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8 Dental Tips For a Healthy & Happy Halloween

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Little girl trick-or-treating at a door. Woman answering the door has candy and a mask.

Trick-or-Treat!

Halloween is just around the corner, which for most kids means lots of candy! But the holiday can also present parents with a number of health challenges, especially when it comes to their children’s oral health. Halloween can and should be fun, but it’s important to have a plan so that you and your family don’t overdo it on the sweets. Here are eight tips to help you keep your Halloween as healthy as possible.

1.) Choose wisely.

Believe it or not, some candies are better for your teeth than others. Try and avoid hard candy and other sweets that stay in your mouth for a long period of time. The length of time sugary candy is in your mouth plays a huge role in tooth decay. Choose candies that dissolve quickly or kinds that are chewable.

2.) Only have candy with meals.

Next, we recommend that you only eat your Halloween candy with meals or shortly after mealtime. Saliva production increases during meals, which helps to cancel out acids produced by bacteria in your mouth. Additionally, saliva helps to rinse away food particles.

3.) Avoid sticky treats.

Sticky things, especially candy, cling to your teeth. The stickier candies such as taffy and gummy bears, take longer to get washed away by saliva. The longer the candy stays on your teeth, the higher the risk is for developing tooth decay. If you do indulge in sticky candy, be sure to brush and floss soon after.

4.) Moderation is key.

Just like everything, too much of anything isn’t a good thing. The same rule applies to candy. Limit your candy intake to a set number of pieces per day. Your teeth AND your body will thank you.

5.) Hydrate with fluoride.

Give your teeth a little boost this Halloween with fluoride.

Fluoride is a mineral that occurs naturally in many foods and water. It helps to prevent tooth decay by making your teeth more resistant to acid attacks from plaque bacteria and sugars in your mouth. Additionally, it reverses early tooth decay.

If you drink bottled water, look for kinds that are fluoridated.

6.) Keep it in the candy.

Since you’re going to be eating candy for the next few weeks, it’s important to cut out the sugar from your liquid diet. When your teeth come in contact with beverages that contain sugar, your risk of tooth decay is increased.

This includes soda, sports drinks, and flavored waters. Your teeth are already more vulnerable during the holidays, and by cutting out sugary drinks, you’ll help your body balance things out.

7.) Consider donating.

We know it’s tempting to keep your Halloween candy laying around, but we recommend you have your family pick out their favorites and donate the rest. There are a number of great charities that will gladly take in your unused candy. Operation Gratitude is a favorite organization of ours. They collect and donate sweet treats for our deployed troops and first responders. You’ll be doing something good for yourself and others.

8.) Chew sugar-free gum.

Chewing sugarless gum for at least 20 minutes after mealtime helps to reduce tooth decay. This is because increased saliva flow washes out food and neutralizes the acid produced by bacteria. If you’re craving something sweet, but you’re over your limit on candy for the day– grab a piece of sugar-free gum.

Happy Halloween!!!Cartoon trick or treat jack o' lantern filled with candy

We hope you have a very safe, happy, and healthy Halloween. As a reminder, if it’s been over six months since your last cleaning appointment–you’re due! Make one today.

Dr. Randall Burba is an American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry accredited dentist, with a practice in Salem, Massachusetts. He considers himself an artist–with teeth and beyond! He often paints, draws and has a passion for woodworking.

 

 

Pregnancy and Your Oral Health

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Pregnant? Congratulations!

A pregnant bare belly.

Being pregnant can be exciting, but it also brings on a whole new set of challenges. When it comes to your oral health, pregnancy causes hormonal changes that increase your chances of developing gum disease. If this occurs, it can have serious effects on your unborn baby. Luckily, there’s a number of things you can do to help reduce the risk. Here are 6 things you need to know about pregnancy and your oral health.

1.) Prenatal Care.

If your pregnancy is planned, one thing you can do for the health of yourself and your baby is to stay on top of your dental health before you get pregnant. That way, your pearly whites can be professionally cleaned, gum tissue can be examined, and any oral health problems can be addressed and treated ahead of time.

