Hidden Sugars

While we typically think of tooth decay as a childhood disease, it can affect anyone at any age. In fact, while cavities are slowly declining in young children, 92% of adults over the age of 20 have some form of decay. This is largely attributed to "hidden sugars" in our daily diets. 

Nearly everyone tries to eat healthy and stay away from sweets and sugary drinks. However, it is important to understand that sugars can "hide" in the foods we eat every day. These hidden sugars are particularly detrimental when used as snacks or consumed over a long period of time. Duration, not quantity, is the most important factor in the decay process. A prime example of hidden sugars would be cheese crackers like Goldfish or Cheez-its. While they may have a low sugar content by recipe, our saliva can break down the carbohydrates into smaller glucose and fructose molecules. Combine this with the the crackers' sticky nature and you have a perfect storm for tooth decay!

Other sugars we consume aren't quite as discreet, but still manage to sneak in without us noticing. This is particularly true in an office environment where coworkers are constantly bringing in donuts, birthday cakes and sweet treats. While we may not plan or think of these foods as part of our diet, they still can have a serious effect on our teeth. 

Asking someone to give up their favorite snacks "cold turkey" is usually impossible. Instead, we suggest keeping the duration and number of snacking sessions to a minimum. For example, instead of eating a box of raisins over the course of an afternoon, try to consume all of them in an even fifteen minute period. Also, make sure to follow any snack or meal with a rinse of water and some xylitol gum. This combination is a quick and easy way to minimize bacterial activity after an influx of sugar.

If you would like to know more about tooth decay, what causes it and how we can stop the process, please call our office. The most important component of dental care is prevention, and we want to keep our patients equipped with the latest research in hygiene and oral health. 

Recent changes to our Root Canal Policies

Our office recently changed our protocols on finishing root canal procedures done by endodontic specialists. These changes reflect the safest and most effective dental practices known today. As with all procedures carried out at Thousand Oaks Family Dentistry, we put your treatment, comfort and convenience first!

When a root canal is finished, you are essentially left with a tooth sans nerve tissue and a small opening at the top. This opening is a necessary part of the root canal procedure that allows the endodontist to reach the nerve tissue and roots. Unfortunately, it is also a major deterrent to the long term structural integrity of the tooth. In order to restore strength to the tooth, the opening needs to be sealed with a special filling material called a core and finished off with a dental crown. This core material chemically bonds to the enamel and protects against fractures and cracks. Many times, a device called a post will be added to the core to provide more rigidity when necessary. Posts extend partially down one root and create an additional structural anchor for the core to adhere to. 

Historically, the endodontists we work with would complete the root canal procedure and place a temporary filling into the opening (a "temporary core). This material does not actually bond to dental enamel and only serves to keep bacteria and food out of the inner tooth. It is very easy to remove, allowing for the quick re-access of a tooth if the first root canal was unsuccessful. Patients then had to return to our office, have the temporary filling removed and have a permanent restoration placed. Not only did this create a new opportunity for bacteria to invade the tooth, it caused our patients to spend days to weeks functioning with a severely weakened tooth. 

Currently, our endodontic specialists are placing permanent posts and cores at the time of root canal completion. This ensures the tooth is continuously sealed and structurally reinforced prior to crown placement. While immediately placing a permanent core can make re-accessing the tooth more difficult, the positives largely outweigh any negatives. Very few teeth end up needing immediate re-access, and the continued structural support of the tooth is a far more important factor in long term root canal success. 

If you would like to know more about root canals, posts, cores or any other dental procedures, please call our office. We are always happy and excited to walk you through any part of your dental treatment!

Endodontists we work with

At Thousand Oaks Family Dentistry, we take our patient's individual needs very seriously. With this in mind, we have cultivated a network of highly skilled dental specialists to address any and every concern. For our patient who require root canals and other endodontic services, we are proud to work with Conejo-Simi Endodontics and Southern California Endodontic Group.

You may be referred to an endodontis' office to diagnose and treat certain types of tooth pain or resolve an infection. Specialists like Conejo-Simi Endo and So-Cal Endo have technology like microscopes and cone-beam CT scanners that can better visualize cracks, abscesses and root fractures on teeth. If the tooth in question is savable, an endodontist can then perform a root canal to remove infection or stop tooth pain. Their technical expertise shines in treating posterior teeth, where root anatomy can become complicated and difficult to visualize. Nevertheless, our specialists have years of experience and will always strive for the best treatments possible!

