the tooth to create the dreaded cavity! Again the easiest way to prevent this is by brushing your teeth and flossing and by having hygienist clean your teeth every 6 months. This makes sure that both the plaque and the food buildup are removed regularly so that evil acid can’t form.

If you do however get a dental cavity and don’t get it treated it can lead to an abscessed tooth. For the average person, if you have an abscess, or infected, tooth, you should get in contact with your local dentist immediately.

But some of you out there are a little more strong willed and take drugs to minimize the pain just so you don’t have to go to the family dentist. Let me tell you now, if you do that, things may only get worse.  The dental infection in your tooth can lead to an dental infection in your gums call Gingivitis, which I am sure you have heard of. But did you know that Gingivitis can lead to a worse dental infection called Periodontitis which is significantly worse.

If you get Periodontitis, your gums may separate from your teeth and your teeth may become loose or out of alignment. Then, the dental infection may travel to the bone that supports your teeth and gradually that bone will begin to dissolve.

So although you might think you can live with the pain, things will only get worse if you don’t go to your dentist and get it taken care of.

A Family Dental Care Center: Dr. Seth Rosen

2030 West Main St.

Jeffersonville, PA 19403

drsethrosen.com

How Do Porcelain Veneers Differ From Dental Crowns?

Dentistry has come a long way since the days of painful drilling and metal fillings. Dentists now not only take care of decay and other interior tooth problems; they perform many cosmetic services to approve tooth appearance. In fact, many dentists now specialize in restoring and maintaining a patient’s beautiful smile.

Not so long ago, porcelain veneers were reserved for actors and the wealthy who could afford to pay for snow white perfect teeth. Now the general population has access to porcelain veneers, meaning a Hollywood smile isn’t limited to California anymore. 

Veneers are thin, carefully shaped porcelain pieces designed to bond to the front surface of a patient’s teeth. They are particularly effective for people with damaged, worn, uneven teeth. The teeth are alive and in reasonable health, so the procedure isn’t to restore mouth health but is intended to create a lovely smile. These veneers can even disguise spacing problems, and, if done correctly, can provide the recipient with years of comfortable use.

Being fitted with veneers only takes a few visits. The surface of the teeth will be prepared so that the porcelain will bond correctly. The pain is minor or non-existent and easily managed by local anesthesia. In about a week, a full set of veneers can be applied.

Dental crowns also serve a cosmetic purpose, but they are used when too much of a tooth has been lost to decay or other problems to properly fill or maintain. Sometimes they are necessary after a root canal. A crown covers the entire tooth and is carefully designed so that the patient’s bite lines up correctly. The process requires several visits because molds have to be made and the piece ordered. Crowns help with the physical aspects of talking and chewing, so they aren’t only cosmetic.

A dentist who has his own ceramist can make the fitting and follow-up easier for both the patient and the dentist, but if the veneers or crowns need to be ordered, the dentist will simply be extra diligent to be sure the appliances will fit. Several adjustments may be necessary on both veneers and crowns, but they should be minor and take very little time.

The result of both appliances is a healthy, beautiful smile that should last for years. For those who have suffered from embarrassment due to an unattractive smile, veneers offer the chance to achieve the dazzling teeth they’ve dreamed of. Those who receive crowns can return their teeth to health while maintaining their appearance. Both are vital tools for your dentist.

A Family Dental Care Center: Dr. Seth Rosen

2030 West Main St.

Jeffersonville, PA 19403

drsethrosen.com

How much radiation do I get from a dental x-ray and how does it compare to other medical procedures?

X-rays have two sides. There’s the good side. X-rays take pictures of all kinds of things inside your body. They help doctors and dentists find out what’s going on, good and bad, and how to treat it. But do x-rays have a bad side? Some people think so. They shudder when the word is mentioned; the word is radiation. It conjures up images of atomic bombs and all sorts of destruction. An x-ray is indeed a type of radiation. Instead of destruction, however, it is an important tool in the diagnosis and treatment of all parts of the human body and that includes teeth.

What is an x-ray? It is energy that takes the form of waves and has the power to go through your body. Why does your dentist x-ray your teeth? If you look at your teeth in a mirror, you see only the surface of the teeth and gums, and that’s all your dentist sees. The dentist uses an x-ray to show up small cavities between the teeth, making them easier and less expensive to fix at that point. In addition, an x-ray allows the dentist to see if you’re due for root canal or a crown. Any growths in the jaw, such as possible tumors, although rare, will show up too.

