Common dental problems
Although the emergence of wisdom teeth is a natural part of development, they can often be a nuisance rather than a benefit. Wisdom teeth, otherwise known as the third molars, are teeth that sit behind the second molars and are the last to descend. They typically start to emerge between 17 and 25 years of age, however, they can start to emerge much later than this.
Read MoreBruxism, commonly known as teeth grinding, is a condition considered as movement disorder of the jaw.
Grinding or clenching of teeth usually characterizes this condition. Even though the cause of bruxism is unknown, experts suggest that psychological stress plays a major role.
According to recent studies available, women are more affected than men. It is estimated that between 20%-30% of the adult population are affected and approximately 15% of kids have a similar condition.
Read MoreThis week’s guest dentist is Dr Erna Linsao-Mendoza DMD, one of our associate dentists here on the Central Coast. In this blog, she talks about tooth decay, a topic that would likely resonate during this time of COVID-19 lockdown, when we are all eating more “comfort food” like sugary and acidic ones! Read on to find out what Dr Erna has got to say about this dental issue.
Read MoreRoot Canal Treatment, also known as Root Canal Therapy (aka “RCT”) is a common dental procedure wherein the primary objectives are to remove infected tissue located inside the tooth, preserve and increase the life of the affected dentition. The damage caused by dental decay or trauma to the tooth can lead to pain and potential early loss.
Root Canal Treatment is considered a superior alternative to tooth extraction. Just like other common dental treatments, many patients still perceive that RCT is painful, costly and does not work. Here are some of the most common concerns and myths about Root Canal Treatment that I would like to address.
Read MoreWe all brush our teeth, but not everyone knows the best way to do it.
At New Leaf Dentists, our friendly team wants everyone to have clean, strong teeth and gums so that when they come to our dental clinic, there will be happy people all around.
In this blog article, we go over 5 tips on how to brush your teeth.
Read MoreWhy do some people suffer from bad breath? Is this common and treatable?
Read MoreIf you experience sensitivity, Dr. Vergara recommends Sensodyne.
Read MorePeriodontal disease, also known as gum disease, is a type of infection considered to be opportunistic by nature. This is the result of the interaction between a host’s (patient)ability to fight infection and bacteria in dental plaque. The ability of the host to fight infection can also be affected by some factors including genetics, environment and acquired risk factors.
One of the most common acquired risk factors is smoking tobacco. Various studies have proven that smoking has a direct link to certain diseases such as, pneumonia, cardiovascular disease, cancer and the list goes on and on and on.
In comparison to a non-smoker, a patient who smokes has a 2.5-3.5 % chance of developing gum disease. According to recent clinical studies, 40% of patients with gum disease may be attributed to smoking. Evidence shows that loss of supporting structures of the teeth (gums and jaw bone) tend to be greater in smokers, therefore resulting in increased risk of tooth mobility and tooth loss.
Tobacco smoke contains carbon monoxide which has a direct impact on blood oxygen in healthy gums. This type of oral environment encourages the growth of anaerobic bacteria causing gum disease. As the anaerobic bacteria presence increases, the severity of gum disease also increases. Nicotine in tobacco smoke is known to be vasoconstrictive (stops bleeding via compression of blood vessels). This vasoconstrictive effect prevents blood from flowing around the gums. As a result, cells that fight bacteria-causing gum disease cannot effectively reach the site of infection.
The most important thing to remember is that smoking alters how our body responds tofight infection in the supporting tissues (gums and jaw bone) of our teeth. Prevention of gum disease is the overall key.
If you have any further concerns about the effects of smoking, gum disease and its potential detrimental effect on your overall oral health and quality of life, our dentists, Dr. Rouel Vergara and Dr. Ben Barrera will be happy to discuss this with you.
