Austin Dentistry and Wellbeing. Austin Dental Blog.

An integral part of maintaining overall health is good oral health. It is important to understand the connection and be able to make educated decisions regarding dental care.

Recent studies have proven that oral infections can have great impact on your body’s total wellbeing. As a matter of fact, after many years of disconnect and treating people for only a specific health problem, medical doctors are now advised to send their patients to have a periodontal assessment to be able to see the whole picture.

Cardiovascular disease, the leading killer of men and women in the United States, is a major public health issue contributing to 2,400 deaths each day. Periodontal disease, a chronic inflammatory disease that destroys bone and gum tissues that support the teeth affects nearly 75 percent of Americans and is the major cause of adult tooth loss. And while the prevalence rates of these disease states seems grim, research suggests that managing one disease may reduce the risk for the other.

For patients, this may mean receiving some unconventional advice from their periodontist or cardiologist. Periodontists now may not only inform their patients of the increased risk of cardiovascular disease associated with periodontal disease, but also assess their risk for future cardiovascular disease and guide them to be evaluated for the major risk factors. The physicians managing patients with cardiovascular disease may also evaluate the mouth for the basic signs of periodontal disease such as significant tooth loss, visual signs of oral inflammation, and receding gums. Read more…

Important Simple Facts About Gum Disease.

FALLACY: Tooth loss is a natural part of aging.
FACT: With good oral hygiene and regular professional care, your teeth are meant to last a lifetime. However, if left untreated, periodontal (gum) disease can lead to tooth loss. It is the primary cause of tooth loss in adults 35 and over.

FALLACY: Gum disease doesn’t affect overall health.
FACT: Emerging research links periodontal disease to other health problems including heart and respiratory diseases; preterm, low birthweight babies; stroke; osteoporosis; and diabetes.

FALLACY: Gum disease is a minor infection.
FACT: The mass of tissue in the oral cavity is equivalent to the skin on your arm that extends from the wrist to the elbow. If this area was red, swollen, and infected, you would visit the doctor. Gum disease is not a small infection. Its result, tooth loss, leads to a very different lifestyle—dentures. The changes in your appearance, breath, and ability to chew food are dramatic and have many other undesired consequences.

FALLACY: Bleeding gums are normal.
FACT: Bleeding gums are one of nine warning signs of gum disease. Think of gum tissue as the skin on your hand. If your hands bled every time you washed them, you would know something is wrong. Other signs of gum disease include: red, swollen or tender gums; sores in your mouth; gums that have pulled away from the teeth; persistent bad breath; pus between the teeth and gums (leaving bad breath); loose or separating teeth; a change in the way the teeth fit together; and a change in the fit of partial dentures.

FALLACY: Cavities are the number-one cause of tooth loss.
FACT: Periodontal disease is the number-one cause of tooth loss. According to the 1996 American Dental Association/Colgate survey, U.S. dentists say gum disease is a more pressing oral health concern than tooth decay by a 2-to-1 margin.

FALLACY: Treatment for gum disease is painful.
FACT: New periodontal procedures including local anesthesia and over-the-counter medications, have made patients’ treatment experiences pleasant and comfortable. Many patients find they are back to normal routines on the same day or by the next day.

Assess Your Risk of Gum Disease Here.

Greetings, everyone.

Austin is warming up and the spring is just around the corner. The fruit trees are starting to bloom and it is time to enjoy the great outdoors. The weather could not be any better. As Doc Tor often says: “This is why we live in Texas!”

Since Dr. Gotun’s return from his amazing trip to Brazil, we have been very busy. Referring your family and friends to our practice is the biggest compliment we can get and we are very grateful for your support and trust.We promise that we will take care of them as if they are our own.

Over the years to come Dr. Gotun will be sharing his Brazilian experiences with you, but we thought we will give you a little preview:

This is a photo of a lush landscape in a small town Santa Rita de Jacutinga. From countless banana trees to beautiful exotic blooming shrubs, Brazilian nature is absolutely breathtaking.

There are no words that can describe the overwhelming splendor of the Samba Parade in Rio de Janeiro. Just in one night 6 samba schools ( each of them with 3000 to 5000 participants and 5-6 gigantic floats) pass in front of the jury.The show starts at 9 pm and ends around 6-7 am. The amazing costumes, music and dancing are sure to leave the spectators speechless, as there is nothing that can compare to the grandeur of the Carnival in Rio.

And then, of course a beautiful Ipanema beach.

There are pros and cons to everything. White sports drinks and energy drinks may boost your performance and keep you awake throughout the day, they too have their drawbacks when it comes to oral health.

We all are aware of the effects of sugar on your teeth. But what most of us don’t really pay attention to is the acid. Cavities form when bacteria in the mouth mixes with sugar, leading to decay. Erosion occurs when chemicals strip the mineral off the teeth. The consequences of the erosion are far worse than decay, because erosion affects all teeth at once. This causes hypersensitivity, discoloration and cracks on the teeth. Serious cases require crowns or even dentures if entire teeth have disintegrated.

Sports drinks contain high levels of acid that can cause tooth erosion as well as high levels of sugar. Sipping these drinks throughout the day increases the chances for trouble, as they could dissolve the entire tooth over time.

A variety of juices, teas, sodas ( including diet) are also high in acids. The Journal of Dentistry published a study which showed that orange juice decreased enamel hardness by 84 percent. Lemon, orange and grapefruit juice can strip away the enamel with their acidity too. Lemon juice tends to be the most erosive of them all.

In 2008 researchers at the University of Iowa’s College of Dentistry found that energy drinks and sports drinks, such as Gatorade and Red Bull, eroded the enamel more than soda and fruit juices.

So what is the solution to this problem? Should we avoid all those drinks alltogether? We believe that the key is moderation and some helpful practices to keep your teeth as safe as possible:

• Drink the acidic beverage at once, instead of sipping it all day.
• Use a straw to avoid the teeth from being immersed in liquid.
• Substitute acidic beverages with water.
• Rinse mouth with water after drinking acidic beverage instead of brushing. The bristles of the toothbrush may damage the enamel softened by the acid.
  
• Consult your dentist on the best oral health solution that work for you lifestyle.

Read more about it here…

Sometimes it seems that we will faithfully change the oil in our cars on a regular basis while putting off routine dental care for ourselves. . . unless we run into a speed bump such as a toothache. Pain is a powerful motivator, and a lot of us depend on emergencies or roadblocks like that to persuade us to change the road we’re on. But maintenance of your dental health can be one of the most important routines you can establish! Whether you are old or young, good dental care can even become the deciding factor in maintaining quality of life – or life itself. It’s not just a matter of filling cavities!

Probably the most widespread and insidious cause of dental health-related problems is gum disease. Studies indicate that 3 out of 4 adults will develop it in their lifetimes, and if you’re a man with gum disease, you’ll run twice the risk of a heart attack and three times the risk of a stroke. There is a strong connection between gum disease and diabetes; if gum disease is under control, most diabetics see an improvement in their overall health. Ladies, hormonal changes affect gum disease, especially if you are pregnant, and it can complicate pregnancy in a variety of ways. The development of rheumatoid arthritis may be aggravated by gum disease. And for those of us over 40, studies link gum disease with dementia. Who needs all that?

Don’t forget, each time a patient comes in for a procedure, Dr. Gotun always checks for any suspicious signs of oral cancer. Oral cancer is one of the deadliest forms because it so often goes undetected until it is advanced. It is becoming more common than some of the more well-publicized forms of cancer. Early signs are often subtle: most patients don’t even know they have it. It is not hard to diagnose, yet the survival rate is low just because it is often found so late. Smokers or those who chew tobacco run a special risk, but everyone diagnosed with human papilloma virus (HPV) should be checked on a regular basis, too. Any sore spot in your mouth that does not heal within 14 days should be seen, and we are here to help you if you need an appointment. Learn more about oral cancer…

Are you putting off getting those recommended fillings because you half-humorously tell yourself “I can always get dentures”? Do you like food you have to chew? Dentures are a good solution for severe problems, but they only provide about 10% of the chewing capacity of your own teeth. So if you like a good, chewy slice of ciabatta or you are a steak lover, plan to keep your own teeth!

In other words, the next time you look at that little sticker on the windshield and think it’s about time to schedule another oil change, let that be a reminder to take care of yourself as well. After all, you are more important than the car. Call for an appointment: we’ll be glad to “take a look under the hood” and keep you on the best route to good health!

Dr. Gotun and Staff.

Photos help us diagnose your oral health at a higher magnification than with the naked eye or using magnification loops. They give us an opportunity to show you what we see, and you will be able to see the problems for yourself, which in turn will help you make informed decisions about your treatment options. Photos are a great tool for us and they help us in monitoring your status or changes. They also enable us to answer questions in a way that is easier to understand, as they are a great visual aid.

