Dr. Michael K. Brown, DDS

Chewing Gum Is Recommended by The American Dental Association

Dr. Michael Brown — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 18:45:05 +0000

The ADA has stated that chewing sugar-free gum is safe, and beneficial, for your teeth.

Along with brushing and flossing your teeth daily, there are indeed benefits to chewing sugarless gum.The physical act of chewing increases the flow of saliva to your mouth. And saliva is a natural enemy of bacteria that live in the plaque on your teeth. So, if you chew gum after a meal, the increased saliva you produce from chewing gum will actually help to neutralize and wash away the acids that are produced when food is broken down by the bacteria in plaque on your teeth. This is only true when chewing sugar-free gum, however. When you chew gum that contains sugar, the acid in the food you eat will eat away at your tooth enamel, creating the perfect environment for tooth decay to start. Another benefit of chewing sugarless gum is that the increased saliva flow can also help to strengthen your tooth enamel, because it carries more calcium and phosphate to your teeth. After reviewing the above mentioned information, the ADA did clinical studies showing that chewing sugarless gum for 20 minutes following meals can help prevent tooth decay.

All that said, chewing gum is NOT a replacement for brushing and flossing your teeth. The ADA still recommends brushing your teeth twice daily with a fluoride toothpaste and to also clean plaque from between your teeth once a day with dental floss or other dental cleaners. Make sure you have your teeth cleaned by a dental hygienist at least twice a year, because they can do a much more thorough locating and removing of any plaque deposits you may have.

So what does the future of sugarless gum hold? Soon you may find chewing gum that delivers a variety of therapeutic agents that rival the additional benefits to those provided by the ability of gum to mechanically stimulate saliva flow. For example, gum may become available that contains active agents that enhance the gum’s ability to remineralize teeth and reduce decay, or enable gum to resist plaque and gingivitis.

Look for the ADA Seal when purchasing sugar-free chewing gum. It will assure you that the gum you choose has met their stringent safety and effectiveness requirements. In order to get that seal, companies must verify all of the ingredients they use to make their gum with the ADA.

If you have any other questions about ways you can keep your teeth healthy gives our office a call at 636-395-0042.

Five tips to fighting tooth decay

Dr. Michael Brown — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 18:49:52 +0000

Tooth decay is the second most common disease, following the common cold. Just like we keep our bodies warm to prevent catching a cold, we need to take care of our teeth and gums to prevent tooth decay and other dental diseases.

Tooth decay is the destruction of tooth structure and can affect both enamel (the outer layer of teeth) and dentin (the hard, dense, bony tissue forming the bulk of a tooth beneath the enamel).

While getting your teeth cleaned at least every six months is a vital component of preventing tooth decay, there are things you can do at home to keep your mouth clean and disease-free.

Here are five tips to fighting tooth decay:

Daily oral hygiene – Brush your teeth at least twice a day with a toothpaste that contains fluoride. Floss once a day. Use a mouth rinse at night, before you go to bed.
Eat well - A good diet is incredibly important to your dental health. Eat nutritious and balanced meals. Avoid carbohydrates such as soda, chocolate and candy. If you eat sticky foods, brush your teeth soon afterwards.
Regular checkups and dental cleanings – A dental cleaning appointment is recommended every six months to check for signs of tooth decay and remove dental plaque that you’ve missed.
Take vitamins – Calcium, Vitamin C and Vitamin D are important for healthy teeth. Bone density declines as one ages, so take calcium supplements can help improve bone density.
Drink fluoridated water - At least a pint of fluoridated water each day is needed to protect children from tooth decay.

Preventive Dentistry is the best kind of dentistry. If it has been more than six months since your last check-up, give my office a call today at 636-395-0042.

This Thanksgiving Give Thanks for Healthy Teeth

Dr. Michael Brown — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 18:08:29 +0000

Thanksgiving is just around the corner, and you’ve probably already started to plan your feast. Some of your favorite Thanksgiving dishes are delicious, but the bacteria in your mouth also find them equally delicious. This time of year is one of the biggest times of year that we “feed” the bacteria in our mouth. You can still enjoy your delicious Thanksgiving feast, but save your teeth and health too!

Try to incorporate foods into your dishes that are high in vitamins and nutrients that help keep your gums nice and healthy. Some great foods that are high in vitamins and nutrients include Cranberries, Pumpkin, Green Beans and Sweet Potatoes. Turkey is a great source of protein and iron and it is also lower in fat than most meats. Avoid adding a lot of sugars and spices to your dishes as they can give the bacteria in your mouth more sugar to feed off of and attack your teeth.

