Kantor Dental Group
7 Interesting Oral Hygiene Facts You Probably Didn’t Know
Taking care of your mouth is incredibly important, and proper oral hygiene is absolutely essential for a healthy mouth. To help educate you about the importance of oral hygiene, we’ve put together a list of 7 interesting and surprising oral hygiene facts!
- Tooth Enamel Is Incredibly Tough (But Can’t Regenerate)
Tooth enamel is the hardest material in the human body and is the same substance as ivory. However, it’s also one of the only parts that can’t regenerate itself, which is why proper oral hygiene is so important!
- Your Jaw Can Produce Up To 200 Pounds Of Force
The masseter muscle in your jaw is one of the strongest in your body. However, our jaws are puny compared to alligators, who can produce up to 3,700 pounds per square inch of bite force!
- More Than 50% Of Adults Have Gum Disease
Gum disease is caused by oral bacteria and improper oral hygiene, and it’s more common than you may think. According to the CDC, more than half of all Americans have gum disease.
- Tooth Decay Is The Second-Most Common Disease In The United States
Tooth decay affects just about everyone. In fact, there is over a 90% chance that, by the age of 17, you will have at least one tooth that has been affected by a cavity. The only affliction more widespread than tooth decay? The common cold!
- Toothbrushes Are Nearly 4,000 Years Old
The first ever “toothbrushes” were known as “chew sticks,” which were twigs with frayed ends, used to brush the teeth, and trace back to ancient Mesopotamia. The first “toothbrush” as we know it was made of hog bristles during the Tang Dynasty, in China.
- Children Have Fewer Teeth Than Adults
The “baby” or “primary” teeth consist of 20 teeth, which are typically lost by age 6. The permanent teeth consist of 32 teeth, which come in after the baby teeth have been lost. The last four teeth (the wisdom teeth) don’t start coming in until the late teens or early twenties!
- Your Tongue Print Is Unique
You may know that your bite and teeth are unique, as are your fingers – but so is your tongue! No two tongues are quite identical, so a “tongue print” could be used to identify you!
Make Sure You Care For Your Teeth Properly!
We hope that this information has been helpful and fun, and helped you understand the importance of cleaning your teeth, and scheduling regular check-ups at Kantor Dental.
Posted by
drgrey
on
Dec 12th, 2018
4:55 pm
Posted in
Dental Care |
Comments Off on 7 Interesting Oral Hygiene Facts You Probably Didn’t Know
Is Whitening Toothpaste Safe For Daily Use?
[Transcription]
Hello, I’m Dr. Grey Kantor here with Kantor Dental Group, aesthetic dentistry and implantology.
Today, I’d like to talk about whitening toothpaste and how I think it’s pretty darn bad for your teeth. Whitening toothpaste, the only reason they call it whitening is because the increase is abrasively. They make it sand down your teeth a little bit more than your regular toothpaste.
A regular toothpaste still has a little bit of abrasive in it and that gets off the surface stains. While a whitening toothpaste has, is more abrasive and takes off, yes, more surface stain. But if used regularly will also take off more of your enamel. Especially after eating something like oranges or anything acidic.
So, my suggestion is to use regular toothpaste and you’ll get the surface stains removed when you go see your dentist. They’ll use that little spinning cup that they put the paste in and then they rub on your teeth. That’s where we take off the surface stains. And doing that once in a while is okay but a daily use of an abrasive toothpaste such as any whitening toothpaste or even toothpaste like activated charcoal. Activated charcoal is again taking off surface stains and you know highly abrasive. So, it makes your teeth look whiter, initially, but is damaging your teeth in the long run.
So, I don’t suggest any whitening toothpaste, activated charcoal or anything like that. Just get your teeth cleaned regularly by a dentist which is the healthiest and safest way to keep your smile white.
So, if you have any questions you can call us, Kantor Dental Group otherwise please subscribe and hope to see you soon.
Posted by
drgrey
on
Nov 29th, 2018
3:27 pm
Posted in
Teeth Whitening |
Comments Off on Is Whitening Toothpaste Safe For Daily Use?
