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Musical Dentistry Distraction |
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Musical Dentistry Distraction
What is your favorite part about going to the dentist? For some of you, the easier question to answer may be 'What is your least favorite part about going to the dentist?' Many people seem to find the noises associated with dental visits to answer the latter. We hear it all the time- “If it weren't for the sound of the drilling, this wouldn't be bad!”. Well, guess what? You don't have to listen to it!
We are happy to provide all patients with a comfortable set of headphones to wear during your visit. Pick your favorite radio station, or bring your own cd. You can even bring your own iPod. Put your favorite songs on a Dental Visit Playlist!
Music has been proven to help people relieve tension they may have during dental appointments. Not only does it mask the sound of the procedure, but it works as a calming distraction, and can even make the time seem to go by faster. Choosing your own music lets you choose your own mood. Maybe you'd like to listen to a relaxing classical concert, or maybe it would be your favorite party jam. Let the music open your imagination- pretend you're on the beach with your own private reggae band. Add a little nitrous into the mix, and you could really feel like you're pool side!
There's no need to let the sounds of the dental office ruin your visit. Let the music transport you to another time and place, and we'll do our best not to interrupt you. After all, who needs a dentist in their concert?!
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Can Energy Drinks Damage Your Teeth? |
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Sleep and exercise are proven stress relievers and help promote health. But many people don't get a good night's sleep, and often find difficulty developing daily exercise routines. People are constantly seeking new products and looking for more ways to become energized. Many athletes, weekend warriors, business people and homemakers have turned to various energy boosters, including very popular and highly promoted sport and energy drinks like Amp and Red Bull.
In a recent study, researchers immersed pieces of human dental enamel (the outside covering of the tooth, and the hardest substance in the body) in 13 popular beverages. The study found that non-cola soft drinks, energy/sports drinks, and commercial lemonade "showed the most aggressive dissolution effect on dental enamel," and in fact, were up to 11 times more erosive than cola! High levels of some additives, such as citric acid, caused the disintegration of the teeth.
A single energy drink may not do much damage to your teeth, but take caution if you frequently consume these beverages. It is better to drink them quickly, rather than sipping them for long peirods of time. Also, following the energy drink with a glass of water can help to rinse away potentially damaging acids.
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The Benefits of Laser Dentistry |
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The Benefits of Laser Dentistry
In my last blog, I talked about the use of a laser to relieve and reduce cold sores and canker sores. However, this is only one of the many benefits of having a laser in the practice. In a diode laser, energy is focused and transmitted via a flexible optical fiber to a handheld unit used by the dentist. You will notice that when the laser is in use, the dentist, assistant, and patient will all have special glasses on. These glasses are to protect their eyes from the light emitted from the laser. The power of the laser can be finely adjusted to perform a wide variety of procedures more safely and comfortably than ever before.
The diode laser is most commonly used to perform soft-tissue surgery, including removing tumors and lesions from the soft tissues of the mouth. It can be used to recontour gum tissue for clinical or cosmetic reasons. If you have large gums that make the teeth appear too short, gum recontouring can reshape the gum line to lengthen teeth and make your smile more attractive. Because a laser is used in this procedure, the wound seals immediately and healing begins right away. The process is relatively painless, quick, and can make your smile appear younger, healthier, and more balanced.
Because the laser's high-energy beam kills bacteria, it is often used to sterilize areas of the mouth before or during root canals, cavity treatment, and other such procedures. It can even be used to to treat gum disease and perform laser tooth cleaning and plaque removal. The low power of the laser light can kill bacteria in gum pockets for up to three months and can often be used without anesthesia.
The use of a laser is as safe as any other dental procedure. I have found it to be a wonderful addition to our practice, making many procedures quicker and less painful for the patient.
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Cold Sore and Canker Sore Relief! |
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Cold Sore and Canker Relief!
Many people suffer from cold sores and canker sores. Typically, these sores can last for several weeks and be quite painful. Fortunately, there is laser technology which now allows these sores to be treated without anesthesia and immediately reduce suffering. I am happy to announce that we now feature this laser in our office!
People sometimes confuse canker sores and cold sores, but they are completely unrelated. A canker sore is typically one that occurs on the delicate tissues inside your mouth. It is usually light colored at it's base and can have a red exterior border. A cold sore, or fever blister, on the other hand, usually occurs on the outside of the mouth. A cold sore is a form of the herpes simplex virus, and is contagious. They are usually painful and filled with fluid.
Typically, a canker sore will last for 10-14 days, and a cold sore can last for weeks. Now, in just a few minutes, without the need for anesthesia, we can apply the light from a laser to the sore and cause immediate relief. Generally the sore will finish healing within 24-72 hours. The laser works by heating the skin in the area of the developing sore. This dries out the skin as well as killing off some of the virus and infected skin cells. The result is skipping past the itchy, blistering stage of the sore to the scabbing, healing stage. By reducing the time of the blistering stage, this also helps decrease the potential spread of the virus causing the sore to surrounding areas. Additionally, in the case of canker sores, studies have shown that after laser treatment, no other sores will ever occur in that area.
In my next blog, I will discuss the many other uses for this laser in dentistry. Treatment of these sores is one small application of the laser, but a very helpful one to many people. If you suffer from cold sores or canker sores, give us a call. A few minutes of your time could save you from weeks of suffering!
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