Alberta Abrams

Scottsdale Dentist: Dry Mouth Side Effects to Common Medications

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Over-the-counter and prescribed drugs may be causing your dry mouth symptoms.

A few types of medications that cause dry mouth (xerostomia) are:

  1. Antidepressants
  2. Decongestants
  3. Antihistamines
  4. Muscle relaxants
  5. Appetite suppressants
  6. Diuretics

An easy way to learn more about the medication you take is to do a simple Google search on the published side effects. If your medication includes a side effect of Xerostomia or dry mouth symptoms, your medication may be the cause. Treatments for Xerostomia circle around one goal: to stimulate your salivary glands to produce saliva. Without saliva, your mouth may not naturally clean itself throughout the day, leaving you at disk for future dental problems.

Reach out to your Scottsdale dentist today if you are concerned about your dry mouth symptoms. We are happy to help you navigate through your symptoms to better oral health!

Alberta Abrams

Scottsdale Dentist: 5 Reasons to Laugh!

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Laughing is one of the best medicines – it’s true! Behind funny moments, there are positive health effects! 

Here are a few:

  1. The act of laughing increases your blood flow – making your body work better! Increased blood flow increases healing rates, and provides oxygen to your brain and organs. You’ll feel great.
  2. Like above, laughing may help with infections by raising the amount of immune cells working to help your body stay healthy.
  3. Laughing is sweet! Laughing can aid in regulating blood sugar levels in your body – an important function.
  4. Your life gets better with laughing! Research correlates more frequent laughing to better sleep and relaxation.
  5. Along with #4, laughter can boost your brain chemistry, reducing feelings of depression and anxiety.

Laughing is a gift and it shows off your excellent smile in a candid way! Learn more about the benefits of laughing at: https://www.helpguide.org/articles/mental-health/laughter-is-the-best-medicine.htm , a great article that explains the biology!

Alberta Abrams

Scottsdale Dentist: Coffee, Please!

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As you’ve probably seen scrolling through your news feeds, coffee has pros and cons in the articles you stumble upon. However, coffee is not something we are willing to give up! Depending on your sources, you may stumble upon facts that say that moderate coffee drinking, around 3-5 cups a day, is beneficial to dental patients! (Academy of General Dentistry)

Combined studies on coffee have also shown that

  • Two cups of coffee can cut post-workout muscle pain by up to 48%. (Journal of Pain, 2007)
  • There is considerable evidence to support that coffee may inhibit the onset of Alzheimer’s Disease
  • Participants in a study who consumed 3 to 5 cups of coffee a day were less likely to show the beginning signs of heart disease. (BMJ, 2015).
  • Moderate consumption of coffee can reduce the odds of developing colorectal cancer by 26%. (AAAS, 2016).

As for your teeth – coffee has some effects that may be a nuisance to you, such as staining over time. With regular dental cleanings and, if desired, whitening treatments, your stains can be gently removed and a white smile maintained. If you take sugar in your coffee, beware of its lingering affects to your oral health. Sipping on sugary coffee throughout the day should be accompanied by extra brushing or swishing with mouthwash. Why? The sugars in coffee stick to your teeth and convert into acid, eating away at your enamel, potentially causing tooth decay over time!

Coffee may be essential for your lifestyle, as it is ours, which has its benefits! Just make sure you are thinking about your smile when drinking it!

 

Alberta Abrams

Scottsdale Dentist: Do My Genetics Cause “Bad Teeth?”

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You may have heard before, “my bad teeth run in the family!” Often, you may think that if your family members have frequent teeth problems, that you might too. Fortunately, this does not have to become your story for another generation of bad dental health. Though genetics are involved on the development of your teeth, it is more likely that your teeth problems are inherited by poor oral habits. Poor oral hygiene and some drinking/snacking habits may lead to the demise of your teeth before your family does.

The best ways to prevent the repeating tradition of “bad teeth” are to:

  • Brush your teeth 2x a day
  • Floss all of your teeth 1x a day
  • Use an antiseptic mouthwash 1x a day

Not sure what habits may be causing poor oral health? Read our Scottsdale Dentist blogs right here at our Serenity Smiles webpage, or give us a call to schedule an exam and consult. We are happy to help you rise above your ancestors, with a radiant, healthy smile.

