How Can Dental Fluoride Help Protect Teeth From Decay?/b>

Dental fluoride combines with the minerals in your teeth to form a stronger, more acid resistant enamel. When the acids produced by plaque on your teeth start to break down the minerals in your tooth enamel, a process called demineralization begins. Demineralization starts by weakening the enamel and leads to small cavities at first but can progress into large areas of decay and eventual tooth loss. The very early stage of demineralization can be reversed by re-mineralizing the enamel. This can occur by introducing dental fluoride into the enamel.

There are two ways that fluoride works to protect tooth enamel – systemically and topically.

Systemically, fluoride works when teeth are developing in babies and children – replacing some of the crystals in developing enamel with more decay resistant crystals containing fluoride. Systemic fluoride is ingested in fluoridated water, foods or supplements prescribed by a dentist or pediatrician. These systemic sources of fluoride help to assure that a child’s teeth come in strong and decay resistant.

Topical fluoride is contained in fluoride toothpaste and fluoride mouthwash and work from the outside of the tooth when you brush and rinse. Topical fluoride treatments can also be administered at your dental office, less frequently and in higher concentrations. When you use topical fluoride daily at home, in low concentrations, you can re-mineralize weakened enamel and strengthen the structure of your enamel. It’s important to brush thoroughly twice a day and rinse daily with fluoride containing products that have been clinically proven to prevent tooth decay. Fluoride toothpastes and mouthwashes should be used throughout your life. Talk to your child’s dentist about how to help them brush with very small amounts of fluoride toothpaste until they are old enough to spit rather than ingest the toothpaste.

Other Ways That Dental Fluoride Can Help Prevent Cavities

Saliva contains a very low level of fluoride as a result of drinking fluoridated water and using products with fluoride and can therefore help with remineralization as it bathes the teeth – in addition to acting as a natural method for cleansing the teeth.

Besides re-mineralizing teeth systemically and topically, fluoride also helps prevent cavities by affecting the bacteria in plaque, making it less able to produce the acids that cause decay.

We now know that fluoride is effective for adults also.  Fluoride varnish helps re-mineralize the enamel and especially when you have enamel erosion from acid relux, recession, decalcification and defective enamel. Fluoride varnish applied at your examination and cleaning appointment is greatly effective in preventing decay.  

If you have any questions please contact Dr Scott Chanin at Diamond Dental Associates.  908-838-0004. We will help your beautiful smile stay beautiful.

908-838-0004 | Diamonddentalassociates.com

Benefits of an Electric Toothbrush

Brushing in the right way, with the right tools is essential. While it is important to visit the dentist regularly, you also want to make sure that you’re choosing the right tools for the home, as well. An electric toothbrush actually comes with many benefits that you may not have realized before. With their help, many people are seeing healthier, cleaner teeth overall. Find out all of the benefits you can get with an electric toothbrush.

Electric Toothbrush Benefits

Keep these benefits in mind when it comes to choosing the right toothbrush for the job. You want to feel more confident being able to brush with ease, while also removing the plaque and other build up you might have missed with a regular manual toothbrush.

• Keep your teeth, tongue and gums healthier
• It circulates the blood flow with ease
• Clean in those hard to reach places you would normally miss
• Get longer, more thorough teeth brushing with the use of an electric brush
• The toothbrush does all of the work for you
• It makes brushing easier for kids
• It helps to fight gum disease, gingivitis and a wide assortment of other oral problems
• It helps to get rid of bad breath

Purchase an electric toothbrush in almost any store and find one that works well for you. Both adult and children electric toothbrushes can be purchased to ensure that everyone has cleaner, healthier teeth and gums, while also making brushing more fun.

Contact Us Today. Call our office here at Diamond Dental Associates to obtain the best solution for the dental issues you’re having, or just to schedule your next cleaning with one of our awesome dentists!. We can recommend the best electric toothbrush for your dental needs.

908-838-0004 | Diamonddentalassociates.com

Acid reflux?
Your dentist may notice before you do
Dr. Scott Chanin, DMD, FAGD

If you’ve been diagnosed with gastroesophageal acid reflux disease, or GERD, your dental health might be at risk  Most people recognize heartburn: that painful burning sensation radiating from inside the chest. Persistent symptoms, more than twice weekly, may be a sign of gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD. But not everyone with GERD has the symptoms of heartburn. In fact, you may have GERD and not even know it

GERD causes stomach acids to back up into the esophagus and sometimes into the mouth. Individuals who have the disease are at risk for serious damage to the esophagus, including developing esophageal cancer. But they may not realize they are also at greater risk for tooth erosion and periodontal problems.

