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Root Canals – Do They Hurt?

Posted by: Dr. Sarah Po | Comments (0)

Tuesday, May 25th, 2010

Once upon a time, if you had a tooth with a diseased nerve, you would probably lose that tooth. Today, with a special dental procedure called a root canal therapy you may save that tooth. Inside each tooth is the pulp which provides nutrients and nerves to the tooth, and it runs like a thread down through the root. When the pulp is diseased or injured, the pulp tissue dies. If you don’t remove it, your tooth gets infected and you could lose it. After the dentist removes the pulp, the root canal is cleaned and sealed off to protect it. Then your dentist places a crown over the tooth to help make it stronger.

Does it hurt?

Root canal procedures have the reputation of being painful. However, it is actually a relatively simple procedure with little or no discomfort involving one or two visits. In fact, most people report that the procedure itself is no more painful than having a filling placed.

For the first few days after a root canal, the tooth may feel sensitive to pressure and chewing. This is normal and can be controlled with over the counter medications like ibuprofen. Most patients can resume normal activities the next day or even the same day.

And the best thing about a root canal? It can save your tooth and your smile!

Thank you for reading. I encourage you to leave comments or questions below. For more information on my practice, please visit www.elitesacramentodentist.com

Your friendly dentist,
Dr. Sarah Po
May 25, 2010

Sources: http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/dental-root-canals
http://www.ada.org/3037.aspx?currentTab=1

Categories : Dentistry

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Using Sedation and General Anesthesia in Dentistry

Posted by: Dr. Sarah Po | Comments (0)

Thursday, May 13th, 2010

Anti-anxiety agents, such as nitrous oxide, or sedatives may help you relax during dental visits and often may be used along with local anesthetics. Dentists also can use these agents to induce “minimal or moderate sedation,” in which the patient achieves a relaxed state during treatment but can respond to speech or touch. Sedatives can be administered before, during or after dental procedures by mouth, inhalation or injection.

More complex treatments may require drugs that can induce “deep sedation,” causing a loss of feeling and reducing consciousness in order to relieve both pain and anxiety. On occasion, patients undergo “general anesthesia,” in which drugs cause a temporary loss of consciousness. Deep sedation and general anesthesia may be recommended in certain procedures for children or others who have severe anxiety or who have difficulty controlling their movements.

Understanding the range of choices that are available to relieve anxiety and discomfort makes you a well-informed dental consumer. If you have questions or concerns about your oral health care, don’t hesitate to talk to your dentist. Working together, you and your dentist can choose the appropriate steps to make your dental visit as safe and comfortable as possible, and to help you keep a healthy smile.

Thank you for reading. I encourage you to leave questions or comments below. To learn more about my practice, please visit www.elitesacramentodentist.com

Your friendly dentist,
Dr. Sarah Po
May 13, 2010

Source: http://www.ada.org/2946.aspx?currentTab=1

Categories : Dentistry

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Veneers

Posted by: Dr. Sarah Po | Comments (0)

Tuesday, May 11th, 2010

There’s no reason to put up with gaps in your teeth or with teeth that are stained, badly shaped or crooked. Today a veneer placed on top of your teeth can correct nature’s mistake or the results of an injury and help you have a beautiful smile.

Veneers are thin, custom-made shells made of porcelain designed to cover the front side of teeth. They are made by a dental technician, usually in a dental lab, working from a model provided by your dentist.

You should know that this is usually an irreversible process, because it’s necessary to remove a small amount of enamel from your teeth to accommodate the shell.

Your dentist may recommend that you avoid some foods and beverages that may stain or discolor your veneers such as coffee, tea or red wine. Sometimes a veneer might chip or fracture. But for many people the results are more than worth it.

If you have any questions about veneers ask your dentist.

Thank you for reading. I encourage you to leave comments or questions below. For more information on my practice please visit www.elitesacramentodentist.com

Your friendly dentist,
Dr. Sarah Po
May 11, 2010

Source: http://www.ada.org/3000.aspx?currentTab=1

Categories : Dentistry

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Should You Have Your Wisdom Teeth Removed?

Posted by: Dr. Sarah Po | Comments (0)

Thursday, May 6th, 2010

Wisdom teeth are a valuable asset to the mouth when they are healthy and properly positioned. Often, however, problems develop that require their removal. When the jaw isn’t large enough to accommodate wisdom teeth, they can become impacted (unable to come in or misaligned). Wisdom teeth may grow sideways, emerge only part way from the gum or remain trapped beneath the gum and bone.

