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May 15, 2020December 28, 2020

What Foods Reduce Anxiety

Foods to Reduce Anxiety

Let’s face it. These are highly anxious times for most people. As if we didn’t have enough normal anxiety to deal with on a regular basis, the current environment lends itself to anxiety overload. And “anxiety” is considered a medical disorder, similar to for example, high blood pressure being a medical disorder. And while there is no definitive cure, there are steps that can be taken to minimize and reduce our anxiety level. So what we decided to do is put together a short list of foods that help reduce anxiety, for everyone to benefit from during these times and beyond.

Anxiety – Prevalence and Symptoms

Foods can help reduce our stress and anxiety levels

Anxiety is currently classified as a mental illness. And that is probably because people in medicine haven’t figured out any other organ or physiologic function which can cause this disease. Now whether you (or I) agree with this classification or not, one thing is clear. Anxiety is for sure a medical condition, but a mental disorder? Nevertheless, it affects almost 20% of the population. Given its prevalence though, only about 60% of these patients seek care, meaning there a lot of people with un-diagnosed anxiety walking around and dealing with it on their own. One reason for this maybe due to the fact that people may not want to be diagnosed with mental illness of any nature because of external or internal beliefs. Another reason is people have come to accept feeling anxious as a normal feeling.

Anxiety can cause symptoms like: chest tightness, muscle tension, heart palpitations, elevated heart rate, increased body temperature, tremors, difficulty concentrating, fear, tension and irritability. If you have been dealing with anxiety you know these symptoms well. Some level of anxiety is healthy (i.e. feeling anxious when taking a test), but too much anxiety can be detrimental to our immune system and health.

Treating Anxiety

If you have been diagnosed with anxiety disorder chances are you have been given some exercises and possibly even some medications to combat this disease. Valium (or Xanax) is a common anti-anxiety drug which is prescribed for people with anxiety. There are also a number of other drugs with rather serious side effects which are prescribed as well. The problem with this approach is that it primarily focuses on relieving the symptoms by synthetic pills and drugs with side effects which make one wonder, is this a medication or a poison?

Our body responds to the environment and surroundings daily. When it’s hot, we sweat. When it’s cold we shiver. It also responds to what we put in it. This applies to both what we ingest and what is artificially introduced into our system (i.e. injections like flu shots or other medications, or a cut that serves as an open door for bugs to enter). You eat a high salt diet and chances are you’ll develop hypertension over time. You love seafood? Chances are your body will have elevated mercury levels as well as high cholesterol. By the same token, when we eat good foods, we do not develop these kinds of issues. So the question is do foods have an impact on our anxiety? And the answer is yes. Eating more of these foods will help reduce your anxiety level naturally, with none of the harmful side effects of synthetic medications.

Foods Help Reduce Anxiety

If you still don’t agree with the concept of our diet having a long term impact on our health, at least consider its proven short term impact. If you eat something that has gone bad without realizing it, your body will respond by rejecting it (along with a lot of fluids and such) out of any possible orifice. If you are allergic to peanuts and unknowingly eat something that contains peanuts, then once again your body reacts by an allergic reaction. So let’s focus on this as if the benefits of the following anxiety-relief-foods were only short term. The following foods are listed in no particular order.

Dark Chocolate – Aside from tasting great, dark chocolate is rich in anti-oxidants (which help reduce aging). In some studies it has been shown to reduce the level of “stress” hormone in our body. Not only does it taste good, it’s good for you. Just watch the quantity and the sugar content. Invest in good quality dark chocolate to truly reap its health benefits.
Carbohydrates & Fibers – Carbohydrate is a fancy word that covers a wide group of foods such as rice, bread, pasta, cookies, etc. Fibers are also carbohydrates, but a large percentage of their content is not absorbed into our body. That is why anyone with digestive health issues (especially bowel movements) are placed on a high fiber diet to help things move along. The trick here is to eat more “complex carbohydrates”. Meaning avoid simple carbohydrates like sugar and cookies. Instead opt for non-processed, non-refined forms. Some examples are: brown rice, sweet potatoes and whole grain bread. It’s been shown that consuming carbs helps our body release “serotonin” which is a stress-reducing hormone. Fiber is necessary for a healthy functioning digestive system as discussed. And research has shown that a healthy digestion helps reduce the stress on our body at a physiological level (e.g. reduction in oxidative stress).
Avocados –This fruit contains an amazing amount of omega-3 fatty acids. Avocados have been shown to boost concentration, decrease stress and improve the mood. No matter how you eat it (guacamole or sliced), it’s full of good stuff. And it tastes good too.
Fish – Fish is rich in omega-3 fatty acids along w/ the healthy oil that our body needs. If you don’t like fish there are other foods that you can substitute. Seaweed, chia seeds, walnuts, flax seed and fish-oil supplements are some examples. Not all forms of fish are healthy though. Fatty fish like Herring, Salmon, Tuna top the healthy fish list while Shark and Swordfish may contain higher levels of mercury and should be avoided.
Milk – The main ingredient here is calcium. Not only is a calcium rich diet good for the health of our bone, it also helps reduce depression. If you don’t like milk or are lactose intolerant, there are other substitutes like: yogurt, cheese, canned salmon, almonds, sunflower seeds and green leafy vegetables.
Nuts – Not only are nuts like almonds, pistachios and walnuts rich in Vitamin B, they also contain high levels of good oil/fat that our body needs. Nuts are also high in magnesium which has been linked to reduced anxiety.
Citrus – Studies have shown that high levels of vitamin C help ease stress. Not only are they good for your immune system, they help reduce anxiety too. Examples are strawberries, oranges and grape fruits.
Probiotics – We need these for healthy functioning guts. Probiotics help our gut (digestive system) in many ways. And research has also shown that improved digestive health helps reduce stress and anxiety. Probiotics can be taken in pill form or from foods like yogurt, fermented yogurt drinks and kombucha.

