7 Things Your Teeth Say About Your Health

7 Things Your Teeth Say About Your Health

Taking care of your teeth during pregnancy

It is very important to take care of your teeth and your gums during pregnancy. The hormones that are helping your baby grow can sometimes cause havoc for your teeth. Watch this video from WebMD... http://www.webmd.com/video/eddleman-dental-hygiene-during-pregnancy

The truth about that sneeze thanks to Mythbusters on the Discovery Channel

You are on an elevator and the person next to you sneezes. If they cover the sneeze with their hand, then there is no way you will get sick, right? Wrong!! Check out this amazing video on Mythbusters by the Discovery Channel. http://dsc.discovery.com/videos/mythbusters-flu-fiction/ It compares covering a sneeze with a hand, a handkerchief, or an elbow. It is amazing to find out the results. Watch for yourself to help protect the people around you this flu season.

Do you have the smile of Scottsdale?

Do you have the Smile of Scottsdale? At Scottsdale Dental Arts, Dr. McCargar and his staff are providing a free smile makeover. Tell us why you should be chosen to have the smile of Scottsdale in 250 words or less. How would improving your smile improve your life? Entry details and competition rules available at: www.ScottsdaleDentalArts.com

Complete Smile Makeover courtesy of Scottsdale Dental Arts and Kierland Smile Design.

Ask the Dentist about Dry Mouth

How do I treat this dry mouth?

The first step in treating dry mouth is determining the cause. Are you taking any of the following medications? Tricyclics, SSRIs, clonidine, antihistamines, oxybutynin, or any other anticholinergics? If you answered yes, then discuss with the doctor that prescribed the medicine if it is possible for you to stop the medicine, switch to another, or possibly lower the dose. (Please note we do not recommend you stop any medication without your doctor's permission.) If you answered that you do not use the above medications, then do you use caffeine, or tobacco, or drink alcohol? If you answer yes, then start decreasing the amount that you use. If you use tobacco there are solutions for breaking that bad habit. If you still answered no to the above, then other culprits can be poor diabetes control, cancer radiation, or an autoimmune disease called Sjogren's syndrome.

The second step is finding a treatment that helps. Swishing water in the mouth frequently and using a humidifier at night is a great place to start. Sugarless hard candy or gum can also help to stimulate saliva. (Check the ingredients and choose sugar-free candy containing xylitol which studies show may actually help to prevent cavities). These stimulants will only work if your salivary glands are working properly. If they are not working properly, then you will need to use a saliva substitute, such as Biotene Gel, or Mouth Kote.

"Treat" your teeth this Halloween

Halloween is around the corner, which for most children means bags of free candy and a chance to build up the stockpile of sweets for the winter. Being one of the most fun times of the year for families, Halloween can also present parents with a variety of health and safety challenges.

The American Dental Association, America's premier source of oral health information, has prepared a list of 10 suggestions to help parents maintain good oral health for their children around the Halloween holiday and throughout the year.

1. Consume Halloween candy and other sugary foods with meals.
Saliva production increases during meals and helps neutralize acids produced by bacteria in your mouth and helps rinse away food particles.

2. Avoid hard candy and other sweets that stay in your mouth for a long time.
Besides how often you snack, the length of time food is in your mouth plays a role in tooth decay. Unless it is a sugar-free product, candies that stay in the mouth for a long period of time subject teeth to prolonged acid attack, increasing the risk for tooth decay.

3. Avoid sticky candies that cling to your teeth.
The stickier candies, like taffy and gummy bears, take longer to get washed away by saliva, increasing the risk for tooth decay.

4. Drink more water.
Consuming optimally fluoridated water can help prevent tooth decay. If you choose bottled water, check the label for the fluoride content.

5. Maintain a healthy diet and make sure the meals you eat are nutritious.
Your body is like a complex machine. The foods you choose as fuel and how often you "fill up" affect your general health and that of your teeth and gums.

6. Avoid beverages with added sugar such as soda, sports drinks or flavored waters.
When teeth come in frequent contact with beverages that contain sugar, the risk of tooth decay is increased.

7. Chew gum that has the ADA Seal.
Chewing sugarless gum for 20 minutes after meals has been shown to reduce tooth decay, because increased saliva flow helps wash out food and neutralize the acid produced by dental plaque bacteria.

8. Brush your teeth twice a day with an ADA-accepted fluoride toothpaste.
Replace your toothbrush every three or four months, or sooner if the bristles are frayed. A worn toothbrush won't do a good job of cleaning your teeth.

9. Clean between teeth daily with floss or an interdental cleaner.
Decay-causing bacteria still linger between teeth where toothbrush bristles can't reach. Flossing helps remove plaque and food particles from between the teeth and under the gum line.

10. Visit an ADA-member dentist for more information on maintaining your oral health. Dr. Jason McCargar is an ADA-member dentist in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Dr. Oz's Ultimate Stress Checklist

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Getting a Flu Shot lowers Heart Attack Risk

By Marrecca Fiore

A new study from the United Kingdom finds that getting a flu shot in the fall can prevent the onset of a first heart attack by an average of 19 percent.

The study, published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal, suggests a link between influenza, pneumonia and heart attacks, as heart attacks typically increase during the winter months. Because of this, researchers believe getting vaccinated against the flu in the early fall may prevent the increase of heart attacks during the winter months.

U.K. researchers looked at 78,706 patients ages 40 and older from 379 family doctor practices in England and Wales. Of the patients, 16,012 had heart attacks, 8,472 of which had been vaccinated. The researchers found that having an influenza vaccination within the past year was associated with a significantly reduced rate of having a heart attack.

Early vaccination, between September and Mid-November, was associated with the highest reduction rate, about 21 percent. Late vaccination reduced the risk by 12 percent.

"Our findings reinforce current recommendations for annual influenza vaccination of target groups, with a potential added benefit for prevention of acute myocardial infarction in those without established cardiovascular disease," writes Dr. Niroshan Siriwardena, University of Lincoln, United Kingdom with coauthors Stella Gwini and Carol Coupland, in the study. "This benefit may lead to an increase in suboptimal rates of vaccination, particularly among younger patients."

The researchers adjusted their findings for bias because people at risk for heart attacks were more likely to get flu shots than those not at risk.

They concluded that if similar studies also find that the flu shot prevents heart attacks, it could lead to a change in recommendations for timing and indications for the vaccination.

A smile makeover that delivers confidence!

Meet Merranda, she is an actual patient that recently had a smile makeover. Dr. Jason McCargar helped Merranda gain more confidence in her smile by giving her new veneers. At Scottsdale Dental Arts we feel that Merranda is now the poster child for what a natural, beautiful, healthy smile should look like. We specialize in cosmetic and general dentistry, so whatever your need is we are able to help. Give our office a call today to schedule a consulation with Dr. McCargar.

Scottsdale Dental Arts has updated the website!

At Scottsdale Dental Arts we strive to provide you with exceptional service. Our motto is "making people smile." We want every aspect of your dental experience to be comfortable and enjoyable. That is why we have updated our website. Check it out! http://www.scottsdaledentalarts.com/

We offer a range of dental services including family dentistry and cosmetic dentistry. The Scottsdale, Arizona, cosmetic dentist delivers patient-specific smile makeovers, but his sense of humor is just as likely to produce a gleaming grin. “Helping people relax is always a priority,” says Dr. McCargar. “Our patients enjoy our homelike atmosphere where they are respected as if they are members of our own families.”

