Healthy foods for Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is one day out of the year where Americans find it socially acceptable to eat their weight in turkey and gravy. While it can be tempting to take a sample plate of everything at the buffet, choosing the right foods can help prevent your waistline from increasing as well as improve your dental hygiene.

Cheese and Yogurt
While heavy amounts of cheese is not recommended, eating some cheese, maybe as an appetizer, lowers the acidity in an individual’s mouth, which directly lowers their risk for developing cavities. Cheese and yogurt also contain calcium, a mineral that increases bone density and strengthens enamel. Furthermore, yogurt contains probiotics that take up the space harmful bacteria would otherwise occupy.

Kale, Spinach, and Broccoli
Leafy green vegetables, such as kale and spinach, contain high amounts of protein and calcium, materials your body utilizes to build bones and teeth. Furthermore, leafy green vegetables carry lots of micronutrients, products the body uses to make sure everything in your body runs efficiently, boosting your natural immune system.

Apples, Carrots, and Celery
Hard, fibrous foods act as a toothbrush, gently loosening plaque which can be washed away with saliva. Eating foods like apples, carrots, and celery does not replace brushing and flossing, but rather encourage good dental hygiene by maintaining a cycle of cleanliness. Eating these foods increases the effectiveness of brushing and flossing since it’s consistently removing old plaque, lessening the chance of plaque turning into tartar.

Sesame Seed Oil, Coconut Oil, and Olive Oil
Oil pulling, or simply rinsing the mouth with about a tablespoon of oil, is a great technique to reduce the amount of bacteria in the mouth and promote good dental health. Many dentists advise patients to practice this easy detoxification process at home; however, ingesting foods already containing sesame seed oil, coconut oil, or olive oil kills two birds with one stone.

While Thanksgiving can be a time when people overindulge in foods high in sugar content, being aware of the benefits foods can have on teeth and the body can encourage to put down that extra pint of gravy in favor of a healthier choice.

Teeth Whitening vs. Veneers

Discolored teeth can have a negative impact on your self-confidence. At the Wellesley, MA, dental practice of Dr. Murad Padamsee, we’re dedicated to giving you a healthy, beautiful smile that you’ll be proud to show off. We offer a wide range of dentistry services — including teeth whitening and veneers.

Teeth Whitening in Wellesley, MA

One of the most popular cosmetic dentistry services we provide is teeth whitening. If your main concern is simply getting your teeth to a whiter shade, we offer in-office Zoom!® whitening as well as a take-home whitening system for your convenience.

Zoom!® Whitening, as its name suggests, is the fastest way to get whiter teeth. This procedure involves the application of whitening gel and a halide light to activate the gel. Before the actual treatment, you will be educated about the procedure and your teeth will be thoroughly cleaned and prepped. The whitening process itself takes about an hour; aftercare involves brushing with anti-sensitivity toothpaste and practicing good oral hygiene.

Our take-home whitening system takes longer to achieve the same results; however, it’s more affordable than Zoom!® Whitening and is used at your convenience. Custom-fit trays will be made for you to ensure the whitening gel stays where it should during treatments. The trays are worn twice daily for 30 minutes for several weeks; they can also be worn overnight if needed. Dr. Padamsee will tell you exactly how to use your at-home whitening system and answer any questions you may have.

Veneers for a Smile Makeover

Cosmetic veneers are another way to achieve the smile you want. Veneers are crafted from thin porcelain that looks and feels like your natural teeth. Your teeth are buffed to prepare for veneer application; the veneers are bonded to your teeth using a cement-type material and a special bonding light. Veneers aren’t recommended for teeth that have fillings, and they’re more expensive than teeth whitening services. But when it comes to dramatic results, veneers can’t be beat — which is why so many celebrities who want perfect teeth go this route.

Schedule Your Consultation

The first step to whiter teeth is an initial consultation and exam with Dr. Padamasee at our upscale Wellesley, MA, dental office. Callus to schedule your appointment, or get in touch through our appointment request form. We can help you achieve the white smile you’ve always wanted; in addition, we provide an array of other dental services including TMJ treatment, sleep apnea solutions, preventative dentistry, pediatric dentistry and more. 

5 Steps for Improving At-Home Oral Hygiene

Regular dental checkups are imperative when it comes to good oral health; however, at the Wellesley, MA dental practice of MuradPadamsee, BDS, DMD, MS, we also believe strongly in patient education and oral disease prevention. In between your routine dental visits, there are some things you can do to keep your teeth and gums healthy. Check out these five oral hygiene tips:

Brush Properly

One of the best ways to keep your mouth in good shape is by brushing regularly — at least twice daily. Although brushing your teeth is pretty simple, there’s a right way to do it. According to the American Dental Association, here’s how to brush:

Hold your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle and use short horizontal strokes to brush teeth. Make sure to get not only the front of your teeth, but also the back as well. Use an ADA-approved fluoride toothpaste when brushing and finish up by brushing your tongue gently as well to remove bacteria.

