Dental Patients in Need of Antibiotics

By AustinDentalSpa on January 18, 2012

Posted in Dentistry FAQ's

There are several reasons why antibiotics may be appropriate for your dental procedure.  The American Dental Association offers guidelines for dentists so they can be familiar with the established regimens for dispensing antibiotics at the appropriate time to specific dental patients.

First, if you have an infection in your tooth, you will need antibiotics before undergoing a dental procedure, such as, a root canal procedure to clean out the infection. Secondly, certain medical conditions may pose a risk for infection following dental treatment. In these cases, antibiotics are administered in the days before the procedure to reduce the risk of infection. For example, people who have heart valve issues or total joint replacement are considered at risk for infection. This is because certain dental procedures for those with heart valve issues or total joint replacement may send some bacteria through the bloodstream which creates a risk for infection at the location of heart valve issue or joint replacement.

As such, some people do require antibiotics over the course of a few days prior to certain dental treatments. Furthermore, when infections in the mouth are left untreated, the infection can travel through the bloodstream into other areas of the body.  In some cases, these infections can be life threatening. This is another reason why it is very important to obtain appropriate dental care in a timely fashion.  It is important to note that you may require antibiotic treatment for several days before the procedure.  It is not advisable to delay dental care at any time you feel you need it.

If you are interested in dentistry, contact Austin dentist Dr. Mark Sweeney for a consultation at 512-380-1300.

Anxiety Free Dentistry FAQ’s

By AustinDentalSpa on January 16, 2012

Posted in Dentistry FAQ's

Anxiety free dentistry can be yours today with many advancements in dentistry. Yet, it’s usually most effective when you know why it is important to see a dentist and what is available to assist you for an anxiety free dentistry experience. So, let’s take a fast glance at those most frequently asked questions so you can feel good about going to your dentist.

Why is it important to see a dentist twice a year?

Regular dental check-ups offer the opportunity to check for oral conditions, such as, oral cancer, and gum disease (linked to heart attack and stroke). Early treatment for these conditions is typically less invasive and produces better results when compared to the alternative. Aside from checking for tooth decay, staying on top of your overall health through dental care assists in preserving quality of life over your lifetime. So, try to focus on rewarding yourself after you go for your dental visit!

How can I lower my anxiety about going to a dentist?

First, look for a dentist who utilizes sedation dentistry. Even if you are not interested in sedation, the dentist and their staff are typically very accustomed to caring for people who have anxiety. Too, they often have patient comforts, such as, calming music and T.V.. So, you can discuss your concerns with staff members over the phone to alleviate anxiety strains. In addition, some dental practices offer a variety of safe and effective sedative agents that offer an anxiety free dental experience.   Add to this staff recommendations and the ambiance of the office, you’ll likely be set for success in your dental experience. Finally, you may want to stay away from stimulants, such as, coffee, before your dental visit as stimulants can add to anxiety.

If you are interested in dentistry, contact Austin dentist Dr. Mark Sweeney for a consultation at 512-380-1300.

Children’s Dental Care Guidelines Updated

By AustinDentalSpa on January 14, 2012

Posted in Dentistry FAQ's

 The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recently updated its guidelines to reflect the recommendation that children should be seen by a dentist by the time they are 6 months to 12 months old to prevent tooth decay. Tooth decay is highly prevalent among children, accounting for over 40% of children that have tooth decay by the time they are in Kinder Garden.

 Baby teeth are not immune to tooth decay. Despite the fact that baby teeth are replaced by permanent teeth, the condition of baby teeth plays a role in the condition of permanent teeth. Furthermore, it is more difficult to seize the process of tooth decay in an infant. Thus, proactive measures are required to help prevent tooth decay in children.

Generally speaking, gum wiping should commence after your child is born. Once a first tooth erupts, the tooth should be cleaned daily. Your dentist can give you tips for proper brushing.  By one year’s old, your child should be drinking from a cup instead of a bottle.   Refrain from giving your child sugar sweetened drinks. There are many more instructions you can receive by going to your dentist to learn about taking care of your children’s teeth.

