Halloween Candy

As we are coming up on Halloween it seems only appropriate that we discusses if it is okay to let your kids eat their Halloween candy?

Absolutely YES!!!

As long as the eating of the candy is done in the proper way. After we eat anything (bread, eggs, cheese, etc.) our mouth's will produce extra saliva. This saliva is secreted in an attempt to neutralize the acids that are being produced by the bacteria that live in our mouth's. These bacteria are feed off of the food that we consumed. Typically a person's salivary rate will return to normal in about 15 minutes and at that point the acids attacking your teeth are back to manageable levels. A good brushing and flossing will then get your teeth the rest of the way to being clean.

Therefore, the proper way to have your kids eat all of that candy would be to let them eat their candy for about 10 minutes or so after dinner. Once they have had their little treat send them to brush and floss for the night. Doing this will allow them to eat their candy. Allow you to look like a cool parent. And present only a very slim chance, if any, of your child getting any cavities from their Halloween haul.

The thing NOT to do would be to let them keep the bag in their room and have a piece here or there all day long. This will keep the sugar on their teeth all day and the salivary glands will never get a chance to catch up. And since they will not brush after every piece of candy they will eat the acids produced by the bacteria will have much more time to do damage to the teeth before being brushed away.

So go ahead. Let the kids have their candy. Just make sure its in short spurts and that a good brushing and flossing follows.

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Do I need a Root Canal?

There are several reasons why people may need root canals.

One reason would be trauma. Hitting a tooth hard enough can cause the tooth to die and need a root canal. Fracturing a tooth by biting into something hard can expose the nerve and also lead to a root canal. The final reason for a root canal is illustrated in the picture below. If a cavity is left untreated and it gets down into the nerve of the tooth then that tooth will need to have a root canal. The need for a root canal may be indicated if a person has moderate to sever pain in the area of the problem tooth. Another indication would be a s

mall pimple or lump forming in the are of the tooth.

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TMJ problems.

TMJ is the abbreviation for Temporal Mandibular Joint. It is the joint directly in front of your ear that is used by your body to open and close your mouth. It is like most other joints in your body in that there is cartilage, fluid, bones, and muscles involved. And just like any other joint in the body any piece to this puzzle can deteriorate, get misplaced, damaged, or have any other number of problems.

If any sort of damage does occur then pain may result. If you are having pain there a number of different treatments available to help resolve the problem. One of those ways is to have the patient where a TMJ mouth guard. This appliance will help stabilize a joint that may be damaged or inflamed and gives the dentist valuable information as to what may be causing the problem.

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What are sealants?

Sealants are a protective barrier that is placed over a child's tooth to protect it from decay. Sealants are typically placed over the first and second adult molars soon after they come in. The first molars come in at about age 6 and the second adult molars at about age 12. The reason that baby teeth are not sealed is the fact that they will usually fall out before any serious damage can occur. Sealing of teeth does not typically happen throughout adulthood because adults have have the capacity to brush their teeth well enough to prevent decay. It is the newly erupted adult teeth, in the child, who isn't the best brusher, that we are most worried about. Sealants are quick and painless. They are covered completely by most insurances and they are a tremendous benefit to any child that gets them.

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What type of crown?

If your dentist tells you that you need a crown then you have a decision to make.

What type of crown do you want to get?

Well, that depends.

The strongest is gold. With gold there is almost zero chance of fracture, chipping, or failure of any kind.

However, when you smile people are going to see the gold in your mouth.

With a white crown no one will ever know you have one. If the color is matched properly they are invisible.

White crowns however, do have the chance of fracture, chipping or failing in some other manner.

The choice is yours. Consult your dentist to see what is right for you.

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Tongue Piercing

Should you care about piercing your tongue?

Only if you care about your tongue.

Below is an infected tongue piercing.

Tongue piercing can be very dangerous.

The tongue has many many nerves that can be damaged during piercings.

This damage could forever change the way you taste your food.

Since the mouth can not be kept sterile, as other parts you may pierce,

the chance of infection is greater.

Cracking your teeth on a tongue ring is also a very real concern.

Therefore, DON'T DO IT!!

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Will the snoring ever stop!!

Another new product that we are offering patients.

Silent Sleep device.

Help that loved one, and yourself, get a better nights sleep.

This device helps with proper jaw placement during sleep to prevent snoring.

For more information you can go to www.mysilentsleep.com

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Snap on Smile

New product on the market.

Called Snap-on Smile. Covers any missing, broken or worn out teeth.

Removable if you want to go without it.

No Shots, just a couple of impressions.

We will see how it works.

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