What Can Composites Do for You? – Liv’s and Gretchen’s Stories

By: Dr. Elizabeth Eggert

How did this start?  Liv’s Story

Liv came to us for an evaluation with Dr. Elizabeth Eggert prior to beginning Invisalign treatment. Liv was about to start Invisalign with Dr. Wang, but she and her parents wanted to discuss her options for addressing the spacing she had between some teeth. 

Liv was born with undersized lateral incisors, sometimes called “peg laterals.” With this condition, there often are spacing issues because the tooth size doesn’t match the arch size. In Liv’s case, this left a space between her two front teeth that she wasn’t fond of. It even kept her from smiling in public!

Pre-planning was done so that after Invisalign treatment, Liv would be left with even spacing, an expanded arch, and a broader smile. Then, Dr. Elizabeth would be able to change the size of her teeth with composite and finish building Liv a beautiful smile.

Liz Before

What was involved?

When Liv completed her Invisalign, she noted she wanted whiter teeth too, so before we completed her restorations, Liv underwent the Zoom Whitening procedure. Her teeth brightened up very nicely. 

Dr. Elizabeth then discussed pros and cons with Liv and her parents regarding restoration options. There are two materials available for veneers – composite resin (plastic) or porcelain. Both are conservative options, both will give a nice color match, and both hold up well. Composite can stain over time, but initially isn’t as much of an investment. Because Liv is still young and her body will continue to evolve, it was decided to do two composite veneers now and in a few years’ time, reevaluate the need for porcelain, possibly extending to more teeth in the future. Dr. Elizabeth did a mock-up of the possible restorations and after seeing this mock-up, Liv was really excited and ready to proceed!

What does she think?

Liv is very happy with how everything turned out. She said she was excited to use composite, which will leave things more flexible for her future. She thought it seemed like the best option for her age. She said “It is easy to maintain and it feels very natural and normal.  I smile more now and I actually show my teeth. I didn’t used to do that.” This is what now makes her parents very happy!

When asked what she would say to someone considering getting this done, she said that is quick and not a long procedure: “It was very easy for me!”

We are so happy that we could work with Liv and collaborate with her team of doctors to help give her a smile she can be proud of!

How did this start?  Gretchen’s Story

Gretchen came to us as a new patient and Dr. Elizabeth noticed she had decay around an existing composite veneer on her right-side lateral incisor as well as decay on her right-side central incisor. While Gretchen certainly would benefit from a more comprehensive treatment plan to address her bite and wear pattern, Gretchen was nervous about replacing her existing composite veneer and was concerned about costs. Therefore, after some encouragement to at least address the decay, Gretchen agreed to move forward with a new composite veneer and filling. 

What was involved?

Since Gretchen wanted a more limited approach, no pre-planning was completed and all the treatment was done free-hand by Dr. Elizabeth in one appointment. Gretchen wanted a better color match (her original veneer was much brighter than the current shade of her natural teeth), she didn’t want to feel the gap with her tongue on the back of her current veneer (due to the decay), and she wanted the shape and contour to remain similar to her original veneer.

What does she think?

Gretchen is happy with her results and she said “It doesn’t feel like there is a gap in the back anymore.” She is also happy she can still use her original retainer. This was a concern for her as well. Even in a more limited approach, composite can give beautiful results! 

Dry Mouth and Diabetes: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments

By: Dr. Elizaabeth Eggert

While anyone can experience dry mouth, it’s one of the most common side effects of diabetes I and II. Dry mouth, or xerostomia, is an uncomfortable condition in which your body under-produces saliva, leaving your mouth feeling dry, rough, sticky, and just plain uncomfortable. 

As we expanded on in a recent blog, saliva is extremely beneficial for your dental health. Since dry mouth is a reduction in the amount of saliva produced in your mouth, this condition can wreak havoc with your oral health.

But here’s the good news: dry mouth is a completely manageable condition that can be managed with at-home techniques, or treated here at Eggert Family Dentistry. But first, let’s explore the connection between dry mouth and diabetes.

Why Does Diabetes Cause Dry Mouth?

The two most common causes of dry mouth in people with diabetes are high blood sugar and the side effects of diabetes medications. 

High Blood Sugar: 

High blood sugar, or hyperglycemia, is a common side effect of diabetes that isn’t well managed. While healthcare providers aren’t quite sure why high blood sugar causes dry mouth, chronic dry mouth is often the first noticeable symptom that someone with diabetes experiences.

Diabetes Medications: 

Side effects of certain diabetes medications, including Metformin, include dry mouth. ACE (angiotensin-converting enzyme) inhibitors, which are used to treat hypertension and diabetes, can also cause dry mouth. 

