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X-rays may not be the fan favorite when it comes to dental visits. They can be a little awkward and some of us really struggle with the gag factor. Can’t we just do without? Everything looks okay in there anyway, right? While there are some situations (such as pregnancy) that call for skipping your yearly check-up images, regular x-rays are one of our primary diagnostic tools and we highly recommend keeping them up to date. WHAT CAN WE DIAGNOSE WITH A DENTAL X-RAY? Most commonly, we use x-rays to diagnose decay between the teeth and sometimes under existing crowns and fillings. These areas are invisible to the naked eye. They also happen to be the spots most likely to develop cavities. Without x-rays, hidden decay is left to grow. But hey, if it’s not hurting, there’s not problem, right? Not exactly. Some decay develops without symptoms until it reaches the central core of the tooth, where the blood and nerve supplies are. However, if we can spot areas of concern early, while they’re still small and superficial, we can do a much more conservative treatment. This saves you discomfort, time, and money! Our x-ray images give us so much more than just a way to spot cavities. We can also check the supporting bone around your teeth. Your bone level indicates how stable your teeth are. It can alert us to periodontal disease (which is a type of advanced gum disease). If you have a bite problem or a crack, some types of radiographs can show us signs of strain like thick ligaments around the teeth. Some images can also help us detect bony tumors and other malignant conditions that can go unnoticed for years before they cause problems. We can also check for deep tartar deposits below your gums with an x-ray. As thorough as your hygienist will always be here at Anderson Family Dental, there are some spots that are best checked on an x-ray. This is the best way for us to ensure your cleaning is completed to perfection. When you first visit, these images will also let us know what kind of cleaning you will need to get started on your journey to great oral health. If it’s been a while, we will need to use x-ray images to see if you need a deeper cleaning, or if we should recommend numbing for some areas. ARE DENTAL X-RAYS SAFE? In short, yes. Dental x-rays are one of the safest types of medical imaging. To give you some idea of how little radiation exposure you get from dental x-rays, here are a few figures for comparison: Eating a Banana: about 0.01 microSievert of radiation A Single Dental X-Ray: about 5 microSieverts Daily Background Radiation: about 8 microSieverts Flight from NY to LA: about 40 microSieverts Not only are we using incredibly low doses of radiation, but we also take extra precautions to ensure your images are as safe as possible. We’ll keep you covered with a lead apron. We use the fastest sensors available (which need less radiation to produce an image). We will never recommend unnecessary images. So you can rest assured that we are providing the best possible diagnostics at the lowest possible risk. The minimal amount of radiation exposure from dental x-rays protects you from decay, infection, abscess, tooth loss, and more. As always, we strive to earn the continued trust of our patients. Providing excellent diagnostic images is just one of the many ways we treat our patients like family.

Fall is here and the holidays are coming fast on its heels! In Florida, that means lots of gatherings, weddings, and family holiday photos. We all want to look our best for these events! Fresh haircut, makeup tutorials on YouTube, a close shave. But all that effort might fall a little flat if your smile isn’t as bright as you’d like it to be. There are so many products and home remedies promising whiter teeth. How can you tell what works and what doesn’t, and more importantly, what whitening is healthy for your teeth and what might cause damage? Don’t worry, Winter Park. Anderson Family Dental is here to help get your teeth sparkling with safe, effective whitening recommendations to suit your needs. IN-OFFICE WHITENING If you’re on a time crunch, or you just want your new shade right away, professional whitening done in the dental chair is likely your best option. In-office whitening works immediately to give you brighter teeth the same day. Treatment usually takes about an hour or two and the results can be maintained indefinitely with touch-ups at home. In-office whitening is a simple process. We will apply a gel-like product to your teeth and activate the product with a UV light. Then, you can just relax and take a nap, listen to your favorite podcast, or read a book while the whitening does its thing. After fifteen minutes or so, the gel is rinsed and refreshed for another round. Most in-office whitening entails about four rounds like this. After your session, we will apply an anti-sensitivity treatment and we recommend avoiding any staining foods, drinks, or smoke for a day or two afterward. While in-office whitening is amazing, it’s not appropriate for every case. For example, if your teeth are very sensitive, you might find it uncomfortable. Fortunately, there are other options! PROFESSIONAL WHITENING AT HOME If in-office whitening is not a great match for you, we also offer professional whitening services you can use at home! This process takes a bit longer than the quick-and-easy in-office version, so if you need white teeth for a wedding this weekend, take-home whitening may not be your best bet. We start by taking a mold of your teeth and creating a model duplicate of your dentition. Then, we create custom whitening trays that will fit your teeth with precision. We will supply you with whitening gel and show you exactly how to apply it at home. Then, you will wear the whitening gel in your trays for about thirty minutes once or twice per day, although the specifics can vary based on the exact type of gel you’re using. Some formulas work better for certain shades of teeth, so your dental team will give you specifics when you pick up your trays. This method can take anywhere from one to two weeks to reach your whitest shade. It may cause some mild sensitivity, but in general this is the method we recommend for people with sensitive teeth. OVER-THE-COUNTER OPTIONS There are also over-the-counter options for tooth whitening, such as White Strips. While these products can get some fairly good results, the shade change will not be as profound as you can get with professional options. Because the application is not custom fitted to your teeth, they may also be difficult to apply and will likely miss spots, especially if you have crooked or crowded teeth. Most over-the-counter products will take about the same amount of time to work as the professional grade at-home option, albeit with less dazzling results. The only products we absolutely do not recommend are any that work by scrubbing away stains with abrasive additives. Charcoal toothpaste, for example, can scratch your enamel and abrade your gums and we recommend avoiding it. Likewise, whitening toothpastes frequently fail to live up to their claims and may cause long-lasting cold sensitivity and even gum irritation. One final note on options to avoid: so-called professional grade whitening outside of a dental setting, such as at a health spa or shopping mall. Whitening without a dental exam can leave you with huge problems. For example, if you have any fillings or crowns that show when you smile, they will not whiten along with your enamel. That means you could be left with unsightly, mismatched teeth. Likewise, whitening applied to unhealthy or decaying teeth can cause problems. While it is a cosmetic procedure, whitening is best performed under the supervision of your dental team. If you have any questions about how to get your whitest smile in time for the holidays or for a special event coming up, do not hesitate to ask. Call us today to start enjoying your most beautiful smile!

