Thanksgiving Feast Can Benefit Oral Health

Thanksgiving Feast Can Benefit Oral Health

This Thanksgiving we have much to be thankful for…good health, good food and great family and friends to share the holiday with. Our traditions and celebrations center on our bountiful meals, and planned correctly, this Thanksgiving dinner can be not only delicious but healthy for your bodies and teeth and gums too! Just like our bodies, our teeth and gums need many essential vitamins and minerals to stay strong and healthy.  In fact, to ensure proper tooth development and strength, adults, children, and seniors alike need calcium, vitamins and minerals in their diets.

This Thanksgiving, be sure to prepare a meal that is not only delicious but healthy for your teeth and gums too! Some vitamins and nutrients that are good for your oral health are vitamins A, C, D, phosphorous, and calcium.  A delicious Thanksgiving dinner can include them all.

Here are a few things that will make your mouth happy this Thanksgiving:

• Turkey is high in phosphorous, which is not only healthy for developing teeth but can actually rebuild and remineralize teeth and bones of the jaw

• Sweet potatoes are loaded with nutrients including vitamins A, C, and B6 and are thought to be much healthier and nutritious than regular white potatoes

• Green and winter vegetables are great sources of vitamins A and C, both of which are important for gum health and repair of gum diseases such as gingivitis and periodontitis

• Cranberries contain flavonoids, which can prevent bacteria from sticking to teeth and forming plaque. Bacteria are responsible tooth decay and gum infections

• Pumpkin pies are loaded with vitamin C and calcium – important for gum health and developing teeth and bone maintenance

Healthy foods will always benefit your dental health. Include more green vegetables on your plate this Thanksgiving and not too many sweets!

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!

The Truth About Dental Health And Hard Candy

 

The hard truth about children’s dental health and hard candy is that hard candies wreak havoc on children’s teeth. While tasty Life Savers, Blow Pops, and Jolly Ranchers are wildly popular with kids, they are never popular choices in the eyes of parents and dentists.

Crunching these hard candies can adversely affect your child’s dental health in several ways.

 

Cavities

 

Hard candies are generally full of sugars and are eaten over several minutes if not hours. Children may tuck a sugary hard candy away in a cheek for minutes and hours, putting the tooth enamel in direct contact with cavity producing sugars for extended periods of time. For this reason, if you are going to give your children hard candies as a treat, you should only select sugar free options.

 

You Could Break Your Teeth

 

Your kid also can endure broken teeth caused by hard candy, as they can break the top of teeth. Many youngsters cannot refrain from the impulse to bite and chew hard candies and the strain of breaking down these treats often ends in damaged children’s teeth. If you cannot bear to limit the kids from eating hard candy, be certain they do not chew on it.

 

Broken Orthodontics

 

Should you have braces, a retainer or fillings, having hard candy can be a bad idea as it can destroy these. These stiff treats are infamous for dislodging, breaking, or damaging dental work in adults and youngsters. A youngster with braces or even a retainer has to be entirely kept faraway from hard candy, totally.

 

Mouth Sores

 

If your youngster hazardously falls asleep with hard candy in their oral cavity, they could get mouth sores. The concentrated sugars in hard candies can easily erode the liner of the mouth and tongue and cause mouth sores

 

Obtaining awesome dental health and being a hard candy addict don’t occur at the same time. Hard candies may result in dental carries, mouth sores, broken teeth, and broken dental appliances and orthodontics.

 

When possible, swap hard candy with sugar free candy or softer candy selections. Confer with your pediatric dentist regarding the hazards of hard candies and their effects on your child’s dental health before buying another roll of Life Savers or bag of lollipops.

 

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!

Black Raspberries May Fight Oral Cancer

A Berry Good Proposition: Black Raspberries May Fight Oral Cancer

In the mood for something sweet? Consider a handful of black raspberries!

 

Researchers at Ohio State's James Cancer Hospital have shown that black raspberries may not only help prevent colon and esophageal cancer, but help battle oral cancer as well.

 

Lab tests show that this delicious fruit reduced tumors on the mouth by up to 44 percent.

Unfortunately, there are a couple of problems...

First off, black raspberries are very difficult to come by in your regular grocery story,

even when in season. Having access to them year-round could be quite a task .Second,

studies show you would have to eat about 4 whole cups a day to enjoy the full health

benefits. Very few of us actually eat the recommended 5 servings a day of fruit. Finding

the time, and stomach, to eat 4 cups of raspberries could be difficult, no matter how

delicious they are.

