Dr. Lee Ann Brady - Glendale AZ Dentist

Dry Mouth Puts Your Teeth At Risk

Posted on: 02.4.16 By Dr. Lee Ann Brady

Having enough saliva in your mouth is important to both your general health and your dental health. Our saliva is part of the digestive system and helps us break down our food. Not having enough, dry mouth, can compromise our digestion and add stress to our stomachs. Saliva is also an essential piece of the health of our mouths and teeth. It moistens the tissues, cleanses food particles off the teeth and protects us against the germs that cause cavities.

There are many things that can cause the saliva to change in either quantity or quality. As a normal part of aging our mouths will get more dry. Many commonly prescribed medications that treat high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes and anxiety and depression can decrease the amount of saliva we produce. There are also some common medical conditions that can cause dry mouth. Whatever the cause when we have less saliva, or the saliva changes we need to know that we are at greater risk of getting cavities, having ginvigivitis and losing teeth.

I very commonly have patients come in who have not had a new cavity in decades, and suddenly they have several areas that we have to fix with fillings or crowns. When we start to figure out what happened it comes down to a change in their bodies ability to protect the teeth due to lack of saliva. We can also tell during your exam by the visual appearance of your saliva, tongue and gum tissue if you are suffering from dry mouth even before you may have symptoms. What I hope we can do is have this conversation with our patients before they have new dental problems to fix. Discuss with your dentist or hygienist any new medications that you have started taking, any changes to your health or any concerns you have about your saliva. It can be a simple matter of increasing your prevention by using a prescription toothpaste at home, having a fluoride treatment at your hygiene appointments or using other simple preventive strategies.

Here are some signs of dry mouth to watch out for:

Feeling like you need to have a sip of water more often
Needing or wanting to chew gum or use mints or hard candies
Your upper lip sticking to your top teeth
Red irritated tongue of gum tissue
Burning when you eat spicy foods.
Dry throat
Bad Breath
Hoarseness

Choosing The Right Toothpaste

Posted on: 01.25.16 By Dr. Lee Ann Brady

Choosing the right toothpaste can be a daunting task, as the choices are varied and vast. Some of us have a hands down favorite and always use the same kind. This preference is often based on flavor, consistency or a recommendation from our dentist or hygienist. Others of us buy whatever we have a coupon for or the drugstore has on buy one get one free special. Here are some interesting facts that may help the next time you have to choose a toothpaste.

Cleaning your teeth is the responsibility of the toothbrush, and water is all you need to use.
Toothpaste freshens your breath and delivers protective chemicals like fluoride and calcium.
Whitening toothpastes are usually more abrasive and can contribute to damage to crowns and veneers, as well as accelerate the rate of tooth wear.
Sensitivity toothpastes contain a chemical called potassium Nitrate which does reduce temperature sensitivity with regular use.
Tarter Control and Whitening toothpastes may increase temperature sensitivity in some people.
Many toothpastes contain Sodium Laurel Sulfate, so if you are sensitive to this ingredient you need to read the ingredients carefully.
Children’s toothpastes are different, and are designed to be safe if swallowed in large amounts.

So with these facts in mind, it will be easy to narrow down the choices and still find the flavor you prefer in either gel or paste, and you’ll still have to deicde whether to buy the tube or the pump!

The Danger of Sour Candy and Gum

Posted on: 01.18.16 By Dr. Lee Ann Brady

There is something magical to our taste buds about the combination of sour and sweet! As you peruse the racks of gum and candy, the lemon, lime and orange flavors are right there calling to you. We love how they taste and we love how they make us salivate. From small kids with their sour patch kids and sour gummy worms to adults who utilize lemon drops the dangers are the same. The acidic pH of the sour candy and gum is an enemy to your teeth in two ways. First it erodes and dissolves the structure of your tooth and secondly it creates a favorable environment for the bacteria that cause cavities. Our teeth do best in a neutral or basic environment which means a pH over 7. Some of the most popular sour candies have a pH in the range of 2 or 3. Tooth enamel begins to dissolve at a pH of around 4. Its the job of our saliva to keep the pH nuetral, and correct for when we eat really acidic things. If you eat sour candy, gum or mints often enough, or suffer from a lack of saliva your mouth may often be at a pH low enough for tooth damage to occur.

The other challenge is that the bacteria that cause cavities prefer to live in an acidic environment. This means that if your mouth is often below a pH of 7 you will have a greater number of these bacteria. If you are also feeding them sugar, and they are living on teeth already damaged from the acid, it can be a triple whammy! If you can try and limit the amount of sour candies, gums and mints you consume. When you do try and rinse your mouth out as soon as possible. Don’t go right in and brush until the pH of your mouth is back to normal in 15-30 minutes, or you could cause excessive abrasion to the enamel.

