Category: Oral Health

Mouthguards are an essential piece of safety equipment for kids engaged in contact sports such as football, hockey, and lacrosse. Not only do they protect the teeth from trauma, but also the lips, tongue, face, and jaw. Without a proper mouthguard, kids could suffer serious dental injuries including broken or knocked-out teeth that require expensive treatment.

Mouthguards also provide cushioning to reduce the risk of concussions and other traumatic brain injuries. They absorb shock that would otherwise be transmitted to the teeth or head when a player is hit with a ball, puck, stick or other hard objects. By providing this extra layer of protection, mouthguards can prevent serious long-term issues that may arise from concussion-related injuries.

Kids should also wear a mouthguard to protect them from the bacteria and viruses in the mouths of other players. A properly fitted mouthguard creates a barrier between the teeth, gums, and lips, which helps reduce the risk of infection or disease transmission during contact sports.

Finally, wearing a mouthguard can help reduce the time a child spends recovering after an injury. If a kid has been wearing one, they will likely recover faster than those who haven’t because the shock-absorbing properties of the guard will have minimized damage to their mouth and jaw.

Given all the benefits, it is clear that kids should wear a mouthguard whenever they are participating in contact sports. Not only will it help keep their teeth safe, but it can also protect them from bacterial and viral infections as well as reduce the amount of time needed to recover after an injury. This extra step can save kids a lot of pain and expense in the long run.

Contact Noll Family Dentistry to get a custom mouthguard for your child.

Amy King, the practice administrator of Noll Family Dentistry, will answer the most frequently asked questions in the dental office.

Q: “Do you take my insurance?”

A: We need all your information to verify that for you so when you call in or if you’re requesting information online you will need to give us that information. We will need the carrier name, your ID number, and your group number. We need this to verify on our end and make sure we participate with your plan. With this info, we can also notify you if we think you’ll have any out-of-pocket expenses so you’re aware of that.

Q: “How long is my first appointment?”

A: For new patient adults we schedule 90-minute appointments. Some people think that’s a little excessive but we want to dedicate that time to you and your dental concerns and anything that you might want to discuss in the appointment. We don’t want our new patients to feel rushed or on a time schedule for the doctor to get in and out and on to the next patient, so we like to dedicate that portion of time to you, investing in our new patients. Subsequent adult appointments for cleanings and checkups would be 60 minutes. For children, it would be age dependent on the length of the appointment.

Q: “How soon can my first appointment be?”

A: If you’re not having any dental concerns and you’re just looking for a cleaning and check-up, we are at times, scheduled several months out into the year but we work in an active cancellation list and we’re always contacting patients to try and move those appointments up sooner. I take great pride in making sure that we utilize our cancellation list every day to move your appointment forward so even though we schedule you a little further out typically we will get you in prior to that scheduled appointment and then of course if you are having a problem, or you have a toothache, or you’re concerned about something that can’t wait we get you in to see one of the doctors as soon as possible.

Q: “Do you need my x-rays from my old office?”

A: We need your x-rays if they exist at another office. If you have insurance, they will only pay for certain services within a certain amount of time so your insurance company might have a “one per three year” limitation so that service is only eligible to be paid by them every three years. So we run a history check with your insurance and if you have something on file that we need to obtain from another office we’ll go through the process of getting that sent from your previous dentist.

Q: “Can I do everything online?”

A: A lot of people would prefer to do all the interactions online. We try to do as much as possible but there are limitations so at some point in time we do need to verbally speak with you regarding your appointment. You might get a reply as a new patient to please call the office and we do have one evening that we’re here unill 7 P.M. On Wednesdays and Fridays we start at 7 A.M. and we also have Saturdays every 3rd week. So there are some times that you’ll be able to call if it doesn’t suit your business schedule.

We’re excited to have new patients, we’re growing in the Carlisle area and we have a five-star review from our patients. We enjoy getting to know you and taking care of you and your family members!

