Dr. Sarah Po - Family & Cosmetic Dentistry

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School Lunches and Your Children’s Teeth

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

A healthy school lunch can help maintain good oral health and establish good nutritional habits in kids and teenagers. The following tips can help you learn how to prepare a lunch that best meets your child’s dental and nutritional needs.

  1. For snacks, send fruits, vegetables or cheese in your child’s lunchbox.
  2. The best fruit choices are those containing more water, such as: apples, grapes, pears, cantaloupes, and other melons.
  3. Any type of aged cheese is a good choice, such as: Swiss, Cheddar or Monterey Jack. You can also use cookie cutters to cut the cheese into fun shapes. Some studies have suggested that aged cheese can actually help to prevent tooth decay.
  4. Raw broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, cucumbers and celery are excellent vegetable choices.
  5. Try some different healthy foods or low carb snacks that your children may like.

The following foods are sticky and/or chewy and should be avoided because they stick to the teeth and saliva is unable to wash the sugar away.

  • Raisins
  • Honey
  • Dried figs
  • Peanut butter cookies
  • Jelly beans
  • Lollipops
  • Hard candy

We cannot follow our children around all the time to make sure they are eating healthy and brushing their teeth, but we can have some peace of mind knowing that we are helping to promote good oral health by providing them with their nutritional needs while they are at school.

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
August 18, 2010
Source:  http://dentistry.about.com/od/childrensdentistry/a/kidsnutrition.htm

Categories : Healthy Teeth
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How is the Economic Recession Impacting Dental Health?

Posted by: Dr. Sarah Po | Comments (0)
Wednesday, August 11th, 2010

With tax revenue still declining as a result of the recession and budget reserves largely drained, the vast majority of states have made spending cuts that hurt families and reduce necessary services. These cuts, in turn, have deepened states’ economic problems because families and businesses have less to spend.

When states cut spending, they lay off employees, cancel contracts with vendors, reduce payments to businesses and nonprofits that provide services, and cut benefit payments to individuals.

Where I practice in Sacramento, the state government remains by far the largest employer and a large percentage of the population is comprised of state workers.  California’s budget cuts have a significant impact on state workers and their ability to utilize the benefit of their dental insurance.  Between furlows, pay cuts, and layoffs, this is detrimental to dental health overall.

In light of this, our practice has come up with several different options to help people afford their dental treatment.  It is important to still utilize whatever dental benefits your employer offers you.  If you are a current patient or are interested in becoming a patient, please call our office at 916-922-2027 to find out how we can help.

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
August 11, 2010

Categories : Dentistry
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Are there different types of mouth protectors?

Posted by: Dr. Sarah Po | Comments (0)
Thursday, August 5th, 2010

Earlier this week I discussed the advantages of using a mouthguard during any activity that could result in a blow to the face or mouth. A properly fitted mouthguard can help prevent broken teeth and injuries to the lips, tongue, face or jaw.

There are three types of mouth protectors:

  1. Stock
    Stock mouth protectors are inexpensive and come pre-formed, ready to wear. Unfortunately, they often don’t fit very well. They can be bulky and can make breathing and talking difficult.
  2. Boil and bite
    Boil and bite mouth protectors also can be bought at many sporting goods stores and may offer a better fit than stock mouth protectors. They should be softened in water, then inserted and allowed to adapt to the shape of your mouth. If you don’t follow the directions carefully you can wind up with a poor-fitting mouth protector.
  3. Custom-fitted
    Custom-fitted mouth protectors are made by your dentist for you personally. They are more expensive than the other versions, but because they are customized they can offer a better fit than anything you can buy off the shelf.

Talk to your dentist about the different options and see what works best for you.

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
August 5, 2010

Source:  http://www.ada.org/2970.aspx?currentTab=1#top

Categories : Healthy Teeth
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Do You Need a Mouth Protector?

