Does Chewing on Ice Hurt My Teeth?

Does Chewing Ice Cubes Hurt Your Teeth? By Mina Levi, DDS, 05/29/14 When you get to the bottom of your pop or your glass of water, it is tempting to sometimes chew and eat the ice cubes that are left at the bottom of your glass. Many people chew on ice cubes for different reasons. Even though ice cubes are zero calories, chewing on them is not all that healthy for you. In this article, we will discuss the reasons why you shouldn’t chew on ice cubes for the sake of your oral health.       1. Chewing on ice cubes puts pressure on the teeth. The enamel that covers your teeth is very hard and brittle. Chewing on ice can wear down the enamel and chip pieces of the enamel off of the teeth. This can expose the underlying dentin and make your tooth sensitive, and can make way for oral bacteria to gather there and decay the teeth.       2. Chewing ice can damage the gums. Ice cubes are hard and can be sharp at times. Chewing ice puts pressure on the gums as well as on the teeth, and can cause the gums to recede away from the teeth. Once gums recede, they will not grow back so it is important that you keep your gums as healthy as possible.        3. Chewing ice causes a hot/cold cycle in the mouth. This hot/cold cycle can cause micro-fractures in the enamel of your teeth over time. Tooth enamel expands at a different rate than fillings, so if you have any fillings, they will expand/contract with the hot and cold temperature changes. This will cause fillings to pull away from the tooth and cause fractures, as well as leaving space for decay to form. It is important that you identify the times and situations in which you chew on ice, so that you can recognize them beforehand and stop the habit. If you have any concerns about chewing ice and the effect it is having on your oral health, give Dentist San Francisco Mina Levi, DDS a visit on the web atwww.minalevidds.com or give us a call at (415) 513-5066. Topics: Dentist San Francisco, ice, ice cubes, chewing on ice, ice in the mouth, chewing, tooth pressure, teeth sensitivity, chew ice cubes, gum damage,hot/cold cycle, cold sensitivity, hot sensitivity, fillings, breaking teeth, chipping teeth, restorative dentistry, dental enamel

Invisalign Trays and Retainers

Invisalign Trays and Retainers

By Mina Levi, DDS, 05/22/2014

After orthodontic treatment, patients are supposed to wear a type of retainer. This retainer is an orthodontic appliance that helps keep the teeth in the optimal position that was achieved through orthodontic treatment such as metal braces or Invisalign. There are different types of retainers and there are upsides and downsides to every option. In this article, we will discuss orthodontic retainers so that patients can decide which retainer is the best fit.

Why do I need to wear a retainer?

Retainers need to be worn because even though the teeth have been moved to the ideal placement, the teeth are capable of shifting back to their original placement or out of alignment. When this happens, orthodontic treatment may need to be repeated, which is a very costly and completely avoidable experience. A retainer, unless permanent, is usually only worn at night and reinforces the alignment of the teeth, making sure there is no deviation from the optimal placement.

Types of retainers

1. Vacuum formed clear retainers. These retainers are manufactured in the dental office from impressions made of the patient’s teeth. They are made out of a rigid, clear plastic material.

Pros: 

• Easy to clean. These retainers are easily able to be removed from the mouth and can be cleaned with a toothbrush and occasionally with denture cleaner. For more information on how to clean the retainers, check out our article: Cleaning and Maintaining your Night Guard and Invisalign Trays.
•  Only have to wear them at night. In comparison to a permanent retainer which is in the mouth at all times, this retainer is able to only be worn at night. The retainer must be worn at night diligently; however, otherwise the teeth can shift.

Cons:

• Not long-lasting. These orthodontic retainers do not last very long, usually between 12-16 months. After they wear down, a new set will need to be manufactured, as retainers are required indefinitely.

• Costly. Although each set is only about two to three hundred dollars, considering that they will need to be replaced about once per year, the vacuum formed retainers are expensive.

2. Fixed wire retainers. This type of retainer involves a wire bar being placed on the inside (tongue side) of the teeth to keep the teeth in alignment. This is a permanent retainer that cannot be removed without the help of a dental professional.

Pros:

• Less personal responsibility. With this type of orthodontic retainer, there is no need to remember to wear a retainer at night. This is a better option for patients who are busy or forgetful and are not able to claim responsibility for wearing anon-permanent retainer.

