Acid Reflux

People are taught as children that prolonged exposure to sugar puts them at risk of tooth decay, and that’s true. But we want patients at Lehigh Vally Smiles to know adults have another major source of enamel erosion to watch out for: acid reflux. Also known as gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD, acid reflux causes a number of health problems, but dentists will often be the first of the patient’s doctors to identify it.

Acid reflux describes when hydrochloric acid from the stomach escapes into the esophagus. If it gets as far as the mouth, it can damage the gums and mouth lining, as well as the teeth. The tooth erosion associated with acid reflux is painful and leaves the teeth discolored, and the damage to the gums leaves the teeth weak.

Enamel cannot be regrown once lost, but it can be replaced with methods such as fillings, bonding, and partial crowns. It can also be strengthened through fluoride treatments. Some strategies for reducing acid reflux include reducing intake of fatty foods, alcohol, tomatoes, and citrus juice, keeping a straighter posture, and not eating large meals before bed.

Alan Dilsaver, DDS, FAGD, operates Lehigh Valley Smiles at 2601 Nazareth Road, Easton, Pennsylvania, 18045. To schedule an appointment, call 610-252-7414 or visit LehighValleySmiles.net and fill out a contact sheet.

 

What is an Infected Root Tip?

Infections at the tips of tooth roots, known scientifically as periapical abscesses, have been in the news recently after a study found a link between them and heart disease. We’ve long believed at Lehigh Valley Dental that oral health is crucial to overall health and we want our patients to be aware of how dangerous a tooth infection can be.

Pus is liquid comprised of bacteria and dead tissue. An abscess is what a pocket of pus at the site of an infection is called. When present at the tip of a tooth root, an abscess is the result of bacteria entering the tooth’s inner pulp. They may have gotten in through a carry caused by slowly progressing tooth decay or a traumatic injury. When limited to the tooth, an infection can cause pain, swelling, and a persistent bad taste. But when it spreads, it can cause a blood infection and deadly sepsis. The root tip infections linked to heart disease had not presented any symptoms.

The best way to prevent a periapical abscess is by maintaining regular oral hygiene. However, because one can occur without symptoms, it is important to regularly get x-rays done at a dental office. If an abscess does develop, it may require draining or root canal treatment.

Alan Dilsaver, DDS, FAGD, operates Lehigh Valley Smiles at 2601 Nazareth Road, Easton, Pennsylvania, 18045. To schedule an appointment, call 610-252-7414 or visit LehighValleySmiles.net and fill out a contact sheet.

 

Invisalign vs Braces

Straight teeth are something so many of us desire; however, many patients will decide not to go through with it because of the thought of braces. Fortunately, here at Lehigh Valley Smiles in Easton, PA, you do not have to wear traditional metal braces. We offer Invisalign as a convenient and nearly invisible alternative.

Invisalign works well for many of our patients and it has several possible advantages over braces:

 

Eating What You Like

With braces, you need to watch what you eat so that you do not damage or pop off the brackets. With Invisalign, you take the aligners out to eat so you can continue to eat whatever you like!

 

Easier Hygiene

With braces, you will have to buy an interdental cleaner brush and floss threaders. With Invisalign, you can brush and floss normally because you take out your aligners to do so!

 

Invisibility

Probably the biggest benefit to choosing Invisalign over metal braces is that there is no “metal mouth” look. The aligners are nearly invisible, so no one can even tell you are straightening your teeth!

 

Straightening your teeth gives you a beautifully straightened smile in the end, so why sacrifice your smile for years with metal braces? To set up your Invisalign consultation, call Lehigh Valley Smiles of Easton, PA at (610) 252-7414 or visit our website, www.lehighvalleysmiles.net. 

Exercises to Help Treat TMJ Pain

Pain in your jaw can make eating, talking, and even smiling difficult. When our patients are suffering from TMJ dysfunction, we have treatments that can help here at Lehigh Valley Smiles in Easton, PA. There are also some lifestyle changes you can make like doing jaw exercises to help with pain and stiffness.

There are several exercises that can help relax your jaw, relieve pain, and allow you more range of motion. There are a few of them listed here. Remember that these exercises are supposed to help, so if they make the pain or stiffness worse, do not continue doing them.

