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Top 10 Most Common Causes of Bad Breath

             & How To Eliminate Them

As we discussed in the previous blog, the main cause of bad breath is bacteria.  So what if your oral hygiene is impeccable?  Could there be other causes of bad breath?  Let’s continue the discussion by reviewing at the Top 10 Most Common Causes of Bad Breath.

Gum Disease (aka Periodontal Disease)

Without going into lengthy detail, gum disease is basically a disease that affects your gums and teeth that, if left untreated, can cause your teeth to become loose or fall out.   Gum disease is caused by bacteria that sticks to your teeth (plaque) and releases acids and toxins that damage your teeth and gums.  This bacteria feeds on left-over food particles on/around your teeth and gums, resulting in the release of VSC’s (volatile sulfuric compounds).  These VSC’s comprise the “bad” in bad breath.  The bacteria multiplies at an exponential rate so that brushing and flossing can no longer reduce or eliminate the millions of bacteria at a fast enough rate.  As the bacteria continues to multiply, the crevice becomes so deep that even toothbrush bristles cannot reach to clean them out.    If caught early enough, periodontal disease can be kept at bay by your dental hygienist, if seen on a regular basis…  And most patients experience a decrease in bad breath with the decrease in oral bacteria.

Nasal Problems

People with nasal problems are more prone to bad breath because the bacteria breakdown proteins in food particles, and in certain circumstances, the protein in mucus.    The breakdown of mucus proteins produces a VSC (volatile sulfuric compound) that produces a bad smell.  People with post-nasal drip have a collection of mucus on the back of their throat and on their tonsils—both of which have many nooks and crannies.  Because it is hard to clean these places, the bacteria continue to breakdown the mucus proteins and continue to produce the VSC’s causing bad breath.

 Dirty Tongue

Many dental offices provide a tongue cleaner/scraper with the supplies that are provided to you at your cleaning appointments.  Tongue cleaners can also be found on toothbrushes and in the toothbrush aisle of your local pharmacy; however, many people don’t really know what to do with them.  JUST SCRAPE!  Yep, that’s it!  When you use this special tool, you are scraping any left-over food particles and bacteria off the surface of your tongue.  Your tongue is a great hiding place for bacteria and small food particles because of its grooves and crevices, thus a great playground for VSC production if left unscraped.  Using your toothbrush bristles to brush your tongue will also have the same effect.

Prescription Medication

All prescription medications have side effects.  One of the most common side effects is a dry mouth (xerostomia).  Dry mouth occurs when you do not produce enough saliva to keep your oral tissues (gums, tongue, etc) moist.   This often feels, and is referred to as, “cotton mouth.”  Saliva is the main proponent for bacteria reduction in your mouth.  Saliva helps plaque not stick to your teeth and washes away other bacteria and food particles everytime you swallow.  A person with a dry mouth does not produce enough saliva to wash anything away, so bacteria rapidly multiplies and sticks to your teeth, collects in your nooks and crannies, and excretes many VSC’s that stay in your mouth.

 Tooth Decay

The words, “tooth decay”, basically mean cavities in your teeth.  This can be big cavities leading to crowns, root canals or extractions, or it can be small cavities leading to fillings.  Cavities are caused by bacteria feeding off left-over food particles or sugars in your mouth causing acid to form and eat away at your teeth.  Cavities are an infection of the tooth because of the high levels of bacteria eating your teeth causing them to breakdown.  The tooth is very porous beyond the outer layer of enamel.  So once the bacteria break through the hard part of the tooth (enamel), it begins to eat away at the softer part of the tooth.  This leaves behind rotting tooth particles eaten by the bacteria in addition to food traps.  Cavities often form in places that you miss when brushing, thus leaving food particles to rot and bacteria to multiply resulting in an overload of VSC’s.

Food We Eat

As you learned earlier, VSC’s are basically waste products from the bacteria in our mouth after digesting the proteins in the foods we eat.  Some foods we eat already smell a certain way before they even enter our mouths (i.e. fish, cheese, onions, etc).  These foods carry the smell with them during digestion and the smell is excreted throughout our body on a cellular level, which is why it takes a couple of days for us to exfoliate these smells.  Most people don’t brush and floss immediately after eating a meal either, which seems to compound the issue.  Even if they do, it is virtually impossible to completely rid our mouth of small food particles; however, we can brush and floss to minimize the amount so as to decrease the amount of VSC’s produced, thus decreasing bad breath.  Bacteria, mostly anaerobic, will always live inside our mouth—but we need to make sure we aren’t voluntarily feeding them.

 Smoking

This section doesn’t need much explanation.  Apart from smoking being carcinogenic and staining to your teeth, it also makes your breath smell bad.  When someone smokes, it dries out the mouth and causes you to produce less saliva…and as we discussed earlier, a dry mouth leads to bad breath due to the increased growth of bacteria due to the lack of saliva washing the bacteria and other food away.  Tar and nicotine also tend to build-up on the teeth and cheeks (or any other hideaway) due to the lack of saliva flow.  Smoking also exacerbates nasal problems and gum disease, both of which were discussed earlier.

 Stomach Problems

Most stomach problems are caused by bacteria being absorbed into your body and excreted through your breath.  The most common is acid reflux disease where stomach acid works its way up from the stomach into your throat and the odor is then excreted in your breath.  (It is best to see a medical professional if you are experiencing any type of stomach problem).  Stomach acid, whether it be from bulimia, acid reflux, or something else, also causes tooth enamel to erode, leading to increased cavity formation.

 Mouth Breathing

Mouth breathing can be a difficult habit to change because it is almost an auto response to your body being dehydrated.  When the body is the least bit dehydrated, the nasal passages are one of the first to feel the effects.  When the nasal passages dehydrate, they become more sensitive,  causing your body to react via the only other way it can still inflate your lungs – through your mouth.  Upon breathing solely through your mouth, your mouth begins to dry out even more causing a decrease in saliva flow (as discussed earlier).  The saliva that is produced is thicker, thus making it a less effective lubricant for your teeth and certainly less effective in washing away any bacteria.  Needless to say, as you mouth breathe, the bacteria continue to multiply at high rates while excreting the foul smelling VSC’s. 

