The Tooth, Mouth & Jaw Corner.
Here at 32 Dental Arts, we take pride in staying up to date with the latest dental industry news and information. We also take pride in educating our patients on their dental health & making sure each patient understands their available treatment options. We have established this portion of our website to help keep our patients informed. We invite you to browse the below articles and information.
April is Oral Cancer Awareness month. About 53,000 Americans each year are diagnosed with oral or throat cancers. Oral cancer can be a silent killer with no symptoms and the person best suited to detect abnormalities in the mouth is your dentist. Regular check ups and cleaning appointments at 32 Dental Arts always include an oral cancer screening. Dr. Barakat and Erin use high illuminated magnification to view your tissues, tongue and throat. We sometimes also use the VELscope - a device that shines a blue light on the tissues of the mouth to help us visualize any abnormalities such as infections, trauma or precancerous dysplasia. No one of us can see the back of our tongues and routine medical physicals are limited in oral tissue evaluations. Let us help you stay healthy- come in and get screened!
Fluoride is not just for just kids! As adults, our saliva changes as we age and becomes less protective against decay and enamel erosion. Those with periodontal disease are at higher risk of root cavities which are very challenging to control and restore unlike enamel cavities, and can develop on the exposed roots resulting from bone loss. Fluoride varnish treatments are part of the regimen Dr. Barakat recommends to help protect exposed roots from decay. We use gluten free fluoride varnishes with a great tasting berry flavor!
Sleep apnea machines have recently been under review for their safety and the FDA is still investigating the possibility that toxic chemicals could be emitted in the materials lining the devices. If you suffer from sleep apnea and use a cpap machine, check your model and discuss it with your primary care physician. Also know that there are alternatives such as oral appliances that can also manage obstructive sleep apnea without the involvement of positive air pressure masks. Those are typically made by dentists who have knowledge on sleep devices and who can help determine if you are a candidate. Dr Barakat can help guide sleep apnea patients with the appropriate referrals.
Saliva is fascinating! Did you know that the average person will produce enough saliva to fill 2 standard size swimming pools? And unless you're a camel, your saliva should not be sticky to help with lubricating the foods we eat and it aids in digestion. It also helps protect our teeth from acids and decay with all the minerals and buffering proteins it contains. While giraffes are frequent lickers, we humans don't need to be! Our glands produce all that saliva on their own unless medications we use or stress and dehydration affect saliva production.
If you feel like more food gets stuck between your teeth as you age, that's because the spaces between our teeth can get wider and teeth can shift positions over time. Dr. Barakat can clear you for periodontal disease and cavities and then discuss whether the food impaction is a concern or not.
What is conservative dentistry? Dentists who consider themselves "conservative" are those who value treatments that preserve as much of a tooth's natural structure as possible. It may also include no treatment at all and can include preventive measures like habit changes or specific toothpastes that help a tooth regain its strength and structure. Dr. Barakat is dedicated to this practice philosophy to ensure that our teeth maintain as much of their natural form as possible. Nature does it best!
"The Academy of General Dentistry shows studies that Americans on average only spend 45-70 seconds a day [brushing their teeth]." That is too short for most people to have effective plaque removal so the next time you are brushing your teeth, remember not to rush through it. Some helpful tips include listening to a song or podcast to make sure you have brushed for at least 2 minutes. Take your time, it will pay off!
October is a month to enjoy pumpkins, Halloween and fall but it's also a month to pause and remember those who are either fighting or have fought the battle against breast cancer. This October, your dental team at 32 Dental Arts would like to give a shout out to all our patients who have survived breast cancer and are in the thoughts of those who have lost loved ones to the disease. Come by our office and pick up a pink pen or pink ribbon in honor of anyone who has endured breast cancer.
Wondering why Dr. Barakat's health history forms include questions on sleep apnea ? That's because obstructive sleep disorders which include sleep apnea are found to be associated with dental conditions such as grinding and clenching. That is why it is best to identify any pre-existing sleep disorders to help manage severe wear, broken teeth or restorations. Talk to Dr. Barakat if you think you may be having sleep problems and she can guide you on which healthcare provider may best help you. Sometimes, behind a dental problem lies a medical one.
