Standard (non-organic) toothpaste usually contain:

• Abrasives to clean bacterial film and debris from your teeth. The common abrasives used are, Calcium carbonate, dehydrated silica gels, hydrated aluminum oxides, magnesium carbonate, phosphate salts and silicates. Silica is usually the whitening ingredient in most whitening toothpastes.
• Detergents for cleaning and the foamy sensation we expect from toothpaste. The common ones are, sodium lauryl sulfate, sodium N-Lauryl sarcosinate.
• Fluoride – in different concentrations, toothpaste for children will have less fluoride than in the adult toothpaste.
• Flavoring compounds including sweeteners such as saccharine.
• Special ingredients that are aimed at different oral conditions, such as tetrasodium pyrophosphate for tartar control, potassium nitrate or strontium chloride to reduce tooth sensitivity, Stannous fluoride and triclosan for reducing gum inflammation and removing plaque.
• Moistening compounds to keep the toothpaste moist and easy to extrude from the tube. The common ones are, glycerol, propylene, glycol and sorbitol.
• Binders to prevent the various ingredients from separating. The common ones are, mineral colloids, natural gums, seaweed colloids or synthetic cellulose.

Organic toothpaste tends to be paraben free, sulfate free, and do not contain Sodium Lauryl/Laureth Sulfate, and artificial colors or flavors or sweeteners. It may contain natural preservatives. If you tend to get of small pimples or rashes around your lips, or canker sores inside your mouth you may want to try an organic toothpaste that does not contain Sodium Lauryl/Laureth Sulfate. There are people with an allergy to these compounds.

Do I have to use tooth paste to clean my teeth?

Dental plaque is a sticky, colorless biofilm of bacteria and sugars that is constantly being formed on our teeth. Dental plaque is acidic, it will break down tooth enamel and dentine to cause cavities. Dental  plaque can also irritate your gums, causing gingivitis, infections and eventually tooth loss. Brushing your teeth with a product designed to make your mouth feel fresh is a pleasure. But from a practical standpoint, that tasty paste is unnecessary. You can remove food debris and plaque from your teeth without using toothpaste.  Just a soft toothbrush and good brushing techniques will remove plaque. Flossing, limiting sugary food and drinks, and regular checkups and professional cleanings should keep your teeth in top shape.

The easiest way to find out what is the right way for you is make an appointment with Dr. Kaufman. After a thorough examination he can tell you if braces or aligners are the best option for your condition and he can address any other concerns you may have.

How much will it cost? In general traditional metal braces will likely be the less expensive option, but there are other choices that are more costly and less noticeable. You can look into clear ceramic braces, which are still worn on the front of teeth, but blend in with the color of your teeth. Or invisible aligners, where a series of clear removable aligners are worn.

How long will the treatment take? Treatment for adults typically takes longer than it does for children. On average, most adults will have the orthodontic treatmen for a year and a half to three years.

If you want to start on your way to a straight smile this year, make an make an appointment with Dr. Kaufman to learn about the best option for you!

• Oral cancer is on the rise among young people. , Previously, oral cancer was thought to affect only smokers and those who drink much alcohol. However, more and more young women and men are being diagnosed with oral cancer. It is thought that this is linked to the human papillomavirus, or HPV, which can lead to oral cancer. If you are between ages 25-50, you could be at risk.
• Screening is quick and painless. An oral cancer examination takes less than 5 minutes and consists of a simple visual check of your mouth, lips and face for signs of cancer or precancerous conditions. If symptoms are discovered, further diagnostic tests will be done. It is important to get screened at least once a year, Dr. Kaufman performs this examination routinely during your annual dental check up and cleaning.
• Prevention and early detection is key a good outcome. Lifestyle choices are the main reason oral cancer develops. Smoking, using chewing tobacco, excessive alcohol consumption, prolonged sun exposure, and contracting HPV can all increase your risk. The good news is that when detected and treated early, the oral cancer survival rate increases to about 80%.

