Learn more about the connection between your teeth and what you eat.
Isolite™ – An Advance in Patient Comfort
Isolite has revolutionized dentistry. It’s a suction device, which creates the necessary dry “field” needed for modern dental procedures, joined with a brilliant light that illuminates the oral cavity and abolishes shadows. This means that on average, treatments take a third of the expected time, freeing you from the “chair” faster. Because saliva doesn’t build up, you won’t experience that “drowning or gagging” feeling. Debris won’t be swallowed because your mouth is constantly “vacuumed.” Your mouth won’t experience jaw fatigue because the unit helps hold your mouth open. And more light allows Dr. Salmons greater accuracy.
Ivan K. Salmons, DDS
1855 Indian Hills Drive
Sioux City, IA 51104
(712) 239-5900
SiouxCityDentist.com
Use toothpaste with fluoride for infants and children
For children younger than 3 years, you should begin brushing a child’s teeth with fluoride toothpaste in an amount no larger than a grain of rice. For children 3 to 6 years of age, use a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste.
Consider sealants to prevent decay or treat beginning cavities on the back teeth
Dental sealants act as a barrier to prevent cavities. They are a plastic material applied by a dentist to the chewing surfaces of the back teeth where decay occurs most often.
To read the entire article visit MouthHealthy.org.
Learn more about how your lifestyle can affect your oral health.
Below is an excerpt from an article found on MouthHealthy.org
With Halloween comes ghosts, goblins and goodies-and the sugar in those treats can play some unwanted tricks on your teeth if you’re not careful.
Here’s why: The bacteria in your mouth are probably more excited to eat Halloween candy than you are. When the bacteria eat the sugar and leftover food in your mouth, a weak acid is produced. That acid is what can contribute to cavities.
But don’t hang up your costume just yet. “Halloween is about candy, dressing up and having fun,” says ADA dentist Dr. Ana Paula Ferraz-Dougherty. “It’s OK to eat that candy on Halloween as a splurge as long as you’re brushing twice a day and flossing once a day all year long.”
To help you sort through the trick-or-treat bag loot, we have a rundown of some common candies and their impact on your teeth:
Chocolate
Chocolate is probably your best bet, which is good because it’s also one of the most popular kinds of candy handed out on Halloween. ìChocolate is one of the better candies because it washes off your teeth easier than other types of candy,î Dr. Ferraz- Dougherty says. “Dark chocolate also has less sugar than milk chocolate.”
Sticky and Gummy Candies
Be picky if it’s sticky. These are some of the worst candies for your teeth. “This candy is harder to remove and may stay longer on your teeth, which gives that cavity-causing bacteria more time to work,” Dr. Ferraz-Dougherty says.
To read the entire article visit MouthHealthy.org.
The remainder of the article details the following:
- Hard Candy
- Sour Candy
- Popcorn Balls
Missing Teeth? Replace Them with Mini Implants!
No matter how many missing teeth you have, mini implants may be the answer. They can be used to replace individual teeth or to lock in dentures for patients who have no teeth. No more gaps, slipping dentures, and trapped food. Goodbye to speech issues and the “sunken” look. Mini implants can be placed immediately, all in one visit, so there’s no waiting for months to fill the gap.
Ivan K. Salmons, DDS
1855 Indian Hills Drive
Sioux City, IA 51104
(712) 239-5900
SiouxCityDentist.com
Learn more about dental care and your overall health.
Laser Treatment of Cold Sores
Are you a cold sore sufferer? Those unsightly blemishes around your mouth and on your lips are also likely painful. These sores are caused by the herpes simplex virus, which can cause ongoing breakouts even after creams and ointments have been used to treat individual sores. Well, we have a fantastic solution! Dr. Salmons can use a laser to kill the virus and help you heal faster. The treatment can provide immediate relief of itching and pain, and over time, eliminates the virus so breakouts are further between and eventually even stop completely. If you’ve begun experiencing early signs of a breakout, laser treatment can prevent the blisters from forming. So don’t delay! Ask us about this today.
Ivan K. Salmons, DDS
1855 Indian Hills Drive
Sioux City, IA 51104
(712) 239-5900
SiouxCityDentist.com
Below is an excerpt from an article found on Colgate.com
Over a decade of research has proven bleaching and other whitening methods to be both safe and effective. Several products in the market today have shown no adverse effects on teeth or gums in substantial clinical and laboratory testing. Be sure to look for clinically proven products, follow directions and consult with your dental professional.