Patients who have been diagnosed with GERD should follow their physician’s instructions to control their reflux. Treatment strategies can include taking prescription medications; eating smaller meals and avoiding trigger foods like tomato, citrus foods, raw onions, spicy foods, chocolate, alcohol and coffee; and other coping techniques.

Dentists are often the first health care professionals who notice a potential acid reflux problem in a patient. Your dentist may notice tooth erosion or other oral signs. Other symptoms of GERD can include sinus infections, heartburn, difficult swallowing, cough, hoarseness and bad breath.

What can you do?
Loss of enamel is permanent and can increase your risk of tooth decay. Enamel is a protective layer on the outside of your teeth. GERD can cause other long-term damage, such as irritation and inflammation of your esophagus, which makes you more susceptible to esophageal cancer.

That’s why getting a regular oral exam from a dentist is so important — your dentist may find early symptoms of a potentially serious problem before it progresses. In fact, more than 90% of systemic diseases have oral manifestations that may be detected during an oral exam by a dentist.

Prevent GERD
You can lower your risk of acid reflux by eating smaller meals, staying upright after eating and cutting out smoking and alcohol. Changing your diet can also help. Trigger foods and drinks include tomatoes, citric fruits, chocolate, coffee, garlic, onions and meals that are spicy, acidic or high in fat. Losing weight, especially in the abdominal area, can also go a long way in 

reducing GERD.

If you think you might have GERD or acid reflux call Dr. Chanin at Diamond Dental Associates, and we can help you prevent the destruction to your teeth that GERD causes.  We can help you control the effects of acid reflux and protect your dental health.so you can keep your beautiful smile.

908-838-0004 | Diamonddentalassociates.com

Sports and Energy Drinks Destroy Teeth!

Sports and Energy Drinks Destroy Teeth!
Sport, energy and soft drinks are leading to unprecedented levels of decay and loss of tooth enamel (dental erosion) in a new generation of youth and young adults.

The over-consumption of sugary, acidic drinks, such as boxed juices, sports drinks, energy drinks and soft drinks, is reversing more than 50 years of public health gains realized though preventative measures such as fluoridated water and dental sealants.

ACID
Soft Drinks, sports drinks, energy drinks and boxed juices have a double dose of acid and sugar that may destroy teeth. Acid softens enamel and chemically dissolves the outer layer. This is dental erosion. Softer enamel is more susceptible to decay.

SUGAR
Sugar feeds the bacteria which cause tooth decay. Drinks are liquid candy, which easily pools between and around the teeth. This promotes bacterial growth and decay.

QUANTITY
Super sizing a drink increases the contact time and causes more damage. Sipping small amounts over time leads to cumulative destruction. The longer it takes to drink a sugar laden, acidic drink … the greater the damage.

TIMING
Sports and energy drinks have more acid than soft drinks. When one is dehydrated with no saliva, the acid in the sport and energy drinks dissolves enamel more quickly. Sipping a sugary, acidic drink all day while driving, studying or working dissolves enamel and promotes cavities.

PREVENTION

• Drink in moderation.
• Use a straw.
• Drink at one sitting or with food.
• Drink water to rehydrate.
• Use fluoride and re-mineralizing products.
• Drink milk. Its neutral pH of 6.7 and 1 tsp of lactose (sugar) per 12 ounces are healthy for teeth.
• Professional fluoride treatments done twice yearly for adults and children suggested.

Acid & Sugar Content of Common Drinks
The pH scale measures the acidity or alkalinity of a solution with pure water in the middle of neutral pH7. As the chart below indicates, the lower the pH, the stronger the acid.

For more information about sports drinks or drinking beverages that have an acid pH, please call:

Diamond Dental Associates at 908-838-0004

908-838-0004 | Diamonddentalassociates.com

What Chlorine Does to Your Teeth

Some people have white spots on their teeth.  The spots can be the result of decalcification of the enamel after orthodontic treatment due to poor home care.  Plaque around orthodontic brackets can cause the enamel on the teeth to turn white or decalcify, which is the start of the decay process.  White spots can also be present from the time the teeth erupt into the mouth, being a developmental defect. It is also common to see white opaque areas around the gum line,  that are a result of plaque accumulation and acid formation that causes the teeth to decalcify, which is the first step in the decay process.

