Long Beach Cosmetic Dentistry

Little things you can do

Johnrose@longbeachcosmeticdentistry.com (Dr. John Rose) — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 21:00:00 +0000

Something as regular as a dental cleaning can impact your health dramatically. It is so important, I am doubling my efforts to encourage everyone to do this important maintenance for their teeth and gums twice each year.

Periodontal disease, or gum disease, has links to heart disease, strokes, diabetes and more serious health issues. If you do not clean your teeth properly, you are inviting all the immediate symptoms of gum disease and increasing the risk of other health issues. Warning signs include bleeding gums, red gums and bad breath. Here are some additional facts about your risk of gum disease.

- Receding gums are a symptom of gum disease. If you have noticed your gums receding making your teeth appear longer, this is a warning sign.
- Tobacco use is a risk factor for gum disease.
- The older you are, the greater your risk.

The best thing you can do is to schedule your cleanings with me twice each year. Come in and have this nearly painless treatment completed so we can stay on top of your health.
We are also accepting new patients, so please encourage your friends to begin joining this renewed effort I am making against periodontal disease with my patients

Can your childs Halloween candy be a trick or treat?

Johnrose@longbeachcosmeticdentistry.com (Dr. John Rose) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 16:38:00 +0000

October is filled with kids,costumes,and CANDY! Everyone loves candy. Its fun,tasty,and puts a big smile on your face. But can something so good be bad? Well, I guess if you have to much it could be. Here's a few things our patients how found out the hard way:

*I've been eating to much candy and have gained a few unwanted pounds

*I just found out I'm allergic to chocolate

*My kids are mad because I ate all there candy

*My kids have toothaches from to much candy

*My teeth have become very sensitive to sweets

*I have a toothache from all my candy madness

*A sticky piece of candy pulled one of my crowns off

Candy's fun when you use good judgement. Always remember use in moderation,brush,floss and see Dr Rose on a regular basis. Your diet has allot to do with the health of your teeth. So have fun with the goodies, but not to much fun. If you havent seen us in a while and need a check-up Call us at 866-76-SMILE

Do you snore?

Johnrose@longbeachcosmeticdentistry.com (Dr. John Rose) — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 19:00:00 +0000

Do you snore? If you do, this is an important blog for you.

We all know snoring as a major irritant in that it causes complaints from others. Your spouse, family members, house guests, maybe even your neighbors all might have complained from time to time if you are a habitual snore. And, while it might be offensive to them, it might be dangerous for you.

Sleep apnea is a serious condition that affect breathing while you sleep. Habitual snoring is a classic symptom of sleep apnea. Snoring is not sleep apnea and it seems many people have that fact confused. However, it is a sign of sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is a disruption of your breathing when you are asleep. This is both dangerous to your health but it can affect your waking hours because your sleep is not restful.

The stoppage in breathing during sleep can cause oxygen deprivation. This can affect your overall health in the forms of heart disease, depression, high blood pressure, memory problems and more conditions related to oxygen deprivation. This is not to mention the irritability caused by restless sleep and how it can affect your behavior.

With my training in neuromuscular dentistry, I can treat snoring and sleep apnea. A good place to start with self-assessment is snoring. If you are a regular snorer, you have a primary symptom of sleep apnea. If this is the case, why not contact me for a consultation to determine if you have sleep apnea? It is a good idea for your overall health and welfare.

Migraines and TMJ

Johnrose@longbeachcosmeticdentistry.com (Dr. John Rose) — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 03:27:00 +0000

If you suffer from migraines headaches, you know it is an intense head pain that can last for hours or days. For some, it can be totally debilitating. If you have frequent headaches and the best your doctor can do is prescribe pain medication for your migraines, you should look into what neuromuscular dentistry can do for your headaches. The alternative might be migraines for the rest of your life and the need for dulling medications to live with them.

Migraine headaches are a common symptom of TMJ. This is a misalignment of the jaw that can cause numerous pains and discomforts in the head and neck. Most people think of TMJ (tempromandibular joint disorder) as only a cause of jaw pain. However, migraine headaches are a very common symptom and, because of their severity, they are a major cause for people to seek out more advanced treatments. Informed family doctors will also recognize persistent migraines as a symptom of TMJ and make a referral to a neuromuscular dentist.

My training at The Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies qualifies me as one of this area’s top professionals treating TMJ. The neuromuscular approach to treating TMJ is non-invasive. Through the use of measuring technologies, I am able to determine the proper alignment of your jaw to relieve the stress on the jaw joint. In turn, this eliminates all the issues that misalignment is causing on all the connected tissues. The neuroumuscular approach is an effective and non-invasive way to treat TMJ and restore normal function to the jaw joint.