On average, most people go to the dentist about once a year, perhaps just for a cleaning. How much radiation does a person get for each dental visit that includes an x-ray? Radiation is measured in millirems or mrem. For your typical yearly dental visit, you will be receiving .5 to 3 mrem. How does that stack up against other doses of radiation?

* 1 mrem a year: from smoke detectors
* 5 mrem: one cross-country flight from increased altitude
* 10 mrem a year: cooking with natural (radon) gas
* 10 mrem a year: living in a brick house (radioactive parts of masonry)
* 36 mrem a year: smoking a daily pack of cigarettes

How does radiation exposure in a dental x-ray compare to other medical procedures?

* chest xray: 10 mrem
* mammogram: 40 mrem
* hip x-ray: 65 mrem
* spinal x-ray: 120 mrem
* head scan: 200 mrem

No radiation exposure is completely foolproof and such exposure does accumulate over time. Children may be especially at risk for overexposure. For most people, however, yearly visits to the dentist, even with the small amounts of radiation in an x-ray, seem to be worth the benefits.

A Family Dental Care Center: Dr. Seth Rosen

2030 West Main St. Jeffersonville, PA 19403

drsethrosen.com

Tooth Extractions

A tooth extraction is one of the most distressing dental procedures. A tooth extraction is taking the tooth out of its socket. A dentist will pull the tooth out of the bone.

If tooth decay causes your tooth to become cracked or damaged, the tooth might need to be removed. Your dentist will probably try to repair it with a filling or crown; however, in some cases, the tooth is beyond repair, so it needs to be extracted.

In addition, you might require tooth extraction if you have too many teeth in one area, and your mouth is too crowded. The permanent teeth come in before your baby teeth fall out, so the baby teeth need to be removed or other problems can occur. If you need braces, some teeth might need to be eliminated to make room for the teeth to become straight.

In some instances, individuals who are receiving cancer drugs could develop teeth problems. Radiation or chemotherapy could cause infection in a tooth because the drugs make the immune system weaker. If your teeth become infected, they need to be removed.

One of the most common types of teeth that need to be extracted is wisdom teeth. These teeth can cause pain, or they can become decayed. Sometimes they get impacted in the jaw, which can irritate the gums. Pain and swelling usually occurs, so the tooth needs to be removed.

When your dentist to evaluate your teeth, they will take an x-ray to decide the best way to eliminate the tooth. Before the procedure, he will ask you about your medical and dental history and if you are allergic to any medications. In some cases, antibiotics will be prescribed before the surgery to eliminate the risk of an infection.

The extraction might be able to be a simple extraction, or it might require a surgical extraction. A simple extraction is a tooth that is visible in the mouth. The dentist will loosen the tooth and then take it out using forceps. An injection is usually used to numb the area, and it is a simple procedure.

A surgical extraction is a more difficult procedure. A tooth might be cracked or broken, or it might not be visible yet. The dentist will need to make an incision in your gums to remove the tooth. In some cases, the tooth will need to be cut in half, or some of the bone surrounding the tooth needs to be removed. The dentist might want to give you anesthesia through your vein, or they will give you general anesthesia.

Having problems with your teeth can be a traumatic experience. If you need a tooth extracted, contact us. We will make the procedure as painless as possible, so you can get the damaged tooth out of your mouth and the pain will be gone.

A Family Dental Care Center: Dr. Seth Rosen

2030 West Main St.

Jeffersonville, PA 19403
drsethrosen.com

How To Take Care of Your Dentures

A lot of care and money goes into your dentures, so it’s a good idea to take care of them as much as you can. However, some people simply don’t know how to properly care for their dentures. You can keep your dentures as nice as the day you got them as long as you follow some key denture care tips.

General Cleaning

Dentures should be cleaned on a daily basis to help remove plaque and bacteria buildup from your dentures. Remember, just because they’re not your real teeth doesn’t mean that they don’t need to be clean. Dentures can still get stained and look dirty. In addition, keeping that plaque and bacteria out of your mouth can keep you from getting sick.