By using the icon process, white spot lesions can be removed by a process called ICON, resin infiltration.  The white spot lesions disappear without drilling or any physical alteration of the tooth structure. In this   special proces , a clear resin is absorbed by the affected tooth surface and the tooth regains its natural color.  This is a permanent process and the white spot lesions do not come back.

Icon requires no local anesthesia or tooth preparation.  It is totally non-invasive and entirely pain free. The entire process takes only one visit and is usually complete in about an hour.   If you see white spots on your teeth, or your children’s teeth after orthodontic treatment, call Diamond Dental Associates, and Dr. Chanin will be happy to discuss this treatment with you and if it is appropriate to treat these lesions.  

Icon, a pain free treatment to remove unwanted white spots on your teeth and give you the beautiful smile that you deserve.

908-838-0004 | Diamonddentalassociates.com

Things You Should Know About Getting a Whiter, Brighter Smile, Still Time to Get a Brighter Smile for the Holidays!ur Teeth

Brushing and flossing are everyday ways to keep your teeth bright, white and healthy. Still, if you might feel like your smile is lacking some sparkle or is more yellow than it used to be, you’re not alone. When the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry asked people what they would most like to improve about their smile, the most common response was whiter teeth.

Thinking about teeth whitening? Get the facts first. Here are five of the most commonly asked questions about the process. 

Why Did My Teeth Change Color?

Over time, your teeth can go from white to not-so-bright for a number of reasons:

Food and Drink
Coffee, tea and red wine are some major staining culprits. What do they have in common? Intense color pigments called chromogens that attach to the white, outer part of your tooth (enamel).

Tobacco Use
Two chemicals found in tobacco create stubborn stains: Tar and nicotine. Tar is naturally dark. Nicotine is colorless until it’s mixed with oxygen. Then, it turns into a yellowish, surface-staining substance.

Age
Below the hard, white outer shell of your teeth (enamel) is a softer area called dentin. Over time, the outer enamel layer gets thinner with brushing and more of the yellowish dentin shows through.

Trauma
If you’ve been hit in the mouth, your tooth may change color because it reacts to an injury by laying down more dentin, which is a darker layer under the enamel.

Medications
Tooth darkening can be a side effect of certain antihistamines, antipsychotics and high blood pressure medications. Young children who are exposed to antibiotics like tetracycline and doxycycline when their teeth are forming (either in the womb or as a baby) may have discoloration of their adult teeth later in life. Chemotherapy and head and neck radiation can also darken teeth.

How Does Teeth Whitening Work?

Teeth whitening is a simple process. Whitening products contain one of two tooth bleaches (hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide). These bleaches break stains into smaller pieces which makes the color less concentrated and your teeth brighter.

Does Whitening Work on All Teeth?

No, which is why it’s important to talk to your dentist before deciding to whiten your teeth, as whiteners may not correct all types of discoloration. For example, yellow teeth will probably bleach well, brown teeth may not respond as well and teeth with gray tones may not bleach at all. Whitening will not work on caps, veneers, crowns or fillings. It also won’t be as effective if your tooth discoloration is caused by medications or a tooth injury.

What Are My Whitening Options?

Talk to your dentist before starting. If you are a candidate, there are several ways to put the shine back in your smile:

In-Office Bleaching 
This procedure is called chairside bleaching and usually requires only one office visit. The dentist will apply either a protective gel to your gums or a rubber shield to protect your gums. Bleach is then applied to the teeth.  We suggest that you follow up in-office bleaching with home whitening trays.

At-Home Bleaching 
Peroxide-containing whiteners actually bleach the tooth enamel. They typically come in a gel and are placed in a tray that fits on your teeth.  If you are thinking about using an over-the-counter bleaching kit, discuss options with your dentist and look for one with the ADA Seal of Acceptance. That means it has been tested to be safe and effective for teeth whitening. The American Dental Association has a list of all ADA-Accepted at-home bleaching products.

Are There Any Side Effects from Teeth Whitening?