Along with normal function comes relief from TMJ symptoms including migraines. If you suffer from migraine headaches, why not ask me about how TMJ treatment works?

Lasers in Dentistry

Johnrose@longbeachcosmeticdentistry.com (Dr. John Rose) — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 22:11:00 +0000

The mouth contains a high number of disease causing bacteria. Bacteria that is now being associated with systemic diseases such as Cardiovascular, Diabetes, and Pre-term labor in pregnant women, just to mention the top three. Our practice takes pride in our early detection protocol. Our hygienist have been using lasers in the last 10yrs to treat Periodontal Disease. There very dedicated in continuing there education and keeping up with the newest technology. They are very committed in improving the standard of care and your health. Give us a call to schedule your laser cleaning. 866-76-SMILE

What is Bruxism?

Johnrose@longbeachcosmeticdentistry.com (Dr. John Rose) — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 21:16:00 +0000

Many people are not aware that they have a condition called Bruxism. But, if you wake up in the morning with a sore jaw or a headache, you may be grinding your teeth at night and that is bruxism.

This can be caused by short-term stress but it can also be part of a chronic, bigger picture issue such as TMJ. In high stress situation, we tend to bear down and grind our teeth. Most people do not realize when they do this during the day and they certainly don’t realize it when they are sleeping. The tension in the muscles from the grinding is what causes inflammation and pain.

If your bruxism is due to stress, stress relief techniques ranging from exercise to counseling to muscle relaxants might be the answer. But in the case of chronic bruxism, treatment for TMJ may be the relief you need. Treatments can range from custom fit nightguards to full treatment for TMJ is the bruxism is a symptom of the TMJ. It is important to treat bruxism to avoid putting undue stress on the teeth, which can lead to receding gums or damage to the tooth.

If you are grinding your teeth at night, causing stiffness in your neck and jaw or headaches, please contact me today about treatment for your bruxism.

Doggie Tidbits

Johnrose@longbeachcosmeticdentistry.com (Dr. John Rose) — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 16:48:00 +0000

My wife Carolyn and I have had small dogs in our lives for years. Like all our dogs they need tender loving care, and yet it took me a while to realize that they needed oral care as well. I did have them groomed, washed, and there teeth brushed. What I didn't know is that each dog was different and they needed different types of cleanings. Yes, dogs get periodontal disease. Much like humans they require a different frequency in cleanings of there teeth. Now my Veterinarian wanted to heavily sedate my dogs every time they needed there teeth cleaned, which I was reluctant to schedule due to cost because they needed them more often. I did have a dog lose a few teeth because of his periodontal disease. Since then I make it a priority to take the advise and recommendation of my Vet, and my dogs are very healthy. Now 95% of adults and teenagers require more then two cleanings a year. Unfortunately people are insurance driven, and in this economy there's not much extra cash laying around. What you need to remember is your health is very important and who wants to lose a tooth. Hopefully your smart enough not to let your insurance company dictate your health or your family's. Periodontal disease can sneak up on you over the years and do a great deal of damage. They don't call it the "Silent Killer" for nothing. Here's my advice to you. Place all your spare change in a coffee can every day, then at the end of the year, you just might have enough for a one more extra cleaning. Doesn't hurt to try. Every penny counts now a days. Well if you've missed a cleaning, canceled or haven't seen us in a while, give us a call at 866-76-SMILE. Lets get you healthy and keep it that way.

Thinking of whitening your teeth?

Johnrose@longbeachcosmeticdentistry.com (Dr. John Rose) — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 17:34:00 +0000

There are lots of reasons why teeth whitening is a topic this time of year. Summer is a time for weddings, family reunions, travel and outdoor fun. Generally it is a time when a lot of photos are taken and people want to look their best. That often means teeth whitening.

Whitening is a very common treatment that can be done a number of different ways. It is often the first step someone takes when it comes to cosmetic dentistry and it is also one of the easiest and quickest treatments you can have to improve your smile. That is why teeth whitening is so popular.

When it comes to teeth whitening, you can get over the counter products at your local grocery store or drug store. These over the counter products can be effective but lack the strength of the treatments you can get from a dentist. And, in this case, strength of the chemicals equates to the amount of product and time you need to achieve a result. And, in the end, it makes a difference in what kind of result you will see. Most people who are serious about whitening their teeth wind up at the dentist asking for options even after they have tried the over the counter products.

