How Can Dentures Improve My Life?

Whether you're seeking information about dentures for a loved one or for yourself, it's important that you know the facts. The following information offers the basic facts about dentures. If you think you may need them, don't hesitate to get a consultation today. Often times people think dentures are too expensive or too difficult to maintain. Neither is the case. Struggling through the discomfort of chewing without teeth is something no one should have to experience.

1. No one has to know that you're wearing dentures. Dentures of today can be tailored to you.

2. Denture wearers can eat more normally and easily today. Eat the foods you love again with your new dentures. Properly fitting dentures will also allow you to chew more thoroughly, allowing for better digestion.

3. Even though today's dentures are very durable, they won't last forever. Your mouth changes over time, which is why it's important to still visit your dentist for regular checkups.

4. Even if your dentures fit perfectly, you should still see a dental professional regularly. Your mouth can reveal a lot about your overall health. Certain diseases, such as diabetes, first manifests in the mouth.

5. Denture wearers can speak more clearly. A properly fitting denture will allow your tongue, teeth, lips, cheeks, and the roof of your mouth to work together properly while speaking.

6. Over-the-counter and prescription medications can affect dentures. Make your dentist aware of any medications that you are taking regularly to avoid any complications.

7. Adhesives can play a role in your denture's fit and comfort.

8. Do not try to do your own denture repairs, you could do more harm than good to your dentures as well as your jaw bone.

9. Don't assume regular denture care is too costly.

10. Don't wait to replace your dentures just to avoid the adjustment period. Use of Ill fitting dentures can change the shape of your mouth, making it difficult to be fit with regular dentures.

Contact Baltimore Dentist Dr. Robert Jacobson today at 410-665-5205 for more information on how dentures can improve your life.

Teen Dental Health Care In Baltimore

Teens go through many changes during this time in their lives, emotionally and psychically, and their mouths are no exception. Developing healthy hygiene habits are essential during this time because the choices we make in our teen years can have a huge impact on us as adults. 

Unfortunately, many teens don't care for their teeth the way they should. Recent studies show that 80% of tooth decay cases in the United States are found in teenagers. Given those statistics, it's no surprise that over 80% of teenagers have cavities by age 17. This is a time when many teens start to drink a lot of soda and consume excessive amounts of sweets. Sodas contain a ton of sugar, approximately 9 to 12 teaspoons just in a single 12 ounce can. Soda is also very acidic, which damages the teeth's enamel, this includes diet soda. Excessive consumption of the fizzy drink paired with poor hygiene habits lead to an increased amount of tooth decay in teens.

In addition to cutting back on the sugary drinks, Delta Dental offers a few suggestions to keep your teen's smile healthy:

• Brush teeth at least twice a day for two minutes (about the length of a favorite song) and floss at least once daily
• Visit a dentist regularly for professional cleanings and preventive assessments
• Talk to a dentist about dental sealants to protect against cavities 
• Include a travel-size toothbrush and toothpaste in your gym bag, backpack or locker for use after meals or on-the-go 
• Choose nutritious snacks and drinks that contain less sugar. Keep in mind it's not just what you put in your mouth that is important, but also how often you are snacking. Each time you eat or drink anything with sugar, it interacts with 
the bacteria in your mouth, bathing your teeth in acid for about 20 minutes 
• Drink water after eating meals and snacks to clean the teeth of bacteria and food 
• Avoid tobacco products and mouth jewelry or consider switching to non-metal jewelry 
• Wear a mouth guard during sports activities 
• If you have an eating disorder, tell your dentist so they can help you protect your teeth 
• Choose mints or gum with xylitol, a natural cavity-fighting sweetener, as the first ingredient 
• Check with your dentist before using tooth-whitening products 

Contact Baltimore Dentist Dr. Robert A. Jacobson today at 410-665-5205 for your teen's check up.

Dental Tips For Kids

1. Curb thumb-sucking by approximately age 5 to prevent developmental abnormalities.

2. Don't allow young children to carry around sippy-cups containing anything but water.

3. Take care of your own oral health. Research shows that the bacteria that causes decay can be passed from caregivers to infants and young children. Rinsing with antibacterial mouthwashes has been shown to significantly reduce the number of cavity-causing bacteria.

4. Limit sticky foods such as raisins and fruit roll-ups, which cling to the teeth. Experts note that raisins are very nutritious, but they tend to get wedged in the teeth and stay put. Encourage children to take a sip of water after eating these and other snacks.

5. Limit the sharing of spoons and bottles between caregivers and children and among children themselves.

6. Cut down on sugary snacks between meals. One of the major cavity-causing culprits is eating sugary foods throughout the day,

7. Let older children chew sugar-free gum. Gum increases the flow of saliva in the mouth and helps neutralize acids on the teeth. Further, studies have suggested that chewing sugar-free gum for 20 minutes after meals can help prevent tooth decay.

8.Parents, don't let your children brush their own teeth until around the ages of 7 to 9 - or until they're able to tie their shoes or cut the meat on their plates.

Schedule an appointment with Baltimore Dentist Dr. Robert Jacobson at (410) 665 - 5205 for additional dental hygiene tips for children.

All About Cavities...

What causes cavities?

Your mouth is a busy place. Think of it as Grand Central Station... With teeth. Instead of commuters, Bacteria - tiny colonies of living organisms are constantly on the move on your teeth, gums, lips, and tongue. Having bacteria in your mouth is a normal thing. While some of the bacteria can be harmful, most are not, and some are even quite helpful.

Certain types of bacteria can attach themselves to hard surfaces like the enamel that covers your teeth. If the bacteria is not removed, it multiplies and grows until a colony forms. More bacteria of different types attach to the colony already growing on the tooth enamel. Proteins that are present in your saliva also mix in with the bacteria colony and become a whitish film on the tooth. This film is called plaque, and it is what causes cavities. Brushing and flossing after EVERY meal is the only way to prevent this.

How does Plaque cause cavities?

The hard, outer covering of your teeth is called enamel. Enamel is very hard, mainly because it contains durable mineral salts, like calcium. Mineral salts in your saliva help add to the hardness of your teeth. Mineral salts, however, are prone to attack by acids. Acid causes them to breakdown.

The plaque that forms on your teeth and doesn't get washed away by saliva or brushed away by your toothbrush, produces acid as it eats up sugar. This acid is produced inside the plaque and can't be easily washed away by your saliva. The acid dissolves the minerals that make your tooth enamel hard. The surface of the enamel becomes porous - tiny holes appear. After a while, the acid causes the tiny holes in the enamel to get bigger until one large hole appears. This is a cavity. It's important to see your dentist before a cavity forms so that the plaque you can't reach with your toothbrush or floss can be removed.

Contact Baltimore Dentist Dr. Robert Jacobson today at (410) 665 - 5205 for a dental cleaning and check up.

Don't Let Your Smile Look Like A Jack O'Lantern's!

With every Halloween comes spooky decorations, costumes, and lots and lots of CANDY! Having so many sticky, sugary sweets around can send our dental health care right down the drain in an instant. We all know that candy isn’t great for our teeth, let alone our overall health; however, some types of candy are especially more haunting for our pearly whites.

Gooey candy is terrible for your teeth. All of those tasty caramels and taffies can leave a sticky residue on your chompers, which acts as an adhesive for bacteria, resulting in tooth decay. It’s imperative that you brush your teeth after consuming sticky stuff so that you don’t look like a toothless jack-o-lantern.

Some of the worst candy you could consume would be any type of sour candy. If it makes your face pucker when you eat it, then it probably has large amounts of acid. Acid is detrimental to your teeth because it wears down your tooth enamel. Once your enamel is worn, your teeth are more vulnerable to chips and breaks. This can also cause tooth sensitivity.

Hard candies are bad for your teeth because you typically take longer to consume them, resulting in your teeth being drenched in acid and sugar longer. There is also the risk of breaking a tooth when biting down.

If you must have one of these three types of ghoulish candies, your best and safest bet would be choosing the sticky candy and immediately brushing your teeth afterwards. However, If any of these treats give you trouble contact Baltimore Dentist Dr. Robert A. Jacobson.

Sick of handing out candy? Be the healthy house on the block! Doling out sugar free hot chocolate packets, sugar free gum or trail mix can be a lovely alternative. You could also skip candy all together and hand out spooky pencils, stickers, erasers or silly teeth.

Have a safe and healthy Halloween from Dr. Jacobson’s office!


