What does Minimally Invasive Dentistry Mean and Involve?

Minimally Invasive Dentistry is a breakthrough in dental healthcare. Along with being safer and less painful, it also ensures a better dental hygiene with fewer cavities.

What do we mean by minimally invasive dentistry?

Minimally invasive dentistry, also known as micro dentistry is a modern outlook towards a better dental care. It makes use of techniques that safeguard your tooth structure without overusing ‘drilling and filling.’

Minimally Invasive Dentistry centers on prevention, remineralization and minimal dental intervention. In minimally invasive dentistry; dentists do not remove the tooth structure more than required. Moreover, while making use of minimally invasive dental procedures, dentists make use of long-lasting dental materials so that the necessity for future repairs can be alleviated. With minimally invasive techniques; dentists can treat your bacteria from the beginning.

How does the minimally Invasive Dentistry work?

Initially, your risk for tooth decay will be accessed by determining the presence of bacteria, quality and quantity of saliva and your diet. And if you are at the risk of tooth decay due to bacteria present in your mouth, your dentists will advice or implement certain dietary changes like; limiting carbohydrates and sugars in your diet, using mouthwash daily and practicing good oral hygiene.

What are the techniques or procedures involved in the Minimally Invasive Dentistry?

Minimally Invasive Techniques help in early detection, removal and repair of tooth without affecting the integrity of the tooth structure. Minimally Invasive Dentistry makes use of following procedures and techniques:

1. Remineralization is the process used to restore minerals. This process is used to repair the damage created by demineralization. Fluoride Therapy is used to remineralize.
2. Dental Sealants: Dental Sealants are constructed out of plastic resin & protect your teeth from bacteria, acid, plaque & potential decay.
3. Onlays and Inlays: Onlays and Inlays are used to restore teeth and they do not require the as much removal of the tooth structure as in case of crowns.
4. Bite Splints: These are used to prevent teeth grinding due to Bruxism.  You need to wear these at night to protect your teeth from any type of stress.
5. Air Abrasion: Air Abrasion is used when a tooth is not in the condition to be remineralized but decay is present. The process uses a stream of air combined with superfine abrasive powder.

Contact Aesthetic Dental Arts York, PA for the skilled and state-of-art detection and treatment of any of your oral health related problems. We use industry-leading and minimally invasive techniques to treat any of your oral health related issues.

What will happen to your Mouth if you Don’t Floss?

Flossing is crucial part of your oral hygiene as it guards your teeth against various dental ailments. According to a study, about half of the American population do not floss daily. American Dental Association is of the view that taking care of gums and teeth is not just important for preventing cavities or bad breath but also because mouth is a gateway into your body’s overall health and there are mounting evidences that show relation between poor dental hygiene and various physical ailments. So ADA (American Dental Association) advices you to brush twice a day and floss once a day and if you want to ignore their advice the following facts will make you familiar with the consequences that you would have to face if you do not floss once a day.

What would happen if you don’t Floss?

More than experiencing some build up in-between your teeth or a few cavities, choosing not to Floss everyday will affect your dental health in the following ways:

• Bleeding Gums: When you do not floss regularly, your gum tissue becomes unhealthy and gums begin to bleed when you brush. Moreover, the plaque build-up between your teeth makes your gum red, swollen and quick-to-bleed. And if this plaque spreads; it can destroy tissues and bones in the mouth, creating pockets in-between the teeth.

• Halitosis (Bad Breath): Neglecting floss causes bad breath or halitosis that you cannot get rid of easily. Food particles that stick longer to your teeth start stinking and less you floss more are the chances of malodorous bacteria build-up in your mouth.

• Tartar Build-up: If you do not floss, more are the chances of tartar build-up, which cannot be removed by brushing; as it is a very hard substance and needs to be removed by a dentist only.

• Tooth Loss: If you do not floss regularly, you need to worry about pre-mature tooth loss. According to a study made by National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research; average adults of 20 to 64 years of age have lost an average of seven permanent teeth and 10% of Americans between the age group of 50 and 64 have absolutely no teeth left. All this happens because gum diseases cause the gums to pull away from teeth, leaving pockets for bacteria to grow, thus weakening the tooth structure.

