Hidden sugars can lead to cavities

May 10th, 2012

Sugar is your teeth’s worst enemy. Most people think that by passing up candy, ice cream and even cake that you can avoid sugar.

However,  it’s foods that have “high fructose corn syrup” or hidden sugars found in seemingly harmless foods that can also cause cavities.

Hidden Sugars

Oatmeal: Avoid the pre- packaged, flavor variety packets and dress up your oatmeal with nuts and fruit.

Protein Bars: Unsalted almonds or peanuts are  a healthier choice.

Salad Dressing: Low fat salad dressing can be chock-full of sugar. Go for vinegar or lemon juice with olive oil instead.

Granola: There’s a health-halo effect for granola. People think that by munching on it, it can help your diet. However, it’s thickly coated with sugar. Opt out of it for a healthier option, like actual fruits.

Milk: All milk has sugar in it, so be wary when you pair it with sugary cereals. It may not bode well with your dental health.

Iced Tea: Unsweetened tea is your best option since natural tea doesn’t have any sugars.  Sweet teas are filled to the brim with sugar.

Sports Drinks: It’s a great way to quench your thirst after a long work out but it’s not as healthy as you think it is.  One drink has 310 calories. You would need to run several miles to burn that off.

If you have any questions about Cavities and how to prevent them, or wish to schedule an appointment, please contact Leikin & Baylin Dental Care of Catonsville, Maryland by calling 410-747-1115 or visit CatonsvilleDentalCare.com.

“We are a team of caring health professionals who provide unparalleled dental excellence and treat our patients as members of our family.”

You can also follow us on FacebookTwitter, and Google+.

Patient Appreciation Day :: Drs. Leikin & Baylin :: Catonsville Dental Care

May 10th, 2012

Our patients appreciate that we provide the highest quality comprehensive dental care. And we appreciate our patients. That’s why Leikin and Baylin Dental Care of Catonsville will be hosting its 5th annual Patient Appreciation Day on Friday, June 1st at 616 Frederick Road, Catonsville, Maryland 21228! We will be offering free hotdogs, drinks, and snowballs. There will even be a moon bounce, courtesy of KIDflatables in Catonsville.

If you are already a patient, please stop by and say hi.  If you are not a patient, you are welcome to come meet the staff and our other amazing patients!

Everyone in the community is invited!  So, stop by, say hi, and grab a bite!

If you have any questions about Patient Appreciation Day, or wish to schedule an appointment, please contact Leikin & Baylin Dental Care of Catonsville, Maryland by calling 410-747-1115 or visit CatonsvilleDentalCare.com.

“We are a team of caring health professionals who provide unparalleled dental excellence and treat our patients as members of our family.”

You can also follow us on FacebookTwitter, and Google+.

Dealing with Dental Phobia :: Catonsville Dental Care

April 25th, 2012

Dental phobia, also known as dental fear and dental anxiety, is actually fairly common. It is often brought on by psychological trauma brought on by comments, such as “if you don’t brush your teeth, you’ll have to go to the dentist,” or it is triggered by a physical event, such as a painful incident at the dentist’s office as a child. These emotional experiences linger, causing anxiety that can carry over into adulthood.

However, with new advancements in dental technology, going to the dentist has become virtually painless.

New Dental Tools: For example, needles used to inject numbing agents have gone from large and reusable (repeated use dulls a needle’s point) to ultra-thin and disposable.

Topical Anesthetics / Dental Patches: Topical anesthetic gels and dental patches can be used to numb the gums to keep patients comfortable during injections and deep cleanings.

Sedation Dentistry: Sedation Dentistry has been used safely for over 30 years, providing a relaxing and anxiety-free experience dental experience for patients just like you! On the day of your appointment, you will take a pill which will relax you. Our specially trained team members will ensure that you are comfortable and relaxed. During the dental visit you will be monitored closely. After your dental treatment is complete there will be minimal if any discomfort. Also, you will have little or no memory of your visit.

If you have any questions about Dental Phobia, Sedation Dentistry, or wish to schedule an appointment, please contact Leikin & Baylin Dental Care of Catonsville, Maryland by calling 410-747-1115 or visit CatonsvilleDentalCare.com.

“We are a team of caring health professionals who provide unparalleled dental excellence and treat our patients as members of our family.”

You can also follow us on FacebookTwitter, and Google+.

Sources:

Coping with Dental Phobia

Leikin & Baylin Dental Care: Pedodontics (Children’s Dentistry)

April 18th, 2012

Proper dental care and regular trips to the dentist are both extremely important, especially for growing children. In fact, the American Dental Association recommends that a child’s first visit to the dentist be right before their first birthday. This is important for several reasons, including:

  • It teaches your child, at an early age, about the importance of proper dental hygiene.
  • Check to see if there is any baby bottle tooth decay.
  • Ensure that your child’s gums are healthy.
  • Make sure your child’s teeth are coming in correctly.
  • Once all your child’s primary teeth have come in your pediatric dentist will start applying topical fluoride to harden the tooth enamel.
  • Dental sealants can also be applied to protect the teeth from bacteria.

