Johns Family Dentistry

Tooth pain can range from mild and fleeting to throbbing and constant but the mechanism behind what you’re feeling is often the same: the nerves in the pulp chamber at the center of your affected tooth or teeth are responding to stimuli and sending out a warning in the form of a disagreeable sensation that something’s not right. Here are the top 10 reasons your teeth might be causing you discomfort:

1.  Dental Caries (Cavity). Certain oral bacteria feed on food particles trapped in your mouth and produce acid that over time can eat through the protective tooth enamel into the sensitive dentin below.
2. Enamel Erosion. Acids in your diet and gastric acids from acid reflux (GERD) and vomiting can wear away tooth enamel.
3. Gum Recession. Gums can recede over time, exposing the sensitive tooth roots. Brushing too vigorously and/or using a toothbrush that’s too hard can contribute to gum recession.
4. Recent Dental Work. Dental work can inflame pulp tissues and cause temporary sensitivity that should subside as the pulp heals.
5. Loose, old, or lost fillings. Fillings seal off areas of past decay. If they don’t fit right or are dislodged, air, food particles and bacteria can infiltrate and irritate exposed nerve endings.
6. Chip, Crack or Fracture. Teeth may be weakened over time due to pressure caused by biting and chewing as well as teeth grinding (bruxism) and jaw clenching. What starts as thin lines in the enamel can evolve into chips, cracks and fractures that expose nerve endings.
7. Periodontal Disease. This is an infection of the tissues that support the teeth caused by a buildup of bacterial biofilm (plaque) along the gum line that triggers inflammation. In severe cases, the infection can travel to the end of a tooth root or through accessory canals and gain entrance into the dental pulp.
8. Abscess. An abscess is a pus-filled sac caused by an infection. It can occur at the base of the tooth root or in the space between the tooth and gum.
9. Tooth Grinding (bruxism)/Jaw Clenching. Referred to as parafunctional habits, these behaviors exert extreme stress on teeth and wear them down, causing increased tooth sensitivity and jaw soreness.
10. Referred Pain. Sometimes pain originating in another tooth or outside the dental area — sinus congestion or infection for example — may radiate around the mouth and give the impression of pain for a specific tooth.

As you can see, pain is a warning of all sorts of threats to your oral health. Your dental professional can help you identify the cause and appropriate treatment so you can feel better and protect your smile.

Oral sedation dentistry allows appropriately trained dentists to create a safe and comfortable dental experience for patients who have avoided the dentist out of fear or who might have time restrictions.

A dentist who has been trained to implement sedation can effectively helping a patient become as comfortable and relaxed as possible using well established and proven protocols with a variety of sedation medications administered orally and sublingually (under the tongue). These protocols can be customized for the patient’s individual emotional and physical needs.

Sometimes referred to as ‘relaxation’, ‘sleep’ or ‘anxiety free’ dentistry, this comfortable care is now offered by thousands of trained dentists all over the US and Canada.

“Oral conscious sedation has provided access to care for hundreds of thousands of Americans who otherwise would have been without the dental care they need. Dentists who have received comprehensive training from the Dental Organization for Conscious Sedation have an amazing tool to treat patients safely and comfortably, often correcting years of professional neglect in just a few visits. No longer does fear, or the inconvenience of having multiple visits, have to be the overwhelming obstacle that it has been in the past. When it comes to the impact on the dental health of the United States, conscious sedation dentistry stands as one of the most meaningful advances of the past century.” —Anthony S Feck, DMD; Dean DOCS Faculty

Tooth decay happens when bacteria in your mouth consume the sugars we eat. When you eat food containing ordinary sugar (sucrose), it gives bacteria on your teeth energy, allowing them to multiply and start making acids that can eat away the enamel on the teeth. This “acid attack” causes tooth decay and cavities to begin to form.

Xylitol is a natural sweetener derived from the fibrous parts of plants. It does not break down like sugar and can help keep a neutral pH level in the mouth. Xylitol also prevents bacteria from sticking to the teeth. This is how it protects the teeth from tooth decay. With the dental benefits of Xylitol, the acid attack that would otherwise last for over half an hour is stopped. Most people are not aware of this benefit because such a claim makes xylitol into a drug, crossing a boundary not allowed by the Food and Drug Administration.

Less Bacteria, Less Acid – Healthier Teeth!

Because the bacteria in the mouth that are causing cavities are unable to digest xylitol, their growth is greatly reduced. The number of acid-producing bacteria may fall as much as 90%. No acid is formed because the pH of saliva and plaque does not fall. After taking xylitol, the bacteria do not stick well on the surface of the teeth and as a result, the amount of plaque decreases.

