Learn more about how your lifestyle can affect your oral health.
Concerned About Knocking Out a Tooth During Sports Activities?
Are you aware that 5 million teeth are knocked out yearly in the U.S.? Many sports can be dangerous without the proper protective equipment. The one-size-fits-all mouthguards seen in stores don’t fit well. Breathing can be difficult while running during sports with this type of mouthguard. But mouthguards that are custom-made by your dentist fit nicely, protect well, and may be worn for any sport. The American Dental Association advises wearing customized mouthguards for the following sports: Basketball, boxing, hockey, football, gymnastics, martial arts, racquetball, skateboarding, skiing, skydiving, soccer, surfing, volleyball, weight lifting, and wrestling.
Siranli Dental
Samantha Siranli, DMD, PhD, FACP
2112 F St. NW, Suite 605
Washington, DC 20037
(202) 466-4530
SiranliDental.com
Nutrition Tips
Following a proper and nutritious diet not only helps keep your body healthy, but your mouth as well. Nutrition plays an important role in the health and cleanliness of your teeth, gums and mouth.
Limit Soda, Coffee and AlcoholAlthough these beverages contain a high level of phosphorous, which is a necessary mineral for a healthy mouth, too much phosphorous can deplete the body's level of calcium. This causes dental hygiene problems such as tooth decay and gum disease. Beverages containing additives such as corn syrup and food dye can make pearly white teeth appear dull and discolored. Therefore, it is best to choose beverages like milk, which helps strengthen teeth and build stronger enamel, giving you a healthy, beautiful smile.
Drink Tap Water When PossibleIf bottled water is your main source of drinking water, you could be missing the decay-preventive benefits of fluoride.
Monitor Your Low-Carb LifestyleDespite their popularity, low-carb diets can cause bad breath. A balanced, dental-healthy diet can help reduce tooth decay.
Increase Your Calcium IntakeAfter age 20, both men and women lose more bone mass than they form so it is important to restore lost calcium with a daily supplement and by eating fruits and vegetables high in calcium, such as dark leafy greens. These foods will also help to lower the acid buildup in the saliva that can lead to breakdown of tooth enamel.
Take a Daily Dose of Vitamins C and DThese vitamins help support the absorption of healthy mouth minerals such as calcium and phosphorous, which support the bone and gum tissue, keeping it healthy. This is an easy way to maintain dental hygiene and fight gum disease.
Put Out the CigaretteSmoking cigarettes is one of the greatest contributors to the aging mouth. According to the Center for Disease Control, more than 22 million women in the United States smoke cigarettes. In addition to staining teeth, smoking interrupts calcium absorption in the body and can also cause potentially life-threatening diseases such as oral cancer. So stop smoking and enjoy the health benefits as well as a healthy, beautiful smile.
The above article is from: OralB.com
Siranli Dental Samantha Siranli, DMD, PhD, FACP2112 F St. NW, Suite 605Washington, DC 20037(202) 466-4530SiranliDental.com
Learn more about dental care and your overall health.
Bad Effects Of Dental Grills
Dental grills, also known as “grillz,” have become popular among some teens and adults due to their popularity among celebrities, especially rap musicians. Grills are decorative covers that snap over one or more teeth. They are usually made of gold, silver or other precious metals. But less expensive grills are often made from base metals that can cause irritation or an allergic reaction.
There are no long-term studies of dental grills, so there are no data about long-term safety or about problems resulting from long-term wear.
Grills can promote plaque buildup and tooth decay because food particles and bacteria may build up between the teeth and the grill. A grill may also cause abrasion of the teeth that border it. Excessive wearing of grills may discolor teeth, too, so grill fans may need to whiten teeth when they decide to stop wearing the grill.
Anyone who wears a dental grill should be especially attentive to dental hygiene, and follow a consistent routine of twice-daily tooth brushing and daily flossing. Also, be sure to remove the grill before eating and rinse it often to remove bacteria and food particles. Talk to your dentist before getting a dental grill and be sure to find out how best to reduce the risk of bacterial buildup and other complications.
The above article is from: OralB.com
Siranli Dental Samantha Siranli, DMD, PhD, FACP2112 F St. NW, Suite 605Washington, DC 20037(202) 466-4530SiranliDental.com
Nitrous Oxide Sedation
Nitrous oxide sedation, also commonly known as “laughing gas,” is used to make dental treatment a more comfortable experience. The sedation is inhaled through a mask that allows you to breathe in the medication, which brings about a state of relaxation. Local anesthetic will be administered along with nitrous oxide to eliminate most pain.