Most dentists have a take-home whitening kit that you can purchase. Generally, it is more effective than the over the counter products. However, when someone comes to me for whitening, it is usually all about laser whitening. This is the one-hour whitening process we offer where we apply a special chemical to your teeth. That chemical reacts to a light source we place in your mouth and the results are whiter teeth. This is known as chairside whitening or laser whitening.

If you would like more information on whitening your teeth for an upcoming occasion, please contact me.

Join our social network

Johnrose@longbeachcosmeticdentistry.com (Dr. John Rose) — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 20:29:00 +0000

Over the summer, we will be starting a Facebook page for our practice. If you haven’t tried social networking online, you should give it a try. It a great way to stay connected with people and share information with each other.

I will post it in my blog when we are ready for you to search us out and become our friend on facebook. Until then, you may want to try out Facebook. If you are unfamiliar with it, it is a free service with a lot of important privacy options. Users will tell you that it is a good way to keep up with what is going on with friends.

This is why we are making a Facebook page for my practice. As you, know, my practice is not your average dental practice. We make all kinds of efforts to ensure your comfort and to keep you posted on the important advancements in dentistry that can be of benefit to you and your family. Our Facebook page will allow us to do that even better, so we want to encourage anyone who is not on it to join up. We’ll be out there looking for you to become a Facebook friend really soon.

Headaches and TMJ

Johnrose@longbeachcosmeticdentistry.com (Dr. John Rose) — Wed, 06 May 2009 17:15:00 +0000

Most people would not consider going to the dentist for a headache but, for a lot of people, it can save you a lot of time and trouble. If you have chronic migraines, it could be caused by your bite.

I have a special post-graduate training in treating TMJ, a jaw joint disorder that causes all kinds of chronic pains, including headaches. In a nutshell, if your bite does not site properly, the jaw joint and connective tissues become irritated causing pain the jaw, head, neck and more.

Most people just go to their family physician when they have a persistent headache. Almost always, a family doctor will prescribe pain medication because the cause of the headache is usually apparent. I do my best to let area doctors know that they should refer patients with chronic, undiagnosed head, neck or jaw pain to me for a TMJ exam. Our TMJ exams are not invasive and the treatments are non-invasive as our goals are to realign the bite to alleviate the irritation in the jaw joint and surrounding tissues.

Treating TMJ when it is the cause of chronic head, neck and jaw pain is more preferable than relying on painkillers to numb back pain. It is healthier and almost all my TMJ patients tell me they feel like they have their life back now that the pain is gone. If you or someone you know suffers from chronic head, neck and jaw pain, please contact us for help.

From Numb to Normal

Johnrose@longbeachcosmeticdentistry.com (Dr. John Rose) — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 15:40:00 +0000

Do you dislike being numb after your dental appointment? Well Dr.Rose has something new that will bring you back to normal. Its called OraVerse. This is the first and only product of its kind to rapidly reverse the effects of your local dental anesthetic. It is scientifically proven to accelerate the return of normal sensation and function following routine dental procedures. The average person is numb 3-4 hours. OraVerse can help you return to normal in half the time. This breakthrough changes your measure of comfort by creating an easy and expedient return to your normal activities. Dr. Rose and his team of professionals want you to have the most comfortable experience as possible. Its a commitment that begins when you walk in the door and extends long after you leave. So talk, smile, and drink normally in about half the time because OraVerse will bring you back. Call for an appointment at 866-76-SMILE
To learn more about this go to www.novalar.com

Thanks to Dr.Rose

Johnrose@longbeachcosmeticdentistry.com (Dr. John Rose) — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 20:10:00 +0000

The word Dentist, does it sound scary? Well, to many people its a very scary place, scary enough not to go for many many years. We have many patients that are very fearful, but with sedation they don't have to worry. They take a pill, Dr.Rose does the work and they don't even remember what happened. One patient comes to mind, Sam Newman. We received a very nice letter from 1-800 Dentist, that included his great appreciation for Dr. Rose and his team. Here is what Sam said.

