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.

 

Benefits of Waterlase Technology

If you are avoiding the dentist because you fear the sound of the drilling needle, fear no more, at Lehigh Valley Smiles, we utilize Waterlase Technology. The Waterlase is a revolutionary device that uses hydrokinetic technology to cut teeth, bone and gum tissue with fewer traumas while providing benefits such as fewer shots and less anesthesia as well as overall improved patient comfort.

The Waterlase is extremely versatile and can be used for a wide range of hard and soft tissue procedures. The Waterlase produces a laser beam that energizes an exact stream of water that, when directed at a tooth, is able to remove tooth enamel decay (the hardest substance in the body), bone and gum tissue precisely while leaving surrounding areas unaffected. Since cutting both hard and soft tissues with the Waterlase does not generate heat, vibration or pressure, many dental procedures can be performed nearly pain-free with fewer shots, less need for anesthesia, less use of the drill, and fewer numb lips.

If you wish to learn more about Waterlase technology, please give us a call. To learn more about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.lehighvalleysmiles.net for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Dilsaver at Lehigh Valley Smiles in Easton, PA, call 610-252-7414.

Athletes and Mouth Guards

Mouth guard use has been shown to reduce the risk of sport-related dental injuries. Imagine playing a sport that you love and suddenly your teeth get knocked out. Smiling, talking and eating would be difficult and it will probably take you some time to recover. When it comes to protecting your mouth, a mouth guard is an essential piece of athletic gear that should be part of your standard from an early age. Fortunately, Dr. Alan Dilsaver, DDS, FAGD at Lehigh Valley Smiles can provide patients of all ages with custom-fitted mouth guards for proper protection.

Custom mouth guards are made from exact and precise models of an individual’s own teeth. They are also made of resilient and tear-resistant materials ensuring a proper fit. A properly fitted mouth guard absolutely must be protective, comfortable, resilient, tear resistant, odorless, tasteless, and allow room for you to breathe. Because our custom-fitted mouth guards are made for your mouth and your mouth only, they are more reliable than over-the-counter mouth guards.

If you think you may benefit from a mouth guard, please give us a call. To learn about the services and technology we provide at our practice, visit www.lehighvalleysmiles.net for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Alan Dilsaver, DDS, FAGD in Easton, PA, call 610-252-7414.

CEREC Technology

One of the latest dental technology tools to appear on the dentistry scene is CEREC. The CEREC machine is a special computer that acts as a dental restoration tool, allowing Dr. Alan Dilsaver, DDS, FAGD to restore decayed teeth, place dental crowns, remove defective amalgam dental fillings, or place porcelain dental veneers in just one appointment. A CEREC procedure requires less time, less drilling, and fewer injections too.

A typical CEREC procedure goes something like this. First, there will be an exam and preparation before your dental service. Dr. Alan Dilsaver, DDS, FAGD will examine your teeth, decide on the preparation method and start removing your tooth decay. Then, an optical impression of the prepared tooth is taken. Finally, Dr. Alan Dilsaver, DDS, FAGD will use the CEREC machine to design and create your tooth filling, dental crown, or veneers, right in the office! CEREC is the unique CAD/CAM system for patient individual all-ceramic restorations in one single appointment.

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

Banish Bad Breath

Bad breath, also called halitosis, can be embarrassing and in some cases may even cause anxiety. It’s no wonder you may stock up on mints, gum, and other products designed to fight bad breath. But many of these products are only a temporary solution to the problem. In many cases, you can improve bad breath with proper dental hygiene. However, it’s important to schedule professional cleanings and regular dental checkups at Lehigh Valley Smiles twice a year.

If you don’t brush and floss your teeth daily, food particles can remain in your mouth, promoting bacterial growth between teeth, around the gums, and on the tongue. This causes bad breath. Bad breath odors vary, depending on the source or the underlying cause. Persistent bad breath or a bad taste in the mouth may be a warning sign of gum disease. If you have bad breath, review your oral hygiene habits. If your bad breath persists after making changes, visit us as soon as possible.

If you are embarrassed by bad breath, please give us a call. To learn about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.lehighvalleysmiles.net for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Alan Dilsaver, DDS, FAGD in Easton, PA, call 610-252-7414.

Soft Food Diet for TMJ Relief

If you suffer from a TMJ disorder, you may notice a clicking or a popping in your jaw when you try to eat your favorite foods. This is because symptoms of TMJ disorder can include jaw discomfort and tenderness or pain when opening or closing the mouth. At Lehigh Valley Smiles, Dr. Alan Dilsaver, DDS, FAGD doesn’t want you to live on a soft diet, but incorporating soft foods into your diet may alleviate your discomfort.

Soft foods give your jaw and temporomandibular joints the opportunity to rest and heal. Some excellent (and healthy) foods to eat include cooked vegetables and fruits, cottage cheese, mashed potatoes, scrambled eggs, smoothies, soup, and yogurt. If you must eat food that requires a heavy amount of chewing, we recommended chopping it up into small pieces. If you have a sweet tooth, soft cakes, cobblers and cheesecake are good things to choose from.

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

Basics of Bruxism

Grinding of your teeth, also known as bruxism can have a variety of causes. Some experts view bruxism as nothing more than a habit. It can also be a result of the body’s reaction when the teeth do not line up or come together properly (malocclusion). If you experience signs and symptoms of bruxism, Dr. Alan Dilsaver, DDS, FAGD at Lehigh Valley Smiles can provide you with an individualized treatment plan.

When diagnosing bruxism, Dr. Dilsaver may ask about your general dental health, what sources of stress you have in your life, and what medicines you take. Second, he will examine you, paying special attention to the muscles in and around your jaw. Finally, Dr. Dilsaver will look at your teeth for evidence of grinding. During this examination, he may also check for tenderness in your jaw muscles and joint.

If you notice yourself grinding or clenching your teeth, please give us a call to discuss your treatment options. To learn about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.lehighvalleysmiles.net for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Alan Dilsaver, DDS, FAGD in Easton, PA, call 610-252-7414.

Hidden Health Dangers of Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea literally means, “Without breath during sleep.” Clinically, this means that patients are actually stopping their breathing pattern periodically through the night. These episodes are brief, but can take a toll on a person’s overall physical health. No one wants to stop breathing and no one wants to lose sleep. If you suspect you have sleep apnea, Dr. Alan Dilsaver, DDS, FAGD will recommend non-surgical therapies to give you an improved quality of life.

Not only do breathing disruptions interfere with sleep, leaving you unusually tired the next day, they also promote poor health and chronic disease by reducing the amount of oxygen in your blood. This can impair the function of internal organs and/or exacerbate other health conditions you may have. Additionally, sleep apnea can dramatically weaken your immune systems, impair your mental and physical performance, as well as promote diabetes, gout, and heart disease.

If you or a loved one suffers from sleep apnea, please give us a call to discuss your treatment options. To learn about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.lehighvalleysmiles.net for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Alan Dilsaver, DDS, FAGD in Easton, PA, call 610-252-7414.

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. 

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.