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- 2019
- January (6)
- Why it's Worth the Effort to Save a Problem Baby Tooth
- Implant-Supported Dentures Could Boost Your Jawbone Health
- 4 Things that can Cause Gum Recession and What to do About Them
- Dental Care is Difficult but not Impossible for a Special Needs Child
- Answers to Common Questions About Root Canal Treatments
- A New Resolution - Floss!
- 2018
- December (7)
- Practice the Dental Care Basics to Ensure a Healthy Smile
- The Benefits of Dental Implants
- New Year, New Smile
- Bitewing X-Rays Safely 'Reveal all' About Back Teeth to Prevent Tooth Decay
- Practice Daily Oral Hygiene to Prevent Calcified Plaque Formation
- Kids, Cats and Canines: Dental Development Through the Ages
- TMD and Fibromyalgia Could Share Links in Chronic Pain
- November (6)
- Surgically Accessing Sinuses can Help Grow New Bone for Implants
- Treating Gum Disease Important to Saving the Underlying Bone
- Inflammation: the Link Between Gum Disease and Cardiovascular Disease
- How to Maximize Your Child's Dental Health Potential
- The Connection Between GERD and Oral Health
- 4 Foods That May Help You Prevent Tooth Decay
- October (7)
- Teens May Need a Temporary Replacement for Missing Teeth
- New Dental Advances Promise Better Outcomes for Treating Decay
- Five Tips for Top-Notch Tooth Brushing
- Preventive Care for Your Child is a Partnership between You and Your Dentist
- Don't Stress Over Your Child's Teeth Grinding Habit Unless it Persists
- Stay Ahead of Plaque Buildup with Effective Brushing and Flossing
- How to Determine If You Have a Dental Emergency
- August (7)
- Your Case of Gingivitis Could Develop into Something More Harmful
- What to do if Your Child has a Toothache
- Treating a Young, Permanent Tooth Requires a Different Approach
- Be on the Alert for Gum Disease While Wearing Braces
- Take Care of Your Dental Appliance and It Will Take Care of You
- When are Dental Crowns Needed?
- Sleep Apnea Might be Robbing you of More than a Good Night's Sleep
- July (7)
- Dental Amalgam Continues to be a Durable and Safe Tooth Filling
- Replacing a Back Tooth May Help You Avoid Future Dental Problems
- Ready for Summer Camp? Be Sure to Pack a Toothbrush
- 3 Reasons You Should Consider Tooth Whitening
- We'll Help You Maintain Your Oral Health After Gum Disease
- Think Water First for Summer Thirst
- Teeth Grinding in Older Children and Adolescents a Cause for Concern
- June (6)
- Complex Mouth Conditions Call for Dental Specialties
- Good Reasons for Choosing Clear Aligners for Orthodontic Treatment
- Gum Disease is Still a Threat to Your Dental Implants
- Don't Fear the Root Canal - it Could Save Your Tooth
- Keep Alert for this Extreme Form of Gingivitis
- This Young Woman's Cancer Experience a Teachable Moment for all of us
- March (5)
- Bone Loss: the Hidden Consequence of Your Missing Teeth
- 3 Fluoride Sources You Should Monitor for Your Family's Dental Health
- Removing Teeth Could Improve the Outcome for a Crowded Bite
- A "No-Prep" Veneer Could Eliminate the Need to Remove Tooth Enamel
- 3 Things Your Dentist Recommends You do if You Have Shingles
- 2017
- December (6)
- Take Your Dentures out at Night to Extend Their Usefulness
- Support Your Child's Dental Development with Preventive Care
- What to Do About Your Child's Toothache Before Seeing the Dentist
- Your Age Won't Necessarily Decide Against Straightening Your Smile
- What Can Dental Bonding Do for Me?
- New Year's Resolutions for Better Oral Health
- June (5)
- Protect Your Child's Long-Term Dental Health with Regular Office Visits
- You'll Experience Little to No Discomfort During and After Implant Surgery
- No- or Minimal-Prep Veneers Reduce Permanent Alterations to Your Teeth
- Do You Have A Gap In Your Teeth?
