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Coffee is a good antioxidant that contains several compounds which are known to affect human body chemistry. The coffee bean itself contains chemicals which are mild psychotropic. The primary psychoactive chemical in coffee is caffeine, which acts as a stimulant. A 2012 study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that coffee drinkers “who drank at least two or three cups a day were about 10 percent or 15 percent less likely to die for any reason during the 13 years of the study. Other studies have suggested that drinking 3-5 cups a day could reduce the development of, among others, Alzheimer, Parkinson, gallstones, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, cancer and improve short term memory.

When it comes to teeth, we have some different opinions. Some say that, coffee drinkers are very familiar with the unpleasant tooth staining that forms on their teeth, just the way it forms on the coffee mug. Good brushing and periodic visits to the dentist should eliminate these stains. However, heavy stains on teeth could act as a retention mean for germs, which in turn could lead to tooth decay and gum tissue inflammation.

Some studies have suggested that coffee beans have an antimicrobial effect on S. Mutans (the bacteria that cause tooth decay), other  studies shown that, coffee could even interfere, or inhibit bacterial cells adhesion to the teeth. A study published in 2022 suggested that coffee may have either beneficial or negative impact on periodontal health due to complex components it contains.

In summary, drinking coffee comes with a lot of medical benefits (unless your medical doctor have suggested otherwise). So I suggest that you enjoy your coffee, and drink moderately, don’t forget to brush and floss properly. Remember to contact us for your periodic checkups and cleaning to remove stains, and if needed whiten your teeth.

The importance of braces goes way beyond having straight teeth. I would like to sum up some of these extremely important reasons to have braces.

First, the obvious reason crowded teeth cause cosmetic and, aesthetic problems that can make people self cautious about their smile.

Second crowded teeth are normally more difficult to clean, and the food gets stuck and trapped a lot more in-between than normal. This will make these teeth more susceptible to decay, and the gum tissue more prone to gingivitis.

Third, crowded teeth have less surrounding bone , and more unhealthy gum tissue. In other word, they have a weaker, and less supporting  structure

Forth crowding, spacing, rotations, cross bite, excessive overbite etc., could cause an improper and sometimes traumatic bite. Traumatic bite happens when teeth are not aligned properly causing excessive bite force on certain teeth, that could teeth drifting,  damage enamel, localized sensitivity, tooth mobility, muscular  and TMJ problems.

It’s important to remember that worn out and broken teeth not only look bad, they cause shifting of the bite, which in turn could cause  TMJ issues, that might cause clicking, popping, and tenderness of the joint, headaches, and migraines. Worn out teeth are not as sharp and functional as normal teeth, hence causing the muscles to function a lot more to chew food.

Fifth, there is a clear scientific evidence that orthodontic treatment can have a positive influence on airway and sleep apnea.

Basically, an orthodontic treatment should achieve straight teeth that function within a well balanced bite, so teeth will last longer. This is goal is reached by, correcting, or improving all the above listed problems.
Let’s not forget that a nice smile will promote self –esteem that is a valuable tool for everybody’s social, and carrier success.

Braces are recommended for younger individuals to avoid problems. However, in the recent years more adults are having orthodontic treatment, to stop an existing problem from causing more damage.
In our office, we monitor kids as young as 5 years old), to see if there is a problem, or a potential for a problem. We also provide a free orthodontic exam and screening

Clear aligners Orthodontic treatment e.g. Invisalign is a method of orthodontic treatment which uses a series of custom made, clear, removable aligners to move teeth  sequentially into a more favorable position aesthetically and functionally speaking. It became very popular in the last two decades and could be used as a viable alternative to traditional metal brackets and wires orthodontics

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Advantages

Cosmetics the aligners are completely transparent, therefore they are far more difficult to detect than traditional wire and bracket braces. This makes the method particularly popular among adults who want to straighten their teeth without the look of traditional metal brace.

More comfortable than braces, that is due to the fact that if designed properly  clear aligners apply a lower force  to the teeth with Invisalign/clear aligners than that with traditional braces.

Easier to eat during treatment, that is due to the removable nature of the device, food can be consumed without the encumbrance of metallic braces.

Better oral hygiene , since it’s a removable appliance , eating during treatment is normal (no food get stuck on the brackets and wires),in addition cleaning the teeth and gum tissue is much easier than traditional braces. Because of that, the overall incidence of decay and gum tissue inflammation is far less than that with the traditional braces.

Disadvantages

Unlike traditional fixed braces, they are largely dependent on a patient’s habits and their cooperation. The success of the Clear aligner therapy/ Invisalign is based on a patient’s commitment to wear the aligners for a minimum of 20–22 hours per day, only removing them when eating, drinking, or brushing teeth.

