S. John Salivonchik D.M.D., P.C.

Substitute Sugar for Xylitol This Holiday Season

October 28, 2013

The end of October is nearly here. Not only does that signal the arrival of Halloween, it means that the year’s other big holidays aren’t far behind, either. From now until the very end of 2013, patients will be indulging in treats of all kinds, whether it’s packaged candy or home-baked treats.

Obviously, we don’t want to discourage anyone from enjoying what the holiday season has to offer, but we also want our Whitehall-area patients to be aware of the threat sugar poses and the amazing alternative available.

First, how does sugar interact with your smile? By creating an acidic environment that, over time, can weaken the protective layer of enamel on...

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Acid Reflux and Oral Health

October 4, 2013

In most cases, tooth decay—a common oral health issues—is caused by poor nutrition, but not always. Sometimes, the cause of decay is related to frequent indigestion. Known as acid reflux disease, patients who experience heartburn several times a week may be vulnerable to decay as a result of stomach acid leaking from the stomach and to the esophagus. If this acid comes into contact with your smile’s protective enamel, it can become weakened, eventually exposing the sensitive layer of dentin underneath. Besides heartburn, other symptoms of acid reflux disease include:

Regurgitation
Bloating or burping
Narrowing of the esophagus
Hiccups
Nausea
Black/bloody stools or bloody vomiting
Weight loss
Wheezing, hoarseness, sore throat, or dry cough

If you recognize these...

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Porcelain Veneers: What to Expect From Your First Appointment

September 20, 2013

If you’ve ever considered porcelain veneers, you may already know that it takes two appointments to transform a smile with this unique cosmetic dentistry service. That being the case, we’d like to use this post to address what you can expect from your first appointment. But first, what are porcelain veneers? Porcelain veneers are made from very thin pieces of dental porcelain. They’re designed to cover imperfections the patient wants to hide, like stains, chips, slight misalignment, and more. Each set of porcelain veneers is specially designed and crafted to meet the unique needs of each patient. During your first appointment, Dr. S. John Salivonchik will spend much of the time...

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Anti-Aging Benefits of Teeth Whitening

August 9, 2013

Coffee, tea, red wine, soda, and fruit juice are some of the most common causes of teeth stains, but they aren’t the only ones. The fact is aging plays a part in the staining process, too. As we age, our smiles will lose some of their gleam. But thankfully, with a cosmetic dentistry service like teeth whitening, patients can turn back the clock on their smiles and enjoy better self-confidence. At Dr. S. John Salivonchik’s dental office in Whitehall, we can provide you with custom-made bleaching trays that will allow you to brighten your smile in the comfort of your own home. Research shows that take-home whitening is more effective than...

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What Foods Are Good for My Smile?

July 16, 2013

Our patients already how important brushing, flossing, and regular checkups are. What’s less well-known is that there are certain foods that can also help you with your smile. Today, we’ll be talking about some of those foods and their benefits for oral health. Dairy foods Specifically, we’re talking about milk, cheese, and yogurt. All three are great sources for calcium, which helps to strengthen bones and teeth, but they also contain casein, which protects teeth from decay and cavities. Water and tea In each case, the benefits of these differ. Water’s primary benefit is that it keeps the mouth from becoming too dry and also helps wash away food. Why is it important for...

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