Tell It to Me Straight!

Posted on February 25, 2013 by admin

Have you thought to yourself, “I wish I had straight teeth but DO NOT want to wear braces?” Well, your wish is granted….Invisalign is your answer!

You wear these trays called aligners every two weeks!

Invisalgin is made up of a series of trays or aligners that move your teeth and over time the teeth become straight. They are clear and do not impede your speech or get caught in your lip, like traditional bracket braces do.

It is very simple to start Invisalign at Livery Dental. All you have to do is ask! Yes, the simple act of asking about straightening your teeth can lead to great things. We will always make sure at your hygiene appointments and your appointments with Dr. Adams that you are happy with your smile and if there is anything you would like to change. If you would like to change something, Invisalign is here for you.

Not sure what Invisalign is all about?

Check out this video: Invisalign Video for more information!

If you have always thought having straight teeth could never be in your future, look no further than Livery Dental! Call or come in for a consultation and you will have a healthy, straight smile in no time!

 PD10-026_Crowding_Before     PD10-027_Crowding_After

     Before Invisalign                               After Invisalign

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Xero….what?

Posted on September 29, 2011 by admin

Xerostomia sounds like a strange word, and when it happens to your mouth it feels very strange as well. It is the medical term for a dry mouth due to a lack of saliva.

CAUSES

It can be caused by dehydration, stress and anxiety, the after effects of chemotherapy or radiation near the head and neck, excessive mouth breathing, and trauma to the salivary glands. Probably the most common cause of xersotomia, is medications. There are over 700 types of medications that can cause that pesky dry mouth, and when combined with other drugs can increase the effect.

SYMPTOMS

The greatest symptom is obviously the feeling of your mouth being dry. You may also feel:

* That your lips are sticking to your teeth when you try to talk 

*Burning feeling in your tongue

* Cracked lips 

* Trouble swallowing, eating, or speaking

* Mouth sores.

THE IMPORTANCE OF SALIVA

Saliva does more than “wet your whistle.” It has amazing properties that can aid in digestion, protects teeth from decay, prevents infections from forming on teeth, gums, and the whole mouth. When saliva levels drop just below normal, insanity can ensue. Sometimes, it can be difficult to realize that you have xerostomia. It doesn’t always feel like a dessert in the mouth, but just a slight difference in feel in the mouth. That is the time when most of the damage can occur.

MANAGEMENT

In order to keep xerostomia under control, there a many things you can do to help. The easiest cheapest way, is to increase your intake of water. Drinking more water can sometimes flush out a clogged saliva duct. There are specialized dry mouth toothpastes that can stimulate saliva flow. At Livery Dental, we offer several types of toothpastes that work very well and keeping xerostomia symptoms at bay. Make sure to eat foods low in sugar and drink liquids that are low in acid, decaffeinated, and carbonation. And as always visit our office regularily for cleanings and check ups.

Xerostomia can be troublesome, but with the right help you can prevent damage and annoyance.

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Oral HPV and Oral Cancer: Are you at risk?

Posted on March 17, 2011 by admin

What is HPV?

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is one of the most common virus groups in the world. There are many different types of HPV. Medical research shows that certain high-risk types of HPV are linked to approximately 90% of cervical cancers. Similarly, recent studies show that these same high-risk types cause cancers of the mouth, tongue, tonsils, and throat areas.

How do people get HPV?

Low risk HPV can be transmitted by close contact between people. However, the more serious types of HPV (high-risk) that may lead to cervical cancer or oral cancer are known to be sexually transmitted. Other avenues of transmission may occur. Both males and females are at risk.

How common are HPV-related diseases?

According to the Centers for Disease Control, approximately 20 million Americans are currently infected with HPV. Another 6 million people become newly infected each year.

How do I know if I have an Oral HPV infection?

Early oral HPV infections do not typically cause any clinical signs or symptoms; thus, a visual exam would not detect people that may already have an infection caused by oral HPV. A simple test called OraRisk® HPV is available here with Dr. Adams. Together we can detect oral HPV infections very early. Just a 30 second “swish and gargle” with sterile saline solution. The sample is sent to a lab for analysis and Dr. Adams will contact you to discuss the results.

Who should be tested for Oral HPV?