Clear aligner therapy/Invisalign usually  cost more than traditional braces, due to the high lab bill paid to manufacturing company.

Because the aligners are removed for eating, they could be lost. That is why it’s recommended that the patient keep the last set aligners in case this happens. Two protective plastic containers are provided at the beginning of treatment to keep the aligners in, so they are less subject to loss or damage. In case of an aligner loss or breakage of an aligner, treatment will be delayed and coast will increase.

Clinching and grinding teeth could cause damage and weakening of the aligners.

In my experience the improvement in the technology, the aligner’s material,  and the advancement of the software/ AI have made the treatment more predictable that what it was a decade a go.

Although the advancement has been noticeable for the the last few years, the system still has some limitations that only traditional braces can solve. Your dentist/orthodontist will decide the most the proper way to treat your teeth.

In our office we offer a complimentary free consultation to our patients to help them make the educated decision about their orthodontic treatment. So, if you or any of your family, and friends that are interested, please don’t hesitate to call us.

One the main complaints of our patients is that the floss gets shredded or my gums start bleeding when I floss. I usually ask my patients to demonstrate their flossing technique for me. During the last fifteen years I have observed hundreds of my patients flossing, I have came across the same couple of the problems in the technique they are using.

First, instead of using a gentle, saw like movement to ease the floss in between teeth, most of my patients try to force, or shove the floss in between teeth. That usually causes trauma, and bleeding from the gum tissue. The solution is easy, use waxed floss, and just try to gently ease it through. For those who have a very tight contact between the teeth, you might want to consider using a dental tape, which is floss that has a tape like cross section, designed to navigate tight contacts.

Second, I noticed most of my patient after inserting the floss between the teeth, try to pull it up and out immediately, thinking that that spot has been cleaned. The proper way is to guide the floss between each tooth and under the gum line to remove particles of food, or plaque stuck between teeth. Ideally creating a C-shape, the floss is curved around a tooth contour and gently going under the gum line, and then gently moved away from the gum line, the floss scrapes the side of each tooth, and can also clean the front or back of the tooth. A clean section of floss can be used to clean each tooth to avoid transmitting plaque bacteria from one tooth to another.

Flossing should be done at least once a day. If you follow all the above for a month and your gum tissue is still oozing blood during flossing, this could indicate gingivitis, or periodontitis (gum tissue inflammation). A professional cleaning at the dentist might be needed.

My patients ask me this question on daily basis. Generally speaking, our professional smile analysis (which might includes digital scanning and photos), help us to pin point the patient concern. The problem could involve one or all of the followings; the color, shape, position or the size of teeth. Based on your teeth, TMJ, facial type, smile and bite analysis, one or a combination of treatment options below are need to achieve your cosmetic goals with predictability.

1. Teeth whitening.
2. Bonded filling to change the shape and color of teeth with bonded fillings if possible.
3. Veneers and metal free cosmetic crowns.
4. Orthodontic treatment, conventional or clear Invisalign.
5. Orthognathic surgery (aligning of the jaws surgically).
6. Plastic surgeon or Oro maxillofacial surgeon referral.

Dental floss is basically a tool that is used for mechanical teeth and gum tissue cleaning, where the brush can’t reach. Flossing will eliminate the plaque in-between the teeth, hence preventing gum tissue inflammation (gingivitis), cavities, and bad breath.

Dental plaque is a biofilm, usually a pale yellow, which develops mostly between the teeth, and by the gum line; it’s formed by colonizing bacteria trying to attach themselves to the tooth’s smooth surface, using the food as a source of growth. If not cleaned properly, the plaque could develop into tarter, or calculus within couple of weeks, it provides a perfect environment for more plaque formation. The calculus once it’s formed, it can’t be cleaned with brushing, only a professional cleaning with an ultrasonic, and hand instruments at the dentist, could get rid of it.

The acidic byproduct of the bacteria in the plaque causes inflammation of the gum tissue, and cavity formation.

Dental plaque is like rotten food. The rotten food also releases isovaleric acid, which can smell like sweat; putrescine, which gives off a smell of rotten meat; skatole, which can smell like human feces; and cadaverine, which has a smell likened to decomposing bodies. By flossing every day, will eliminate most, if not all the problem of bad breath

It’s a scientifically proven fact that your oral health is an important part of your overall health, and untreated dental disease can be harmful to you and your baby. Be sure to include your oral health in your daily self-care routine and, keep your dentist informed of any changes in your oral health during pregnancy. Your dentist and his team could be your best ally to help you avoid any oral related problems during pregnancy. Some studies have suggested that premature baby deliveries might be related to poor oral hygiene.

