Did you know Americans spend close to $1 billion each year in chewing gum. Unless it’s sugar free, chewing gum can cause cavities just like candy. People who drink three or more sugary drinks, including juice, each day experience 62 percent more tooth decay. So keep your teeth healthy and choose sugar free.

Did you know that up to 80% of the adults carry the herpes virus latently by age 30 and 40% of carriers in the US are under the age 20.  The herpes simplex virus type I or more commonly known as “cold sore/fever blister” is easily spread and highly contagious with direct contact of the herpetic lesion.  It lies dormant in the nerve ganglia until triggered.  Various triggers and stressors can bring them out such as anxiety, UV light, infection (eg. Common cold), menstruation and dental treatment.

It is imperative that you keep the area adjacent to the lesion clean by using mild antibacterial soap and water and then dabbing the area dry.  Always make sure you wash your hands well after touching the lesion so you do not transmit the virus to your eyes or to others.  The use of SPF15 on your lips can help reduce 1 trigger, however if you do have an outbreak there are OTC products that can help ease the pain and the duration.  The approximate healing time is 14-21 days on 1^st occurrence and 7-10 days on recurrences.

NOBODY likes pain!

We realize each patient has pain that is unique.  We at Remmers Dental Group work with every patient to develop individual pain management in our friendly and comfortable environment. We offer conscious sedation, nitrous oxide, novocaine, and a topical application prior to any injection to keep you out of pain.  Our goal is to eliminate your pain completely with our personal concern.

Many adults have dental fears that they have carried from their childhood. The most common cause of tooth pain is a cavity or inflammation and pressure on nerves or gum tissue.  It is important to seek treatment right away so the problem can be diagnosed and treated in a timely manner.  Resist the temptation of canceling and using excuses to skip your regular checkups.  Please visit us on a regular basis for your cleaning, x-rays and examinations in order to keep your mouth healthy and free from any pain.

Ordinary vs. Powered Toothbrushes

Stroke of Genius?

By Dulce Zamora
WebMD Feature

Reviewed By Charlotte Grayson

Nine-year-old Nicholas Racobaldo doesn’t remember what it’s like to clean his teeth with an ordinary toothbrush. For two years, he’s been using an electrically charged gadget with high-speed, rotating bristles.

“I like it because it tickles,” he says, and imagines that now a regular toothbrush would feel “yucky” in his mouth.

Nicholas isn’t the only kid who prefers the powered devices.

Eileen Hermiston, RDH, a pediatric dental hygienist at the University of Iowa College of Dentistry, says many of her patients think the high-tech brushes are fun.

“It can be a big power struggle getting children to brush their teeth,” she notes. “If you can inspire enthusiasm in children with power toothbrushes, daily tooth brushing becomes easier.”

If the increased amount of space taken up on store shelves is any indication, the electric brushes are growing in popularity. Some of them are kid-friendly: The toothbrush handle may take on the shape of a racing car or a mermaid or a cell phone, and its color may resemble army camouflage.

Many patients are now asking their dentists about these mechanical tools so much that the American Dental Association (ADA) has issued several news releases on the matter.

The organization says manual toothbrushes can be just as effective as powered ones. The key to preventing tooth decay, say experts, lies in the way a toothbrush — electric or otherwise — is used.

“If you are a wonderful brusher and a wonderful flosser … then the manual toothbrushes are just great,” says Kimberly Harms, DDS, an ADA consumer advisor who is also a dentist in Farmington, Minn. However, she says powered devices can help people who have trouble physically moving their brushes around their mouth to clean all teeth surfaces. These may include anyone with a motor disability or arthritis.

Maybe you have unwanted wrinkles?  You want this fixed, but you are too embarrassed to go to, or even call a plastic surgeon’s office.  Great news…call the dentist!!  Dr. Steve is now certified to take care of these issues for you.  Botox & Juvederm are available in our office.  As a matter of fact, who better to give you an injection around your mouth than a dentist?   He can even numb the area before the procedure.   What better way than to tell your friends or family that you’re going to the dentist, then go home looking rejuvenated.  It can be our “little secret”.  Call 502.499.0234 today to schedule an appointment and see what we can do for you!

Are you brushing and flossing twice a day but still have bad breath?  Here are a few possibilities that may be the cause.

 First..could be bacteria on your tongue. Brushing and using a tongue scrapper twice a day could help to alleviate the bacteria which may be causing the odor.  You can also chew sugar-free gum (look for the ingredient xylitol, which helps a little to stop the growth of bacteria) and can help to sweeten your breath.

 Second…could be your diet.  Eating foods like garlic and onions with their pungent oils can linger on your breath for up to three days. 

 Third…could be gum disease, abscess or even a cavity causing your bad breath problem. Seeing your dentist is the best way to find this and getting your teeth cleaned regularly is most important.  If your dentist does not detect any of the above oral health problems then you may need to see your regular primary care physician.  About ten percent of chronic bad breath problems stem from digestive problems such as ulcers, acid reflux and lactose intolerance.  Another cause could be a sinus infection in which the mucus may drip into the throat.  

 Whatever the cause, bad breath can be offensive to those close to you and it is imperative that you try to get to the bottom of the problem.  Seeing your dentist should be your first option.

Many people complain of halitosis or bad breath.  There are several ways to treat this common problem.  Good oral hygiene is very important.  This includes brushing several times daily, flossing to remove bacteria in between teeth, and cleaning the tongue with a toothbrush or a tongue scraper.  Visiting your dentist regularly is also important because dental problems such as decay, gum disease, or even an abscess can cause bad breath.

Summer is officially in full swing this week and with summer comes an increase in outdoor physical activities and an increase in possible dental traumas.  Kids typically will wear mouth guards when required to when playing organized contact sports such as baseball, basketball, football, field hockey, and soccer but many injuries occur when playing unorganized sports such as riding a bike, jumping on a trampoline, roller skating, skate boarding, or diving in a pool.  If a permanent tooth is knocked out, the absolute best treatment is immediate replantation at the site.  The tooth should be rinsed off thoroughly and put right back into the socket and held there until the child can be immediately seen by a dentist.  Evidence  overwhelming  shows that if a tooth gets replanted immediately there is a great likelihood of successful reattachment.  If the tooth can’t be put back into the socket, then it should be placed in milk and the child should be seen by a dentist asap.  Hope everyone’s summer is fun and safe.

Did you know that the plaque in your mouth actually doubles every month? That means if you come in every seven months instead of every six, there will be twice as much plaque. You can really protect your gums and cleanings will be easier if you keep regular hygiene appointments. So make sure you are on a regular hygiene schedule. Call us today to schedule your appointment.

You may have heard of the mind/body connection, but what about the MOUTH/BODY connection?  A dental visit is more than getting your teeth cleaned…..it’s about your overall health.  What goes on in your mouth can affect the rest of your body and vice versa.

While examining your mouth, your dentist may see a sign or symptom of  an illness or a disease that you may not even know you have.

Your oral health can affect other medical conditions.  For an example, if you are a diabetic, a mouth infection can disrupt your blood/sugar levels and make your diabetes harder to control.  Gum disease may increase the risk of medical problems.  These include:  heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, and premature births.

About 35% of all Americans have some form of periodontitis.  Another 50% have gingivitis, the mildest form of gum disease. 

So, the next time you think it’s “just a cleaning”…..think again!!