'Social Distance' Your Toothbrush

'Toothbrush distancing' photo:YM

In my post earlier this week, (https://bit.ly/3aNTgxG), I included a tip about getting rid of your toothbrush if you've been ill, letting toothbrushes air dry, and storing them in a cabinet. Coincidentally, I was on a conference call the following day with a group of dental professionals when the topic of toothbrush care and COVID was raised. For your information and interest, I am passing along a webpage that was shared.

Please check out these links:

https://www.unitedconcordia.com/docs/Dental_Distancing_infographic.pdf

https://www.unitedconcordia.com/docs/ToothbrushSafetyFlyer.pdf

Hoping you are safe and well.

This blog post is not intended to treat, diagnose, or cure, any dental or medical condition or disease. Please consult with your medical or dental provider if you are ill. The sources cited do not constitute endorsement of any product or business, but are gratefully acknowledged. Source: unitedconcordia.com (accessed April 30, 2020).

What's in the (sparkling) water?

I often get questions about sparkling waters, seltzers, and club sodas. Do they damage the teeth? Are they healthier to drink than soda? What about fruit-infused, fruit-added, or fruit-flavored water?

Seltzer

Sparkling water, seltzer and club soda differ only slightly from each other. Seltzers and club sodas are injected with carbon dioxide gas to make them bubbly, however, club soda also has minerals added. Sparkling water is naturally bubbly and has minerals that are naturally from that water source. Sparkling water and club soda may have sodium in small amounts. Usually, all three have zero calories. If "natural flavors" have been added that means the drink also contains fruit flavors, spices or oils.

The important thing to remember when it comes to tooth damage from drinks are the things that need to be present to cause damage in the first place: plaque germs, sugar and acid.

Although sparkling waters, club sodas and seltzers are healthier than sweetened colas and sodas, they are somewhat acidic compared to plain water. If fruit flavorings are added, the nutrition label should be checked for sugar. Plain water with fruit slices or juices added contain sugar and acid from the fruit. Brushing and flossing should be done daily to ensure that the mouth and teeth are as germ-free as possible. Brushing should not be done immediately after drinking an acidic drink. It is best to wait at least 30 minutes. 

The best drink for mouth and teeth health is plain water. If the water in your community is fluoridated, that's even better. If you need more pep in your drink, sparkling mineral water, seltzer, club soda or water with some added fruit slices, are healthier alternatives to sugar-sweetened sodas and other beverages like sweet teas or sports drinks.

(Don't make the mistake of grabbing tonic water! Tonic is sometimes used in cocktails. It contains quinine, which tastes bitter and was once used used as a medicine in higher concentrations. Tonic also contains sugars and is high in calories.)

What's your favorite bubbly?

Here's a link to a classic Seinfeld clip "I wanted seltzer, not salsa!": https://youtu.be/evYSwr_D8OU

For more on unhealthy and tooth friendly drinks check out some of my previous posts!
https://mydentalhygienist.blogspot.com/2016/04/soda-skip-it.html

https://mydentalhygienist.blogspot.com/2015/11/you-are-what-you-drink.html



This blog and posts are not intended to diagnose or treat and should not be taken as medical or dental advice. If something is bothering, say something. Your medical and dental professionals can help.

2-22 Dental Day

Happy February 22! Today marks the first 2-22 Dental Day. I created it to celebrate the two-two-two dental hygiene rule: Brush two times a day for two minutes and have a dental check-up two times a year. The mouth and it's health is so important and taking care of it can really pay off.

There are other dental themed days and months in the United States. November is National Dental Hygiene Month and February is National Children's Dental Health Month. On the first Friday of February, called Give Kids a Smile Day, many dentist and dental professionals donate their time and services to kids needing dental care. April marks National Facial Protection Month to promote the use of mouth guards and sports safety.

It is estimated that over 80%-90% of adults have dental issues so there is room for improvement. Each February 22^nd can be a reminder to everyone to care for their mouths and teeth. The mouth is such an important part of the body but is often neglected. 2-22 Dental Day is a day to celebrate the importance of having a healthy mouth. Brushing twice daily for two minutes and getting regular dental check-ups two times a year along with daily flossing, can prevent cavities, save time and money and contribute to overall health. It’s such a simple way to treat oneself to good health.

Please visit my 2-22 Dental Day FaceBook page, too. It contains some fun and interesting information. I hope you enjoy it.

(FYI: 2-22 Dental Day is not sponsored by or associated with any organization or agency nor does it sell or promote or endorse any product. The 2-22 Dental Day logo, media, and content were created by Yvonne M. for educational, informational, and entertainment purposes only. It is not intended to be a replacement for, or diagnosis of, any dental or medical condition. Persons needing medical or dental help should consult their personal health care providers.)

