Smart Snacks for Healthy Teeth

What's wrong with sugary snacks, anyway?
Sugary snacks taste so good — but they aren't so good for your teeth or your body. The candies, cakes, cookies and other sugary foods that kids love to eat between meals can cause tooth decay. Some surgary foods have a lot of fat in them, too. Kids who consume sugary snacks eat many different kinds of sugar every day, including table sugar (sucrose) and corn sweeteners (fructose). Starchy snacks can also break down into sugars once they're in your mouth.

How do sugars attack your teeth?
Invisible germs called bacteria live in your mouth all the time. Some of these bacteria form a sticky material called plaque on the surface of the teeth. When you put sugar in your mouth, the bacteria in the plaque gobble up the sweet stuff and turn it into acids. These acids are powerful enough to dissolve the hard enamel that covers your teeth. That's how cavities get started. If you don't eat much sugar, the bacteria can't produce as much of the acid that eats away enamel.

How can I "snack smart" to protect myself from tooth decay?
Before you start munching on a snack, ask yourself what's in the food you've chosen. Is it loaded with sugar? If it is, think again. Another choice would be better for your teeth. And keep in mind that certain kinds of sweets can do more damage than others. Gooey or chewy sweets spend more time sticking to the surface of your teeth. Because sticky snacks stay in your mouth longer than foods that you quickly chew and swallow, they give your teeth a longer sugar bath.

You should also think about when and how often you eat snacks. Do you nibble on sugary snacks many times throughout the day, or do you usually just have dessert after dinner? Damaging acids form in your mouth every time you eat a sugary snack. The acids continue to affect your teeth for at least 20 minutes before they are neutralized and can't do any more harm. So, the more times you eat sugary snacks during the day, the more often you feed bacteria the fuel they need to cause tooth decay.

If you eat sweets, it's best to eat them as dessert after a main meal instead of several times a day between meals. Whenever you eat sweets — in any meal or snack — brush your teeth well with a fluoride toothpaste afterward.

You can make an appointment with our cosmetic dentists by calling our friendly staff at (305) 940-3135 or by visiting www.SkylakeDental.com. Please don't hesitate to contact Skylake Dental if you have any questions about cosmetic dentistry.

North Miami Dentist Giving Back to the Community!

This month our team gave a helping hand at a local community center. We helped by preparing food packets, salads, desserts, and making hygiene kits. We also made bags with clothes and other products and helped distribute these. Our team also helped organize the center by stocking shelves with canned and bottled goods that were donated by the government and other entities. It was particularly rewarding helping to feed the local people that came to the center for help. It was a great a great experience to help those in need by sharing and caring!

or more information about our office and community service please visit: http://www.skylakedental.com/our-practice/community-service/

Happy 4th of July

Liberty is the right to choose. Freedom is the result of the right choice. Have a fun-filled 4th of July!

http://www.SkylakeDental.com

What causes bad breath?

Whether you call it bad breath or halitosis, it’s an unpleasant condition that’s cause for embarrassment. If you’re concerned about bad breath, see your dentist. Bad breath can be caused by a number of sources, and he or she can help identify the cause and determine the best treatment.

What causes bad breath?

• Food. What you eat affects the air you exhale, like garlic or onions. If you don't brush and floss daily, particles of food can remain in the mouth, collecting bacteria, which can cause bad breath. Dieters may develop unpleasant breath from infrequent eating.
• Gum disease. Persistent bad breath or a bad taste in the mouth can also be one of the warning signs of gum disease; which is caused by plaque.
• Dry mouth. This occurs when the flow of saliva decreases and can be caused by various medications, salivary gland problems or continuously breathing through the mouth. Without enough saliva, food particles are not cleaned away. If you suffer from dry mouth, your dentist may prescribe anartificial saliva, or suggest using sugarless candy or increase your fluid intake.
• Smoking and tobacco. In addition to staining teeth and being bad for overall health, tobacco can add to bad breath. Tobacco reduces your ability to taste foods and irritates gum tissues. Tobacco users are more likely to suffer from gum disease and are at greater risk for developing oral cancer. If you use tobacco, ask your dentist for tips on kicking the habit.
• Medical conditions. Some diseases have symptoms related to bad breath. Sinus or lung infections, bronchitis, diabetes, and some liver or kidney diseases may be associated with bad breath.

