The Hidden Dangers of Oral Piercing

There are plenty of horror stories telling the tale of a pierced tongue gone wrong. Infection, swelling, and tooth damage are just a few of the dangerous side effects of oral piercing.

According to the Mayo Clinic, some serious problems can occur with oral piercings. Of course, some people never have an issue, but do you really want to take that chance?

Although it may seem about as risky as getting your ears pierced, getting a hole in your tongue could have some serious side effects.

Common Problems

Infection, nerve damage, teeth and mouth injuries, swelling, periodontal disease, and irreversible nerve damage are just a few of the problems you can develop if you have your tongue, lip, or mouth pierced.

Those little barbells and studs may make you look cool, but accidentally bite down on one and you may have second thoughts about having your tongue pierced.

Infections: In a survey of college Students in New York, six percent of those who had oral piercings had a problem after the piercing. Some required a visit to the ER to treat infections with antibiotics. In addition, you will be left with a scar after you remove your stud or post. It may heal quickly, but you will be left with scar tissue.

Tooth Chipping: In one study, over half of the people who had long barbell piercings chipped their teeth. Those in the study who wore them for four years or more had chipping on their back teeth as well.

Gum Recession: Dentists are now discovering that your gums in the front of your mouth are twice as likely to recede after tongue piercing. Experts believe this is because the barbell or stud is constantly being forced against your front teeth. If you have gum recession due to oral piercings, your jawbone will reabsorb into your body. Once the bone is gone, there is nothing to hold your teeth. You may love the look of your pierced tongue, but it could eventually cause you to lose your teeth.

Dental Restoration Damage: If you have dental restorations, you are running the risk of damage. Your beautiful porcelain veneers that your insurance didn’t cover could be ruined with that gold barbell that you cannot get enough of.

If you insist on wearing oral jewelry, dentists recommend wearing acrylic barbells or acrylic balls to lessen the chance of tooth and gum damage.

Although lip, tongue and cheek piercing is all the rage, take a moment to consider what it is doing to the rest of your body. If you are thinking about having your tongue pierced, you may want to reconsider. Losing your teeth over a pretty little piece of jewelry really isn’t worth it.

Talk to a dentist who can help you understand the dangers of oral piercings. It just may change your mind. Call today. 

Drinks that Can Eat Teeth

Your teeth are strong, but just like your bones, aren’t indestructible. What you eat, and especially what you drink, can play a huge roll in your overall mouth health. Good oral hygiene habits are essential for strong teeth, but so are the foods that you eat and the beverages that you drink.

Acidic Drink Danger

High pH levels are responsible for many oral health issues, but it all starts with the acids that can destroy the enamel on your teeth. Enamel erosion is a major problem, as it cannot be reversed. The outer layer of your teeth does not have living cells and is unable to heal itself.

When the enamel on your teeth begins to erode, the dentin that is underneath it will become exposed. Dentin is yellow in color, which could explain why your teeth will begin to discolor if you do not take proper care. Dentin exposure can also lead to tooth sensitivity. Tooth sensitivity cause pain when eating or drinking hot, cold, acidic, spicy, or even sweet food and drinks.

Acidic Drinks to Avoid

Soda-Although diet soda may be helping your waistline, it isn’t doing any good for your teeth. Diet soda is just as bad for enamel erosion as regular soda is. Even small amounts of diet or regular soda can damage teeth.

Fruit Juice-Citrus juices may have vitamins and minerals, but can also be loaded with sugar and tooth damaging acids. Your dentist in Corona explains that lime and lemon juice can be compared to battery acid.

Wine-Wine is also damaging and highly acidic. Red wine contains less acid than white does, but both should be enjoyed in moderation. Red wine can also stain your teeth.

Protection

If you want to keep the enamel on your teeth safe, your dentist in Corona recommends that you limit your intake of acidic drinks that contain high pH levels. Opt for tooth friendly low acid alternatives such as: 

• Water
• Milk
• Black Coffee
• Black Tea
• Green Tea 

If you have already damaged the enamel on your teeth from consuming acidic drinks, your dentist can help with restorative dental procedures such as cosmetic bonding, dental crowns, or porcelain veneers.

For more information regarding enamel protection and restoration, schedule a dental checkup with your dentist in Corona today. 