Alberta Abrams

Scottsdale Dentist – Eating With Dentures

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Dentures are an excellent way to restore a full smile, but there are challenges if not retained by dental implants. When getting adjusted to having full dentures, it may feel impossible to eat the foods you enjoy. There are a few ways to help make eating with dentures easier, but the number one step is to be patient in yourself adjusting to your dentures.

  1. Learn to use your new teeth. Though dentures are perfectly fabricated to give you function, your new smile is just this – a whole new smile. Your muscle memory has to reset and learn to work with your dentures and this takes time. If you are experiencing impatience with your dentures, try to keep using them – it will get better over time. If you feel any discomfort and develop symptoms of pain or sore spots, you may need a denture adjustment by your Scottsdale dentist.
  2. Consider securing your dentures with dental implants. If you are not satisfied with your dentures, you can secure them in place with dental implants. Along with having a permanent “lock and key” fit for your dentures, your dentures will lose their palate, making foods more enjoyable and easier to eat.
  3. Denture adhesive – Sometimes, a small amount of denture adhesive helps patient’s secure their dentures for better function. These are available at your local drugstores. If you would like help choosing the right adhesive, we are happy to help you.

Dentures help patients chew, talk, and function as if they have their natural teeth – but sometimes, you might need a little help along your journey to being fully satisfied with your dentures.

We, at Serenity Smiles, are happy to help you feel satisfied with your dentures – no matter what preferences or budget. Call us today to talk more about improving your dentures.

Alberta Abrams

Scottdale Dentist: Halitosis AKA Bad Breath

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Halitosis is the medical term for “bad breath.” About 1/4 of the population encounters bad breath daily. The #1 cause of bad breath is what we consume – yes – our food! Experiencing halitosis is embarrassing, worrisome, and can even encourage anxiety.

Here are the facts:

  1. Halitosis is due to poor oral hygiene
  2. Food left in the mouth produced bacteria and increases the presence of sulfur in the mouth – The presence of certain bacteria and
  3. Keeping the mouth hydrated can reduce the effects of halitosis.
  4. Brushing, flossing, and hydration are the best solutions to halitosis.

If you feel that your breath is consistently a bother to you, please consider a dental visit – where we can help you restore fresher breath, longer.

Treatment options may include:

  • a professional dental cleaning, removing bacteria that may cause bad breath
  • recommendations of new dental products to use at home, such as toothpastes and mouthwashes that contain anti-bacterial agents
  • dental treatments to restore your smile’s overall health

We look forward to helping you achieve the greatest smile possible with exceptional, thorough care at Serenity Smiles.

Alberta Abrams

Scottsdale Dentist: Understanding the Importance of Pain-Free Dentistry

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When going to the dentist, no one wants to experience pain or discomfort. Your dentists want you to know that anesthesia is beneficial to both you and them during your dental procedures. Why? With anesthesia administration, its reassuring to both yourself and the dentist that your dental work can be concentrated on in a very comfortable manner. In fact, local anesthesia has literally revolutionized pain control; it is one of the most effective tools in dentistry and medicine.

The word “anesthesia”  literally means without feeling or pain. “Local” is in reference to the site at which the anesthesia is used, in other words, where the numbing is needed. In topical or injectable application, local anesthesia significantly decreases the likelihood of feeling pain to virtually zero.

During simple teeth cleanings or other minimally invasive dental procedures, topical anesthetics numb the surface of the gums or oral lining surfaces of the mouth to provide a surface-level comfort. Topical anesthetics can be applied in a variety of ways: with a Q-tip, cotton swab, adhesive patch or a spray. The most important reason we use topical anesthetic is when we use them before administer injections (shots) so you don’t even feel the discomfort of a needle.

Injectable local anesthesia delivers medication though a needle that will briefly block pain sensation from the teeth, gums and bone. They accomplish this, the medication temporarily blocks the conduction of electrical impulses along the nerves that supply the gums and teeth with feeling. This allows for your procedure to be pain-free. Local anesthesia is especially important for treatments such as filling deep cavities, tooth cleanings or extractions, or for gum surgery.

