Tag: mouth

How Acidic Foods Can Harm Your Oral Health

Let’s be honest: foods with high acidity can be scrumptious. They also eat away at your tooth enamel, creating tooth decay and cavities. Dentists call this dental erosion. That’s one reason why it’s important to limit the amount of acidic foods that you consume.

Some of the most common culprits include alcoholic beverages, soft drinks, and fruit juices. Citrus fruits are also highly acidic and can damage your teeth. You’ll also want to avoid foods and drinks that contain a lot of sugar. Bacteria in your mouth can convert these sugars into harmful acids. Sour sweets, which contain both sugar and acid, can stick to teeth, leading to prolonged acid contact with tooth enamel.

So how does one continue to enjoy these foods in moderation? One tip is to never eat and drink them with other ph-balancing foods in a meal. Dairy and protein are great at neutralizing acids. Another thing to remember is not to brush your teeth immediately after eating acidic meals. Some teeth become hypersensitive due to acidic exposure and may be damaged by toothpaste. Instead, try chewing sugarless gum to help promote saliva production within your mouth. This will help clear the acids and prepare your teeth for brushing, which you can do as soon as 30 minutes after you finish eating.

If you would like Drs. Paul Stanovick, Brant Stanovick, and our team at Paul R. Stanovick, DDS to give you an oral exam or professional cleaning, please contact our dentist office in Mechanicsville, Virginia, by calling us at 804-781-1919. Have a beautiful day!

Dental Checkups Look for Oral Cancer

Oral cancer can be frightening to think about, but it is still important to check for regularly. If you discover cancer in your body early, the better the odds are greater at overcoming it. That is why, our team here at Paul R. Stanovick, DDS in Mechanicsville, Virginia, is happy to talk to you about oral cancer.

Oral cancer can begin in your lips, cheeks, gums, tongue, floor or roof of your mouth and even in your throat. Despite their series of possible locations, there are symptoms to watch out for such as red or white patches, pain, tenderness, sores or irritations that won’t go away, a lump, difficulty swallowing or chewing, difficulty in talking, and even a change in your dental alignment.

Did you know, during your regular dental exam every six months, your dentists, Drs. Paul and Brant Stanovick will check you for signs of oral cancer? Well, it’s true! That is one of the many vital reasons your regular dental checkup should not be skipped. If you do find something suspicious or painful, make sure to call our office right away to schedule an appointment, so we can treat it right away.

If you have any questions about oral cancer or think it may be time for you to have a dental check-up, please call us today at 804-781-1919 to set up an appointment. Our caring and professional staff is happy to assist you in any way we can to help you with your oral health.

How to Save Your Smile After an Oral Emergency

Did you know that it may be possible to save a tooth that has been knocked out? As with many emergencies, preparation is key and how you handle the moments after an accident can determine the length and success of your recovery. Listed below are some common oral emergencies and tips you can use to save your smile:

A Tongue Bite or Lip Bite:

– Biting the inner areas of your mouth is common, but in some rare instances, stitches may be required. If you are bleeding, always use a gauze pad until bleeding stops.

Tooth Knocked Out:
– If you have suffered an oral accident that has left you with a tooth that was knocked out, it may be possible to save the tooth to be inserted later. Store the tooth in a tooth-saving product or milk and take it to your dentist immediately for reinsertion. Be careful not to touch the nerve endings or the root of your tooth.

Fractured or Damaged Teeth:
– Fractured or damaged teeth can often lead to excessive bleeding. Use a gauze pad to cover the wound until bleeding stops. If the tooth is loose, do not try to pull it out.

If you ever suffer an oral emergency, contact Paul R. Stanovick, DDS at 804-781-1919. Come visit Drs. Paul Stanovick, Brant Stanovick, and our team at our dentist office in Mechanicsville, Virginia at your earliest convenience. Let us help you find your healthy smile.

