San Marcos Gentle Dental Blog

If you are hiding your smile, suffering with pain, or putting off going to the dentist because you are afraid or too busy, conscious sedation dentistry will change your life!  Imagine having years of needed dental care done in just 1 or 2 appointments while you rest comfortably through your visit.  With sedation dentistry, patients are able to have a comfortable, anxiety-free experience while having their dental work performed. It’s not only for people who have anxiety before their dental appointments, but also those who need extensive treatment completed in a limited amount of time and number of appointments, or just want to be completely relaxed during their procedures.   You’re in a relaxed state before, during, and after your entire treatment and will have little to no memory of the procedure once completed.  Dr. Donnelly has been helping his patients have anxiety free dental experiences for years.

When you get to the dental office for your procedure, you’ll be given a combination of sedative drugs and nitrous oxide, which will put your body in an extremely relaxed state of reduced perception.  A local anesthetic will then be administered to eliminate pain.  You won’t feel pain or even remember the numbing when the procedure is complete, due to the sedative.  We’ll be monitoring your vital signs during the entire procedure and help to keep you comfortable and relaxed.  While you may fall asleep during the procedure, you’re not completely put under as with general anesthesia, but remain in a responsive state and all body functions stay normal.  You may be very drowsy after the treatment because of the sedative, therefore it’s necessary to have someone drive you to and from the office on the day of your treatment, and supervise you afterwards. 

Oral hygiene and dental care are essential to your body’s health.  Dr. Donnelly wants to ensure that you get the treatment you need-without the anxiety you may normally feel during a visit.  If sedation dentistry sounds like something you’re interested in, please call Dr. Donnelly’s office at (512) 396-5225 to see for yourself how comfortable dentistry can be.

Many physicians are taking a more holistic approach to their patients’ overall health.  As we study the relationship between oral health and its relationship with certain types of diseases it becomes clear that your oral hygiene can have direct effects on your entire body.  Bacteria that build up on teeth make gums become inflamed.  Over time, the inflammation and the chemicals it releases eat away at the gums and bone structure that hold teeth in place.  The result is severe gum disease, known as periodontitis, which can negatively impact the rest of your body.

The working relationship between diabetes and gum disease may be the strongest of all the connections between the mouth and body.  Inflammation that starts in the mouth seems to weaken the body’s ability to control blood sugar.  To further complicate matters, high blood sugar provides ideal conditions for infection to grow, including gum infections.

Though the reasons are not fully understood, it’s clear that gum disease and heart disease often go hand in hand.  Up to 91% of patients with heart disease have periodontitis, compared to 66% with no heart disease.  The two conditions have several risk factors in common, such as unhealthy diet and excess weight.  The plaque-causing bacteria activate the release of harmful clotting elements and enzymes which contribute to heart disease as well as stroke.

Studies show a direct relationship between oral disease and pre-term birth for expectant mothers.  Also, pregnancy is a time when the mouth becomes more acidic as a result of blood chemistry and hormonal changes.  With so much risk, the oral health of every mother should be evaluated before, during and after pregnancy.

At your visit, we will examine your palate, gums, and other oral tissues, looking for growths that can indicate cancer-particularly important for those who smoke or chew tobacco.  When you come in for your regular dental exam, we’re checking more than just your teeth.  We have your whole health in mind, too. 

Ancient Tooth Care Products:

Brushing our teeth with a toothpaste that tastes good and feels good in the mouth is something we take for granted; but several thousand years ago, flavor was an afterthought.  The Egyptians began brushing their teeth as long ago as 3,000-5,000 BC.  Their toothpaste probably tasted fairly nasty.  Imagine scrubbing your teeth with a cream made of oxen hooves ground up into ashes, myrrh (a dried tree sap that was used in perfumes and incense), burned egg shells, pumice (a lightweight, porous volcanic stone that was used as an abrasive), and water.

Many thousand years later, around 1780, one toothpaste was made from burnt bread; another was made from dragon’s blood (Someone had a good imagination.), cinnamon and burnt alum.  In the 1800’s ground charcoal was common in tooth powder.  The tooth powder was to clean the teeth and to freshen the breath-just like today.

Contemporary Tooth Care:

Nearly one hundred years later, in 1873, one of today’s most popular tooth care products, Colgate, sold its first toothpaste.  In our lifetime, toothpastes have become very popular.  Even though its ingredients have changed dramatically from what the Egyptians used, all of today’s toothpastes contain nearly the same ingredients.  Many contain baking soda to help scrub the tarter from teeth, and flavoring to ensure a minty clean.  Most contain types of fluoride to protect your teeth so that bacteria have a more difficult time causing tooth decay.