Want to learn more or schedule an appointment? Visit https://nollfamilydentistry.com

If you have visited your dentist and were told that you have gum disease, they may have referred you to a periodontist without cleaning your teeth. 

That may have you asking, “Can’t I just have a regular cleaning?”

Well, the short answer is “No” because a regular cleaning cannot clean the source of your gum disease and may actually cause more harm than good.

Regular Dental Cleanings

Regular dental cleanings, called a prophylaxis, involve removing deposits and bacteria from your tooth surfaces, mainly above the gum line and slightly below your gums. When you have healthy gums, the space between tooth and gum is slight.  

But, when you have gum disease, the space between your tooth and gum is deeper, which cannot be cleaned, leaving harmful bacteria to continue to thrive under your gums.  

The only way to thoroughly clean your teeth/gums when you have gum disease is through periodontal therapy, which may involve a ‘deep cleaning’ procedure called scaling & root planing.

Scaling & root planing allows your hygienist to clean the deeper areas under your gums.  If only a regular cleaning were done in these areas, the leftover deposits and bacteria will cause progression of your disease. 

As stated earlier, if you have gum disease and only get a regular cleaning, what is left under your gums will cause your disease to progress, sometimes more severely because the harmful bacteria essentially gets trapped under your gums after a shallow gum cleaning. 

Gum Disease Risks

Untreated gum disease can result in damage to not only your teeth and supporting structures in your mouth, but can also negatively affect your health.  As gum disease progresses, your risk of tooth loss rises.  

Since gum disease is an infection, studies show links between gum disease and other health issues such as diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and certain types of cancer. So, making sure to thoroughly treat your disease is essential to avoid severe disease.

The Bottom Line

Depending on gum disease severity, they may refer you to a periodontist to evaluate your level of gum disease and explain treatment needs.  

Your dental professionals want the best for you and your oral health. They know that a healthy-looking smile is great but healthy teeth and gums are vital.  So, if your dental professionals tell you that they cannot do a regular cleaning because you have gum disease, they are giving you the best oral care information to help maintain your oral and overall health.  

Contact our office if you have any questions!

Cosmetic bonding is a process where the dentist attaches or “bonds” materials directly to your tooth in order to change the color and shape. If you have a chipped, cracked, or discolored tooth, a cosmetic dental procedure like tooth bonding can give you the confidence to flash those pearly whites.

Why would I need Tooth Bonding?

According to the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, tooth bonding is most useful for repairing chipped teeth. That’s because the bonding materials and porcelain used are natural in color, and allows for a finished product that closely matches your surrounding teeth.

Tooth bonding is a procedure where the natural tooth enamel is fused together with bonding materials such as porcelain and resins to create a strong structure that still feels like your original tooth. 

It’s a cost-effective solution because it’s considerably less expensive than other cosmetic dental procedures, such as crowns and veneers.

​​Are there any risks of teeth bonding?

Dental bonding does not have any major risks. The composite resin used in this procedure isn’t as strong as your natural teeth so it is possible for the material to chip or separate from your real tooth. Chipping or breaking, however, doesn’t occur as often with a crown, veneer, or filling.

Overall, a healthy smile is a confidence booster. If you have a chipped tooth, discoloration, or a gap that you’re looking to improve, contact our office for a consultation.

Your dentist can determine whether this procedure is right for you, and if not, recommend other options to improve the appearance of your teeth.

Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, is an infection of the gums, the soft tissues in your mouth that surround your teeth and jawbone. This infection is caused by harmful bacteria that is housed in plaque, which is a soft & sticky film that builds on our teeth every single day.  

How Can I Fight Gum Disease At Home?

The best way to fight gum disease is to prevent it in the first place. Bacteria that forms in your mouth daily can cause gum disease, which is why good brushing & flossing is so important. If you already have any level of gum disease, what you do at home becomes even more important.

