Asheville Dental Care

It is hard to believe that another holiday season is upon is, and with it comes holiday parties, wonderful goodies, and lots of reasons to celebrate. With so much going on, so many holiday parties, so much shopping to do, and so many reasons to celebrate, caring for your teeth and dental emergencies are certainly not at the top of anyone’s Christmas “to-do” list!

However, this is the season that more than our wallets and waistlines take a beating, and before we know it January is upon us and so is our resolve to get our finances and our budgets back in order. While shedding a few pounds and paying off credit cards can be an on ongoing struggle, we have a few ideas to make getting and keeping your teeth healthy this year, a much easier endeavor.

First of all, the good news, the really good news, is that taking care of your dental health requires literally no will power. You can still have healthy teeth and gums, and still indulge in the cookies, candies and festive drinks you like to this time of year. You just need to place a little extra emphasis on caring for your teeth given the increase in the amount of sugar, and chewing you will be doing.

So, here are a few dental health tips to get you through the holiday season:
1. A glass of water – yes, just a simple glass of water. Keep one with you while you snack on the sugary candy and cookies. Then take a quick minute after indulging to take a sip and swish it around your mouth to loosen and remove some of the sugar from just sitting on your teeth. Besides that, the water will catch that big chive stuck in your teeth and ruining your smile

2. Sugar-free gum – again, another quick trick that will help reduce your risk of getting cavities after you have indulged in your favorite goodies

3. Floss – every night before you go to bed, or in the car on the way home from a party, it doesn’t matter where and when just make sure you are faithful about it this time of year. Nuts, popcorn, cookies all of those treats we love to eat can get caught in our teeth and that much sugar sitting directly on our gums can do real damage very quickly. Flossing is so simple, and takes only a moment, and can help so much in keeping your teeth healthy over the holiday season. If you ask your dentist for some “Easy Thru”. This is a floss sample you can get free from your dentist… these are great, small dental samples you can keep in your car, purse or wallet. Let’s you floss anytime, anywhere! Plus it is free

4. Extra brushing – commit to brush your teeth one more time every day or brush for one minute longer. Many of us up our exercise routine, or skip a meal, so we can indulge at the holiday party. We make lots of adjustments so that we do not expand our waistlines over the holiday season, so put that same emphasis on caring for your teeth. A little extra attention to keeping your teeth brushed can reduce your risk of cavities and other dental problems over the holiday season.

5. Emergency Dental Help – what is it about the holiday season that increases the likely hood that you will break a tooth or get a tooth-ache? Not sure whether it is because we are so busy, or because we eating hard candy, like my personal favorite peanut brittle, but for some reason the holiday season and dental emergencies are closely linked. So find out ahead of time, from your dentist what to do if a dental emergency should occur. Is their office going to be open (our holiday hours are listed below)? Who is the dentist on call? What is the best phone number to reach your dentist?

6. New Year’s Resolution – finally, make the decision now to make and keep your dental health a priority in 2013. Start your year off by getting a dental check-up first thing in January, and ask your hygienist to provide you with tips and ideas of how to keep your teeth healthy, white and strong all year long.

Asheville Dental Care’s offices will be closed December the 24th, 25th, 26th, 31st, and on January the 1st. We will be open all day December the 27th and until 2pm on the 28th . If you have a dental emergency please call the regular office number (274-3882) and we will update the voicemail to help direct you to the doctor on call.

We at Asheville Dental Care wish all of you the most wonderful of holiday seasons. We thank you for being our patients, and we look forward to seeing you in the New Year!

One of the best parts of being a dentist is that we actually get to spend time with our patients. Unlike many other health professionals, I work in a profession that allows me to get to know my patients. Rarely, if ever, do I spend my day running in and out of exam rooms and operatories, with barely a minute to catch my breath and zero time to spend with my patients. My favorite part of every day, is the time I walk in to engage, connect and actually talk with my patients. I enjoy learning who they are, what they do, the adventures they have had, and the hobbies they enjoy.

Over the years, I have had the privilege of becoming more than just their dental professional, and more of someone with whom they can discuss their overall health. It is not unusual for our conversations to cover everything from their dental health to diabetes, heart disease and even at times the challenges of dealing with aging parents.  Lately, there seems to be one subject, one health concern that seems to be coming up more often these days. That subject is sleep apnea and/or excessive snoring.  I am not sure if it is on the rise in our society, or if it is just being discussed more openly, but it seems that almost daily I have a patient wanting to ask my opinion about sleep apnea devices or just share that their snoring has cost them more than a few good nights rest.

