Baby Teeth: These aren’t replaced. Broken ones are filed down to smooth rough edges, repaired with a composite material, or removed completely if the break is bad. Baby teeth that get bumped out of place can in most cases be shifted back.
Permanent Teeth: Act quickly. Don’t clean the tooth; put it in a glass of milk, and go to the dentist right away. Call first to say you’re coming, because the sooner the tooth is back in its socket, the more likely it will “take.” If it can’t be saved, your child will probably be fitted with a false tooth attached to a retainer; he/she can get a dental implant when he/she’s older and done growing, at around age 18. A broken tooth can be covered with a crown or restored with a cosmetic bonding. Source: Parents Magazine, May 2011
Dental Tooth Rescue
July 12th, 2011WARNING ABOUT TEETHING GELS FOR INFANTS
May 12th, 2011FDA Warns of Complications with Teething Gels Containing Benzocaine
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has received reports of methemoglobinemia, a rare but serious blood disorder that is associated with pain relievers, including teething gels, that contain benzocaine sold under the brand names Anbesol, Hurricaine, Orajel, Baby Orajel, Orabase and generic brands.
Methemoglobinemia is a serious blood disorder that reduces the amount of oxygen in the blood stream and, in severe cases, can lead to death. Symptoms, which could possibly follow a single application of benzocaine with concentrations as low as 7.5 percent, include pale, gray or blue-colored skin, lips, and nail beds; shortness of breath; fatigue; confusion; headache; lightheadedness; and rapid heart rate .
The FDA is advising health care professionals to refer to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) guidelines for teething, which recommend giving infants and toddlers a chilled (not frozen) teething ring or gently rubbing or massaging the gums with a finger instead of using benzocaine to relieve the symptoms.
For more information, visit the FDA website at http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/ucm250024.htm and the ADA website at http://www.ada.org/news/5731.aspx.
Book for Kids Scared of Dental Visits
April 25th, 2011If your child has had an unpleasant experience at a dental office, maybe the following book may help…
Brothers write book for kids scared of dentists
By DrBicuspid Staff
January 19, 2009 — A Maryland dentist, picking up the work of his dead brother, has published a book to help children overcome their fear of the dentist, according to the Associated Press (AP).
Blair McNinch was working on the book, Woogie the Wombat in ‘The Dentist,’ when he died in 2005, the AP reported.
In the book, a wombat seeks advice from other zoo animals about visiting the dentist, and ultimately has a successful first visit. The dentist in the book, Dr. Robinson, was named after Blair McNinch’s brother, Eugene Robinson McNinch, D.D.S., of Denton, the Record Observer newspaper reported.
Dr. McNinch finished the book after his brother’s death and reached a deal with Tate Publishing, which released the book in December 2008, the AP said.
Profits will be donated to a charity benefiting schools in El Salvador, the news service reported.
Copyright © 2009 DrBicuspid.com
Now we can treat canker and cold sores with a Laser
April 19th, 2011There is No Need to Prolong the Pain….Let us Heal your Canker Sores in Seconds!
Do you recall noticing a painful open sore with a red border and a white or yellowish center developing in your mouth? Have you ever felt a tingling or burning sensation inside your mouth or lips? It is most likely by now that you know we are talking about canker sores or oral ulcers. Diamond Dental has the perfect solution for these uncomfortable sores!
Why do canker sores appear?
Even though the exact cause of canker sores is unknown, their appearances have been correlated with the excessive consumption of citric fruits (oranges and lemons), sudden weight loss, stress, physical trauma (tooth brush abrasion or accidental biting) and low levels of vitamin B12, folic acid and iron.
How long do they last?
If is it a minor oral ulcer, with a size of 3 mm to 10 mm, it will go away in about one week. A major canker sore, which is greater than 10 mm and is extremely painful, will last for about two weeks. However, the worst kind of canker sore, called herpetiform ulcerations, is characterized by multiple 1 to 3 mm lesions that form clumps and may take around a month to heal.
Does this mean you have to bear the pain for that long?
The answer is NO! At our Diamond Dental, we attend all kinds of oral needs, including canker sores. We count on the newest technological devices, such as our Soft Tissue Laser to make the canker sore healing process faster and less painful.
These are some of the benefits of using our NEW Soft Tissue Laser:
• Almost instant relief from pain and discomfort.
• Faster healing. The ulcer actually heals in 24 to 72 hours.
• Painless procedure that requires no anesthetic.
• Less bleeding.
• Less swelling.