 Dentures / Partials

The same bacteria and debris that collect on natural teeth and gums is also collected on and/or under dentures/partials.  The same bacteria produce the same VSC’s.  This bacteria is collected on a person’s tongue, cheeks and underneath the dental appliance.  Since the appliance sits against the gums, it is a great place for bacteria and food particles to hide, causing significant bacterial reproduction.  Most people experience a decrease in bad breath after cleaning their tongue in addition to cleaning their appliance thoroughly after each meal.  (An ill-fitting appliance will cause a collection of much debris in addition to damage to the tissues, so it is best to see a dental professional if your appliance is causing problems.)

How Can I Prevent / Eliminate Bad Breath?

• See your dental professional on a regular basis
  • Have a dental hygienist clean your teeth every three - six months
  • Make sure you are seen by your dentist regularly
  • Tell your dental office each medication you are taking
• See your medical professional on a regular basis
  • Talk to your doctor if you are experiencing a dry mouth due to medications or if you are experiencing stomach problems
  • See your doctor if nasal problems are not eliminated by over-the-counter medicines
• Decrease the intake of food/drinks that cause water loss & increase dehydration (i.e. alcohol, coffee)
• Consume more water to keep your body hydrated throughout the night
• Clean any dental appliance after each meal
• Eliminate/reduce smoking
• Brush/floss after each meal
• Use a tongue cleaner or brush your tongue daily

 

So as you can see, bad breath can be prevented. .. But, please remember, if you are having a chronic problem with bad breath, please seek professional dental and/or medical help.

 

 

 

 

Take The Sniff Test

It’s Valentine’s Day.  The day millions of people around the world put forth an effort to become more kissable & pay closer attention to their breath.  Mouthwashes will be swished, gum will be chewed—and for some, it will work…but for others, they will be masking one, if not many, underlying problems.  To find out which category you fall into, do a Sniff Test.

A Sniff Test is something you can perform on your own, in the privacy of your own home.  All you have to do is floss your teeth, then sniff your floss.  Yes, I said, Sniff Your Floss!  If your floss doesn’t have an odor, then you fall into the healthy category of people who brush & floss daily, reducing oral bacteria.  This category of people can use supplemental, over-the-counter breath freshening items more effectively in their oral hygiene regimen & can mostly likely, expect kissable, fresh breath.  If your floss has an odor, you fall into the unhealthy category of people & it is important that you continue reading.

The main cause of bad breath is bacteria.  We have thousands of bacteria living in our mouth that are both good & bad.  The job of bacteria is to help neutralize pH & foster a healthy environment by breaking down (eating) anything that doesn’t belong.  Bacteria feed on left-over food particles on/around your teeth, gums & tongue…and, like people, what goes in, must come out…resulting in the release of volatile sulfuric compounds (VSC’s).  VSC’s are not only smelly (like passing gas), but are also acidic and toxic, causing damage to your teeth and gums. 

For those who brush, floss & clean their tongue on a daily basis, they are removing left-over food particles & bacteria.  Therefore, they are minimizing the number of bacteria that produce smelly VSC’s that cause bad breath.  If brushing, flossing & cleaning the tongue is not done on a daily basis, bacteria begin to multiply at an exponential rate, causing bad breath to get worse & irreversible damage to your teeth & gums.  At a certain point, a toothbrush & floss can no longer reach the places bacteria is hiding & you must seek help from a dental professional. 

For now, understand that the easiest way to eliminate bad breath is to reduce the amount of oral bacteria by brushing, flossing & cleaning your tongue on a daily basis.  If bad breath continues, contact a medical or dental professional, as other problems may be the cause.

If you are looking for fresh breath this Valentine’s Day, you should start with a Sniff Test.  The greatest gift is the gift of good health…and remember, good health begins with good oral hygiene (daily brushing, flossing & tongue cleaning.)  What’s a better Valentine’s Day present than that?

(Next week we will discuss the 10 leading causes of bad breath & how to eliminate them, so stay tuned…)

 

 

21^st Century Energy Crisis Affects Teeth

As many of you are aware, Starbucks rolled out their new 31oz “Trenta” sized cup a few weeks ago, available only for iced coffee, iced tea & lemonade drinks.  For Starbucks groupies, the announcement was a godsend, but it left many wondering how much is too much?  Convenience stores provide cups of larger sizes for their iced beverages & no one bats an eye, so why is Starbucks in the hot seat?

There are two common threads of concern in a beverage this size:  caffeine & sugar—and both are contributors to tooth decay.

Caffeine is a drug that stimulates the central nervous system, alleviating fatigue & increasing wakefulness.  According to Stephen Cherniske in his book, Caffeine Blues, the drug begins its effects by initiating uncontrolled neuron firing in the brain.  The excess neuron activity triggers the pituitary gland to secrete a hormone that tells the adrenal glands to produce adrenalin, the source of our “fight or flight” response.  Once the high wears off, you experience fatigue once again, and long for another “high”.  By continuing to supply the “high” with “hits” of caffeine, the roller-coaster effect is continued, leaving your body in a constant state of alert, called “caffeinism”.

Over a period of time, caffeinism pushes the adrenal glands to the max, causing adrenal exhaustion.  Thus, it begins to take more and more caffeine to make up for less and less adrenalin production, which is why, over a period of time, it takes more coffee to get the same result.

A normal cup of coffee is considered to be 6-8oz, meaning the Trenta offers 4-5 cups of coffee in one serving.  According to the Mayo Clinic, 4+ cups of coffee per day is considered heavy daily caffeine use, and can result in one or more of the following symptoms:  Insomnia, nervousness, restlessness, irritability, nausea or other GI problems, fast/irregular heartbeat, and muscle tremors.

