Why Are You Taking My Picture?

At your first dental visit, we gather a bunch of information to know as much as we can about you, your dental health and your dental history.  X-rays, charting of exisiting dental work, gum measurments and photographs all help us create your current dental record.

Photographs are an important tool for education.  What better way to explain what we see, by showing you exactly!  These photos show us the shape of your teeth, how your lips drape, the color and texture of your gums.   The photos will show us how your teeth and bite fit together, any chips or cracks within the tooth or filling.  We then are able to compare things like, wear, cracks
and recession from visit to visit.  We use photographs of you and your teeth to help explain your dental health and why certain treatment is recommended.  Then by showing you what we see you can make the best decision for you and your teeth. 

You know what they say, "A picture is worth a thousand words!"

Are You a Nighttime Grinder? This Post is for You!

What is the difference between a night guard made in the dental office vs. one I buy at the pharmacy?

For starters an office made guard is a lot less bulky, lower profile and is custom fit to only your teeth.  This guard, unlike a rubber one, is hard acrylic and is like an ice skating rink for the teeth.  A soft pharmacy guard, will lock your teeth in place and transfer the grinding pressure to your temporomandibular joint.  With an office made guard your teeth and jaw can move freely and comfortably.

4 Reasons Your Braces are Still On

1.   Compliance isn't happening at home.
Treatment drastically slows down if your not:  wearing your rubber bands, coming in for your adjustments on time or if you're breaking brackets and wires frequently.

2. Your bite still needs correcting.
The front teeth may look perfectly straight, but the primary focus of braces is to pull your teeth in the correct position so you can bite and chew.  These changes may go unnoticed by yo

u but if a tooth is even a few millimeters out of position, over time, it can create uneven wear.  This results in, shortening of teeth, cracking of teeth and even chipping or breaking.

3. You're an Adult
Braces on adults take longer because the bone supporting the teeth isn't as responsive to change as when you were younger and still growing.

4.  Your teeth and bite need a lot of correcting.
Cross-bites, over-bites, under-bites and severe crowding take longer to correct and straighten out.

The fastest way to get your braces off is controlling what you can: wear your rubber bands, brush your teeth and come in for your appointments.  The rest we will take care of and communicate with you if there a any delays in treatment.

The First Steps in Orthodontic Treatment

Straight teeth not only look great, but they will allow your teeth to wear properly, make your teeth easier to clean, provide you with healthier gums and decrease headaches and jaw pain, to name a few.  We take steps not only in children, but in adults, to explain what we are seeing in your mouth and explain why braces or Invisalign may benefit you.

Dr. Scott does both braces and Invisalign in our office.  To determine the best course of treatment for you, we first do a "records" appointment.  At this appointment we take photographs of your teeth, your bite and how that all impacts your facial features, profile, etc.  Next, we take impression of your teeth and create models.  We also take radiographs to determine what your skeletal make up is (underbite, overbite, etc.) and what angle your teeth are coming in and what angle your roots are positioned. There is a fee for this appointment, but that does not commit you to further orthodontic treatment. 

After gathering all the information, it is then Dr. Scott will make a treatment recommendations, determine approximate length of treatment, any complications that could arise and cost of treatment.  This is the consultation appointment and is designed to provide answers to all questions and we ask that a parent be present with their child.

After the consult appointment, orthodontic treatment will begin!

4 Tips to Help with Jaw Soreness

Treat it like a sprained ankle
~Rest the joint. Avoid chewy foods: gums, bagels, pizza crusts, etc.
~Use heat and ice compresses on the joint.
~Take NSAIDs (ibuprofen, naproxen), which can help reduce swelling and pain.

Get a night guard
~If you find that you are clenching and grinding at night a guard can help relieve stress on the jaw joint.

Put your tongue to the roof of your mouth

~If you catch yourself clenching or grinding during the day, the simple act of placing your tongue to the roof of your mouth will make you aware of it and provide separation of your teeth.

Massage
~Massaging the muscles around the jaw will increase blood flow to the area and loosen tight muscles surrounding the jaw joint.

Best Tooth Paste for Gums

Do you have bleeding gums, gingivitis or periodontal (gum) disease?  These are the best tooth pastes on the market for you!

I Was Told My Tooth is Cracked. What Now?

Cracked teeth are fairly common and most often fixable.  Some teeth have been in your mouth since you were 6 years old and have been through some wear and tear.

Most common causes of a cracked tooth:

• Clenching and Grinding
• Large silver fillings
• Older fillings
• Root canalled teeth

How do I know if I have a cracked tooth?

• You or your dental professional can see it.  At our office we will take a photograph of the crack, so you can see what we see.
• You have off and on biting sensitivity. 
• Sensitivity to hot and/or cold
• Gum swelling
• A "line" of stain 

How is a cracked tooth treated?

