Having Trouble Brushing? Consider New Techniques

By AustinDentalSpa on August 6, 2010

Posted in Dentistry FAQ's, Oral Conditions, Senior Dentistry

There may be several reasons why people have difficulty brushing their teeth. Regardless of the reason, it’s important to learn about techniques that can improve your daily teeth cleaning routine to maintain oral health. Some check out some of the ways that you can leverage your tooth brushing technique for enhanced oral health.

Caring for a young infant or an ill loved one?
Very young infants and some people that are ill such as those on a respirator may not be able to brush their teeth. People in this category may have a caregiver try a soft washcloth or q-tips to scrub teeth and remove trapped food.

Can’t Reach the Back of Your Mouth?
Since the back of the mouth is one of the most important areas to keep clean, you may want to consider using a tongue depressor to keep your tongue down or a tongue cleaner to lengthen your toothbrush for hard to reach areas.

Can’t Brush the Backs of Your Teeth?
There are special tooth brushes available at your dentist’s office to brush the back of your teeth with. Offered in a circular bristled design that is small enough to fit tight areas behind the teeth, these toothbrushes provide better access to the back of the teeth.

Do You Have Poor Hand Coordination?
Arthritis sufferers or those recovering from strokes or other conditions that affect hand coordination have found that inserting the back end of a toothbrush into a tennis ball can greatly help with grip and maneuverability.

Your dentist will no doubt have other suggestions for enhancing your ability to care for your teeth and mouth. This may include helping to remove trapped food with a swish of a rinsing agent, or dietetic changes that can optimize you oral health. There may also be specific tools and techniques that relate to your particular situation. So, see your dentist for a general dentistry check up to learn more about the ways to improve your brushing for better oral health.

If you are having difficulty brushing your or a loved one’s teeth, call Dr. Mark Sweeney, an Austin Texas dentist at (512) 452-9296.

Senior Dental Care Top Five Tips

By AustinDentalSpa on July 16, 2010

Posted in Senior Dentistry

Here is a refresher course on the basics for a senior’s dental wellness:
1) Make and keep general dentistry appointments. Your dentist is your friend, advocate and “mouth mechanic” to make sure you can keep your teeth for a lifetime.  With all teeth in place, you’ll be able to keep yourself chewing, swallowing and talking properly.

2) Practice proper dental hygiene per your dentist’s instructions. This includes: regular brushing, flossing and mouthwash rinsing techniques to ensure food particles and possible build-up go down the drain instead of remaining in your mouth. Ask for a recommendation on preferred toothpastes, flossers, and other dental appliances to keep your teeth clean and gums healthy.

3) Again, you and your caregiver, if you have one, are the best monitors of your dental care. If your teeth are sensitive or loose, gums bleed or if you have pain, sores, swelling, grinding, swallowing or chewing difficulties, or jaw alignment issues (popping or clicking), immediately consult your dentist.

4) If you have dentures or bridges, do not neglect their ongoing care. Visit your dentist for regular alignments to accommodate for changes. If you are having problems with your dentures or bridges, you may want to consider cosmetic dentistry.

5) Be sure to communicate with your dentist about any medications that you are taking or changes to medication as these can impact your mouth and dental procedures. For some medical conditions, especially heart-related, it is recommended that patients have a course of antibiotics prior to dental work.

Seniors, keep making positive decisions each day to keep eating, smiling, and enjoying your latter years free from unnecessary dental pain and problems.

If you are interested in senior dental care, call Dr. Mark Sweeney, an Austin Texas dentist at (512) 452-9296.

Cosmetic Dentistry for Seniors

By AustinDentalSpa on June 23, 2010

Posted in Senior Dentistry

Growing older does not mean that your mouth’s well-being needs to be anything but terrific. These days, cosmetic dentistry procedures offer the opportunity to recapture a sense of youthfulness and protect your teeth for the future.