Symptoms of dry mouth include: 

  • Bad breath
  • Burning feeling in the mouth
  • Difficulty eating, chewing, swallowing, or speaking
  • Dry, cracked lips
  • Mouth that feels dry nearly all the time
  • Sores or infections in the mouth
  • Tongue that feels rough and dry

If you experience these symptoms consistently, be sure to schedule an appointment with your healthcare provider to make sure it isn’t a sign of another underlying condition. If your case of dry mouth is diabetes-related, you’ll be happy to know that it’s manageable at home and in our office! 

How to Manage Dry Mouth With Diabetes 

Everyone has different advice on how to manage dry mouth when you have diabetes, but all advice follows the same thread: 

1.) Make sure you’re hitting your targets

2.) Take steps to moisten your mouth and encourage saliva production. 

Here are some at-home remedies for managing dry mouth: 

  • Manage your blood sugar levels.
  • Avoid salty, spicy, or sugary drinks and foods.
  • Stay hydrated by drinking water throughout the day.
  • Avoid caffeine, which can dry out your mouth.
  • Chew gum or suck on hard candies that do not contain sugar. 
  • Do not use tobacco.
  • Limit alcohol consumption.
  • Use alcohol-free mouthwash.
  • Use lip balm (to manage chapped lips). 
  • Use a humidifier while you sleep at night.

To manage the effects of dry mouth on your dental health, brush your teeth at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and floss regularly. Because dry mouth accelerates the process of tooth decay and gum disease, you want to be extra vigilant when it comes to taking care of your teeth! 

How Eggert Family Dentistry Can Help 

For patients with severe dry mouth, Dr. Jeff and Dr. Elizabeth can prescribe medications that stimulate saliva production, such as pilocarpine (Salagen) or cevimeline (Evoxac).

With the right medications and at-home management, dry mouth can be a thing of the past! Let Dr. Elizabeth and Dr. Jeff be your partner in managing the effects of diabetes on your dental health. Contact us or call us at 651.482.8412 to schedule an appointment today!

What Your Saliva Can Tell You About Your Oral Health

By: Dr. Elizabeth Eggert

Saliva: you know, that stuff we normally call “spit.” While most people may cringe and call it “gross,” dentists know that saliva is actually a healthy mouth’s best friend! 

Healthy saliva production is a good indicator that your oral health is in tip-top shape. On the other hand, if your saliva production or the consistency of your saliva is unusual, it may be a warning sign of some underlying conditions that need to be addressed. 

What is Saliva? 

Saliva is a clear liquid that’s created by your mouth 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Produced by the salivary glands, saliva keeps your mouth moist and comfortable, but it also performs a number of other important functions. 

Within your saliva are tiny amounts of some very important substances, including mucus, proteins, minerals, electrolytes, antibacterial compounds and enzymes. These minerals and enzymes have a huge role to play when it comes to your overall health. For example, the enzyme amylase allows saliva to aid in digestion, by turning starches into sugars which your body can more easily absorb. Unsurprisingly, saliva also plays a key role in your oral health, protecting you from a host of dental problems.

3 Ways Saliva Protects Your Mouth

Apart from good dental health habits, when it comes to fighting off bacteria and disease in your mouth, consider saliva your superhero. From killing germs and preventing bad breath, to defending against gum disease and tooth decay, you can count on your saliva to save the day! But how does it do it? 

  1. Every time you swallow, saliva sweeps away food and bacteria. This reduces the amount of bacteria in your mouth and neutralizes acids that would otherwise break down enamel and cause tooth decay. 
  2. Saliva also contains antimicrobial agents that kill disease-causing bacteria. Without this daily “cleaning service,” you’d find that you’d develop gingivitis, gum disease, and other oral infections much faster. 
  3. When acid does manage to damage tooth enamel, saliva actually repairs the tooth’s protective surface in a process called remineralization. Calcium, phosphorus, fluoride, and other minerals contained in saliva work together to coat and repair your enamel. 

Saliva Symptoms and What They Mean 

Aside from protecting your mouth, sometimes your saliva can be a key indicator that something is wrong in your body. Unusual production or consistency in your saliva can be a red flag to let you know that there’s a problem. 

Not Enough Saliva

This is a condition known as dry mouth. Without enough saliva to coat your mouth, it can feel dry, sticky, and very uncomfortable. Dry mouth can be caused by a number of things, including: 

  • Dehydration
  • Certain medications
  • Medical treatments
  • Diabetes
  • Anemia
  • Hypertension

…and more. Depending on the cause, dry mouth can be relieved by hydration, special oral rinses, medication to promote saliva production, and more.

