What are teeth made of and 10 other facts you may not know about teeth

Everyone knows they should be brushing and flossing their teeth and gums daily, unfortunately that doesn’t mean they always do it. Those that really want a winning smile will opt for treatments to whiten them, and, if needed straighten them. If you want your smile to sparkle and to maintain your health, it is important to spend time caring for your teeth. But how often do you actually stop and think about what teeth are made of and why it is so important to care for them?

Here are 10 interesting facts about your teeth that you may know:

1. Our teeth are made up of four different types of tissue: pulp, dentin, enamel, and cementum. Cementum is the connective tissue that helps hold your teeth in place within your jawbone.
2. Teeth are covered in enamel, which is the hard, shiny surface that you see on the outside. Enamel is the hardest substance in the body.
3. Teeth don’t have marrow like bones, their blood supply comes from a substance called dental pulp, which also contains the nerves that cause you pain when you have a cavity or eat something cold.
4. Many people think that teeth and bones are made up of the same thing. They do have some similarities, but unlike bones, teeth cannot heal themselves or grow back together if they are broken.
5. Humans have several types of teeth including molars, canines and incisors. The Incisors help bite pieces from food; canines help hold and tear food apart and molars help grind food.
6. The tops of your teeth are called the crown, and the imprint they make is individual to each person, and can be used to identify you, just like fingerprints.
7. Children start getting teeth when they are between 4 and 7 months old. By the time they are 3, they usually have around 20 teeth.
8. Adult teeth reside underneath baby teeth, and as they become mature they begin to put pressure on the roots of the baby teeth, which dissolves them. This causes the baby teeth to fall out, leaving room for the permanent teeth. Adults usually have 32 permanent teeth by the time they reach maturity.
9. If your teeth are not properly cleaned, a mixture of bacteria and food, called plaque, can build up on them. As the bacteria feed on the sugary food build up, they produce an acid that dissolves the calcium minerals in enamel and dentine, which can eventually form a cavity.
10. If plaque is left on the tooth for a long period of time, it can harden into a chalky substance called tartar. Tartar can cause gum disease, which will eventually lead to tooth loss and can cause other health issues

Still have questions about your teeth? Our dentists, Dr. John Daugherty and Dr. Prabhidi Adhikari at Artistic Dental are experts that are always happy to answer questions! Schedule an appointment for a complimentary consultation, a checkup or cleaning, and find out more about how you can keep your smile healthy.

How affordable dentures can transform your smile

Dental implants are a great option for some people with missing or broken teeth, but they don’t work for everyone. Affordable dentures allow you to completely transform your smile even if implants aren’t an option.

Implants can be expensive and may not be fully covered by insurance plans. They also aren’t a great fit for everyone, especially people with unhealthy gums or brittle jawbones.

When people think of dentures, it often brings to mind visions of clunky, ill-fitting and obvious dental inserts. But as with many other aspects of dentistry, the technology behind dentures continues to improve greatly every year. New materials are now being used to improve the fit and provide increased comfort and a more natural look.

Wearing dentures will allow you to enjoy a wide variety of foods again, and will restore your confidence. Not only will dentures give you a bright, healthy smile, but they can also improve your appearance by adding shape and definition to your face that can make you look younger.

Quality and customization are key considerations when being fitted for dentures, as improperly fitted dentures can cause irritation, and which can lead to even more dental issues later on. If dentures fit well and are well taken care of, they can give you a beautiful, healthy smile for many years.

Come in and see us at Artistic Dental today or call (602) 840-5400 to set up a complimentary consultation to see if dentures are the right choice for you.

Everything you need to know about getting a root canal

Many patients ask us, “What is a root canal?”, concerned that it is a complicated and dangerous procedure that they may need. Getting a root canal can be daunting, however, it could save your tooth and prevent a lot of pain in the long run. A root canal is basically the process of taking out infected pulp inside the root of a tooth and cleaning the canals to prevent further infection. This infected pulp can be painful and may be caused by gum disease or something as simple as a chipped tooth or a cavity.

