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The Problem with Sugar and Tooth Decay

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Most people know by now that sugar is one of the leading causes of tooth decay, but perhaps you’re not sure of is why it is so problematic or what you can do about it. To answer these questions, let’s first get clear on how tooth damage occurs.

Tooth decay is not caused by sugar in and of itself, but by a bacterium that is produced from the sugar in foods. These bacteria then produce acids that cause damage to teeth and the tooth enamel (a protective layer found on your teeth). Once tooth enamel is damaged, the teeth are less protected which means cavities are much more likely to occur because there is no barrier to stop them. Prevention of enamel damage is incredibly important for the health of your teeth and reducing your sugar consumption is one way to combat the problem.

So how much sugar is acceptable?

We know that having some sugar in our diet is okay, but the problem is that we tend to overeat on the white stuff because we grossly underestimate how much sugar is in our food. For example, many of the soft drinks we consume on a daily basis contain a lot more sugar than you would expect. Even the drinks that are labeled “healthy” like fresh orange juice can contain a surprising amount. It’s these “hidden sugars” that we don’t always think about that can push up our level of sugar consumption daily without even realizing it.

A simple solution is to start becoming aware of the amount of sugar in your food by checking the ingredients, and actively finding ways to replace these foods with less sugar. Avoiding sugary drinks as much as possible will drastically reduce your sugar consumption and is an excellent place to start improving your oral health.

Are you overdue for a checkup? Contact Mark L. Civin D.D.S. in Palm Beach Gardens today and make an appointment.

 

xrays

All About Today’s Dental X-Rays

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Almost everyone knows what an X-ray is, but what you may not realize is how they work, and what they can say about your body and your health. Like with any bone in your body, getting dental X-rays can provide dentists and oral surgeons with valuable insight on what’s going on in your mouth.

And while X-ray technology isn’t new, the digital revolution and evolutions in technology offer dentists new ways to view, share, and store the files on their patients. One important innovation is the ability to enlarge digital X-rays, which give a dentist a clearer up close view of problems happening with your teeth. This means you’ll get a better and earlier diagnosis, which could save you money and a toothache later on. These digital X-rays are also faster – not requiring a lengthy process time – which means you get out of the dentist’s chair quicker than ever before.

Get to know the two types of dental X-rays, and what they give the dentist insight into:

Types of X-Rays – Intraoral and Extraoral

Your mouth, jaw, and teeth are comprised of several different parts, so in order to check everywhere in that area, different types of X-rays are needed. The two main types are intraoral and extraoral X-rays.

Intraoral X-rays include:

  • Occlusal X-rays. These give the dentist a look at tooth placements and how they’ve developed. The end product is a complete view of the entire upper or lower jaw. The complete arch of the teeth is revealed, telling the story of how your teeth grew. This can show any long term problems you’ve had or predict if you’re going to have dental problems later.
  • Periapical X-rays. Periapical X-rays aim just at a single tooth. From the crown at the top to the root underneath it all. The periapical X-ray gives the dentist all the information on a specific tooth, pointing out any abnormalities in the root area or bone structure.
  • Bite-wing X-rays. Bite-wing X-rays are as they sound, an X-ray of your bite. These show the dentist a lot about the details of your dental health. Changes in bone density related to gum disease can’t hide from a bite-wing X-ray, and any decay between teeth can be noticed.

Extraoral X-rays include:

  • Cone bean computerized tomography (CBCT). CBCT is a three-dimensional image of the inner structure of your mouth.
  • Sialography involves a dye being injected into the salivary glands. This would only be done if you have issues with your salivary glands.
  • Multi-slice computed tomography. Multi-slice computed tomography is where a range of dental layers is blurred out, which gives the dentist the ability to focus on something specific.
  • Panoramic X-rays. Panoramic X-rays include the whole head. The machine rotates around to take a look at everything in your mouth, from wisdom teeth to bone structure, tumours to cysts.

In the end…

Ultimately, the X-ray you’ll need next time you visit the dentist’s office will largely depend on the tooth troubles you’re facing, but it’s important to understand the role X-rays play in your dental care, and how they can help you maintain a healthy and beautiful smile. When coming in for your next visit, share any issues you’re having with Dr. Civin, and be sure to ask questions about any X-rays we’ll be taking on your mouth.

facial injections

Press Pause on the Aging Process With Revanesse Versa

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Wouldn’t it be nice if we could just push a button that paused our aging?