• Pregnancy Problems: It is crucially important to control the bacteria in your body during pregnancy. And if you do not floss regularly, bacteria in mouth get absorbed into the blood stream thus resulting in low-birth weight babies. Moreover, if pregnant women have dental problems, their children are more likely to develop cavities.

• Yellow Teeth: If you want to maintain a white pearly smile then skipping flossing is not good. Removing build-up between teeth helps to make your smile appear whiter and cleaner.

• Cavities: The bacteria between the teeth that are not cleaned away will gradually lead to cavities or tooth decay. Cavities cause problems not only because they need filling but also because they disrupt the original tooth structure, thus leading to one after another dental work down the road.

So flossing regularly is crucial and essential because:

• It prevents the dental plaque to attack enamel and to cause the soft tissue inflammation as well.
• It helps remove dental plaque and bio-film from the teeth surfaces.
• It helps preventing periodontal diseases which may cause systemic diseases like; cardio-vascular disease, diabetes, pneumonia etc.
• It helps preventing gum problems, gums’ inflammation and bone loss.
• Removing debris using floss minimizes the chances of an inflammatory reaction.

Contact Aesthetic Dental Arts York, PA for the skilled and state-of-art detection and treatment of any of your oral health related problems. We use industry-leading and minimally invasive techniques to treat any of your oral health related issues.

Effects of Smoking on Oral Health

Effects of Smoking on Oral Health

Most of us are aware of the fact what a havoc smoking can create to our lives. Smoking can cause various medical problems and at times; fatal disease; not only this, it can also effect your mouth, gum and teeth. The effects of smoking to your lungs, heart and other organs may not be visible to you initially but a dentist can detect the evidence in your mouth.

Smokers can develop any of the following oral health problems including:

• Bad breath
• Tooth discoloration
• Increased calculus (tartar) build-up
• Rapidly progressing and severe periodontal diseases
• Loss of Jaw Bone
• Increased risk of developing leukoplakia; white patches in the mouth
• More missing teeth and mouth sores
• Delayed healing after the tooth extraction process or any oral surgery and periodontal treatment
• Increased risk of cavities and  sinusitis
• Hairy tongue and smoker’s lip
• Decreased success rate of dental implant processes
• Higher chances of developing oral cancer
• Difficulty in the correcting cosmetic dental problems
• Decreased sense of taste and smell
• Heightened sensitivity to hot and cold
• Breathing difficulties or smoker’s cough

How can smoking lead to Gum Disease?

Smokers have higher chances of developing gum diseases than the non-smokers. It is clinically known and proved that tobacco decreases the blood flow to gums and as well deprive them of oxygen and nutrients that help them to stay healthy thus exposing them to bacterial infections.

Moreover the gritty material in the tobacco products works as sand paper against your teeth and damage your tooth enamel. According to a study made in the U.S., smoking is a signification factor leading to severe gum disease in the adults. If untreated; periodontal diseases can result in the complete damage of teeth supporting tissues, abscesses and ultimately leading to tooth loss.

How does smoking lead to oral cancer?

Most of the people know that smoking can lead to lungs and throat cancer but it is also the one of the main causes of oral cancer as well. The carcinogenic chemicals contained in the cigarettes, cigars and pipe cause and initiate oral cancer. These chemicals lead to genetic changes in the cells of mouth cavity; thus leading to oral cancer.

What are the dental hygiene tips for the smokers to improve Oral Health?

The foremost and most important dental hygiene tip is quit smoking for the better oral health. Apart from this and given to all the risks and complications that smoking can develop; the smokers should:

• Go for regular check-ups with your dentists as they can detect the signs of any developing oral health problems like; gum diseases or oral cancers.
• Regular professional cleanings can also be beneficial for the smokers
• Smokers should brush & floss regularly and should use a tongue cleaner and mouthwash on regular basis
• Smokers should choose a toothbrush with bristles that can remove the tobacco strains and the one that can reach the difficult areas at the back of gums
• Smokers should use special toothpastes that are specifically made for them as they are stronger to clean the bacteria
• In order to fight bad breath, use mouthwashes targeted specifically for the smokers.
• Smokers should also avoid the foods that can stain teeth and as well the foods that are highly acidic because such foods can cause further damage to tooth enamel and can cause cavities

Men and women of all age-groups experience immediate and major health benefits after quitting smoking. Quitting will lessen the chances of gum diseases, oral cancer, tooth loss & bone loss and will make your teeth whiter & stronger.

