November News from Muaks

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Pregnancy, Breastfeeding and Mother´s Dental Health Advice

With a baby on the way or just born, the last thing you have time to think about is your teeth. Cravings are out of control, none of your clothes fit, and your body is in the middle of one of the biggest changes it will ever go through.

However, if you do not practice good dental health during and after your pregnancy, there could be long-term consequences for you and your baby. With just a few extra steps, you can make sure that dental health is the last of your worries during this important time in your life.

The Myths About Mother’s Dental Health

There are some misconceptions out there related to pregnancy and oral care. One is that it’s not safe for pregnant women to go to the dentist because of X-rays and other procedures that could be harmful to the baby. That is absolutely not the case. In fact, the National Institutes of Health have done studies suggesting just the opposite.

At a minimum, you should continue with routine dentist appointments while pregnant. It’s also a good idea to visit your dentist if you are planning to become pregnant or shortly after you become pregnant. That visit can help set the course to ensure that your teeth and gums remain healthy throughout your pregnancy.

Another myth is that teeth lose massive amounts of calcium during pregnancy because it’s being moved elsewhere in the body to support the growing baby. Again, that is not true. Rather, most dental changes that happen during pregnancy are caused by hormone changes in the body.

That said, it is important to increase your calcium intake during pregnancy to ensure that your body has enough calcium to support your baby’s development, especially in the third trimester. Prenatal vitamins typically contain calcium and other important nutrients like Vitamin D. Your obstetrician will advise if any additional supplements or dietary changes are needed during your pregnancy.

Oral Health Risks

Gingivitis is the most common dental issue for expecting mothers. 

High levels of the hormone progesterone creates more acid in the mouth during pregnancy, which can lead to gingivitis. Symptoms include red, swollen gums that bleed during brushing or flossing.

It’s important to see your dentist as soon as you notice any of these symptoms; if left untreated gingivitis can become a serious gum disease called periodontitis. The increased acid in your mouth can also travel to your baby, which increases the risk for premature birth and low birth weight.

Tooth decay is another risk during pregnancy, especially if you suffer from morning sickness. Acid in your mouth breaks down tooth enamel when you vomit. If you throw up often as a result of morning sickness, the level of acid in your mouth increases, as does the risk for tooth decay. Serious tooth decay can lead to cavities or even tooth loss.

The risk of dental problems does not go away entirely once the baby is born. Breastfeeding moms are at a higher risk for tooth decay if they don’t stay hydrated or slack on brushing and flossing.

Nursing mums also lose as up to 5 percent of their bone mass as their growing babies demand more calcium. This can lead to periodontal disease or gingivitis, both gum infections that can damage the gums and cause bone loss around the jaw. In order to prevent this, it’s important to maintain a healthy diet throughout your time breastfeeding, including lots of calcium and vitamin D.

The American Dental Association also reports an increase in teeth grinding among moms who suffer from neck and facial tension as a result of breastfeeding.

Treatment and Prevention

The best way to prevent issues like these is to step up your daily dental routine and stick with it during and after your pregnancy. Commit to thoroughly brushing your teeth twice per day and thoroughly flossing once per day. 

Make sure to drink lots of water to combat dry mouth (another cause of dental problems) and stick to a diet that’s low in sugar and starch. If the craving for sugar or carbs does strike, try to brush your teeth as soon as possible after eating those foods.

Routine dental procedures like cleanings, cavity fillings and X-rays are safe to be performed during pregnancy. Sitting in a dentist’s chair becomes more uncomfortable as you get farther into your pregnancy, so try to schedule these procedures during the second trimester if possible.

At Muaks Family Dental, we are committed to working with all of our new and expecting mums to provide the best dental care possible throughout pregnancy. Contact us to schedule an appointment or new patient consultation so we can set you and your baby up for success.

No matter how crazy things get during your pregnancy or in the months after your baby is born, don’t forget to take time out for yourself and your health. This applies to not just to your oral health, but your overall well being. Your body and your mind will thank you in the long run, and you’ll be at your best to take care of your new baby

October News - 1st Anniversary

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Natural Healing - PRGF - Endoret

Recent advances in medicine mean that it is now possible to use a patient’s own body to regenerate itself.  The PRGF – ENDORET (Plasma Rich in Growth Factor) technique separates growth factors from using a small amount of your own blood to repair and rejuvenate, effectively aiding the tissue healing and regeneration process.

