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Protecting children is part of our job or more like an instinct as a parent.  We strive to always be aware of their surroundings to prevent bumps and bruises, prevent illnesses, provide a well-balanced diet etc.  Unfortunately, studies indicate that dental care and prevention are lacking among children in a big way.  Did you know that a report by the U.S. surgeon general revealed that over 51 million school hours are lost each year due to dental-related illnesses?  As a parent and dental professional this is extremely alarming.  Here are some tips on how to protect the window to your child’s soul….their smile.

1. Visit the dentist regularly.  At 1 year of age children should be seen for their first dental visit.  It is highly recommended that children be seen twice a year for dental exams/cleanings.  Building a cavity prevention plan for your child with his/her dental hygienist or dentist will keep both you and your child smiling.

2. Proper oral hygiene.  Brushing for 1-2 minutes twice daily is essential.   Brushing with water is acceptable or add a pea-size drop of toothpaste to the toothbrush.  Flossing can be a more difficult task however if the teeth are close together/crowded you must help your child by flossing these areas.

3. Proper diet/vitamins.  Follow the FDA’s guideline on nutrients for your child.  Stocking your shelves with fruits and vegetables to allow your child to receive vitamin C, vitamin B-12, and calcium is important for tooth and gum health.

4. Limit juices and sodas.  The citric acid in these drinks can quickly erode the enamel of baby and adult teeth.  We recommend diluting juice 50/50 with water and avoiding soda.  If your child does not take to the watered down version of juice then have them swish with water after they are finished drinking their juice.

5. Limit snacking.  Frequent snacking can cause an acid overload which can lead to tooth decay.

6. Avoid sippy cups and bottles to put your child to sleep.  Breast milk, infant formula, and milk all contain lactose which is a milk sugar.  Over time, this habit can also lead to tooth decay.

Our Riverside cosmetic dental office is child-friendly and provides dental care for children of all ages.  Our dental team is a family and we consider each patient a part of our extended family.  We would be honored to treat you and your children with your dental needs.  Please contact our Riverside cosmetic  and family dental office at (951)686-3666.

I’ve just added a special dental library on my main website iedental.com. Some common topics can be found by clicking on the Dental Libary tab on the top right of my website. You can also lookup information on other topics using the search feature located 2/3rds on the bottom of each page on the left hand side. If there’s information you’d like to see, feel free to call my high tech dental office in Riverside at 951-686-3666.

As most of you know, the silver amalgam fillings contain mercury.  However, most of you may not know they typically have a 50% or greater mercury by weight content. The American Dental Association and the FDA have research that suggests the mercury content in the fillings is not enough to harm most humans. However, there is also plenty of research that suggests that the mercury release into our bodies is much higher than the studies the ADA and the FDA use as their defense of the mercury content in the mercury/silver fillings.  It’s a very controversial topic as you can imagine.  I’ve included a link to some FAQs regarding mercury:

https://www.iaomt.org/patients/index.asp

Many dentists have had their own suspicions on the safety of mercury in dental fillings and have stopped placing the mercury fillings in their own patients.  However, most of these dentists probably do not realize that there is a tremendous release of mercury vapor when these fillings are removed.  Without proper precautions, much of the vapor can be inhaled by both the patient and the dental staff.  There are safer ways to remove dental amalgam and if you’re concerned about mercury release, you should find a dentist trained in the safer removal of amalgam.  The IAOMT (International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology) is a group where you can find a dentist trained in safer amalgam removal techniques.

Here’s an interesting video which shows how much mercury vapor can be released from a dental amalgam:

After learning about the potential toxicity of mercury from an IAOMT conference, I’ve started the removal of my own dental amalgams and have invested in equipment to help safely remove the amalgams in my own clients’ teeth.  Some dentists feel that some practitioners are just trying to rip off their patients by recommending the removal of their mercury fills but when is it a bad idea to remove a toxic material from somebody’s body?  If you have any questions regarding mercury or it’s removal, feel free to contact us at our Inland Empire Dental Office at 951-686-3666.

Periodontal disease affects virtually everyone at some point in their lives.  Therefore, I am going to discuss the signs one might have when dealing with periodontal disease.  The dental world has termed periodontal disease as the “silent killer” due to the fact that it is a disease that does not produce pain.  Periodontal/gum disease manifests itself under the gum tissue producing a chronic low-grade infection.  This chronic infection over time if not treated can lead to gum loss, halitosis, loose teeth, and tooth loss just to name a few.  Periodontal/gum disease is a condition that our Riverside Cosmetic Dental office takes very seriously which is why we recommend having treatment by our dental team as soon as possible.

Typical Signs of Periodontal (Gum Disease):

1. Periodontal Probing:  This procedure measures the “sulcus” rather the pocket surrounding the teeth.  As long as the measurements are below 3mm and there is no tissue loss or bleeding, then the tissue is considered healthy.  Pockets with bleeding, pocketing above 3mm and/or tissue loss present are in most cases considered having disease present.
2. Bleeding:  Bleeding from the gum (periodontal) tissue is considered unhealthy just like bleeding from any other part of the body.  Bleeding during flossing, brushing of teeth and dental cleanings are all warning signs that periodontal disease may be present.
3. Tissue Tone:  Tissue should appear pink in color and firm in texture.  Any type of red or blue irritated tissue is a warning that infection is present.   However, in some cases this inflammation could be caused from medications.
4. Malodor:  Any type of malodor or metallic taste is generally a sign that periodontal disease is present.
5. Tissue Loss:  Any type of tissue loss/recession is considered a sign for future periodontal problems.  Tissue loss caused by an improper bite is considered one of the most dangerous because this trauma can lead to bone loss and eventually tooth loss.
6. Bone Loss:  Bone levels are routinely evaluated at dental visits when x-rays are taken.  Bone loss cannot be remedied by our bodies, thus new bone has to be surgically placed in order to save the infected tooth (teeth.)

If you think you or someone you know may have one of these Signs of Periodontal Disease please call our Riverside Cosmetic Dental Office at (951)686-3666.

Many adults out there think that just their “tweens” are candidates for orthodontics, which is why I am dedicating this blog to adult orthodontics. Typically, adults need orthodontics for reasons such as an improper bite, crowded teeth (which can lead to periodontal disease), and T.M.J. discomfort just to name a few. The condition of having an improper bite is extremely common in many adults.  Over time, an improper bite can lead to problems such as broken teeth, tooth loss, T.M.J. pain, migraines and gum disease.  Our Riverside cosmetic dental office believes in treating the condition of an improper bite with orthodontics in order to prevent future destruction of the chewing system.  Our dental team examines your chewing system at each visit with the latest technology in lasers, digital radiographs and photography to ensure its stability.  If instability of your chewing system is found during your examination we will recommend that you have a consultation with an orthodontist.
During your orthodontic consultation the Orthodontist will review various types of procedures to treat your condition of an improper bite or crowded teeth.  Our Riverside cosmetic dental office along with the Orthodontist will help guide you in making a decision on treating your condition.  Although most individuals do not like the idea of wearing braces, the benefits far out way the destruction that an imbalanced chewing system can cause.   If you have further questions regarding adult orthodontics please contact us at (951)686-3666.