Sugar, on the other hand, is also a strong contributor to adrenal exhaustion.  There is a viscious cycle that occurs with a sweetened beverage:  Sugar stimulates & weakens the adrenals, which creates fatigue.  Then we reach for another caffeine “hit” to continue the “high”, which further depletes the adrenal glands and results in fatigue.  Most then respond by drinking more caffeine with sugar…and the cycle continues. 

In addition to its contribution to adrenal exhaustion, sugar is a concern related to increased obesity in America, or around the world for that matter.  When it comes to beverages, most people order the sweetened varieties of both the iced coffees, iced teas and iced lemonades, increasing their caloric intake with each increase in cup size.  [For those who are thinking that caffeine increases metabolism, that is correct; however, the Trenta may pack extra caffeine, but not enough to burn off its potential extra 600 calories.]

As far as teeth are concerned, there are a few areas of concern regarding both coffee & sugar.  Coffee is an acidic substance that changes the pH in the mouth, creating an acidic environment.  As the pH becomes more acidic, Calcium & Phosphate can be pulled from tooth enamel, weakening the tooth structure.  And as you know, weakened tooth structure results in increased cavity formation.

Caffeine, the drug found in coffee, tea, etc, is also a diuretic that results in dehydration & decreased saliva flow.  Saliva flow is essential to, not only maintaining a balanced oral pH, but also helps to wash away bacteria.  An environment with a decrease in saliva flow creates a breeding ground for bacteria that eat away at both your gums & teeth.

Now add sugar to the mix…Acidic substances, such as coffee, tea, lemonade, weaken tooth enamel, and the caffeine reduces saliva flow, so sugar hits the teeth & basically dives right into the tooth! 

Think about how long it takes to drink a 31oz Trenta sized beverage—916 milliliters.  The human stomach, on average, has a 900 milliliter capacity, so it would be hard to literally gulp this size drink, and most people would take their time consuming it.  Think about how long your mouth would be in an acidic environment, sucking the Calcium from your teeth.  Think about how long sugar would be eating away at the weakened teeth surfaces.  Think about how quickly the amount of stain would build-up on your teeth by bathing them in coffee or tea for such a long period of time. 

I know, I know, everything in moderation…but is Starbucks pushing the limits & contributing to the already existent energy crisis or creating a new one?  Only time will tell, I suppose.

Maybe one day Starbucks will offer an IV drip that would not only save time in line, but would bypass the mouth altogether & save your teeth as well.  It would take the term “docking station” to a whole new level.

 

 

Beans, Beans, Good for Your ... Teeth?

Happy Bean Day!  Yes, there is actually a day dedicated to beans, thanks to Gregor Johann Mendel.  According to FoodReference.com, “Mendel was an Austrian botanist whose work was the foundation of the science of genetics.  Working mainly with garden peas (some 28,000 plants over 7 years), he discovered what was to become known as the laws of heredity.”  Mendel’s work (the basis of the study was the bean) was so important to the study of genetics that National Bean Day was said to have commemorated in his honor.

Let’s talk beans for a minute.  Beans (legumes) are high in fiber & protein and are a great source of many nutrient-rich vitamins & minerals, such as Calcium, Zinc, Iron, Selenium, Vitamin B, C and Folate, to name a few.  They also may help to prevent certain types of cancer.  [There is some preliminary research that suggests that certain legumes may help to prevent colon cancer.  Another study found an association between legume ingestion and decreased likelihood of cancer of the esophagus, oral cavity, and larynx.]

So how do beans affect your oral health?  Although healthy teeth & gums require a balanced diet, there are specific vitamins & minerals that are vital to healthy teeth & gums:  Calcium, Iron, & Vitamins A, B, C and D (all of which are in beans, I may add).  Let’s take a look at how each of these can affect your oral health…

            Calcium:  Teeth & jaw bones are made mostly of calcium.  When combined with phosphorous, it forms calcium phosphate, the dense, hard material of the teeth & bones.  Without enough calcium in your diet, you are at risk for gum disease & tooth decay (cavities).  If your jawbone is not healthy, the chances are your whole mouth is not healthy.

            Iron:  Iron deficiency can cause your tongue to become inflamed, and sores can form inside your mouth.

            Vitamin A:  Vitamin A has a lot to do with the formation of healthy teeth, gums & skin.  It aids in the formation and maintenance of mucous membranes and soft tissues, and has antioxidant properties.  These antioxidants help to destroy free radicals that cause your body to decay.

            Vitamin B3 (niacin):  A lack of Vitamin B3 can cause bad breath and canker sores in the mouth.

            Vitamins B2 & B12 (riboflavin):  Mouth sores can also develop when you don’t consume enough B2 & B12.

            Vitamin C:  Vitamin C is an antioxidant that promotes healthy teeth & gums and assists in the absorption of iron.  A deficiency will lead to bleeding gums and loose teeth.

            Vitamin D:  Vitamin D is created in the body after exposure to sunshine.  It helps your body absorb calcium—necessary to develop and maintain healthy teeth & bones.  A diet low in Vitamin D can cause burning mouth syndrome.  Symptoms include a burning mouth sensation, a metallic or bitter taste in the mouth, and dry mouth.

The following is a summary statement published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition on the benefits of legumes:

            “…Dry beans supply protein, complex carbohydrate, fiber and essential vitamins and minerals to the diet, yet are low in fat and sodium and contain no cholesterol.  Both protective and therapeutic effects of bean intake have been documented.  …Including dry beans in a health-promoting diet is especially important in meeting the major dietary recommendations to reduce risk for chronic diseases such as coronary heart disease, diabetes mellitus, obesity and cancer.”

As you can see, beans are not only good for your heart.  The nutrient-rich contents they house are good for your entire body.  So in honor of National Bean Day, I think I’ll have a bean burrito, lentil soup, or maybe some hummus…oh the possibilities!

 

 

DeLand Dentist puts a New Spin on an Old Christmas Favorite:

 

‘Twas the day before Christmas & all through DeLand,

Not a single tooth was hurting, not even my drilling hand.