Too Much Saliva: 

Also known as hypersalivation, having too much saliva in your mouth can be just as uncomfortable as dry mouth. You may find yourself having to constantly spit or swallow throughout the day, which can even cause anxiety. Causes of hypersalivation include: 

  • Nausea
  • Inability to swallow 
  • Inability to keep mouth closed 
  • Sinus or throat infections 
  • Ulcers, inflammation, or pain in the mouth 
  • Parkinson’s disease 

…and more. In minor cases, hyper salivation can be treated at home with remedies such as brushing your teeth and using mouthwash to temporarily dry out the mouth. Hypersalivation can also be treated with medication, periodic botulinum toxin (Botox) injections, or in extreme cases, surgery.

Unusual Consistency 

If your saliva is thick and opaque, that may be a sign that you have a yeast infection called oral thrush. This condition is more common in children and the elderly, and is treated with antifungal medications taken orally. 

If your saliva is bloody, that may be an indication that you have developed gum disease. Bloody saliva will be most noticeable in the sink after brushing or flossing. If you think you have gum disease, call Eggert Family Dentistry and schedule an appointment right away. Treatments for gum disease include periodontal scaling and root planing. 

Have Concerns About Your Saliva? 

If you find that you’re producing excessive amounts of saliva, are experiencing bouts of dry mouth, or have noticed an unusual consistency in your saliva, call our office to schedule an appointment. Dr. Jeff Eggert or Dr. Elizabeth Eggert will be able to diagnose any problems and recommend or prescribe any treatments you may need. Call us today at 651-482-8412.

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Diabetes and Your Dental Health

By: Dr. Elizabeth Eggert

If you have type I or type II diabetes, you’re at a higher risk for developing cavities, gingivitis, and periodontitis. That means it’s especially important that you take good care of your teeth and gums by brushing and flossing regularly. 

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with diabetes, Dr. Elizabeth and Dr. Jeff Eggert can answer any questions you may have about how to best take care of your oral health. With the right strategies, managing the effects of diabetes on your dental health can be easy! Read on for more information about how diabetes can affect your dental health, and how the team at Eggert Family Dentistry can help.

What is Diabetes? 

To understand how diabetes affects your dental health, we need to understand how diabetes works. 

Most of the food you eat is processed as sugar. When your blood sugar reaches a certain level, a hormone called insulin is released. Insulin allows the sugar in your blood to be transferred to cells and used as energy. 

With diabetes, however, your body doesn’t make enough insulin, or can’t use it as well as it should. Without enough insulin, too much sugar stays in your bloodstream. 

High blood sugar can also weaken white blood cells, which are your body’s main way to fight infections. Over time, this decreased immune response can cause serious health problems, such as heart disease, vision loss, and kidney disease.

How Does Diabetes Affect Dental Health? 

Everyone has billions of tiny bacteria living in their mouths. Some are good bacteria, and some are bad. When a person doesn’t brush their teeth or floss enough, the bad bacteria surrounding your teeth are given the opportunity to enter the gums and cause irritation, inflammation, and bleeding.

According to the American Diabetes Association, “If you have diabetes—especially if you’re not meeting your targets—you will have more of an inflammatory response [to the bad bacteria], which could result in a loss of supporting tissue for your teeth.” Too much loss of this gum and bone tissue that supports a tooth could result in the tooth needing to be removed.

To put it simply, diabetes accelerates the negative effects of bad bacteria in your mouth. While it may take a while for someone without diabetes to develop cavities and gum disease, for someone with diabetes, these processes occur at an accelerated rate and the damage is more severe. 

Once you have an infection, diabetes can make it hard for your body to fight it. High blood sugar can weaken white blood cells, which means your overall immune response is also weakened.  

Diabetes can also cause dry mouth. The lack of saliva from dry mouth means food debris, sugar, acid and bacteria don’t get washed away as easily. This leads to the formation of more plaque, which erodes the enamel and causes the aforementioned infections.

How to Protect Your Dental Health 

Developing and maintaining good oral health is the best way to prevent cavities, gingivitis, and periodontal disease, whether you have diabetes or not. But if you do have diabetes, it’s extra important that you create good dental health habits.

The cornerstones of good dental health are: 

  • Brushing your teeth twice a day 
  • Flossing between your teeth once a day 
  • Regularly scheduling dentist cleanings/appointments

Good blood sugar control will also help your body fight any bacterial or fungal infections in your mouth. The better you’re hitting your targets, the better equipped your body will be to protect itself against gingivitis and gum disease. It will also help relieve dry mouth caused by diabetes.

Don’t Let Diabetes Hurt Your Dental Health—Eggert Dentistry Can Help!

If you’ve been diagnosed with diabetes, come see Dr. Elizabeth Eggert and Dr. Jeff Eggert. We have experience in helping our patients with diabetes protect against tooth decay, gingivitis, periodontal disease, and more with regularly scheduled recare visits and fluoride treatments.

