Advantage Dentistry

Wednesday, January 24, 2018

Cleaning Night Guards

We at Advantage Dentistry in Kenmore are glad to see that so many of our patients wear night guards to protect themselves from tooth grinding. Besides sparing their teeth, they’re also reducing their likelihood of getting aches in their heads, necks, and shoulders. However, like dentures and athletic mouthguards, night guards can become hazardous if they are not cleaned properly.


A night guard will accumulate bacteria and fungus if it is not regularly brushed. Like teeth, it should be cleaned each morning with a soft-bristled toothbrush, although it is a good idea to have a separate toothbrush for the task. Night guards do not produce their own protective membrane and can be scratched by toothpaste minerals, so do not use toothpaste with extra fluoridation. A night guard should be dried before being put into its protective case for the day, but the case should also be washed regularly and dried. Soap and water are usually enough, but there are more specialized products. It is also important to always fully brush and floss the teeth before putting a night guard back in and to not leave it in a place where it may be warped by heat.


Dr. Thomas Balcerak operates Advantage Dentistry at 2887, Elmwood Ave, Kenmore, NY, 14217. To set up an appointment, call 716-877-2275, or visit AdvantageDentistry.com and fill out a contact form.


 

Thursday, January 18, 2018

Reasons for Filling Failure

At Advantage Dentistry in Kenmore, we carefully monitor our patients for signs their fillings are wearing out and encourage them to contact us if they experience any sensitivity. Recently, scientists have learned more about the reasons fillings fail.


The new study shows that genetics are a major component of filling failure. This means that if a person comes from a family with a history of bad oral health, it is especially important for them to maintain regular hygiene and check-ups. The more predictable contributing factors were smoking and alcohol use, which are also associated with implant failure and oral cancer. The study only examined male smokers, but filling failure rates were higher for them than for nonsmokers, and people of both sexes who drank alcohol had higher failure rates.


An interesting finding of the study is that the new, white composite fillings used as an alternative to amalgam fillings work just as well as their predecessors. The white fillings are favored because they are more aesthetically-pleasing and don’t pose a risk of causing an allergic reaction, so it’s good news that they are just as long-lived and resilient.


Dr. Thomas Balcerak operates Advantage Dentistry at 2887, Elmwood Ave, Kenmore, NY, 14217. To set up an appointment, call 716-877-2275, or visit AdvantageDentistry.com and fill out a contact form.