Teeth are for everyone

February is National Dental Children’s Health Month but it’s a good time to think about the health of your mouth no matter what your age. Dental health is a life-long endeavor and teeth need to be taken care of at every step along the way.

Women thinking of getting pregnant should go for a dental visit! Men who plan to be dads should go, too. Anyone planning to care for a child can decrease the risk of that child getting cavities by taking care of problems with their own teeth.

During pregnancy, dental care is totally safe and regular dental visits are encouraged. Inflammation in the mouth can affect the unborn child and is even associated with preterm birth.

Babies are born with all their baby teeth under their gums. Infant gums should be wiped with a soft, damp cloth after feedings to keep the mouth healthy because teeth start to come in at about 5 months of age. Breastfeeding a child is important to a child’s mouth development as it helps widen the roof of the mouth and contributes to having teeth that come in straight. A baby should never be put to bed with a bottle with anything in it but water as this can cause cavities. The American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Dental Association recommend a child’s first dental visit by age 1.

From the first tooth on, teeth should be brushed daily with a smear of fluoride tooth paste up to age three, a pea-sized amount ages three and up, and with supervision of brushing till age nine. Baby teeth really matter because they help with speech development and nutrition, and since kids lose them slowly until age 11 or 12, baby teeth are needed to hold the space for the adult, permanent teeth coming in.

Children should be encouraged to eat whole fruits and vegetables and avoid sugary drinks. A rule to live by for dental health is water anytime, milk with meals, sweet drinks - skip it! This goes for adults as well because ‘we are what we eat and drink’ and good nutrition is as important to teeth as it is to the rest of the body.

Adolescents, teens, and college-aged kids can really slack-off with personal hygiene and should be encouraged to continue with daily brushing and flossing. Scheduling regular dental visits during school breaks and summer breaks is a good way to ensure any dental problems are caught early. Adults are busy and can slack off on regular dental visits and hygiene, too.

total health-ym

There is especially a lack of flossing, which is needed to get rid of germs between teeth. Keeping floss handy and within reach at home, in the car, in your pack or purse, helps keep this good habit top of mind. Flossing keeps the gums healthy. Bleeding gums are not normal. Brushing and flossing regularly reduces bleeding and helps avoid worse problems with the gums and teeth down the road. It is important to see a dental professional right away if you are concerned about your teeth, gums, or having any mouth pain.

Finally, keeping your mouth healthy is not only good for your whole body, it is good for your wallet. A permanent, adult tooth that gets a cavity (which is an infection of the tooth) is now a weakened tooth. If the mouth continues to be neglected, that cavity can come back under a filling, get bigger, need a crown, a root canal, or even be lost and need to be replaced with a bridge or implant. It is estimated that one tooth can cost well over $6,000 to repair over a person’s lifetime.

Taking care of your teeth truly can pay off!

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 you, say something. Your medical and dental professionals can help.

Hidden Pain

The Jon C Burr Foundation has developed the short documentary Hidden Pain: America's Oral Health Crisis. The film addresses the pain, suffering and enormous cost to the American people of not providing access to Oral Healthcare.   The purpose of the film is to shine a bright light on an issue that has grown in the darkness for far too long.  The film has been distributed to dental schools, community centers, churches and legislative offices in order to educate the public and encourage action. It can be viewed here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4EETIhbiGBI&feature=youtu.be

For more information on the Jon C Burr Foundation visit: joncburr.org

photo source: https://www.cdc.gov/oralhealth/basics/adult-oral-health/index.html

Interview With a Vampire: Taking a (healthy) Bite Out of Fall

October and thoughts turn to pumpkins, pumpkin spice, pumpkin lattes, (let just say all things pumpkin), fall leaves, crisp air, and Halloween. My thoughts, as they often do, turn to oral health and healthy teeth. Pondering this intersection of autumn with a sugar-laden holiday, who better, thought I, to ask about healthy teeth than a vampire? After all, their “lives” literally depend on good, strong teeth! But I was at a loss as to where to find such an enigmatic being. So, I did the only thing I could think of and posted an ad on Craig’s List as follows: “Looking for a vampire to interview for a blog post on oral health. Please respond to this ad using the job posting number indicated above.” I received only one reply but received it surprisingly quickly. What follows is a transcript of that interview.