CEREC Crowns in Two Hours

If the thought of spending two appointments for a dental crown keeps you out of the dentist’s chair, call and schedule an appointment with Dental Care Corona for a new crown in just one dental visit. CEREC® Crowns are created, made, and fitted in about two hours and could be the answer if you would like a beautiful new smile in 2017.

With the amazing CAD/CAM CEREC® system, you can take an extended lunch hour and come back to the office with a gorgeous new smile.

The CEREC® process involves 3D images that are sent to the CEREC® computer system. Once the data has been analyzed, your new tooth will be ready to be sent to the milling machine for manufacturing. The ceramic block used is perfectly matched to the rest of your natural teeth so that your new dental crown will look just like the rest of your natural or restored teeth. The entire process takes a couple of hours. During the milling process, you can relax, read, watch television, or surf the net.

CEREC® can be used for other dental treatments as well including tooth colored fillings, onlays an inlays. CEREC® is safe, effective, and proven to last up to ten years or more. CEREC® can be used for: 

• Tooth colored fillings
• Dental crowns
• Inlays
• Onlays
• Bonding
• Veneers
• Dental Implants 

CEREC® can repair chipped teeth or lengthen your eyeteeth. The CEREC® system also works for cosmetic dental veneers.

Some dentists are now using the CEREC® system to create dental implants to place over the titanium screws used for dental implants. The artificial teeth look and act just as strong, if not stronger than your natural teeth.

If you would like more information regarding CEREC® Crowns or CEREC® for any other dental restoration procedure, call and schedule an appointment with a certified CEREC® dentist today.

Sweet Treats You Should Avoid

Sweet treats announce the arrival of the holiday season, and if you and your family like to indulge in sweet treats there are some that you should try to avoid, or at least enjoy on occasion.

Sticky Candy

Gummy bears and those delicious caramels that your Aunt Dottie always likes to send for Christmas may be yummy, but they have a tendency to stick into the cracks and fissure on your back teeth and between your teeth, and unfortunately that sticky candy can’t be moved by your saliva. If you do enjoy, brush and rinse with water as soon as you can.

Dried Fruit

Just like gooey candy, dried fruit can stick to your teeth as well, and what’s worse, it will stay there much longer after you have eaten that fig, dried apricot or dried prune. Dried fruit may be good for your diet, but it doesn’t do much good for your teeth. Brush after eating and if you must indulge, include your dried fruit with the rest of a meal.

Hard Candy

Sourballs, butterscotch, and those never-ending candy canes are great to suck on, but are literally coating your teeth in a sugar bath. Hard candy can also chip and even break a tooth. Keep hard candy to a minimum and if you must, don’t bite down.

Fruit Cake

Starchy foods are bad enough for your teeth as the doughy goodness from that piece of bread or scrumptious soft pretzel will stay with you. Add sticky fruit from your Grandmothers favorite cranberry and fig bread to the mix and your teeth will pay the price. Eat fruitcake and bread with a meal and rinse with water after you enjoy.  

Citrus

Oranges, limes, grapefruit and lemons are abundant during the winter months, but that doesn’t mean you should over-indulge. Citrus fruits are loaded with sugar and acid that eat away at the enamel on your teeth. Try eating fruit as part of a meal and never suck on a lemon.

If you are trying to stay healthy by watching your weight over the holidays, make sure and pay attention to your diet and your teeth and gums, and don’t forget to schedule an appointment with your dentist for your regular dental checkup. 

Signs You Need to See your Dentist

If you haven’t scheduled a checkup with your dentist for some time, you may want to pick up the phone and make an appointment. Below are some indications that could mean a trip to the dentist’s office.

Pain

Any kind of pain in your mouth is an indication that something is not right. If you have a toothache, it’s time to schedule an appointment with your dentist. Ignoring that nagging pain could make things worse. Cavities do not go away and if left alone could get so bad that a root canal is necessary.

Gum Issues

If your gums are red, swollen and/or bleed when you brush and floss, you may have gum disease. Seeing your dentist as quickly as possible can solve your problem, however, if you ignore it, your gingivitis could develop into the more serious periodontal disease that could lead to tooth loss.

Hidden Grin

Hiding your smile is a sure sign that you are not happy with what you see in the mirror. A chipped or missing tooth or stained teeth can all be helped with a trip to your dentist’s office.

Previous Dental Work

If you have crowns, dental implants, porcelain veneers, dental bonding, fillings or any other type of restorative or cosmetic dentistry it is important to see your dentist regularly to make sure that your mouth stays in good shape.

