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

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