Some people who use teeth whiteners may experience tooth sensitivity. That happens when the peroxide in the whitener gets through the enamel to the soft layer of dentin and irritates the nerve of your tooth. In most cases the sensitivity is temporary. You can delay treatment for a few days and then start again.  Fluoride gel can also be used for sensitivity during whitening. Overuse of whiteners can also damage the tooth enamel or gums, so be sure to follow directions and talk to your dentist.

Whitening is a cosmetic procedure and requires maintenance.  Your teeth will continue to discolor from coffee, tea, red wine etc.  so touch up is part of the whitening process. At Diamond Dental Associates we have a Whitening for life program.   Dr. Chanin at Diamond Dental Associates will be happy to discuss whitening and the options that are available to you.  Call our office at 908-838-0004 to make an appointment to discuss whitening, today.

908-838-0004 | Diamonddentalassociates.com

Non-Surgical Periodontal Treatment

  There is now an alternative to surgical periodontal treatment.  In many cases, soft tissue management can be combined with some medicine placed below the gum line to kill the bacteria that cause periodontal disease and soft tissue pocketing. This medicine is supplied in the form of a medicament embedded in a small chip that is inserted under the gum line.  It is called Perio Chip (Chlorhexidine Gluconate).  Gum disease has several causes. While daily oral hygiene routines, including brushing, flossing, and rinsing, are critical elements in preventing or controlling gum disease, genetic disposition also plays an important role.

Some reasons for gum disease are:

• Lack of adequate oral hygiene, resulting in local bacterial infection.
• Deficient crowns/fillings.
• Poor nutrition/diet.
• Smoking.
• Extreme tension/stress.
• Genetic disposition.
• Uncontrollable, systemic diseases (cancer, osteoporosis, autoimmune diseases, etc.)
• Drugs influencing the health of the gums (medicine for hypertension, epilepsy, etc.)

The primary cause of gum disease is an adhesive, colorless layer, called plaque, which accumulates on the surface of the teeth. If plaque is not removed, it hardens and turns into tartar (calculus). Bacteria in the plaque cause infection and destruction of the gum tissues supporting the teeth. When this occurs, the gum separates from the teeth, creating a pocket.

There are various types, or classes, of gum disease. Chronic gum disease is the most common class, affecting mostly adults. You can and should check yourself for the warning signs of gum disease. You may, however, have gum disease that has spread to the bone without any symptoms whatsoever. Most people do not experience any pain as a result of gum disease and, as a result, it often goes undetected. It is important to have regular dental checkups, including a periodontal examination.

The warning signs of Periodontal disease are:

• Swollen gums.
• Bright red or purplish gums.
• Gums that feel tender when touched.
• Gums that recede from your teeth, making your teeth appear longer.
• New spaces between your teeth.
• Pus between your teeth and gums.
• Bad breath.
• Bad taste in your mouth.
• Loose teeth.
• A change in the way that your teeth fit together when you bite.

Although there are surgical treatments for gum disease, there are also non-surgical therapies, such as scaling and root planning,   also called soft tissue management. . This usually involves anesthetizing the gum tissues with an anesthetic. The dentist or hygienist then scrapes the diseased tooth root until it is clean and no longer contains bacterial waste and smooths the root surface.

Scaling and root planning combined with the use of an antiseptic such as Perio Chip, has proven to be an effective treatment for reducing pocket depth.  Once gum disease has been diagnosed, immediate action is required in order to avoid its progression. If left untreated, the gum may deteriorate.

A growing number of dentists and hygienists have discovered that they can be more effective in treating and removing one of the underlying causes of gum disease (i.e., bacteria in the pocket) by adding a locally applied antiseptic substance, such as PerioChip® (Chlorhexidine Gluconate) following soft tissue management. Studies have shown that patients who received PerioChip® after scaling and root planning experienced a statistically significant reduction in the depth of their periodontal pockets versus patients who were treated with scaling and root planning alone when measured at nine months after initial treatment with PerioChip.  PerioChip remains in place for about 10 days and there is no need to remove it since it is biodegradable and dissolves by itself. There is a follow up visit to see the results and determine if any additional treatment is necessary.

We recommend Perio Chip as part of a periodontal maintenance program as a proactive way to treatment pockets with scaling and root planning. Call Dr. Chanin at Diamond Dental Associates,  908-838-0004, for further information about PerioChip and to determine if you are a candidate to treat your particular condition with this non-surgical technique.

908-838-0004 | Diamonddentalassociates.com