Dr. Mogell Dental Blog

Boca Raton Cosmetic Dentist

Interesting Facts About Snoring

Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Interesting Facts About Snoring
Many of us are aware that snoring is often a warning sign of the insidious disease Sleep Apnea. But were you aware of the fact that the vibrations in your throat that arise from snoring can contribute to carotid artery arteriosclerosis? Because of the close anatomical relationship of the carotid arteries to our throats, snoring vibration causes inflammation of the cells that line the arterial walls. This inflammatory response is a known contributor to the narrowing of the carotid arteries.

More facts…
Snoring, according to the Journal of the American Medical Association can cause a 300% increase in motor vehicle accidents.
A study performed at the prestigious Mayo Clinic demonstrated that the spouses of snorers lose up to 15% of their sleep. Sleep Apnea is a serious condition with tremendous health risks and snoring is often the most significant warning sign. But alas, because of the social implications, it is often ignored until it is too late. Snoring is not a joke and should not be overlooked.

It is important that the spouse's of snorers take heed and encourage that their loved ones be evaluated for this potential deadly disease. The treatment for sleep apnea is readily available and effectively improves quality of life. Both snoring and sleep apnea can be treated with comfortable oral appliances from sleep apnea dentists. These appliances are excellent alternative methods and sometimes can be used as a substitute for patients who cannot tolerate using a CPAP. If you have any questions whether you or your spouse suffers with Snoring or Sleep Apnea, please call us at 561-394-9000 to schedule a consultation.

Kenneth A. Mogell, D.M.D.

Breath Mints Bad For Teeth?

Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Breath Mints Bad For Teeth?

You had a cup of coffee when you got to the office, then popped a breath mint before your next appointment to avoid “coffee breath” on your client. After that, you had another, then another because your mouth felt cleaner and cooler afterward. For lunch it was tuna salad, and yet another breath mint. And you were just diagnosed with several new cavities…

Most breath mints are almost entirely sugar. When this sugar combines with the bacteria in your mouth acid is created. The acid erodes the enamel from your teeth and voila – cavities.

Save your teeth by avoiding the breath mints (unless they are sugar-free) and keep a toothbrush handy. If you can’t brush there are now disposable alternatives such as the Colgate Wisp and others. Another great alternative is sugar-free gum.* Studies have proven that chewing sugar-free gum following a meal will reduce dental plaque and some even suggest that chewing sugar-free gum and help rebuild tooth enamel and prevent decay. Call our office at 561-394-9000 or email drmogell@drmogell.com to schedule your appointment.

Keep smiling!

* If you suffer from headache or jaw pain when chewing gum – stop. You may suffer from temporomandibular joint dysfunction or TMD. Call us today to discuss your treatment options.

Kenneth A. Mogell, D.M.D.

Nutrition For Dental Health

Thursday, September 24, 2009

Nutrition for Dental Health

It used to be that you could buy sugary snacks at the grocery store, corner drugstore or the fancy chocolate shop. In the last several years I have noticed snacks showing up at office supply stores, department stores and even home improvement centers. Being surrounded by all this sugar has affected our bodies in more ways than the obvious added pounds. Unhealthy food choices have a detrimental effect on your oral health as well.

According to Dr. Charles W. Hoffman, Florida Dental Association President “What you eat determines how well your body is prepared to conduct vital functions. The mouth is the first place touched and affected by consumption, making good nutrition and good oral health go hand-in-hand.”

The equation is simple. Sugar plus bacteria in your mouth creates acid. This acid can attack your teeth for 20 minutes or more after you have eaten resulting in tooth decay. Add to this the increased consumption of soft drinks, which contain phosphoric acid, create even more acidity in the mouth which results in more erosion of dental enamel.

While almost all foods, even milk and vegetables, contain naturally occurring sugars they also contain vital nutrients. Without these nutrients our bodies, including the tissue in our mouths, can’t fight off infection as easily leading to periodontal disease. Researchers believe that gum disease progresses more quickly in patients with poor nutritional habits.

What to do? A donut and a large cola is not the breakfast of champions. While these items are OK for an occasional treat, sugary foods should not be eaten every day. Just like the rest of your body, your mouth thrives on the nutrients provided by fresh fruits and vegetables. When you snack, choose lower sugar snacks. Drink LOTS of water, it helps keep your mouth rinsed of food particles. Brush and floss regularly, but – if you have consumed a very acidic beverage such as cola or juice – wait 20 minutes before brushing. Chew sugar-free gum – it helps produce saliva which naturally will maintain the healthy pH in your mouth. The most important thing you can do is schedule regular visits for cleanings and checkups. If you have questions about nutrition and your oral health ask Dr. Mogell or your hygienist at your next visit. Call 561-394-9000 to schedule your appointment.

qw7dfyjnsh

Kenneth A. Mogell, D.M.D.