Hormonal changes, frequent snaking and improper oral care, could lead to gingivitis (inflammation of the gum tissue), and decay. Bleeding of the gum tissue with lumps is one of the most frequent reasons for a pregnant woman to seek a dental care. In order to avoid dental emergencies, getting a clean bill of oral health prior to getting pregnant is highly recommended.

The best recipe to avoid oral emergencies is brushing twice at day for two minutes minimum, along with flossing and using any interdental cleaning aid, like water pick. Using an ADA approved mouth wash. The frequency of eating becomes higher especially during the third trimester. A special attention should be paid towards the quality of the food and drinks. Consult your dentist and OBGYN to help you make the right dietary decisions.

Let me start by saying that mouth rinsing is not a substitute for proper oral care (brushing and flossing). The FDA classifies mouth rinses into cosmetic (over the counter), and therapeutic rinse (prescription only).
The cosmetic mouth wash help loosen the plaque attachment to teeth prior to brushing, they also provide a temporary control to the bad breath producing bacteria and give the patient a temporary sense of a refreshed mouth.

Most of these products contain high percentage of alcohol, which is known to cause oral cancer. Although many manufactures have tried hard to advertise their product to consumers, as the solution to all your mouth problems, like the control and prevention of decay, gum tissue inflammation, bad breath, and teeth whitening, etc., the scientific evidence doesn’t support that.

I suggest using these products in moderation, don’t skip or substitute brushing and/or flossing with a mouth rinse. Parents remember to keep them away from the reach of your children under the age of 12. It’s worth noting that, we recommend the use of  fluoride rinse regularly during orthodontic treatment. It’s helpful to look for the ADA stamp of approval on the bottle, prior to purchasing it.

In the recent years, some published medical research have suggested that some mouth wash are causing imbalance pH and alteration of the oral microbiome.

The therapeutic (prescription only) mouth wash are to be prescribed by the dental practitioner for a short term only. They are indicated for a short term use to help treat specific infection, prior to implant placement, oral surgery, and post-operatively after gum tissue and oral surgery.

Bad breath (Halitosis) occurs when a noticeable unpleasant odors are exhaled in breathing. It is estimated to be the third most frequent reason for seeking dental aid, due to tooth decay, gum tissue and bone inflammation.

In most cases 90% of bad breath originates in the mouth. The intensity of the bad breath might change during the day due to eating certain food like onion, garlic, seafood etc. Morning breath is caused due to the mouths inactivity and reduction of oxygen exposure while sleeping. It normally dissipates after eating, brushing and rinsing. Bad breath could also originate from respiratory track and tonsils, or gastrointestinal problems.

During dental exam, we can evaluate your teeth, gum tissue and tongue to determine if the source of your problem is oral. Tooth decay and gum tissue inflammation is a major contributor to bad breath.

Dry mouth is very common problem that has devastating effect on the oral cavity and bad breath is one of them.

The majority of bad breath cases can be managed by maintaining good oral hygiene, good brushing, flossing , and improve diet . Some research has found that mouthwash could be effective in controlling bad breath producing bacteria for few hours. Cleaning your tongue by using your toothbrush or a tongue blade can also help the mechanical elimination of germs.

Tonsil stones, diabetes, and  digestive system especially stomach problems could also contribute to bad breath.

Eat healthy, a lot of fruits and vegetables, avoid smoking, alcohol, onions, garlic, and high sugar diet, drink a lot of water, avoid sodas and energy drinks.

Dental implants have become very popular due to their predictability and high success rate in the last two decayed.  Multiple factors influence the success rate of dental implants, like general health, smoking, some medication and also the location of the implant is placed in the jaw. Multiple studies in the last 20 years have demonstrated that dental implants have a success rate of up to 95% over 10 years follow up period.

Can Anyone Get Dental Implants?

In general, any reasonably healthy person that is fit enough to have a routine dental extraction or oral surgery can be considered a good candidate for a dental implant. Cone Beam CT Scan is highly recommended in the planning phase to evaluate bone quality, quantity and determining the location of important anatomical landmarks like the nerves and sinuses.

There are certain conditions that reduce the success rate of dental implants or make the procedure contraindicated, that includes.

1. Patients with Osteoporosis and or on osteoporosis medication.
2. Compromised immune system patients.
3. Uncontrolled diabetes.
4. Heavy smokers and alcoholics.
5. Patients with history of radiation, especially head and neck  radiation.
6. Patients with extremely poor oral hygien.

During our free consultation here at my office we discuss all these factors (if they apply) in details.