To talk with us about any questions you may have, or to schedule an appointment, call our office at 651.482.8412. We’re here to help you maintain a happy, healthy mouth! We provide “Dentistry for a Lifetime of Smiles!” 

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Myobrace Infant Trainer – Owen’s Story

By: Dr. Elizabeth Eggert

Where did Owen start?

Owen came to us for his first dental visit at 2 years old and we noticed that he seemed to have some issues breathing through his nose.  His mom also reported that he sucked on his pointer finger to fall asleep.  Owen would also suck on his finger during the day if he was tired.  Mom and dad tried to help him stop, but it wasn’t going well.  

After giving the family some more time to continue to try traditional methods to help Owen stop sucking his finger, Dr. Elizabeth talked with the family at Owen’s next visit and let them know that Owen may benefit from seeing an ENT to evaluate and intervene for his airway.  She also discussed the opportunity to start therapy with the Myobrace Infant Trainer to help him with oral and facial development.  Due to his finger sucking habit, he was starting to develop a narrow palate and his lower jaw growth was impinged.

What was involved?

Owen’s parents were ready to start Myobrace therapy with Owen.  The goals for the treatment were for Owen to wear the appliance 2 or more hours each day and all night.  The Myobrace appliance has a “tongue tag” to help train the tongue to go to the correct position up against the palate.  Owen was to work to keep his tongue touching the tongue tag.  Owen was also supposed to work on keeping his lips closed and breathing through his nose.

The appliance is great for thumb or digit suckers because it gives them something in their mouth and helps open their airway.  This is often why thumb and digit suckers continue sucking after the natural infant instinct to suckle has surpassed 6-12 months – because it gives them support for their airway.

Owen did a nice job working with his appliance.  Instead of putting his finger in his mouth, he instead put his appliance in.  He was able to stop the finger sucking habit.  His mom still wondered about his breathing, however, since he was snoring and struggled to keep his lips closed with his appliance out of his mouth.

Dr. Elizabeth referred Owen to Dr. Rosario, a local ENT, and he underwent procedures to remove his tonsils and adenoids as well as reduce some of the inflammatory tissue in his nose.  After these procedures, Owen slept better, stopped snoring, and had a lot more energy during the daytime.

What do Owen and his family think?

Owen’s Myobrace Infant Trainer was very helpful at helping him stop sucking his finger.  Owen may benefit from the Myobrace J-series which can help with more jaw growth and development.  For now, he is working to keep his tongue in the right spot, his lips closed, and all breaths through his nose.

Owen’s mom reports they are happy they underwent these therapies with Owen.  The process was easy and only took about 3 months before he stopped sucking his finger.  They are happy to see his improved growth and development.  They would strongly recommend anyone where this therapy is recommended to “give it a try!”

myobrace treatment

Periodontal Scaling and Root Planing: What Does It Mean?

By: Dr. Elizabeth Eggert

Periodontal scaling and root planing may sound like a funny way to treat periodontal disease It may even sound a bit intimidating, but this treatment is actually a simple way to immediately start treating gum disease ( periodontal disease). Before we go into an explanation of this procedure, let’s first clarify what gum disease is. 

Gingivitis and Periodontitis (Gum Disease)

Gingivitis is an inflammatory reaction of the gums due to excessive bacteria. When you don’t brush and floss regularly, the bacteria surrounding your teeth enters the gums and causes irritation, inflammation, and bleeding of the gums. This can be especially noticeable after brushing or flossing. 

Gingivitis can be easily treated with a professional cleaning. If left untreated, however, gingivitis will develop into a serious gum infection called periodontitis, also known as gum disease. 

When your gums are chronically inflamed, the space between your gums and your teeth, also known as your gum tissue pockets, gets so deep that the bacteria and plaque become trapped and can no longer be removed with regular brushing or even flossing. Without treatment, gum disease will destroy the bone that supports your teeth. Without the bone to act as a foundation, the teeth get loose and eventually need to be removed. 

Symptoms of gum disease include:

  • Receding gums
  • Gums that bleed after brushing
  • Red, swollen gums
  • Persistent bad breath 
  • Loose teeth
  • Tooth loss

Aside from damaging one’s oral health, there are other serious risk factors associated with gum disease. It’s long been proven that there is a connection between gum disease and heart disease. In fact, a person with gum disease has two to three times the risk of having a heart attack, stroke, or other cardiovascular event than someone with healthy gums. 

For pregnant women, gum disease has also been linked to pregnancy complications and low birth weight. 