• For a tight jaw, the exercise can help. Close your mouth and place your hand on the right side of your mouth. Gently and slowly push your lower jaw into your hand. Do this a few times on each side.


• To help relax your jaw, use this smiling exercise. Smile as wide as you can with your mouth open about two inches. Hold this smile for a few deep breaths and then relax. Do this exercise several times until you feel your jaw and facial muscles relax.


• TMJ dysfunction can be especially frustrating when you cannot open your mouth very far. To improve your jaw’s range of motion, gently open your mouth as far as you can without pain a few times in the morning and a few times at night. After doing this every day you will begin to notice you can open your mouth wider and wider little by little.

TMJ pain and stiffness may cause some frustration in your life but fortunately, there are ways to treat it. To schedule an appointment with Lehigh Valley Smiles in Easton, PA, call our office at (610) 252-7414 or visit our website, www.lehighvalleysmiles.net. 

Gum Disease: Causes and Treatments

Gum disease can be painful, irritating, and frustrating. It can also affect your overall health and wellness. Here at Lehigh Valley Smiles in Easton, PA we are dedicated to helping patients understand how gum disease happens so they can prevent it.

Gum disease occurs when plaque and tartar build-up irritates gums. The infected gums will begin to recede, if not treated. The receded gums expose the tooth’s root and create a deep gum pocket. This pocket collects bacteria and allows it to reach down deep by the roots of teeth.  This is a problem because it can cause decay of the tooth below the gum line and it perpetuates the gum disease. In order to remove the bacteria, a scaling and planing procedure is needed. We use a tool to remove plaque, tartar, and rough spots on the tooth where bacteria can hide. After gum disease is cleared up, a surgical process is often needed to repair the receded gums and deep pockets.

To keep plaque and tartar from irritating the gums, brush your teeth two to three times per day. Flossing every day is also important to remove plaque from between teeth. Make sure to brush in circular motions to hit the gum line well. To schedule your professional cleaning with Lehigh Valley Smiles of Easton, PA, call our office at   (610) 252-7414 or visit our website, www.lehighvalleysmiles.net. 

Implants for Permanent Tooth Replacement

Missing teeth means you bite differently, chew differently, and maybe even talk differently. There are several replacement options out there but only dental implants have the ability to last a lifetime. This is why we offer dental implants here at Lehigh Valley Smiles in Easton, PA.

Implants are permanently placed in your mouth. The titanium implant post is placed into the bone socket, where it will bond with the jawbone. The bonding process will take a few months, so you will wear a temporary crown during this time. When the customized crown is ready, an abutment is attached to the implant post. The permanent crown is then cemented into place for a lifetime.

Dental implants are a great option because they don’t require healthy teeth to be reduced to place them. Being a single tooth replacement, brushing and flossing are made easier, so oral health is easier to maintain. With a good oral hygiene routine, implants can last a lifetime.

To find out about implants, a permanent tooth replacement solution, contact Lehigh Valley Smiles. Our Easton, PA office can be contacted by calling us at  (610) 252-7414 or by visiting our website, www.lehighvalleysmiles.net. 

TMJ Pain and What We Can Do

TMJ pain can affect how you eat, what you eat, and it can affect many of your daily activities. At Lehigh Valley Smiles in Easton, PA, we have recognized many of our patients’ TMJ issues and work with them to relieve the symptoms and pain.

TMJ pain is often referred to as TMD (temporomandibular joint dysfunction). A cause of TMD is not exactly pinpointed; however, there are certain things that can trigger pain. Common symptoms of TMD include a swollen and painful jaw joint, sore jaw and facial muscles, clicking in the jaw, difficulty chewing, ear pain, headaches, and the locking of your jaw. The jaw is responsible for so much including eating, talking, smiling, laughing, and showing emotion. This is part of why TMD is such a frustrating condition to live with.

Fortunately, here in our Easton, PA dental practice we are trained in recognizing TMD and can offer our patients relief. Through guidance, pain relief tips, and possibly a night guard, we can make sure TMD isn’t a daily interrupter.