In Closing

So there you have it. A good list of natural and healthy foods that can help our body in many ways and reduce our stress and anxiety levels. Mix these in with your regular diet and start improving your stress and anxiety level. Less stress and anxiety helps our immune system remain stronger and we can all use a stronger immune system, especially now-a-days.

April 25, 2020January 3, 2021

COVID-19 Ongoing Pandemic

COVID-19 Pandemic

It wasn’t too long ago that we were going about our business in the usual way. And hopefully we can soon get back to our life in as normal of a sense as possible. With the plethora of information out there we are not here to re-state them or to agree or disagree with them. We are here to provide you with ways of maintaining your health (dental health) and to minimize potential dental emergencies for you during these strange times. However, if you have or develop an urgent matter, we are here to take care of you.

Foods/Snacks

There are lots of choices when it comes to eating and snacking. And everybody is different in what they like to munch on. Use the following as guidelines in helping you steer clear of tooth problems related to foods and snacks.

Crunchy foods/snacks – There are a number of tasty foods and snacks that are crunchy. And as tasty as they are, crunchy food places our teeth under great stress increasing the likelihood of a fractured or broken tooth. What are some of the precautions you can take when enjoying crunchy delights? Aside from trying to soften the crunchiness (people can get creative), you can chew s-l-o-w-e-r. When you take your time to chew and chew slowly, your mouth creates more saliva which softens the food and helps with digestion as well. Secondly, when you chew slowly, you are less likely to chomp down as hard on something super crunchy meaning you are not causing as much trauma to your teeth and less likely to chip or break something.

Sticky foods/snacks – Besides how crunchy a food maybe, there is a certain level of “stickiness” associated with foods and snacks. Peanut butter (yummy) sticks all over. An apple doesn’t stick to anything. You see what we are talking about. We are not saying eat apples and not peanut butter. Life will have no meaning then! What we are saying is after eating the food take the necessary steps to get the remnants off the teeth as best as possible. Tooth picks can be useful in certain cases. Better than toothpick are the inter-dental cleaners that are especially made to get into tight nooks and crannies without causing pain. In the absence of any of these (or in addition to) you can also rinse your mouth with water at the least and perhaps give a quick brush.

Beverages and drinks – When it comes to drinks in general, they can generally affect our teeth in one of 3 ways. They can weaken our teeth, stain our teeth or have no negative impact. Some drinks even have a positive impact but we’ll talk about those later. Some beverages that are notorious for weakening our teeth (and perhaps other bodily organs like bones, etc.) are sodas and a multitude of “healthy” or “energy” drinks. Some of these beverages contain different form of sugars which cause tooth decay. Regardless of the sugar content, all of these types of beverages are acidic in nature. This “acidity” robs the teeth of essential minerals making the tooth structure more susceptible to decay and sensitivity.
Staining is caused by some beverages more than others. Tea, coffee, red wine and soda are some of the usual suspects when it comes to sources of staining. But other foods and vegetables (pasta with red sauce, blue berries, etc) also cause staining.Now while staining is more an aesthetic problem, most people don’t like stained teeth. Luckily there are numerous ways to negate the staining effect of beverages on an ongoing basis. Drinking water that is neutral (pH = 7) has no negative effect on your teeth. And better yet, drinking water that has an alkaline pH (less acidic) is great for re-fortifying the tooth structure. Bottom line here is to ingest more water (and better yet, healthy pH balanced water) and less of other beverages. You can also negate the negative (acidic) effect of soda and juices on the teeth by drinking more water with a higher pH to offset the acidity.

