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Posts for: February, 2019

Local Anesthesia Takes the Pain Out of Most Dental Work

By Andrew J. Spiridigloizzi, D.D.S.
February 25, 2019
Category: Dental Procedures
Tags: local anesthesia  
LocalAnesthesiaTakesthePainOutofMostDentalWork

Long ago dental work could be painful and stressful—often for both patient and practitioner. Thankfully, that time is long past: today, most procedures are painless in large part due to local anesthesia.

Local anesthetics are numbing substances applied to specific areas of the body like the teeth and gums to temporarily block pain during a procedure. And because they only affect a localized area of the body, you remain conscious and alert throughout the procedure.

To achieve the level of numbing necessary for dental work, we often need to deaden the gums using a needle to deliver the anesthetic. But then this poses a secondary pain concern—the needle stick itself.

Again, topical anesthesia comes to the rescue in the form of a swab, patch or spray applying an anesthetic directly to the top layer of the gums at the injection site. This numbs the area and prevents you from feeling the needle stick. It's highly probable, therefore, that from start to finish you won't feel any discomfort during your dental work except perhaps for a little pressure.

Local anesthesia truly is a game changer for dental care—and not just for the patient. A dentist who's concerned about their patient's comfort level may work hurriedly to complete a procedure. But if their patient is relaxed, the dentist can work calmly and methodically. The result is better, more focused care.

For all its improvements in the patient experience, though, there has been one consistent complaint—the numbness that often lingers for a while after the procedure is over. But there have been advances in recent years that have helped reduce this irritation: new anesthetic agents (even some that can reverse the anesthetic effect) and fine-tuned dosages can help keep residual numbing to a minimum.

Not all procedures like routine teeth cleanings or enamel shaping require anesthesia. But when it's appropriate, local anesthesia can make your next dental visit much more pleasant.

If you would like more information on how anesthesia benefits your dental care, please contact us or schedule an appointment for a consultation. You can also learn more about this topic by reading the Dear Doctor magazine article “Local Anesthesia for Pain-Free Dentistry.”


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You May Need Your Dentist's Help Easing the Pain of Severe Canker Sores

By Andrew J. Spiridigloizzi, D.D.S.
February 15, 2019
Category: Oral Health
Tags: canker sores  
YouMayNeedYourDentistsHelpEasingthePainofSevereCankerSores

Canker sores, known medically as aphthous ulcers, are fairly common among people. Lasting for about a week or so, these mouth sores are usually more irritating than painful. But about a quarter of the population, especially women, frequently suffer from an acute form that doesn't often respond well to over-the-counter remedies.

A typical canker sore is usually round with a yellow-gray center ringed by a reddened "halo." They can be preceded by tingling or painful sensations at the site a few hours or so before breaking out. Recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) is the more severe form of canker sore, often with outbreaks of multiple painful sores. While the more common sore is usually less than a centimeter in diameter, RAS sores are often much larger.

Canker sores often arise during periods of stress or anxiety, and seem to be connected with eating certain acidic foods like tomato sauce, citrus fruits or spicy dishes. RAS also seems to be related to underlying systemic conditions like vitamin deficiencies, anemia or digestive disorders. Besides managing diet and stress, people with regular canker sores and milder cases of RAS can often find relief with non-prescription numbing agents often found in stores and pharmacies.

For more severe RAS, though, you may need the help of your dentist or physician with treatments like prescription steroids or other medications that come in gel or rinse form or through injections. The goal of any treatment approach is to decrease pain severity and shorten healing times after an outbreak.

While most mouth sores, including RAS, aren't dangerous to your health, you should still take any sore seriously. You should especially seek medical evaluation if a sore doesn't heal after a couple of weeks, if they seem to come more frequently and are more severe, or if you don't seem to ever be without a sore in your mouth. These could indicate a serious underlying problem that needs to be addressed.

One thing's for sure: there are ways to ease your suffering if you have frequent bouts with regular canker sores or even RAS. Talk to your dentist about ways to minimize your discomfort from these irritating mouth sores.

If you would like more information on aphthous ulcers or canker sores, please contact us or schedule an appointment for a consultation. You can also learn more about this topic by reading the Dear Doctor magazine article “Mouth Sores.”


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How to Keep Tooth Wearing to a Minimum as you Age

By Andrew J. Spiridigloizzi, D.D.S.
February 05, 2019
Category: Oral Health
Tags: tooth wear  
HowtoKeepToothWearingtoaMinimumasyouAge

One of the unfortunate aspects of aging is tooth wear. Depending on your diet, years of biting and chewing can cause enamel along the biting surfaces to erode. Your body also can't replace enamel — so when it comes to teeth it's not a question of if, but how much your teeth will wear during your lifetime.