While home remedies cannot fix periodontitis, the gum infection that damages your gum tissue and jawbone, you can improve discomfort associated with it by establishing a faithful home care routine that includes:

• Brushing with a soft toothbrush or power toothbrush twice a day for two minutes.
• Cleaning in-between your teeth using floss, interdental brushes/picks, or water flossers.
• Rinsing with an antibacterial rinse especially before bedtime.
• Practicing lifestyle choices that reduce your risks such as quitting smoking, reducing stress, and eating a healthy diet.

What Is The Best Home Remedy For Gum Disease?

While there is no home remedy to cure gum disease, patients may want more natural products to help fight the bacteria and reduce inflammation. While many sources claim to help your gums naturally, many lack peer-reviewed research to back those claims.   

Here are some common ‘home remedies’ and linked information:

• Oil Pulling 
• Salt Water Rinses 
• Peroxide Rinses 
• Turmeric 
• Tea Tree Oil 
• Oral Probiotics 

While anecdotal evidence may show some positive results from home remedies, they all lack the clinical evidence of peer-reviewed research to show they fight gum disease. Because of that, the American Dental Association does not recognize them as reliable dental hygiene practices. However, none show any serious side effects if used as directed.  

If you are considering trying a ‘home remedy’, it is always best to consult your dental professional for advice before using it to make sure that they are safe for you.

To best maintain your gum health, it is best to see your periodontist to discuss your own level of disease, personal risk factors, treatment options, home care routine, and maintenance schedule that will help you stabilize your disease and offer continued periodontal management. Contact our office with any questions or to make an appointment!

Thought you lost a tooth for the last time when you were a kid? It could happen again to your permanent tooth. The percentage of adults that have lost at least one permanent tooth is probably higher than you think. People can lose a tooth well into adulthood for a variety of reasons, ranging from poor oral health habits leading to tooth decay to periodontal disease to getting a tooth knocked out doing a sport or some other physical activity. 

Actions You Can Take After A Permanent Tooth Comes Out To Possibly Save Your Tooth

If a permanent tooth has fallen out, there are steps you can take to attempt to save the erupted tooth. 

1. Hold / Pick Up The Tooth By The Crown – Only hold the tooth by the chewing surface, the part that sticks out and you chew with when the tooth is in your mouth. Touching / holding the tooth by the roots could potentially ruin any chance of being able to save the tooth. 
2. Sanitize The Tooth – Cleanse your fallen tooth by letting water gently flow over it, ridding it of any debris that may have attached to it. Avoid using any type of cleaning solution.
3. Preserve The Tooth – Keep the tooth in a small, clean container filled with milk or saliva. 
4. Move Quickly → Get To A Dentist ASAP – The Time Window To Save A Tooth Is 30 Minutes. It is possible for them to be saved outside of this time, but the chances start to dramatically diminish after the first 30. Once you have secured the tooth either back in your mouth or in a container, be sure to keep it protected and find the nearest dentist to you offering emergency treatment. You want to choose an emergency dentist over the emergency room because dentists will more readily have the specialization and dental tools available to be able to reattach the tooth. 

What Happens Next?

While ideally, your dentist will be able to reattach your knocked tooth, it is not always possible. From there you may be recommended to receive a dental implant or another restorative surgery where the tooth fell out. Dental implants are an increasingly sustainable technology to replace teeth that have fallen or been knocked out. If you have any further questions don’t be afraid to reach out to your local dentist for more information. 

Steps To Prevent Your Teeth From Falling Out

A good and consistent oral hygiene routine will lower the chances of a tooth falling out. Brushing every day for 2 minutes 2 times a day and flossing once a day is essential to keeping your mouth in top shape. Taking care of your teeth and gums will keep them strong and prevent extensive and expensive care in the future. While dental trauma related to sports injuries are a little less preventable, you can still help secure and shield your teeth from extensive injuries by wearing a mouthguard. 

If you have any questions or concerns please contact our office and we will be happy to help.

Yes, baby teeth can get cavities, in fact, research shows that 42% of children ages 2 to 11 have had cavities in their primary (baby) teeth. Since baby teeth are just going to fall out many parents think they can just let it go if their child has a cavity. It’s true that these teeth don’t last forever, but they are not expendable and untreated cavities can cause serious immediate harm, and negatively affect how a young mouth develops. 

