All posts by AllSmiles

General Dentistry, Gum Disease, Oral Health

Missing Teeth and Your Heart

Research published in a December 2015 article of the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology shows that the risk of death in patients with coronary heart disease (plaque buildup inside the coronary arteries) who are missing all of their teeth. The 3.7-year study included more than 15,000 patients from 39 countries. About 16 percent of patients in the study had no teeth at all, and another 40 percent were missing half their teeth.

Compared with patients who had all of their teeth, those in the study who were completely endentulous (all teeth are missing) had a series of increased risks that included: 27 percent for a major cardiovascular event, 85 percent for cardiovascular death, 81 percent of all-cause death, and 67 percent for stroke.

During the study, 746 patients had heart attacks. During follow up, 1,543 of the patients surveyed had major cardiovascular events; 705 experienced cardiovascular death; 1,120 died from other causes; and 301 patients had a stroke. In the follow-up events, an increase in tooth loss was associated with an increase in the risk a cardiovascular event, death by other causes, and stroke. Results were not as conclusive with patients who had heart attacks during the study.

Who were the most at-risk patients?

  • Women, who were also:
  • smokers;
  • less active;
  • and more likely to have diabetes;
  • higher blood pressure;
  • higher body-mass index;
  • and lower education

Why Are Coronary Heart Disease and Missing Teeth Related?

The most common cause of missing teeth is gum disease. Inflammation from gum disease affects the heart, and it increases the risk of heart trauma in people who have heart disease, or who are at risk for it. Poor dental hygiene contributes to gum disease.

The study emphasizes the importance of daily brushing your teeth and flossing between them. Brushing alone isn’t enough. Flossing removes bacteria-producing debris that causes inflammation and gum disease. Regularl dental exams and cleanings remove plaque and tartar from your teeth, and greatly reduce the risk of gum disease. Examinations from your dental hygienist and dentist provide early detection of gum disease.

The conclusion? Good oral hygiene habits keep your teeth clean and can contribute to a healthier heart.

This post is sponsored by Plano, TX female dentist Dr. Miranda Lacy.

Oral Health, Sedation Dentistry

Marijuana before my dental appointment

Marijuana makes me feel easy and calm like I’m hand gliding over the beach on a warm day. I use it on weekends to help me relax. Every once in a while I will use it during the week depending on my stress level. I have been on anti-depressants before and they made me get thoughts of hurting myself, but I’ve never had those thoughts with MJ. So I don’t need it as often as I took the prescription meds. I’m going to schedule a root canal for one tooth, another one needs to be pulled, and later I’ll get a dental bridge for the one that will be pulled. After the dentist described everything he had to do, I thought to myself that a little MJ before my appointment would be in order. Instead my dentist talked to me for 10 minutes about sedation and a little pill I would take before the appointment. I am not feeling the anti-anxiety meds idea, not at all. So here’s my question: if MJ is my relaxation method of choice can I refuse sedation and maybe sign off on something to say that I realize what I am doing. Thank you very kindly. Mitch

Mitch – Although you use marijuana to help you relax, it shouldn’t be used before or after your dental appointments. Here’s why:

  • Smoking of any sort interferes with the oral healing process. An abstract from February 2008 Journal of the American Medical Association noted that in one study, it was found that periodontal (gum) disease is linked to regular marijuana use—and it increases the risk.
  • When a tooth is extracted or when a root canal is performed, your gums are at risk of infection. It’s best to avoid anything that can prevent proper healing. Keep in mind that the things you need to avoid after your dental procedures aren’t limited to smoking. You will be given instruction for proper after care. The goal is to help you have successful, infection-free treatment.
  • The action of sucking or drawing from tobacco or marijuana cigarettes can dislodge blood clots. The smoke itself is harmful to the teeth and gums.

Sedation dentistry provides a low dose of anti-anxiety medication. It is not for daily, long-term use, but instead is taken before your dental appointment. Speak with your dentist about your concerns for the medication used to help you relax. He will answer your questions and discuss your options.

This post is sponsored by Plano, TX dentist Dr. Miranda Lacy.

Teeth whitening

Can I wear teeth whitening strips all night?

