Happy 4th of July

Enjoy this Independence Day with parades, fireworks, music, and dance. Have a fun filled 4th of July!

http://www.BlochDentistry.com. We want to see you smile!

Summer and Dental Health

Summer fun has begun! – from playing sports to enjoying cold, sweet beverages – that could adversely impact the health of your teeth. Your family dentist encourages you to be proactive this summer to make sure you keep your teeth healthy. Here are three specific things you can do:

• Eat “cleansing” foods. Apples, pears, and carrots are good choices, as they contain fiber and help to refresh and clean the mouth as they wash away bacteria and sugar from your teeth. Celery is good too. You can also protect your teeth with dietary protein – such as cheese, nuts and lunch meats – to help guard against acid that eats away at your tooth enamel.
• Take it easy on the sweets. Not that you can’t have any sweets at all. Your family dentist knows that wouldn’t be fun! But practicing moderation would be a smart choice. Eating sweets in one sitting (such as during your meals) rather than constantly snacking on them throughout the day would be a good choice. This limits the amount of sugar that you consume – sugar that if over-consumed can then lead to cavities, plaque and a loss of enamel.
• Drink water. Yes, nothing beats water to hydrate you in the summer. Plus water washes out bacteria and acid in your mouth and stimulates saliva production. For times when you would like another alternative to water, consider juicing your own fresh fruits and vegetables to make for tasty beverages. Fresh juice is much better for you than soft drinks or the sugary juices you get in the stores. If you absolutely have to drink a sugary beverage though, use a straw (as straws help to keep sugar away from the teeth) and rinse your mouth out with water once you’ve finished your beverage.

Of course, even though your schedule may get off course at times due to summer activities, that’s no reason to skimp on your bedtime brushing routines. Don’t forget to brush and floss each night – even if you’ve had a long day!

And if you’re due for a summertime check-up, don’t put that off either.  That’s right – we don’t take the summer off! So if you need a dental procedure or just a check-up, why not make an appointment today? In the meantime, have a safe and healthy summer!

Call our friendly staff to schedule an appointment at (305)385-5555 or visit our website at http://www.BlochDentistry.com. We want to see you smile!

How Stress Affects Your Oral Health

How Stress Affects Your Oral Health

Excess stress may give you a headache, a stomachache, or just a feeling of being "on edge." But too much stress could also be doing a number on your mouth, teeth, gums, and overall health.
The potential fallout from stress and anxiety that can affect your oral health includes:

• Mouth sores, including canker sores and cold sores
• Clenching of teeth and teeth grinding (bruxism)
• Poor oral hygiene and unhealthy eating routines
• Periodontal (gum) disease or worsening of existing periodontal disease

So how can you prevent these oral health problems?

Mouth Sores

Canker sores -- small ulcers with a white or grayish base and bordered in red -- appear inside the mouth, sometimes in pairs or even greater numbers. Although experts aren't sure what causes them -- it could be immune system problems, bacteria, or viruses -- they do think that stress, as well as fatigue and allergies, can increase the risk of getting them. Canker sores are not contagious.
Most canker sores disappear in a week to 10 days. For relief from the irritation, try over-the-counter topical anesthetics. To reduce irritation, don't eat spicy, hot foods or foods with a high acid content, such as tomatoes or citrus fruits.
Cold sores, also called fever blisters, are caused by the herpes simplex virus and are contagious. Cold sores are fluid-filled blisters that often appear on or around the lips, but can also crop up under the nose or around the chin area.
Emotional upset can trigger an outbreak. So can a fever, a sunburn, or skin abrasion.
Like canker sores, fever blisters often heal on their own in a week or so. Treatment is available, including over-the-counter remedies and prescription antiviral drugs. Ask your doctor or dentist if you could benefit from either. It's important to start treatment as soon as you notice the cold sore forming.

Teeth Grinding

Stress may make you clench and grind your teeth -- during the day or at night, and often subconsciously. Teeth grinding is also known as bruxism.
If you already clench and grind your teeth, stress could make the habit worse. And, grinding your teeth can lead to problems with the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), located in front of the ear where the skull and lower jaw meet.
See your doctor and ask what can be done for the clenching and grinding. Your dentist may recommend a night guard, worn as you sleep, or another appliance to help you stop or minimize the actions.

