Miami Dental: Blog: brushing

Showing posts with label brushing. Show all posts

Thursday, November 7, 2019

Incipient Lesions

One of the reasons it’s so important to get regular dental check-ups is so you can be assessed for developing caries. These infections on the surfaces of teeth will result in cavities if they are not stopped in time. Fortunately, there is an easy way for us at Miami Beach and North Miami Beach offices of Doctors Ressler, Hirschl, and Lelchuk to identify incipient caries: by the white spots they create on enamel.

Plaque traps the acid that oral bacteria excrete as part of their metabolization process. As the amount of plaque on a tooth increases, the tooth is exposed to more acid. Eventually, it will begin losing some of the minerals that make up its enamel. When this happens, the tooth takes on a chalky appearance, which is why incipient lesions are often called “white spot lesions.” The white spot can transform into a cavity in as few as thirty days.

While a lesion is still in the white spot stage, it is easy to reverse. The patient can deprive oral bacteria of sustenance by reducing their intake of simple carbohydrates and get rid of them through better brushing. Once the lesion is free of bacteria, the teeth can be remineralized with fluoride treatments. But if a cavity developed, it will have to be filled in with a prosthetic material. Sealants can help to prevent further decay, but people with fixed orthodontic brackets will simply have to get more comfortable using "Christmas tree" toothbrushes. If the white spot has left a scar, we may consider covering it with a veneer.

Dr. Allen Ressler, Dr. Andrew Hirschl, and Dr. Ira Lelchuk operate from two locations. To schedule an appointment at the location at Mount Sinai Medical Center, 4300 Alton Road, Suite 1190, Miami Beach, Florida, 33140, call 305-532-1444. To schedule an appointment at Intracoastal Mall, 3909 NE 163^rdSt, Suite 310, North Miami Beach, Florida, 33160, call 305-949-2630. They can also be reached on their website, Miami Dental through a contact form.

Saturday, October 19, 2019

Denture Stomatitis

Patients who get dentures at the Miami Beach and North Miami Beach offices of Doctors Ressler, Hirschl, and Lelchuk may expect that their new teeth will be beautiful and long-lasting. The science of prosthodontics is constantly improving, and people with dentures today have a much higher quality of life than just a few years ago. But getting dentures also requires people to make some changes in their oral hygiene, which is why today’s blog post is dedicated to the dangers of denture stomatitis.

Normally, our immune systems regulate the growth of the Candida species of fungus, which are a kind of yeast. Saliva contains antimicrobial enzymes and cleanses the mouth of particles fungus could feed on. But when a person’s dentures are poorly fitted or not cleaned often enough, Candida can easily grow on them or the area they cover. People are especially prone to developing fungus growths on the roof of their mouth where the upper denture’s prosthetic palate adheres to, or at the corners of their mouth if their lips are chapping.

Stomatitis manifests as redness and swelling, but it may have to develop for a while before patients will feel pain. Some medications, including the use of inhalers, put people at greater risk of developing it. However, it can usually be mitigated by regular brushing of both the denture and the mouth. Patients should brush their gums each morning before putting their denture in and should brush their entire denture, not just the part that looks like teeth.

Friday, August 2, 2019

Pregnancy Gingivitis

When you’re pregnant, some gum irritation is expected. We at the Miami Beach and North Miami Beach dental offices of Drs. Ressler, Hirschl, and Lelchuk understand that this is upsetting for many patients and want to help them keep their gums as healthy as possible. We thought we would explain a little about why gingivitis during pregnancy is so common and how we can help patients to manage it.

Inflammation is a part of the immune system’s response to pathogens or injuries. It isolates the pathogens and makes the cell membranes more permeable to antibodies. But it also makes tissue sore and more prone to bleeding. During pregnancy, as well as during menarche and menopause, women’s bodies produce a large amount of the hormone progesterone. This hormone increases blood flow to the gums, making them more reactive to decay-causing bacteria and other irritants.

Pregnant women need to be especially attentive to their oral hygiene to prevent gingivitis from developing. But as long as they are brushing and flossing properly, pregnancy gingivitis will not usually progress into periodontitis. We can provide pregnant women with deep cleanings, removing plaque build-up from their gum pockets and reducing their risk of developing inflammation. We can also demonstrate proper flossing technique and recommend non-alcoholic mouthwash.

Wednesday, February 27, 2019

Causes of Bad Breath

If you frequently have bad breath, there may be a bigger issue at play than smelly food. We at the Miami Beach dental offices of Drs. Ressler, Hirschl, and Lelchuk are attentive to our patients’ oral pathologies and contributing conditions. Bad breath, also known as halitosis, is often related to dry mouth and gum disease.