Floss Daily

Our Wellesley, MA, dental practice also advocates daily flossing to remove stubborn plaque and bacteria-causing food particles from in between teeth. Many people don’t floss as often as they should; this is sometimes because flossing causes mouth tenderness and bleeding gums. These are both symptoms of gingivitis and gum disease — all the more reason to floss every day.

Flossing is an easy way to keep your mouth healthy. Wrap an 18- to 24-inch piece of floss around your index and middle fingers and use it to get in between the teeth. The flossing motion should be horizontal, then vertical, to remove plaque and particles from between the teeth and under the gumline.

Stay Hydrated

Drinking plenty of water isn’t just good for your body, but your oral health as well. If you have chronic dry mouth, bacteria can build up and lead to plaque and gingivitis. The general rule for water consumption is 8 glasses per day; however, your needs may be more or less depending on your activity level, age, and body type. Keeping your mouth hydrated with sugarless gum is a good way to freshen breath and keep bacteria at bay between meals.

Eat a Healthy Diet

Cleaning your teeth is just one part of the equation; what you eat can also make a difference in your oral health. Sweet treats aren’t the only culprits when it comes to tooth decay — eating carbohydrate-laden foods like bread and pasta can also lead to bacteria buildup that leads to plaque, gingivitis, and gum disease. Brush and floss after eating, and try to choose healthy food items like crunchy vegetables to keep teeth in tip-top shape.

Don’t Use Tobacco

Smoking and using snuff and/or chewing tobacco can have a negative impact on your oral health. Not only do tobacco users have a higher incidence of gum disease and tooth decay, they also suffer from chronic bad breath. Tobacco use discolors teeth, and can lead to oral cancer among other health problems. If you use tobacco and need help quitting, speak to your doctor.

Schedule Your Checkup Today

When you come in for your routine checkup at our modern Wellesley, MA, dental office, Dr. Padamsee and his experienced staff will educate you further on how to properly care for your teeth and gums at home. Give us a call to schedule your appointment or reach out through our website. We look forward to caring for your smile!

Which is Best for My Smile? Invisalign® vs. Traditional Braces

At the Wellesley, MA, dental office of Murad Padamsee, BDS, DMD, MS, we offer both Invisalign and traditional braces. Dr. Padamsee is a certified pediatric dentist who specializes treating pediatric malocclusion—or the misalignment of corresponding teeth. Not sure what’s right for you? Read on to learn more about the teeth-straightening options we offer:

Invisalign®

One of the most exciting dental innovations in recent decades is Invisalign®. If you want straighter teeth but don’t want to wear metal braces because of the way they look, this might be the option for you. The Invisalign® alignment system uses clear trays that are easy to insert and remove at your convenience. They’re so discreet that most people won’t even know you’re wearing them; what’s more, you can remove the trays whenever you want. On average, patients get new trays every 6 to 8 weeks for their shifting teeth. The total treatment duration for Invisalign® varies from patient to patient, with the average being about 12 months.

Invisalign® is normally recommended for teens and adults who need their teeth shifted into place; for large gaps between teeth and severe malocclusion, traditional braces are usually the best course of action.

Traditional Braces

For pediatric malocclusion and severe malocclusion in teens and adults, traditional braces remain the gold standard. Crafted from metal, traditional braces aren’t as comfortable and convenient but can take care of dental problems that Invisalign® can’t. For example, braces are often used to correct bruxism — a condition associated with TMJ.

On average, traditional braces are worn between 18 months and 3 years; some patients must wear a retainer after their braces have been removed. Although not everyone wants traditional braces as their first choice, Dr. Padamsee and the staff at our Wellesley, MA, dental office use the latest in modern dental technology and believe in a gentle approach to dentistry; it’s our goal to make the process as pleasant as it can be from start to finish.

We Can Straighten Your Smile

The first step when deciding between Invisalign® and traditional braces is the initial evaluation, during which, high-tech imaging studies will be done. Dr. Padamsee and his friendly staff will create a treatment plan that is personalized to suit your dental needs and answer any questions you may have. 

Call our Wellesley, MA, dental office today to schedule your appointment, or contact us through our website. 

Diagnosing Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is a potentially dangerous medical condition in which breathing stops and starts during sleep. At the Wellesley, MA, dental office of Dr. Murad Padamsee, we have over 20 years of experience in providing our patients with sleep apnea and snoring solutions. We use the latest advances in dental technology, such as state-of-the-art 3D imaging and intraoral imaging.