If you are suffering with jaw pain, make sure to schedule an appointment with us. To schedule at Lehigh Valley Smiles in Easton, PA, call us at (610) 252-7414 or visit our website, www.lehighvalleysmiles.net. 

Traditional Braces for a Healthy, Beautiful Smile

A straight smile is not only beautiful, but it’s also healthier! At Lehigh Valley Smiles, we want to be sure we offer several options for straightening teeth so all of our patients can find a solution that works best for them. One of the orthodontic options we offer here in our Easton, PA dental office is traditional braces.

Traditional braces have been around for a long time and it is because of their effectiveness. Today’s braces are strong and sleek, offering faster moving of teeth than before. They also stay durable and effective for years. For those who would like to add a bit of flair to their braces, we are able to use different colored bands!

Straight teeth contribute to a healthier mouth. This is because when teeth are in their proper positions, they can function optimally, they are able to be cleaned easier, and they do not pose as a risk for injury to other teeth.

Traditional braces work by attaching brackets to each tooth with a wire that connects them all together. Through a carefully directed plan, the wires will shift the teeth until they are in their correct positions. The average length of time braces are worn for teens is about two years. For adults, it is about one year. Every patient is different, so each patient will need a different length of time.

Whether you want to straighten your teeth for cosmetic reasons or health reasons, traditional braces are a long-standing option we offer. To schedule your consultation with Lehigh Valley Smiles in Easton, PA, call our office at (610) 252-7414 or visit our website, www.lehighvalleysmiles.net. 

Dental Sealants for Extra Protection

Prevention is the best protection, right? When it comes to oral health, nothing could be truer! That is why here at Lehigh Valley Smiles in Easton, PA we offer dental sealants. Sealants are extra protection for molars meant especially for kids in those cavity-prone years!

During the ages of six and fourteen, kids go through what is called the cavity-prone years. Molars have pits and grooves in them which can trap debris and create bacteria. These pits and grooves can be hard to clean out with a toothbrush, which is why cavities can become common in that location.

Dental sealants are plastic coatings that seal out bacteria and debris from the pits in the molars. They are great for children but can also be effective protection for adults who have never had a cavity or filling in their molars. Once applied, a sealant is able to last up to ten years or more!

To apply a sealant, you dentist will first clean the teeth that will be sealed. Then teeth with then be dried and an acid solution is painted onto them to roughen up the surface of the teeth. This creates a strong bond for the sealants. The teeth are rinsed and dried afterwards. The tooth-colored plastic solution is then painted onto the teeth and allowed to dry. The patient can use the teeth normally soon afterward.

If you are looking to take an extra step in protecting your teeth or your children’s teeth, dental sealants are a great choice! To schedule an appointment at Lehigh Valley Smiles in Easton, PA, call our office at (610) 252-7414 or visit our website, www.lehighvalleysmiles.net. 

Making Dental Care Fun for Kids

Dental care is essential for kids as it sets them up with good hygiene practices for the rest of their life. If you are struggling with getting your child to take an interest in their dental care, take some of these tips. At Lehigh Valley Smiles in Easton, PA, we want to be sure all of our patients are getting the most out of their dental care.

The first thing that can get kids interested in their dental health is letting them pick out their own dental supplies. Let them pick a toothpaste flavor that they enjoy. There are plenty of kid-friendly flavors out on the market for both toothpaste and floss! Then let them pick a toothbrush that they will be excited to use. Bright colors and cartoon characters are all over the kids’ toothbrush section! They may even enjoy a toothbrush that has a singing timer. This is also great because it gets them brushing for a full two minutes!

Another way to entice kids into taking good dental care is to brush your own teeth with them. For little kids, this helps them see what they should do. Make sure to floss in front of them, as well! Chore charts help for those who need a little extra nudge in the right direction. These can be simple; such as brushing twice per day and flossing once per day for so many days in a row gets your child a trip to the park or their favorite dinner cooked.

Kids’ dental care is important because they will grow up to take excellent care of their teeth. In addition, baby teeth are the place markers for their future adult teeth! To schedule your child’s cleaning and examination, call Lehigh Valley Smiles in Easton, PA at (610) 252-7414 or visit our website, www.lehighvalleysmiles.net. 