Most Common Applications

• Dental Extractions
• Treatments with Implants
• Patients with loss of bone
• Treatment of periodontal defects

Benefits

• Accelerates the healing process
• Reduces inflammation
• Reduces the risk of infection
• Absence of pain
• Not tested on animals

Dr. Rodrigo Castillo is an approved specialist in carrying out this procedure.

PRGF has many uses in Dentistry. More information is available on the BTI website.

10 Fun Facts about Teeth and Smiles.....

1. It takes 43 muscles to frown but only 17 to smile.
2. A "smile" is top of the list of things we first notice when meeting a new person.
3. More than half of us wouldn´t tell a friend or a colleague if they had bad breath in fear of risking a friendship.
4. Our teeth and smiles are rated the second most important attractive feature by both men and women, only behind personality.
5. More than half of us would share our toothbrush with somebody: 24% to our partner, 18% to our child, 7% to a friend and even 6% to a celebrity.
6. One in five of us cannot remember when we last changed our toothbrush.
7. A toothbrush is the number one thing we cannot do without when we go on holiday.
8. If we only had five minutes to get ready in the morning, one in twenty would skip brushing our teeth.
9. Yellow is the colour that makes us smile the most, whereas purple makes us smile the least.
10. Chocolate is the food that makes us smile the most, followed then by Sunday Roast, a curry and a fry-up!

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Which is Best - A Bridge or a Dental Implant?

You will find here at Muaks Family Dental we try very hard to save natural teeth, with extraction always being the last possible option. If you do need to have a tooth out then it’s vital to think about how to replace it as soon as possible. Even a single missing tooth can have a detrimental effect on your dental health, allowing the rest of your natural teeth to drift out of position and into the empty gap which has a destabilising effect, while the opposing teeth will begin drifting towards the empty space, affecting your bite. There are two main options that you can consider which are to have a dental bridge or to choose a dental implant, but which can be best and why?

Why You Might Want to Consider Having a Dental Bridge

A dental bridge can be a great option if the teeth either side of your missing tooth could benefit from being crowned. In order to fabricate your dental bridge, we will need to grind down these adjacent teeth which will then be covered up with crowns that are attached to the replacement tooth called a pontic. It is relatively quick to have a bridge custom-made and the final results can look wonderful.

When Is a Dental Bridge Not Such a Good Idea?

If the teeth adjacent to the missing tooth are strong, healthy and look pretty good then it can be pointless having to grind them down just so they can be covered up with dental crowns. We hate removing any healthy tooth structure.  Additionally, these support teeth will need to be pretty strong as they will come under increased strain as you bite down on the replacement tooth or pontic.

Why You Might Want to Consider Having a Dental Implant

Dental implants are well worth considering, particularly when replacing a single tooth. As they are self-supporting, there is no need for us to make any type of changes to your existing teeth. An implant post replaces a natural tooth root, providing a similar level of stimulation and helping to ensure your jawbone remain strong and healthy. Dental implants protect your existing natural teeth by helping to share the load created whenever you bite or chew and they make sure your natural teeth stay in the correct positions. Although a dental implant can be a little more expensive initially, in the longer term it can save you money.

Who Can Have Dental Implants?

Just about anyone in reasonable health can have dental implants, but this treatment may not be the best option for everyone. We can tell you for sure when you visit Muaks Family Dental.  Contact us to find out more on 968 137 852. You will also find lots of information on our website at www.muaksdental.com and if you prefer, you can request a call back.

June Newslstter

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JUNE NEWS

Customer Survey Results

Many thanks to everyone that took the time to complete our survey!

Do you find yourself hiding your smile?

Do you find yourself hiding your smile a lot? Did you stop smiling just because your teeth aren’t as attractive as they used to be? One smile can make all the difference. It has the power to release stress, calm you down and make you more attractive to others. 

Smiling can actually cause happiness

Your smile is unique and Muaks Family Dental is here to restore it. Dr Rodrigo Castillo will help you achieve your dream smile. Whether you are looking to correct your teeth colour or have a smile makeover, we can help you!

Cosmetic dentistry for a beautiful smile

Being proactive about your oral hygiene can save you time and effort. Sometimes though dental problems cannot be avoided. Whatever your teeth insecurities may be, we can provide the ideal treatment.

Dr Rodrigo has the experience and the skills to deal with common or uncommon dental problems related to your gums, teeth, and mouth. With the aid of latest technology, we can offer treatments that are both fast and relatively pain-free.

Bonded Veneers - If you suffer from tooth sensitivity along with tooth decay, tooth chips, or cracks bonding may be ideal for you.  It is a cost-effective solution and the process can be completed in only one visit.