Fortunately, scientists are working on a solution: lozenges. They hope that

concentrating the cancer-fighting chemicals in black raspberries into more manageable

lozenges will prove to be as successful in the fight against oral cancer as eating the

whole fruit (though nutritionists will tell you the whole fruit is always better for you). If

researchers find that certain genes respond to the berry extract in them, it could

someday mean a simple new way to fight cancer. They would also be available year -

round.

It should be noted that fruit is part of a healthy diet, and therefore good for your teeth.

Highly acidic fruits, like lemons, can actually harm tooth enamel, however, so try to rinse

your mouth out with warm water or brush your teeth after you eat them. Also, stay away

from high-sugar snacks, like candy and soda (and yes, even black raspberry cobbler).

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!

 

Ear and Tooth Pain

Ear and Tooth Pain

 

The most common causes of ear and tooth pain include infections, fluid buildup in the ear, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) syndrome, cavities, and tooth impaction. Ear and tooth pain often occur simultaneously due to the closeness of the nerves and other tissues in the face and head. While some causes of pain in these areas are serious, most pain is caused by minor infections or illnesses that can be easily treated by a doctor or dentist.

Ear and tooth infections are the most common causes of pain in these areas. Pain deep inside the ear that may radiate down the jaw if often caused by a middle ear infection, and may be present with a fever and fluid drainage from the ear. An infection in the ear canal, outer ear, or the mastoid bone behind the ear can also cause pain. These types of infections often occur with redness and swelling of the outer ear or the area around the ear, and require prompt medical attention. Infections of the teeth or gums due to poor oral hygiene, abscesses, or conditions such as gingivitis can also lead to pain in the mouth that may also affect the ear.

Fluid that builds up inside the ear can lead to pain and pressure. The discomfort may extend down the jaw and affect the teeth as well. Eustachian tubes inside the ears can become blocked with fluid due to sinus pressure from a cold or the flu. Over-the-counter decongestants can help dry up excess fluid, and a warm compress or heating pad applied to the ear or jaw can help minimize pain. In severe cases, doctors can drain the fluid from the ear or implant tubes in the eardrums to stabilize pressure inside the ears.

 

Ear and tooth pain that occurs at the same time is common for people who suffer from TMJ syndrome. The temporomandibular joints on either side of the jaw can become dislocated or suffer from wear on the cartilage disks that cushion the joints, resulting in pain that may occur at the jaw joint, in the ear, or in the teeth. Treatment for TMJ syndrome includes mouth guards, jaw exercises, and bite therapy to help align the jaw and reduce clenching and grinding, which can make symptoms worse.

Dental problems, including cavities and tooth impaction, often lead to ear and tooth pain. Pain from problems that affect the roots of the tooth can manifest in the mouth, up the jawline to the ear, or over the entire side of the face. Wisdom teeth located at the back of the mouth often become impacted and must be removed by an oral surgeon
if they lead to pain or other dental problems.

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!

Raisin Eyebrows: Is Dried Fruit Good for Your Teeth?

Raisin Eyebrows: Is Dried Fruit Good for Your Teeth?

Do you remember how disappointed you were as a kid when some concerned adult

dared put raisins in your Halloween bucket? Your mother was probably relieved,

convinced they would be far better for you and your pearly whites than the rest of the

junk food you'd strung out across the living room floor. Ask a pediatric dentist, however,

and you might get a different story.

 

It's true that there are a number of benefits to eating raisins. They're low in fat and

cholesterol, and boast plenty of fiber, calcium and potassium. Unfortunately, they're also

both sticky and high in sugar, putting them high on the list of foods that can cause

cavities. Some health professionals lump them in with all the other typical junk foods

kids eat. Don't worry, raisins aren't the only foods once thought healthy that can

contribute to tooth decay. Go ahead and add other dried fruit, sweetened cereals and

even fruit juices to the list.

 

Don't chuck raisins out just yet, however. Raisins were recently found to contain

phytochemicals, which are known to inhibit the growth of bacteria commonly linked to

cavities. Note that this study was conducted in a lab, and no study has even been done

to show that cavities are either more or less likely to find kids that eat raisins.