I got 6 boxes of free teeth whitening with an online purchase. It sounded exciting because I’ve always wanted to whiten my teeth, but I wasn’t sure if it was worth it to spend $30 to $40 dollars on strips. I started using the free ones 6 weeks ago. For the first 2 weeks, I started wearing them every night for 30 minutes just as the instructions said I should but I didn’t see any results. So I bumped up the time to an hour for and I am still not seeing anything different. I want to stretch out the time that I wear them and I am wondering if it’s okay to wear them for the whole night. Thx Kip

Kip – You should only wear the whitening strips for the instructed time. If you wear them overnight, unless they are made to stay secure, they will probably come off of your teeth. Even if you receive teeth bleaching gel from a dentist, it should only we kept in contact with your teeth for the amount of time instructed.

Keeping whitening strips or bleaching gel in contact with your teeth for too long can burn your gums or cause your teeth to become very sensitive. It is possible to over-whiten your teeth, which can cause discoloring.

If you have been using whitening strips for six weeks and have seen no results at all, they probably aren’t any good at all. Although whitening strips will brighten your teeth more slowly than whitening from the dentist, you should see some improvement.

It is not unusual for free teeth bleaching kits not to work at all, unless you receive free whitening from a dentist. If you want whitening strips that work, it’s best to buy some that contain carbamide peroxide. This is the whitening ingredient in professional gel, but the strips will contain less of it.

Have you asked your dentist about teeth whitening? Some dentists provide it to customers who keep their regularly scheduled appointments for cleanings and exams. If your dentist doesn’t provide it you may be surprised at how he or she can make it affordable for you.

This post is by Plano, TX dentist Dr. Miranda Lacy

Affordable Dentistry, Cosmetic Dentistry

Messed up my teeth and can’t afford to fix them

Since I was 14 I’ve had a bad habit that has really messed up my teeth. I am over the habit now, but my teeth are a wreck. When I was a teenager I didn’t think it was a big deal, but now that I am 37 it is really concerning me. I know that my teeth are a distraction because I can see people’s eyes looking at them. Despite my Bachelors degree, which I got in 2013, I’ve had limited job offers and none in the field that I studied. My appearance is influencing everything. I feel trapped because I can’t get a job with decent dental coverage and the out of pocket cost for correcting my teeth is way too expensive. I am wondering if there is some temporary way to make my teeth look better so that I can at least get a job. After I have dental coverage I will work on really correcting my smile. Thanks. L.T.

Dear L.T. – We understand your concerns about your smile. A smile definitely makes a first impression. It’s also important to restore decayed or broken down teeth to prevent them from further weakening. It is possible for untreated teeth to be damaged beyond repair and eventually need to be replaced.

Photo of a blonde woman witth a pretty smile for Plano, TX affordable dentist Dr. Miranda Lacy.Before recommending a cosmetic treatment for your teeth, Dr. Lacy would need to examine them. There are temporary dental appliances that fit over your natural teeth to give you a quick smile makeover. Find a few skilled cosmetic dentists with whom you can have consultations to determine if this treatment method is right for you.

Otherwise, it may be recommended that the work of restoring your teeth is given priority now. Dentists are concerned with preserving your teeth and helping you restore them. So they will work to make it affordable for you by means of financing or payment plans.

You will likely be encouraged by a few visits with cosmetic dentists to discuss your options. Many patients are surprised to learn the ways that restorative dental work can be done to fit your budget.

 

This post is sponsored by Plano, TX dentist Dr. Miranda Lacy.

 

Porcelain Veneers

3 porcelain veneers have fallen off

I got porcelain veneers in April 2015 and since that time 3 of them have fallen off. The first one got loose before it fell off so I wasn’t really surprised by it, but I didn’t have any idea that the last 2 that fell off were even loose. The most recent one fell off in early November. I am writing in because 1 of the 3, the top left incisor feels loose again. Each time I got the veneers bonded back on again, my dentist asked me a series of questions that sounded like I am abusing the veneers. I never abused my natural teeth and I am certainly not abusing veneers that I paid thousands of dollars for. My sister hinted that maybe my dentist is trying to avoid the issue that he is the problem, not me. So she asked her friend who is a dental assistant about it and her friend also said that it may be that the dentist is applying the veneers incorrectly. If this is the case, what should he be doing to make sure that the veneers stay in place and is this something that I can expect to continue with all 8 veneers? Thanks. Audra

Audra – When porcelain veneers loosen or fall off, the most likely cause is improper bonding technique. When the same veneer repeatedly loosens or falls off, it is likely that the veneer wasn’t properly cleaned before reapplying it, and the bonding technique is faulty.