Your Heart in Your Mouth

"My heart was in my mouth" is an expression I have always loved and a friend of mine used to use it all the time.  At 14 years old she already had a job working in a local bodega, (that's the Brooklyn version of a convenience store only smaller and selling more beer and cigarettes than anything else,) and I thought she was super-sophisticated.  She certainly met a lot of colorful characters and nary a shift went by that something nerve-wracking hadn't happened along the bustling avenue where she worked.

The phrase came to mind the other day as I was reading an article on dental treatment of patients with heart disease.  It is so important that patients with cardiovascular disease inform their dentists and dental hygienists of any changes in their heart health or medications.  Certain procedures, such as valve replacement or stent placement, may require premedication or even delay non-emergency treatment.  Medications for heart disease, ranging from high blood pressure meds to blood thinners also have effects on the mouth such as increased bleeding or dry mouth. Patients who have had strokes may find it difficult to brush or floss due to loss or decrease of function on the affected side of the body and need to adjust their dental home care routine accordingly.

Although people with gum disease do have a higher incidence of heart disease even after accounting for other factors like diabetes or risky health habits like smoking and drinking, no definite cause and effect relationship between the two has been proven.  More research is being done to figure out this relationship and determine if treating gum disease can help to improve heart health in cardiovascular patients or even help to avoid heart problems in the first place.  Until that determination is made, however, it just makes sense to recommend that people with heart disease take excellent care of their teeth and gums.  Tooth decay and gum disease are completely preventable with good daily oral hygiene which reduces inflammation in the mouth as well as the rest of the body.

Brushing at least two times a day for two minutes and flossing every day keeps your mouth healthy, may keep your heart healthy, and will probably keep you from feeling like your heart is in your mouth at your next dental hygiene visit.

This information is not intended to treat or diagnose any condition.  If you have a dental or medical problem or concern PLEASE see your dentist or doctor!  

The Gums, Part II (If you Ignore Your Teeth, They'll Go Away)

My last post addressed gingivitis, the reversible form of gum disease.  Gingivitis is reversible because although the gums are infected with germs and are bleeding and swollen, removal of the plaque with good brushing and flossing, as well as regular dental hygiene visits, can restore the gums to health.

Periodontitis, the irreversible form of gum disease, means that the bacterial infection of the gums has now spread to the supporting structures of the tooth.  These supporting tissues are the ligaments and bone that hold the teeth in the mouth.  In its most severe form periodontitis causes the teeth to become loose and fall out.

There are several things that contribute to periodontitis.  A person may have a family history of the disease, have other health issues such as diabetes, or take medications that affect the mouth.  Smoking is a also a huge factor in periodontitis and tooth loss.  (A special note for smokers: the gums of smokers may not bleed.  Blood and oxygen are being sent by the body elsewhere, like the lungs, brain and heart, to compensate for the damage being caused by smoking and nicotine also constricts the blood vessels.  Smoking is very devastating to the teeth and smokers have higher and more severe incidence of periodontal disease and more tooth loss than nonsmokers.)

Periodontitis occurs because plaque germs have been able to get below the gum line and harden.  The gums pull away from the teeth, forming a pocket.  This makes it even more difficult to keep the teeth clean.  The deeper the pocket, the harder it is for a toothbrush or floss to reach the bacteria hiding in the pocket.  When the pocket is deep enough, and this is just millimeters in measurement, it become impossible to remove the bacteria with ordinary brushing or flossing.  In this pocket the bacteria explode in number and type.  The plaque hardens, forming in layers on the teeth.  The body, in its effort to fight the bacteria off, begins an assault that will eventually destroy the connective tissues - ligaments and bone.  If this process continues unchecked eventually the gums recede, the teeth loosen and then they fall out.  The insidious part of all this is that, often, periodontitis is completely painless, but there are signs to look for:

- Lack of personal daily oral hygiene (brushing and flossing are not happening)
- Bleeding gums
- Swollen, "puffy" looking gums
- Bright red or purple colored gums
- Persistent bad breath
- Receded gums
- Sensitive teeth
- Teeth seem to have "shifted"
- Loose teeth
- Gums may be sensitive or hurt when touched but are otherwise painless
- Pockets around the teeth greater than 3 millimeters (as measured by a hygienist or dentist)
- Tooth abscess, pus

Once the ligaments and bone are destroyed, they are gone.  However, with proper treatment the condition of the gums and teeth can be maintained and further tooth loss prevented.  This may involve scaling and root planing ("deep cleaning") to remove deposit below the gum line, medications applied topically or given orally, and even surgery.

If you have any of the signs of gum disease get to a dental professional right away and find out what you can do to restore or maintain the health of your mouth.  If you haven't been brushing and flossing start today, now.  Your teeth will thank you by sticking around.

Photo courtesy of Photobucket.com

Please see your dental or medical professional for treatment.  This blog is not intended to diagnose or treat any disease or condition.