2.) Check With Your Doctor.

Routine dental care can be done at any time during your pregnancy, along with anything urgent. But, any elective dental procedures should be done after your baby is born.

According to the American Dental Association, having dental x-rays during your pregnancy is considered safe with appropriate shielding. Just be sure to let us know.

Additionally, before you have your dental appointment, talk to your OBGYN to see if they have any special instructions for you.

3.) Pregnancy Gingivitis.

When you’re pregnant, it’s important to pay even more attention to your teeth and gums. Pregnancy causes changes that put you at an increased risk for gum disease and for tender gums that bleed easily– a condition called pregnancy gingivitis. Pay particular attention to any changes in your gums during pregnancy. If tenderness, bleeding, or gum swelling occurs at any time– contact us as soon as possible.

4.) Morning Sickness.

If morning sickness is keeping you from brushing your teeth, try changing to a bland-tasting toothpaste. In addition, if you suffer from morning sickness and vomit frequently– rinse your mouth out with water or a mouth rinse. If you brush right after, you’ll risk damaging your tooth enamel.

5.) Diet.

Eating a healthy, balanced diet while pregnant is key. Believe it or not, your baby’s first teeth begin to develop about three months into your pregnancy. We highly recommend a healthy diet that contains dairy, since it’s a great source of essential minerals that will help to develop your baby’s teeth, gums, and bones.

For the sake of your own dental health, try and avoid sugary snacks as much as possible. Sweet cravings are common during pregnancy, but it’s important to keep in mind that the more frequently you snack– the greater your chances are of developing tooth decay.

6.) After Birth.

After you’ve had your bundle of joy, soon after delivery you should schedule an appointment to have your entire mouth examined and periodontal health evaluated.

From there, you can resume your normal dental care routine and continue to see us once every six months.

Make an Appointment

If you’re pregnant, thinking about becoming pregnant, or just need a check-up– you can make an appointment here. We look forward to seeing you!

Dr. Randall and Stanley Burba

Dr. Randall Burba (left) and Dr. Stanley Burba (right)

Dr. Randall Burba is an American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry accredited dentist, with a practice in Salem, Massachusetts. He considers himself an artist–with teeth and beyond! He often paints, draws and has a passion for woodworking.

Burba Dental Partners: Our Other Services

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At Burba Dental Partners, our passion is beautiful, durable dentistry.

Some dental offices only focus on cleanings and other basic, restorative work. While we have these services, we additionally offer a plethora of others. Since Dr. Stanley and Dr. Randy always like to provide their patients with a clear understanding of their care, we wanted to give you a detailed description of some our most popular procedures. Our goal is to give you a smile that looks as good as it feels!

Smile Makeovers

You too can have a stunning smile!

Are you someone who’s unhappy with their smile? Occasionally, our patients come in for a smile makeover knowing exactly what kind of smile they’re looking for. They even provide us with pictures. Other times, all they know is that they want to improve their smile– without knowing exactly how. Either way, we can help you get the smile you’ve always dreamed about.

There are essentially three types of smiles: youthful, sophisticated, and sporty. Within these frameworks, we can do any number of variations in shape, size, and color.

Once you’ve decided on the basic framework of your smile, we’ll work out other details, including the exact color. Take a look at some of the gorgeous smiles we’ve created! We know you’ll be happy with the result because we guarantee all of our smiles.

Dental Implants

Another common procedure we perform is placing dental implants. A dental implant is an artificial tooth root that supports a crown. It’s made of titanium and surgically placed into your jawbone to replace your missing tooth root. Once your custom-made crown is placed on the implant, it’ll function just like a natural tooth. You’ll be able to eat with the same efficiency, and no special dental hygiene procedures are needed.

The implants are placed in a two-step process. First, the root form is surgically implanted in your jawbone, just below your gumline. Then, bone grows in tightly around the implant during a process called osseointegration, which anchors it to the jawbone.

The final step is placing a crown on the implant– which completes the tooth restoration.