Siranli Dental
Samantha Siranli, DMD, PhD, FACP
2112 F St. NW, Suite 605
Washington, DC 20037
(202) 466-4530
SiranliDental.com
Saliva has an important job to do in your mouth. For starters, it helps to remove food particles. But it also helps prevent tooth decay and infection by washing away plaque and keeping disease-causing bacteria from building up on your teeth and gums. But saliva can’t do all that work by itself. So it’s important to remove plaque yourself by practicing good oral hygiene, which means proper flossing each day, and twice-daily tooth brushing.
Most of us don’t think about the moisture in our mouths until our mouths become dry. A variety of conditions can cause dry mouth, also known as xerostomia, including the following:
- Cancer treatments. If you have any type of cancer of the head or neck and you receive radiation therapy, dry mouth is a common side effect because the radiation damages the salivary glands in addition to destroying the cancer. Some medications used to treat cancer in any part of the body can also cause dry mouth.
- Prescription medications. Hundreds of common medications, including many antidepressants and medications for high blood pressure, can contribute to a dry mouth. If you take medications that seem to make your mouth feel dry, be especially vigilant about tooth brushing and proper flossing.
- Nerve damage. Some types of injuries to the head or neck can damage the specific nerves that tell the salivary glands to produce saliva.
- Chronic illness. Diabetes, HIV/AIDS, and Parkinson’s disease are among the diseases that can contribute to a chronic dry mouth.
- Drug use. Methamphetamines have been associated with dry mouth.
To read the entire article please visit: OralB.com
Siranli Dental Samantha Siranli, DMD, PhD, FACP2112 F St. NW, Suite 605Washington, DC 20037(202) 466-4530SiranliDental.com
Perhaps you’ve been neglecting a good oral health routine. Or, you’ve done your best, but you’ve developed plaque and tartar buildup. A regular routine of twice-daily tooth brushing and daily flossing is an important part of regular plaque removal for everyone. But if you have risk factors that have caused a buildup of plaque on your teeth and gums to harden into tartar, your dentist or dental hygienist may suggest scaling or root planing your teeth to remove the buildup. If left untreated, severe tartar buildup along and under the gum line can cause the gums to pull away from the teeth, which may increase the risk of gum disease.
Scaling and root planing are common nonsurgical techniques that may prevent the need for more serious procedures, such as periodontal surgery or a root canal.
Here’s what to expect if your dentist or dental hygienist recommends these techniques:
- You won’t feel it. You’ll receive a local anesthetic to numb the area.
- Scaling: Your dentist or dental hygienist removes plaque and tartar from the areas both above and below the gum line.
- Root Planing: Your dentist or dental hygienist uses special tools to smooth rough spots on the tooth roots. This process not only removes bacteria and helps reduce plaque buildup, but it provides a smooth surface for gums to reattach to the teeth.
After a scaling and root planing procedure, be sure to follow your dentist’s instructions and maintain an oral care routine of twice-daily tooth brushing and daily flossing. If your gums are sensitive after the procedure, try a spongy floss, such as Oral-BÆ Ultra FlossÆ, to help prevent painful flossing.
The above article is from: OralB.com
Siranli Dental Samantha Siranli, DMD, PhD, FACP2112 F St. NW, Suite 605Washington, DC 20037(202) 466-4530SiranliDental.com
Below is an excerpt from an article found on Colgate.com
Over a decade of research has proven bleaching and other whitening methods to be both safe and effective. Several products in the market today have shown no adverse effects on teeth or gums in substantial clinical and laboratory testing. Be sure to look for clinically proven products, follow directions and consult with your dental professional.
In the past, the higher bleach concentrations used in-office treatment resulted in more sensitivity. Today, however, bleaching gels are well buffered, making sensitivity less of an issue. Sensitivity may occur in people after whitening procedures, particularly when they eat hot or cold foods, but usually disappears after 48 hours and stops completely when treatment is stopped.
If you do experience sensitivity, there are several ways you can help eliminate it:
- If using a tray applicator, wear the tray for a shorter period
- Brush with a toothpaste made for sensitive teeth that contains potassium nitrate to help soothe tooth nerve ending
- Ask your dentist or pharmacist for a product with fluoride, which helps re-mineralize your teeth. Brush-on or wear in your trays four minutes prior to and after whitening your teeth
- Stop whitening your teeth for several days to allow you teeth to adapt to the whitening process. Within 24 hours, the sensitivity will cease. The longer you whiten your teeth, the less sensitivity you will experience
In a few cases, your dentist may discourage dental bleaching:
- If you have gum disease, teeth with worn enamel, cavities or particularly sensitive teeth
- If you're pregnant or breast-feeding
- If you have tooth-colored crowns, caps or other dental work in your front teeth, which can't be bleached
To read the entire article visit Colgate.com.