Treatment for Gum Disease 

Luckily, the treatment for gum disease is simple and can be performed right here at Eggert Family Dentistry. One of our amazing hygienists along with Dr. Elizabeth or Dr. Jeff will administer treatment known as periodontal scaling and root planing. These procedures are typically quick and can be performed using onlyl local anesthetic.

What is Periodontal Scaling and Root Planing? 

Periodontal scaling is a procedure that uses a dental curette or scaler to remove all the plaque and tartar from above and below the gumline, all the way down to the bottom of the pocket. A topical or local anesthetic will be applied to numb the area so that no discomfort is felt during treatment. Root planing is then when our dental team members use instruments or the high powered water irrigating Cavitron to smooth out the roots of your teeth to help your gums reattach to your teeth. Depending on the severity of the infection, the time needed for these procedures can vary. It is common to complete treatment on one half of the mouth per session. 

Aftercare: 

After the procedure, you may experience slight tenderness or discomfort with your gums, however, this typically resolves within a couple of days. The full healing process can take weeks, however, as your tissue reattaches to your tooth root.

  • To minimize sensitivity, avoid eating sweet items or food that is extremely hot or cold for a few days. 
  • If you experience any pain while brushing, reduce brushing intensity for at least 48 hours. 
  • Over-the-counter pain medication will help reduce any discomfort following treatment. 
  • You can also speed up your recovery by rinsing your mouth with a warm saline solution multiple times a day. 

Prevention is Better Than Intervention

Once you have periodontal disease, you will always have periodontal disease, but luckily managing this disease can be straight forward if you follow your recommended recare interval and do your hygiene homework! Typically, a periodontal patient will need a recare visit for a periodontal maintenance cleaning every 3 months.

Don’t Let Gum Disease Get the Best of You

If you’re experiencing any of the symptoms of gingivitis or gum disease, don’t hesitate to contact our office for an appointment. Upon examination, we’ll be able to tell you if it can be remedied with a simple cleaning, or if it requires periodontal scaling and root planing. Call our office to schedule an appointment with us at 651-482-8412.

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Dental Hygiene 101: What’s the Scoop With Fluoride?

By: Dr. Elizabeth Eggert

Ah, October… A month that simply wouldn’t be complete without candied apples, kettle corn, and literal buckets of Halloween candy!

It may strike you as ironic, then, that October is also National Dental Hygiene Month. In our opinion, though, the consumption of huge amounts of sugar makes October the perfect time to focus on oral health. 

Far from taking the fun out of Halloween, Dr. Jeff and Dr. Elizabeth of Eggert Family Dentistry want to reassure you that even though your family may eat many sweets this month, you can count on a little mineral called fluoride to save the day.

What Is Fluoride? 

Fluoride is a naturally-occurring mineral that plays an important role in dental health. Found in water, toothpaste, and mouthwash, fluoride strengthens the teeth, preventing cavities and even repairing early signs of tooth decay. 

What Are the Benefits of Fluoride? 

Fluoride works by penetrating the teeth and drawing in phosphate and calcium from your saliva. It aids the remineralization process, repairing teeth and strengthening enamel. It facilitates the creation of harder, larger enamel crystals that are more resistant to acid. 

Fluoride also reduces the activity of the bacteria in your mouth. This leads to decreased acid production and less chance for tooth decay. Studies show that this miracle mineral can even repair early stages of tooth decay before things become a full-fledged cavity! 

According to the CDC, the connection between fluoride and healthy teeth was recognized as far back as the late 1800s. By the 1930s, dentists observed that people who drank water containing naturally occurring fluoride seemed to be protected against tooth decay, or cavities.

Fluoride is beneficial for teeth because it helps to:

  • Rebuild (or remineralize) weakened tooth enamel.
  • Slow down the loss of minerals from tooth enamel.
  • Reverse early signs of tooth decay.
  • Prevent the growth of harmful oral bacteria.

Where Is Fluoride Found?

Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral that originates in rocks. As the rocks break down, the mineral is released into the soil, air, and water. 

As a result, trace amounts of fluoride can be found in many of the foods we eat, including grapes, raisins, wine, black tea, spinach, and potatoes. Fluoride is also found naturally in freshwater and saltwater. However, simply eating these foods and drinking freshwater won’t do much for your teeth—there’s simply not enough fluoride content within them to do the trick. 

That’s where the other sources of fluoride come in: 

You may recall having to sit with a tray of fluoride foam in your mouth during your childhood dental visits. These fluoride treatments fortified both your baby teeth and strengthened your adult teeth. 

As an adult, you might receive a fluoride varnish during your recare visits, which serve the same purpose. And of course, there’s the fluoride-fortified toothpaste and mouthwash that can easily be found on store shelves. These items help you to protect your teeth at home in between dental visits.

