How do you think you'd look like without teeth (or even with one front tooth missing)? As a dentist who treats many athletic patients, I want to tell you about mouthguards. The mouthguard is an important piece of safety equipment. Mouthguards cushion blows that would otherwise cause broken teeth, injuries to the lips and face, and sometimes, even jaw fractures.
Don't assume that mouthguards are just for typical jocks. Any adult or child involved in a recreational activity that may cause injury to the mouth (such as roller blading or skateboarding) should protect his or her smile with a mouthguard.
We can create a special mouthguard just for you- one that will provide comfort and a proper fit. It will be designed and constructed in our dental office or dental lab. Although custom-made mouthguards may be more expensive than standard mouthguards purchased in stores, you'll find that their exceptionally good fit, comfort and overall quality make them worth it. A custom-made mouthguard stays in your mouth and causes minimal interference with speech.
If you'd like to learn more about mouthguards, please call our office at 802-457-1903 or ask me about fitting you for one at your next appointment. As always, we want the best for our patients and look forward to giving you the preventive care you deserve!
Until we meet again, in our next blog, take care of yourself and your dental health. If you have questions feel free to email me at dr.janisse@sunsetvalleydental.com. Also don’t forget about the American Dental Association website ADA.org, it has great information.
Dr. Jedidiah Janisse
Monday, August 17, 2009
Dry Mouth
Many people suffer from dry mouth. This unpleasant condition may be caused by certain diseases and treatments, use of prescription drugs, even the aging process.
Saliva serves a purpose: it coats and lubricates the oral tissues, cleanses the mouth and neutralizes acidic and alkaline foods. If you have insufficient saliva over a period of time, it can lead to tooth decay and gum disease.
Some at-home treatments you may wish to try include drinking more fluids and using sugarless lozenges and artificial saliva. It's also important to have regular dental check-ups and to brush and floss daily.
Other ways to ease dry mouth include:
- Sugar-free gum or candy (to stimulate saliva flow)
- Frequent sips of water
- Alcohol-free oral rinses
- Restricting intake of caffeine, alcohol and carbonated beverages
Until we meet again, in our next blog, take care of yourself and your dental health. If you have questions feel free to email me at dr.janisse@sunsetvalleydental.com. Also don’t forget about the American Dental Association website ADA.org, it has great information.Dr. Jedidiah Janisse
Saliva serves a purpose: it coats and lubricates the oral tissues, cleanses the mouth and neutralizes acidic and alkaline foods. If you have insufficient saliva over a period of time, it can lead to tooth decay and gum disease.
Some at-home treatments you may wish to try include drinking more fluids and using sugarless lozenges and artificial saliva. It's also important to have regular dental check-ups and to brush and floss daily.
Other ways to ease dry mouth include:
- Sugar-free gum or candy (to stimulate saliva flow)
- Frequent sips of water
- Alcohol-free oral rinses
- Restricting intake of caffeine, alcohol and carbonated beverages
Until we meet again, in our next blog, take care of yourself and your dental health. If you have questions feel free to email me at dr.janisse@sunsetvalleydental.com. Also don’t forget about the American Dental Association website ADA.org, it has great information.Dr. Jedidiah Janisse
Bad Breath
There's an embarrassing problem nearly everyone knows about, yet few care to talk about...it's bad breath, or halitosis.
Bad breath has numerous causes: odor-causing foods, tooth decay, gum disease, bacteria growing on the tongue, dry mouth, use of tobacco products, sinus or respiratory infections, some medical disorders, improperly cleaned dentures, inadequate oral hygiene or some medications.
Our office can help you get to the bottom of this common source of embarrassment. We can help identify the cause of bad breath and if it's due to an oral condition, we can develop a treatment plan to eliminate this problem. Treatment may be easier than you imagine.
Here are some quick tips for preventing bad breath:
1. Schedule regular dental visits for a professional cleaning and checkup. Keep a log of what you eat. Avoid constant use of breath mints and other hard candies that contains sugar. They will only temporarily mask bad breath and can lead to tooth decay.
2. Make a list of over-the-counter and prescribed medications that you take. Some may play a role in causing bad breath.
3. Look for oral hygiene products that display the ADA Seal of Acceptance, a symbol of safety and effectiveness.
4. Brush twice a day with an ADA-accepted fluoride toothpaste to remove food and plaque. Brush your tongue, too. Once a day, use floss or an interdental cleaner to clean between teeth.
5. If you wear removable dentures, take them out at night. Clean them thoroughly before replacing them the next morning.
6. If you feel you must constantly use breath freshener or mouthwash to hide unpleasant breath, see me.
Until we meet again, in our next blog, take care of yourself and your dental health. If you have questions feel free to email me at dr.janisse@sunsetvalleydental.com. Also don’t forget about the American Dental Association website ADA.org, it has great information.
Dr. Jedidiah Janisse
Bad breath has numerous causes: odor-causing foods, tooth decay, gum disease, bacteria growing on the tongue, dry mouth, use of tobacco products, sinus or respiratory infections, some medical disorders, improperly cleaned dentures, inadequate oral hygiene or some medications.
Our office can help you get to the bottom of this common source of embarrassment. We can help identify the cause of bad breath and if it's due to an oral condition, we can develop a treatment plan to eliminate this problem. Treatment may be easier than you imagine.