Flossing As Prevention For Bad BreathNeed another reason to floss your teeth at least once a day? Flossing daily helps improve bad breath by effectively removing the food particles and bacteria that contribute to it. That makes flossing one of the easiest ways to prevent and banish bad breath.
Bad breath, also known as halitosis, is more common than many people realize. You may joke about bad breath, whether it’s your own or someone else’s, but it’s an important oral health issue. Bad breath can be more than an embarrassing social problem-it can be a sign of disease or illness.
Saliva is Your FriendLess saliva means that your mouth is more susceptible to plaque buildup, which can create an unpleasant smell on your breath. Pay extra attention to any of the following circumstances that can reduce the saliva in your mouth and promote bad breath:
- Drinking alcohol. Alcohol-containing beverages may promote a dry mouth and cause bad breath. So don’t forget to floss after an evening out on the town, no matter how much you’re tempted to hop into bed and forget about it.
- Early morning. Saliva stops flowing while you sleep, so you may be prone to bad breath in the morning. If so, mornings may be the best time for your daily dental flossing.
- Being hungry or thirsty. When you’re dehydrated, there’s not as much saliva in your mouth, so you’re prone to bad breath and increased bacterial buildup. Drink enough fluids and remember to floss. Also, remember that chewing food increases the saliva in your mouth, so if you’re skipping meals or dieting, you may develop bad breath.
If you’re dieting and eating less frequently, a mint floss can not only help bad breath by removing bacteria, it may help you with your diet by providing a fresh taste in your mouth that makes you less tempted to snack. People who are following extremely low carbohydrate diets also sometimes report bad breath, but these reports are anecdotal. If you’re on a low-carb diet, or any restrictive diet, you may be promoting bad breath. If you must restrict your food intake and eat infrequently, drink plenty of water to help maintain the level of saliva in your mouth to help prevent bad breath in addition to following a good oral care routine.
To read the entire article please visit: OralB.com
Siranli Dental Samantha Siranli, DMD, PhD, FACP2112 F St. NW, Suite 605Washington, DC 20037(202) 466-4530SiranliDental.com
How Tongue Scrapers WorkIf you suffer from halitosis, or chronic bad breath, you’re probably looking for ways to help manage the problem. If so, consider a tongue scraper. They’re relatively inexpensive and available at most pharmacies. Tongue scrapers are often touted as the way to improve bad breath, but there is very little research to show that they are any more effective than simply brushing the tongue with your toothbrush as part of your toothbrushing routine.
Trying a tongue scraper can’t hurt, and they’re easy to use. Simply hold the scraper at the back of your tongue, and bring it forward, scraping gently but firmly along the tongue as you go.
Although tongue scrapers are harmless, you can probably prevent halitosis just as well by following a consistent oral care routine of twice-daily tooth brushing and daily flossing. And keep these points in mind as part of your daily oral hygiene plan:
- Keep your toothbrush fresh. Be sure to replace your toothbrush every 3 to 4 months, even if you don’t have bad breath, but especially if you do.
- Keep an extra brush at work. Keep a spare toothbrush and toothpaste at work so you can brush your teeth after lunch.
- Drink plenty of water. Keeping your mouth moist helps minimize the amount of bacteria in your mouth that can cause bad breath.
The above article is from: OralB.com
Siranli Dental Samantha Siranli, DMD, PhD, FACP2112 F St. NW, Suite 605Washington, DC 20037(202) 466-4530SiranliDental.com
Below is an excerpt from an article found on Colgate.com
What is Bruxism?
If you find yourself waking up with sore jaw muscles or a headache, you may be suffering from bruxism - the grinding and clenching of teeth. Bruxism can cause teeth to become painful or loose, and sometimes parts of the teeth are literally ground away. Eventually, bruxism can destroy the surrounding bone and gum tissue. It can also lead to problems involving the jaw joint, such as temporomandibular joint syndrome (TMJ).
How do I Know if I Have Bruxism?
For many people, bruxism is an unconscious habit. They may not even realize they're doing it until someone comments that they make a horrible grinding sound while sleeping. For others, a routine dental checkup is when they discover their teeth are worn or their tooth enamel is fractured.
Other potential signs of bruxism include aching in the face, head and neck. Your dentist can make an accurate diagnosis and determine if the source of facial pain is a result from bruxism.
How is Bruxism Treated?
The appropriate treatment for you will depend on what is causing the problem. By asking careful questions and thoroughly examining your teeth, your dentist can help you determine the potential source of your bruxism. Based on the amount of tooth damage and its likely cause, your dentist may suggest:
- Wearing an appliance while sleeping - custom-made by your dentist to fit your teeth, the appliance slips over the upper teeth and protects them from grinding against the lower teeth. While an appliance is a good way to manage bruxism, it is not a cure.
