Adult Dental Education

Our Office Has Modern Technology!

diagnodent

 

Patients, meet the Diagnodent! For those of you who are not yet acquainted with the Diagnodent, it is an amazing little piece of technology that our office uses! The Diagnodent (manufactured by Kavo) is a safe and accurate cavity detection device. The Diagnodent laser can detect a cavity before an xray can! This noninvasive device allows the dentist to find cavities just as they are beginning so that our staff can properly monitor, or treat the cavity at it earliest stage.

 

The Diagnodent can help preserve tooth structure-  if a cavity is found early, less tooth structure can be removed when a filling must be done. Furthermore, the Diagnodent acts as a “laser set of eyes” for the dentist, and can help confirm the diagnosis of tooth decay. At Richards Frankel Dentistry we use the Diagnodent to monitor teeth so that if a cavity forms, we catch it early!

Along with digital xray, we keep a close watch on each and every tooth to make sure our patients’ teeth stay healthy!

From your modern dentista,

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in Adult Dental Education / Services

A link Between Exercise and Poor Oral Health?

Running

According to research recently reported in The New York Times published in the Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports that too much exercise could have a negative effect on our teeth. We all know that regular exercise is good, but new research suggests that too much exercise could, in fact, be bad for our oral health! 

 

Why might this be? Well during heavy exercise, salivary flow decreases, as this study showed. Saliva has a protective factor that helps prevent tooth decay, so if there is less of it, the teeth are more susceptible to cavities. Furthermore, the study also tested the pH of the athletes saliva, and it showed that prolonged exercise causes the saliva to become alkaline. Alkaline saliva promotes the development of tartar ( calculus) on the teeth.

So, if you, or your friends family members are professional athletes, distance runners, or work-out for long periods of time, regular dental visits are important! Furthermore, it is always best to drink water while exercising in order to stay hydrated, but also to help keep the pH of your mouth balanced and less dry. pH Neutral, non-flavored water is best during a workout. 

Regular exercise is great, but if you frequently train long hours, make sure you visit your dentist regularly so that any cavities can be diagnosed early!

 

Happy exercising,

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Dr. Frankel

“final stretch” by Pablo Manriquez is licensed under CC BY

in Adult Dental Education / Dental Tips

Got Wisdom?… Teeth, That Is!

Today we’re going to talk about wisdom teeth! A question I commonly receive is should I keep my wisdom teeth? Well, today I’m going to help to demystify why many dentists recommend that wisdom teeth be extracted, while some wisdom teeth can happily stay in the mouth.

What Are Wisdom Teeth?

Wisdom teeth are another name for your third molars, the back-most teeth in your mouth, and they erupt around the age of 18.

Why Extract Wisdom Teeth?

Common dental issues associated with wisdom teeth include, only partially erupting into the mouth, or being impacted- the teeth are trapped inside the bone of the jaw. When this occurs it is often necessary to extract the wisdom teeth because they can cause dental disease. Even erupted third molars can be prone to disease, as they are difficult to keep clean due to their location in the mouth. Wisdom teeth can also crowd the existing dentition, and can cause movement of existing teeth.

Why Keep Wisdom Teeth?

If your wisdom teeth are erupted, and are kept clean, and are not causing disease in your mouth, they can likely stay put. Just make sure those teeth are kept clean with regular brushing and flossing.

Richards Frankel Dentistry works closely with oral surgeons to make sure your wisdom tooth removal experience is comfortable. If you are concerned that your wisdom teeth are causing you dental discomfort, then book your consultation appointment today!

Brought to you by your wisdom-toothless dentist,

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Dr. Frankel

in Adult Dental Education

Its Mouthguard Season!

soccer

With fall sports season comes the need for custom-fitted mouthguards! Here at Richards Frankel Dentistry we can make you and your children custom fitting mouthguards that optimize facial protection when playing contact sports. Over-the-counter mouthguards provide significantly LESS protection than do custom-fitted mouthguards.

 

Why wear a mouthguard?

Mouthguards help you avoid injuries to the mouth when playing sports such as basketball, softball, football, wrestling, soccer, lacrosse, rugby, hockey, field hockey, and skateboarding.

Common injuries that can be avoided include:

  • jaw fracture
  • broken teeth
  • split lips
  • concussion (mouthguards may reduce the likelihood of concussion)

 

Why wear a custom-fitted professional mouthguard?

A mouthguard made by your dentist is made to an exact model of your teeth, so it fits! It doesn’t require that the athlete hold it in place by biting on it.  Mouthguards sold at sporting goods stores, or drugstores are not able to create a tight fit to the teeth and are often loose and bulky, thus providing less protection and are less durable. While an over-the-counter mouthguard is less expensive, it is less durable, and is not backed by your dentist’s warranty.