Chewing gum – A lot of people chew gum (judging by all the flavors and brands that are available). The problem with chewing gum is not so much the sugar content as now most gums are sugar free (and still great tasting). Problem is with excessive for forceful gum chewing. This places a great load on the jaw joints, the muscles in our head and neck and of course the teeth. Sometimes excessive gum chewing causes pain and discomfort similar to a toothache. As a rule of thumb, limit chewing gum to 5-10 minutes (’til the flavor is almost gone). And don’t pop in gum after gum, obviously.

While we don’t know when we can get back to normalcy, we do know one thing. We will be here if you do need help with a tooth or some other dental issue. We are offering Virtual Consultations as well as Tele-Dentistry for more involved cases. If you need to contact us you can also use the form below.

Follow the suggested guidelines, practice good dental (and mental) hygiene and we’ll get thru this together.

Dr. Eslampour

February 6, 2020October 15, 2021

How to Stop Snoring Effectively?

Snoring – How to Stop It

Snoring is not healthy for the human body. Not only that, the bed partner wants nothing more than a good night’s rest. But with all the snoring, that becomes more and more difficult. And if the situation is not resolved, one person usually ends up leaving the bedroom altogether. But is it actually possible to make someone stop snoring? The short answer is yes. The next question is how can we do that? To answer this question we first need to understand what causes snoring.

Snoring – What Causes it

Snoring is the sound caused by flutter of soft tissue along the airway as we breathe in and out. When we are awake and upright, our airway remains more open. When we lay down to sleep we lose our voluntary muscle control. Gravity also starts placing weight on the airway making it smaller in cross section, similar to stepping on a water hose. The jaw usually slides back as well (for back sleepers), placing further constriction on this already reduced airway. This is enough to create a bottleneck effect with the soft tissue constricting the flow of the air. As the air rushes in and out, it causes vibration and flutter, thus producing the noise. Given this information, we need to ask why does not everybody snore? The answer has to do with all the factors that impact our airway, directly or indirectly.

Snoring – Why Do Only Some People Snore

The fact that snoring is not universal means that we can help people stop snoring. When you look at people who snore, you start noticing specific traits compared to people who don’t snore. One of these factors is body weight. The term body mass index (BMI) relates a person’s weight to their height. When the BMI starts going past a certain point, you see snoring more and more. This means that people who snore should evaluate their BMI and if necessary improve it to mitigate its negative effects. What worsens the BMI is being over weight. This is commonly seen in football players. A 300 lb lineman whose BMI is very high probably snores at best and suffers from sleep apnea at worst. There are various other factors impacting our airway such as the size of our tonsils and adenoids, the length and elasticity of our soft palate, the size and position of our tongue, sleep and neck posture just to name a few. Obviously the more of these negative factors are present, the harder it is to help the patient stop snoring.

Snoring – How Can It Be Treated

Technically speaking, snoring cannot be treated, but it can be managed. And to manage this condition, we need to treat it from different directions. If the patient is over weight, starting a weight management program is an important step. Limiting alcohol intake will impact the airway positively. Sleeping on the side as opposed to sleeping on the back is another useful remedy. At the very least elevating the head/upper body will lessen the resistance on the airway. There are mouth guards that help reduce snoring by minimizing the impact of the tongue on the airway. If there is an excess of soft tissue, surgical options are also worth considering.

Our dentist Sonny Eslampour, DDS has training and experience in helping patient stop snoring and other more severe breathing disorders such as sleep apnea. If you know of someone who snores, share this post with them and maybe we can help them with their condition.

May 16, 2019October 17, 2021

Why Should We Clean Our Tongue?

Our tongue is a magnet for bugs (of all kinds)! Do we need to brush (or otherwise scrape and clean) our tongue? And the answer is yes. But why? We don’t chew food with our tongue. We cannot get a cavity on our tongue. No matter how much (or how little) we floss it won’t make a difference to our tongue. So why do we need to brush our tongue?

The answer has to do with the anatomy of the tongue. In spite of our tongue feeling nice and smooth to us, it has thousands upon thousands of tiny folds and grooves on it. And in these folds and grooves is where the tiny bacteria can hide. The same bacteria that cause tooth decay or gum disease find a nice home in the nooks and crannies on the tongue. Not only that, but plaque also becomes trapped in these tiny grooves. The bacteria then use the plaque to proliferate (e.g. multiply). So our tongue then becomes a safe haven for bacteria and it is this bacterial content along with the plaque that causes bad breath.

