Blog

Before I dive into the various signs and symptoms of a cavity, I think it is important to look at the tooth structure itself which will better explain why some cavities may have discomfort and others may not have any symptoms.

Tooth decay (the formation of a cavity) is simply the breakdown of the tooth structure.  The tooth structure itself consists of enamel, which is the outer layer of the tooth.  It also consists of the inner layer of the tooth where the tooth nerve and blood supply are located, this is called the dentin.

Cavities occur at all stages of life.  Recent research has shown that the acidity from our internal systems along with the food and drinks we consume lead to an increased destruction of the tooth enamel.  Cavities in small children typically occur on the biting surfaces of the teeth, where adults cavities are also found along the gum line on the sides of the teeth.  Cavities can also form around tooth fillings and crowns due to the acidity of the oral environment.  Thus,  breaking down the cement and filling material causing bacteria to leech inside the dentin.

Signs and Symptoms of a Cavity:

Sensitivity to cold drinks/food

Sensitivity to sweet food/drinks

Sensitivity to hot food/drinks

Visible darkening of enamel on tooth

Visible hole in tooth

Experiencing a toothache (dull throb feeling)

Bad breath

Bad taste in mouth

A broken tooth

Pain when chewing food

A loose or broken filling

In severe cases: a fever or swollen glands could occur

If you are concerned that you may have a cavity or are looking for a dental family to help you prevent future cavities, please visit my health focused dental office.  We are located just off of the 91 freeway in Riverside, California. (951)686-3666.

Discussing erectile dysfunction on a dental blog is probably shocking to most people, however, recent research has shown that this unfortunate health condition is absolutely dental related.  This condition affects 1 out of every 10 men over the age of 40, according to the National Institute of Health.

Just how does the bacteria in periodontal disease (gum infection) aid in erectile dysfunction?

Interestingly, findings show that the gum inflammation caused by the bacteria allows for the plaque and bacteria to travel to the bloodstream throughout the body.  Once the plaque attaches to the smaller blood vessels it causes constriction in the blood vessels which leads to dysfunction in the vessels surrounding the penile tissues.  Furthermore, the plaque continues its path of destruction and moves to larger vessels attributing to heart ideas.

In the study published by the Journal of Periodontology, in the test group, 4 out of the 5 men with erectile dysfunction had periodontal gum disease.  The shocking results of this study has prompted many other research institutions to gather data to establish the correlation between ED and periodontal gum disease.

What can you do to minimize your risk of periodontal disease as a man?

1. Proper oral hygiene: brushing for at least 2 minutes/day along with flossing 1/day.

2. Frequent visits to your dental hygienist (at least 2 times a year)

3. Decrease stress levels

4. Maintain a healthy diet

5. Include essential fatty acids, vitamin C, vitamin B12, and vitamin D in your diet

If you believe that you have periodontal gum disease please contact my cosmetic dental office which specializes in a more natural approach to dentistry.  We are located off of the 91-freeway in Riverside, California.  (951)686-3666.

For those who love and embrace technology like I do, here is one iPhone application that will save lives.  The app developer is a company called Sleep Group Solutions.  This app was developed with the intention to increase the awareness of sleep apnea.  The MSleepTest acts as an initial screener for obstructive sleep apnea.

Obstructive sleep apnea is an extremely dangerous medical condition that can lead to heart attack, stroke, high blood pressure, insomnia, weight gain, loud snoring, and headaches to name a few.

Some individuals are successful at wearing a CPAP machine to force air into the nose with a nose mask while others find it quite burdensome.  A great alternative to a CPAP machine is an appliance made by a dentist to shift the lower jaw forward to open the airway for clear breathing.

Here at my Riverside cosmetic dental office, I currently recommend the Somnomed appliance for those patients who cannot tolerate the CPAP machine.  If your CPAP machine has become a burden to you and you are looking for a dentist who is trained in sleep apnea,  please call to schedule an appointment to discuss your sleep apnea needs. (951)686-3666.

As the debate on fluoride is on-going, the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment’s in the state of California voted this month that fluoride not be added to its list of carcinogens.  The OEHHA is the agency that oversees the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act which was placed in 1986.  There are over 800 chemicals currently listed on the Prop 65 list.  http://oehha.ca.gov/prop65/prop65_list/files/P65single102811.pdf

Interestingly, the OEHHA has classified wood dust and aspirin as carcinogens (cancer causing agents).  It is unclear to me how wood dust and aspirin could be cancer-causing agents.  Even more unclear is how they are continuing to deem fluoride as a safe additive.  If it is so safe, then why are we prompted on the back of a tube of toothpaste to call poison control if swallowed?  But we can add it to our water system?  The OEHHA’s stance on water fluoridation is that the research on its toxic effects is “inconclusive.”  Many studies show however that fluoride is linked to bone cancer as the excess fluoride in our diets affects the bone marrow in a negative manner.

To add more fuel to the fire, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services earlier this year lowered its previous recommendation of water fluoridation.  Their reasoning behind this is to avoid health effects from too much fluoride, as Americans to date have better access to fluoride containing products and foods than in the past.  The EPA in reports, briefly touches on its concern in regards to over-fluoridation.  Currently, the EPA is analyzing scientific data to determine what amount of fluoride in the water system is safe.

To date; several counties across the United States are voting against water fluoridation and in-fact most have demanded the fluoride be taken out of their water systems.  A great example for our state of California is the city of Santa Cruz.  San Diego and Sunnyvale also have taken the anti-fluoride stance on water fluoridation.

As a dentist who believes in a more holistic and natural approach to dentistry and preventative products, I do not recommend the use of fluoride.  Fluoride is a proven toxin therefore, all recommended preventive products in my Riverside Holistic Dental office are fluoride-free.  If you are seeking a dental office that views total body health as a priority please visit our office located off of the 91-freeway in Riverside, California. (951)686-3666.

As I mentioned in my previous blog, root canal treatment is recommended when a tooth has experienced trauma, acute pain or swelling, or visible lesions on the x-ray.  However, as a dentist who values a holistic approach to medicine and dentistry; I believe that a decision regarding whether or not to have a root canal should be made with total body health as a primary focus.

The main complication of a root canal in my opinion is the the procedure itself not accomplishing 100% sterility.  The biggest challenge Endodontists  (root canal specialists) are faced with is removing and destroying the bacteria causing the infection.  There has been research out for many years discussing the effects of the residual bacteria surrounding teeth that have a root canal.  Chronic degenerative diseases, immune disorders, and neurological disorders have been linked to the bacteria surrounding the root canal.  Not everyone gets ill from a root canal or has complications, however this is dependent upon the individual’s immune system.

Here at my Riverside Biological dental office, we believe that the decision to have a root canal mainly depends on the health of the individual.  When it comes to determining if a root canal is the best route of treatment, I test the bacteria surrounding the root of the tooth.  Determining the type of bacteria surrounding the tooth in question, is important in determining whether or not the tooth is savable.

If you are interested in a natural and safe approach to dentistry, please visit our Riverside Biological Dental office, which is located just off of the 91 freeway.   Contact us at (951)686-3666.