Y: Hi. It’s so nice to meet you!

Vampire: Likewise. It is my pleasure.

Y: Do you mind if I record our conversation? Wait. Is it possible to record you?

Vampire: Audio, of course. Video, no.

Y: I appreciate you agreeing to meet with me.

Vampire: I appreciate that you were able to meet in the evening.

Y: (laughing) No problem. It’s not so late - it gets dark earlier this time of year.

Vampire: I also appreciate you meeting me at my home.

Y: Again, no problem. You do live in a rather remote area so thank you very much for having your driver pick me up. I would have never found it. By the way, that’s a beautiful car.

Vampire: It’s quite old, a classic. And thank you for not prying regarding the address. You understand, it’s important that I protect my privacy.

Y: Certainly, certainly. I understand. (sneeze)

Vampire: Bless you.

Y: Wow. You can say that?

Vampire: Sure. Just can’t do it. (laughing) I hope you don’t have a cold.

Y: No, it’s these darn allergies. It happens every fall. Hope I don’t ‘fall’ asleep. I had to take some antihistamines.

Vampire: I’m sorry you are suffering so.

Y: Really, it’s nothing. Shall we begin?

Vampire: Let’s.

Y: This is silly and I totally do respect your privacy, but you were rather reluctant to give me your name. What should I call you?

Vampire: Please call me Dave.

Y: Dave.

Vampire: You sound disappointed.

Y: Well, I kinda thought, you know, vampire, pretty mysterious, conjures up far off, mist-covered mountains….

Vampire: Well, Dave’s not actually my name but I thought you’d like something that’s accessible, for your readers. Is that all right?

Y: I do like that feeling of accessibility. You know, Dave, I think you’re right. Dave. It’s perfect.

Vampire: Terrific.

Y: So let’s jump right in. As a dental hygienist, I’m terribly interested in good oral health, and particularly in people who keep their teeth in great shape and how they do it.

Vampire: Naturally, you would be. You seem to have a wonderful, innate curiosity.

Y: Thanks. The thing is, Dave, and I think what makes this interview unique, is I can think of no other beings that would have more stock in maintaining oral health than vampires.

Vampire: You are right, of course. Our lives, well, you know what I mean, depend upon it.

Y: Now, when you say ‘lives’, you mean that you’re actually undead.

Vampire: Well, I think of it as living. There are others that would disagree. But I say, let’s agree to disagree. (laughing)

Y: (laughing) You are charming! I’d love for my readers to know what you do to maintain such wonderful oral health, such strong, shiny, white teeth, over centuries.

Vampire: It’s rather simple, really. I brush two times a day for two minutes each time, using a soft toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste.

Y: Anything else?

Vampire: Yes. I floss at least once a day and more often if I get someone – thing, stuck in my teeth.

Y: It’s that simple, isn’t it, Dave?

Vampire: Absolutely, yes.

Y: Let me ask you a more personal question.

Vampire: Yes.

Y: Have you ever have a cavity?

Vampire: I did. Back as a child, when I was mortal. The tooth decayed and I had to have it pulled. Dentistry was so awful back then. But I learned my lesson and took great care of my teeth from that day forward. Haven’t had any problems since.

Y: Let’s explore that experience a little more. How did you feel about it? To have decay, have a tooth pulled.

Vampire: It was a horror. I wouldn’t wish that on my worst enemy.

Y: It’s so gratifying to meet someone who values his oral health as much as you do, Dave. It is really such a pleasure to hear.

Vampire: Again, the pleasure is all mine.

Y: I do have another question.

Vampire: Please, go ahead.

