Missing a Tooth? Think Twice Before Deciding To Leave a Space

Bone loss after tooth extraction

When a tooth cannot be repaired, it must be extracted. Most people agree that if the missing tooth is visible when you smile, it must be replaced with either a dental implant or a dental bridge.  You might not realize that even back teeth should be replaced when they are extracted. 

Each Tooth Is Designed For A Specific Function

Each tooth in your mouth is designed to perform a specific function in order to provide you with the most perfect chewing mechanism possible.  Your front teeth (incisors) are designed to bite into foods.  Your canines are designed for tearing.  For chewing and grinding, your molars are strong enough to take a beating.  

Improper Use Of Your Teeth Causes Damage

When you have one or more missing teeth, you can no longer bite, tear or chew foods the same way you have before.  If you are missing molars, you might start chewing foods with your canines.  Since canines are not designed to chew and grind, they are stressed in ways that can damage them, causing weakening of the tooth, disease and even tooth loss. The same is true for the other teeth in your mouth; molars are not designed to bite, and your front teeth are definitely no good for chewing!

Opposing Teeth Shift When Their Counterpart Is Missing

Unopposed teeth move up out of the jaw bone continually, until they meet an opposing force.  This means that if you are missing an upper molar, the opposing lower molar will begin to move upward out of the lower jaw until it meets with the gum tissue in the upper jaw. This is called supereruption.  When a tooth becomes supererupted, more of the tooth structure is situated above the gumline.  Roots can become exposed and the tooth can become decayed or loose.  In addition, because the tooth moves up out of alignment with the rest of your teeth, your bite changes and none of your teeth come together properly anymore. 

Options For Missing Teeth

Replacing missing teeth is important to your overall dental health.  There are several options to consider.  A partial denture is the least expensive option, although partial dentures are removable and can be cumbersome. A fixed bridge is an option which provides a fixed solution, and is ideal for patients who also require dental crowns on the teeth adjacent to the space.  The most stable, long lasting, and natural feeling solution for a missing tooth is a dental implant.  An implant replaces the entire missing tooth structure, providing a permanent replacement for the missing tooth. Ask Dr.Jack E. Burroughs which option is best for your particular situation.

My Sensitive Teeth Are A Real Pain!

Sensitive teeth can be a real pain.  If you are one of the many people out there who avoid cold foods and drinks, hot liquids, sweets and even cringe a little from brushing and flossing, then you know exactly what I am talking about.  

I’ve had sensitive teeth for as long as I can remember.  I started using sensitive teeth toothpaste as a teenager, but it did not solve my problem.  I never complained about my sensitive teeth to my dentist, which was probably a mistake.  I finally mentioned it to the dental hygienist as she prepared to clean my teeth.  I could not bear the thought of the shock of pain I would feel when she worked on the sensitive areas of my teeth.  I went ahead and told her.  Once I told her about my sensitive teeth, she did something completely amazing.  My dental hygienist avoided the most sensitive areas with her dental instruments, providing an extremely comfortable dental cleaning experience and set me up with a solution to my painful dental problem!

What Causes Sensitive Teeth?

Outside of a dental problem such as decay, gum disease or fracture, teeth can become sensitive as a result of worn enamel, thin or demineralized enamel, erosion of the teeth and even whitening treatments.  It is important to consult Dr. Burroughsabout your tooth sensitivity in order to determine the cause.  Dr. Burroughs will be able to recommend a treatment for your sensitive teeth based on the cause and severity of the problem.

Solutions for Sensitive Teeth

There are several approaches to treating sensitive teeth.  It turns out that contrary to my previous belief, sensitive teeth are pretty common and there’s more that can be done about it than just switching to a special toothpaste.  Here are the most popular treatments for sensitive teeth

•         Using an over the counter sensitive toothpaste

•       Using fluoride gel to brush your teeth

•          Using fluoride gel application trays

•          Having fluoride applied directly to your tooth surface by your dentist

For very severe sensitivity problems where there is excess tooth enamel erosion or exposure of a portion of the tooth root, Dr. Burroughs may recommend dental crowns or veneers to protect the tooth surface.

How Do I Get Help For Sensitive Teeth?