If you’re concerned about what’s causing your bad breath, make an appointment to see your dentist. Regular checkups allow your dentist to detect any problems such as gum disease or dry mouth. Bad breath may be the sign of a medical disorder. If your dentist determines that your mouth is healthy, you may be referred to your primary care physician.
Maintaining good oral hygiene, eliminating gum disease and scheduling regular professional cleanings are essential to reducing bad breath. Brush twice a day and clean between your teeth daily with floss. Brush your tongue, too. If you wear dentures, be sure to remove them at night and clean them thoroughly before replacing them the next morning.
It’s important to note that mouthwash will only mask the odor temporarily. Mouthwashes are generally cosmetic and do not have a long-lasting effect on bad breath. If you must constantly use a breath freshener to hide unpleasant mouth odor, see your dentist.

You can make an appointment with our cosmetic dentists by calling our friendly staff at (305) 940-3135 or by visiting www.SkylakeDental.com. Please don't hesitate to contact Skylake Dental if you have any questions about cosmetic dentistry.

Get the Most Out of Your Dental Visit

Get the Most Out of Your Dental Visit

Dental visits aren't just for cavities and teeth cleaning anymore. During a check-up, your dental hygienist and dentist assess the overall health of your mouth and gums. A dentist check-up is an essential part of preventive care. Here are five ways to get more out of your next visit to the dentist.

1. Make a Checklist of Questions or Concerns

Be prepared with questions you'd like to ask your dentist or hygienist. Be sure to mention any of the following problems:

• Bleeding when you brush. Bleeding is a common symptom of gum disease. The earlier the disease is caught, the easier it is to treat.
• Pain or sensitivity. Tooth pain or unusual sensitivity when biting down or eating hot or cold foods can be a sign of a cracked teeth, broken fillings, or cavities.
• Sores inside your mouth that don't heal normally. Sores that don't heal may be an early warning sign of oral cancer. Early detection is crucial to find oral cancer when it’s more easily treated.
• Problems with flossing or brushing. A jagged tooth or broken filling can make it difficult to floss. Arthritis or other medical conditions may make it hard to brush. Your dental team can help find the source of the problem and offer solutions.
• Clenching your jaw or grinding your teeth. Many people clench their jaws or grind their teeth, especially at night. Over time, grinding and clenching can wear teeth down, damaging the enamel and making teeth more susceptible to decay. Talk to your dentist if you think you grind your teeth.  

2. Update Your Medical History

Make sure your dentist and dental hygienist know your complete medical history. Common conditions like diabetes can affect the health of your gums and teeth. Some medical problems can lead to dry mouth, which increases your risk of cavities. Alert your doctor to any changes in your health since your previous visit. The more your dentist knows about your overall health, the better able he or she will be to give you personalized care.  

3. List All Medicines, Vitamins, and Supplements You Take

Certain prescription drugs for allergies, high blood pressure, or depression can cause dry mouth, which increases the risk of tooth decay and gum problems. Some medications and dietary supplements can thin your blood, increasing the risk of bleeding when you have dental work done. It's very important for your dental team to know about all the pills you take, including supplements that you may not think of as serious medicine.

4. If Money Is Tight, Ask About Low-Cost Options

When household budgets are strained, some people put off dental visits. That can lead to problems that are far more expensive than preventive care. If you are having trouble paying for dental care, talk to your dentist about low-cost options or extended payment plans.

5. Find Out What You Can Do Better

The field of dental health is constantly changing. New products continue to come along that make oral hygiene easier and more effective. New research provides insights into the best ways to keep teeth and gums healthy. Ask your dentist about anything you should be doing to improve your oral health.

You can make an appointment with our cosmetic dentists by calling our friendly staff at (305) 940-3135 or by visiting www.SkylakeDental.com. Please don't hesitate to contact Skylake Dental if you have any questions about cosmetic dentistry.