Types of Sleep Apnea

There are three types of sleep apnea — obstructive, central, and complex. 

Obstructive sleep apnea: This is the most common type of sleep apnea; it occurs when throat muscles become relaxed during sleep and soft tissue blocks the airway.

Central sleep apnea: This condition occurs when the brain doesn’t send out the right signals to properly control breathing.

Complex sleep apnea: Some patients have complex sleep apnea, which is both of the above types at once. Complex sleep apnea is also called treatment-emergent central sleep apnea.

Characteristics of Sleep Apnea

One of the most common symptoms of sleep apnea is snoring. Other symptoms include waking up multiple times a night with shortness of breath, morning headaches, daytime fatigue, and insomnia. If left untreated, sleep apnea can be harmful and even fatal.

There are a variety of sleep apnea risk factors to be aware of, including:

• Advanced age
• Being male
• Larger neck circumference
• Smoking
• Use of alcohol or sedatives
• Nasal congestion

Although children can have sleep apnea — with many of the same symptoms — it’s far less common than in adults. Childhood obesity is one risk factor that may raise a child’s sleep apnea risk.

Treatment Options

There are a variety of treatment options available for sufferers of sleep apnea. CPAP, or continuous positive airway pressure, is a common treatment method. For some patients, oral appliances are a better option. The oral appliances we use offer superior mobility and are far less invasive than the CPAP route. The first step is a thorough evaluation and exam, including an analysis of your dental and medical history. From there, a personalized treatment plan will be created to suit your needs.

Schedule Your Appointment

If you suspect sleep apnea, schedule your appointment with Dr. Padamsee in our bright and modern Wellesley, MA, dental office. Give us a call or reach out through our appointment request form — we look forward to serving you! 

To Take Good Care of Your Teeth, Follow These Six Brushing Tips

Brushing everyday is one of the best ways to take care of your teeth. However, it's not just that simple. For optimal dental care, follow these six tips.

1. Pick the right brush - Not all brushes are the same, and you need to choose one that fits your mouth.

2. Brush the right way - You should hold your brush at a 45-F-degree angle to your gums and use an up-and-down motion with short strokes.

3. Take your time - While brushing twice a day is recommended, three times is probably best. Also, whenever you brush, make sure you do it for at least two minutes.

4. Don't overdo it - Conversely, don't brush too much or for too long, as this can wear down enamel and hurt your gums.

5. Keep it clean - Always rinse your brush, as germs can linger on it.

6. Let it go - Make sure to replace your toothbrush every three to four months or if the bristles are becoming frayed or broken.

The Importance of Children’s Braces

We all want our children to live happy, healthy lives. In addition to impacting regular dental function, bite misalignment during childhood, also known as pediatric malocclusion, can have a serious impact on children’s quality of life as they grow. Treating bite and jaw alignment issues with braces as the jaw is developing is an important part of preventing these common oral health problems:

Overcrowding and Impacted Teeth
The third molars are not the only teeth that can become impacted, or stuck, during the development phase. Overcrowding and impaction are common when a child doesn’t have enough space in their arch to accommodate every tooth. This makes it extremely difficult for kids to properly brush or floss their teeth. Primary teeth (baby teeth) are already more susceptible to developing cavities – the inability to properly clean every tooth only amplifies this vulnerability and makes it harder for children to maintain healthy, lasting smiles.

Overbites and Underbites
Bite misalignment can also impact a patients’ facial structure. While in childhood, an over or underbite may not be especially noticeable, these alignment issues hinder overall facial development, creating the look of a too small or protruding lower jaw. From a functional perspective, this severe malocclusion prevents proper chewing, biting, and swallowing. The misalignment can also increase the risk of nighttime teeth grinding (bruxism), which wears down teeth and makes them vulnerable to cavities and fracture.

Sleep Apnea
While many often consider sleep apnea to be exclusively an adult condition, this breathing issue can also affect children. Children already have limited space in their mouths – when combined with bite or jaw misalignment, overcrowding prevents the tongue from fitting properly with the rest of the dentition. As a result, the soft tissue and tongue fall back and blocking airflow while children sleep, spurring on sleep apnea.

Extractions
Childhood orthodontic appliances are specifically designed to ensure the correct development of the jaw and smile. Having braces early on, when these components are still developing, helps ensure that the dentition and jaw is in the position for optimal health and function in the future without having to make serious adjustments to the smile. In particular, when patients put off orthodontics treatment until their late teens or adulthood, they often need some teeth to be extracted to make enough room in the dentition for the rest of the smile.

