Pros and Cons of Electric Toothbrushes

As dentists who base our practice on removing and replacing teeth, we at Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania stress the importance of good oral hygiene. Many patients who wish to care for new implants are curious about which of the many oral hygiene products best suit their needs. When it comes to electric versus manual toothbrushes, it could depend on the person’s brushing skills.

When manual toothbrushes are used properly, they provide as much protection against tooth decay as electric toothbrushes. However, manual toothbrushes also have to be used for two minutes at a time, and many people do not use them for long enough to do a thorough job cleaning. There is also a risk that a manual toothbrush could scratch a denture, although people should only ever be using brushes with soft bristles and there are manual toothbrushes specifically designed for dentures. Electric toothbrushes make tens of thousands of strokes per minute without the user needing to move their hands as much and they don’t exert pressure, so some people get better results with them. But there is also a risk of overbrushing the gums.

Besides being more convenient for people with dexterity issues, the other major benefit of electric toothbrushes is that some of them come with Bluetooth technology. This allows them to interact with apps that monitor whether a patient is skipping over spots on their teeth.  The apps work on a similar principle to chewable plaque disclosing tablets, but can be used to track the brusher’s progress over multiple brushings. This sort of technology costs much more than regular toothbrushes, but may be worth it to someone who has been unable to prevent tooth decay using low-tech means.

Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania operate in Philadelphia, Folsom, and Clifton Heights. Visit Oral Surgery PA or call 215-463-4141.

 

Replace Teeth with Dental Implants

The doctors at Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania replace teeth and restore patient smiles with dental implants. Implants are a permanent restorative option for teeth that are missing or have been extracted.  They look and feel just like natural teeth, and are the most permanent and efficient means of replacing lost teeth.

An implant is placed over a series of appointments because of the healing time required.  Implants are titanium screws inserted through an incision in the gum. Over a period of 3-6 months, the jaw bone heals around the implant to become a solid, stable base for the new tooth. During this time a patient is fitted with a temporary crown, and a custom crown is created to match their smile perfectly.

After the jaw bone and gums have healed appropriately, the custom crown is placed in a second minor procedure.  The doctor may need to expose the head of the implant by removing some gum tissue, and the crown will be screwed to the top of the implant.  When this is complete the tooth looks like part of the natural smile, and with proper care will last for decades!

To learn more about dental implants and all the services we provide at our practice, visit www.oralsurgerypa.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania located in Philadelphia, call 215-463-4141.

Smoking with Sleep Apnea

Smoking will exacerbate any respiratory condition, and it is proven to cause snoring and lead to obstructive sleep apnea.  Patients struggling with sleep apnea should come see us at Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania for evaluation. We can help patients find relief from sleep apnea, but quitting smoking is up to you!

Smoking causes upper airway inflammation, meaning the swelling causes the airway to narrow and disrupts the flow of air to the nasal passage and throat.  This causes snoring and obstructive sleep apnea.  Cigarettes are highly addictive, and some smokers seek treatment for sleep apnea but continue to smoke. Smoking with sleep apnea not only puts more stress on the heart every day, but negates any treatment a sleep apnea patient is undergoing.

Habitual smokers may feel relaxed by one last cigarette for the day, but it actually creates more complications for restful sleep. Smokers can experience nicotine withdrawal overnight, causing more waking up and restlessness.  Quitting smoking cold turkey is very difficult, but even lessening the amount of cigarettes or avoiding smoking at nighttime can help you achieve more restful sleep.  Most smokers cannot quit on their own or on their first attempt, so don’t get discouraged!

To learn more about sleep apnea and the treatments provided at the practice, visit www.oralsurgerypa.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania located in Philadelphia, call 215-463-4141.

Retained Baby Teeth

We all remember the funny feeling of losing our baby teeth and watching adult teeth emerge in its place. But sometimes, baby teeth don’t fall out on their own. Dentists are generally reluctant to extract them, but there are times when we at the Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania recognize that it’s the best option for adult or teenaged patients whose retained baby teeth are causing problems.