Right now in honor of our updated website we are offering special coupons. Check out: http://www.scottsdaledentalarts.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/Microsoft-Word-Website-Coupons.pdf to print yours today! We are conveniently located just of the 101 and Shea. Come in and visit us today.

Makeover your smile

Every six months you routinely go to your dental appointment to maintain a healthy smile. But, did you realize your dentist can also help to make you look younger? Discoloration on your teeth is a telltale sign of your age. Yellow stains on your teeth can occur from smoking, drinking coffee, drinking tea, and drinking red wine. The yellowing of your teeth begins to occur in your twenties and progressively increases each decade of life. Sometimes with advancing age teeth can also naturally start turning a shade of gray. This grayish discoloration is often due to receding nerves in the teeth that deprive the teeth of nourishment and cause them to turn brittle and gray.

You can look years younger in just one hour at the dentist. In Scottsdale Arizona, Dr. Jason McCargar uses Zoom! Whitening. This whitening method coats the teeth in a hydrogen preoxide solution, and then a heatless light is shone onto the teeth activating the bleaching action. The dentist will replace the hydrogen peroxide solution on the teeth every 15 minutes until the desired degree of white is achieved. Some offices will offer discounts to new patients or if you refer them a new patient, so be sure to ask your dentist about this service. If you just need your teeth whitened a few shades Crest White Strips are an effective and safe over-the-counter alternative for you to use at home. The clear strip is placed onto the teeth and worn for about 15 to 30 minutes. After wearing the strips daily for about two weeks your teeth will be noticeable whiter.

The dental aisle break down

The dental aisle can at times be intimidating. With so many choices, how do you know that you are choosing the right toothpaste?

First of all, the toothpaste must contain fluoride. According to the Academy of General Dentistry, brushing with a toothpaste containing fluoride decreases your risk of tooth decay by as much as 40 percent. There are other generic brands and organic brands that may claim to clean or whiten teeth just as good as the brand names, but if they do not contain fluoride, then they are not worth the money. Look for the ADA (American Dental Association) seal of approval. Only the products that have the seal of the ADA have undergone scientific research to determine they are safe and effective for use on your teeth. The ADA has approved over 50 different kinds of toothpaste, so it should be easy to find one that is within your budget and that your taste buds will approve of.

Many people are also overwhelmed by the additional ingredients in the toothpaste. To make the toothpaste foam the manufacturers put a product into it called sodium lauryl sulfate. If you are prone to canker sores sodium lauryl sulfate may be the culprit. Try choosing a toothpaste that has less of it like Colgate original or try Tom’s Natural toothpaste which does not contain this ingredient at all. Other manufacturers add thickening agents such as seaweed colloids, mineral colloids, and natural gums. All of these products are safe and effective and help to give the toothpaste the consistency that you are used to. If you are looking for whiter teeth, then Crest and Colgate both make really good whitening toothpastes. These toothpastes contain mild abrasives that help to remove surface stains on your teeth (like baking soda). With repeated daily use you will see a whiter smile; however, it will not get your teeth as white as your dentist can get them using bleaching agents. The commercials that you have seen claiming that foaming toothpastes work better than normal pastes or gels are not exactly accurate either. Some people do prefer the foaming toothpastes, but it is more of a personal preference, which only you can decide through trial and error. There are also toothpastes for people with sensitive teeth. Sensodyne is a great toothpaste to help decrease the sensitivity of teeth to hot or cold.

Next, how much toothpaste you put on your toothbrush is also important. A brush that is overflowing with toothpaste is not going to clean your teeth any better. It is recommended that you apply only a pea-sized amount of toothpaste to the toothbrush. Also, no matter what brand of toothpaste you use, if you are brushing incorrectly, then debris will never properly be removed from your teeth. Dr. Jason McCargar, a Scottsdale dentist, says “to brush properly, it is important to move the brush in small circles and to hold the brush at a 45 degree angle. Doing this ensures that the bristles get in between the teeth and that the bristles also effectively clean out plaque at the gumline. It is recommended that you brush for about two minutes.”

So, next time you are in the dental aisle wondering which toothpaste to choose, use our flow chart to help pick. (click to enlarge)

Do these genes make my teeth look unhealthy?

DNA contains the genetic instructions used in the development and functioning of all known living organisms. These genetic instructions are the genes that have been passed down to you by your parents. Your genes determine your height, your hair color, your eye color, and your body shape. But, did you know that genes may also play a role in gingivitis?

Researchers from the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill and Procter & Gamble Oral Care have identified more than 9,000 genes (approximately 30% of the human genome) that are expressed differently during the onset and healing process of gingivitis. Gingivitis, which literally means inflammation of the gum tissue, is part of an immune response to bacteria. Bacterium is found in plaque-buildup on and around your teeth. Even though the area of plaque may be small the bacteria release large amounts of endotoxins. The endotoxins cause the gum tissue to become swollen, red, and inflamed. Due to the swelling the cells inside the gum tissue do not receive enough oxygen; to compensate for this lack of oxygen the cells trigger the body to produce additional capillaries near to the surface of the gums. More capillaries forming on the surface of the gums means easier bleeding when you brush or floss. This whole inflammatory process is activated by your immune system to fight the bacteria. The research team found that the specific gene expression pathways associated with stopping the plaque overgrowth and bacteria are the same as those involved in wound healing and skin repair.


The study's main author, Steven Offenbacher, DDS, PhD, is quoted as saying, "The study's findings demonstrate that clinical symptoms of gingivitis reflect complicated changes in cellular and molecular processes within the body. Understanding the thousands of individual genes and multiple systems involved in gingivitis will help explain exactly what is occurring in a person's body at the onset of the disease and how it relates to their overall health." By studying the genes and the pathways that result in gingivitis it may be possible in the future to develop new medicines that may help to prevent gingivitis. Traditionally, gingivitis has been attributed to poor oral health habits; however, with this new clinical research it may be possible to prevent and fight gingivitis using a person’s specific genes.

Dr. Jason McCargar, DMD a Scottsdale Dentist says, “While these results are promising for the future of dentistry, the most important way to treat gingivitis is to prevent it.” Currently, gingivitis can be very difficult to treat. The focus of the treatment is to remove the causative agent, the bacteria. Periodontal scaling, antibiotics, antiseptic mouthwashes, and gum surgery are just a few examples of treatment options. Gingivitis can easily progress beyond just inflammation of the gums and can infect bone tissue of the jaw. Complications of gingivitis include recurring infection, bone loss, tooth loss, and periodontitis. Dr. McCargar stresses that regular oral hygiene appointments every 6 months, and brushing and flossing twice daily helps to remove bacteria-causing plaque, keeps your teeth and your gums healthy, and helps to prevent gingivitis.

Will your teeth flunk out of school this semester?

College students have a higher incidence of tooth decay than some other age groups according to research. The tooth decay in this age group is likely caused by nutritional choices and acid erosion. College is difficult and stressful. Students cram late into the night studying for tests, then wake up early each day for class. This schedule causes students to choose sodas, coffee, chips, starchy foods like pizza or pasta, and sports drinks. This on-the-run nutrition contains acids and sugars that can deplete the tooth of needed minerals to stay healthy. Without the protective minerals your teeth can become weak and vulnerable to decay.

