Shout Out to Sedation

Yesterday, Wall Street Journal This Morning (a podcast) included a nice, little segment about Oral Conscious Sedation. Check it out by clicking image above (segment starts about 18:40).

It truly is a wonderful treatment option for patients who may have anxiety over visiting the dentist. More often than not, the patients I have treated with oral conscious sedation have a safe, pleasant experience, usually not remembering their appointments at all! It's also a very viable option for patients who may want to have a lot of treatment done in one day. The sedation allows them to comfortably sit through the longer appointment time. If you are considering oral conscious sedation, please check out my "Services" tab for more information.

Happy Tuesday,
Dr. Lynda Tran

Need Today's Forecast? Brush Your Teeth

This ingenious project coming from MIT Media Lab called "Tastes Like Rain" keeps you up-to-date with the weather's forecast. Cinnamon means that today will be warmer than yesterday. Mint predicts that it will be colder. And blue stripe warns of a chance of rain. What's next? A machine that dispenses toothpaste based on your mood? That would be awesome!

For full story, check it out here. 

Snoring Is SO Last Year

Possibly our next dog.

I apologize for the hiatus, but a whirlwind of events has taken place since our last encounter. Most excitingly, we rescued a dog! The new addition to our home is Harlan (handsomely pictured below), who is an energetic Lab/German Shephard mix. He's quite the handful, but we're so happy to have him part of our family.

The 67 Pound Stud Muffin Named Harlan

Alright, enough gushing about Harlan. Let's get to exciting dental news! I have recently joined the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine (AADSM). It has been estimated that about 50% of Americans have snored at one time or another. With such a staggering stat, it is difficult to ignore this potentially debilitating condition. Snoring occurs when the soft tissues of our upper airway obstruct our air passage, causing the throat to vibrate and produce that "attractive" sound of snoring. In other words, snoring means that our airway is partially obstructed!

While the act of snoring is not dangerous, it should serve as a warning sign for Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). Approximately 50% of patients who snore also have sleep apnea. OSA occurs when the airway is completely obstructed, preventing air from getting into the lungs! In addition to lowering your body's oxygen level, untreated sleep apnea has been associated with increase risk of:

• Excessive daytime sleepiness
• Driving and work-related accidents
• High blood pressure
• Heart disease
• Stroke
• Diabetes
• Obesity
• Depression
• Morning headaches
• Irritability
• Decreased sex drive
• Impaired concentration

In other words, debilitating. To treat this condition, personalized oral appliances help reposition the tongue and lower jaw forward, allowing the airway to remain open. There is a wide array of oral appliances (one example is pictured below) that are available, dentists trained in dental sleep medicine can pick the one that will work best for you. If you are concerned about your sleeping habits, I invite you to take a Self Test.

EMA (Elastic Mandibular Advancment) Appliance

As you continue to bring in the new year, I hope that you focus on becoming the best and healthiest you! This is the year. If there are health conditions (including snoring) that concern you, please speak to your physician/dentist soon. And as always, I am here for your questions/concerns.

Here's to a year filled with happiness and health,
Dr. Lynda Tran

I Picked My Toothpaste Based on Sparkles...

When I was 5, I diligently picked my toothpaste based on the number of pink sparkles in the paste. When I was 10, I valued the importance of cartoon characters endorsing the paste. When I was 15, taste was important. At 20 (being a starving college student), I bought the cheapest toothpaste. 

If there's anything I've learned through my training as a dentist and personal patient experiences, it's that not all toothpastes are created equal. While I can write pages upon pages about the toothpastes available on the market, I have decided to focus on concerns that many of my patients have and what toothpastes I would recommend for each.

• Sensitive Teeth: Sensodyne is my go-to choice for sensitive teeth. Sensitive teeth are usually the result of exposed dentin (i.e. the inner layer of the tooth) which is a very porous surface. As these pores are exposed to temperature changes/air/etc., they activate the nerves in the tooth, which causes sensitivity. Sensodyne works by blocking these pores and protecting the tooth (namely through the potassium ions from the 5% potassium nitrate). As a plus, this desensitizing toothpaste also contains fluoride to help remineralize teeth and prevent cavities.  

• Canker Sores: Tom's Gentle and Clean would be my choice. One of the ingredients in most toothpastes is Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS). This ingredient a) increases the effectiveness of fluoride (which works better in combination with this surfactant), b) helps "foam" the toothpaste to clean plaque away and c) has some anti-bacterial properties. However, some patients have sensitivity to SLS, which may irritate tissues and cause canker sores. If you find this to be your case, consider switching to Tom's Gentle and Clean (which is a SLS-free toothpaste). Comes in two flavors: peppermint and fennel! 

• You Have Lots of Restorations: Crest Cavity Protection (Regular) seems to me to be one of the least abrasive toothpastes available. When there are many bonded restorations (white fillings, veneers, all-porcelain crowns), we want to make sure that a less abrasive toothpaste is used to ensure the integrity of the restoration's margin. 

• You Have a Baby: Biotene F1rst Teeth Baby Toothpaste is wonderful apple-banana tasting toothpaste for the little one (three months and older). This all-natural toothpaste does not contain any artificial flavors or preservatives so it's safe to swallow! Note that there is no fluoride in this toothpaste (which has may cause tummy aches if swallowed). However, there are calcium and protective milk enzymes which help keep teeth strong. While this tube is a bit more expensive, it's a great introduction to oral care for your teething one!