• If a crack is superficial (simple) and not causing any pain, removing the crack and placing a filling can be done.
• If a crack is large (complex) and symptomatic, the best treatment is a crown.  A crown is placed over the top of the tooth to prevent the crack from spreading and progressing.  Eating and drinking will cause flexure of the tooth.  A crown prevents that flexure, keeping that crack right where it is.

What happens if I leave a crack and do nothing?

• Much like a crack on the sidewalk it will spread.  The larger the crack the more symptoms and pain you can have, as the crack gets closer to the nerve.
• The crack can cause the tooth to split in two.  Often this will result in needed the tooth extracted.

5 Ways Vaping Impacts Your Mouth.

1. Contains harmful chemicals like diethylene glycol- found in Antifreeze, lead and chromium.

2. When inhaling the hottest and most potent part of the vape is right away, that which happens in the mouth. As a result, cells in your mouth change, in a negative way.

3. Liquid Nicotine constricts important blood flow to your teeth and tissues. It’s like applying a tourniquet to each tooth. Healthy blood flow is important to keep your teeth.

4. Vaping dries out your mouth. This is causing bad breath and decay.

5. Vaping is a stimulant and can cause clenching, grinding and jaw pain.

Are Dental X-Ray's Necessary?

 A lot of patients ask this question.  Often they explain that they are not in any pain, are concerned about cost or incurring unnecessary radiation exposure.  We are a full service dental office and owe it to our patients to obtain a complete dental picture.  We want to make sure each patient get the dental care they need and deserve.  X-Rays are a necessary part of that picture.  Without them, we could be missing underlying dental issues.

I'm not in any pain.
Super!  That meas they cavity likely hasn't reached the nerve space.  With an x-ray we can determine how deep the cavity is, what type and size of filling you need and how soon it needs to be done to avoid dental pain or abscess.

I'm concerned with the cost of x-rays.
Vaild.  X-Rays cost money.  So do fillings, crowns and root canals.  Fillings are far cheaper than a crown and cheaper yet than a root canal.  By using x-rays we can diagnose a small cavity and place a small filling.  This will cost less than waiting 'until next time" to take x-rays.  Cavities will grow and spread over time.

I'm worried about radiation exposure.
We take radiation exposure seriously.  Digital x-rays generate way less radiation than past x-ray technology.  In fact, dental x-rays produce less radiation than an average person receives on an average day from environmental radiation; less than riding on a plane, less than being outside for 15 minutes.
We take into account individual patient needs.  Those that have never had a cavity and healthy bone support, don't need x-rays as often as those with active gum disease or high cavity rates.

If you have any questions about x-rays, please don't hesitate to ask!

In the picture above, the teeth in the mouth look healthy and cavity free.  The x-ray shows a cavity between the teeth.  

Gum Disease and Alzheimer's.

We all know it's important to have healthy gums and now a new study has linked gum disease to Alzheimers.

Read more below Then floss!

https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2019/01/gum-disease-causing-bacteria-could-spur-alzheimer-s

The Importance of Baby Teeth

Baby teeth are important to your child's dental health and development. They are essential for chewing, speaking, smiling and are needed to hold the space for the permanent tooth to come in. Think of the baby tooth as a puppet string, guiding each adult tooth.

Baby teeth are needed, and shouldn't be pulled, just because they aren't permanent.

What is Gum Recession and Why is it a Concern?

Gum recession is when the gums and bone support pull away from the tooth.  This exposes the porous root surface.

Potential Causes of Recession:
Gum disease

Clenching or grinding

Poorly aligned teeth and/or crowding
Aggressive brushing

Signs of Recession:

Hot/Cold sensitivity
Brushing sensitivity
Teeth appearing "longer" than they used to
Notching present at the gum line
Decay present at the root surface

Gum recession is fairly common and occurs gradually.  Typically the first symptom is sensitivity or a "longer" appearance in the tooth.  Identifying what is causing the recession is key to finding a solution.

Cause and Potential Solutions

Gum Disease → Regular dental visits, daily brushing and flossing
Clenching/Grinding→ Night guard, bio- feedback
Poor Alignment/crowding→ Braces.
Aggressive brushing→ Switch to an extra soft tooth brush or electric tooth brush, brush with your non dominant hand.

It's important to stop recession from progressing further.  If recession continues, root surface cavities, loosening of teeth or tooth loss can occur.  

Thanks for the Great Reviews!

