Causes of Bleeding Gums

Healthy gums do not bleed. Many people struggle with this problem, but at Dr. Michael Eisenbrock’s Bensalem Family Dentistry office, we provide our patients with information on how to prevent this problem. Most of the time, the solution is better oral hygiene, but there can be compounding factors.

As plaque becomes tartar at the base of the crowns, acid sticks to it, irritating the gums. Although a professional hygienist may be needed to remove the plaque, better brushing can help alleviate the irritation. However, many people have misconceptions about what makes brushing “better.” Teeth should be brushed for two full minutes per session with a soft-bristled toothbrush. Brushing too hard or with hard bristles bruises the gums and is another cause of bleeding.

During pregnancy, women are especially vulnerable to bleeding gums due to hormonal changes. Smokers are also at increased risk due to the toxins that build up in their mouths. People who have dry mouth or are on blood thinners also tend to experience more bleeding because they are less able to fight off the bacteria which cause tartar to build up or their gums are weaker.

Dr. Michael Eisenbrock runs Bensalem Family Dentistry at 3554 Hulmeville Road, Suite 111, Bensalem, Pennsylvania, 19020, telephone 215-874-4042, and at 4735 Neshaminy Blvd, Bensalem, telephone 215-750-9955. Visit BensalemDentistry.com and fill out a contact sheet.

 

Bad Oral Habits

If you suffer from sensitive teeth, Dr. Michael Eisenbrock of Bensalem Family Dentistry encourages you to review your oral hygiene habits. Additionally, bad habits such as nail biting, and opening your X-Box controller with your teeth, can be detrimental to tooth enamel. Additional bad habits that can cause sensitive teeth include the following, and we encourage you to cut back on them immediately.

• You’re brushing too hard – over time, if you brush with too much force, you can wear down the protective layers of your teeth and expose the microscopic hollow tubes or canals that lead to your dental nerves. When these tubules are exposed, tooth sensitivity is a result.


• You’re eating too many acidic foods – If the pathways to your nerves are exposed, acidic foods will cause you pain.


• You have tooth decay – If you have tooth decay, it’s easy for bacteria to accumulate in these tiny crevices, which causes acid build-up and enamel breakdown.


• You’re a tooth grinder – Grinding your teeth can wear down your enamel. This exposes the dentin and causes sensitive teeth.

If you have questions or concerns regarding dental health, please give us a call. To learn about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.bensalemfamilydentistry.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Michael Eisenbrock, DDS at Bensalem Family Dentistry in Bensalem, PA, call us at 215-638-9952.

Drink More Water

Fluoride is nature’s natural cavity fighter and is most commonly found in drinking water. Fluoride has the ability to promote remineralization, which aids in repairing tooth decay before it can even develop. Water also helps replenish saliva which prevents us from having dry mouth discomfort. If you need more reasons to drink water on a daily basis, Dr. Michael Eisenbrock of Bensalem Family Dentistry is here to give you a few.

Saliva is the mouth’s first defense against tooth decay and water replenishes our saliva with every sip. Water not only washes away leftover food, it helps keep your teeth strong by washing them with calcium, phosphate, and fluoride. Unlike sugary beverages that harm your oral health and damage enamel, water improves your oral health.

If you have questions or concerns regarding dental health, please give us a call. To learn about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.bensalemfamilydentistry.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Michael Eisenbrock, DDS at Bensalem Family Dentistry in Bensalem, PA, call us at 215-638-9952.

Sugar and Tooth Enamel

The primary cause of tooth decay is due to a lack of proper oral hygiene habits. The second culprit, however, is sugar. If you consume sugary beverages on a daily basis, these soft drinks, sports drinks, energy drinks, and more have high acid levels that can cause tooth erosion. When these sugars are left on the teeth, they can create cavities. To keep your mouth cavity-free, Dr. Michael Eisenbrock, DDS of Bensalem Family Dentistry encourages you to limit sugar consumption.

Tooth enamel is the strongest substance in our bodies but that doesn’t mean it can’t be worn down. When sugar combines with bacteria in the mouth it produces acids that attack tooth enamel. Sugary beverages like fruit juice can be diluted with water to reduce the acidity that destroys enamel. We don’t expect you to kick the habit completely, but you’ll do your smile a favor by consuming more water or milk as these are low in acidity.  

If you have questions or concerns regarding dental health, please give us a call. To learn about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.bensalemfamilydentistry.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Michael Eisenbrock, DDS at Bensalem Family Dentistry in Bensalem, PA, call us at 215-638-9952.

