If you get to go on a tropical vacation, your ability to feel the warm sun and the smooth sand is crucial to enjoying the atmosphere. There are, however, times in life when you would rather not feel anything. Getting a dental procedure can be one of those times—as important as the procedure might be. In that case, thank goodness for modern medicine and anesthesia! Ancient dentists used a number of herbs and drugs to numb their patients. Thankfully, today, you have the option of completely safe and effective anesthesia. Onalaska dentist Dr. Dana Baldwin shares more below about what anesthesia is and when you might need it.
You might be surprised to hear that the state of your oral health has a lot to do with preventing a stroke. There’s a certain kind of bad oral bacteria that cause gum disease, and can travel to other parts of your body and cause harm.
A stroke is a common but dangerous medical condition that causes a lack of blood in the brain. The effects of a stroke can be long-term and life-changing. People of any age can experience a stroke, but it’s most common in adults 40 years and older.More
Destination Dentistry – Are the Savings Worth the Risk?
Ah, vacation. The sun, the sand, the… gauze in your mouth? Dental work and recovery might not be your preferred use of your precious vacation days, but some people are packing their bags and heading to exotic locations for dental work in hopes of saving money.
As medical education and technology improve all around the world, destination dentistry or dental tourism is becoming an attractive option for many. Dental tourism is a kind of medical tourism and can reportedly save 70% of costs compared to getting dental work done in the US.More
Above any other medical need, people are more likely to skip a seeing the dentist because they can’t afford it.
Many people choose not to buy dental insurance because it’s an added cost without a lot of perceived value. For some reason, people simply feel more comfortable taking this risk because they don’t fully understand the consequences of oral health problems. But it’s a risk indeed. You can develop a facial or oral injury just as easily as any other injury and oral infections and diseases are just as common—if not more common—as any other.
Beyond the critical events of oral injury or infection, preventative dental care (aka your regular cleanings and check-ups) is crucial for catching problems before they become dangerous. Seeing the dentist regularly can help you address a surprising number of overall health and wellness issues.
Still, dentists understand that medical costs are rising, the world of insurance is often a mystery, and sometimes you’re just at a loss. Dr. Ochsner, Onalaska dentist explains more below about the current trends in dental insurance and what it means for you.More
The short answer: Gum disease is a common gum infection that can become very problematic, but you can prevent it!
The long answer: All over your body, tissues have a self-defense mechanism called “inflammation.” When bacteria build up in your mouth, your gum tissue will inflame to try and kill it. Inflammation of your gums is called gingivitis. Gingivitis looks like red, soft, and sore gum tissue.
Over time, gingivitis can lead to more troublesome gum disease (called periodontitis) that can grow even deeper and start to harm the bones of your teeth and jaw. Severe gum disease can wreak havoc in your mouth. Pregnant women need to be especially careful because gum disease is linked with pre-term births and babies with low birth weight.
Every mom and mom-to-be wants the best start for their little one, and their journey into parenthood. Read on from Dr. Ochsner at Neighborhood Smiles to learn more about gum disease and pregnancy.More
Cosmetic Dentistry – A Beautiful Smile is a Powerful Thing
There is a law of nature that “function follows form.” It’s a saying that means that how something looks actually determines how it works.
For example, you may own many screwdrivers of different sizes and shapes (form) to loosen all different kinds of screws (function). Think of a watering can with a long spout that’s perfect for pouring water right where you want it, versus one with a broad spout to cover large areas more quickly.
This principle can also apply to your smile! A mouth missing teeth is not nearly as functional as a mouth with a full set of chompers. Enter: cosmetic dentistry. The word cosmetic makes these treatments sound optional, but many times they are truly needed to improve physical function or mental and emotional wellbeing.
Read more from Dr. Ochsner to learn about cosmetic dentistry and the impact it can have on your life.More
Temporomandibular joint dysfunction is a really long name … so let’s call it TMJ. Ah, yes, that’s right, now the name is more familiar! You’ve heard it before. Maybe even some lingering pain in your chewing muscles and bones has you wondering if you’ve got it.