So, don't let your teeth flunk out of college. There are many ways to improve the health of your teeth and your nutritional habits. Every once in awhile, substitute water for your soda or coffee. Eat carrots or other crunchy vegetables instead of chips for a snack. (Studies show the rigidity of the vegetables can actually help to scrape off some plaque as you chew). It is fine to have sweets in moderation, but try to chew a gum containing xylitol (Trident) immediately after to help prevent decay-causing bacteria. It takes less than 5 minutes to brush and floss, so make sure you are doing this morning and night. Even if you are far from home, you should still see a dentist twice yearly for a cleaning and an exam. Often your campus health office will have a licensed dental hygienist or a dental hygiene student who can clean your teeth for a lesser cost if you do not have insurance. Dr. McCargar, a dentist in Scottsdale, Arizona says, "Remember, you are studying hard to better your mind and your life. Don't sabotage your health and your teeth by neglecting them. You will want to make a good first impression at your first job interview after graduation!"

Ask the Dentist: How often do I need X-Rays?

As a society we are taught that radiation is scary and bad. That it can cause cancer. We have seen the three-eyed fish exposed to nuclear waste on the Simpsons and watched as an ordinary man was bit by a radioactive spider and turned into Spiderman. But, are you aware at how beneficial radiation can be? X-rays are a type of radiation that help to diagnose bone disease, bone loss, infections in the root of the tooth, abscesses, cysts, unseen decay between teeth and sometimes even tumors.

When an x-ray is taken of your tooth, the film is the small square that is placed on the tongue-side of the tooth. The camera is then aimed at the tooth that will be imaged and a picture is taken. The act of the "picture" is really a small amount of radiation that leaves the camera in the form of a gamma ray, it cannot pass through thick material such as a tooth. So, the image left on the film only shows dark areas where the rays passed through air or your skin to react on the film. The rays can pass through cavities or cracks in your teeth (because these areas are mostly air) and these will show up as small, dark, cloudy areas on the film as well. Your dentist has many years of schooling to determine how to read the radiograph and to look for areas of the tooth that appear darker or cloudy.

Dr. McCargar at Scottsdale Dental Arts says, "The need for x-rays is dependent on the patient's particular situation. Patients with high risk factors for decay might require x-rays every 6 months during their cleaning and exam. High risk factors include dry mouth, recent decay, or gum disease. Patients with low risk factors for decay might require an x-ray every 12 to 24 months." Often dental insurance does not cover x-rays more frequently than every 12 months.

This small amount of radiation that you receive during an x-ray is not dangerous or hazardous for your health. High speed films and lead apron shields allow dentists to take a complete oral series with exposure 800 times lower than a chest x-ray. Digital dental x-ray systems further reduce exposure by 50 percent.

Is your morning tea helping to fight cavities?

http://www.newbeauty.com/dailybeauty/entry.aspx?id=3677
You probably get most of your cavity-preventing fluoride from toothpaste and tap water—unless you're a fan of black tea. Previous estimates of the fluoride level in this popular breakfast brew have been miscalculated, according to recent research.

Past studies have used a measuring technique that determined black tea's fluoride to be between one and five milligrams per liter. However, Dr. Gary Whitford, professor at the Medical College of Georgia's School of Dentistry, used a new method of analysis that revealed black tea could contain as much as nine milligrams per liter.

The average American ingests approximately two or three milligrams of fluoride every day.

Although this is good news for the moderate tea drinker, it could spell danger for constant consumers of black tea. Excessive fluoride can lead to skeletal fluorosis, a painful bone disease. However, sufferers whose diagnoses have been linked to black tea are believed to have drunk over a gallon of it every day for more than a decade.

If you decide to up your black tea intake to help protect your teeth, you may also want to consider incorporating a whitening toothpaste or treatment into your dental hygiene routine, as it's one of the biggest staining culprits.

American Idol contestant is smiling a little bigger

Crystal Bowersox, the American Idol contestant, has a lot to smile about. She is currently on tour with other American Idol contestants and she just had a smile makeover.

Bowersox had previously turned down a public offer for a smile makeover earlier in the year. "I had turned down an offer that I thought was very rude," Bowersox, 24, says. "There was a dentist that made a public offer -- he didn't contact me personally, and so I turned him down publicly. It's not that I didn't want to do it. I've always wanted to do it... I had braces when I was young and I couldn't afford to finish treatment." She said in a "Good Morning America" interview.

The singer says that it has helped her confidence. "I'm smiling with pure confidence for the first time in my life," she said. "And it's a good thing."

As a cosmetic dentist in Scottsdale, Arizona Dr. Jason McCargar has seen what a smile makeover can do to help one's self-esteem. "Having undergone an extensive smile makeover myself, I understand the feeling of satisfaction that is gained with the end product."

The Perfect Day Starts with the Perfect Smile

We would like you to meet one of our patients. Her name is Theresa. Theresa came to Scottsdale Dental Arts because she was unhappy with her current smile. She was getting married and wanted the perfect smile for her wedding day. Dr. McCargar replaced her bridge and also did several crowns for Theresa. Next, we whitened her teeth with Zoom! She also went home with an at-home whitening kit to maintain her perfect smile. If you are getting married soon and want to have that picture perfect smile, then give us a call to discuss your options.

Forget Botox. Floss your teeth

by: Lisa Zamosky
msnbc.com contributor
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/37692310/ns/health-skin_and_beauty/
June 18, 2010

If you're like most of us, your dental hygienist scolds you every six months for not flossing. You hear the warnings that sticky plaque tucked between your teeth can lead to gum disease and health problems, but still you have trouble squeezing it into your daily routine.

But here’s some news that may inspire you to remember: Flossing your teeth, experts say, may do more to fight the effects of aging — at least over the long-term — than plastic surgery.

If you’re not flossing every day, you’re leaving 40 percent of your teeth surfaces dirty — coated with gummy bacteria — and that causes staining and yellowing between and around teeth, explains Dr. Eugene Antenucci, a dentist in Huntington, N.Y., and spokesperson for the Academy of General Dentistry.

An overgrowth of plaque can also lead to gingivitis, the first stage of gum disease, which creates inflammation, bleeding and tenderness in gum tissue that can lead to gum recession and bone loss.

“You register an older look because you see more spaces, less and uneven gum tissue,” according to Antenucci. Hence the quaint term for aging, “long in the tooth.”

And matters can get even worse. Gum disease can eventually cause the bones underneath to dissolve away, explains Dr. Donald S. Clem, a dentist in Fullerton, Calif.

“When gum disease begins to eat away at the bone, there are changes in facial appearance. Once a tooth is lost the bone has no reason to be there,” says Clem, who is also president-elect of the American Academy of Periodontology Foundation. “In later stages of periodontal disease we would see disfigurement in terms of caving in of the lips and cheek and wrinkles around the lips and cheeks.”

And don’t count on plastic surgery to save the day. In a recent study in the journal Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, researchers found that bone loss in the jaw, as well as the eye sockets and cheeks, aged people in ways that cosmetic procedures that tighten and plump the skin, can’t fix.

“Even if tooth replacement is considered after a tooth is lost, there might not be enough bone left to place an implant in the most aesthetically desirable place,” says Dr. Laura Torrado, a cosmetic dentist in New York City.