Poor Oral Hygiene

Being under extreme stress may affect your mood and cause you to skip oral hygiene habits such as brushing, flossing, and rinsing.
If you don't take care of your mouth, your teeth and overall oral health can suffer. If you already have gum disease, skipping daily hygiene may worsen the problem. If your mouth is in relatively good health, falling short on these healthy mouth habits can lead to gum disease or increase your risk of cavities.
When under stress, you may also develop unhealthy eating habits, such as snacking on large amounts of sugary foods or drinks. These habits increase the risk for tooth decay and other problems.
Just reminding yourself of the importance of hygiene and healthy eating may help. Boosting or resuming your exercise routine can help you relieve stress and feel energized enough to tend to your oral hygiene and cook healthier meals. Exercise will also boost your immune system -- and that, too, is good for your oral health.

Gum Disease

Stress can cause an increase in dental plaque, even when the high stress levels are short-term. That's according to a study that evaluated people who cared for loved ones with dementia and who experienced stress.
Long-term, the stress these caregivers felt boosted their risk of bleeding gums, or gingivitis, which can progress to serious gum disease.
Stress can lead to depression. You can't make depression or the stress disappear, of course. But experts say that learning healthy coping strategies can help reduce the risk of gum problems getting worse. Healthy coping is "problem-focused" with active and practical strategies to deal with the stress and depression, experts say.
Remember, eating a balanced diet, seeing your dentist regularly, and good oral hygiene help reduce your risks of periodontal disease. Make sure you brush at least twice a day and floss daily. Antibacterial mouth rinses also help reduce plaque-causing bacteria.

Bloch Dentistry Center specializes in a wide range of dental services including: general dentistry, cosmetic dentistry, teeth whitening, veneers, dental implants, root canals, periodontic treatments, and reconstructive dentistry.

Call our friendly staff to schedule an appointment at (305)385-5555 or visit our web

site at http://www.BlochDentistry.com. We want to see you smile!
 

Why do children suck their thumb?

Thumb sucking

Thumbsucking is commonly associated with infants as most of the infants are seen sucking their thumb. Although, it might appear a harmless bad habit, it can lead to dental and speech problems. This article will deal with why children suck their thumb and what problems can arise out of it. The next article will deal with how to get children to quit thumbsucking.

Why children suck their thumb?

Some babies develop the thumbsucking habit while in the mother’s womb itself where as others start this habit after their birth. Sucking in newborns is just an instinct for survival. They associate sucking with food (milk) and thus comfort and survival.

Sucking in children is a pleasure and comfort giving activity and can hence be attributed to psychological needs. Thumbsucking stimulates the brain to produce endomorphins which are the mood-altering chemicals. These endomorphins gives pleasure and comfort while the child sucks his/her thumb making the child habituated to it.

Many infants tend to stop the habit at around 1 year but quite a few carry on beyond this age. Experts have observed that thumbsucking habit beyond the age of 5 is very detrimental.

The typical parents reaction to this habit is shouting and nagging at the habit which makes it harder for the child to quit.
Punishing children for the habit is no way to get the child to quit thumbsucking and makes the child more adamant towards the habit.

Generally, as the child gets to the age of 4-5 years, he gets busy in his schedule such as school, playing with other children and other activities. This makes the child somewhat independent and he tends to forget about thumbsucking. He is too engrossed in other activities to think about thumbsucking. But some children do not quit this habit and here parents need to adapt a careful approach in order to get their child to quit thumbsucking.

What problems can thumbsucking give rise to?

• Thumbsucking has a major impact on the oral health of the child after the age of 5 years. It is the best to get the child to quit it around age 3.The upper front teeth are pushed forwards and the lower front teeth are pushed backwards. This does not create a problem though. This is because even if the baby teeth get misaligned, this has no effect on the permanent teeth which will start erupting at the age of 6-7 years.
• The roof of the mouth (palate) will be pushed upwards causing a range of problems including speech problems.
• Narrows the dental arches.
• Reshape the jawbone.
• Misalign the teeth.
• Apart from the dental problems, thumsucking can give rise to other problems such as ugly callous on thumb.
• Infection of the thumbnail.
• Increased risk of pinworms.
• Increased risk of other infections.

