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What Is Your Mouth Telling You?

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By: Chie Li Ee DMD and Gina Pratta

Let’s face it; the dentist isn’t typically at the top of anyone’s list of fun places, however, you might want to think twice before skipping your next dental visit. Routine dental visits aid in keeping teeth and gums healthy, and may actually help you live longer.  Recent studies have shown there is a possible correlation between periodontal (gum) disease and heart related problems like heart disease. Your dentist is a crucial member of your health care team because not only do routine dental visits help prevent and diagnose oral health problems, but they can also help detect other medical conditions such as diabetes and cancer that may first present orally.

Periodontal (gum) disease is the disease of the gums and bone that support teeth. These bacteria can cause inflammation in gums, which could travel to the heart or other parts of the body.  Studies show that over half of all adults in the United States have some form of periodontal disease.  Some of the signs of periodontal disease include bleeding or swollen gums, shifting teeth and chronic bad breath.  Luckily, periodontal disease can be prevented or maintained by regular dental visits and a daily oral hygiene regimen which includes brushing, flossing and an antibacterial rinse.

In the United States there are over 25 million people living with Diabetes. Diabetes lowers resistance to infection and increases the chances of gum disease, tooth decay, taste impairment, inflammatory skin disease, persistent bad breath and changes in teeth position. Those with diabetes are also more likely to experience oral fungal infections such as thrush.

In addition to the millions of people living with diabetes, more than 40,000 people are affected by oral cancer every year. During routine dental visits, your dentist will check for signs of oral cancer.  These signs include; sores that bleed easily or do not heal, crusted, rough areas of skin, lumps or thick hard spots, red, brown or white patches, changes in lymph nodes or other tissues around the mouth or neck and tenderness, pain, or  numbness inside the mouth.  Those at increased risk include anyone ages 40 and over, ages 18-39 combined with tobacco use (smoked or smokeless); chronic alcohol use, sun exposure, and oral HPV infection.  Although risk factors play a major role in the development of oral cancer, one in four people that develop this cancer had no risk factors when diagnosed, reinforcing the importance of regular dental visits.

The importance of regular dental visits goes well beyond a person’s oral health. We at Cape May Dental Associates welcome new patients and are committed to providing quality and comprehensive care for all our patients.

Your Child Is More Likely To Have A Cavity Than A Cold

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By Chie Li Ee, DMD and Chrissy Boothroyd

Did you know that tooth decay is the second most common disease in the United? The first one is the common cold.  In children, tooth decay is more prevalent than the common cold, affecting 42% of children age 2 to 11. It is five times more common than asthma and seven times more common than allergies.  More than four million toddlers are affected by tooth decay.

The greatest risk factor for childhood cavities is poverty. One in four children have never been to a dentist by the time they start kindergarten.  Uninsured children are almost 3 times less likely to receive dental care. Other common risk factors include the following:

  • Not having a dentist
  • Lack of fluoridated water
  • Having a parent with cavities (you can infect your child with the bacteria that causes cavities)
  • Frequent snacking with sugary snacks
  • Sugary drinks and going to bed with a bottle or constant sippy cup use
  • Not brushing and flossing daily (younger children need to be supervised)

Early childhood cavities can cause pain, loss of teeth, head and neck infections, cavities later in life, impaired growth and weight gain, missed school days, speech problems and a poorer quality of life. Over 51 million hours of school are missed each years due to dental problems.  Most people don’t realize that proper care of baby teeth is just as important as the permanent adult teeth. Baby teeth hold space in the jaws for permanent teeth that are developing under the gums. Children’s permanent teeth generally start coming in between the ages of 6 and 7.

Preventive care can help to eliminate tooth decay. The American Dental Association and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommend bringing your child to the dentist as early as one years old for an oral health risk assessment.  Regular dental checkups, including fluoride application can help avoid future problems.  We know it’s not easy to get your kids excited to go see the dentist, but starting good habits at an early age can make those appointments much easier (and less frequent).  At Cape May Dental Associates, we see children of all ages.  Call us at (609) 884-5335 to set up an appointment with Dr. Ee to ensure your child has a lifetime of excellent oral health and great smiles!