• Whitening: Rembrandt (Intense Stain) is a toothpaste that I use in between whitenings to prevent day-to-day stains from food and drink.The ingredient PVP (or Polyvinylpyrrolidone Polymer) is a hydrogen peroxide complex which helps remove and prevent stains on teeth. The trick with whitening toothpaste is to use it consistently. The toothpaste is only effective if you use it every day, twice a day, for several months. 

• All Around Toothpaste: Crest Pro-Health product line would be my choice. Reduces cavities, plaque, sensitivity and bad breath. I'm there!

I hope this guide will give you a bit more information on the toothpastes currently available. Of course, the effectiveness of these toothpastes depend greatly upon proper brushing techniques, consistency, and duration. Please contact me with any questions you may have about your 'paste.

Wishing there were more sparkles in adult toothpaste,
Dr. Lynda Tran

^{*As the products and research for toothpastes evolve, so will the recommendations. And of course, I am not associated with any of these brands. Please consult with your dentist if you are thinking about switching to a new toothpaste.} 

Invisalign Day: Your Healthier, More Beautiful Smile!

As a dedication to promoting innovative services to patients, Petaluma Dental Group is having our Invisalign Day. If you're interested in finding more about Invisalign, I encourage you to visit the Invisalign website. It has a wealth of information about the benefits of having your teeth aligned with clear trays. For a small preview, below are just a few of the benefits:

• Healthier Gums - Invisalign aligners are removable so patients can brush and floss normally which can help prevent periodontal disease and tooth decay. Research has shown that gingival health may improve during treatment.
• Easier Cleanings - The chances of having plaque retention, tooth decay and periodontal disease can be reduced with properly aligned teeth. 
• Less Stress - Properly aligned teeth are less stressful on the supporting bone and provide better function. Invisalign offers an alternative to aggressive, restorative solutions for orthodontic problems.

As part of Invisalign Day, we will be seeing patients for complimentary consultations! If you decide that Invisalign is for you, we will provide you with:

• $500 off your Invisalign treatment
• Free Whitening (so your teeth look their absolute best)
• IPOD Shuffle

So, please contact the office to make an appointment for your consultation. I look forward to discussing your most healthy and beautiful smile! Here is more information on the event:

• When: Saturday, November 20th   9:00am - 1:00pm
• Where: Petaluma Dental Group (1430 E. Washington Street, Petaluma)
• Details: Appointments are limited. Please call today to reserve your consultation appointment! 
• Appointment: Call the office at (707) 762-0067 and ask for an Invisalign consultation with Dr. Tran!

As always, I am available to answer your dental questions (contact me). I look forward to your Invisalign questions and comments!

Trick-or-Treat,
Dr. Lynda Tran


Note: Please note that you have to sign-up for Invisalign treatment on or before Saturday, November 20th in order to partake in the Invisalign Dental Special.

Dimples on My Golf Ball, Not My Teeth!

I am going to share with you something that few patients know: With the exception of chewing and swallowing, our teeth should not be touching. Our teeth were not designed to be constantly working on each other. However, more and more patients are experiencing the consequences of clenching and grinding. As a result of the incessant clenching or grinding, patients usually have what is often called “golf ball molars” because of the dimple wear patterns (see above).

Additionally, bruxism (name for the condition of grinding teeth) may lead to your jaw feeling stiff, teeth becoming sensitive to cold, and jaws being tired after a night’s rest. Without diagnosis and immediate intervention of this condition, several things can occur:

• Teeth become extremely sensitive to cold liquids and food. 
• Compromise of existing fillings and crowns because these restorations are not strong enough to counter the impressive strength of our muscles and teeth.
• Increase risk of cavities. The more yellow surface of the tooth showing through is dentin. Unfortunately, dentin is not nearly as strong and cavity resistant as our outer enamel.
• Additionally, the teeth become shortened and flat. (see below) 

There are several believed causes of bruxism. Namely, it is attributable to a) stress and/or b) the way teeth fit together. Due to activities occurring in your life, you may have a tendency to grind/clench during the day or night. Or, if your teeth do not properly fit together, the teeth may be compensating for the discrepancy by wearing each other out.

In either event, please consult with your dentist. He/she will be able to assess the potential causes of your bruxism and develop a treatment that would cater to your unique case. Upcoming articles, I will be going more in depth on two possible treatments: night guards and braces (traditional and Invisalign).

While dimples are excellent on golf balls and babies, let’s keep them away from your teeth!

Happy golfing,
Dr. Lynda Tran

Golf Ball Anatomy: Golf balls with dimples are able to achieve “truer” flight than those that are smooth. While most dimples on golf balls are circular, it is believed that hexagonal dimples provide balls more lift.

Ca$h for Candy - Turn Sweets into Cheese

With the ever rising numbers of children developing obesity and cavities, it’s important this Halloween to focus on the amount of candy your child consumes. In an effort to remove the excess candy from your household this Halloween, Petaluma Dental Group and Synergy Dental are holding Ca$h for Candy. At this fabulous event, we will buy back every pound of unopened candy for a dollar with a chance to win great raffle prizes! Additionally, we hope to promote nutrition awareness for children in a fun, healthy way. Here are more details of this exciting event:

• When: Monday, November 1st from 2pm - 6pm
• Where: 1430 East Washington Street, Petaluma 94954

For more information, please click on link above. I look forward to seeing you there with your pounds of candy!

Best,
Dr. Lynda Tran