You can do what I did, and mention your tooth sensitivity the next time you see Dr. Burroughs.  He will know which treatment option will work best for you.  You will be happy to finally be able to eat ice cream without pain!

The Problem With Snoring

Snoring sucks the life right out of your day.  If you suffer from snoring or obstructivesleep apnea (OSA), then you know exactly what I’m talking about.  When you snore or experience prolonged periods of not breathing (apnea) while you sleep, you actually experience many instances of waking during the night.  Frequent sleep interruptions prevent your body from engaging in deep, restful sleep.  In truth, you are not getting enough good quality sleep at night-and neither is your partner.

The effects of disrupted sleep have a profound effect on your lifestyle.  Waking tired, falling asleep easily during the day, drowsiness, headaches, mood disorders and even depression have been documented in sleep apnea patients.  More serious effects on overall heath are high blood pressure, increased risk for heart attack and stroke.  

What Can You Do To Stop Snoring?

That is the question Dr. Jack Burroughs asked himself several years ago when he began experiencing lack of quality sleep due to snoring and mild sleep apnea.  Using a C-PAP machine to force air into the airway is uncomfortable, bulky and difficult to comply with. 

Drawing on his experience as a dentist, he understood the physiological process that occurs with snoring; relaxation and laxity of the tissues and muscles supporting the airway.  He found his answer in the study and practice of dental sleep medicine.  Receiving training and certification in the practice of sleep dentistry from the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine, Dr. Burroughs began offering dental sleep apnea appliances in his North Dallas dental office.  He tried the appliance himself first, and several years later, he is still reaping the benefits of quiet, restful sleep.

Customized oral appliances are specially designed to reposition the lower jaw during sleep.  The compact, anatomically matched appliance prevents the oral and pharyngeal soft tissues from relaxing back into the throat, causing obstruction.  The results are significant and most patients experience drastic results immediately.

 

One Patient’s Sleep Apnea Story

One patient of Dr. Burroughs describes his experience:

"About two years ago, I was diagnosed with mild apnea.  I was prescribed a CPAP machine.  I tried very hard to get used to the CPAP and did everything possible not to give up on it, but it did not work out.  Through Dr. Burroughs, I learned about another alternative to help my apnea, which was using a special mouthpiece.  I received the mouthpiece and have found that it works much better than the CPAP and it is nowhere near as intrusive and uncomfortable.  I am sleeping better now."
~ Jason, Patient

If you suffer from snoring or mild to moderate sleep apnea, a custom oral repositioning appliance may be the answer for you.  Give Dr. Burroughs a call to schedule aconsultation and get ready to say “goodbye” to C-PAP and “hello” to a good night’s sleep.

Summertime Dental Emergencies

The days are suddenly longer and the sun is definitely hotter.  Summer has arrived, and that means outdoor activities, sports, barbeques and fireworks.  In all the excitement surrounding summer, Dr. Burroughs often sees an increase in dental injuries and emergency dental appointments during this time of year.  As we all get ready for our July 4^th Celebrations, there are a few things to keep in mind when it comes to dental safety and first aid.

Most dental injuries occur as a result of sports accidents and car accidents.  The best way to protect your teeth from a stray baseball is to wear a sports mouth guard.  Some mouth guards are available in sporting goods stores, and Dr. Burroughs can make you one with a perfect fit.  

If you suffer a dental injury, such as a broken tooth or even a possible broken jaw, the recommended first aid should be to apply a cold compress for control of swelling.  Over the counter pain relievers are also recommended as needed.  Contact Dr. Burroughs right away to request an emergency dental appointment.

Knocking out a tooth can be very scary.  If you or your child knocks out a tooth, try to find it right away.  Rinse off any dirt very carefully with clean water.  Be careful not to remove any tissue fragments from the surface of the tooth.  The best thing you can do is place the tooth back into the socket.  If this is not possible, place the tooth into a glass of milk.  It is very important to see Dr. Burroughs immediately after the accident in order to increase the success of tooth re-implantation.  

While we at Forest Lane Dental are concerned about dental safety this summer, we like to have a little fun, too!  Just for fun, we compiled a few interesting dental care tips for your enjoyment.  