But, let’s face it; children are far different than adults. And because of this, they need to see a dentist that specializes in pedodontics, also known as children’s dentistry.

Dr. Leikin and Dr. Baylin of Leikin & Baylin Dental Care of Catonsville offer high quality, comprehensive dental care geared towards children and adolescents. Our pediatric dental services include: regular dental visits and preventative treatments, fillings, aesthetic restorations, mouth guards, and much more!

Make sure the kids ask to see Dr. Baylin’s famous magic tricks!


Don’t wait until your child has a full set of teeth to visit the dentist, call Leikin and Baylin Dental Care today!

If you have any questions about Pedodontics, also known as Children’s Dentistry and Pediatric Dentistry, or wish to schedule an appointment, please contact Leikin & Baylin Dental Care of Catonsville, Maryland by calling 410-747-1115 or visit CatonsvilleDentalCare.com.

“We are a team of caring health professionals who provide unparalleled dental excellence and treat our patients as members of our family.”

You can also follow us on FacebookTwitter, and Google+.

Maryland Dental Care: The Benefits of Invisalign®

April 9th, 2012

Braces can cause pain, discomfort, plaque buildup, tooth discoloration, tooth decay, and even injuries. But if you want straight, aligned teeth and a beautiful smile, you do not have any other choice, right?

Wrong!

Invisalign® invisible braces are the clear alternative to metal braces.

Benefits of Invisalign®

  • Comfort: Invisalign® aligner trays are smooth, comfortable, and even removable. This means that you can live your life like normal without having to worry about the inconveniences that braces can cause.
  • Looks: Unlike braces, Invisalign® is completely clear and discrete. Most people won’t even know you are wearing them. Of course, if you have a special event coming up and do not want to wear your Invisalign®, no problem. Just take your aligners out for that time and pop them back in when you’re ready.
  • Healthier Teeth and Gums: When your teeth are aligned, it helps the gums fit more securely around the teeth, allowing for the strongest and healthiest defense against potential periodontal problems.
  • Easier Cleaning: With braces, keeping your teeth clean can be a challenge. Not only does food get caught in between the wires, but braces also make it incredibly difficult to brush and floss. This can lead to plaque buildup and even tooth decay. Fortunately, Invisalign aligners are removable, making it’s easy to brush and floss your teeth the way you normally do.
  • Overall Health: If left untreated, bacteria can cause mouth sores, tender or bleeding gums, bad breath, and possible tooth loss. Furthermore, studies by the American Dental Association have shown that oral infections can also lead to other more serious ailments such as heart disease, stroke, pneumonia and diabetes. Invisalign aligners make daily oral hygiene easier, reducing your risk of serious infection and disease.

Invisalign®, the clear alternative to braces, has been chosen by over 500,000 people who want amazing smiles.

If you have any questions about Invisalign® and how you could benefit or wish to schedule an appointment, please contact Leikin & Baylin Dental Care of Catonsville, Maryland by calling 410-747-1115 or visit CatonsvilleDentalCare.com.

“We are a team of caring health professionals who provide unparalleled dental excellence and treat our patients as members of our family.”

You can also follow us on FacebookTwitter, and Google+.

Sources:

Invisalign.com

Custom Night Guards in Maryland

April 4th, 2012

Do you wake up in the morning with a headache or a sore jaw?

Do you clench or grind your teeth?

You may have a condition known as “bruxism,” which is the grinding or clenching of teeth during sleep. And because you are asleep when you may be completely unaware you have this condition.

The best way to diagnose bruxism is with regular visits with your dentist. He/she will be able to identify abnormal wear spots on your teeth, the first signs of bruxism. Other warning signs of bruxism include waking up with…

•      Headaches

•      Earaches

•      Toothaches

•      Sore Facial Muscles

•      Sore Jaw

•      Tender Joints

Besides causing pain, bruxism can eventually damage dental restorations, tooth enamel, and temporomandibular joints – the joints on each side of the mouth that connect the lower jaw to the skull. Bruxism can also loosen teeth, cause the cracking and fracturing of teeth, and make the tooth extremely sensitive to changes in temperature or pressure.

Common Causes of Bruxism

•      Stress

•      Problems Sleeping

•      Abnormal Bite

•      Crooked or Missing Teeth

Treatment of Bruxism

One of the most popular treatments for bruxism is the use of a custom-made night guard. This device slips over the teeth, preventing contact with the opposing teeth. This relieves the pressures of grinding and clenching.

Leikin & Baylin Dental Care of Catonsville offers custom-fitted night guards, mouth guards and tension-headache relieving appliances.

