Diabetes Awareness Month

November marks National Diabetes Awareness Month. As a dental practice that specializes in implants and periodontal disease, diabetes education is especially important to us at the Massachusetts practices of Dr. Martin Urban. Diabetes is closely linked to gum inflammation, and people who have it need to understand that they are at greater risk in order to protect themselves.

People with high blood sugar are especially prone to developing inflammation. This means that their gum tissue will have a more extreme response to the acid normally produced by oral bacteria as they metabolize sugar. In people with uncontrolled blood sugar, it is also more common for gingivitis to develop into periodontal disease, which means that their gums recede and they will eventually lose jaw bone tissue. While this would be a serious problem for anybody, research also indicates that diabetes and periodontal disease exist in a vicious circle, with the toxins resulting from periodontal disease making it harder for the body to regulate blood sugar.

Regular brushing and flossing are essential for controlling the population of oral bacteria. People with diabetes should especially be on the look-out for gingivitis symptoms such as swelling and bleeding gums. Regular dental cleanings, which break up plaque and remove infected material from below the gum line, will help people with difficulty controlling their blood sugar to avoid the more advanced stage of gum disease. We can also provide prosthetic teeth to people who have already suffered from periodontitis.

To schedule an appointment with Dr. Martin Urban, call 508-425-9640 or visit us at Martin Urban DDS.

 

Tips for a Tooth-Friendly Halloween

Sweet, sticky candy is everywhere this time of year, and people are naturally having a harder time maintaining their oral health. While the rest of the holiday season isn’t as candy-oriented as Halloween, it does abound with sweets and present similar challenges. We’re particularly concerned with fighting gum disease here at the Massachusetts dental offices of Dr. Martin Urban, and we have many patients who want to preserve their prosthetic teeth. Therefore, we thought we’d provide a guide to a tooth-friendly Halloween.

Implants are strong structures. They integrate with a patient’s jaw bone structure and artificial crowns are cemented onto them. But patients with dentures and partial crowns should still exercise reasonable caution about eating sticky candy. Better options include chewy sweets, such as those made with peanut butter or chocolate. These foods still have high sugar content, but even foods with low amounts of sugar or complex sugars will fuel decay if they are allowed to linger in the mouth for too long. Patients should quickly dislodge food debris by brushing and flossing shortly after meals. They should also limit their time eating candy to meals, when they will be producing a large amount of saliva. Sugary drinks such as apple cider are also an oral health hazard, so patients should be drinking plenty of water to wash away sugary residue.

To schedule an appointment with Dr. Martin Urban, call 508-425-9640 or visit us at Martin Urban DDS.

 

Denture Stomatitis

We’ve placed a lot of prosthetic teeth at the dental office of Dr. Martin Urban. Many of them were dentures, which may have been attached to implants or allowed to rest on the gum ridges. In either case, we always encourage our patients to maintain their oral hygiene, because if they don’t, they will be at risk of developing denture stomatitis.

Candida species of yeast are always in the mouth, but they are not usually able to cause harm. Saliva contains enzymes that combat them, and people are usually able to keep their teeth clear of debris. But when someone has an upper denture adhered to the roof of their mouth, saliva may not be able to reach the top of the denture. This would allow a yeast infection to develop, creating the red sores we call stomatitis.

A patient isn’t always able to feel when sores have developed, so they need to do frequent examinations of their mouth. An infection is likelier to occur when the dentures are the wrong size, which can also lead to saliva pooling at the corners of the mouth and causing chapping. People with diabetes or who use inhalers are also at increased risk for stomatitis. Patients with dentures should remember to brush the inside of their mouth before putting their dentures in each morning and to make sure that they’re clearing debris away from implant abutments. They should also stay hydrated and might want to consider mouthwash.

To schedule an appointment with Dr. Martin Urban, call 508-425-9640 or visit us at Martin Urban DDS.

 

White Spot Lesions

Have you ever noticed odd, chalky white spots on your teeth? Those are signs that enamel is under attack from acid, and if the white spot persists, it means the tooth is in danger of developing a cavity. Dr. Martin Urban’s dental office specializes in restorations and treating gum disease, but we also value prevention and want our patients to recognize early symptoms of tooth decay.