Schedule an appointment to get an oral cancer screening today!

Who can benefit from Cosmetic Bonding?

Cosmetic bonding can be used to treat a variety of problems including, tooth decay, discoloration, chipped and cracked teeth, misshapen teeth, and more. It’s an ideal solution for teeth that cannot be whitened any further using the whitening gel. Cosmetic bonding is also great for patients experiencing receding gums, because the composite can protect the exposed portions of the root and close the black holes created between the roots.

How is Cosmetic Bonding Done?

The treatment can be done in 1-2 dental appointments. It begins with polishing and roughening the tooth surface. This surface allows the resin material to properly bond to the natural tooth. The next step is applying a solution that will attach the composite to the tooth and curing it with a special light. Then composite is layered in different shades to achieve a beutiful natural outcome.

Are There Any Risks Associated with Cosmetic Bonding?

Creating a beautiful smile with composite is similar to having a tooth restoration. There are no serious medical risks in having dental cosmetic bonding done. Since the composite is not as strong as your tooth, the bonding may chip. For this reason, composite restorations are mainly recommended for those seeking small repairs. For larger, fractures we may suggest a more sturdy solution such as a veneer or crown.

There is no special treatment required after receiving the composite veneer. Regular flossing and brushing are needed to maintain a good oral hygiene. It is recommended that one does not bite into hard objects like ice or candy for example, or chew on pens or fingernails.

If you have more questions or you think cosmetic bonding may by the right option for your dental needs, please ask Dr. Kaufman or schedule an appointment for an examination.

Here are three teeth-friendly snacks that can double up as perfect after-school treats:

Berry and yogurt smoothie:

Yogurt is great for the teeth and the body. It’s high in calcium and the bacteria that created it act as probiotics to help you digest food, fight bad breath, and keep gums healthy. Plain, full-fat yogurt sweelened with a little Stevia and berries, would be delicious for the whole family.

Homemade veggie chips:

Baked veggie chips are healthy and very easy to make. Try kale, spinach, sweet potatoes or carrots. Cut the sweet potatoes and carrots into thin slices, mix the veggies with enough olive oil to coat them. You can add salt, spices, such as garlic or pepper. Bake in the oven at 180 degrees for about 12 minutes, flip them once, then bake until crispy.

Fruit and cheese squares:

Choose some favorite sliced cheeses and fruit, and eat them with a toothpick, skewer them on bamboo sticks or just use a fork. To make it more entertainig you can use a cookie cutter to make shapes in the cheese.

We hope you have a great time prepareing and eating these great snacks.

How to floss:

When flossing, start with about 30 cm of floss. Wrap one index finger with enough floss so it does not slide when you pull, wrap the extra length around your other index finger and leave a few centimeters between them. Gently work the floss between each pair of teeth by sliding it up and down in a rubbing motion. When you reach the gum line, gently slide the floss into the space between the root and the gum line.

What floss to use:

Waxed floss is easier to use because it glides over your teeth better than un-waxed floss. On the other hand unwaxed floss is better since the fibers can trap more bacteria on their way. When you’re choosing a floss material, look for PTFE floss instead of nylon floss, because nylon versions can shred more easily.

When to floss?

Ideally brushing and flossing would happen after every meal. But if you can only floss once a day, we recommend doing it at bedtime. When you’re asleep, saliva production slows down and bacteria can easily multiply, so flossing before bed can decrease the bacteria growing at night.

How to floss on the go?

Floosing at idle times during the day is a good strategy to get the bacteria numbers down. Keep single-use, disposable “flossers” with you at all times. You’ll be thankful, especially if you have a piece of food stuck in your teeth that distracts you.

If you discover pain or bleeding in your gums when you floss, these are signs you need to see your dentist, since it could be a sign of gum disease. If you would like to schedule an appointment for an examination please call 98227006.

A new survey of recreational scuba divers found that 41 percent had dental problems related to diving. Most of the problems had to do with pain from the increased pressure underwater or from holding the air regulator too tightly in their mouths. But a few people experienced loosened crowns or cracked fillings.