To make matters worse, certain conditions cause tooth wear to accelerate. Teeth softened by acids or tooth decay, for example, erode faster than healthier teeth. So will grinding habits: often fueled by stress, these include chewing on hard items like nails, pencils or bobby pins.

You may also grind your teeth, usually while you sleep. Normal biting and chewing produces pressure of about 13 to 23 pounds per square inch: grinding your teeth at night can well exceed this, even up into the hundreds of pounds.

There are some things we can do to alleviate these issues. For clenching and grinding habits, one primary step is to address stress through counseling or biofeedback therapy. For nighttime teeth grinding we can create a bite guard to wear while you sleep that will prevent your teeth from generating abnormal forces.

Finally, it's important that you take care of your teeth through daily oral hygiene, regular office cleanings and checkups, and a nutritious diet for maintaining strong bones and teeth. Keeping your teeth free from diseases that could compromise your enamel as well as other aspects of your mouth will help them stay as strong as possible.

If you would like more information on slowing the rate of tooth wear as you age, please contact us or schedule an appointment for a consultation. You can also learn more about this topic by reading the Dear Doctor magazine article “How and Why Teeth Wear.”


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Archive:

  • 2019
      • December (1)
        • 4 Ways to Enjoy Holiday Snacking and Still Keep Your Teeth Healthy
      • November (3)
        • What You Should Do to Protect an Older Loved One's Dental Health
        • Getting a 'New Tooth in One Day' Will Depend on Your Bone Health
        • Healthy Smiles for Alfonso Ribeiro and Family
      • October (3)
        • Implant Failure Is Rare, but Possible. Here Are a Few Ways to Avoid It
        • Make Sure Your Dentist Knows You're Taking Daily Aspirin
        • Your Dentist Might Hold the Key to Solving Your Sleep Apnea Problem
      • September (3)
        • Jamie Foxx Chips a Tooth - This Time by Accident!
        • Dental Office Infection Control Protects You From Viral Infection
        • Treating Dry Mouth is Important for Maintaining Good Oral Health
      • August (3)
        • Get the Real Facts About Local Anesthesia
        • Dental Injury Is Just a Temporary Setback for Basketball Star Kevin Love
        • Implant-Supported Dentures Could Improve Your Bone Health
      • July (3)
        • The Implant Process can be Shortened, Depending on the Tooth Type
        • Tips on Encouraging Healthy Snacking While Your Child's at School
        • Steely Dan Founder's Death Highlights Importance of Early Cancer Detection
      • June (3)
        • E-Cigs Could be Just as Hazardous for Your Teeth and Gums as Cigarettes
        • Practice Caution with Energy or Sports Drinks to Protect Your Enamel
        • 3 Things You can do to Slow Tooth Wear
      • May (3)
        • Fifth Harmony's Camila Cabello Chips a Tooth, but Concert Still "Worth It"
        • What You Should do About This Bizarre Drug Side Effect
        • Why You Should Floss Around the Implants Supporting Your Bridge
      • April (3)
        • A Healthy Diet Could Lower Your Risk of Oral Cancer
        • Viggo Mortensen's Red-Carpet Smile
        • Regular Flossing not Your Thing? Try an Oral Irrigator
      • March (3)
        • Is Traditional Flossing too Difficult? Consider Water Flossing
        • 4 Tips for Instilling Good Family Hygiene Habits
        • Bobby Bones Dances His Way to Dental Damage
      • February (3)
        • Local Anesthesia Takes the Pain Out of Most Dental Work
        • You May Need Your Dentist's Help Easing the Pain of Severe Canker Sores
        • How to Keep Tooth Wearing to a Minimum as you Age
      • January (3)
        • NBC Star Delivers a Message about the "Perfect" Smile
        • Dental Implants Better than Ever thanks to Ongoing Tech Advances
        • Moderate Fluoride Use Packs the Biggest Punch for Decay Prevention
  • 2018
      • December (3)
        • Practice the Dental Care Basics to Ensure a Healthy Smile
        • Janet Jackson: Even pop stars get insecure about their smiles!
        • Don't give up on Flossing!
      • November (3)
        • Diabetes and Oral Health: True or False?
        • Avoid Implant Failure by Watching Out for These Mouth Problems
        • How Big Bang Theory Actress Mayim Bialik Gets Her Kids to Floss
