Don’t Let Plaque Pester You

At Lehigh Valley Smiles, we encourage our patients to schedule regular dental checkups to inspire the ultimate tooth health. Even if you brush your teeth three times a day and floss on a regular basis, you still have bacteria in your mouth. This bacteria mixes with proteins and food byproducts to form a sticky film called dental plaque. When plaque builds up and isn’t promptly removed, it can lead to cavities. However, if you remove plaque regularly, you can prevent permanent tooth decay.

Plaque is a sticky, colorless film of bacteria that constantly forms on our teeth and along the gum line. It also contains bacteria that cause cavities and gum disease. Everyone develops plaque because bacteria are constantly forming in our mouths, but it’s easy to prevent plaque buildup with proper care. Be sure to brush thoroughly at least twice a day to remove plaque from all surfaces of your teeth and floss daily to remove plaque in between your gums where the toothbrush may not reach. In addition, limit sugary or starchy foods, and don’t forget to schedule a professional cleaning!

If plaque buildup has you down, please give us a call. To learn more about the services we provide at Lehigh Valley Smiles, visit our website www.lehighvalleysmiles.net for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Alan Dilsaver, DDS, FAGD in Easton, PA, call 610-252-7414. 

Causes and Treatment for Sensitive Teeth

Exposed areas of the tooth can cause pain and even affect or change your eating, drinking, and breathing habits if the pain becomes too severe. For example, in frigid weather, the cold air could send a shooting pain through the nerve of your tooth. An excessive consumption of acid-containing foods and beverages, such as citrus juices and fruits also put you at risk for tooth sensitivity. If these examples make you think, “Hey, that’s me!” our staff at Lehigh Valley Smiles can help.

Tooth sensitivity is caused by the movement of fluid within tiny tubes located in the dentin (the layer of tissue found beneath the hard enamel that contains the inner pulp), which results in nerve irritation. When the hard enamel is worn down or gums have receded, causing the tiny tube surfaces to be exposed, pain can be caused by eating or drinking foods or hot or cold beverages. If a tooth is highly sensitive for more than three or four days, it’s best to get a diagnostic evaluation from Dr. Alan Dilsaver to determine the extent of the problem and discuss treatment options.

If you are experiencing tooth sensitivity, give us a call. To learn more about the services we provide at Lehigh Valley Smiles, visit our website www.lehighvalleysmiles.net for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Alan Dilsaver, DDS, FAGD in Easton, PA, call 610-252-7414.

What is Xylitol?

Xylitol is a naturally occurring alcohol found in most plant material, including many fruits and vegetables and is therefore considered natural. In the dental industry, xylitol is widely used as a sugar substitute and in “sugar-free” chewing gums, mints, and other candies. As much as we love to see you at the office of Lehigh Valley Smiles, we’d like you to avoid sugar that leads to cavities. You can start by chewing sugar-free gum that possesses the American Dental Association (ADA) seal of approval.

Xylitol is added to some chewing gums and other oral care products to prevent tooth decay and dry mouth. Xylitol tastes sweet but, unlike sugar, it is not converted in the mouth to acids that cause tooth decay. Benefits of replacing sugar with xylitol include: increased absorption of calcium in the digestive system, which is good for your teeth and increased production of saliva. Saliva contains calcium and phosphate, which get picked up by the teeth and aid in remineralization. In addition, xylitol reduces the acidity of saliva, which helps to fight acid-driven degradation of tooth enamel.

If you have questions about how to maintain your oral hygiene routine, give us a call. To learn more about the services we provide at Lehigh Valley Smiles, visit our website www.lehighvalleysmiles.net for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Alan Dilsaver, DDS, FAGD in Easton, PA, call 610-252-7414.

Proper Brushing Technique

At Lehigh Valley Smiles we shouldn’t have to tell you why you need to brush your teeth, but we can provide you with tips on how to correctly brush your teeth. In case you need a refresher, brushing twice a day can potentially save you much more than a couple hundred bucks on invasive dental procedures in the future. If you skimp out on brushing your teeth, you encourage the growth of bacterial buildup in the form of plaque, which can lead to cavities and gum disease.