Tags: Clean Teeth, Teeth Whitening, Toothpaste, Whitening Toothpaste
Does A Root Canal Hurt? Learn What To Expect From This Procedure!
There is quite a bit of misinformation out there about root canals. They have a bad reputation, partly due to popular culture depiction the procedure as lengthy, painful, and scary. The reason for this misconception is a tooth ache hurts, which is what we hear from other people, but the root canal gets you out of pain.
But this is not the case. In this article, we’ll break down the basics about the root canal procedure, and discuss how you can stay comfortable in the dentist’s chair during your root canal. Learn more now.
Root Canals Don’t Hurt – Understanding The Root Canal Process
Root canals are minimally-invasive. They do not hurt, and the process is quite comparable to having a tooth filled. Here’s what you can expect from the procedure.
- Your tooth and gum will be numbed and cleaned.
- The tooth needs to be isolated so it can remain sterile throughout the procedure. Therefore the dentist will likely use a rubber dam or Isolite that separates the tooth from the rest of the mouth.
- Your dentist will use a dental drill to remove damaged enamel from your tooth, and make a very small opening in the enamel.
- A variety of special tools are used to scrape away the infected tooth pulp and root structure.
- The tooth is disinfected using sodium hypochlorite, and cleaned.
- Your tooth is filled with a rubbery substance called “gutta-percha”, which supports the remaining tooth structure.
- Your tooth is capped with a temporary crown, or sealed with a filling. You may have to come back in several weeks for a permanent crown, depending on the specifics of your case.
That’s it. The entire process usually takes 1-2 hours at most, and most patients experience absolutely no discomfort. In the days following the procedure, you may experience some tooth sensitivity, but this is nothing to be concerned about. It’s minor, and will go away quickly.
Sedation Dentistry – Relax During Your Procedure
If you are still intimidated by the idea of having a root canal, there’s good news. You can be sedated with laughing gas (nitrous oxide), or by taking a pill before your procedure.
If you have dental anxiety, a strong gag reflex, difficulty sitting still for a long period of time, or you’re afraid of needles (such as the numbing needle), sedation may be right for you.
Note that, while you can drive home after being sedated with nitrous, this is not the case if you opt for oral sedation – so make sure to make the appropriate travel arrangements!
Root Canals – Safe, Fast, And Effective Relief From The Pain Of A Toothache
Not only are root canals painless, they’re the best way to get relief from the discomfort of a toothache, caused by an infected tooth. If you think that you may need a root canal, don’t wait. Get the treatment that you need today.
Posted by
drgrey
on
Nov 26th, 2018
10:51 am
Posted in
Dental Care, Root Canal |
Comments Off on Does A Root Canal Hurt? Learn What To Expect From This Procedure!
What Are Milk Teeth and How Do You Care for Them?
Now that your little one already has a few pearly whites, it’s time to start an oral hygiene routine. Let’s go through a basic guide of caring for your baby’s milk teeth and see what you need to do to keep them healthy.
Everything You Need to Know about Milk Teeth
Babies are born with no visible teeth in their mouth (although there are some exceptions). Up until six months, a baby’s bare gums are all he needs for nursing or being fed with a bottle, but he can also manage soft foods and purees.
Usually, the first teeth to emerge are the lower, then the upper central incisors, giving your baby a very cute bunny look. Next in line are the lateral incisors, followed by molars. Canines, often dreaded by both parents and children because they cause painful teething, are usually out by 23 months of age. The final milk teeth to break through are the premolars, adding to a total of 20 temporary baby teeth.
Symptoms of teething are:
- Crankiness and clinginess
- Baby puts his hands and various objects in his mouth, chewing them
- Excess salivation
- Blushed cheeks
- Red and inflamed gums
- Ear and nose rubbing
- Waking up more often than normal
Besides learning how to deal with the lack of sleep and the fussiness of your little one when he is teething, you should also put together a plan of caring for those pearly whites as early as
possible.
How to Clean and Care for Milk Teeth
While some pediatricians might recommend cleaning your infant’s gums and mouth (if residue leads to problems), it is usually ok to start a routine when the first tooth is out.
