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Why Are My Teeth Sensitive?

July 2, 2013

Filed under: General Dentistry — Tags: , , , , , , , — S. John salivonchik @ 8:07 pm

Do you find yourself wincing when you eat or drink something hot or cold? Or maybe it happens when you’re enjoying something on the acidic side, like a cup of coffee or glass of orange juice. These are both examples of tooth sensitivity, a common issue faced by patients from Coplay and beyond. In today’s post, we’d like to talk briefly about some of the things that can cause it.

Gum Recession

One of the biggest causes is gum recession, which is itself caused by advanced gum disease. As gums recede and more of the patient’s teeth are exposed, it’s more likely for hot or cold things to come into contact with the porous layer of dentin beneath our enamel.  To prevent tooth sensitivity caused by gum recession, see Dr. S. John Salivonchik at the first sign of gum disease. Proactive care will help you enjoy better health and wellbeing.

Aggressive Brushing

Thorough brushing is good, aggressive brushing is not. If you’re brushing hard with a hard-bristle brush, you could be damaging your teeth and gums. If you need help brushing correctly, don’t be afraid to ask Dr. Salivonchik for tips. At our Coplay dental office, we’re committed to teaching patients how to care for their smile on a daily basis.

Teeth Grinding

Teeth grinding, which is also known as bruxism, can contribute to tooth sensitivity because it can lead to teeth becoming cracked. These cracks expose teeth to bacterial infection and they make the sensitive layer of dentin more accessible. To prevent the kinds of damage that teeth grinding can cause, an oral appliance may be used.

Age

Sometimes, age is a factor in sensitivity. If you’re between the ages of 25 and 30, you may experience more sensitivity than at any other time in life. For more information on why, talk to Dr. Salivonchik.

Is uncomfortable sensitivity getting in the way of enjoying your favorite foods? Call our Coplay dental office for an appointment with Dr. Salivonchik. We serve patients from Allentown, Bethlehem, Easton, The Poconos, and beyond.

Will Stress Impact My Smile?

June 24, 2013

Filed under: General Dentistry,Uncategorized — Tags: , , , , , , , — S. John salivonchik @ 7:42 am

In our last post, we talked about a topic that isn’t discussed too often—the relationship between hormones and oral health. Today we’d like to highlight a similar issue, which is the relationship between stress, the immune system, and your smile.

Our society seems to be more stressed today than ever before. With busy schedules and the need to always be “connected” it’s easy for your nerves to run high. But all that stress will negatively impact your health, and not just your overall health—your oral health, too.

How? Through inflammation.

Inflammation is a part of the body’s immune response. When it’s working the way it’s supposed to, it can be beneficial. But when the body can no longer regulate it properly, as happens when stress levels are high, the body can actually use inflammation—which is one of the symptoms of gum disease—against itself. On top of this, the AGD reported last year that stress-induced immune system issues can have an impact on a patient’s smile.

For patients of Dr. S John Salivonchik, that means learning how to manage stress, and it means making regular care a priority. To keep your smile healthy in between visits, follow a thorough brushing and flossing routine. Also, be sure your family visits our Coplay dental office twice a year. During a regular checkup with Dr. Salivonchik, our team will look for changes in your health that might be indicate a need for advanced care.

Is it time for your next regular visit? Call our office today to reserve an appointment with Dr. Salivonchik. We serve patients from Whitehall, Allentown, Bethlehem, Easton, The Poconos, and beyond.

Do Hormones Affect Oral Health?

June 10, 2013

Filed under: General Dentistry — Tags: , , , , , , , — S. John salivonchik @ 8:42 pm

It’s common to think of oral and overall health as belonging to completely separate spheres. The truth is, though, they’re intricately linked. A condition like gum disease not only impacts the health of your smile but has been connected to health problems in the rest of the body, including preterm birth, diabetes, stroke, Alzheimer’s, and heart disease.

The connection for these has been thoroughly discussed but not as much the connection between hormone levels and oral health. Women are especially vulnerable because of the hormone changes that occur at puberty, during pregnancy, and at menopause. Woman who are taking birth control or who are about to start their next period are also more vulnerable.

What does this mean for Dr. S John Salivonchik’s Coplay-area patients? It means that all patients, but women especially, need to make regular care a priority. During a regular checkup, Dr. Salivonchik will look for signs of gum disease and make a treatment recommendation if he finds any. Symptoms of gum disease include swollen or bleeding gums and discoloration.

To keep your teeth clean between appointments, we recommend that you brush at least twice a day, floss at least once, and rinse with an antibacterial mouthwash. You should also let Dr. Salivonchik know if you’re pregnant or have any other risk factors we should be aware of.

Is it time for your next checkup and professional cleaning? Call Dr. Salivonchik’s office today. Our practice is located in Lehigh Valley and serves patients from Coplay, Allentown, Bethlehem, Easton, The Poconos, and beyond.

How Does Dr. Salivonchik Treat Gum Disease?

February 27, 2013

Filed under: General Dentistry — Tags: , , , , , , , — S. John salivonchik @ 7:49 am

In our last post we talked about the connection between gum disease and heart disease. Today we’d like to talk about one way Dr. Salivonchik is providing therapy for gum disease.

Traditionally, gum disease has been treated with basic tools. But today, dentists like Dr. Salivonchik are using dental lasers to provide more comfortable and effective treatment for gum disease. What makes it different from using traditional tools is that a laser seals at the same time as it treats damaged tissue. That reduces bleeding and results in a shorter recovery period.

Why Is Treating Gum Disease Important?

It’s been estimated that anywhere between 50-80% of the population has some form of gum disease, even if it’s only very mild. What’s more, gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults. But even that’s not all. As we mentioned in our last post, gum disease has been connected to health problems in other parts of the body as well.

Have you recently been diagnosed with gum disease? Dr. Salivonchik has a fast, effective, and comfortable treatment option for you to consider. Call our Coplay dental office to find out more or to reserve an appointment.  We’re located in Lehigh Valley and serve patients from Coplay, Allentown, Bethlehem, Easton, The Poconos, and beyond.

You Smile’s Connection to Your Heart

February 13, 2013

Filed under: General Dentistry — Tags: , , , , , , , — S. John salivonchik @ 7:49 pm

Every year around this time, people start putting together plans for Valentine’s Day. There are restaurant reservations to be made, heart-shaped boxes of chocolates to buy, and Valentine’s cards for the kids to take to school.

But there’s another way that hearts and February intersect—it’s Heart Health Month.

What, you might wonder, does that have to do with dentistry?

It means talking to our Lehigh Valley patients about the connection between gum disease and heart disease. The connection between these two isn’t 100% clear, but studies have shown that gum disease can have an impact on other kinds of health conditions.

How?

Through the gap that gum disease creates between the gum line and teeth. Bacteria and plaque can pass through that gap, gaining access to the bloodstream and, from there, to other parts of the body.

Does that mean a patient with gum disease will have a heart attack?

No. But it does show that your oral health and your overall health aren’t separated; the human body is a complete unit—what happens in one part can have consequences for another.

In that light, seeing Dr. Salivonchik for regular appointments isn’t just about taking care of your smile, it’s about taking care of your overall health. Call Dr. Salivonchik’s office if you need to schedule an appointment. We serve patients from Coplay, Allentown, Bethlehem, Easton, The Poconos, and other surrounding areas.

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