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My Blog

Posts for: February, 2019

3 Ways Orthodontic Techniques Could Prevent a Poor Bite

By Jose I. Arauz, DMD, PA
February 18, 2019
Category: Dental Procedures
Tags: orthodontic treatment  
3WaysOrthodonticTechniquesCouldPreventaPoorBite

While orthodontists can effectively correct most poor bites (malocclusions), some can be quite complex requiring much time and expense. But there's good news—we often don't have to wait on a malocclusion to fully develop if we catch it in time. Thanks to interceptive orthodontics, we may be able to intervene much earlier and eliminate or reduce the degree of difficulty with treatment.

Interceptive orthodontics is a group of techniques and devices used in early childhood to help deter a possible malocclusion. Here are 3 ways this approach could make a difference in your child's bite development.

Guiding jaw growth. On a normal-sized upper jaw, the permanent teeth usually have ample room to erupt. Not so with a smaller jaw: incoming teeth become crowded and may erupt out of alignment or too close to each other. Orthodontists often use a device called a palatal expander to aid an under-sized jaw in its development. The device fits along the roof of the mouth between the teeth and applies gradual outward pressure on them. This encourages the jaw to widen as it grows, thus providing more room for erupting teeth to come in properly and decrease the chances of obstructive sleep apnea in the future.

Reshaping and repositioning jaw bones. An overbite can occur when the jaws aren't properly aligned, often due to poor muscle and bone development. This is where devices like the Herbst appliance are useful. Its hinge mechanism encourages the lower jaw to grow further forward. The jaws can thus develop in a more normal way, minimizing the development of a malocclusion.

Maintaining space. Primary ("baby") teeth are important for dental development because they help guide future permanent teeth to erupt properly; they also keep nearby teeth from drifting into the intended space. But when a primary tooth is lost prematurely due to disease or trauma, the space can become vulnerable to this kind of "drift." With a simple mechanism called a space maintainer we can hold open the space created by a prematurely lost primary tooth until the permanent tooth is ready to erupt.

These and other techniques can help stop bad bites from developing in young children, minimizing or even eliminating the need for future orthodontic treatment. That means a healthier mouth for your child and less impact on your wallet.

If you would like more information on interceptive orthodontics, please contact us or schedule an appointment for a consultation. You can also learn more about this topic by reading the Dear Doctor magazine article “Interceptive Orthodontics: Timely Intervention can make Treatment Easier.”


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Legal or Not, Marijuana Poses a Health Risk to Your Gums

By Jose I. Arauz, DMD, PA
February 08, 2019
Category: Oral Health
Tags: marijuana   oral-health  
LegalorNotMarijuanaPosesaHealthRisktoYourGums

Proponents of legalized marijuana have won phenomenal gains over the last decade. Despite the federal government's continuing criminalization of the drug, several states including California, Colorado and Massachusetts, have voted to legalize its recreational use.

Most people are aware of the social and political controversies the marijuana legalization movement stirs. But there's another side to this roiling issue: the health effects of marijuana, particularly for your teeth and gums. What may be lost beneath the more exciting headlines about ballot initiatives is the growing evidence that habitual marijuana use may increase the risk and severity of periodontal (gum) disease.

Gum disease is a bacterial infection caused by dental plaque, a thin film of bacteria and food particles that accumulates on teeth. The spreading infection triggers inflammation, a normal bodily response to disease that's ordinarily beneficial. But if the inflammation becomes chronic it weakens the gums' attachment to the teeth. This can create voids or periodontal pockets of infection around the teeth. The disease can eventually damage the underlying bone, which could accelerate tooth loss.

Poor oral hygiene is the biggest factor for an increased risk of gum disease; thinner gum tissue (an inherited condition or related to poor tooth position) is another factor, as well as lifestyle habits like tobacco use or excessive alcohol consumption. Add marijuana to the list: there's now some evidence that its use increases the risk for more severe periodontal pockets if the disease occurs.

In a recent study, researchers with the Columbia University College of Dental Medicine reviewed statistics on the care for nearly 2,000 adult patients; a quarter of those in the study were frequent marijuana users. The marijuana users proportionately had deeper periodontal pocket occurrences than the rest of the patients in the study that didn't use the drug.

The study doesn't say that marijuana causes periodontal (gum) disease. But it does suggest that marijuana use might increase its severity. As with other substances and practices in our society, marijuana use comes with a caveat: it may be legal where you live, but it may not necessarily be good for your health.