Fortunately, we can clean our tongues easily (way easier than flossing!). There are 2 main ways of cleaning your tongue. We are not talking about rinsing with mouthwashes (although that helps too). We are talking about mechanically cleaning our tongue. One way is to use your toothbrush after you have brushed your teeth. Gently brush forward on the tongue starting as far back as you can without making yourself gag. Just remember, don’t push hard. Gently brush forward. Do this a few times trying to cover the entire surface of the tongue (just the top side, no need to brush the bottom side).

Tongue scrapers great from cleaning the tongue Another option is to use a “tongue scraper.” These are made of plastic and allow for simple cleaning of the tongue rather quickly. You fold these like a “U” shape and just run it over the tongue (back to front).

Not only cleaning your tongue will make your breath fresher, it will also open up your taste buds. You can once again begin tasting the food in your mouth without all the bugs and bacteria impairing your taste buds. Be sure to visit our web store to find tongue scrapers and other hygiene-related products.

Happy “tonguing!”

Platinum Dental Inc. Blogging Staff

December 27, 2018January 4, 2021

Holidays and Stress

Holidays cause an increase in stress levels

Happy holidays everybody. The year is ending and soon it will be 2019. With the holiday season upon us inevitably we’ll be seeing family and friends. And while most people (well, maybe not most) enjoy seeing their family and spending times with them during the holidays, it is not an entirely stress-free event. And what happens to most people when they stress? Their blood pressure goes up, breathing gets a bit more labored, their body temperature rises and they may even feel a bit queasy. Another physiological response to stress is clenching or grinding of the teeth. And while this pales in comparison to other bodily responses, it does end up causing jaw pain, toothache, cracked teeth, headaches and other issues. With all of these issues, it would be good to have an action plan for handling the increase in stress during the holidays (and other times of the year too). Following is a list of “natural“ remedies for anxiety and stress.

Exercise- we’re not talking about competing in a Triathlon. Walking for 20-40 minutes per day at a moderate pace is great for reducing stress. Plus our body release “endorphins” which is the body’s natural way of making itself feel better.
Meditation-meditation doesn’t have to involve the lotus pose and deep breathing for 2 hours! But it does require some activity to steer your mind away from all the negative (or stressful) thoughts. And what better way to do this than by focusing your mind on something else (instead of nothingness). Cross word puzzles, brain teasers and other non-timed, non-competitive activities are great ways to meditate.
Relaxation exercise- kind of an oxymoron! Who can relax while they exercise? There is a way. Lay on your couch or bed and focus your attention to different muscle groups/body parts. Focus your energy to a body part (like your feet) and move up slowly from there.
Spending time with animals- this is why dog owners on average live longer than non-dog owners. Caring for another life form focuses our energy on them instead of wasting it on negative thoughts. Plus, animals do crazy things which is in itself a form of entertainment (except when that involves clean up on our part).

Hopefully you’ll be able to use some of these suggestions for reducing your stress during the holiday (i.e. stressful) season. Happy holidays and happy new year.

July 9, 2018January 4, 2021

Is Chewing Ice Bad for Your Teeth?

Summer is upon us. And if you doubted that you can take a look at the thermometer. With the hot days and weeks ahead of us, we always look to find ways of keeping ourselves cool.

You’ve always been told to drink plenty of water every day, but especially on hot days. Well, how about chewing on ice cubes? Isn’t that the same as drinking water plus it cools us way down!

The problem with chewing on ice cubes is that it can cause damage to your teeth. There are all sorts of crunchy foods we all eat and enjoy: pretzels, nuts, chips, etc. All of these foods (including ice cubes) place a tremendous amount of force upon our teeth and jaw joints. And the more we subject our chompers to these types of foods the more chance of dental trauma we have. Chipped teeth, cracked or broken fillings, loose caps and jaw pain are just a few examples. And while these are all repairable by your dentist, this damage is avoidable. So when it comes to chewing on ice, simply don’t. We subject our teeth to plenty other hard and crunchy stuff. One less is better. Instead of actively biting into and crushing the ice cube in your mouth, just move it around with your tongue and let it melt naturally. You’ll feel the cooling effect of the ice cube in your mouth, get the water that you need and avoid damaging your teeth. Be sure to check out our other blog posts for healthy summer snacks and more.

June 21, 2018December 31, 2020

10 Healthy Summer Snacks

Summer is upon us. Days are longer and hotter. We are out and about doing our thing. It’s easy to miss a meal or even go longer without food in between meals. Hello snacks!

