What Causes Sensitive Teeth?

Does sensitivity keep you from enjoying your favorite cold treat?  Does a cup of coffee make your mouth cringe?  You may be suffering from sensitive teeth.  But what causes sensitive teeth and how can you fix it?  Here are a few possible causes and suggestions to help you get started.

1. Exposed tooth roots - Many of us brush way too hard under the impression that harder means cleaner.  It doesn’t.  Brushing too hard can eventually wear away your gums leaving your tooth roots exposed.  The tooth root has pores that lead to the nerve of the tooth.  When these pores are exposed triggers like hot and cold have a much quicker access to the root causing discomfort or pain.  Talk to your dentist.  He may suggest a sensitivity toothpaste or mouthwash.

2. Tooth decay – Tooth decay can also cause sensitivity.  The most common form of decay is cavities.  A second form of tooth decay is cracking.  Large fillings can lead to weakness in the rest of the tooth, providing the potential for cracking.  Additionally, munching on too many hard treats like candy or ice can also lead to a crack.  To fix the sensitivity, you would need to eliminate the decay.  Schedule an appointment with your dentist to find relief from sensitivity caused by tooth decay.

3. Too much acid – Acid in the things we eat and drink can eventually wear away the enamel on teeth, leaving the dentin exposed.  Without the enamel barrier, teeth can easily become sensitive.  Your dentist will know how to help you minimize future acid erosion and protect the dentin already exposed.

4. Whitening agents – Over-whitening and working continuously to keep our pearly whites pearly can cause sensitivity.  Bleach and other chemicals used in teeth whitening products can cause sensitivity throughout your mouth. The simplest solution may be to stop using the whitening product; or talk with your dentist about switching to different whitening methods, or using different product lines.
 

If you or any family members have further questions, please contact us and we would be happy to discuss any concerns.  Why wait.......call today (512) 992-2822 or visit our website Rigby Advanced Dental.

Thumbsucking........Is It Bad Long Term?

That’s a common question we hear from a lot of parents.

Thumb sucking is a natural and common behavior that many babies start naturally on their own. Babies have a reflex for sucking, and will automatically begin to suck on anything placed in or around their mouths shortly after birth. If their thumbs come in contact with their mouths, the process begins.

This sucking reflex begins to disappear around the age of 4 months as a child moves on to different milestones. Yet thumb sucking can continue because it no longer is a reflex, but instead turns into a habit that provides comfort and relief.

If you watch a child that sucks his or her thumb, you’ll notice the thumb sucking is usually associated with a need: maybe they are tired, hungry, or scared. While many children stop the habit on their own, it can be something that continues on for years. This is when thumb sucking can become a problem. Prolonged thumb sucking may cause:

• A child’s teeth to become improperly aligned, pushing the front teeth outward

• Malformation of the palate roof of the mouth due to prolonged contraction from the sucking action

• Speech problems, including mispronouncing certain letters of the alphabet, and lisps when talking

When should you begin to take action?

For the most part, experts agree that you should ignore the behavior in children and toddlers preschool age and under. Most children will stop thumb sucking on their own; the more emphasis you put on it, the bigger deal it will become.

If the habit continues on from there, the best way to handle the situation is to help the child stop sucking on their own.

Give the child extra attention when thumb sucking is most prevalent.

Help them find other ways of dealing with stress.

Talk openly about thumb sucking and what you can do to stop/change the behavior.

Apply something that tastes bad onto the thumb as a means of helping your child accomplish the goal of quitting. It should be used with his/her permission as a reminder, not as a deterrent from you.

Apply a bandage around the thumb as a reminder.

Distract the child when he/she begins to suck. Start an activity that requires the use of both hands.

If you or any family members have further questions, please contact us and we would be happy to discuss any concerns.  Why wait.......call today (512) 992-2822 or visit our website Rigby Advanced Dental.

Today's Implant Restoration!

Check out the dental implant restoration Dr. Rigby just completed for one of our outstanding patients!  The implant was placed and restored by Dr. Rigby.  It was allowed to integrate with the surrounding bone for roughly six months before final restoration.  The patient had a very smooth and comfortable healing period and was surprised by how simple and straight forward dental implants can be.  Both Dr. Rigby and the patient were pleased with the outcome.