Root canal process

The first step of a root canal is getting an x-ray from your dentist. This will help determine whether or not the tooth is infected and where the infection is located. Local anesthetics will be applied after examining the x-ray and an opening is made in the crown of the tooth all the way down to the roots. Small tools are used to remove the infected pulp, clean the roots and reshape them. After the roots are given shape, the space is filled with a rubbery-like material called gutta-percha. The tooth is then sealed off with a cement adhesive and typically will be capped with a temporary filling. You will then come in for a second visit with the dentist in order to have a permanent crown put on and to check the tooth and gums after the procedure.

Misconceptions

A common misconception about root canal treatment is that it’s a painful process. Rest easy, the dentist will manage any pain and make sure patients are comfortable throughout the procedure. Also remember, a root canal relieves pain from a toothache. Many patients will say that they feel no pain from the procedure and that it feels similar to getting a filling. Another misconception is that root canals can make you sick or cause infection. It has been proven that a root canal is the best option to save a tooth from possible extraction and there is no evidence that a root canal will cause illness.

Additional Information

Over 40 million root canal treatments in the U.S. are performed a year, making it a fairly common procedure. Root canals are almost always successful in saving the tooth from extraction and most last a lifetime after undergoing a root canal procedure.

To prevent ever having to get a root canal it’s important to keep up with dental hygiene. This means brushing and flossing three times a day and regular visits to the dentist. It’s also important to get cavities filled, otherwise they could become abscessed and require a root canal.

The staff at Artistic Dental are experts in root canal procedures and will make sure to treat patients as they would their own family members. If you’re suffering from tooth pain, call and make an appointment for a complimentary consultation with one of our dentists at 602.840.5400.

Don’t take a “Holiday” from Oral Hygiene

The weeks between Thanksgiving and New Year’s may be the “most wonderful time of the year”, but parties and time off work don’t mean you can take a holiday from oral hygiene. Follow these simple tips to keep your smile bright and to reduce the risk of a dental emergency during the holiday season.

Schedule your sweets: Candy and cookies and cupcakes, oh my. Everyone has a favorite sweet to eat during the holidays, and nobody is suggesting you give them up completely. The trick is to be smart about when you have them. Rather than grazing on sugary treats that will sit on your teeth throughout the day, pick a time to indulge, and then plan to brush your teeth shortly afterwards.

Be aware of your beverage choices: Holiday desserts aren’t the only culprit when it comes to added sugar. Drinks like hot apple cider and eggnog can have tablespoons of sugar per serving, and red wine can stain your teeth. Make sure to rinse your mouth by drinking a glass of water after each sugary beverage, and brush as soon as you can.

Keep up your oral hygiene: Brushing and flossing regularly becomes even more important when you’re regularly enjoying sweets and treats, but crazy holiday schedules can often be a cause for missed daily brushing. Consider carrying a travel toothbrush and floss in your purse or car so you can keep your mouth clean, no matter where your celebrations may take you.

Stop stressing: The holidays can be a stressful time. Buying gifts, coordinating family schedules and planning parties can lead to tension that can cause headaches, jaw pain and even teeth grinding. Plan if possible, find ways to delegate tasks and incorporate activities like yoga into your routine to help reduce stress. If you are grinding your teeth, talk to your dentist about a night guard to prevent permanent damage.

Gift smarter: Who says stockings need to be filled with candy and chocolate? Add in fruit and sugar-free gum as healthier options, and consider a new toothbrush or fun flavored mouthwash for kids as well. An electric toothbrush also makes a great gift for adults and older children, because they are beneficial, everybody can use one, and you don’t have to worry about whether they will fit.

Visit your dentist: Many insurance plans renew for the year on January 1st, so be sure to book appointments before year-end for any cleanings or procedures you need to take full advantage of your annual benefits.

It’s never too early to think about your appointments for the coming year as well. Call Artistic Dental to schedule your next visit today!

Holiday Cooking Made Simple

We consider our patients an extension of family and as such, we love learning and sharing their many interests and talents. We recently learned that Janne Taubman is the author of two cookbooks, and with the holidays just around the corner we thought it might be nice to learn more from a resident chef, before tackling the task of cooking this year’s Thanksgiving feast. Janne’s cookbooks   offer at-home cooks some great recipes and instruction. When we spoke with Janne about her books and holiday cooking this is what she had to say:

AD: What inspired you to write a cookbook? 