At first, you don’t need a toothbrush or toothpaste. Gently wipe your baby’s gums and teeth with a warm, damp washcloth or gauze wrapped around your finger. Don’t use anything else than plain water. You could also try a silicone thimble with different textures to clean the mouth.
After one year of age, you can introduce a soft-bristled baby toothbrush and baby toothpaste. Try to brush your baby’s teeth twice a day, but make sure not to force it. The best approach is through the power of example. Brush your teeth in front of him and make it a fun game. By the age of two, you are supposed to do it for them, but it’s important to let them practice, too.
At around 18 months it is also a good time to have the first visit to the dentist. Make it fun and relaxing and choose someone that has experience with kids.
A positive start in oral care will stay with them for years to come, so get involved and gently get them used to it.
Do you want to learn more about milk teeth or schedule an appointment with your little one? Get in touch with Kantor Dental, and we’ll ensure to make this journey enjoyable for both of you.
Posted by
drgrey
on
Oct 25th, 2018
2:06 pm
Posted in
Children Dental Care, Dental Care, Pediatric Dental Care |
Comments Off on What Are Milk Teeth and How Do You Care for Them?
4 Ways To Protect Your Teeth From Acid Reflux
Acid reflux, also known as GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease), is a common issue in the United States and occurs when stomach acid is regurgitated into the esophagus, often causing heartburn.
Acid reflux can cause a number of health issues, but one overlooked symptom is damage to the teeth. Stomach acid is incredibly corrosive, and if you have GERD, it could damage your teeth and harm your oral health. In this article, we’ll take a look at a few of the best ways you can protect your teeth from acid reflux.
- Get Medical Help For Acid Reflux
The best way to protect your teeth is to get your acid reflux under control. Your general physician can prescribe a number of medications, such as Nexium, that can reduce the severity of GERD, and prevent damage to your teeth. You should also follow any lifestyle changes they recommend – such as avoiding large, spicy and fatty meals, particularly before bed.
- Rinse Your Mouth After An Episode
If you do have an acid reflux episode, the best way to neutralize the acid is to mix a small amount of baking soda with water and rinse your mouth with this solution. You can also drink some of this mixture or take an antacid tablet and drink some milk to further neutralize the acid.
- Practice Good Oral Hygiene
Make sure you’re brushing at least twice a day. You want to wait 15 minutes after a GERD episode before brushing your teeth. Acid softens the enamel for about 15 minutes. When the enamel is soft, brushing your teeth can rub away a small layer of enamel. Over time this can make the teeth sensitive and more prone to cavities. Therefore it is important to rinse your mouth out with water and wait 15 minutes before brushing.
- Never Skip Your 6-Month Checkups
Your dentist could notice that you have GERD before you do, if they notice erosion or damage to your teeth caused by stomach acid. Regular visits to the dentist are essential to make sure that your acid reflux is under control, and that you are taking the proper steps to minimize damage to the enamel of your teeth.
Follow These Tips – Maintain A Healthy Mouth!
With these 4 simple tips, you can keep your mouth healthy, and ensure that any damage from acid reflux is minimized. So don’t wait – start following this guide today, and safeguard your oral health. If you are concerned acid reflux might be affecting your teeth, call our office at 415-492-1616 to schedule an appointment with Dr Kantor today.
Posted by
drgrey
on
Sep 27th, 2018
1:30 pm
Posted in
Dental Care, GERD |
Comments Off on 4 Ways To Protect Your Teeth From Acid Reflux
How to Prevent Acid Erosion On Your Teeth
[Transcription]
Today I want to talk about acid attack levels on your teeth.
Hello, I’m Dr. Grey Kantor here with Kantor Dental Group in San Rafael, California. Today I want to talk about acid attack levels on your teeth. This is probably one of the most important topics that can help you from not getting cavities anymore.
Basically, the idea is, if you don’t have an acid attack on your teeth, you’re not going to get cavities. So, if you think about it in your brain. If you’re thinking about, “when am I getting acid on my teeth?” “When am I, when are my teeth healthy?” Then you will be able to prevent cavities just by thinking about it day to day.