Fluoridated Water

We’d be remiss if we didn’t talk about the fluoride in tap water and its role in protecting our teeth. It’s now common practice for cities to add fluoride to their water supply in a process known as water fluoridation. Starting in 1945, this practice began as a direct response to the observation that fluoride prevents tooth decay. 

In the years that followed, the average number of missing or decaying teeth in American 12-year-old children dropped by 68 percent, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This sharp drop followed the introduction and expansion of fluoridated water in communities, as well as the addition of fluoride to toothpastes and other dental products.

With so much success in improving the health and wellbeing of citizens, fluoridated drinking water is now heralded as one of the Ten Great Public Health Achievements of the 20th century.

 (For more interesting fluoride trivia, be sure to check out our blog, “Fun Facts About Fluoride!”)

Risks Associated with Fluoride in Water 

While there has been some controversy about the safety of fluoride in our water, the Environmental Protection Agency strictly regulates the amount of fluoride in community water supplies to keep it safe and healthy to drink.

If overexposed to fluoride, the main side effects are Dental Fluorosis or Skeletal Fluorosis. Dental Fluorosis occurs when you consume too much fluoride while your adult teeth are still developing underneath your gums. This will result in white spots on the surface of your teeth, but otherwise, the condition is harmless. (This condition is usually caused by swallowing too much toothpaste, so make sure you’re supervising your children while they brush.)

Skeletal Fluorosis is the same type of condition, except it involves the bones. It usually results from long-term fluoride overexposure. Symptoms of Skeletal Fluorosis include joint pain, stiffness, and—over the long-term—the calcification of ligaments. While this condition can be caused by swallowing toothpaste or mouthwash, it’s more often caused by drinking from a water source with unusually high levels of naturally-occurring fluoride.

Importance of Regular Fluoride Use

There’s no doubt that fluoride is nature’s cavity fighter. That’s why it’s important for everyone to use fluoride regularly, from childhood all the way through adulthood. 

Fluoride treatments are especially helpful for children as their teeth are developing. When you start off with good oral health, it’s much easier to maintain into teenage years and young adulthood.  

Fluoride treatments can also help adults with receding gums, adults who aren’t drinking city tap water, and adults with medical/oral health conditions or medications that cause dry mouth.

Want to Make Fluoride Treatments a Regular Part of Your Dental Hygiene? 

At Eggert Family Dentistry, Dr. Jeff and Dr. Elizabeth and our magnificent hygienists will be happy to discuss incorporating fluoride treatments into your regularly scheduled dentist visits. If you want to learn more about the many benefits of fluoride or to schedule a routine visit, give us a call at 651.482.8412.

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How Thumb Sucking and Orofacial Myofunctional Disorders Are Linked

By: Dr. Elizabeth Eggert

Thumb sucking is a normal part of child development. It’s a natural reflex for babies, giving them a sense of security. And as they grow, it can become a habit to self-soothe or help them sleep.

Orofacial Myofunctional Disorders (OMD) are also common in children and toddlers. OMD affects the growth and development of mouth and facial structures and can affect a child’s speech and feeding abilities, as well as their developing airway.

So, what is the relationship between thumb sucking and Orofacial Myofunctional Disorders? 

Read on to learn more about OMD and its connection to thumb sucking, how to help your child stop sucking their thumb, and how Dr. Elizabeth and Dr. Jeff can help if you think your child may have OMD.

What Is an Orofacial Myofunctional Disorder?

Orofacial Myofunctional Disorder is a disorder of the muscles and functions of the face and mouth that interferes with normal growth, development, or function of orofacial structures. It presents as improper tongue, jaw, or lip positioning during eating, swallowing, and speaking. 

Symptoms of OMD include:

  • Malocclusion
  • Mouth breathing
  • Tongue thrust
  • Sleep disordered breathing
  • Snoring
  • Airway obstruction
  • TMD 
  • Headaches
  • Fatigue, anxiety, or depression
  • Difficulty articulating sounds like the “s” in “sun,” “sh” in “ship,” or “j” in “jump”
  • Drooling past age 2
  • Difficulty closing the lips to swallow

OMD can cause dental problems, changes in facial appearance (such as grimace, tight chin, or weak, parted lips), sleep issues like sleep apnea, and speech difficulties.

Causes of an Orofacial Myofunctional Disorder

There is no single determined cause of Orofacial Myofunctional Disorder. It is sometimes hereditary, but it can also be caused by:

  • Thumb sucking or finger sucking past the age of 1 year
  • Extended use of a pacifier (after 12 months)
  • Cheek or nail biting
  • Bruxism
  • Tongue, lip, or cheek sucking
  • Tongue-tie
  • Neurological deficits
  • Developmental delays

Let’s take a closer look at the first item on this list, thumb sucking and figure out how it’s connected to OMD and how to help your child stop sucking their thumb or finger.