Periodontal Disease and Genetics

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Earlier this year the European Society of Human Genetics announced that a genetic link between gum disease and hear disease had been discovered.

At first glance, this doesn't seem like 'new' news. The link between periodontal disease and the heart has been known for some time now and you all have read my previous blogs on this issue.

What makes this news different is that the German scientists conducting the study discovered an identical genetic variant for both diseases. 'We studied a genetic locus on chromosome 9p21.3 that had previously been identified to be associated with myocardial infarction [heart attack], in a group of 151 patients suffering from the most aggressive, early-onset forms of periodontitis, and a group of 1,097 CHD patients who had already had a heart attack. The genetic variation associated with the clinical pictures of both diseases was identical,' according to Dr. Arne Schaefer in an ESHG news release.

Periodontitis (gum disease) needs to be taken very seriously by both the dentist and the patient. Early diagnosis and treatment can not only save your teeth, but could help save your life.

Remember, you can reduce your risk of both heart disease and gum disease. Smoking, diabetes and obesity are all risk factors for both diseases. For more information about keeping your gums healthy call us today at 561-394-9000.

Kenneth A. Mogell, D.M.D.

Sports Drinks and Your Teeth

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

The Battle of Sports Drinks and Soda against Your Teeth

Drinking Sports Drinks, Energy Drinks and Soda have become a part of our life styles, that is at least according to how they are portrayed in the media. We have to face the fact that Gatorade, Red Bull, Vitamin Water, Coke, Pepsi, Mountain Dew and many other ‘beverages’ are part of the fabric of our societies. Prominent athletes and entertainers tell us what is best for us to drink to enhance athletic performance or quench our thirst. But while we might ‘grow wings” with consumption of these various drinks they could be causing significant damage to our teeth. Why? The sugar contained with the drinks when the come into contact with the bacteria in our mouths produces acids. It is that acid which attacks the enamel on our teeth. Were you aware that in the average can of soda that there is approximately 11 teaspoons of sugar! Oh and did I mention that soda also has carbonic, citric and phosphoric acid! Even diet sodas can have those acids in them as well. Soft drinks? I’m not so sure just how soft they are! Beware of the potential damage you could be exposing to your teeth. Whenever possible brush your teeth after consuming these sugary liquids and drink more water; it's better for you anyways! If you have not had a complete dental examination recently please call us at 561-394-9000 to schedule that appointment to be sure your are not adversely affecting your teeth.

Kenneth A. Mogell, D.M.D.

Denture Cream And Nerve Damage?

Monday, September 21, 2009

The Associated Press recently released a story relating the legal action of a man who has claimed that the use of Fixodent and Poligrip caused him to have seriously low levels of copper in his blood. The result of those low copper levels according to the lawsuit has caused permanent nerve damage. How could such a serious health issue be created by denture cream? It turns out that the “superglue” for dentures contains zinc and too much zinc in the blood stream can trigger loss of copper. It seems the plaintiffs are basing their case on a 2008 report in Neurology, a respected medical journal that reported a possible link between denture cream zinc and nerve damage. Nevertheless the researchers demonstrated no conclusive proof and concluded that further study was necessary.
In response to the law suit, manufacturers of denture adhesive claimed that when used properly their products are safe. What responsibility does the denture wearer have in this situation to maintain his oral health? What defines ‘using properly’? Openly he has admitted that his dentures were poorly fitting and he has been ‘grossly overusing Poligrip for a decade’. Why then didn’t he get his denture relined to ensure a better fit that may have eliminated the need to use something like Poligrip?
Bottom line? The health of your mouth, even if you have lost your teeth and wear a denture should be checked annually by a dentist. The fit of a denture may change over time and become loose. Your dentist has the ability to address the individual needs and concerns that occurs for the denture wearer. If you have questions or concerns about your denture, please give us a call at 561-394-9000. We can arrange for a consultation to help you get the answers you are searcher for the problems with wearing dentures.

Kenneth A. Mogell, D.M.D.

Bad Breath???? What to do?

Friday, September 18, 2009

Do You Have Bad Breath

Bad breath, morning breath, halitosis are terms that we use to describe an unpleasant odor from our mouth. Garlic and onions can affect our breath. This is because certain foods such as these are absorbed into our bloodstream; they are then transferred to our lungs and exhaled. Bad breaths caused from foods are only temporary.