You’ve probably heard about it before, whether from your dentist or in a toothpaste commercial: periodontal disease. It’s one of the most common chronic health problems in the world. It develops slowly and can stay under the radar until it’s done serious damage. In fact, many people don’t realize they’re living with it right now! What is periodontal disease, and what can you do about it? WHAT IS PERIODONTAL DISEASE? With about half of all adults in the US currently living with some form of gum disease, it’s incredibly common. However, not all cases of gum disease are equal! It’s a progressive inflammatory condition that, left untreated, usually gets worse over time. The term periodontal disease can technically refer to any form of gum disease, but it tends to be used more often when talking about the later, advanced stages. In the beginning stages of gum disease, the tissue supporting your teeth may become red, swollen, tender, and may bleed when brushing or flossing. As inflammation gets worse and persists over time, it does damage deeper into the gums. This inflammation can compromise the ligament that holds teeth in their sockets (the periodontal ligament). Eventually, it will damage the bone supporting your teeth. While we can reverse inflammation in the gums to “repair” gingivitis, damage to the bone is permanent. WHAT CAUSES PERIODONTAL DISEASE? Much like gingivitis, periodontal disease starts with bacteria. Bacteria build up in sticky layers called biofilm, also known as plaque. Plaque then absorbs calcium and other minerals and salts from your saliva and hardens to become tartar (also known as calculus). Tartar is very rough. When it builds up near or beneath the gums, it rubs on the gum tissue causing abrasions. It also leaves a great surface for more bacteria and plaque to build, continuing the cycle! Oral bacteria release harmful substances as a byproduct of their digestion. Some release acid, which causes cavities. Others release compounds that can damage your gums and trigger inflammation. When your immune system responds to this threat, your white blood cells can end up causing even more damage. There is some evidence that this inflammatory process may even harm other organ systems in your body. It’s the combination of buildup on the teeth, bacterial byproducts, and your own immune system that come together to create advanced periodontal disease. The longer this process progresses, the more unstable your oral health may become. HOW DO WE DIAGNOSE PERIODONTAL DISEASE? If periodontal disease is just an advanced stage of gum disease, how do we diagnose it? After all, gingivitis also causes red, puffy, bleeding gums, just like you’ll see in periodontal disease. So how do we draw the line? Dr. Anderson and your dental health team here at Anderson Family Dental take diagnostics very seriously. We’ve invested in the best technology for thorough, accurate imaging so we know exactly what’s going on at all times. Just like diagnosing dental decay, periodontal disease has specific hallmarks we look for when evaluating your gum health. First of all, we look for damage to the bone sockets that hold your teeth in place. When we take x-rays, we’re not just looking for cavities! We can also check the level of your bone and see if it sits nice and high on the teeth, or if it appears worn down. The bone should also have a continuous white line along its edge on an x-ray. If we see areas where that white line is broken or fuzzy, we know that the dense outer portion of your bone has become damaged. Another key component of evaluating your gum health is called a periodontal chart. Your dental hygienist will periodically use a tiny dental ruler to measure your gums. If you’ve ever heard your dentist or hygienist calling out a bunch of secret code numbers like “3, 2, 3, 4, 2, 3,” and so on, that’s your perio chart! Your gum tissue is not connected to your teeth at the very edge. This cuff of unattached gums is called a sulcus or pocket. Ideally, that sulcus should be no deeper than 3 millimeters. If we see numbers over 5 millimeters, you may have periodontal disease IS PERIODONTAL DISEASE TREATABLE? As we said earlier, we can’t truly repair damage to the bone. However, that doesn’t mean all hope is lost! There are plenty of ways we can stabilize your oral health and stop the progress of periodontal disease. First of all, we need to remove the triggers causing damage to the gums. That means removing all the calculus (tartar) from the teeth. Depending on how severe your buildup is, and how deep the pockets in your gums are, we may recommend splitting your cleaning up into sections. That way, we can numb one or two areas at a time and give you a thorough—and thoroughly painless—cleaning! In rare cases, more involved treatments including surgery may be necessary to ensure the complete removal of all buildup. Once your teeth are as clean as possible, you’ll need to return every three months or so. Because the pockets will take time to heal, you’ll be more prone to buildup below your gums following your deep cleaning. We will need to take extra care to help the healing along. TREATING AND PREVENTING GUM DISEASE STARTS AT HOME The key to preventing and successfully treating gum disease is to keep your teeth as clean as possible. No surprises here! We recommend brushing well at least twice per day and flossing at least once per day. Some patients may benefit from an electric toothbrush or a water flosser as well! Using high quality fluoride toothpaste and other rinses or gels as recommended by your dental health team can also help. Talk to your dental hygienist at your next cleaning about what you can do to ensure great oral health for your whole family. And don’t worry if it’s been a while since your last cleaning. We’re always here to help you get back on track! The best time to start fighting back against gum disease is now. Call us to schedule your next cleaning and dental health evaluation today!

