Many of our patients brush their teeth regularly, but fail to clean between their teeth.  It is important that flossing is done regularly as well.   In our busy lives, we sometime neglect to brush properly as well and put off flossing all together.  This is a big mistake, and here is why!

Periodontal problems start between the teeth where normal brushing cannot get clean, so bacteria builds up which causes redness or soreness and if left untreated can be the beginning of periodontal disease.  It is not uncommon to see gum’s receding and the jaw bone starting to deteriorate which will lead to expensive dentistry to repair.

It is far better to get in the habit of daily, brushing and flossing your teeth.   Take a tooth brush and floss with you to work, and use them after breakfast snacks and lunch.   The combination of daily care and regular professional cleanings provides the best opportunity to prevent sever dental disease.

Studies show that patients who get into good brushing and flossing habits coupled with regular visit with their dentists for cleanings have far less problems with their teeth and gum’s and their overall dental health is significantly better.  Make smart choices when it comes to your health, and protect yourself from disease with good daily habits.

And finally, look for the American Dental Associations’ Seal of Acceptance on brushes, toothpastes, mouth rinses, and other oral care products.  You can be assured that these products meet the ADA guidelines and will provide the safety and effectiveness you are looking for in dental care products.

Call us or stop by for a visit; The Palm Desert Center for Advanced Cosmetic and Implant Dentistry is located at 73-929 Larrea Street, Suite 2, Palm Desert, CA 92260.  Contact us by phone: (760-340-1030)

Dr. Ann A. Nicholas offices provide dental and periondontal services to Palm Desert, Palm Springs, Rancho Mirage, and the entire Coachella Valley.

Last year in the New York Times I recall an interesting article talking about the difference between implants and bridges.  This article is a non-dental publication that gives an endorsement for implants as the new standard of care for missing teeth and its benefits for patients considering this option.  Entitled “A Dental Shift: Implants Instead of Bridges,” this author provides some important in-site for patients who are considering the choice between implants or bridges.

In the article it points out; implants won’t decay, are easy to clean and floss between, don’t need to be replaced, or be attached to other teeth.  This author makes the point that over the long run, implants are the best choice and delivers the highest value.

This is Dr. Anne A. Nicholas of “The Palm Desert Center for Advanced Cosmetic and Implant Dentistry” and I recommend that all my patients considering the choice between implants or bridges read this article.  Please click the link high lighted above to access this article.

“The Palm Desert Center for Cosmetic and Implant Dentistry is located at 73929 Larrea Street, Suite 2, Palm Desert, California and provides dental services for Palm Desert, Palm Springs, Rancho Mirage, and the entire Coachella Valley.  Please call 760.340.1030 for information or to request an appointment.

Vicki Robin and Joe Dominguez wrote a wonderful book, “Your Money or Your Life.” A quote from the book; “Frugality is enjoying the virtue of getting good value for every minute of your life energy and from everything that you have the use of.”  

There are many demands on our resources, mainly our money! Just about everything we do cost money and there is no end to the demands on it. It is therefore essential to make sure we invest our money wisely on things that add “high” value to our lives and to others who are important to us.

Those who chose the dental profession did so because they receive a good deal of training particularly if they become a specialist in an area of dentistry i.e. periodontal science. Specialties allow dentists the ability to offer additional “high” value and knowledge in helping patients obtain optimal oral health.

A periodontal dentist is a specialist who encourages patients to invest in maintaining excellent oral health. They have been trained to treat gum disease, and educate patients about bacteria infecting the gums that can affect their health by spreading to the heart and other organs of their bodies.

In July of 2009 the American Journal of Cardiology and the Journal of Periodontology published an editors’ consensus that recommended:

• Patients with moderate to severe periodontitis should be informed that there may be an increased risk for cardiovascular disease associated with periodontitis.

• Gum disease, “It can kill you!”

• Patients with high antibodies to a common periodontal disease pathogen had a 200% increase in their incidence of Alzheimer’s disease.

Adding value is a wonderful thing, particularly if it is being added to you. If you suspect or have concerns about gum disease, do yourself a favor and visit a specialist who understands your problem and can offer treatment. Please remember to protect and add value to your health.

It is recommend you visit your dentist twice yearly for professional cleanings to control plaque and daily to clean your tongue, floss, brush your teeth and irrigate with a diluted antiseptic mouthwash.