Flossing won’t give you the immediate gratification of Botox or Restylane, Antenucci acknowledges. But who really care if you’ve got smile lines when you’re missing teeth?

Dry Mouth

In dry mouth little or no saliva is present to help break down food. It can cause food to taste bland and therefore people will often add more salt or sugar which can increase disease risk for diabetes and hypertension. Dry mouth can also create an environment that bacteria thrive in. Bacteria in the mouth can cause cavities, gum disease, and bad breath. There are treatment options for dry mouth and ways to prevent it.

Dry mouth, also known as xerostomia, can be caused by certain medications. Common medications that cause this are: anticholinergics (ie: dicyclomine, Atrovent®), antihistamines (ie: diphenhydramine, Claritin®), and tricyclics (amitriptyline, nortriptyline). {We have a complete list of medications in a past April, 14 2009 article: http://makingpeoplesmile.blogspot.com/2009/04/medications-that-can-cause-dry-mouth.html} Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you have dry mouth and you are taking one of these medications.

Discontinuing the medication that is causing dry mouth will often result in the cessation of the dry mouth. However, a medication should never be discontinued without your doctor approving it first. If your doctor recommends that you should continue taking one of the medications that is causing dry mouth there are over-the-counter treatment options to help with the dry mouth. There are 3 different types of products to help treat dry mouth. The first products work quickly and are portable for relief on-the-go. There are gels, liquids, and sprays to sooth the dry mouth quickly. The second type of product is to help prevent the dry mouth by daily cleaning. Biotene makes mouthwashes and toothpastes specifically designed for people with dry mouth. The third type of product helps to stimulate salivary flow throughout the day in a gum.

Dr. McCargar, a dentist at Scottsdale Dental Arts, states that Biotene is a product he frequently recommends to patients that suffer from dry mouth. "Often, by using a series of the Biotene products, patients see improved salivary production and decreased dry mouth." Dr. McCargar also stresses that if you are experiencing dry mouth not to ignore it because it can be causing other more serious health problems.

The Super Tooth

Researchers at the Tel Aviv Univeristy School of Mechanical Engineering, the National Institute of Standards and Technology, and George Washington University have been studying what makes the human tooth so resilient. The researchers discovered that tooth enamel owes its strength to a network of micro-cracks that diffuse pressure and stress. The structural make-up of the enamel is wavy and arranged in several layers. This structure makes is strong because it does not allow a clear pathway for pressure to break down the tooth. The pressure instead is spread out over the entire tooth due to the network of layers and wavy patterns. The research was originally planned to be used in composing a newer generation of stronger and lighter aircraft. The researchers are trying to develop a new aircraft composite material to replicate the tooth structure. Currently, aircraft uses cmoposite materials made from layers of glass or carbon fibers held together in a single layer grid matrix. The researchers are also now studying ways to replicate this matrix for the use in dentistry to create stronger crowns and dental materials.

Scottsdale Dental Arts: Our New Logo

Recent Removal of some Denture Creams from Market

Approximately 1 out of every 10 denture wearers uses a denture cream or adhesive. Many of these products contain zinc to help improve their holding power. Recent case reports in people who have used excessive amounts of denture creams containing zinc for long periods of time are showing an increased risk of zinc toxicity. Zinc toxicity can present itself as numbness, tiredness, weakness, difficulty with balance or walking, or anemia. Due to this hazardous potential many manufacturers have removed the zinc-containing denture adhesives from the market and replaced them with zinc-free versions.

The manufacturer of Poligrip has voluntarily changed their products to now contain zinc-free versions. When shopping for a denture adhesive look for the packaging to say zinc-free. If it does not say zinc-free then it still may have zinc in the product. Because the FDA considers denture adhesives to be a medical device, manufacturers do not have to list every ingredient that the product contains. For example, Fixodent has one zinc-free formulation. The other products made by Fixodent contain less than 4% zinc, which is nearly half of what the old Poligrip products contained.

If you have been using a denture cream that contains zinc there is no need to worry as long as you have been using it according to the package directions. Realistically, one 68 gram tube should last 8 to 10 weeks. Dr. McCargar at Scottsdale Dental Arts recommends "dabbing a small amount of cream onto the denture to avoid oozing. You should only apply the adhesive once per day. A good rule of thumb to assure that you are not applying too much is the amount that is squeezed out of the tube should not be longer than the distance between the second joint in your finger and your fingertip." If your denture does not fit properly and you find yourself using more than this amount, then consult with your dentist about getting it properly adjusted. If you continue to use excessive amounts of denture cream containing zinc it is possible to experience the symptoms of zinc toxicity in which case you should contact your doctor right away.

So my gums bleed a little, is it really that serious?

Do you think it is ok if your hands bleed when you wash them? Of course not, so why do you think it is ok if your gums bleed when you brush or floss. If your gums bleed when you brush or floss, it is serious. Bleeding allows bacteria and their toxins to easily pass into your body. Bacteria in your blood stream can make you sick.

Your gums are not bleeding because you are brushing or flossing to hard either. Healthy gums do not bleed when they come into contact with floss or with the bristles of a tooth brush. The bleeding is caused because the body is making additional capillaries. The capillaries are forming near to the surface of the gums because oxygen molecules are having a difficult time reaching the cells deeper within the gums. The cells within the gums are not getting enough oxygen because of swelling. The swelling of the gums is due to an immune response trying to kill bacteria that is dumping waste. The bacteria is attached to plaque located on your teeth. Your gums are bleeding because of bacteria inside of your mouth.

Dr. McCargar, a Scottsdale Family Dentist says "After reading this article, I hope that the next time you see blood in the sink, you will know that it is serious. Contact your dentist for an appointment. Clinical studies show that people with gum infections (periodontitis) have an increased risk of heart disease, diabetes, and other chronic inflammatory conditions." (See our blog article from 07/21/2009: The Link between Dental Care and Diabetes)

50 Secrets From Real Dentists

by Reader's Digest Magazine, on Tue Apr 13, 2010 7:55am PDT
By Chris Woolston

Dentists from across the country tell us what they're really thinking as they peer at our teeth.

Do you floss about as often as you flip your mattress? Do you spend more time putting toothpaste on your brush than actually cleaning your teeth? Dentists notice these things. And that's not all. They also know when you're asking for a procedure that's going to disappoint you and when insurance companies are stinting on the care your smile needs. We asked 22 dentists from across the country to tell us what they're really thinking as they peer at our teeth. What came out of their mouths will change the way you treat yours.