Without an examination of your teeth, veneers, and your dentist’s technique, Dr. Lacy can’t specifically say what needs to be done to ensure that your veneers are stable. We suggest that you seek a second opinion from a skilled cosmetic dentist. An examination will help determine the cause of the loose veneers and what needs to be done to prevent future episodes. Veneers should not fall off at all. For long-lasting results, you can consider having your veneers properly bonded by a more experienced cosmetic dentist.

This post is sponsored by Plano, TX dentist Dr. Miranda Lacy.

Sedation Dentistry

Dentist wants to sedate me but I am not nervous

Why would a dentist tell me that she wants to sedate me when I am not nervous? My tolerance for pain is high and I prefer to be aware of everything that is going on. This just doesn’t make sense to me. I am beginning to wonder if I need to get a second opinion because she may be trying to make more money from me. This has never been an issue nor have I ever presented myself with having problems in her office, so why now? Should I find another dentist or at least get a second opinion, or should I trust her and go ahead with the sedation? Thanks. Edis

Edis – The dental procedure that you are going to have may be the reason that your dentist is recommending sedation, but you didn’t mention what that procedure will be. If a root canal is needed, a tooth will be extracted, or if any procedure is being done that is known for causing a lot of pain or discomfort, your dentist will recommend sedation.

Although you may have a high tolerance for pain, you may not be able to anticipate the level of pain for the procedure you will have. But based on experience and patient reaction, your dentist makes a recommendation. It is best to speak with your dentist and ask why sedation is being recommended for your upcoming procedure. Her explanation may be all that is needed to give you confidence that you can trust her judgement.

If you speak with your dentist and still question the recommendation, then you can receive a second opinion. Although a patient may be able to withstand a procedure without sedation, a dentist is often able to accomplish more in one office visit with sedation than without it.

This post is sponsored by Plano, TX dentist Dr. Miranda Lacy.

Teeth whitening

Can I use my sister’s free teeth whitening gel?

My sister’s dentist gives her free teeth whitening gel with every dental cleaning because she has been with the office for more than 5 years. I looked in her frig over the weekend and she has an accumulation of gel and I asked her for some it. I have been wanting to whiten my teeth for years but I haven’t been able to afford it. I would think that she would gladly give me some of her gel because she can’t use it all, but she went into this story about not knowing if I should do it on my on because what if it’s too strong for my teeth and yahdee yahdee yahdee… Is there a problem with me using some of the gel that she has? Thanks. Jyneen

Jyneen – Your sister has a valid concern. It is possible that the whitening gel is too strong for your teeth. If your teeth are sensitive, a lower-strength bleaching gel can help you keep the gel in contact with your teeth longer and get them white without causing sensitivity.

There is also the question of how you will apply the gel. Do you have customized bleaching trays? Trays that are made specifically for your teeth will prevent the gel from oozing out and burning your gums. Are you sure that whitening your teeth with gel is the correct solution for removing the stains? Depending on the cause of the stains, bleaching gel can make the stains more noticeable.

If you decide to use your sister’s gel, you may want to ask your own dentist a few questions to find out if whitening your teeth yourself is a good idea. Find out the percentage of carbamide peroxide the bleaching gel contains to help determine if it’s safe for your use, or if a lower strength is needed to safely whiten your teeth.

This post is by Plano, TX dentist Dr. Miranda Lacy.

