One question that dentists are frequently called on to answer is whether there’s a way to put an end to cavity concerns once and for all. Maintaining a dental hygiene routine that includes twice a day brushing, flossing, and using mouthwash is certainly an effective deterrent, but stop keeping up with it, and tooth decay can take hold. The goal of dental technology is to completely eliminate tooth decay and other oral health concerns for good. While we aren’t quite there yet, a discovery by a research team headed by Dr. Russel Pesavento may be our first step to ending cavities forever.
Only 8% of all American Adults Make It To Age 64 From Childhood Without a Cavity
How Cavities Happen
To discuss how this new discovery can eliminate cavities, we first have to talk about the way they form, to begin with. Cavities are the result of eroded enamel typically caused by the effects of acid produced by a specific type of bacteria that lives in our oral cavity. Brushing helps to fight these bacteria and eliminate the biofilm, plaque, that they form on our teeth. Failure to brush allows the plaque to accumulate and acid to damage our teeth. Cavity formation occurs in a series of steps, outlined below:
Acid damage causes the formation of white spots in our enamel
These spots darken as enamel is destroyed, resulting in depressions in the tooth known as cavities that require fillings to repair.
The dentin layer under our enamel becomes compromised, causing dental pain and sensitivity.
The decay reaches the pulp, resulting in significant pain and the spread of infection into the inner tooth.
Abscesses form at the root of the tooth, often requiring a root canal treatment to repair.
All of these stages are usually the result of the same process, uninhibited plaque, and tartar growth. If not properly addressed, this can result in teeth becoming severely decayed, requiring extraction to correct. It can also be the cause of bone decay in the jaw, and in some rare cases, the infection can spread to the bloodstream resulting in death.
700 species of bacteria, both harmful and helpful, make up the complex ecosystem in our mouth
The Road To The End Of Dental Decay, Once And For All
The logical conclusion to eliminating tooth decay would be the eradication of the responsible bacteria. Unfortunately, this isn’t as simple as just doing a clean sweep of all bacteria in the mouth. All currently available methods of fighting bacteria on this level would eliminate both the healthy and unhealthy bacteria in our mouths, causing more harm than good.
Research performed by Dr. Russel Pesavento and his team has discovered a special substance by the name of ‘cerium oxide nanoparticle solution’ that has demonstrated a unique ability. Studies reveal that this substance is capable of reducing the growth of the bacteria responsible for tooth decay by as much as 40% without also attacking the healthy bacteria. While this isn’t the complete resolution that dental researchers are striving for, it’s a vital step and proof that such a goal is, in fact, achievable. That’s something we can all excitedly look forward to.
Every day we have opportunities to reduce our impact on the environment. From prominent blue recycling bins to products with reduced packaging that’s biodegradable, we’re all trying to make good choices. When it comes to our dental care routine, we often encounter a problem keeping things sustainable. Floss and toothbrushes alike are packaged in plastic, and it’s difficult to find a brand of mouthwash that doesn’t come in a big plastic bottle. With all these non-biodegradable options in front of us, how can we make responsible choices?
3 pounds of hidden waste are created in the production and elimination of each plastic toothbrush
The Impact Of Dental Hygiene On The Environment
The amount of waste produced just following the recommended ADA (American Dental Association) guidelines for caring for our teeth is simply staggering. While essential to ensuring we have healthy teeth and avoid gum disease, every step just seems to add to the negative impact our oral hygiene will have on the environment. The plastic toothbrush, toothpaste container, floss container, the floss itself, and the bottle our mouthwash comes in all add to the waste. This is without considering the amount of water we use while brushing! Consider the following impacts made on the environment by using traditional products and practices:
50 million pounds of plastic from over one billion toothbrushes enter landfills each year
A football stadium could be filled to overflowing with plastic floss containers
Unrecycled mouthwash bottles add to the problem with tons of waste each year
Leaving the water running consumed four gallons of fresh water, each brushing
Along with the gallons of water wasted, traditional dental hygiene products result in mountains of waste plastic that will take decades, or even centuries, to decay. Clearly, dental care waste is a serious problem.