Cons:

• Bulky. This type of retainer is bulky in the mouth and will take some getting used to. This bulkiness is not something that can be adjusted professionally without the removal of the bar completely.
• Accumulates plaque. The wire retainer collects plaque easily and makes it difficult for patients to clean thoroughly around it. This can cause plaque build-up and calculus, cause gum inflammation later on cause dental decay, periodontitis, and  the need for restorative dentistry.

3. Vivera Retainers. Vivera retainers are a set of orthodontic retainers that are made by Invisalign. These retainers are purchased as a pack of four sets of retainers.

Pros:

• High quality. The Vivera retainers are made professionally through Invisalign, and are made with a very high quality plastic material. This material is thinner and longer-lasting than the in-office vacuum-formed clear retainers.
• Come in a set. With the purchase of Vivera retainers, the patient will get four sets of retainers. This way, when the first set wears down and is no longer usable after about a year and a half, the patient can move on to using the next set rather than paying for another set to be fabricated.

Cons:

• Up-front cost. The up-front cost for Vivera retainers is more than the vacuum-formed clear retainers, ranging around five to seven hundred dollars. However, since the Vivera retainers come with four sets of retainers, the cost is markedly less per set than the other option that needs to be replaced every year.

If you have concerns about orthodontic treatment, orthodontic retainers, or Invisalign clear aligners, give Dentist San Francisco Mina Levi, DDS a visit on the web at www.minalevidds.com or give us a call at (415) 513-5066.

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Bite Guards

Bite Guards

By Mina Levi, DDS, 05/08/2014

              

It is likely that at some point in your life, you have heard of people needing to wear a bite guard, or more popularly called a night guard. There are many different situations in which a person would need to wear a custom mouth guard to protect their teeth, whether it is a snoring night guard, TMJ bite guard, or sports bite guard. In this article, we will discuss the types of bite guards, what conditions they are necessary for, as well as how to take care of yourmouth guard if you have one.

What is a bite guard?

A bite guard is also known as a night guard, mouth guard, dental guard, teeth guard, or stress guard. A bite guard is a plastic dental appliance that is provided to a patient by a professional dentist or bought over the counter to protect the teeth from damage due to clenching and grinding, or from excessive force in a sporting situation. Clenching and grinding usually happens unconsciously during sleep or, in extreme situations, when the patient is concentrating.

Types of bite guards

· Full arch night guards. Full arch night guards are bite guards that fit all the way across a single arch, usually the maxillary arch or upper jaw. Full arch night guards are available custom made from the dentist or over the counter.

· NTI bite guards. NTI bite guards covers only part of the mouth, such as the two front teeth, and clips over ether the top or bottom front teeth and keeps you from biting down all the way. NTI night guards are only available as a custom made bite guard option from your dentist, they are not available over the counter. 

· Custom made bite guards. Custom made night guards are bite guards that are made for you specifically and professionally. For this night guard, you would go into your dentist’s office and they would then take impressions for your bite guard so that they are made to fit your teeth and your mouth only. Then the mouth guard is fabricated by a professional dental lab with the strongest and best prescription material so that your night guard is strong and lasts a long time.

· Generic night guards. Generic bite guards are less expensive than the custom made mouth guards, and can be found over the counter at many pharmacies and large department stores. Generic night guards usually involve boiling the plastic piece that comes in the kit, biting into it to make the teeth impressions, and then letting it cool to set the impression permanently. Although generic night guards are more affordable, they are made with cheaper, non-prescription materials and may not last as long or work as well. Also, without having a professional assess the fit of the bite guard, it may cause jaw problems if the fit is not correct.

 

Conditions for wearing a bite guard

2. Protecting cosmetic work. After a person has cosmetic work done, such as porcelain laminate veneers or Lumineers, clenching and grinding at night can break these restorations without the proper protection. A night guard will help protect the beautiful cosmetic dentistry from being damaged and you will avoid paying high fees to get them replaced.

3. As a retainer after orthodontic work. Once orthodontic treatment is finished for a patient, for example once they have finished Invisalign treatment or have their clear braces taken off, they will need to wear a retainer. A bite guard will keep the teeth in alignment just like a retainer, and will function to protect the teeth as well as keep them straight.

4. TMD problems. TMD is a disorder that occurs as a result of problems with the jaw, jaw joint, and surrounding facial muscles that control chewing and moving the jaw. A night guard will help set the jaw in a less traumatic position during the night as well as help with clenching and grinding pain.