What Can Happen If A Cavity Is Left Untreated?

– Impact children’s nutrition, and impede them from eating healthy food. 
– Cause overbites, and bite alignment problems that require oral appliances to fix.
– Hinder adult teeth from growing in straight and healthy.
– Impede proper speech, and negatively affect self-esteem.
– Cause severe tooth pain, that worsens without treatment.
– Lead to infections that affect nearby teeth, and cause more cavities.  

How to Prevent Tooth Decay & Cavities

Cavities are the most prevalent childhood disease in the United States, but it’s also the most preventable. You can help your child to prevent cavities and tooth decay by encouraging them to get into a proper oral health routine, which means brushing twice per day for two minutes at a time and flossing once per day.

You can also take easy dietary measures to prevent cavities, too. Try removing sugary beverages from their diet, and substitute them for fluoridated water, which is one of the most powerful tools in the fight against cavities.

Get Sealant

The American Dental Association recommends dental sealants for everyone, including kids. Your child’s first molars will appear around the age of 6 and second molars break through around age 12. It’s important to protect these teeth as early as possible which can keep them cavity-free and save time and money down the road.

Research has shown that kids who get sealants are up to three times less likely to develop tooth decay compared to their peers who do not. Great oral hygiene for your child can even have an impact on your child’s performance in school. When a child experiences issues with their teeth this can affect their ability to eat and sleep, which can have negative impacts on their success in school. Although there is maintenance required as sealants aren’t permanent, they only need to be reapplied every 3-5 years. 

Conclusion

Your child’s mouth will go through a host of changes, from that cute, gummy smile when they’re a baby to having a full set of choppers to bite at you with. At each stage of development, there are unique challenges you’ll need to address. Not all of it is obvious and it’s good to have resources to lean on. If you have questions and need them answered or simply need to bring your child in for a visit. Contact our office and we’ll help to set you on the path of good oral health for your child.  

You may have heard from your dentist or another source that it is important to change your toothbrush out after a cold. Some say that with frequently sick individuals a toothbrush is not necessary. We recommend you should change your toothbrush after getting sick, as a safety precaution no matter the severity of the disease. Even if the likelihood is low, germs attached to the brush will sit, multiply, and migrate to create a greater chance of you contracting something again. Brushes (and brush heads) are generally cheap, and it’s better to be safe than sorry. 

Viral Vs. Bacterial Infections and Why It Matters When Brushing

Viral Infections:

Viruses need a host to replicate themselves using the host’s DNA. If they are unable to find a host, they are unable to survive. Viruses infect a person systematically, with the virus spreading throughout the body. Examples of viral infections include influenza, measles, AIDS, and COVID-19. Though it is possible, viral infections like the cold and flu are not likely to come back due to our bodies’ capabilities of developing antibodies to viruses. Your toothbrush is less likely to be contaminated after experiencing one of these infections. It is not impossible, however, as there are multiple strains of a virus circulating. 

Bacterial Infections:

Bacterial infections are when your body becomes contaminated with harmful bacteria either on or inside you. These infections are different from viruses in that they are usually larger and able to multiply on their own. They are living organisms that are even able to make their own food and move on top of reproducing. Bacteria are usually localized to one specific area in the body. Examples include food poisoning, strep throat, and pneumonia. This type of infection is more likely to be able to reinfect you because bacteria can sit on your toothbrush for an extended period of time, even after a prescribed antibodies cycle is completed. 

One of the most important distinctions to remember between bacteria and viruses is that antibiotic drugs when used correctly will usually kill off bacteria but are unable to have an effect on viruses. 

Toothbrush Tips: 

• Avoid Keeping Toothbrushes In The Same Area – If sharing a bathroom with housemates or family members you want to keep toothbrushes in separate holders so that germs do not spread from one toothbrush to the other. 

• Never Share A Toothbrush – Sharing a toothbrush with someone is asking to transfer their germs into your system and can easily lead to sickness. 

