Chewing Gum after Eating

If you are a gum chewer, the type of gum you chew can make the difference between helping and harming your oral health. While you might think that stick of mint gum is freshening your breath, it could also be contributing to cavity formation. In fact, chewing gum made from xylitol, which is a natural sweetener, right after you eat is one of the most effective to improve digestion.

 

As you get older, your body produces less and less stomach acid to help you digest properly. Chewing gum at the appropriate times, like after a meal, can actually help give your digestive system a boost and help you digest your meals more efficiently. Chewing gum with xylitol helps create saliva which ultimately helps your body build up the amount of acid that is in your stomach. This acid helps contribute to breaking down foods and improving overall digestion.

Oral Hygiene and Heart Disease

Your oral hygiene affects more than just your smile. Now dentists and patients alike are gaining a better understating of how periodontal health problems that result from poor oral hygiene can have a serious impact on overall health and longevity. The reason for this is a problematic substance known as plaque.

 

Plaque forms between the teeth and around the gums when bacteria proliferation is not controlled through brushing, flossing and professional dental cleanings. This plaque buildup causes inflammation of the gums and frequently results in soreness and bleeding. As the plaque causing bacteria enter the bloodstream as a result of gum inflammation, there is a possibility that they can cause the same plaque buildup in the circulatory system. This increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases and other serious issues, including heart disease, heart attack and stroke.

 

While experts are still exploring the link between oral and systemic health, we here at Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania encourage all of our patients to take care of their teeth and gums, because maintaining a beautiful, health smile could mean a longer, healthier life.   

Can Cheese Prevent Cavities?

Consuming dairy products is extremely important to your overall health; many people do not know that these dairy products, like cheese, can be very beneficial when it comes to preventing cavities. Studies have shown that eating cheese increases the amount of saliva in the mouth. Salvia is the body’s natural way of maintaining a healthy pH level.

 

The study sampled 68 subjects ranging in age from 12 to 15, and the authors looked at the dental plaque pH in the subjects' mouths before and after they consumed cheese, milk, or sugar-free yogurt. If the pH level is lower than 5.5, they would be at risk for tooth erosion. If the pH level is above 5.5, there is less risk of developing cavities. Researchers instructed the first group to eat cheddar cheese, the second group to drink milk, and the third group to eat sugar-free yogurt. Each group consumed their product for three minutes and then swished with water. Researchers measured the pH level of each subject's mouth at 10, 20, and 30 minutes after consumption.

 

Researchers found that the fermented dairy product made the mouth more alkaline, which in turn reduced the need for dental treatment. They also discovered that cheese created a protective film around teeth. The results suggest that cheese has the highest anti-cariogenic property among the dairy products studied, and that milk and yogurt can be considered as non-cariogenic.

Oral Pathology

Here at Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania, we provide oral pathologyprocedures . If you or your dentist finds suspicious bumps, lumps, or spots on the lips, gums, inside the cheeks or on the tongue,  visit us for biopsy of these growths.

 

Before beginning oral pathology, we look for common signs and symptoms of oral cancer, such as the following:

• Sores in the mouth or gums that bleed and don’t heal
• Red or white patches in the mouth
• Chronic sore throat or hoarseness of the throat
• Difficulty with chewing or swallowing
• Thickening or lumps of the skin inside the mouth

During oral pathology, a biopsy may be needed. We remove a very small piece of tissue in the mouth and run it through a series of tests. The tissue is removed under anesthesia so no pain is experienced. At the laboratory, a pathologist looks for signs of cancer cells, which can take about two weeks to complete. If results are positive for oral cancer, we consult the patient about their next steps.

Call us at 215-463-4141 to learn more about oral pathology and oral cancer detection.

Apicoectomy

For most patients with an infection of the nerves or roots of the teeth, a root canal procedure is enough to get rid of the infected tissue and help save the tooth from extraction. But in some cases, it does not solve the problem, in which a procedure called an apicoectomy is needed.

 

At Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania, we provide the apicoectomy for patients who are still experiencing difficulties with their teeth after the root canal procedure is complete. The procedure removes infected tissue while still saving the tooth structure.

 

We perform the following steps when providing an apicoectomy:

 

1. X-rays are taken during the consultation to be sure an apicoectomy is needed.

2. The procedure begins by giving patients anesthesia to numb the area.

3. We make a small incision in the gum, lifting it away from the tooth.

4. A drill is used to get access to the root of the tooth, where the infected tissue can be removed.

5. We look for cracks in the tooth to decide if the tooth needs to be extracted.

6. The tooth canal is cleaned and sealed, followed by sutures if needed.

 

This procedure is very similar to a root canal, with about the same healing and recovery time. Call any of our four locations to schedule an appointment for an apicoectomy.