 

Could your diabetes be causing you dental problems?

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By Chie Li Ee, DMD & Chrissy Boothroyd

If you are one of the 29 million Americans with diabetes, you may be surprised to find that the answer is “Yes”.  You can add periodontal (gum) disease to the list of other possible complications from diabetes, such as heart disease, kidney disease, eye disease and stroke.  Not only are diabetics more likely to have gum disease, but severe gum disease can also affect your blood sugar levels.  If you have been diagnosed with diabetes, you are 3 – 4 times more likely to develop periodontal disease.

Some of the factors that are linked to increased risks of periodontal disease are as follows:

  • The main cause of periodontal disease is bacterial plaque. Toxins produced by the bacteria irritate the gums and cause infection. Diabetics are generally more susceptible to infection and less able to fight germs that invade the gums.
  • Excess body fat may produce chemicals that cause the gums to be more inflamed.
  • Damage to blood vessels in the gums can reduce blood supply which limits the immune response.
  • Wound healing is impaired, so healing of the gums is reduced.
  • Uncontrolled blood sugar levels. If your A1C is greater than 8.5, your risk of periodontal disease is much greater.

Some other possible oral conditions that can occur if you have diabetes are oral thrush, dry mouth and complications after oral surgery. Although you may not be able to prevent these conditions, your dentist can help you minimize the effects.  There are steps that you can take to help prevent some of the dental problems associated with diabetes; controlling your blood sugar, good home care of your teeth and gums and regular cleanings and check-ups at least every six months.  Tell your dentist if you have been diagnosed with diabetes and any medications you may be taking.  Your dentist may recommend more frequent cleanings and check-ups.  The oral cavity is the gateway to the rest of your body and should not be over looked when evaluating one’s overall health.  So the next time you think about cancelling your dental appointment or are too tired to floss, think about how you could be affecting your body.  Cape May Dental Associates is welcoming new patients and always offers comprehensive and thorough dental care.  Call (609) 884-5335 or visit www.capemaydental.com today for more information!

Look Younger and Feel Confident with Whiter Teeth!

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By: Chie Li Ee DMD and Gina Pratta

A person’s appearance and attitude can change dramatically simply by whitening his or her smile. Our smiles are one of the first features that other people notice about us, so it’s no surprise that our culture places so much importance on a perfectly white smile.  Many studies and polls have proven that a nice smile not only aids in initiating personal relationships, but is important for excelling in the professional world.  A whiter smile is commonly associated with youth, beauty, confidence and being healthy.  Whitening is a safe, easily attainable, quick and a non invasive way to look younger and feel more confident.

The outer layer of teeth is called enamel and the darker layer beneath the enamel is called dentin. As we age, enamel gets thinner and dentin becomes darker, so it’s inevitable for teeth to darken over time. Pores in the enamel can hold stains from certain foods, drinks and tobacco products. Some of these foods and drinks include coffee, tea, red wine, berries and beets and drinking or swishing with water after consuming these foods will help reduce surface stains.   Unfortunately, some of the healthiest foods are ones that stain!

Regular dental visits are not only important to keep teeth healthy for a lifetime, but regular cleanings remove many stains caused by the foods and drinks we love. To achieve the best whitening results, a cleaning and exam should be done and teeth should be restored if decayed or broken before the start of any treatments.  From take-home to in-office treatments, there are so many different whitening options available to meet the desired results of almost anyone.   Your dentist would be able to help decide which option is best for you.

We at Cape May Dental Associates offer different whitening options to meet the specific needs and goals of our patients. Zoom!® is an in-office whitening procedure which only takes about an hour and perfect for anyone looking for immediate results.  The procedure is simple and begins with a short preparation to cover the patient’s lips and gums, leaving only the teeth exposed.  The whitening gel is then applied and is used with a specially designed light, which works with the gel to break up stains and discoloration.  Zoom! ® is safe, fast and convenient for anyone with a busy schedule.