The reality is most of us are already using products that are designed to slow down the aging process.

And dermal fillers are at the top of the list.

But not all dermal fillers are created equal when it comes to quality and natural looking results.

When it comes to providing the most natural look possible, Revanesse Versa dermal filler is in a class of its own.

What is Revanesse Versa?

Simply put, its a hyaluronic acid (HA) dermal filler from a Canadian company called Prollenium Medical Technologies, offering natural, fast and long-lasting results.

Ellen, an overwhelmingly satisfied Versa customer, couldn’t have been happier with her results. Here’s her story…

Ellen’s results

One day, Ellen decided to give Revanesse Versa a try.

She wanted to put a little youth back in her appearance and was immediately drawn to the treatment for its ability to provide natural looking results.

Her goal was to have her friends & acquaintances say “WOW…you look good,” but struggle to pinpoint exactly what had changed.

Ellen

Age 60

 

Ellen before

 

Before her treatment, Ellen had clear lines from her nose to the outer corners of her lips. She also had some wrinkling in the edges of her mouth.

Ellen after

 

Ellen’s after image (taken within only 2 hours of the treatment) shows a natural, but noticeable difference in the reduction of wrinkles and increased smoothness in the treated areas.

What treatment areas can Revanesse Versa help me with?

“ I just wanna get rid of these darn laugh lines.”

“ What’s the best option for removing my crows feet?”

“ I really want to have that celebrity plump lip style!”

Here at Mark L. Civin Comprehensive Cosmetic & Restorative Dentistry, we hear comments like the above on a daily basis.

Here’s what the treatment can do for the following areas:

  • Smooth forehead lines
  • Fill in frown lines
  • Define nose bridge
  • Remove bags and dark circles under eyes
  • Volumize, sculpt and smooth cheeks
  • Smooth nasolabial folds (laugh lines)
  • Smooth Perioral lines (lipstick lines)
  • Volumize lips and define the border
  • Smooth marionette lines (chin lines)
  • Contour chin and jaw

What’s the difference between Versa and other dermal fillers?

As we mentioned, Versa ranks in its own category when compared to other dermal fillers like Radiesse, Restylane, and Belatero.

Here’s why…

  • Versa offers almost immediate results, while the other fillers take longer to show any transformation.
  • It feels and looks more natural.
  • Versa can be injected easier which results in minimal pain, less swelling and little to no downtime. Other fillers require a longer recovery and a possible “puffy” face.

Is Versa right for me?

There are many options to choose from when it comes to dermal fillers.

Hopefully, you’re now well informed on Versa and can decide whether or not this is the right dermal filler treatment for you.

Still have a few questions?

To book your FREE Revanesse consultation with Mark L. Civin to determine if Revanesse is right for you, call our Palm Beach Gardens, Florida dental office at (561) 624-2224.

Are you currently thinking about getting dermal fillers?

Let us know in the comments.

cosmetic dentistry at Mark L Civin DDS

Cosmetic Dentistry Can Boost Your Professional Career

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The title says it all: Having your teeth fixed, rotated, realigned, and whitened can result in a significant improvement in your chosen career, regardless of the field. This is why people are willing to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on a mouth makeover. Celebrities themselves are known to sink a cool hundred grand into their pearly whites.
Some of the more tight-fisted people may wonder if getting cosmetic dental work done is even worth the dollars invested. But numbers don’t lie, and the statistics are answering with a resounding absolutely. Here are a few reasons how and why focusing on your teeth can get you further in your career.

THE HALO EFFECT

Statistics show that you have a higher potential – about 10% — of landing a job if your teeth are white, straight, and clean. On the flipside, people with poor dental appearance – e.g., stained or yellowed teeth – have less potential in obtaining their dream job compared to that of people with a great set of teeth. As painful as it is to admit that aesthetical appearance can be a factor in getting that dream job, studies also point to a higher possibility of you getting hired if you are considered “attractive” by general standards.
The reason behind this is called the Halo Effect. This is a bias in which people’s overall positive aesthetic look will end up influencing someone’s pre-assessment of them, making the person think they have other positive qualities. For instance, people who are attractive are also thought to be kind, responsible, respectful, and trustworthy.
It’s the same reason why a woman wearing a sharp business suit can command the attention of a room whereas a guy walking into a high-end corporate office wearing flip-flops will automatically garner questioning, judgmental looks.