Seniors do face some potential challenges in the dental care realm that can be overcome by observing triggers that signify the need for help, including:
· Those who are older are more prone to tooth loss and periodontal (gum) disease. Having semi-annual check-ups and being aware of symptoms are vital to be proactive for your oral hygiene and to prevent minor problems from becoming severe.
· Tooth sensitivity is always a tell-tale sign that something is wrong in the mouth.
· Discoloration of a tooth or teeth can take place due to enamel or dentin loss
· Gum recession may signal a sign of periodontal disease or root deterioration.
· Inflammation, ulcers, bleeding caused by inadequate brushing or flossing, bite and jaw misalignments or misaligned appliances.
· Dry mouth, that is the consequence of many types of medications, is usually quite apparent.
· Untreated tooth decay, infections, periodontal disease and tooth loss.

Now for the Solutions!
Cosmetic dentistry has become popular among seniors. Improvements in technology provide the opportunity for advanced treatments that are speedy and not discomforting. Dentistry for seniors today can actually be simple today!

Tooth Whitening: That brilliant white smile of yesteryear can surface again with tooth whitening, offered by prescription, in-office, or over-the-counter.
Bonding: To relieve tooth sensitivity, small cracks and chips, bonding is a very cost effective method of applying a natural tooth colored substance over the affected area.
Dental Veneers: To improve misshapen teeth, larger chips or cracks, and severe tooth discoloration, it’s wise to consider dental veneers. These tiny sheets of porcelain are delicately placed over the teeth to mask and protect abnormalities.
Dental Implants: Tired of a dental bridge or dentures? Consider a dental implant that offers natural appeal and permanency to forgo appliance misalignments, unattractive clicking sounds, and difficulty eating, talking or chewing.

Full Mouth Reconstruction: Full mouth reconstructive can combine both restorative dentistry and cosmetic dentistry to provide improved functionality and pleasing aesthetics. Natural tooth colored dental fillings and superior fitting Cerec crowns can replace old ones. Bridges and dentures may be upgraded to implants. Tooth whitening or dental veneers may be the icing on the cake.
In fact, seniors today can benefit from advancements in technology for nearly any symptom or dental condition that they are experiencing. If you are a senior or caregiver, don’t delay! It’s critical to take care of elder teeth now more than ever. Your teeth are part of the backbone for your nutrition and health in elder years.

If you are interested in senior dental care, call Dr. Mark Sweeney, an Austin Texas cosmetic dentist at (512) 452-9296.

Oral Health for Diabetics

By AustinDentalSpa on June 10, 2010

Posted in Forty Plus Dentistry, Oral Conditions, oral health, Senior Dentistry, Thirty Plus Dentistry

Oral health is particularly important for people that are diabetic.  As you know from your elementary school days, sugar adversely affects the health of teeth. Now we are beginning to understand that there is an irrefutable link between diabetes and oral health for the almost 24 million diabetics in America.

Oral health studies have shown that diabetes increases the likelihood of contracting gum disease (link to story). If you contract gum disease, your teeth may pull away from the gums, creating pockets for food build-up, germs and infection. There is no cure for gum disease, but it can be managed to prevent tooth loss or tooth extraction.

Here is the rub: Recent studies have found that diabetes contributes to gum disease, and conversely, gum disease contributes to diabetes. Diabetics are more prone to having serious gum disease which is known to affect blood glucose levels that lead to diabetes. Diabetics also tend to contract bacterial infections that may attack the gums, and their bodies don’t fight off such infections as well as non-diabetics.

The double edge sword for diabetics is preventable with good oral hygiene practices. Simple monitoring of your blood glucose level does a world of good. Visiting a dentist every six months for general dentistry helps immensely. Consistent flossing and brushing greatly diminish these and other common diabetic-related oral issues like thrush (a fungal infection) and dry mouth syndrome. Thrush and dry mouth syndrome may cause soreness, cavities, ulcers, and infections- particularly difficult for diabetics. If you are a smoker, try hard to quit. Also you should remove and thoroughly clean your dentures every day. Failure to do so creates breeding grounds for germs and bacteria. Have discussions with your dentist and hygienist about your diabetic condition. Obviously, if your blood sugar levels are fluctuating, inform your dental office, who will likely postpone any emergency dental work. Before dental work is performed, take steps maintain proper sugar levels. . A tell-tale sign of higher blood sugar is dry mouth, and less saliva creates a greater chance for tooth decay and dental infection. The remedy? Drink more fluids and chew sugarless gum to trigger more saliva.