• Reduction of recurrence of lesions.
• Substitutes for treatment.
• Eliminates the need for invasive procedures.
If you are suffering from oral ulcers, contact Diamond Dental’s team for an appointment now, and get rid of the pain. Our Soft Tissue Laser not only cures canker sores, but it also helps treat periodontal (gum) disease, sterilizes canals in endodontic procedures and aids in teeth whitening. Improve your oral health in a Faster, Less Painful and more Effective way!
DIAMOND DENTAL INTRODUCES SOFT TISSUE LASER CARE
March 23rd, 2011We have recently purchased our first soft tissue laser for our patients. We are one of the first dental practices in the area to have the ability to use a laser to treat many areas of the mouth.
Dr. Diamond is certified to use the Picasso Diode Laser by completing 6 hours of continuing education in the safety and use of this modern and versatile laser.
Some of the benefits for patients of using a soft tissue laser are: removing frenum (ligament) attachments that connect too close to the teeth causing gum problems and front teeth separation; trimming chronic tissue problems so the areas heal back healthy; help heal and stop the pain of cold/canker sores; treat periodontal pockets (mild/mod. gum disease) by stimulating the improvement of the gums’ health; contour the shape of the gums covering the front teeth to allow a more cosmetic appearance to your smile.
The laser allows the removing of tissue with minimal bleeding, no sutures, quicker healing times, less post-op pain, and minimal or no anesthetics needed.
If you would like more information about the NEW SOFT TISSUE LASER available in our practice, please let us know so we can send you brochures, articles, or just show you in person!
Understanding Lactose Intolerance
January 7th, 2011Lactose intolerance—the reduced ability to digest milk sugar (lactose)—is not as hard to cope with as many people think.
Lactose can be digested only with the aid of lactase, an intestinal enzyme that virtually all human infants produce. That’s how babies digest breast milk. Many people, usually those whose ancestors came from northern Europe, around the Mediterranean, and some parts of Africa, manufacture sufficient lactase all their lives. Generally they are the descendants of herders, for whom milk and milk products were staples of the diet.
But the majority of other people gradually lose the ability to make lactase starting at about age two. This is called “lactase nonpersistence” and can lead to lactose intolerance, which is characterized by gas, cramps, bloating, and diarrhea after consuming dairy products. It’s estimated that 15% of white Americans, 70% of black Americans, 90% of Asian Americans, and almost all Native Americans have trouble digesting lactose. People may begin noticing symptoms early or late in life; there is no way to predict when and how much lactase production will be reduced.
Keep these points in mind:
• There are at least two fairly simple tests for lactose intolerance, one a blood test, the other a breath test. A few people have an allergy to milk, which is different from lactose intolerance.
• If you are lactose intolerant, you may still be able to consume some dairy. Studies have shown that most lactose “maldigesters” can drink a cup or two of milk daily without symptoms, particularly if they drink a small amount at a time and drink it with meals. They can also eat ice cream, cheese, and other dairy products in small amounts with other foods. It’s a myth, by the way, that goat’s milk is lactose-free.
• Yogurt usually causes no symptoms. Buy brands with live cultures, since the bacteria help digest lactose.
• Severe lactose intolerance is rare, but people with severe symptoms may need to watch for small amounts of lactose hidden in many foods. Check labels for words like whey, curds, and dry milk solids. A few prescription drugs, including some birth control pills and heartburn drugs, contain tiny amounts of lactose.
• The marketers of lactose-reduced milk have convinced a lot of people that they need these products, which can be expensive. Generic lactase drops, which you add to milk in advance, and lactase pills, taken just before eating dairy, cost less.
• Dairy foods are good sources of calcium, vitamin D, and other nutrients important for health, especially bone health and blood pressure. If you don’t eat any dairy, you will need to make up for shortfalls of these nutrients. Calcium and vitamin D supplements are a good idea for many people, even those who do consume dairy.
THE BEST HAND HYGIENE
December 13th, 2010How’s Your Hand Hygiene?
October 1, 2010 12:00 AM by Mehmet C. Oz, MD, and Michael F. Roizen, MD | Comment
It’s no news that washing your hands knocks down cold and flu germs. Of course, given that 15% of us still don’t wash our hands after using a restroom, maybe it is news! But here’s a new twist: How you dry your mitts counts, too. It could decide whether you win the latest round of germ warfare, restroom edition — or spread bad bugs around faster than the runaway monkey in Outbreak.