5. Snoring. Sometimes, snoring can be caused by the body working harder to get air through the airways when the tissues are close together in a sleeping position. Bite guards can help set the jaw into a position to open up the tissues and make it easier for air to flow through the airways.

6. Athletics. People who play sports, especially contact sports, know that there is sometimes roughness and the possibility of getting hit in the face. Blows to the face or jaw region can cause breakages of the teeth. Wearing a sports guard during play will help keep all of the teeth in-tact, even when there is an accident.

 

Next week, we will talk about how to clean and maintain your night guard. If you have any questions about night guards or you think you have symptoms of clenching and grinding at night and think you may need a custom bite guard fabricated for you, give Mina Levi, DDS Dentist San Francisco a call at (415) 513-5066 or visit us on the web at www.minalevidds.com.

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Porcelain Veneers for Teeth: Understanding the Steps

Porcelain Veneers for Teeth: Understanding the Steps

By Mina Levi, DDS, 05/01/2014

Porcelain veneers are cosmetically available to fix dental issues such as discolored teeth, teeth that are worn down, chipped or broken teeth, and irregularly shaped teeth. When a person is deciding to get porcelain veneers for teeth, it is very important that they understand the steps involved so that they can make the best decision possible for their oral health. In this article, we discuss the steps of traditional porcelain veneers and any concerns that a person should be aware of.

Step One: Treatment Planning

The first step in any dental procedure, whether it’s restorative dentistry or cosmetic dentistry, is treatment planning. It is important for the patient to explain to the dentist what their cosmetic goals are to see if porcelain veneers are a right fit and the best possible option. The dentist will examine the teeth and the overall oral health and decide if dental veneers are an appropriate treatment option both to reach your personal goals as well as maintaining optimal health in the mouth. The patient and the dentist will then discuss the pros and cons of dental veneers, and then the dentist will take X-rays and impressions of your teeth. These impressions can be sent to a dental laboratory before the veneers have been prepped and the lab will manufacture what is called a wax-up. This wax-up is a model of the teeth with wax veneers, to show the patient what their teeth will look like with the porcelain veneers. Once the patient has decided that veneers are the right option, the patient will decide if he or she is happy with the color of their teeth as whitening options such asZoom whitening will need to be completed before the next step in the dental veneers process begins.

Step Two: Preparation of the Teeth

To prepare the teeth for the porcelain veneers, the dentist will need to take off some of the tooth enamel. Most of the time this removal is up to about .5 millimeters of tooth enamel, which will equal the thickness of the veneer to be placed. This is done so that the veneers look natural rather than too bulky. The removal of enamel may require the application of a topical or local anesthetic. Next, the dentist will take impressions of your teeth to make models for the dental laboratory to use in order to create the custom veneers. Temporaries will be placed on the teeth if necessary for the 2-3 weeks during which the laboratory is fabricating the dental veneers. If the removal of dental enamel is an issue or concern, the other option is to go with the Lumineers, which are very thin veneers and require little removal of enamel.

Step Three: Cementing

When the patient comes in for their dental veneer cementing appointment, the dentist will first try the veneers onto the teeth to make sure that the veneersfit as well as analyze that the color matches well with the natural tooth. Then, the teeth will be cleaned, polished and etched, which roughens the surface of the tooth to make the bonding process more successful and strong. A cement substance is applied to the veneers and then they are applied to the teeth one at a time. Once they are properly positioned onto the surface of the teeth, the dentist will apply a blue light which activates the cement and causes it to harden and adhere the veneers permanently to the tooth. Once the veneers are bonded, the dentist will take time to remove any excess cement material as well as adjust the dental veneers so that the bite feels natural. The dentist may have the patient come back into the office after a few weeks to check on the bite as well as see how the gum tissue is reacting to the veneers being placed.

Dental veneers are a great cosmetic option for a wide range of dental issues. If you are interested or have questions about porcelain dental veneers or the process, visit Dr. Mina Levi DDS on the web at www.minalevidds.com or give us a call at (415) 513-5066.

Topics: Porcelain veneers, veneers for teeth, porcelain veneers for teeth, dental veneers, dental veneers for teeth, lumineers, whitening, teeth whitening,zoom whitening, cosmetic dentistry, restorative dentistry, chipped teeth, broken teeth, discolored teeth, bonding, dental problems, oral health, dental lumineers, tetracycline teeth