Category Archives: Oral Health

Baby Teeth Matter: Here’s Why | Palm Harbor Dentist

Early interventions for the proper maintenance of your baby’s teeth are crucial for the health of their adult teeth as they start to grow. “Baby teeth” are the precursor for adult teeth, they are the placeholder and it’s important they be maintained for gum health and reduction of harmful bacteria. They may never acknowledge the effort you put in for them, but just know you are setting them up for success later in life.

Oral hygiene for our children begins the day their first tooth breaks through the gum. With a damp, soft cloth, lightly wipe your baby’s gums after feeding. Once more prominent, you may begin using a soft toothbrush and non-fluoride toothpaste twice a day until preschool age. At that age, the amount of toothpaste that can be safely used increases to the size of a pea.

When your child is at that age and able to brush on his or her own, it’s important to keep an eye on them. Many children find the process of brushing their teeth to be boring or unimportant, but this is the best age to develop their oral care routine. Singing toothbrushes and flavored toothpaste help encourage kids to find the process more enjoyable and help guide them towards brushing their teeth for two minutes. Another great way to encourage your child is to brush with them and show them how to get to their molars, the back of their teeth, and the front. Brushing together allows you to ensure they are doing so properly while setting the example and making sure they don’t feel like they are being monitored, which may be upsetting.

An oral care routine matters from the day teeth appear, so parents who take their children’s oral hygiene seriously, and encourage good habits to aid their child’s ability to properly care for their teeth later in life.

If you’re interested in learning more about dental lasers, contact Dr. Lieberman at 727-785-8017 to schedule a consultation today. Or visit www.dentist-lieberman.com for additional information.

Dr. Larry Lieberman proudly accepts patients from Palm Harbor and all surrounding areas.

When You’re Nervous About Your Dental Procedure | Palm Harbor Dentist

Now that we’ve begun another year, it’s time to take some time to reflect on yourselves and what we hope to accomplish in the upcoming year. For some of us, going to the dentist is a frightening experience in their head to the point of dodging checkups. It’s so common, dental anxiety is an official phobia that strikes some patients. Unfortunately, because our mouth plays such a strong hand in our overall health, dodging the dental chair isn’t a smart idea. Thankfully, the dental industry has acknowledged these fears and have focused on patient care to help you get through these checkups which will result in a healthy smile, regardless of your dental anxiety.

Sedation dentistry, also referred to as “sleep dentistry”, uses medication to help ease and relax patients before or during their dental procedure. There are many methods that can be used in sedation dentistry, and the method used depends on the patient’s needs. Here are the four most common methods of sedation dentistry:

Nitrous oxide. Nitrous oxide, also known as laughing gas, is combined with oxygen and inhaled through a mask over your nose. This nitrous oxide helps calm the patient’s nerves.

Oral sedation. The night before a procedure, the patient will take an oral medication to ensure that you’re calm and relaxed during the procedure. The recovery time for this method is a bit longer, so a ride home will be necessary.

IV sedation. This method is considered to be moderate to deep sedation. This type of dental sedation is administered into the bloodstream, which results in immediate relaxation.

General anesthesia. The strongest method of sedation is general anesthesia. During this type of sedation, the patient cannot be easily awakened until the effects fully wear off.

If you’re interested in learning more about sleep dentistry, contact Dr. Lieberman at 727-785-8017 to schedule a consultation today. Or visit www.dentist-lieberman.com for additional information.

Dr. Larry Lieberman proudly accepts patients from Palm Harbor and all surrounding areas.

Do You Have a Habit that Affects Your Smile? | Palm Harbor Dentist

We all do the very best we can to preserve our smile, but there are some habits we have that may be doing some damage to it. And since we are close to the new year, what better time to re-evaluate some habits we may not want to carry over into 2023. If you find that you are a culprit to one of them, consider adding it to your resolution list:

Chewing ice. After you’ve finished a drink, you might have the habit of chewing the ice that is leftover. It’s a common occurrence for a lot of us and we don’t even think twice about it. But the cold and hardness of the ice cubes can actually do damage to your teeth by chipping or cracking them.

Using your teeth as a tool. Let’s face it – we all are guilty of this one at some point of another. Using your teeth to crack open nuts, or tear through plastic can be incredibly detrimental. Just like chewing ice, using your teeth as a tool may cause damage to your teeth. Use the appropriate tool for the job.

