Making living with dentures easy and comfortable

Your dentures were made to fit you precisely and, if they are cared for properly, they do not change shape.

But you may sometimes find that they can become loose due to natural changes in the gums and bone supporting them. As the jawbone begins to shrink, so do the gums.

If you find your dentures no longer fit properly, see your dentist as soon as possible so adjustments can be made.

Trying to change the fit of your dentures yourself can damage them and make them unrepairable so this would be a costly experiment!

Ill-fitting dentures repaired at home can also irritate the gums, tongue and cheeks.

In an emergency, you could use denture adhesives to keep the dentures stable until you are able to see the dentist.

Even if you no longer have your natural teeth, it’s still important to see your dentist regularly for an oral examination.

The dentist will examine your mouth to check for any problem with the gum ridges, the tongue and the joints of the jaw, as well as screen for oral cancer.

For a variety of reasons, many older adults are more susceptible to oral diseases, including oral cancer. About 95 percent of all cancers are found in people over age 40. However, many of these cancers are treatable if detected early.

Oral tissues are also checked for signs of other diseases that can first manifest themselves in the mouth.

Living with dentures can be comfortable if you continue to care for your oral hygiene and make regular visits to your dentist for a checkup.

5 Surprising Foods That Naturally Whiten Teeth

We all know that coffee, tea, and red wine can stain our teeth over time, but did you know that there are certain foods that can actually help whiten them? Here are 5 surprising foods that can naturally brighten your smile:

• Strawberries: Not only are they delicious, but strawberries also contain malic acid, which is a natural enamel whitener. Mash up a few strawberries and apply the mixture to your teeth for a few minutes, then rinse.
• Cheese: This one might sound strange, but cheese is high in calcium and phosphorus, which can help strengthen and whiten your teeth. Plus, the chewing required to eat cheese helps stimulate saliva production, which naturally cleanses your teeth.
• Pineapple: Another fruit that contains natural enzymes that can help break down stains on your teeth. Pineapple is also high in vitamin C, which can help prevent gum disease and promote overall oral health.
• Broccoli: This superfood is not only good for your body, but it's also good for your teeth! Broccoli contains iron, which forms a barrier on your teeth to protect them from stains, and fiber, which helps scrub away plaque and other debris.
• Sesame seeds: These tiny seeds are a great source of calcium, which can help strengthen your teeth and keep them looking bright. You can sprinkle them on your meals or even mix them into your toothpaste for an extra boost.

Of course, these foods alone won't give you a Hollywood smile overnight, but incorporating them into your diet can help keep your teeth looking healthy and white in the long run. Just remember to also practice good oral hygiene, like brushing and flossing regularly, to maintain a beautiful, healthy smile.

The Benefits of Choosing a Dental Crown for Your Damaged Tooth

If you have a damaged or decayed tooth, a dental crown may be the best option to restore your smile. A dental crown is a tooth-shaped cap that covers the entire visible portion of the tooth, providing both functional and aesthetic benefits. In this blog, we'll explore the benefits of choosing a dental crown over other dental restorations, such as fillings or inlays/onlays.

Protection and Restoration of Tooth Structure

Dental crowns are designed to cover and protect a damaged or weakened tooth, preventing further decay or damage. They can restore the tooth to its original shape and size, allowing you to use it for biting and chewing as normal. Crowns are also helpful for supporting teeth that have undergone root canal therapy or for anchoring dental bridges.

Aesthetic Improvement

Dental crowns can improve the appearance of a damaged or discolored tooth, restoring the natural look of your smile. Crowns can be customized to match the color, shape, and size of your natural teeth, creating a seamless and natural-looking result. This makes dental crowns an excellent choice for front teeth, where appearance is particularly important.

Durability and Longevity

Dental crowns are a durable and long-lasting dental restoration, with a lifespan of 10 to 15 years or more. With proper care and maintenance, a dental crown can last for many years without needing to be replaced. Compared to other restorative options, such as fillings or inlays/onlays, dental crowns offer superior strength and durability.

Improved Oral Health

By restoring a damaged or decayed tooth with a dental crown, you can improve your overall oral health. A damaged tooth can lead to further dental problems, such as gum disease or tooth loss. A dental crown can prevent these issues, ensuring your teeth and gums remain healthy and strong.

