Receding Gums

Learn more about what the American Dental Association has to say about receding gums.

The above video is found on the American Dental Association YouTube Channel.

Drs. Null, Seidel & Dental Associates  
353 York Street Front
Gettysburg, PA 17325
(717) 334-8193

Why Fluoride is Important

Why Fluoride is Important

By Stephanie DeFilippo, DDS

I am fresh off the plane from the annual American Academy of Pediatrics meeting in Seattle, Washington.  The importance of fluoride was one of the take home messages.  Fluoride has become controversial recently and some cities are taking it out of their water supply.  I am not writing this to cause controversy, but to highlight why this mineral is so important to the development of your children’s teeth. 

The ADA calls fluoride “nature’s cavity fighter.”  Fluoride can help support teeth in two different ways.  The first way is systemic.  This means that ingested fluoride can strengthen the enamel of developing teeth before they come through the gums.  The second way is topical.  As teeth erupt, they are suspect to decay and fluoride can help strengthen and “remineralize” the enamel to help reverse tooth decay.

The following is from ada.org: “The ADA, the American Medical Association, the World Health Organization and many others support fluoridation of community water supplies. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has cited community water fluoridation as one of 10 great public health achievements of the 20th century.  So, by simply drinking fluoridated water, you are doing something good for your oral health.”

A downside to fluoride is fluorosis.  This is defined as too much fluoride during the development of your children’s teeth, which causes color, changes in permanent teeth.  This is why a trained dental professional should be consulted and a partner in deciding how much fluoride your child should be ingesting.  The fluorosis only affects the color of the teeth and not the health of your child.

Parents should control the amount of fluoride toothpaste used because very little is needed.  With children who are not spitting yet, only a tiny smear of the toothpaste is needed.  As they get older, a pea size is recommended.  Children should be monitored when they are brushing their teeth twice a day (morning and night).  As always, brushing should go hand and hand with flossing.

Fluoride rinses are also helpful if the child is older than the age of six.  Many parents are excited for their child to start using mouth rinses because they think that the rinse will take the place of brushing and flossing.  Rinses are beneficial, but they should not take the place of brushing or flossing.  Fluoride rinses are not recommended if the child is under the age of six because there is a worry that the child may swallow some of the liquid.  If this would happen then it would make it difficult to assess how much fluoride is ingested thus increasing the possibility of fluorosis. 

Fluoride supplements may be needed for a child who lives in a non-fluoridated area.  This decision needs to be made by the child’s dentist after examining the child and assessing their caries risk, along with their dietary habits.  Some areas have well water and this type of water supply may have naturally occurring fluoride.  So, before supplements are prescribed, the water should be tested first so the child will be getting their optimal level and not too much of fluoride.

Fluoride is a tool that dentists have used for years to combat and prevent tooth decay.  If you have concerns, or questions, please talk to your dental professional at your recare appointments.

Stephanie DeFilippo, DDS, is a Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry, and a pediatric dentist and co-owner of Just Kids at Gettysburg Dental Associates.

Drs. Null, Seidel & Dental Associates  
353 York Street Front
Gettysburg, PA 17325
(717) 334-8193 

Scaling And Root Planing: Professional Plaque Removal

Perhaps you’ve been neglecting a good oral health routine. Or, you’ve done your best, but you’ve developed plaque and tartar buildup. A regular routine of twice-daily tooth brushing and daily flossing is an important part of regular plaque removal for everyone. But if you have risk factors that have caused a buildup of plaque on your teeth and gums to harden into tartar, your dentist or dental hygienist may suggest scaling or root planing your teeth to remove the buildup. If left untreated, severe tartar buildup along and under the gum line can cause the gums to pull away from the teeth, which may increase the risk of gum disease.

Scaling and root planing are common nonsurgical techniques that may prevent the need for more serious procedures, such as periodontal surgery or a root canal.

