Did You Know?

     If you have a chipped, broken, discolored or decayed tooth - as long as the root is healthy and strong, there is still hope for restoring its natural appearance and function. A porcelain veneer or crown should do the job nicely. 

     A porcelain veneer is generally used on anterior teeth. It is fabricated by a dental laboratory to give us the exact shape, shade and contour for the best cosmetic result.  Crowns also are fabricated by a dental laboratory. Generally crowns cover and protect more of the tooth. 

     Your dentist evaluates the situation and determines the best restorative to be used, in order to achieve the best in function and aesthetics. 

If you have any questions, please call 1-707-552-4110

Did You Know?

     The most common of all tooth replacements is the partial denture. When some teeth are present, and some are missing, a partial denture may be used to replace the missing teeth. Good oral hygiene habits are particularly important for those who wear partial dentures.  If food residue and film are allowed to accumulate on clasps (which are food traps), the very important abutment teeth may decay. This creates other problems. 

     Regular check ups, and good oral hygiene are very important.  A decayed abutment tooth may require your partial to be remade, or worse yet, render it useless.  In that case, other restorative or prosthetic measures might be called for. 

     What I'm trying to tell you is, take the best care you can of your teeth. Brush, floss, and watch what you eat. 

Did You Know?

     Yes!  It really is necessary to replace a missing tooth with a fixed bridge, implant or partial denture. When a tooth is lost, the adjacent teeth and the teeth either above or below lose the support, strength and stability that the lost tooth once provided. The remaining teeth may be subject to problems such as drifting, abnormally exposed decay prone areas, and worst of all periodontal disease. Periodontal disease is the biggest cause of tooth loss in adults. 

     The loss of just one tooth, if not replaced, will more than likely cause problems ( possible tooth loss) with the adjacent or opposing teeth. The dental arch was designed by nature to have a complete set of teeth - one helping and protecting the other. 

Esthetics & function!

The Truth About Waterpiks

     Waterpiks kick butt!  They clean with tiny jets of pulsating water that cleans around the gums, between the teeth and under bridges and braces, where your toothbrush and even floss sometimes cannot reach.  The pulsating jets flush out food particles from difficult to reach spots.  If you have any questions about proper use of your waterpik, talk to your dentist or hygienist.  And remember, waterpiks will not remove plaque, only food particles.  Therefore it is a valuable part, but not the sum total of your home care.  Your dentist's recommendations of brushing and flossing still rings true.

Tooth Decay

  What is the world's most prevalent disease?  If you think it's the common cold - you're wrong.  Tooth decay is the most universal disease in the world.  Only a minute fraction of the world's population escape this problem.  Ninety-eight percent of Americans have fillings, cavities or both.

     A cavity is caused by the acid, which is produced when bacteria in the mouth metabolizes sugar.  This process starts very quickly after eating sugary or high carbohydrate foods.  When bacteria and sugar meet, acid is formed.  When acid contacts the tooth, it starts etching a hole in the tooth, thereby starting a cavity.

    

What to do?

 

Limit your sugary, high carbohydrate treats.  Brush after meals, and visit your dentis regularly.

Sugar And Your Teeth

    If you took an extracted tooth and dropped it in a can of soda, it would dissolve in about ten days.  This is because most sodas have a very high sugar content (sugar free is available).  Something else to consider is that some sodas have added citric or ascorbic acid.  In addition, they put the bubbles in soda by blowing carbon dioxide into the solution.  Carbon dioxide and water make carbonic acid (a mild solution).

     You can think of your soft drink as a sugary solution laced with acid, or an acidic solution laced with sugar - either one is very bad for your teeth.  Read the ingredients - if you can find something you like that is sugar free with no bubbles - you should be home free!

Teeth Are Tough!

     Did you know that enamel (the outside layer of the tooth) is the second hardest, naturally occuring substance.  Only diamonds are harder.
    It seems silly that such a hard substance falls such easy prey to decay.  Bacteria present in the mouth combined with high carbohydrate foods (sugars) that produce acids that make short work of tooth structure.  This can be an expensive and perhaps painful process.
    To hopefully avoid this situation, watch your diet.  Stay away from sweets and brush at the minimum, twice a day.  The most important being right before you go to bed.

DETECTING ORAL CANCER

     When your dentist looks into your mouth, he puts all his powers of detection to work.  Tooth decay or unhealthy gums are easy to spot.  But he has to look closer than the obvious.  Mirror, light, x-rays and other instruments help.  So do his years of training and practice.
     Your dentist is a trained medical observer.  He'll be able to spot any suspicious lesions, lumps, discolored areas, or sores that might be malignant.  Early detection saves lives.
     Lips, tongue, cheeks, any part of the oral cavity are proper sites for inspection.  If there's any suspicion of oral cancer, a biopsy or sample of the tissue under suspicion can be sent to a pathologist for examination.  In most cases the suspect tissue may be found to be normal and not malignant.  It may be just a minor irritation that's causing the problem.
     But it's always best to be sure.  If there is a problem, it's so much easier to cure if discovered in time.  Your dentist is trained to spot other medical symptoms as well as give you the care you need for good dental health.