You Don't Get It
Some truly educated people think that if nothing in their mouth hurts, they're fine. High cholesterol doesn't hurt, either, but it's a big problem. I honestly think that the general population doesn't understand that their mouth is part of their body.
-- Danine Fresch Gray, DDS, general dentist, Arlington, Virginia

If your hands bled when you washed them, you'd run to the doctor. But in the public's mind, bleeding gums are okay. Unless you're really whaling away with your brush, if your gums bleed even a little, that's periodontal disease, period.
-- Ron Schefdore, DMD, general dentist, Chicago, Illinois

The advice to see your dentist twice a year applies only if you have healthy gums. Most people don't.
-- Chris Kammer, DDS, cosmetic dentist, Middleton, Wisconsin

Many of my patients have periodontal disease affecting their back teeth, but their front teeth are fine. Evidently, they brush only what others see.
-- Joel Slaven, DDS, general dentist, Valencia, California

Dentists often tell patients with advanced gum disease to floss more often. But flossing is useless at that point. Imagine trying to clean out the bottom of a shirt pocket with a piece of string tied to your fingers.
-- Reid Winick, DDS, holistic dentist, New York, New York

People come to me with a mouthful of tooth decay and say, "I got my grandfather's soft teeth." I don't even know what soft teeth are.
-- Bryan Tervo, DDS, expert at JustAnswer.com

When someone meets you for the first time, the first thing they notice is eyes. Second is teeth, and third is hair. But people spend way more money on their hair than their teeth.
-- Damian Dachowski, DMD, general dentist, Horsham, Pennsylvania

Proper oral hygiene requires ten minutes of brushing and flossing every day. The average adult spends two or three minutes total, and kids do even worse.
-- Joel Slaven, DDS

Our Noses Still Work
People who smoke try to cover it up with mints or mouthwash, but that stench is steeped into their gum tissue and the tissues in their mouth.
-- Jennifer Jablow, DDS, cosmetic dentist, New York, New York

Brushing doesn't go deep enough into the gums to reach the plaque that causes bad breath. You need to floss every day and get a cleaning every few months. If you do all that and still have bad breath, I start looking into diet and checking for health problems.
-- Ned Windmiller, DDS, general dentist, Stillwater, Minnesota

A mouthwash with alcohol dries out your mouth -- you'll smell nice and minty for a half hour, but then the bad breath comes back worse than ever.
-- Gary Herskovits, DDS

If your breath is bad, we won't tell you unless you ask.
-- Gary Herskovits, DDS, family dentist, Brooklyn, New York

"New and Improved"? Yeah, Right
There's no reason to sanitize a toothbrush unless you're sharing it with other people. Those UV devices and other germ zappers are totally unnecessary.
-- Joel Slaven, DDS

There's a limit to what toothpaste can do. New whitening formula? It can get rid of surface stains, but it can't whiten like a bleach.
-- Careen Young, DDS, prosthodontist, Beverly Hills, California

The electric toothbrush is one of the best things to ever happen to dentistry. The newer ones replicate professional cleaning -- they won't reach much below the gum line, but they're far superior to regular toothbrushes. The cheap ones are okay for kids, but you'll have to pay more than $75 for a really good brush with a warranty and replacement heads.
-- Danine Fresch Gray, DDS

I wish people still used the Waterpik [a water-shooting device that was popular in the 1970s]. Each tooth is surrounded by a putrid, germy moat of saliva. If you replace that moat every day, you'll go a long way toward keeping your mouth clean and your gums healthy.
-- Chris Kammer, DDS

We Blame You When Baby Teeth Go Bad
It's not unusual for me to see a beautiful little child dressed to the nines with teeth rotted down to the gums. And I'll see teenagers from affluent homes with nine cavities. It's just a total breakdown in parental supervision.
-- Joel Slaven, DDS

For the past 20 years, we've been telling parents about baby bottle tooth decay and not to let a child go to sleep with a bottle. But I haven't seen much of a change.
-- Winifred J. Booker, DDS, pediatric dentist, Owings Mills, Maryland

The bacteria that cause cavities can be spread from mother to baby through saliva. If you have poor dental health and you taste your baby's food and then pop the same spoon into his mouth, you're putting him at risk.
-- Mark Helpin, DMD, pediatric dentist, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Kids with dental problems often struggle in school. They're distracted and easily agitated. Teachers will say they have behavior problems, but they really have toothaches.
-- Winifred J. Booker, DDS

I have to extract a lot of baby teeth that are abscessed or heavily decayed. Parents think there's no reason to pay attention to baby teeth because they fall out. But when a tooth comes out prematurely, other teeth crowd in to fill up the space. Without the right treatment, it turns into a mess.
-- Paul Hettinger, DMD,general dentist, Orlando, Florida

I call soda pop the liquid chain saw. It cuts through teeth. And it's not just the sugar -- it's the acid.
-- Chris Kammer, DDS

Free Advice
If you want to reduce the bad bacteria in your mouth, you should be all over xylitol [a sugar substitute found in chewing gum]. It changes the chemistry of your mouth. Six or seven pieces of xylitol gum every day will help keep cavities away.
-- Chris Kammer, DDS

Some people give up on tooth whitening because the gel irritates their teeth and gums. Just use a fluoride rinse or gel before and after -- it'll make your teeth much less sensitive.
-- Ned Windmiller, DDS

With any kind of mouth piercing, there's a huge risk of infection if it's not done in a really sterile environment. I've seen cases where we've had to cut out pieces of the tongue because the infection was so rampant. Even when things go well, virtually everyone I see with a tongue piercing has chipped front teeth. Don't pierce your tongue.
-- Jay Grossman, DDS, cosmetic dentist, Brentwood, California

Quit Worrying
Amalgam [silver] fillings do release a small amount of mercury through wear and tear in the mouth. But you'd have to have about 300 fillings for the mercury level to get high enough to pose even the smallest risk.
-- Edmond Hewlett, DDS, prosthodontist, Los Angeles, California

Taking metal fillings out can release more mercury than leaving them in.
-- Brody Hildebrand, DDS, orthodontist, Dallas, Texas

Composite [tooth-colored] fillings are popular, but a metal filling is going to be more durable, especially for bigger jobs.
-- Brody Hildebrand, DDS

I have amalgam fillings in my own mouth. There's no proof that they do any harm. Convincing patients to remove their fillings for health reasons is quackery.
-- Michael Alkon, DMD, general dentist, Holmdel, New Jersey

A lot of patients are worried that dental X-rays can cause cancer, but if you're outside for an hour, you're exposed to more radiation than you'd get from a full set of dental X-rays. What I worry about is that if I don't take an X-ray, I might miss something serious.
-- Bryan Tervo, DDS

Your Teeth Can Alert Us to Disease
Misaligned teeth can cause migraine headaches. If we can align the teeth and fix the bite, the pain often goes away.
-- Mai-Ly Ramirez, DDS, general dentist, San Francisco, California

One of the first signs of diabetes is bleeding gums. I started taking blood samples from all my patients with bleeding gums and bone loss around the teeth and discovered that many of them were diabetic or prediabetic.
-- Ron Schefdore, DMD

We're Not Miracle Workers
Patients come in with pictures of celebrities and say, "I want to look just like her." I'm sitting there thinking, You can't have a smile that looks like Angelina Jolie's, because you don't have a face that fits those teeth. It's like when you get your hair color done -- you can't just put the same highlights or lowlights in everybody's hair.
-- Jay Grossman, DDS

Teeth get whiter when they dry out. Some dentists promise that their office procedures will make your teeth four shades whiter. But if you leave your mouth open for an hour, you could easily be two shades whiter just from dehydration.
-- Careen Young, DDS

If you bleach your teeth too often, it can thin the enamel. Your teeth can end up almost translucent.
-- Jennifer Jablow, DDS

We Feel Your Pain
People say something difficult is like pulling teeth. But pulling teeth is really fast and easy.
-- Mark Mutschler, DDS, pediatric dentist, Oregon City, Oregon

A study showed that tooth implants increase libido, probably because people feel much more confident without missing teeth or dentures sliding all over the place.
-- Jim Janakievski, DDS, periodontist, Tacoma, Washington

Many people without insurance don't go to a dentist until they're in a tragic situation. They could wind up needing $20,000 worth of work.
-- Paul Hettinger, DMD

When choosing a dentist, Check if the magazines in the waiting room are current. That shows attention to detail.
-- Michael Alkon, DMD

Don't eat a heavy garlic lunch before coming to see us -- we'd appreciate that.
-- Jennifer Jablow, DDS

Do you think your morning breath isn't that bad?