Contact Aesthetic Dental Arts York, PA for the skilled and state-of-art detection and treatment of any of your oral health related problem. We use industry-leading and minimally invasive techniques and technologies to treat and prevent any oral health related issues and make your smile shinier and brighter.

Vitamins and Minerals You Need for Good Oral Health

Supplementing your diet with calcium and vitamins is not only necessary to prevent bone loss but it also improves your tooth retention but, along with routine dental care and good oral hygiene. Studies show that too much or too little of any of any of the nutrients can cause harmful effects on your mouth and teeth. To stay in good shape, your teeth and gums too need certain Vitamins and nutrients as well. It is so because your mouth is the gateway to your body. And if your mouth is unhealthy there is every possibility that your body can also be.

What are the different minerals and vitamins that we need to keep our mouth healthy?

Our routine diet should be rich in nutrients and incorporate lots fruits and vegetables in order to keep our mouth healthy. Proper supplementation of below mentioned vitamins and minerals can make our gums and teeth healthy:

Vitamin A: Vitamin A is often associated with good eyesight and clear and healthy skin; but it is also important for the development of tooth and healthy tooth enamel. It also helps maintaining healthy mucous membranes and salivary flow in the mouth. Vitamin A keeps your gums healthy and helps in healing gum infection or inflamed gum tissues. Beef, liver, milk, cheese, eggs, fish & egg yolks are the good source of Vitamin A. Moreover orange and yellow foods like; carrots, mangoes & sweet potatoes and dark leafy greens such as kale & spinach are rich sources of beta-carotene, which the body converts into Vitamin A for its use.

Vitamin B3 (niacin): Lack of Vitamin B3 can lead to bad breath and canker sores in the mouth. To heighten your B3 levels, consume chicken and fish.

Vitamin B12 and B2 (riboflavin): Deficiency of Vitamins B2 and B12 can develop sores in the gums, tongue and other soft tissues in the mouth and can also make your  gingivitis more serve. Red meat, chicken, liver, pork, fish as well as dairy products like milk, yogurt & cheese, bagels, spinach & almonds are the riche sources of Vitamin B2 and B12.

Vitamin C:  You need to have strong gums for strong teeth. Vitamin C is necessary for the health of corrective tissue and collagen in your gums. Lack of Vitamin C can cause swollen and bleeding gums, scurvy and loose tooth. Its deficiency can make any of your gums issues even worse. This vitamin is needed for bone strength and also helps to repair and maintain teeth. Citrus fruits, strawberries, bell pepper, broccoli and sweet potatoes, are good sources of Vitamin C. When Vitamin C is taken with bioflavonoid it prevents the formation of plaque around the teeth.

Vitamin D:  Vitamin D helps to fight against the tooth decay. Vitamin D also helps your body to consume calcium. Deficiency or lack of Vitamin D leads to burning mouth syndrome. Milk, egg, fish, cod liver oil are the good sources of Vitamin D.

Vitamin E: Vitamin E is a powerful anti-oxidant which helps in healing of mouth tissues and decreases the soreness of gums during infant teething. Foods like; sunflower seeds, turnip green, tomato paste and peanut butter are the good sources of Vitamin E.

Calcium: Sufficient amount of dietary calcium is needed to keep your teeth in good shape. You need to understand that if its levels are low it gets reabsorbed into bloodstream but put back into bones only when levels are higher. As your jaws and teeth are mostly made up of calcium, your risk developing gum diseases and tooth decay in its deficiency becomes higher. Calcium also helps to prevent osteoporosis, which can cause bone fractures and weak bone tissues around the teeth. Dairy products like; milk, cheese, yogurt are the best sources of calcium, you can also get it from beans, oysters, sardines, canned salmon, green leafy vegetables, cauliflower, cabbage, almonds and fortified orange juice and soy milk.