Gum Grafting in Easton, PA

For gums that have receded due to disease, a gum graft may be required for proper tooth stabilization and also for comfort. Dr. Alan Dilsaver, DDS, FAGD of Lehigh Valley Smiles is skilled and trained in performing gum grafts right here in our Easton, PA dental practice.

Gum grafts replace gums that have pulled back and receded, leaving tooth root exposed. The exposed roots are sensitive, are not aesthetically attractive, and can cause the tooth to become loose. A gum graft is a surgical procedure that takes tissue from the roof of the mouth and moves it down to cover the exposed tooth.

Tissue from the roof of the mouth is cut and moved down to the gum line. The tissue is stitched into place to cover the exposed tooth. The gums will take a week or two to heal. During this time it is recommended to eat soft, cool foods. You should not brush the gum line that was repaired until it has healed. Take any pain medication and antibiotics as prescribed by Dr. Dilsaver.

If you are in need of a gum graft, trust the expertise of Dr. Alan Dilsaver, DDS, FAGD of Lehigh Valley Smiles. To schedule an appointment in our Easton, PA dental office, call us at (610) 252-7414 or visit our website, www.lehighvalleysmiles.net. 

Clear Braces for Discreet Teeth Straightening

Braces are wonderful devices to create healthy, straight teeth. The end result is worth it, however sometimes wearing braces is not the most attractive procedure to go through. This is the reason why Dr. Alan Dilsaver, DDS, FAGD of Lehigh Valley Smiles in Easton, PA offers clear ceramic braces to his patients wanting a discreet straightening process.

Ceramic braces are made of translucent brackets and a tooth-colored wire that blends into your teeth so they are not nearly as noticeable as the traditional metal braces. With modern advancements, the ceramic braces are also stain resistant, so with good care, the brackets will remain good looking for the duration of your straightening process. Both teens and adults are able to take advantage of clear ceramic braces.

The process for applying ceramic braces is the same as traditional braces. The brackets are attached to the front of each tooth and a wire is placed that will be periodically changed out. The wire applies continuous pressure on the teeth causing them to gradually shift. The duration of time the braces are worn for depend on each patient’s condition, but the longest time is typically two years.

If you are looking for a more attractive way to straighten your teeth, clear ceramic braces may be the option for you. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Alan Dilsaver, DDS, FAGD of Lehigh Valley Smiles, call us at (610) 252-7414 or visit our website, www.lehighvalleysmiles.net. 

Post-Op Care

Having oral surgery is usually a necessary step for keeping a healthy mouth. After the surgery, keeping the area clean and able to heal is just as important. As a reminder for his patients undergoing oral surgery soon, Dr. Alan Dilsaver, DDS, FAGD of Lehigh Valley Smiles here in Easton, PA wants to point out the important aspects of post-op care.

Keeping a clean and safe mouth post-op will ensure a smooth healing and will help avoid infection. Prolonged healing can cause infection, and infection can cause prolonged healing, so it is important to keep the area clean and protected.

To minimize bleeding, do not lie flat or drink through a straw for the first day. After that, if you still notice bleeding, continue to avoid these activities. Strenuous activity, include vigorous rinsing should also be avoided.

When brushing and flossing, avoid the site of surgery and be careful. It is still important to clean your mouth of bacteria, but you do not want to irritate the area or cause more bleeding.

Soft foods are recommended until healing has progressed. Also be sure to drink plenty of water, but again, not through a straw. Tobacco use should be avoided. Smoking and other forms of tobacco could lead to infection and prolong healing.

For more information about how to care for your mouth post-op, call Lehigh Valley Smiles of Easton, PA at (610) 252-7414 or visit our website, www.lehighvalleysmiles.net. 

Options for Tooth Replacement in Easton, PA

When a tooth is lost, it can cause problems in the mouth. Dr. Alan Dilsaver, DDS, FAGD of Lehigh Valley Smiles in Easton, PA offers multiple options for tooth replacement, so our patients can find the right option for their situation and lifestyle.