Oral Cancer Screening: What You Should Know

You know that it’s important for you to visit your dentist every six months if you’d like to keep your teeth healthy and strong—but do you know what actually happens during these treatments? Typically, we’ll clean your teeth thoroughly and inspect your pearly whites for signs of trouble—such as oral cancer. This cancer screening is very important, but do you know what it actually entails?

While you may think oral cancer is fairly rare, did you know that more than 50,000 Americans are diagnosed with the issues each year? Fortunately, this disease can usually be treated successfully—but the odds of a successful treatment increase greatly if the problem is identified early. One part of recognizing this problem involves asking a number of questions. We may ask you about whether you smoke or drink and how regularly you do so.

Our team will look for white or red areas in your mouth or for unusual sores. We’ll also inspect your face and tongue for unusual bumps. Afterwards, we’ll examine your mouth, neck, and jaw. While this may seem unnecessary, our team can recognize bumps and abnormalities that can’t be found by touch alone. We may also feel inside your mouth, including your cheeks, and inspect your lymph nodes, lips, and the hinges of your jaw.

If you’re interested in learning more about an oral cancer screening, please feel free to contact Paul R. Stanovick, DDS at 804-781-1919. We’ll be happy to answer any questions you have and help you schedule an appointment with our dentist, Drs. Stanovick and Stanovick. We’re excited to hear from you soon!

Cold Sores and Canker Sores: What’s the Difference?

You’ve probably heard about cold sores and canker sores, but what do you know about the two? While the two may seem very similar, there are a number of differences between the two. Similarly, do you ever wonder what you can do to avoid canker sores and cold sores—or what you can do to address either type of sore?

In reality, the main difference between the two is their location. Canker sores are always found inside the mouth, though they can be virtually anywhere inside your mouth. Also, canker sores are usually gray, yellow, or white with a red ring around it. These are open sores, but they aren’t contagious. Still, they can be very unpleasant. Unfortunately, no one knows the exact cause of canker sores, but some claim that they are affected by stress, vitamin or mineral deficiencies, food allergies, and even hormones.

As you’ve probably guessed, cold sores are extremely contagious. Cold sores are also known as fever blisters. Unlike canker sores can be, which come in a variety of colors, cold sores are almost always red. While cold sores are painful, they can also cause fevers, headaches, and swollen lymph nodes. However, these sores don’t usually last too long—but they are still quite uncomfortable.

Naturally, a trip to our dentists, Drs. Stanovick and Stanovick, can help diagnose your problem. Similarly, our team may be able to give you a solution to your problem. Also, if you have a large sore for more than three weeks, please remember to visit our team soon. If you’d like to learn more, or would like to schedule an appointment with us, please don’t hesitate to contact our office at 804-781-191. We’re eager to hear from you.

Keeping Ahead of COVID-19

Providing a safe environment for treatment and control for infectious disease is always a priority at Paul Stanovick DDS. Our expansive reception area and large outdoor deck provides space to easily support regulations surrounding social distancing. The treatment rooms provide an extra layer of protection as they are sanitized between each patient and provide clean air through air purifiers located in each room. You will see some changes during your next appointment as we have added precautions to protect patients and staff. You will be asked to enter the building with use of facial protection and asked to wear it until you are in the treatment room. Hand sanitizer is also available throughout the whole building for your use. You may notice that our magazine and children’s books have been removed from the reception area as they are harder to disinfect. We have installed plexiglass around our front reception area for added distancing between front staff and patients waiting for appointments. Air purifiers have been placed in every operatory with two larger purifiers in the front and back of the office. We have provided face shields, lab jackets and barrier gowns for all clinical staff. Our hours of operation will still remain Monday -Friday 8am-5pm. We are looking forward to seeing you again and are happy to answer any questions you may have about treatment and the safety precautions we are taking here at the practice. If you would like to make an appointment you can give us a call or text 804.781.1919. Thank you for your patience during these changing times and for your trust in us with taking care of your dental needs. Sincerely, Dr. Paul Stanovick, Dr. Brant Stanovick, and Staff.