As oral bacteria produce acid, they give off a bad smell. Brushing and flossing teeth is essential to depriving bacteria of food, but they may still find a home in the papillae of the tongue. There, they consume food particles as well as nasal drip that can land on the tongue when the patient has a cold or nasal blockage. As part of their daily hygiene routine, we recommend that patients brush their tongue, clean it with a scraper, and use antibacterial mouthwash.

Adequate saliva is necessary for clearing the mouth of food debris and preventing the spread of bacteria and fungus. A lack of saliva can result in bacterial growth and bad breath. Patients should inquire with their doctors about changing medications that can cause dry mouth or getting tested for related rheumatic diseases. Halitosis is also associated with diabetes due to chemicals diabetic people’s bodies produce as they break down fat and diabetes’s suppression of the immune system. Acid reflux can also cause halitosis due to stomach acid burning the esophagus and entering the oral cavity. Bad breath can be combatted by drinking lots of water, but patients with chronic health conditions should make sure they’re aware of whether halitosis means they need to consult their physician.

Friday, January 18, 2019

Teeth Whitening

At Miami Dental we offer GLO chairside teeth whitening for patients who want teeth that are spotless and bright. It is recommended that patients come and see one of our dentists to learn which kind of whitening suits them best, since high-powered whitening works better for patients who don't suffer from sensitivity.

For patients for whom chairside whitening is not suggested, there are more natural ways to your teeth as white as possible. Brushing twice a day for two minutes with extra-fluoridated toothpaste, along with flossing, builds a good foundation for brighter teeth. It is important to avoid foods that stain such as red wine, coffee, and tea as well as to avoid tobacco use of any kind.

For patients that have an interest in teeth whitening, Miami Dental can assist you with any questions or concerns. But remember, whitening has to be maintained with at home care and a couple visits a year to Miami Dental.

Dr. Allen Ressler, Dr. Andrew Hirshl, and Dr. Ira Lelchuk operate two locations. To schedule an appointment at the location at Mount Sinai Medical Center, 4300 Alton Road, Suite 1190, Miami Beach, Florida, 33140, call 305-532-1444. To schedule an appointment at Intracoastal Mall, 3909 NE 163^rd St, Suite 310, North Miami, Florida, 33160, call 305-949-2630. They can also be reached on their website at miami-dental.com, Miami Dental through a contact form.

Monday, November 19, 2018

Tips for the Holidays

We wish all of our patients at the dental offices of Drs. Ressler, Hirschl, and Lelchuk a Happy Thanksgiving! During the holidays, sugary treats abound, and we want to make sure that everybody is keeping their teeth safe from decay. That doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the season; it just means following a few tips in this guide.

The longer sugar is in contact with teeth, the more time there is for bacteria to consume it and produce acid. For this reason, it’s not just the sugary, sticky candies that get stuck in dental crevices you have to worry about. Hard candies can pose the same risk since they are in contact with teeth for a long time, as can starches from sources such as squash and crackers. People should also remember that seasonal drinks such as pumpkin spice lattes, apple cider, and eggnog leave sugary residue behind. Additionally, saliva helps to wash away residue, so you’ll want to drink a lot of fluoridated water to compensate for anything that could dry your mouth out.

You produce more saliva when you’re eating large meals, so limiting eating to those time will help you to avoid tooth decay. If that’s not feasible, you can chew sugar-free gum after snacking to dislodge some food debris. If you’re hosting, you can also opt to serve xylitol-flavored hard candies in place of sugary ones.

Wednesday, November 14, 2018

National Diabetes Awareness Month

Since November is National Diabetes Awareness Month, this seems like a good time to remind our patients of the relationship between diabetes and gum disease. We understand that people face different oral health challenges, and at the Miami Beach dental offices of Drs. Ressler, Hirschl, and Lelchuk, we strive to treat people struggling with gum disease with respect. If a patient frequently struggles with gingival bleeding, uncontrolled blood sugar could be the culprit.

Inflammation is the body’s attempt to isolate diseased tissues. Inflamed gums are often caused by infections in the gum pockets. If the infections become bad enough, the structures holding teeth in place will erode, leaving them vulnerable to falling out. People with diabetes have higher than average rates of periodontal disease. One of the effects of high blood sugar is decreased effectiveness of the immune system, making it more difficult for the body to defeat gum pocket infections. But the effect also goes in the other direction; infections make it more difficult for the body to regulate blood sugar, putting the patient at greater risk for other diabetes complications.

People with diabetes need to be especially vigilant about their oral hygiene to prevent gum pocket infections from developing. But even people who brush and floss regularly need to maintain regular oral hygiene appointments so that we can clean away calculus. There is also good news for diabetic patients. When people receive treatment for gum inflammation, their other diabetes symptoms show improvement.