A baby tooth falls out because the erupting adult tooth dissolves its root. If the adult tooth is coming in at a different angle, the baby tooth’s root may remain solid, and the patient could end up with two rows of teeth. This most often happens with the lower incisors, although it can happen to the upper ones, as well. In these cases, it is difficult for the patient to brush all their teeth, and they may have alignment problems from overcrowding or bite problems from the teeth’s misplacement. They may be referred for orthodontic work after the extraction is finished.

It’s also not uncommon for people to be congenitally missing adult teeth. This most often occurs with the upper lateral incisors. The baby tooth never falls out because nothing is pushing it. We may recommend that these patients get their missing teeth replaced with implants after the baby teeth have been extracted, if their baby teeth are causing aesthetic or bite issues.

Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania operate in Philadelphia, Folsom, and Clifton Heights. Visit Oral Surgery PA or call 215-463-4141.

 

Acid Reflux and Holiday Food

Now that the holiday season is in full swing, we at Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania want to offer our patients some guidance for avoiding toothaches this winter. While many people rightly think of the sugary treats available this time of year as a threat to oral health, there is another underappreciated source of toothaches: acid reflux. Also known as gastroesophageal reflux disease, this condition is influenced by what patients eat and drink.

Acid reflux occurs when the sphincter that keeps stomach acid out of the rest of the body opens, allowing the acid to escape upward. This process can sometimes be recognized by the burning pain it causes in the chest; less commonly, it can cause respiratory distress. When acid reaches the mouth, it burns the inward-facing sides of teeth, eroding their enamel and making them more sensitive.

The mouth has its own defense against acid reflux in the form of saliva, which helps regulate its pH level. Unfortunately, there are a number of medications and other conditions which cause dry mouth. Patients can stimulate more saliva production by sucking on xylitol-flavored candy (sugary candy will make dry mouth worse and can lead to tooth decay). To reduce their risk of acid reflux developing in the first place, patients should avoid overconsumption of alcohol, caffeine, chocolate, spicy food, tomato sauce, and mint flavoring. It’s also better to avoid eating in the hours before bedtime and to eat only while in an upright posture.

Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania opperate in Philadelphia, Folsom, and Clifton Heights. Visit Oral Surgery PA or call 215-463-4141.

 

Diabetes and Gum Disease

If you suffer from diabetes, your teeth may be in danger. At Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania, we often do full-mouth restorations on people who need all their teeth replaced. But restorations are easier when patients still have stable jaw bone material, which is why we want our diabetic patients to be on-guard against periodontal disease.

People with diabetes are prone to experience chronic inflammation. Their arteries thicken, making it more difficult for their blood to deliver nutrients and immune agents to locations of infections. Consequently, diabetic people have a more difficult time fighting off gum pocket infections and have higher rates of gingivitis and periodontal disease than the general population. At its most extreme, periodontal disease causes gum and bone tissue to recede, leaving the teeth vulnerable to falling out.

Some evidence has emerged that gum disease may also make it harder for patients to regulate their blood sugar level, worsening other symptoms of diabetes. However, treatment of periodontal disease is associated with improved health. Regular oral hygiene and professional cleanings can help diabetic patients to avoid gum infections, and avoiding smoking can prevent inflammation. If a patient has diabetes, it may be possible for them to get implants, but they will still need to be especially vigilant about their oral hygiene.

Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania operate in Philadelphia, Folsom, and Clifton Heights. Visit Oral Surgery PA or call 215-463-4141.

 

Reap the Benefits of Dental Implants

Are missing teeth making you feel insecure? Do you wear dentures but find them uncomfortable? If you’ve answered yes to these questions, Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania would like to discuss the benefits of dental implants. Dental implants are ideal for someone missing one or many teeth and can last up to ten years with proper oral maintenance.

A primary benefit of dental implants is that they preserve bone and prevent further deterioration of the facial structure and can approve aesthetic appearance. Dental implants can take years off of a patient’s face and renew their self-esteem in the process. Unlike dentures, dental implants look and feel like natural teeth, and because they are placed into the jawbone, they will not slip or slide as dentures may do.  

If you have questions or concerns about oral surgery or tooth restoration options, please give us a call. To learn more about the services we provide, visit www.oralsurgerypa.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania located in Philadelphia, call 215-463-4141.