Medical Issues

If you have eating disorders, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, or if you are HIV positive you may be more susceptible to gum disease and other oral issues. See your dentist if you are having chemotherapy, hormone replacement, or radiation as it can affect your oral health.

Pregnancy

Pregnant women should never miss regular checkups. Seeing your dentist is important as women who are expecting may suffer from gum disease. Just make sure that you notify your dentist of your pregnancy. If you are planning a pregnancy, see your dentist beforehand.  

Problems Eating

If you are having problems chewing or swallowing your food, it is not normal. Consume liquids and soft food and get to the dentist as quickly as possible.

Jaw Pain

You could have a problem if your jaw pops when you open and close your mouth. Schedule an appointment with your dentist as you could have a TMJ disorder or an uneven bite.

Sores and Spots

A doctor or dentist should look at white patches, cold sores, canker sores and other problems that last longer than a week, as mouth sores could be an indication of something more serious.

If you have any of the above issues, or can’t remember the last time you saw your dentist, call, or click and schedule an appointment today. 

Womens Oral Health Issues

Women’s Oral Health should be emphasized when it comes to overall well-being as women have hormonal changes that can affect gum health.

During puberty, menstruation, pregnancy, and menopause, women’s hormones fluctuate dramatically and according to your dentist can cause gum disease and other issues including dry mouth.

Puberty

When a woman’s progesterone and even estrogen levels increase, the sex hormones cause a woman’s blood circulation to increase to the gums. The gums may become more sensitive, which could lead to a reaction to any type of irritation including food debris and plaque. During puberty gums could become swollen, feel tender and appear red.  

Menstruation

Menstruation gingivitis is a condition that some women have right before a period begins. Once it has started, the menstruation gingivitis usually clears up. If you are having this occur more often, and not when you are menstruation, contact your dentist, as your gum disease could be recurring.

Pregnancy

If you are expecting a baby, you are more susceptible to gum disease from the second or third month through to the eighth month. The severity of symptoms may increase with bleeding, swelling, and redness. If left untreated gum disease in pregnant women could cause low birth weights and premature births.

Menopause and Post Menopause

Menopausal or post-menopausal women can experience mouth changes that include mouth discomfort, pain, and burning in the gum tissue, dry mouth or an altered taste, which could be sour, peppery, or salty. Known as menopausal gingivostomatitis it can make a woman’s gums appear shiny or dry and make them bleed more easily. Ask your doctor about estrogen supplements that can help relieve the symptoms.

Bone loss is also associated with menopause and post menopause. Increase your intake of sodium rich foods such as cheese and yogurt, which can also help your teeth. Calcium supplements may also be recommended for severe bone loss issues.

If you would like more information regarding Women’s Oral Health, schedule an appointment with your dentist today. 

Dental Checkups This Fall

Fall is around the corner, and if you haven’t scheduled dental checkups with the family, it’s time to make those appointments.

School and extracurricular activities can get in the way of dental appointments, and before you know it, the holidays will be here.

Neglecting dental checkups can cause all sorts of problems even if you and your family are meticulous about oral hygiene. Below are just a few of the issues that can occur if you skip those regular dental checkups.

Tooth Decay

You and your family may be proud of your twice-daily brushing habits, but unless you throw dental appointments into the mix, you could be asking for cavities. Your dentist explains that professional cleanings should be conducted during your regular dental checkups to remove the sticky plaque and tartar. Bacteria, plaque, and acid can erode the enamel on your teeth making you more susceptible to tooth decay and cavities.

Gum Disease

Neglecting much needed dental appointments can cause gum disease. You and your family may floss every day, but you still need checkups for professional dental cleanings. Gingivitis, the first stage of gum disease, is reversible, but only if you catch it in time. Unfortunately, some patients are not even aware that they have gum disease until it progresses to the more serious periodontal disease. Periodontal disease occurs when pockets form between your teeth and gums. Those pockets are full of plaque and tartar that will eat away your gums. If you have swollen, red, or bleeding gums, see your dentist as quickly as possible.

Other Health Issues

Poor oral hygiene has been linked to several other health problems including Alzheimer’s disease, stroke and congenital heart failure and although studies are still being conducted it appears that bacteria enters the blood stream through the gums. People who have hardening of the arteries have a higher percentage of periodontal disease as do people who suffer from diabetes.

If you and your family have been neglecting your dental appointments, schedule one today. Your health really does depend on it.