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

Next to brushing, flossing is the most important thing that you can do to ensure healthy teeth and gums.  It is important to floss at least once a day.  Follow these tips for proper flossing technique:

• Break off about 18 inches of floss and wind most of it around one of your middle fingers. Wind the remaining floss around the same finger of the opposite hand. This finger will take up the floss as it becomes dirty. Hold the floss tightly between your thumbs and forefingers.
• Guide the floss between your teeth using a gentle rubbing motion. Never snap the floss into the gums.
• When the floss reaches the gum line, curve it into a C shape against one tooth. Gently slide it into the space between the gum and the tooth.
• Hold the floss tightly against the tooth. Gently rub the side of the tooth, moving the floss away from the gum with up and down motions.
• Repeat this method on the rest of your teeth.
• Don’t forget the back side of your last tooth.

People who have difficulty handling dental floss may prefer to use another kind of interdental cleaner.  There are many types of flossers available on the market that come with handles to make flossing easier.  These are especially helpful for people with arthritis or other health conditions that affect their dexterity.

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
June 3, 2010

Source:  http://www.ada.org/3072.aspx?currentTab=1

Brush your teeth twice a day, with a soft or extra-soft bristled toothbrush. The size and shape of your brush should fit your mouth, allowing you to reach all areas easily. Use a toothpaste that contains fluoride, which helps protect your teeth from decay.

By taking care of your teeth, eating a balanced diet and visiting your dentist regularly, you can have healthy teeth and an attractive smile your entire life. Follow these brushing tips to keep your teeth and mouth clean:

• Place your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle against the gums.
• Move the brush back and forth gently in short (tooth-wide) strokes.
• Brush the outer tooth surfaces, the inner tooth surfaces, and the chewing surfaces of the teeth.
• Use the “toe” of the brush to clean the inside surfaces of the front teeth, using a gentle up-and-down stroke.
• Brush your tongue to remove bacteria and freshen your breath.

Later this week I will discuss proper flossing techniques.  Until then, have a great week!

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
June 1, 2010

Source:  http://www.ada.org/3072.aspx?currentTab=1

From a dental standpoint, methamphetamine use results in rampant tooth decay.  Some users describe their teeth as “blackened, stained, rotting, crumbling or falling apart.” Often, the teeth cannot be salvaged and must be extracted.

Meth Mouth

The extensive tooth decay is probably caused by a combination of drug-induced psychological and physiological changes resulting in dry mouth and long periods of poor oral hygiene, Some reports have speculated that the acidity of the drug also damages teeth.  While they are high, users often crave high-calorie, carbonated, sugary beverages or they may grind or clench their teeth, all of which can harm teeth.

Methamphetamine use is a serious health concern, particularly in rural areas and in the western, southwestern, and midwestern U.S.

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 27, 2010

Source:  http://www.ada.org/3056.aspx?currentTab=1

For good dental health, keep these tips in mind when choosing your meals and snacks.

- To maintain a balanced diet, eat a variety of foods. Choose foods from each of the five major food groups:

• breads, cereals and other grain products
• fruit
• vegetables
• meat, poultry and fish
• milk, cheese and yogurt

- Limit the number of snacks that you eat. Each time you eat food that contains sugars, the teeth are attacked by acids for 20 minutes or more.

- If you do snack, choose nutritious foods, such as cheese, raw vegetables, plain yogurt, or a piece of fruit.

- Foods that are eaten as part of a meal cause less harm. More saliva is released during a meal, which helps wash foods from the mouth and helps lessen the effects of acids.

- Brush twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste that has the American Dental Association Seal of Acceptance.

- Clean between your teeth daily with floss or interdental cleaners.

- Visit your dentist regularly. Your dentist can help prevent problems from occurring and catch those that do occur while they are easy to treat.

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 18, 2010

Source:  http://ada.org/2984.aspx?currentTab=1

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

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

Common symptoms after oral piercing include pain, swelling, infection, an increased flow of saliva and injuries to the gums:

• Millions of bacteria live in your mouth, so oral piercings may become infected easily
• Swelling of the tongue is a common side effect but it is possible for the tongue to swell large enough to block your airway and prevent breathing.
• Piercing can cause uncontrollable bleeding and nerve damage.   If a blood vessel was in the path of the needle during the piercing, severe bleeding can result.
• Blood clots or blood poisoning can occur

And the jewelry itself can be hazardous or cause other problems:

• You can choke on the studs, barbells or hoops that become loose in your mouth.
• Teeth can chip or crack from contact with the jewelry.
• Bacteria that breeds around the piercing can cause bad breath.
• The jewelry can prevent you from speaking clearly or cause problems with chewing and swallowing food.
• The metals may cause an allergic reaction.

Since oral health is important for overall health, the effects of an oral piercing may have a greater impact than one may think. Unfortunately, many people with oral piercings don’t realize that these side effects could happen to them.

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
Apr. 29, 2010

Source:  http://www.ada.org/3090.aspx?currentTab=1

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

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