I don't really know where to start. Since contacting 1-800 Dentist and being directed to Dr. Rose I have never been so happy with my dental care. For many years I suffered from situational anxiety when being tasked with visiting the dentist. When I contacted your company for a referral I was looking for someone just to provide me with sedation during my dental work. I have had numerous visits for care by Dr. Rose from routine to advanced dental intervention. For the first time ever my most recent visit I did not require sedation or anti anxiety medication. The new device they utilized called a "Magic Wand" truly was magic. I felt little to no pain what so ever. My recovery was quick not requiring any pain medications.
Over the past 22 years of my health care career I have been able to work with a bread of health care professionals. Dr. Rose and his entire team rank the top for overall care and expertise. The office is warm and inviting and moreover, very clean. The equipment is well kept, modern, and above the industry standards.
The best I can say is that I referred my own mother to the office not to mention my children.
I want to thank you and your company for the referral to Dr. Rose. Without your service I highly doubt I would have ever encountered such care and service.

Regards,
Sam Newman, MS, RRT

So if your one of the many, who fear the dentist out there, call now to here more about Sedation Dentistry at 866-76-SMILE. We can help. Check out our website to see testimonials on YouTube.

Time for some Spring cleaning

Johnrose@longbeachcosmeticdentistry.com (Dr. John Rose) — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 02:19:00 +0000

It’s spring and people are getting organized for the warm weather ahead. One of the things you want to complete on your To Do list is to schedule your annual exam and cleanings. Making appointments now will help you prioritize this important task and get it on the schedule!

Annual exams are so important to avoid costly long-term dental issues. One of the things we do in an annual exam is an oral cancer screening. This is a short, painless, almost unnoticeable procedure but it is vital in early detection of oral cancer. It is one of the primary reasons you should be regular with your annual exams.

Thorough cleanings will give you the best chance to avoid long-term problems like gum disease. This is important to do a few times each year in addition to regular brushing and flossing. Gum disease can also lead to other system-wide physical problems including heart disease and strokes. So, if you are eating a healthy diet and living a healthy lifestyle to avoid health problems, you should realize that dental health is part of that picture.

So, why not get a leg up on your scheduling plans for the spring? Contact us today to schedule your appointment.

Vicks--The Chest Rub, Etc...

Johnrose@longbeachcosmeticdentistry.com (Dr. John Rose) — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 16:25:00 +0000

This is totally amazing! We hear about more and more uses for Vicks... Our mom's put it on our chests when we had a cold, it helped us breathe better. Well, during a lecture on Essential Oils, they told us how the foot soles can absorb oils, for example: put garlic on your feet and within 20 minutes you can taste it. Some of us have used Vicks Vapo rub for years for everything from chapped lips to sore toes and many body parts in between. But I've never heard of this. And don't laugh, it works 100% of the time, although the scientists who discovered this aren't sure why.

To stop night time coughing in a child (or adult as we found out personally), put Vicks Vapo rub generously on the bottom of your feet at bedtime, then cover with socks. Even persistent, heavy, deep coughing will stop in about 5 minutes and this will last longer than many very strong prescription cough medicines. In addition it is extremely soothing and comforting and they will sleep more soundly. It almost acts like a warm cozy blanket.

I happened to hear on the radio how cough medicines in kids often do more harm than good, due to the chemical makeup of these strong drugs. Why not try something safe and simple. This was a surprise finding and found to be more effective than prescribed medicines for children at bedtime, in addition to have a soothing and calming effect on children, so they could sleep soundly. There is allot of sickness going around right now, so if you happen to catch it, you have to try this. It works.

Single Tooth Anesthesia

Johnrose@longbeachcosmeticdentistry.com (Dr. John Rose) — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 14:12:00 +0000

The Single Tooth Anesthesia (STA) System from Milestone Scientific is the first computer controlled local dental anesthetic system where just one injection at a single tooth is all that's needed to scientifically, safely and predictably ensure single-session injection precision. It's even highly effective for multi-quadrant cases.

STA is the only system of its kind with patented real-time visual and audible feedback technology, allowing you to easily obtain proper needle placement between the tooth and bone.

Dr. Rose is now using this amazing machine and our patients are loving it. It's easy, simple and practically PAINLESS! Ask your dental assistant about the STA on your next visit. Go to there website http://www.milesci.com/ to watch CBS New Report on this amazing invention.

Avoiding Tooth Erosion

Johnrose@longbeachcosmeticdentistry.com (Dr. John Rose) — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 20:41:00 +0000

Yes, you should be maintaining a regular cleaning and check-up schedule for your dental health and the dental health of your family. We are always happy to see you when it is time for a cleaning or check up. However, sometimes it is important to review the things you can be doing at home to maintain healthy teeth and gums.

Everything you eat has some affect on your teeth and it is important to make sure you maintain healthy teeth by avoiding what is commonly known as tooth erosion. This can lead to cracked teeth, discoloration, sensitivity and more. Basically tooth erosion is just like it sounds, where the teeth are work away by the acids in what you eat.