Basically, what are our graph should look like here, is this, very simple right? We eat breakfast, we eat lunch, we eat dinner, right? And those are the three acid attacks that we have in the day. And that’s when, for when we eat dinner and 15 minutes afterward we will have an acid attack on our teeth.
You want to be without an acid attack as long as possible throughout the day. So, if we’re going to go as long as possible, the best way to eat would be three meals a day. Now, that’s not always the case, right? Because we like to snack. If there’s, if you snack during the daytime, you’ll have maybe a small little snacking times. But these flat lines are what you want to reach right. This is this is good, right? This area here is good. All right. These flatlines, we want more flatlines where there’s no food in our mouths and there’s no acid attack.
The less time that you spend with food, the better it is for your teeth. So, for your kids, if you’re thinking about your kids, you’ll want it, if they have sugar or even just a snack. Just make them eat it and be done with it. Don’t let them have food in their mouth at all times. Kids, a lot of kids just like to have food and walk around with food and continue to chew it. And that’s really bad for the teeth and they’re definitely going to get cavities they always have food in their mouth.
So, the goal here is to have the shortest amount, amount of time with food. So that we can have a basic or alkaline levels in our mouth as often as possible.
Hopefully this helps. I think it’s really helpful in understanding how cavities occur in your mouth and go ahead and go prevent cavities. I’m Dr. Grey Kantor in San Rafael, California. Please subscribe.
Posted by
drgrey
on
Aug 30th, 2018
1:51 pm
Posted in
Dental Care |
Comments Off on How to Prevent Acid Erosion On Your Teeth
Tags: Acid Levels, Cavities
What Are The Pros And Cons Of Using Activated Charcoal Toothpaste
Wondering if you can really get a whiter, brighter smile by using activated charcoal toothpaste? You’re in the right place. In this article, we’ll discuss the pros and cons of using activated charcoal – and whether or not it’s really safe or effective!
What Is Activated Charcoal?
Activated charcoal simply refers to any type of charcoal (burned wood or vegetation) that is specially processed to have a large surface area, increasing its adsorptive ability, and volatility in chemical reactions.
The Benefits Of Using Activated Charcoal Toothpaste
Wondering if activated charcoal actually has some positive benefits? It does – and here they are!
- Remove some surface stains from teeth – Charcoal is abrasive. This means it can be effective at removing some stains from the outer layer of your teeth.
- It’s cheap – You can either buy an activated charcoal toothpaste, or add charcoal directly to your standard toothpaste. Either way, it’s cheap, compared to a tooth whitening treatment.
- It buffs and polishes your teeth – Because charcoal is abrasive, roughness on the outside of your teeth can be removed with regular brushing.
The Disadvantages Of Using Activated Charcoal Toothpaste
The above benefits might make it seem like using activated charcoal toothpaste is a good idea. But it’s not! Here’s why.
- It doesn’t whiten your teeth – Despite what marketing may have you believe, activated charcoal cannot actually whiten your teeth. It only removes outer surface stains, and has no ability to remove yellowing, and other significant stains.
- It doesn’t contain fluoride – Fluoride is essential for strengthening your teeth and combatting cavities. Most “natural” activated charcoal toothpaste does not have fluoride, making it a poor choice.
- It can permanently damage your tooth enamel – As we mentioned, charcoal is very abrasive. This means that it can slowly eat away at your tooth enamel. And, once your enamel has been removed, there’s no way to restore it.This can lead to tooth decay, sensitivity, gum disease, and a myriad of other expensive and painful conditions.
Don’t Fall For The Hype – Avoid Activated Charcoal Toothpaste!
The best toothpaste is the one your dentist recommends. And there’s a reason that no dentists recommend charcoal toothpaste. It’s simply not as effective as standard toothpaste – and its abrasive nature means you risk permanently damaging your teeth. Dental cleaning will get off the surface stains safely, and if you are still not satisfied with your tooth color, ask your dentist about safe teeth whitening products.
So don’t use activated charcoal. Follow your dentist’s recommendations, and choose a fluoride-based whitening toothpaste, and your teeth will remain shiny, bright, and healthy for years to come.
