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Substitute Sugar for Xylitol This Holiday Season

October 28, 2013

Filed under: General Dentistry — Tags: , , , , , , — S. John salivonchik @ 1:46 pm

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 the outside of teeth. When that happens, patients need a filling, inlay, onlay, or crown to prevent decay from spreading and genuinely endangering a tooth.

Thankfully, there’s an alternative to conventional sugar that patients can enjoy without harming their teeth or gaining substantial weight—it’s called xylitol. Made from plant fibers, xylitol has a comparable sweetness to sugar but doesn’t create acid when it comes into contact with your mouth. Instead, it creates a neutral environment, in which harmful bacteria have a more difficult time clinging to teeth. That’s why xylitol is also a common ingredient in some toothpaste brands. But xylitol can also be used to sweeten candy, and it can be used instead of sugar for baking.

Do you want to learn more about how xylitol can benefit your health? Call Dr. S. John Salivonchik’s Whitehall dental office if you live in Lehigh Valley, Bethlehem, Easton, or The Poconos. We’re always happy to answer your questions or schedule an appointment. You can also learn more by visiting xylitol.org.

Enjoy your favorite holidays treats this year without having to worry about your smile!

Acid Reflux and Oral Health

October 4, 2013

Filed under: Uncategorized — Tags: , , , , , , , , — S. John salivonchik @ 7:19 am

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 symptoms, or you’ve already been diagnosed with acid reflux disease, make regular appointments with Dr. Salivonchik and his Whitehall dental team a priority. During every visit, we’ll look for signs of tooth decay, plus gum disease and many other common conditions.

Signs that acid may have damaged your teeth include:

  • Sensitivity, especially to foods that are hot, cold, or sweet
  • Teeth that have thinned or shortened
  • Pain or irritation
  • Teeth with sharp edges

Are you worried about decay caused by acid reflux? Call Dr. Salivonchik’s dental office today to reserve an appointment. We serve patients from all around Lehigh Valley, including Whitehall, Allentown, Bethlehem, Easton, The Poconos, and beyond.

Porcelain Veneers: What to Expect From Your First Appointment

September 20, 2013

Filed under: Cosmetic Dentistry — Tags: , , , , , , , — S. John salivonchik @ 3:19 pm

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 looking at your smile and talking to you about the results you’d like to see. If you have any examples of smiles you like, like a photo or magazine clipping, feel free to bring it in. Coming to understand your needs and wants is a big part of what this first appointment is all about.

Your first appointment will also involve a certain amount of tooth preparation. For your porcelain veneers to look like a natural part of your smile, they have to lie flat against your teeth. For that to be possible, a small amount of tooth enamel must be removed. As part of your first appointment, Dr. Salivonchik will gently buff your teeth until enough enamel has been removed.

An impression of your smile will also be taken during your first visit, and a temporary set of veneers will be applied to your teeth to protect them. These temporary veneers won’t be customized the way your final set will be.

Do you want to transform your smile with porcelain veneers? Schedule your first appointment today. Dr. Salivonchik’s Whitehall dental office is located in Lehigh Valley and serves patients from Allentown, Bethlehem, Easton, The Poconos, and surrounding areas.

Anti-Aging Benefits of Teeth Whitening

August 9, 2013

Filed under: Cosmetic Dentistry — Tags: , , , , , , , — S. John salivonchik @ 5:09 pm

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 in-office whitening systems like Zoom.

Here’s what you can expect. First, Dr. Salivonchik will look at the stains on your teeth to see if you’re a good candidate for teeth whitening. If you are, a set of custom-made whitening trays will be made based on an impression we take of your teeth. When your trays are ready and you have your whitening gel, getting results will be as simple as wearing your gel-filled trays daily for just a short amount of time. Within one or two weeks, you’ll see the dazzling results you’ve been looking for. In addition, all fees for teeth whitening are donated to The Children’s Cancer Research Fund and Brenton’s Hope.

Do you want to know if teeth whitening is right for you? Call our Whitehall dental office for a consultation with Dr. Salivonchik. We’re happy to provide patients from Whitehall, Allentown, Bethlehem, Easton, The Poconos, and beyond with the anti-aging benefits of teeth whitening.

What Foods Are Good for My Smile?

July 16, 2013

Filed under: General Dentistry — Tags: , , , , , , — S. John salivonchik @ 7:09 am

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 the mouth not to become too dry? Because dry mouth contributes to bad breath, and it can promote the formation of cavities. Tea, on the other hand, contains antioxidants as well as polyphenols, which help in the battle against inflammation and bacteria growth.

Fruits, veggies, and nuts

Because some veggies, like carrots and celery, take some considerable chewing, these can be beneficial for your smile, as well as your overall health. Chewing produces saliva, which has a neutralizing effect on the decay-causing acid created by bacteria. For other foods, like garlic, apples, cocoa, and nutmeg, bacteria have a harder time sticking to teeth. With fewer bacteria in the mouth, there’s less of a risk of developing cavities or gum disease.

Do you have questions about what you should be eating to help your smile? Dr. S. John Salivonchik can help. During your next visit to his Whitehall dental office, he would be happy to offer nutritional advice.

Call us today to schedule your next appointment. We’re located in Lehigh Valley and serve patients from Whitehall, Allentown, Bethlehem, Easton, The Poconos, and surrounding areas.

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