A clean bill of oral health is important for diabetics. And the rewards are great! A bright white smile and a healthy mouth can go a long way in life!

If you would like to learn more about diabetes and oral health, call Dr. Mark Sweeney, an Austin Texas cosmetic dentist at (512) 380-1300.

Fear of Dentistry Relieved

By AustinDentalSpa on March 17, 2010

Posted in cosmetic dentistry, Dentistry FAQ's, Forty Plus Dentistry, gum disease, Oral Conditions, oral health, Restorative Dentistry, sedation dentistry, Senior Dentistry, Thirty Plus Dentistry

Fear of dentistry affects up to 75% of people in the United States, according to Wikipedia. Fear of dentistry may be because of the anticipation of injections to come. The fear may relate to the images of dental technology, the odors in the office, or the sounds of the technology being used in the office. The root cause of fear may be associated with a prior experience in a dental office. To make matters worse, dental fear may build when we realize that things are out of our control. For whatever reason, the fear of dentistry is real for many people.
The good news is that dentists have developed many ways to alleviate the fear of dentistry.  Many dental offices provide a comforting ambiance to ease apprehension. Dental chairs are designed to have a soothing effect. Dentists educate patients about dental technology and procedures so that they can set reasonable expectations for the procedure and this reduces fear.  Dentists may offer music or television to distract and relax the patient’s mind. Dentists have also learned that deep breathing and water drinking helps to relieve the fear of dentistry. Sedation dentistry allows us to release inhibitions from dentistry.  The use of tranquilizers, depressants or anti-anxiety medications has been known to settle concerns about dentistry.  Nitrous oxide, also known as laughing gas, reduces the fear and discomfort associated with dentistry. Injections provide a pain block to the treatment area and can be given after sedation dentistry is administered so the injection is pain free.

Despite the fear, more people have been attracted to dentistry over recent years. They have been better educated about the importance of oral hygiene and are more likely to receive professional dental cleanings twice a year. They understand that waiting for a dental emergency can mean more invasive dental treatment. So, people are generally less likely to postpone dental treatment. People are also commonly attracted to cosmetic dentistry procedures such as dental veneers, tooth whitening and dental implants. In the final analysis, people today have many reasons to proceed with dental treatment despite their fears. Knowing that dentists take precautions to avoid the fear of dentistry allows people to receive treatment in comfort and with ease.

If you are interested in relieving your fears about dentistry, contact Dr. Mark Sweeney, an Austin Texas cosmetic dentist, at 512.380.1300.

Oral Hygiene Must Haves

By AustinDentalSpa on March 10, 2010

Posted in Dentistry FAQ's, Forty Plus Dentistry, oral health, Senior Dentistry, Thirty Plus Dentistry

Oral hygiene goody bags offer incentive for oral health. Dentists provide these goody bags after semi-annual visits for oral hygiene. Filled with a new toothbrush, dental floss and oral hygiene tools specific to our needs, this bag of treats sends friendly reminders about our oral health. But it’s up to us to manage our oral health care for the year. Let’s look at the items for you to add to your dental shopping list…

• Toothbrushes only last for one to two months. So, you may want to stock up on a supply of toothbrushes for the year. Add to this, a toothbrush case for keeping the toothbrush protected from pollutants in the air, you’ll certainly help optimize your oral hygiene.

• Tongue scapers that combat bacteria on the tongue are a must in today’s environment. Changing your tongue scraper every three months ensures that you obtain the maximum benefit.

• Water picks offers deep cleaning below the gum line and between the teeth which are high risk areas for tooth decay and periodontal disease. An investment in a thirty dollar water pick can last for many years.