With models all trimmed, and lab cases ready,

We patiently waited for mail carrier Betty.

 

Into the office she walked, with a man by her side.

We had not seen him before, maybe he was her ride.

She greeted us nicely, then said with a pause,

“This is my friend Santa…Santa Clause.”

 

“Mr. Clause has a toothache & needs help right away. 

Can you help him,” she said. “Let’s get started, don’t delay.”

The first step was blood pressure…Santa’s was high.

“I didn’t take my medicine today,” he said with a sigh.

 

He sat in the chair & opened his mouth wide.

We couldn’t believe what we found inside.

A broken tooth, cavities and gum problems aplenty.

Good thing I was masked…oh, boy how stenchy!

 

A cleaning, some fillings & crowns done same-day…

But we knew that Santa must be on his way.

“One thing I must tell you,” Dr. Mathias said with a smile,

“Because I know we probably won’t see you for awhile.”

 

“Eating candy & cookies & sugar is alright,

As long as you brush & floss after and don’t eat them all night.

And don’t’ forget that fruits, veggies and exercise are good for you.

Your heart will be happy & your blood pressure will go down, too.”

 

Santa gave him a hug and said, “Doc, you’re alright!”

“I’ll do everything you said, and I’ll begin tonight.”

He told us goodbye & said, “Betty, Let’s go!

We’ve got packages to deliver…Ho, Ho, Ho!”

 

We sat & reflected of the days events,

And couldn’t believe how our day went.

We’re headed home now with a new year in sight…

Merry Christmas to all & to all a goodnight!

 

 

 

All I Want for Christmas is My Two Front Teeth

"All I Want for Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth", according to Wikipedia, is a novelty Christmas song written in 1944 by Donald Yetter Gardner while teaching music at public schools in Smithtown, New York. He asked his second grade class what they wanted for Christmas, and noticed that almost all of the students had at least one front tooth missing as they answered in a lisp. Gardner wrote the song in 30 minutes. In a 1995 interview, Gardner said, "I was amazed at the way that silly little song was picked up by the whole country." The song was published in 1948 after an employee of Witmark music company heard Gardner sing it at a music teachers conference.

A few weeks ago, when little Faye Armstrong of Waterloo, Liverpool was born, she actually received two front teeth!  Faye is considered a rarity because she was born with two front teeth…and has two more appearing! 

Teeth begin to develop before birth, along with other organs in your body; however, they don’t usually erupt until ~6mos to one year of age.  The first teeth to erupt are normally the top and bottom 4 front teeth, and by age 3, approximately 20 baby teeth are present.  These baby teeth will begin to fall out & make way for larger adult teeth around the age of 5yrs.

But baby Faye’s case is a little different.  She represents 1 in ~3000 babies who have natal / neonatal teeth.  Natal teeth are teeth that are present at the time of birth.  Neonatal teeth are teeth that erupt during the fist 30 days after birth.  Natal teeth usually develop in the lower front gum area and are attached to the gums by soft tissue.  Most are mobile and do not have adequate root formation, but can cause irritation to the infant’s tongue or a nursing mother.  Most natal teeth are removed shortly after birth, especially if they are mobile, to prevent aspiration of the tooth.

No one really knows for sure why these teeth erupt so early, but several sources suggest a possible hereditary connection.  For instance, the Tlinget Indians in Alaska show a prevalence of 9% of their newborns having natal or neonatal teeth, 62% of them had affected relatives.  Other environmental factors, such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB), used in pesticides, coolants, carbonless copy paper, etc, have all been sited as other possible sources, and are associated with other symptoms as well.  Some also indicate correlations between natal teeth and various syndromes. 

Regardless of the cause, there can be complications with the tooth enamel on these teeth, causing the teeth to turn a yellow-brown color or cavity formation to begin.  So, if your child has natal or neonatal teeth, it is imperative that you seek professional advice from your dentist to ensure proper tooth development can occur in the future.

So in the spirit of the holidays, you can continue singing Mr. Gardner’s lyrics…that is, unless you are an expectant mother due in the month of December.

 

 

Tooth Transplant Cured Blindness

We all know the saying, “An eye for an eye & A tooth for a tooth”, but what about “A tooth for an eye!”  If you ask Kay Thornton, “A tooth for an eye” isn’t figurative, but quite literal.  Kay was diagnosed with a disease called Stevens-Johnson Syndrome 31 years ago & the symptoms led to blindness. 

Advancements in medical treatments gave Kay hope in seeing again one day…a day that came recently.  Kay sought medical advice from her eye doctor, who found her to be a good candidate for a relatively new type of transplant procedure to cure her blindness.  But little did she know that the person used to facilitate her cure would be her own dentist. 

Her eye doctor explained that she would need something special to hold the optical lens in her eye…her very own tooth!  Kay’s canine tooth was removed by her dentist, then it was converted into a special holder for her optical lens by drilling holes in it.  After several hours of surgery, the tooth was inserted into her eyeball.  And voila…sight once again.

The mouth, teeth and gums were once thought of as a separate entity from the rest of the body by the general population, but that’s not the case anymore.  More and more studies are finding that good oral health can prevent many diseases, such as heart disease, stroke & diabetes.  So taking the time to see your dentist regularly, in addition to brushing & flossing daily, is not only important, but a necessity to maintain good oral health. 

Fortunately, Kay had a healthy, stable tooth that was required for the procedure.  If you are unsure of the health or stability of your own teeth, see your dentist…it could be an eye-opening experience.

 

 

Sink Your Teeth Into This

Last week, a man named Conrad Feasel was arrested for biting his 3yr old daughter on the arm—2yrs ago.  It was said that the bite was intended to teach his daughter a lesson, but investigators say it was a hard enough bite that the girl needed medical treatment.  And why did it take 2yrs for the arrest?—Officials say it was due to a backlog at the police department, and the father had since moved.