If you have any questions about Custom Night Guards or wish to schedule an appointment, please contact Leikin & Baylin Dental Care of Catonsville, Maryland by calling 410-747-1115 or visit CatonsvilleDentalCare.com.

“We are a team of caring health professionals who provide unparalleled dental excellence and treat our patients as members of our family.”

You can also follow us on FacebookTwitter, and Google+.

Sources:

Do You Grind Your Teeth

What is Sedation Dentistry?

March 29th, 2012

Are you afraid of going to the dentist? If so, you are not alone. Every year, millions of Americans avoid the dentist. Some had traumatic experiences as children. Others suffered pain as adults. And others were swayed by stereotypes. Whatever the reason, these individuals stopped seeking important dental care out of fear.

Does this sound like you?

Well, what if I told you that there was a simple solution to your problem?

Imagine not being afraid to go to the dentist. Imagine being able to complete your dental care in one visit. Imagine having a positive feeling about your dental visit. Imagine being able to chew comfortably and smile confidently.

This is what sedation dentistry specialists at Leikin & Baylin Dental Care are offering.

Imagine how relaxation dentistry can change your life…

How Sedation Dentistry Works

Sedation Dentistry has been used safely for over 30 years, providing a relaxing and anxiety-free experience dental experience for patients just like you!

On the day of your appointment, you will take a pill which will relax you. Our specially trained team members will ensure that you are comfortable and relaxed. During the dental visit you will be monitored closely. After your dental treatment is complete there will be minimal if any discomfort. Also, you will have little or no memory of your visit.

Candidates for Sedation Dentistry

•      A high fear of dentists

•      Had traumatic dental experiences

•      Difficulty getting numb

•      A bad gag reflex

•      Very sensitive teeth

•      Limited time to complete their dental care

•      Complex dental problems

•      A fear of needles

Modern dentistry offers many new tools and options that make necessary treatments not only tolerable but even comfortable.

If you have any questions about Sedation Dentistry or wish to schedule an appointment, please contact Leikin & Baylin Dental Care of Catonsville, Maryland by calling 410-747-1115 or visit CatonsvilleDentalCare.com.

“We are a team of caring health professionals who provide unparalleled dental excellence and treat our patients as members of our family.”

You can also follow us on FacebookTwitter, and Google+.

Dr. Leikin Honored as a Mort Diamond: You Make a Difference Award Winner

March 23rd, 2012

At last Friday’s inaugural Mort Diamond “You Make A Difference Award Banquet,” Dr. Edward Leikin, of Leikin & Baylin Dental Care in Catonsville, was honored as a recipient of The Mort Diamond: You Make a Difference Award for volunteerism. The award honors individuals and organizations striving to improve the lives of young people through mentorship, leadership and volunteerism.

The distinguished list of recipients of the Mort Diamond: You Make A Difference Award 2012 include:

•      Ralign T. Wells

•      Edie House-Foster

•      Dr. Freeman Hrabowski III

•      Mort Diamond

•      Alpha Phi Alpha

•      Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church

•      Delegate Sandy I. Rosenberg

•      Harry Evans III

•      Judge Catherine O’Malley

•      Emmanuel Holley

•      Dr. Edward Leikin

The Mort Diamond: You Make A Difference Award was created in recognition of the lifelong contributions of Mr. Mort Diamond and his on-going passion for helping young people achieve their full potential in sports, education and life.

Proceeds from the Mort Diamond “You Make A Difference Award Banquet” went to benefit TuTTie’s Place, a non-profit youth foster care organization.

If you have any questions or wish to schedule an appointment, please contact Leikin & Baylin Dental Care by calling 410-747-1115 or visit CatonsvilleDentalCare.com.

“We are a team of caring health professionals who provide unparalleled dental excellence and treat our patients as members of our family.”

You can also follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.

Smile Club

February 15th, 2011

Drs. Baylin and Johnson recently spoke to the Catonsville Chamber of Commerce about our Smile Club. The Smile Club is a wonderful program for our patients that do not have insurance. It provides two cleanings, exams and bitewing radiographs at no charge. In addition, the Smile Club member receives fifteen percent off of all other in-office procedures. The program has been very well received by our patients.

Adult Fluoride Treatments

August 11th, 2009

Adult Flouride Treatments

In the past, it was generally excepted that fluoride should be mainly used for children, whose developing teeth, fluoride helped the most. But through the years, more research has been done and fluoride is being shown to help prevent tooth decay in people of all ages. You don’t have to go to the dentist to get fluoride. Many toothpastes and some mouthwashes contain fluoride.

If upon speaking with your dentist, it is determined that you have a more serious risk of tooth decay, you can be prescribed fluoride treatments that you can use in your home. Flouride, while not the only necessary dental hygiene practice, can work in conjunction with brushing and flossing to help you keep your teeth healthier for longer.