Phosphorus and Iron: Deficiency of iron can cause your tongue inflamed and sores can develop inside your mouth. You can get sufficient amount of iron from foods like; liver, red meat, bran cereals, some nuts and spices as well. Phosphorus together with calcium makes most of our teeth and bones. 85% of Phosphorus is found in our bones and teeth.

Contact Dr. Sikander Singh DMD for any of your oral health related issues. We will help you fight back and prevent any oral health related issues and help you retain pearly smile using the state-of-art techniques and technologies.

Dental Tips to Prevent Baby Bottle Tooth Decay

Care of teeth should start at a young age so that your children could enjoy a good oral health for a life time. Number of problems can affect the oral health of your child including tooth decay, thumb sucking, tongue thrusting, lip sucking and early tooth loss. Though the permanent teeth replace the baby teeth but keeping baby teeth healthy will help to develop stronger permanent teeth and as well eliminate the enamel defects.

What do you mean by Baby Bottle Tooth Decay?

Baby bottle tooth decay also known as nursing caries, childhood caries and nursing bottle syndrome, occurs if baby’s teeth remain in constant contact with sugars from fruit juices, milk formula, sugar water or any other sweet drink. The unswallowed milk in breast-fed infants’ mouth can put them into risk for tooth decay. Sugars in the mouth, present a breeding ground for the bacteria which ultimately results into tooth decay.

What happens if baby bottle tooth decay left untreated?

If left untreated, early tooth decay can lead to various other problems including:

• Decayed tooth cause pain, thus making it difficult for a child to chew and eat properly.
• Baby teeth are also ‘space savers’ for adult teeth. But if they are damaged or destroyed earlier, permanent teeth cannot get placed into proper position, hence resulting in crowded or crooked permanent teeth.
• Poorly destroyed or decayed teeth could lead to a tooth abscess, and this infection may spread elsewhere in the body also.

How can you prevent your child’s tooth decay?

You can prevent your child’s tooth decay by following below mentioned steps:

• Do not give your child a bottle filled with sugary liquids or milk to calm or comfort him during the day. Give plain water or substitute it with a pacifier.
• Do not dip your child’s pacifier in the sugar, honey or any other sugary liquid at anytime of the day.
• Do not put child to bed with a bottle filled with sugary liquids, give small amount of water or use a pacifier; as too much of water is also harmful.
• While sleeping, do not nurse your baby continuously throughout the night because breast milk also contains sugar and can cause tooth decay.
• Do not add sugar to your baby’s food.
• Make sure to wipe your child’s teeth and gums with a wet cloth or gauze after each feeding. This helps to remove any excess sugar or bacteria forming plaque that have built-up on teeth and gums.
• Take your dentist’s counsel about the fluoride needs of your baby. If fluoride is not present in your water, fluoride supplements or fluoride treatments may be suggested or needed.
• Educate your baby to drink from a feeder cup by his or her first birthday. It will reduce their teeth’s exposure to sugars.
• Do not feed sweets to your child very often and in large amount and particularly not before bedtime. As during sleep, saliva flow reduces.
• Give your child tangerines, bananas, pieces of cucumber or carrot sticks at snack time. You can also try other healthy snacks like rice cakes, toast and plain pop-corn. Dried fruits should be given occasionally as they tend to stick to their teeth.
• Do not give your child fizzy drinks as they contain large amounts of sugar and acids as well which can erode tooth’s outer surface.
• Avoid giving fruit-flavoured, baby juices’ to your babies and particularly in feeding bottles.
• Always ask for sugar-free medicine, particularly the cough syrups, from your doctor.

Baby bottle tooth decay is the most common childhood disease worldwide. Contact Dr. Sikander Singh D.M.D. at Aesthetic Dental Arts for any of your child’s oral health related issues. Our diligent dentist will educate you about preventive care to safeguard your child against oral health problems.

Early Detection of Oral Cancer

Oral Cancer is considered as the sixth most common form of cancer with 30,000 newly diagnosed cases each year and causing 8,000 deaths every year. If not detected and treated in earlier stages, oral cancer spreads and leads to chronic pain, functional loss, disfigurement of face and mouth and even death.

What is Oral or Mouth Cancer?

