Are Silver (amalgam) Fillings Safe?

Over the years there has been some concern as to the safety of silver (amalgam) fillings. An amalgam is a blend of copper, silver, tin and zinc, bound by elemental mercury. Dentists have used this material to fill teeth for more than 100 years. The controversy because of claims that exposure to the vapor and minute particles from the mercury can cause a variety of serious health problems.

The general consensus is that silver (amalgam) fillings are safe. The Center for Disease Control (CDC), the World Health Organization, the FDA, and others support the use of silver fillings as safe, durable, and cost effective. The U.S. Public Health Service says that the only reason not to use silver fillings is when a patient has an allergy to any component of this type of filling. The ADA has had fewer than 100 reported incidents of an allergy to components of silver fillings, and this is out of countless millions of silver fillings over the decades.

Although studies have indicated that there are no measurable health risks to patients who have silver fillings, we do know that mercury is a toxic material when we are exposed at high, unsafe levels. For instance, we have been warned to limit the consumption of certain types of fish that carry high levels of mercury in them. However, with respect to amalgam fillings, the ADA maintains that when the mercury combines with the other components of the filling, it becomes an inactive substance that is safe.

There are numerous options to silver fillings, including composite resin (tooth-colored), porcelain, and gold fillings. We encourage you to discuss these options with your dentist so you can determine which is the best option for you.

for more information about silver or amalgam fillings, or to schedule an appointment, log on to our site at LevineDental.com

Bad Breath

A common question we get in our dental office is – “What causes bad breath?”

Many times the complaint is not from the offender but from a long suffering spouse or family member. There are many causes of bad breath (which may also be called “halitosis”) – some serious and some not. The good news is diagnosing and treating bad breath is something that can easily be done in most cases.

Here is a list, in no particular order, of the reasons people may be slowly backing up during conversations:

Foods Containing Strong Smelling Oils

Yes – garlic and onions are very healthy, but they also contain oils, which may cause an unhealthy reaction to those around you. These odors originate in the lungs, can last up to 72 hours and can be tough to cover up. Mints, gum, and rinses are your best bet to alleviate the problem– or make sure everyone around you has had the same yummy food as well!

Routine Illnesses

Colds, sinus problems, infections can all cause yucky smelling mucus, to get trapped in our mouths, throats and noses, which causes foul breath until the illness is taken care of. Of course, if you have one of these highly contagious problems you shouldn’t be that close to someone anyway! If a sinus infection, sore throat , cough or cold doesn’t clear up in a few days to a week, you should probably see your physician to make sure things aren’t of a serious nature.

Dry Mouth

When your mouth is dry it lets more bacteria settle in your mouth. And while morning breath is a perfectly normal phenomenon due to lowered salivary activity at night – it shouldn’t last all day. Those who snore, mouth – breath, take certain medications, or are middle aged are prone to a dry mouth.

Smoking

Smoking dries out your mouth (see above) and also, tobacco just plain stinks. If lung cancer and heart disease aren’t reason enough to give up smoking, maybe a constant foul mouth will help you make that life-saving decision.

Chronic Diseases or Conditions

Many serious diseases such as lung infections, kidney failure, diabetes, cancer, GERD, anorexia, bulimia and others can cause very specific types of halitosis. The good news is that these are on the rare side, but if anything along these lines is suspected, a referral to the appropriate practitioner is in order.

Poor Dental Hygiene and Gum Disease

Ahhh…this is our favorite! Not because we like people to have poor dental hygiene and gum disease, but because these are very common causes of bad breath and we can usually treat them quite easily. But please don’t wait to long! Gum disease, which usually starts with poor brushing and flossing habits as well as a lack of routine dental visits, can do much more than make your mouth stinky.

In just a shot period of time, gum disease can advance and eat away at the gums and bone which hold your teeth in place. The result? Loose, unstable teeth which will eventually be lost if not treated.

Catching gum disease early is great as treatment is typically conservative. Wait too long and it gets much more difficult and extensive.

Bad breath is not normal! Seeing your dentist and dental hygienist on a routine basis is your best bet for making sure your teeth and gums stay healthy, your smile stays bright, and your breath doesn’t cause others to run in the opposite direction.

for more information on how to keep your smile healthy, or to schedule an appointment, log on to LevineDental.com

A Whiter Smile

People say a smile is the window to your soul. This helps explain why people want that million-dollar smile. There are many people who do not like to show off their smile because of discolored teeth which gives a rather old looking appearance to a person and mar their good facial features. The best way to remove discoloration and have that perfect smile is by going through a tooth whitening procedure.