Just last week, I had a young patient (just 35) come in for a routine exam and check up. As we began to discuss his dental health, he shared that his snoring has become extensive, and it has reached the point that it consistently keeps his wife awake, and he wakes up exhausted, barely rested all the time. With two small children (both under five) you can imagine that sleep, in their household, is a precious commodity; something neither my patient nor his wife can afford to lose.

He shared that he had discussed this with his doctor earlier, who had made the suggestion of starting with a sleep study at the hospital. Now my patient, who already travels for work five days a week, did not want to spend rare weekend family time at the hospital with strangers watching his every move. In addition, he has a $3000 deductible for his health insurance, meaning the sleep test would be an out-of-pocket expense. At a loss, for where to turn or what to do, he asked my advice.

I shared with my patient, that I actually suffered from the same problem, and my wife too was ready to take pillow and blanket and banish me to the couch. My doctor also  had suggested I head to the hospital for a sleep study, and while time and money were not as much of an issue for me at this stage in my life, the thought of one of those big, cumbersome, C-PAPs, as the final solution just kept me from going. Silly as it sounds, I just could not face the fact that I might be doomed to a life of great sleep yes, but only by wearing this huge device that I would have to wrestle with every night. I just didn’t want to wear it, let alone drag it on airplanes, and suffer the jokes and ridicule my buddies would throw at me on overnight hunting and fishing trips.

So, just like my patient, I was at a loss. In an effort to find a better way, I began to look around and search for alternative solutions, and that is how I discovered the dental mandible advancement device; a fancy term for a wonderful solution to my snoring problems. Better known as dental snore guards, it is a small device, similar to a night guard, which repositions the lower jaw slightly forward from its normal resting position. This opens the patient’s airway, which prevents snoring and sleep apnea. In layman’s terms these are wonderful little gadgets that give you a great night sleep, a well-rested wife, and much happier marriage.  They snap quickly into your mouth and cost of fraction of both the sleep study and the C-PAP.

Intrigued by what I found, I decided to do more research, and I discovered that this small, easily portable device is actually used and recommended by the US Army. Faced with the challenge of soldiers suffering from sleep apnea while serving in the field; the US Army had to come up with a better solution than a C-PAP. They could hardly allow their already over worked soldiers to be sleep deprived, but just could not imagine their  soldiers lugging these huge C-PAPs, along with all their other gear, from station to station. A C-PAP in the field, simply not an option.  In an effort to come up with a solution to this very challenging problem, their researchers discovered this device, and began to study and test it. Their official and exhaustive studies have produced results that have shown this device to be every bit as effective at preventing both snoring and sleep apnea as the C-PAP. Every bit as effective.

Thrilled with the idea, and the knowledge that it was recommended and used by the US Army, our patient jumped at the chance to give one a try. Within a week he called back to say, thank you! He and his wife both had their first great night sleep in years, and he felt much more rested.  I was not surprised, I use one myself, and have found this simple, small device to be invaluable in ensuring I get the rest I need. Interested in learning more about the Snore Guard? Give our office a call 828-348-7663!

Believe it or not, the number one reason that people hate to visit the dentist isn’t cost, time or inconvenience, it is fear. The truth is a trip to the dentist should be one of the easiest and most stress free healthcare appointments you can have. It is also one of the most important appointments you can make if you want to invest in your overall dental and physical health. And it is a visit that can be fairly comfortable, easy and fun with Asheville Dental Care.

“High quality dental care is why I chose your practice; how much I enjoy coming to your office was an unexpected surprise. You and your staff make coming to the dentist a very fun experience.” Marilyn F., Asheville, NC

As a dental professional, it concerns me that there are people all over this country, all over this world, creating unnecessary dental problems and costs, simply because they are afraid of going to the dentist. Let’s take a look at how powerful a forty-minute dental hygiene appointment can be, done twice a year.