In the past, the higher bleach concentrations used in-office treatment resulted in more sensitivity. Today, however, bleaching gels are well buffered, making sensitivity less of an issue. Sensitivity may occur in people after whitening procedures, particularly when they eat hot or cold foods, but usually disappears after 48 hours and stops completely when treatment is stopped.
If you do experience sensitivity, there are several ways you can help eliminate it:
- If using a tray applicator, wear the tray for a shorter period
- Brush with a toothpaste made for sensitive teeth that contains potassium nitrate to help soothe tooth nerve ending
- Ask your dentist or pharmacist for a product with fluoride, which helps re-mineralize your teeth. Brush-on or wear in your trays four minutes prior to and after whitening your teeth
- Stop whitening your teeth for several days to allow you teeth to adapt to the whitening process. Within 24 hours, the sensitivity will cease. The longer you whiten your teeth, the less sensitivity you will experience
In a few cases, your dentist may discourage dental bleaching:
- If you have gum disease, teeth with worn enamel, cavities or particularly sensitive teeth
- If you're pregnant or breast-feeding
- If you have tooth-colored crowns, caps or other dental work in your front teeth, which can't be bleached
To read the entire article visit Colgate.com.
Below is an excerpt from an article found on Colgate.com
What is Bruxism?
If you find yourself waking up with sore jaw muscles or a headache, you may be suffering from bruxism - the grinding and clenching of teeth. Bruxism can cause teeth to become painful or loose, and sometimes parts of the teeth are literally ground away. Eventually, bruxism can destroy the surrounding bone and gum tissue. It can also lead to problems involving the jaw joint, such as temporomandibular joint syndrome (TMJ).
How do I Know if I Have Bruxism?
For many people, bruxism is an unconscious habit. They may not even realize they're doing it until someone comments that they make a horrible grinding sound while sleeping. For others, a routine dental checkup is when they discover their teeth are worn or their tooth enamel is fractured.
Other potential signs of bruxism include aching in the face, head and neck. Your dentist can make an accurate diagnosis and determine if the source of facial pain is a result from bruxism.
How is Bruxism Treated?
The appropriate treatment for you will depend on what is causing the problem. By asking careful questions and thoroughly examining your teeth, your dentist can help you determine the potential source of your bruxism. Based on the amount of tooth damage and its likely cause, your dentist may suggest:
- Wearing an appliance while sleeping - custom-made by your dentist to fit your teeth, the appliance slips over the upper teeth and protects them from grinding against the lower teeth. While an appliance is a good way to manage bruxism, it is not a cure.
- Finding ways to relax - Because everyday stress seems to be a major cause of bruxism, anything that reduces stress can help-listening to music, reading a book, taking a walk or a bath. It may help to seek counseling to learn effective ways for handling stressful situations. Also, applying a warm, wet washcloth to the side of your face can help relax muscles sore from clenching.
- Reducing the "high spots" of one or more teeth to even your bite - An abnormal bite, one in which teeth do not fit well together, may also be corrected with new fillings, crowns or orthodontics.
To read the entire article visit Colgate.com.
Isolite™ – An Advance in Patient Comfort
With Halloween comes ghosts, goblins and goodies-and the sugar in those treats can play some unwanted tricks on your teeth if you’re not careful. 
Missing Teeth? Replace Them with Mini Implants!
Are you a cold sore sufferer? Those unsightly blemishes around your mouth and on your lips are also likely painful. These sores are caused by the herpes simplex virus, which can cause ongoing breakouts even after creams and ointments have been used to treat individual sores. Well, we have a fantastic solution! Dr. Salmons can use a laser to kill the virus and help you heal faster. The treatment can provide immediate relief of itching and pain, and over time, eliminates the virus so breakouts are further between and eventually even stop completely. If you’ve begun experiencing early signs of a breakout, laser treatment can prevent the blisters from forming. So don’t delay! Ask us about this today.
Over a decade of research has proven bleaching and other whitening methods to be both safe and effective. Several products in the market today have shown no adverse effects on teeth or gums in substantial clinical and laboratory testing. Be sure to look for clinically proven products, follow directions and consult with your dental professional.
If you find yourself waking up with sore jaw muscles or a headache, you may be suffering from bruxism - the grinding and clenching of teeth. Bruxism can cause teeth to become painful or loose, and sometimes parts of the teeth are literally ground away. Eventually, bruxism can destroy the surrounding bone and gum tissue. It can also lead to problems involving the jaw joint, such as temporomandibular joint syndrome (TMJ).
The appropriate treatment for you will depend on what is causing the problem. By asking careful questions and thoroughly examining your teeth, your dentist can help you determine the potential source of your bruxism. Based on the amount of tooth damage and its likely cause, your dentist may suggest: