Category Archives: Preventative Dentistry

Save Your Smile by Quitting Smoking| Boca Raton Dentist

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480320367Smoking can be catastrophic to your teeth, gums and mouth. The harmful effects of smoking on respiratory and cardiac health are well known, but if you’re a smoker, we want to make sure that you’re aware that smoking can also affect your oral health. Below we describe how smoking could destroy your smile.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that nearly half of American adults that are 30 years old or older have gum disease. The same study reported that more than 64 percent of smokers suffered from periodontal disease, which is an inflammation of the gums that can lead to the loss of the tissues that hold your teeth in place! Suffice it to say gum disease is a common ailment for many people.

Smoking restricts the amount of blood flowing in your gums and surrounding tissues, which increases their chance of being inflamed. When you smoke, your immune system is weakened, leaving your body more vulnerable to infection. Gum disease occurs when the tissue that supports your teeth becomes infected, due to the buildup of plaque, which hardens into tartar. The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research has reported that smoking is one of the most significant factors associated with the development of gum disease.

Smoking doesn’t just stain your teeth, in time it can rob you of them. The appearance of stained teeth is unpleasant enough on its own, because the nicotine and tar found in tobacco turns the teeth from their natural white to yellow and eventually to brown. Long-term smoking can even result in tooth loss. And despite what tobacco company ads may portray, having teeth is far more attractive than having a cigarette in your mouth!

Bad breath is one nasty by-product of smoking that can cause awkward implications for your social life, but the ramifications for your overall oral health can be much worse: Smoking is one of the primary causes of mouth cancer, and it can be fatal. According to the Dental Health Foundation, smoking or chewing tobacco causes between 80 to 90 percent of oral cancers. By the way, alcohol consumption increases the risk of oral cancer, and if one consumes alcohol and tobacco together, the risk is even higher.

We are sympathetic to those who struggle with an addiction to tobacco products, but please don’t sacrifice your beautiful smile to the dangers of smoking. If you quit smoking, attend your regular dental checkups and cleanings, brush twice a day, floss once a day, and eat a well-balanced diet, then you will significantly improve your chances of enjoying great oral health.

If you feel that you need to quit smoking or would like more information, contact Dr. Clive Rosenbusch, DDS at 561-394-7888 to schedule a consultation today or visit www.cliverosenbuschdds.com.

Dr. Clive Rosenbusch proudly serves Boca Raton, Del Ray Beach, Deerfield Beach, Coral Springs, Boynton, Ft. Lauderdale and all surrounding areas.

Learning New Tricks: Denture Care | Boca Raton Dentist

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480320367You never thought it could happen, but your dentist tells you that you need dentures/partial dentures. And you had a basic idea of daily oral care, but dentures can’t possibly be the same as normal teeth, right? So does this mean you will need to retrain yourself a new dental care routine in order to look after them? Not quite, but you will definitely have a thing or two to remember. Here are just a few handy tips to keep in mind as you are going forward.

While dentures are designed to withstand quite a bit, just because they aren’t your originals, it doesn’t mean they don’t need a little upkeep. In fact, consider them exactly like your real teeth when you are looking after them and your mouth. Dental implants are generally meant to last at least 5-7 years, but they are still breakable, so handle them with care. Make sure you are over a soft space when removing or cleaning them, in case you accidentally drop them.

You aren’t going to get rid of your toothbrush, but you can absolutely get rid of your toothpaste. In fact, toothpaste is generally too abrasive for dentures and could scratch them, making you more prone to other things that could develop. So, go ahead and toss out your toothpaste! All you need now is a soft bristled toothbrush to remove and food particles and plaque from your dentures and mouth. They have specific soft-bristled brushes for your day-to-day denture care. In between meals, just give your mouth a quick rinse.

When it is time to give your dentures a good cleaning, simply use some hand soap or mild dishwashing liquid. The ingredients in the soaps are extremely gentle on your delicate teeth and will avoid scratches or the accidental breakage of any metal or plastic pieces that are necessary to remain in your mouth securely. You are also going to be prone to gum diseases, just like you would your original teeth, so make sure you run a toothbrush over the inside of your mouth to clean brush away any bacteria that can cause issues later down the road. There are ultrasonic devices on the market that you can use to give your dentures a good soak, but it is for more of a deep cleaning and should never replace your daily brushings. It’s more like a cool bathtub for your dentures with its sound wave motion. The key is to keep your dentures moist when they are out of your mouth so they don’t warp out of shape, but make sure you avoid using hot water. Ask your dental professional for the proper soaking solution for your specific set of dentures.

If you feel that you need dentures or would like more information on denture maintenance, contact Dr. Clive Rosenbusch, DDS at 561-394-7888 to schedule a consultation today or visit www.cliverosenbuschdds.com for additional information regarding laser gum therapy.

Dr. Clive Rosenbusch proudly serves Boca Raton, Del Ray Beach, Deerfield Beach, Coral Springs, Boynton, Ft. Lauderdale and all surrounding areas.

How Preventative Dental Care Can Help You Save Both Money and Time

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Not taking proper care of your teeth and neglecting your oral health can easily cost you thousands of dollars in restorative dental care. But, by practicing what’s known as preventative dental care, you can easily save yourself from the hassle of having to deal with and spending money for various dental problems.

Preventative dental care emphasizes the proper education, treatment and practice of maintaining good oral health. It involves brushing daily, flossing, rinsing and even regular dental cleanings, all of which are designed to help prevent gum disease, cavities and a wide range of other dental problems.

In-Office Procedures

Preventative treatment can occur in the dental chair, with the most common form being the dental exam itself.

The main purpose of a dental exam is to thoroughly check the teeth for any possible signs of gum disease, dental decay, cavities, so on. Taking X-rays occasionally may also be necessary.

After the examination, the dental practitioner can recommend a thorough cleaning, which is also one of the best ways to keep cavities and gum disease at bay.

Most of the time, one appointment is more than enough. However, if you haven’t been visiting the dentist often for regular maintenance and checkups, more than one appointment may be required. And, if infection and other complications are already present, your dental practitioner may have to refer you to another specialist.

Preventative Dentistry in Children

The best way to prevent gum disease and other oral complications is to start early, which is why preventative dentistry in children is very important.

As early as 1 to 2 years old, children should be taken to the dentist regularly to ensure a lifetime of dental health.

For further preventative measures, sealants that can help prevent decay during the years (between ages of 6 and 12) the permanent molars start to erupt may also be applied.

Orthodontics and the wearing of braces is also a popular choice among parents as this helps prevent misalignment as a child’s jaw slowly matures into adulthood.

All in all, the key here is for parents to teach children proper dental hygiene habits and more importantly, be role models themselves.

Benefits and Goals of Preventative Dentistry

Preventative dentistry comes in many forms, including fluoride use, following a well-balanced diet, visiting the dentist regularly, regular dental cleanings and screenings, X-rays, use of mouth guards, oral health management and so on.

The main goal here is to prevent all sorts of oral complications from gum disease, sensitivity, cavities, oral cancer, as well as many others and keep them at bay. And, when you consider the costs of treatment versus prevention, preferring the latter is a NO-brainer of a decision. Also, now that oral health has been proven to affect our overall health, there’s really no reason NOT to emphasize the importance of preventative dentistry.

All things considered, preventative dentistry can not only save you both time and money, but it can also help you enjoy and look forward to a lifetime’s worth of a healthy smile!