On the fence about what dentist to go to in Alexandria?  Check out our review page!

https://www.stadsklevdental.com/reviews.html


"I felt very comfortable on my first initial visit. I admit to having a fear of dentists, and everyone in this office was very friendly, compassionate and made me feel relaxed. I would highly recommend Stadsklev Dental." -Debra

What's the Difference Between Gingivitis and Periodontal (Gum) Disease?

Gingivitis:  Plaque bacteria isn't being brushed or flossed away.  This bacteria sitting around the gums causes swelling and bleeding.  The bacteria is breaking down the gum tissue.  You may notice bleeding when brushing or flossing.  This is your first sign that there is a problem.  Healthy gums do not bleed. Begin removing bacteria by brushing and flossing daily.  You should see improvement in the terms of swelling, malodor and bleeding reduction.

If bacteria isn't removed daily, it will successfully break down the gum tissue and then move into the bone and being breaking down bone.  Once the bone is involved it is now called periodontal disease.

Periodontal Disease:  Bacteria allowed to sit on your gums have now moved from the gums to the bone and is breaking down bone.  Essentially, you are losing part of your jaw bone.  Symptoms of periodontal disease include: bleeding, malodor, swelling and mild soreness in the gum tissue.  This is very similar to gingivitis.  That is why it is so important to maintain regular dental visits.  We measure bone support each visit and provide you with feedback and suggestions.  Periodontal disease is irreversible and maintaining bone levels where they are is important to keeping disease at bay.  If left untreated, teeth will loosen and eventually teeth will be lost.

Gingivitis

Periodontal Disease



Advance Periodontal Disease

The Difference Between a White and Silver Filling.

Composite: The dentist only removes the decay.  Essentially a 'hole' surrounded by healthy tooth remains.  That 'hole' is then filled with white composite that is bonded or glued to the sides of the 'hole.' This strengthens the tooth, looks like the tooth and feels smooth.

Amalgam or silver fillings: Since no bonding or 'glue' is used with a sliver filling, the dentist has to remove the decay and then shape the tooth in such a way that the silver filling will lock itself into place.  This means that healthy tooth has to be removed to prepare the tooth for a silver filling.

We like to keep as much of the natural, healthy tooth as we can.  Therefore a composite is likely recommended.

Image: The black lines indicate the amount of tooth removed to prepare the tooth for a filling.  The gray indicates the cavity or decay.

Electronic Cigarettes and Your Mouth

"I don't smoke cigarettes anymore; I switched to e-cigs. How does that impact my mouth?"

They Contain Toxins

Specifically, a harmful one and one unique to e-cigs, is diethylene glycol.  Diethylene glycol is used in anti-freeze, lead and chromium.  When inhaling an aerosol the first contact (the mouth) is the hottest and most potent.  This changes the make up of your cells, in a negative way.

Additionally, significant amounts of metal toxins leak from the coils in an e-cigarette.  Unsafe levels of nickel, lead, chromium and manganese are in the mouth and then inhaled.  Chronic inhalation of these metals can cause lung, liver, immune and cardiovascular and brain damage as well as cancers.

Nicotine's Role

E-cigarette contain liquid nicotine.  Nicotine in any form is a vasoconstrictor, meaning it cuts off the blood flow to the teeth and gums.  It chokes the tissue and causes death to the gum tissue.  Nicotine also cuts of salivary flow.  Saliva plays an important role in washing and protecting the teeth. Without it you become more at risk for decay, bad breath and gingivitis.  Nicotine is a stimulant and can also cause or intensify grinding or clenching.  This can result in jaw pain, wear, cracking and breaking of teeth.

Nicotine can also hide the symptoms of gum disease.  At the dental office, our first 'clue' to a gum problem is bleeding.  Since nicotine restricts blood flow, a smoker or vaper's, tissue won't bleed as easily until the disease is more advanced.

So what should you do to protect your oral health, if you use e-cigarettes?

• Obviously, quitting is recommend not only for your dental health, but for the health of your body.
• Drink water.  Due to using nicotine use, dry mouth is a concern.  Drinking plenty of water throughout the day will help lubricate the mouth, reducing decay and bad breath.
• Switch to no nicotine e-liquid.  Eliminating nicotine will reduce dental diseases
• Better Oral Hygiene.  Smokers and Vapers have to work harder than most because they are higher risk for dental diseases.  While some can get away with flossing a few times a week, smokers and vapers cannot.
• Visit the Dentist.  Be sure to maintain regular visits to the dentist and get regular x-rays.  This will help reduce decay and gum disease and/or catch it at an early and treatable stage. 

How to Care for Your Infant's Teeth

That sweet, gummy, baby smile is enough to melt your heart!  But how and when does a parent start practicing oral hygiene at home?

For starters, even before teeth come in, gently clean your baby's gums.  I find it best to do this during bath time.  Wrap a wet washcloth around your finger and gently glide along baby's gums.