Options to whiten at home are also available at Cape May Dental Associates. Opalescence® PF whitening gel is used with custom fitted trays and offers professional whitening power in the comfort of your own home. Impressions would be taken to create the trays tailored to your smile.  Another at-home whitening option is Opalescence® Go.  Opalescence Go is an affordable, more effective alternative to over-the-counter whiteners. This whitening treatment comes in prefilled disposable trays made of a special material that comfortably adapts to your smile

Looking younger and feeling confident is safe and easy for almost anyone to achieve with the help of whitening. Please call (609) 884-5335 or find us on Facebook for any questions regarding whitening or other dental procedures.

The True Cost Of Dentures

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BY: Chie Li Ee, DMD & Chrissy Boothroyd

Are you one of the 120 million Americans are missing 1 or more teeth? There are several ways that you can replace missing teeth. Dentures, bridges and implants are all replacement options with a wide range of costs. Dentures can be an economical replacement for missing teeth in the short term. However, the real cost of dentures can be much greater in the long term. Consider the following:

  • Social Costs – Dentures can move, click while eating and talking and trap food. Imagine being in a social situation and your denture won’t stay in place.
  • Convenience Costs – Dentures can’t be cleaned the same way as natural teeth. They need to be removed to clean, soaked overnight and then rinsed and placed back in your mouth. All this needs to be done carefully, as you don’t want to drop them and risk breaking them.
  • Health Costs – Dentures are not a replacement for teeth. They are a replacement for “no teeth”. Your jaw was meant to have teeth. Without them, the jaw begins to lose bone, changing the shape of your face and weakening your jawbone. When this occurs, dentures will become very uncomfortable (or sometimes impossible) to wear. Eating many foods will become impossible because dentures do not function like your natural teeth when chewing.
  • Dental Costs – If still have some natural teeth and have dentures to replace missing teeth, the denture can cause damage to your existing teeth. Since the anchors to existing teeth, it will cause stress on those teeth every time that you eat. This stress will eventually damage those teeth and lead to additional tooth loss.

So, if you don’t want to pay the true cost of dentures, implants are a great alternative. Over the long term, implants are comparable in financial costs. In terms of the other costs, dental implants are a superior option. Implants are part of your jawbone and can prevent bone loss.  They are brushed and flossed like natural teeth. They have the appearance and feel of natural teeth. The advances in implant dentistry have made it possible for people with missing teeth to confidently speak, enjoy their favorite foods and function as they would with natural teeth; they do not slip or click when talking, laughing or eating.

Could dental implants be right for you? Cape May Dental Associates welcomes new patients and is always happy to answer any questions about your dental health. As an Associate Fellow with the AAID, Dr. Ee can answer any questions or concerns that you have about dental implants. Call us at (609) 884-5335 today for more information!

Don’t Throw Away Your Dental Floss!!

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Just in case you haven’t heard the latest news: The Associated Press recently printed an article that stated you don’t need to floss anymore. The AP article stated that there were over 20 studies that had weak or unreliable findings on the effectiveness of daily flossing. Many TV news programs have since picked up the story and reported that flossing has little to no benefit in the management of cavities and periodontal disease.
The studies were found to be unreliable due to the duration; most lasted for just 90 days. Cavities take a lot longer than 90 days to develop. Periodontal disease can take many years to develop. Studies of a much longer duration would be necessary to effectively determine the long term benefits to flossing. There was also very little correlation between plaque reduction of brushing and flossing compared to just brushing alone.
All of this just means that more studies need to be done, not that flossing has no purpose. When you floss, you are cleaning out everything a toothbrush can’t reach. Have you ever looked at what you just flossed from between your teeth? Leaving food debris to break down between your teeth will lead to cavities and bad breath at the very least. Flossing also removes plaque bacteria beneath the gumline that your toothbrush doesn’t reach. Other methods to clean between your teeth include water flossers, air flossers, floss picks and soft picks if flossing with string doesn’t appeal to you. You should still be using something to clean between your teeth on a daily basis.
The American Dental Association, the leading source of oral health information, still recommends flossing once a day to remove plaque and debris that a toothbrush cannot effectively remove (in addition to brushing twice daily). They also noted that none of the studies that the AP looked at showed that flossing was detrimental in any way. Dr. Ee and the staff of Cape May Dental Associates will still be recommending that you floss once a day in addition to brushing twice a day. We always welcome new patients and are committed to providing quality and comprehensive care. Call us at (609) 884-5335 to schedule your appointment today!

