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.

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.

Canker Sores

Canker sores are small, shallow ulcers that appear in your mouth and make it difficult for you to eat and talk. The exact cause of canker sores isn’t known but stress and foods that are high in citrus and are acidic are known triggers of canker sores.

Some symptoms that you may have a canker sore include pain on your tongue or the inside of your cheeks and if you feel a burning sensation. Canker sores are circular and are usually white or gray with a red edge.

Foods that are known to cause canker sores include lemons, oranges, apples, and tomatoes. At Miami Dental we encourage our patients with canker sores to avoid these foods.

If you do get a canker sore, the best way to treat them is to rinse your mouth out with hot salt water a couple times a couple of times a day to help with recovery. If you still have a canker sore after 1-2 weeks we advise you to make an appointment with us.

Dr. Allen Ressler, Dr. Andrew Hirschl, 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 Intracostal 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 through a contact form.

Crooked Teeth and Crowding

Many people have crooked teeth, at Miami Dental, we want you to understand how crooked teeth causes crowding and how you can fix crowding of your teeth. As your permanent teeth begin to develop, they can start to become crooked and overlap.

When there isn’t enough room in your mouth to fit, crowding can occur and lead to shifting. In some cases, overbites can form when your upper and lower jaws aren’t the same size, which extends your bottom teeth and jaw outward.

If you have difficulty chewing while eating, you may need a tooth extraction or braces. Crooked teeth can make it difficult to clean your teeth that can lead to cavities and gum disease. For most of our patients, braces are required to fix crowding and crooked teeth.

We encourage our patients with crooked teeth to get braces at a younger age when their mouth is still developing. Tis makes it easier for your teeth to grow in straight and naturally as your mouth is still expanding.

Dr. Allen Ressler, Dr. Andrew Hirschl, 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 Intracostal 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 through a contact form.

Dental Phobia

If you have a fear of going to the dentist or people working in your mouth, you likely suffer from dental phobia. Dental phobia is a serious condition that leaves patients with a fear of the dentist panic-stricken and terrified in the days leading up to their appointment. Our staff at Miami Dental advises patients with dental phobia to let us know prior to their visit with us about their fears.

Studies have shown that about 9% to 15% of people avoid going to the dentist every year due to dental phobia. We don’t want your fear of the dentist to deter you for getting your teeth cleaned and getting a checkup twice a year. People who suffer from dental phobia are more likely to develop cavities and gum disease.

Please give us a call a couple of days before your appointment with us so can accommodate you the best we can and make you feel comfortable.

Dr. Allen Ressler, Dr. Andrew Hirschl, 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 Intracostal 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 through a contact form.

Flossing to Prevent Cavities

At Miami Dental, we advise our patients to floss daily for good oral hygiene. Flossing removes all of the food and bacteria stuck in-between your teeth that your toothbrush can’t reach.  

Many people don’t floss because they think it is too time-consuming but the truth is flossing gets rid of 40% of the debris in your teeth.  When food gets stuck in between your teeth, it allows plaque to build up if you don't floss.

Flossing is easy, simply wrap the floss around each tooth while rubbing it up and down to scrape away any plaque. Don’t be concerned if your gums bleed when you start flossing, if they are not used to flossing they will likely be sensitive in the beginning.

We want all of our patients to floss daily to prevent cavities and have healthier teeth.

Dr. Allen Ressler, Dr. Andrew Hirschl, 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 Intracostal 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 through a contact form.

Porcelain Dental Veneers

Drs. Allen Ressler, Andrew Hirschl, and Ira Lelchuk of Miami Dental offer Porcelain Dental Veneers to our patients. Dental veneers are thin durable porcelain shells that are placed over your natural teeth. This gives you the chance to have the smile that you’ve always dreamed of. Dental veneers can correct issues such as stained, cracked, broken, and gapped teeth. They look completely natural, impossible to differentiate from natural teeth.

 

It takes 2-3 appointments for the veneer process to be complete. At your first appointment, you will meet with one of our dentists for a consultation. There are many different options that come with dental veneers. They are as versatile as you are, so it is recommended that you do some individual research beforehand. This will help you get a better idea of how you want your new smile to look. The major two aesthetic choices are the shape and color of the veneers. For shape, the two options come down to rounded and square. It is a common misbelief that rounded veneers are more feminine, while square veneers are more masculine. This is not true. We offer the best shape for your particular mouth regardless of gender. In terms of color, the shading of the veneers goes from natural all the way to Hollywood levels of brightness. Once all the decisions have been made, the next part of the process can begin.

 

Your teeth will be prepared for the laminates. During this process, the dentist will take an impression of your teeth. This impression is what will be used to create your custom veneers. It is sent to a dental laboratory to be made. It will take about 10-14 days. We will provide you with temporary veneers during this time. At your final appointment, your permanent veneers will be bonded to your teeth.

 

Miami Dental has offices in two locations. For our office located in North Miami Beach, call 305-949-2630. To reach our Miami Beach office, call 305-532-1444. Drs. Allen Ressler, Andrew Hirschl, and Ira Lelchuk are available for appointment over the phone or by visiting our website.

The Benefits of Chewing Sugarless Gum

Depending on the type of gum you’re chewing, it can have a positive or negative effect on your oral health. Chewing sugarless gum after meals has been proven to help rinse acids that attract bacteria, which destroy tooth enamel. Food particles can easily get stuck or lodged against your teeth. Chewing gum increases saliva, neutralizing acids and helping to wash away remaining food particles and debris. Miami Dental recommends patients chew gum, but only if they make sure it is sugar-free.

Gum filled with sugar may taste better but it is really harmful to your teeth. Sugars attract bacteria and cause tooth decay, which ultimately leads to cavities. This is why it’s extremely harmful to allow sugar to rest on the teeth. Sugary gum is inside your mouth and against your teeth for longer because of its function as a chewable apparatus. Instead of relieving breath odor, producing saliva, and dislodging food particles, sugary chewing gum is causing more harm than good by lacing your teeth with even more bacteria-attracting sugar. 

Chewing sugarless gum also should not be a substitute for proper oral hygiene as patients should still brush and floss daily. They should also visit us twice a year for professional cleanings.

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. Visit our website at www.miami-dental.net or stop in and fill out a contact form.