If you would like more information on the effects of marijuana use on your oral health, please contact us or schedule an appointment for a consultation. You can also learn more about this topic by reading the Dear Doctor magazine article “As More States Legalize Marijuana, Link to Gum Disease is a Concern.”


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January (3)
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Archive:

  • 2019
      • February (2)
        • 3 Ways Orthodontic Techniques Could Prevent a Poor Bite
        • Legal or Not, Marijuana Poses a Health Risk to Your Gums
      • January (3)
        • 3 Reasons Why Your New Dentist Needs Your Treatment Records
        • How Kathy Bates Retains Her Movie-Star Smile
        • 4 Ways to Check on Your Brushing and Flossing Effectiveness
  • 2018
      • December (4)
        • Practice the Dental Care Basics to Ensure a Healthy Smile
        • Why Dental Implants Are Right for You
        • Stop Smoking to Reduce Your Risk of Gum Disease
        • Why Big Bang Theory Actress Mayim Bialik Couldn't Have Braces
      • November (3)
        • Be Wary When Considering Botox Treatment for TMD
        • Don't Ignore Sudden Tooth Pain - Your Teeth may be Telling you Something
        • Gum Surgery Can Improve Your Smile and Save Your Teeth
      • October (5)
        • NBC Star Delivers a Message about the "Perfect" Smile
        • What You Should Know About Antibiotic Therapy Before Implant Surgery
        • Eat the Right Kind of Carbs to Protect Yourself from Gum Disease
        • Signs You May Need a Tooth Extracted
        • Orthodontics and Your Teen
      • September (3)
        • Baseball's Francisco Lindor Shines as "Mr. Smile"
        • What You Should Know About a Home Teeth Whitening Kit
        • Your Age Won't Necessarily Decide Against Straightening Your Smile
      • August (4)
        • Pros and Cons for Flossing Before Brushing and Vice-Versa
        • America's (Dentists) Got Talent - for Fixing Damaged or Missing Teeth!
        • Can Cosmetic Gum Surgery Benefit My Smile?
        • World Cup Soccer Coach-Dentist Saves the Day!
      • July (3)
        • Anchors Make all the Difference in Successful Orthodontic Treatment
        • We'll Help You Maintain Your Oral Health After Gum Disease
        • Dr. Travis Stork: If Only I'd Worn A Mouthguard!
      • June (4)
        • Bone Grafting Might be Necessary Before You Obtain an Implant
        • Treating Loose Teeth in Adults
        • June Is National Safety Month: Be Prepared for Dental Emergencies
        • Tips for Picture-Perfect Summer Smiles
      • May (3)
        • Jimmy Fallon Can’t Catch a Break - Except in His Tooth
        • Not a Fan of Using CPAP for Your Sleep Apnea? Consider an Oral Appliance
        • Sealants Could Protect Your Child's Teeth From Future Problems
      • April (3)
        • What You Should Know About Veneers for Teenagers
        • Actor David Ramsey Discusses Baby Bottle Tooth Decay
        • Non-Surgical Periodontal Treatment
      • March (2)
        • Drawing Impacted Teeth into the Open can Restore a Smile
        • 3 Fluoride Sources You Should Monitor for Your Family's Dental Health
      • February (2)
        • No- or Minimal-Prep Veneers Reduce Permanent Alterations to Your Teeth
        • Nancy O'Dell on Making Oral Hygiene Fun for Kids
      • January (4)
        • Let Dental Implants Make Your Smile Whole Again
        • The Type of Tooth Pain You Have Could be Telling You What's Wrong
        • Watch for These Developing Bite Problems with Your Child's Teeth
        • 4 Areas We May Check During Your Older Loved One's Regular Dental Visit
  • 2017
      • December (2)
        • Dental Magic Transforms Smiles
        • Holiday Tips for Healthier Teeth
      • November (3)
        • Looking Good for the Holidays
        • Are You Keeping Good Oral Hygiene Habits?
        • There's a Good Reason for Adults to Consider Orthodontics - Better Oral Health
      • October (4)
        • Mayim Bialik's "Halloween Fairy" Helps Keep Her Kids' Teeth Cavity-Free
        • The Timely Use of a Palatal Expander Could Help Correct a Cross-Bite
        • Why the Treatment Model for Your Jaw Joint Disorder Matters
        • Would Dental Implants Help Me?
