Hello! We’re Lou and Nick Vitangeli, DDS, of Louis & Dominic Vitangeli DDS in Englewood. I have been practicing quality general and cosmetic dentistry since 1984. Today’s post focuses on malocclusion, or bad bite.

Malocclusion is the dental term for a problem in the way your top and bottom teeth come together. The ideal bite is when the upper teeth are slightly forward of the lower teeth. You have probably heard of “overbites” and “underbites” but the two arches can be misaligned in many other ways as well. Crowded teeth can also cause a bad bite, as well as the opposite situation – teeth that are too far apart.

If the misalignment is very slight, there are often no related issues. However, if the malocclusion is moderate to severe, the patient is at risk for many other health issues such as difficulty chewing and speaking, headaches, hearing problems, increased decay, jaw pain, and gum disease.

The domino effect of these issues can get pretty serious. For example, chewing difficulty can trigger ulcers and gum disease increases the risk of stroke and heart disease. Consider also how these problems can impact a patient’s emotional well-being and power to perform their job.

Putting health issues aside, these problems can get pretty costly to treat.

There are several effective treatments for malocclusion, but first you need a diagnosis. If you suspect that you have a misaligned bite, I hope this post has given you some good reasons to talk to Drs. Lou and Nick Vitangeli. Call 937-771-7431 to schedule a consultation and exam.

Contact Louis & Dominic Vitangeli DDS:

937-771-7431

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

320 Union Blvd
Englewood, Ohio
45322

“My neighbor’s bad breath is scaring me.”

Do you live in Englewood, Ohio or nearby? Bad breath isn’t just a problem for careful brushers in Dayton, Vandalia or Clayton. Your neighbors in Union can spend all day brushing their teeth and still come out with bad breath.

But why?

We’re Lou and Nick Vitangeli with Louis & Dominic Vitangeli DDS. In business since 1984. Our specialty is cosmetic and restorative dentistry. At Louis & Dominic Vitangeli DDS we perform general dentistry and Invisalign & 6 Month Smiles regularly. As a favor to Englewood, Ohio we’d like to take a few minutes to share with you some insight about bad breath and give your neighbors some places to start in improving or removing the offending odor.

Brushing just the teeth may not remove food particles between the teeth and up in the gums. Bacteria can grow and stink from hidden floss-only locations. Gently brushing the gums, sides of the mouth and the tongue in addition to the teeth may make the difference.

Also, the food your neighbors are eating can affect the air they’re releasing. Onions, garlic and coffee are likely to show up on the breath no matter how much time is logged brushing.

Illness, infection, and allergies can all cause salivation issues which in turn upset the control of bacteria in the mouth. Diabetes, kidney failure, radiation therapy, liver malfunction, dry mouth or even postnasal drip can cause an odor.

Finally, dentures or a removable appliance may also carry bacteria that needs to be cleaned and freshened up on a regular basis. Bacteria balance in the mouth is ever changing.

1. Brush and floss the teeth as well as brush the tongue, gums and sides of mouth.
2. Enjoy onions and garlic a little less.
3. Stay on top of health issues.
4. Keep dentures clean.

Again, we’re Drs. Lou and Nick Vitangeli. Located at 320 Union Blvd Englewood, Ohio. We offer dental implants, general dentistry, cosmetic dentistry, sedation dentistry, and restorative dentistry just to name a few of our awesome dental services.

Creating Smiles, Creating Health

Contact Louis & Dominic Vitangeli DDS:

937-771-7431

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

320 Union Blvd
Englewood, Ohio
45322

Today’s Louis & Dominic Vitangeli DDS dental post looks at oil pulling; an alternative practice that has been generating a lot of buzz around Englewood. Oil pulling has been a part of Indian Ayurvedic medicine for thousands of years. It is the practice of swishing oil in the mouth for twenty minutes to benefit the teeth, gums and overall health and well-being. The oils most commonly used are coconut oil, sesame oil, and sunflower oil.

Proponents claim that it detoxifies the mouth, cleans plaque, reduces inflammation, cures bad breath, whitens teeth, kills infection, and boosts the immune system. Some advocates even claim that it “cures” cavities and periodontal disease.

What does the American Dental Association say about oil pulling? Here is an excerpt from a May 2014 article:

“To date, scientific studies have not provided the necessary clinical evidence to demonstrate that oil pulling reduces the incidence of dental caries, whitens teeth or improves oral health and well-being. Based on the lack of currently available evidence, oil pulling is not recommended as a supplementary oral hygiene practice, and certainly not as a replacement for standard, time-tested oral health behaviors and modalities. The ADA recommends that patients follow a standard oral hygiene regimen that includes twice-daily toothbrushing with fluoride toothpaste and cleaning between teeth once a day with floss or another interdental cleaner, using ADA-Accepted products. Brushing with fluoride toothpaste and cleaning between teeth help prevent cavities and keep gums healthy.”¹

Although we are in favor of any practice that improves oral health, Louis & Dominic Vitangeli DDS cautions patients not to replace brushing, flossing, and regular dental cleanings/exams with oil pulling.

At Louis & Dominic Vitangeli DDS, we provide top-quality dental care for every member of your family. We serve all of your preventative, restorative, and cosmetic dental needs including cosmetic dentistry, restorative dentistry, dental implants, sedation dentistry, and general dentistry. Our comfortable, state-of-the-art office is located at 320 Union Blvd in Englewood.

¹“The Practice of Oil Pulling,” American Dental Association, May 14, 2014, http://www.ada.org/en/science-research/science-in-the-news/the-practice-of-oil-pulling, accessed on June 19, 2014

Contact Louis & Dominic Vitangeli DDS:

937-771-7431

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

320 Union Blvd
Englewood, Ohio
45322

My team and I at Louis & Dominic Vitangeli DDS have been providing excellent dental care for our patients in Ohio since 1984.

One of the vital habits of good oral health is daily tooth brushing with an effective toothpaste. There is a wide variety of toothpastes available. I recommend you use one with fluoride and make sure it has the ADA seal. This ensures that the toothpaste has been tested, claims are being met, and the ingredients are correct.

Just because a toothpaste claims to have a ‘whitener’ doesn’t mean it has fluoride.

Toothpaste as we know it has only been in existence since the late 1800s. Fluoride was added in 1914. The earliest evidence of toothpaste or dental cream dates back to 3000-5000 BC. The Ancient Egyptians pulverized oxen hooves, egg shells, pumice, myrrh, and water creating one of the earliest forms of toothpaste.

The Greeks and Romans began adding crushed bones and bark to the mix. The taste most likely was hard to take. During this same time the people of China and India were using a similar paste, but adding flavorings, like Ginseng and herbal mints making it a bit more palatable.

Dayton toothpaste users have no excuse for not brushing their teeth daily with the toothpaste we have available today.

The experienced staff at Louis & Dominic Vitangeli DDS want to help all Ohio smiles be whiter and brighter. Contact us today at 937-771-7431 so we can answer any questions you may have about tooth whitening , invisible braces, or cosmetic dentistry. Louis & Dominic Vitangeli DDS provides cosmetic and restorative dentistry to meet your needs.

Contact Louis & Dominic Vitangeli DDS:

937-771-7431

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

320 Union Blvd
Englewood, Ohio
45322