Why Implants Work So Well

Why Implants Work So Well

Dental implants are used here at Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania to help patients replace their missing teeth, but many new patients wonder why implants work so well. Dental implants work by having a titanium metal post implanted into the patient’s jawbone where their tooth is missing. It requires a sufficient amount of bone to fit the implant, otherwise we either use a mini implant which is half the size, or we provide bone grafts before placing the implant.

 

The important thing to remember is that after the post is implanted, we let it heal for 3-6 months. During this time, the bone is actually healing around the post, which holds it in place permanently. This is exactly why our implants work so well; they are considered permanent because they become part of the bone, acting as the tooth’s root. While the crown on top may need to be replaced in about 10-15 years, the post remains intact.

 

After the implant process is complete, the patient has a new tooth that looks and functions exactly like a natural teeth. As opposed to bridges or dentures, they continue eating just about anything they want. Call to schedule a dental implant appointment with one of our doctors at 215-463-4141.

Ancient Dental Implants

Ancient Dental Implants

While dental implants seem like a newer procedure offered by our doctors, the procedure actually dates back to the Mayans. These ancient dental implants were made using ivory and shells that were fabricated by hand to look like human teeth. They were not strong like today’s implants, as they have evolved in improved strength and function over their long history.

 

The following steps detail how modern technology here at Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania helps us to provide patients with dental implants:

 

1) The patient visits our office for a consultation where we take x-rays and assess if implants are a viable option.

 

2)The patient return for their first appointment where the titanium post is implanted into their jaw bone. An incision is made into the gums and the post is placed in the bone.

 

3)After 3-6 months when the bone has healed completely around the post, the patient returns to our clinic for evaluation and is sent to their dentist for the abutment and crown to be placed on top of the implant for the final step.

 

While dental implants are considered an ancient form of providing a tooth when one or more is missing, modern technology allows for a highly successful and effective procedure. Visit Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, PA to discuss your implant options.

What are My Anesthesia Options for Oral Surgery

What are My Anesthesia Options for Oral Surgery

Here at Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania, we want our oral surgery patients to understand everything about their surgery. This includes educating them on their anesthesia options. There are three main options for oral surgery and dental procedures: local anesthesia, nitrous oxide, and general anesthesia with intravenous sedation. In some cases, our doctors offer the patients a choice in what anesthesia they get, while in others, one type of anesthesia is recommended highly for the comfort of the patient.

 

1) Local anesthesia is used most often in our office, and simply numbs the area being treated. The patient is awake and fully alert, though they experience no pain. Local anesthesia is often used in conjunction with other types of anesthesia.

2) Nitrous oxid, is known as laughing gas, and the patient is relaxed and conscious. Nitrous oxide is typically used for non-complicated wisdom tooth extractions and sometimes for dental implants.

3) With general anesthesia administered through IV sedation, patients are asleep so that they do not experience the procedure being performed. It is often used for longer or more intensive oral surgeries, such as removing impacted teeth, as well as dental implant surgery.

 

These anesthesia options are offered to patients, whether they are getting a simple procedure and want IV sedation or getting their wisdom teeth extracted and general anesthesia makes them feel more at ease. If you are in the Philadelphia, PA area and in need of oral surgery, contact our office about your anesthesia options.

Surgical Instructions After Implants

Surgical Instructions After Implants

Dental implants can help you replace missing teeth with a permanent solution. The implant is installed in the jaw bone of the missing tooth, which grows around the post as it heals. A crown abutment is placed over the top of the implant when healing is complete, providing a flawless implant that looks and functions like a natural tooth. Following our surgeons'  instructions after implants helps reduce complications and provides a more successful healing process.

 

Here at Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania, we recommend following these surgical instructions after getting dental implants:

 

1. On the day of surgery, avoid touching the surgery site and don’t spit or rinse.

2. Place a gauze pad over the implant site to control bleeding.

3. Expect some swelling and use an ice pack to reduce swelling.

4. Drink plenty of water and fluids, avoiding extremely hot or cold fluids.

5. Take prescribed pain medication as instructed following the procedure. Over-the-counter ibuprofen and acetaminophen is also acceptable.

6. Always take antibiotics if they are prescribed.

7. Use an oral rinse for the first few days, then brush and floss regularly.

 

For more in-depth surgical instructions after getting dental implants, contact us at our Philadelphia, PA office.