Invisalign

Finally, there’s a new option in orthodontics. No longer do you need bulky, uncomfortable metal brackets filling your mouth in order to straighten your teeth. With Invisalign, you can have a beautiful, straight smile in half the time of traditional braces.

First, Dr. Burba will take a detailed impression of your teeth. Three-dimensional images of the impressions are programmed into a computer that will manufacture a set of aligners designed specifically for you. When you get your first set of aligners they’ll feel like they don’t fit– which is intentional. The aligners are gently moving your teeth into a new position. After about two weeks, they’ll fit naturally. Then, it’s time for the next set of aligners. This process continues until your teeth are perfectly straight.

This new computerized method is much more accurate than other orthodontics. Because of that, Invisalign works in about six months to a year– which is half the time of traditional braces!

Make an Appointment

 

If it’s been over six months since your last cleaning– you’re due!

Keep in mind, these are just some of the things we offer. To see a full list, please visit our website. If you’d like to know if you’re a candidate for any of our services, but you aren’t ready to schedule an exam– we’d be happy to have you come in for a complimentary consultation with one of our doctors. Just give us a call, or visit our appointment page. We can’t wait to meet you!

Dr. Randall and Stanley Burba

Dr. Randall Burba (left) and Dr. Stanley Burba (right)

Dr. Randall Burba is an American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry accredited dentist, with a practice in Salem, Massachusetts. He considers himself an artist–with teeth and beyond! In his free time, he often paints, draws and has a passion for woodworking.

 

 

Everything You Need To Know About Your Teeth

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Most of us take our teeth for granted … until something goes wrong. Our teeth help us chew and digest food, play an important role in speech, and impact our overall health in a big way. The best way to give them the attention they deserve is by brushing up on your dental health knowledge.

How much do you know about your pearly whites?

Development

Humans have two sets of teeth, primary (or baby) teeth, and then a permanent set– which develop in stages. Although the timing is different, their development is similar.

Tooth development begins long before your first tooth becomes visible. For example, a baby’s first tooth appears at around six months of age, but those teeth actually begin developing during the early second trimester of pregnancy.

The crown forms first, while the roots continue to develop even after the tooth has erupted through your gums.

Your primary set is in place by age 3, and will remain there until around 6 years of age when they begin to fall out to make way for your permanent set.

Your adult set will start to grow in between 6 and 12 years of age. Each tooth has different parts, with each part serving a different purpose.

Parts

Enamel

Your tooth enamel is the hard, white, outer part of your tooth that’s mostly made of calcium phosphate. It’s actually the strongest substance in your body.

Dentin

The dentin is the layer of your teeth that underlines your enamel. It’s made of living cells, which secrete a hard mineral substance.

Pulp

The softer, living inner structure is called the pulp. Blood vessels and nerves run through the pulp of your teeth.

Cementum

The cementum is a layer of connective tissue that binds the roots of your teeth firmly to your gums and jawbone.

Periodontal ligament

Finally, the tissue that helps to hold your teeth tightly against your jaw is called the periodontal ligament.

The crown of each tooth projects into your mouth, while the roots descend below your gum line– into your jaw.

Types

Incisors

Incisors are the eight teeth in the front and center of your mouth. You have four on the top and four on the bottom, and you use them to take bites of your food. Incisors are usually the first to erupt, when you’re about 6 months old for your first set of teeth, and anywhere from 6-8 years old for your adult set.

Canines

Your four canines are the next to develop. These are your sharpest teeth and are used for ripping and tearing your food apart. Primary canines generally appear between 16 and 20 months of age, with the upper canines coming in just ahead of the lower canines. For your permanent teeth, the order is reversed. Your lower canines come in around the age of 9, with the uppers arriving when you’re about 11 or 12 years old.

Premolars

We use our premolars for chewing and grinding food. You have four premolars on each side of your mouth– two on the upper, and two on the lower jaw. The first premolars appear when you’re around 10 years old, and the second premolars come in about a year later.