So, where does this leave you? A good general rule when it comes to eating for good

health (oral and otherwise) is to stick with whole fruits and vegetables whenever

possible. If you must eat something that you aren't sure is good for you, do it in

moderation. Be sure to drink lots of water, and always either brush your teeth or rinse

your mouth out with warm water after eating sugary or acidic foods to prevent tooth

decay!

 

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!

How to Achieve Pain Relief for an Abscessed Tooth

How to Relieve Pain from an Abscessed Tooth

An abscess is a localized collection of infection that usually forms at the root of the tooth. Abscessed teeth are usually caused by untreated tooth decay, a cracked or broken tooth or filling, or from a gum infection, synonymous with advanced gum disease.

A toothache caused by an abscessed tooth is often very excruciating to say the very least. At the onset of pain from a suspected abscessed tooth, it is highly recommended to see your dentist as soon as possible. A root canal may be necessary to remove the infected tissue. Failure to have an abscess treated promptly could result in the advancement of the infection, which may invade further into the bone and surrounding tissue. In rare cases, an untreated abscessed tooth may cause a severe infection that could result in death.

Here are some ways to relieve toothache that is caused by an abscessed tooth:

• Avoid foods and beverages that are very cold or very hot. Since the dentin layer of the tooth has likely been invaded by tooth decay, extremes in temperature may cause pain.
• Avoid foods and beverages that are very high in sugar, or are very acidic.
• Use an over-the-counter pain relief medicine. Never exceed the recommended dose, and check to make sure you are able to take pain relief medications with any of the other medications you may currently be on. Generally speaking, a pain relief medication that is intended to reduced inflammation works best for dental pain, because most toothaches are caused by an inflammation of the tissues or the inflammation of the nerve. Never put pain relief medication on the tooth or gum tissue, as this could burn the tissue.
• Floss between the teeth that are painful. Removing the food particles and plaque may help reduce the pain from the toothache.
• Use oil of cloves (eugenol). Eugenol, which can be found in most health food stores, is used in various dental materials because of its antiseptic and anesthetic properties. Using eugenol at home may help reduce pain from a toothache. Soak a small piece of cotton in the oil, then blot the cotton on a piece of tissue to remove the excess. Using a clean pair of tweezers, hold the cotton on the painful tooth for 10 seconds, making sure you do not swallow any of the oil.
• Seal a hole in the tooth temporarily. Some pharmacies have over-the counter temporary filling material that may be used to seal the hole created by decay temporarily.
• Sleep with your head elevated. The inflammation of the nerve of the tooth with an abscess is very painful, and is often what causes the most uncomfortable pain. If you elevate your head when resting, some of the pressure in the area of the toothache may diminish.
• Rinse with warm salt water. Rinsing with warm salt water two to three times a day may help to relieve a toothache caused by an abscess, if the toothache is caused by a gum infection. Salt water works as an antiseptic to remove bacteria from the infected area. 

A toothache that is caused by an abscess may come and go, but don't be fooled. The longer you wait to have the abscess treated, more serious complications may arise. As soon as you develop a toothache, see your dentist immediately.

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!

Dental Sealants are Great for Back to School - Kendall Miami Dentist Dr. Bloch

What are dental sealants?

With the new school year on its way it is a great idea to plan ahead and be proactive in reducing the possibilities of dental cavities this year. Dental sealants can do just that. You probably heard people say that their dentist sealed their teeth to help prevent cavities. They are correct! They are probably talking about a dental sealant. A dental sealant is a clear or white, liquid-plastic material put on the chewing surfaces of the back teeth. The sealant bonds into the depressions and grooves (pits and fissures) of teeth and protects them from tooth decay and cavities. Although children and teens usually use sealants, adults can use them, too.Applying a dental sealant is a relatively simple procedure.

To put in a sealant, your dentist or dental hygienist will place a cotton roll around your teeth to absorb saliva and prevent moisture from getting on the teeth. A sheet of rubber (rubber dam) may be used to isolate the teeth. Then the dentist will apply the solution that will glue the sealant to the tooth. After about a minute, he or she will rinse off the excess glue, dry your teeth, and put on the sealant.

One type of sealant hardens very quickly through the use of a bright light. The other hardens more gradually. Sealants may wear down over a period of years. Your dentist should check them regularly and reapply them if needed.

Getting dental sealants at the beginning of the new school year is a good idea. It is a great way to prevent decay and cavities throughout the school year. For more information on dental sealants call our office 305-385-5555 or visit our website at www.blochdentistry.com

Miami Dentist

Dr. Jonathan Bloch