By working with your dentist you can determine how they can best help you whiten your teeth either in-office or with at home bleaching. Some people will also try home remedies for tooth whitening instead of listening to their dentist’s recommendations. However, teeth whitening can cause side effects. Here is a look at some of the risks you need to be aware of, before you decide to take up teeth whitening:

Many home remedies suggest using fruits which have strong acidic properties to whiten teeth. Such food actually causes erosion of the tooth enamel to and the result is sensitive teeth that are more prone to decay.

Dentists use a bleaching process to whiten teeth. The beaching solution contains Hydrogen Peroxide which can sometimes irritate the teeth and gums.

People using at home kits need to use the right quantity of bleaching solution on their teeth. If you do not pay attention to what is the right concentration and quantity of bleaching solution that you need to use when doing teeth whitening at home, the result can be painful and discomforting instead of being helpful. You also need to make sure you don’t overuse these materials.

Teeth whitening can also cause gum irritation. Sometime patients are seen to experience sensations such as nausea, vomiting or a burning feeling as a result of ingesting teeth whitening solutions.

On the other hand tooth whitening can change a person’s smile if done right. To be done right you need to work in conjunction with your dentist to make sure you obtain the best possible results. You also need to make sure your teeth and gums are healthy enough to do whitening. Check out our website at http://www.LevineDental.com for more information or to schedule an appointment to discuss your whiter smile.

Tongue Piercing

A raging fad of today is tongue and lip piercing. In fact tongue piercing has become readily available to everyone as these piercings are not being governed by any regulations. Piercing the tongue makes it convenient for microorganisms to enter into your bloodstream and your oral cavity. Many people suffer from allergies to certain metals or have heart conditions and to these people tongue piercings can prove very dangerous. (note image above is not an actual piercing, but a photo-shopped image to illustrate a point)

When it comes to getting the tongue pierced, there are many risks and adverse effects involved.

Let’s start with the actual piercing. Firstly a marker is used to mark the spot on the tongue where the piercing will be placed. To prevent the tongue from moving it is held by some sort of a clamp. This prevents the needle from hitting a blood vessel or causing damage to a nerve by going through the wrong part. Usually a thick needle is then stuck into the tongue without the use of any anesthetic. The reason that no anesthetic is used is because the piercers are not licensed medical professionals and are not allowed to use it. A long barbell that is about 18 millimeters long is then inserted into the hole that is made in the tongue. Using a short barbell is avoided because it can get trapped inside the tongue if its swells around it. The initial 18 mm barbell is usually replaced with a shorter one if the tongue piercing does not get infected.

Running the Risks

While many people today find it attractive to get their tongue pierced, there are several health related risks involved in getting the tongue pierced, which include:

· Damage to teeth: Coming into contact with a tongue piercing can chip or crack the teeth ultimately causing the need for more extensive and expensive dental treatment

· Problems with eating: The presence of tongue jewelry makes it difficult for people to eat properly and digest their food properly

· Loss of sense of taste: Those who get their tongues pierced even end up losing some of their sense of taste.

· Problems speaking: A piercing in the tongue also makes it hard for people to speak and may make it hard for you to be understood

· Additionally, the gingival tissue can get injured, scar tissue can be formed and salivation can be increased because of the tongue piercing.

A tongue piercing can even cause life threatening adverse effects such as:

· Infections: The risk of infections is increased because of the bacteria present in the mouth and the fact it can stick to the piercing.

· Transmission of diseases: The transmission of organisms such as Hepatitis B, C, the herpes simplex virus, HIV, poses a potential life threatening risk factor when getting the tongue pierced.

· Airway obstruction: Severe swelling of the tongue can block the airway and make it difficult to breathe.

While you may think a tongue or lip piercing makes you cool, it doesn’t. It can also affect you for the rest of your life!

Check out our website @ http://www.LevineDental.com for more information or to schedule a consultation about your smile.

Christmas in July?

Well, probably not in the traditional sense of the expression-

Planning ahead is vital to keep appointment times that are most convenient for you and your family. If you need to bring the kids in before school is back in session, call as soon as possible. If you know when Winter Break is scheduled for the coming school year, you may want to book those cleaning appointments now. If you’ve got college bound folks at home, you may want to get them in before they leave for school or before mid-terms or finals for the fall semester. These are popular times for many families, and they tend to book up very quickly.

