7 Ways to Treat and Prevent Tooth Decay

Hope you're enjoying spring! Apologies for the momentary hiatus. Today, I wanted to share with you a condensed version of Dr. Brian Novy's guide to treating and preventing tooth decay. Take a look...

1. Increase the amount of arginine in the diet: Eat more spinach, soy, seafood, and nuts. 
2. Brush with baking soda. If you do not like the taste of baking soda, apply toothpaste to the brush then dip into a little baking soda. Consider using a rechargable, power toothbrush. 
3. Ask your dental professional about applying chlorhexidine (anti-septic) varnish to exposed roots to prevent cavities. The chlorhexidine arrests the enzymatic breakdown of dentinal collagen. 
4. If you're prone to cavities (you know who you are...), use Salese lozenges daily. These lozenges contain xylitol and baking soda which prevent your mouth's pH from reaching critical values. 
5. Have a lollipop! GlyLic lollipop, that is. GlyLic is a component from licorice root that has anti-microbial properties. 
6. Xylitol is a great preventive aid. Aim for about 5 grams of xylitol per day. Look for gum that has xylitol listed as the first ingredient.
7. Ask your dental professional about having a diagnostic saliva test. These tests allow you to see what types of bacteria are present in your mouth/saliva.  

Cavities are, unfortunately, a disease. Like any other disease, it needs to be prevented, treated and/or managed. Please contact me with any questions/comments.

Here's to your oral health,
Dr. Lynda Tran

Water Can Damage Your Teeth

I think we all have the general understanding that acid is bad for your teeth. Bathing your mouth with lemon juice, soda or candy can cause erosion of your teeth. As erosion progresses, your teeth become more sensitive, discolored and at higher risk of getting cavities. We know this. Most of us are told to neutralize our mouths after eating by drinking water. Well, what if the water you're drinking is damaging your teeth?

Let's start with critical pH. For enamel (outer layer of the tooth) and dentin (inner layer of the tooth), the critical pH is 5.2 and 6.9, respectively. This means that any pH below these numbers will promote erosion of these surfaces. With that in mind, take a look at the pH of leading bottled water. (The ones in red text are harmful to dentin and/or enamel; the blue text are not.)

• Propel Fitness Water: 3.37
• Aquafina: 5.96
• Crystal Geiser: 6.1
• Fiji: 6.65
• Arrowhead: 6.83
• Smart Water: 6.97
• Dasani: 7.3
• Evian: 7.53
• VOSS: 7.56
• Tap Water: 7.8

As you can see, a majority of these bottled waters should not cause harm to your enamel. However, if you have dentin exposed from recession/grinding/clenching or weakened enamel from previous acid exposures, the more acidic waters may be causing erosion on your teeth.

So how do you combat the acid? Consider eating some cheese after a large acidic drink or meal. Limit the amount of time that any acidic drink or food is exposed to your teeth. Do not brush your teeth after a large acidic exposure since the enamel is most weak at this stage and can be potentially "brushed away". Finally, rinse with a fluoridated mouth rinse to help remineralize weakened areas of your teeth.

Cheers,
Dr. Lynda Tran

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.