Repairing damaged enamel

Research has shown that the use of xylitol also helps repair damage to the enamel. Saliva in itself protects the mouth and teeth. Stimulated saliva in particular contains all the components needed to repair early cavities. If sugar is only taken a couple of times a day, the saliva can do the job alone. But most people take sugar so often that the mouth’s own defensive tools are not enough.

The dental benefits of xylitol also include saliva. Saliva that has xylitol is more alkaline than saliva stimulated by other sugar products. After taking xylitol products, the concentration of basic amino acids and ammonia in saliva and plaque may rise, and plaque pH rises as well. When pH is above 7, calcium and phosphate salts in saliva start to move into those parts of enamel that are weak. Therefore, soft, calcium-deficient enamel sites begin to harden again.

While reversing a rising trend of negative health and high health-care costs won’t happen overnight, improving your own health can begin sooner than later, and the dental benefits of xylitol can have a significant influence on that trend.

Recommended Xylitol Products

Our office recommends several products that include Xylitol.  You can find most of these at any local drugstore or on Amazon.  XyliMelts – Orahealth, Biotin Dry Mouth Oral Rinse, Oasis Mouthwash, Clean and Gentle Toothpaste – Tom’s of Maine, Ice Chips – Ice Chips Candy, Spry Gum.

Ever brush your teeth and then take a sip of orange juice? Yep, it doesn’t taste very good. In fact, this can happen with certain foods and drinks after brushing.

The culprit: One specific ingredient in toothpaste is responsible for altering your taste buds: sodium laureth sulfate. Sodium laureth sulfate sometimes appears on toothpaste labels as sodium laureth sulfate (SLES) or sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS).

What it does for your toothpaste: Sodium laureth sulfate is a surfactant, or foaming agent, that is commonly used in toothpaste and other products. Sodium laureth sulfate makes it easier to uniformly spread the toothpaste around your mouth. It is also has an emulsifying action which helps the toothpaste remove surface stains and dissolve debris.

What it does to your taste buds: While SLES and SLS makes brushing your teeth a little easier, it also affects your taste buds in a couple different ways. First, it suppresses the receptors that pick up on the sweetness in foods and drinks. It also enhances bitter tastes, so anything sour that you eat or drink will taste really bitter.

Why it doesn’t last: Luckily, food and drinks start to taste normal again about 30 minutes after brushing, when your saliva has diluted and washed away all the leftover SLS. So now you know – don’t rush to drink your orange juice right after brushing!

Tooth decay and gum disease can cause a number of problems to your dental health. One such problem are cavities. Cavities are small holes or openings in a tooth that has been damaged. Cavities can happen to anyone, young or old. Preventative measures, such as sealants, are for everyone, not just kids.

What are dental sealants?
Sealants are thin, plastic coatings painted on the chewing surfaces of the back teeth. Sealants are put on in the dental practice. Getting a sealant put on is simple and painless. Sealants are painted on as a liquid and quickly harden to form a shield over the tooth.

Why get sealants?
The most important reason for getting sealants is to avoid tooth decay.
Fluoride in toothpaste and in drinking water protects the smooth surfaces of teeth but back teeth need extra protection. Sealants cover the chewing surfaces of the back teeth and keep out germs and food. The chewing surfaces of back teeth are rough and uneven because they have small pits and grooves. Food and germs can get stuck in the pits and grooves and stay there a long time because toothbrush bristles cannot brush them away. Having sealants put on teeth before they decay will also save time and money in the long run by avoiding fillings and crowns used to restore decayed teeth.

Our staff, including Dr. Johns have sealants places on all applicable teeth.  We believe in sealants!  Most insurance plans do not have adult coverage for sealants, but they are an inexpensive cost compared to paying for a filling or crown.  Take advantage of our February BOGO special.  Buy one sealant, receive second at no cost.

Xerostomia (“xero” = dry, “stomia” = mouth) is a common condition that affects millions of people each year. And even though so many people deal with this issue, many don’t understand why or what to do about it. Causes can range from the usual morning dry mouth to the effects of smoking, alcohol, and coffee consumption. Medications, salivary gland diseases, or diseases in general can also cause it. If you routinely experience dry mouth, discuss your concerns with your dentist during a routine exam or cleaning. Help can range from simply improving your oral hygiene to increasing the amount of water you drink daily (if dehydrated). Taking local agents or prescription medications can also be used for reducing dry mouth.