• Change Your Toothbrush Every 3-4 Months – The ADA recommends replacing your toothbrush every couple months, since the bristles start deteriorating and the effectiveness of brushing gets worse. 

• Don’t Try To Cleanse Your Brush With Mouthwash or Another Solution – This actually does nothing to protect against bacteria and could even make it more likely for them to spread depending on the solution. 

Conclusion 

The Bottom Line: We highly recommend you change your toothbrush after a cold, even if it wasn’t bad, as a safety precaution. Contact our office if you have any questions!

Grinding your teeth (technical term bruxism) at night is a harmful condition that can be seriously detrimental to your oral health. Especially since you are doing it when you are asleep, it can take serious symptoms to start showing until you are able to recognize that a problem is even occurring. Unless you have someone to keep an eye on you when you sleep, how can you tell if you are grinding your teeth at night? 

What Are Signs To Know If I’m Grinding My Teeth?

The best process to figure out if you are clenching and grinding your teeth at night is to look for certain signs and symptoms. The most telling signs of teeth grinding include headaches, disrupted sleep, increased tooth sensitivity, TMJ discomfort, and consistent jaw, ear, or neck pain, especially right after waking up. 

1. Disrupted Sleep – If you suddenly start experiencing disrupted sleep, sleep apnea, or another sleep disorder coupled with any of the symptoms that will be mentioned up next, that is a good sign that you could be grinding your teeth when you sleep. 

2. Headaches – Constant instances of head pain (predominantly starting in the temples) present after sleep is a good sign of bruxism. Be sure to tell your doctor about this issue at your next appointment so they can help diagnose the issue, whether it is from grinding your teeth or not. 

3. Increased Tooth Sensitivity – If you are grinding your teeth at night, your enamel will consistently be chipped away and eventually that will lead to your teeth becoming more sensitive than normal. You may discover this when foods you can normally eat irritate your teeth. This will be especially prevalent in colder and acidic foods. 

4. TMJ (temporomandibular joint) discomfort – TMJ disorder and bruxism are related conditions in which grinding your teeth can lead to or worsen TMJ disorder. Signs of TMJ disorder are aching pains and worsened functioning of your jaw muscles and joints. It also could be identified by a clicking in your ears. If you are experiencing issues you believe to be TMJ related, consider consulting with our partner oral surgery center Alfano Oral Surgery for high quality care to resolve your condition. 

5. Consistent Jaw, Ear, or Neck Pain – If you start consistently experiencing irregular pain in your jaw, ear(s), or neck, it could mean you are grinding your teeth when you sleep. This is due to the constant movement of your muscles in these areas as you sleep. Some toothaches can feel as though they are coming from your ear. If ear aches suddenly start occuring and are coupled with any of the other symptoms on this list, it is important to notify your dentist next time you see them. They can attempt to solve your issue if it is dental-related or identify if it is an issue related to another health complication. 

6. Asking For Help From Others In Your Household – If you do not live by yourself, the people you live with may be able to help identify if you are grinding your teeth or not. If you have a partner you sleep with, it is more than likely that they will notice you grinding because of the noises it makes. If you live with friends or family that stay up later than you do, ask them to check up on you while you sleep. If you can’t find anybody to help you discover if you are grinding your teeth, one option is to record yourself sleeping if you are comfortable with it.  

What Causes Me To Grind My Teeth? 

Teeth grinding can be the result of many different factors. Some of the leading causes include:

• Age – As young children get over their natural teething, it is a common issue to develop a teeth grinding problem when sleeping. Children usually outgrow this issue, but if it is problematic your local pediatric dentist can help them resolve the night grinding. Usually this is done by giving them a splint and mouth guard to use when they sleep. In severe cases surgery may be necessary. 

• Stress – In periods of high anxiety and stress in one’s life they can develop a teeth grinding habit. This form of bruxism is usually best solved by finding the root of the issues and trying to dissolve the underlying cause of those emotions. 

