How Smoking Affects Your Teeth

Tobacco causes damage to your teeth in a number of ways. Cigarettes lessen your mouth’s ability to block infections, so you won’t be able to efficiently fight against the bacteria caused by smoking, leading to plaque and bacteria buildup.
An increased amount of plaque and bacteria can cause a many oral health problems:

Tooth Staining

Stained or yellow teeth is a clear sign that indicates someone is a smoker. The chemicals in tobacco will stick to your teeth’s enamel, causing discoloration in time. Teeth whitening treatments can help to slow down the staining, but if smoking is continued, it can not be stopped or reversed.

Bad Breath

Cigarette particles remain in the mouth long after a cigarette is finished, which causes foul smelling cigarette breath. Besides this, the longer-term effects of smoking can also cause foul breath. The overgrowth of bacteria in the smoker’s mouth will cause very bad breath.
Unfortunately, even a lot of brushing or using mouthwash will not get rid of the smell because it is caused by gum disease, oral sores, and/or tooth decay. The best cure is to stop smoking completely and talk to your dentist about treating the oral health issues it has caused.

Gum Disease

Studies have revealed that smokers are twice as likely to get gum disease in comparison to nonsmokers. Each cigarette you smoke adds to this risk, and gum disease treatments co not work as well on smokers.
This is because smoking lessens your mouth’s ability to stop bacteria from developing, so the bacteria can build on teeth and eventually start harming the gums. If left untreated, gums can start to retract away from the teeth, causing the underlying bone structures to weaken. Periodontitis is the most severe form of gum disease, this occurs when the bone and tissue holding the teeth in position begin to deteriorate, leading to tooth loss or extraction.

Delayed Healing

Smoking also reduces your body’s recovery ability. It will also decrease the expected success of receiving dental implants. A dentist can assist with this as much as possible, but the treatment plans can not work effectively if the patient keeps smoking.

Oral Cancer

Oral cancer is the most serious form of smoking-related oral health issues. Oral cancer will begin as a white or red spot in the mouth accompanied by difficulty chewing or swallowing, jaw numbness, and even earaches. These symptoms definitely have other causes, but the sooner cancer is detected, the more effectively it can be treated.

Call today, or find out more about how we can help you achieve healthier teeth and gums.

Is Teeth Whitening for me?

Why do teeth discolor?

As we age our teeth naturally discolor. Other factors also affect how our teeth look, like if we have been on some medications. What we eat and drink, such as coffee or tea, can stain our teeth as well.

 

Why would someone want to whiten their teeth?

We only have one chance to give a good first impression. This is very important in life and pertinent in job interviews or if you have an occupation working with people. It also helps boost self confidence by lightening teeth and removing stains and discoloration.

 

Is dental whitening better than at home whitening?

Though both types of whitening are considered reasonably safe, to have the ultimate experience the dental whitening is more precise. A tray is involved and the dentist will have a more exact fit. A professional also is better able to make sure that the whitening agent ends up on the teeth and not excessively into the gum area. For optimal results and safety, look for a practitioner who is certified by the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. If they have a gallery of pictures, look at the before and after and see if there is a notable difference. Friends can also give good recommendations. Stay away from ones that pressure you, or who cause you to feel uncomfortable because you will have follow up visits.

 

Is teeth whitening for everyone?

When you have your initial consultation the condition of your teeth will be considered. Things that could affect how well teeth whitening will work for you are how much your teeth have been restored. The restored teeth will not respond to the whitening process the same untouched teeth. The teeth that benefit are the ones that are stained on the outer enamel. There is a deep whitening bleach available but care must be taken if the patient has worn enamel or sensitive teeth. A person might be too old if the teeth are already sensitive or excessively worn. If it appears your teeth will benefit from the whitening, then what type of whitening will be chosen. The teeth need to be prepped with a tooth cleaning by a dental hygienist.

 

Is it affordable?

Cost depends on the type chosen and frequency. Over the counter whitening will cost from $5-50. Take home from the dentist is around $200-400. The in the office procedure will run from $300-1000. There is a more advanced process that is by laser. This is elective so you will be responsible for the cost. Usually you can pay for it in a couple of months. Some places run promotions and specials. Sometimes they come with free touch ups if you pay in full up front. Some people use a lender and borrow the amount. The cost could be tax deductible if you are an entertainer.

Teeth whitening can help with self esteem by removing stains, and it can whiten up to ten shades. Professional whitening is more potent than home whitening, so it can correct even the most difficult stains easier than over the counter methods. It can focus on one tooth or several at a time and is safe and effective. It usually takes only one treatment and can be done in less than an hour. An at home procedure that takes more than one time can be set up by the dentist that can be done at your own convenience.

Learn more about us and how we can offer you a healthy, beautiful smile.