Don’t let you or your children be more susceptible to injury! Have a custom mouthguard made by Richards Frankel Dentistry and let the games begin!

Happy sports season,

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Dr. Frankel

“Week #17: Sport” by Kicki Holmén is licensed under CC BY

in Adult Dental Education / Dental Tips / Orange Dentist / Pediatric Education / Pepper Pike Dentist / Services / Shaker Heights Dentist

Why Floss?

The floss seen in the image above is vintage. A patient brought it into our office this morning, and said it was over 60 years old! This little bottle of vintage waxed floss made me think, and I want to share my thoughts with you! Flossing has been around a long time, and dentists and hygienists always remind their patients to floss. Yet, still my patients admit that they aren’t flossing twice a day. But why? Well, why floss?

  • Flossing is an essential part of  your home hygiene routine because it removes plaque (bacteria) from between the teeth and at the gumline where periodontal disease often begins, or cavities can form.
  • Flossing twice a day is a proven way of decreasing the likelihood of gingivitis, periodontitis and cavities.
  • Flossing can remove old food debris from between the teeth and thus improve your breath!

There are now a variety of flossers that you can use if you find the floss string awkward. Bottom line:  flossing improves oral health, and also your overall health. The bacteria that cause gum disease is now linked to heart disease, stroke, Alzheimer’s Disease, just to name a few. So, flossing is a cheap, easy and quick way to do something good for your body ( and teeth) everyday. Make it a part of your daily routine so that your next dental visit is excellent!

Keep flossing,

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Dr. Frankel

in Adult Dental Education / Pediatric Education

Your Mouth has a Huge Impact on Your Overall Health!

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It is extremely important to let my patients know about the connection between your oral health and overall health.  Here is what I want you to know:

  1. Periodontal Disease is an INFLAMMATORY DISEASE. It is inflammation of the gums, which can subsequently impact other structures in the mouth, including bone. What causes it? Bacterial overgrowth ( bad bacteria outweigh good bacteria).
  2. The destructive forces of Periodontal Disease (oral bacteria) are the same destructive forces in many common diseases like STROKE, RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS, CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE, etc.
  3. Periodontal Disease exacerbates other inflammatory diseases, including ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE, CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE, DIABETES, etc.
  • Up to 50% of HEART ATTACKS are triggered by bad oral bacteria
  • The oral bacterium P.Gingivalis raises the risk of HEART ATTACK 13.6 TIMES- that’s two times more likely that you’ll have a heart attack due to gum disease than being a smoker.
  • Having Periodontal Disease is as big of a risk for a STROKE as having high blood pressure.

So, what can you do to lower your risk of Periodontal Disease, and stay healthy? Visit your dentist! Dr. Frankel evaluates every patient for Periodontal Disease (gum disease). If you are diagnosed with gum disease, Richards Frankel Dentistry will make sure your disease is controlled and well-treated. Don’t ignore your mouth, it will impact your overall health!

Stay healthy and informed,

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Dr. Frankel

“Definition of Perfect Retouch” by T.J. Lentz is licensed under CC BY

in Adult Dental Education

Bleaching is an easy way to a brighter, whiter smile!

whitening

WHY DENTAL BLEACHING IS IMPORTANT

People are always talking about bleaching their teeth. Why are people so concerned with a whiter smile? Well, your smile creates an immediate, subconscious, visual impact on people you meet. A brighter smile gives the impression of youth, vitality, radiant health, happiness, and warmth. A bright smile is perceived as a healthy smile. And, teeth whitening remains one of the most economical ways to enhance your smile.

WHY DO TEETH DARKEN?

As we age, our permanent teeth often become darker, yellower, and stained. This is partly why white teeth make people appear more youthful.  The main reasons for yellowed teeth are genetics, antibiotics, and certain foods, and age. Internal tooth discoloration is caused by changes in the enamel of the tooth and the dentin. The main causes of internal tooth discoloration are exposure to high levels of fluoride, tetracycline, use of antibiotics as a child, developmental disorders, tooth decay, restorations, root canal issues, and trauma.

WHITEN YOUR TEETH

Richards Frankel Dentistry now offers several modes of bleaching treatments: Sheer White, and bleaching trays.
Sheer White is a fast, and easy way to whiten your teeth, and it is less expensive than bleaching trays. Sheer White are whitening strips that do a fantastic job of molding to your teeth in order to hold the bleach in place, and they are easier to wear than over-the-counter bleaching strips. You can even drink hot and cold beverages in them! If you are interested in bleaching, but aren’t ready to invest in more expensive bleaching trays, give Sheer White a try!
If you are looking for a more custom fit and a more long-term treatment option for bleaching, then bleaching trays are a better choice for you! At Richards Frankel Dentistry we will make you custom bleaching trays that will be sure to brighten your smile!