Have a happy Thanksgiving and don’t forget to brush and floss!

Dr. Michael Brown is an O’Fallon Dentist that has provided General Dentistry services to residents of O’Fallon and the surrounding areas for over 30 years. Dr. Brown is listed in the Top Dentists in St. Louis by St. Louis Magazine for 2010 and 2011, as voted by peers.

Just Say No To Sweets, And Goodbye To Cavities!

Dr. Michael Brown — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 20:55:22 +0000

So, you think you can have your cake and eat it too? Not necessarily. When it comes to having healthy, cavity free teeth you need to put that cake down and pass on that sugar-filled soda. If you plan on keeping your teeth healthy, it’s all about eliminating the sweets. The more of them you put into your mouth, the more cavities you are going to get. It’s really that simple. I know that many people dread their annual dental visits. But you can’t afford to skip them, just as you can’t afford to neglect your teeth by eating too many sweets. Now I’m not saying you can never enjoy the occasional special treat, like your favorite ice cream flavor, or maybe a slice of hot apple pie, or that delicious chocolate chip cookie. Sure you can. But only in moderation. Don’t sit down and eat 5 cookies, or 2 slices of cake. Your teeth, and your body, don’t like that. And since you only get one set of teeth, you have to treat them right.

So how do you avoid cavities and fight tooth decay you ask? Start by brushing your teeth 2 or 3 times a day, especially when you first get out of bed in the morning, and right before bed in the evening. It doesn’t hurt to keep a toothbrush handy for after lunch, either. All that sugary coffee, and that mid-day lunch will put your teeth in harms way. Make sure you’re brushing correctly. Brush your teeth for at least two minutes each time. And don’t stop there, you should also lightly brush your gum line, and your tongue as well. These are areas that can be a hotbed of bacteria, and not cleaning the whole mouth is like pushing your shoes under the bed…it looks clean, but the real mess is still in the room, just hidden. Finally, as well as brushing you really should floss once a day. These steps are essential if you wish to prevent tooth decay.

Get into the habit of taking care of your teeth, and your health. You’ll need them for the rest of your life, and you’ll need them to enjoy all those foods you’re going to eat…in moderation. Wean yourself off of the steady diet of sweets, too. You’ll be glad you did. Your teeth will be whiter, shinier, and your waistline will be smaller! And your dental visits will be shorter, cheaper, and far less uncomfortable!

So give my office a call today at 636-240-1750, and start yourself on the path to a healthier set of teeth!

How Oral Hygiene Can Affect Your Heart Health

Dr. Michael Brown — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 16:09:38 +0000

Oral hygiene will not only help to keep your mouth healthy, but it can also help to change your heart health for the better. Research has shown that certain types of cardiovascular diseases are linked to poor oral hygiene. Oral hygiene involves keeping the mouth, teeth and tongue clean in order to prevent disease. This includes brushing and flossing your teeth, as well as brushing or scraping your tongue and keeping up with regular visits to your dentist for a check-up and cleaning.

Poor Oral Hygiene and Gum Disease

Your mouth is full of bacteria; some are good, and some are bad. The good ones help to digest your food, but the bad ones must be removed from your mouth or else they will multiply and cause your gums to become swollen and irritated which may lead to bleeding when flossing, or even when brushing. Bacteria combine with sugar to make acid that leads to tooth decay and gum disease.

Most people have heard by now that periodontal disease is associated with an increased risk of heart attack. There is a logical explanation for why heart attacks could be related to periodontal disease. Bleeding gums are a doorway for the bacteria to enter into your bloodstream. Once in the bloodstream they travel throughout the body where they can cause inflammation leading to a build-up of fatty deposits which can clog the arteries. When arteries become clogged it can cause heart disease and stroke. These bacteria can also make their way to the liver, causing the liver to produce high levels of proteins which inflame the blood vessels and eventually can lead to heart attack or stroke.

Listed below are the symptoms of periodontal disease according to the National Institute of Health:

Symptoms of gum disease include:

Bad breath that won’t go away
Red or swollen gums
Tender or bleeding gums
Painful chewing
Loose teeth
Sensitive teeth
Receding gums or longer appearing teeth

Brushing your teeth at least twice a day and flossing once per day will help keep your mouth clean. O’Fallon Dentist, Dr. Michael Brown, recommends investing in a good toothbrush, floss and biannual teeth cleanings.