Dental implants - Can help you achieve a natural-looking smile and improve your chewing ability. Surgery for dental implants is a minor procedure. Dental implants blend with your natural teeth and function exactly like them.

Whitening - Finally, if your teeth have lost their sheen, teeth whitening is the way to go. Teeth whitening is a quick and relatively inexpensive cosmetic procedure to brighten discoloured or stained teeth. Teeth whitening can be done by prescription at home.

Routine dental checkups, the key to good oral health

Attending regular dental check ups with your dentist is far more important than you may realise and at Muaks we aim to make this a pleasant as well as beneficial experience.

You may not realise it but during a regular dental check up our fully qualified and experienced dentist is doing far more that checking up on how well you have been cleaning your teeth! Of course the dentist will be checking for any dental decay or problems with your gums but a full routine dental check up will include looking at the overall health of your mouth and discussing any lifestyle choices that may be impacting on your oral hygiene.

Prevention is the Best Cure

Regular dental check ups should be a key part of your self-care routine. When you slide off the dentist chair with a “See you in 6 months” and a wave from the dentist you may think to yourself that nothing much happened. In fact these are the sort of dental check ups we would love for all of our patients to have and we will do everything we can to keep yours like that.

As far as the health of your teeth go, prevention really is the best cure and the first and most important step in preventative dentistry is the routine dental check up with a qualified and experienced dentist. Our patients are encouraged to attend regular check ups. A routine dental check up can spot problems early, giving you the chance to prevent more serious problems.

A Full Check Up

As well as a thorough examination of your teeth a routine dental check will include the opportunity to discuss any problems you may have had since your last visit. The dentist will also discuss your tooth care routine with you and give you advice on any improvements you could make such as adding inter dental brushes to your routine or showing you how to floss your teeth more effectively. We will fully explain any treatment you may need to improve or maintain your oral health and provide you with a full treatment plan.

Knowing that your teeth are happy and healthy is one thing you can tick off your busy list and give you something to smile about

May News

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• Crowns, Inlays and Onlays

Oral Care Tips for Older Adults

Thanks to advances in modern dentistry, more widespread oral care education, and the availability of better oral care tools, such as toothbrushes, toothpaste, and interdental cleaners (brushes to clean between the teeth), a greater number of older adults are keeping their natural teeth for a much longer period of time. It is important to remember, however, that keeping your teeth in good condition as you age might require some special attention. Here are some oral care tips to help you.

Aging Presents New Oral Challenges

As you get older, certain oral conditions not present when you were younger might develop. These include:

• Dry mouth: Dry mouth can result from physical changes within the body as it ages, but can also be caused by medications.  Over 400 commonly used medications can contribute to dry mouth. This increases the risk for oral disease, as saliva helps kill bacteria and rebuild enamel.
• Attrition: Otherwise known as simple wear and tear, many years of chewing and grinding can take their toll on an aging set of teeth. As enamel wears down, the risk for cavities increases.
• Erosion: Can be caused by acids from too many carbonated drinks, fruit juices and heart burn/acid reflux.  As above, when enamel wears down, the risk for cavities increase.
• Disease: This includes oral cancer and less serious illnesses, such as thrush, which is an abnormal growth of fungus in the mouth.
• Root decay: Often accompanied by gum disease, the roots of your teeth may become exposed as your gums recede, leading to an increased rate of decay as you age.

Maintaining a Healthy Mouth as You Age

There are several things you can do to maintain your oral health as you age:

• Increase fluoridation: Switch to a fluoride toothpaste or incorporate a fluoride rinse into your daily routine.  (Always have prescriped by your dentist)
• Avoid tobacco: Tobacco in any form has been linked to an increased risk of mouth and throat cancer, not to mention heart disease and other serious conditions. Chewing tobacco can even lead to more decay, as many tobacco formulations contain sugar.
• Increase oral hydration: Ask your doctor if you can substitute your medication for one that doesn't produce dry mouth. If this is not possible, then drink plenty of water, chew a sugarfree gum, and avoid alcohol, which tends to dehydrate your body.
• Use an antibacterial mouthwash: When used with brushing and flossing, an antibacterial wash can reduce the buildup of plaque.  (Always have prescriped by your dentist)

Keeping your teeth in tip-top shape as you age requires a few common sense practices. It is also important is to see a dental care professional regularly, as he can provide even more oral care tips. So don't skip your check-ups.