We typically refer to out to endodontists following an exam and X-rays. However, certain types of pain will clue us in to your need for a specialist even before looking in the mouth. Our office is positive that you will have a great experience at Conejo-Simi Endodontics or Southern California Endodontic Group. If you would like to know more about the specialists we refer to or why we use them, please give us a call!

Dental Questions: Why do teeth need root canals?

When most patients think of endodontics (root canal procedures), they usually assume it is being provided to treat an infection.  While the most common reason for a tooth to need a root canal is infection, there are a whole host of procedures and conditions that benefit from endodontic therapy. Take a look at this list of typical reasons that teeth need root canals!

Infection- Indeed, the most common reason most patients need root canals is from bacteria growing around the roots of the teeth. In the classic model of tooth infection, tooth decay spreads to the dental pulp, causing the tissue to become necrotic. This dying tissue becomes a food source for the bacteria, allowing them to flourish. A root canal treats these infections by removing the remaining tooth pulp, sterilizing the interior of the tooth and cutting off the bacterial food supply. 

Fractured Teeth- Fractured teeth are often impossible to see and difficult to diagnose. Many times it takes the imaging technology found at an endodontist's office to reveal the location and extent of the crack. Most fractured teeth are impossible to restore and require extraction. However, some smaller cracks can be rectified through a combination of a root canal and crown. 

Post Placement- If the top of a tooth is broken off at or near the gum line, placing a crown on the remaining structure is impossible. In certain occasions, a root canal procedure can be performed along with a post placement to save the tooth. A dental post is a metal or composite rod that extends from the root of the tooth to above the gum line, creating a new substructure for a crown to be fashioned. 

Trauma- Many times, dental trauma will cause the internal tooth pulp to recede or become necrotic. A clear sign of this is a tooth becoming darker or red-toned following injury. In order to preserve the tooth and minimize risk of infection, a root canal is often performed. After the root canal is finished, internal bleaching can be used to lighten the tooth back to a natural tone. 

We hope you found this article helpful! If you have any more questions about root canals, dental trauma or dental crowns, please give our office a call!

New treatments for burning mouth syndrome

Have you ever heard of Burning Mouth Syndrome? About bout five of every 100,000 people report this painful condition yearly, with women more likely to be affected than men in a ratio of 33 to 1. In about half of all cases, there is no known cause or source. Fortunately, new research suggests that the drug clonazepam may provide relief for this elusive condition. 

Burning mouth syndrome is a usually reported by patients as a feeling of burning or pain over the tongue, gums or palate. The sensation is often difficult to pinpoint and usual pain medications like aspirin or ibuprofen don't help. Many individuals will report suffering for extended periods of time- from weeks to months. In these instances, burning mouth syndrome is a form of chronic or "internalized" pain. This type of pain has little to do with actual injury to the mouth and more to do with how the brain interprets sensation.

Clonazepam is traditionally prescribed as a sedative and is often used to treat chronic pain conditions like back pain, fibromyalgia and arthritic knee pain. Only now has it's efficacy in treating burning mouth syndrome been recorded in scientific research. On average, patients taking clonazepam reported noticeable improvements in their burning mouth syndrome when compared to placebo groups. 

As with any oral condition, a thorough examination with a dentist is required to diagnose and burning mouth syndrome. Facial pain has many sources- from tight jaw muscles to tooth infections- and we want to be absolutely sure we are treating the true cause! If you would like to know more about burning mouth syndrome or other facial pain conditions, please contact our office. 

Dental Questions: What is a root canal?

Before and after X-rays of a completed root canal (rightmost tooth). Notice how the roots have whiter centers once the procedure was finished. 

In today's article, we are going to shed some light on a common (and commonly misunderstood) dental procedure: the root canal. Many patients fear and dread these treatments when in actuality they are painless and routine. We hope you find this information helpful!

Root canals fall under the dental field of endodontics. These procedures may be carried out by a general dentist or at a specialist's office. Then end goal of any root canal treatment is to remove the nerve tissue from the inner tooth, desensitize it and eliminate any bacteria or infection. This process allows us to save and treat many teeth that would otherwise need to be extracted. 

The first step in root canal treatment is to get the tooth in question completely numb. These procedures can be time consuming, so complete anesthesia is absolutely crucial. Contrary to popular belief, modern root canal therapy is virtually painless, with the many patient leaving the office with much less pain than they were in before!