Signs & Symptoms of TMD

Posted on: 01.10.16 By Dr. Lee Ann Brady

TMD, short for Temporomandibular Disorder, comes in many forms and covers numerous problems that occur with the teeth, muscles and joints. Due to the varied nature of the things that can cause TMD, the signs and symptoms can be very different from person to person. The issues can be painful and affect your ability to eat and speak, or can be happening silently. The causes range from a traumatic accident that injures the head and neck to grinding or clenching your teeth, and can include medication, stress or even ergonomics as the triggers. If you are concerned that you may have TMD, also commonly referred to as TMJ, ask your dentist to complete a joint and muscle exam, as well as complete an analysis of your bite. Often a simple solution like wearing a nightguard can manage your symptoms and prevent your TMD from becoming a serious, chronic concern.

Symptoms of TMD:

Temporal Headache (on the side of your head over your ear or across your forehead)
Stiffness when opening and closing your mouth
Muscle fatigue in your face when chewing
Pain when yawning, chewing, smiling or talking
Pain in and around your ear over the jaw joint
Inability to open wide enough to eat a hamburger
Mouth locking in an open or closed position
Noise in your jaw joint when you open or close

Signs of TMD that your dentist or hygienist can observe before you have symptoms:

Inflammation in your facial muscles
Inflammation in your jaw joints
Damage to the cartilage in your jaw joints
Loss of tooth enamel due to grinding
Cracks & Fractures in your teeth as a result of tooth clenching
Limited ability to move your lower jaw

The Pregnant Woman’s Guide to Oral Health: Protect Your Teeth!

Posted on: 09.21.15 By Dr. Lee Ann Brady

The first few months of a new pregnancy can be filled with ups and downs, from uncomfortable physical changes to the joys of wondering what the baby’s sex will be. Most mothers know automatically from pop culture and informational texts that they will need to avoid certain foods, take pre-natal vitamins, and let their roots grow out, but what they may not realize is that oral health should be on the top of their pregnancy to-do lists.

Our number one piece of advice is to schedule a check up at the dentist during your pregnancy. While pregnant, your body is going through changes at a microscopic level that can affect the health of your teeth and gums and add unforeseen difficulties.

According to mouthhealthy.org, pregnant woman are prone to a few oral health related issues that a check up can either prevent or diagnose quickly. These can include pregnancy gingivitis, increased risk of tooth decay, and even non-cancerous pregnancy “tumors” which are simply plaque related areas of swelling that can show up on the gums.

Before even considering all of these potential consequences of pregnancy (some of which simply stem from changes in diet and hormones), keep in mind that it is perfectly safe to visit the dentist while pregnant. The American Dental Association (ADA) has even stated that dental treatment “…is safe throughout pregnancy…”

Your dentist is trained to be just as careful as any other practicing “Dr.” and will be sure to determine the safety of local anesthetics, X-rays, and any prescriptions they may prescribe. Make sure to let them know you are pregnant and then they can tailor any necessary treatment with that important consideration in mind.

Armed with this information, you can fully engage in a holistic approach to health care during your pregnancy. Protect your teeth!

How Small Aesthetic Dental Repairs Can Make A Big Difference

Posted on: 08.24.15 By Dr. Lee Ann Brady

For many patients, their perceived happiness with their teeth has a lot to do with the color and symmetry of their smile. In previous posts we discussed the best options for brightening a smile to the desired level of whiteness and the significance of flossing in your oral hygiene regimen. What many patients do not realize though is how cost effective other small aesthetic dental repairs can be in providing them with their ideal smile, whatever that may look like.

A common aesthetic issue that many people have is a chipped tooth. The tiny nick may not be particularly noticeable or upsetting, but just that little bit of imperfection can be a frustrating insecurity during a job interview or a meeting with a client. Our patient Jenna had much the same feelings about two decalcification spots and a chipped corner on one of her front teeth.

Here was how her teeth looked before treatment (click to enlarge):

That slight asymmetry in Jenna’s smile (in this picture: the front upper right tooth, known as the upper left central to the dentist) made her self-conscious, but Desert Sun Smiles dentist Dr. Lee Ann Brady was able to repair the issue with ease. Dr. Brady used composite filling material to fill in and even out the teeth where needed.

Here is Jenna’s perfect smile post-op:

Now Jenna’s smile is not only white from a recent whitening treatment at the Desert Sun Smiles office, but her front teeth are symmetrical. The entire process of repairing the spots and chip took less than an hour and can be reasonably priced depending on the number or complexity of the issue (Bonus: It will also be covered by most dental insurance plans). Cosmetic dental fixes provide bang for your buck and can leave you with a lasting sense of confidence in your smile.

Tips and Tricks: The Most Effective Path To A White Smile

Posted on: 08.3.15 By Dr. Lee Ann Brady

One of our preferred whitening brands at Desert Sun Smiles.