Your dental team at Anderson Family Dental truly cares about your health. That means your whole-body health, not just your teeth! Did you know your oral health affects your overall wellness? More and more research every year supports the connections between dental health and overall wellness. YOUR ORAL HEALTH CAN AFFECT YOUR HEART One of the most heavily researched connections between oral health and overall wellness is the link between gum disease and heart disease. The CDC lists heart disease as the leading cause of the death in the United States, regardless of sex or ethnicity. Most heart disease can be linked to conditions like high blood pressure and hardened arteries, both of which strain the entire cardiovascular system. But how does all this connect to your gums? The main link appears to be inflammation. Gum disease starts with bacterial action in the mouth. However, the real damage happens when your body’s immune system reacts to those bacteria by flooding your gums with white blood cells. While trying to kill off the bacteria, your body’s natural immune reaction can end up backfiring and doing damage to your own tissue. This immune reaction releases all sorts of inflammatory compounds into the blood, including c-reactive proteins and cytokines. These compounds can then travel through your blood vessels to cause damage elsewhere in the body, especially your cardiovascular system, putting you at higher risk for heart attack and stroke. Beyond just causing inflammation, however, there may be some direct action between oral bacteria and the rest of your circulatory system. In fact, researchers have found oral pathogens (bacteria) in the plaques that cause heart disease! POOR ORAL HEALTH CAN MEAN PROBLEMS THROUGHOUT YOUR BODY Heart disease isn’t the only way poor oral health can affect your body. A growing body of evidence indicates that oral health problems may affect your risk factors for countless other diseases. Here are just a few examples: COGNITIVE DECLINE There is a strong link between oral health and risks for cognitive impairments such as dementia and Alzheimer’s. While these links are still being studied, the data we have so far is compelling. First, it appears that those same inflammatory markers that affect heart health may be able to damage brain cells as well. There is some evidence that oral bacteria may also be able to affect the nerve cells directly. Second, there is a very strong association between tooth loss and cognitive decline. In fact, each lost tooth is associated with a 1.4% increase in the risk for cognitive impairment, and adults with missing teeth were at a 48% higher risk overall on average. PANCREATIC CANCER AND PANCREATITIS A history of gum disease significantly increases risks for pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer. Again, inflammation appears to be the main source of the problem. When those inflammatory markers travel from the gums to the pancreas, it can cause chronic pancreatic inflammation, known as pancreatitis. In turn, pancreatitis is a direct cause of pancreatic cancer. Men with periodontal disease are at a 63% higher risk of developing pancreatic cancer compared to men with good oral health. ARTHRITIS Inflamed gums don’t just affect organs! Inflammation traveling through the blood can also affect your joints and increase your risk for developing certain types of arthritis. Specifically, people with gum disease are more likely to develop Rheumatoid Arthritis, a chronic inflammatory disease. REPRODUCTIVE PROBLEMS Poor oral health is also associated with a variety of fertility issues. Women with periodontal disease are more likely to experience difficulty becoming pregnant. Once they do become pregnant, they are at higher risk for preterm labor and having low birthweight babies. Men are not exempt from these issues either. While still in the very early stages, researchers are building a body of evidence that periodontal disease may increase men’s likelihood of experiencing erectile disfunction. Beyond these reproductive issues, your oral health can directly affect your children’s teeth, too. Children of parents with poor oral health are more likely to experience decay and dental problems throughout their lives. This may have something to do with the home care habits of the family overall, but oral bacteria can also be transmitted person to person by sharing food or drinks as well as kissing. HOW TO PROTECT YOUR WHOLE-BODY WELLNESS WITH BETTER ORAL HEALTH This may all seem rather dire. But there is good news! You have a lot of control over your oral health. While some oral health issues are genetic or caused by factors beyond your control, there is always something you can do to improve your teeth and gums. No surprises here. Be sure to brush and floss thoroughly twice every day. Get regular cleanings at your dental office. Try to take care of any treatments recommended by your dentist as quickly as possible. That’s all there is to it! As always, Dr. Anderson is here to help you on the road to better oral health, and better full-body wellness, too! Schedule your next cleaning or a consultation to take those first steps toward better health for your teeth and your whole body!

Finding a new doctor or dentist can feel daunting. Whether you’ve recently moved or you’re not feeling 100% comfortable with your current provider, you deserve to find the right dentist for your needs. But where to start? THE FIRST STEP TOWARD FINDING THE RIGHT DENTIST: START YOUR SEARCH Starting the search sometimes feels like the biggest roadblock to this whole process. However, a few moments on the internet can at least give you somewhere to start. For most people, that means searching close to home or work, and finding a dentist that will be convenient to visit. For some people, finding a great match is worth a little time on the road! For example, even though Anderson Family Dental’s address is in Winter Park, we see plenty of patients from all over Central Florida. You can also check with the ADA directory or local dental society. ASK AROUND While Google reviews can give you some insight, there is no substitute for a good recommendation from someone you know. Just keep in mind that not all of your friends or family members will have the same dental needs as you. If your sister loves going to the dentist but you have dental phobia, the hygienist she feels comfortable with may make you want to run for the hills. Be open to recommendations but take them with a grain of salt. SEARCH FOR DENTISTS WHO CAN ADDRESS YOUR NEEDS Once you’ve got a few names in mind, it’s time to dig a little deeper. Check the practice out and make sure they’re equipped to provide for your dental needs. Do they offer cosmetic dentistry? If so, do they provide before and after images? If you have periodontal disease or other chronic issues, is this dentist prepared to provide treatment? Do they offer sedation or other methods to keep you comfortable in the chair? Think of specific things you would want in your perfect dentist and try to find someone who ticks as many boxes as possible. CONSIDER GOING OUT-OF-NETWORK If you have dental insurance, it is tempting to settle for a less-than-perfect match just because the practice is in network for your insurance. Being “in-network” just means that the dentist has made an agreement with certain insurance companies to accept lower pay for procedures than they would normally. Unless you have serious restorative needs, it may be worth it to eat the extra cost of going with an out-of-network doctor if they’re a great match for you. Many dentists will work with your insurance and help you out with pricing adjustments or payment plans when needed. That being said, if finances are a major concern for you, don’t be shy about saying so! Ask whether the practice works with your insurance, as well as what financial assistance options they offer, should the need arise. MEET THE DENTIST: MAKE SURE THEY'RE RIGHT FOR YOUR NEEDS! Dr. Anderson welcomes you to schedule a consultation to meet the team and get to know us. A brief consultation appointment will give you the opportunity to scope out any potential practice and make sure you feel comfortable. This is a great way to get a feel for the dentist and assess how your personalities mesh. You may want to take a few moments ahead of time to write down some questions. Are there any specific dental needs you want addressed? Do you have high dental anxiety? These are the types of specifics you’ll want to bring to the doctor’s attention so you can be sure they can address your needs and keep you comfortable during every visit. While it’s not strictly necessary, it can sometimes also be helpful to bring dental records with you, or have them emailed to the practice ahead of time. Especially if you’ve had chronic or ongoing dental health issues, these records can give your potential dentist great insight into how prepared they are to help. HOW TO TELL IF A DENTIST IS DR. RIGHT? At the end of the day, finding the right dentist for your needs is about feeling comfortable with them. Ideally, the thought of a dental visit shouldn’t make you lose sleep the night before. Try to find a doctor who respects your autonomy as a patient, and who won’t make you feel bullied into treatments you don’t fully understand. Your perfect dental team should be partners in your journey toward better health. We hope you will find your perfect match here at Anderson Family Dental! Call us any time to ask how we can help you achieve better oral health and a more beautiful smile. When you’re ready, we would be happy to set you up with a consultation or new patient exam so you can get to know us better!

Your teeth can affect every aspect of your life, from work prospects to dating. Feeling confident in your smile can help you appear more professional, approachable, and engaging. While our first focus is always on helping you achieve great health, we value the impact of a beautiful smile as well. There are many ways cosmetic dentistry can enhance your smile and improve your life. COSMETIC DENTISTRY OPTIONS FOR YOUR TEETH Are you slow to smile because you’re ashamed of how your teeth look? Do you usually leave your lips together in pictures because you don’t want to ruin the photo? We have empowered countless patients to find pride in their smiles, starting with rehabilitating their teeth. PORCELAIN PERFECTION: CROWNS AND VENEERS Porcelain crowns and veneers are the best option for beautiful, long-lasting cosmetics and restorative treatments. Whether your teeth are worn, fractured, or discolored, porcelain will give you teeth that look naturally stunning. Crowns and veneers in the past left something to be desired. They frequently appeared mismatched or left a dark band of metal showing near the gums. Thankfully, dental materials have improved by leaps and bounds, and it is now possible to craft porcelain restorations that match the rest of your teeth perfectly, both in color and texture. Dr. Anderson prides himself on creating beautiful, natural-looking porcelain that will leave you beaming. QUICK-AND-EASY CHAIRSIDE VENEERS AND COMPOSITE BUILDUPS Not every case needs porcelain. Some smiles are best served with composite resin. By adding a small amount of this material, we can reshape teeth and correct for color. We can even add length to worn or short teeth in some cases! However, composites do demand more maintenance than porcelain, and may become stained or worn more easily. They’re not appropriate for every cosmetic need. This is a great option for small adjustments, and especially for younger patients as well as adults who aren’t quite ready to take the plunge into porcelain just yet. INTERNAL BLEACHING Many of us have had trauma to our front teeth. That trip-and-fall as a kid can come back to haunt you years or even decades down the road. If a tooth is damaged, the nerve inside the tooth can die and leave the tooth looking dark. The effect is not always immediate. If you’ve had any root canal therapy on a front tooth, that tooth will likely become discolored over time. Unfortunately, these teeth will not respond to traditional whitening. But there is still hope! Internal bleaching involves accessing the back of the tooth in the same way we would treat a cavity (don’t worry, you won’t feel a thing!) and placing a small pellet of whitening agent inside the tooth. This can be a great way to correct that one dark tooth that always stands out in pictures. REPLACE MISSING TEETH WITH IMPLANTS AND BRIDGES Obviously a gap in your grin doesn’t do you any favors. Luckily, there are options to close that space and reclaim a flawless set up front. Aesthetically, implants usually get the best result. Although it is an investment and takes time to complete, implant therapy gives the most natural-looking, and most stable results. However, implants do not work for every case. If an implant is not the perfect plan for you, there are always other options! A bridge involves affixing the replacement tooth to its neighbors on both sides. This is another great option for beautiful results, but may take more maintenance over time in some cases. DON'T FORGET YOUR GUMS! Your gums make all the difference in the appearance of your smile. Red, inflamed, irritated gums can ruin the appearance of even the most gorgeous pearly whites. So don’t neglect them in your smile makeover plan! GUM CONTOURING An uneven gumline can make the teeth look mismatched. Orthodontic treatment can leave your gums overgrown and puffy. Likewise, some medications also stimulate the gums to become enlarged. Whatever the cause, gum contouring can correct many aesthetic concerns that may make your teeth look less than ideal. For most patients, this is a fairly straightforward procedure with minimal recovery time. CROWN LENGTHENING Your gumline may also make your teeth look short or undersized. Similarly to gum contouring, crown lengthening can reshape your gums and enhance the appearance of your teeth. However, this procedure may be more involved, depending on your specific anatomy. In many cases, crown lengthening combines several treatments, and may involve the placement of crowns (as discussed above) to achieve ideal results. A GOOD OLD-FASHIONED CLEANING! Frequently, getting back on track with regular cleanings is all it will take to get your gums back in fighting shape. Even a few missed cleanings can lead to redness, swelling, and even bleeding in the gums. Obviously, our main concern is to restore your gums to their best state of health. However, healthy gums are beautiful gums! Once we get you back on track, you’ll be amazed at how much difference regular dental cleanings can make for your smile. NON-COMMITTAL? NO PROBLEM! Not every cosmetic concern requires invasive or permanent solutions. For many people, we can get amazing results with minimal treatment! BOTOX® OPTIONS If your smile shows more gums than you’d like, Botox may be a great option for you! By treating the muscles that pull on the upper lip, we can help decrease that gummy appearance when you grin. It may be a good idea to give Botox a try before jumping to crown lengthening or other permanent options. After several months, the medication will wear off, so this option is fully reversible. WHITENING If you’re unhappy with teeth that are darker or more yellow that you’d like, whitening might work for you! While it won’t treat every discoloration issue, professional whitening may be just the thing for many of our patients. It is a conservative, noninvasive way to enhance your smile and boost your confidence. On the flip side of whitening is a procedure called infiltration. If you have spots that are too white, such as decalcification from braces or developmental spots, we can help reduce their appearance with a minimally invasive resin treatment and mineral boost. If anything is keeping you from feeling 100% confident in your smile, there is no shame in fixing it! Here at Anderson Family Dental, we believe in improving lives with great dentistry. We take pride in crafting teeth you will want to show off. Check out our smile gallery to get an idea of how we can help. Then, schedule a visit to talk about how cosmetic dentistry can enhance your smile today!