Posted by: Dr. Sarah Po | Comments (1)
Tuesday, August 3rd, 2010

Anyone who participates in a sport that carries a significant risk of injury should wear a mouth protector. This includes a wide range of sports like football, hockey, basketball, baseball, gymnastics, and volleyball.

What are the advantages of using a mouth protector?
Accidents can happen during any physical activity. A mouth protector can help cushion a blow to the face that otherwise might result in an injury to the mouth. A misdirected elbow in a one-on-one basketball game or a spill off a bicycle can leave you with chipped or broken teeth, nerve damage to a tooth or even tooth loss. A mouth protector can limit the risk of such injuries as well as protect the soft tissues of your tongue, lips and cheek lining.

A properly fitted mouth protector will stay in place while you are wearing it, making it easy for you to talk and breathe.

Ask your dentist about having a custom mouthguard made specifically for you. This will fit well and offer the best protection for 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
August 3, 2010

Source:  http://www.ada.org/2970.aspx?currentTab=1#protector

Categories : Healthy Teeth
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What Your Saliva Says About You

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Wednesday, July 28th, 2010

The next time you think “it’s only saliva”, consider this…

Your saliva contains mostly water, but it also contains electrolytes, bacteria, viruses, fungi, proteins, and secretions from your nose and lungs.  You may see TV detectives on CSI or Law and Order collect a suspect’s saliva to get a DNA sample.  That is because cells from the lining of your mouth can also be found in saliva, and these cells contain DNA.  A “cheek swab” is actually the more accurate way of obtaining someone’s DNA.

Saliva also provides clues about what you have been doing.  For instance, it can reveal whether you have been using recreational drugs such as cocaine, barbiturates, and marijuana.  In the future, scientists hope to use saliva samples to detect levels of certain medications in the body.  They also hope to use saliva as a way to detect disease in the future.

Some people believe it is helpful to lick their wounds because they’ve heard that saliva can be a disinfectant.  The truth is that our mouths are full of bacteria, and those bacteria can cause a cut to become infected if you lick it.  So, contrary to the popular expression, please do NOT lick your wounds.

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
July 28, 2010

Sources:  http://health.msn.com/health-topics/oral-care/articlepage.aspx?cp-documentid=100259909

Categories : Healthy Teeth
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Where can people with special needs obtain dental care?

Posted by: admin | Comments (0)
Thursday, July 22nd, 2010

The ADA Council on Access, Prevention and Interprofessional Relations suggests the following tips:

  • Inform the dentist about your special health or financial conditions.
  • Ask if the dentist has training and/or experience in treating patients with your specific condition.
  • Ask if the dentist has an interest in treating patients with your specific condition.
  • Find out if the dentist participates in your dental benefit plan (dental insurance program.)
  • Ask if the dental facility is accessible to the disabled.

In addition, the Council suggests that patients with special needs:

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
July 22, 2010

Source:  http://ada.org/3030.aspx?currentTab=1

Categories : Healthy Teeth
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Tooth Eruption Charts

Posted by: admin | Comments (0)
Tuesday, July 20th, 2010

For all you moms out there who wonder when your children’s teeth will come in…

Teeth vary in size, shape and their location in the jaws. These differences enable teeth to work together to help you chew, speak and smile. They also help give your face its shape and form.

At birth people usually have 20 primary (baby) teeth, which often erupt about six months of age. They are then shed at various times throughout childhood. By age 21, all 32 of the permanent teeth have usually erupted.
Eruption Charts
Primary (Baby) Teeth Eruption Chart

Permanent Teeth Eruption Chart

So there you have it!  Hope this was helpful.

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
July 20, 2010

Source:  http://www.ada.org/2930.aspx?currentTab=1

Categories : Dentistry
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Denture Overview

Posted by: Dr. Sarah Po | Comments (0)
Wednesday, July 14th, 2010

If you have lost all of your natural teeth, whether from periodontal disease, tooth decay or injury, complete dentures can replace your missing teeth and your smile. Replacing missing teeth will benefit your appearance and your health. Without support from the denture, facial muscles sag, making a person look older. You’ll be able to eat and speak—things that people often take for granted until their natural teeth are lost.