When we lived in San Diego years ago, my hairstylist mentioned that she was hosting 17 of her family members from Phoenix for Thanksgiving.  I remarked that I knew that she didn’t cook much and asked if she was nervous. She replied that she had plenty of time to practice.  Thanksgiving was nine weeks away. Three weeks before Thanksgiving I was back at her salon and she said, “I know you cook a lot, can you tell me how you make mashed potatoes?”  I knew then she was in trouble!  I offered to go to her house soon and help her plan. When I arrived and looked in her pantry and found only salt, pepper and garlic salt, dinner plates for 4 and a small set of cooking pans, I knew she really needed my help.  We sat down and planned her menu, and I wrote out the recipes and a timetable. If I hadn’t, I knew she would be putting a frozen turkey in the oven.  After Thanksgiving, she thanked me and said, “I don’t know what made me think I could pull that off without help. You ought to write a cookbook for people like me.” 

For the next year, I took some notes when we entertained for holidays and parties and DinnerOn Time: Holiday and Special Occasion Cooking was born.  I immediately started working on the second book, DinnerOnTime: Serving Hot Things Hot and Cold Things Cold, was published in 2008.  Now that I’m retired, I feel a third book is on the way. 

What kind of recipes will we find in your books? 

Both cookbooks include a variety of down-home cooking recipes, many of which came from my mother who taught all eight of her children how to get a meal on the table.  The thing that sets my holiday book apart from other cookbooks is the timeline I provide with all the recipes and menu to help coordinate the preparation so that the meal comes together at the same time.  I also include a prepared shopping list to ensure that when you start cooking you are not missing an ingredient needed for the recipe.  In my second book, I have a chapter of make-ahead meals where you can spend an afternoon in the kitchen and end up with at least 10 dinners to store in the freezer.  Another chapter focuses on entertaining and includes everything from a fancy sit-down dinner to feeding a crowd for a football game. 

What are your some of your favorite dishes to cook?

It’s tough to narrow it down to a few dishes. We have been blessed to travel to Italy a number of times and I love real Italian food.  I like to experiment and try to recreate those simple dishes at home.  Steak the Italian Way, Tomatoes and Mozzarella au gratin and Onion Mushroom Risotto are a few of my favorites.

Any special plans for the Thanksgiving holiday? What will you be cooking?

I will actually use my own cookbook menu and timeline for Thanksgiving.  It really makes it easy on me to not have to think about it.  The shopping list is done and all I have to think about it what time we want to sit down to eat and look at the timeline in the book.  We will have our local family, friends and stragglers that don’t have family in town. Some years, we have as few as 8 and other years as many as 24.  We have many blessings for which to be thankful. 

If you could invite any three people in the world to dinner, who would they be?  I would be hard pressed to choose 3 because I would give anything to have my Mom and Dad and grandparents at our table again.  I always miss them, but the holidays especially shine a light on their absence from my life. 

How long have you been a patient at Artistic Dental?  My husband and I moved to Phoenix in 2004. After settling in, we looked for a dentist that was on our plan and located near work.  Dr. Dougherty’s name came up and we decided to give him a try.  We have been going to him for more than 10 years now.  He is the most progressive dentist I have known and everyone in the office is great as well. Coming to the office feels like visiting old friends now.  

Where can people purchase your cookbooks?   

People can contact me directly at jstaubman@cox.net or call me at 602-354-2910 to purchase either of my cookbooks or both. The price is $19.95 per book plus tax and shipping.

5 fun alternatives to Halloween Candy

Going trick-or-treating is a highlight of the year for most kids and, let’s be serious, many adults too. After it’s the one night of the year where you get to wear a cool creative costume and fill up on Halloween candy to your hearts content (or until Mom says, “No more.”)

Unfortunately, eating too much candy can build up plaque, which leads to cavities and other health problems. The American Heart Association recommends that children eat or drink less than 25 grams of added sugar a day. On Halloween, the average trick-or-treater takes home candy that contains more than 600 grams of sugar! That’s nearly three cups of sugar being consumed in a very short amount of time.