Everything you eat and drink hits your teeth before any other part of your body. So it stands to reason that your food and drink choices would have direct effects on your dental health! Great oral health nutrition is about more than just cutting back on the sugar. Here is a quick primer on the best and worst foods for your teeth! BEST TOOTH-FRIENDLY FOODS There are tons of foods that can actively improve your oral health. While the usual general advice about eating a well-balanced diet always applies, there are a few specifics when it comes to tooth-friendly foods. NATURAL TOOTHBRUSH: HIGH FIBER FOODS Fresh fruits and veggies are the cornerstone to any healthy diet. Your oral health is no exception. However, the reason may surprise you. Eating fibrous foods can actually cleanse your teeth and gums and remove plaque buildup! Chewing fiber-rich leafy greens or chomping on a refreshing apple scrubs your teeth, scraping away soft buildup and bacteria. It’s kind of like those dental chews you might give your pet. Not only are fiber-rich foods great for your teeth, however. They also help control blood cholesterol and promote healthy digestion. Talk about a win! GET YOUR VITAMINS! We all know we should try to get plenty of vitamins. With COVID on everyone’s mind these past couple of years, many of us have made sure not to slack on them! But did you know vitamins do more than help you out if you get sick? Vitamin deficiencies can cause a host of oral health issues. Did you know insufficient vitamin D can lead to gum disease and even cavities? It plays a crucial role in providing minerals that protect the teeth and keep the gums healthy. Likewise, vitamin C is essential for great oral health, and vitamin A helps maintain saliva production. Try to eat something from the full rainbow of fruits and vegetables each day to ensure you’re getting the full spectrum of vitamins. A general multivitamin is okay, too! DON'T FORGET THOSE MINERALS! While vitamins are a cornerstone of great health, many of us neglect the other group of micronutrients: minerals! Getting sufficient minerals is essential to healthy teeth and gums. Of course, calcium springs to mind when we think of nutrients for healthy teeth and bones, right? But calcium isn’t the only mineral in the game. Phosphorus and magnesium both help the body absorb and use calcium, which keeps teeth strong by reinforcing enamel. Zinc helps fight bad breath, keep your gums healthy, and can even correct certain disorders that can affect your sense of taste! And of course the true superstar mineral for oral health: fluoride. Fluoride is a naturally occurring essential nutrient found in many foods, but we can supplement fluoride delivery to our teeth with toothpastes and mouthwashes as well. If you’re looking to improve the mineral content of your diet, think lean proteins, fish like salmon, nuts, eggs, dairy, fortified cereals, and avocado. WORST OFFENDERS: FOODS THAT CAN CAUSE YOUR TEETH HARM STICKY SWEETS Obviously your dentist will tell you to never eat sugar, right? Not exactly. We appreciate a sweet treat as much as anyone. It’s about knowing what kinds of sugary snacks do the most harm to your teeth, and how to minimize the harm. Sugar doesn’t cause cavities directly. In reality, the bacteria in your mouth digests the sugars on your teeth and produce acid, and that’s when the damage happens. So, either remove the bacteria with great brushing and flossing, and/or make sure the sugar doesn’t linger in your mouth giving the bacteria plenty of time to chow down. If you need a little sugar hit, opt for something that will wash out quickly. Chocolate is usually a good choice, for example. Sticky sweets, sucking candies, and even some starchy foods all leave sugar in your mouth for a longer period of time. After any sugary or starchy foods, rinse well with water to try and cleanse your mouth. SPORTS DRINKS We all know soda is not great for your teeth, but many people think of sports drinks as a healthy alternative. Not quite! Sports drinks, even sugar-free options, are super acidic. Remember the discussion above about acid harming your teeth? We see a ton of decay in athletes who sip sports drinks all day. It’s better to opt for water, or, if you need the electrolytes, just pound that Gatorade and then rinse well. SALIVA STEALERS Some beverages and medications can seriously dry out your mouth, which can be very harmful to your oral health. Alcohol is a huge offender here. When they talk about a “dry” wine, they don’t just mean the flavor! Likewise, many medications can decrease saliva flow, especially if you take more than one medication. Be sure to stay hydrated and talk to your dentist about dry mouth! We know how to help. If you have any questions about how your diet might be affecting your oral health, don’t hesitate to ask! Here at Anderson Family Dental, we aren’t just concerned about your teeth; we see ourselves as an integral part of helping you achieve great whole-body wellness. Schedule your next appointment here in Winter Park so we can protect those pearly whites for a long lifetime of healthy eating!

