Our Blog

March is Kidney Disease Awareness Month!  Dr. Mary Rose explains how tooth decay and gum disease can lead to infections that can cause problems for people with kidney disease.

Tooth decay and gum disease are caused by plaque, which is a sticky film of bacteria that coats the teeth.  The sugars and starches of the food we eat reacts with the plaque, causing it to release acids.  The acids wear away the hard tooth enamel, eventually leading to cavities and tooth decay.

Diabetes is one of the major causes of chronic kidney disease.  If your renal disease is caused by diabetes you are more prone to cavities, gum disease, fungal infections, and delayed healing.  Some diabetic patients suffer from dry mouth which can lead to an increase in plaque.

People with kidney disease have weakened immune systems making them more susceptible to infections.  These patients are at risk for bone loss in the jaw due to calcium imbalance.  Patients with kidney disease need to make sure their calcium and phosphorus levels stay within the healthy range.

Dr. Mary Rose recommends brushing twice a day, flossing once a day, and making regular hygiene visits to her office to prevent tooth decay and gum disease.

Are you struggling with snoring and sleeplessness?  You are not alone – these are often signs of sleep apnea.  It is estimated that 18 million Americans have sleep apnea.

What is Sleep Apnea?

Sleep Apnea is a condition that causes repeated breathing interruptions throughout the night.

What Are The Signs Of Sleep Apnea Your Dentist Will Look For?

1. Tooth grinding also known as bruxism – Dr. Mary Rose looks for worn tooth surfaces, a sign that you grind your teeth.
2. Snoring – Risk factors that may contribute to snoring are obesity, narrow airway, alcohol consumption, chronic nasal congestion, large tonsils, deviated septum, a jaw that is small or set-back, and having a family history of snoring or obstructive sleep apnea.
3. Gasping for air during sleep – this will cause you to wake up repeatedly, which diminishes your sleep quality.
4. Episodes in which you stop breathing during sleep – this would be reported by another person.
5. Awakening with a dry mouth
6. Morning headache

Sleep apnea is linked to a higher risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, and obesity. Let Dr. Mary know if you are experiencing any of these symptoms.  If Dr. Mary Rose thinks you have sleep apnea, she will recommend a sleep study.

Happy New Year!  Everyone looks forward to seeing what the new year will bring.  If you make a list of resolutions each year, Dr. Mary Rose suggests choosing one of these ideas to add to your list.

1. Floss Every Day – Flossing reduces the risk of gum disease and tooth decay in hard to reach places between your teeth.  Plus, you will have a fresher breath!
2. Brush Your Teeth For Two Full Minutes – Studies show that most Americans brush significantly less than one minute. Try using a timer or sing Happy Birthday twice.  It will improve your oral hygiene.
3. Quit Smoking – Smoking is a dangerous habit for your health and teeth. Quitting will reduce your risk for gum disease, tooth loss and serious health issues.
4. Buy an Electric Toothbrush – Electric Toothbrush is an excellent investment in your oral health. It helps clean your teeth significantly better than a manual toothbrush.  Mary Rose suggests the Oral B Vitality for her patients.
5. Invest In a Tongue Scraper – Brushing your tongue with a toothbrush can remove some bacteria but investing in a tongue scraper will ensure your tongue is clean and bacteria free.
6. Visit your dentist regularly – Check your schedule to make sure you have an appointment for your regular checkup.

Have a wonderful 2023 and we look forward to seeing you in our office!

We all try to have a consistent oral hygiene routine that will remove plaque, food and debris from our teeth.   Unfortunately, brushing and flossing can not always remove the food and bacteria from your back teeth because of the deep grooves your teeth need to help you grind up food when you chew.  To help reduce the risk of cavities, Dr. Mary Rose will place sealants to reduce the risk of cavities.

What are sealants?  Dental sealants are a thin, protective plastic coating that protect the chewing surfaces of your back teeth.  Once applied, sealants can protect molars for up to 6 years reducing the chances for invasive dental work.  Dr. Mary Rose will check the sealants during your hygiene visits to make sure they do not need replaced due to wear or if missing.

Who can benefit from sealants?  Dr. Mary Rose recommends sealants for children when their permanent molars have fully erupted.  In some cases, Dr. Mary Rose might suggest sealants for your child’s primary (baby) teeth if there are deep grooves to protect the adult teeth.  Dr. Mary Rose recommends sealants to anyone, even adults, who are prone to tooth decay on their back teeth.

Sealants are a safe and effective way to reduce the risk of cavities.  If you have any questions, Dr. Mary Rose would be happy to discuss sealants with you.