Snacks are a great way for us to keep our energy level up and get thru our days. Having sufficient energy throughout the day not only helps us get thru our chores and tasks, but it also helps our immune system to keep us from falling ill. But not all snacks are created equal. And what’s more, people are generally drawn to snacks that are not 100% healthy. Do you ever get home after work all tired and hungry and before your dinner you dig in the bag of potato chips? Before you know it the bag is half gone (especially if it’s Doritos in my case!) If you had a snack around 4 pm or so, you’d be able to pass the chips and wait for dinner.

With that said, we have put together 10 healthy snacks for you to munch on during the hot summer months.

Lightly salted apple slices – Get your favorite kind of apple. Chop it into slices (do not peel). Soak the cut slices in cold water for 30 minutes. Take out and pat dry. Sprinkle a very small amount of salt (very small amount). Put these in a zip lock bag and stick them in the fridge. This is a perfectly healthy snack that tastes good and also doesn’t ruin your teeth (or your waist line!).
Carrots dipped in guacamole or hummus – Baby carrots are the best. They come all ready to eat. Pair these up with some guacamole or hummus and voila.
Ants on a log – Take a few celery sticks. Cut off the leafy part. Smear peanut butter on one side and sprinkle some raisins on top. While raisins are sticky and sweet and not so good for teeth, the celery sticks will help in removing these bits and pieces. Peanut butter is a great source of protein as well. Apples also go really well with peanut butter, plus you need no raisins.
Frozen yogurt – Instead of that scoop of ice cream, have some frozen yogurt. There are very easy delicious recipes for making homemade froyo.
Yogurt with fruit – Take plain (or vanilla yogurt) and add in a handful of blue berries. Quick, simple and delicious. Try different fruits to see what you like the most.
Whole grain crackers and cheese – Fulfilling and healthy. You can substitute apples for the crackers. Apple and cheese slices. Yum.
Trail mix – Make your own or buy from the store. Just don’t buy the one with all the “m & m’s” in there. Solid snack to keep you going.
Fruit salad – Making a small container the night before and sticking it in the fridge will give you an excellent snack the next day. Plus, you really cannot pick an unhealthy fruit.
Milk – Excellent source of calcium. Good for the teeth and the bones. Plus tastes good to drink without adding chocolate. Pair the milk with half a banana. Tasty and healthy.
Chia seeds – They make healthy delicious snacks that everyone can enjoy. The texture might need a little getting used to. But a great healthy snack.

Follow these suggestions for snacking not just for the sake of eating healthy snacks, but also snacks that are good for your teeth.

Happy summer.

June 11, 2018December 28, 2020

Watermelon Anyone?

Summer is around the corner. Days are getting longer and the temperature is rising steadily. Staying hydrated during the hot summer months is crucial to your health, especially for the younger and the older populations. And while most people are content on filling up on pure water, sometimes you need a change of pace. But instead of a Gatorade or any number of flavored beverages you can get, consider sinking your teeth into a slice of watermelon.

Growing up in a place where the summer is pretty hot, my family was used to having watermelon on a regular basis. I remember having a bowl of fresh watermelons served with our dinner routinely. And while they are sweet, delicious and refreshing to bite into, they are full of health benefits that most of us are unaware of. Not only are watermelons full of health benefits, they also help us fight periodontal disease (gum disease).

Watermelons are full of Vitamin C which is very helpful in fighting “free radicals”. We are not talking about overly political figures running around trying to change policy. NO! We are talking about precursors to cancer and other inflammatory diseases like heart disease. Vitamin C helps keep these free radicals in check, making them less likely to cause damage to our body. The same Vitamin C is instrumental in helping keep periodontal disease under control. That’s not to say you don’t need to brush or floss. But it says that watermelons make our bodies stronger in fighting the damage caused by periodontal disease. Another benefit of vitamin C is in reduction of asthma (both frequency and severity of asthma attacks).

Watermelons are alkaline (opposite of acidic). Our bodies operate at a slightly alkaline level. However, most foods we eat are acidic and ingesting them leads to imbalances in our bodies. Watermelons help neutralize other acidic foods and help keep our body in its optimal pH range.

Watermelons are also great for weight loss. Yes they are. Watermelon is mostly water and fiber. Eating a bowl of watermelon will leave you filling full and satisfied compared to a sugary snack! Plus, it will leave your body after your body has absorbed what it needs, letting the fiber clean up our insides as well.

Watermelons are 40% water and they have minerals our body needs desperately to operate smoothly. What better water substitute than watermelons. Plus, they contain an amino acid which makes our muscles recover faster. This is important for any athlete as their recovery time decreases with consumption of watermelons. What the professional athletes need to be consuming during their timeouts or half time is watermelons. Maybe this is a stretch, but you get the point.