It takes 80 years for Nylon Floss To Decay Outside Of A Landfill
Reduce Your Impact With A Few Simple Changes
Research indicates that it might be possible to get better results by brushing your teeth using your finger, tongue, and a little bit of water to clean your teeth and brush after every meal. For those seeking more traditional approaches, environmentally friendly options are available for traditional dental products. Bamboo brushes are a great option that degrades quickly, and floss that’s made from mulberry floss is available in refillable containers. You can reduce your waste further by turning off the water while you brush and using mouthwash in tablet form to care for your teeth.
Biodegradable products don’t have to be less effective, and there are options that have been authorized by the ADA. Look for their seal and speak with your practitioner about your choices for environmentally friendly dental care options so you can be certain that they’re safe and effective.
While teeth that protrude to an unusual degree can be embarrassing for those who have them, there are other concerns related to them that aren’t commonly discussed. Studies have shown that those who have protruding teeth are at greater risk of experiencing dental injuries. Correcting protruding teeth is usually easy to do at the hands of a skilled dentist or orthodontic specialist. The sad truth is that many children don’t receive the orthodontic treatment they need unless they already have their adult teeth. This leaves those with protruding teeth open to severe dental injury and potential complications during the arrival of their adult teeth.
What Are The Risks For Those With Protruding Teeth?
A study was conducted that involved observation of 50,000 children under the age of 10 to determine the effects of protruding teeth on dental injury in children. Those who were under the age of six demonstrated a risk of dental trauma triple that of those with teeth that stuck out less than 3mm. While this data did not include adults, it stands to reason that adults with protruding teeth would exhibit a similar degree of risk of dental injury. Even in young children, it’s important to correct this condition through the use of orthodontic care, even though they still haven’t had their adult teeth arrive. A healthy set of primary teeth will help adult teeth come in straight, strong, and in the right places.
What Can Cause Teeth To Protrude?
While it’s possible for protruding teeth to be a natural occurrence caused by imperfections in the eruption of the teeth, there is usually an external cause. The most common cause of protruding teeth is pressure applied to the teeth, usually through using a pacifier or sucking a thumb as a child. As the primary teeth come in, they’re pushed out of alignment by this habit, resulting in protruding teeth. Dental trauma can be the cause of protruding teeth, depending on the nature of the damage.
How Can Protruding Teeth Be Addressed?
The specific details of correcting protruding teeth depend on the severity of your case and certain other elements of your oral health. The most common treatments include braces, with traditional braces generally being used in children due to the inability for them to be removed or forgotten. For adults, Invisalign clear aligners may be an option and can produce meaningful results that will protect the teeth from injury and produce a beautifully aligned smile.
Do you or a member of your family currently have protruding teeth, and you’re wondering what options are available to correct them? Dr. Maureen Karl helps patients of all ages get corrective treatment for these and other dental conditions. St. Clair Dental operates out of Granbury, TX, and is dedicated to providing affordable and effective dental treatment options for the surrounding community. Ready to take steps to properly align your smile and protect your teeth from damage? Schedule your visit to our offices today and protect your smile for today, tomorrow, and the lifetime to come.
The concept of going to the dentist has been an unappealing prospect in the public mind for generations. There was something about being placed under a blinding light and having an assortment of tools that share characteristics with medieval torture devices set people on edge. In spite of these feelings, dental health has always been an important concern for a full and healthy life. Thankfully ongoing advances made in dental technology have made it possible to improve dental care by reducing discomfort, decreasing treatment time, and increasing the reliability of results.
Advances That Have Changed The Face of Dental Care
Advances in dental technology come in many forms, from new ways of caring for your dental hygiene at home to completely revolutionizing how we restore smiles. We’ve learned new truths about oral health that have allowed us to provide better information on caring for it and preventing concerns like periodontal disease. Let’s explore some of these changes and how they’ve improved dental care options.
Smart Toothbrushes – With everything becoming integrated into the Internet of Things, it’s no surprise that the humble toothbrush has joined the ranks. Apps connected to your toothbrush make it possible to monitor your brushing habits and ensure you’re doing a thorough job and brushing long enough.