- Don't let Periodontal Disease Cause Your Gums to Recede
- May (5)
- Look at Your Options for Saving a Tooth First Before Replacing it
- Pediatric Dentists Specialize in Dental Care for Children and Teens
- Don't Let Sleep Apnea Ruin Your Sleep - or Your Health
- Tips on Encouraging Healthy Snacking While Your Child's at School
- We can Fix a Smile Marred by Absent Front Teeth
- April (5)
- Be Alert to the Unintended Consequences of Cancer Treatment to Oral Health
- Watch for These Developing Bite Problems with Your Child's Teeth
- New Saliva Test may Help Identify Oral Cancer Earlier
- A Healthy Diet is Your Best Source for Vitamins and Minerals
- Get a Dental Exam as Soon as Possible if you Suspect Gum Disease
- February (6)
- Take These Actions to Make Your Child More Comfortable During Teething
- You may need a Periodontist to Fully Treat Your Gum Disease
- A Child's Damaged Tooth may require a Different Approach than an Adult's
- Try Conservative Measures to Treating TMD Before More Aggressive Options
- Do I Really Need Dental Implants?
- Could a Metal Allergy Keep You From Getting a Dental Implant?
- January (5)
- Stay Ahead of Gum Disease Re-Infection with Periodontal Maintenance
- A Partial Denture Can Restore a Smile Marred by a Few Missing Teeth
- Treating Teeth Grinding Now Could Help Prevent Excessive Tooth Wear Later
- Chronic Jaw Pain Could be Related to Other Inflammatory Conditions
- Non-Prescription Pain Medication can Manage Most Post-Procedure Discomfort
- 2016
- October (5)
- New Understanding of Bacteria Promises Better Approaches to Oral Care
- Keeping up Good Hygiene Still a Necessity with Dental Implants
- Are You Brushing Correctly?
- Even Though not in the "Smile Zone" You Should Replace that Back Tooth
- An Infected or Injured Primary Tooth Can Be Saved - but it's Complicated
- June (6)
- Getting the Full Picture of Your Decay Risk Leads to Better Prevention Strategies
- The Risk for Gum Disease Increases While Wearing Braces
- Do Your Dentures and Mouth a Favor: Take Them Out at Night
- 4 Things You Should be Doing to Maintain a Healthy Mouth
- Can Dental Implants Help Me?
- A Crown Could be the Answer to Preserving Your Damaged Tooth
- May (5)
- Replacing a Missing Tooth isn't Just About Improving Your Smile
- Prudent Use of X-Rays in Children Provides the most Benefit at the Lowest Risk
- Chewing Tobacco is Just as Addictive and Dangerous as Smoking
- 4 Reasons Why You May Need to See a Periodontist for Your Gum Disease
- Dental Implants and Smoking - Cause for Concern?
- March (5)
- Good Oral Hygiene Just as Important for Implants as for Natural Teeth
- The Importance of Baby Teeth
- There's Still Hope for a Re-Infected Tooth After Root Canal Treatment
- Sealants Provide a Little Extra Protection for Children at High Risk for Decay
- Persistent Jaw Pain After an Injury Needs Immediate Attention
- February (5)
- FAQs: Keeping Your Mouth Healthy After Gum Disease Treatment
- Effective Oral Hygiene is Key to Disease Prevention While Wearing Braces
- What Do I Need To Do To Take Care of My Dental Veneers?
- Keep a Watchful Eye on Your Child's Teeth Grinding Habit
- Thumb Sucking One of Many Factors to Consider When Treating a Poor Bite
- 2015
- December (6)
- Pay Attention to Gum Disease Warning Signs for an Early Diagnosis
- The truth about cavities
- Improve Your Brushing and Flossing Habit with These Tips
- Certain Factors May Raise Your Risk and the Intensity of Gum Disease
- Sleep Apnea and Behavioral Problems in Children: How Your Dentist Can Help
- Saliva Performs Many Functions for Both Oral and General Health
- October (6)
- Dental Implants Help Maintain Bone Health
- Survey Says: They'd Rather Have a Root Canal
- The Parent-Dentist Partnership: Establishing Better Oral Health for Your Child
- Lost a Tooth? You Have Options
- Diabetics with Gum Disease Benefit from Coordinating Treatment for Both
- A Bird's-Eye View of Tooth Replacement
- August (5)
- Ultrasonic Plaque Removal an Effective Alternative to Manual Scaling
- While Usually Benign, Lichen Planus Lesions Should Still be Examined
- The Perils of a Loose Permanent Tooth - and What to do About it
- Look at the Long-Term Costs When Considering Dental Implants
- Easing the Pain and Discomfort of Canker Sores
- July (6)
- Ridge Augmentation Gives You an Even Smile
- To Fight Tooth Decay Reduce "BAD" factors, Promote "SAFE" Ones
- Conscious Sedation Eases Treatment Anxiety for Young Dental Patients
- Know What to Expect During Your Child's 'Baby' Teeth Phase
- Orthodontics Could be in Your Smile Makeover Plan
- Plagued by Mysterious Mouth Ulcers?
- May (5)
- Emergency Dentistry - Have Your Emergency Handled By A Professional
- Do You Need Antibiotics Before Having a Dental Procedure?