TRUSTWORTHY = DEPENDABLE

In an office setting, the person who is trusted by a good number of people to either get the job done, do the right thing, or make the right call is considered dependable and is therefore given more opportunities.
Trustworthiness goes a long way in a business setting, and our looks go a long way in creating this perception of trust. A lot of a person’s trustworthiness is rooted in his or her smile. It’s very easy to let your guard down and feel more sympathetic toward someone with a warm, friendly, inviting smile. People who have a tight-lipped smile (i.e., don’t show their teeth) are harder to trust and view as positive, open people. Likewise, people who don’t smile at all are seen as surly, obsessed with rank or power, shy, or closed off.

NAILING THAT INTERVIEW

Smiling – at the right times! – during an interview can set a calm and positive tone throughout the whole process. The interviewer is more likely to remember you if the tone of the interview is relaxed, positive, and reasonably upbeat. However, if you are stiff, too formal, and smile only at the beginning or end of an interview, the tone of the interview may be either forgettable or sour – neither of which is going to bode well on the interviewer during deliberation time.

Having a great set of teeth makes it easier for you to flash a smile. If you have certain dental imperfections, like a gap-tooth, chipped teeth, overcrowding, or exaggerated overbite, smiling may not come as easy or as natural to you, but having cosmetic dentistry can equip you with a smile that you love to show off – and one that will take you leaps and bounds in your career.

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How Nutrition Affects Oral Health

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You are what you eat. Meaning that your diet will affect all aspects of your life. Nowhere is it more evident than when it comes to oral health. The two most commonly affected oral health issues are cavities and periodontal (gum) disease.

Nutrition and Cavities

It is a well-known fact that there are bacteria in the human mouth. It is also known that these bacteria help to break down the sugars in our food. However, it is not as widely known how this process can cause cavities in your teeth.

When ingesting foodstuff that is rich in sugars, acid is inadvertently released into your mouth by bacteria that break down the sugars in your food. These release acid, which can eat through the enamel outer layer of the teeth. Using a toothpaste containing fluoride or drinking water with fluoride can help to make your teeth more resistant to this process.

Nutrition and Periodontal Disease

While there is no scientific evidence directly linking nutrition and gum disease, there is strong evidence that the speed and severity of the disease is increased when the patient has poor nutrition. The immune system is in charge of fighting all diseases in the body, thus it is fortified by one’s nutrition. Bad nutrition can affect the body’s ability to fight off periodontal disease.

Balanced Diet for Oral Health

First and foremost keep hydrated and drink lots of water. Make sure to balance your diets among the five major food groups. Do not forget to eat in moderation. You should avoid any diet that may lead to a mineral or vitamin deficiency. Avoid food that sticks to your teeth as these will stimulate more tooth decay.

Conclusion

If you are not sure how your diet is affecting your oral health you should speak to a professional. Dr. Civin is always ready to help you with oral health issues.

Charity Gleaning Event -Mark L. Civin DDS - Palm Beach gardens, FL

Dr. Civin Participates in Gleaning in Jupiter, Florida

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They say that charity begins at home. Gleaning is an excellent way to not only show your community spirit but to also pay it forward. Apart from that, it is also just a lot of fun.

What is gleaning, and how is it a means of paying it forward to your community? The practice of gleaning, stems from the amount of food that goes to waste annually, because it is not picked and given to those in need.

This tradition of gleaning is encountered in the bible in the book of Ruth where those in need were allowed to pick up leftover grain, when the harvest was ready. Instead of using everything for themselves, those who were rich and owned fields could contribute to the plight of the needy.

Dr. Civin took part this year, and also present was the president of Ohio State University. The event took place in the fields of western Jupiter where they picked green peppers.

With the help of the volunteers, they picked fruits and vegetables to donate to the local community food shelters and programs. In the past, the activity of gleaning was used as a teaching moment for parents, as well as a fun activity for the whole family.

They picked a bunch, as much as they could! This will all be passed on to those in need. The last couple of years has seen up to 20,000 pounds of food picked and paid forward.

Conclusion

Dr. Civin gave back to the community, and you can too! You and your family can start a new tradition, helping those around you, while rubbing shoulders with your friendly neighborhood dentist. Look out for notifications on our Facebook page for info on next year’s event!