·         Strawberries, which are only available in summer, can whiten your teeth and brighten your smile!  Mash a strawberry and rub it on the surface of your teeth.  Rinse well and floss to remove pulp and seeds. 

·         Vitamin C is abundant in summertime because of plentiful fruits and fresh produce.  Did you know that vitamin-C is great for your teeth, too?

·         All that barbeque can lead to bad breath!  To fight it, drink lots of water to keep your mouth hydrated and try chewing on a sprig of fresh parsley to naturally calm bad breath. 

As we get into full swing this summer, we at Forest Lane Dental Care of Dallas wish all of our patients and friends a fun filled summer vacation.  Stay safe, have fun, and remember to brush!

Sources:  ADA, Dr. Oz (strawberries for teeth whitening), natural home remedies.com (bad breath)

The Top 7 Foods That Damage Your Teeth

Most everybody knows that certain foods such as candy cause cavities and dental health problems.  The best way to avoid the need for costly dental work such as fillings, dental crowns and root canals is to prevent damage to the teeth with good dental hygiene.  Brushing and flossing effectively twice a day will go a long way toward preventing damage to your teeth.  Some foods we eat are more damaging to teeth than others.   

You might not know that excessive consumption of saltine crackers can be bad for your teeth!  Here are the top 7 foods that damage your teeth.  Don’t worry, most everything on this list is just fine in moderation, although if you consume these products on a regular basis you might want to take extra care to brush and floss after eating these.

   1.      Citrus and citrus juices-  Citrus is acidic and a natural enemy to tooth enamel.  Fruits and juices such as lemonade, orange juice and grapefruits contain strong acids that can erode tooth enamel, leaving your teeth susceptible to decay.

          Chewy candy- Chewy candies such as toffee, taffy and caramels stick to teeth for a long time, leaving sugars on the tooth surface.  Sugar is food for oral bacteria and bacteria in the mouth flourish in the presence of sugar, leaving behind strong acids as they digest it.  Since acids and tooth enamel don’t mix, it is easy to see why avoiding sticky candies is good for dental health.

       Hard candy- You might think that if sticky candies are bad for teeth, hard candies would be better.  Hard candies dissolve very slowly, and while they do not stick to teeth, they coat the mouth with sugar, increasing the acid produced by oral bacteria.  It might be interesting to know that the most dental-friendly candy you can eat is chocolate because it melts quickly and is washed away by saliva fairly quickly compared to other stickier candies.

4      Pickles- Pickles are highly acidic.  True, you would have to eat a lot of pickles on a regular basis to cause tooth decay, but the high acid content found in pickles has been shown to erode tooth enamel more quickly than many other foods.

5      Sodas and Sports Drinks-  It is not just the sugars found in these drinks that cause tooth decay, even diet sodas and sports drinks are just as damaging to tooth enamel as their full-sugar counterparts.  This is because sodas and sports drinks are highly acidic.  If you consume these types of beverages, it is best to drink it all rather quickly, rather than sipping slowly throughout the day.  Rinse with water or brush your teeth after drinking sodas in order to remove residue left behind. 

6       Wine- You might know that red wine is responsible for tooth stains, but you might not be aware that it is also highly acidic.  The acids in wine, even white wine, weaken tooth enamel making it easier for stains to penetrate into the teeth.

7    Crackers- The refined carbohydrates found in crackers actually convert into sugars very quickly, feeding oral bacteria and producing enamel-weakening acid.  If you munch on crackers all day long, you might be damaging your teeth!

8BONUS:       Coffee and tea- tannins in coffee and black tea produce stubborn stains that can make the tooth surface sticky, promoting tooth decay.  Even when these stains are removed with teeth whitening or professional dental cleaning, they are more likely to return again. 

Rather than avoid your favorite foods altogether, enjoy them in moderation.  If you can brush after eating acidic or high sugar foods, that is even better.  If you can’t brush then you can at least rinse your mouth well with fresh water after eating to help wash away sugars and acids that can damage your teeth.   Practice good dental hygiene and see Dr. Burroughs twice a year for a dental check up and professional dental cleaning.