- Cosmetic Questions to Ask to Get You on the Right Path to a Better Smile
- A Clear Diagnosis of Jaw Pain is Needed to Determine the Right Treatment
- Using Sinus Surgery to Stimulate Bone Growth for Implants
- April (6)
- Fixed or Removable: Deciding Which Implant-Supported Bridge is Best for You
- What Can A Deep Cleaning Do For Gum Disease?
- Irritating Cold Sore Outbreaks can be Controlled Through Medication
- Mouthguards Reduce Risk of Concussion as well as Dental Injuries
- Timing is Everything When it Comes to Treating Mouth Injuries
- Root Canal Therapy Stops Infection In Its Tracks
- February (5)
- Consider all the Cost Factors When Deciding on a Crown Restoration
- Severe Dental Injuries May Require Endodontic Treatment
- Choose a Mouthrinse Carefully if you want to Enhance your Dental Health
- Why Dental Implants Are Made To Restore Your Smile
- Three Things You May Not Know About Root Canal Treatments
- 2014
- September (6)
- Acute Tooth Pain may be Signaling Your Need for Root Canal Treatment
- 3 Dental Options For The Perfect Smile
- Our Arsenal of Weapons in the War Against Gum Disease
- Encountering Positive Experiences the Key to Overcoming Dental Anxiety
- Treating Chipped Teeth: A Common Sports Injury Among Kids
- Bone Grafting can put Implants Back on Your Options List
- August (5)
- Bad Breath Might be a Sign of a More Serious Oral Condition
- Overcome Oral Cancer With Screenings and Lifestyle Changes
- A Fixed Bridge Remains an Effective Option for Tooth Replacement
- Several Factors Determine Tooth Longevity After a Root Canal Treatment
- Frequently Asked Questions about Inlays and Onlays
- 2013
- December (6)
- A Crowning Achievement: Natural-Looking Teeth
- Brushing and Flossing - Two Key Elements to Avoiding Dental Disease
- Early Detection is Critical to Surviving Oral Cancer
- Five Things You Should Know About Oral Cancer
- Dental Implants Help Kissimmee Residents Restore Their Smiles
- Preventing Early Childhood Cavities
- October (6)
- "No-Prep" Veneers may be an Option for Some Patients
- Five Facts About Tooth-Colored Fillings
- End the Embarrassment of Stained Teeth with Whitening
- Kissimmee Cosmetic Dentist, Dr. Mansour, Builds Confident Smiles and Healthier Mouths
- Protect Your Enamel From the Damaging Effects of Acid
- Five Things You Should Know About Sleep Apnea
- 2012
- August (7)
- What Is A Crown?
- Bad Breath? Try a Tongue Scraper
- Father's Day Tip: Step Up & Improve Your Dental Health!
- Actress Florence Henderson Shares Her Secrets for Keeping Your Natural Teeth as You Age
- Tooth-Colored Fillings Are the Restoration of Choice for Ballroom Dance Star Cheryl Burke
- Early Orthodontic Care Helped Child Star Nolan Gould Get Ready for Prime Time
- What Is Gum Recession and How Is It Treated?
- 2011
- 2010
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My Blog
Posts for: October, 2014

“Cut down on sweets, especially between meals” is perhaps one of the least popular words of advice we dentists regularly give. We’re not trying to be killjoys, but the facts are undeniable: both the amount and frequency of sugar consumption contributes to tooth decay. Our concern isn’t the naturally occurring sugars in fruits, vegetables, grains or dairy products, but rather refined or “free” sugars added to foods to sweeten them.
The World Health Organization and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration both advise consuming no more than 50 grams (about ten teaspoons) of sugar a day. Unfortunately, our nation’s average per person is much higher: we annually consume around 140 pounds per capita of refined sugars like table sugar or high fructose corn syrup, more than three times the recommended amount. Soft drinks are the single largest source of these in our diets — Americans drink an average of 52 gallons every year.
The connection between sugar and tooth decay begins with bacteria that ferments sugar present in the mouth after eating. This creates high levels of acid, which causes the mineral content of tooth enamel to soften and erode (a process called demineralization) and makes the teeth more susceptible to decay. Saliva naturally neutralizes acid, but it takes about thirty minutes to bring the mouth’s pH to a normal level. Saliva can’t keep up if sugars are continually present from constant snacking or sipping on soft drinks for long periods.
You can reduce the sugar-decay connection with a few dietary changes: limit your intake of sugar-added foods and beverages to no more than recommended levels; consume sweets and soft drinks only at meal times; replace sugar-added foods with fresh fruits and vegetables and foods that inhibit the fermentation process (like cheese or black and green teas); and consider using mint or chewing gum products sweetened with xylitol, a natural alcohol-based sugar that inhibits bacterial growth.