What is Your Mouth Telling You?

by

Let’s face it; the dentist isn’t typically at the top of anyone’s list of fun places, however, you might want to think twice before skipping your next dental visit. Routine dental visits aid in keeping teeth and gums healthy, and may actually help you live longer. Recent studies have shown there is a possible correlation between periodontal (gum) disease and heart related problems like heart disease. Your dentist is a crucial member of your health care team because not only do routine dental visits help prevent and diagnose oral health problems, but they can also help detect other medical conditions such as diabetes and cancer that may first present orally.
Periodontal (gum) disease is the disease of the gums and bone that support teeth. These bacteria can cause inflammation in gums, which could travel to the heart or other parts of the body. Studies show that over half of all adults in the United States have some form of periodontal disease. Some of the signs of periodontal disease include bleeding or swollen gums, shifting teeth and chronic bad breath. Luckily, periodontal disease can be prevented or maintained by regular dental visits and a daily oral hygiene regimen which includes brushing, flossing and an antibacterial rinse.
In the United States there are over 25 million people living with Diabetes. Diabetes lowers resistance to infection and increases the chances of gum disease, tooth decay, taste impairment, inflammatory skin disease, persistent bad breath and changes in teeth position. Those with diabetes are also more likely to experience oral fungal infections such as thrush.
In addition to the millions of people living with diabetes, more than 40,000 people are affected by oral cancer every year. During routine dental visits, your dentist will check for signs of oral cancer. These signs include; sores that bleed easily or do not heal, crusted, rough areas of skin, lumps or thick hard spots, red, brown or white patches, changes in lymph nodes or other tissues around the mouth or neck and tenderness, pain, or numbness inside the mouth. Those at increased risk include anyone ages 40 and over, ages 18-39 combined with tobacco use (smoked or smokeless); chronic alcohol use, sun exposure, and oral HPV infection. Although risk factors play a major role in the development of oral cancer, one in four people that develop this cancer had no risk factors when diagnosed, reinforcing the importance of regular dental visits.
The importance of regular dental visits goes well beyond a person’s oral health. We at Cape May Dental Associates welcome new patients and are committed to providing quality and comprehensive care for all our patients.

Straight Teeth in As Little As Six Months!

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By Chie Li Ee, DMD & Chrissy Boothroyd

Are you one of the millions of adults in need of adult braces who are unhappy, self-conscious or even embarrassed about your smile?

Many adults spend their entire lives covering their mouths when they laugh, smile or talk.  They feel stuck because they do not want to wear adult metal braces for years or they are concerned that other corrective teeth straightening procedures could be too invasive or too expensive.

Now, there is an effective, safe and affordable cosmetic braces solution that fits your lifestyle.

Cape May Dental Associates is excited to introduce the Six Month Smiles System. You can now have the smile you always wanted – in as little as six months with the Six Month Smiles System. Six Month Smiles is an easy, fast, safe and affordable method of straightening your teeth. Dr. Chie Li Ee uses this advanced technology to solve one of the biggest objections to getting a beautiful smile; the speed of treatment.

Six Month Smiles Technology typically allows for an average treatment time of six months. It is designed specifically for adults and teenagers (over 15), who have crooked, crowded or spaced teeth – without major bite issues.
This technique offers tremendous advantages over traditional metal braces:

  • Unlike the traditional braces people must often wear for two to four years, this procedure straightens teeth in an average of just six months and uses low forces to gently move teeth more comfortably.
  • The Six Month Smiles System uses specialized clear brackets and tooth colored wires – making them virtually invisible.
  • The procedure requires fewer dentist visits and is typically less expensive than traditional braces.

Dr. Ee would like to add that the Six Month Smiles System can result in healthier gums, since straight teeth are easier to clean than crooked teeth. You can now get the radiant smile you have always dreamed of, without waiting for years. Six Month Smiles braces are virtually invisible, and straighten teeth much more quickly and more comfortably than traditional braces.

Dr. Ee encourages you schedule a consultation with him at Cape May Dental Associates to see if Six Month Smiles is a good option for you. For more information, please call our office at 609-884-5335 to set up a free consultation.