In conclusion, dental crowns offer many benefits for restoring damaged or decayed teeth. They provide protection and restoration of tooth structure, aesthetic improvement, durability and longevity, and improved oral health. If you have a damaged or decayed tooth, speak with your dentist about whether a dental crown is the right choice for you.

Diagnosing jaw problems and pains – TMD and TMJ

More than fifteen percent of American adults suffer from chronic facial pain.

Common symptoms can include pain in or around the ear, tenderness of the jaw, clicking or popping noises when opening the mouth or even head and neck aches.

There are two joints and several jaw muscles which make it possible to open and close the mouth. They work together when you chew, speak, and swallow.

These structures include muscles and ligaments, as well as the jaw bone, the mandible (lower jaw) with two joints, the TMJs.

The TM joint is one of the most complex joints in the body. Located on each side of the head, these joints work together and can make many different movements, including a combination of rotating and gliding action when chewing and speaking.

Several muscles help open and close the mouth. They control the lower jaw (mandible) as it moves forward, backward, and side-to-side.

Both TM joints are involved in these movements. Each TM joint has a disc between the ball and socket. The disc cushions the load while enabling the jaw to open widely and perform rotating and translocational movements.

Any problem that prevents this complex system of muscles, ligaments, discs and bones from working together properly may result in a painful TMJ disorder.

If you are suffering from this type of pain, your dentist can help identify its source with a thorough exam and appropriate x-rays.

Often, the problem is a sinus or toothache or it could be an early stage of periodontal disease.

But for some pain, the cause is not so easily diagnosed.

The pain could be related to the facial muscles, the jaw or temporomandibular joint, located in the front of the ear.

Treatments for this pain may include stress reducing exercises, muscle relaxants, or wearing a mouth protector to prevent teeth grinding.
They’ve been successful for many and your dentist can recommend which is best for you.

What's involved in getting a dental implant?

 Dental implants are increasingly popular as a way to replace missing or damaged teeth.

Their great advantage is that they look natural and feel secure helping you to restore your smile and eat more easily.

Implants are an ideal solution for many people but they are not an option for everyone.

Placing implants requires some surgery so patients must be in good health, have healthy gums and have adequate bone to support the implant.

They must also be committed to taking action to maintain their oral hygiene and to visiting the dentist regularly.

The process for placing implants is as follows:

First, surgery is performed to place the anchor. This can take up to several hours. Following the surgery, you may need to wait up to six months for the bone to grow around the anchor and firmly hold it in place. Sometimes follow up surgery is required to attach a post to connect the anchor to the replacement teeth. Alternatively, the anchor and post may already be attached and are placed at the same time.

After the gums have had several weeks to heal, the next step is to fit specially-made artificial teeth to the post portion of the anchor. This can take a few weeks to complete as several fittings may be required.

Implant surgery can be done either in a dental office or in a hospital, depending upon a number of factors. A local or general anesthetic may be used. Usually pain medications and, when necessary, antibiotics are prescribed.

After your implants are fitted, your dentist will give you tips and advice on maintaining your oral hygiene.

Your dentist can help you decide whether you would be a good candidate for implants.

How to take care of your teeth with braces

Braces are orthodontic apparatus used to help fix crooked and crowded teeth.

While modern braces can be comfortable and inconspicuous, you may have to take extra steps to care for your teeth when wearing them.

Its important that you continue good oral hygiene practices while wearing braces.

You need to continue brushing regularly, following the approach suggested by your dentist, as well as flossing daily and making regular visits to the dentist.

People with braces should stick to a balanced diet and limit the number of snacks between meals.

Your dentist may suggest that you avoid certain foods that could interfere with braces or accidentally bend the wires. This can include nuts, popcorn, hard candy, ice and sticky foods such as chewing gum or caramel.

You can still continue to enjoy sports and other activities but a protective mouth guard is often recommended to reduce the risk of injury to the mouth or jaw. Your dentist will suggest an appropriate mouth guard when the braces are in place.

Braces can make a big difference to your smile and your future dental health. Modern technology and following good practices means you should be able to wear them with comfort and confidence.

