Dental Fear | Dental Hygiene | General Dentistry | Teeth | Uncategorized | Wellness
It’s undeniable that stress is bad. From sleepless nights spent worrying about your job, your loved ones and world events, it can be hard to escape daily anxieties that we all face. Plenty of research has been done on the effects of stress on systemic health, but we rarely talk about the impact worry can have on your dental and oral health — and it’s a doozy.
Stress and Your Gums
Healthy gums are vital to a healthy mouth — they hold our teeth in place and form a sort of soft armor around the deeper parts of dental tissue. They prevent potentially harmful oral bacteria from entering our bloodstream, as well.
When you’re stressed out, your body amps up the production of a hormone called cortisol. Cortisol is aptly referred to as the “stress hormone.” Responsible for putting our bodies into fight-or-flight mode when faced with a serious threat, cortisol also has smaller, less noticeable effects in our daily lives even when we’re not in a life-or-death situation.
At proper levels, cortisol can help regulate everything from immune function to digestion, but when things get out of whack because of stress, cortisol signals the body to go haywire.
Improper cortisol levels can lead to increased inflammation, which can in turn affect sensitive gums and contribute to a worsening of gum disease or its more severe cousin, periodontal disease.
Stress and Your Teeth
Grinding, gnashing and clenching your jaw may be par for the course when you’re stressed, but these actions are actually hurting your teeth — you may be grinding them down to actual nubs. For many people feeling a little stressed out, it’s enough to focus on consciously relaxing and untightening your jaw. But not everyone’s anxiety is easily solved.
Some people respond to stress by grinding their teeth at night, a condition called bruxism. Bruxism is sometimes treated with prescription medication, but the most effective nonpharmaceutical option is a mouthguard. Your dentist can help advise the proper course of treatment for your nocturnal teeth grinding and get you hooked up with a custom-fitted mouthguard to stop the damage.
Steps You Can Take to Tackle Stress
Stress management requires a holistic approach. And because no one knows what’s going on in your life better than you, the approach you take needs to be tailored to your unique needs and situation.
Talk to your doctor or other health care professional for ways to manage stress, worry and anxiety in your day-to-day life, as well as look for ways to stem its effects on your overall health. You may, for example, find therapy and medication useful. Or you may embark on a de-stressing routine of utilizing yoga or meditation. No one solution is right for everybody, and you may find a combination of strategies is the best for you.
When it comes to stress’s effect on your teeth, your dentist is your go-to for ways to mitigate damage. Depending on the problems stress is causing for your teeth, tongue and gums, different treatments may be recommended. Keeping your mouth in good condition by practicing good home care — brushing, flossing and rinsing as recommended — is an excellent baseline. Some people find the time spent brushing is an excellent time to take deep breaths and focus on calming themselves before facing the day ahead or winding down for bed — something that may quell anxiety and stress.
How We Can Help
At the office of Drs. Krieger and Hur, we recognize that booking a trip to the dentist can be stressful in and of itself. We take every care to make your visit as pain-free as possible. If you’re nervous, just let our staff know when you book your appointment and we’ll work with you to ease your fears as you come in for an exam to determine what to do about stress’s effects on your oral health.
Whether you need a custom mouthguard to stop damage from grinding your teeth at night or some extra care for gums that are going through it because of increased inflammation, we can help. The first step to seeing what we can do is booking an appointment for a regular exam to help us get an idea of what we’re working with — and give you a chance to tell us what’s going on.
You can reach out to our office and book an appointment by calling us at (201) 560-0606. You can also book your spot via email by clicking here — someone will get back to you about your appointment. Again, if visiting the dentist is a source of stress, say something! We won’t judge, and we’ll do all we can to accomodate your needs.
Dental Benefits | Dental Fear | Dental Hygiene | Oral Health | Wellness
All water isn’t created equal — different mineral contents and additives lend this staple beverage different tastes. And it’s the different taste, along with the purported benefits of certain kinds of water and the grab-and-go convenience, that have helped give rise to a bottled water industry that’s worth over $300 billion. While water is and always has been the healthiest option for you — for both your overall health and that of your teeth — trendy bottled waters may actually be doing more harm than good.
Brushing | Dental Benefits | Dental Fear | Dental Hygiene | Oral Health | Teeth
Whether you’re looking for a couple’s date idea for you and your significant other for Valentine’s Day or are single and looking to kick up your dating life, a trip to the dentist can be a practical way to get things going. While it sounds as far from romantic as you can get, science has proven time and time again that good oral health can improve your romantic prospects and launch your love life into high gear.