Last but not least, practice good oral hygiene with daily brushing and flossing, along with regular office cleanings and checkups. These practices, along with limits on refined sugar in your diet, will go a long way toward keeping your teeth and mouth healthy and cavity-free.
If you would like more information on the relationship of sugar and dental disease, please contact us or schedule an appointment for a consultation. You can also learn more about this topic by reading the Dear Doctor magazine article “Nutrition & Oral Health.”

“Don’t panic” is your first priority when faced with a sudden mouth injury. Of course, that may be easier said than done when you or a family member has just experienced a chipped, fractured or even dislodged tooth.
It helps, therefore, to have some idea beforehand on what to do and, especially, when to do it. You should think in terms of immediate, urgent and less urgent injuries: a tooth completely knocked out of its socket requires immediate action — within 5 minutes of the injury; a tooth that’s moved out of its normal position but still in the socket is an urgent matter that needs professional attention within 6 hours; and a chipped tooth is less urgent, but still needs to be seen by a dentist within 12 hours.
As you may have gathered, the most important thing you can do when a dental injury occurs is to contact our office as soon as possible. If for some reason you can’t, you should visit the nearest emergency center.
There are also some actions you should take for a knocked-out permanent tooth because there’s a chance it can be replanted in the socket if you act within 5 minutes of the injury. First, rinse the tooth with cold, clean water (bottled or tap) if it’s dirty. Be sure to handle it gently, avoiding touching the root. Grasping the crown-end with your thumb and index finger, place the tooth into the empty socket and push it firmly into place. Apply light but firm pressure with your hand or a wad of wet tissue to make sure it doesn’t come out. Don’t worry about correct alignment — we can adjust that later during examination.
If the tooth is chipped or broken, try to locate the broken pieces — it may be possible to re-bond them to the tooth. You should store them in a container with milk or the injured person’s saliva (the same can be done for a knocked out tooth if reinserting it isn’t practical). The broken pieces should then be transported with the injured person to emergency treatment.
Taking these actions may not ultimately save a traumatized tooth, but they will certainly raise its chances for survival.
If you would like more information on preventing and treating dental injuries, please contact us or schedule an appointment for a consultation. You can also learn more about this topic by reading the Dear Doctor magazine article “The Field-Side Guide to Dental Injuries.”

Your toothbrush serves the invaluable purpose of minimizing bacterial buildup (plaque) that can irritate gums and lead to periodontal disease, infection of the bone and tissues supporting your teeth. Brushing also helps dislodge food particles that certain oral bacteria would otherwise feed on, producing acids in the process that can eat through protective tooth enamel and the vulnerable dentin below. Given its importance to your oral health, you can maximize your toothbrush’s effectiveness by using and storing it properly, and replacing it (or the brush head if you have a powered model) regularly.
Using and Storing Your Brush
All that’s needed to dislodge plaque from oral surfaces is a relaxed grip and a gentle jiggling motion. Too much pressure can wear away tooth enamel, cause gum tissue to recede, and shorten the life of your brush head.
When you’re done using your brush:
- Thoroughly rinse it to remove any remaining tooth paste, food particles, etc.
- If you’re super-vigilant, you also can disinfect your brush by soaking it in mouthwash, brush-sanitizing rinse, or a half water/half hydrogen peroxide solution, or dipping it in boiling water for 5 to 10 seconds.
- Air dry in an upright position and do not routinely cover your toothbrush or store it in a closed container. A dark, moist environment is more conducive to the growth of microorganisms.
Replacing and Recycling Your Toothbrush
Even with the best of care, toothbrush bristles become frayed and worn and their cleaning effectiveness diminishes after 3 or 4 months, according to the American Dental Association, though it could be sooner depending on factors unique to each patient. Besides checking the bristles regularly, a good way of keeping track is to write the date you start using your toothbrush in permanent pen on a big-enough spot on the handle (or doing it on masking tape applied to the base of a power brush).
Once your brush has passed its useful life for oral hygiene, you can still get plenty of mileage out of it. You’ll find plenty of ideas on the internet for cleaning grout between tiles and grime-filled spots around taps and toilet lid hinges; removing mud from boot treads; scrubbing off corrosion from around car battery terminals and more!
If you would like more information about oral hygiene, please contact us or schedule an appointment for a consultation. You can also learn more about this topic by reading the Dear Doctor magazine articles “Toothbrush Lifespan” and “Manual vs Powered Toothbrushes.”