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Treat Periodontal Disease Now for a Healthier Future Tomorrow

January 31, 2014

Medical CheckupWhen you think about the effects of gum disease, what’s the first thing that comes to mind? Perhaps it’s noticing blood on your toothbrush or floss, unexplained sensitivity or even tooth loss. While it’s true that periodontal disease is the leading cause of tooth loss in American adults, this common condition can actually impact your health in a number of other ways as well. At the office of Dr. S. John Salivonchik in Coplay, PA, we use advanced laser dentistry to protect our patients from the variety of complications associated with gum disease.

Periodontal Disease and Overall Health: The Systemic Link

When a patient suffers from untreated periodontal disease, tiny pockets form between the gum line and the teeth as gingival tissue pulls back from the surface of the enamel. Bacteria accumulate within these pockets, further deteriorating the surrounding tissue. When the bacteria from this infection leach into the blood stream, it can spread to other tissues and organs throughout the body. Some of the complications associated with untreated or poorly managed gum disease are:

  • Increased risk of heart attack and stroke
  • High blood pressure
  • Pulmonary hypertension
  • Pancreatic cancer
  • Gastrointestinal issues
  • Rheumatoid arthritis
  • Higher chance of developing coronary artery disease

Fortunately, treating periodontal disease with laser therapy can greatly reduce your risk of being affected by these and other serious medical conditions. Dr. Salivonchik will carefully assess your unique case and discuss with you the various laser dentistry solutions available to you.

Reclaiming Your Oral & General Health

If you suspect that you are affected by periodontal disease in any of its stages, contact us at our Coplay, PA office to schedule your appointment today. Dr. Salivonchik and his experienced staff of dental professionals look forward to helping you restore not only your overall oral health, but your general health as well. We proudly serve patients from throughout Lehigh Valley and the surrounding communities of Easton, The Poconos, Allentown, Bethlehem and beyond.

Start Planning Your 2014 Care Today

December 10, 2013

The New Year is still weeks away, but it’s not too soon to start thinking about what kind of services you might need for 2014. Every year, new patients embrace what’s possible with cosmetic dentistry, while others may already know about one or two restorative services they’ll need.

If you fall into either category, we want to encourage you to call Dr. Salivonchik’s Whitehall dental office for a late-2013 or early-2014 appointment. During your appointment, he’ll be happy to talk to you about what’s on your mind and the concerns you might have about the care you need. Dr. Salivonchik will also complete an oral health exam so he’s fully up to date on how your smile is currently doing.

Our combination of cosmetic and restorative services includes many of the best available today, including:

When deciding what services are ultimately right for you, we’ll consider a wide range of factors, among them your health and the goals you’ve already devised. We’re committed to making sure our Whitehall-area patients receive the personalized care they expect.

And for patients who choose teeth whitening, there’s an extra benefit. Dr. Salivonchik donates all teeth whitening fees to the Children’s Cancer Research Fund at the University of Minnesota. This lets patients do something good for others while at the same time improving the appearance of teeth and boosting self-confidence. You can learn more about our special program by visiting our teeth whitening page.

Are you ready to get a jump on your care for 2014? Call us today. Our office is located in Lehigh Valley and serves Whitehall, Allentown, Bethlehem, Easton, The Poconos, and surrounding areas.

Acid Reflux and Oral Health

October 4, 2013

In most cases, tooth decay—a common oral health issues—is caused by poor nutrition, but not always. Sometimes, the cause of decay is related to frequent indigestion.

Known as acid reflux disease, patients who experience heartburn several times a week may be vulnerable to decay as a result of stomach acid leaking from the stomach and to the esophagus. If this acid comes into contact with your smile’s protective enamel, it can become weakened, eventually exposing the sensitive layer of dentin underneath.

Besides heartburn, other symptoms of acid reflux disease include:

  • Regurgitation
  • Bloating or burping
  • Narrowing of the esophagus
  • Hiccups
  • Nausea
  • Black/bloody stools or bloody vomiting
  • Weight loss
  • Wheezing, hoarseness, sore throat, or dry cough

If you recognize these symptoms, or you’ve already been diagnosed with acid reflux disease, make regular appointments with Dr. Salivonchik and his Whitehall dental team a priority. During every visit, we’ll look for signs of tooth decay, plus gum disease and many other common conditions.