The American Heart Association estimates that almost eighty million people suffer from heart disease and almost one million people die every year. The best defense against heart disease is to consult your physician to advise you about reducing your risks, including dental health. Make sure you keep your regular cleaning appointments and screenings schedules. Doing so will greatly increases the likelihood that any problems will be detected early. Dr. Michael Brown wants to keep you and your loved ones as healthy as possible.

- Dr Michael Brown, DDS

Annual Visit to the Dentist Reduces Your Risk of Oral Cancer

Dr. Michael Brown — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 16:00:32 +0000

Afraid to visit the Dentist? You should be far more afraid of NOT going to the dentist!

Some people are just plain stubborn, and refuse to see a dentist until there is a major problem going on. Maybe they had a bad experience years ago, and can’t seem to get it out of their mind. Or the last time they had their teeth cleaned it made them uncomfortable for a short while. Then there’s the silliest reason of all, some people are just afraid of finding out that something’s wrong, and afraid they may have to get a filling, or worse!

Why wait until you have bleeding gums or a terrible throbbing pain that prevents you from eating? Don’t wait until you’re in pain; practicing prevention is far more effective in maintaining good dental health, and will usually lead to a pain-free visit to the dentist. In this scenario, no pain is your gain!

There are many good reasons to visit your dentist regularly; here are just a few…

Bi-annual visits to the dentist can detect problems early, when they can be cured before they become costly. For example, gum disease affects millions of people each year. With proper dental care a problem can be detected and treated before it leads to periodontal disease, a far more severe form of gum disease. Periodontal disease is the major cause of tooth loss. Again, early detection is always the best key to prevention.

The early detection of oral cancer is another important reason for a bi-annual dental visit. Oral cancer kills thousands of Americans who are diagnosed with it annually, usually within five years of initial diagnosis. During your routine check-up, your dentist will screen you for suspicious lesions. If detected in its early stages, there is a very good chance that they will be able to treat it effectively, before it becomes life threatening.

Regular Dental visits can prevent minor problems from becoming major ones. A dentist can detect potential problems before they occur. Skipping your visit to the dentist may result in your having to undergo painful and expensive procedures, such as root canals and removal of teeth. Regular dental check-ups are relatively cheap and painless in comparison.

You only get one set of permanent teeth, losing them due to neglect will have a detrimental effect on your eating habits. You won’t have to go through the discomfort associated with dentures later if you take care of your teeth today. So brush, floss, and see your dentist twice a year. Don’t let a fear of the dentist prevent you from getting the care you need.

Your Smile is One of Your Most Important Assets

Dr. Michael Brown — Tue, 23 Aug 2011 16:59:44 +0000

Your smile is one of your most important assets. It is the window to your personality and self image. Have you ever looked at someone and when they give you a really warm and nice-looking smile and you get a really good feeling about that person – whether it’s that you’re on the same wavelength, you’re attracted to them or you just want to go over and make conversation?

A nice looking smile is an important aspect of non-verbal communication. A smile is contagious and communicates warmth and friendliness that crosses all language barriers. If you don’t feel confident in being able to openly smile at someone else you may be cutting yourself off from feeling confident and happy in life.

The best way to ensure a clean and healthy smile is brushing and flossing. Food particles can accumulate on teeth and over time turn into plaque. The bacteria that results from this accumulation can lead to gum disease, tooth decay and even loss of teeth. To avoid these problems you need to take regular care of your teeth and gums.

Brushing

Brush your teeth thoroughly for two minutes at least twice a day. When you brush your teeth, move the brush in small, circular motions to read food particles that may be under your gum line. Hold the brush at an angle and brush slowly and carefully, making sure you brush on all sides of your teeth. Brush your tongue and roof of your mouth before you rinse.

I recommend chewing sugar-free gum between meals as it helps keep your teeth cleaner.

Flossing

For areas between the teeth that a toothbrush can’t reach, use dental floss to remove food particles and plaque. It is important to floss your teeth every day.

If you are flossing without the floss threader, pull a small length of floss from the dispenser. Wrap the ends of the floss tightly around your middle fingers reusable floss threader. Guide the floss between all your teeth to the gum line, pulling out food particles or plaque. Remember to floss behind all of your back teeth.

Floss at night to make sure your teeth are clean before you go to bed. When you first begin flossing your gums may bleed a little. If the bleeding does not go away after the first few times, inform our office.

I hope you have found these tips to be useful. If you have crooked, yellowed or chipped teeth I can fix those problem areas using cosmetic dentistry solutions such as porcelain dental veneers and teeth whitening. I want you to feel confident and be able to face the world with a brighter, healthier looking smile.