Dental Benefits | Dental Fear | Dental Hygiene | Dental Implants | Oral Health | Teeth | Toothpaste | Wellness
Celebs and social media influencers always seem to have the brightest smiles. There’s a lot you can do to make the most of what nature gave you, but those in the spotlight may not exactly be au naturel when it comes to showing their pearly whites. If you, too, are searching for a million-dollar smile without spending big bucks, it can pay to try out some of the handy tips, tricks and lifehacks that’ll give you an Instagram-worthy grin.
Brushing | Children | Dental Benefits | Dental Fear | Dental Hygiene | Oral Health | Teeth | Wellness
Tackling Childhood Tooth Decay — Fillings, Sealants or Other?
Mommy wars and parent shaming are real — everyone has a different way of doing things, and this can often cause conflict and ruffle feathers. The common link between all parents is wanting to do what’s best for their children, especially when it comes to their medical and dental needs.
As infants grow into toddlers, preschoolers and grade schoolers, their dental care needs increase, too. One thing all parents worry about at one time or another is the best way to prevent decay. There are a number of solutions to help combat tooth decay and cavities in children, but which is truly the best?
New Study Results
The results of a three-year, multi-university study are in: active prevention is the best way of dealing with childhood tooth decay. According to the FiCTION study, the results of which were published in the November 26, 2019, issue of The Journal of Dental Research, the best way to deal with childhood tooth decay is to stop it before it starts. Although this nugget of wisdom is conventionally held as true based on common sense, medical science now backs it as fact.
Study findings concluded that, once decay sets in and treatment is started, there’s not much difference in the outcome. Most children will experience pain and infection regardless. So by default, the best way to treat your child’s teeth for cavities is to make sure they don’t happen in the first place.
How to Prevent Childhood Cavities
Preventing childhood cavities starts with regular dental checkups, starting about six months after infants get their first tooth and continuing at least twice a year. Checkups allow dentists to spot problems before they start and offer preventative treatments. For example, children who lack adequately strong enamel may require fluoride treatments to escape cavities. Starting and maintaining a regular dental visit schedule also ensures that your child’s teeth come in properly and on time — and that they can get early treatment for any spacing issues or abscessed teeth.
Regular checkups also allow dental staff to adequately clean your child’s teeth — something that brushing and flossing alone cannot do. It’s easy for young children to miss spots while brushing or to have trouble flossing because of the small size of their mouths. Dental cleanings give your child a fresh, clean slate to work with.
Home Care
In addition to making and keeping regular dental appointments for your child, you can help prevent cavities by getting your kids into the habit of taking care of their teeth at home. Kids should brush twice a day for at least two minutes at a time, using a toothpaste approved by the American Dental Association.
If your child isn’t old enough to avoid swallowing toothpaste, skip those containing fluoride. Once they can spit their toothpaste out, switch to a formula containing the mineral. Flossing, too, should happen at least twice a day. Mouthwashes and rinses are optional but can help — and your dentist may recommend an additional rinse or wash containing fluoride if your drinking water lacks it.
A variety of brush types, styles and sizes exist — while some research suggests that electric toothbrushes may get children’s teeth cleaner, it’s most important to pick one that your child likes and will use regularly. If possible, let your kids help pick out their toothbrushes. Similarly, devices that help kids floss (like GumChucks or branded, shaped single-use flossers) are available to get kids interested in flossing and make it easier.
Treating Cavities — What’s Best?
Even with religiously kept appointments and adequate home care, some children will develop cavities. Whether it’s due to sneaking sweet, sugary candy, genetic factors or spacing issues that can lead to a buildup of plaque and bacteria between the teeth, cavities that form must be treated to avoid pain and infection.
There are two main ways of dealing with tooth decay in children — drilling it out of the tooth and filling it to prevent further damage, or sealing it under a crown or filling without drilling it to stop its spread to surrounding teeth.
Research suggests that there’s no marked difference in outcomes between children whose decayed teeth are drilled and filled or sealed — the incidence of complications and future cavities was about the same.
Still, every child is different, and your child’s teeth may have factors that make one option or the other better for their unique situation. So it’s important to work with your dentist to choose the treatment option that’s best for your child.
How We Can Help
The office of Drs. Krieger and Hur loves to get kids excited about dental health and hygiene. Our staff is friendly and patient — we want to make sure your kids are happy to come back after their first appointment. We employ a pain-free dentistry approach to our practice, and part of that is reducing the anxiety that often surrounds a trip to the dentist.
Whether you’re booking baby’s first dental appointment, just moved to the area and need a new family dentist or are seeking treatment for a cavity, we’re honored to have you choose us. To book a spot, simply call our office at (201) 560-0606. You can also reach out to us by email by clicking here, and someone will be in touch to confirm your appointment.