Here are some quick tips for preventing bad breath:
1. Schedule regular dental visits for a professional cleaning and checkup. Keep a log of what you eat. Avoid constant use of breath mints and other hard candies that contains sugar. They will only temporarily mask bad breath and can lead to tooth decay.
2. Make a list of over-the-counter and prescribed medications that you take. Some may play a role in causing bad breath.
3. Look for oral hygiene products that display the ADA Seal of Acceptance, a symbol of safety and effectiveness.
4. Brush twice a day with an ADA-accepted fluoride toothpaste to remove food and plaque. Brush your tongue, too. Once a day, use floss or an interdental cleaner to clean between teeth.
5. If you wear removable dentures, take them out at night. Clean them thoroughly before replacing them the next morning.
6. If you feel you must constantly use breath freshener or mouthwash to hide unpleasant breath, see me.
Until we meet again, in our next blog, take care of yourself and your dental health. If you have questions feel free to email me at dr.janisse@sunsetvalleydental.com. Also don’t forget about the American Dental Association website ADA.org, it has great information.
Dr. Jedidiah Janisse
Sealants
Did you know that there's a way to prevent tooth decay that's easy and affordable? We know that your children's dental health is a high priority in your family, and we wanted to let you know about sealants, which are a fantastic weapon against cavities.
A sealant is a clear or whit material that is applied to the chewing surfaces of the back teeth where decay occurs most often. The sealant acts as a barrier that keeps out plaque and food and decreases the risk of tooth decay. Sealants are easy to apply: each tooth requires only a few minutes for application.
What's more, sealants are very cost-effective. Properly applied and maintained sealants are extremely effective in preventing pit and fissure decay. So you'll save both dollars and your children's discomfort by applying sealants rather than allowing cavities to develop.
Unitl we meet again, Take care of yourself and your dental health. If you have questions feel free to email me at dr.janisse@sunsetvalleydental.com. Also don’t forget about the American Dental Association website ADA.org, it has great information.
Dr. Jedidiah Janisse
A sealant is a clear or whit material that is applied to the chewing surfaces of the back teeth where decay occurs most often. The sealant acts as a barrier that keeps out plaque and food and decreases the risk of tooth decay. Sealants are easy to apply: each tooth requires only a few minutes for application.
What's more, sealants are very cost-effective. Properly applied and maintained sealants are extremely effective in preventing pit and fissure decay. So you'll save both dollars and your children's discomfort by applying sealants rather than allowing cavities to develop.
Unitl we meet again, Take care of yourself and your dental health. If you have questions feel free to email me at dr.janisse@sunsetvalleydental.com. Also don’t forget about the American Dental Association website ADA.org, it has great information.
Dr. Jedidiah Janisse
Dental Anxiety
For some people, visiting the dentist can be stressful experience. It is estimated that 35 million adults experience anxiety at the though of an upcoming dental visit- and they end up postponing their appointment. At Sunset Valley Dental, we want to assure you that we understand this anxiety and we're here to make your visit as pleasant as possible.
Here are a few tips to help you relax before and after a dental treatment:
- Tell your dentist and the dental staff you feel fearful, tense or anxious. Bringing your fears out into the open can help your dentist tailor the treatment and pace to suit your needs.
- Try to schedule your dental visit for a time when you won't be rushed or physically strained. You may find a Saturday or early morning appointment less stressful than rushing to see the dentist directly after work.
- Get a good night's sleep the night before and eat light meals the day of your appointment.
- Wear loose, comfortable clothes to your dental appointment. Avoid wearing tight collars or clothes that will restrict your movement.
- Arrange a signal ahead of time with the dental staff- such as raising your hand- to indicate you are feeling discomfort or need a break from a procedure.
- Bring your ipod or headset to listen to during the treatment. Try visualization- focusing on a relaxing scene from a favorite vacation spot and keeping it in your “mind's eye” during the visit.
There are medications that are available to help create more relaxed, comfortable dental visits. The type of procedure, your overall health, history of allergies and your anxiety level are considered when determining which approach is best for your particular case.
Until we meet again, in our next blog, take care of yourself and your dental health. If you have questions feel free to email me at dr.janisse@sunsetvalleydental.com. Also don’t forget about the American Dental Association website ADA.org, it has great information.
Dr. Jedidiah Janisse
Here are a few tips to help you relax before and after a dental treatment:
- Tell your dentist and the dental staff you feel fearful, tense or anxious. Bringing your fears out into the open can help your dentist tailor the treatment and pace to suit your needs.
- Try to schedule your dental visit for a time when you won't be rushed or physically strained. You may find a Saturday or early morning appointment less stressful than rushing to see the dentist directly after work.
- Get a good night's sleep the night before and eat light meals the day of your appointment.
- Wear loose, comfortable clothes to your dental appointment. Avoid wearing tight collars or clothes that will restrict your movement.
- Arrange a signal ahead of time with the dental staff- such as raising your hand- to indicate you are feeling discomfort or need a break from a procedure.
- Bring your ipod or headset to listen to during the treatment. Try visualization- focusing on a relaxing scene from a favorite vacation spot and keeping it in your “mind's eye” during the visit.
There are medications that are available to help create more relaxed, comfortable dental visits. The type of procedure, your overall health, history of allergies and your anxiety level are considered when determining which approach is best for your particular case.
Until we meet again, in our next blog, take care of yourself and your dental health. If you have questions feel free to email me at dr.janisse@sunsetvalleydental.com. Also don’t forget about the American Dental Association website ADA.org, it has great information.
Dr. Jedidiah Janisse
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