Following blog post was first published on Is Teeth Whitening for me?. Read more on: Rolling Hills Dental.com

Bleaching a Single Dark Tooth

Many patients will only have one discolored tooth and want to bleach it to match the rest of their teeth. Even one dark tooth can make someone self-conscious about their beautiful smile. Modern technology and advancements in dentistry have recently allowed us to be able to bleach a single dark tooth with various different dental procedures.

 

Why Bleach a Single Dark Tooth?

An individual may want to whiten their darkened tooth to give the appearance of being younger and healthier. Teeth will lose their shiny white appearance over time so many people choose to bleach their teeth simply to reverse the years of staining. Whiter teeth can help you make a better first impression, look astounding for special occasions and have a higher overall confidence level. Many people will choose this procedure because it is relatively inexpensive compared to other cosmetic procedures designed to counteract aging.

 

The Process of Bleaching with Custom Trays

A bleaching tray that is designed for bleaching a single tooth will be made to fit your mouth’s arch. The tooth which will be whitened will have a window cut out of the arch. If a full arch tray is not made first, then the nearby teeth may lighten more quickly and cause uneven bleaching. The tooth will get whitening treatments for about 4-6 weeks. Whitening only one tooth can be a little slow because of the extra dentin layers that have formed on traumatized and darkened teeth.

 

Whitening Options

There are a number of different ways you can bleach your teeth other than these custom whitening trays. There is another technique called “walking bleach” in which your dentist will place bleach, seal it in, and remove it when you return to the office after 3-5 days. Inside-outside bleaching uses a combination of walking bleach and the custom tray method.

Find out more about how we can help you achieve a healthy, pearly white smile!

 

Following post was originally is courtesy of Bleaching a Single Dark Tooth. See more on: RollingHillsDental.com

Store Teeth Whitening Trays Safely

Bleaching stents, also called bleaching trays, take care of your teeth, but require care in return. Store your bleaching stents inside a container in a safe place.

 

Think of Safety First

Many of us have small children or furry family members, both of whom seem to have no qualms about popping whatever they find in their mouth and giving it a good chew. The chemicals used to whiten teeth can be harmful if swallowed, not to mention the ick factor of finding your tray in your toddler's mouth or between your dog's paws getting a good lick. Children and animals could damage or lose your tray too. It's best to store trays in a place closed up and beyond their reach to protect them from exposure to whitening chemicals and protect your tray from prying fingers and teeth.

 

A Clean Tray Equals a Clean Mouth

Most folks store all things beauty and hygiene related in the bathroom. Most folks do not realize, however, toilets release polluted vapors when flushed. Closing the lid does not contain the vapors as droplets are still able to escape through the cracks and settle onto exposed objects and surfaces. To avoid toilet vapors on the bleaching mouth guard, store it inside a cabinet instead of leaving it lying on a counter or exposed shelf. The same goes for your toothbrush. They will be further protected from other naturally occurring air dwellers like dust, dead skin cells and insects.

 

Protect Your Pocket Book

Bleaching stents take time and money to create. Take care of your stent so you don't end up unnecessarily buying another one.

Bleaching trays are best protected when stored inside their containers in an enclosed cabinet in a high place after every single use. Learn more about our dental practice and how we can give you a gorgeous white smile.

This article was first seen on Store Teeth Whitening Trays Safely. Read more on: RollingHillsDental.com

Sleep Apnea – who is at risk?

Obstructive sleep apnea is a common condition. About half of the people who have this condition are overweight.
Men are more likely than women to have sleep apnea. Although the condition can occur at any age, the risk increases as you get older.  A family history of sleep apnea also increases your risk for the condition.
People who have small airways in their noses, throats, or mouths are more likely to have sleep apnea. Small airways might be due to the shape of these structures or allergies or other conditions that cause congestion.
Small children might have enlarged tonsil tissues in their throats. Enlarged tonsil tissues raise a child’s risk for sleep apnea. Overweight children also might be at increased risk for sleep apnea.
About half of the people who have sleep apnea also have high blood pressure. Sleep apnea also is linked to smoking, metabolic syndrome, diabetes, and risk factors for stroke and heart failure.

Most common Sleep Apnea Symptoms

• Interrupted Breathing (Apnea episodes)
• Snoring
• Feeling Tired During the Day
• Mood
• Nighttime Urination
• Dry Mouth
• Restless Sleep
• Sex Life Implications
• Insomnia
• Headaches

See Here, Complete details of each of the symptoms above.

Home Sleep Study for Sleep Apnea

If you suspect that either yourself or someone you know may have sleep apnea, the first step is to make an appointment with one of our dentists to discuss your concerns and symptoms. If it is determined that you may likely be suffering from sleep apnea, the next step will be to prescribe a home sleep study. A home sleep study is a convenient way to collect information about your sleep. When those results are returned, your  dentist will recommend the best treatment for you.