Thumb sucking and Orofacial Myofunctional Disorders: How They Are Connected

Long term thumb sucking can affect the roof of the mouth or alignment of the teeth, and can be a risk factor for increased malocclusion. When a child sucks their thumb or finger for long periods of time, it can exert force against the front teeth as well as the palate (roof of the mouth) and cause changes to the dentition, including:

  • Posterior crossbites
  • Anterior excessive overjet
  • Anterior open bite

It can also affect the direction of jaw growth and lead to the development of a narrow, high arched palate, an open-lipped posture, altered respiration, and abnormal tongue rest and function patterns. People with a high, narrow palate do not develop their nasal passage to its full potential and often have difficulty with nose breathing.

Over time, thumb sucking can anchor the tongue down and forward rather than allowing it to rest on the roof of the mouth. This can, in turn, affect speech development, resulting in improper speech patterns, such as lisping.

How to Help Your Child Stop Thumb sucking

Thumb sucking can be a difficult habit to break. 

Children often stop thumb sucking on their own (typically by 6-7 months). It isn’t generally worrisome at that young age. But if your child is still sucking their thumb or finger after the age of 2, it is time to be serious about breaking the habit.

Appliances like thumb guards have limited success and have been associated with negative results like excessive weight loss, pain, poor sensory perception, and development of atypical lingual movement.

Instead, try the following approaches to help your child stop sucking their thumb:

  • Ignore it, especially if they use thumb sucking to get attention. Sometimes all it takes is for the habit to become less effective for them.
  • Talk to them about it. If ignoring it doesn’t work, try discussing it with your child. If your child wants to stop and has some agency in how they stop, you’re more likely to be successful.
  • Use positive reinforcement. Give praise, positive attention, or small rewards when they refrain from thumb sucking. Keep track of their progress in a fun way, such as putting stickers on a calendar.
  • Set attainable goals. Start with small steps, like instituting a rule of no thumb sucking in certain situations or at certain times of day.
  • Watch for triggers. Notice when your child begins to suck their thumb: Is it when they’re tired? Stressed? Identify the root issue and offer other ways for them to find comfort, such as asking for a hug or squeezing their favorite stuffed animal.
  • Be gentle with reminders. Scolding your child for thumb sucking is bound to backfire…especially if they’re doing so to comfort themselves. And pressuring them to stop can delay the quitting process. Simply offer a gentle reminder to stop. 
  • Ask Dr. Elizabeth or Dr. Jeff to talk with them. Sometimes having your child talk with one of us about why it’s important to stop sucking their thumb is more effective than a conversation with mom and dad.
  • Try completing treatment with Dr. Elizabeth using the Myobrace Infant Trainer. This device helps to shape the developing facial structures in a positive manner and gives your child something else to satisfy their oral fixation. 

Think Your Child May Have Developed an Orofacial Myofunctional Disorder?

If you think your child may have developed an Orofacial Myofunctional Disorder, come see Dr. Elizabeth and Dr. Jeff. We have experience identifying OMD and creating custom treatment plans for our patients.

To talk with us about your concerns and OMD intervention options, call our office at 651.482.8412. We’re here to help your child achieve a confident, healthy smile.

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Sometimes the Results are Worth the Wait – M’s Story

By: Dr. Elizabeth Eggert

How did this start?

M (name omitted by request) has been a loyal patient of Eggert Family Dentistry for nearly 20 years, since even before Dr. Elizabeth’s time.  In 2013, M underwent jaw surgery, also known as orthognathic (or-thog-NATH-ik) surgery, which corrects irregularities of the jaw bones and realigns the jaws and teeth to improve the way they work.  

In December 2015, during a recare visit, he mentioned that he had to force his muscles to bite correctly and wondered if that was normal after jaw surgery.  He also noted that his teeth were jagged and did not have a clean line.  He didn’t want to think about them all the time, like when eating or when looking at himself in photos.  

At that time, M decided to undergo our records process to determine how lengthening his front teeth would help improve his bite.  While M’s bite was improved after his orthodontics and jaw surgery, there had been enough prior damage to the teeth and the joints that M still had some bite imbalances after he healed from his surgery.

After working up M’s case, Dr. Elizabeth determined that with six upper veneers to lengthen his front teeth and some minor equilibration to even out high spots in his bite, M should feel better about both how his teeth fit together and with how they look.

What did M want?

M wanted to get rid of the gap he saw between his lateral and canine incisors and he wanted no chips on the front teeth.  He wanted a whiter and brighter smile as well without all the white lines on his natural teeth.   