If you are interested in dentistry, contact Austin dentist Dr. Mark Sweeney for a consultation at 512-380-1300.

Tooth Scaling Lowers Risk for Heart and Stroke?

By AustinDentalSpa on January 12, 2012

Posted in Dentistry FAQ's, Oral Conditions, oral health

Professional dental cleanings may include tooth scaling, particularly when gingivitis has been diagnosed (the precursor to gum disease). Since 75% of the population has gingivitis, it is vital to have a professional exam, dental cleaning and possibly scaling when necessary, particularly following the results of a recent study.

Study results presented at the Scientific Session 2011 for the American Heart Association demonstrated that over 50,000 people who received professional cleaning with tooth scaling were nearly 25% less likely to have a heart attack and nearly 15% less likely to have a stroke over a seven year time period.

None of the participants had a history of heart attack or stroke at the beginning of the study. The lead presenter of the information remarked that professional tooth scaling appears to reduce inflammation-causing bacterial growth that can lead to heart disease or stroke. In addition, the type of periodontal disease predicts degree of risk for heart attack, stroke, and heart failure.

Other study results have supported this evidence. For example, there was a study involving nearly 8, 000 people who have periodontal disease. The results demonstrated that nearly 70% of those with fewer than 21 teeth had an increased risk for heart attack.

There is nothing that can replace the value of a professional dental cleaning when it comes to oral health. Professional dental cleanings prevent the need for more invasive dental treatment, reduce the risk of gum disease and tooth loss,  and may reduce the risk for certain diseases.  Both adults and children should have a professional dental cleaning at least twice a year and more often when prescribed. For example, people with gum disease may be advised to undergo a dental cleaning every three months.

In the end, it’s important to follow up on your dentist’s advice. Just think you may be lowering your risk for heart attack and stroke.

If you are interested in dentistry, contact Austin dentist Dr. Mark Sweeney for a consultation at 512-380-1300.

How oral health contributes to overall well being

By AustinDentalSpa on January 6, 2012

Posted in Dentistry FAQ's, gum disease

Did you know there is a connection between oral health and a person’s general health? Studies have shown that there may be a link between bad bacterium in the mouth and heart conditions. When gum disease goes untreated, it may contribute to heart plaque, cardiovascular disease, heart attack and the related plaque diseases, such as, stroke.

Every mouth is full of bacteria, some of them harmless. Others, however, are actually bad for the body. Because what goes on in a person’s mouth can enter their bloodstream and travel throughout the body, developing good oral hygiene habits should be a priority in everyone’s life.

Recognizing gum disease is important so a person can begin taking steps to combat it. Gingivitis is the mildest form that is a precursor to gum disease, but when it goes untreated it can lead to much larger problems. There is normally no pain associated with the onset of gingivitis. When gums become red, swollen and bleed easily, it is likely that they are experiencing signs of gingivitis. The good news is that gingivitis is controllable with proper home care and professional treatment.

It is important to seek treatment for gingivitis in the first stages because it can lead to a more serious type of gum disease called periodontitis. This occurs when plaque spreads below the gum line, breaking down the bones and tissues that support the teeth. When this happens, teeth become loose and may fall out. In addition, gum disease has been linked to heart disease and strokes.

It’s never too late to develop better oral hygiene habits. If the symptoms of gum disease are present, take charge and take control of it before the disease is able to progress.

If you are interested in dentistry, contact Austin dentist Dr. Mark Sweeney for a consultation at 512-380-1300.

When you keep your teeth healthy, you can keep your teeth and smile healthy

By AustinDentalSpa on January 4, 2012

Posted in Dentistry FAQ's

Your smile is the first thing people notice about you, so don’t you want to make a good first impression? Every person gets only one set of teeth, so it’s important to take care of them. Below are five tips that will help keep your smile healthy for a lifetime that focuses on reducing bad bacteria and plaque that pose the risk for losing your teeth.