Here’s what to expect if your dentist or dental hygienist recommends these techniques:

• You won’t feel it. You’ll receive a local anesthetic to numb the area.
• Scaling: Your dentist or dental hygienist removes plaque and tartar from the areas both above and below the gum line.
• Root Planing: Your dentist or dental hygienist uses special tools to smooth rough spots on the tooth roots. This process not only removes bacteria and helps reduce plaque buildup, but it provides a smooth surface for gums to reattach to the teeth.

After a scaling and root planing procedure, be sure to follow your dentist’s instructions and maintain an oral care routine of twice-daily tooth brushing and daily flossing. If your gums are sensitive after the procedure, try a spongy floss, such as Oral-BÆ Ultra FlossÆ, to help prevent painful flossing.

The above article is from: OralB.com

Drs. Null, Seidel & Dental Associates  
353 York Street Front
Gettysburg, PA 17325
(717) 334-8193

Dental Plaque

Learn more about what the American Dental Association has to say about dental plaque.

The above video is found on the American Dental Association YouTube Channel.

Drs. Null, Seidel & Dental Associates  
353 York Street Front
Gettysburg, PA 17325
(717) 334-8193

Parts of the Tooth

Learn more about what the American Dental Association has to say about about what makes up the tooth.

The above video is found on the American Dental Association YouTube Channel.

Drs. Null, Seidel & Dental Associates  
353 York Street Front
Gettysburg, PA 17325
(717) 334-8193

Missing teeth?

Missing teeth?
By Eric Seidel, DMD

One of the nicest changes in dentistry is that people are keeping more of their natural teeth for a lifetime.  As recently as 1960, studies showed that a majority of seniors were missing a vast majority of their teeth.  It is suggested that by 2020 this same age group will now have the majority of their own natural teeth.  This does not suggest, however, that people are still not losing teeth at too high a rate and that tooth replacement options are not as important today as ever.  It does signal a paradigm shift that once suggested that at some point in a person's life they would almost assuredly be wearing full dentures. 

Full dentures still offer people the opportunity to function reasonably well and have an attractive smile.  It is often one of the only options we have when someone is missing all of their teeth or have teeth that are no longer savable due to extensive periodontal disease or rampant tooth decay.  However, the primary downside of a full denture is the discomfort that they can cause (as they sit directly on gum tissue) and general retention.  Eating an apple or chewing a piece of steak is not the experience is once was.  They can be aided with the use of dental implants to get a superior fit.  In some cases implants can be used to entirely replace the need for a traditional denture.  Although this is a wonderful option we now have, cost tends to be the biggest barrier to the greater utilization of dental implants.

When a person is not missing all of their teeth, we then have more options at our disposal.  Implants, fixed bridges or partial dentures are all acceptable means of replacing select missing teeth.  I have them listed in the order that I present them.  Implants are still the nicest option we have to help restore a mouth to its original condition.  A workup must be completed as not everyone is a candidate for implants.  Fixed bridges work very nicely but require healthy teeth on either side to support them and are a little more difficult to maintain.  As with dental implants, fixed bridges allow us to achieve esthetics as nice as or nicer than the original teeth.  Partial dentures are the most economical way to replace multiple missing teeth, particularly on both sides of the mouth.  The challenge with partial dentures is maintaining good long-term retention and keep the supporting teeth healthy.  Although the esthetics are good, they are not at the level of implants or bridges. 

It is our goal today to maintain teeth for a lifetime.  Although great options exist today for tooth replacement, nothing is a nice as having our own natural teeth.  When this isn't possible we review the different replacement options available and find what will best meet the needs of the individual based on expectations, function and cost.  The only detrimental option is doing nothing.  Bite collapse, periodontal issues, TMJ issues, recession and excessive wear and fracturing and loss of other teeth can all result from lack of a complete dentition.  It is my belief that with good listening and comprehensive planning that we can find a solution that will work for anyone and allow them to have a full set of teeth and a healthy and beautiful smile for a lifetime. 

