One of the best things you can do for your teeth, besides regular brushing and flossing, that is, is to eat foods loaded with calcium. My ‘healthy tooth diet’ includes lots of calcium-rich foods like milk, yogurt, salmon, tofu, spinach, broccoli, peas, and brussel sprouts.

Why is calcium necessary for your teeth?  Teeth are comprised primarily of the mineral calcium which keeps their outer protective layer, the enamel, good and strong.  Certain foods, however, like simple sugars and cooked starches wreak havoc on your teeth. These foods prompt the naturally occurring bacteria in your mouth to produce acids that demineralize or dissolve the calcium in your enamel.  If this process is uninterrupted  you will develop cavities.

The good news is that teeth can naturally repair themselves to a degree. Through a process called remineralization, teeth take in calcium from your saliva and the foods you eat to replenish the calcium lost. In order for your teeth to remineralize, however, they need two crucial things. First, they must be kept scrupulously clean and just as importantly  they need access to a steady supply of their re-building material, calcium.  So that’s where you come in.  Floss and brush regularly to remove food and bacteria and remember to eat yogurt, tofu, salmon, spinach and other yummy foods rich in calcium. Your teeth will thank you. Your taste buds will, too.

If you have any questions about remineralization, your healthy tooth diet, or if it’s just time you had a checkup, call the Portsmouth, NH office of Dr. Richard Liu at (603) 436-9200.

Tell us about your dental concerns and we’ll make the recommendations best for you.

Dr. Liu and his staff are conveniently located just off Woodbury Avenue, at 101 Shattuck Way, Suite 5, Newington, NH.

If you want to keep your teeth, don’t smoke.

While cigarettes have long been linked to cancers and heart disease, research is now finding smoking causes tooth loss. After taking into account age, gender and coffee and alcohol consumption, a recent study showed  smokers have a significantly greater risk of losing teeth than people who do not smoke.

Researchers believe this is because smoking weakens the bone structure holding teeth in place. A substance in cigarettes inhibits osteoblast (the rebuilding of bone) and promotes osteoclast (bone breakdown.)

Smokers are likely to develop wrinkles and creases around their mouths, tooth discoloration, bone breakdown and tooth loss with a resulting vertical collapse of the lower face.

Smoking also irritates gum tissue, causing it to recede or pull away from teeth, exposing dental roots and subjecting them to decay.

 If you are concerned about your dental health due to smoking or other reasons call the Portsmouth, NH office of Richard Y. Liu, D.M.D. P.A. at (603) 436-9200.

A Harvard-trained dentist, Dr. Liu and his staff provide a wide range of innovative dental services tailored to the unique needs of each patient. Your concern is our concern. No problem is too small.

We’re conveniently located right off of  Woodbury Avenue, at 101 Shattuck Way, Suite 5, Newington.

While seniors can expect some age-related changes in their teeth and gums, certain changes should not be overlooked. For example, it’s natural for teeth to darken and show signs of wear as we age. Aging gums are also likely to recede, which has given rise to the phrase “long in the tooth.” As a consequence, dental cavities closer to the root of the tooth are more likely to occure. However, neither tooth decay nor tooth loss should be accepted as a nomal part of the aging process. Bleeding gums is a sign of gum disease, which is the leading cause of tooth loss among seniors and should be quickly addressed. With proper treatment, seniors can expect to retain their teeth.

At the office of RICHARD Y. LIU, D.M.D. P.A., we appreciate the opportunity to provide you with quality dental care. Our staff is made up of well-trained professionals who work together as a team to provide you with the highest quality treatment in a warm, caring setting. We’re located at 101 Shattuck Way, Suite 5, Newington. Please call 603.436.9200 to schedule as appointment.

P.S. Dry mouth is another problem among seniors, which can lead to tooth decay and should be brought to the attention of the dentist.