If you’re looking in the mirror and feel dissatisfied with the color of your teeth, you may also find that there are too many confusing options for turning them into genuine pearly whites. The market is flush with attractive and easy products such as Crest 3D White Whitestrips, whitening toothpastes, brightening mouthwash, and more. You may even consider that trip to the dental office for a professional whitening or a more advanced version of the “Whitestrips” phenomenon. But what method to whitening teeth is truly the most effective when considering time, cost, and end result?

1. Let’s Start With The Basics

Before you shell out the big bucks or devote hours in the dental chair, consider these facts that may be contributing to dull or yellow teeth:

Did you know fruits and vegetables can stain your teeth? Not many people do, but according to Webmd, even apples and potatoes can be contributing to a lackluster smile.
Coffee, coffee, coffee. Are you a caffeine addict? A Starbucks connoisseur? Consistent espresso consumption may be gradually discoloring your teeth.
Lighting up that cigarette is a sure fire way to turn your teeth into a dentist’s worst nightmare. Plus, it can cause massive oral health issues, cancer, and a smile worthy of a 16th century monarch or a caveman.
The dermatologist! Using antibiotics such as tetracycline or doxycycline for clearing up acne? Teeth looking more and more like you smoke two packs of cigarettes a day and single handedly keep your local coffee shop in business? This medication may be the culprit.
Be honest with yourself. If you’re not brushing twice a day and flossing regularly than your solution may be as simple as upping your daily dental game.

2. Are The Famed Crest Whitestrips Effective?

The short answer is: Yes and no. Yes, they will whiten your teeth, but the trays will only make a difference in the incisor (front) teeth. What this means is that if your smile happens to be larger than life (or at least wide enough that it exposes more than these common front teeth), then you may be left with an only partially brighter smile.

3. Bringing Out The Big Guns

If you’re interested in the quickest way to achieve Fabio or Jennifer Aniston level whiteness, a trip to the dental office for in office professional whitening might be very appealing. There are pros and cons to this approach.

Pro: The dentist can use a professional whitening formula and decide using a shade matching method where your teeth are currently and what color you would ideally like to reach. For busy professionals this method can generate the same results in one hour as one month of at home approaches.

Con: This option costs more than over the counter methods, requires a dental visit of 90 minutes, and can cause sensitivity for those with overly sensitive teeth. If you continue habits such as excessive coffee consumption, smoking, and/or don’t brush or floss effectively, you may need to repeat whitening every 6-12 months.

4. The Best At Home Approach

Don’t let yellow or discolored teeth prevent your from making a good first impression or feeling confident on a blind date. The best approach that combines the comfort of Whitestrips with the effectiveness of the dental office is to set up an appointment with your dentist to make personalized whitening trays. The dentist will make these trays by creating molds of your teeth and will provide whitening gel and instructions for their use. Then, achieving a white smile is simply a matter of wearing the trays while doing chores around the house or watching Netflix.

Tips and Tricks: How To Stick With Your Flossing Regimen

Posted on: 07.27.15 By Dr. Lee Ann Brady

We’ve all been there before. The semiannual dental check up arrives and a good-natured dental hygienist takes a look at your gums. The nerves set in as she says the magic words: “Have you been flossing?”

For most people, sticking with a flossing regimen is an all or nothing scenario. Either you floss daily and consistently or you floss one day a year and never again. That day just happens to be the day after post-hygienist guilt sets in.

So how can you learn to stick with a flossing regimen? Below are some tips and tricks for committing to that healthy smile.

1. Recognize the Risks

The two days you see the dental hygienist are the only days in a year you are likely to be reminded of all the damaging health side effects and negative outcomes that can result from “forgetting” to floss. Put a sticky note on your bathroom mirror to remind yourself of these facts:

Flossing promotes cavity prevention.
According to mouthhealthy.org, a resource of the American Dental Association, “It is extremely important to floss because plaque that is not removed by brushing and flossing can eventually harden into calculus or tartar. Once tartar has formed, it can only be removed by a professional cleaning.”
Flossing prevents gum disease. If you fail to floss on a daily basis, you are creating an environment in your mouth that is conducive to developing gingivitis and later periodontitis. WebMD.com states the outcome clearly: “Gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults.”
Gum disease can happen to you and eventually it will lead to increased dental health care costs and discomfort. An aesthetically pleasing smile is not one that is missing a tooth.

2. Start Small

Take advantage of your smartphone and set a calendar alert for once a week to floss.

Going whole hog with a new habit is a guaranteed way to give up when you’ve hardly even tried. Instead, set a small and achievable goal for the first few weeks and then incrementally build up to a daily flossing habit.

Just because it takes up very little time in your daily schedule and by most estimates would be considered an “easy” activity, doesn’t mean committing to flossing isn’t a significant and difficult paradigm shift. Recognize this and take action, whether it be big or small.

Most importantly, remind yourself that a beautiful smile is part of the total health package. One small change in your daily health regimen can make all the difference. Remember how good it will feel to impress your family dental hygienist at the next appointment!