Depending on the type of treatment or procedure we are performing, we will select the most suitable anesthetic and communicate this with you. However, if you normally feel anxious about your dental visits, please let us know and we will accommodate you so that your experience is comfortable, relaxing, and positive.

Call us today if you would like to discuss topics from this blog or would like to receive treatment.

Alberta Abrams

Scottsdale Dentist: How To Keep Your Teeth For A Lifetime

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How To Keep Your Teeth For A Lifetime – Only 2 Steps!

The first thing you notice about someone is their smile. We all expect that a smile lasts forever – but in order to keep a great smile for a lifetime – you should follow these 2 steps.

1) Commit to your Oral Hygiene.

 

Some habits are really easy to break – like flossing. To make sure you’re doing the most for your smile, it’s important to commit to a 3 step oral hygiene routine: Atleast 2x a day: floss, brush, rinse.

2) Visit your dentist every 6 months.

 

Even if you have a stellar oral care routine, it’s essential that you make the visit to your dentist for checkups and professional cleanings. During your checkups, your dentist may see symptoms that a great daily care routine can actually miss – like signs of gum problems, clenching and grinding, or even signs of cancer. Periodic xrays identify potential problems below the gums over time, such as wisdom teeth problems, bone loss, infection, decay, and more. All of the visibly undetectable problems may cost you your smile if left undiscovered or untreated by your dentist. Getting a professional cleaning ensures that all areas of your teeth are free of bacteria or hardened bacterial buildup, called plaque, in areas that are difficult to reach everyday. Professional cleanings help eliminate the risk of dental problems.

What we covered are two very easy ways to maximize your smile’s health and keep it for a lifetime. If you want more tips, check out the rest of our blog and watch us on our social media profiles @serenityscottsdale.

Alberta Abrams

Scottsdale Dentist: The Best On-The-Go Breath Saver

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When you’re on the go, you have to be conscious of your daily intake – water, good foods, and some treats in between to keep you going. For decades, many people have kept chewing gum on their top list of daily activities in between everything. Chewing gum does have oral health benefits, and of course, freshens your breath. The most important ingredient to watch out for in chewing gum is sugar. If you read our blog, “5 Harmful Teeth Habits,” you’ll know that consuming drinks or foods with sugar can have damaging effects, especially when enjoyed for long periods of time. Luckily, there are several great gum brands that are sugar free.

Chewing sugar free gum

  • neutralizes acids in your mouth (acids can erode your teeth and cause decay)
  • offers healthy minerals and freshness to your teeth
  • contains xylitol (usually) which combats the sticky bacteria that may adhere to your teeth
  • increases saliva production, which naturally cleanses the mouth

Adding sugar-free chewing gum to your active and busy lifestyle will reward you with fresher breath and better oral hygiene throughout your day – amounting to better overall oral health.

Alberta Abrams

Scottsdale Dentist: Oral Care for Your Dog

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It’s strange to think, but any animal that has teeth could use some oral care tips. Since you probably do not have an alligator at your house – here are a few ways you can help your dog maintain good oral health!

Dogs can gather unhealthy, bad bacteria in their mouths just like we can – so it’s important to keep an eye on your dogs mouth for any warning signs. If a case of poor oral health occurs in your furry friend, the bad bacteria could continue past their mouths into their bloodstream, affecting their heart, liver, or more. According to veterinarians, 85% of dogs over the age of 4 have periodontal disease – a pathological inflammatory condition of the gum and bone support (periodontal tissues) surrounding the teeth – that may lead to pain, infection, and tooth loss.

Luckily, you don’t need to bring your dog to the dentist you go to, but rather the veterinarian for their regular check up. During this routine exam, you should make sure your dog’s teeth are checked and cleaned, just like when you go to the dentist.

Also, experts amongst the dental and veterinary field agree that brushing your dogs teeth is beneficial to their oral health. About 4 times a week is the ideal amount, but this might be a challenge. The more you brush your dogs teeth, however, the more they will enjoy it and the easier it will be for them to receive their dental cleanings at the vet. There are animal safe toothpastes available at most stores that carry pet products. Also, there are a variety of treats and chews available that help clean your pet’s mouth as they enjoy it.

You can read more about what you can do for your dog’s oral health at https://www.hillspet.com/dog-care/healthcare/dog-oral-care-and-brushing-teeth.