Pregnant? Let’s Keep Both Your Mouth And Your Baby Healthy

ARE YOU PREGNANT OR THINKING ABOUT becoming pregnant? Do you know someone who is pregnant? While you’re picking out tiny clothes and reading childcare books, remember the importance of your oral health!

Pregnancy brings so many physical changes. You crave different things. Your hair feels different. In fact, just about everything feels different. And, your mouth is different, too. Not sure why it’s important to know that? Don’t worry… We’re here to help.

Increased Gum Disease Risk

Pregnancy brings heightened hormone activity which can lead to increased gum disease risk and gum sensitivity. Just remember that pregnancy doesn’t cause gum disease—plaque does. Keep up your great oral care habits.

Are You Experiencing…?

Beginning around your second month, and often continuing through your eighth month you may be experiencing:

Bleeding gums
A potential increase in cavities
Granulomas (small, tumor-like growths inside your mouth)

Here Are A Few Simple Recommendations:

Brush and floss regularly.
Keep your regular checkup appointment during your pregnancy and let us know that you’re pregnant.
Lay low on the sweets.

Routine Checkups During Pregnancy

An ideal time for your check-up appointment is during your second trimester when your pregnancy is stable, but not far enough along to risk stress-induced issues. In the old days, women were anxious about dental checkups during pregnancy. Typically there’s never an issue. Just be sure to let us know you’re expecting.

Morning Sickness

DON’T brush your teeth right after being sick. Stomach acid makes your teeth softer and brushing can wear them down. Rinse out your mouth, and then wait a while before brushing.

Congratulations on your pregnancy! If you have questions, please ask! You can also comment below, or send us a direct message on our Facebook page!

We appreciate having you as our valued patient!

Do You Recognize These 6 Common Misconceptions About Dental Health?

DURING MEDIEVAL TIMES, people believed they could cure a toothache by driving a nail into an oak tree. Silly, right?

Today’s Misconceptions Are Different

There are still some crazy ideas out there about teeth—ideas that have very little to do with the facts.

Have you ever fallen for one or more of these modern misconceptions? Most people have.

Misconception #1 – Cavities Are Only Caused By Sweets

Technically, cavities are caused by carbohydrates interacting with bacteria on your teeth to create acid byproducts. Carbs include sugars, but cavities can just as easily be caused by crackers, potato chips, and bread!

Misconception #2 – Children Are More Prone To Cavities Than Adults

Kids are NOT inherently more prone to decay… They’re just not as good at brushing! Teach your child thorough brushing techniques—helping them out until they’re dextrous enough to do a good solo job.

Misconception #3 – My Teeth Are Fine If I Have No Pain

Decay can eat clear through your enamel and dentin before some people feel it at all! Catching tooth decay early typically allows more of the tooth to be saved, and can spare you added discomfort and expense.

Misconception #4 – If My Gums Bleed I Should Stop Flossing

Actually, that’s a really bad idea. Bleeding gums are often the first sign of gum disease. This happens when bacterial infections inflame your gums due to a lack of efficient cleaning! Sure, floss gently if your gums are sensitive. But be thorough and extra diligent!

Misconception #5 – After Dental Work Is Done On A Tooth It’s Stronger Than Ever

Not always the case. One of the biggest risk factors for decay is having had it before. Dental crowns and fillings are awesome but not perfect. They have nooks and crannies where bacteria can hide—especially as the restorations age. The lesson to be learned? Have your teeth checked regularly to make sure all is going well.

Misconception #6 – There Are No “Best Techniques” For Flossing

Not true. There are. If you’re not sure how, take a minute to watch this video:

Remember, our greatest weapon against tooth decay is knowledge. Let us know if you have any questions about any of the ideas above, or any of your own that we haven’t covered yet.

Thanks for sharing our practice with you extended family, neighbors, friends and coworkers. We appreciate the trust you place in us!

4 Important Benefits Of Regular Dental CheckUps

IT MAY BE TEMPTING TO SKIP A DENTAL checkup now and then. But remember that regular checkups and professional cleanings can actually save you time and money. Even more importantly, they can save your teeth and your health.

Here are four really good reasons to keep up with your regular dental checkups:

#1: Save Your Smile

Catching tooth decay early can save your teeth. And speaking of saving teeth, did you know the greatest cause of tooth loss in adults is gum disease? About half of adults over age 30 have some degree of gum disease. Regular dental appointments help prevent gum disease, and assist you in managing any oral health issues you may be having.