Dr. Robert A. Jacobson, DDS
8109 Harford Road, Suite 3
Parkville, Maryland 21234
Ph 410-665-5205
Fx 410-665-5208
baltobestdds@yahoo.com
www.affordable-dentistry.com

Brush, Brush, Brush!

Brushing your teeth may seem like a skill you've had since you were a child, but over the years some people develop their own routines and may often deviate from the best practices. Twice a day, brush in circles, and don't forget to floss has most often been the mantra of parents and dentists alike, but as technology and science continues to develop, new techniques and rules have surfaced that should be applied when taking care of your pearly whites.

First, make sure your most important utensil, the toothbrush, is the right tool for the job. It is typically recommended that you replace your toothbrush every few months, but you should also take note of how the bristles look. If they begin to fray or warp in a particular direction, then it's time for a new brush. Using a toothbrush that is overworked greatly reduces the amount of plaque and food particles you remove with each brushing, which may in turn lead to dental problems in the future.

When using your toothbrush, you should angle the brushing against the tooth and gums. As tedious as it may sound, brushing the front and back of each tooth is the best way to keep your teeth in tip-top shape. The whole process should take around 2 minutes to complete. Brushing the teeth and gums help remove the damaging bacteria and acids that eat away at your enamel.

Using the right amount of pressure is key as well. You don't want to press too hard or you may damage your teeth or gums, causing bleeding or loss of enamel. Gently massaging your gums with small, repetitive circles is recommended and helps remove plaque and other bacteria that may cause problems down the road.

Flossing shouldn't be ignored either. Flossing gets the bacteria that your brush can't reach and it is one of the best ways to a more healthy mouth. When using floss, go down as far as you can into the gum and use around 4 strokes up and down for each side of the tooth. There is also a Waterpik that we have for sale in our office: It is a great adjunct therapy to remove food & debris loosened by flossing. It will help your gums stay healthy and refreshed. You can also use the Waterpik with your favorite mouthwash, and don’t forget to brush the tongue!

While a lot of the steps haven't changed too much, it is important to get the right procedures and steps down to keep the health and hygiene of your mouth in order.

The Benefits Of Flossing

When dealing with the health of your teeth, you mainly hear about brushing and even rinsing with a mouthwash. But how many times do you hear about flossing? There are health benefits to flossing because what a toothbrush cannot reach, floss can. Flossing your teeth at least once a day can work wonders.

Flossing cleans out all the left behind food particles stuck deep between your teeth. These left behind particles lead to bad breath! By flossing you not only keep your teeth nice and clean, but you alleviate one of the causes of bad breath. Another wonder that flossing does is it helps keep cavities out of your mouth. Cavities are decayed areas of the teeth and form when food particles, bacteria, or acids in your mouth form plaque. Floss to prevent plaque build-up.

Another benefit to flossing is preventing gingivitis. Gingivitis occurs when plaque builds up along the gum line. Gingivitis is a common form of gum disease and is a result of poor oral hygiene. Going to the dentist for periodical check-ups as well as brushing and flossing your teeth daily will help prevent gingivitis. Some signs of gingivitis include; red or swollen gums, inflamed gums, or gums that easily bleed.

There are about 14 different types of floss that you can use for your teeth, the most popular being waxed or unwaxed which can be purchased at your local grocery store or pharmacy. If you have any questions about which type of floss is right for your teeth consult your dentist at your next appointment.

Foods To Watch Out For

There are a few foods to watch out for when trying to maintain good oral health. Some foods can damage or break down your teeth’s natural protection. Acidic foods are especially harmful to teeth, but other foods can be just as bad. Hard candy, sticky foods such as certain fruits, sports drinks or sodas and lemons all have negative effects on teeth.

All soda is, is a sugary and carbonated soft drink. That combination is damaging to teeth. The sugar and its byproducts soften tooth enamel; cause tooth decay, and assist in the formation of cavities. Besides sugar, acidic foods and beverages also harm teeth.

Acid eats away at your teeth. Certain foods like fruits have a higher acidity level than other foods like breads and cheeses. Blackberries, grapes, lemons, and strawberries all have high pH levels and can be very bad for your teeth without proper management. Eating foods with higher acidity in moderation is okay as long as you remember to brush at least twice a day or after every meal, and floss daily to prevent acid erosion.