As cooky as this story may seem, it actually reminded me of my own childhood-- I recall my younger sister going through a ‘biting phase’.  Only separated by two years, I recall one evening I upset her, causing her to bite an arm, just like Mr. Feasel; however, in this case, she didn’t bite my arm…she bit her own…then blamed it on me!!!  Being the middle child I am, I pled my case to my mother explaining how I wouldn’t do such a thing, how my little sister was such a liar, and of course, how I get blamed for everything.  The jury came back GUILTY.  So I was sent to bed as my sister sat with a smirk on her face. 

Fortunately, the story doesn’t end there.  It wasn’t long before my mother entered my bedroom with an apology, accompanied by my sister...now wearing a frown.  Apparently my futile attempt at pleading my case actually worked.  I found out that my mother began a little “discovery” of her own and began looking at teeth marks.  Fortunately, these incriminating marks left a deep enough wound for the evidence to remain in existence long enough for the truth to be revealed.

Most people have never measured the amount of force used when biting, so the following numbers may seem a little surreal.  Adults with their natural teeth can bite with ~200 lbs of force.  Young children, with their primary teeth, can bite with ~50 lbs of force or less.  As a child’s permanent teeth erupt, their biting force increases.  These biting forces allow us to not only chew our food, but to chew our food well.  Those that do not have a full complement of teeth (denture wearers) can only bite with ~50 lbs of force, and those that have been wearing dentures for more than 15yrs can only bite with ~6 lbs of force. 

Basically, the more teeth you have, the stronger you can bite, the more you can chew your food, and the longer you will live—(denture wearers have a 10yr shorter life span).

The circle of life takes us from childhood to adulthood, then back to childhood again as our body wears out & ages…but your teeth only wear out because of poor habits or trauma.  They can stay in adulthood with proper care and at least 2 annual visits to your dentist. 

So the next time you want to bite your child to teach them a lesson (and if you haven’t done it already, I know it’s crossed your mind), remember the power of your adult teeth…and the power of the law.

 

 

Flu Increases Risk of Heart Attack

Recent studies, conducted by Dr. Andrew C. Hayward of University College London,  reveal a correlation between influenza and heart attack.  Dr. Hayward led a total of 39 studies between 1932 and 2008, and what he found was pretty astonishing…35-50% of cases in which people who had the flu died, the cause of death wasn’t from influenza…it was from a heart attack or other cardiovascular related events!

We all know that the flu causes inflammation throughout our body, which is why the symptoms are usually fatigue, fever, and other unsightly emissions.  This inflammation is theorized to alter the plaque in your arteries, thus triggering clot formations that lead to heart attacks.  And did you know that the bacteria that creates the plaque on your teeth is the same bacteria that is found in the plaque in your arteries? 

Dr. Hayward also found that people who were vaccinated against the flu were at a significantly lower risk for cardiac related death and other studies have shown that a decrease in oral plaque is indicative of a decrease in arterial plaque as well. 

So what can you do to prevent the flu from affecting your heart?  1)  See your dentist to ensure your oral plaque is maintained, 2)  See your doctor for a flu vaccine if you have a history of heart disease or ailments, are over the age of 65, or have a compromised immune system. 

Don’t get heartsick over the flu…  See your dentist & your doctor today!

 

Oddity Removed from Man's Ear

In recent history, we heard a lot about the 33 Chilean miners and their 66 day ordeal trapped inside the earth…from heroic measures by their team leader to an outed affair upon rescue, we certainly know more about these miners than they ever dreamed.  Many have been offered movie deals, book deals, and many other tell-all deals for their stories from beneath the earth’s surface.  These miners will have to get used to the limelight, seeing they’ve now adjusted to the sunlight.

So much focus was put on the Chilean miners that one miner in particular almost went unnoticed.  This miner, named Stephen Hirst, was not a Chilean miner, but a 47yr old ex-miner that had spent the last 33yrs living w/ excruciating pain in his ear & constant ear infections.  Mr. Hirst had been to several doctors over the 33yrs, but no one was able to diagnose his problem or help ease the pain.  Mr. Hirst continued to seek help & finally found it from the Doctors at the Royal Hallamshire Hospital in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England.  They were determined to find the problem and offer a solution….and they did.

“The nurse put a suction tube in my ear and cleaned it, then (tried) a microscope probe,” Hirst said. “Finally, she used some tweezers and got it out.”  So what was “it”?  A TOOTH!  To this day, no one knows why it was not found sooner, but Mr. Hirst says his ear pain is now gone for the first time since he was a teenager and theorizes that the tooth became lodged during one of his childhood accidents. 

Although now deaf in one ear, due to years of constant ear infections & pain, Mr. Hirst is grateful he listened to the still-small voice of perseverance.

 

Are There Bugs in Your Grill?  

As most Floridians know, it is Love Bug season.  These creatures don't sting like bees, or buzz like mosquitos, but gently swarm their way to death by air conditioning or death by car.  There are a few urban legends as to how love bugs came into existence, but the fact of the matter is--these gentle creatures do a lot of damage--to your vehicle.

  Someone recently stated a love bug has the life expectancy of 6 days....and they must know it.  I was driving down the road at 55mph and noticed a pair of love bugs on my driver's window.  The funny thing was that only one of them was hanging on for dear life as the other fluttered in the wind--at 55mph.  And yes, this lasted for a significant amount of time before they were whipped through the air to their probable death of a car grill.  Poor bug, poor car!

  The "bug juice" from any insect can be significant if left untreated, but  the quantity of "bug juice" during love bug season combined with the hot sun of Florida can do a lot of paint damage in a short amount of time--if not cleaned immediately.  "Bug juice" produces acid, which eats through the paint, eventually causing other problems, such as holes in your vehicle.

Your car grill isn't the only grill that has "bug juice".  Your mouth actually has thousands of bacteria swarming in it everyday.  These bacteria live on particles of food on your teeth and gums & in the crevices of your tongue & cheeks.  These bacteria, like love bug juice, produce acid that eats through the enamel and bone of your teeth, causing cavities, gum disease, bone loss, bad breath, and many other problems. So like your vehicle, your mouth must also be cleaned immediately, by brushing & flossing, to decrease the acid-producing bacteria & prevent any significant damage. 