Pre-Prosthetic Surgery

Pre-prosthetic surgery is a necessary procedure performed by our doctors before your general dentist assists you for a  partial or complete denture. After a tooth is extracted, the area beneath the tooth is jagged or uneven, which requires pre-prosthetic surgery in many cases. The unevenness makes it difficult to place a prosthesis, so we provide pre-prosthesis surgery here at Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania to rectify the situation. It helps level out the prosthesis site, so your general dentist can proceed with making the partial or complete denture.

 

During the pre-prosthetic procedure, the excess bone underneath the missing teeth is removed and excess gum tissue is also removed. We also provide bone ridge reduction, bone leveling, and bone reshaping during this procedure to prepare for dentures or partials.

 

The comfort of our patients is very important, so we provide several anesthesia and sedation methods. This includes local anesthesia, general anesthesia, nitrous oxide, and conscious intravenous sedation.

 

If you have missing teeth and are thinking about getting a complete set of dentures or partials, we highly recommend making an appointment with us here at Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania to find out if you need pre-prosthetic surgery. Whichever is more convenient, visit us in our Philadelphia, Clifton Heights, or Folsom, PA location to learn more about this procedure and whether or not you are in need of it.

Feed your Smile the Vitamins it Needs

When you go through the natural aging process, the health of your teeth and gums can start deteriorating. This is a natural progression, but one that can be prevented by eating the right vitamins and minerals.

 

Aside from regular dental hygiene, this is the next best thing they can do for their teeth. It improves their overall dental health, protects their teeth and gives them something to smile about.

 

Eating nutritious foods is the recommended way to get the right amount of vitamins, but not the only option. Supplements in pill and liquid form are also available, though bodies absorb nutrients in whole foods much more easily. Some vitamins to consider taking regularly for optimum teeth health are vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin D and calcium. All of these vitamins promote good oral health, strengthen the teeth, protect the enamel and help fight against tooth decay.

Reducing Canker Sore Pain and Duration

Canker sores are non-contagious lesions found in the mouth, typically on the inside of the cheek, lips, or tongue. While it is not a serious condition, a canker sore can be very uncomfortable and even painful in some cases. Dr. Ramin Bahram sees many patients who complain of an odd bump or sore in their mouth, that ends of being a canker sore.

 

There are many possible causes of canker sores in the mouth, including the following: irritation from biting the mouth, hard brushing or orthodontic appliances, bacterial infections, high amounts of stress, vitamin deficiency, malnutrition, food allergies, and a sensitive or weak immune system.

 

While there isn’t a single treatment option that works for all canker sores, we do offer some options. This includes:

• Using a salt water rinse regularly.
• Taking an over-the-counter medication for improving the pain and healing process.
• Being careful what you eat.
•  Being sure you are using the right toothpaste.
• Using an antiseptic rinse.
• Practice stress reduction

Why Should I Choose Dental Implants

If you have a missing tooth, whether you are in Clifton Heights, Philadelphia, or Folsom PA area, there are several options available to you here at Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania.

 

While bridges and partial dentures are an option, implants are the only permanent solution for missing teeth. If you’re wondering why you should choose dental implants, consider the fact that the metal post is implanted right in your jaw bone. As it heals, the implant is fixed permanently, acting as your tooth’s new root. You no longer have to worry about a bridge or denture shifting, falling out or needing to be replaced.

 

There are things to consider before you choose dental implants, which can help guide you in the right direction. First of all, you must have a good track record with dental hygiene and have healthy gums. Second of all, you must have a sufficient amount of jawbone for the implant to take hold, otherwise you will need a bone graft. 

 

Call us at 215-463-4141 to discuss dental implants and their benefits. Please watch our dental implants presentation found on our homepage too!

Pain Management

One of the biggest concerns when our patients find out they need oral surgery is dealing with the pain. For proper management of pre and post-operative pain, we use anesthesia for the procedure and provide pain medications and a list of after-care instructions.

 

To help manage pain after the procedure, we provide the following recommendations to follow immediately after surgery:

• Rest after surgery and only resume daily activities when you feel comfortable to do so.
• Use ice packs on your face where the surgery was performed to reduce swelling and pain.
• Keep the gauze on the surgical site for 30 minutes at least, then remove and place a new one.
• Avoid touching the area or rinsing your mouth too much.
• Take your pain medication at the first sign of discomfort.
• Never use a straw after surgery, or the blood clot may become dislodged.

Here at Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania, we want our patients to be as comfortable as possible during and after the surgery. Because the pain can start once anesthesia wears off, we recommend taking the first dose of pain medication just before the anesthesia has worn off completely. Call us today  at 215-463-4141 to discuss the management of pre and post-operative pain further