6 Simple Tips to Improve Your Oral Health...

When it comes to our oral health and hygiene, we often get stuck in a routine and habit takes over as we feel that after all these years, of course we know how to look after our teeth, right? However sometimes we pick up bad habits or omit things that we should be doing, which may improve our oral health:

1. Spit, don’t rinse after brushing

Rinsing your mouth after brushing washes away the protective fluoride coating from your toothpaste, which if left protects your teeth for hours after you brush.

2. Try to eat sugary foods at meal times

If you’re going to have that piece of chocolate or a Haribo, do so after a main meal to reduce the number to times your teeth are exposed to damaging acids.

3. Remember to clean in between your teeth

If you don’t clean in between your teeth, you miss cleaning 35% of each tooth surface! Whether you choose an inter-dental brush or floss, make it a daily habit as it helps to remove bacteria that can cause tooth decay, gum disease and bad breath. It takes minutes to do and is super easy once you’re in the habit of it!

4. Swap fizzy drinks for water

Fizzy drinks, even sugar free ones, can still damage your teeth as the acids found in these can soften your tooth enamel, which once lost will not regenerate. Instead switch to water, which helps to wash away food particles left in your mouth and keep you hydrated. If you fancy something that’s a bit more exciting than water, why not try fruit infused water to give it a bit of flavouring but keeping the benefits of drinking water.

5. Clean your tongue

A simple, quick scrape of your tongue can do wonders for your breath and remove plaque from your tongue and bacteria build-up.

6. Change your toothbrush

Remember to change your toothbrush or electric toothbrush head every 3 months, as the bristles break down and are less effective and you’re also transferring bacteria to your mouth.

What types of dental fillings are there?

This is one question we get asked by our patients.  Dental fillings can be classified by the number of surfaces the dental filling restores.  The different dental filling classifications involve the following surfaces of the teeth.



Class I - the chewing surface of the back teeth
Class II - the chewing surface and one or more sides of a back tooth
Class III - the side along with the front and/or back of a front tooth
Class IV - the biting edge of a front tooth
Class V - the tongue or cheek side of a back tooth, just above the gumline

• Front teeth are considered to be those between the canine teeth in the front of the mouth.  
• Back teeth are considered to be those behind the canine teeth in the back of the mouth.

So when is the best time to obtain dental fillings?

The best time to have dental fillings placed is as soon as tooth damage or tooth decay is discovered.  Dental cavities advance over time. The presence of sugars and starches in the foods we eat combined with our normal oral bacteria create acids and promote the decay of tooth structure.

The earlier diseased tooth structure is removed and replaced by a dental filling the better because:

• A greater amount of healthy tooth structure is retained.
• The teeth are stronger because there is a greater ratio of strong tooth structure to dental filling material.
• Treatment is less complex and therefore of shorter duration.
• Treatment in early stages is often less expensive.
• Treatment is usually accomplished with more comfort with less post-operative sensitivity.

One of the primary benefits of regular, periodic oral examinations is early discovery of tooth damage and decay to enable timely restoration of teeth

Weird but Useful Dental Health Facts for Guys & Dads

Fun Dental Health Facts for Men: What in the world do tongue size, digestion, beards, snacking, and dating have in common?

We have no idea. Just kidding. They are all related to oral health for guys and dads. March 19th is Father´s Day in Spain, so check out these 5 weird but incredibly useful dental health facts for you or the man in your life.

#1.Men have larger, longer tongues

Maybe it’s just because guy’s mouths tend to be a bit larger, but we just wanted to leave that interesting fact here for you to do with what you will.  

You’re welcome.

Speaking of tongues:  Next time you’re near a mirror (and it’s socially acceptable), stick your tongue out and take a look.  Why?  First, because now we know you’re curious and want to see just how long your tongue is.  

Second, check to make sure it looks healthy.  In general, healthy tongues are pink, firm, and don’t have any colored coatings, unusual bumps, or discolored/sore or dry spots. Some diseases, including diabetes, hypertension, cancer, and infections have signs and symptoms that show up in the mouth.  If you see anything that looks or feels strange, take the time to see your dentist for a checkup.

#2.Digestion

  

Your dental health directly affects the quality of your digestion, and thus your overall health.  Missing teeth, having prosthodontics such as dentures or partials, crowding, or other issues with bite and alignment can directly affect your ability to chew and digest your food.  Not being able to chew well can also affect your food choices, with many men avoiding foods high in fibre and other nutrients. This can lead to digestive issues.

Make sure your teeth are doing their proper job for you when it comes to the digestive process.  If you or someone you know is having issues with chewing or teeth alignment, go ahead and see your dentist for a checkup.

