Archives for December 2015

Oatmeal Cranberry-White Chocolate Cookies

• 1 cup butter, softened
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups quick cooking oats
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup white chocolate chips
• 1 cup dried cranberries

Directions:

Beat butter, sugars, eggs and vanilla for 5 minutes. In another bowl, combine oats, flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Add to butter mixture 1 cup at a time.

Mix in white chocolate chips and raisins.

Drop by spoonfuls onto greased cookie sheets and bake for 12-14 minutes at 175 degrees C.

These freeze very well. Enjoy!!

• Floss every day. It’s the single most important factor in preventing gum disease, which affects more than 50 percent of adults. On an average you need to set aside two to three minutes for flossing at least once a day. If you avoid flossing because it irritates your gums, it means that you suffer from periodontal disease and you need to floss better.
• Brush your teeth for at least two to three minutes twice daily. If you’re not sure whether you’re brushing long enough, try brushing for the length of an entire song on the radio.
• Change your toothbrush or toothbrush head when the bristles become splayed and frayed. Old toothbrushes are not only ineffective, but they may harbor harmful bacteria, that can cause infections leading to more gingivitis and gum disease.
• Drink sugary beverages through a straw. This will minimize the amount of time that the sugars are in contact with your teeth, which can minimize the risk of developing cavities.
• Replace carbonated beverages, which cause enamel erosion and cavities, with water, milk, tea, or coffee.
• Chew sugarless gum that contains xylitol after meals and snacks. This will help cleanse your mouth and prevent the bacteria associated with cavities from attaching to your teeth.
• Wait one hour after consuming highly acidic food or drinks, like wine, coffee, citrus fruits, and soft drinks to brush your teeth. Because all these acids soften your enamel and increase the risk of wearing it away.
• Have a dental visit every six months, to detect any emerging problems and stop them from developing into a health problem.

All these small steps will save you from cavities, oral infections and bad breath. Be sure to give Dr. Kaufman or Tooronga Family Dentistry, a call on phone number 98227006, if you need a few suggestions on ways to improve your oral health, since your oral health is about more than just a beautiful smile.

Happy New Year!

Due to the intimate connection between periodontal disease and diabetes, many times I was able to spot diabetes before the patient was aware of it, when I was performing a dental exam. This allows for early diagnosis, early treatment and preventing the development of the severe signs of the disease. Please don’t hesitate to contact Dr. Kaufman or to call today Tooronga Family Dentistry, phone number 98227006, if you suffer from diabetes, bleeding gums or both, to have your oral condition examined.

1. The restoration of the tooth with a permanent filling or crown  has allowed bacteria to re-enter the tooth.
2. The temporary restoration had deteriorated over time and there is decay  in the tooth.
3. Narrow or curved root canals sometimes pose complications during the initial treatment and prevent the decontamination of the full length of the canal. The uncleaned area can host bacteria that will continue thriving and affect the surrounding bone.
4. An inadequate filling or seal of the root canals allowed recontamination.
5. A crack has developed in the tooth, allowing bacteria to establish themselves in the broken part.

In conclusion the reason your tooth is sore or there is a lump next to it, is due to a bacterial infection. It is important to remove the bacteria and prevent them from spreading. That is why once the infection is discovered there is a need to clean the canals, remove the bacteria and re-establish a good seal. There are several ways to do that, so I need  examine the condition of the tooth, the surrounding gum and the bone before making any recommendations. In considering what is the best treatment of the tooth, all options should be reviewed, together with the risks, benefits and alternatives. Assuming the tooth can be treated and restored, a root canal “retreatment”, is needed.

In a retreatment, a small hole is made in the top side or chewing surface of the tooth to gain access to the root canals. Many times obstructing the access to the canal openings are complex restorative materials, a crown, a post or core material which need to be “disassembled” and removed to permit access to the root canals. Once the canals are accessible the Then root canal filling materials are removed along with the bacteria present, and the canals are cleaned and carefully examined. Sometimes additional canals or unusual canals have been overlooked in the previous treatment or cracks that are not visible in the x-ray are uncovered. After cleaning and shaping the canals they will be sealed and a temporary filling or crown placed.

Please don’t hesitate to contact Dr. Kaufman or to call today Tooronga Family Dentistry, phone number 98227006, if you suffer from an infected root canal treatment or make an appointment to examine its condition.