Love bugs are seasonal, but oral bacteria are a constant presence that must be kept under control by brushing after meals, flossing at least once a day & seeing your dentist at least twice a year.  We may not have control over our external environment, but a toothbrush and floss can certainly help us to control our internal one.

 

 

Is Your Toothbrush Making You Sick?

Three things come to mind when I hear the word "toothbrush"--1)  Clean teeth, 2)  Dentist and 3)  Bathroom bacteria.  A toothbrush is great because it brushes away the bacteria on your teeth & in your mouth, but having an unclean toothbrush causes you to actually brush your teeth WITH  bacteria.

      

Studies have shown that several micro-organisms (tiny organisms that include bacteria, fungi, viruses, etc.) remain on toothbrushes.  Some of them include:

• Mutans Streptococcus:  the main bacteria that causes cavities
• Beta-Hemolytic Streptococcus:  the main bacteria that causes strep throat               
  
• Candida Albicans:  the main fungus that causes thrush in babies                             
• Coliform:  the main bacteria found in the bathroom (we'll call this "toilet-bowl" bacteria, if you know what I mean)
• Herpes Simplex Virus:  the virus that causes cold sores

 

Becuase these micro-organisms can cause multiple viruses and/or infections, and can also spread to others upon contact, it is extremely important to change your toothbrush frequently--probably more frequently than you think.

A toothbrush should be changed every 3 months, according to the American Dental Association.  They should also be changed when the bristles begin to show wear (see picture below) and as soon as possible after a sickness, or cold, to prevent re-infection or infection of someone else.  

           

Because bacteria and micro-organisms love a warm, moist environment, NEVER store your toothbrush in a container.  It should be stored in a well-ventilated environment at least 6ft from a toilet (studies have shown that aerosols from a toilet flush can migrate up to 6ft).  And anyone with children should label or clearly identify each child's toothbrush so that sharing is avoided.

Other interesting facts include:

• Parainfluenza virus can survive on toothbrush bristles for over 24 hours

            (Dr. Kim Loos - Cclinical instructor University of Pacific School of Dentistry)

• A New Zealand study found that toothbrush sharing was a risk factor for transmitting the Hepatitis B virus between children

            (New Zealand Medical Journal)

• Within only 48 hours, even a new toothbrush becomes infected with potentially disease-producing bacteria, viruses, and fungi, some of which can remain alive and multiply on a toothbrush for hours and even days.

            (Dr. John Rippin - Head of Oral Pathology at the University of Birmingham {UK})

So don't wait for another toothbrush from your dentist.  Better health can be achieved easily just by changing your toothbrush more frequently...and better yet, it may even save you a trip to the doctor!

 

 

The Right to Wear White

Labor Day has come and gone...and so has the wearing of white for some people.  In years past, the wearing of white was considered poor etiquette.  It began with white bags & pumps and progressed into other clothing garments until fashion designers began incorporating a "winter white" into their fall/winter collections.  Although the reason is not clear, most assume the ritual began due to white shoes not mixing with messy winter weather and slim dry-cleaning budgets of the past.  In either case, the color white continues to still have a stigma associated with it post-Labor Day.  But there is one place on the body that white is encouraged to be worn all year 'round---the teeth!

No one likes to have dingy whites (proven by the Clorox campaign for years), so why would you have dingy white teeth?  There are many products and services today that have the ability to whiten or substantially whiten your teeth, ranging from in-office whitening procedures to simply eating more fruits and vegetables.  Whatever your budget, whiter teeth can still be in your future. 

In-office teeth whitening procedures are done at the dental office, using a high strength whitening agent and, most often, are accompanied by custom fit trays so you can continue whitening at home.  This option tends to deliver the greatest whitening results with the greatest investment.  Over-the-counter products are not custom fit and tend to be a bit messier.  Since these products can be bought over-the-counter, and don't require supervision by a dentist, the concentration of whitening agent is less.  The whitening results are often less than in-office whitening, but so is the investment.  The least expensive option, eating more fruits and vegetables, actually comes with health benefits, too.  Eating fruits with seeds, such as strawberries, or biting into crunchy vegetables, such as carrots or celery, actually help to remove stains from your teeth.  The hard vegetables and seeds act as abrasives (like toothpaste) for your teeth and fortify your body at the same time.

So Labor Day or not, white is always in fashion...you just have to know where to wear it. 

 

 

Early Detection of Oral Cancer in One Easy Step

Last night, Michael Douglas announced to America that he had stage 4 throat cancer, diagnosed only 3 weeks ago.  Symptoms?  Yes-- pain, dry throat, hoarse voice, ear pain--all which he told to many doctors, many months ago.  Only after a  biopsy did they determine it was stage 4 throat cancer, attributing it to previous cigarette & alcohol use.  He is now undergoing radiation & chemo treatments 5 days per week for the walnut-sized tumor located under his tongue.

Pathologies in the mouth & throat tend to  grow & spread fairly quickly due to the constant reproduction of cells in the oral cavity.  Most aren't even visible until they are already a stage 3 or stage 4 (the worst).  Even worse, the 5 year survival rate for oral cancer is only 50%.

So why is this important?  Every hour of every day in America, someone dies of oral cancer.  As dental providers, we now have ways to screen for early detection of oral cancer--early enough to catch at a stage 1 (the earliest) or 2.  One of these screening tools is called Velscope.   It is "a technology platform based on the direct visualization of human tissue fluorescence and the changes in fluorescence that occur when abnormal tissue is present"--meaning it uses a special light filter that enables us to see beneath the tissue inside your mouth, allowing us to see any abnormalities beneath the surface (see below).  Being able to see beneath the suface provides us the ability to diagnose pathologies earlier, which means a greater success rate & survival rate for the patient.  If an abnormality is found via Velscope, the dentist should recommend a follow-up evaluation of the area 2 weeks later.  If the area is still diagnosed abnormal via Velscope, a biopsy of the area should be recommended to determine or rule out the pathology.