Pain around Fillings

Patients at Bensalem Family Dentistry are assured of getting high-quality fillings. This restorative procedure is an important means of preventing decay, as it stops bacteria from hiding within caries. Some sensitivity immediately after placement of an implant is normal, but if pain persists or starts again later on, it is important for the patient to come to us for help.

A high filling is one which prevents the patient from fully biting down without pain. This should not happen, and if it does, the fillings will need to be replaced with one that is a better fit. If a patient is in pain after getting a filling but is able to bite down, the decay may have already reached a deeper part of the tooth. Some materials used for fillings may also shrink, allowing bacteria to colonize the area between the filling and the sealant and continue causing decay.

Fillings do not last forever. The area around one could become painful if the seal holding the filling in place breaks. This would create another area for bacteria to hide in. To ensure that fillings never become a problem, visit us regularly and we will replace them.

Dr. Michael Eisenbrock runs Bensalem Family Dentistry at 3554 Hulmeville Road, Suite 111, Bensalem, Pennsylvania, 19020, telephone 215-874-4042, and at 4735 Neshaminy Blvd, Bensalem, telephone 215-750-9955. Visit BensalemDentistry.com and fill out a contact sheet.

 

When Dental Bonding Breaks

Dental bonding is beneficial for teeth that have been chipped, fractured, discolored or decayed. With proper oral hygiene, dental bonding can keep your smile looking bright for up to ten years. In the case of dental trauma, or eating too much of acidic foods, however, dental bonding may break. If you’ve completed a dental bonding procedure in the past and begin to notice a crack, visit Dr. Michael Eisenbrock of Bensalem Family Dentistry before it falls out completely.  

It’s important to remember that dental bonding is not as strong as tooth’s natural enamel. Because dental bonding doesn’t provide the same strength as tooth enamel, it’s important to avoid bad habits that might make the composite resin crack. Additionally, be conscious of eating too many acidic foods, as this can damage bonding over time. Additionally, be conscious of eating too many acidic foods, as this can damage bonding over time. Bonding shouldn’t break, as long as you are taking proper care of your oral health.

If you have questions or concerns regarding dental bonding or breakage, please give us a call. To learn about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.bensalemfamilydentistry.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Michael Eisenbrock, DDS at Bensalem Family Dentistry in Bensalem, PA, call us at 215-638-9952.

Hookah Tobacco and Teeth

If you are a lover of water pipes, also known as hookahs, and have been told that they aren’t as bad as cigarettes, Dr. Michael Eisenbrock, DDS of Bensalem Family Dentistry is sorry for being the bearer of bad news –you’ve been misinformed. Studies show that water pipe smoking is just as harmful as cigarettes if not more.

Hookah tobacco (shisha) is a combination of tobacco, sweetener, and fruit. Many believe that shisha is safer to smoke because it is filtered through water before being inhaled. Though it does not leave you smelling like an ashtray, it has similar health risks associated with smoking cigarettes. Smokers increase their risk of developing dry mouth, bad breath, and especially, oral cancer. The best thing you can do for your oral health is to kick the habit altogether.

If you have questions or concerns regarding how smoking affects your oral health, please give us a call. To learn about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.bensalemfamilydentistry.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Michael Eisenbrock, DDS at Bensalem Family Dentistry in Bensalem, PA, call us at 215-638-9952.

Intrinsic Stains

We treat all sorts of cosmetic problems at Bensalem Dentistry, including stains which can’t be removed with regular bleaching. Although most stains on the teeth are due to extrinsic factors, such as smoking or a lifetime of coffee, and some discoloration is due to natural wear to the enamel, there are also stains that are intrinsic to the tooth. These can be covered, but they sometimes indicate an issue that is more than just cosmetic.

The easy intrinsic stains to treat are those which are caused by the tooth having been exposed to dark molecules during its formation. Tetracycline antibiotics and excessive amounts of fluoride can cause a tooth to be black or purplish from its first appearance. But if a formally white tooth turns black, it could be because its pulp has become inflamed from trauma or infection. This will result in a serious tooth ache if we do not perform a root canal, and an infection could spread to the patient’s blood stream or cause a facial abscess. Once the root canal is complete, we can cover the tooth with a veneer or a new crown.

Dr. Michael Eisenbrock runs Bensalem Family Dentistry at 3554 Hulmeville Road, Suite 111, Bensalem, Pennsylvania, 19020. To schedule an appointment, call 215-874-4042 or visit BensalemDentistry.com and fill out a contact sheet.

