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Our team at Erich M. Werner, D.D.S. understand that the sights, sounds and sensations at a dental office can be unsettling for some children. One effective technique that we use to comfort your child is to offer the gas nitrous oxide. Nitrous oxide is a common anesthetic used during many dental procedures.

What is Nitrous Oxide?

Nitrous oxide is an oxide of nitrogen which has a slight sweet odor and taste. During medical or dental procedures, the gas is mixed with oxygen then inhaled through a mask that covers your child's nose. Within minutes, your child should feel calm and experience an overall sense relaxation. Most children are enthusiastic about the administration of nitrous oxide and report feeling like they are dreaming. Children will be able to breathe on their own, move their limbs, and be conscious enough to hear and respond to our dentist's questions such as, "Did you remember to brush your teeth today?" Of course they did! All our patients are great brushers! The effects of nitrous oxide disappear shortly after the mask is removed and the drug is quickly eliminated from their body.

Is Nitrous Oxide Safe?

Recreational use of nitrous oxide for its euphoric effects can be dangerous, however, the drug is combined with oxygen at dental offices. This ensures oxygen reaches the brain and prevents dangerous side effects or hypoxia. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) recognizes nitrous oxide inhalation as a "safe and effective technique to reduce anxiety, produce analgesia, and enhance effective communication between a patient and healthcare provider."

Nitrous oxide is non-addictive and non-allergic, however, it may cause nausea in up to ten percent of patients. The drug is not recommended for children with some medical conditions such as chronic pulmonary disease. We recognize that all patients are different and encourage you to talk with Dr. Werner about whether nitrous oxide would be a good option for your child.

Our team wants to help all patients in Los Gatos, CA to overcome dental anxiety, so please, give us a call at Erich M. Werner, D.D.S..

In dentistry, there are a wide variety of treatments, everything from elective procedures to those that are necessary and potentially lifesaving. So given the slew of treatment options, how do you choose what’s right for you? Our experts at Erich M. Werner, D.D.S. have handpicked the three must-have procedures that we believe can benefit nearly every patient.

The first: A complete periodontal exam. If you are going to the dentist for scheduled cleanings, this exam should happen at least once a year. A periodontal exam is quick and relatively painless. The dentist or hygienist will carefully probe around each tooth to take measurements that show the health of the bone and its supporting tissue, all while looking for signs of any active infection. It has been suggested that there is a link between periodontal (gum) disease and the increased risk of some potentially fatal diseases such as heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. Signs of some diseases show up in the mouth sometimes before the patient is aware of changes in the body. Diabetes is one of these silent diseases. Many Americans are unaware that they have the disease until sudden and severe changes in the periodontal health of the teeth lead to a trip to the patient’s physician. And did you know that more adults lose teeth to periodontal disease than to cavities? A simple screening once a year can lead to saving your teeth.

The second treatment our team at Erich M. Werner, D.D.S. recommends is a dental sealant; it’s not just for kids! Dental sealants provide a protective barrier from bacteria deep in the pits and grooves of the teeth where cavities often start. Sealants placed in childhood will often wear away in adulthood. Replacing a sealant as an adult can also help prevent decay in adulthood. This is a great cost-effective procedure for adults. Dental insurance will likely not cover sealants as an adult, but the cost of a sealant for prevention versus the cost of a filling is much less.

Our third must-have dental treatment is often the most fun: in-office whitening. Who doesn’t want an instantly dazzling smile? In-office whitening is one of the most dramatic and quick ways to brighten a smile. It will take a few years off your age in a two-hour period of time. Whitening is very safe and can give a patient newfound confidence to smile.

Adults are no strangers to feeling like there is never enough time in the day to get everything done. Your alarm clock rings and within minutes you ping pong around trying to spread peanut butter on sandwiches, answer your cell phone, remove the dog hair from your clothes, and make sure your child has completed his or her science fair project. Brushing your teeth can easily fall to the wayside. That is why our office promotes a simple, daily oral health regimen that you can easily incorporate into your busy lifestyle.

The American Dental Hygienists' Association (ADHA), in partnership with the Wrigley Jr. Company, is celebrating National Dental Hygiene Month (NDHM) during October. The ADHA encourages people to "Brush. Floss. Rinse. Chew...Keep it Clean, Keep it Healthy!" and offers some great tips for a quick and effective home oral health routine, below:

Oral Health Routine at Home

• Brushing your teeth twice daily is the most important thing you can do to diminish the accumulation of plaque and the potential for other oral problems such as cavities and gingivitis.
• Flossing once daily removes plaque and food from beneath the gums and between teeth that brushing alone cannot remove. Tooth decay and gum disease often begin in these areas.
• Rinsing your mouth with an antibacterial, non-alcohol based mouthwash kills plaque and gingivitis germs that brushing and flossing do not catch. We recommend using a mouthwash with the ADA Seal of Acceptance.
• Chewing sugar-free gum helps produce saliva, which battles cavities. The gum also neutralizes plaque, strengthens enamel, and removes remaining food. It is especially important to chew gum after eating or drinking.

It's easy to put the toothbrush down in order to take care of matters you feel are more urgent, but remember, a good oral health routine at home is the best way to prevent periodontal disease. "Periodontal disease is the most common cause of tooth loss in adults. An estimated 75 percent of Americans reportedly have some form of periodontal disease," said the ADHA. Periodontal disease also is linked to more serious illnesses such as diabetes and stroke.

Also, remember to keep regular visits with our office every six months or as scheduled. Dr. Werner can remove tartar and plaque, detect periodontal disease early, and help you learn more about proper care for your teeth and gums.

At Dr. Werner's office, we know that, for many people, porcelain veneers do more than change smiles—they change lives. After all, there’s no reason to put up with gaps in your teeth or with teeth that are stained, discolored, badly shaped, chipped, or crooked. A veneer placed on top of your teeth at our office can correct nature’s mistake or the results of an injury and help you have a beautiful smile. Veneers are a highly popular solution among dental patients because of their life-like tooth appearance!

Veneers—sometimes called porcelain veneers or dental porcelain laminates—are thin, custom-made shells crafted of tooth-colored materials designed to cover the front side of your teeth. To prepare for veneers, Dr. Werner and our team will create a unique model of your teeth, which is then sent to the dental technician to create your veneers. Before placing your new veneer, Dr. Werner will remove a small amount of your tooth to make room for the veneer. When placed, you’ll be pleased to see that veneers look like your natural teeth and even resist staining.

For more information on veneers, or if you have any questions about your treatment with Dr. Werner, please feel free to give us a call or ask us on Facebook!