Most breath odors come from food particles trapped in our mouths. When food remains in the mouth, it becomes a breeding ground for the bacteria that can cause bad breath. Other causes can include poor oral health, periodontal disease, tobacco products. Bad breath can also be a sign of an underlying medical condition of the stomach, lungs and bloodstream.

Another known factor is dry mouth. When our mouth is dry, saliva production decreases, leaving the mouths natural ability to clean itself. Saliva is the mouth’s natural mouthwash, which contains properties that reduces bacteria in the mouth. Alcohol consumption certain meds, breathing through the mouth instead of the nose or a salivary gland disorder can contribute to having a dry mouth.

Some recommendations are, brush your teeth and rinse your mouth after every meal to remove food particles from the mouth.
When you are brushing your teeth, also brush your tongue. The tongue is covered with thousands of tiny hairs that can trap bacteria.

Have regular checks ups with your dentist to rule out gum disease and to correct faulty restorations, overhanging fillings or leaking crowns, all of which can traps food in the mouth. Please call at 561-394-900 to make an appointment to ensure your absolute best dental health!

Kenneth A. Mogell, D.M.D.

What Would You Do If You Lost A Tooth

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

People often ask me what I would do if I lost my teeth. For many of us, no matter how much we brush and floss or how well we care for our smile we can still lose a tooth to a cavity, gum disease or injury. I lost one of my front teeth 3 years ago due to an old injury. My choice was to replace my missing tooth with an implant. I later had a crown placed on top of the implant. This procedure is the best dentistry can offer today for replacement of missing teeth.

If you have lost many teeth and are considering dentures, you might want to seek out information on denture alternatives involving implants. Complete or partial dentures are often unstable and move about the mouth – usually at the worst time. Also, when you lose teeth, the bone that supported the teeth is no longer needed. Your body goes through a resorption process and that bone disappears. This greatly affects the fit of a denture. When substantial bone loss has occurred, a well fitting, comfortable denture is sometimes impossible. You must also take into account that each persons ability to adapt to wearing a denture is different – for some they can be intolerable and uncomfortable.

Dental implants replace the roots of the teeth, stimulating and protecting the jaw bone. They can function as individual teeth, as in my case, or as a mechanism to hold a denture securely and tightly in place.

The good news is that most of the time, replacing a missing tooth is not an emergency. You have the time to make an informed decision to consider what the best treatment options are for you.

We can help if you have further questions regarding implant dentistry and the infinite possibilities. Please call us at 561-394-9000 to discuss implants or any other dental procedure.

Kenneth A. Mogell, D.M.D.

Cloning Teeth--What's the point?

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

CLONING TEETH

In the Sunday Sun Sentinel the cover story on the Outlook page surprisingly was about dentistry. More specifically it dealt with cloning teeth! I have discussed this before, but now it seems that there is much more to “chew on” with regard to this subject.

We have known for several years that researchers were trying to develop ways to ‘grow’ new teeth to replace those that were lost. Unlike sharks, humans are only blessed with one set of teeth as adults. For most of the 20th Century, the alternative to lost teeth was a bridge or a denture. Whether a partial or complete bridge or denture, these replacements were always a foreign body that substituted for the real thing.

In the late 20th Century the advent of implants to replace missing or lost teeth became a reality. I lost a front tooth a few years ago and it has been replaced with an implant. From a practical and aesthetic point of view I can’t even tell it is there. So the question begs , is cloning new teeth a good option or have we already developed the best alternative for missing teeth?

I want to be clear that we are many years from having teeth ready to be cloned for human beings. The dental researchers have been triumphant in regenerating teeth in animals. This has been done utilizing stem cells. Depending on what side of the line you stand on, this in itself may make this subject controversial.

My thoughts about cloning teeth lead me to ask why did the patients who need tooth replacement loose their teeth to begin with? Was it due to neglect? Did they have periodontal disease? Did they have decay? If so, what is to prevent these issues from happening again?

I often tell people who have implants placed that they will never get a cavity on that ‘tooth’ because titanium will not decay! Today we have achieved tremendous success in the area of tooth replacement. I can easily see the impact that cloning livers or kidneys can do to change or even save someone’s life; the impact of a tooth being cloned just doesn’t seem to have the same effect. If you have any questions regarding implant dentistry please do not hesitate to call our office. We can be reached at 561-394-9000.

Kenneth A. Mogell, D.M.D.

Health Gums...Healthy Body!