• Aggression – Individuals with aggressive and competitive traits are more likely to develop issues of teeth grinding due to the stressors placed in the individual. 

• Medications – Certain medications can cause a tooth grinding issue in individuals, namely for conditions such as depression, PTSD, and other psychiatric conditions can cause individuals to start grinding their teeth more. This is caused by the stimulation made to your brain when these types of drugs are taken. 

• Sleeping Disorders. Sleeping disorders including conditions such as sleep apnea and night terrors can be a cause of teeth grinding or even elevate it if already occurring. The stress these conditions place on you can increase your anxiety and discomfort especially during sleep. Our group is partnered with a Central PA dentist offering dental sleep medicine for individuals who suffer from sleep apnea and related issues.

How Can I Prevent Myself From Teeth Grinding?

Prevention of teeth grinding in adults is usually at the base the result of two issues. These issues may be dental-related, which we can help resolve. A lot of remaining issues involving bruxism are directly correlated to anxiety, a simple but difficult way to solve problems is to rid them of the negative emotions driving that stress. Alleviating stressors through relaxation techniques and trying to participate in activities you enjoy even for a minimal time throughout the day can make a big difference. 

Treatment:

If you discover one or more of the symptoms mentioned in this article then we recommend contacting your dentist as soon as possible. Both your dentist and the hygienists in the office are educated and trained to help give a diagnosis of what your issue is and develop a plan tailored to help solve your needs. 

Whether you should or shouldn’t rinse your mouth out after brushing has become a quite controversial topic. There are reasons on both sides of the argument so we have laid them out below:

Why Some Argue You Should Rinse Your Mouth:

After brushing your mouth is filled with a foamy flavored toothpaste so many people reach for a cup of water, gargle, and spit the remaining toothpaste out. By rinsing with water you’ll get rid of the excess toothpaste along with any food or bacteria that could have been stuck in your teeth.

Also rinsing with water helps avoid swallowing the toothpaste which can cause an upset stomach.

Arugment On Why You Shouldn’t Rinse Your Mouth Out With Water:

If you rinse after brushing you’re removing all the fluoride that was just in your mouth. Fluoride is the chemical found in toothpaste; that’s what makes it work!

The reason that dentists tell you to brush for 2 minutes is that it gives the toothpaste enough time to properly work. However – most people don’t brush for the recommended length of time. In fact, most people spend less than a minute brushing their teeth. So they say when you rinse with water, you’re potentially washing away any remnants of toothpaste, including the fluoride that makes it work. That could mean that even though you are brushing your teeth, it might not be as effective as it should be.

So, if you don’t rinse and just spit out the excess toothpaste, then the remaining fluoride will get to work and protect your teeth and you’ll enjoy cleaner and healthier teeth that are naturally strong against cavities and tooth decay in the future.

What Should You Do?

Both arguments make good points and ultimately this answer might not be what you want to hear, but it really depends on your preference!

While there have been studies on the effectiveness of rinsing vs. not rinsing and the results only indicate that there is possibly an advantage of one method over the other.

It all comes down to the fact that some people are just prone to cavities or might have poor dental health. If your teeth chip, crack or break easily, it’s strongly recommended that you do not rinse after you brush to allow for the fluoride to do all that it can to help. Similarly, if you consume a lot of sugar, you should probably avoid rinsing. If you don’t fit into these categories, then it’s really based on your own preference.

Dentists say it’s good to let the fluoridated toothpaste set in your teeth for a few minutes regardless if you do decide you want to rinse with water or not. While rinsing doesn’t harm you, it prevents the toothpaste from working to its best ability.

If you want to make further improvements to your daily oral care routine, consider these tips from the Mayo Clinic and the ADA:

• Eat a well-balanced, tooth-healthy diet.
• Limit high-sugar foods and drinks, such as candies and sodas.
• Avoid frequent snacking.
• Drink fluoridated water.
• Change your toothbrush every three to four months‚ or sooner if it looks worn or frayed.
• See your dentist regularly for checkups.

We want the best oral care for you, if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to give us a call or schedule an appointment!