As you can see there are more than a few benefits to this red yummy fruit. And we’ve only listed a few of them. An internet search will show you many more amazing benefits of watermelons. Watermelons are not only tasty, but they are also good for you. This summer make a point of picking up a watermelon a week and incorporating it into your diet. Stay healthy and be strong.

March 2, 2018August 12, 2021

What Does A Tooth Cavity Look Like?

What is a Tooth Cavity?

Dental cavities are a common dental problem. “Almost everyone will have a cavity at some point in their life,” explains Dr. Eslampour at Platinum Dental, Inc. in San Marcos. Dental cavities can start in different parts of a tooth, like on the chewing surface or between the teeth. At other times, the tooth decay can start at the gum line on the tooth’s root. No matter where the cavity begins, they all start the same way and destroy the tooth. In this article, we’ll talk about how cavities develop. We’ll also look at how you can prevent dental cavities and what to do if you think you have a tooth cavity.

How Do Cavities Form?

How do we get a tooth cavity? Are they painful?

Root cavties, tooth decay, gum recession, tooth eruption seen all in one patient A dental cavity does not form overnight. It develops over several nights, per se. And depending on your pain tolerance, it may cause no discomfort up to severe pain. Some people wonder if cavities are hereditary. And the answer is no. What is hereditary are those genetic codes responsible for tooth, gum, and enamel formation. The main ingredient necessary for a dental cavity to start is plaque. The second most consequential factor is exposure time to plaque. So the next question to ask is what is plaque?

Tooth Cavity – Plaque Required

What is “plaque?” If you haven’t brushed your teeth recently, gently scrape the surface of one of your back teeth with one of your fingernails. You’ll see a whitish gooey layer that collects under your nail. And that is plaque. Plaque contains the necessary fuel for cavities to begin developing.

As a biological organism, we have different kinds of “bacteria” in our body naturally. Their presence allows our body to function correctly. Some bacteria are harmful to us, especially if their numbers grow beyond our bodies’ capacity to counter their harmful effects. The bacteria responsible for the actual formation of the tooth cavity uses the plaque as its energy source. This process leads to the release of acids by the bacteria onto the tooth surfaces. It is this acid that starts chipping away at the tooth. The acid is a chemical assault, and it takes time for the damage to become noticeable.

Plaque sticks to everything, like our tongue, cheeks, and gums. And, of course, plaque sticks to the teeth. Usually, plaque gets stuck to the outer layer of the tooth, which is covered by enamel. But it can also stick to the root of the tooth, which is not covered by enamel and is a lot more prone to tooth decay.

So now that we have a better picture of how a tooth cavity forms, let us talk about how to prevent them from developing in the first place.

Dental Cavities – Prevention

Prevention of dental cavities doesn’t have to be a chore. It’s all about taking little steps to minimize the damage associated with certain foods. Some people equate cavities with giving up sweets and what they enjoy eating. But that is not the goal of prevention. We can enjoy what we want to eat (sweets included) and still prevent cavities too.

Good Oral Hygiene

To get a tooth cavity, the plaque needs to be in contact with the tooth surface for extended periods, repeatedly. Meaning that if you clean your teeth properly in between meals and snacks, you’re less likely to get a cavity. And this is the main reason our dentist always recommends daily flossing (once) and brushing (twice). Electric toothbrushes (like the Rotadent) are more effective in removing plaque than a regular toothbrush. We also recommend fluoride kinds of toothpaste and rinses, which boost the fight against dental cavities. It would also help to have your teeth cleaned professionally at least twice a year. There are parts of your mouth that collect more plaque and are difficult for you to clean effectively.

Avoid Nibbling on Sweets

Enjoy your sweet treat, whatever it may be. But don’t nibble on it for hours on end. Sweets are tasty but can harm our teeth Also, avoid biting and squeezing your teeth into chewy and sticky candy. These types of sweets are more likely to cause physical damage to the tooth. Instead, let them soften up with your saliva and melt away in your mouth. Afterward, be sure to rinse your mouth out with water, preferably alkaline water. The reason is you want to reverse the damage caused by the acidic environment after eating the sweets. And at the very least, you want to wash off the acidic layer left on the teeth if you don’t have alkaline water.

Minimize Soda and Juices

If you want to have a soda or a sweet beverage, it’s not the end of the world. But understand that it’s best to avoid these altogether. However, we are all humans. And we want to enjoy life. Have your soda or juice with your meal. Don’t keep sipping on it in between meals. Sodas and various other “health” beverages are quite detrimental to our teeth and bones in the long run.