#2: Look And Feel Better

During professional cleanings, built-up tartar and calculus is removed that simply can’t be reached or removed by brushing alone. When you’re finished your smile feels truly fresh and clean. And by the way, regular cleanings can also help prevent embarrassing bad breath!

#3: Protect Your Overall Health

As many as 120 systemic diseases can be visible in your mouth. Regular checkups can reveal the signs of diseases before even you know about them.

Great dental care can also contribute to great overall health. In a study conducted at the University of California, Berkley, it was found that women who get regular dental care cut their risk of heart disease by a third. And in another study by Aetna, researchers learned that people who had regular dental care had lower healthcare cost burdens—thanks to prevention and early detection.

#4: Perhaps, Even Save Your Life

One of the most important parts of each dental visit is your oral cancer check, where your mouth is surveyed for early signs of one of the very deadliest cancers.

Questions? Always Feel Free To Ask!

If you ever have any questions about recommendations for your regular dental appointments, please ask!

Thanks for being a valued part of our practice!

Don’t Ignore Sleep Apnea Symptoms

ARE YOU GETTING THE SLEEP you need? Restless nights are unpleasant, but we usually put them behind us and move on with business as usual. But for many people, every night is a struggle for sleep.

Do You Experience These Symptoms?

Daytime sleepiness
Loud snoring
Waking throughout the night, sometimes gasping for breath
Waking up NOT feeling refreshed
Waking with a sore or dry throat
Morning headaches

Often, your sleep partner will be the first to notice long pauses in your breathing while you sleep. If you’re seeing these signs, DON’T ignore them.

What Is Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea causes you to stop breathing throughout the night. The muscles in your throat relax and collapse, obstructing your airway. When this happens your brain is shocked awake to fix the problem. You’re actually choking yourself awake, often hundreds of times throughout the night.

Long-Term Side Effects Of Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea can put a lot of strain on your body. First, your body keeps releasing stress hormones to wake you up and prevent suffocation. And, you’re missing out on your body’s best way of coping with stress—a good night’s sleep.

Sleep apnea increases your risk of:

Memory loss
Irritability
Weight gain
Depression
Heart problems like hypertension and heart attack
Stroke

Oral Appliance Therapy

Dr. Sadineni at Dublin Metro Dental pioneered the use of oral appliance therapy for the treatment of sleep apnea and sleep related breathing disorders. An oral appliance is a device worn in the mouth only during sleep. The device fits like a sports mouth guard or orthodontic retainer and prevents the airway from collapsing by either holding the tongue or supporting the jaw in a forward position. With an oral appliance, Dr. Sadineni Dublin Ohio dentist can minimize or eliminate the symptoms of sleep apnea in mild to moderate cases.

How Do You Get Started?

Identifying and treating sleep apnea is important to us, because we see the huge difference it makes in our patients’ lives.

If you think you may be suffering from sleep apnea, don’t ignore it! Contact us for an initial consultation and we’ll help you figure out the next step to having a better night’s sleep.

Thanks for your trust in our team!

3 Questions To Ask Yourself About Brushing

BRUSHING: IT’S THE FOUNDATION for keeping your mouth clean and healthy. In fact, it’s so basic that most people don’t think about it very much… They just do it.

If you’re brushing twice a day that’s wonderful! It makes our job (helping keep your smile beautiful and healthy) a lot easier! But all of us can be more effective with our brushing. Ask yourself these three questions:

1. Are you using the proper brush?

Your toothbrush should be small enough to reach every small corner inside your mouth, and it should have soft bristles.

2. Are you using the right techniques?

Brush with the bristles against your teeth and gum line at a 45 degree angle. Brush in small, circular strokes, imagining plaque being swept away from the gum line.

NEVER brush too hard. Think about holding your toothbrush like a paintbrush! When it comes to brushing, elbow grease won’t get you anywhere—it just flattens the bristles against your teeth where they can’t do any good. And, it can wear down your enamel more quickly.

3. Are you thorough?

It takes two full minutes to do a thorough brushing job… 30 seconds per quadrant. And, don’t forget these frequently ignored spots:

inner side of your front teeth
your tongue
inner side of back molars, next to your tongue

Watch This Helpful Video & View These Guidelines

The American Dental Hygienists’ Association has produced a quick-reference guide.

Ready To Take It To The Next Level?

If you feel like you have the basics covered, try these tips:

Brush without toothpaste. It makes you more aware of where you do and do not brush.
Try a plaque-disclosing tablet or rinse. Usually made for kids, these products color the plaque on your teeth so you can really see your progress.
Most people follow the exact same pattern each time they brush. Try starting in a new place every day.
Don’t forget to floss!

