Educational Information

Are Silver Fillings Safe and is There An Alternative?

Amalgam, or silver fillings, is mixture of mercury, and an alloy of silver, tin, and copper. Mercury is used to bind these metals together. When combined with these metals it's chemical nature changes rendering it essentially harmless. There have been numerous scientific studies that have shown amalgam fillings to be safe.

Although amalgam is a very durable restorative material it can be esthetically unpleasing. We have been using composite fillings in my practice and have found the newer generation filling materials to be extremely strong and resilient. These fillings are bonded to your teeth and polished. An exact shade can be matched leaving you with a great looking restoration.

How is My Oral Health Related to My Overall Health?

There is a proven relationship between oral bacteria and many systemic diseases. These bacteria have been associated with heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and the birth of pre-term, low-birth-weight babies. For these reasons make sure you schedule regular dental appointments.

Why Does My Jaw Ache?

Fifteen percent of adults clench or grind their teeth. This grinding (bruxism) and clenching frequently occurs while sleeping. It is related to periods of stress. This behavior can lead to pain in the TMJ (temporomandibular joint) and sometimes cause teeth to fracture. Treatment consists of the fabrication of an acrylic night guard or splint that is worn while you sleep. This hard plastic splint absorbs the forces from clenching and grinding thus allowing your jaws and teeth to be remain healthy.

Do Women Need To Be More Careful With Their Oral Health?

Women's oral health depends on their different stages of life.

Puberty: hormonal surges can cause swollen gum tissue.

Pregnancy: inflammation of gum tissues can occur because of increases in estrogen and progesterone. Morning sickness, nausea, and gagging can severely decrease the desire to brush therefore resulting in gingivitis and cavity formation.

Menopause: Some women experience dry mouth, burning sensation, and changes in taste. Hormonal replacement therapy may cause gums to bleed, swell, and become inflamed.

Why is My Mouth Always Dry?

There are over 400 medications that cause a decrease in salivary flow resulting in chronic dry mouth. A decrease in saliva leads to an increased risk of cavity formation making it important to seek regular dental care. 

Velscope®: The Oral Cancer Screening System 

The rate of oral cancer is steadily rising.  As such, we are pleased to announce the acquisition of  Velscope: The Oral Cancer Screening System.  Until recently, the dental profession was without an instrument that could help with the early detection of oral cancer.  The Velscope® emits a blue-green fluorescent light that causes normal, healthy tissue to remain green under the light.  Under this same light, pre-cancerous or malignant tissue will appear irregular and dark, allowing it to stand out therefore causing concern.

 It has always been noted that oral cancer is found in a higher percentage of patients who use tobacco products.  This group has seen a steady decline in population due to smoking cessation, yet oral cancer diagnoses and related deaths are on the rise.  Non-smokers, age 20-50 are the fastest growing segment of the oral cancer population.

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