Keeping this in mind makes it easy to avoid contributing to the problem. When you eat acidic foods or drinks, simply rinse out your mouth with water to neutralize the remaining acid in your mouth. This simple step is probably the most effective easy thing you can do to avoid tooth erosion. Of course cutting back on carbonated drinks and acidic foods helps, too. When you do eat or drink something that is high in acid, swallow it quickly to avoid it remaining in your mouth a long time.

Brushing is important in avoiding tooth erosion, too. Using a soft toothbrush reduces the friction on teeth that can contribute to erosion and waiting at least an hour to brush following acidic foods helps as well. This gives teeth the chance to remineralize after being exposed to the acids you just ate or drank.

Remembering these simple tips will contribute to your dental health by helping you avoid tooth erosion. If you have any other questions regarding your dental care, please contact me any time. I look forward to seeing you on your next appointment.

New Year. New Smiles.

Johnrose@longbeachcosmeticdentistry.com (Dr. John Rose) — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 17:30:00 +0000

It is a new year and a good time to talk about new advantages for a new year. And, the biggest advantage is a bright, beautiful smile.

As a cosmetic dentist, I see the changes all the time when people get a beautiful, new smile. Both men and women choose to improve their smiles for many reasons. Some reasons are personal and some reasons are for business. The bottom line in all cases is that the patient wants to make an improvement in their appearance. They want permanent improvements, not just a short-term fix to make you look a little younger. With smiles, permanent improvements mean long-lasting improvements that work at any age. This is because, with a new smile, the real benefit is that your personality comes shining through so much more brightly.

This is a huge advantage socially and in business. However, most people get new smiles because they simply want to make an improvement in their appearance. My advanced training in designing new smiles with porcelain veneers allows me to help so many people reach these goals. It is no wonder I see so many people smiling all the time!

Happy New Year

Johnrose@longbeachcosmeticdentistry.com (Dr. John Rose) — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 17:12:00 +0000

I wanted to take a moment to wish all of you a happy new year. Going into 2009, you are assured to get the same high-quality attention and dental care from me and my team. Each year, we all do our best to improve our skills and our practice to offer you the best dental service in the area.

And, as we head into the new year, I’d like to remind you to make sure and prioritize dental health for you and your family. The little things you do for home care and with your regular cleaning and prevention visits are very important.

Best wishes for the new year. I hope that you will continue to tell your family and friends about our practice and let people know about the excellent dental care your receive from us.

Santa Has a Surprise for You!

Johnrose@longbeachcosmeticdentistry.com (Dr. John Rose) — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 15:31:00 +0000

Is your insurance company keeping your money this year? Do you have unfinished treatment that you think you can't afford? December will soon be here and unfortunately your benefits don't rollover. So in December Dr. Rose is spreading his holiday cheer with a great discount just for you. With the economy in a slope every little bit helps. Here at Long Beach Cosmetic Dentistry we want to do our part during these hard times. Someone once said "All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth", I guess we are the people to call. Let Dr. Rose help give you that holiday sparkle this Christmas season. For discount details and to schedule your appointment call us at 866-76-SMILE.

Limited appointments available (expires December 23,2008)

Back to basics

Johnrose@longbeachcosmeticdentistry.com (Dr. John Rose) — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 18:10:00 +0000

It is definitely one of the themes you are hearing a lot about lately. People are refocusing on the basics on a lot of topics. And, one that should be top of your list is dental care.

Dental care could be one of the easiest parts of your day. Simple brushing and flossing can keep your teeth in good condition and help you avoid long-term problems. But it is also important to visit your dentist for routine cleanings, screenings and care.

One of the basics you should be considering right now is ensuring good dental health for yourself and your family. If you have not had your regular appointment in more than six months, you need to put that on your calendar. If it has been more than a year since you have visited me for oral cancer screenings and a check for gum disease, this should be placed as a priority, too.

Remember the basic warning signs, too. Sore or bleeding gums, sensitive teeth and bad breath are all signs that you should be addressing some of your basics when it comes to your dental health.

Let's Make the Holidays Bright!