Dr. Anne A. Nicholas owner of “The Palm Desert Center for Advanced Cosmetic and Implant Dentistry” is a periodontal specialist serving Palm Desert, Palm Springs, Rancho Mirage, and the Coachella Valley. Office is located at: 73-929 Larrea Street, Suite 2, Palm Desert, CA 92260 – Phone: 760-340-1030

As you can probably imagine, gum disease is caused by bacteria from dental plaque which forms on teeth that are not properly cared for.  This is why all dentists encourage patients to brush and floss their teeth three times daily.  When teeth are not properly brushed and flossed, plaque produces toxins that irritate the gums, which creates the redness, swelling, and in some cases bleeding.

If untreated, the tissue and bone start to break down, or deteriorate.  Left untreated by a Periodontist, tooth loss will occur.  Daily brushing and flossing with regularly scheduled examinations by your dentist will greatly reduce chances of getting periodontal disease.

Should you find yourself with gum disease, your dentist will recommend a Periodontist, like Dr. Anne A. Nicholas of Palm Desert and Palm Springs.  Periodontists like Dr. Nicholas complete dental school and then continue their education for two to three years to obtain postdoctoral certificates in periodontic studies.  They learn the latest techniques for diagnosing and treating periodontal diseases based on scientific research.

Today, there are options available to avoid and cure gum disease.  We strongly suggest that if you show any of the signs mention in this article, you see your dentist, or visit a Periodontist like Dr. Nicholas, as soon as possible.

Dr. Anne A. Nicholas serves the entire Coachella Valley, Rancho Mirage, Palm Desert and Palm Springs.  Patients can call 760.340.1030 and schedule appointments and free consultations.

FLOSSING We often get asked questions such as how often should I floss, is flossing necessary, and what teeth should I floss ? Our response is the cliche used by dentists the world over. You should only floss the teeth you want to keep! You see next to brushing, flossing is the most important thing that you can do to ensure good oral health.

The purpose of both brushing and flossing is to reduce the number of bacteria which inhabit our mouths. Normally, millions of these microscopic monsters call your mouth home, feeding on food particles left on our teeth.

Ungrateful guests, these bacteria produce acid as a result of their feasting and it is this acid which eats into tooth enamel creating cavities. If this wasn’t bad enough, the bacteria also pour out volatile sulfur compounds creating embarrassing bad breath.

Normally bacteria are found within a mesh of mucus and debris known as plaque. Regular brushing removes the plaque and the bacteria plaque contains. Unfortunately, many people only brush, forgetting that flossing is a key component to any good oral hygiene program.

Flossing removes the bacteria that escape the toothbrush by hiding in the tiny spaces in between teeth. Brushing without flossing is like washing only 65% of your body. The other 35% remains dirty! The American Dental Association recommends that you floss at least once a day.

If you do not floss and allow plaque to remain in between teeth it eventually hardens into a substance known as tartar. Unlike plaque which can be easily removed by brushing, tartar can only be removed by your dentist.

Over time, levels of more dangerous types of bacteria build up within tartar. Mean and vengeful, these bacteria produce toxins which irritate and inflame the gums. This condition is known as gingivitis. If gingivitis is left untreated it can progress to periodontal disease – a condition where bacteria and their toxins invade not only the gums but also the bones and the structures supporting the teeth. This can lead to bone loss, loose teeth, and teeth which fall out.

We recommend Glide or any other coated dental floss because they slide easily between teeth. However, any floss that you can get between your teeth and which does not fray or break easily is good.

Alternatively, if you don’t like using dental floss, consider an interdental cleaner (electric flosser) which makes flossing easy and convenient.

If you haven’t flossed in a while, you may see a little red tinge of blood on the floss after you use it. This indicates that your gums are slightly inflamed and vastly in need of flossing to remove bacteria. With a regular regimen of flossing this red tinge should go away.

By brushing and flossing we help to eliminate the bacteria which can lead to bad breath, gingivitis, and periodontal disease thus creating smiles which last a lifetime.

Wellness Update

The Purple Mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana), colloquially known simply as “the mangosteen”, is a tropical evergreen tree, believed to have originated in the Sunda Islands and the Moluccas. The tree grows from 7 to 25 m (20-80 ft) tall. The rind (exocarp) of the edible fruit is deep reddish purple when ripe. Botanically an aril, the fragrant edible flesh can be described as sweet and tangy, citrusy with peach flavor and texture.

The Purple Mangosteen belongs to the same genus as the other – less widely known – mangosteens, such as the Button Mangosteen (G. prainiana) or the Lemondrop Mangosteen (G. madruno). Botanically, they are not particularly closely related to the mango (Mangifera spp.), which belongs to another lineage of rosids.