Best drying method in restrooms? Paper towels. Using them reduces bacteria counts on your hands up to 60%, according to researchers. Next best? Patiently holding your hands still — no rubbing! — under a hot-air hand dryer for at least 30 seconds; this cuts bad bugs down 20% to 40%. Yes, it feels like an eternity. Most men dry for just 17 seconds, women for a paltry 13.
Worst ways? Skimping on drying time, because moisture carries bacteria. Or rubbing your hands together under the dryer; friction brings bacteria in your skin to the surface, which might even increase germs. Don’t even think about wiping ‘em on your jeans!
KEEPING COLDS AWAY THIS WINTER
December 13th, 2010The Secret to Shrugging Off Colds
You know the type. Everyone else is dropping like flies from the latest bug, but there’s that one person who never seems phased by it.
Know what her secret is? Look under her desk. You’ll probably see a pair of walking shoes at the ready. A new study revealed that people who exercise regularly experience shorter, less severe cold symptoms compared with sedentary folks.
Sweating Away Colds
The study followed about 1,000 adults for a 12-week period during either the fall or the winter cold-catching season, comparing their health to their fitness track record. And analyses showed that the people who broke a sweat for 20 minutes at least five times a week spent 43 percent less time being sick compared with the exercise slackers. The active folks’ cold symptoms also tended to be about a third less severe. (Chase away a cold faster by drinking some of this.)
Buffed-Up Immunity
How does a good sweat make people more immune to colds? It’s all about aerobic exercise. This type of exercise seems to ramp up blood levels of neutrophils and natural killer cells, two cell types critical to immune system operations. In fact, a single bout of aerobic exercise can boost immunity for hours, making your body better guarded and more resilient. So keep those walking shoes handy.
New Associate Periodontist at Diamond Dental
October 4th, 2010INTRODUCING OUR NEW ASSOCIATE DENTIST
In an effort to provide the most convenient and comprehensive dental care for our patients, we’ve added a part-time associate dentist.
Natasha Yashar, D.D.S., M.S. is a Board Certified Periodontist, whose skills include: implant placement, gum surgeries, treatment of advanced gum disease, and most extractions. She is trained and licensed to deliver intravenous (I.V.) sedation or oral sedation for patient comfort when needed. Dr. Yashar graduated from the U.S.C. School of Dentistry, where she is currently a clinical assistant professor of Periodontics.
Dr. Yashar is a welcome addition for our patients’ care. We’re sure you’ll find her to be a highly skilled and very caring.
Bad Breath and How to Get Rid of It!
September 28th, 2010Don’t Let Bad Breath Trouble Your Pretty Smile
15 Tips to Freshen Your Breath
WebMD Feature
Reviewed By Brunilda Nazario, MD
The kiss. The smile. The breath. What’s most important to you (and to your significant other)? Chances are it’s good breath.
Let’s get personal. Bad breath (halitosis) may be common in dogs — but for people, bad breath affects how you feel about yourself, not to mention how others perceive you. In fact, you may not know you have halitosis until a brave friend tells you.
How can you tell if you have bad breath? A simple way is to stick a clean finger in your mouth and scrape saliva from the back of your tongue. Put it on the back of your hand, wait a minute, then smell your hand. Is it something you’d want to kiss?
If not, check out these 15 tips about causes and cures for bad breath. Start freshening your breath today!
5 Common Causes of Bad Breath
1. Blame bacteria for bad breath. Bacteria breed inside your mouth. These micro organisms lurk between your teeth and cover your tongue. When bacteria stagnate, they multiply and give off toxins and stinky odors.
2. Say “Ahhh.” The deep holes in your tonsils, called crypts, are a common cause of halitosis. If your tonsils are too wide and pitted, a cheese-like smelly substance collects in these holes. These nuggets sometimes smell, and may cause bad breath.
3. Pungent foods and bad breath. Foods such as onion, garlic, and fish can cause bad breath — even hours after you brush your teeth.
4. Bad habits = bad breath. Any type of smoking (cigarettes, cigars, pipe) or chewing tobacco can leave you with a really nasty taste — and smell — in your mouth.
5. Tummy troubles. Sometimes GI problems such as GERD or an ulcer can cause bad breath when you burp and gas is released. Also blame low-carb diets, which cause ketosis, a fat-burning state in the body that produces dragon breath.
