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By Sam E. Ruvinov, D.D.S., Originally printed in St. Louis Women’s Journal If you often wake up with a dull headache, ear ache or pain in your jaw; or your teeth seem super sensitive to heat, cold and even the touch of your tongue, you may have the habit of grinding and clenching your teeth…

By Sam E. Ruvinov, D.D.S. Many patients ask me about so-called “dry mouth syndrome” or xerostomia, speaking scientifically. Xerostomia is a condition when there is no or very little saliva in the mouth. Some patients complain of a burning sensation and even loss of taste caused by dry mouth. The role of saliva cannot be…

A possible complication of tooth extraction is called a “dry socket” – when there is not enough bleeding to form a clot in the socket. You will want to follow your dentist’s advice after the extraction as this is designed to prevent dry socket or other problems. In the rare case this does develop, contact…

After a tooth has been extracted, it is very important for a good blood clot to form. This is important as it assists in the healing process by acting as a bandage over the exposed bone. A wad of cotton is also placed over the socket for you to bite down on, as that helps…

Due to injury or decay, extraction of a baby tooth may become necessary as part of orthodontic treatment. If a baby tooth is forced into the jaw by a fall or a blow, the tooth will need to be extracted if it has caused damage to the underlying permanent tooth. Sometimes an injury causes the…

Fluoride is a naturally occurring chemical that is effective in preventing tooth decay. Since the 1930’s, it has been used to reduce tooth decay. It is often added to tap water. It is contained in some toothpastes, or can be supplied by prescription from a dentist or physician. Recently, it has become noted that fluoride…

The question: can you give infants flouride? Recently there has been much discussion in the dental community about whether or not infants should be given fluoride supplements and what to do about infants who are under 12 months of age consuming fluoridated water. At this time, fluoride is not recommended for newborn children in the…

Gum disease is the number one reason for tooth loss. As a result, each new patient, as well as all existing patients, receives a comprehensive gum exam to check for signs of potential tooth loss or degree of existing gum disease, if any. Probably the most important fact for people to understand about gum disease…

A chipped tooth can be more than just a painful inconvenience. If you find yourself with a visibly chipped tooth it can also be very embarrassing. The trauma, pain and damage caused by a chipped tooth can be overwhelming. What should you do if you have chipped a tooth? Believe it or not, chipping a…

Cosmetic Dentistry includes any procedure done to enhance the smile or look of the face. Some of these procedures may also be for health reasons. Everyone wants to look their best and your smile is important to accomplishing that. It can affect the way you feel about yourself, as well as others’ attitudes towards you.…