When an empty space is left, the teeth in the area begin to shift towards that space. This can create problems with biting and chewing, can create an area where bacteria will build up, and can cause the jawbone to degenerate. It is important to the health of the jaw, gums, and other teeth to replace the missing tooth.

Bridges are an option here at Lehigh Valley Smiles. Dr. Dilsaver applies a bridge by placing crowns on the adjacent teeth to the open space, and attaching a replacement tooth in the middle. This is a popular and durable option. With good care, bridges can last over ten years.

Dental implants, available in both traditional and mini, are a permanent option for replacement. They are customized for your specific situation and with good care, they can last a lifetime.

Dentures are available in full and partial options. Partial dentures fill in the spaces where there are teeth missing, like a bridge, but removable. Full dentures are a complete set of teeth and are available immediately or conventionally.

To find out what the best option for replacement is for you, schedule a consultation with Dr. Alan Dilsaver, DDS, FAGD of Lehigh Valley Smiles here in Easton, PA. Call us at (610) 252-7414 or visit our website, www.lehighvalleysmiles.net. 

Periodontal Splinting

When a tooth is loose, it can cause difficulties and may eventually lead to the tooth falling out. Dr. Alan Dilsaver, DDS, FAGD of Lehigh Valley Smiles here in Easton, PA performs periodontal splinting to help stabilize loose teeth and prevent the loss of them.

Loose teeth can cause issues when biting and chewing. They can cause pain and injure the gums. Eventually, not stabilizing them could cause them to fall out. There are a variety of reasons to why teeth may become loose. It could be caused from injury, gum disease, orthodontic treatment like braces, or from the pressure of other teeth, like when a new tooth is growing in or a tooth is shifting.

Periodontal splinting can be performed in two ways. Extra-coronal splinting uses a stabilizing wire or ribbon. The device is bonded onto the backs of the teeth. Intra-coronal splinting is applied by inserting a metal splint into a small channel within the teeth. The splint is bonded into place. This method is less noticeable. Both of these methods stabilize the loose tooth or teeth by connecting them to stable teeth.

If you are experiencing loose teeth, do not suffer anymore. Schedule a consultation with Dr. Alan Dilsaver, DDS, FAGD of Lehigh Valley Smiles. To schedule in our Easton, PA dental office, call us at (610) 252-7414 or visit our website, www.lehighvalleysmiles.net. 

Manual Toothbrush Vs. Powered Toothbrush

There has been a lot of debate over powered and manual toothbrushes. Our patients want to know which is better to use. This is why here at Lehigh Valley Smiles, Dr. Alan Dilsaver, DDS, FAGD provides information about both brushes to his patients of the Easton, PA area.

Since powered toothbrushes have come along, there has been debate about whether they offer a deeper clean than manual toothbrushes, since they cost more and add thousands more strokes. The truth is that getting a good tooth brushing is more about the technique than it is about the toothbrush.

Though powered toothbrushes rotate at a high speed, only the more expensive, sonic brushes have been shown to result in less plaque and less bouts of gingivitis. This is also a debated idea as some think this may be because those who invest more in healthcare products are usually the best at keeping good hygiene routines.

The certain advantage that regular and sonic toothbrushes have over manual toothbrushes is that they do all of the work. For those who have trouble using their hands, like those with arthritis, a powered toothbrush makes it easier to get a proper cleaning.

So in the end, the manual toothbrush can do just as good of a job of brushing teeth than a powered toothbrush, but depending on your comfort level, a powered toothbrush may make it easier to get a complete cleaning. To schedule your regular dental cleaning with Dr. Dilsaver, calls us at (610) 252-7414 or visit our Lehigh Valley Smiles website, www.lehighvalleysmiles.net. 

Tips for Brushing Your Teeth

Most people have been brushing their teeth since they were very small. But do you know if you are brushing them effectively? Dr. Alan Dilsaver, DDS, FAGD of Lehigh Valley Smiles here in Easton, PA wants to offer tips and tricks for getting a healthy, clean brushing.