Front View Before Implant Placement

Lateral View Before Implant Placement

Front View After Implant Restoration

Lateral View After Implant Restoration

Panorex After Implant Placement

Esthetic Smile Line After Implant Restoration

At Rigby Advanced Dental a set clinical protocol is followed for all of our dental implant patients, doing this ensures our best possible effort has been made to achieve success.  Through his extensive training as a Prosthodontist, Dr. Brent Rigby has been able to master the many aspects of dental implant therapy.  Rigby Advanced Dental not only offers complete implant care, but also offers a variety of other dental services.  Please visit our website Rigby Advanced Dental for details.  We enjoy being able to provide top notch dental care to the people of Bee Cave, Lakeway and other surrounding Lake Travis areas!

Why You Should Schedule A Dental Cleaing

One of the most important ways to stay healthy is to schedule a regular dental checkup.  Dental health is often neglected and put off until a problem arises. Yet keeping your pearly whites in top shape not only keeps your smile white, but can also help you avoid other health problems. The following ten reasons are why you should schedule a dental cleaning and keep your mouth happy and healthy.

1. Keep your body healthy – Gum disease has been linked to heart disease and strokes. Having regular cleanings will help keep your teeth and gums healthy, leading to better overall health.

2. Keep gum disease at bay – Again, gum disease has been linked to serious health problems. Regular cleanings will help prevent gum disease, which can also lead to loss of teeth.

3. Stop oral cancer – The best way to stop oral cancer is to catch it early or prevent it from developing in the first place. Regular cleanings will screen for mouth cancer, which could mean the difference between life and death.

4. Keep your teeth healthy – Regular cleanings will help you keep all of your teeth for the rest of your life. Poor dental hygiene leads to cavities and tooth loss. Having your teeth cleaned on a regular basis will help ensure that you live a long life with all of your teeth.

5. Prevent halitosis – Halitosis, or bad breath, is a problem for millions of people. Regular cleanings combined with at-home dental care, will keep your mouth free of disease and bacteria, which will leave your breath smelling fresh.

6. To whiten your teeth – A bright, white smile makes you smile more. A regular cleaning helps reduce plaque, and leaves your teeth in the best shape possible.

7. Keep you on your toes – By visiting your dentist for a cleaning every few months, you are more likely to stay on top of your at-home dental care routine because you know your dentist will notice if you slack.

8. To detect problems early – Instead of waiting until you suffer from pain, regular cleanings will give your dentist the chance to notice problems sooner so you can be treated before the problem gets out of control.

9. Keep you on schedule – As you age, its important to have a great relationship with your health care providers, and maintain every aspect of your health. By sticking to a schedule, you’ll have less to think about, less to plan, and more to enjoy as the years roll by.

10. Make use of your insurance – Instead of using your dental insurance only when you have a problem, take advantage of the perks. Most insurance policies include regular cleanings. Find out the details of your plan, and connect with your dentist today.

Give us a call today and keep on track by getting your mouth squeaky clean......(512) 992-2822 or contact us at Rigby Advanced Dental.

Periodontal Disease........What Causes It?

Periodontal gum disease is an infection of the gums that can result in tooth loss. Gingivitis is a form of periodontal disease. Having gum disease is a bothersome and stressful experience, especially if you end up having to have some or all of your teeth removed. There are several causes of gum disease, including the following:

Make sure to get a regular cleaning and check-up

Genetics

•  Some people are more inclined to have gum disease, especially if there is a family history of having it.  It is common to inherit certain traits that makes an individual more susceptible to periodontal disease.  It is worth noting, that periodontal disease is often caused by certain bacterial strains that inhabit an individuals mouth.  These strains are passed from parent to child through direct exposure and not genetics.  Often the reason gum disease is prevalent in a family is due to innocent exposure by a parent tasting food with the same utensil a child is using or rinsing a pacifier in their mouth before giving it to the infant, thus passing these pathogens to their children.  Often these types of events are unavoidable and the reason why some families struggle with gum disease and others do not.

Stress 

• Stress makes it harder for your body to fight off any infections, including gum disease.  Leaving the oral environment susceptible to decline. 

Teeth grinding

•  Grinding your teeth puts extra pressure on the sensitive areas of your teeth and gums.

Smoking

• Smoking and other tobacco use is one of the leading causes of gum disease.

Hormonal changes

• Pregnancy and puberty are just a few of the hormonal fluctuations that can make your gums more sensitive and susceptible to gum disease.