Now, let’s take a look at possible remedies for thumb sucking.

• Admit the problem in front of the child. Let him know that its something he should rather do away with. Convey this casually and not in a strict manner.
• Try finding the cause of the thumb sucking. Is it just a casual habit or the child does it in times of stress and address this.
• Offer a reward for not sucking.
• Wrap a cloth around the child’s thumb. This should discourage him from sucking his thumb.
• Put some bitter material on the child’s thumb to discourage the habit such as Cayenne pepper, quinine, and asafetida. Some doctors term it as cruel though.
• A very popular therapy which has been shown to be effective is the mirror therapy. Make the child sit in front of the mirror daily for few minutes and suck his thumb. Eventually, the child feels embarrassed and realizes the silliness of the habit.
• An orthodontist can place a orthodontic appliance which will deter thumb sucking. Generally a fixed palatal crib is placed on the palate.
• Thumb guards are also known as good deterrents to thumb sucking and can be employed.

Bloch Dentistry Center specializes in a wide range of dental services including: general dentistry, cosmetic dentistry, teeth whitening, veneers, dental implants, root canals, period ontic treatments, and reconstructive dentistry.

Call our friendly staff to schedule an appointment at (305)385-5555 or visit our website at http://www.BlochDentistry.com. We want to see you smile!

Link between Dental Health and Heart Disease

Recent studies suggest possible links between periodontal infections and heart disease. Researchers have reported that the most common strain of bacteria found in plaque can cause blood clots that induce heart attacks when they escape into the bloodstream.

To explain the relationship between the heart and periodontal infections, some experts hypothesize that bacteria present in infected gums can come loose and move throughout the body.

It is possible that once bacteria reach the arteries, they can irritate in the same way they do the gum tissue, causing arterial plaque to buildup in the arteries. This accumulation of bacteria can cause arteries to harden and restrict blood-flow and potentially result in a heart attack or stroke.

Even though the research is not conclusive at this point, it’s still important to try to keep your mouth healthy and help prevent gingivitis from the start. This includes seeing your dental professional at least twice a year and brushing and flossing regularly. Gum disease may be caused by the build up of plaque. If you remove plaque by brushing with a toothpaste, flossing regularly, and visiting the dentist for regular cleanings and consultations, you can help minimize your risk of gum disease. To help prevent gum disease, take these simple steps:

• Brush your teeth twice daily with a proven anti-gingivitis toothpaste
• Floss once a day, or more often if you eat sticky foods or foods that can lodge between your teeth (such as popcorn or poppy seeds)
• Have dental checkups twice a year (or as often as your dental professional recommends)
• Use an anti-microbial rinse, in addition to brushing and flossing

Interestingly, there are some conditions that contribute to the onset of gum disease. Diabetes, for example, can inhibit the immune system and make sufferers more vulnerable to infection. Also, pregnant women can have a higher incidence of gingivitis.

Bloch Dentistry Center specializes in a wide range of dental services including: general dentistry, cosmetic dentistry, teeth whitening, veneers, dental implants, root canals, periodontic treatments, and reconstructive dentistry.

Call our friendly staff to schedule an appointment at (305)385-5555 or visit our website at http://www.BlochDentistry.com. We want to see you smile!

 

Bleeding Gums

There are many reasons your gums could bleed.
In some cases, bleeding gums can be a sign of gingivitis, the early stage of periodontal disease. If your gums bleed easily or bleed when you brush, talk to your dentist about your oral health. Gingivitis is reversible and preventable.

If you’ve just started a new flossing routine, for instance, your gums may bleed at first as they get used to cleaning between the teeth. This usually goes away on its own in about a week. Some pregnant women develop a condition known as “pregnancy gingivitis,” an inflammation of the gums that can cause swelling and tenderness. Gums also may bleed a little when brushing or flossing. If you take blood thinners, these medications may cause your gums to bleed.