Posted by
drgrey
on
Aug 15th, 2018
1:13 pm
Posted in
Dental Care, Teeth Whitening |
Comments Off on What Are The Pros And Cons Of Using Activated Charcoal Toothpaste
Tags: Oral Care, Teeth Whitening, Toothpaste
Should I Remove Silver Fillings (Amalgam)?
[Transcription]
Dr. Greg Kantor here with Kantor Dental Group in San Rafael, California. Today I want to talk about whether or not you should get your silver fillings, amalgam fillings removed.
This is a question I get all the time. People don’t like the look of them. They are worried about the mercury intake. So, I’ll give you my opinion on, on the subject.
One is that silver values are a very good filling material. They last a long time. They have very low rates of recurrent decay. But, they do look bad. Right? They’re silver, they’re you know, when you laugh or open your mouth, you might see the silver fillings in your smile. So that’s one reason to get, change them out. If it’s something that you just, you see in pictures, you really don’t like it. Aesthetically, it may be the right choice for you.
As far as the mercury is concerned, it’s my opinion it’s a very low rate of mercury, very little mercury. Compounding effects, such as, say you have a lot of tuna and a lot of silver fillings. Maybe that worries you and you want to take it out. But let’s go over the mercury in silver fillings and why that’s… it’s just not that big of a deal. In that the mercury in tuna is connected to something like this, like an organic molecule. So, if you look here, you have these organic compounds surrounding the HG with HG being the mercury. So, this molecule from tuna, this is one of the many that comes from tuna. It’s easily absorb because our body attaches to these organic molecules very readily. So, then you absorb the mercury with it. With silver fillings, the elemental mercury, it’s just the mercury by itself. Right. It’s all by itself. Our body does not absorb it at all. It’s very, very little. So, you’re getting almost no exposure to mercury from a silver filling. It just comes out in your excretion.
For that reason, I don’t think it’s a huge intake of mercury as compared to having a lot of fish, large fish like tuna.
If you don’t like the aesthetics or worrying about the stacking effects of having a lot of tuna and silver fillings and other fishes and want to reduce your mercury intake. Those are kind of the two main reasons to get them replaced. If you don’t worry, if you’re not worried about the aesthetics and you don’t eat that much fish, you know, it’s a great fill-in material. It can last you long time.
Here at Kantar Dental Group, we do not place silver fillings. However, we do use dual-suction and we have a mercury, amalgam separator in our vacuum unit to make sure that we keep it separated from the environment as well as separated from your, your intestines when we take it out.
If you have any other questions, feel free to come into our office. We’re Kantor Dental Group in San Rafael, California. Please subscribe.
Posted by
drgrey
on
Jul 18th, 2018
4:03 pm
Posted in
Dental Care |
Comments Off on Should I Remove Silver Fillings (Amalgam)?
Tags: Amalgam, Mercury, Silver Fillings
What Are The Pros And Cons Of Using Dental Sealants?
Dental sealants are a popular way to prevent cavities, particularly in younger kids. But are they right for you or your children? In this post, we’ll take a look at the basics about dental sealants, and their pros and cons, to help you make an informed decision.
What Is A Dental Sealant?
Dental sealants are, essentially, a type of specialized plastic resin, used to treat the rear molars and other teeth that are at risk of decay.
When applied to a clean tooth, a dental sealant helps fill in pockmarks and imperfections that could develop into cavities, preventing tooth decay.
The Benefits Of Dental Sealants
So, what are a few of the benefits of dental sealants? Here’s what you need to know.
- Easy and painless – Dental sealants do not require any kind of invasive surgical procedure. The process is completely pain-free.
- Takes only a few minutes per tooth – Each treated tooth only takes a few minutes, so you can treat all of your molars in just a single appointment.
- Reduces risk of cavities by up to 80% – Dental sealants reduce the risk of tooth decay by up to 80% in 6-year molars, making them extremely effective.
- Long-lasting – The typical dental sealant lasts 5-10 years, and can be re-applied once it deteriorates.
The Drawbacks Of Dental Sealants
Though they are very useful, dental sealants are not perfect. Here are a couple of disadvantages of dental sealants.