Extraction of wisdom teeth is generally recommended when:

Wisdom teeth only partially erupt. This leaves an opening for bacteria to enter around the tooth and cause an infection. Pain, swelling, jaw stiffness and general illness can result.
There is a chance that poorly aligned wisdom teeth will damage adjacent teeth.
They are so far back in the mouth that they are difficult to keep clean, resulting in recurring cavities.
A cyst (fluid-filled sac) forms, destroying surrounding structures such as bone or tooth roots.

If you have wisdom teeth, ask your dentist about their health and positioning . Your dentist may make a recommendation for removal or send you to an oral surgeon for further evaluation.

Thank you for reading. I encourage you to leave comments or questions below. For more information on my practice, please visit www.elitesacramentodentist.com

Your friendly dentist,
Dr. Sarah Po
May 6, 2010

Source: http://www.ada.org/2988.aspx?currentTab=1

Categories : Dentistry

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What to Do About Cold Sores?

Posted by: Dr. Sarah Po | Comments (0)

Tuesday, April 27th, 2010

Last week I blogged about canker sores. This week I will discuss another common type of mouth sore: cold sores.

What are cold sores?
Cold sores, also known as fever blisters, are groups of fluid filled blisters. Annoying and painful, they can be seen around the lips, sometimes under the nose, or around the chin.

What causes them?
Cold sores are caused by the herpes simplex virus type 1 and are very contagious. The initial infection (primary herpes), which often occurs before adulthood, may be confused with a cold or flu and can cause painful lesions to erupt throughout the mouth.

Once a person is infected with primary herpes, the virus stays in the body and causes occasional attacks. Recurring cold sores look like multiple tiny fluid-filled blisters that most commonly appear around the edge of the lips.

For some people, the virus remains inactive or dormant. For others, cold sores can follow a fever, sunburn, stress, emotional upsets or a break in the skin.

How do you treat them?
Cold sore blisters usually heal in a week by themselves. Over-the-counter topical anesthetics can provide some relief. Your dentist may prescribe antiviral drugs to reduce these kinds of viral infections.

Thank you for reading. I encourage you to leave comments or questions below. To learn more about my practice, please visit www.elitesacramentodentist.com

Your friendly dentist,
Dr. Sarah Po
Apr. 27, 2010

Source: http://www.ada.org/2982.aspx?currentTab=1

Categories : Dentistry, Healthy Teeth

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Do You Get Canker Sores?

Posted by: Dr. Sarah Po | Comments (0)

Thursday, April 22nd, 2010

Canker sores are annoying and painful. They are among the most common mouth sores.

What exactly are canker sores? They are small ulcers with a white or gray base and a red border. They appear inside the mouth and are not contagious. There may be only one canker sore or several and they can return frequently.

What causes them? Their exact cause is uncertain but some experts believe that immune system problems, bacteria or viruses may be involved.

Fatigue, stress or allergies can increase the likelihood of a canker sore. Some women may be more prone to them in their premenstrual cycle. A cut caused by biting the cheek or tongue, or reactions from hot foods or beverages may contribute to canker sore development. Intestinal problems, such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, also seem to make some people more susceptible.

How do you treat them? Canker sores usually heal on their own after a week or two. Over-the-counter topical anesthetics and antimicrobial mouthrinses may provide temporary relief. Stay away from hot, spicy or acidic foods that can irritate the sore. See your dentist if the sores do not heal after two weeks.

Thank you for reading. I encourage you to leave comments or questions below. For more information about my practice, please visit www.elitesacramentodentist.com.

Your friendly dentist,
Dr. Sarah Po
April 22, 2010

Source: http://www.ada.org/2982.aspx?currentTab=1

Categories : Dentistry

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Do Mouthwashes Really Work?

Posted by: Dr. Sarah Po | Comments (0)

Thursday, April 15th, 2010

It depends.

Are you using it to mask bad breath? In that case, yes – mouthwashes like Listerine can mask bad breath temporarily.

Does using mouthwash mean you don’t need to brush and floss? No.

Some mouthwashes contain anti-bacterial components which help to control bacteria responsible for unpleasant odors and plaque. However, mouthwashes are not a substitute for mechanical removal of bacteria through brushing and flossing, where is the main way of preventing tooth decay and gum disease. Also, keep in mind that many mouthwashes contain alcohol. Mouthwashes that contain alcohol should be kept out of children’s reach.

Some mouth rinses like Act Mouthrinse may contain fluoride to help make teeth more resistant to acids that cause cavities. Other types like Peridex, which contains Chlorhexidine, can help with gum infections and are recommended for use after a deep cleaning or extraction. Both of these would be recommended by your dentist as needed.