Bad breath can be from a combination of smelly foods like garlic. However, if you have chronic bad breath (halitosis) it is actually not from the food that you eat, but from from volatile sulfur compounds (VSC) in your mouth. The VSCs are actually a build-up of anaerobic bacteria in your mouth. The bacteria likes to live on your tongue, your gums, and crevices of your teeth that do not get much oxygen. The bacteria feeds off food that you eat and especially likes sugary products. As the bacteria utilizes the food into energy it releases sulfur as a by-product, which causes the smell. Not only does the bacteria produce bad breath, but it can also cause gum disease, tooth decay, dry mouth, and sinus problems.

Breath mints are not going to make the problem go away either. Mints may mask the problem for a few minutes, but as soon as the mint is gone the bad breath is back. The only way to fix the problem is to get rid of the bacteria. Dr. McCargar, a Scottdale dentist says, "Brush your teeth twice daily. Floss and a tongue scraper are the most likely ways to get rid of the problem bacteria on your tongue and your gums. Alcohol-based mouth washes can actually dry out the mouth more and make it more susceptible to bacteria, so choose an alcohol-free mouthwash like biotene." Dr. McCargar stresses that routine cleanings and proper oral hygiene can get you back on track to having kissable breath again.

Root Canal Treatment

Most adult teeth will last a lifetime. However, if a tooth becomes infected or injured it can be saved through root canal treatment. Years ago, the tooth would have been extracted. But, removing the tooth is not the best option now. When a tooth is removed and not replaced it can cause the other teeth to shift and become crooked or crowded. This can decrease chewing efficiency, and increase the risk of gum disease as it is more difficult to clean improperly aligned teeth. A replacement tooth (an implant or a bridge) is an option but is often much more expensive and more involved. Therefore, having a root canal can save the tooth, your smile, and your wallet.

If you have an untreated cracked tooh, a deep cavity, or a traumatic injury to a tooth it is likely that the enamel (the exterior portion of the tooth that is hard and lies on the exterior of the tooth - it also protects against cavities) has been compromised. This allows entrance of bacteria into the deeper levels of the tooth. The bacteria travels through the dentin (the hard tissue on the inside of the tooth that supports the outer layer of tooth enamel) and into the pulp. The pulp extends from the pulp chamber in the middle of the crown down each root to the tip that lies in the bone of the jaw. The infection is felt because there are tons of nerves inside the pulp that radiate to the brain signaling that something is wrong. Beyond the pain, often swelling and redness are symptoms that are experienced as well. Without treatment the bacteria can damage the bone that anchors the tooth to the jaw and can result in a bone infection that is difficult to treat.



So, to treat the tooth, the dentist will first administer local anesthesia. Then, the dentist will remove the infected part of the tooth all the way to the pulp. The pulp or its remnants are then removed carefully from both the pulp chamber and the root canal(s). Each root is cleaned and shaped to allow it to be filled. Medication is often placed in these areas to eliminate any bacteria. A temporary filling will be placed on the tooth while your permanent crown is being made. Most likely you will be sent home with a prescription for antibiotics. In the final step, the tooth will be fully restored by a crown or a filling. The purpose is to strengthen the tooth and improve its appearance.

Dr. McCargar says "Many people are very fearful of having a root canal done, but I assure you that it is a completely painless procedure. The most pain that one feels is due to the infection and once the infection is treated then so is the pain."

Are Dental Implants an Option for you?

Are you missing a tooth or perhaps several teeth? Did you think that a denture or a bridge was your only option to replace the missing teeth? Dental implants are also a viable option for people who are missing teeth and in good general health.

A missing tooth may cause you to feel self-conscious, but there are also health concerns too. If a missing tooth is not replaced, the surrounding teeth can shift. Harmful plaque and tartar can collect in new hard-to-reach places creating tooth decay and periodontal disease. Bone loss can occur in the region of the missing tooth. Missing teeth can affect the biting force of the remaining teeth. As the bite changes to compensate for the lost tooth, there is a risk of extra pressure and discomfort on the jaw joints, which may lead to temporomandibular disorder (TMD). Missing teeth can also affect your speech.


An implant is basically a type of screw that is placed into the jaw surgically to function as a sturdy anchor for the replacement teeth. The screw is made of titanium so it is compatible with the body. The implant process can take several months. First, the implant is surgically placed into the jaw and a screw is inserted into the implant to prevent gum tissue and other debris from entering. The gum is then secured over the implant, where it will remain covered for approximately three to six months while the implant fuses with the bone (osseointegration). It is likely that there will be swelling and tenderness. Next, after three to six months the implant is uncovered and the dentist attaches an extension (post) to the implant. The gum tissue is allowed to heal around the post. Some implants require a second surgery in which a post is attached to connect the replacement teeth. With other implants, the implant and post are one unit placed in the mouth during the initial surgery. Once healed, the implant and post can serve as the foundation for the new tooth. Finally, the dentist makes a custom artifical tooth (crown) to fit and blend with your other teeth. Once completed the crown is attached to the implant post.

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Regular dental visits afterwards are crucial to the life and long-term success of the implant. Dr. McCargar at Scottsdale Dental Arts says, "Disease or trauma can cause tooth loss, but there are options for restoring your smile." Dr. McCargar stresses that because implants require surgery not all patients are good candidates for implants, but he recommends that if you are interested in discussing your options to contact their Scottsdale dental office.

Benefits of Chocolate

A new study is adding more research to the recommendation that chocolate may actually reduce cardiac risk. According to the European Heart Journal, in a study of nearly 20,000 people over eight years, the people who ate on average six grams of chocolate per day (this is about equal to a small square of a chocolate bar) decreased their risk of a heart attack or stroke by nearly 40 percent.

Researchers and previous studies suggest that it is the flavonoids found in the dark chocolate that in small amounts may be good for you. Flavonoids are also found in fruits and vegetables, green tea, and red wine. It is suggested that the flavonoids benefit the body by acting as antioxidants and they may also help to relax or dilate certain blood vessels which can help to lower blood pressure.

Dr. McCargar at Scottsdale Dental Arts wants to warn patients about the study "eating large amounts of chocolate can lead to weight gain which is a major risk factor for heart problems, strokes, and diabetes... not to mention cavities." But, he does recognize the benefit of the study and the findings, "With Easter just around the corner, there will be plenty of chocolate in the house and with this added knowledge perhaps people will choose to eat the dark chocolate which has the most benefit according to this study. I think in moderation and with proper oral hygiene, chocolate can possibly be good for you and your heart."

Biomarkers for Pancreatic Cancer have been identified in saliva

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According to the March issue of Gastroenterology, researchers have discovered four biomarkers for pancreatic cancer in human saliva. This new development may save the lives of nearly 1 in 72 people in the U.S. According to the American Cancer Society, pancreatic cancer is now the fourth-leading cause of cancer death in the United States.