Y: Let’s say, hypothetically, someone puts a wooden stake through your heart. Is anything left? Do the teeth remain? Movies are so sketchy on this point and other than some books, I have no point of reference. Sometimes the vampire dissolves, sometimes bursts into flames…I’m sorry. Have I offended you?

Vampire: No. However, I am a little uncomfortable with this line of questioning. You know, I have heard that teeth can withstand temperatures over 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit.

Y: Actually, up to 2,000.

Vampire: That is interesting. I really admire your knowledge and passion about this subject.

Y: It’s what I do, Dave. Thanks.

Vampire: You’re welcome.

Happy Halloween. (Photo YM)

Dave was such a great interview but the recording cuts off here and I have to admit I don’t remember much of the rest of the evening. Antihistamines really knock me out! My eyes seem to have developed a bit of sensitivity to light as well, but my doctor assures me it’s the allergies. Happy Halloween!

For another Halloween post from this blog click here: https://mydentalhygienist.blogspot.com/2015/10/

This post is not meant to treat, diagnose, or cure any disease or condition. Please visit your dentist or medical professional if you are not feeling well, and if you are feeling well - go for your regular check-ups. Do not contact Dave. 

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.

Teeth can be a real grind

What causes people to grind their teeth? Some people may experience teeth grinding, or bruxism (bruchk-siz-uhm,) throughout their lives, others report teeth grinding more often or only when stressed. It can occur during the day or may happen only at night. A person may be unaware of it until pain in the teeth, mouth, face, neck, and/or jaw cause him or her to seek relief. The person’s partner may be the one who is aware of it first, waking up in the middle of the night to a noise that sounds like bones cracking. Dental health professionals are trained to recognize signs of grinding in the mouth, such as worn down teeth, so regular check-ups are important. Teeth grinding may cause temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJD) or make it worse.

In conditions such as autism, tooth grinding can be quite common and worrisome to caregivers. There is also evidence that taking certain medications, such as those for depression or gastrointestinal disorders, may cause or increase teeth grinding because of how these drugs affect the body. If it can be determined that teeth grinding starts upon taking a new medication, a doctor may switch the patient to another drug or reduce the dosage. But if teeth grinding develops over time, a medication may not be easily identified as the cause.

Treatment for teeth grinding typically involves alleviating pain and discomfort through the use of night guards, dental appliances, and pain relievers. Some people love night guards, others find them difficult to tolerate. It is important, however, to seek treatment in order to relieve pain and prevent damage to the teeth. Dental night guards can be bought in drug stores or dentists can make them custom-fit for patients.

When evaluating teeth grinding or pain, it is important to look at a person’s entire dental and medical history, including any medications. People being treated for mental health issues may not think to report to their doctor that they are having tooth, face or jaw pain. People often neglect to write their complete medical histories and medications on their dental forms. They may be embarrassed or figure that their medical treatment is not information that a dentist or dental hygienist needs. However, when it comes to medication and oral health, it can matter quite a bit.

Are you experiencing tooth grinding, or waking up with an aching face or jaw? Speak with your doctor or dentist to get the proper treatment you need.

This post is not intended to advise, diagnose, or treat any condition. If you are in pain, please see your dentist or doctor.

Sources: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2934876/; Sutin AR, Terracciano A, Ferrucci L, Costa PT. Teeth Grinding: Is Emotional Stability related to Bruxism? Journal of research in personality. 2010;44(3):402-405. doi:10.1016/j.jrp.2010.03.006. Accessed August 26, 2018

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/tmj/symptoms-causes/syc-20350941; TMJ disorders. Patient care and health information, diseases and conditions. Mayo Clinic Web site. Accessed August 26, 2018

Expert Opin Drug Saf. 2014 Oct;13(10):1319-26. doi: 10.1517/14740338.2014.947262. Epub 2014 Sep 6.

Psychotropic drugs and bruxism. Falisi G¹, Rastelli C, Panti F, Maglione H, Quezada Arcega R.Accessed August 26,2018