To clean your dentures, gently remove them from your mouth and rinse them off. After they’ve been rinsed, gently brush them with a soft bristled toothbrush. It’s better to use a denture cleaning solution to clean them over toothpaste as toothpaste might be too abrasive for your dentures. Scrub them in the same manner that you’d regularly brush your teeth. Brush in tiny circles and remember to scrub the back of the teeth. It’s also a good idea to take this opportunity to gently brush your tongue and gums to prevent bacteria buildup.

In addition to brushing them every day, it’s a good idea to rinse them off after every meal to avoid having food staying on your teeth for too long. Food that stays on your teeth for too long can stick to your teeth and harden. In addition, it may leave stains.

Handle with Care

Dentures are strong, but they will break if dropped or accidentally crushed. When you’re handling your dentures, use a soft towel to handle them and keep a firm grip on them at all times. It’s also a good idea to not leave your dentures in any place where they could accidentally be knocked off, taken or crushed. When your dentures are not in your mouth, they should either be in a soft towel in your hands or in their proper storage place.

Storage

Dentures need moisture in order to ensure that they don’t dry out. Dry dentures can warp and lose their custom shape. If your dentures warp, they might not be able to fit properly in your mouth anymore, which may cause sores on your lips or gums. If they warp too much, you may have to buy new dentures.

Dentures should be stored in a glass or bowl of denture solution or water to prevent them from drying out. If you use water, ensure that the water is cool not hot. Some people believe it’s a good idea to use hot water for denture storage to kill bacteria, but it’s bad for them to soak in it for extended periods of time. The heat could cause the dentures to warp just like hot water in the dishwasher causes some plastic dishes to warp.

Safe Places

Keep your dentures out of reach from pets and children. Pets can easily damage dentures and dogs have been known to chew on them and eat them. Children may accidentally break or damage them by mistaking them for a toy. It’s also a good idea to not leave your dentures in a paper towel after cleaning them to avoid having someone accidentally mistaking them for garbage and throwing them away.

Denture care is not much more different from regular dental care. Just remember to be careful with them and clean them on a regular basis to ensure that they stay clean and undamaged for as long as they can.

A Family Dental Care Center

2030 West Main St.

Jeffersonville, PA 19403

Maintaining Your Teeth Implants

Teeth implants are a modern tooth restoration option, which can be used to replace a single tooth, a range of missing teeth, or a full set of teeth. Commonly also referred to as dental implants, teeth implants are small screws made of titanium, which can act as substitutes for the root portion of natural teeth.

Dental implants are fitted into the jawbone, after the drilling of a tiny hole. During the healing period, bone grows around the dental implants, effectively fusing with them, which enables prosthetic teeth to be later anchored to them. Prosthetic teeth are usually made of porcelain, which together with an abutment, are attached to the teeth implants, once the healing process has progressed sufficiently.

Looking after your new dental implants

The long term success of teeth implants depends largely on proper dental care and maintenance. Dental implants are known for their longevity, and can last an entire lifetime, if properly cared for. They require the same care as a patient’s natural teeth, including brushing, flossing and regular dental check-ups. Failure to maintain good dental care can result in the dental implants not lasting as long as they potentially could due to the development of complications.

Below are some tips for taking care of dental implants:

•    Practice good dental hygiene: Dentists often tell patients to brush their teeth regularly. Once teeth implants are placed, it becomes even more important to practice proper dental hygiene to prevent bacterial infections. Such infections might weaken the gums and cause the jawbone to recede, which may result in the dental implants coming loose or falling off.

•    Regular visits to your dentist:  Individuals with teeth implants should visit their dentist at least twice a year, about five months apart. At these visits, the implants should be checked, to ensure that they remain in good condition.

•    Avoid smoking: Smoking is known to negatively affect the blood flow around the gums and teeth, which impairs healing, and increases the potential for bone loss.

A Family Dental Care Center: Dr. Seth Rosen

2030 West Main St.

Jeffersonville, PA 19403

drsethrosen.com

Difference between Silver and White Fillings

Cavities are a very common dental problem that nearly everyone has had to deal with at some point in their lives. Cavities are exactly what they sound like they are: holes that appear in teeth due to decay. These can cause serious problems unless they can be filled by a dentist. Bacteria can gain access to the interior structure of a tooth through a cavity and cause further damage which can become severe and virtually irreparable over time. Fortunately, there are relatively simple methods that a dentist can use to fill cavities in teeth.

