Author Archives: Sixth Avenue Dentistry

You might have heard about people using magnets to manage their pain. This is not a new phenomenon; people have been exploring the potential medicinal properties of magnetism for thousands of years. Today, people struggling with dental pain, migraines, insomnia, and other conditions wear magnetic bracelets in hopes of finding relief. But does it really work?

One of the claims regarding magnets is that they serve to help circulate your blood, which is infused with iron. This claim is suspect, since the iron in your blood is not in a magnetic state. However, it is true that your body creates magnetic fields, most notably in your heart.

Unfortunately, the pain-management properties of magnets are not fully understood. Some people will swear by them, but the science is not substantial enough to support it. Therefore, if you need help dealing with your dental pain, talk to our International District dentist.

Bulimia is a form of eating disorder. It is akin in many ways to anorexia, but while an anorexic individual simply does not eat, a bulimic person will eat regularly and regurgitate shortly thereafter to avoid absorbing any of the food. While a bulimic person may look healthier on the outside compared to an anorexic person, since they are getting some small portion of the nutrients they need, there is an additional drawback of their habit that is ruining their oral health.

One of the problems with vomiting is that it exposes your throat and mouth to the harsh digestive acids of your stomach. If you do this habitually, you can quickly break down your delicate gum tissues and tooth enamel. It is for this reason that people with bulimia are often known to lose their teeth, since they easily succumb to gingivitis and tooth decay.

If you or someone you know struggles with bulimia, our International District dentist advises that you do the right thing for health. Visit 6th Avenue Dentistry for more on maintaining good oral health.

People appreciate the modern tooth-colored fillings for their aesthetic properties. When well-crafted, these fillings can blend in seamlessly with your natural tooth structure so that even you can’t tell where you’ve had your cavities drilled. However, these materials are not immune to the same staining agents that discolor your natural teeth. Over time, as you smoke or indulge in coffee, tea, sports drinks, and other colorful foodstuffs, you may notice a distinct, brownish outline developing around your fillings, betraying your dental work. And, to make matters worse, they can’t be bleached as easily as your natural teeth.

The good news is that you don’t need to have your fillings replaced every time they get stained. Your dentist should be able to restore their former attractive pearly white appearance simply by giving them a light polish. Neither the staining nor the polishing should compromise the durability or lifespan of your fillings. If you start to notice a discoloration on your white fillings, talk to our International District dentist for more information.

Fluoride is an important part of your oral health. This is the substance that is used to rebuild your dental enamel, repairing the damage done to them every day. Unfortunately, high degrees of fluoride are not good for young children, potentially causing learning and memory problems if they are exposed to too much during their early development. It is for this reason that you will want to select your child’s toothpaste carefully.

If your child is under three years old, look for a toothpaste that has about 1,000 ppm (parts per million) of fluoride. Apply a light smear of the paste to less than three quarters of a brush before cleaning their teeth. Children between the ages of three and six years old can benefit from a pea-sized drop of toothpaste of between 1,350-1,500 ppm. Emphasize that they should not swallow their toothpaste, as their young instincts will want to treat the minty-tasting substance like candy.

Bring your child to our International District dentist to learn more about how to keep his or her teeth healthy.