If you’re planning summer vacation trips, but haven’t yet looked to see if your appointment needs to be moved, we just ask that you check the dates. The more advanced notice we have, the better we can fill the spot with another eager patient. This helps to keep our costs in check, and to offer the best possible service to our family of patients. Have a safe and joyful summer!

I've seen that before, but what is that?

It's called a QR code

A quick response code (QR) is a code that has become increasingly popular within our smartphone-equipped lives. I’ve even seen QR codes on television commercials, where the voice on tv asks you to pause the program, get out your smartphone, and scan the code on the screen! Did we ever think that we’d be scanning our tv screens with our smart-phones?

So what does it do? QR codes are an easy way for any smart phone with a camera equipped to more quickly access information to a URL, or a website as we more commonly call them. It’s a faster way than typing in a website’s address in the navigation bar on our screen, and it’s easier to do, especially on a smaller screen like on a smart phone.

I don’t know if you’ve had the same experience with QR codes as I have had lately, but I do find them to be a nice shortcut to information. For instance, the other day, my wife and I were buying some plants. We’re not exactly green-thumb people, but we try to have a pleasant outdoor landscape. We were having difficulty remembering what the folks at the store told us about planting, fertilizing, etc. Luckily, there was a QR code on the tag of the plant. After we decided where to put them in our yard, I scanned the tag with my iPhone, and got the information we were looking for in seconds.

So why should the dentist be any different? Got a question about your filling? Need to join our mailing list? Or do you just want to know what is going on at the office while you’re browsing facebook? We’ve got a code for that. Give it a scan (even on your computer monitor) and see where it takes you.

We also have profiles on many different social media website online. You can find Levine Dental on facebook, twitter, YouTube, and LinkedIn. Join your favorite dentist online and stay connected. Don’t know what these all are? That’s ok. Ask Matt at your next visit.

We’ve also decided to run a contest here at the office as well. Each quarter, we will randomly select one individual from our facebook fans, who has “liked” us. One lucky person will win a $100 gift certificate to a Milwaukee restaurant. These contests will be announced on our facebook page, and the winners will be notified directly.

Remember, for this contest, you don’t need a smartphone. You do need a facebook account and a computer (or access to a computer). You can go directly to our facebook page here and like us from there, or scan the code to the left here, and click the like button.

For more questions, concerns, details, or comments, please contact Matt directly at matt@levinedental.com or at our phone number 414 355 0213.

It's Just a Cleaning!

But in fact, it's never just a cleaning. It's much more important than that.

When you’re scheduled for your regular 6-month visits, do you really know everything that happens? Do you know why x-rays are taken each time? Do you know if and when your last oral-cancer-screening was done? Many people don’t have answers to most of these questions. Let us shed some light on the situation and explain a bit more in detail what really goes on here at each visit.

We ask if you’re taking any new medications, as many medications can cause dry-mouth. This drier environment helps plaque to flourish and harden quicker, causing tartar to build up faster, and cause inflammation of the gum tissues. When the gums recede, the amount of bone also recedes. This bone tissue is what holds the teeth in their sockets and firmly in your mouth. Bone loss is the most common reason people lose their teeth.

Radiographs, or x-rays, are taken each visit, so your dentist can monitor closely for any changes in bone level, areas of decay, or other discrepancies that are not visible to the naked eye. X-rays can also show the doctor signs of fracture, abscess, or inflammation of the ligament that could potentially lead to more complex and expensive procedures.

We also have a rinse and light product available that will detect abnormalities in the soft tissues of your mouth. The product is called Visilite Plus, and it is an FDA approved oral cancer screening tool. These abnormalities, if found, could lead a biopsies, and if unchecked, potentially cancerous growth. The importance of early detection cannot be emphasized enough for any signs of oral cancer. The success rates for treatment in early detection are much higher than if prolonged or undetected.

The most important reason to keep your regular visits up, is of course to have the plaque and calculus (or tartar) removed from your teeth and gums. As stated above, bone loss is the greatest reason for tooth loss after the age of 20. Keeping these visits regularly minimize buildup, and bone loss, allowing you to smile with confidence for years and years to come.

for more information or to contact our office to schedule an appointment, log on to our website at LevineDental.com.