In a previous blog we discussed how to limit Halloween candy and other preventative measures to help maintain oral hygiene during the sweets-filled holiday season. It’s especially important to begin educating children at an early age about how much sugar is in food and the damage it can do to their teeth. Offering healthy alternatives can keep your family from reaching into the candy jar or bag, and increasing the chances for those dreaded post-Halloween cavities. To help prepare for the holiday here are five alternatives to Halloween candy:

Make fruit and veggies fun

Halloween candy doesn’t have to be the only Halloween treat that’s fun! Get creative with fruits and vegetables and watch people line up for your spooky creations. Make a veggie skeleton with carrots, celery, bell peppers and broccoli. Use the curve of the chopped bell pepper for ribs, celery for legs, broccoli for feet and a cup of ranch dip for the skeleton’s face. Try apple slices with peanut butter and mini marshmallows. Place the marshmallows in-between two apple slices to create a tasty grin. This treat can also serve as a reminder to brush your teeth after eating sweets!

Give away toys

Buying a big bag of Halloween candy for trick-or-treaters often becomes a temptation that has you sneaking several pieces for yourself. To keep the sneaking of sweets to a minimum consider giving out something other than candy this Halloween. Inexpensive options include temporary tattoos, fake bugs and glow sticks.

Host a pumpkin decorating contest

Decorating pumpkins is a fun activity for all ages and it can be a great alternative to trick-or-treating. Make it into a competition and see who can paint or carve the most creative jack-o-lantern. Offer prizes and serve your fun fruit and veggie creations for hors d'oeuvres.

Build a homemade piñata

Making a homemade piñata may sound like a lot of work but with some paper mache skills and a little paint, anyone can do it! Blow up a balloon and use it as your base of the piñata. Use paper mache mix and newspaper to cover the balloon, wait for it to dry and then pop the balloon from the bottom. You can then paint it to make a ghost, a pumpkin or anything else you can imagine. Fill the piñata with Halloween toys or confetti and get the blindfold and stick ready.!

Visit a pumpkin patch

There are pumpkin patches with a variety of outdoor activities and plenty of healthy food alternatives, like apple stands. Spend time walking through a maze or feeding animals at the petting zoo. Being outdoors in the fresh air is a great distraction from sugary Halloween temptations.

Seeking out alternatives can save your teeth from decay, while creating new family traditions. And if you do decide to indulge from time to time, don’t forget to brush your teeth after eating and visit your dentist regularly.

What is a Dental Implant?

Dental implants have been around for more than 30 years and are the standard of care when replacing a single missing tooth. Implants can also anchor dentures so they don’t move around. If you’ve thought about dental implants but you’re not sure if it’s the best option for you or you have questions about the procedure, read on.

There are many advantages to dental implants, including: 

• Improved appearance and self-confidence. Dental implants look and feel like your own teeth, and can give you back the smile you remember.
• Improved speech and effortless eating. Unlike dentures, dental implants are permanent, so you don’t need to worry about slipping or pain when speaking or chewing.
• Improved comfort. Because they become part of your mouth, implants eliminate the discomfort that can occur with removable dentures.
• Durability and convenience. Implants are very durable and will last many years. They eliminate the care and inconvenience that comes with removable dentures.

Dental implants have a success rate of up to 98 percent, depending on where in the mouth they are placed. With proper oral hygiene, implants can last a lifetime. 

Getting an implant is a simple 6-step process and usually takes 3 visits over a 4 to 6 month period.

1. Evaluation: The dentist will evaluate your teeth, answer any questions and put together a treatment plan.
2. Extraction: If you are replacing a damaged or diseased tooth with an implant, the tooth will need to be removed about two months before the implant is inserted to allow for proper healing.
3. Grafting (if necessary): To ensure success, your dentist will want to make sure you have strong bones and gums to support the implant. If you have bone loss, it may be necessary to do a bone graft to provide the right conditions for the implant to succeed.
4. Insertion of the implant: Once your jawbone is ready, the dentist can attach the implant. You will be given either local or general anesthesia. The base of the implant will be screwed into the jawbone, with a healing cap on it to allow for recovery of the gum tissue before the crown is put on. If you are getting a front tooth replaced, you may be given a retainer with a cosmetic tooth on it to disguise the gap.
5. Application of the crown: Once the implant base has healed, your dentist will remove the healing cap and attach the crown. This may be done in one or two steps, depending on the case.
6. Maintenance: It’s important to keep your teeth clean and healthy to ensure your implant lasts as long as possible. Make sure to brush regularly, floss thoroughly, and continue to do regular check ups with your dentist.

If you want to learn more about dental implants, call the Artistic Dental office at 602.840.5400 to schedule a complimentary consultation with one of our dentists.