Digital Dentures – In the past, the creation of dentures was a long and messy process involving multiple specialists and a fair amount of time. Gone are the messy casts used to get impressions to work from; now, the design of your dentures can be based on a set of digital impressions that are highly precise. In-office manufacturing means they don’t have to send them out to a lab and can sometimes get them to you in a single visit.
Augmented Reality – Primarily used in video games, augmented reality systems are starting to find their way into training facilities. By operating on virtually simulated teeth using realistic tools, dental students are better prepared to perform real procedures. They also serve as excellent practice for dentists wanting to make sure they get a procedure right.
Teledentistry – There are many reasons why a patient may not be able to visit a dental office for a traditional visit. Teledentistry makes receiving dental care possible for these patients without leaving their homes. While this is presently limited to photos, examinations, and consultations, who knows what the future may hold for this form of technology?
Intra-Oral Camera – For many years, dentists had to rely on those little hand mirrors and x-rays to get a clear view of the inside of your mouth. The introduction of intra-oral cameras has changed this. Now they can see every aspect of your mouth and identify problems that may have gone unidentified before.
These represent a small selection of the most prominent advances in dental technology that have led to improved dental care for everyone. Dr. Maureen Karl at St. Clair Dental makes a point of staying abreast of the latest information and technologies so they can continue to provide the highest level of care for patients in Granbury, TX. Call today to schedule an appointment!
With dentistry, there is a fair share of many myths and misconceptions. These myths are often spread by word of mouth; these myths tend to run rampant, often ruining people’s experiences with dentistry and even sometimes causing dental phobias to occur. Here, we have decided to present some of a few most common dental myths we come across while working at our practice, and hope to share them here.
Visiting Your Dentist Isn’t Always Required
The caveat to this myth is the belief that if your teeth are relatively healthy, then visiting the dentist isn’t necessary. We’re here to say that’s false! That’s because the majority of our dental care is primarily about preventative care, which includes the annual checkups, the x-rays, and treatments such as dental sealants and fluoride treatments. Preventative treatments are also the most covered by dental insurance, as preventative dentistry focuses highly on staying healthy through proper dental care.
Root Canals Are Violent and Painful
Root canals are often performed under local anesthesia, which removes the painful aspect of removing the root from the tooth. Root canals are also often performed with precise equipment that focuses on drilling in small areas and using extraction tools to remove the tooth’s pulp. There should only be some discomfort at most, but not extreme pain, nor any violent drilling motions.
If your Gums Bleed, Stop Flossing
If you experience some bleeding while flossing your teeth, then that means you should keep doing it, not stop! Healthy teeth often require daily maintenance, and when you don’t floss, plaque and food particles will build up in between the teeth, causing gum disease and cavities to form. So, if you’ve been lackadaisical about flossing, then keep doing it until your teeth and gums get used to the routine.
Baby Teeth Don’t Affect Adult Teeth
The idea that baby teeth don’t affect adult teeth’ growth and development isn’t true at all! Baby teeth have a primary role in determining how your permanent teeth come in, and if any loose or misaligned teeth come in, it means more than ever that they should see a dentist or orthodontist about their teeth!
Sugar-Free Gum Replaces Brushing Your Teeth
No, it doesn’t. While sugar-free gum can remove bacteria, food particles, and plaque from the mouth, it does not remove everything. It can only work so far, and even if you chew gum every day, it’s quite limited in its ability to clean your teeth. Brushing and flossing are the only real ways to take care of your teeth at home. Use sugar-free gum as a recreational activity, not as part of your oral care routine.
These five common myths often circulate, and we’ve heard plenty more than mentioned here. To learn about effective oral care and get your annual checkup, contact Dr. Maureen Karl at St. Claire Dental in Granbury, TX, for an appointment, because we believe that through proper preventative care, people can have happier, healthier smiles and fulfilling lives.
When you’re thinking about getting birth control, your oral health is likely one of the last things on your mind. There are a significant number of things that may affect your decision of which style of birth control to use, and one of them just may be the effect of birth control on your oral health. If you’re trying to decide which kind of birth control is right for you, and are concerned about potential ramifications for your oral health, keep reading. We’re going to explore the facts surrounding birth control and your oral health, and how you can protect your teeth while managing your family planning.