  •  Individuals with “traditional” risk factors for oral cancer such as smoking and alcohol
  • Males and females that are sexually active
  • Individuals with a history of oral cancer

 If I test positive for Oral HPV, Does it mean I have cancer?

No. A positive test does not necessarily mean that cancer is present, nor does it mean that you will definitely develop cancer. The earlier the risk for oral cancer is detected or the earlier oral cancer itself is detected, the more likely it can be treated successfully. Oral HPV is now a known cause for cancers of the mouth and throat areas; it is important for you and your dental professional to know if an oral HPV infection is present and if so, which type of oral HPV infection is present. The OraRisk® HPV test helps you and your dental professional better understand your risk for oral HPV-related oral cancer.

For more information visit The National Cancer Institute

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Dental Resolutions

Posted on January 3, 2011 by admin

Welcome to 2011! Where has the time gone that it is now a new year?

Resolutions. We all make them, we all want to stick to them. Sometimes we do, like spending more time with the family, eating well, and exercising more. We at Livery Dental, hope you make some dental resolutions too. They can range from the very simple like flossing more, or big ones, like a dental makeover! Whatever the resolution is, dental ones are always great to stick to. 

Another great thing about the new year is that dental insurance replenishes after the ball drops. It’s like getting charged up for the year. And we are here for you and whatever need you have in the year to come.

So, welcome 2011! We hope your resolutions will stick with you throughout the year.

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Which Floss Should I Use?

Posted on August 30, 2010 by admin

This question gets asked all the time here at Livery Dental. The great thing for patients is there is no real right answer. One, it is great that you are asking because that means that you are interested in actually doing it. Did you know that flossing can extend your life by 3-6 years! That is amazing! Think of what you can do with all that extra time. And second, whatever floss you like is the floss you should use. Waxed, unwaxed, tape, flavored, or unflavored. In the dental aisle at the grocery store, inevitably there are rows of floss. It can seem pretty daunting. But, really just close your eyes and pick one. It’s just floss people. If you don’t like it, you can go on to the next one.

Personally speaking, the hygienists here like Reach Total Care floss made by Johnson and Johnson. And lucky for you, it is in your goody bags! Another great reason to come get your teeth cleaned…free floss!

It’s simple, whatever you choose, use it. And yes, everyday! Happy Flossing.

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Electric Toothbrushes

Posted on August 30, 2010 by admin

Electric toothbrushes are a great addition to your dental home care. Hand held toothbrushes work well, but using an electric one is so much better. At Livery Dental, we recommend the Oral-B electric toothbrushes. Right now, we have the Oral-B Triumph. 

The Oral-B collection uses an oscillating and rotating motion which leaves the teeth feeling smooth and clean. With the Triumph, there is a clock which turns into a timer. The American Dental Association states that we should brush our teeth for two minutes. The Triumph breaks brushing time into four areas for thirty seconds in each area of the mouth, making it more manageable to clean for two minutes. There are also four brush modes; clean, soft, massage, and polish. With these settings, there is no reason to not feel that great clean feeling. If you tend to scrub when you brush, the Triumph also lets you know if you are pushing too hard. A red light will pop up on the timer, allowing you to know where exactly you are brushing too hard.

The nice thing about all Oral-B toothbrushes is that the bristles on the brush will turn from blue to white when it is time to change it. On the electric toothbrushes, you simply through away the head and place a new one on the base. There are even color coded bands to use if more than one person is using the base. That way you never use the wrong head.

At Livery Dental, we offer the Oral-B Triumph. All of us here use the Triumph at home! If you are interested in one you can always ask. We even have a $10 rebate from Oral-B. Brush, brush away!