         

No apparent lesion                       Irregular, dark area visible with Velscope

                                                              Biopsy-confirmed:  Carcinoma in Situ (CIS)

Velscope uses a special light only--no bad tasting rinses, no brushing away of gum tissue--just a light.  The dentist should be trained to diagnose abnormalities through the special filter & the entire oral cavity examination with the Velscope should take less than 2 minutes. 

Did Michael Douglas see his dentist on a regular basis?  I don't know.  Did he have an oral cancer screening regularly?  I don't know.  What we do know is this...Early diagnosis is key to preventing & saving lives.  So ask your dentist for a Velscope oral cancer screening at least once a year.

 

 

Unbelievable Item on Craiglist

Roger Miller’s King of the Road came to mind after I read an article about a Pennsylvania woman who put an ad on Craigslist for some used dentures.  “Trailers for sale or rent, rooms to let..fifty cent”…but dentures?  Really? 

The story detailed how the elderly woman was on a fixed income, had medical issues & had patched her old set to the point of no repair.  The ad was placed in hopes of using the used pair until a new set could be purchased.  This story may sound unconventional, but unrealistic?—no. 

 The power of the internet is at our fingertips daily.  From simple research, to purchases of all sizes, the internet seems to put everything “at arms length”….even dentistry.  There are searches for providers, searches for education of dental services, even sites to bid on treatment!  But remember…even though the power is at our fingertips, we must first be good stewards of the power. 

 Searching for a dental provider that fits you is almost like shopping for clothes.  They have to fit your personality, make you feel comfortable and have the ability to create a final product you would wear.  This can sometimes be a long & tedious search, so I’ve created an article titled, 10 Questions to Ask Before Choosing a Dentist.  Answering these questions will help guide you in the direction of the dental provider that best fits you and your goals.

 Unfortunately, the elderly lady did not have my article.  No one responded to the Craigslist denture ad & the woman continues her search.  The power of the internet reminds us that commodities can be purchased online by anyone.  But a well-educated consumer knows that dentistry is not a commodity, but a value-driven service that is personally customized to each individual….so click here & do your research!

 

 

I Kid You Not!

Parity (the # of children a woman gives birth to) in 21st century America is encouraged by two things...biology & a committed relationship.  As soon as a woman is in a stable relationship, or reaches a certain age, friends and family begin to push the "baby" issue.   For those born in the 1920s - 1930's (the silent generation), parity was pretty much left up to biology.  Those in the silent generation had numerous siblings--so much so that many had to help their parents rear them.  It was not uncommon to have 10+ siblings, especially if certain religious beliefs were at play.  Who knows what the population of the earth would be if contraception hadn't come along!

Although parity  has decreased since the 1930's, there are still many women today who desire large families, or end up with more children than intended.  They say the joy of motherhood is unparallelled, but accorrding to a recent study in the Journal of Dental Research, too much of anything can be unhealthy.

2635 US women participated in an 8yr study by the Third National Health & Nutriton Examination Survey.  According to the study, women who have 4+ children have more than 3 times as many untreated dental cavities as women with fewer children.  Women with 4+ children had an average of 21.7% untreated cavities, compared to 6.1% among women with fewer children.  When relating the cavities to other factors (such as insurance, age, race, etc), Stefanie Russell, DDS, PhD, MPH, the lead investigator states, "Parity was related to untreated caries (cavities) regardless of socioeconomic status, although this is a particular problem among those of  lower socioeconomic levels."

Another recent study in the Journal of the American Dental Association found that three-quarters of women in the analysis didn't receive routine dental care during pregnancy.  They also found that higher parity was an important predictor of higher levels of cavity-causing bacteria, in addition to the # of cavities not being filled.  When compared to being single, single people also had cavities that weren't filled, but had lower levels of cavity-causing bacteria.

At this point, there still isn't evidence to support associations between certain variables, but we do know that parity does increase the risk for cavities.  Many women are told, or believe, that dental care during pregnancy is unsafe.  This is untrue.  There are many changes that happen to a woman's body during pregnancy, including her mouth--sore & inflamed gums are not uncommon.  If you are pregnant or thinking about becoming pregnant, visit your dentist.  He/she will instruct you on how to care for your mouth during your pregnancy and conduct a complete examination of your mouth to help ensure a healthy mouth for both you and your baby. 

Our parents told us more children bring more joy, yet we now know they also bring more cavities.  So enjoy the children you have, but see your dentist regularly to ensure a healthy mouth & a healthy family. 

 

 

The Skinny on Mini's

As new technological advancements grow bigger & bigger, the results tend to be thinner & thinner.  Microwaves, iPods, TVs & even hamburges have all maintained their original functions, but have shrunk quite a bit in size. 

Electronics & food aren't the only advancements making waves.  The dental industry has also changed with the advancement of implants--and now mini implants.  Although mini dental implants (MDI's) have been around for a couple of decades, it is only in recent years they have made their mark mainstream.

Dental implants are used to replace a missing tooth/teeth or to secure a loose denture.  Mini dental implants are basically a smaller version of a traditional implant, having the same components for function (screw & abutment), just in smaller form.  The screw is what anchors to the bone (replacing the original tooth root) & the abutment  is attached to the screw connecting it to a crown, in the case of replacing a missing tooth.  If a mini dental implant is used to secure a loose denture, chances are, there will be at least 2-4 mini implants recommended.  The implant screw is still anchored into the bone, but in a denture case, a special attachment is used to connect the screw to the denture.  This special attachment allows the denture to snap into place for security.

Becasue mini implants are smaller and take less time to place, they are approximately half the cost of a traditional implant.  And best of all, most patients have the crown & implant, or the implants & denture placed in the same day with little to no discomfort.

In addition to providing replacement for missing teeth or security for loose dentures, both mini dental mplants & traditional dental implants provide a way to help keep your bone.  Over time, if a tooth is lost & no implant has been placed, the bone shrinks and begins to cause other problems.