 Eric Seidel, D.M.D. is a general dentist at Drs. Null, Seidel and Dental Associates and an Invisalign preferred provider.

Drs. Null, Seidel & Dental Associates  
353 York Street Front
Gettysburg, PA 17325
(717) 334-8193

Flossing - Bad Breath Killer

Flossing As Prevention For Bad Breath
Need another reason to floss your teeth at least once a day? Flossing daily helps improve bad breath by effectively removing the food particles and bacteria that contribute to it. That makes flossing one of the easiest ways to prevent and banish bad breath.

Bad breath, also known as halitosis, is more common than many people realize. You may joke about bad breath, whether it’s your own or someone else’s, but it’s an important oral health issue. Bad breath can be more than an embarrassing social problem-it can be a sign of disease or illness.

Saliva is Your Friend
Less saliva means that your mouth is more susceptible to plaque buildup, which can create an unpleasant smell on your breath. Pay extra attention to any of the following circumstances that can reduce the saliva in your mouth and promote bad breath:

• Drinking alcohol. Alcohol-containing beverages may promote a dry mouth and cause bad breath. So don’t forget to floss after an evening out on the town, no matter how much you’re tempted to hop into bed and forget about it.
• Early morning. Saliva stops flowing while you sleep, so you may be prone to bad breath in the morning. If so, mornings may be the best time for your daily dental flossing.
• Being hungry or thirsty. When you’re dehydrated, there’s not as much saliva in your mouth, so you’re prone to bad breath and increased bacterial buildup. Drink enough fluids and remember to floss. Also, remember that chewing food increases the saliva in your mouth, so if you’re skipping meals or dieting, you may develop bad breath.

If you’re dieting and eating less frequently, a mint floss can not only help bad breath by removing bacteria, it may help you with your diet by providing a fresh taste in your mouth that makes you less tempted to snack. People who are following extremely low carbohydrate diets also sometimes report bad breath, but these reports are anecdotal. If you’re on a low-carb diet, or any restrictive diet, you may be promoting bad breath. If you must restrict your food intake and eat infrequently, drink plenty of water to help maintain the level of saliva in your mouth to help prevent bad breath in addition to following a good oral care routine.

To read the entire article please visit: OralB.com

Drs. Null, Seidel & Dental Associates  
353 York Street Front
Gettysburg, PA 17325
(717) 334-8193

Tongue Scrapers Offer An Option For Halitosis

How Tongue Scrapers Work
If you suffer from halitosis, or chronic bad breath, you’re probably looking for ways to help manage the problem. If so, consider a tongue scraper. They’re relatively inexpensive and available at most pharmacies. Tongue scrapers are often touted as the way to improve bad breath, but there is very little research to show that they are any more effective than simply brushing the tongue with your toothbrush as part of your toothbrushing routine.

Trying a tongue scraper can’t hurt, and they’re easy to use. Simply hold the scraper at the back of your tongue, and bring it forward, scraping gently but firmly along the tongue as you go.

Although tongue scrapers are harmless, you can probably prevent halitosis just as well by following a consistent oral care routine of twice-daily tooth brushing and daily flossing. And keep these points in mind as part of your daily oral hygiene plan:

• Keep your toothbrush fresh. Be sure to replace your toothbrush every 3 to 4 months, even if you don’t have bad breath, but especially if you do.
• Keep an extra brush at work. Keep a spare toothbrush and toothpaste at work so you can brush your teeth after lunch.
• Drink plenty of water. Keeping your mouth moist helps minimize the amount of bacteria in your mouth that can cause bad breath.

The above article is from: OralB.com

Drs. Null, Seidel & Dental Associates  
353 York Street Front
Gettysburg, PA 17325
(717) 334-8193

Dental Visits are Important

Learn more about what the American Dental Association has to say about the importance in visiting the dentist.

The above video is found on the American Dental Association YouTube Channel.

Drs. Null, Seidel & Dental Associates  
353 York Street Front
Gettysburg, PA 17325
(717) 334-8193