Dr. Mogell Dental Blog

Boca Raton Cosmetic Dentist

Brush or Floss First?

Wednesday, June 25, 2014

Is it better to brush first or floss first?

Serious connoisseurs of oral healthcare know that it is better to floss before you brush. Flossing first removes plaque and food debris that can block the cleansing and protective action of your fluoride toothpaste.

Does it make a HUGE difference? Most dentists and hygienists will tell you - we're just happy that you floss once a day no matter when you do it. You can floss at breakfast, in the car at stoplights or at your desk after lunch -- just floss!

If you notice your floss feeling a little "bumpy" around the bottom of certain teeth it means that plaque has started to build up. Some people form plaque more quickly than others. If this happens to you please contact us at 561-394-9000 so we can schedule a dental hygiene appointment as soon as possible.

Keep smiling!

Labels: dental hygiene

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Smile and Feel Happier

Did you know that turning that frown upside down and forcing yourself to smile can make you feel happier?

Sounds a little crazy but it seems to be true.

Paul Ekman, PhD, is a psychologist who is an expert in facial expressions taught himself to arrange his facial muscles into certain expressions. He was surprised to discover that he actually felt the emotions that matched the facial expression he was making.

To confirm his theory he did a study on college students and found that they felt happy when they smiled - fake smile or real smile!

What an easy way to make your day better - like they say "Fake it until you make it".

If you aren't smiling because you are unhappy with the appearance of your teeth then dental veneers are an easy way to give you the smile you've always wanted. Veneers can be used to make a crooked smile look nice and straight or to give discolored teeth a beautiful, natural looking white shade.

Call us today at 561-394-9000 to schedule your consultation.

Labels: smile, veneers

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Oral Cancer Strikes Baseball Great

Tuesday, June 17, 2014

Hall-of-Fame baseball player Tony Gwynn's death from mouth cancer has renewed calls to end the use of chewing tobacco from its traditional place in the game.

Gwynn was only 54 and he had two surgeries to remove malignancies from his right cheek, where he said he would hold the chewing tobacco while he played.

Nearly 40,000 people will be diagnosed with oral cancer in the US this year and only 50% will survive 5 years or longer. Why are the statistics so dismal for oral cancer? Mainly because oral cancers aren't usually diagnosed until they are at an advanced stage.

Did you know that oral cancer screenings are a regular part of your dental examination? While we are poking around in your mouth we are doing more than looking at the condition of your teeth. Oral cancer screening include a visual examination of all of the surfaces of the mouth, including the cheeks and tongue. We will also manually "feel" for abnormal spots and lumps.

If there is anything that looks suspicious you will be referred to an oral surgeon for another opinion and possible biopsy, although this is rare.

The risk factors for oral cancer include not only chewing tobacco, but smoked tobacco products as well. Oral cancers used to be seen primarily in older men who smoked and drank alcohol but there has been a surge in cases among younger people over the past several years. This increase in younger oral cancer patients has been linked to infection with the HPV virus.

Protect yourself by maintaining a healthy diet, avoid tobacco use and visit your dentist regularly to get those oral cancer screenings! Contact us today at 561-394-9000 to schedule your next visit.

Labels: dental examination, oral cancer

yourdentalblog

Happy Father's Day!

Sunday, June 15, 2014

Happy Father's Day to all the dads out there!

One thing that dentists know about dads, and men in general, is that the women in their lives visit the dentist more often and on a more regular basis. Considering the link between gum disease and heart disease these statistics need to change.

I know, it is tough to carve time out of a work day to go and get your teeth cleaned. Remember that our first appointment of the day is 8:00 AM! You can start your day with a clean, fresh mouth and make it to the office.

I'm sure everyone loved the tie/barbecue apron/shirt that they got as a Father's Day gift. The best gift you can give yourself, and your family, is keeping healthy so they have you around to celebrate many, many more days like this.

Contact our office at 561-394-9000 today to book your next visit. We look forward to seeing you!

Labels: dental hygiene, gum disease

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The Scoop On Dental Implants

Saturday, June 14, 2014

One of the most amazing advances in dentistry has been the dental implant.

Replacing a lost tooth used to mean a bridge or partial denture - both of which meant damaging the healthy adjacent teeth so the bridge would have something to attach to. No more!

Dental implants serve as artificial tooth roots and can be used to replace just one tooth or can be used to anchor a full set of dentures. A tooth that has been replaced with a dental implant supported crown feels and looks just like a natural tooth. Dentures are anchored in place - no more slipping and slurring your words.

The implant itself is basically a tiny screw that is implanted into the jaw. After the implant is placed a special type of implant crown is placed.

I have an implant in my own mouth and I never give it a second thought - and no one can tell it is an implant and it is right up front where you can see it!

There are all sorts of reasons that a tooth can be lost - accident, extensive decay or damage under old dental work, etc., but replacing that tooth with a dental implant is a terrific option.

If you have lost a tooth or are in danger of losing a tooth, ask us about dental implants. Contact Dr. Mogell for more information at 561-394-9000.

Labels: dental implant, lost tooth

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University of Florida Study Links Gum Disease and Heart Disease

I went to dental school at the University of Florida (even though I'm a Seminole at heart). A new study from the University of Florida shows that the same bacteria that cause gum disease also promotes heart disease - a discovery that could change the way heart disease is diagnosed and treated.

Irina M. Velsko, a graduate student in the UF College of Medicine presented the data, saying "We report evidence that introduction of oral bacteria into the bloodstream in mice increased risk factors for atherosclerotic heart disease. Our hope is that the American Heart Association will acknowledge causal links between oral disease and increased heart disease. That will change how physicians diagnose and treat heart disease patients."

Almost half of all adults have some form of gum disease and heart disease is the leading cause of death in the US. Hopefully this study will help end the separation between oral health and systemic health - after all the mouth is the gateway to the body!

Gum disease is caused by bacteria and can be prevented, or if gum disease exists, it can be treated.

Keep your heart healthy - eat right, exercise regularly and, easiest of all, visit your dental hygienist every six months for a thorough cleaning and examination.

Let us help you get your gum health back on track - contact us today at 561-394-9000 to schedule your appointment.

Labels: dental hygiene, gum disease

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Top and Bottom States For Dental Health

Thursday, June 05, 2014

A recent Bloomberg study looked at oral health throughout the US. Criteria included the number of dental health workers in the area, whether people visited the dentist regularly and how many seniors still had their teeth.

The top five states with the worst dental health scores, starting with the worst, are:

Mississippi (88.4)
Louisiana (74.6)
West Virginia (70.2)
Tennessee (67.0)
Alabama (62.4)

The top five states with the best dental health scores, starting with the best, are:

Connecticut (9.3)
Minnesota (13.9)
New Jersey (15.8)
Massachusetts (17.6)
Maryland (20.0)

Prevention can help you avoid most dental problems including tooth decay and gum disease. Talk to your dental hygienist at your next appointment to find out if you are caring for your teeth properly.

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