Learn More about Kid’s Braces in Wellesley Today
At the family dental practice of Dr. Murad Padamsee, our mission is to ensure every child has access to the right dental care for lasting dental health. As a certified pediatric dentist in Wellesley, Dr. Padamsee is uniquely experienced in creating long-term braces treatment plans for children. For more information about the consequences of pediatric malocclusion and available braces solutions for your child, contact Murad Padamsee, BDS, DMD, MS today to schedule your child’s orthodontic consultation.

Treating TMJ Dysfunction

Unlike other conditions, there are a number of different factors which can contribute to the development of TMJ dysfunction. In Wellesley, TMJ specialist Dr. Murad Padamsee is dedicated to helping regain full oral function and overcome the pain and discomfort cause by TMJ problems. When treating this condition, our goal is to create a conservative yet comprehensive treatment solution.

As many of the symptoms and side effects of TMDs affect oral function and wellness, our Wellesley dentist often uses conservative dental treatments that provide the dual benefit of improving your smile and jaw function. In addition to recommending physical therapy to increase motion in your jaw, our commonly recommended TMJ treatments include:

Oral Appliances
Rather than sending patients immediately into more advanced treatments, Dr. Padamsee starts patients with a custom-fit oral appliance. Similar in size to a retainer, these specialized devices are designed to push the jaw into a more comfortable, stabilized position that alleviates pain and facilitates normal function. Within just a few weeks, patients are able to notice a significant difference in their bite and function.

Oral appliances are designed to fit each dentition precisely. At our Wellesley dental practice, K7 Jaw Tracking technology is utilized to measure the movements of your jaw and create an appliance that will stabilize the overall alignment of jaw. This added precision ensures effective, lasting results.

Orthodontics
The alignment of teeth can be a contributing factor to the development of TMJ dysfunction. Bite misalignment can also encourage bruxism, another potential cause of TMDs. To thoroughly address this issue, our Wellesley TMJ specialist may recommend comprehensive orthodontics as a means of improving the dentition, preventing overnight grinding (bruxing), and to realign the jaw. If extensive grinding has already compromised the strength of individual teeth, Dr. Padamsee may create a multi-faceted restoration plan that includes dental crowns to reinforce damaged teeth or implants to replace seriously worn or missing teeth.

Jaw Surgery
Due to the invasive nature of the procedure, jaw surgery is recommended only in the most severe cases of TMJ dysfunction and when all other alternatives have been exhausted. As this treatment cannot be reversed once started, our TMJ dental specialist strongly recommends trying all other conservative options prior to referring patients for surgery.

Treating TMJ in Wellesley
If you are experiencing jaw pain, headaches, facial pain, jaw clicking or locking, and difficulty performing basic oral function, we encourage you to contact our Wellesley dental team today. TMJ specialist Dr. Murad Padamsee has over 30 years of experience providing patients like yourself with conservative, highly successful treatment solutions. To learn more about TMJ, common symptoms, and treatment options, contact our team today.

Did you know Apples can clean your teeth when a toothbrush isn’t handy?

We've all heard the expression "an apple a day keeps the doctor away." But perhaps that should be changed to dentist. In addition to being good for your health, apples are also quite good for your teeth. In fact, if you find yourself without a toothbrush, an apple can fill in nicely.

Apples actually act like toothbrushes because of their fiber-rich flesh. This works like a scrub on not only your teeth, but your tongue and gums as well. An apple can also help remove food particles that are hiding out between your teeth and sticking to your gums.

As well as cleaning your teeth, because they are mildly acidic and slightly astringent, apples can also help get rid of plaque and stains. On top of that, apples can freshen breath. Is there nothing this super fruit can't do? The next time you have an after lunch meeting and forgot your toothbrush, head down to the cafeteria and grab an apple instead.

Just another reason to drink wine!

Wine lovers everywhere, rejoice! Already known for its health benefits, research shows red wine protects against cavities, too! A recent study published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry explores the effect a selection of red wines and grape-seed extract has on communities of disease-causing bacteria, called biofilms. Biofilms erode the teeth causing gum disease. Gum disease is a result of the build up of plaque and tartar on the teeth, and in the soft tissue of the gums – pockets of infection cause inflammation and discomfort and pain. But some treatments can be abrasive, and side effects of some mouthwashes include discoloration of the gums, and altering taste.

In order to understand how effective red wine is in preventing the growth of biofilm, researchers developed a biofilm model of plaque that combined five types of bacteria most commonly found in gum disease and tooth decay. The biofilm cultures were then dipped in numerous varieties of wine – with and without alcohol – for a couple of minutes. The results showed that all red wine and red wine containing grape seed extract were more likely to get rid of the bacteria. Of course, the study wasn't designed with excessive drinking in mind; everything in moderation! Rather, as the researchers said, "these findings contribute to existing knowledge about the beneficial effect of red wines (one of the most important products of agriculture and food industries) on human health." We'll drink to that – cheers!