The survey suggested that people should have their teeth checked to make sure they are in good shape before they go deep.  Since an unhealthy tooth underwater would be much more obvious than on the surface and underwater is the last place you want to be with a fractured tooth or a tooth ache.

Underwater toothache

The professional term for underwater tooth ache is “barodontalgia,” a condition familiar to many divers. Barodontalgia is a toothache caused by the increase in pressure felt underwater.  The pain is usually due to an underlying dental condition, like a cavity or poorly completed filling. The high- or low-pressure environment, leads the tooth damage to become evident.

Protecting your teeth

Divers are required to meet a standard of medical fitness before certification, but there are no dental health prerequisites. This is one of the main reasons for the unpleasant surprise the divers have when a toothache starts underwater. It is important for divers to protect themselves by visiting the dentist before scuba diving to check for decay and other problems. While having the examination, they should mention that they will undertake diving, so the dentist can make the right suggestions for their conidition.

Dr. Kaufman is a liscensed diver and he is familiar with the prerequisites for underwater activities. If you plan to go diving or if you would like more information about the impact of diving on your teeth please ask Dr. Kaufman or schedule an appointment for an examination.

The bacteria inside our mouth form a layer that coats the teeth and roots. This layer is referred to as plaque or dental biofilm. It is relatively easy to remove this soft layer with brushing, flossing and interdental appliances. But if the layer remains undisturbed for a while it begins to calcify and form hard deposits that are called calculus. The dental biofilm and calculus need to be removed as soon as possible, otherwise the toxins that the bacteria secrete, cause a periodontal disease. In the early stages of periodontal disease a routine dental procedure commonly referred to as scaling can remove the bacteria and restore health.

What is deep cleaning?

As the deposits increase in size and penetration down the root surfaces, specific dental instruments are required to properly remove them. The process of scaling and polishing the root surface is commonly referred to as “deep cleaining”. The deep cleaning, scaling and root planing help ensure that any existing bacteria is removed to prevent any future disease from appearing. Only after the teeth and roots have been scaled, can the periodontal disease be cured without invasive surgical measures.

We use the newest proven techniques to perform the scaling and deep cleaning so the procedures Dr. Kaufman prefoms can help patients maintain oral health and minimize the presence of periodontal disease. In addition to the necessary cleaning to adequately remove all plaque and other debris built up on the teeth and gums, Dr. Kaufman provides patients with the right at-home care tips to help prevent further disease.

Periodontitis

Tooth decay

Xerostomia (Dry mouth)

Oral thrush

Delayed or poor wound healing

Altered taste

Disease symptoms

Looking after your oral health

Who can help you care for your oral health?

Early Treatment or orthopaedic treatment:

Early interceptive treatment, referred to as Phase 1, is performed before all of the permanent teeth have erupted—often between the ages of 7 and 10. The main advantage of the early treatment is the opportunity to guide the development of the jaws as your child is growing. If this opportunity is missed, the only way to make these changes later on are with orthognathic surgery. Many times the early assessment can detect problems that happen after losing baby teeth too soon, accidents, or habits like thumb sucking. The early detection call allow for an interceptive treatment that will prevent the transition of the malocclusion to the permanent dentition.

Orthodontic treatment for Teens:

Adolescents typically start full orthodontic treatment between the ages of 12 and 16 once most of their permanent teeth have erupted. This treatment is referred to, as Phase 2 if they received early treatment. During the phase 2 treatment all the permanent teeth will be brought into the correct position to maximize their appearance and function.

Adult Treatment:

Orthodontic treatment can be done during adulthood. It can help solve problems that relate to crowding and difficulty to maintain good oral hygiene, it can dramatically improve your personal appearance and confidence. For adults there are several treatment options including discrete treatment with aligners, treatment with traditional braces or a combination of the two.

If  you have some questions and concerns about braces, clear aligners or orthodontic treatment please don’t hesitate to contact us.