      • September (2)
        • Think You Have Sleep Apnea? Find Out for Sure to Get the Right Treatment
        • (Don't) Break It Like Beckham
      • August (3)
        • The 3 Top Causes for Tooth Sensitivity
        • Master Illusionist Benefits from the Magic of Orthodontics
        • What is Gum Recession?
      • July (3)
        • Use the Same Prevention Strategy to Defeat Tooth Decay and Gum Disease
        • Beyonce Makes Flossing a Family Affair
        • Screw or Cement: Which is Best for Attaching Your Implant Crown?
      • June (3)
        • Jamie Foxx Chips a Tooth - This Time by Accident!
        • Don't Ignore These Signs Of Periodontal Disease
        • Dealing with the Reality of Increased Disease Risk with Braces
      • May (2)
        • Vivica's Veneers: the Making of a Hollywood Smile
        • Only a Dental Exam can Identify the Root Cause of Your Tooth Pain
      • April (2)
        • In Today's NFL, Oral Hygiene Takes Center Stage
        • Instill in Your Child the Daily Habit of Brushing and Flossing
      • March (2)
        • Life Is Sometimes a Grind for Brooke Shields
        • Even if a Root Canal Won't Work, This Procedure Could Save your Tooth
      • February (2)
        • New Front Teeth for a Teenaged David Duchovny
        • A Root Canal Can Stop Tooth Decay and Save Your Tooth
      • January (3)
        • Dr. Travis Stork: Don't Ignore Bleeding Gums
        • Get Control of Dry Mouth to Protect Your Dental Health
        • Neil Patrick Harris: What the Oscars Host Treasures Most
  • 2016
      • December (1)
        • Success with Dental Implants Depends on Attention to Detail
      • November (2)
        • Giancarlo Stanton Gets Major-League Mouth Protection
        • Cleft Repair can Restore a Smile, Change a Life
      • October (3)
        • Even Celebrities Like Jennifer Lawrence Aren't Immune From Bad Breath!
        • What's the Cost of Skipping a Check-up?
        • Where - and How - Does it Hurt? Getting to the Source of Tooth Pain
      • September (5)
        • No "Glee" in Tooth Grinding
        • Gum Recession Could Shorten the Life of Your Teeth
        • Welcome to our Patient Newsletter!
        • To Floss or Not to Floss...is that a real question?
        • Dental Crowns for the King of Magic
      • August (2)
        • Lasers are Making an Impact in Treating Gum Disease
        • A Toothless Tiger?
      • July (2)
        • 3 Things to Consider for Lowering Your Child's Risk for Cavities
        • A Royal Fix
      • June (2)
        • Effective Hygiene is Key to Preventing Enamel White Spots While Wearing Braces
        • Sofia Vergara: 'Obsessed' With Oral Hygiene
      • May (2)
        • To Prevent Tooth Decay, Practice Effective Brushing and Flossing
        • Noah Galloway's Dentally Dangerous Dancing
      • April (2)
        • Quitting Smoking can Improve the Health of Your Teeth and Gums
        • Dwight Howard: A Bright NBA Star With a Smile to Match
      • March (3)
        • There's Still Hope for a Re-Infected Tooth After Root Canal Treatment
        • Eden Sher and the Lost Retainer
        • Treating Small Enamel Cracks Could Help you Avoid a Dangerous Tooth Fracture
      • February (2)
        • Actor David Ramsey Says: Don't Forget to Floss!
        • Oral Sedation Helps Reduce Anxiety During Dental Treatment
      • January (2)
        • Tom Hanks' Abscessed Tooth Gets Cast Away
        • Stopping Tooth Decay Could Require Root Canal Treatment
  • 2015
      • December (3)
        • Chrissy Teigen's Teeth-Grinding Troubles
        • With Proper Management, Dental Implants can be a Reality for Diabetics
        • Ariana Grande Breaks Free - of Her Wisdom Teeth

Tags

  • wisdom teeth (3)
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Categories:

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  • Oral Health (45)
Dr. Jose Arauz, Director
Email: jose@implantperiohealth.com
Phone: (910) 577-1315
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Email: ambassador@implantperiohealth.com
Phone: (910) 545-0106

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Jacksonville, NC Dentist
Jose I. Arauz, DMD, PA
200 Doctors Dr Ste N
Jacksonville, NC 28546
(910) 577-1315
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