Uncounted growth of cells causing damage to the surrounding tissues is known Cancer. Oral cancer seems as a sore or growth in the mouth that does not go away. It includes cancers of tongue, cheeks, floor of mouth, soft and hard palate, sinuses and pharynx. If not detected early, it may also lead to death.

What are warning signs of Oral Cancer?

Along with going to the dentist regularly, you should also perform self examinations to detect the early warning signs. If any of the following signs come into vie; contact your dentist immediately

• Sore lasting more than two weeks
• Lumps , growth or inflammation in or near your mouth and lips
• White or red patches in your mouth or on your lips
• Frequent bleeding from throat or mouth
• Difficulty in swallowing, chewing or speaking
• Unexplained numbness or loss of feeling in any area of face, mouth or neck
• Pain or tenderness in any area of face, mouth or neck
• Recurrent sores on neck or face or in the mouth that bleed easily and lasting more than two weeks.
• Chronic sore throat, hoarseness or change in voice
• A change in the way your teeth or dentures fit together
• Sudden weight loss

Who are at the greater risk of developing Oral Cancer?

Men are at the higher risk of developing Oral Cancer as compared to women. The risk of developing Oral Cancer is greater in the individual who:

• Smoke cigarette, pipe or cigar
• Use dip, snuff or chew tobacco products
• Drink alcohol
• Are over the age of 40
• Are exposed to sun
• Take diet low in fruits and vegetables

What can you do to detect Oral Cancer at earlier stage?

To detect Oral Cancer at early stage, ask your dentist for a routine oral exam, whenever you visit him. You can also perform self-examination to check any early signs of disease:

• Look and feel your lips and front of your gums, using a mirror and bright light
• Look and feel the roof of your mouth by tilting your head back
• View the inside of your mouth, lining of your cheeks & back gums
• Look at the surface of your tongue and floor of the mouth
• Feel both the sides of neck and under your lower jaw for lumps and enlarged lymph nodes.
• If your dentist find any tissue in your mouth that looks suspicious, he can perform brush biopsy
• Your dentist may take a small sample of the tissue for analyzing any abnormal cells
• Your dentist may advice Scalpel Biopsy
• If your cancer is diagnosed, your dentist can advice more tests including; X-rays, CT scans, MRIs, Endoscopies and PT Scans

Oral Cancer, if caught early enough, is a treatable condition with wide spectrum of therapies available. To diagnose this disease early, regular dental visits and check-ups would be highly beneficial and helpful.

Contact Aesthetic Dental Arts, York PA for the skilled and state-of-art diagnosis and treatment of any of the dental problems & diseases. Our certified and professional dentist uses leading-edge and minimally invasive techniques and technologies to make your smile as beautiful as bright forever.

Gum Diseases

What are the potential signs and symptoms of Gum Disease?

Gum disease is the inflammation of soft tissue or gum around the teeth, which if left untreated can affect the bone which supports and surrounds your teeth. As the symptoms of gum disease start appearing in the advanced stage, it lies in the category of silent disease. This disease begins with the growth of bacteria in your mouth and may end with tooth loss, if not properly treated. Whether your gum disease will stop or get worse, depends largely upon how you take care of your teeth.

People usually start showing the signs of gum disease by the age of 30 or 40. Men are more prone to gum disease than women. There are the chances of developing gum disease in teenagers too but it appears in its milder form.

What are the potential signs and symptoms of gum disease?

Gum Disease may start developing slowly and painlessly but it shows few obvious signs including:

• Gum bleeding; during and after brushing
• Swollen, red or tender gums or some other pain in the mouth.
• Receding or pulling-away gums that make your teeth look even longer.
• Continuous bad breath or bad taste
• Bleeding while flossing or eating hard food.
• Loose or separating teeth.
• Mucus between gums and teeth
• Deep pockets between gums and teeth.
• Change in the way teeth fit together while biting
• Change in the fit of partial dentures

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, consult your dentist immediately, as these symptoms if not treated properly may lead to periodontists.

 Contact Aesthetic Dental Arts, York PA, for any of your dental problems. Our professional and diligent dentist makes use of leading-edge technologies and minimally invasive techniques for the diagnosis and treatment of dental diseases.