Johnrose@longbeachcosmeticdentistry.com (Dr. John Rose) — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 18:35:00 +0000

The holidays are just around the corner and the shopping season will begin. Why not brighten someones smile with our "White Christmas" special on ZOOM. For only $399 (a $600 value) you could give someone the beautiful white Hollywood smile they deserve. ZOOM is our chairside whitening system that dramatically whitens your teeth in an hour. Its simple, safe, and very fast. Another way to make someone smile sparkle is a "Sonicare Toothbrush". You've never brushed like this before. Its the best sonic brush on the market and we have it here for $99 ($130 value). So brighten someones holidays with a "White Christmas". Act fast our special will end in December. For more information give us a call at 866-76-SMILE

Trident Xtra Care: Protects, Strengthens, Rebuilds.

Johnrose@longbeachcosmeticdentistry.com (Dr. John Rose) — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 18:39:00 +0000

Now you can extend your care beyond the chair in a whole new way: Trident Xtra Care. Recaldent is a unique form of calcium specifically designed for teeth. Recaldent is complex but derived from milk, and it helps actively rebuild and strengthen tooth enamel.
Chewing Trident Xtra Care replaces calcium and phosphate ions, remineralizing tooth enamel and leaving teeth more resistant to plaque acids. Recaldent remains in the plaque layer for up to 3 hours after chewing, leaving a ready pool of calcium and phosphate ions, increasing tooth remineralization. Chewing gum has never strengthened teeth like this before. To learn more go to www. tridentgum.com

Soda and Cavaties

Johnrose@longbeachcosmeticdentistry.com (Dr. John Rose) — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 17:51:00 +0000

Dentists can usually spot a soda drinker because they are often prone to cavities and white spots on their teeth known as decalcifications, which are actually the start of new cavities. Sweetened soda contains a high amount of sugar, a carbohydrate that can promote cavities. Soda may even be more damaging to the teeth than other sugar containing beverages because it is also acidic. This in itself erodes tooth enamel. When the bacteria in our mouths are exposed to sugar they metabolize and produce acid. As "sugary foods" are eaten (candy, sugar frosted cereal, ice cream, soda) and other carbohydrates this acid begins to dissolve the hard enamel coating on the outer surface of your teeth. Every exposure to these foods allows an acid attack on the teeth for about 20 minutes! Several studies were done on sweetened soda and mineral water. Teeth exposed to cola, orange and lime soda had significantly more decalcification than those exposed to mineral water. Of all sodas tested, cola caused the most.
The easiest way to prevent cavities is by brushing you teeth at least three times a day, especially after eating or drinking your favorite foods. And its always important to brush before bed. Also using a straw with your favorite drinks helps sugar bypass your teeth. So have fun eat and drink your favorite foods and sodas "just brush!

What does biocompatible dentistry mean?

Johnrose@longbeachcosmeticdentistry.com (Dr. John Rose) — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 20:03:00 +0000

Biocompatible dentistry is an approach to dentistry that focuses on keeping toxic substances out of your mouth and, therefore, your body. And, with modern dentistry, there is no reason why any toxic substances should be used.

Many people come in wanting to have their old, grey or black fillings removed for aesthetic purposes. The new white composite fillings that blend with the teeth simply look better. That may be true but the better reason to replace black/grey/silver fillings is because the amalgam that is used contains Mercury, a highly toxic metal.

Mercury can leech out of these fillings in very small does into your system. And, this sort of filling expands and contracts, endangering the stability of the tooth. In general, we can do better. The composite materials we use in white fillings are stronger, do not expand and contract and are fully biocompatible.

For biocompatible reasons, I would like you to be motivated to have your black/grey/silver fillings replaced. If you need the extra motivation, it looks much better but I would be more concerned with getting the Mercury out of your teeth.

If you have any questions about your fillings or biocompatible dentistry in general, please email me today.

Ringing in the ears… might be TMJ

Johnrose@longbeachcosmeticdentistry.com (Dr. John Rose) — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 15:30:00 +0000

Every once in a while, I am reminded how random the symptoms of TMJ can be. As you know, I am a neuromuscular dentist and I treat Tempromandibular Joint Disorder. Is this always characterized by straight up jaw joint pain. Absolutely not.

It takes a neuroumuscular dentist to recognize that Tinnitus, or ringing in the ears, is another symptom of TMJ that is commonly misdiagnosed and often goes untreated or is treated ineffectively. In many cases ringing in the ears is one of the results of having a strained bite in which the jaw is not aligned. The jaw area of the face is a complex network of muscles and nerves, and when the bite is misaligned muscles and nerves throughout the head, including the ears, can be affected.

Tinnitus can also be one of the most alarming and hard to live with conditions a person can have. If you are experiencing a ringing in your ears, please make an appointment with me for a TMJ screening.