The Effect Of Hormonal Changes On Oral Health
It’s long been known that hormonal changes can have a profound effect on your oral health. Women have routinely been advised to pay closer attention during stages of their lives, including PMS, menopause, pregnancy, even puberty. The fluctuating levels of the hormones estrogen and progesterone in your system can promote the appearance of symptoms of gum disease, including gums that swell and bleed. Within this existing body of knowledge lies our first tie between birth control and oral health.
The Hormone Connection Between Oral Health and Birth Control
One of the most common elements in birth control options for women is the presence of hormones. These types of birth control take advantage of the effect hormone levels have on the body to take control of your cycle and prevent pregnancy. The hormones present in these options also make your body mimic other elements of hormonal fluctuation, including causing symptoms typically associated with gum disease. While newer pills are available with reduced levels of estrogen and progesterone that helps limit these side effects, they are still present and must be taken into account.
Other Factors To Consider With Birth Control and Oral Health
It likely comes as little surprise to discover that smoking and birth control have been shown to increase the problems women experience when taken together. These include an elevated risk of blood clots and dry socket when a tooth has been extracted. Some dental medications also interact poorly with birth control, so it’s essential that you communicate clearly with your dentist on these topics. One more thing to consider, the more time that you spend taking birth control, the higher your likelihood of developing gum disease. While family planning requires consistent use of birth control, it pays to pay extra attention to your oral health while doing so.
These are just a small number of the things women taking birth control have to worry about when it comes to oral health. If you’d like to get more tips and tricks on taking care of your oral health while engaging in family planning, reach out to St Claire Dental in Granbury, TX today. Dr. Maureen Karl will walk you through the effects of birth control on your oral health and help you take steps to protect your teeth against the ravages of dental decay. We can’t wait to hear from you and welcome you to our patient family.
If you’re anticipating getting braces in your future, you’re probably aware that dental impressions are as well. Every year nearly four million people in the United States have braces, and all of them had to have an impression of their teeth taken before they were put on. While this process used to involve having two trays inserted in your mouth containing an unpleasant tasting substance, those days are largely in the past. One of the newest innovations in dental imaging technologies has made these messy, inaccurate, and unpleasant devices unnecessary.
What Are Impressions For?
Braces can do wonderful things for your oral health. By straightening out your teeth, they help to make dental hygiene easier, eliminating nooks and crannies that plaque and tartar can hang out in while also helping to eliminate bite problems. In addition to these practical benefits, they also improve the appearance of your smile. The first step of accomplishing this, however, is the dentist gaining a clear understanding of the condition of your teeth. To achieve this, there’s no better option than impressions.
Digital Impressions – The Imaging of the Future
As we mentioned earlier, impressions used to be taken using an unpleasant substance set in trays that were uncomfortable to wear. Even worse, when these impression were complete, they had a tendency to dry out, warp, and crack. All of this meant that they became more unreliable over time, sometimes requiring them to be taken again. Digital impressions spell an end to all that nonsense. Instead of using a physical medium to get an impression of your teeth, a special scanner is used to create a picture-perfect replica of your mouth in a digital 3D format. They’ll never degrade, they’re painless, and they provide a superior tool for your dentist.
The Digital Impression Procedure
Getting dental impressions is quick and easy. When you see your dentist for a digital impression, they’re going to use a specialized wand that captures the imagery. There’s no anesthetic involved or needed, as the process is completely painless. The wand uses specialized imaging technology to scan the interior of your mouth, flawlessly capturing every curve, bump, and depression on the surface of your teeth. Since they’re stored in a digital format they can be easily shared with specialists in seconds, and you’ll never have to worry about them getting lost in the mail. Even better, when it’s all done your dentist can share them with you and clearly show you what work needs to be done and where.
Want to know more? Contact St. Claire Dental today to arrange a meeting with Dr. Maureen Karl for dental care. Our team of professional and friendly office staff will help answer your questions and prepare you for your visit to our offices in Granbury, TX. Digital impressions bring clarity to your dental care choices that will make you feel confident in your treatment options. Don’t wait to reach out to us; we look forward to adding you to our dental patient family!
