Family Dentist - Cosmetic Dentist Blog - Richmond Virginia

Fluoride Treatments

admin — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 16:00:11 +0000

Regular dental examinations and cleanings, as well as brushing twice a day and flossing are important for keeping teeth healthy. Another key to good oral health is fluoride, a mineral which can help prevent carries and can repair teeth in the very early stages of the disease.

There are two ways to obtain fluoride: topical and systemic. Topical fluorides are applied directly to the tooth enamel like fluoride toothpastes, mouth rinses, and the fluoride treatments received in the dental office. Systemic fluorides such as fluoridated water and dietary supplements are those that are swallowed. The best results in reducing dental carries is achieved when the patient receives fluoride both topically and systemically. Professional fluoride treatments generally take just a few minutes and are a much stronger concentration than that in toothpastes or mouth rinses from the drug store.

So be sure to ask your dentist which fluoride treatments will help protect your dental health and provide the extra protection for your teeth.

A Cracked Tooth?

admin — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 14:44:42 +0000

“If the crack is small, let’s just leave it alone. It doesn’t hurt and is barely noticeable.” Many patients have uttered those words, only to be back with a big problem at the most inconvenient time. Even though the crack may be small or hardly noticeable it could be a ticking time bomb. Just like a small crack in your windshield that may radiate across at any time. A crack in a tooth may radiate through the nerve or the root, the tooth may need to be removed and replaced, like a car’s windshield. A crown will hold it together and freeze the cracks where they are, permanently. Investing in a crown when the crack is small will help prevent a broken tooth and just may be one of your wisest investments. After a crack has radiated through the nerve or roots, the tooth would require much more time and a lot more money.

Your Dental Visit Could Save Your Life

admin — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 14:13:55 +0000

Did you know your dental visit could save your life? According to the American Cancer Society, 2 to 4% of cancer diagnosed in the United States occurs in the oral cavity. Each year 30,000 cases of oral cancer are diagnosed, and approximately 8,000 deaths occur. Early diagnosis is believed to be critical to increase survival rate from this deadly disease.

It is our policy at Drs. Kowal and MacIlwaine, to provide a thorough screening for each and every one of our patient’s. Regularly scheduled professional examinations and cleanings, along with an oral cancer screening, just might save your life. Have you had an oral cancer screening lately? Please call to schedule today!

3 Simple Steps to Take 10 Years Off Your Smile

admin — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 14:03:49 +0000

Teeth naturally wear down as people age. Aged teeth are more likely to have stain, chips, cracks or an uneven appearance. Today, it is as easy as 1,2,3 to take 10 years off your smile. We have listed a few Teeth-Agers and a few of the best fixes for making over your teeth.

Teeth-ager #1: Stained Teeth

Red Wine, soda, coffee, tea and smoking all contribute to tooth discoloration. Tooth discoloration is a common problem that is relatively easy to address. An in office whitening technique that breaks down the stain using a high intensity light and a photo sensitive bleaching solution is your answer. Approximately 1 hour of your time and you will be able to bring back your youthful smile.

Teeth-ager #2: Chips and Jagged Edges

Repairing imperfect teeth using a composite filling material that is attached or bonded to your teeth can help improve your smile instantly. Composite resin can fill in gaps, change awkward shaped teeth and repair chips to improve the appearance of your smile. Replacing “silver” or amalgam fillings with “white” or composite fillings is also another way to restore a more natural smile.

Teeth-ager #3: Full Mouth of Damaged Teeth

A few short visits to our dental office can even restore a full mouth of damaged teeth. Porcelain Veneers or Lumineers are a painless way to reshape and whiten your teeth. They are a custom designed shell of a tooth-like ceramic that is applied directly to the surface of the tooth. These shells are bonded to the front of the teeth changing their color, shape, size, length and over all appearance.

Now you can get the smile you have always wanted. For a more detail explanation of how whitening, composite bonding, or veneers can take 10 years off your smile please contact our office today!

The Toothbrush

admin — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 18:49:36 +0000

Did you know the first toothbrush existed nearly 5000 years ago? Ancient civilizations used a twig with a frayed end that was rubbed against the teeth. The nylon bristle brush, as we know it today, was introduced in 1938 and has come a long way in design and material. There are two types of toothbrushes to choose: manual and powered. Your main objective in choosing a toothbrush should be comfort and ease. Choose a toothbrush that fits comfortably into your mouth and allows you to reach all areas easily.Some people, especially children, find a powered toothbrush easier and will often spend more time brushing. Always choose a toothbrush that displays the American Dental Association Seal of Acceptance. The Seal assures you that the product has been evaluated for safety and effectiveness. Both manual and powered toothbrushes can effectively clean your teeth, it is a choice that you and your family dentist may discuss.

Our dentists at Drs. Kowal and MaciLwaine, may offer suggestions about which type of toothbrush best suits your needs. Remember to keep your gums healthy, brush your teeth twice a day and use a toothpaste with fluoride. We like to think of good oral hygiene as a necessary part of a healthy lifestyle. Happy Brushing!

Understanding the Connection Between a Healthy Mouth and Your Body

admin — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 19:05:36 +0000

Research has been conducted that shows a link between the conditions of your mouth to the status of your overall health. The most common link is between periodontal disease and cardiovascular problems, however, other health conditions may form. Periodontal disease is a chronic infection that is caused by bacteria in the mouth. Certain bacteria produce toxins and enzymes that cause inflammation and irritation of the gum tissue. These bacteria are found in plaque, the colorless film that constantly forms on the teeth. If this plaque is not removed everyday, it can start a process that leads to periodontal disease. Some common signs of this disease may be:

1. Gums that bleed during brushing and/or flossing
2. Red, swollen, or tender gums
3. Gums that have pulled away/receded away from the teeth
4. Persistent bad breath
5. Pus between your gums and teeth
6. Loose or separating teeth
7. A change in the way your teeth fit together

The bacteria that cause periodontal disease can enter the bloodstream and be transported to many major organs in the body. If the bacteria invade these major organs, it could lead to heart disease, an increased risk of a stroke, and an increased risk of women having a pre-term/low birth weight baby. Research has found that people with periodontal disease are twice as likely to suffer from coronary artery disease then those without. There are many factors that may put one at a greater risk of developing periodontal disease:

1. People who smoke or chew tobacco
2. Systemic Disease
3. Medications such as steroids, anti-epilepsy drugs, cancer therapy drugs, blood pressure drugs, and oral contraceptives.
4. Bridges that no longer fit properly
5. Puberty, pregnancy, and oral contraceptives
6. Genetics
7. Passed down from parents to children and between couples.

For all of these reasons it is vital to practice good oral home care as well as regular preventative visits with your hygienist and/or dentist.

Welcome to Richmond Dental Health

admin — Fri, 25 May 2007 22:25:15 +0000

Welcome to the website and blog of Drs. Kowal and MacIlwaine. We have been happy to serve the Richmond Virginia community since 1984. Prior to starting the practice here, both Drs. were trained in many phases of medicine while attending a residency program at East Carolina Medical School. It is from this experience that the Drs. developed a deep appreciation for the relationship between dental health and overall health. While there, they also received training from many dental specialists, including children’s dentists, and oral surgeons. From this, they developed expertise in treating children, and also the foundation which would lead them into placing implants. They also worked with many Senior patients, even going into nursing homes to provide care.

The Drs. have also received special training in cosmetic veneers and “Lumineers”. Residency training as well as training since then has pertained to overall health, and has led to their interest in Wellness.

In future blog postings, there will be discussions on these topics and many more. We look forward to sharing these with you and hearing from you as well. Here’s to your health!