Dr. Sarah Po - Family & Cosmetic 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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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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What Causes Bad Breath?

Posted by: Dr. Sarah Po | Comments (0)
Tuesday, March 30th, 2010

This is a very popular question.  Bad breath, also known as halitosis, is an unpleasant condition that is cause for social embarrassment.  Here are some causes:

  • Eating foods with strong odors.  This is an obvious one, and examples are onions and garlic.  The good news is that bad breath from foods is temporary and should disappear once the food has been passed through your body.
  • Poor oral hygiene.  Keep in mind that bacteria lives in your mouth and can be found in plaque or tartar.  When you do not brush or floss regularly, this odor-causing bacteria will continue to grow.  Bacteria also tends to accumulate on the tongue, so clean your tongue with your toothbrush or ask your dentist for a tongue scraper.
  • Cavities & Abscesses.  Bacteria will release waste products in the form of sulfur compounds which will cause bad breath.
  • Gum Disease.  In this case bad breath comes from having large amounts of bacteria in deep gum pockets in combination with bleeding gums
  • Smoking.  Not only does smoking cause bad breath, it also stains your teeth, increases your risk to oral cancer, and irritates your gums.
  • Dry mouth (xerostomia).  This could be due to salivary gland problems, certain medications, or chronic mouth-breathing.
  • Medical conditions such as sinus infections that cause postnasal drip, diabetes, acid reflux, and liver problems can also cause bad breath.

How To Avoid It?

  • Brush and floss regularly, and keep your tongue clean
  • See your dentist regularly to ensure healthy gums and teeth
  • Do not smoke
  • Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water
  • Chew sugar free gum to help stimulate saliva flow

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

Your friendly dentist,
Dr. Sarah Po
Mar. 30, 2010

Source:  http://www.ada.org/public/topics/bad_breath.asp

Categories : Bad Breath
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Should Your Child Get Dental Sealants?

Posted by: Dr. Sarah Po | Comments (0)
Thursday, February 18th, 2010

In keeping with our theme for National Children’s Dental Health month, let’s discuss another popular topic: dental sealants.  What are sealants and what can they do for your child?

Sealants are plastic coatings that can either be clear or white.  A very thin layer of sealant material is applied to the biting surfaces of teeth, filling in all the grooves and pits which is where cavities often start.  There is no anesthetic or drilling required.  Once placed, the sealants provide a smooth glassy surface.  In my office we tell the children that we are going to “paint” their teeth to make them like “skating rinks”.

Permanent molars, which start to come into the mouth at around 6 years of age, benefit the most from sealants.  That’s because molars often have deep grooves on the biting surfaces which can retain bacteria and food particles.

Sealants can last many years; however, it is important to have them checked during regular dental checkups to make sure they are still intact.  Otherwise they may need to be redone.

Remember that sealants are only one aspect of a child’s preventive care.  Proper brushing and flossing, wise food choices, and regular dental visits are essential to maintaining the overall oral health of your child.

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

Your friendly dentist,
Dr. Sarah Po
Feb. 18, 2010

Categories : Cosmetic Dentistry, Healthy Teeth
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Why Chew Sugar-Free Gum?

Posted by: Dr. Sarah Po | Comments (0)
Thursday, January 21st, 2010

Yes it’s true that chewing sugar-free gum can help prevent cavities.  Keep in mind however that it is not meant to replace brushing and flossing.  It is only meant as an adjunct to proper home care which consists of brushing twice and flossing at least once daily.

Most people brush in the morning and at night, and a smaller group will brush a third time, usually after lunch.  No time to brush after lunch?  Chew sugar-free gum instead.  Chewing increases saliva flow which helps to cleanse the teeth.  An increase in saliva also helps to buffer the acidity that occurs after eating, and it is the acidity that weakens the teeth and promotes formation of cavities.  In addition, the gum will help pull out food particles that may be stuck between teeth or in the crevices of the biting surfaces.

Sugar-free gum contains xylitol which is a sugar substitute.  Unlike sugar, Xylitol is non-fermentable and therefore cannot be converted to acids by oral bacteria.  Some brands that contain xylitol include:  Trident, Dentyne, Orbit, Eclipse, Extra

As with anything else, moderation is key.  Chewing gum all day can lead to other problems such as TMJ pain and jaw muscle fatigue.  Likewise people who already have TMJ problems should limit their use of gum, as their condition will worsen with the constant jaw movement of chewing gum.

Interestingly, I just read that xylitol can be toxic to dogs.  So keep your sugar-free gum out of reach of your dogs.  But I digress… for more info on that, please consult your veterinarian.

Your friendly dentist,
Dr. Sarah Po
www.elitesacramentodentist.com
January 21, 2010

Sources:
http://jada.ada.org/cgi/reprint/129/11/1623.pdf
http://xylitolhealth.com/oral_health.html

Categories : Dentistry, Healthy Teeth
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Why is soda bad for your teeth?

Posted by: Dr. Sarah Po | Comments (0)
Tuesday, January 19th, 2010

Soda consumption is on the rise.  Currently, Americans drink more than 53 gallons of carbonated soda per person per year.  Soda consumption has increased by 500% over the past 50 years, and this trend shows no sign of leveling off.  As a country, we drink more soda than milk, beer, coffee, or water.  What does this mean for your teeth?

Let’s break it down.

Soda contains the following:  sugar, acid, artificial coloring, and in most cases caffeine.  As far as your teeth are concerned, the 2 major culprits are sugar and acid.

A 12-ounce can of soda contains the equivalent of 10 to 12 teaspoons of sugar.  While you would never dream of shoveling this much sugar into your mouth, it goes down pretty easily in a drink.  More sugar brings more risk of decay.

While it is common knowledge that sodas containing sugars are bad for your teeth, a common misconception is that sugar-free sodas are okay.  I’ve had several patients say “it’s okay Doc, I only drink diet soda.”

It’s not just the sugars in soda that harm your teeth, but the acid content. Most sodas contain one or two common acids – phosphoric acid and citric acid.  The pH of regular and diet soda is in the 2.5 range, which is quite acidic.  In contrast, the pH level in your mouth is around 6.2-7.0 which is only slightly more acidic than water.

What does the acid do?

The acid in soda eats away at your tooth enamel, which, when combined with the sugar content, contributes significantly to tooth decay. Even if you drink diet soda, the acid in it can still erode your teeth enamel. This leads to softening and wearing away of the enamel, cavities, and tooth sensitivity.  So drinking sugar free sodas is not the answer.

The bottom line?  Water is a much better alternative to soda for your teeth, not to mention your overall health. When you do drink soda, it’s best to drink it with a meal because the food you eat will help dilute the acid. And if you can, brush your teeth right after having a soda.

Your friendly dentist,
Dr. Sarah Po
www.elitesacramentodentist.com
January 19, 2010

Sources:
http://www.ada.org/prof/resources/topics/topics_softdrinks.pdf

Categories : Dentistry, Healthy Teeth
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