#3.Lookin’ for Love in all the wrong places

What do single folks look for in a male dating partner?  Is it rock-hard abs, a full, manly beard, or big feet?  The answer: None of the above.  Actually, men and women are both looking for the same thing – nice teeth and a great smile. Healthy teeth are more important on dating apps like Match.com andTinder, because a man who takes care of his smile is likely to take care of his whole body.  If you’ve got a gorgeous grill, make sure to show your smile in your profile pic, and expect more singles to swipe right when they see you!

#4.On Beards & Toothbrushes

What do beards and toothbrushes potentially have in common?  Unfortunately, it’s probably bacteria. Luckily, science has prevailed, showing that for the most part the bacteria found in beards is NOT the same found on the average toilet.   It looks like it’s OK again for folks to snuggle up to their favorite bearded dude.  

However, the same can’t be said for your toothbrush. The  average toothbrush has more bacteria then you´d care to know about.  So don´t forget to change your brush every 3 months and never ever use an old toothbrush to groom your mustache or beard!  

#5.In like a Lion, Out like a… Donut?

Men seem to worry less about fad diets, but are more likely to skip meals during the day. Perhaps that’s why there’s a trend showing that men tend to start the day with healthy food choices, but often end up snacking and giving in to the junk food cravings at night. It probably doesn’t help that the people around us can influence what we eat.  

Pair this with the recent survey showing that half of guys may be brushing their teeth only once a day, and you’ve got a recipe for a dental disaster.  Allowing sugars and acids to sit on your teeth overnight by skipping the nightly hygiene routine is a surefire way to accelerate the decay process, and allow plaque biofilm to build and act like tiny jackhammers on tooth enamel.  

The best way to keep your smile healthy is to keep up with the home oral hygiene routine which includes brushing for two minutes, twice per day, flossing at least once per day, and seeing your dentist for a regular checkup and cleaning every 6 months.   It’s also a very good idea to make sure your teeth and bite are properly aligned to make sure your smile is as handsome as you are, and to keep your whole body healthy.

Helping our Patients Smile - Nervous Patients

Dental treatment isn’t easy for some people, but the end results are worth it.

It doesn’t matter which dental practice you visit; dentists throughout the world, will invariably have to treat patients who are very uncomfortable with having treatment carried out. In fact, along with a fear of flying, dental phobia is probably the most common phobia. As with all phobias though, the imagination is invariably worse than the reality.

At Muaks Family Dental, we see our fair share of nervous dental patients. This ranges from those who are worried about any potential treatment but are able to face their fears to help ensure good oral health, through to those unfortunate patients for whom a visit to the dentist is little short of sheer panic.

Avoidance

We would like to assure any nervous dental patients that, however nervous you are, we are still keen to see you at our dental practice. Our team will, especially if advised in advance of your fears, take care that you are well looked after and treated in a calm and considerate manner. Whilst some phobias, such as a fear of flying, can be avoided in many cases by taking holidays in our home country; this option does not apply to dental phobia, and avoiding visits to the dentist is clearly very unwise.

All of us, at some point in time, will need to have dental treatment and those who avoid visiting a dental practice for long periods of time are likely to need quite invasive procedures later on.

Maintenance

The key part of ensuring good oral health lies in prevention. Ironically, many people who suffer from dental phobia do take very good care of their teeth, religiously brushing and flossing every day in the hope of avoiding any dental problems that will force them to have to pay the dentist a visit. Even with this level of care though, problems will inevitably arise. This may be in the form of accidental damage to the teeth through an accident perhaps, but even if this is avoided, there is almost inevitably some dental decay that occurs and quite possibly some gum disease, which if ignored can become very serious.

On top of these two common problems, enamel erosion can be a problem for these patients who sometimes are over enthusiastic when brushing their teeth and actually wear away the enamel.

Sedation

We are also pleased to offer Conscious Sedation. Sedation is a specialised technique where a sedative is administered through an intravenous cannula. You still maintain all your vital and responsive reflexes, e.g. coughing, breathing and swallowing.  Most people find Sedation a pleasant and acceptable way of receiving dental treatment from fillings to Implants. During the procedure you will feel peaceful and unaware of what is going on.

Friendly dental team

Although dental phobia can be deep seated, seeing a friendly and sympathetic dentist can really help a patient to start to overcome their fears. Trust is a big issue for many people, and, through seeing a dentist regularly, we are able to build up a level of trust between dentist and patients which will help them to have both healthy and good looking teeth. If you are a nervous dental patient why not call us at Muaks Family Dental on 968 137 852 and arrange a visit where we can discuss your concerns and help you keep on the right track with healthy teeth and gums.