The innovation of the internet of things, a state where everything is connected to the internet and integrated with advanced technology, has not passed over the dental industry. While some initially took this innovation as both intrusive and, to some extent, ridiculous, these types of products are becoming more common. It would be understandable for you to question these items’ validity and whether they’re genuinely effective or just a passing fad. Today we’re going to explore smart toothbrushes and determine whether they truly have something to offer or are just another cash grab by dental product retailers.
First Off: What’s A Smart Toothbrush?
Let’s start by defining exactly what these products are and what technology they include. Smart toothbrushes are the newest innovation in a line of products that seek to integrate technology with common everyday tools and appliances. In the case of the smart toothbrush, this integration involves an app that monitors your brushing habits and keeps you informed of whether you’re doing it often and thoroughly enough. Some of the smartest versions are able to detect the amount of pressure you’re using and adjust to compensate. Brushing too vigorously can have lasting repercussions for your teeth, so a toothbrush that can respond by lightening the pressure is fantastic.
A New Type Of Toothbrush
Along with the app integration, habit monitoring, and technique adjusting nature of smart toothbrushes, they’ve also seen the introduction of an innovation in the toothbrush. Toothbrushes, overall, are a pretty basic item, so the majority of innovations have been in comfort, bristle type, and innovations like electric toothbrushes. For the first time in unknown centuries, a whole new design of toothbrush has entered the market. This toothbrush style resembled a mouthguard in that it covers all your teeth at once. Attached to a handle that contains buttons for adjust speed, duration, and pressure, as well as the batteries for this device, a mouth guard toothbrush can clean all of your teeth thoroughly in just a few seconds.
But Do They Improve Your Oral Health?
Now here’s the big question we all want to know. Does smart technology actually help these toothbrushes do their job? While research is still being done, initial findings suggest there’s something to it. These toothbrushes do more than just keep your mouth clean; they also gather information for you and your dentist and have been shown to reveal certain issues before they get out of hand. The ability to easily track your brushing habits and ensure you stay on track also make keeping a good dental routine simple.
While smart toothbrushes are an incredible new innovation in dental technology, they aren’t able to replace twice-yearly visits to your dentist. Using these devices may result in an overall improvement of your oral health, but combining them with twice-yearly visits to your dental care provider is the only way to get the most out of these benefits. Dr. Maureen Karl is ready to see you at St. Claire Dental in Granbury, TX! Give us a call and get your next dental care appointment scheduled today!
Did you know that 7 out of 10 Americans are self conscious about their teeth? A recent poll conducted by Snow Teeth Whitening and published in a New York Post article found that people were insecure about crooked teeth, stained teeth, receding gums, and spaces between the teeth. In fact, these imperfections weigh so heavily on some people that 57% admitted to covering their teeth when they laugh.
Out of all the cosmetic concerns people noted, dentists note that their patients frequently express displeasure over having gaps between their teeth. In fact, fixing gaps between the teeth is one common request many cosmetic dentists hear from their patients. Luckily, eliminating gaps between the teeth can be accomplished in several different ways, including:
Veneers
Dental veneers are thin shells that are most commonly made from porcelain, but can also be made by composite resin. They are adhered to the front side of existing visible teeth and are used to enhance the look of one or more teeth. In some cases, veneers are only used to restore a single imperfect tooth, however they can also be used for an entire smile makeover. In addition to eliminating gaps between the teeth, veneers can also improve the alignment, size, shape, and color of the teeth. For this reason, veneers are extremely popular among those looking for a dramatic change. However, veneers do require the removal of a thin layer of enamel and are a permanent treatment.
Cosmetic Bonding
Cosmetic bonding is an affordable and minimally-invasive way to eliminate gaps between the teeth. This method uses composite resin bonded to the surface of the teeth in order to fill a gap between two teeth. The tooth-colored composite resin is applied as a soft putty that will be shaped to match the surrounding tooth structure and then hardened into place. The final layer will be polished to resemble natural tooth enamel. In most cases, cosmetic bonding does not require the removal of any enamel, however it may need to be repeated every 5-7 years to maintain the results.
