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Posts for: January, 2015

By Dr. Charles Bohle
January 29, 2015
Category: Oral Health

Are You Preventing Baby Preventing Baby Tooth Decay?

 

preventing baby tooth decayThere are simple steps you can take to help prevent baby tooth decay.  The most important one is to decrease the exposure to sugary drinks.  Many baby formulas, milk and fruit juice have high levels of refined sugars.  Obviously, babies needs these liquids, so what do you  do?

  • Avoid giving milk or juice at bedtime.  Water can be used instead.
  • Avoid overly sugary drinks and only give others during mealtimes.
  • Do not clean the pacifier with your mouth as this can transfer cavity causing bacteria to the baby.

Here are some tips for keeping your babies mouth clean.

  • Practice cleaning your babies mouth even before the first tooth erupts.  Get the baby used to being clean.
  • Clean your babies mouth with a moist soft cloth.
  • Once your baby is one year old, clean the babies teeth with a small headed tooth brush.  Allow your baby to play with the brush in their mouth but until they are able to be thorough, until then, you must help them clean their mouth.

Taking these simple steps with help prevent baby tooth decay.

Click here for more information about pediatric dentistry.  Click here for and appointment or call 270-442-0256.

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By Bohle Family Dentistry
January 28, 2015
Category: Dental Procedures
3OrthodonticOptionsforCorrectingBadBites

Malocclusions (bad bites) may cause more than an appearance problem — with teeth and jaws not working together properly, you’re at higher risk for dental disease or accelerated tooth wear. Fortunately, most malocclusions can be corrected through orthodontics, a specialty for moving teeth to better functioning and more attractive positions.

If you’re considering orthodontic treatment for a malocclusion, here are the basics on 3 of the most common orthodontic appliances used for straightening misaligned teeth.

Metal Braces. These appliances have a proven track record for correcting most forms of malocclusion. Braces consist of metal brackets bonded to the front teeth and an anchor band to the back teeth. A thin metal wire passes through the brackets to attach to the bands in the back. Gradually increased tension in the wire incrementally moves the teeth to the desired position.

Clear Bracket Braces. While metal braces do an effective job of tooth movement, they leave less to be desired in appearance. Made of polymer material rather than metal, clear bracket braces offer a more appealing look. But while they’re similar in construction to the metal version, they’re more susceptible to breakage. Wearers must be extra cautious and avoid hard foods or extreme physical sports contact.

Clear Aligners. The previous appliances are fixed and can’t be removed by the wearer. Clear aligners take a different approach with removable plastic trays that fit snugly over the dental arch. A series of trays are computer generated to carefully match the patient’s mouth structure, each incrementally smaller than the previous one in the series. After wearing the first tray for two or three weeks, the wearer changes to the next (and slightly smaller) tray in the series, repeating the process until all the trays have been worn. Of the three options, the clear aligners offer the best appearance; however, they’re best suited for cases that don’t require complex movements.

We can advise you which option is best for you after a complete evaluation, factoring in age, lifestyle and the complexity of your malocclusion. Regardless of the choice, the aim is the same — achieving a healthier mouth, better function and a more attractive smile.

If you would like more information on orthodontic treatment, please contact us or schedule an appointment for a consultation. You can also learn more about this topic by reading the Dear Doctor magazine article “The Magic of Orthodontics.”

Visit our Google+ and YouTube page.  #paducahkydentist


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By Dr. Charles Bohle
January 26, 2015
Category: Oral Health

Your Smile Is Your First Impression!

First Impression - Your Smile!According to a new survey by the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, close to 50% of Americans believe that a smile is the most memorable feature after first meeting someone.  It is more important that the first thing they say.

Think about that.  Someone who has a pretty smile and uses it will make a better first impression than someone who does not smile but says something nice.  Why is that?  Another recent study found some interesting results.  Two different groups of people  were shown pictures of the same person, one smiling and one not smiling and asked to decribe the person in the photo.  The pictures of the people smiling were rated as more friendly, having more leadership skills, and being more attractive than the same person who did not smile.

Ask yourself this question.  Two people you do not know walk into a room.  One of them is smiling and one of them is not smiling.  Which one would you want to meet first?  Of course the one you judge to be more friendly and attractive.  That is human nature.

The next time you have a job interview or are in a social situation where you will meet new people make sure you smile!  Your first impression will be much better that if you do not smile.

