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.

Tooth Ache? We Can Help!

Have you ever had that shocking pain surge through your body when you went to take a bite of ice cream or a sip of cold water? If so, you might have dentin hypersensitivity. Whether it's hot, cold, sour, or even sweet, your tooth may react with searing pain upon contact. Typically these painful warning signs are indicators of much more troublesome problems.

In addition to being a constant reminder to see your dentist, tooth sensitivity is also a red flag for disease and tooth decay. It's recommended that you take the necessary steps in the early stages to ensure that your dentist can provide you, and your mouth, with the best treatment. Tooth sensitivity can also be the result of Acid Reflux disease, as the acids from one's stomach may start to eat at the enamel of the teeth.

Sometimes, however, sensitivity can occur due to a traumatized tooth. Have you accidentally bitten down too hard on a nut or piece of ice? You might have bruised the tooth. Typically the pain will last for a few days, but if it continues more than 3 days then make an appointment with Dr. Robert A. Jacobson to have a look, as the tooth may have incurred a more serious injury.

Special toothpastes are also available over-the-counter that help reduce sensitivity to your teeth. These toothpastes contain a special mixture of chemicals that work to actively lower the teeth's sensitivity over a longer period of time. Hypersensitivity can also be a result of chronic clenching and/or grinding. Clenching or grinding cause fractures in your enamel like shattered glass. Every time you bite down, those fractures separate causing openings into the tooth.

If you have any concern, or start to experience dentin hypersensitivity, call our office and set up an appointment with Dr. Robert A. Jacobson. We have in office treatments that can last 3-6 months or longer.

Your Smile's Appearance Is Just As Important As Its Health

Over the last decade, cosmetic dentistry has been rapidly becoming a popular option in many people's lives. With services including bleaching, bonding, veneers, and even tooth reshaping, it has become clear that the appearance of one's own teeth are just as important as their actual health.

Bleaching for instance, has many over-the-counter alternatives to help get your teeth to that desired whiteness. Despite having so many options, it is still recommended and accepted as the quickest, safest, and most effective way to bleach one's own teeth is to go through an actual professional cosmetic dentist, something that we here at the office of Dr. Jacobson are well experienced in.

In addition to teeth whitening, many times people are in need of veneers. Veneers are helpful in two ways, the first being the ability to reshape a tooth, or teeth, to fill in gaps and create a more aesthetically pleasing smile. In cases of isolated Microdontia, or where the teeth appear smaller than normal, veneers have become invaluable in restoring the teeth to average size and placement.

The second function of veneers is to help protect a tooth's surface that has suffered trauma by wrapping the area in a porcelain laminate and bonding it to the tooth in trouble. This prevents further damage to the tooth and helps maintain the health and appearance of your mouth. If you believe that veneers might be a viable option to help you, contact our office to set up an appointment right away.

Everyday, more and more options become available to the public in keeping your teeth and smile healthy. Here at the office of Dr. Jacobson, we are constantly updating our processes and procedures in order to give you the best solution to your needs, whether they be cosmetic or not.

Contact our office today if you are in need of cosmetic dentistry.

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 To Do If You Crack, Chip Or Knock Out A Tooth

Eating, playing sports, exercising and walking are all things that most of us do safely on a daily basis. However any one of those activities could result in a dental emergency. It is important to be aware of what to do in an urgent situation so that your tooth can be saved or repaired.

A dental emergency takes place when a tooth becomes loose, breaks, cracks or is completely knocked out. These emergencies can sometimes be avoided through the use of mouth guards during physical activity or by refraining from eating hard foods that may injure your teeth. This applies to natural teeth and dentures.

If your tooth has been chipped or fractured, it’s best to determine how severe it is. A chip is typically minor. A moderate fracture is any damage to the tissue, enamel or the pulp. (The pulp is commonly referred to as the “nerves.”) A severe fracture occurs when a tooth has been damaged and cannot be saved.

In the instance you fractured your tooth, gently rinse your mouth with warm water, use an ice pack to reduce swelling and take Ibuprofen for the pain. Call our office to schedule a visit as soon as possible.

If you have completely knocked a tooth out, call our office immediately for an emergency appointment. It is imperative that you are seen within an hour of your tooth being knocked out for the best possible chance of saving your tooth.

When handling your tooth, never hold it by the root. Touching the root may damage cells that are necessary in reattaching the tooth to the bone. Rinse the tooth very gently and place it in your mouth between your cheek and gum to keep it moist. It is imperative that you do not let the tooth dry out. Submerging in milk or saline solution is your next best option. Baby teeth do not need to be reattached although a trip to our office may be necessary to make sure that none of the tooth is remaining.

Whether it's cracked, chipped, or barely remaining, your next steps afterwards are very important. Call Baltimore Dentist Dr. Jacobson today if you have suffered tooth trauma.

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

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