There are various types of complete dentures. A conventional full denture is made and placed in the patient’s mouth after the remaining teeth are removed and tissues have healed which may take several months. An immediate complete denture is inserted as soon as the remaining teeth are removed. The dentist takes measurements and makes models of the patient’s jaws during a preliminary visit. With immediate dentures, the denture wearer does not have to be without teeth during the healing period.

Even if you wear full dentures, you still must take good care of your mouth. Brush your gums, tongue and palate every morning with a soft-bristled brush before you insert your dentures to stimulate circulation in your tissues and help remove plaque.

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
July 14, 2010

Source:  http://www.ada.org/2996.aspx?currentTab=1

Categories : Cosmetic Dentistry, Dentistry
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How do I quit using tobacco?

Posted by: Dr. Sarah Po | Comments (0)
Tuesday, July 6th, 2010

Mark Twain once said, “Quitting smoking is easy. I’ve done it a thousand times.”

Quitting tobacco is difficult because all forms of it—cigarettes, cigars and spit (chewing) tobacco—contain nicotine and nicotine is the agent in tobacco that’s capable of causing addiction or dependence. However, you can quit once and for all.  Here are some suggestions:

  • Set a date to quit and stick to it. Choose a “low stress” time to quit
  • Enlist the support of your family, friends and co-workers.
  • Ask your dentist or physician about nicotine replacement therapy for use in cessation attempts. Using these medicines can double your chances of quitting for good.
  • Remove tobacco and tobacco paraphernalia from your home, office and car.
  • Seek tobacco-free environments to curb your temptations.
  • Exercise. It may make you feel better about yourself and your decision to quit smoking.
  • When you crave a tobacco—exercise the 4 D’s:
    • Delay—craving will pass in 5–10 minutes
    • Drink water—it will help to wash the toxins from your body
    • Do something else—distract yourself by being active.
    • Deep breathing—deep inhalations and exhalations are relaxing.

Anticipate problems and have a realistic plan to deal with challenges.  Call 1-800-QUITNOW or go to www.smokefree.gov for help.  If you live in the Sacramento area, you can also go to http://www.sacdhhs.com/article.asp?ContentID=105 to learn more about the local Tobacco Education Program.

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
July 6, 2010

Source:  http://ada.org/3013.aspx?currentTab=1

Categories : Healthy Teeth
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Cancer Treatment and Oral Health

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

An estimated 400,000 of the 1.2 million Americans diagnosed with cancer each year may develop painful and debilitating oral complications from their cancer treatment. Persons who undergo cancer treatment are sometimes unaware that a dental examination is a critical step in maintaining their overall health.

Someone who is receiving radiation therapy of the head and neck area, or has a history of such treatment, may develop certain complications including dry mouth, sensitive lesions in the oral cavity, hypersensitive teeth, rapid tooth decay and difficulty swallowing. Chemotherapy can also have significant effects on the oral cavity.

To help prevent, minimize and manage such problems, your dentist and oncologist can work together—before and during your cancer treatment.

During the treatment period for head and neck cancer, gently brush your teeth twice a day unless your dentist recommends otherwise. Your dentist may recommend a mouth rinse in addition to daily brushing. If you develop a condition called dry mouth, your dentist may recommend a saliva replacement, an artificial saliva that is available over-the-counter at pharmacies. Frequent fluoride applications may also be recommended.

Because any mouth infection may have serious implications, contact your dentist or physician immediately should any occur. Your dentist and physician both want your treatment to be as safe and effective as possible.

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
June 30, 2010

Source:  http://www.ada.org/3032.aspx?currentTab=1

Categories : Healthy Teeth
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