Dental emergencies seem to have a way of popping up on Saturday afternoons or while you’re on vacation. We hope dental emergencies don’t happen at all. But if they do, we’re here to help! As with most oral health problems, prevention starts with a visit to your dentist for a full dental health check. However, if emergencies do happen, knowing the right moves to handle a dental emergency well can significantly improve your outcome in our office. MISPLACED OR KNOCKED OUT TOOTH While we usually think of children when we think of accidents involving teeth getting knocked out, you might be surprised how many adults deal with lost teeth every year. A missed curb, a sudden stop on a bicycle, or an overeager dog pulling the wrong way on their leash can mean serious problems for your pearly whites. If a tooth gets knocked out and you can find it, the most important thing is not to touch the root of the tooth. Pick the tooth up carefully only by its crown (the part that normally shows in the mouth). If it is dirty, you can rinse it very gently in cool water for a couple of seconds. Then, try to either gently replace it in the socket, or store it in the little pocket between your cheek and gums. The mouth is the safest place to keep the tooth while you seek care! However, if the person whose tooth was lost cannot control their swallowing or cannot tolerate keeping the tooth with these methods, you can put it in a little milk to transport it. This is a situation where you absolutely want to get in touch with your dentist right away to seek treatment. In many cases, if it’s replaced quickly enough, the tooth can be saved. Even if it cannot be saved, it’s important to get treatment right away to make sure there are no other problems such as bone fractures or left-over debris in the gums that could lead to bigger problems down the road. WHEN TO GO TO THE ER: If the person loses consciousness, shows signs of a concussion such as vomiting or disorientation, or if there is significant injury to their skull or face other than the tooth problem, you’re better off heading to the ER or an urgent care facility. We can patch up their teeth later! CRACKED OR FRACTURED TOOTH Cracks and fractures seem to have a sense for weekends and holidays. Most of us have small hairline fractures in one or more teeth that develop slowly over time. These can go years without causing problems. However, you never know when that one last bite of dinner will hit it just right for a catastrophe. If you find yourself with a cracked tooth, try to avoid swallowing the broken-off piece of tooth. (Although it’s not the end of the world if you do.) Then, take a close look with a flashlight in the mirror to check which tooth broke, and how it broke. When you call your dentist, it will help us plan next steps if we know the location and severity of the fracture. If you can, let us know if the fracture goes between the teeth, how much of the tooth is missing, and whether it seems to have broken above or below the gums. Most importantly, let us know if you’re in pain! LOST FILLING OR CROWN Over time, even the best dental restorations may break down. While filling materials have improved dramatically in the past several years, no material perfectly matches your own enamel. Each material can shrink or expand over time and with temperature changes. Likewise, your enamel may break down from acid exposure or even just usual wear and tear. This can cause tiny gaps to form between the restoration and allow saliva and bacteria to invade. Recurrent decay is just one of many reasons a restoration may fail. If possible, try to save any crowns that fall off. In many cases, we may be able to re-use the lost crown and avoid fabricating a new one, which can save you a lot of money. Unfortunately, this is not always the case, but it can’t hurt to try! Call us right away if you notice a restoration has gone missing. While many lost restorations don’t qualify as a true emergency, the situation may be urgent if you are in pain. Lost restorations can frequently leave your tooth incredibly sensitive, making it difficult to eat and drink. Even if it’s not a true emergency, however, any tooth missing its restoration is compromised, meaning it is more at risk for further damage like fractures, so we want to hear about it as soon as possible! DENTAL INFECTIONS Dental infections can be incredibly painful. The pain from an infection may be described as shooting, throbbing, aching, or sharp. If tooth pain is waking you up at night or disrupting your life, be sure to call us right away. In many cases, we can prescribe and antibiotic over the phone which should help relieve symptoms until you can come see us in the office. Fortunately, dental infections are usually easy to prevent. If Dr. Anderson has recommended any treatments such as fillings, be sure to take care of those as quickly as possible to keep decay from penetrating deeper into your tooth and endangering the nerves and blood vessels within. However, not all dental infections give warning signs before they start causing problems. Abscesses can form quietly over time without pain. That’s why routine x-rays and oral health checks are so important! WHEN TO GO TO THE ER: Dental infections can become a life-threatening emergency. Left untreated, infections can spread to the heart or brain and cause death. If a loved one has facial swelling that impairs their breathing, or if the facial swelling is severe, it’s best to head to the ER. Likewise, if you are aware of a dental infection but haven’t completed treatment and you develop a sudden fever, severe headache, double vision, or nausea, these can be signs the infection has spread and you need emergency medical care. Your team here at Anderson Family Dental is always ready to help you in an emergency. We have protocols in place even after hours and on holidays, so never hesitate to call! As prepared as Dr. Anderson is to help you through any urgent care, we want to help you avoid pain completely. As they say, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, so schedule your next oral health checkup right here in Winter Park!

It’s hard to put an exact figure on how many adults in the United States have gum disease, but a good estimate puts it at over fifty percent. In one study, researchers found that 67% of their subjects had tartar under their gums. (More on that soon.) What is gum disease? How can you tell if you have gingivitis? What does it take to treat it? WHAT IS GUM DISEASE? Gum disease does not describe one specific condition. Rather, the term refers to a variety of problems that compromise the health of the gum tissue and possibly even the bone socket and ligaments that hold your teeth in place. These conditions generally fall under the same umbrella because they are almost always stages in a progressive disease process. With a few exceptions, gum disease usually starts off as a pretty mild issue that worsens over time. At the severe, late stage of that process is advanced periodontal disease. Patients suffering with periodontal disease may experience tooth loss, infections, and other permanent damage to their oral health. The good news is most people have plenty of opportunity to stop this process early enough to avoid irreversible damage. Gum disease generally starts off as gingivitis, which is a mild to moderate inflammation in the gums. By keeping up with regular dental checks and maintaining a great home care routine, gingivitis can usually be reversed with no long-term effects. We will get into more detail on periodontal disease later. For now, let’s talk gingivitis! SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF GINGIVITIS SORE, BLEEDING GUMS Gums just bleed sometimes, right? Everybody’s gums bleed, it’s not that big a deal, right? WRONG! Bleeding easily is the main way we diagnose gingivitis. If your gums feel sore or tender, and bleed easily when you brush or floss, it’s a good indication that your gums are not healthy. However, lack of bleeding does not always indicate good gum health. For example, smoking causes the tiny blood vessels in the gums to restrict. Many smokers have severe gum disease but minimal bleeding. In fact, some people notice their gums start to bleed after they quit smoking and falsely assume quitting gave them gingivitis! Likewise, there are certain other conditions like pregnancy that might cause otherwise healthy gums to bleed. In general, though, think of your gums as if it were skin on some other part of your body; if your scalp started bleeding every time you brushed your hair, you’d probably freak out! That being said, a little occasional bleeding that goes away in a day or two is likely not a big deal. BAD BREATH Gingivitis frequently comes with bad breath. Some of this has to do with too much bacteria growing in your mouth. Like we mentioned in a previous blog, bacteria digest food and create waste. That waste, coupled with particles of food left to rot and break down between your teeth, can really be smelly! SWOLLEN, RED, PUFFY GUMS Gingivitis will likely make your gums appear swollen, puffy, and red or dark in color. They may also get a glassy, stretched texture. Healthy gums should be firm, tight to the teeth, and have a texture with tiny dimples like the skin of an orange. Again, there are some medical conditions and medications that can cause enlarged gums that aren’t truly caused by gingivitis, but generally you will be made aware of this side effect before you start those medications. WHAT CAUSES GINGIVITIS? As we mentioned above, gingivitis has a lot to do with an overgrowth of bacteria. If bacterial colonies are allowed to build up on the surface of your teeth, they will irritate your gums. Bacteria tend to grow best in areas that they’re not disrupted. That means the spaces between your teeth and the crevice where your gums meet your teeth are both prime real estate for bacteria! But it’s not just the bacteria that cause gingivitis. As bacteria build up, they produce irritating substances that trigger your immune system to flood the gums with fluid to try and bring white blood cells to the area. However, as the white blood cells don’t have great access to those bacteria, they end up damaging your skin cells instead. This increased fluid and immune response is called inflammation, and that’s really what gingivitis is. Some people’s bodies respond really strongly to bacteria on their teeth, and others don’t react as much. Whether or not you develop gingivitis has a lot to do with what kinds of bacteria you grow and how your body reacts to those bacteria. HOW TO GET YOUR GUMS HEALTHY Regardless of whether you’re prone to gingivitis or not, treatment for gingivitis is generally the same. And it’s pretty simple! Keeping your teeth as clean as possible will break down the bacterial colonies and give your immune system a chance to calm down. That means effective brushing twice daily, flossing once per day, and maybe a little mouthwash or other antimicrobial product if your dental team thinks it would benefit you. Excellent brushing and flossing also massages the gum tissue. This stimulates circulation and also inspires the gum cells to get tougher and more resistant to bacteria. Be sure to check in with your dental hygienist and ask how you can improve your gum health. And take a look our previous post about good home care! Call us to schedule your dental health screening and get your gums on the right track!