Call us today for a consultation appointment! 440-442-4477

Happy whitening,
Dr. Frankel

“Devan” by Seth Lemmons is licensed under CC BY

in Adult Dental Education / Cosmetic Dentistry / Dental Promotions

Get your child acquainted with the dentist!

Did you know that the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that all children visit the dentist by the age of 1? Yes, I said 1 yr. of age! It’s important for your child to become familiar with the dentist, and to develop the skills he, or she needs to begin healthy hygiene habits at home.  Today we had wonderful patient into our office who began going to the dentist by 18 months!

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Get your child excited about the dentist like our patient here! What a cutie!

Best, Dr. Frankel

in Adult Dental Education / Pediatric Education

Pregnant? Why you should see the dentist!

baby

It is extra important to keep your mouth healthy while your pregnant and have a baby! Here’s why: The oral health of a pregnant woman, and subsequently a new mom can directly impact the health of her baby. Mothers transmit their oral bacteria to their babies, who are born with no oral bacteria. Good oral health for Mom, especially during pregnancy, reduces her own bad oral bacteria and thus reduces what she transmits to the baby. Cavities and periodontal disease are caused by bacteria, so you don’t want to pass the “bad bugs” that causes those diseases to your baby.  It is important to understand that a lack of oral hygiene during pregnancy presents a risk to your baby. Care for mom=Care for baby!

Today it is also even considered safe to have dental x-rays while pregnant. “Teeth cleanings and dental X-rays are safe for pregnant women. OB-GYNs are being advised to perform routine oral health assessments at the first prenatal visit and encourage their patients to see a dentist during pregnancy”, according to recommendations issued by The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists  in a July 26 statement.

X-rays? You may be skeptical. Dental x-rays have produced only very small amounts of radiation for a long time. A full set of x-rays, even with the older film technique, produced as much radiation as standing outside for 10 minutes. Today’s digital radiography produces approximately 1/8 of that already low amount. Dental professionals step out of the room during exposure because radiation is cumulative. Protective shields covering abdomen and thyroid are used on all patients, and has been standard for decades. Richards Frankel Dentistry would only take x-rays on pregnant patients if it is absolutely necessary.

The American Dental Association (ADA) also states in a news article that  “…local anesthesia (with or without epinephrine) are safe during pregnancy.” So, if you need a cavity filled while your pregnant, don’t worry you can be numb!

The ADA also writes that “…conditions requiring immediate treatment, such as extractions, root canals, and restoration (amalgam or composite) of untreated caries, may be managed at any time during pregnancy. Delaying treatment may result in more complex problems.” Take care of your mouth now and help to prevent disease in your baby’s mouth! Richards Frankel Dentistry will weigh the risks of dental treatment vs. non-treatment while a woman is pregnant, as we would never put a mother, or her baby at risk!

Best, Dr. Frankel

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“Baby Shoes” by Meagan is licensed under CC BY

in Adult Dental Education

Oil Pulling is trending. Does it work?

Coconut

Oil pulling is an ancient practice that is traditionally done in Southeast Asian cultures, where oil is swished in a person’s mouth for 20 minutes daily.  People who practice oil pulling claim that swishing any type of oil in your mouth every day will whiten your teeth, reduce bacteria, strengthen your gums and jaw, improve skin, clear your sinuses, prevent ​bad breath and even protect against heart disease, as well as Alzheimer’s Disease. However, other than anecdotal claims, there is no research to back-up these benefits. Dental professionals cannot prove that oil pulling indeed does work. Researchers need to further investigate oil pulling and its benefits to oral and overall health.

However, there re also no negative effects known to be caused by oil pulling either. Thus, if you can tolerate swishing oil in your mouth for 20 minutes daily, and you are curious to see if it does, in fact, whiten your teeth, or reduce bad breath, then try it at home. Just don’t swallow the oil! Coconut oil, or olive oil are commonly used in this practice.

Nothing replaces the benefits of regular dental visits, and dental exams and professional hygiene maintenance. It is also important to brush and floss twice daily!

I hope I’ve satisfied your curiosity, or even peaked it!

Best, Dr. Frankel

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* Information for this article was gathered from US News and World Report.

“Coconut” by Hafiz Issadeen is licensed under CC BY

 

in Adult Dental Education / Dental Tips