Molars

Primary molars are also used for chewing and grinding food. These appear between 12 and 15 months of age, and are eventually replaced by the first and second permanent premolars. The permanent molars do not replace, but come in behind the primary teeth. The first molars erupt around the age of 6 (before the primary molars fall out), while the second molars come in between the ages of 11-13.

Third Molars (Wisdom Teeth)

Third molars are more commonly known as wisdom teeth. These are the last to develop and don’t typically erupt until your late teens or early twenties. Some people never even get third molars at all, and for those who do– they can cause problems and may need to be removed.

Every Six Months

Schedule your appointment today.

Now that you know everything there is to know about your pearly whites, make sure you’re always keeping them in tip-top shape. If it’s been over 6 months since your last cleaning/exam request an appointment today.

 

Dr. Randall Burba (left) and Dr. Stanley Burba (right)

Dr. Randall Burba is an American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry accredited dentist, practicing in Salem, Massachusetts. He considers himself an artist–with teeth and beyond! He often paints, draws and has a passion for woodworking.

Have an emergency? We’ll see the you same day.

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9-1-1 EMERGENCY!

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The thing about emergencies, is they strike without warning. We understand emergencies don’t just happen during our office hours. That’s why we’re a full service emergency dentist and we’re always willing to help you anytime you’re in pain.

There are many types of dental emergencies, including a tooth that’s been knocked out, a crown or bridge that has fallen out, or a dreaded toothache. No matter what your dental emergency is, we’ll be able to help.

Toothaches

Have a toothache? Call us.

Have a toothache? Call us.

One of the most common emergencies we see people for is a toothache. A toothache is often caused by an infection resulting from tooth decay. As the decay progresses and reaches the pulp of the tooth, the pulp becomes infected. Your body’s natural defense system kicks in, and it will try to get white blood cells to the pulp to help fight the infection. Because the pulp is in a confined space, as it tries to swell to accommodate the white blood cells, it can cause significant pain.

If the infection is left untreated, the pulp will die. When this happens, the pain stops, but the problem is not gone. The infection continues into the bone, which causes an abscess. If an abscess is left untreated it will cause even more health complications.

You never want to leave a toothache untreated. The longer you wait, the more damage it will do.

Knocked Out Tooth

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If you knock out a permanent tooth, treat it like an emergency.

If you knock out a permanent tooth, put it in milk, and get to us immediately. The treatment for a permanent tooth that’s been knocked out consists of replantation, immediately if possible. If it cannot be replanted, we will discuss options for replacing the lost tooth. Our main goal is to save your tooth, and get you out of pain as soon as possible.

A Bridge or Crown That Falls Out or Breaks

If you aren’t in any pain, this isn’t something that needs to be addressed right away. However, if you are in pain, we’ll replace your crown or bridge after hours if necessary.

Don’t Let Fear Hold You Back

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How does the dentist make you feel?

One of the main reasons people tend to neglect their dental care needs and refuse to get treatment…even in an emergency– is because of fear. You may have had a traumatic experience with the dentist and it’s made you afraid. Or, you may just be fearful and don’t know why.

Dr. Burba is extremely gentle with his patients and we’re always sensitive to any anxiety you have. He will take you through each step of the process and you won’t even be able to tell when he gives you a shot!

CALL US TODAY

If you’re in pain or have a dental emergency, and you’re an existing patient– call us now. Our office number is (978) 744-7575.  Even if you aren’t a current patient, we’ll see you. If you’re new, please call (888) 285-1543.

For existing patients, we have an “on-call service” for emergencies, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Dr. Burba will be contacted immediately. Our focus when you come in will be getting you out of pain. After that, we will discuss a more permanent solution.

Dr. Randall Burba (left) and Dr. Stanley Burba (right)

Dr. Randall Burba (left) and Dr. Stanley Burba (right)

Dr. Randall Burba is an American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry accredited dentist, practicing in Salem, Massachusetts. He considers himself an artist–with teeth and beyond! He often paints, draws and has a passion for woodworking.