The Best Toothpaste for You:

The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends that you buy toothpaste that contains fluoride and that is ADA approved because there is not much difference between toothpastes.  The ADA thoroughly reviews laboratory studies and scientific data on toothpastes; so you can be sure that any toothpaste that has the ADA seal is safe to use and is effective.

Gidgets, gadgets, and doodads.  Everybody has them.  It’s the stuff that the inner child craves when reading the last issue of Popular Science or the Air Mail catalogue.  These technological devices help make life’s tasks faster and easier.  The same holds true for dental technologies, which have come a long way.  As a result, dentists can serve patients more efficiently, effectively, and more comfortably.

Dentists keep their eye on new technologies when they are introduced in order to ensure that they are safe and beneficial for patient use.  Dr. Donnelly makes a conscious commitment to offer advanced technology, with the belief that the proper use and application of advanced technology will allow him and his staff to provide consistently high levels of care to patients in a consistent, comfortable, and cost-effective manner.

Some common technologies used in the dental office include the following:

Soft tissue lasers are used for surgery, tissue contouring, and periodontal therapy and hard tissue lasers for cavity and tooth preparation.  Lasers can be a good alternative to the traditional drill, as anesthesia is not needed as often.  Lasers are more precise and can reduce symptoms and healing times associated with traditional therapies.

Intraoral cameras are used to project a magnified picture of a patient’s mouth onto a screen.  The image allows both the dentist and patient to see fractured teeth, receding gums, and broken restorations, such as fillings.  After these pictures are taken, Dr. Donnelly is better able to diagnose and recommend treatment for patients.  The pictures also can provide documentation to insurance companies.

Digital X-rays and cone beam 3-D digital imaging are used for detecting decay, bone loss, and in providing help with root canals.  To take a digital x-ray a sensor will be placed on the tooth that looks like a piece of film.  Once the picture is taken, dentists can adjust the contrast and brightness to optimize diagnosis and find even the smallest areas of decay.

Dental technology is not only revolutionizing the way dentists practice, it’s also changing the future of dentistry.  During your next appointment look around at all the doodads and technology Dr. Donnelly uses to ensure you are receiving state of the art dental care.  Although no one can predict the future, it is certain that dental technology will continue to change the face and smile of 21st century dentistry.

Thinking about your baby and prenatal care is normal during pregnancy; however, thinking about your oral health and dental care may not be forefront on your mind, but dentistry is still very important.  Women need to pay special attention to their teeth and gums especially during pregnancy to avoid the increased risk of dental problems.

Your Changing Body and Changing Dental Care Needs During Pregnancy:

Pregnancy brings a change in oral health and hormones, especially increased levels of estrogen and progesterone, which are linked to plaque buildup on teeth.  Plaque that is not removed can cause gingivitis and swollen gums that are tender and prone to bleed.  Most pregnant women experience gingivitis to some degree, but it doesn’t ususally surface until the second trimester.

If you had gingivitis before becoming pregnant, your condition will likely be aggravated; untreated gingivitis can lead to a more serious problem–periodontal disease.  Swollen gums that become irritated can also lead to pregnancy tumors, benign growths that will usually shrink and disappear without treatment.  However, if the tumor causes discomfort or interferes with chewing or brushing, the dentist may suggest removing it.

Special Preventive Dental Care Tips for Pregnant Women:

*Brush at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and after each meal, if possible.

*If brushing your teeth causes morning sickness, rinse with anti-plaque and fluoride mouthwashes or water.

*Pay close attention to your gum line and keep it clean.

*Floss daily.

*Focus on nutrition, including plenty of vitamins C and B12.

*Visit your dentist for a check-up and cleaning in both your first and second trimesters to control plaque and maintain good oral health.

Handling Dental Care Emergencies During Pregnancy:

If you experience dental emergencies causing pain, you can be treated at any time; however, consult your doctor if anesthesia is required or a medication is prescribed to you.  Avoid x-rays during pregnancy, unless they are critical to emergency treatment.

It is recommended to schedule elective procedures after your baby’s birth.  While your’re expecting, have great expectations for maintaining good oral health.  By doing so, you’ll keep your beautiful smile and share it with your baby!