Once teeth appear, you can continue to use the washcloth during bath time.  If it's not bath night, there are several baby tooth brushes that you can use.  This is my favorite to use until molars come in.

Once that happens a tooth brush, like the one below, works best (and saves your finger from a bite!)

Avoid using large amounts of toothpaste with fluoride in it.  A tiny smear of toothpaste is plenty.  It's not the end of the world if a bit of toothpaste is swallowed, but keep the tube out of reach.  If you are worried, there are fluoride free toothpastes available.  Incorporating the right amount of fluoride in your baby's teeth and developing adult teeth is important.

Flossing of course is recommended as soon as multiple teeth come in, easier said than done.  Check to see how tight your baby's teeth are.  Does floss easily slip into a large space between the teeth or does the floss 'snap' into place?  If that floss 'snaps' into place, your kiddo is more at risk for decay, making flossing all the more important.  That tight space traps bacteria and the tongue and saliva have a harder time cleaning out that area. I find it easiest to use flossers, with my child's head in my lap to clean out bacteria and food between the teeth.

8 Tips to Calm a Sensitive Gag Reflex

The gag reflex is there to prevent us from a foreign object obstructing our airway.  This reflex is triggered by an object touching the roof of mouth, back of tongue and/or tonsils.  While no one is entirely sure why someone's gag reflex is more sensitive than others, there are some tips on how to deal with a sensitive reflex.

1. Use a numbing spray or gel in your mouth
2. Squeeze your thumb.  Reflexology state that applying pressure in your hand by squeezing your thumb can help ease a gag reflex (see photo)
3. Desensitize your tongue, by brushing your tongue every day
4. Apply table salt to the center of your tongue
5. Hum
6. Wiggle your toes; raise your leg.  This will keep your mind on something else
7. Listen to music
8. Focus on breathing through your nose.

How a Crown is Prepared

Part 2 of our crown series is how a crown is actually done.  A crown is custom fit for each tooth.  Dr. Scott will reduce each side of the tooth, to allow for the new crown to fit in your mouth.  Without that reduction from every side of the tooth, that crown would be the only tooth your teeth hit when they come together.

After the tooth is reduced, a crown is placed over the top.  The color and type of crown is done to fit and blend perfectly with the neighboring teeth.

Having a crown does not mean you now have a fake tooth.  It is your natural tooth underneath.  You will still feel hot and cold.  You can chew normally; you will be able to floss normally.  It is still your tooth.

A crown does not mean you have to have a root canal.  However, the reverse is true:  if a tooth has a root canal, a crown is now recommended.  A root canalled tooth is hallow and thus fragile to breaking.  A crown strengthens a fragile tooth.  But just because a tooth has a crown does not mean it will need a root canal.

Why Do I Need a Crown?

Having a crown done is a very common practice in a dental office.  If it's your first you may have some questions.

The following are the most common reasons to crown a tooth:

• Cracked Tooth.  If a tooth is cracked, in order to keep that tooth together and keep that crack from spreading, a crown is placed over the top of the tooth.  The crack is still present but the tooth will no longer flex with chewing and temperature changes.  Keeping that crack right where it is, away from the nerve.
• If the Tooth has a Root Canal.  When you have a root canal, the nerve is removed and the tooth is now 'hallowed out'.  A hallow tooth is more at risk for cracking and breaking.  Since you no longer have a nerve in the tooth you can't feel if this is happening.  A crown, covering that tooth, protects it from breaking.
• Discolored or Misshapen Teeth.  For stains that won't whiten away or teeth that are a funny shape, a crown can make teeth more uniform in color and shape.
• A Lot of Decay.  A tooth with a lot of decay cannot support a filling.  You need a certain portion of natural tooth to support, not only a filling, but to withstand chewing forces.  If there isn't much healthy tooth left then your only option is to crown it, to avoid an extraction.
• Broken Tooth.  Same as a tooth with a lot of decay; if a large portion of the tooth is gone, it can't be filled.  Crowning is the only option to ensure longevity of that tooth.
• Wear.  Depending on how severe the wear is, in order to build it back up to where it was a crown is needed.

When doing a crown we can contour the tooth to fit ideally in your mouth.  We take into account what area is broken/decayed/worn to fit in with the surrounding teeth.  This can repair food catches, idealize contour of the tooth and reduce sensitivity to name a few.  Crowns are custom made to only fit that one tooth and provide you with a more predictable, attractive result.  Before crowns, a damaged tooth would have been pulled, now a crown allows you to keep a damaged tooth for a long time, often the rest of your life.  

A crown is nothing to be ashamed of.  In fact, you may not ever even notice them; they look and feel like a natural tooth.