The process of installing Invisalign

Invisalign is a system of clear mouthguards that can be used instead of braces to help straighten teeth.

The big advantage is that Invisalign looks better and is more comfortable than braces.

However, not everyone is a candidate for using the system so you with have to check with your dentist.

If an orthodontist certified in Invisalign says you can benefit from the system, they will take impressions of your mouth, write up a detailed specification and then send everything to a high-tech lab.

Next, the lab will show the orthodontist a preview of the appliances.

The lab then makes a series of “aligners” – depending on the situation, you may need between 12 to 48 aligners.

After the impression of the teeth is taken, it will normally require a visit to the orthodontist every six weeks.

Some patients will be advised to wear metal braces for a period and then switching to Invisalign when their mouth is ready.

For many people Invisalign provides an ideal way of making their smile look better.

What Causes Sensitive Teeth?

If you sometimes find the taste of something hot or cold painful on your teeth, you may suffer from sensitive teeth.

Sensitive teeth is a common problem which may be caused by cavities and fractured teeth.

But it can also be caused by worn tooth enamel, a cracked tooth or an exposed tooth root.

Tooth enamel is the strongest substance in the body and it protects the crowns of healthy teeth. A layer called cementum protects the tooth root under the gum line.

The part underneath the enamel and the cementum is called dentin, which is less dense than enamel or cementum.

The dentin contains small hollow tubes or canals called tubules. When the dentin loses its protective covering, the tubules allow hot, cold, acidic or sticky foods to reach the nerves and cells inside the tooth.

This causes hypersensitivity and occasional discomfort but fortunately, the irritation does not cause permanent damage.

Following proper oral hygiene helps prevent the gums from receding and causing the pain of sensitive teeth.

Brushing your teeth incorrectly or even brushing too much can cause gum problems.

Your dentist will advise you on the best daily routine to maximize your oral hygiene.

Dental plaque – what it is and how to avoid it

You’ve probably heard people talking about plaque and maybe you’ve some idea of what it is.

But its useful to know a bit more about it so that you can do whats necessary to minimize the risks.

Plaque is a sticky film of bacteria that forms on teeth and gums.

When you’ve eaten a meal or snack, the bacteria in plaque release acids that attack tooth enamel. When this happens regularly, the enamel can weaken. This eventually leads to tooth decay.

The food we eat often causes plaque bacteria to produce acids. So, if you eat a lot of snacks, your teeth may be suffering acid attacks all day.

If you don’t remove the plaque through effective daily brushing and cleaning between the teeth, it can eventually harden into calculus or tartar.

Another effect of plaque is that it also produces substances that irritate the gums, making them red and tender or causing them to bleed easily.

If you want to prevent tooth decay and gum disease, make sure you have a balanced diet and avoid having too many snacks between meals.

When you feel like a snack, go for foods such as raw vegetables, plain yogurt, cheese or a piece of fruit.

How cancer treatment can affect your oral health

More than 1 million Americans are diagnosed with cancer each year and many of them will develop problems with their oral health as a result of their cancer treatment.

While its natural that theyll be focused on their cancer treatment, its important not to overlook the importance of a dental examination as part of the process of maintaining overall health.

For example, radiation therapy of the head and neck area may lead to certain complications such as dry mouth, sensitive lesions in the oral cavity, hypersensitive teeth, rapid tooth decay and difficulty swallowing.

Chemotherapy and other medication can also have significant effects in the mouth.

To help prevent, minimize and manage such problems, the dentist and oncologist can work together before and during cancer treatment.

Many medications lead to dry mouth, which can lead to a higher risk of gum disease and other problems. The dentist may therefore recommend a saliva replacement, an artificial saliva that is available over-the-counter at pharmacies.

Frequent fluoride applications may also be recommended.

If you are receiving treatment, schedule regular screenings with your dentist and contact your dentist or physician immediately on any sign of mouth infection. This may have serious implications for your overall health.

Your dentist and physician both want your treatment to be as safe and effective as possible.

Tips on choosing the best dentist for you

Choosing the right dentist for your needs is one way to give you the best chance of maximizing your oral health.

If you don’t already have a dentist – or want to find one better suited to your needs – here are a few points to consider.