For more info, please visit our website http://www.andyjacksondds.com/

FIXED BRIDGE TO THE RESCUE!

     If you have one or more missing teeth creating gaps that should be filled, you may want to consider fixed bridgework, or implants. 
    Missing teeth can do more than affect the shape of your face.  They can also throw your teeth out of alignment and cause other serious dental problems.  If you choose fixed bridgework or implants to solve the problem, you'll have "new" teeth that will be permanently fixed in your mouth.  You won't have to take them out to clean them.  They can be brushed and flossed like natural teeth.
    Before your dentist recommends fixed bridgework or implants, he will check the overall health of your mouth; paying particular attention to adjacent or supporting teeth, gums and bone.  They will have to be strong and healthy enough to supportthe restorative work.
    If you feel you may be a candidate for this type of procedure, are curious or have any questions, please call 707-552-4110 or visit our website http://www.andyjacksondds.com/

WHEN DENTURES NEED A CHECKUP

     For most people, it takes awhile to get used to wearing full dentures.  Once they achieve a degree of comfort and usefulness, you may think you no longer need help from your dentist.  Far from true!
     The tissues on which dentures rest are changing constantly.  Sometimes the ridges that support dentures recede and shrink, causing the dentures to loosen.  When this happens, your dentures will have to be adjusted to fit properly  again.
     Dentures have to be kept clean and free of deposits or they can have an adverse effect on the health of the mouth.  This is another reason for regular checkups.  A minor irritation can cause infection and inflammation of the gums.
     Like anything that is subject to constant wear, it has  to be properly maintained.  Occasionally, dentures must be relined, and if your mouth undergoes major changes, it may be necessary for you to be fitted with new  dentures.  Full dentures solve the problem of missing teeth, but they need periodic  checkups,  just like real teeth.
    

TEMPORARY CROWNS

     So, you've been to the dentist and had your tooth prepared for a crown.  Now you're waiting for the dental lab to fabricate it.  Chances are you have a temporary crown until the permanent one is ready.  The "temporary" will have cosmetic value in maintaining the appearance of your mouth.  It will also serve some important functions, such as maintaining the proper space and bite relationships with adjacent and opposing teeth.
     Often the temporary crown will be made of an acrylic-type material to match the shade of your other teeth.  It is not intended to last very long, only until the permanent crown is in place to give the tooth long-lasting protection.
     If you wait too long to have your permanent crown seated, the temporary crown may wear and allow the tooth underneath to move.  If this happens, the permanent crown may not fit properly.  Keep your appointments!
     If your temporary crown comes off, this is more of an annoyance than an emergency - don't panic.  Very likely it will go back in place and stay until you can schedule an appointment.  Even if it doesn't bother your, don't leave it off for a long period of time - the tooth may shift.

EMPTY CALORIES

     If you think of your mouth as a haven for strong, healthy teeth, you'll want to keep tooth-damaging foods out - sweets, gummy foods; foods with little nutritional value.  They're called "empty calorie" foods. 
    The bacteria that work hard to destroy teeth, gums, and bone, love empty calories and gummy foods.  They turn sugary foods to an acid-like substance, which causes decay.  They love gummy goods because they're harder to remove when you clean your teeth.  And they have a passion for "empty calorie" carbohydrates such as unenriched bread, cereals, and other foods that lack the vitamins, iron, and other minerals your body needs for good health.
    Keep the empty calories at bay by limiting the amount of sweets, sticky foods, and low-value carbohydrates you eat.  Eat enough fress fruit and vegetables to give your chewing muscles a good workout, and to get the nutrients you need.  Get enough high protein in meat and vitamin-rich foods to maintain good health.

And protect your dental health with regular checkups.

If You Have Fixed Bridge Work....

you're probably enjoying the newfound strength and function of your teeth.  Replacing your missing teeth with a fixed bridge should make a world of difference in your quality of life.

Here are a few suggestions for maintaining your new bridge:

1. Avoid hard or brittle foods, which can break the bridge

2. Lengthen the life of your restoration with a little extra flossing and brushing to eliminate the plaque that can build up between your bridge and your natural teeth.

3. Use a floss threader of superfloss if you're having trouble cleaning between your bridge and your gums.

     Practice strong dental habits with your bridge, just as you would your own natural teeth, and it will last a long time.