Looking for a Sleep Apnea Dentist?

If you are located in Rolling Hills, Rancho Palos Verdes, Palos Verdes Estates, Redondo Beach, Torrance or surrounding beach cities, we encourage you schedule an appointment to find out if you have sleep apnea and what we can do to help.
Following blog post was originally republished from Sleep Apnea – who is at risk?. Read more on: http://ift.tt/2wXrIFD

Types of Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is a common disorder when a person has one or more pauses in breathing or shallow breaths during their sleep. Pauses in breathing may occur 30 times or more every hour. Typically, normal breathing begins again, sometimes with a loud snort or choking noise.
According to the American Dental Association, sleep apnea is categorized into two types depending on the cause:

• Obstructive Sleep Apnea- Abbreviated as OSA, it is caused by temporary obstructions in the airways during sleep. Fatty tissues of your throat or your tongue collapse and fall back into the airways which can restrict the free flow of air, and may even cause stoppage of breathing for an interval a few seconds. The brain partially wakes up from deep sleep just to restore your breathing.   OSA can often be treated by the dentists at Rolling Hills Dental Group.

• Central Sleep Apnea- Central sleep apnea is a disorder in which your breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep. Central sleep apnea occurs because your brain doesn't send proper signals to the muscles that control your breathing. This condition is different from obstructive sleep apnea, in which you can't breathe normally because of upper airway obstruction. Central sleep apnea is less common than obstructive sleep apnea. Central sleep apnea may occur as a result of other conditions, such as heart failure and stroke.

Severity of Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is categorized as mild, moderate, or severe, according to the frequency of apneic episodes per hour.

• Mild Apnea- 5 to 14 episodes of apnea per hour.

• Moderate Apnea- 15 to 30 episodes of apnea per hour.

• Severe Apnea- More than 30 episodes of apnea per hour.

Sleep Apnea Treatment

Different levels and types of sleep apnea require different treatments.
Obstructive sleep apnea treatment can be different. Mild apnea will improved be with no more than some changes in lifestyle such as quitting tobacco use, cutting back on alcohol, losing weight and sleeping on your side. For more severe cases of sleep apnea your dentist can help.

How Can a Dentist Help in Sleep Apnea?

Modern dentistry has provided very efficient and cost-effective solutions for obstructive sleep apnea therapy by providing sleep apnea oral appliances which involve no surgery and do not hurt or cause pain. While we sleep, gravity and muscle relaxation allows the tongue and surrounding soft tissue to fall back into the throat area, collapsing the airway and obstructing the airflow.
Custom-fit by a dentist, oral devices treat obstructive sleep apnea by moving the lower jaw slightly forward. This forward movement keeps the airway open, preventing apneas.
When patients suffer from severe sleep apnea other treatments may be required including breathing devices. CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) is a common treatment in adults. A CPAP machine uses a mask that fits over the mouth and nose, or just over the nose. The machine gently blows air into the throat.
Learn more about sleep apnea and how our dental office can help you find a solution.
This post was originally republished from Types of Sleep Apnea. Read more on: http://ift.tt/2wXrIFD

Dental Implants for Senior Patients

Can senior patients (over 65, 70, 80) benefit from dental implants?

Many people start losing their teeth as they advance in age. This can cause major limitations on their quality of life, facial appearance, and socializing. Dentures have been the traditional option, however, they have limitations. Implants are a much better choice when compared to upper or lower dentures and they are much stronger than a partial implant or a fixed bridge. Implants have a more natural appearance, do pose eating limitations, do not require removal for cleaning or before bed, and they will not slip or fall off at the wrong moment.

Conditions of permanent dental implant placement for patients over 65 or 70, 80

Whether it’s one implant, multiple teeth implants, or a full mouth reconstruction, implants are an excellent choice for permanent teeth replacement. The only requirement is a detailed medical and dental check-up. The check-up will determine if you are a candidate for implants.  Implants give stable support to dentures because they attach firmly to the jaw bone. But if the jaw bone is too weak to support them, additional measures may be necessary.
Chronic, uncontrolled diabetes, and other diseases that reduce the body’s immunity will typically be a factor against implants.
Implants require surgery, and recovery may be slower due to reduced immunity. The exam is also required for determining whether the jaw bone is strong enough to hold the implant in place under chewing stress. Insufficient bone is not an issue, bone can be grafted at an extra cost. In short, most ‘healthy’ seniors can get implants to replace their teeth with natural-looking, comfortable dental implants.
Got more questions about dental implants? Learn about dental implants healing time here.
This blog post was first is courtesy of Dental Implants for Senior Patients. Read more on: RollingHillsDental.com