Our goal is to find and treat the underlying causes of problems, not just the symptoms.

Although all of the dental community follows the same medical standards, all dentists are unique in their own ways. There is a difference in experience, education and overall expertise. But most importantly, some medical professionals choose a philosophy that differs from others. That is the beauty of the art of dentistry. Often in medicine, there are no simple answers, because no two bodies are the same. It is the same in dentistry. Our mouth does not function separately from our body, and therefore it should be treated as such. We all have physical and personal characteristics that have to be taken into consideration for the diagnostics to be accurate and for the treatment to be effective. Because of this, the approach has to be altered for each individual case. We do not take the easy route. We make sure we do it right the first time. This is how Dr. Gotun practices dentistry.

Dr.Gotun’s philosophy is uncompromised quality of care for the best possible outcome in the long run for even the most hopeless of dental conditions.

Over 30 years of experience and well-known excellence in dental care in Austin and Texas have polished Dr. Gotun’s techniques and methods. He chooses only the best and most efficient up-to-date technologies, materials and techniques that have proven to work long-term, have fewer side-effects, are the least invasive and that ensure the most effective dental care for his patients. Dr. Gotun has extensive experience and advanced training that enables him to create unique individual solutions for his patients. Some of these solutions are so outside of the textbook that Dr. Gotun has spent years sharing his knowledge with new generations of dental professionals.

“ I cannot wait to wake up in the morning and get to work! I love what I do and I will practice dentistry as long as I physically can!” This statement by Dr. Gotun says it all. Think about this for a minute:  What is there in your own life that makes you feel as passionate? You will feel and appreciate the difference this attitude can make in getting the care you need!

Some can consider our practice non-mainstream and that is exactly what a lot of people are seeking, when their condition cannot be successfully resolved or managed by the standard of care. Dr. Gotun’s integrative approach has been very successful for many years and many cases have been solved against all mainstream dental beliefs. Our patients appreciate his philosophy and we are proud that many of them have stayed with him his entire career. We have patients who have moved out of state who still come back annually to have their care here!

IMPRESSIONS AND MODELS. To complete the exam, we take impressions of your upper and lower teeth and gums to create study models. These are 3-dimensional models that show us how your teeth work together. We will put these models on a tool called an articulator to correctly demonstrate how your teeth truly fit (or in some cases, do not fit) together. Simply taking the models and stacking the upper jaw casting over the lower one does not depict the actual interaction of the jaws (relationship between tooth positioning and joint function), so the articulator is necessary.

To find out your individual anatomical jaw position we use a measuring tool called a face-bow, which is a means of measuring how the teeth relate to the jaw joint (temporomandibular joint). When these measurements are incorporated into the articulator holding the upper and lower jaw models, the result is an accurate depiction of how your mouth functions. These diagnostic casts are a means to study flaws or problems, and communicate them to you, the patient. We also use these initial models as a reference if further work needs to be done.

All of these procedures are done very gently with the patient’s comfort and individual needs in mind.

In order to have accurate, adequate information that enables us to treat you as effectively as possible, we take multiple x-rays. As some people are concerned about the radiation from x-rays, here are some facts for your consideration:

1.    The amount of radiation you’re exposed to in our practice is the approximate equivalent of about 5 minutes’ worth of being outside in the shade on a sunny day. It is miniscule compared to a chest x-ray and is absolutely safe.

2.    If you think you may be pregnant, please make sure you let us know and as an additional precaution we will not take x-rays.

There are several different types of x-rays, which we use for different purposes at different stages of diagnostics:

1. A “full mouth” set consists of 4 bitewing x-rays and 14 periapical x-rays. They show us what we can’t see with the naked eye: with these 18 different views, we can see each tooth individually and from different angles or positions, including the roots and bone in the jaws. This is how we create a correct picture of the extent of cavities or other defects. Taking just 1 or 2 x-rays, though appropriate in an emergency situation where you have pain with a single area of the mouth, may or may not pick up cavities, especially if they are small. The more x-rays we take the more information we have and the more accurate is our diagnosis. When you come in for a regular full exam, we take a full mouth set of x-rays.

2. A “panoramic” x-ray gives us a more rounded view of the teeth and their relation to the jaws. We can see major structures such as the sinuses, the nerve pathways and the location of the wisdom teeth. If you need surgery or extractions, this information is vital to the ease and success of the procedure.