North Miami Dentist (305) 940-3135 I Dr. Mark weiss Great Family Dentist

You can make an appointment with our cosmetic dentists by calling our friendly staff at (305) 940-3135 or by visiting www.SkylakeDental.com. Please don't hesitate to contact Skylake Dental if you have any questions about cosmetic dentistry.

Medical Emergencies

Hundreds of thousands of patients safely see their dentist every day. However, emergencies can happen anytime, anyplace—and the dental office is no exception.

As health professionals, dentists are trained in school to handle medical emergencies. Continuing education courses are available to help them review and remain current with responses to emergencies in the office.

You play an important role in helping your dentist deliver the safest possible care. Always tell your dentist about any health conditions you or your child may have including allergies, asthma, diabetes or other trouble maintaining blood sugar levels, blood pressure or heart problems, or any other medical condition, even if it seems unimportant or unrelated to dental care.

Your dentist may use or prescribe a number of medications as part of your treatment so it is important that he or she know about any medications you or your child are taking. This includes both prescription and non-prescription drugs. You also should tell your dentist if you are taking any vitamins or supplements. Emergencies aren’t planned events, but handling them can be. If you have concerns about medical emergencies in the dental office, talk to your dentist. He or she can explain the preparations made for dealing with the unexpected.

Be sure to talk with your dentist about how to properly secure and dispose of any unused, unwanted or expired medications, especially if there are any children in the household. Also, take the time to talk with your children about the dangers of using prescription drugs for non-medical purposes.

You can make an appointment with our cosmetic dentists by calling our friendly staff at (305) 940-3135 or by visiting www.SkylakeDental.com Please don't hesitate to contact Skylake Dental if you have any questions about cosmetic dentistry.

Gum Disease

Gum disease is an infection of the tissues that surround and support your teeth. It is a major cause of tooth loss in adults. Because gum disease is usually painless, you may not know you have it. Also referred to as periodontal disease, gum disease is caused by plaque, the sticky film of bacteria that is constantly forming on our teeth.

Here are some warning signs that can signal a problem:

• gums that bleed easily
• red, swollen, tender gums
• gums that have pulled away from the teeth
• persistent bad breath or bad taste
• permanent teeth that are loose or separating
• any change in the way your teeth fit together when you bite
• any change in the fit of partial dentures

Some factors increase the risk of developing gum disease. They are:

• poor oral hygiene
• smoking or chewing tobacco
• genetics
• crooked teeth that are hard to keep clean 
• pregnancy 
• diabetes 
• medications, including steroids, certain types of anti-epilepsy drugs, cancer therapy drugs, some calcium channel blockers and oral contraceptives

See your dentist if you suspect you have gum disease because the sooner you treat it the better. The early stage of gum disease is called gingivitis. If you have gingivitis, your gums may become red, swollen and bleed easily. At this stage, the disease is still reversible and can usually be eliminated by a professional cleaning at your dental office, followed by daily brushing and flossing.
Advanced gum disease is called periodontitis. Chronic periodontitis can lead to the loss of tissue and bone that support the teeth and it may become more severe over time. If it does, your teeth will feel loose and start moving around in your mouth. This is the most common form of periodontitis in adults but can occur at any age. It usually gets worse slowly, but there can be periods of rapid progression.
Aggressive periodontitis is a highly destructive form of periodontal disease that occurs in patients who are otherwise healthy. Common features include rapid loss of tissue and bone and may occur in some areas of the mouth, or in the entire mouth.
Research between systemic diseases and periodontal diseases is ongoing. While a link is not conclusive, some studies indicate that severe gum disease may be associated with several other health conditions such as diabetes or stroke.
It is possible to have gum disease and have no warning signs. That is one reason why regular dental checkups and periodontal examinations are very important. Treatment methods depend upon the type of disease and how far the condition has progressed. Good dental care at home is essential to help keep periodontal disease from becoming more serious or recurring.

Remember: You don’t have to lose teeth to gum disease. Brush your teeth twice a day, clean between your teeth daily, eat a balanced diet, and schedule regular dental visits for a lifetime of healthy smiles.

You can make an appointment with our cosmetic dentists by calling our friendly staff at (305) 940-3135 or by visiting www.SkylakeDental.com. Please don't hesitate to contact Skylake Dental if you have any questions about cosmetic dentistry.