Good Saliva

Our saliva plays a vital role in the fight against cavities. And specifically, having enough of it is the key. Image of a leaf covered with water droplets signifying importance of saliva to our teeth As the saliva washes over and bathes our teeth, it is continually helping re-strengthen the tooth at a chemical level. At the same time, it helps dissolve the plaque on the teeth and wash it off. However, some people don’t have enough saliva and don’t know it. If your mouth is usually dry, you have a higher risk of developing tooth cavity than if your mouth is generally moist. There are many reasons why some people don’t produce enough saliva. Medications, age, genetics are just a few reasons. The best way to combat dry mouth is always to have a bottle of water to sip on. Ideally alkaline water, but at least neutral in pH. There are also some over the counter rinses tailored for people with dry mouth. If necessary, the dentist can also prescribe other medications to help combat dry mouth symptoms.

Sealants

Ask your dentist if dental sealants are right for you. Sealants are preventative micro-fillings placed on the teeth with deep grooves. While mainly advocated for children, there is no reason that adults won’t benefit from them.

Visual Check

You also want to look at your teeth in the mirror periodically. It is best not to ignore a stained or discolored tooth as it could be an early sign of a cavity. So what are some other signs of a tooth cavity other than pain?

For an easy to read article on treating this medical condition, visit the American Dental Association.

Cavities – How Do You Know You Have One?

What are some signs of tooth cavities? Stained or discolored teeth are the main ones. Another sign is a foul odor coming from the mouth, no matter how well you brush or what mouth rinse you use. Getting food stuck where it didn’t stick before is yet another sign. Tooth cavity destroys the structural integrity of a tooth. And as the tooth slowly breaks down, it leaves room for food to get packed in there. Drifting teeth is another symptom. Teeth hold each other in place. When one starts to break down due to a cavity, the adjacent teeth can drift into the newly vacated space.

A sensitive tooth is another sign of possible tooth decay. Before a tooth starts hurting, it may cause sensitivity for a while. And as the decay progresses and gets bigger, that’s when the sensitivity turns into outright pain. Sensitivity or pain to sweets, temperatures, and chewing are other telling signs of a cavity.

Another sure way to tell if you have a cavity is to visit your dentist. At Platinum Dental, Inc., we recommend dental visits at least twice a year. Our family dentist checks your teeth and also X-rays them to find any hidden cavities. Our dentist can find and repair even a small decay without too much trouble. And as our dentist explains, it is best to take care of a cavity when it’s small. Waiting to get it fixed can only make it more complicated. So what happens if you don’t repair a small cavity?

Cavities – Gone Wild!

A dental cavity can start on the tooth’s chewing surface, between the teeth, or on the tooth’s root. Root cavities pose a greater risk to the health of the tooth for two reasons. First, most dental bonding agents are designed to be used on enamel. The root has a different chemical makeup. Some bonding agents may not work as well, while others may cause sensitivity afterward. The second reason is that a root cavity grows faster than one on the tooth, leading to more damage in a shorter period. And since the nerve that runs inside the root is not too far away, a root cavity can easily extend into the nerve.

Symptoms of tooth cavity

Cavities always start small, whether on the tooth or its root. In most cases, they don’t cause any pain or discomfort. Some people may experience cold or sweet sensitivity at worst. These are the types of dental cavities that your dentist finds during your routine visits because you may have no pain or discomfort from the cavity yet. At this stage, fixing the tooth is simple and straight forward. Usually, dental bonding will take care of the issue at this stage.

As the cavity grows more extensive, the bacteria will infect the “live” part of the tooth (the dentin under the enamel). At this stage, the cavity usually hurts, and there may even be a hole in the tooth. Fixing the tooth is still possible, but it may have suffered irreversible damage due to the large cavity. In cases of nerve damage, a root canal is the only option. While not impossible to treat teeth with a root canal and a crown, it was avoidable.

In cases where the cavity gets too large, the tooth may be deemed hopeless. At this stage, there isn’t much to be done in the way of fixing the tooth. The only option is to remove the tooth as the infection is out of control. A dental implant can replace the lost tooth. The better option would have been to fix the cavity before it got too extensive.

As our dentist explains, it takes time for a cavity to cause severe damage. Regular dental visits eliminate this risk as your dentist can detect even a small cavity. Plus, who doesn’t like visiting their dentists?