The bottom line? Continue to brush, floss and see your dentist regularly for checkups and professional cleanings. And if you’d like, use mouthwashes to help freshen your breath.

Thank you for reading. I encourage you to leave comments or questions below. For more information about my practice, please visit www.elitesacramentodentist.com.

Your friendly dentist,
Dr. Sarah Po
April 15, 2010

Categories : Dentistry

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Are Dental X-rays Harmful?

Posted by: Dr. Sarah Po | Comments (0)

Tuesday, March 23rd, 2010

Once in a while, I get a patient who refuses routine x-rays for fear of too much radiation exposure. But how harmful are dental x-rays, really? And do we really need them?

A typical dental x-ray exposes you to about 2-3 mrem (millirem). To put it in context, the NCRP (National Council on Radiation Protections) says the average American receives about 360 mrem per year from background sources. This includes radiation from the atmosphere and in some of the foods we eat. Examples of other sources of radiation include cooking with natural gas (approx 10 mrem per year from radon in natural gas) and smoke detectors (approx 1 mrem per year).

On the other hand, dental x-rays benefit you by allowing your dentist to see and evaluate the supporting bones in your jaw, as well as between your teeth where any of the following may be present and undetectable by visual exam alone

decay
cysts
cancer
dissolving root and bone disease

Without x-rays, the ability to stop disease while it is small and inexpensive to repair may be lost. This could potentially result in expensive, painful dental disease conditions, unnecessary loss of teeth, and possibly some medical complications as well.

The bottom line? Properly taken dental x-rays are a necessary part of your dental examinations and will not expose you unnecessarily to harmful radiation.

Thank you for reading. I encourage you to leave comments or questions below. To learn more about my practice, click on www.elitesacramentodentist.com

Your friendly dentist,
Dr. Sarah Po
Mar. 23, 2010

Categories : Dentistry

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How Does Your Oral Health Impact Your Risk of Heart Disease and Stroke?

Posted by: Dr. Sarah Po | Comments (0)

Thursday, March 18th, 2010

Earlier this week I discussed that infections in the mouth can lead to other health problems. What does this mean for heart disease and stroke?

Diseased heart vessels have thicker walls because of the buildup of fatty proteins. Research says that when oral bacteria enter the blood stream, they attach to these fatty plaques in the arteries. This leads to swelling of the arteries and formation of clots. Clots block the flow of blood to the heart, which then restricts oxygen supply to the heart thereby increasing the risk of heart attacks.

People with gum disease are twice as likely to suffer from coronary artery disease as those without gum disease. Gum disease was found in more people who had suffered a stroke than the control group that had not suffered a stroke.

Finally, periodontal bacteria can also complicate existing heart conditions such as heart murmurs by causing infection of the heart valves. Such pre-existing conditions require antibiotic prophylaxis prior to dental procedures. Your dentist and primary care doctor can advise you if you think you have concerns on this matter.

Thank you for reading. I encourage you to leave comments or questions below. To learn more about my practice, click Here

Your friendly dentist,
Dr. Sarah Po
Mar. 16, 2010

Categories : Dentistry, Healthy Teeth

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The Mouth Body Connection: How Do Infections In The Mouth Affect the Rest of the Body?

Posted by: Dr. Sarah Po | Comments (0)

Tuesday, March 16th, 2010

In the late 90’s, the American Academy of Periodontology launched an effort to educate the public about new findings which support what dental professionals had long suspected: infections in the mouth play havoc elsewhere in the body.

Since then, evidence continues to support these links. While more research needs to be done to confirm that people with periodontal disease (gum disease) are at a higher risk for developing heart and systemic disease, dentists do know that periodontal disease is a bacterial infection, and all infections are cause for concern.

Periodontal bacteria can enter the blood stream, travel to major organs, and begin new infections. Research suggests that this may:

Contribute to the development of Heart Disease, the nation’s leading cause of death.
Increase the risk of stroke.
Increase a woman’s risk of having a pre-term, low birth weight baby.
Pose serious threats to people whose health is compromised by diabetes, respiratory disease or osteoporosis.

Later this week I will discuss further how gum disease may contribute to development of heart disease and stroke. Until then…

Thank you for reading. I encourage you to leave comments or questions below. To learn more about my practice, click Here

Your friendly dentist,
Dr. Sarah Po
Mar. 16, 2010

Categories : Dentistry, Healthy Teeth

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