What was involved? 

Dr. Elizabeth started the case by mocking up the new shape of the teeth on dental models.  M really liked the result.  We started the treatment by evening out M’s bite with equilibration.  Then, impressions of his new bite were taken and sent to the dental lab so a lab wax-up could be completed.  This gave us the actual blue print for his new teeth.  In the interim, M underwent the Zoom In-Office Whitening procedure to brighten his teeth to the desired color for his new veneers.  Soon after the whitening procedure, M came for his preparation appointment and then 2 weeks later, his veneers were carefully inserted. 

What does M think? 

In his final interview, M was asked how he felt about his course of treatment and his decision to complete the veneers.  He said, “I was concerned about it being painful or that there were going to be a lot of appointments to complete the treatment.  While there were a lot of appointments, the time went quickly and it was painless.”  He is very happy with the outcome and would recommend that anyone thinking of getting veneers to just get them done!  He said it was easy to have an open dialogue with Dr. Elizabeth and it was great to have a solid plan along the way.

M did say that he hasn’t had many comments on his veneers, but he’s glad about that because he wanted everything to look very natural.     

M’s story is just one of many others who have experienced magnificent results with Dr. Elizabeth Eggert.  Veneers can yield beautiful and predictable results for accomplishing an improved smile.  At Eggert Family Dentistry, we love providing “Dentistry for a Lifetime of Smiles” – thanks M for trusting us to help you continue to smile big and now more confidently!

 

Sensitive teeth? How to prevent issues and make yourself more comfortable.

By: Dr. Elizabeth Eggert

For people who struggle with sensitive teeth, eating or drinking anything too hot or cold can be uncomfortable. Sometimes, even brushing your teeth or using floss can be uncomfortable if you have sensitive teeth. 

But what causes tooth sensitivity and will you ever be able to enjoy hot coffee or cold ice cream again? 

Causes and Symptoms of Sensitive Teeth

Sensitive teeth are caused by enamel on the teeth that gets worn down. Enamel is the hard outer layer that protects the softer interior of your teeth. When the enamel gets worn down, the softer, more sensitive part of your teeth are exposed. When the dentin or dentin tubules that run to the nerves in your teeth are exposed to heat, cold, or pressure from chewing, the nerves get hyperactive and can send a jolt of pain through your mouth. 

The things that most commonly wear down the enamel on your teeth are:

Tooth sensitivity is often caused by underlying tooth problems. By finding and fixing those problems, discomfort from sensitive teeth often resolves on its own. Some of the most common causes of sensitive teeth include:

  • Infrequent brushing
  • Overly aggressive brushing 
  • Gum recession
  • Periodontal disease
  • Clenching or grinding your teeth
  • A dysfunctional bite

What to Do if You Have Sensitive Teeth

If you have mild tooth sensitivity, Dr. Elizabeth and Dr. Jeff can recommend a desensitizing toothpaste or prescription fluoride toothpaste to use at home. The ingredients in these toothpastes help prevent hot and cold sensations from reaching your mouth. Regular fluoride varnish treatments at our office can also help reduce pain. 

There are also at-home remedies we found online, you could try these to get relief: 

  • Salt-water rinse: Add ¼ to ¾ teaspoon of salt to a glass of lukewarm water. Gargle the salt water twice daily for up to 30 seconds. 
  • Hydrogen peroxide rinse: Add two caps of 3% hydrogen peroxide to an equal amount of warm water, and swish in your mouth for up to 30 seconds. The mild antiseptic and disinfectant can help deal and prevent inflammation. 
  • Honey and warm water: Mix a spoonful of honey with warm water, and rinse your mouth with the mixture. Hone is an antibacterial agent that helps speed healing and reduce pain, swelling, and inflammation. 
  • Turmeric: Massage ground turmeric on your teeth and gums twice a day for pain relief. Turmeric is an anti-inflammatory treatment and enhances wound healing. 

If you have severe tooth sensitivity, you may need more involved treatment to resolve your discomfort. When sensitivity is caused by decay or when teeth are worn or decayed, we may recommend a filling, crown, or bonding to fix the root issue. Also, if a dysfunctional bite is keeping the nerves of your teeth hyperactive, changing the tooth positions is an important part of the healing process. 

Addressing the Underlying Issues That Cause Tooth Sensitivity 

Another way to make huge improvements in relieving tooth sensitivity is to look for and treat underlying issues with your bite. By undergoing our records process, we can determine if improvements to how your teeth come together and how you chew can stop your tooth sensitivity – often for good!

One of the best ways to improve sensitive teeth is by developing healthy oral hygiene habits, including regular visits to the dentist. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Elizabeth or Dr. Jeff, contact our office at 651-482-8412.

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