– Get recommendations from family, friends, neighbors or co-workers

– Ask your physician or a local pharmacist

– If you are moving to a different area, ask your current dentist for recommendations in your new location

– Contact the local or state dental society

You can also use Yellow Pages or the American Dental Association directory at www.ADA.org.

Effective dental care depends on a great relationship between the dentist and the patient so you may want to visit more than one before making your decision.

To help decide if a dentist is right for you, consider:

Is the office easy to get to from your home or job?

Are the staff helpful and friendly?

Does the office appear to be clean, tidy and well organized?

Is the appointment schedule convenient for you?

What arrangements are made for handling emergencies outside of office hours?

Does it cater for any special needs you have?

As you’ll need to work closely with your dentist in caring for your oral health, it’s worth taking time to ask questions and take notes to make sure you choose the right one for your needs.

What’s involved in getting a dental implant?

Dental implants are increasingly popular as a way to replace missing or damaged teeth.

Their great advantage is that they look natural and feel secure helping you to restore your smile and eat more easily.

Implants are an ideal solution for many people but they are not an option for everyone.

Placing implants requires some surgery so patients must be in good health, have healthy gums and have adequate bone to support the implant.

They must also be committed to taking action to maintain their oral hygiene and to visiting the dentist regularly.

The process for placing implants is as follows:

First, surgery is performed to place the anchor. This can take up to several hours. Following the surgery, you may need to wait up to six months for the bone to grow around the anchor and firmly hold it in place. Sometimes follow up surgery is required to attach a post to connect the anchor to the replacement teeth. Alternatively, the anchor and post may already be attached and are placed at the same time.

After the gums have had several weeks to heal, the next step is to fit specially-made artificial teeth to the post portion of the anchor. This can take a few weeks to complete as several fittings may be required.

Implant surgery can be done either in a dental office or in a hospital, depending upon a number of factors. A local or general anesthetic may be used. Usually pain medications and, when necessary, antibiotics are prescribed.

After your implants are fitted, your dentist will give you tips and advice on maintaining your oral hygiene.

Your dentist can help you decide whether you would be a good candidate for implants.

Things to look out for during pregnancy

Every woman wants to maintain their own health during pregnancy and to take whatever steps are necessary to give the baby the best possible start.

There are a few factors in your oral health to look out for during this time.

One consideration is that its common for pregnant women to have the urge to eat between meals. The risk is that frequent snacking on carbohydrate-containing foods can encourage tooth decay.

Bacteria in your mouth called plaque can convert the sugar and starch in your mouth into an acid that attacks tooth enamel. After repeated attacks, tooth decay can result.

So, when you need a snack, try to choose foods that are nutritious for you and your baby such as raw fruits and vegetables and dairy products.

During pregnancy, your bodys hormone levels rise considerably. Gum problems, such as gingivitis, are especially common during the second to eighth months of pregnancy. They may cause red, puffy or tender gums that bleed when you brush.

This is an exaggerated response to plaque caused by higher levels of progesterone in your system. Your dentist may recommend more frequent cleanings at some stages to help you avoid problems.

Occasionally overgrowths of gum tissue, called pregnancy tumors, appear on the gums during the second trimester. These localized growths or swellings are usually found between the teeth and are thought to be related to excess plaque.

They bleed easily and are often surgically removed after the baby is born.

Studies indicate that pregnant women who have severe periodontal (gum) disease may be at increased risk for pre-term delivery, which in turn increases the risk of having a low-birth-weight baby.

So its particularly important to maintain good oral health during pregnancy. Make sure you clean your teeth carefully and visit your dentist regularly.

Do you know if your dentist uses latex gloves? Are you in danger?

My interest in the dangers of latex allergies

My name is Dr. Endre Selmeczy. I am a local Dentist in Livermore. I became very interested in the latex issue when my office manager and significant other, Annette, came close to death in a restaurant few years ago on Mother's Day. After finishing her dinner, she went into anaphylactic shock due to an allergic reaction to the latex gloves the restaurant used in their kitchen during food preparation. Thanks to the quick emergency response team in Monterey, she is still alive, but her latex allergy changed her life.