Dental Benefits | Dental Fear | Dental Hygiene | Oral Appliances | Oral Health | Wellness
Hard to Shop for a Teen? Give the Gift of Good Teeth This Holiday Season
It can be tough to shop for teens during the holidays. With wish lists saturated with high-tech gadgets that will be outdated by Easter to the ubiquitous answers of “I don’t know” or “nothing” when questioned about what they’d like, it’s difficult to give a gift that’s thoughtful, useful and enduring. Although a visit to the dentist may not top every teen’s holiday list, the gift of good teeth is one that keeps on giving throughout their lives — whether they know it or not.
The Social Benefits of Good Teeth
Your teen will have an easier time in life if their teeth are straighter, brighter, whiter and in all-around good shape. It might seem superficial, but studies have proven that people with better teeth are viewed more favorably than their peers. The benefits extend to everything from romance (after all, who wants to kiss someone with bad breath?) to more positive results from job interviews (equating to better financial soundness).
Part of the social benefit of having good teeth comes from within. When your teeth look and feel their best, your self-esteem and self-confidence improve. You’re better able to present yourself as a capable, desirable person, projecting an aura of authority and confidence. Some of the benefits are due to the stigma surrounding bad teeth — the appearance of which is sometimes associated with negative attributes like laziness, poverty or lack of self-care.
For a teen who is worried about their dating life, or one who will soon start the journey on to college, getting their teeth in shape can be the boost they need to feel and be more confident.
The Health Benefits of Good Teeth
Regular checkups and twice-yearly cleanings to keep your teeth healthy don’t just prevent dental problems — they can also prevent major issues in your overall health. The bacteria that cause dental decay can enter the bloodstream and cause issues in many parts of the body. As one notable example, the bacteria associated with periodontal disease can contribute to the development of heart disease.
As if keeping your teen’s heart healthy wasn’t enough of a benefit, helping your child attain good teeth can potentially ward off diabetes and lessen the risk of some forms of cancer. Although your teen might not have to worry about fertility issues, osteoporosis and Alzheimer’s disease at this stage in life, helping them attain a healthy mouth now can possibly reduce their risk of encountering these issues in the far-off future.
Dental Care as a Gift
Giving your teen the gift of dental care may earn you the title of “lamest parent ever,” but it’s all in the presentation. Some teens, for example, may be excited to get straighter teeth with the prospect of Invisalign invisible aligners. Others may be stoked to know they’re going to get whiter teeth or veneers like their favorite Instagram influencer.
Booking your teen’s appointment doesn’t look good wrapped up under a tree or handed off around a menorah, though: so giving the gift of dental care in a way that counts can be tricky. Some parents may opt to print out a fancy certificate for their teen. Others might go further and hand their child a novelty trophy. Still others might find a heartfelt card with a personal message written in it best — especially if cosmetic dental procedures are something your teen has been hinting at or asking for.
How We Can Help
How you give the gift of good teeth to your teen is up to you, but when you book their appointment, the delivery is in our hands. The office of Drs. Krieger and Hur utilizes the latest technology to make every aspect of the process pain-free, pleasant and as non-stressful as possible.
To book an appointment for your teen this holiday season, give us a call at (201) 560-0606. One of our staff will be happy to set you up with a time that works. If you’re busy and on-the-go, you can also click here to send us an email and someone will be in touch to get your teen on our schedule.
We’re honored that you’d give a visit with our staff as a gift to your teen, and beyond thrilled to play a part in making sure the smile they have at the holidays is one they’ll have for many years to come.
Brushing | Dental Fear | Dental Hygiene | Oral Health | Teeth | Wellness
Cold Weather Got Your Teeth Hurting? Here’s How Sensitive Teeth Work (And How We Can Help!)
Cold weather is a nightmare for those with sensitive teeth. While it’s reasonable for those with extra-sensitive smiles to expect a twinge when biting into something cold or sipping something hot, it’s another thing entirely to feel discomfort or pain from merely walking outdoors in the winter. Although this phenomenon may seem downright disrespectful, it’s something that can be remedied, in most cases, with a trip to your dentist and some self-care steps.
Tooth Anatomy and Pain
Your teeth have nerve endings, which are usually well-protected by the enamel of your teeth. These nerve endings, like others, respond to outside stimuli and send your brain signals accordingly. When exposed to cold weather, those nerve signals can translate to pain.
Eroded enamel can happen from exposure to acidic food or beverages, over-brushing, improper teeth whitening or accidental damage, to name just a few common causes. When the enamel wears down, it exposes the next layer of the tooth: dentin. Dentin is the layer that surrounds the pulp, which holds your teeth’s nerves and blood vessels. Without the hard outer shell of the enamel to shield exposed dentin, cold weather can cause pain to teeth.