 

Water Flossing

Is flossing a part of your home oral care routine? If not, it’s time to start. Most people put flossing on the bottom of their priority list because they either disregard the importance or don’t know how to do it correctly. If you have a hard time using the floss that Dr. Michael Eisenbrock of Bensalem Family Dentistry gives you in your dental goody bag after a dental checkup, water flossing may make cleaning your teeth more fun.

Water flossing is a method that incorporates a hand-held device that removes food particles from between teeth using steady water streams. Water flossing is usually a substitute for patients who have arthritis or a condition that makes holding floss in the hands, difficult. Water flossing is also helpful for patients with braces because the water can reach into grooves where floss may not. Like traditional floss, water flossing reduces periodontal disease because it reduces inflammation around the gums. So whichever method you prefer, just be sure to have one.

If you have questions or concerns regarding water flossing, please give us a call. To learn about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.bensalemfamilydentistry.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Michael Eisenbrock, DDS at Bensalem Family Dentistry in Bensalem, PA, call us at 215-638-9952.

Natural-Looking and Strong Dental Bonding

Chipped or cracked teeth can hurt and also cost you your self-esteem. Fortunately, there is an affordable and trustworthy solution. At Bensalem Family Dentistry in Bensalem, PA, we offer dental bonding; a strong restoration option that is able to resemble your actual tooth.

Dental bonding is the process of using a composite resin to smooth over imperfections like chips, cracks, gaps, misalignments, and discoloration. It restores the strength of your tooth while repairing the look of your smile. The resin will be chosen in the shade that matches your tooth so it looks completely natural. For those who want to use bonding to whiten their smile, a resin is chosen in a lighter shade and then applied over the whole smile. For cracks, chips, misaligned teeth, gaps, and more, the resin is smoothed over the imperfection. The resin is then hardened and polished so that it shines like a natural tooth. Only light etching is needed to prepare the tooth for the resin, so there are no major changes to your tooth.

While keeping your natural teeth intact is ideal, life does not always allow that. Our strong and natural-looking dental bonding is able to bring back your smile and the function of your teeth. To schedule an appointment with Bensalem Family Dentistry in Bensalem, PA, call our office at (215) 638-9952. More information about us can be found on our website, www.bensalemfamilydentistry.com. 

Avoid Uneven Staining After Braces

Braces come with a little extra work but they end result is worth it! Straight teeth are both aesthetically pleasing and healthy! Speaking of a little extra work, Bensalem Family Dentistry of Bensalem, PA wants to remind our patients to take special care avoiding staining while you wear your braces. Staining while wearing braces could result in uneven marks when the braces come off.

 

Avoid Darker Foods and Drinks

In order to avoid staining, it just makes sense to avoid the foods and drinks that can stain your teeth. Cola, coffee, tomato sauce, and blueberries are among these types of foods. While it is not always easy to cut these foods out, enjoying them sparingly will help keep your teeth white. Also, be sure to rinse after you do consume any dark foods and drinks.

 

Do Not Skip Brushing and Flossing

Brushing and flossing are large parts of keeping away staining. If plaque or tartar sit on the teeth for long enough, the surface of your teeth can become stained and it can even go below your tooth’s enamel. Since plaque forms on teeth just hours after brushing, it is important to brush two to three times per day. Brushing after meals is a good idea.

 

Utilize Special Tools

There are special dental tools on the market to help those who are wearing braces. Floss threaders help you get the floss over and under your wires easily and quickly. There are also interdental cleaners for scrubbing around your brackets.

 

Avoid uneven staining by following these tips! To schedule your next cleaning at Bensalem Family Dentistry in Bensalem, PA, call our office at (215) 638-9952. For more information about our practice, visit our website, www.bensalemfamilydentistry.com. 

What Happens During a Dental Cleaning?

No matter how much you diligently brush or floss your teeth at home, harmful bacteria grow in your mouth that can only be removed by a dental professional. These bacteria can cause gum disease and significantly affect your overall health. Here at Bensalem Family Dentistry, our hygienists will use professional tools to remove plaque, tartar and bacteria build-up that you are unable to efficiently remove yourself.

The professional dental cleaning reinforces the home-care oral health regimen of brushing and flossing and gives Dr. Michael Eisenbrock an opportunity to locate areas in the mouth that may need special attention. During a teeth cleaning, our hygienists will thoroughly clean the area above and below the gum line with scaling tools to rid them of plaque and tartar. Once the surfaces are smooth, polishing is done using a slow speed handpiece with a soft rubber cup that spins on the end. Last but not least, the dentist flosses every crevice between your teeth and may apply fluoride if needed.