Top 9 Reasons To Invest In Your Dental Health:

To prevent gum disease.
Gum (periodontal) disease is a bacterial infection caused by plaque – the sticky, colorless, bacteria-filled film that adheres to your teeth. Even with best of homecare, plaque still builds on your teeth, it hardens and becomes tartar, which can be difficult to remove. The bacteria in plaque produce toxins that irritate the gums and cause inflammation and gingivitis. With professional dental hygiene appointments, plaque is easily removed and gums remain healthy. Gum disease, which is often completely preventable, is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults.

To keep your teeth.
As we age, our teeth become more and more important in our lives. The ability to chew our food, the contribution of our smiles to our overall looks, and the confidence we feel when talking with others. Without professional dental care, diseases such a dental decay, gum disease and general wear and tear can destroy teeth. Affected teeth may wear down, loosen, break or fall out. Regular dental hygiene appointments are critical in keeping your teeth.

To have a brighter smile.
Personal habits – such as tobacco use or drinking coffee, tea and other beverages – can cause tooth staining. Certain medications also can discolor teeth. Regular dental hygiene appointments keep your teeth stain free – and it promotes good oral health. In addition to removing plaque and tartar during your cleaning, your hygienist will also polish your teeth to a beautiful shine. The result? A whiter and brighter smile

To prevent bad breath.
Persistent bad breath (halitosis) has oral causes such as poor oral hygiene, periodontal disease, a coating on the surface of the tongue, food stuck between teeth, unclean dentures, oral carcinomas or throat infections. Good oral hygiene is essential in preventing many of these conditions and can, in turn, prevent bad breath. Regular checkups and cleanings are the best way to make sure that you are maintaining good oral hygiene.

To help maintain overall health.
Who knew just how important the health of your teeth and gums would be in ensuring you live a long and happy life. There is mounting evidence, and more being revealed everyday, of a connection between a person’s oral and overall health. Recent studies have linked heart attacks and strokes to gum disease. A professional dental cleaning every six months to keep your teeth and gums healthy could possibly reduce your risk of heart disease and stroke. In addition, if you have regular oral examinations, your dentist may be the first health care provider to diagnose a health problem in its early stages.

To make the most of your dental benefits.
For those of us lucky enough to have dental insurance, we need to take advantage of the yearly cleanings that are covered by our policies. . If you take advantage of your benefits, you’ll save money in the long run by avoiding more costly dental procedures that can result from poor oral hygiene.

To save time.
Who has time for a dental emergency? Have you ever had one pop up when it is convenient for you? Well unlike other emergencies, most associated with your dental health are preventable. Simple and regular dental hygiene appointments can serve as wonderful opportunities for your dental health professionals to spot problems early, before they become emergencies.

To save money.
Spotting problems early, not only saves you time but it saves you money. It can save you a lot of money. A regular reminder to brush and floss your teeth, can keep you from having to invest in costly gum disease treatment, or spotting a cavity early can ensure you pay for a small filling rather than a full blown root canal. The truth is, with regular dental check-ups and a strong homecare plan, you can prevent most costly dental treatments over the course of your lifetime.

Because you’re smart.
Regular hygiene appointments are some of the best investments you can make to save you time, money and prevent future dental and physical healthcare problems.

Want to see what you’re missing or learn more, give us a call and we will give you a tour of Asheville Dental Care, and the fun you can have getting your regular dental check-ups!

In the May 2012 issue of General Dentistry, a peer-reviewed journal of the Academy of General Dentistry, they reported that the increase in sports and energy drinks consumption is causing irreversible damage to teeth enamel particularly in adolescence and teen age youth.

“Young adults consume these drinks assuming that they will improve their sports performance and energy levels and that they are ‘better’ for them than soda,” says Poonam Jain, BDS, MS, MPH, lead author of the study. “Most of these patients are shocked to learn that these drinks are essentially bathing their teeth with acid.”

The test basically looked at prolonged exposure to the acid levels that are commonly found in popular sports and energy drinks. These drink types have seen a huge increase in popularity over recent years putting them in the hands of thousands of kids every year. The marketing of these drinks has increased the perception that these drinks will improve athletic performance and that they are some how healthier than other drink alternatives.

So just as we would recommend with sugary sodas and soft drinks everyone would just be better off drinking less or none of these at all.

If you have any questions about teeth sensitivity just call or email Asheville Dental Care – 828-348-7663.