- Dr Michael Brown, DDS

Replacing missing teeth – False teeth options for tooth loss

Dr. Michael Brown — Sun, 31 Jul 2011 20:08:46 +0000

Missing teeth can often be a source of embarrassment, as well as affect a person’s quality of life. Some of the problems associated with lost teeth include difficulty eating or chewing, speech problems, and also cause the adjacent teeth to shift.

No matter your budget and needs, replacing missing teeth is possible. Your 3 main options for replacing missing teeth are Dentures, Bridges and Implants.

Dentures

A partial denture is a removable appliance that consists of replacement teeth attached to pink or gum-colored plastic bases and are connected by metal framework. These are sized to fit your mouth so they are comfortable and look as natural as possible. Partial dentures are quite affordable and are priced depending on design, they often last between 2-10 years before needed replacement or modification. The more expensive ones are designed to last longer and provide a tighter fit. However, regardless of the style, partials are removable appliances. As a result, they will often move around during eating. Some people can handle this, others find it too annoying and end up opting for one of the other tooth replacement options.

Bridges

Diagram of a Bridge

A fixed bridge is exactly that, fixed. A bridge involves crowns on the teeth on either side of the missing tooth, with a fake tooth in the middle. Visually it looks like 3 crowns fused together with the middle one resting on or near the gum tissue. This is a very solid and functional restoration which costs upwards of $2,000 and increases in cost depending on how many teeth need to be replaced. Bridges usually last between 5-15 years depending on home care and restoration complexity. The design for bridges varies on area and size. The majority of bridges are Porcelain bonded to Metal and extend right to the gums where the missing teeth are.

Implants

Diagram of a Dental Implant

Implants come in various styles and designs. The main ones on the market today are comprised of a titanium screw imbedded into the bone and a crown is placed on top. These can be done as single teeth or multiple teeth. They can also be used as anchorage for complete and partial dentures. In the case of single or multiple tooth replacement, implants act and function almost identically to natural teeth. They are aesthetic, they are fixed in place, and they are fully functional. They are not susceptible to decay and are more resistant to gum disease. Implants cost around $3000 – $4000 each, and have the potential to last for well over 20 years. With their long life implants end up being cheaper in the long run than bridges and dentures.

Dr. Michael Brown, a well respected St. Louis dentist, is experienced in the replacement of lost teeth. One of the greatest privileges we receive at our office is that of restoring the smiles of our valued patients. If you are among the thousands of St. Louis residents who are suffering the ill effects of tooth loss, consider the benefits of replacing missing teeth. Contact our office today to schedule a free consultation. Call 636-240-1750.

Oral Cancer Screening

Dr. Michael Brown — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 12:00:26 +0000

We do an oral cancer screening on all of our patients at their initial exam and at each check-up appointment. If caught in the early stages, oral cancers have a very low mortality rate. However, if left untreated until the more advanced stages the death rate is extremely high. Checking for any suspicious lumps, bumps or lesions is a very important part of our exams and a service I am proud to offer our patients. It is definitely part of our mission to provide beautiful healthy smiles.

Here is a link to more information on oral cancer: http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/guide/oral-cancer

- Dr Michael Brown, DDS

Whitening Teeth at Home Vs. Teeth Whitening at the Dentist

Dr. Michael Brown — Tue, 31 May 2011 19:55:59 +0000

Professional Teeth Whitening in the comfort of your home

White teeth can play an important part in making a good first impression. The best way to make a good impression on a first date, job interview or important event is to look the best you can. Proper clothing, grooming and hygiene are important, and a bright smile can be one of the best ways to making a positive impression. Knowing your teeth are sparkling can also help you exude confidence in any situation.

There are a wide variety of highly-effective teeth whitening options to help you get a whiter, bright smile and whiter teeth. While the at-home kits you can purchase at your local store may be effective, they do not compare to the Professional At-Home Whitening Kit offered through our office, here in O’Fallon, Missouri.

Over-the-counter tooth whitening strips, brush-on gels and toothpastes can take weeks or months to whiten your teeth just a few shades. The Teeth Whitening System Dr. Michael Brown’s St. Louis office provides can whiten your teeth several shades in just 2 weeks. Only a dentist can get your teeth this white, this fast.

Using custom fitted trays provided by Dr. Brown, you apply the gel in the comfort of your own home when it is most convenient for you. After just a few days you will start to see a difference.

For a limited time you can receive $100 off our Professional Tray Whitening service!

Download and print the coupon then call our office at 636-240-1750 to make an appointment to have your professional, custom fitted whitening trays made for $100 off!

$100 OFF
Professional Tray Whitening

Bring in a copy of this coupon to receive the discount.

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