Obesity

• Being overweight often means you are not getting the nutrients that your body needs. This can increase your chances of developing gum disease.

Other diseases

• If your body is weakened by other diseases, such as cancer or AIDs, you have a higher chance of gum disease because your immune system may not be able to fight infections.

Medications

• There are certain medications that can increase your chances of gum disease, including oral contraceptives.

The best thing for you to do to prevent periodontal gum disease is to maintain a healthy mouth. Brushing and flossing daily is essential. Regular checkups with your dentist are also necessary to ensure that your teeth and gums are clean and healthy. Only your dentist will be able to help you ward off gum disease before it takes control. Keep your smile as beautiful now as it was when you were a child by following a strict dental regimen. Your teeth will thank you later.  Give us a call if you have any questions (512) 992-2822 or contact us at Rigby Advanced Dental.

Oral Cancer......What Are the Signs?

According to studies, nearly 37,000 Americans will be diagnosed with oral cancer this year.  Oral cancer will cause roughly 8,000 deaths this year and of those newly diagnosed 37,000 only about half will be alive five years from now.  This survival rate for this cancer is particularly bleak due to late detection.  Most oral cancer goes undetected until it has metastasized to another location because of the minimal signs of oral cancer.  Therefore it is even more important to recognize the potential signs of oral cancer to aid in early detection.  Here are a few things to watch for with regard to oral cancer.

Make sure to have a regular oral cancer exam by your dental health professional.

1. Appearance - The main symptom an individual with oral cancer may notice in the early stages is an irregularity in the appearance of the tissue within the mouth.  The cancer may manifest itself through a red or white patch of tissue in the mouth or an ulcer looking rather like a canker sore.  If you develop a sore in your mouth that lasts for more than 14 days, it is best to have it checked out by your dentist.  They can determine if there is any cause for concern or further testing.

2. Pain – Another potential sign of oral cancer is pain or difficulty when chewing, swallowing, or speaking.  Again should this symptom persist, especially if it occurs simultaneously with other symptoms, contact your health care professional or dentist.

3. A mass - A mass or lump which can be felt within the mouth or neck is another potential symptom of oral cancer.

4. Numbness - Any numbness of the oral or facial region could also be cause for concern.  Contact your health care provider to get this checked out as soon as possible.

5. Hoarseness - One final common sign of oral cancer is hoarseness.  If you suffer from prolonged hoarseness unrelated to another illness contact your physician for an exam.

Dr. Rigby recommends having a routine head and neck cancer screening biannually at your regular dental hygiene visits.  If you or any family members have further questions, please contact us and we would be happy to discuss any concerns.  Why wait.......call today (512) 992-2822 or visit our website Rigby Advanced Dental.

Dry Mouth......What Causes It?

Ever experienced a dry mouth?  We all need saliva to moisten and cleanse our mouths, keep bacteria under control, and to help us digest our food properly.  If we don’t produce enough saliva, we experience a dry mouth, which can be uncomfortable.

There are several causes for dry mouth, also known in medical terms as Xerostomia.  Causes range from:

• A side effect from prescription and non-prescription drugs used to treat everything from depression and anxiety, cols and allergies, acne, diarrhea, and asthma.
• A side effect of certain diseases, such as Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s, diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis.
• A side effect of muscle relaxants and sedatives.
• A side effect for medical treatments that may have damaged the salivary glands, such as radiation and chemotherapy treatments.
• Dehydration from excessive sweating, fever, blood loss or burns.
• Lifestyle choices, such as smoking or chewing tobacco.

Besides being uncomfortable, dry mouth can lead to more serious problems, such as increasing a person’s risk of gingivitis and gum disease.  Treatment is often a very simple process.

If you think dry mouth is caused by medicines or prescriptions, talk with your doctor about the dosage and other options.  If you aren’t sure what is causing your dry mouth, you can change some of your daily habits.

• Drink more water to keep your mouth moist.
• Suck on sugar free candy to help increase saliva.
• Protect your teeth by visiting your dentist regularly.
• Breath more though your nose, not through your mouth.
• Add moisture to your bedroom with a room vaporizer.
• Use an artificial saliva substitute.

If you or any family members have further questions, please contact us and we would be happy to discuss any concerns.  Why wait.......call today (512) 992-2822 or visit our website Rigby Advanced Dental.