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Each year, dentists treat millions of cavities that result from the enamel-eating acids emitted by sugar-eating bacteria missed by flossing and brushing. While drilling out tooth decay and filling cavities with amalgam or composite fillings has proven extremely effective in preserving the remaining healthy tooth structure, patients often wish they could somehow magically eliminate any decay and simply regenerate the tooth back to its previous healthy state. That wish may someday be a reality because scientists have identified a peptide known as MSH (melanocyte- stimulating hormone) that encourages cells within decayed teeth to regenerate in about one month. When introduced into the teeth in a gel or film in the laboratory, cavities disappeared and were replaced by healthy tooth structure. Drilling teeth and filling them is safe and effective. However, though we numb the tooth, many patients still rue the sound of that drill. This column has been bought to you in the interest of better dental health by the office of RICHARD Y. LIU, D.M.D. P.A. Call us today at 603.436.9200 for an appointment. Have you been putting off seeing a dentist? We’re located at 101 Shattuck Way, Suite 5, Newington, where we’re currently accepting new patients. We provide cosmetic, functional, and preventive dental care for all ages. You can rely on us to answer all your questions about dental treatments and procedures. P.S. MSH (melanocyte-stimulating hormone) has not demonstrated any ability to prevent cavities, which means that it is no substitute for flossing and brushing

Patients with symptoms of “dry mouth” should notify the dentist. Not only can reduced saliva production lead to difficulty speaking, swallowing, persistent bad breath, and chapped/ cracked lips, it can also potentially contribute to cavities, gingivitus, and other dental problems. Once the dentist is made aware of dry mouth, there are ways to measure saliva production and evaluate the problem. Because dry mouth is a side effect of various drugs, a proper evaluation also entails a patient’s detailed description of any medications that he or she is taking. If dry mouth only occurs at night, it may be a symptom of a nasal obstruction that may require further medical evaluation. Dry mouth is also a symptom of some auto-immune disorders.

For many people, a dry mouth is only an occasional annoyance. Persistent dry mouth may increase the risk of tooth decay and periodontal disease. When was the last time you had a complete dental exam? At the office of RICHARD Y. LIU, D.M.D. P.A., we make a thorough evaluation of existing and potential problems. Nothing is more economical than regular checkups. Small developing problems can be corrected before they become serious problems. Call us today at 603.436.9200 to schedule a convenient appointment for the highest quality dental care. We’re located at 101 Shattuck Way, Suite 5, Newington.

P.S. Is is normal for saliva production to decline by as much as 40 percent as we grow older.

The reason that dentists insist that their patients floss (as well as brush) their teeth is because flossing does nearly half the work necessary to remove “plaque.” Unless this sticky bacteria-laden substance is removed from between teeth, where toothbrush bristles may not reach, tooth decay and gum disease will result. Patients with receding gums or large spaces between their teeth are advised to use a flat, wide dental tape. If teeth are closely spaced, thin floss is best, especially non-shredding floss. Patients with bridges and braces are likely to find it necessary to use a floss threader to get underneath restorations or wires between teeth. There is also floss with a stiff end that does the job equally well.

By brushing and flossing we help to eliminate the bacteria, which can lead to bad breath, gingivitis, and periodontal disease thus creating smiles which last a lifetime. Always feel free to discuss your dental concerns with us at the office of RICHARD Y. LIU, D.M.D. P.A. We’re located at 101 Shattuck Way, Suite 5, Newington, where we practice an unparalleled level of dentistry. You can trust the health of your teeth to our extensive training and experience. Our concern is your comfort and confidence – our goal is to help you preserve your natural teeth for a lifetime. Please call 603.436.9200 to schedule an appointment.

P.S. Patients who do not have the dexterity needed to use dental floss may want to try soft plastic plaque removers.

There is anecdotal evidence from dentists across the nation that they are seeing a notably higher incidence of broken and cracked teeth, which most attribute to nighttime tooth grinding (“bruxism”). It can be argued that tough economic times have led many people to experience higher stress levels. The latest research on the subject shows that people who grind their teeth at night appear to be more likely to be suffering from stress. This is a problem because bruxism can lead to excessive tooth wear, looseness, and sensitivity. When dentists find evidence of these symptoms, they may recommend that patients wear custom-made mouth guards when they sleep. Such relaxation techniques as exercise and yoga are also recommended to reduce stress levels.