Thursday, May 3, 2018

White Spot Lesions

You probably are familiar with dark-colored tooth stains, but what do you do about white spots? Although teeth can become stained through consumption of dark-colored drinks and food, white spot lesions or incipient lesions indicate a threat to your mouth’s health. Fortunately, at the offices of Drs. Ressler, Hirschl, and Lelchuk, we can provide treatment and restore your smile’s beauty.

Tooth enamel looks unnaturally white early in the process of demineralization. This effect can be seen on the back teeth of people suffering from acid reflux. More commonly, it results from oral infections. As bacteria feed, they produce acid, which erodes the teeth. The gum line, the sides of teeth where toothbrushes can’t reach, and the areas surrounding orthodontic brackets are all common places for white spots to develop. It only takes about thirty days for bacteria to erode enough enamel to be visible.

White spot lesions indicate the presence of an infection that needs to be brought under control before anything else can be done. When the infection is no longer active, the white spot will look shinier. If necessary, it can be treated with remineralization therapy or covered with bonding or a veneer.

Friday, November 10, 2017

Causes of Bleeding Gums

If you see blood in the sink when you spit out your toothpaste, don’t dismiss it as a regular part of maintaining oral hygiene. Gums should not bleed, and when they do, it’s usually a sign of gingivitis. Gum inflammation, as gingivitis is commonly called, is very common, but indicates a health problem.

Gingivitis is caused by excessive bacterial growth in the gum pockets. As bacteria feed on sugar, they produce tartar, which acids stick to. This irritates the gum tissue, causing it to bleed while being brushed. Of course, it’s also possible to brush too hard and bruise the gums, but brushing is the best way of preventing bacterial build-up as long as it’s done with a soft-bristled brush.

Anybody can get gingivitis (including people with artificial teeth), but there are some complicating factors which make it more likely. Pregnant women are at greater risk due to hormonal changes. Blood thinner medications also increase the likelihood of gingivitis, as does dry mouth, due to saliva being an important part of keeping bacterial growth under control. Smoking also causes gum inflammation, along with other oral health problems.

Thursday, November 2, 2017

Fillings and Toothaches

At the dental offices of Ressler, Hirschl, and Lelchuk, patients receive beautiful, naturally colored fillings. These treatments repair minor damage to the teeth, allowing them to function normally and making it easier for the patient to combat tooth decay. However, they are not life-long solutions, and patients will need to recognize when they are not functioning properly.

It is normal for patients to experience sensitivity immediately after the decayed dental material has been removed and filled in. But if they are uncomfortable for longer than three or four days, there may be a problem. It is possible that the filling is not at the correct height and may need to be contoured slightly. This is especially true if the filling is interfering with the patient’s ability to bite down comfortably.

Fillings usually have a lifespan of about ten years. After that, the bonding holding them in place starts to crack. The cracks are excellent hiding spaces for decay-causing bacteria, which is why patients may begin to get toothaches again. The filling may also come loose, which is a sure sign it needs to be removed. Maintaining regular appointments allows us to examine patients’ fillings to determine whether it is time for them to be replaced before major problems develop.

Thursday, July 6, 2017

Halitosis in Children

Good breath is as important a part of a healthy smile as strong teeth, and that’s true for children, as well. When children suffer from chronic halitosis, it may be due to diabetes or a previously unknown allergy. However, it is usually due to bacterial build-up, which is why we want our patients to know about some of children’s particular hygiene issues in this area.

Excessive bacteria growth usually occurs in creviced tissue that regularly accumulates food debris. The tongue obviously fits this description, which is why children are encouraged to brush it as well as their teeth. The tonsils could also be a breeding ground for bacteria. Small children get frequent sinus infections, and nasal drip accumulating in the throat provides bacteria with another food source. Bad breath could also be a sign that a child has cankers or another kind of mouth sore.

People with dry mouth are particularly susceptible to bad breath because saliva is an important check on bacteria growth. Children often dry out from mouth breathing and may need to see a specialist for help. However, chewing sugar-free gum can work as a stop-gap to increase saliva production. Dry mouth is also a common medication side effect, including for ADHD and anxiety pills that are often prescribed to children. Parents may want to talk to their child’s doctor about getting an adjustment if this is an issue, as it poses a risk to both a child’s social life and their oral health.

Dr. Allen Ressler, Dr. Andrew Hirschl, and Dr. Ira Lelchuk operate from two locations. To schedule an appointment at the location at Mount Sinai Medical Center, 4300 Alton Road, Suite 1190, Miami Beach, Florida, 33140, call 305-532-1444. To schedule an appointment at Intracoastal Mall, 3909 NE 163^rd St, Suite 310, North Miami Beach, Florida, 33160, call 305-949-2630. They can also be reached on their website, Miami-Dental.com, through a contact form.