Red and white wines, apples, green olives, and orange juice have medium acidity levels which again, in moderation are okay. The foods and beverages with the lowest acid levels are corn, avocados, beans, and mineral water which are safer for your teeth (but don’t forget to brush and floss). Brushing your teeth with fluoride toothpaste can prevent tooth decay caused by acidic foods. Also, routine visits to the dentist will ensure the health of your teeth with preventative methods and taking care of any current problems.

Dr. Robert A. Jacobson, DDS
8109 Harford Road, Suite 3
Parkville, Maryland 21234
Ph 410-665-5205
Fx 410-665-5208
baltobestdds@yahoo.com
www.affordable-dentistry.com

What is a Cavity?

No matter how young or old a person is, no one wants to hear that they have a cavity when they are at their dentist’s office. A cavity develops when a tooth decays, which results in a hole that grows bigger and bigger over time. Cavities are also known as dental caries and if you have one, it is important to get it fixed as soon as possible.

How does a tooth develop a hole? Plaque is the culprit. Plaque is a sticky, slimy substance made up of the germs that cause tooth decay. The bacteria in your mouth makes acids and when plaque sticks to your teeth, the acids can eat away at the outer layer of your tooth, called the enamel.

If the tooth with decay is not treated, the acids will continue to make their way through the enamel, decaying the inside parts of your tooth. Tooth aches can be a result of the cavity reaching all the way inside a tooth, affecting the nerve endings.

If your dentist does find a cavity, they are able to repair it by first removing the compromised part of your tooth with a special drill. Then, the dentist will fill the hole in your tooth with a filling to repair the tooth.

Tips for cavity prevention:

• Brush your teeth with a fluoride toothpaste after every meal or at least twice a day. Before bed is an especially important time to brush.
• Brush up and down in a circular motion for roughly two minutes. 
• Gently brush your gums
• Floss your teeth once a day to remove plaque and food that is stuck between your teeth.
• Limit sweets and sugary drinks.

In addition to these steps, be sure to see your dentist twice a year for regular checkups. Contact the office of Dr. Jacobson to set up an appointment.

Dr. Robert A. Jacobson, DDS
8109 Harford Road, Suite 3
Parkville, Maryland 21234
Ph 410-665-5205
Fx 410-665-5208
baltobestdds@yahoo.com
www.affordable-dentistry.com

Parts of the Mouth

While your mouth is made up of more than just teeth, that goes to say that oral health goes beyond simply brushing and flossing. Aside from your teeth, your mouth is also made up of gums, oral mucosa, the tongue, salivary glands, and the uvula. All of these parts play an important role when it comes to good dental health.

When you open up your mouth and look in the mirror, everything that isn’t a tooth is covered by a protective lining called the oral mucosa. This is a mucous membrane similar to the membranes that line your nostrils and inner ears. The oral mucosa’s role is to defend your body from germs that enter your mouth.

Your gums are also covered by the oral mucosa. Healthy gums are firm, cover the entire root of the tooth and do not bleed when brushed or flossed. Gum disease can lead to tooth loss so taking care of your gums by flossing regularly is just as essential to dental care as brushing your teeth.

Your tongue is a powerful muscle covered in a special mucosal tissue that includes your taste buds. The tongue is an integral part of the body’s digestive system, it’s responsible for moving food to your teeth and swallowing food. It also gives you the ability to speak.

You have three sets of salivary glands in your mouth and neck: the parotid, submandibular, and sublingual glands. These glands are what produce saliva, which contains an enzyme that aids in breaking down food, making it easier for you to swallow. Saliva is essential for good oral health because it protects your gums and teeth by rinsing away food particles and bacteria. It also helps to counteract acidic foods that can wear down the protective enamel of your teeth.

The uvula is a tiny flap of tissue that hangs down at the back of your throat. Like everything else in the mouth, the uvula is covered by oral mucosa. The uvula has long been a source of curiosity for scientists because all of its functions are not yet fully understood. It does seem to play a role in speech and in keeping the throat and mouth moist.

The next time you are brushing your teeth, take a moment to look at all of the parts of the mouth that lie farther inside the oral cavity. Understanding what these parts do and what they look like with help you maintain optimal oral health.


Dr. Robert A. Jacobson, DDS
8109 Harford Road, Suite 3
Parkville, Maryland 21234
Ph 410-665-5205
Fx 410-665-5208
baltobestdds@yahoo.com
www.affordable-dentistry.com