3. Another type of x-ray is the cephalometric, which may be taken from the front of your head toward the back, or from the side. We use these in some orthodontic cases, if there has been trauma, or if we suspect temporomandibular disorder. These views give Dr. Gotun an idea how the patient deviates from a standard pattern of growth and how this needs to be corrected.

4. Occlusal x-rays are taken from the top of the head toward the chin or vice versa, and are very useful in revealing such problems as supernumerary teeth (too many teeth, some of which may not have erupted yet) or problems infiltrating the upper jaw and facial area.

5. One of the most important new diagnostic techniques is “cone-beam” computer tomography. It is especially useful for diagnostics in relation to TMD, orthodontics, surgeries or implant planning. This technology uses a scanner able to collect data to create a complete volumetric reconstruction of a patient’s head and jaws. This 3D model reveals incredibly precise details of bone density and the structures of the face and mouth. The use of this technology assures you as a patient that if a complex procedure is required, we have the most accurate information possible to plan our approach and achieve the best results.

Although it’s rare that we need every type of the x-rays we’ve just described, these are some of the diagnostic tools that may be used to form your unique, accurate diagnosis. In turn, that allows us to discover and address the causes of any problems you may be experiencing, not just the symptoms, which makes the treatment efficient.

Regular visits to your general dentist are key to maintaining healthy teeth and gums. Tooth decay and gum disease are the biggest risks for adults who don’t receive regular dental care.
Besides being destructive to your teeth, gum disease is an oral infection that is contagious and it can be transferred to family members and loved ones.  In addition, gum disease has been linked to heart disease and strokes.
Untreated cavities will eventually cause pain, and it can lead to losing teeth.  Tooth loss is a big problem. If you think dentures can make up for it, remember that your chewing capacity will be reduced to about 10% of normal. Because of the reduced ability to chew, digestion also gets affected, especially the processing of all-important fiber in our food.  So, malnourishment can be the result, leading to a decline in overall health.  Also, dentures can be uncomfortable, and even a good fit initially can change over time.  Using dental adhesives often leads to rampant yeast infections – another problem that can affect your health in general.  There is also a link between denture use and stomach cancer.  These are just a few of the reasons why it is so important to treat cavities!

In our office, in addition to preventive care that Dr. Gotun performs himself, he does free oral cancer screenings every time a patient is in the dental chair. We have seen many examples where our diagnostics were essential in prevention or treatment of oral cancer.

General dentists are the primary dental care providers for patients of all ages. Besides providing preventive services, your general dentist is responsible for the diagnosis, treatment, management and overall coordination of your oral health needs. If you need the services of a specialist, such as an oral surgeon or endodontist, your general dentist can provide appropriate referrals and maintain your continuity of care. Dr. Gotun has very extensive training (his knowledge and expertise put him in the top 1% of the dentists in the US) and he can provide his patients with all aspects of dental care under one roof.

Building a trusting relationship with a dentist who sees you regularly and knows your history allows you to maintain your oral health and catch small problems before they become big ones. Continuous monitoring of your dental health and easy access to your dentist in case of emergency is important and convenient if provided. Dr. Gotun’s patients are guaranteed to get an appointment the same day in case of emergency if they call in the morning within working hours.

Another important aspect of Dr. Gotun’s dental care is that we do not double-book anybody. The appointment time is reserved only for you, so there is no waiting time and you get Dr. Gotun’s undivided attention. He dedicates a lot of time to patient education, so he takes the time that is needed to explain why and how things can be done in each individual case. Dr. Gotun takes pride in delivering only highest quality care for the whole family; therefore we choose to limit our patient flow in order to be able to provide the level of quality in dental care that we strive for.

The times have changed. There is an increasing need of two-way information flow between the patients and their doctors. There is so much information out there that is sometimes not verified or complete, or can be interpreted in various ways, that people need a lot of education to decipher what it really means. We feel that medical professionals can get online and make a statement. We can offer information and resources to our patients that can help them.  We go through a lot of continued education to keep up with the evolution and we know what information can be beneficial.  We have decided to give it a shot. We are now open for a conversation about dentistry, the importance of dental health and the relationship between your smile, health and life. We practise comprehensive dentistry ( or integrative dentistry) and we strongly believe in the connection between it all, but most importantly we would like to contribute to the health education of every person, because it is the key to being healthy.