Monday, September 14, 2009

People used to think that gum disease was an inevitable fact of aging. Today, we know how important healthy gums are to keeping the rest of your body healthy and disease free. As with many medical conditions there are some factors that put you at greater risk for gingivitis or gum disease. If you fall into one or more of these categories it is important that you maintain good oral hygiene habits – brushing and flossing regularly and thoroughly and, visiting your dental hygienist for cleanings on a regular basis.

What are the things that put you at greater risk?

Smoking or using chewing tobacco. Tobacco use is one of the biggest risks for gum disease. Because smoking interferes with healing and your ability to fight off infections you are more likely to have serious gingivitis that may lead to tooth loss.
Being a woman – the hormonal changes caused by puberty, menopause and pregnancy raise your risk. So does the use of birth control pills.

You have family members with gum disease. There may be a genetic component that makes some people more likely to develop gingivitis even though they take good care of the teeth and gums.
Certain diseases reduce your immune systems ability to fight infection – diabetes, leukemia and HIV patients need to be especially vigilant about their oral health.
Stress – We all live with it, we are surrounded by things and people that add to it on a daily basis but stress can also weaken your immune system and make it more likely that an infection can develop. Remember to take steps to reduce your stress levels where possible – exercise, laugh, play with your dog, pet the cat – all proven stress reducers.
Diet – We all know that sugary foods are bad for your teeth but a poor diet, one that includes too much sugar and other simple carbohydrates (bread, pasta) can help plaque grow. Typically, this type of diet is also low on vitamins and minerals and will also weaken your resistance to disease.
Certain medications. Calcium channel blockers (for high blood pressure), some seizure control medications, cyclosporine (which suppresses the immune system), chemotherapy and androgen blockers all will increase your risk of periodontal disease.

If you fall into one of these risk categories do not panic. It is not inevitable that you will develop periodontal disease. With good home care (brushing and flossing) and regular, frequent visits to your dental hygienist you can keep your mouth, and the rest of your body, healthy. Talk to your dentist and hygienist about your risk factors at your next appointment. We can be reached for questions or an appointment at 561-394-9000. We look forward to hearing from you!

Kenneth A. Mogell, D.M.D.

Wine and staining you teeth

Thursday, September 10, 2009

Do you love red wine but always order the chardonnay to protect your teeth from staining? It seems like a smart move because we know what red wine does to your carpet when it spills – it leaves a stain. However, recent findings from NYU dental researchers might have you changing your next drink order.

Researchers found that drinking white wine can increase the potential for teeth to take on dark stains. To perform the research, cow teeth were dipped in white wine for one hour and then exposed to black tea, a situation similar to sipping wine with dinner and having coffee or tea with dessert.

The acids in the wine created rough spots and grooves that enabled the other beverages to penetrate deeper into the tooth and cause staining.

Red wine still beats out white when it comes to staining since it is highly pigmented.

The best solution is to enjoy your beverage of choice and brush regularly with a whitening toothpaste. The best time to perform home bleaching on your teeth is immediately following your regularly scheduled dental hygiene appointment. Speak to your hygienist or dentist for more information about bleaching options or give us a call at 561-394-9000, we would be please to answer any of your questions.

Kenneth A. Mogell, D.M.D.

Notice Your Breath Isn't So Good!

Wednesday, September 09, 2009

Bad Breath Remedies

Chew sugarless gum or suck on sugarless lozenges to increase the flow of saliva.
If your mouth is dry, drink plenty of water. Avoid breath mints and mouthwashes that contain alcohol.
Instead of helping, they can make things worse. They only temporarily cover the smell and tend to dry the mouth.

Snacking on vegetables such as raw celery or carrots can keep plaque from forming.

A few drops of peppermint or tea tree oil can be applied to the tongue or toothbrush will help to freshen your breath.

Baking soda has a long history of being used to maintain good oral health and for fighting bad breath.

A mixture of half hydrogen peroxide and half water can be swished around in the mouth and used as a mouthwash. Hydrogen peroxide can kill many of the bacteria that can cause bad breath.

Most bad breath comes from something in the mouth. Food sticks between your teeth, and around the gum and on your tongue. If you avoid brushing and flossing your teeth everyday, this food can be the source of bad breath. The food acts as 'food' for the bacteria helps them to grow in your mouth. The bacteria and their bacteria by-products causes gum disease, or gingivitis. Gingivitis also causes bad breath.

It is imperative to maintain regular check ups to help prevent the dental disease that accompanies bad breath. Please call our office at 561-394-9000 to arrange for an appointment to have a comprehensive examination.

Kenneth A. Mogell, D.M.D.