• Superfloss is said to be one step up from regular floss with the ability to remove plaque from below the gum line. Superfloss also offers convenience to reach troublesome areas such as crowns and braces to leverage oral health.

• Alcohol free mouthwashes with anti-bacterial agents are helpful for deep cleaning around crowns, bridges and braces. A good mouthwash can go a long way towards maintaining a healthy mouth.

• Gum stimulators are useful for stimulating the gums to be healthy, improve circulation and remove plaque from between the teeth. Don’t forget to change out your gum stimulator every three months or so in order to keep on top of oral hygiene.

• Sugar free gum helps provide for adequate saliva flow in the mouth. Adequate saliva flow is important to decontaminate the mouth and teeth from harmful bacteria that can produce tooth decay and periodontal disease. The chewing action of sugar free gum is certain to enhance saliva flow. If you have dry mouth syndrome, consider oral gels that can be placed on the tongue to stimulate saliva flow.

Oral hygiene tips are just a few of the items that are important for oral health. Undoubtedly, your dentist will have many tips that will help you to have a healthy mouth.

If you are interested in learning more about your oral hygiene, contact Dr. Mark Sweeney, an Austin Texas dentist, at 512.380.1300.

Smile Makeover for the New You

By AustinDentalSpa on March 2, 2010

Posted in cosmetic dentistry, Dentistry FAQ's, Forty Plus Dentistry, oral health, Restorative Dentistry, Senior Dentistry, Thirty Plus Dentistry

Smile Makeover offers a brilliant, white, well aligned smile that can be appealing for many reasons. A change from aged tooth restorations is one reason why you may be interested in a Smile Makeover. Refreshing youthfulness is motivation for a Smile Makeover. A boost in self confidence that results from a Smile Makeover may be grounds for your decision to proceed with dental treatments that will make you over. The advantages of cosmetic dentistry treatments that are popular today may be incentive for a Smile Makeover. Check out the offers…

Tooth Whitening: To improve the color of stained or dulled teeth, tooth whitening is designed to provide the tooth color and shade that you’d like to have.

Bonding: To repair chipped, uneven and cracked teeth, consider bonding- a pain-free cosmetic dentistry procedure that involves painting a natural tooth color substance over the damaged area to protect the tooth and mask the damage.

Composite Dental Fillings: To replace silver amalgam dental fillings, take into account that tooth colored composite fillings are associated with less risk and are more pleasing to the eyes.

Dental Veneers: To repair crooked, overlapping or gapped teeth, investigate translucent dental veneers or orthodontics. Short teeth may be improved with veneers as well. Cosmetic dentistry can never be better than with veneers for those in need.

Dental Implants: To replace a missing tooth, look into dental implants that can be anchored for permanent replacement.

Inlays and Onlays: To repair tooth decay and prevent the need of a dental crown, you may be a candidate for a natural tooth colored inlay or onlay.

Metal Free Dental Crowns: To repair extensive tooth decay, consider metal free dental crowns that are both aesthetically pleasing and functional.

Dental Bridges: To replace a missing tooth, the dental bridge is an alternative to a dental implant.

Oral Maxillofacial Surgery: To create more youthfulness with fuller lips and cheeks, explore oral maxillofacial surgery and dental veneers.

Smile Makeover Treatment Plan

Cosmetic dentists consider many factors when deciding on the treatment plan for a Smile Makeover. They consider the spacing between your teeth. Cosmetic dentists measure the length of your teeth as well as identify your tooth color and shade. They evaluate your smile line which provides a measurement for the appropriate length of your teeth.  It is all of these elements that help determine the appropriate treatment plan for your teeth. Following the evaluation, the Smile Makeover can usually be performed in one to two visits. The results are immediate. In fact, the beauty of a Smile Makeover lasts for a very long time. Touch up procedures may be required after ten to fifteen years, but people usually do not mind returning for a touch up because of the great number of benefits they receive from treatment.

For a cosmetic dentist in Austin Texas, contact Dr. Mark Sweeney at 512.380.1300.