- Finding ways to relax - Because everyday stress seems to be a major cause of bruxism, anything that reduces stress can help-listening to music, reading a book, taking a walk or a bath. It may help to seek counseling to learn effective ways for handling stressful situations. Also, applying a warm, wet washcloth to the side of your face can help relax muscles sore from clenching.
- Reducing the "high spots" of one or more teeth to even your bite - An abnormal bite, one in which teeth do not fit well together, may also be corrected with new fillings, crowns or orthodontics.
To read the entire article visit Colgate.com.
Learn more about the importance of saliva.
What are Common Bad Breath Causes?
If you suffer from chronic, severe bad breath, also known as halitosis, it's important to identify the cause so you can determine an effective treatment.
Halitosis has many causes, including the following:
- Tobacco use. If you smoke, quit. Your bad breath may be due to other causes, too, but tobacco use is a guarantee of bad breath. If you are ready to quit, ask your doctor or dentist for advice and support.
- What you eat, or don't eat. Certain foods, such as garlic, contribute to bad breath, but only temporarily. Once they are absorbed into the bloodstream, the smell is expelled through the breath, but the odors remain until the body processes the food, so there’s no quick fix.
- Dry mouth. If your mouth is extremely dry, there is not enough saliva to wash away excess food particles and bacteria, which can cause an unpleasant smell if they build up on the teeth.
- Infections. Bad breath that seems to have no other cause may indicate an infection elsewhere in the body. If you have chronic bad breath and your dentist rules out any oral problems, see your doctor for an evaluation. Bad breath can be a sign of a range of conditions including respiratory tract infections, chronic sinusitis or bronchitis, diabetes, or liver and kidney problems, so it's important not to ignore the problem.
The best way to improve bad breath is to follow a thorough oral care routine including twice-daily tooth brushing and daily flossing to remove the food particles and bacteria that can cause bad breath. Mouthwashes only improve bad breath for the short term, and if you have a chronic problem, your dentist may suggest an antimicrobial rinse to help keep bacteria at bay.
The above article is from: OralB.com
Siranli Dental Samantha Siranli, DMD, PhD, FACP2112 F St. NW, Suite 605Washington, DC 20037(202) 466-4530SiranliDental.com
Wisdom Teeth Extractions
Third molars, commonly known as wisdom teeth, develop later than other adult teeth, usually between 17 and 25. These teeth are located at the very back of the mouth, often causing impaction if they don’t fit in the arch of the upper or lower jaw. Impaction does not allow the tooth to grow straight up; instead, it becomes enclosed in the jaw bone. This can create a range of problems, as they push and crowd other teeth, making them grow in improperly. Cavities easily develop as they are difficult to keep clean. Infection can even occur in the jaw bone.
The best solution is to have them removed as soon as they develop, before these problems and the density of the jaw bone increases, making it more difficult to extract them. Siranli Dental is pleased to say we can perform this procedure in our office, without having to refer most cases to an outside office. This means you can stay here with the team you know and trust.
Siranli Dental
Samantha Siranli, DMD, PhD, FACP
2112 F St. NW, Suite 605
Washington, DC 20037
(202) 466-4530
SiranliDental.com
Concerned About Knocking Out a Tooth During Sports Activities?
Nitrous Oxide Sedation
Over a decade of research has proven bleaching and other whitening methods to be both safe and effective. Several products in the market today have shown no adverse effects on teeth or gums in substantial clinical and laboratory testing. Be sure to look for clinically proven products, follow directions and consult with your dental professional.
If you find yourself waking up with sore jaw muscles or a headache, you may be suffering from bruxism - the grinding and clenching of teeth. Bruxism can cause teeth to become painful or loose, and sometimes parts of the teeth are literally ground away. Eventually, bruxism can destroy the surrounding bone and gum tissue. It can also lead to problems involving the jaw joint, such as temporomandibular joint syndrome (TMJ).
The appropriate treatment for you will depend on what is causing the problem. By asking careful questions and thoroughly examining your teeth, your dentist can help you determine the potential source of your bruxism. Based on the amount of tooth damage and its likely cause, your dentist may suggest:
Third molars, commonly known as wisdom teeth, develop later than other adult teeth, usually between 17 and 25. These teeth are located at the very back of the mouth, often causing impaction if they don’t fit in the arch of the upper or lower jaw. Impaction does not allow the tooth to grow straight up; instead, it becomes enclosed in the jaw bone. This can create a range of problems, as they push and crowd other teeth, making them grow in improperly. Cavities easily develop as they are difficult to keep clean. Infection can even occur in the jaw bone.