Before enamel is lost entirely, it will weaken and lose some of its comprising minerals. This is when it will appear chalky white. The acid causing the demineralization could be a result of acid reflux disease, but in these cases the chalky discoloration will form a distinctive pattern on the upper back molars. More often, the acid is coming from infectious bacteria, which secrete it as a by-product of metabolizing sugar. The longer sugar remains on the teeth, the more of it bacteria will be able to consume and the more acid they will produce.

A white spot can turn into a cavity in the span of a month. Patients should take them as a sign they need to do more brushing, although not so hard that they damage their gum tissue. They may want to try extra-fluoridated toothpaste and improving their technique. We can help a patient to determine whether a white spot is being caused by an active infection. We also do deep cleanings to remove plaque from the gum pockets, where patients are unable to see it.

To schedule an appointment with Dr. Martin Urban, call 508-425-9640 or visit us at Martin Urban DDS.

 

Pregnancy and Gingivitis

Dr. Martin Urban is specially trained to treat patients suffering from gum disease. While it is important for everybody to maintain their oral hygiene, one group suffers from particularly high rates of gum inflammation: pregnant women. Since this population is especially vulnerable, we want them to understand what they should expect and how we are able to help.

Inflammation is how the body reacts to the threat of disease. When bacteria in the gum pockets secrete acid, the gums become inflamed, making cell membranes more permeable to antibodies and preventing the toxins from spreading. But inflammation also makes gums sore, discolored, and easily bruised, resulting in bleeding. When a woman is pregnant (or going through menopause), her body produces large amounts of a hormone called progesterone. This hormone triggers new blood vessel growth and increases blood flow to the gums. As a result, they are much more sensitive to oral bacteria and become inflamed more easily.

There is always a possibility that gingivitis will progress into periodontitis and threaten the integrity of gum tissue. However, this can usually be avoided through regular brushing and flossing. Pregnant women may want to stick to toothpaste for sensitive teeth, but they should be vigilant about removing food debris and acid. We can help them by providing deep cleanings to the gum pockets and using localized anti-bacterial medicines. We can also show them proper brushing and flossing techniques and examine bumps that sometimes develop in gum tissue during pregnancy

To schedule an appointment with Dr. Martin Urban, call 508-425-9640 or visit us at Martin Urban DDS.

 

Children's Oral Care

At Martin Urban, DDS we advise parents to start brushing their children’s teeth when they first develop. February is National Children’s Dental Health Month, which is when we raise awareness of children's oral health concerns. The most common chronic disease in children is tooth decay which is preventable with good cleaning habits.

Although baby teeth are temporary, they act as placeholders for their permanent teeth. Brushing and flossing twice a day will help to prevent tooth decay and allow their permanent teeth to be healthy. When brushing your children’s teeth, you should use a soft-bristled toothbrush and a dab of toothpaste to clean all the surfaces of their teeth.

As much as possible, we encourage our younger patients to avoid sugary and acidic food that can increase their chances of cavities and breaking down tooth enamel. Remember, the healthier you eat, the healthier your teeth and body will be.

Regardless of how well your children clean their teeth, they should come to see us at Martin Urban, DDS twice a year to ensure healthy teeth and a better smile!

If you have any questions or concerns, please give us a call. To learn more about the treatment provided at the dental practice of Dr. Martin Urban, DDS, visit www.martinurbandds.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Martin Urban, DDS in Boston, MA, call 508-425-9640.

Soda And Your Teeth

Soda is becoming increasingly harmful to teeth and to enamel. With the average person drinking around 16 ounces a day, the chances of acids and sugar becoming damaging to teeth is high. With high numbers of acid and sugar in soda and sports drinks, keeping your teeth clean becomes extremely difficult.

Water is always the best thing to drink for your oral health. It not only helps to keep your body healthy, but cleans your teeth and gums with every sip! Avoiding acidic drinks has proven positive effects that go beyond teeth and help your body be as healthy as possible. Many people look for caffiene at some point in the day, whether it’s from sodas or an energy drink, but finding an alternative such as tea, water, or juice will go a long way for your oral hygiene.

At Martin Urban DDS we recommend patients limit their soda consumption as much as possible and rinse their mouth out with water while brushing your teeth. It is also recommended you stop in to get a cleaning and help preserve those pearly whites.

To schedule an appointment with Dr. Martin Urban, call 508-425-9640 or visit us at Martin Urban DDS.