Drinking carbonated beverages. While soda is known to be incredibly sugary, this includes sugar-free sodas as well. Sodas are acidic and incredibly harmful to teeth.

Biting your nails. This one is one of the more common bad habits, but biting your nails is not only damaging to your nail beds, but also your teeth.

Grinding your teeth. The official term for this habit is bruxism and it commonly occurs at night. Grinding your teeth can wear them down. While this is difficult to control, a dentist may give you a night guard to help you get it under control. Destressing also helps.

If you’re interested in learning more about poor dental habits, contact Dr. Lieberman at 727-785-8017 to schedule a consultation today. Or visit www.dentist-lieberman.com for additional information.

Dr. Larry Lieberman proudly accepts patients from Palm Harbor and all surrounding areas.

Giving Thanks for a Healthy Smile | Palm Harbor Dentist

Tis the season for gather together with family and friends to give thanks for all of the year’s blessings. While you’re at it, why not take a second to give yourself a healthy smile. It’s really quite easy – when you get to your Thanksgiving dinner, eat a lot.

Foods and drinks high in sugar and acid are typically bad for your teeth because they contribute to both tooth decay and periodontal disease, making them weaker and more vulnerable to tooth decay. Foods like celery can help brush food particles off of teeth, and they also encourage the production of saliva to cleanse the teeth. Foods high in calcium and protein (such as cheese, milk, meats, and nuts) tend to be low in sugar and key to stronger teeth by protecting tooth enamel. If you notice, these are all staples in a Thanksgiving feast.

In addition to the sugar and acid contents of food, patients should pay attention to how long the food is in contact with their teeth. Soft foods like peanut butter are more likely to be stuck between teeth, and drinks that are sipped throughout the day tend to stay in contact with teeth all day. In order to keep these foods from having adverse effects on your teeth, eat or drink the sugary ones in one sitting so you can brush or rinse afterwards. If a toothbrush isn’t handy, popping a stick of sugar-free gum in your mouth will create the saliva needed to rinse your teeth enough until a proper brushing is available.

If you’re interested in learning more about a healthy smile, contact Dr. Lieberman at 727-785-8017 to schedule a consultation today. Or visit www.dentist-lieberman.com for additional information.

Dr. Larry Lieberman proudly accepts patients from Palm Harbor and all surrounding areas.

Finding the Ideal Dentist for Your Dental Needs | Palm Harbor Dentist

Now that we are about to embark on the 2022 holiday season, it is important to schedule a quick dental visit. After all, the holidays mean there are loads of events to attend with friends and family. And with that, lots of good times and photos to take. Having a clean healthy smile will only enhance your winter celebrations.

For those of you that have yet to find a dentist to visit, you really need to hit the streets to find one. Not only is your oral health very important, but it is directly affecting your overall health, so maintaining a clean, healthy mouth is of the utmost importance.

We understand that it can be a daunting task, but we are here to help. Firstly, list specific needs you may need from your dental professional. Maybe you have a family, maybe you need certain hours, maybe you’re just new in town – having a dentist that can work with all your specific needs is important.

The first thing you should do when looking for a dentist is to ask the people around. But chances are, you are going to be using a search engine online, so look for a dentist catered to your specific needs. Below is a list of options – perhaps trying one of these will be a better option:

Pediatric dentists/pedodontists. Specialize in pediatric dentistry
Endodontists. Diagnose and treat diseased tooth pulp and perform root canal work
Prosthodontists. Specialize in crowns, bridges, and dentures
Oral pathologists. Use laboratory procedures to diagnose diseases of the mouth
Oral/maxillofacial surgeons. Performers of surgical treatments, such as removing cysts, tumors, and teeth
Specialize in correcting improperly positioned teeth
Specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of gum disease

If you’re interested in learning more about finding a dentist, contact Dr. Lieberman at 727-785-8017 to schedule a consultation today. Or visit www.dentist-lieberman.com for additional information.

Dr. Larry Lieberman proudly accepts patients from Palm Harbor and all surrounding areas.