      • October (3)
        • How to Get the Most from Your Daily Brushing and Flossing
        • What You Should Know About Antibiotic Therapy Before Implant Surgery
        • Eat the Right Kind of Carbs to Protect Yourself from Gum Disease
      • September (3)
        • Singer Dua Lipa Sees the Wisdom in Postponing Tour Dates
        • Proper Brushing and Flossing Removes Disease-Causing Plaque
        • 5 Questions to Ask Yourself About Your Risk for Tooth Decay
      • August (3)
        • Dental Offices Uphold the Highest Standards for Infection Control
        • Fan of Superhero Film Black Panther Breaks Steel Wire...with Her Mouth!
        • 4 Tips to Help you Quit the Smoking Habit
      • July (3)
        • Teenagers May Need a Temporary Tooth Replacement
        • Your Dental Care Efforts are Just as Important as Your Dentist's
        • Actress Emma Stone Reveals How Thumb Sucking Affected Her Teeth
      • June (3)
        • Having Trouble Flossing? Try Using an Oral Irrigator
        • Use These Techniques to Enjoy Healthy Foods Even with a Jaw Joint Disorder
        • June Is National Safety Month: Be Prepared for Dental Emergencies
      • May (4)
        • Kathy Bates Plays It Smart With Professional Teeth Whitening
        • How to Clean Your Oral Appliance
        • Be on the Lookout for These Common Bite Problems in Children
        • Gum Disease Could Affect More than Your Teeth and Gums
      • April (2)
        • Julianne Hough Shares a Video - and a Song - After Wisdom Teeth Come Out
        • Dental Implants: a Durable, Life-Like Solution for your Tooth Loss
      • March (3)
        • 3 Ways to Reduce the Bacteria in Your Mouth that Cause Tooth Decay
        • Customized Temporary Crowns let you 'Rehearse' Your Future Smile
        • Charlize Theron Back in Action After Dental Surgery
      • February (2)
        • 4 Reasons Why a Home Whitening Kit Might not be Right for You
        • The Health of Your Mouth Could Affect the Rest of Your Body
      • January (2)
        • Hidden Sugar Can Jeopardize Your Health
        • Chrissy Teigen's Teeth-Grinding Troubles
  • 2017
      • December (2)
        • Crowns Could be the 'Smile' Solution for Some Unattractive Teeth
        • Tooth Decay can be Less of a Problem with Minimally Invasive Dentistry
      • November (2)
        • Not Your Granddad's Dental Care: the New Approach to Tooth Decay Treatment
        • (Don't) Break It Like Beckham
      • October (2)
        • Help Your Kids Have a Healthier Halloween
        • Timing is Everything When Replacing a Teenager's Missing Tooth
      • September (2)
        • A Mouthguard for NBA Star Isaiah Thomas
        • Expert Advice: Vivica A. Fox on Kissing and Oral health
      • August (3)
        • Dental Implants and Smoking - Cause for Concern?
        • Jason Derulo's Ideal Match
        • How to Handle 3 Common Injuries to Your Child's Mouth
      • July (2)
        • In Today's NFL, Oral Hygiene Takes Center Stage
        • There's New Hope for a Better Understanding of Chronic Jaw Pain
      • June (2)
        • Johnny's Teeth Aren't Rotten Any More
        • Besides Your Health, Shingles Could Affect Your Dental Care
      • May (2)
        • Any Time, Any Place: Cam Newton's Guide to Flossing
        • New Antiviral Drugs can Help you Break the Cold Sore Outbreak Cycle
      • April (2)
        • No "Glee" in Tooth Grinding
        • Topical Fluoride Could Further Lower Tooth Decay Risk in Children
      • March (2)
        • Vivica's Veneers: the Making of a Hollywood Smile
        • Don't let Limited Finances Keep you From Needed Dental Care
      • February (3)
        • Ariana Grande Breaks Free - of Her Wisdom Teeth
        • The 21st Century Promises Better Dental Diagnostics with Cone Beam Imaging
        • Jimmy Fallon Can’t Catch a Break - Except in His Tooth
      • January (2)
        • Keep a Lookout for These Soft Tissue Conditions in the Mouth
        • Game, Set, Match: Milos Raonic Says A Mouthguard Helps Him Win
  • 2016
      • December (2)
        • Even Though not in the "Smile Zone" You Should Replace that Back Tooth
        • Dental Crowns for the King of Magic
      • November (3)
        • Determining the Right Whitening Approach is Key to Brightening a Dull Smile
        • Dr. Travis Stork: If Only I'd Worn A Mouthguard!
        • Life-like Dental Porcelain Helps Restore Smiles Marred by Unattractive Teeth
      • October (2)
        • Dental Magic Transforms Smiles