Once the patient is numb and comfortable, a small opening is made in the top of the tooth to access the innermost layer called the pulp chamber. Here, the nerve endings that cause symptoms such as pain and cold sensitivity are cleaned out from the tooth.  This step is continued down the roots of the teeth, where a series of small files are used to clean and shape the root system. Once the pulp chamber and roots are completely cleaned, the tooth is filled with a thick, rubbery material called gutta percha. This step is crucial as it creates a plug against bacteria and recurrent infection.

After the treatment is complete, the top of the tooth is filled and restored, typically with a tooth-colored material. In many instances, teeth that receive root canals will need crowns for optimal strength. This is something the treating dentist will discuss with you and plan ahead of time. 

As with many dental treatments, this article is a general guideline and doesn't cover all aspects of endodontic therapy. If you have been told you need a root canal or want to know more about this type of procedure, please give our office a call. We will be more than happy to ease your mind and point you in the right direction!

Family Day at Thousand Oaks Family Dentistry

This week we celebrated family day at our office. Staff members brought in their spouses, parents and children for exams and cleanings. We are proud to announce that everyone passed with flying colors! It's always wonderful to catch up with loved ones and make sure that their pearly whites shine! If you want to bring your own family by and join in on the fun, call or email our office today to schedule and appointment. 

Periodontists we work with

Properly managing your dental care can take a team of dentists, specialists and laboratories. For our patients that need the help of a periodontist, we are proud to work with Dr. Jeremy Wilgus of Camarillo Periodontics. His office combines the technology, expertise and compassion that our patients seek. 

If you have conditions such as deep pockets or periodontitis you may be referred to Dr. Wilgus. He specializes in a number of surgical and non-surgical techniques to improve gum health and repair damage. Beyond these services, his office offers various procedures to adjust and re-contour the gums. For some patients, a full cosmetic reconstruction will include visits to Dr. Wilgus for crown lengthening or grafting to create an ideal gumline. He is also an expert in placing implants in sensitive areas, such as the anterior teeth. If you would like to know more about periodontal services or why a patient might benefit from the services of a periodontist, please call our office! 

Dental Questions: What is Periodontal Disease?

Periodontal disease follows tooth decay as the most prevalent condition effecting the oral cavity. In fact, over half of all Americans have some type of problem with their periodontal tissues. It is important to understand the differences between the two main categories of periodontal disease- gingivitis and periodontitis.

The word "periodontal" identifies the tissues surrounding the teeth: the gums, bone, connective tissue and ligaments. These structures live in a delicate balance with the bacteria that exist naturally in our mouths. Over time, poor oral hygiene can allow the bacteria to colonize and grow around the teeth, leading to inflammation of the gum tissue. This first stage in periodontal disease is known as gingivitis. At this point, you might notice puffy, red gums that bleed during brushing or flossing. 

As the inflammation progresses and the bacterial colonies grow, the jaws start to undergo bony changes. Our bones will begin to grow away from the source of infection, leading to recession, pocket formation and loose teeth. These changes are associated with the more advanced form of periodontal disease known as periodontitis. 

Fortunately, there are a number or dental procedures aimed at stopping or reversing the effects of periodontal disease. It all starts with a dental exam to determine the extent of damage and assign an appropriate cleaning regimen. Patients with healthy tissue might just need a simple preventative cleaning, while others may benefit from a more intense procedure- such as scaling and root planing. If you would like to know more about periodontal disease, what causes it and how we can treat it, please contact our office!

Medicare and Dentistry

For many retired Americans, Medicare provides a health safety net that would otherwise be unobtainable on a fixed income. Although the service aims to provide similar coverage to many employer insurance plans, it is not comprehensive. One of the most notable gaps in coverage is the lack of dental insurance. 

Every week, our office receives at least one request to bill Medicare for dental treatment. Unfortunately, the differences between medical and dental coding and billing make this impossible. Simply put, there is no avenue for a private dental office to bill to Medicare. With this in mind, it is important to budget for dental procedures to supplement your existing health coverage.

Another important distinction to make is the difference between Medicare and Medicaid. While Medicare is a service for the elderly, Medicaid aims to assist low income families and individuals. The California branch of Medicaid is Medi-cal, which contains a dental component known as Denti-cal. At this time, our office does not accept Denti-cal. However, many dental schools and community clinics specialize in utilizing and billing this service. 

If you would like to know more about dental insurance, coverage and other services, please contact our office. We are always happy to help you better understand your insurance plan and if it can be utilized at our office!