Crowns
Dental crows are tooth-shaped caps that are placed over the entire visible portion of the tooth. They are generally used to restore teeth that have been significantly affected by damage or decay, but they can also be used to improve the shape, size, and color of a tooth. To eliminate a gap between the teeth, one or more dental crowns may be used to make the natural tooth structure slightly larger in order to fill the gap. In order to place a dental crown, your natural tooth structure will need to be significantly reduced, making this a permanent treatment.
Orthodontic Treatment
Orthodontic treatment, such as Invisalign and metal braces, can also be used to eliminate the gaps between teeth. Unlike the aforementioned options that simply cover up the gaps between the teeth, orthodontic treatment will actually change the alignment of your teeth. This may be an ideal treatment for you if you are also self conscious about crooked teeth. While orthodontic treatment does take significantly longer than the other treatments, but the results last a lifetime.
Maureen Karl, DDS, FAGD graduated in 2004, obtaining her DDS degree from the University of Buffalo School of Dental Medicine. She completed a general dentistry Residency at the Castle Point VA. This residency provided her with continued training in general dentistry including extractions, crowns, root canals, and the treatment of periodontal disease. Dr. Karl is a member of the Fort Worth District Dental Society, Academy of General Dentistry, and the American Dental Association. She is committed to furthering her education to better serve her patients.
Did you know that the CDC estimates as many as 47.2% of American adults over the age of 30 are affected by some form of gum disease? There are two different forms of gum disease: gingivitis and periodontitis. The mild form, gingivitis, is not always noticed since its symptoms are generally mild and can easily be missed. Unfortunately, this can mean that gingivitis may progress into periodontitis, which is a more severe form of gum disease.
Periodontitis is characterized by red, inflamed gums that are tender to the touch and bleed easily. As it continues to progress, periodontitis can cause the gums to pull away from the teeth and can even cause the jawbone to deteriorate. The combination of these two things can lead to both loose and missing teeth. In this way, gum disease not only affects the gums, but the teeth as well.
Luckily, gum disease is preventable by keeping your gums healthy. To keep your gums healthy, here are a few things you can do:
Brush Twice a Day
Brushing your teeth twice a day for two minutes at a time is not only important to protect yourself from tooth decay, but it also helps to reduce the risk of developing gum disease. When you brush your teeth, you remove excess plaque from the surface of your teeth. Plaque contains thousands of the bacteria responsible for tooth decay and gum disease, so removing it helps to regulate the amount of bacteria in your mouth. Brushing with a fluoridated toothpaste will also prevent future plaque accumualtion and will strengthen your enamel. However, be sure to switch out your toothbrush every 3-4 months when the bristles wear down.
Floss Once a Day
Flossing also removes excess plaque and bacteria from your mouth, however flossing focuses on the areas missed by your toothbrush. Specifically, these areas include in between your teeth and along the gum line. Both these locations are prime sources of plaque accumulation that can eventually lead to gum disease. As long as you floss once a day, you can decrease your risk for developing gum disease, however flossing before you brush in preparation for bedtime is the best time of day to floss.
Schedule Dental Cleanings
Even with the best brushing and flossing habits, you will still need to schedule a teeth cleaning with your dentist every six months. Although you may think this is only important for your teeth, it is also important for your gum health as well. This is because professional teeth cleanings remove plaque and tartar (hardened plaque) from places you have missed. Unfortunately, along the gum line is a common place for tartar to form, which can result in gum pockets filled with bacteria. Since tartar can only be removed during a dental cleaning, these regular cleanings are important for your gum health.
Use Mouthrinse
While you should never use mouthrinse to replace normal brushing and flossing, it can be a good supplemental practice. Using over the counter mouthrinses decrease the amount of plaque and tartar formation, which directly reduces the risk of gum disease. It can be especially beneficial to use mouthrinse after meals.
Maureen Karl, DDS, FAGD graduated in 2004, obtaining her DDS degree from the University of Buffalo School of Dental Medicine. She completed a general dentistry Residency at the Castle Point VA. This residency provided her with continued training in general dentistry including extractions, crowns, root canals, and the treatment of periodontal disease. Dr. Karl is a member of the Fort Worth District Dental Society, Academy of General Dentistry, and the American Dental Association. She is committed to furthering her education to better serve her patients.