Expansion and Contraction
Don’t discount the contraction and expansion of your teeth when exposed to extreme temperatures as a source of pain, either. Teeth can fluctuate up to 120 degrees in their temperature. Like other organic matter, they contract in cold temps and expand in hot ones. As they do this, your teeth may develop minor cracks or fissures to accommodate the changes. Although they don’t typically cause damage to your tooth’s health or integrity, they can cause discomfort. If you’ve had previous dental work with metal amalgam fillings, the discomfort may skyrocket into pain, because metal expands and contracts at a quicker rate than the surrounding tooth.
Sinus Pressure Hurts, Too
Cold and flu viruses make the rounds at the same time as cold weather — not as a result of the weather but because more people are congregating indoors and sharing their germs. It’s no coincidence that tooth pain can occur during these times. Likewise, those with seasonal allergies may find early autumn cold weather difficult on their teeth, too — and it all boils down to sinus pressure.
Our sinus cavities, when full of mucus and other gunk, can put pressure on the roots and nerves that lead to our teeth. If you find your upper teeth hurting more during cold weather, it may not be the temperature at all: it could be your sinuses wreaking havoc on the nerves that serve your mouth.
What You Can Do — And How We Can Help
The only acceptable amount of dental pain is none at all. The first step in figuring out the root of the problem and the most effective solution is to book an appointment with your dentist. With a visual exam and a set of X-rays, your dentist and their team can figure out how best to stop the pain.
Some people with large amounts of exposed dentin may need a protective coating painted onto their teeth to stop the discomfort, pain and sensitivity. Others may need only brush with a toothpaste designed to give relief to those with sensitive teeth. If you have a cavity or another dental problem, this can exacerbate the pain — your dentist will work on that to give you relief.
Self-care of your teeth and gums is important when you’re having cold-related sensitivity or pain. Brush and floss as normal to reduce plaque and lessen decay. Eliminate at-home whitening treatments (which you should be avoiding anyway!), abrasive toothpastes containing charcoal (which you should also be avoiding!) and folk remedies like baking soda, and reduce or avoid acidic foods and drinks like coffee, citrus and tomato-based products, which can make the sensitivity worse.
Taking protective measures to keep your mouth warm when you step outside may also help. Breathing through your nose, rather than your mouth, can keep the pain at bay, as can bundling up with a scarf.
Let Us Help You
Although going to the dentist is rarely anyone’s favorite task, the office of Drs. Krieger and Hur does everything we can to make it as pleasant and enjoyable an experience as possible. We use the latest technology to deliver a pain-free experience from the moment you book your appointment to the moment you leave after being seen.
To that end, we’ve made it easy to schedule an appointment. You can snag your spot by giving us a call at (201) 560-0606. Or you can book your appointment by email. To do so, click here and one of our team will reach out to you to firm up your details. We look forward to helping give you the smile you deserve — whether it’s the dead of winter or the height of summer.
Dental Fear | Dental History | Dental Hygiene | Oral Health | Teeth | Wellness
It’s a well-known thing that bacteria cause plaque on teeth, but what you might not realize is that something as common as teeth can also sometimes harbor microorganisms that have caused some of the worst plagues humanity has faced. Bubonic plague (not the same as plaque!) for example, has popped up many times even within the somewhat limited span of written history, generally with devastating ends.
They didn’t call it the Black Plague because it was a good time and made you look fabulous. Oh no, bubonic plague was disfiguring and, worse, highly contagious. Humans haven’t seen a massive outbreak like those of the Dark Ages recently, but that doesn’t mean plague is a thing of the past. It actually continues to persist globally!
(more…)
Children | Dental Fear | Dental Hygiene | Oral Health | Teeth
Pop quiz: What is scarier than your child changing their mind about their Halloween costume at the last minute and having to brave stores? The damage caused to their teeth by Halloween candy! While everyone loves a sweet treat every now and then, the upcoming holiday has the potential to become a major dental disaster. These four Halloween candy favorites are the top worst offenders when it comes to harming your child’s teeth — or yours, if you are raiding their candy haul. Read more
Dental Benefits | Dental Fear | Dental Hygiene | Teeth Grinding | Wellness
Smoking is bad for your health: there’s no way around it, and every part of your body suffers when you indulge in the vice, including your teeth. Vaping, now trendy as a way to avoid some of the more harmful aspects of nicotine use, comes with its own health risks. The risks of vaping or e-cigarette usage are becoming more apparent as time passes, but it’s been clear from the start that this bad habit can still harm the health of your teeth and gums. (more…)