1. REPLACE YOUR TOOTHBRUSH: Buy a new toothbrush at least once every three months. (That’s 4 times per year.) Because a person’s toothbrush comes into contact with all the oral bacteria in one’s mouth, keeping a toothbrush for too long can be a factor that leads to bad breath or other oral health issues. Also, if a toothbrush becomes frayed, it will not be able to clean teeth as easily.
2. BRUSH YOUR TONGUE: It’s not just teeth that matter when it comes to tooth brushing. Bacteria can build up on a person’s tongue, which can cause bad breath. This also means the rest of your mouth’s cleanliness will suffer.
3. BRUSH IN CIRCULAR MOTIONS: This technique will get more plaque and unwanted germs off the teeth. Also, hold your toothbrush at a 45 degree angle and brush along the gum-line.
4. INVEST IN SOME DENTAL FLOSS: When people forget to floss, small food particles will remain between teeth, which can cause cavities to develop. This is a common problem that dentists address, and it can be easily solved by flossing just one time a day. (Of course, flossing twice would be even better.)
5. VISIT YOUR DENTIST: Make an appointment to get your teeth cleaned at least twice a year. Also, don’t neglect regular dental check-ups that will detect problems early on.

If you are interested in dentistry, contact Austin dentist Dr. Mark Sweeney for a consultation at 512-380-1300.

Got Pain With Your Wisdom Teeth? Get a Cure

By AustinDentalSpa on November 4, 2011

Posted in Dentistry FAQ's, General Dentistry

Wisdom teeth that are impacted, meaning that they do not erupt, can be discomforting over time. Many people with impacted wisdom teeth find themselves at their dentist’s office by mid-twenties with complaints of pain and discomfort. In addition, impacted wisdom teeth can crowd surrounding teeth, offsetting your bite. Finally, it is not too uncommon for wisdom teeth to become infected over time.  In fact, infections can become serious so it’s important to address wisdom tooth pain right away. It is for all of these reasons why you may experience discomfort with your wisdom teeth.

Wisdom tooth removal is often the call to action. The procedure on impacted teeth is usually performed before the bone fully matures.  The beauty in today’s solution for wisdom tooth removal is that there have been advancements made in anesthetics so they people won’t feel or recollect the surgery. Typically performed under IV sedation with the use of a local anesthesia in the treatment area, wisdom tooth removal may be a minimal type of surgery or more extensive depending upon several factors.  The position of the tooth plays a role in the extent of surgery. The maturity of the root is a factor in surgery. The person’ age is another factor in the decision for the approach to surgery. For more minor surgery, local anesthesia may be suffice.  Following the procedure, patients return home with anti-pain medication to stay ahead of discomfort.

If you are interested in a consultation, contact Austin dentist Dr. Mark Sweeney at 512-380-1300

Why One Visit to Your Austin Dentist Seems to Turn Into Two

By AustinDentalSpa on October 31, 2011

Posted in Dentistry FAQ's

Your Austin dentist may always seem to need to see you for more than one visit for a variety of reasons. You may think you’ve followed all of the proper oral hygiene recommendations from your dentist so why bother? You may feel that you have maintained a proper diet to support your oral health. You may feel that your breath is fresh and your oral cavity is free from cavity causing debris. Yet, sometimes you may not seem to be able to get away from a second dental visit after you visit your dentist for a preventive dental visit. The oral cavity can be tricky to manage at best.   Though you may receive lessons about proper tooth brushing and dental flossing during your first dental visit, you may notice that you receive repeat lessons over the years for reinforcement.  Just like your body, the oral cavity must thrive through many changes each day and each year. So, your dentist will highlight specific areas that need extra care and methods for focusing on those areas.

Sometimes, your dentist may request you come back for an additional visit in three months instead of six. Sometimes, your dentist may request you return to the office for deeper cleaning through root planing and scaling. Sometimes, your dentist may request you return to the office for restorative dental work, such as, dental fillings, root canals and dental crowns. Let’s explore the details…

• When it comes to having extra professional cleanings throughout the year, this request may occur if you have excess or speedier plaque build-up. Excess or speedier plaque build-up may be caused by failure to brush and floss properly, dry mouth syndrome, certain medications or medical conditions.
• Root planing and scaling is popular because 75% of the population has the precursor to gum disease or gum disease itself. Root planing and scaling helps to control the progression of the disease. This is very important because there is no cure.
• The need for dental fillings is usually identified in the first visit. So, there is not enough time for dental fillings. To perform a root canal, typically antibiotics must be taken over the course of days before root canal treatment.  Dental crowns require the fabrication of the crown after an impression is made of the treatment area.