        • Help Your Child Develop Good Oral Habits and Avoid Bad Ones
      • September (2)
        • Actor David Ramsey Says: Don't Forget to Floss!
        • What to Expect Before, During and After Implant Surgery
      • August (2)
        • Noah Galloway's Dentally Dangerous Dancing
        • Your Options for Restoring a Chipped Tooth
      • July (3)
        • How Kathy Bates Retains Her Movie-Star Smile
        • Teens Benefit Most from A Temporary Solution to Missing Teeth
        • Beyonce Makes Flossing a Family Affair
      • June (2)
        • Getting the Full Picture of Your Decay Risk Leads to Better Prevention Strategies
        • Giancarlo Stanton Gets Major-League Mouth Protection
      • May (2)
        • Put an End to Uncomfortable and Embarrassing Cracked Mouth Corners
        • Sofia Vergara: 'Obsessed' With Oral Hygiene
      • April (2)
        • Regular Screenings Could Help With Early Oral Cancer Detection
        • Tom Hanks' Abscessed Tooth Gets Cast Away
      • March (2)
        • FAQs: Keeping Your Mouth Healthy After Gum Disease Treatment
        • Eden Sher and the Lost Retainer
      • February (2)
        • Put an End to Bad Oral Habits to Slow the Rate of Tooth Wear
        • Actor David Ramsey Discusses Baby Bottle Tooth Decay
      • January (2)
        • Take Steps to Ease That Burning Sensation in Your Mouth
        • A Toothless Tiger?
  • 2015
      • December (2)
        • Implant-Based Removable Dentures a Good Choice for Patients with Extensive Bone Loss
        • Dr. Travis Stork: Don't Ignore Bleeding Gums
      • November (2)
        • Bitewing X-Rays Provide Early Detection of Tooth Decay in Back Teeth
        • A Royal Fix
      • October (3)
        • Keeping Fluoride to Just the Right Amount Protects Your Family's Smiles
        • Master Illusionist Benefits from the Magic of Orthodontics
        • Know the Risks and Benefits for Same-Day Tooth Replacement
      • September (2)
        • Even Celebrities Like Jennifer Lawrence Aren't Immune From Bad Breath!
        • Difficult or Not, Plaque Removal is Necessary for Stopping Gum Disease
      • August (2)
        • America's (Dentists) Got Talent - for Fixing Damaged or Missing Teeth!
        • Get Relief from Cracked Corners of the Mouth
      • July (2)
        • New Front Teeth for a Teenaged David Duchovny
        • Keep an Eye on These Four Things to Prevent Abnormal Tooth Wear
      • June (2)
        • Nancy O'Dell on Making Oral Hygiene Fun for Kids
        • Clicking Jaw: When Should You Be Concerned?
      • May (2)
        • Spice Up Your Teeth
        • The Many Advantages of Dental Implants
      • April (2)
        • Dwight Howard: A Bright NBA Star With a Smile to Match
        • Sleep Apnea and Behavioral Problems in Children: How Your Dentist Can Help
      • March (2)
        • Neil Patrick Harris: What the Oscars Host Treasures Most
        • Certain Factors May Raise Your Risk and the Intensity of Gum Disease
      • February (2)
        • Fitness Expert Jillian Michaels Helps Kick Sleep Apnea
        • Bonding with Composite Resins Ideal for Restoring Chipped Teeth
      • January (2)
        • George Washington's False Teeth
        • Three Things to Know About Crowns Before Your Restoration
  • 2014
      • December (3)
        • What Oral Appliance Does Oliva Newton-John Use to Protect Her teeth?
        • A Fixed Bridge Remains an Effective Option for Tooth Replacement
        • TV Designer Nate Berkus Is Thankful for Childhood Preventive Dental Treatments
      • November (2)
        • The Time Interval to Replant a Knocked Out Tooth Can Affect its Longevity
        • Learn About Living the Life You Love with Designer Nate Berkus
      • October (2)
        • Common Types of Tooth Injuries and How to Treat Them
        • How Dentistry Saved Kathy Ireland's Smile
      • September (2)
        • Encountering Positive Experiences the Key to Overcoming Dental Anxiety
        • Padma Lakshmi's Smile: A Recipe for Beauty
      • August (3)
        • Dental Health: Do You Make the Grade?
        • Cat Cora's 6 Ways to Keep Kids Off Junk Food
        • Plan to Keep Your New Hygiene Habit on Track
      • July (1)
        • Tooth-Colored Fillings Are the Restoration of Choice for Ballroom Dance Star Cheryl Burke
      • June (3)
        • More Than a Clean Feeling - Professional Cleaning Enhances Oral Health
        • Braces: A Rite of Passage Even for Hollywood Kids
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