10 Tips to Banish Bad Breath
Now for the fix, here are some simple tips from oral health experts on how to have breath that’s “kissing fresh”:
1. Brush your teeth — and tongue — twice a day to banish bad breath. While you’re brushing your teeth with a fluoride toothpaste, brush your tongue – especially the back of the tongue. Brushing your tongue will remove smelly bacteria that cause bad breath. One study found that by brushing the tongue, volunteers reduced their perception of bad breath by 70%. You can also buy inexpensive tongue scrapers at most pharmacies.
2. Floss once a day for fresh breath. Flossing is must-do. Flossing gets out hidden food particles and removes plaque, a coating of bacteria that forms around the tooth. Flossing also helps prevent periodontal disease — another common cause of bad breath.
3. Gargle with peroxide to fight halitosis. An antimicrobial mouthwash is important if you have a problem with excess plaque. “You can also gargle with peroxide for fresher breath,” says Mike McIlwain, DMD, a dentist at McIlwain Dentistry and an assistant clinical professor in Pediatric Dentistry at the University of Florida. McIlwain recommends gargling with peroxide to his patients. “Treat it like your favorite mouthwash. Just swig, swish, and spit. The oxygen in the hydrogen peroxide kills mouth bacteria that cause bad breath,” McIlwain says.
10 Tips to Banish Bad Breath continued…
4. Use a fluoride mouth rinse for sweeter breath. Not only do decayed teeth hurt, they have an awful odor. Tooth decay can be prevented with fluoride toothpaste and proper dental care.
5. Drink lots of water to avert bad breath. “Lack of fluids can lead to dry mouth (xerostomia) and cause bad breath,” says Murray Grossan, MD, a board certified otolaryngologist at Cedars Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles and coauthor of The Sinus Cure. Dry mouth or reduced saliva can be the result of not drinking enough liquids, mouth breathing, or medications like antihistamines.
6. Reduce upset stomachs to ease bad breath. Over-the-counter antacids may ease a sour or acidic stomach, which can cause halitosis when you burp. If you are milk intolerant and have GI problems, try lactase tablets.
7. Check your sinuses; infections cause bad breath. Bad breath is often a clue to an underlying sinus infection. “The purulent post-nasal drip is the culprit,” says William Sears, MD, also known as “America’s Pediatrician,” an associate clinical professor of Pediatrics at the University of California, Irvine, School of Medicine. Post-nasal drip is most noticeable after sleeping at night, which is why many people rush to brush their teeth first thing in the morning.
8. Eat yogurt for sweeter breath. Yogurt replenishes the good bacteria in the gut and “promotes a healthier mouth,” McIlwain says. Sears recommends celery “to remove stinky bacteria.” You may also try eating parsley between meals to fresh breath. Parsley reportedly has antibacterial and antifungal properties.
9. Chew gum with xylitol to banish bad breath. Chewing gum makes you salivate if your mouth is dry and causing bad breath. Saliva is what washes away the bacteria in your mouth.
10. See your dentist. At least every six months, see your dentist for teeth cleaning and an oral exam. Your dentist can check your mouth and teeth for open cavities and gum disease that cause bad breath.
If self-care tips don’t work to stop your bad breath, see your doctor. Occasionally bad breath is a sign of a more serious problem, such as an infection, chronic bronchitis, diabetes, or kidney or liver disease.
SOURCES:
American Dental Association: “Bad Breath (Halitosis),” “Cleaning Your Teeth and Gums (Oral Hygiene),” and “What you should know about bad breath.”
Ilana, E. Journal of the American Dental Association, vol 132, no 5: pp 621-626.
Newall CA, Anderson LA, and Phillipson JD, Herbal Medicines: A Guide for Health Care Professionals, London, England: The Pharmaceutical Press, 1996, pp 203-204.
Michael McIlwain, DMD, dentist at McIlwain Dentistry in Tampa, Florida andassistant clinical professor in pediatric dentistry at the University of Florida.
Murray Grossan, MD, board certified otolaryngologist at Cedars Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.
William Sears, MD, author and associate clinical professor of Pediatrics at the University of California, Irvine, School of Medicine.
The Sinus Cure by Debra Fulghum Bruce, PhD, and Murray Grossan, MD.
Reviewed by Brunilda Nazario, MD on July 12, 2010
The above article was from a WebMD online series. Dr. Diamond wishes to thank WebMD for helping improve the medical and dental health of our patients and all who reads their studies. If you would like Dr. Diamond to evaluate you or a loved one for Halitosis and help determine it’s causes, please call or email us at (562) 430-1013 or (714) 828-5951 or drD@MyDiamondDental.com