TMJ dysfunction is sometimes called TMD, TMJD, or TMJ Syndrome if there seems to be a collection of related issues with your jaw. Dr. Ochsner at Neighborhood Smiles Onalaska is here to tell you more about TMJ and what to do if you’ve got it.
What is TMJ?
A sailboat requires a complex system of ropes, pulleys, and hooks to catch the wind in its sail and get moving. Your jaw is also made of an incredible team of muscles, bones, joints, and tissue in order to function. If anything affects any one part of these pieces in your jaw, it could lead to chronic pain and problems with the joints in your jaw. TMJ is a broad term that includes any of this pain or dysfunction.
TMJ can feel like anything from a headache to an inner ear infection. The pain can move from your face and head down to your neck and shoulders. If you have TMJ, talking, chewing and yawning can be very uncomfortable. You might also hear clicking in your jaw, feel your jaw lock in place, or experience muscle spasms.
Because TMJ has a variety of symptoms, it can be confusing to tell if you have it. A dentist will absolutely be able to help just by looking into your mouth. A comprehensive dentist who is trained in assessing not only your mouth, but your lifestyle and whole body may be especially helpful for diagnosing and treating TMJ.More
If you’re a new mom or you’re about to be, you’re likely already used to putting your needs second to the needs of this beautiful new little person in your life. But your oral hygiene is still important for keeping you and your baby in tip top shape. If something comes up and you need dental work, it shouldn’t prevent you from continuing to breastfeed regularly, or from seeking the dental treatment you need.
Dr. Ochsner is an experienced dentist in Onalaska and can explain how prioritizing your own health needs is safe and important during this stage of a woman’s life.
Dental Procedures Safe for Breastfeeding
You shouldn’t be surprised to hear that regular brushing and flossing is safe for breastfeeding mothers. In fact, it’s probably never felt more luxurious! Especially as you’re likely eating everything in sight (and perhaps indulging in sweet treats, too), it’s a good idea to keep those pearly whites as clean and healthy as possible.
We know how difficult it is to take care of yourself with a new baby, but you deserve to be healthy and a healthy mom is a better mom. Proactive measures are protective and important as your body goes through major hormonal changes. Not to mention, what mom has time for a lengthy dental procedure? You should do all you can to be proactive about your dental health right now to prevent complications later.
If you are a breastfeeding mother who needs some dental work, you’ll be happy to know most procedures won’t affect your milk or your baby. You will only need to pause breastfeeding for the short duration of your dental visits, and all of the following dental treatments are still safe while breastfeeding:
Your body does an excellent job of processing medicine and other substances before it gets to the baby (via your milk), and the old practice of pump-and-dump is rarely recommended anymore. Most effects of drugs used in dentistry should wear off as soon as your procedure is over anyway, and you can be back to nursing your bub as soon as you’re home. The following drugs common in dental work are all safe for breastfeeding mothers:
Novocain
Valium
Local anesthetic
Nitrous oxide (laughing gas)
General anesthesia
Antibiotics
More Information
Dr. Thomas Hale’s book “Medication and Mother’s Milk” is a great resource for more information on drug safety while breastfeeding. Of course you should always share your full health history with your dentist and get your own pediatrician’s approval before receiving any dental treatment.
Most dental work is totally compatible with a breastfeeding lifestyle. In fact, relaxing in the dentist chair may be the most quality alone time you get all week!
As a mother, taking care of your own dental needs is truly important for the overall health of you and your baby. Call us today to make an appointment for any regular cleanings or special dental treatment you need.
Fresh breath really sets the tone for every moment of your day: first thing in the morning, before an important meeting, after working out, or just before bed. Whether you prefer cool mint, invigorating cinnamon, or herbal anise, it’s your favorite trusty toothpaste that delivers that fresh clean feeling.
So, what’s the scoop on toothpaste? What is essential to know in order to get the most out of it? You might be surprised as you learn more about this common product. Dr. Ochsner in Onalaska gives you the full story on toothpaste to empower you to take oral health into your own hands … or your own toothbrush, rather.
What is Toothpaste?
Toothpaste is an important preventative product. It can prevent tartar (hardened plaque) and gum disease if used regularly.
Pastes, gels, powders – toothpaste comes in a variety of forms. But all toothpaste has more or less the same ingredients that make it work, and work well.More