So many patients feel anxious about their regular dental visits, in part because they’re nervous they might have a cavity. How can you know for sure if you have one or not? Dr. Anderson and our whole team here at Anderson Family Dental believes that education is essential to helping you feel empowered to take charge of your oral health. That’s why we’re going to break down exactly how cavities happen and what you can do to prevent them. UNDERSTANDING CAVITIES MEANS UNDERSTANDING HEALTHY TEETH Before we get into how cavities form, it is helpful to understand the structure of healthy teeth. While it may seem like your teeth are just little white rocks, they are composed of multiple, highly organized layers of different types of minerals. The outer layer is what most of us are most familiar with. Enamel is the incredibly dense outer layer of the top of the tooth, the part we can see with our eyes. Enamel is made of a complex of a few different minerals, mostly calcium, joined by super strong bonds that create a new mineral called hydroxyapatite. It may be fairly thick or very thin depending on what type of tooth you’re looking at, as well as how worn the tooth has become. Hydroxyapatite is found in bone mineral throughout our skeleton, but enamel has the highest concentration anywhere in the body. The crystalline structure of this mineral makes it resistant to breakdown. Which is a good thing because we really put a lot of wear and tear on our teeth compared to other bones! However, the enamel does not cover the entire outer layer of the tooth. The root of the tooth, the part hidden by the bone socket and gums, is covered in a very thin, more fragile type of tissue called cementum. Cementum is a little less dense than enamel because it helps grab onto the ligament that keeps the tooth in place. Inside the shell of enamel and cementum, is dentin. Dentin is much weaker and more porous than enamel. The dentin makes up the bulk of the tooth and almost has a sponge-like structure. Inside all these microscopic pores called tubules that run through the dentin, you can find tiny hair-like branches of the nerve that gives that tooth its ability to feel. Those tubules are the key to tooth pain (more on that later). The deepest part of the tooth is the pulp. That’s where the nerve and blood supply for the tooth sits. Damage to the pulp of a tooth is usually a very serious problem. The blood vessels here can even carry untreated infections to other parts of the body and lead to life-threatening problems. If an infection or injury touches the pulp, it usually needs to be treated as an emergency. HOW DOES DECAY START? With very few exceptions, cavities work their way into the tooth from the outside. But isn’t that super dense enamel meant to resist cavities? Yes, but it’s not invincible! The primary cause for decay is acid exposure. This acid can come from a variety of places, but most cavities will be the result of acid from bacteria. The bacteria in your mouth eat the same foods you eat, and digest them. Once they’re done digesting, just like you, they create waste. That waste is acid. Acids from bacteria and food damage the bonds between the mineral molecules in the enamel. A couple of broken bonds aren’t a huge problem and can be repaired by the mineral in your own saliva, helped along by fluoride in your toothpaste and drinking water. However, if you let bacteria and acid sit there without cleaning it off and repairing the mineral, the enamel becomes softer and weaker. Slowly, that acid will eat its way through the enamel and eventually reach the dentin. DOES EVERY CAVITY NEED A FILLING? Sometimes, no! Damaged mineral in the outermost layer of the enamel may be okay to just watch, provided you are diligent in your flossing and brushing, and you use good fluoride products. Sometimes we are able to stop this type of damage before it can become a true cavity! However, if the decay does continue to progress and reach the dentin, we will have to treat it. Why does dentin make the difference? Remember those tubules we talked about? The structure of dentin allows bacteria and acid to travel easily further into the tooth. Left untreated, it will reach the pulp and cause injury to the blood and nerve supply to the tooth. From there, the bacteria can wreak havoc. Lucky for you, Dr. Anderson and the Anderson Family Dental team is here to make sure your teeth stay healthy and treat any cavities long before they reach that point. Don’t let anxiety about cavities weigh on you. Get on top of those great home care habits and call us today to schedule a dental health check-up!