If you need your teeth cleaned don’t wait any longer, call us today so we can help you maintain a healthy smile! To learn about the services we provide at our practice, visitwww.bensalemfamilydentistry.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Michael Eisenbrock, DDS at Bensalem Family Dentistry in Bensalem, PA, call us at 215-638-9952.

Cleaning Your Dental Implant

Dental implants are a very common procedure to replace missing teeth. Implants are replacement tooth roots that provide a strong foundation for fixed (permanent) or removable replacement teeth that are made to match your natural teeth. Because the implant is secured within the jawbone, cleaning your dental implant is critical to avoid infection. Here at Bensalem Family Dentistry, Dr. Michael Eisenbrock will discuss implant maintenance care once the implants are placed.

Cleaning implant-supported tooth replacements are just as important as cleaning natural teeth, as both depend on healthy surrounding tissues for support. To ensure that the implant lasts as long as they should, some special techniques and efforts are required to keep the implant clean and free of dental plaque. Dental plaque has the ability to cause infection in the tissues around the implant which will lead to its ultimate failure. Dental implants require the same care as real teeth, including brushing, flossing, and regular dental checkups.

During your professional cleaning, our dental hygienists play an important role in keeping your dental implant infection free. To learn about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.bensalemfamilydentistry.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Michael Eisenbrock, DDS at Bensalem Family Dentistry in Bensalem, PA, call us at 215-638-9952.

Senior Teeth Care

No matter what age you are, teeth can last a lifetime with proper home care and regular dental checkups. However, as we grow older, certain health concerns earn our full attention, especially the importance of oral health for seniors. It’s easy to slip up on your oral hygiene habits, especially if you are distracted by other ailments such as arthritis which may make it difficult to hold a toothbrush. But know that Dr. Michael Eisenbrock, DDS of Bensalem Family Dentistry, is always here to assist you and help keep your gums healthy for years to come.

Advancing age puts many seniors at risk for a number of oral health problems, such as darkened teeth, dry mouth, root decay, gum disease, tooth loss, and even a diminished sense of taste. If you wear dentures or other oral appliances, they may cause irritation to the gums can lead to abscesses and sores if left untreated. If you have noticed any recent changes in your mouth, are experiencing tooth sensitivity, or notice any difficulty tasting, chewing, or swallowing your food, please give us a call immediately.

If you have questions about dental health and oral hygiene, don’t hesitate to contact us. To learn about the services we provide at our practice, visitwww.bensalemfamilydentistry.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Michael Eisenbrock, DDS at Bensalem Family Dentistry in Bensalem, PA, call us at 215-638-9952.

Facts about Fluoride

Fluoride is a natural mineral found throughout the earth’s crust and widely distributed in nature and is often added to water to help reduce tooth decay. Research has shown that fluoride not only reduces cavities in children and adults, but it also helps repair the early stages of tooth decay, even before the decay is visible. Here at Bensalem Family Dentistry, Dr. Michael Eisenbrock, DDS can discuss professional fluoride treatments with you to see if you are a prime candidate.

When fluoride reaches your teeth, it is absorbed into the enamel. Fluoride helps to repair the enamel by replenishing the lost calcium and phosphorus to keep your teeth hard through a process called remineralization. When fluoride is present during this process, the minerals deposited into the tooth enamel help strengthen your teeth and prevent dissolution during the next demineralization phase. The results are stronger tooth enamel and a cavity-free grin.

If you would like to discuss your fluoride treatment options, please give us a call. To learn about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.bensalemfamilydentistry.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Michael Eisenbrock, DDS at Bensalem Family Dentistry in Bensalem, PA, call us at 215-638-9952.

Advantages of Teeth Whitening

How many of us get a confidence boost when a stranger gives us a compliment? Have you ever paid attention to how much of a positive effect this has on your self-esteem? The same applies to teeth whitening. Teeth-whitening is an excellent way to restore the natural color of your teeth or even make them whiter than your natural color if you would like. Here at Bensalem Family Dentistry Dr. Michael Eisenbrock, DDS can help you do just that.

With all of the lifestyle habits and environmental factors that have the ability to stain our teeth on a daily basis, even proper maintenance sometimes leave them a little dull. Fortunately, through our tray whitening system, your pearly whites can revive their shine. In addition, teeth-whitening can also take years off of your appearance. This is because as we age, over time, our teeth darken and can become yellow, brown, or even develop a green or gray tint (which may be due to heredity and/or eating habits). Your smile speaks volumes about who you are and leaves an everlasting impression, so it’s only natural that you want it to be as radiant as possible.

If you would like to discuss your teeth whitening options, please give us a call. To learn about the services we provide at our practice, visitwww.bensalemfamilydentistry.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Michael Eisenbrock, DDS at Bensalem Family Dentistry in Bensalem, PA, call us at 215-638-9952.