The next time you step in front of the sink to brush, utilize these tips:

• Place the toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to the gums.


• Move the brush back-and-forth gently in short strokes.


• Brush the outer surfaces, the inside surfaces and the chewing surfaces of all teeth.


• To clean the inside surfaces of the front teeth, tilt the brush vertically and make several up-and-down strokes.


• Brush your tongue to remove bacteria and keep your breath fresh and don’t forget to floss!

If you have questions about how to maintain your oral hygiene routine, give us a call. To learn more about the services we provide at Lehigh Valley Smiles, visit our website www.lehighvalleysmiles.net for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Alan Dilsaver, DDS, FAGD in Easton, PA, call 610-252-7414.

SIMPLANT Benefits

If you’ve ever considered dental implants, at Lehigh Valley Smiles we can provide you with the best of the best. From dental scanning and planning, to drilling and implant placement, to the ultimate smile restoration, SIMPLANT provides Dr. Alan Dilsaver with a comprehensive 3D system for accurate and predictable implant treatment, offering a successful and comfortable experience to the patient.

SIMPLANT dental planning software provides Dr. Alan Dilsaver with accurate and predictable surgery options. It enables him to assess the patient’s anatomy and see exactly how it relates to the proposed restoration. The treatment plan can then be communicated to colleagues, the dental lab and the patient who will all see exactly what the plan entails. These predictable results lead to cost efficiency and a more precise implant placement. Precise planning and implant placement enables minimal invasive treatment, as well as reduced chair time.

If you are missing teeth, give us a call to discuss your treatment options. To learn more about the services we provide at Lehigh Valley Smiles, visit our website www.lehighvalleysmiles.net for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Alan Dilsaver, DDS, FAGD in Easton, PA, call 610-252-7414.

What Is a Cavity?

You hear the word all the time, and maybe you’ve had one or two depending on how much of a sugar lover you are. But how much do you really know about cavities? Dental cavities, also known as caries, are holes in the outer layers of a tooth called the enamel and dentin. Most often, Dr. Alan Dilsaver will remove your dental cavity with a filling; however, to prevent this from happening, cavities may be prevented easily by brushing and flossing properly.

Dental cavities are common, affecting a large portion of the population. Small cavities may not cause pain, and may be unnoticed by the patient, while the larger cavities can collect food, and the inner pulp of the affected tooth can become irritated by bacterial toxins, foods that are cold, hot, sour, or sweet, causing toothache. The number of cavities can be reduced by proper nutrition, good oral hygiene, fewer snacks in between meals, the use of oral or topical fluorides and topical sealants. Professional treatment depends on how bad the cavity is.

If you are experiencing tooth sensitivity, give us a call. To learn more about the services we provide at Lehigh Valley Smiles, visit our website www.lehighvalleysmiles.net for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Alan Dilsaver, DDS, FAGD in Easton, PA, call 610-252-7414.

Diet and Dental Health

Foods that contain sugars of any kind can contribute to tooth decay; therefore the foods you eat and how frequently you eat them can affect your general health and the health of your teeth and gums. Dr. Alan Dilsaver at Lehigh Valley Smiles can’t monitor your every dietary move, but he can suggest tips to keep in mind when choosing your meals and snacks.

Almost all foods, including milk and vegetables contain some type of sugar; however, they are a necessary part of a healthy diet because many of them also contain important nutrients. The best food choices for the health of your mouth include cheeses, chicken, or other meats, nuts, and milk. These foods are thought to protect tooth enamel by providing the calcium and phosphorus needed to remineralize teeth (a natural process by which minerals are redeposited in tooth enamel after being removed by acids).

Calcium-fortified juices, milk, and other dairy products are rich in calcium and vitamin D and help promote healthy teeth and bones, reducing the risk of tooth loss. Cheese unleashes a burst of calcium that mixes with plaque and sticks to the teeth, protecting them from the acid that causes decay and helping rebuild tooth enamel on the spot.

To learn more about the services we provide at Lehigh Valley Smiles, visit our website www.lehighvalleysmiles.net for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Alan Dilsaver, DDS, FAGD in Easton, PA, call 610-252-7414.