Signs and Symptoms: TMJ Edition | Palm Harbor Dentist

No one wants to experience jaw pain, but for most patients, it can’t be helped. Here is where it gets tricky – did you know that TMJ, or Temporomandibular Joint Syndrome, is one of the most misdiagnosed syndromes in the world? Oftentimes, TMJ is overlooked, as jaw related issues can be linked to a multitude of different health issues. So, how do you know when it’s not just a chance occurrence or something that is becoming an issue, we need to concern our dental professional with? Here are some signs and symptoms in which point to TMJ:

Pain in the jaw, especially around the joint
Popping or clicking of the jaw
Ear pain
Ringing or popping sounds in the ears
Headaches
Blurred vision
Tight or sore jaw or neck muscles
Shoulder pain
Locking or dislocation of the jaw

If you are experiencing any of the symptoms above, contact Dr. Lieberman immediately, as he can appropriately diagnose the root of your jaw and facial pain. Thankfully, there are lots of ways to treat this condition and get you back to sleeping peacefully. Below are some of DIY tips you can do on your own to relieve some of the pain you’re experiencing:

Facial exercises such as stretching, relaxing, or massaging the muscles found around the jaw.
Avoiding actions such as yawning, singing, or excessive chewing.
Learning new stress relieving techniques including but not limited to meditation, breathing exercises, or personal stress relievers.
Formulating an exercise plan in order to increase our pain tolerance.

If you’re interested in learning more about TMJ pain, contact Dr. Lieberman at 727-785-8017 to schedule a consultation today. Or visit www.dentist-lieberman.com for additional information.

Dr. Larry Lieberman proudly accepts patients from Palm Harbor and all surrounding areas.

Protecting Your Smile During the Holiday Season | Palm Harbor Dentist

It’s Autumn – the time of year when the football season begins, and thus pick-up games with friends and family. And if we know anything about these games, we know loads of accidents can happen at each play. If you sprain an ankle, you ice it and call it a day. But what if something happens to your smile? You have a dental emergency on your hands.

If you find that you are in need of dental assistance, call for an appointment and follow these tips while you wait:

Knocked-out tooth. For adults, place the tooth in the socket without touching the root; if that’s not possible, place the tooth between your check and gums, in milk, or in ADA-approved tooth-preservation solution. It’s crucial to keep the tooth wet. For children with baby teeth, come to our office as soon as possible; do not try to place the tooth in the socket.

Cracked tooth. Rinse your mouth and place an ice pack on your face to reduce the swelling. Wrap the tooth up in wet gauze or a towel and bring it to the office.

Toothache. Use warm water to rinse your mouth, and gently floss to remove any food. If you note any facial swelling (which may signal infection), come to our office or your healthcare provider as soon as possible.

Bitten tongue or lip. Clean the area with a cloth or rinse your mouth with water. Apply an ice pack to the area. If the bleeding doesn’t slow, come to our office or go to the ER.

If you are preparing for the annual family football game and don’t want your smile wrecked? Why not wear a mouthguard during the game to protect those pearly whites from accidents.

If you’re interested in learning more about dental emergencies, contact Dr. Lieberman at 727-785-8017 to schedule a consultation today. Or visit www.dentist-lieberman.com for additional information.

Dr. Larry Lieberman proudly accepts patients from Palm Harbor and all surrounding areas.

Perhaps You Should Consider Getting Veneers | Palm Beach Dentist

Why veneers? Because porcelain veneers can help improve many dental issues, ranging from brightening a discolored smile to repairing a cracked tooth. Porcelain veneers are thin custom-made shells of porcelain that are used to cover the front surface of one or more teeth. Here are some reasons one may consider getting porcelain veneers:

Severally stained or discolored teeth. Not everyone’s teeth responded to teeth whitening techniques. Sometimes staining can go through the enamel, staining the dentin and discoloring it. Teeth whitening techniques, such as bleaching may not be viable in these types of cases. In such cases, porcelain veneers are a great alternative.

Misshapen or worn teeth. Slightly misaligned teeth can be treated with porcelain veneers rather than with braces. Some orthodontic work can take years to improve misalignments, while veneers can improve one’s smile within a week or two. Veneers can even reduce the size of gaps and create a perfectly aligned smile.

Porcelain veneers are long-lasting. By practicing proper oral hygiene and visiting your dentist for regular checkups and professional cleanings, porcelain veneers can last up to 15 years.