How to Choose Mouthwash That Meets Your Needs

Mouthwash or rinses are used for a variety of reasons: to freshen breath, to help prevent or control tooth decay, to reduce plaque, to prevent or reduce gingivitis, to reduce the speed that tartar forms on the teeth, or to produce a combination of these effects. Mouthwash has a few beneficial properties and Dr. Michael Eisenbrock, DDS at Bensalem Family Dentistry would like to explain some of them.

• Antimicrobial agents act directly on oral bacteria to help reduce plaque, decrease the severity of gingivitis and control bad breath.


• Fluoride helps reduce tiny lesions (tooth decay) on tooth enamel and make teeth more resistant to decay.


• Astringent salts can serve as temporary deodorizers that mask bad breath.


• Odor neutralizers act by chemically inactivating odor causing compounds.

If you have questions about oral hygiene, please give us a call. To learn about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.bensalemfamilydentistry.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Michael Eisenbrock, DDS at Bensalem Family Dentistry in Bensalem, PA, call us at 215-638-9952.

Foods You Should Avoid if You Have TMJ/TMD

If you’ve been diagnosed with a TMJ disorder, Dr. Michael Eisenbrock at Bensalem Family Dentistry wants to assure that you are free of pain at all times. If you have TMJ/TMD you may want to avoid certain types of foods that may be making your condition worse. We don’t recommend making any drastic changes, but we do suggest incorporating softer foods into your diet. TMJ is a chronic condition that requires self-care measures.

The constant motion of your jaw can aggravate your joint pain when chewy foods are a staple of your diet. This is because your jaw works overtime when you consume chewy foods such as caramel, taffy, chewing gum and tougher cuts of meat and fish (lobster). Types of food to avoid include chewy snacks, fatty foods, and foods that are cut into large pieces. To summarize, any type of food that allows you to open your mouth wide or chew for long periods of time may aggravate your TMJ. Instead, we recommend incorporating more soft foods into your diet, such as cooked veggies, soft bread, and yogurt.

If you suffer from constant jaw aches and pains, please give us a call to discuss your treatment options. To learn about the services we provide at the practice, visit www.bensalemfamilydentistry.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Michael Eisenbrock at Bensalem Family Dentistry in Bensalem, PA, call 215-638-9952.

Athletes and Mouth Guards

Mouth guard use has been shown to reduce the risk of sport-related dental injuries. Imagine playing a sport that you love, when suddenly a tooth gets knocked out. Smiling, talking and eating would be difficult and it would probably take you some time to recover. When it comes to protecting your mouth, a mouth guard is an essential piece of athletic gear that should be part of your standard from an early age. Fortunately, at Bensalem Family Dentistry, Dr. Michael Eisenbrock can provide athletic patients of all ages with custom-fitted mouth guards for proper protection.

Custom mouth guards are made from exact and precise models of an individual’s own teeth. They are also made of resilient and tear-resistant materials ensuring a proper fit. A properly fitted mouth guard absolutely must be protective, comfortable, resilient, tear resistant, odorless, tasteless, and allow room for you to breathe. Because our custom-fitted mouth guards are made for your mouth and your mouth only, they are more reliable than over-the-counter mouth guards.

If you know an athlete who may benefit from a mouth guard, please give us a call. To learn about the services we provide at the practice, visit www.bensalemfamilydentistry.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Michael Eisenbrock at Bensalem Family Dentistry in Bensalem, PA, call 215-638-9952.

Bruxism Causes and Treatment

Do you ever wake up from a night’s sleep with sore teeth and jaws? You could be grinding your teeth. The medical term for occasional teeth grinding is called bruxism and although this condition does not usually cause harm, when teeth grinding occurs on a regular basis the teeth can be damaged and other oral health complications can arise. At Bensalem Family Dentistry, Dr. Michael Eisenbrock may recommend a night guard to provide you with relief.

Stress, anxiety, smoking, heavy alcohol, caffeine, depression and sleep disorders are all possible causes of teeth grinding. Treatment for teeth grinding depends on the cause. In some cases, chronic teeth grinding can result in fracturing, loosening or loss of teeth. The purpose of a night guard is to protect your teeth and jaws. At Bensalem Family Dentistry, if you require a night guard we will custom make them just for you.

If you believe you have bruxism, please give us a call to discuss your treatment options. To learn about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.bensalemfamilydentistry.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Michael Eisenbrock, DDS at Bensalem Family Dentistry in Bensalem, PA, call us at 215-638-9952.