People can clench and grind without being aware of it during both the day and night, although sleep-related bruxism is often the bigger problem because it is harder to control. The goals of treatment are to reduce pain, prevent permanent damage to the teeth, and reduce clenching as much as possible. At the office of RICHARD Y. LIU, D.M.D. P.A., we believe in preventive dentistry. We know that you wish to receive your general dental care from a highly trained, caring staff; therefore, professionalism is very important to you. Our promise to you is that our office will provide you with dental care of the highest quality available, utilizing the most modern procedures and an extremely qualified staff. Please call 603.436.9200 to schedule an appointment. We’re located at 101 Shattuck Way, Suite 5, Newington. P.S. According to the study mentioned above, stress-induced nighttime tooth grinding occurs in people across all age, gender and education levels.

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A recent study shows that use of snuff and chewing tobacco by adoles- cent boys in this country has surged over the past few years. According to a report from the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, there has been a 30 percent increase in the rate of smokeless tobacco use among boys aged 12-17 years over a recent five- year period. This finding is worrying on at least two important fronts: First, smokeless tobacco is as addictive as cigarettes and does not assist in weaning oneself from smoking. Sec- ond, using smokeless tobacco prod- ucts increases the risk of oral cancer. Because dentists are usually the first to see signs of oral cancer, they have a stake in preventing it.

Up to a certain point, if you quit, your body can heal itself…but the longer you use spit tobacco, the big- ger your risk of getting cancer. We will be happy to discuss any dental con- cerns you may have. Any time you have a question, please don’t hesitate to ask. Good dentistry is more than excellent clinical skills and state-of- the-art equipment. At the office of RICHARD Y. LIU D.M.D. P.A., we feel that mutual trust is also a factor in the success of your treatment. Our entire staff believes that open communica- tion can help build this trust. Our of- fice is located at 101 Shattuck Way, Newington (Across from Fox Run Mall). Please call 603.436.9200 to schedule an appointment.

P.S. Chewing tobacco and snuff contain 28 cancer-causing agents.

An estimated 30-40 million Americans grind their teeth when they sleep. Not only does bruxism (tooth-grinding) raise a ruckus, it causes premature tooth wear. In addition to the biting surfaces of grinding molars wearing down, as one might expect, bruxism can also cause tooth loss on the sides of teeth. This bruxism-related loss of tooth material at gum level is caused by “abfraction,” which involves flexing of tooth structure. As the affected teeth grind, the force creates tension on one side of the tooth and compression on the other. As a result, notches develop as enamel is lost. Addressing this problem involves using a night mouthguard to prevent tooth- grinding followed by restoration of the lost tooth material that bruxism caused.

At the office of RICHARD Y. LIU, D.M.D. P.A., our experienced dental and support staff takes pride in providing the most comprehensive care possible for all members of your family in a relaxed, comfortable setting. Remember, when you look good, you feel good. We have the technology that can give you a confident and beautiful smile. When you come to visit us at 101 Shattuck Way, Suite 5, Newington, you can expect the highest level of restorative dentistry available. Call us at 603.436.9200 for an appointment.

P.S. Notches in teeth related to abfraction can be effectively restored with dental bonding.

While traditional dental implants usually require up to six months for the titanium implant to successfully bond with the surrounding bone (“osseointegration”),same-day dental implants don’t require a long waiting peroid. The ability of these “immediate-load” tooth implants to be readily available as foundations for replacement teeth is a direct outcome of their advanced design. As a result, patients can leave the dental office with an immediate-load implant on the same day they have a tooth extracted. With preplanning, it is even possible to have a permanent replacement tooth in place instead of a temporary. Same-day tooth implants cut down on office visits, spare patients the embarrassment of enduring visible gaps, and ensure excellent gum interface with the replacement tooth.

This innovative technique is revolutionizing the way people around the world receive dental implants. At the office of Richard Y. Liu, D.M.D. P.A., we are trained in the most advanced dental methods and take pride in paying full attention to all facets of dentistry. Our purpose is to help people reach and commit to the highest level of dental health personally appropriate to them. We’re located at 101 Shattuck Way, Suite 5, Newington, where we believe regular dental care is one of the best investments you will ever make. To schedule an appointment, please call 603.436.9200. Smiles are our business.

P.S. As with dental implants, immediate- impact implants are not suitable for all patients. Consultation with the dentist can help patients make the tooth- replacement decision that best suits their needs and circumstances.