There may be one or more reasons why you need additional dental visits.  The important point is that regular preventive visits reduce the risk of follow up visits.

If you are interested in a consultation, contact Austin dentist Dr. Mark Sweeney at 512-380-1300.

Preventative vs. Restorative Dentistry

By AustinDentalSpa on October 29, 2011

Posted in Dentistry FAQ's, Restorative Dentistry

Dentistry appointments twice a year for preventative dental care have increased over years, but there are still many people that postpone preventative dental visits until restorative dentistry is required.  The reasons for this may be numerous. Perhaps, such people are not aware that there is sedation dentistry available which alleviates fear, anxiety and discomfort from dental procedures.   Alternatively, it may seem that preventative dental visits are cost prohibitive since there are a limited number of dental insurance companies that offer adequate insurance coverage for dental visits. By the same token, restorative dentistry can be very costly, particularly by comparison to preventative dental visits.  So, we’d like to alleviate the two common strains for avoiding dentals visits with more detail about insurance constraints and sedation dentistry.

Sedation dentistry is offered by a select number of dentists. There are a variety of options available for sedation dentistry. So, it is wise to contact your dentist’s receptionist to convey your concerns about dentistry. Then, your dentist’s receptionist can convey your concerns to your dentist to determine the best approach to allow you to have a carefree experience.  Sedation dentistry options are not designed to be expensive, making oral medications, laughing gas or other modalities easy to fit into your checkbook.

Insurance is the second important consideration.  Many insurance programs are discounted programs that do not provide as much as 50% off on preventive services. Some insurance programs may seem more appropriate, offering comparable coverage to the type of coverage you would find through an employer’s health insurance policy. There are also other dental insurance policies you can purchase online that may be comparable to traditional programs at 80% preventative and 50% for restorative.  In the end, even if you decide to purchase a policy before your dental treatment, you can be rest assured that you are far more likely to contain dental costs through preventative dental treatments.

If you are interested in a consultation, contact Austin dentist Dr. Mark Sweeney at 512-380-1300.

Attn. Austin Women: Watch Out for the Risk of Tooth Loss

By AustinDentalSpa on September 13, 2011

Posted in Dentistry FAQ's

Dentistry and tooth loss don’t go hand in hand unless you being evaluated for a dental implant, bridge or dentures.  What is widely known is that women tend to have better oral health than men.  Women may be more likely to brush teeth twice daily for two minutes each session.   Women may be more likely to floss each day to remove debris on and between their teeth. Women may be more likely to visit their dentist for additional professional tooth cleanings when they notice excessive plaque build-up.

What is not widely known is that recent study results suggest that women are 90% more likely to lose a tooth loss following menopause if other risk factors are present, such as, diabetes or smoking. This information is derived from study results published in the Community Dentistry and Oral Epidemiology (2) involving over 1000 women. Study results demonstrated that one out of every four post-menopausal women are likely to lose a tooth over a five year time period.

There have been several similar studies on the topic in the past. Each study has focused on unique factors, such as, the link between tooth loss and oestrogen deficiency.  For example, a U.S. based study showed the likelihood of tooth loss at 28% over a five year period in post-menopausal women. Regardless, the risk of tooth loss increases after menopause. So, lifestyle habits and medical conditions that are suggestive of playing a role in tooth loss are just as important to keep in check.   For example physicians recommend that people visit their office for specific tests at different ages in order to identify their risk for disease. In this way, physicians may have the opportunity to develop a preventative treatment plan to reduce the risk of a medical condition, which in fact may also be linked to tooth loss. In the end, it’s important to visit your dentist for semi-annual check ups. It’s also important to visit your physician for annual check-ups.

If you are interested in cosmetic dentistry and general dentistry, contact Austin dentist Dr. Mark Sweeney for a consultation at 512-380-1300.