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Oral Cancers

Posted on August 24, 2010 by admin

Cancer is not a to be taken lightly and neither is oral cancer. It can be very hard to detect but to the trained dental professional eye, it can be found. There are several types of cancers and in several different locations including the lips, tongue, cheeks, floor of the mouth, soft and hard palate, sinuses and throat. How can they be found? Well, at routine dental visits Dr. Adams and/or the hygienist will thoroughly examine your mouth, head and neck for any abnormal lumps, or tissue that looks out of the ordinary. If anything looks suspicious, further examination can be performed in the office or be referred to specialists. More likely than not unusual areas are nothing or benign. But, according to the American Cancer Society, 28,500 new cases were diagnosed in 2009 as cancerous. 
A good defense to oral cancer is being educated and prepared. Smoking, smokeless tobacco use, excessive alcohol consumption, excessive sun exposure, and family history. Early detection is key at Livery Dental. We offer a test that can detect cells that can be precancerous. It is called OralCDX. This test uses a brush that gathers cells from the suspicious site. We then send off the sample to a lab and they will contact our office with the results. This is another great way to offer great care for our patients. If you have questions about it, you can always ask at your appointment or visit www.brushtest.com for more information. 
The symptoms of oral cancer can be tricky because they can come and go or may go unnoticed. The most common symptoms are swelling, lumps, bumps, rough spots, or eroding on lips, tongue, or any area in the mouth. There can also be difficulty swallowing, chewing, or moving the jaw or tongue, unexplained bleeding, persistent sores lasting longer than two weeks and severe weight loss. If you notice any of these symptoms, it doesn’t always mean “the big C,” but you should always have them examined. It is important to be responsible for your own health as well. Self checking every month is a good way to be aware. Simply, being familiar with your own mouth can help you notice if something is suddenly different.
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ZOOM! Your Way to a Whiter Smile

Posted on August 17, 2010 by admin

Everyone wants a dazzling white smile. It is a sign of health and beauty. And here at Livery Dental, we offer ZOOM!This chairside whitening system can make the teeth up to eight shades whiter! A professional team member will apply the bleach to the teeth and a blue light activates the bleach on the teeth.! It takes about 45 minutes for the bleaching time but there is extra time to safely protect the gum tissue. Along with this procedure, you are given a set of bleaching trays with a tube of bleach to use at home for touch ups.

During the procedure, you can lay down relax and listen to our mp3 player while you ZOOM! your way to a whiter smile.

For the “white hot” summer, we are offering $100 off the ZOOM! Come on down and enjoy the benefits of a whiter smile!

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Drinks with Hidden Sugars!

Posted on August 5, 2010 by admin

Juice Drinks Vs. The Teeth

It is important to consume adequate amounts of fruits and vegetables. These food groups provide vital nutrients that allow your body to function at its best. Multiple studies have shown that orange juice, lemon juice and grapefruit juice all can be acidic and harmful to your teeth. It is possible for these acids to harm not only your teeth but dental restorations as well. These fruits are important parts of your overall diet but limiting the amount of citric juice intake to once or twice a day is recommended. In our office we recommend you avoid sipping on acidic liquids all day long. Using a straw to avoid contact with the teeth and gently rinsing your mouth with water after drinking acidic juices is a way to reduce your risk.

Sports Drinks vs. The Teeth

Sports drinks and energy drinks might seem like healthy alternatives to soda, but they are not healthier for your teeth. In our office we often see damage to the teeth and smile due to sports drinks. A new study from New York University College of Dentistry shows that sports drinks contain high levels of acids that may be linked to a condition called erosive tooth wear. In just 90 minutes of exposure to sports drinks over the course of a day the enamel coating on the teeth can be damaged and the teeth weakened. Sports drinks also contain a lot of sugar. In only a 12oz bottle of Gatorade, there are 10 and a half teaspoon of sugar. Most people do not drink only 12oz, they go for the 24 or 36 oz bottles. That can really add up on the amount of sugar we should be consuming daily. And can really add up on the amount of cavities that can occur!

Soda Vs. The Teeth

In our office we often see the damage to teeth caused by soft drinks. Most people seem to be aware of the damaging effect of soft drinks on their teeth but are not concerned by it. According to the American Dental Association, Americans drink more than53 gallons of soft drinks per person per year. Some soft drinks contain more than 11 spoonful’s of sugar (like Sunkist) which is used by the bacteria in your mouth to cause decay. Of greater concern is dental erosion, which is caused by acids in soda such as carbonic acid, citric acid, and phosphoric acid. You have seen what happens to a penny when you soak it in soda for a few hours. Over time these acids can damage the enamel of your teeth and lead to decay and need to restore those cavities. If a beautiful, healthy smile is your goal than avoiding soda is a good idea.

In conclusion, whether it is juice drinks like Orange juice, sports drinks like Gatorade, or soda like Sunkist, it is important to choose the right drinks to ensure a healthy smile. Remember, that 4 grams of sugar is equal to ONE teaspoon. So read the labels on the bottles while drinking…water!

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