Sedation Dentistry

Nitrous sedation at the dentist doesn’t work for my daughter

My 9 yr old daughter is at a new dentist that she really likes. We’ve had our 3rd visit to the new dentist. Even though my daughter likes the dentist and her staff, she still get really nervous. This is all coming from the previous family dentist who I thought was nice but later found out intimidates kids if they even look like they don’t want to be there. I describe it as passive aggressive or nice/nasty. Kids can pick up on that behavior quickly and my daughter did. I didn’t know it was a problem because I didn’t usually go back with her to the room for cleanings. I thought she was in good hands and she never complained. I didn’t find out about it until my niece was visiting and talking about her own dental appointment. Then my daughter started talking about her previous dentist. After I found out that our previous dentist was trouble, I quickly switched my daughter and our whole family to a new practice. As I mentioned in the beginning, she is still nervous. Now her nervousness is obvious to me. The new dentist gives her nitrous which really doesn’t seem to calm her much. I am not happy about asking for something stronger, but is there something else that I should ask for? Zuli

Zuli – Yes, there are safe oral sedatives that dentists use for children. You can ask your family dentist if she uses oral sedatives for children who need more help relaxing than what nitrous oxide provides.

You will need to inform your dentist of any medications, over-the-counter medications, and supplements your daughter takes. Find out what medication your dentist uses and do your own research on it. Look for possible reactions with the sedative that may interfere with medication or supplements your daughter takes. If you are uncertain about possible reactions, ask your pharmacist and your daughter’s pediatrician about it.

Oral conscious sedation is a new phase of dentistry for your daughter. You may consider increasing her comfort level with this new phase by accompanying her in the treatment room for at least a few visits.

This post is sponsored by Plano dentist Dr. Miranda Lacy.

 

Affordable Dentistry

Need cheap root canal and filling for rotten tooth

i have a tooth that had a cap on it. the cap was probably 12 yrs old and it cracked last week. the tooth is starting to get really sensitive without the cap. i am really thinking that i need another root canal in the tooth. i don’t have dental insurance so i just want to get it filled this time. i know something needs to be done. other than looking for a dentist on google is there a way to find a dentist who will do a cheap root canal and fill the tooth? thx ethan

Ethan – Most dentists will provide you with a root canal treatment, and make it affordable for you. Select a few dentists, call them, and ask about payment plans or arrangements for patients who don’t have dental insurance.

You should know that if your tooth is so damaged that it needed a dental crown, a dental filling won’t be enough to protect it. A new crown will be required. You will be able to wear a temporary crown while the new one is being made for you.

An examination is required to determine the correct treatment for your tooth. It is possible that you don’t need another root canal treatment, and that a new crown is all that’s needed. While your tooth is unprotected, you can expect to feel sensitivity.

As soon as possible, make the calls to dental offices so your tooth can be treated. Without the crown, the tooth is weak. Prompt treatment can prevent further damage to the tooth. If there is further damage to the tooth, it will be more expensive to restore.

Don’t neglect quality to find the cheapest treatment available. If the restoration of your tooth isn’t done correctly, it will need to be repeated. And that will cost you more money in the long term.

 

This post is sponsored by Plano, TX dentist Dr. Miranda Lacy.

Teeth whitening

Switch dentists to get free teeth whitening for life?

I can get whitening trays and bleaching gel from my dentist for a little more than $300. This is something I have been trying to negotiate with or make payment plans on but the office doesn’t permit it anymore because they’ve been burned by too many people when they did offer payment plans or discounts.

After searching online I see several dentists in my town who offer free teeth whitening for life. Now that sounds like a good deal to me. I am wondering though, what’s the catch? Some of the dentists even mention that they will give you custom trays too. This has me considering switching dentists so I don’t have to spend $300 on something that could be free. Is it worth the switch? Carlene

Carlene – Before you switch dentists, think about the reasons that you like your dentist, the office, the staff, and whether or not you can get those same things from another dental office. Consider where the office is located. Is convenience going to be an issue? Make a list of the pros and cons of making a switch.

If you still want to explore your options, choose two or three dentists who offer free teeth whitening. Find out what the whitening kit  includes. Is it just the bleaching gel, or are custom trays included? If the bleaching trays are lost or damaged, is there a fee to replace them? What kind of bleaching gel will you receive, and how effective is it? How long are you required to be a patient before you receive this benefit?

If you are still interested in free whitening from a particular dentist, schedule a consultation to see the office, and meet the dentist and his or her staff. Some dentists who offer this complimentary service have exclusions. For instance, in some cases, Medicare or Medicaid patients are not eligible for the free service.

Get the information you need to make an informed decision before you switch.

This post is sponsored by Plano, TX dentist Dr. Miranda Lacy.