The first thing you need to know is the type of toothbrush that is best. A soft bristled brush is good for removing plaque and a small brush head makes it easier to access those hard-to-reach places. As for electric or manual, in most cases, the outcome is the same. But electric brushes make it a little easier for those who cannot use their hands well. A toothbrush should be replaced every three to four months or sooner if it starts to fray. It also should be replaced after recovering from sickness.

Brushing your teeth twice a day is recommended. Two minutes each time will be a good amount of time to really do a good job. A good way to break up the time is to space four sections of teeth at thirty seconds each. Make sure to brush the outside, inside, and chewing surfaces of the teeth. Use short strokes.

Regular visits to your dentist are part of good oral hygiene, as well! To schedule an appointment with Dr. Dilsaver, call us at Lehigh Valley Smiles at (610) 252-7414 or visit our website, www.lehighvalleysmiles.net. 

Apicoectomy for When Root Canals Do Not Work

Infected teeth are irritating and painful. Having a root canal often can solve the problem, but when it doesn’t, it can be even more frustrating. When root canals and retreatment fails, this is when Dr. Dilsaver, DDS, FAGD decides to perform an apicoectomy. This surgical procedure is successful in relieving the pain of an infected tooth, restoring health, and often save a tooth from being extracted.

An apicoectomy involves removing the tip of the tooth root, cleaning, and sealing the area. First, Dr. Dilsaver will make incisions to reveal the tooth root. The infected tissue is removed, along with a few millimeters of the tooth’s root. Dr. Dilsaver will clean the area and seal the end of the tooth root. The gums are stitched together. Within a few months, the bone will heal around the end of the root. This procedure has a high success rate.

If you have had one or more root canal therapy treatments, and still experience pain and sensitivity to a tooth, it may be time to think about an apicoectomy. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Alan Dilsaver, DDS, FAGD of Lehigh Valley Smiles in our Easton, PA location, call (610) 252-7414 or visit our website, www.lehighvalleysmiles.net. 

Dr. Alan Dilsaver and Mini Implants

Dental implants are a great way to replace missing teeth and are an option available for one or multiple missing teeth. There are two types of implants offered here at Lehigh Valley Smiles: traditional and mini implants.

Mini implants use the same basic procedure as regular implants, but are smaller and the process takes significantly less time. Our patients don’t need as much bone density for implanting them since the titanium metal post is about half the size of regular implants. They also don’t need to wait the three months for the bone to heal before completing the procedure.

Here are the steps our patients go through when getting mini dental implants at our dental office:

1. Patients first get x-rays to determine if there is enough jawbone for the implant.

2. A crown abutment is fabricated prior to beginning the process .

3. The patients is administered anesthesia and our dentist makes a small incision in the gum to reach the jawbone.

4. The small titanium post is installed directly into the jawbone.

5. Once the post is in place, the crown is screwed on top of the post.

Mini implants are done in about 2-3 weeks, as opposed to 3-6 months for regular implants. They cost less, are completed easier and have a simpler recovery process.

To learn more about mini dental implants, visit dentist Dr. Alan Dilsaver in Easton, PA. For more information, visit www.lehighvalleysmiles.net.

Mini Implants

Dental implants are a great way to replace missing teeth and are an option available for one or multiple missing teeth. There are two types of implants offered here at Lehigh Valley Smiles: traditional and mini implants.

Mini implants use the same basic procedure as regular implants, but are smaller and the process takes significantly less time. Our patients don’t need as much bone density for implanting them since the titanium metal post is about half the size of regular implants. They also don’t need to wait the three months for the bone to heal before completing the procedure.

Here are the steps our patients go through when getting mini dental implants at our dental office:

1. Patients first get x-rays to determine if there is enough jawbone for the implant.
2. A crown abutment is fabricated prior to beginning the process .
3. The patients is administered anesthesia and our dentist makes a small incision in the gum to reach the jawbone.
4. The small titanium post is installed directly into the jawbone.
5. Once the post is in place, the crown is screwed on top of the post.
Mini implants are done in about 2-3 weeks, as opposed to 3-6 months for regular implants. They cost less, are completed easier and have a simpler recovery process.

To learn more about mini dental implants, visit dentist Dr. Alan Dilsaver in Easton, PA.