Thanks for reading, and happy brushing!

Getting To Better Know Our Amazing Hygienist, Janet

WE RECENTLY REALIZED that we’ve probably wrongly assumed that ALL you know Janet as well as we do! That’s probably not the case.

So, We Asked Janet A Few Fun Questions

So, we asked Janet a few questions to help you get to know her a little better. Those questions are found below—along with her answers. We hope you enjoy them!

What made you decide that you wanted to become a dental hygienist?

“My dental experience started when I was in high school. I worked as a dental hygiene assistant. I then transferred to the front desk administrator where I learned the business aspect of dentistry. After 10 years being a front desk admin, I went back to school and earned my associate of applied science degree in dental hygiene at Columbus state community college.”

Do you have an unusual or interesting hobby?

“I enjoy playing the piano, traveling, dining out and spending time with my family. I enjoy winter sports – skating and skiing – and want to learn how to snowboarding. I love taking pictures. I love playing with my two dogs!! Enjoy playing board games. Have a passion for the arts, theater, museums, symphony and reading poetry.”

What do you enjoy most about being a dental hygienist?

“Throughout my years in dentistry, I have been fortunate to work in many different specialties including General Dentistry, Cosmetic, Orthodontic, Prosthodontics and Periodontics. Dentistry has blessed my life in many aspects, I have made lifelong friendships with co-workers and patients. I am honored that I work in a profession that changes lives and know it has made a difference in many amazing ways in my life. I look forward to every change and growth that my profession has for my patients and my life.”

We hope this has helped you get to know Janet a little better. We feel privileged to have her as an awesome team member here in Dublin Metro Dental Group.

Do YOU have a question for Janet?

While you were reading the questions and answers above, did another question for Janet come to mind? If so, please enter it in the comments section below and we’ll be sure to pass it along to Janet for an answer! Also, you can always send a private question or comment to us on our Facebook page.

We look forward to seeing you during your next visit!

Digital X-Rays Are Better For The Earth, AND Better For You

DENTAL X-RAYS ARE AN important part of your oral health care. Among other things, they allow us to detect cavities and decay before they become bigger problems.

However, old-fashioned, analog x-rays are not ideal for our patients, our dental office, OR our environment.

The Hazards of Traditional X-Rays

The development of old film x-rays required hazardous materials. For example:

Silver: X-ray fixer has enough silver to warrant a “hazardous waste” label, and can’t legally be dumped into the water system.
Lead: Lead is a dangerous neurotoxin. Discarded, it sits in the topsoil for years, is absorbed into plants, and enters our food system.
Other Dangerous Chemicals: These include Ammonium Thiocyanate and Anhydride, both major irritants to eyes, nose, and respiration.

That’s Why We Use Digital X-Rays

First, digital x-rays eliminate the need for those harmful materials. But beyond that, digital x-rays are safer and more convenient for YOU!

Digital x-rays cause 70-90% less radiation exposure than traditional x-rays.
We get images with higher resolution, which we can zoom in on, enhance, and duplicate.
Digital images are instantly available—no need for development. We can just pop them up on the screen right away to discuss them with you, which saves you time.

More About Our Imaging Technology

Dr. Sadineni, Implant Dentist Dublin Ohio implemented 3D imaging technology in 2012.

ORTHOPHOS XG 3D offers the ability to scan only the area of interest, and with a field-of-view that can be collimated further to reduce the effective dose of radiation to the patient. The 3D function allows increased diagnostic accuracy when we need it most, such as for implants, surgical procedures and volumetric imaging of the jaws, sinuses and other dental anatomy.

The ORTHOPHOS XG 3D imaging provides all the clinical workflow advantages of 2D and 3D together. The 3D view enables the patient to easily visualize the proposed solution and understand the required treatment steps. Simple patient positioning – the operator has a clear visual of the area to be scanned.

Our Practice Is All About Looking To The Future

By using the best technology, we’re also giving you the best care WITHOUT making the environment pay the price. We’re working toward becoming a very eco-friendly practice.

And if you have any questions about our digital x-rays, please ask! We’re happy to talk about the steps we’re taking in our office to go green.

Quick Fixes For Awkward Dental Moments

IMAGINE YOU’RE AT AN IMPORTANT BUSINESS DINNER, or perhaps on a first date. We can’t help you with the small talk, or deciding what to wear. However, we can help you avoid some dental faux pas.