Cavities – Good News

Can you use the terms “cavities: and “good news” in the same text? Yes. The good news is we can repair cavities with natural-looking and long-lasting results. Dental bondings have made the ugly (and biologically hazardous) silver fillings a thing of the past. A practical home dental hygiene routine is key to long term success. And there are tools to make your life easy. An electric toothbrush like the Rotadent makes plaque removal more efficient. Various flossing tools make this essential task do-able. Home fluoride is also available for patients in need. At Platinum Dental, Inc., our doctor is always educating the patients on protecting their teeth against cavities and gum disease. This way, our patients will be able to keep their mouths and smiles healthy for a lifetime. If you need to make an appointment or if you have a question, you can always contact us here, send an e-mail or give us a call at (760) 510-9009.

October 2, 2017January 28, 2021

What is Sedation Dentistry?

Do you or someone you know dread going to the dentist? We’re not just talking about a little anxiety. We’re talking about morbid fear and downright nervousness, so much so that you cannot go to the dentist. If so, sedation dentistry may be the answer to your problems.

Sedation Dentistry

Sedation dentistry helps phobic patients overcome dental anxiety and fear Dental phobia is real. According to NCBI (National Center for Biotechnology Information), dental fear and anxiety affect 36% of the population with 12% having an extreme phobia.

Sedation dentistry, or sleep dentistry, allows the dental patient to remain calm and relaxed during their dental appointment. Oral conscious sedation is another term for sedation dentistry. Medications are in pill or liquid form, which the patient takes in by mouth. With this technique, a patient dozes off during their dental visit. Sometimes the patients fall asleep, thus the name “sleep dentistry.” Since the patient is calm and relaxed, the dental treatment is not as complicated and challenging. Some patients doze off so well that they don’t realize that their visit is over when they wake up. Now that’s a pleasant surprise.

Sedation Dentistry Safety

Sedation dentistry can be used safely for nearly every adult. During your initial visit, our sedation dentist performs an exam and finds out what your concerns are. Our staff will take X-rays and necessary photos and records. Based on the information during the examination, our dentist then comes up with a plan of action for your dental care. After a complete review of your medical history, our doctor will also prescribe specific medications to take for your next visit. When you arrive at your appointment, you will take other necessary medications to achieve an optimal and comfortable sedation level. Only after a comfortable level of sedation has been reached, the doctor will begin your dental treatment.

Throughout your treatment, our dentist monitors your vital signs such as heart rate and blood pressure. We want to assure your safety and the most comfortable level of sedation possible. Complications are rare. However, our sedation dentist has extensive training just in case.

Benefits of Sedation Dentistry

The most apparent benefit of sedation dentistry is the patient’s comfort and dozing off during their visit. However, there are some additional fringe benefits to sedation dentistry. One of these is not being able to remember the details of the visit the next day. The patient recalls going to the dentist. But the patient cannot remember the details of the treatment. Another benefit of sedation dentistry is less stress on the patient’s body.

When we are nervous about something, our body releases a hormone called adrenaline. Adrenaline is responsible for increasing our heart rate, raising blood pressure, increasing blood sugar levels, and making us more alert. Of course, the increases in heart rate and blood pressure place an increased workload on the cardiovascular system. The increased workload raises the patient’s chances of having a heart attack or a stroke. Also, the fluctuations in blood sugar can increase the risk of developing diabetes over time.

Sleep dentistry can help change the patient’s perception of dentistry. Most dental phobias result from a poor dental experience, usually as a child, teen, or young adult. However, when the patient discovers that dentistry is not horrifying, they begin to relax and once again trust the dentist. The patient is more likely to visit the dentist for their regular checkups without fear and anxiety. Regular dental checkups help maintain patients’ dental health and catch small problems before they become significant issues.
Quicker recovery from sleep dentistry is yet another benefit. Compared to other sedation forms such as I.V. or general anesthesia, the patient recovers after the procedure more quickly with fewer side effects like nausea or constipation.

Sedation Dentistry Cost

When it comes to cost, sedation dentistry is more economical compared to other anesthesia alternatives. I.V. sedation or general anesthesia starts at about $800 for the first fifteen minutes. The final cost can quickly run into thousands. At a fraction of the initial cost of I.V. sedation, sleep dentistry is very affordable.

Not only that, since the recovery is quicker, the patient can resume work sooner after their treatment. The patient usually takes off one day and can return to work the following day. Less time off work means less loss of income.

At Platinum Dental in San Marcos, Dr. Eslampour offers sedation dentistry to his dental phobic patients. If you or someone you know fears going to the dentist, have them contact us. We’ll answer their questions and concerns even before they walk in through the front door. Sleep dentistry has made it possible for fearful patients to have dental care without the nail-biting experience. Call us now at (760) 510-9009 to schedule your consultation or fill out the form below and we’ll reach out to you.

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