In the study, four biomarkers have been identified: KRAS, MBD3L2, ACRV1, and DPM1. These four biomarkers differentiated pancreatic cancer patients from non-cancer patients with 90 percent sensitivity and 95 percent specificity. The study was conducted in a relatively small population of 30 pancreatic cancer patients, 30 chronic pancreatitis patients and 30 healthy adult controls to compare the data.

Pancreatic cancer is one of the few cancers for which survival has not improved substantially over the past 30 years. Seventy-five percent of pancreatic cancer patients die within the first 12 months of diagnosis. Because of the anatomy of the pancreas, signs and symptoms of the cancer are not noticeable until the cancer has spread to other major organs of the body. Once the cancer is in several organs it is very difficult to treat. The importance of having an early diagnostic test would save over 35,000 of American's lives every year.

This rapid, chair-side, saliva test may just be performed at an upcoming dental visit. Dr. Jason McCargar, a Scottsdale Family and Cosmetic Dentist, says "There are already several important saliva tests that are available to improve your overall health. This important research will enhance medicine by delivering less invasive, more convenient testing methods for patients, and I would be very interested in offering this service if it meant one person was able to have their pancreatic cancer diagnosed early enough that treatment ended up being successful."


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A Smile so White Even Your Pearls will be Jealous

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See our lastest featured patient in Scottsdale Health Magazine. Laura, an actual patient of Dr. McCargar's completed Invisalign last year. This year after her general dentistry appointment and cleaning she asked for a take-home whitening kit, and we whitened her teeth 3 shades! Mention this blog article and receive a free in-office whitening after completing a cleaning, exam, and full series of x-rays.

9751 North 90th Place - Scottsdale, Arizona 85258 - 480/860-8282

Invisalign: The Clear Alternative to Braces

Invisalign is a safe, effective alternative to braces that allows you the same teeth-straightening procedure without any of the hassle and embarrassment of regular wire braces. Align Technology is the manufacturer of Inivsalign and have treated thousands of happy patients since their beginning in 1997. Invisalign not only helps you to achieve the smile that you’ve always dreamed of, but it often is less expensive and less time consuming. Dr. McCargar is a specialist trained in the use of the Invisalign technology. His goal is to make you smile during the alignment or correction process as well as after it is over.

Upon your first visit as a candidate for Invisalign, several pictures of your teeth and mouth will be taken in addition to a mold of your teeth. These are then sent to the Invisalign manufacturer, where they will turn the data into a 3-D computer image. During the second visit, you will see exactly what your teeth look like and you will be able to compare them to what they will look like after Invisalign. This is a huge benefit to be able to view the step-by-step treatment process and see the final product before treatment even begins. The manufacturer will then, complete a series of custom-made alignment trays (the invisible braces) that are made just for you. These will then be changed every two weeks during the course of treatment.

There are a multitude of advantages that Invisalign has over conventional braces. The first advantage is cost. The national average cost of Invisalign is $5,000, and some treatments can cost as little as $3,500 for less severe cases. The second advantage is that the trays can easily be removed for brushing, flossing, and eating, this in turn, helps to maintain proper oral hygiene (something that is very difficult with conventional braces). Next, there are no annoying wires or metals to rub on gums or lips, so Inivisalign is much more comfortable to wear. It also is safer for teens involved in sports because there is no risk of injury to the mouth.

If you or someone you know is not happy with their smile and is interested in a free consultation for Invisalign, please call our office today. We would be happy to schedule an appointment to meet with you to address your needs.

Are You Scared of the Dentist?

If you answered yes, I am scared of the dentist then you are with the majority of Americans. More than half of all people in the U.S. will never see a dentist for regular care, and the reason is they are scared. So, what is it that makes us so scared of the dentist? Is it the sound of the drill? Are we afraid that a cavity might be found? Are we afraid the hygienist will yell if we haven’t been flossing? Have we had a bad experience or heard of someone who has?

The answer to the question is, none of the above. Most people cannot tell you why they are scared of the dentist. The answer is usually, “Well, I just don’t like going.” Basically, we all saw “Little Shop of Horrors” and “Jaws” in the 80’s, and frankly we are just as afraid of sharks as we are of the dentist. You can thank Hollywood for that. We are afraid of something based on a story that we have heard or we have seen, not on actual experience, this is called vicarious learning.

So, just as we eventually gathered accurate information about the ocean to determine that it is safe to go back into the water, we also need to gather accurate information about the dentist. Knowledge is a powerful weapon. First, what degree would you rate your fear? Do you have mild anxiety before or during your appointment? Do you experience a high level of stress and emotional discomfort (manifesting as sweaty palms, nervousness, tears, etc.)? Or do you have a phobia: an intense fear so bad that you use avoidance to solve the problem? Secondly, think back to your personal history with the dentist. Why do you feel this particular level of stress specific to you?

Reasons for fearing the dentist could be fear of potential pain, fear of being scolded or judged about the condition of the mouth, teeth, or gums, or fear of loss of control during the treatment. Learning from why you have the fear can help us at Scottsdale Dental Arts to resolve it. For example, fear of potential pain helps to keep us safe and healthy. We have learned not to touch a hot stove because it will burn and harm us. Instinctively, we all know risky behaviors like jumping off a bridge will cause pain and harm thus, we avoid these behaviors. But, a regular check-up with the dentist may save you from having much more involved treatment down the road. A small filling is easier, quicker, and less painful than a root canal. So, in reality the risky behavior is waiting to see the dentist until you have pain instead of having routine exams.

In evaluation of the truth about pain and dentistry, it is concluded that most procedures are either completely painless or slightly uncomfortable. At Scottsdale Dental Arts, we want you to enjoy your dental experience. We have several benefits to make your experience more comfortable. Dr. McCargar offers sedative treatment options, and wants to work with you in choosing from a wide range of methods and medications that can help to alleviate anxiety, pain, and discomfort. At the dental office in Scottsdale we offer relaxing music, televisions in most rooms, and blankets if you are too cold. These are just some examples of ways that we care about your comfort.

Olympic medalist breaks tooth

The German Luger, David Moeller, may best be remembered after the 2010 Winter Olympic games as the guy who broke his tooth biting into his silver medal. "The photographers wanted us to bite into our medals at the presentation ceremony. And a corner of my front tooth broke off." Puns aside, Moeller did not hurt his molar only his front tooth. He immediately went to see a dentist to have the tooth fixed. "...because I want to have nice pictures and happy memories of my Olympic Games, I went to the dentist to get it repaired," he said.

Dr. Jason McCargar says that it is easy to break a tooth especially if biting into such a hard object. "The jaw exerts a tremendous amount of force upon biting, and when all that force is put onto one edge of a tooth, it is inevitable that something has to give," said the cosmetic dentist, based in Scottsdale. The 28 year old luger said that he did not feel any pain.

Who is the Phoenix Dentist of Tiger Woods?

The January 18, 2010 edition of US Weekly is reporting a new conspiracy theory about what happened between Tiger Woods and his wife Elin in the early morning hours after Thanksgiving. According to the article (as seen above) Elin "virtually knocked out two of his upper teeth and broke the bone on the upper right side of his face." The article goes on to say that "Tiger then made a secret trip to Phoenix to have his face reconstructed."

Dr. McCargar is not the Phoenix Cosmetic Dentist that treated Tiger Woods, however he explains that this type of trauma could require a lot of work.