The increase in latex allergies

The incidence of serious allergic reactions to latex has increased dramatically in recent years. In rare cases, these allergies can be fatal. It is somewhat difficult to say how widespread the problem of latex allergy may be. It is assumed that many cases go unreported. In one 1994 study, 6 percent of volunteer blood donors were found to have increased levels of anti-latex IgE antibodies. The incidence of latex allergy has been increasing since the introduction of universal precautions in health care settings, including the widespread use of latex gloves to prevent the spread of AIDS and hepatitis B.

Latex allergy can cause serious physical symptoms

Latex allergy or hypersensitivity occurs when the body's immune system reacts to proteins found in natural rubber latex. The immune system launches a defense that can cause a host of unpleasant or, in some cases, life-threatening symptoms

Type I latex allergies are the most serious and can cause nausea, low blood pressure, respiratory arrest, and even death. Symptoms begin within minutes after contact with the protein allergens in latex.

Type IV, the most common latex allergy, is less serious. The symptoms include dry skin, hives, tingling sensations, or itching. Symptoms usually appear 48-72 hours after the initial exposure. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), at least sixteen people have died as a result of latex allergy.

Allergy to latex proteins is a new medical problem with symptoms similar to those seen in individuals who are allergic to bee venom. Reactions on exposure to the allergen are generally acute and may mimic hay fever or asthma, with symptoms such as nasal congestion, hives or difficulty breathing. The most severe cases can result in anaphylaxis, a potentially fatal reaction that affects many parts of the body at once. Symptoms are usually immediate, progress rapidly, and may include a dangerous drop in blood pressure, flushed skin, difficulty breathing, swelling of the throat, tongue and nose, and loss of consciousness. That is what happened to Annette in Monterey.

Signs and risk factors of latex allergy

Natural rubber latex is a processed plant product derived almost exclusively from the Hevea braziliensis tree found in Africa and Southeast Asia. Some indicators of an increased risk of latex allergy include a history of allergic problems or food allergies to tropical fruits, hazelnuts, chestnuts, or stone fruits.

If you ever experienced some discomfort after eating in a certain restaurant, with reactions such as " I just don't feel good; I must have eaten too much," or "maybe there was something wrong with the food," you should call the restaurant to find out if they used latex gloves in the kitchen. The same applies to your dental office. If you ever experienced any symptoms you thought were signs of an allergic reaction, perhaps it was due to the use of latex in your dental office.

Awareness and prevention

Individuals who have an increased exposure to the effects of latex allergy include those with a history of early and/or recurrent surgical or medical procedures, health care personnel and others who wear latex gloves, and individuals with occupational exposure to latex.

You should also be very careful eating out at restaurants. When you make your reservation, ask the restaurant if they use latex gloves in their kitchen. In Annette's case, just having her food touched with latex gloves during preparation was enough to send her into an anaphylactic shock. The same reaction could happen in a dental office. During the visit at a dental office, latex gloves come into contact with mucous membranes, which enhances the absorption of latex proteins that can trigger an allergic reaction. Using latex gloves just for a regular exam could be potentially very dangerous, especially if the patient's latex allergy is not known. There are several other materials used in dental offices containing latex, such as prophylactic cups used during teeth cleaning, tubing, nose pieces, rubber dams, and bite blocks. If you know you are allergic to latex, or you are at risk for latex allergy, you should consider finding a latex-free Dental Office.

The future of latex use

I am convinced that latex gloves will be outlawed in the future -- not just from dental offices, but from restaurants as well. The question is how many people will die or end up in the emergency room before that change happens.

More information

I want our community to be aware of the potential risk of latex. Failure to recognize the risk in time can be fatal. If you think that you may have an allergy to latex, contact your family physician or allergist for more information. Being allergic to latex is not a reason to avoid your dental appointments. You need to inform your dental office and ask your dentist if he/she can accommodate your special needs.

If you have any questions, please contact Annette or me at our office.

Dental News

Oral Sedation

Dr. Selmeczy is proud to announce that our office is now offering oral sedation. Do you or someone you know experience fear at the mere thought of going to the Dentist? If so, oral sedation may be the solution for you. By using our safe, effective method of oral sedation you can have years of dental work completed in one or two office visits. Please call our office today, and speak to one of our friendly and caring staff to set up a consultation appointment in our office.