Any questions or comments, contact us.
http://www.andyjacksondds.com/
office@andyjacksondds.com
707-552-4110

Mouthwash Won't Remove Film

     TV ads will tell you that mouthwash will remove the "morning film" on your teeth.  But you won't find a dentist who will agree with that!  They opt for good flossing and brushing for clean teeth and healthy gums. 
     Plaque is a colorless film that adheres to the teeth, especially along the gum line and in tooth crevices.  This coating may be a source of bad breath.  More importantly, it contains bacteria that combines with sugar to form acids which create decay and irritate gums.
     Brushing correctly is important, but flossing is also essential to be sure you get all those places where plaque can hide.  If you feel that you are doing a good job, but the hygienist says otherwise, disclosing tablets might be a solution.  They contain a food coloring that stains plaque a blue or bright red.  Once you've discovered your problem areas, brush and floss until the red is gone.  Remember, flossing and brushing remove "film" not mouthwash.

http://www.andyjacksondds.com/

Fixed Bridge

     By now you're probably enjoying the newfound strength and function of your teeth.  Replacing your missing teeth with a fixed bridge should make a world of difference in your quality of life.

Here are a few suggestions for maintaining your new bridge:

1. Avoid hard or brittle foods, which can break the bridge.

2. Lengthen the life of your restoration with a little extra flossing and brushing to eliminate the plaque that can build up between your bridge and your natural teeth.

3. Use a floss threader or superfloss if you're having trouble cleaning between your bridge and your gums.

4. If you have soreness of feel any looseness, call us (707-552-4110).

     Practice stronge dental habits with your bridge, just as you would your own natural teeth, and it will last a long time.

    Thank you for choosing our dental practice.  If you've been happy with the care we've provided, we hope you will share the experience with your friends and family.  http://www.andyjacksondds.com/

Your New Partial

     We're betting that your teeth feel a lot stronger with your new partial.  While it's true that they are stronger, keep in mind that partials themselves can be fragile.  Wires and band can bend if ill-treated, and the partial can break if you drop it.  Clean it over a towel just to be safe.  Spend a little extra time cleaning the clasp teeth, where food often gets trapped.  And please let us know if you experience any soreness that may indicate the need to fine-tune your partial.

Full Crown Restoration

     Now that you've decided to get a full crown restoration, you need to choose the type you want.  You have three basic choices: metal, full porcelain and porcelain-fused-to-metal (known as PFM in the dental world).  Metal crowns, made of gold or alloys, are the most durable, but most people don't like the way they look.  Full porcelains look and fit great, but they're best placed on front teeth where the stress isn't as great.  PFM crowns are very strong and durable.
     Regardless of the type of crown you choose, the process starts with preparing the tooth so your bite is secure and your gum tissue remains healthy once the new crown is in place.  Whether you opt for metal, full porcelain, or porcelain-fused-to-metal, we believe that a well-built crown will improve your bite, give you a greater dental function and improve your smile.

Dental Disease Is Not Inherited

     Dental disease is preventable.  Bad teeth don't "run in the family."  In most cases, there is no hereditary excuse for cavities or periodontal disease.  What we do pass down from generation to generation are eating habits (the type of foods we eat) and our attitude with regard to home care and visits to the dentist.
     Because grandma wore dentures, there is no reason you should.  We live in an enlightened age, where everybody has access to information on every aspect of dental treatment and home care.  Prevention and maintenance are buzz words that everybody hears and knows.  But neither can happen if you don't visit your dentist.  Take that first step to a healthier you and make that call.

http://www.andyjacksondds.com/

The Truth About Root Canals

     If you have been diagnosed as needing a root canal, it is important that you make your decision whether or not to move forward.  If you do nothing, the injured nerve in the center of your tooth is likely to become infected.  If that happens, the tooth may abscess and cause a great deal of pain.  At which time you will be forced to make a decision of having a root canal or having the tooth removed.  If you opt to have it remove, then the question arises of how to restore function in that area (implant, bridge or partial). 
     Having a root canal done in a timely fashion rather than waiting until it hurts is more sensible, not mention less less painful and in many cases, less costly.  The procedure entails creating a small opening in the tooth and cleaning out the inside of the tooth's root to get rid of the damaged or infected nerve.  Once the tooth is completely clean, we fill it with a natural substance, "gutta percha" and seat it. 
     At this stage the tooth is "non-vital," which means it no longer has nerves but is still a vital part of dental anatomy. The procedure is complete when we then prepare the tooth and take impressions for a crown.  This permanent restoration is then placed to protect the tooth.

Bonding

     When a tooth is broken, discolored or extensively decayed, you can choose either bonding or a permanent crown to solve your esthetic problem.  Here are some of the pros and cons involved in both procedures. 
     Bonding will give you a beautiful smile quickly at an affordable price, but it will only last for about 5 years.  The color can be stained by smoking and by drinking coffee or tea.  In addition, because bonded restorations are not as strong as crowns, certain foods like nuts and ice can cause them to crack or chip.
     In contrast, a crown will last many years and cannot be beat for the stability and function it offers.  Esthetically speaking, crowns are generally superior to bonded restorations.  The longevity of any treatment and the cost of each procedure will differ from case to case. 

Please call our office if you have any questions.
707-552-4110
http://www.andyjacksondds.com/
office@andyjacksondds.com