"Trauma to the front teeth is similar to a car hitting a brick wall. Depending on the severity of the trauma, anything from root canals and porcelain crowns to complete replacement of the teeth with dental implants may be indicated," stated Dr McCargar.

After experiencing trauma it is critical to be evaluated immediately by a dentist. The teeth may have moved into a different position which can completely change the bite.

"Sometimes the teeth can manually be put back into their previous position in the arch. It depends on how far the teeth moved, and how soon the patient sees the dentist after the trauma has occurred," stated Dr McCargar, a cosmetic dentist with Scottsdale Dental Arts.

One of the worst things that can happen is for the roots to completely fracture. The long-term prognosis for a tooth with a fractured root can vary from questionable to hopeless, depending on the location and depth of the fracture.

Dr. McCargar has several years of dealing with trauma victims as he was a Phoenix Dentist at Banner Good Samaritan Hospital before going into private practice in Scottsdale. At the hospital Dr. McCargar treated emergency trauma patients after car accidents, bike accidents, and severe falls. He says, "It is so important after a person experiences a trauma, that their smile is similar to the old one and still comfortable, but much improved. We don't want to change the appearance too much because the person didn't elect to look different; however, it gives us the opportunity to act as artists and change aspects of the teeth that the person always wished looked better."

H1N1 Influenza Facts

If you think that the H1N1 virus is dying down this flu season think again. Just because you have not heard much about it in the media lately does not mean that you should not get your H1N1 flu vaccine. In fact, according to the Maricopa Department of Health, the cases of confirmed H1N1 have increased since last fall: 4,981 confirmed cases in Maricopa the week of October 25-31 versus 7,170 confirmed cases the week of January 24-30, and February is the peak of the flu season.

The H1N1 virus (also known as the "swine flu") is a new strain of the influenza virus. Because most of the population has not been exposed to a similar strain of the virus in the past, many people are not immune to this strain. Certain people are at a higher risk of developing serious complications if they are exposed to the virus and have not been vaccinated. While the CDC is encouraging all people to get vaccinated against the H1N1 virus, it is very important for people in the following groups to do so: anyone with respiratory illness, diabetes, or a heart condition, or anyone that is pregnant. The virus spreads when an infected person coughs or sneezes. These infected respiratory droplets then can infect others if someone touches an object with the virus on it, then touches their nose, eyes, or mouth. The influenza virus can survive and infect another person for 2-8 hours after being deposited on an object. Infected people are contagious from 1 day before they develop symptoms to up to 7 days after they get sick.

Symptoms of the flu are high fever, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills, and fatigue. To protect yourself from getting sick, get the H1N1 influenza vaccine. Always cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, then throw the tissue in the trash. If a tissue is not available, then cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve, instead of into your hands. Wash your hands frequently with soap and warm water. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth. If you have the symptoms of the flu, stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone.

At Scottsdale Dental Arts, we want you to have a happy and healthy New Year!

STRESS: The Daily Grind

The economic pressures in America are affecting millions of Americans, resulting in broken teeth, facial pain, and migraine headaches. Mixing pain and financial worry together has resulted in fewer people visiting the dentist for a brighter smile, however dentists are seeing a new phenomenon in their daily schedules: a rise in the number of teeth grinders.

"I'm seeing an increase in patients who are anxious, stressed out and very worried about their financial futures and they're taking out their stresses on their teeth," said Dr. Jason McCargar, a cosmetic dentist at Scottsdale Dental Arts. "These patients are all grinding their teeth as a response to what is going on in their lives.”

One patient of Scottsdale Dental Arts lost hundreds of thousands of dollars invested with Bernard L. Madoff. Another one of Dr. McCargar’s patients also informed the staff that he had lost his seven-figure salary due to a “budget cut.” The common thread seems to be as follows: Americans are working twice or three times as many hours as they previously did for about half of the income.

On average Dr. McCargar is seeing a 30 to 40 percent increase in patients reporting pain in their jaws, cheek muscles, and necks as a result of stress. And what is the cause of this stress? Welcome to the “new economy.”

People are having trouble just making ends meet. Families who previously relied on two incomes are now adjusting to just one income. And this trend seems to have no end in sight. Unfortunately, this financial strain can create an overwhelming amount of pressure and uncertainty for the spouse who had the sole job in the family. “Such a high level of responsibility to keep the family afloat can create a huge amount of stress on the sole bread winner.”

But don’t think that stressful times are the only times when patients grind their teeth. On average approximately 15 percent of people will grind their teeth no matter what kind of economic conditions they are experiencing.

Most people don’t realize that they are grinders until the symptoms of grinding lead to either a broken tooth, recurrent migraine headaches, or severe facial pain.
"Stress causes flight-or-fight hormones to be release in the body," stated Dr. McCargar. "When the stress hormones are released by the brain, energy is mobilized which causes muscle activity. The greater the increase of hormones, the more intense the muscle activity will be," stated the Scottsdale Cosmetic Dentist.
Repairing or rebuilding teeth that have been damaged by years of grinding can be a daunting process. If teeth have been only moderately damaged, composite fillings may be a treatment option. But extensive damage often requires full mouth reconstruction in order to repair the teeth. Some of these treatment options include full coverage crowns and porcelain veneers. Regardless of the treatment modality, there is one component that is a must for all grinders or “bruxism” patients: a night guard.

Some dental insurance companies do not view grinding as a true dental condition. Often times bruxism is classified as a condition that originates in the central nervous system. This “gray” area of classification can leave patients with no help from their insurance companies in paying for bruxism-related treatment and services.
Studies show that some night time grinders can spend upwards of 40 minutes per hour of sleep grinding their teeth. The constant wear and tear can quickly destroy the enamel (10 times faster than that of non-grinders), fracture teeth, change the overall bite, and damage both the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and the masseter muscle, which controls the jaws. Jaw and face pain may also occur.
The first line of treatment for night time grinding is a custom-made night guard. Dr. McCargar can make various types of night guards for patients which can help to minimize or even stop grinding completely.

Night guards are readily made for patients by making an impression of the patient’s upper or lower teeth. Patients are advised to get acquainted with their night guard by wearing it gradually for a few hours before bed before attempting to wear it throughout the night. The cost of a custom made night guard may vary based upon the style of night guard that will best meet the patient’s needs.
Many patients tell Dr. McCargar that they notice a huge difference in their overall jaw comfort when they wear their night guard. One of his patients, Sarah, said, “My migraines immediately came back when I stopped wearing my night guard. I cannot imagine going to bed without my night guard now.”

“There is nothing that can compare to a night of good rest,” states Dr. McCargar.
The Scottsdale Cosmetic Dentist advises his patients to take some time before going to bed to simply relax and de-stress before rest. “Meditation, listening to soft music, and de-compressing before bed will help to set the mind in motion for a night of relaxing sleep.”

Scottsdale Dental Arts provides a complimentary consultation for patients who suffer from night time grinding. “We enjoy taking time with our patients to better understand their sleeping patterns. A night guard can make all the difference between a night of restless sleep and complete relaxation.”

Questions and Answers with your Family and Cosmetic Dentist in Scottsdale, Dr. McCargar

The Best Answers to your tough dental-related questions by your local Scottsdale Dentist, Dr. Jason McCargar.

Leave your question in the comment section and Dr. McCargar will personally answer your question either directly to your email account or by posting the Q & A on the blog!