Quick solution to enhance your smile. It can take as little as three visits to your dentist’s office to get a set of porcelain veneers, making them a quick and easy solution to obtaining a beautiful smile.

A pain-free procedure. Placing porcelain veneers is a simple dental procedure. Anesthetics are not required as the actual procedure doesn’t cause pain or any significant discomfort.

Life-changing investment. Last but very not least, porcelain veneers can completely change your life in the most positive way. Not only can they drastically improve a patient’s smile, but porcelain veneers can also improve one’s self-confidence.

If you’re interested in learning more about veneers, contact Dr. Lieberman at 727-785-8017 to schedule a consultation today. Or visit www.dentist-lieberman.com for additional information.

Dr. Larry Lieberman proudly accepts patients from Palm Harbor and all surrounding areas.

Even More Reasons to Practice Good Dental Hygiene | Palm Harbor Dentist

We all know it is important to brush your teeth on a daily basis. Not only does it prevent bad breath and teeth staining, but it also keeps our smile healthy. No one wants to lose teeth from practicing poor dental habits, but there is more to keeping your mouth clean and healthy – your general health.

Believe it or not, but gum disease as well as poor oral hygiene may be more detrimental to your health than you think. It turns out oral issues can be linked to other life-threatening diseases. Here are just some of the reasons brushing your teeth is so important:

Hurting your heart. Individuals with gum disease are twice as likely to suffer from coronary artery disease because harmful bacteria from your mouth enter your blood stream and attaches to fatty plaques in your heart’s blood vessels. This leads to inflammation, making you more prone to clots that may trigger heart attacks.

Memory loss. Researchers have found that there may be a close link to an increased risk of dementia. Oral bacteria may spread to the brain through cranial nerves that connect to the jaw and may contribute to a type of plaque that has been linked to Alzheimer’s.

Diabetes. Individuals with diabetes are more like to have periodontal disease than those without diabetes. Conversely, gum disease makes it harder to control you blood sugar, resulting in a high chance for diabetic issues.

Breathing issues. Individuals with poor hygiene are hurting their respiratory systems. Gum disease may increase your risk of respiratory infections such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Fertility. Women with gum disease take an average two months longer to conceive a child that those who don’t have gum disease.

If you’re interested in learning more about gum disease effects on your health, contact Dr. Lieberman at 727-785-8017 to schedule a consultation today. Or visit www.dentist-lieberman.com for additional information.

Dr. Larry Lieberman proudly accepts patients from Palm Harbor and all surrounding areas.

The ABCs of TMJ Disorder | Palm Harbor Dentist

No one wants to be in pain, but pain is par for the course at times in our lives. But of all the pain we can feel, tooth pain is the worst. Not only does it hurt to eat or speak, but the throbbing pain in our head that occurs can drive someone batty. Thankfully, there are plenty of remedies for these pains, and some don’t entail a visit to the dentist.

Individuals suffering from Temporomandibular Joint Disorder, or TMJ, experience many symptoms such as discomfort and pain in areas surrounding the face or jaw. What are the causes of TMJ disorder? Bruxism, or teeth grinding and clenching, gum chewing or nail biting, malocclusion, and previous jaw fractures or injury.

What do you feel when you have TMJ disorder? Some of the symptoms of TMJ are headache, ear pain, dizziness and ringing in the ear.

How do we alleviate this pain in our jaw? Well, there are a series of remedies recommended in order to alleviate tension found in those areas. Some of these include:

Facial exercises such as stretching, relaxing, or massaging the muscles found around the jaw.
Evading actions such as yawning, singing, or excessive chewing.
Learning new stress relieving techniques including but not limited to meditation, breathing exercises, or personal stress relievers.
Formulating an exercise plan in order to increase our pain tolerance.

Dr. Lieberman highly encourages patients suffering from TMJ to follow these few techniques in order to alleviate TMJ pain and symptoms. If symptoms worsen, you are encouraged to schedule an appointment immediately with our friendly staff.

If you’re interested in learning more about TMJ disorder, contact Dr. Lieberman at 727-785-8017 to schedule a consultation today. Or visit www.dentist-lieberman.com for additional information.

Dr. Larry Lieberman proudly accepts patients from Palm Harbor and all surrounding areas.