Most dental professionals opt to use fillings to fill cavities in teeth. A filling is a tiny object that fits into a cavity and restores a damaged tooth to its original state. A filling can be made from any number of materials, but most of the time fillings are either white or silver. Few people realize that there are differences between silver and white fillings, and in many ways there aren’t many all that many differences beyond simple aesthetics.

Silver fillings are generally less expensive and more common than white fillings. These fillings are also known as amalgam fillings, and their high metal content makes them idea for withstanding stronger bite forces. These fillings are generally used for back teeth for this very reason. They can sometimes be more noticeable because of their metallic appearance, so many people do not think of them as a very good aesthetic choice. They are also more rigid and require retention grooves to be made in the tooth before placement, which means more of the tooth must be removed. This weakens the tooth and generally makes for a more complex and unpleasant procedure.

White fillings are made from an acrylic and glass composite,which is why they are often referred to as composite fillings. They are more natural looking, making them popular for aesthetic reasons alone. They also harden quickly and bond directly to teeth, meaning that patients who opt for these fillings do not have to worry so much about damaging them or their teeth shortly after placement.

A Family Dental Care Center: Dr. Seth Rosen

2030 West Main St.

Jeffersonville, PA 19403

drsethrosen.com

Three Common Teeth Grinding Causes

Why is it important to know about the causes of teeth grinding? This is an all encompassing matter and a lot of people have it without even recognizing it. As you age, you often times have additional dental issues, and teeth grinding can be an instigator of this. Once you notice you are doing this, it’s effortless to come across an approach for stopping it. To make this simpler, we will now go over some typical teeth grinding instigators.  Stress and anxiety are one the most common causes for teeth grinding.

Everybody deals with stress differently but when you are tense emotionally, your body is usually tense as well and lots of times this tension is “stored” in the jaw. Lots of times, people aren’t even aware that they are grinding their teeth. Sadly, stress can cause teeth grinding while people sleep and that is a much harder habit to stop.This is why dentists and doctors will often prescribe mouth guards for nighttime wear, but it is still unclear as to whether or not this is an effective method of treatment.

If you are grinding your teeth because you are stressed out it is very important that you treat the cause of your stress as well as the actual grinding of your teeth. A condition that is connected to teeth grinding is TMJ, or temporalmandibular joint pain. This causes achiness or tightness in the jaw and also brings about teeth grinding. TMJ has many causes, including arthritis, bad posture or overworking the muscles during physical labor or exercise. All of these, then, can also be indirect causes of teeth grinding.

If you are putting up with TMJ, your physician or dentist will mention a specialist who has experience curing this issue. If this is the situation, ridding yourself of TMJ will almost certainly also treat your teeth grinding. TMJ is a dilemma, which has been receiving increased awareness lately and health professionals are recognizing more operative strategies for treating it. Sometimes teeth grinding is caused by worms like intestinal parasites and pin worms.

This happens more often in countries where there isn’t a lot of good drinking water but it can also happen elsewhere. In fact, some alternative health practitioners believe that parasites are far more prevalent than is commonly believed, and this can cause a variety of symptoms, aside from teeth grinding. There are medical tests that can determine if this is a problem, so if you suspect you or someone in your family grinds their teeth because of worms or parasites, it’s best to get tested for this.

Parasites can cause a lot of big problems but there are lots of ways to get rid of them once they have been found in your system. Teeth grinding is a habit that may not seem serious, but in the long run it can cause many problems with the teeth and gums. When you have correctly identified the reason for this bad habit, do everything you can to break it. The causes of teeth grinding discussed in this article have all been accepted by experts but the exact cause is sometimes hard to figure out.

A Family Dental Care Center: Dr. Seth Rosen

2030 West Main St.

Jeffersonville, PA 19403

drsethrosen.com

Are Electric Toothbrushes Better Than Manual Brushes?

The goals of brushing your teeth are to prevent soft plaque from forming hard plaque on your teeth and to promote soft tissue circulation. To accomplish these goals, most dentists recommend that you brush your teeth several times a day and floss.
The problem comes in when considering whether electric toothbrushes or manual toothbrushes are better at keeping your teeth pristine.

 

What is Plaque?