- Not always necessary with proper oral hygiene – Proper brushing and flossing will prevent cavities altogether, so not everyone needs dental sealants, but even with proper oral hygiene sealants may be necessary. Some people have deeper pits and fissures than others. Deep pits and fissures in your teeth can be plaque traps that cannot be cleaned properly. Sealants to do not protect against cavities near the gumline and flossing cavities!
- Cannot be used on filled teeth – Any tooth that has already been filled or is already decayed will not benefit from dental sealants.
- Some worry about bisphenol-a (BPA) – Most sealant materials contain small bits of BPA, associated with some chronic health conditions. Although the ADA says that these sealants are completely safe, some parents may not agree.
Know If Dental Sealants Are Right For You!
If you are at a high risk of developing cavities, or you want to protect your child from tooth decay, sealants are a great choice.
Sealants are one of the best ways to protect your teeth, and compared to the benefits, the drawbacks of dental sealants are negligible.
Posted by
drgrey
on
Jul 9th, 2018
5:40 pm
Posted in
Dental Care |
Comments Off on What Are The Pros And Cons Of Using Dental Sealants?
Tags: Cavities, dental sealant, Oral Care
Top 6 Signs Your Wisdom Teeth Need To Come Out
Wisdom teeth are the last set of molars that grow into our mouths, and they typically start to erupt in the late teens and early twenties.
Although they are a natural part of our mouths, wisdom teeth can often cause serious oral health complications if there is not enough room for them to grow in properly.
They may fail to emerge completely, shift other teeth in your mouth, or even cause damage to the surrounding teeth. For these reasons, about 85% of adults have their wisdom teeth removed.
But how do you know when your wisdom teeth need to come out? Find out with these top 5 signs below!
1. Pain And Irritation Around The Rear Of Your Mouth
If your wisdom teeth are growing in properly, you won’t feel any significant pain or discomfort near the rear of your mouth. If you do, this could be a sign that your wisdom teeth are coming in improperly, or are becoming infected – and you should have them pulled right away.
2. Gum Inflammation
When the wisdom teeth come in, a condition called “pericoronitis” can occur, where a small flap of gum tissue traps food particles and bacteria, causing inflammation and discomfort. If you notice that your gums are inflamed, bleeding, or painful near your wisdom teeth, you may be suffering from gum inflammation, and you may need oral surgery. See a dentist right away!
3. Teeth Shifting In Mouth
Your teeth may shift when your wisdom teeth start to come in, which can ruin orthodontic work. If you start to notice any kind of change in your bite or tooth straightness, you should probably have your wisdom teeth removed right away.
4. Wisdom Teeth Are Not Growing In Properly
If you look at your own wisdom teeth, and you see that they are growing in crookedly or sideways, or that they have not “erupted” all the way past the gums, they are likely not going to grow into your mouth properly, and will require removal.
5. Sinus Problems
The upper wisdom teeth can actually cause serious sinus issues when they grow in. As the teeth grow in and the roots begin developing, they can put pressure on the sinuses, causing headaches, sinus pressure and pain, and congestion. Though this is rare, it should be addressed right away.
6. Continual Cavities
Wisdom teeth are simply hard to clean. They are very far back in your mouth and many times your bone structure gets in the way of proper hygiene. Teeth that don’t get cleaned will continue to get cavities which will result in more cost and more visits to the dentist. If your dentist or hygienist find a cavity and notice a lot of plaque on your wisdom teeth, it may be time to remove your wisdom teeth.
Know If Your Wisdom Teeth Are Healthy – Or If They Should Come Out!
If they grow in properly and you have space for them, you can keep your wisdom teeth for the rest of your life. But if these above signs are familiar to you, you should schedule an appointment with a dentist right away, to safeguard your oral health, and ensure your teeth and gums are not harmed by wisdom teeth that may be growing in improperly. Come talk to us at Kantor Dental to find out how what we suggest will be the safest course of action for you.
Posted by
drgrey
on
Jun 13th, 2018
3:12 pm
Posted in
Dental Care, Tooth Extraction, Wisdom Teeth |
Comments Off on Top 6 Signs Your Wisdom Teeth Need To Come Out