New Extended Hours

Sometimes it's just hard to find the time to see your Dentist. Dr. Selmeczy now offers early morning and late day appointments.

Good News!

New Extended Hours We now have hygiene appointments available for your cleanings five days a week. Call today and reserve your cleaning as early as 7:00 am, or as late as 6:00 pm.

Holiday Season is Here
 

Family gatherings and social events are a great time to show off your new smile. Make an appointment with Dr. Selmeczy and find out what your cosmetic options are.

Livermore's Biggest Tooth!

Have you seen our new sign? If not, be sure to drive by and see the "Biggest Tooth" in Livermore!

Insurance Alert

Keep in mind that the year is almost up. Don't let your insurance benefits go unused. Remember that insurance companies don't carry over unused benefit amounts to the next year ... so make your appointment today.

Testimonials

From someone who is happy to be one of Dr. Selmeczy's patients:

I became a patient of Dr. Selmeczy after I'd seen how professionally and kindly he dealt with a friend of mine. At that period in my life, I was spending a lot of time at client sites in California, even though I live 300 miles away, near Reno.

Nowadays, I hardly ever go to California on business, but Dr. Selmeczy is still my Dentist. He's worth making a 600-mile round trip from Reno to Livermore. I really appreciate his logical approach to Dentistry, and how he explains everything so clearly. He makes me feel as though we're a team, working on the same problem together. Dr. Selmeczy's concern for the well-being of his patients is genuine and wonderful to experience.

Based on my recommendation, my wife recently became another of his patients. We were recently there together. As I walked toward the waiting-room, I caught a glimpse of a familiar scene: Dr. Selmeczy and my wife, in happy, animated discussion, looking at her dental x-rays. Dr. Selmeczy was drawing a picture with pencil on paper, explaining something to my wife, who was by now another happy patient.

- Andre Gous

CareCredit

CareCredit is a program that allows patients to get the Dental Treatment and procedures needed when their insurance doesn't cover the total cost. CareCredit provides a variety of financing options and payment plans designed to meet the patients needs. CareCredit allows the patient to make payments on their dental work without interest charges.

You can apply online to get instant approval. After you get approved then make an appointment with us. While at our office we will discuss they payment plan that works best for you and your budget.

Advanced Oral Cancer Screening

We offer an advanced Oral Cancer Screening, recommended yearly for $69.00. This section of our Web site intends to educate patients on oral cancer as well as the screening process.

The material is posted here courtesy of Zila Pharmaceuticals, Inc. who developed the Vizilite Plus process that we use.

The process uses a special chemical mouth rinse that makes the potentially dangerous tissues stand out in special lighting conditions, so that they can more easily be seen during a visual inspection, as explained by a downloadable video.

New Teeth Whitening System

See the difference between the upper and lower teeth?

That is the power of our new Teeth Whitening system!

Yes, these are my teeth. I tested the system on myself.

This system is new and works like nothing else before. Do you have problems with your teeth not responding well to any other whitening system, like tetracycline staining? Are you frustrated with poor results from teeth whitening?

Have you been told you are not a candidate for Teeth Whitening?

If you've answered "Yes" to any of the above questions this new whitening system may be your answer. This is the most powerful bleaching system Dentistry has to offer:

• Sensitivity is not an issue
• Maintaining the color change takes the least amount of effort
• If you know anyone who is frustrated with their bleaching, please send them our way!Do you know who this person is in this picture? 

Most likely you have heard him, but have never met him, he is Jim Hampton with KKIQ Radio.

Intravenous (IV) Conscious Sedation

Our office is now offering IV conscious sedation.

If you feel that Oral Sedation is not sufficient, IV conscious sedation allows a relaxed state that is controlled through the use of medications introduced through an intravenous catheter.

It will put you in a state of mind where you'll feel removed from what is really going on. You will have almost no memory of the procedure.

We are dedicated to providing you Superior Dental Care with the highest level of comfort. We would love to have the chance to make your dental experience free of anxiety and fear.

Please contact us with any questions you may have regarding this new addition to our services.