Fear of the dentist consistently ranks among the top fears in the US, usually only behind fear of heights. Dental anxiety, while extremely common, can make even a simple cleaning seem like a nightmare. Here at Anderson Family Dental, our focus is always to provide comfortable, low-stress care for our patients. Sedation dentistry is just one way we can help! A BIT ABOUT DENTAL ANXIETY Fear of the dentist is not just one thing. Some patients have trouble coping with the entire concept of a dental office in general. Others may be uncomfortable with laying back because they’re afraid they might choke on water. Some people have had bad experiences in the past which feed their current fears, where others my have fears based on imagined risks or stories they’ve heard from other people. Each person who is uncomfortable in the dental setting may experience a completely different intensity to that discomfort. Dental anxiety generally describes the milder end of the spectrum, with dental fear somewhere near the middle and dental phobia at the extreme end. HOW WE HELP YOU OVERCOME DENTAL ANXIETY No matter what triggers your dental anxiety or how intense it feels, we are equipped to help you cope. The first step is to sit down with your dental team and have an open conversation about what you’re experiencing. If there are specific triggers such as flavors or sounds that bother you, we can frequently eliminate or reduce them. If you need to take breaks during your procedure, we will do what we can to make that happen. Frequently, talking about your concerns can dramatically reduce their impact. Some dental anxiety can be helped just by creating a more comfortable environment. Sunglasses, headphones with your favorite music, and maybe a fluffy blanket may be all it takes to help give you a relaxed dental experience. However, we know some patients need a little more help getting their dental anxiety under control. That’s where sedation comes in. SEDATION DENTISTRY CAN MAKE DENTAL ANXIETY A THING OF THE PAST Just like dental anxiety, sedation covers many different experiences. Here at Anderson Family Dental, we offer all levels of sedation to address all levels of dental fear. NITROUS OXIDE, AKA "LAUGHING GAS" Most of us have heard of laughing gas. However, nitrous oxide doesn’t actually send most people into fits of giggles. Nitrous is an odorless gas that is combined with oxygen and inhaled through the nose to create a sensation of ease, relaxation, and slight sleepiness. It is an easy, effective way to reduce anxiety. The great thing about nitrous is that it doesn’t get metabolized. What you breathe in is exactly what comes back out. That means that after we cut off the gas at the end of your procedure, there is no lingering effect after about five minutes. You can get your nitrous, get your dental treatment done, and get on with your day! It is also appropriate for kids. Nitrous also helps to decrease your pain response and it can help local anesthetic work better. If you’re a patient with a strong gag reflex, it also helps to reduce gagging. It is most appropriate for routine procedures like cleanings, and for patients with mild, manageable anxiety who just need a little help getting through their appointment. ORAL SEDATION If Nitrous doesn’t quite cut it for your level anxiety and what you need done, the next level up is oral sedation. Your dentist can provide pills to help induce a sort of twilight experience. In this level of sedation, patients typically fall asleep in the chair. However, they are still able to communicate and answer questions. By keeping you in this drowsy, comfortable state, we can help patients with a moderate amount of anxiety or who need a more involved procedure. Unlike nitrous oxide, oral sedation will last for several hours. Which is great if you have a long procedure, but usually means missing a day of work. IV SEDATION The highest level of sedation we offer is IV sedation. In this version of sedation, you will be completely unconscious throughout your visit. For patients with severe dental anxiety or dental phobia, or who need involved or lengthy procedures, this is a great option. You can come in, take a nap, and never even have to know you were here! Talk to your dental team about what sedation options are most appropriate for you, and read more about your options here. Together, we can make a plan to address your fears and help you overcome them. The best thing about sedation dentistry is that you can overcome any previous negative memories at the dentist and start to create new, positive dental experiences. Over time, most patients find they no longer dread dental visits like they used to. Call us today to discuss your sedation options.

Do you avoid ice cream because it feels like needles in your teeth? Does a nice hot cup of soup come with a side of ouch? Does the idea of chewing on almonds sound like a nightmare? Most adults suffer with sensitive teeth at some point in their life. When we talk about sensitivity, we’re not talking about aching, throbbing, or acute pain. The word sensitivity applies more to chronic discomfort that’s associated with a specific trigger. It may be mild or fairly intense, and may be regional or happen only in one or two teeth. If you are having a problem with pain, don’t hesitate to call your dental team here at Anderson Family Dental! If you think you may have a problem, we always recommend coming in to let us take a look. Better safe than sorry! But if you’re like 1 in 8 Americans and suffer with sensitivity, read on! COLD SENSITIVITY Cold is the most common sensitivity trigger. Your teeth have tiny microscopic pores, each of which has fluid and a tiny hair-like extension of the nerve inside. When a cold drink hits those pores, the fluid inside shrinks suddenly and vibrates the nerve fiber. And it can nearly send you through the roof! Cold sensitivity can happen with issues like recession or wear on your teeth. Grinding and clenching can also make your teeth sensitive. So can lack of mineral in your saliva. Your dental team can help narrow down the root cause for you. The first line of defense against cold sensitivity is toothpaste. There are many anti-sensitivity toothpastes on the market, and they have a few different ways they work. Some block up the pores in the teeth, and some deactivate those tiny nerve fibers. You may need to experiment to find the right fit for you. Talk to your dentist or hygienist to see if you need prescription-strength products. Sometimes, cold sensitivity can happen because of a cavity or crack, so if it seems out of the ordinary for your teeth, please don’t ignore it! HEAT SENSITIVITY Heat sensitivity is a little more complicated than cold sensitivity. Some people’s teeth are sensitive to heat in exactly the same way as cold sensitivity, described above. And similar treatments will usually work for those cases, too. However, if you get “zingers” from a sip of hot coffee, it’s worth getting checked out. Many times, heat sensitivity can point to serious problems. Heat sensitivity may mean the nerve inside the tooth has started to die. It’s sometimes an early indication that a root canal therapy is in your future. If heat makes your teeth sing, it’s best to get it checked out before the tooth becomes infected or an abscess forms. PRESSURE SENSITIVITY Pressure sensitivity usually happens when you bite on something hard or chewy. The most common culprits are almonds, gummies, or seeds. This is another kind of sensitivity that is best not to ignore! Grinding and clenching, which may happen while you’re asleep, can put a lot of strain on the roots of your teeth, making them sensitive to biting pressure while you’re awake. Likewise, if your bite is “off,” or does not match up properly, it can put extra pressure on certain teeth, straining their roots. Cracks can also create pain with biting. In short, this one may need some professional intervention. Whenever possible, we try to prevent pain before it starts. That’s why it’s so important to keep up with regular oral wellness exams here in our office. Ideally, we’ll spot potential problems before they start talking to you. However, if sensitivity does strike, don’t hesitate to give us a call. We can help you get to the root of the problem and get you back to enjoying your favorite foods and drinks!