Signs that acid may have damaged your teeth include:

  • Sensitivity, especially to foods that are hot, cold, or sweet
  • Teeth that have thinned or shortened
  • Pain or irritation
  • Teeth with sharp edges

Are you worried about decay caused by acid reflux? Call Dr. Salivonchik’s dental office today to reserve an appointment. We serve patients from all around Lehigh Valley, including Whitehall, Allentown, Bethlehem, Easton, The Poconos, and beyond.

What Foods Are Good for My Smile?

July 16, 2013

Our patients already how important brushing, flossing, and regular checkups are. What’s less well-known is that there are certain foods that can also help you with your smile. Today, we’ll be talking about some of those foods and their benefits for oral health.

Dairy foods

Specifically, we’re talking about milk, cheese, and yogurt. All three are great sources for calcium, which helps to strengthen bones and teeth, but they also contain casein, which protects teeth from decay and cavities.

Water and tea

In each case, the benefits of these differ. Water’s primary benefit is that it keeps the mouth from becoming too dry and also helps wash away food. Why is it important for the mouth not to become too dry? Because dry mouth contributes to bad breath, and it can promote the formation of cavities. Tea, on the other hand, contains antioxidants as well as polyphenols, which help in the battle against inflammation and bacteria growth.

Fruits, veggies, and nuts

Because some veggies, like carrots and celery, take some considerable chewing, these can be beneficial for your smile, as well as your overall health. Chewing produces saliva, which has a neutralizing effect on the decay-causing acid created by bacteria. For other foods, like garlic, apples, cocoa, and nutmeg, bacteria have a harder time sticking to teeth. With fewer bacteria in the mouth, there’s less of a risk of developing cavities or gum disease.

Do you have questions about what you should be eating to help your smile? Dr. S. John Salivonchik can help. During your next visit to his Whitehall dental office, he would be happy to offer nutritional advice.

Call us today to schedule your next appointment. We’re located in Lehigh Valley and serve patients from Whitehall, Allentown, Bethlehem, Easton, The Poconos, and surrounding areas.

Why Are My Teeth Sensitive?

July 2, 2013

Do you find yourself wincing when you eat or drink something hot or cold? Or maybe it happens when you’re enjoying something on the acidic side, like a cup of coffee or glass of orange juice. These are both examples of tooth sensitivity, a common issue faced by patients from Coplay and beyond. In today’s post, we’d like to talk briefly about some of the things that can cause it.

Gum Recession

One of the biggest causes is gum recession, which is itself caused by advanced gum disease. As gums recede and more of the patient’s teeth are exposed, it’s more likely for hot or cold things to come into contact with the porous layer of dentin beneath our enamel.  To prevent tooth sensitivity caused by gum recession, see Dr. S. John Salivonchik at the first sign of gum disease. Proactive care will help you enjoy better health and wellbeing.

Aggressive Brushing

Thorough brushing is good, aggressive brushing is not. If you’re brushing hard with a hard-bristle brush, you could be damaging your teeth and gums. If you need help brushing correctly, don’t be afraid to ask Dr. Salivonchik for tips. At our Coplay dental office, we’re committed to teaching patients how to care for their smile on a daily basis.

Teeth Grinding

Teeth grinding, which is also known as bruxism, can contribute to tooth sensitivity because it can lead to teeth becoming cracked. These cracks expose teeth to bacterial infection and they make the sensitive layer of dentin more accessible. To prevent the kinds of damage that teeth grinding can cause, an oral appliance may be used.

Age

Sometimes, age is a factor in sensitivity. If you’re between the ages of 25 and 30, you may experience more sensitivity than at any other time in life. For more information on why, talk to Dr. Salivonchik.

Is uncomfortable sensitivity getting in the way of enjoying your favorite foods? Call our Coplay dental office for an appointment with Dr. Salivonchik. We serve patients from Allentown, Bethlehem, Easton, The Poconos, and beyond.

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