Contact your physician if the bleeding does not stop quickly. Your gums could also be bleeding if you brush too hard. Use an extra-soft or soft-bristled toothbrush when brushing your teeth.
If your gums bleed regularly or enough to worry you, make an appointment with your dentist or physician.

It could be a sign that something else is wrong. Always remember to brush your teeth twice a day, floss once a day and schedule regular dental visits.


Bloch Dentistry Center specializes in a wide range of dental services including: general dentistry, cosmetic dentistry, teeth whitening, veneers, dental implants, root canals, periodontic treatments, and reconstructive dentistry.

Call our friendly staff to schedule an appointment at (305)385-5555 or visit our website at http://www.BlochDentistry.com. We want to see you smile!

What You Can Do About Bad Breath

Worried about bad breath? You're not alone. Forty million Americans suffer from bad breath, or halitosis. Bad breath can get in the way of your social life. It can make you self-conscious and embarrassed. Fortunately, there are simple and effective ways to freshen your breath.

1. Brush and floss more frequently.

One of the prime causes of bad breath is plaque, the sticky build-up on teeth that harbors bacteria. Food left between teeth adds to the problem. All of us should brush at least twice a day and floss daily. If you're worried about your breath, brush and floss a little more often. But don't overdo it. Brushing too aggressively can erode enamel, making your teeth more vulnerable to decay.

2. Scrape your tongue.

The coating that normally forms on the tongue can harbor foul-smelling bacteria. To eliminate them, gently brush your tongue with your toothbrush. Some people find that toothbrushes are too big to comfortably reach the back of the tongue. In that case, try a tongue scraper. Tongue scrapers are an essential tool in a proper oral health care routine. They're designed specifically to apply even pressure across the surface of the tongue area, removing bacteria, food debris, and dead cells that brushing alone can’t remove. 

3. Avoid foods that sour your breath.

Onions and garlic are the prime offenders. Unfortunately, brushing after you eat onions or garlic doesn't help. The volatile substances they contain make their way into your blood stream and travel to your lungs, where you breathe them out. The only way to avoid the problem is to avoid eating onions and garlic, especially before social or work occasions when you're concerned about your breath.

4. Kick the habit.

Bad breath is just one of many reasons not to smoke. Smoking damages gum tissue and stains teeth. It also increases your risk of oral cancer. Over-the-counter nicotine patches can help tame the urge to smoke. If you need a little help, make an appointment to talk to your doctor about prescription medications or smoking cessation programs that can help you give up tobacco for good.

5. Rinse your mouth out.

In addition to freshening your breath, anti-bacterial mouthwashes add extra protection by reducing plaque-causing bacteria. After eating, swishing your mouth with plain water also helps freshen your breath by eliminating food particles.

6. Skip after-dinner mints and chew gum instead.

Sugary candies promote the growth of bacteria in your mouth and add to bad breath problems. Instead, chew sugarless gum. Gum stimulates saliva, which is the mouth’s natural defense mechanism against plaque acids which cause tooth decay and bad breath.

7. Keep your gums healthy.

Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, is a common cause of bad breath. Bacteria accumulate in pockets at the base of teeth, creating bad odors. If you have gum disease, your dentist may recommend a periodontist, who specializes in treating gum disease.

8. Be alert to dry mouth.

Lack of saliva promotes tooth decay and can cause bad breath. If your mouth is dry, drink plenty of water during the day. Chew sugarless gum or suck on sugarless hard candy, which helps stimulate saliva. Use a humidifier at night if the air is dry. If your mouth is still unusually dry, talk to your dentist or doctor. Dry mouth is a side effect of certain medications.

9. See your doctor.

If your bad breath continues despite your best efforts, see your doctor. Bad breath can be a symptom of medical conditions such as a sinus infection, postnasal drip from allergies, lung infections, diabetes, or liver or kidney diseases.

Call our friendly staff to schedule an appointment at (305)385-5555 or visit our website at http://www.BlochDentistry.com. We want to see you smile!