If you would like to learn more about improving your smile, click here.  If you would like to make an appointment, call 270-442-0256 or click here.

Visit our Google+ page.  #paducahkydentist

 


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By Dr. Charles Bohle
January 20, 2015
Category: Oral Health

Today's Tooth Trivia

tooth triviaHere is some tooth trivia to help break up your day!

Did you know that your teeth are the hardest substance in the human body?  They are harder that your most dense bone.  Think about how easy it is to break a finger or toe and how hard it is to break a healthly tooth.

Humans have 32 teeth, cats have 30 teeth, dogs have 42 teeth and pigs have 44 teeth.  It looks like teeth are different for different animals.

The Egyptians invented toothpaste over 5,000 years ago.  In fact the Egyptians were very much medically advanced which is shown by the mummies who have survived all these years.  They also did the first root canal on a tooth.

Some reptiles have up to 3,000 teeth during their lifetime.  Where humans only have a set number of teeth and if lost are gone forever, reptile can produce as many teeth as are needed.  If a tooh is lost another comes in.  Sharks do the same thing.

If you are in need of dental care call our office at 270-442-0256 or click here for an appointment.  Click here for a list of offered dental services.

Visit our Google+ and YouTube page.

#paducahkydentist


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By Dr. Charles Bohle
January 17, 2015
Category: Dental Procedures

Do You Have Wisdom Tooth Problems?

Impacted wisdom tooth.Wisdom tooth problems

In most people, the third set of molars, generally called “wisdom teeth,” start coming in around age 17-25. However, the arrival of these teeth is often far from trouble-free. The extraction (removal) of one or more third molars is a relatively common procedure, performed on some 5 million patients every year. After a thorough examination and diagnostic tests such as x-rays or a CT scan, you may be told that you should have your wisdom teeth extracted. Here are some typical reasons why:

  • Your jaw may be too small to accommodate all your teeth, leading to excessive crowding and the chance of your wisdom teeth becoming impacted — that is, unable to emerge from the gums, and potentially harmful to adjacent bone or teeth
  • Your wisdom teeth may be erupting (coming in) in a crooked orientation, which can damage other teeth or anatomical structures in the jaw, and/or cause bite problems
  • If your wisdom tooth does not fully erupt (emerge from the gums), it can increase the chance for bacterial infection
  • A cyst (a closed, fluid-filled sac) may develop around the unerupted wisdom tooth, which can cause infection and injury to the adjacent bone or nerve tissue

Whether it is aimed at preventing future problems or needed to alleviate a condition you already have, the extraction of wisdom teeth can be an effective treatment. But, as with all medical procedures, its benefits must be weighed against the small risk of complications, and should be discussed in detail.

The Extraction Procedure

X-ray of an impacted wisdom tooth.Wisdom tooth extraction is usually an in-office procedure which may be performed by a dentist or an oral surgeon. It's quite possible to have the treatment done with only a local anesthetic (numbing shot) to keep you from experiencing any pain; however, if multiple teeth are being extracted at one time (as is often the case), a general anesthetic or conscious sedation may be administered. The type of anesthesia that's best for you will be determined before the procedure.

Once you have been appropriately anesthetized, the gum tissue at the extraction site may need to be opened if the tooth is impacted. The tooth itself will then be gently removed. When the extraction is complete, you may need to have the site sutured (stitched) to aid healing. After the procedure is over, you will rest for a short time before going home. Depending on what type of anesthesia you have had, you may need another person to drive.

After the Procedure

The recovery period after wisdom tooth extraction generally lasts only a few days. During this time, you should rest when possible to encourage healing, and take any pain medication as prescribed. It's normal to experience some bleeding at the extraction site; this can be controlled by gently biting on gauze pads, changing them as needed, and resting with the head elevated on pillows rather than flat.

Holding an ice pack on the outside of your cheek for a few minutes at a time (for example, 5 minutes on / 5 minutes off) may help reduce swelling on the first day after the procedure. Starting on day 2, the warm moist heat of a washcloth placed on the cheek may make you more comfortable. Rinsing the mouth with warm salt water a few times a day can also help relieve discomfort.

You may want to eat soft foods for a few days after the extraction; likewise, be careful when brushing or putting anything in your mouth until your healing is complete. Be sure to follow the postoperative instructions you are given, as each situation is a little different; this will help you to be as comfortable as possible.

 


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