To really understand which type of toothbrush is best, you need to understand what plaque is. It’s a sticky film that attaches to the surface of your teeth.
Plaque forms inside of your mouth as a byproduct of the Streptococcus mutans bacteria. It starts out as a sticky film that is soft and can be removed by something as soft as the bristles of a brush. It then forms a hard type of tissue that glues itself to the surface of your teeth.
In case you’re wondering why that name looks vaguely familiar, it’s because the strand of bacteria that is responsible for causing plaque in your mouth is a relative of the same bacteria that causes strep throat.

 

Which are Better: Electric or Manual Toothbrushes?

Most dentists will agree that both manual and electric toothbrushes perform their jobs equally, however one may have different benefits over the other.
Most electric toothbrushes can remove soft plaque just as well as a manual toothbrush can when used properly. This means that the bristles are able to dislodge it from the surface of your teeth just fine.
However, there is some debate when it comes to electric toothbrushes. The type of toothbrush that has an oscillating head that moves one way and then turns the opposite way is preferred by some dentists. These dentists state that it removes plaque and reduces gum inflammation better than manual toothbrushes.
The real, indisputable differences between the two types of toothbrushes comes in at the different things that they can do. For some patients, there are parts of their part that they just can’t reach with a manual toothbrush. The molars in the very back of your mouth can be an example of this, especially if you still have your wisdom teeth.
Manual toothbrushes are cheaper. There’s no replacement heads, there’s no batteries to replace and there’s no need to worry about keeping them supplied with electricity. A manual toothbrush is always ready to use.
Electric toothbrushes have two qualities that give them a situational advantage. The handle is usually thick and they don’t require you to move your hand to brush. Both of these things make them easier to use for people lacking the physical or mental dexterity required to brush with manual brushes such as young children or people with arthritis.

 

The Bottom Line About Manual and Electric Toothbrushes

With regard to which toothbrush works the best, only you can answer that. The goal of brushing your teeth is to ultimately keep them clean and to help make sure your gums are healthy and free of any disease. If you’re fine with a manual brush and your teeth don’t have a problem with plaque, then stay with it. If you have certain areas that are hard for you to reach with a manual toothbrush, then consider using an electrical toothbrush.

A Family Dental Care Center: Dr. Seth Rosen

2030 West Main St.

Jeffersonville, PA 19403

drsethrosen.com 

How to avoid the most common dental scams!

The Implant Pyramid Scheme

You need a tooth replaced and your dentist recommends an implant. You go home and notice there are several dentists in your area that are offering implants at a special rate. Many of these offers may lead to you paying more then you should. This is how these scams work. They advertise a ridiculously low price for an implant with some fine print that leads to one of the following money bilking scams:

1) Immediate add on fees. This may be an examination fee or radiographs

2) Latent add on fees. These are added to the implant surgery to pad your bill

3) Post surgery add on fees

4) Restoration gouging

First make sure the dentist will do any necessary radiographs and examinations for free. We need the information on the radiographs to determine the size and shape of the implant. Get copies of all records before you leave that day even if they are free. In Pennsylvania, the law is very clear, the records are yours for free. The dentist may put a charge on your account for the duplication, but it is uncollectible. DO NOT PAY FOR YOUR RECORDS IN PENNSYLVANIA!

The next step will be a second opinion. Then get a third opinion. Did all three agree about the surgery? Grafting is only needed in extreme situations where we need to grow new bone. Over eighty percent of implants can be place without grafting. If grafting is needed get the graft receipt. Most bone used today is from a human source, which means it must be identified and registered with the FDA.

All implants require a period of healing and check ups to make sure everything is healing well. This should be included in the surgery for free. Most implants require three to four post operative checks and you should not pay for them.

There are three parts to most implants. The implant itself is the titanium fixture placed in the jaw. The second part is the post, which screws into the implant to give the dentist something to cement to. The third part is the crown, which looks like a tooth. The crown can be cemented or screwed down. THere is no reason that you should be forced to have the implant restored by the placing dentist. This avoids getting gouged on the last two parts of your implant. The implant dentist should welcome this scenario and give your dentist the information and parts necessary to restore the implant.

Remember those second and third opinions? Good. Now compare prices. Get a fee for just the implant and get a fee for restoring the implant. Get this in writing. Now you are an educated consumer and will get the best value for your money.

A Family Dental Care Center: Dr. Seth Rosen

2030 West Main St.

Jeffersonville, PA 19403

drsethrosen.com