Awkward Dental Moment #1: Something Stuck In Teeth

How do you know if something is stuck in your teeth? The back of a spoon or your cell phone camera make good emergency mirrors.

Plan A: Swish some water around in your mouth or chew a piece of sugarless gum to loosen it.
Plan B: If it’s really stuck, you may want to excuse yourself to go to the restroom. Floss works best—but if you don’t have floss with you, use your fingers. You can also try folding up a paper towel and using the corner.

DON’T EVER use potentially dangerous tools in your mouth like wires, pens, tweezers, keys, etc. that can damage teeth and gums!

But what if someone else has something in their teeth?

Here’s a tip:

Awkward Dental Moment #2: Bad Breath

Plan A: Drink some water or chew some sugarless gum. Keep sugarless breath mints in your pocket or purse.
Plan B: Most bad-breath bacteria hangs out on your tongue. In a pinch, you can use a spoon as a tongue-scraper. (Discreetly, of course.)
Plan C: If you’re at a restaurant, you may be able to chew on your garnish (like parsley). Other good foods are celery, apples, or yogurt.

Awkward Dental Moment #3: Tooth Pain Or Sensitivity

Sudden stabs of pain from your teeth can be distracting. What’s more, it may be a sign of something more serious.

Plan A: Avoid hot and cold foods. If your jaw hurts, hold a cold drink against it.
Plan B: If the problem persists, please give us a call.

Remember, you can avoid many of the worst dental dilemmas by keeping your regular cleaning and checkup appointments. Catch problems before they become emergencies.

Thanks for your trust in our practice!

Real Smiles Versus Fake Smiles

THERE’S A BIG DIFFERENCE between a real smile and a fake smile. And while a polite smile can help smooth over some social situations, a sincere, honest, from-the-heart smile can completely turn the day around.

What Is “The Duchenne Smile?”

The Duchenne Smile was named after 17th century French researcher Duchenne de Bologne. He believed that the key to a real smile (a genuine expression of happiness) was found in the eyes, and although the muscles around your mouth are easy to shape into a smile, the muscles around your eyes (the Orbicularis Orbiti) are only triggered by true happiness.

Can You Spot Fake Smiles? Take This Quiz!

This is really a lot of fun! Take the quiz yourself!

Do You Know How To Smize?

Smize means “smile with your eyes”. Despite Duchenne’s long-standing theory, recent research (and Tyra Banks) suggests that anyone can fake a “genuine” smile. What do you think?

One Key To Spotting A Genuine Smile Is Imitation

Smiles are literally contagious. When we see a smile we have a subconscious urge to reflect it back. And when we imitate a smile, we can FEEL whether or not it’s real. In a 2013 study subjects held a pencil in their mouth while scrolling through photos of people smiling. The pencil kept participants from reflecting the expressions they saw, handicapping their ability to read the emotions behind those smiles. Interesting!

Let Us Help Keep YOUR Smile Healthy And Confident

Smiles are powerful. Genuine smiles are even more powerful. When you’re confident about your smile, it can truly change your life. Visit with us if you’re hiding your smile! Keep your smile beautiful and healthy!

Thanks for the trust you place in our practice and for being our valued patient!

Listening To And Learning From YOU!

A CRITICAL COMPONENT of personalized patient care is cultivating the art of listening. One of the most important reasons we use social media is to be sure it’s easy for you to connect with us—whenever and wherever you want. We’re always anxious to know your thoughts about how we can best serve you.

Your Feedback Helps Us Be Our Best

The statement above isn’t just lip service. Whether you need to let us know about a concern or question you have, or you just want to reach out and say thanks to a team member, your thoughts and suggestions help us continually shape our service priorities. Feel free to leave a comment on our blog any time, or you can contact us directly.

Our Focus Is On Your Comfort, Health, And Appearance

We know that every patient’s needs are different—and, we want to know what we can do to always keep you healthy and comfortable. So let us know!

Social Media Makes Communication Easy

We want you to be able to reach out to us in a way that’s easy for YOU. For many of our patients, that includes being accessible on social media sites like Facebook and here on our blog where you can leave comments. So don’t be shy! When you have questions, just ask!

Just For Fun (and it’s about listening!)

Thank You For Being Our Valued Patients And Friends!

We’re so grateful for the opportunity we have to work with you. Thank you for your kind referrals of extended family members, coworkers, and friends. And most of all, thanks for being a part of our dental family. It’s wonderful patients like you that help make our jobs joyful and fulfilling.