So if you have a missing tooth/teeth or have loose or ill-fitting dentures, contact your dentist to see if you are a candidate for mini dental implants.  Your frustrations from missing teeth or loose dentures aren't shrinking, but your bone is... so call today!

 

 

Dentistry - Key Identifier in Cancer Treatment Success

Picture any visit to the doctor resulting in a converstation about the need for cancer treatment.  A myriad of questions begin to form, with the primary one asking, "what do I do now?"  If this ever happens to you in the future, there are two key healthcare professionals that must immediately become your best friends...your oncologist & your dentist. Your oncologist, for obvious reasons, and your dentist to help prevent serious problems.

Chemotherapy and radiation treatments are used to kill cancer cells.  But these treatments also harm and/or kill normal cells as well.  Some of the side effects cause serious problems in the mouth--some serious enough to delay or stop treatment.  Some of these side effects include:  Dry mouth, Increase in cavities, Loss of taste, Sore gums, Increased infections, Jaw stiffness & bone changes.  Because the side effects often happen when a person's mouth is not healthy, it is recommended that you see a dental professional at least 2 weeks prior to undergoing any form of radiation or chemotherapy treatment. 

If you don't have a dentist, ask your oncologist for a recommendation.  If you do have a dentist, contact the office to schedule a quick exam and consultation.  At this visit, the dentist will check your teeth, take any necessary xrays, and show you how to care for your mouth during your treatment.  Make sure the dentist can contact your oncologist for questions regarding your cancer treatment.  They may also want to confer regarding any dental treatments you may need prior to starting any cancer treatment.

One of the keys to cancer treatment success is looking at your mouth on a daily basis, keeping it moist with lots of water, saliva substitutes, or sugarless candies/gum, brushing & flossing daily and contacting your dentist about any mouth problems that may occur during or after cancer treatment.

Regardless of where the cancer is located in the body, your dentist is a key part of your cancer treatment success team.

 

 

A Dish Best Served Cold

Fortunately, I'm not talking about revenge...but I am referencing the coveted all-american treat of ice cream, in honor of National Ice Cream Month!  This crazy commemoration was created for us by Ronald Reagan back in 1984--(you just can't beat a president with a great sense of humor....and sweet tooth!)  Like many others, I assume he probably topped his favorite flavor with, you guessed it, jelly beans.  Apparently jelly beans brought him much intuition & wisdom, for he once said, "You can tell a lot about a fellow's characher by the way he eats jelly beans."  (He noticed some would eat only one color, while others would eat many flavors at once.)  Well, I am here to tell you that you can also tell a lot about a person's teeth by the way he/she eats jelly beans (and other candy as well).

Ever experience a burning sensation in your gums or in between teeth when eating something sweet like candy?  Ever experience pain or sensitivity when eating something cold like ice cream?  These symptoms are indicative that there is something unhealthy about the tooth/teeth.  Depending upon the severity of the pain or sensitivity, the treatment is usually something small, common & routine, such as a filling.  Recognizing these symptoms early and seeing a dental professional for treatment will eliminate the pain/sensitivity, restore the teeth back to health & help ensure you don't have any suddent toothache-style interruptions to your summer.  Just remember...teeth that need treatment get worse over time, which means the treatments become bigger..as does the price.

Enjoy the hot summer days with a cold beverage, a popsicle or a cold bowl of ice cream.  And if you experience any pain or sensitivity when you do, contact a dental professional.  The summer's long from over, so ensure you can enjoy the rest of it with a pain-free healthy mouth.

 

 

It's Hurricane Season...For Your Mouth, too!

We're one month into hurricane season and we already have Alex, our first hurricane.  We are bombarded with emergency preparedness reminders for our homes, our cars, and even our pets.  We are instructed to have an emergency kit for the house and car containing essential items for survival, in case of power outages or home destruction. 

But what about our mouth in times of emergency?  There is nothing inside the standard emergency preparedness kit for your mouth--one of the first stops in aiding survival.  So here are a few suggestions to add to your emergency preparedness kit...

1)  Dental Floss:  Floss cleans the bacteria from between your teeth to prevent cavities from forming.  During emergency situations, saliva flow will help to wash away other bacteria and food particles in your mouth until you can brush again.  Dental floss is also strong ... you never know when you need to become "MacGyver."

2)  DenTemp:  DenTemp is a product you can find in the oral healthcare aisle of any drugstore.  This product is a temporary material that will help to secure a broken restoration (crown or filling) back in place until you can seek professional dental help.  It will also help to provide relief if a broken tooth occurs.

3)  Mouthwash & toothbrush:  Mouthwash tends to have a longer shelf-life  than toothpaste & has multiple uses.  Use the toothbrush to brush your teeth & use the mouthwash in lieu of toothpaste.  Mouthwash is antibacterial & can be used as an antiseptic, should there be any wounds. 

All three of these products will help your mouth (among other things) during emergency situations.  Remember -- your mouth is the key to proper nutrition during times of survival, so make sure to add these items to your emergency kit so your house, your car AND your mouth will be perpared.

 

 

Feeling Hot, Hot, Hot!

Summer is finally here & we sure can feel it!  Record temperatures depleting our energy, air conditioners struggling to keep up...oh, the summers of Florida.  So maybe the heat isn't so bad when you consider the beauty of the nearby beaches & afternoon showers to cool things down.  But let's talk teeth for a minute...is heat bad for your teeth?

Summer heat--no; Body heat--yes.  There is a term called "hot tooth" used to describe a tooth causing severe pain.  The pain is caused from the inflammation inside the tooth, outside the tooth, or both.  The inflammation is caused by an infection within the tooth from excessive amounts of bacteria eating away at it & agitating the surrounding tissues.  A "hot tooth" is generally sensitive to hot temperatures, if the nerve of the tooth has not been completely consumed by bacteria/infection, and means the tooth is getting ready to abscess.  If bacteria have already consumed the nerve of the tooth, the tooth won't be sensitive to hot temperatuers, but the tooth & surrounding tissues will be very tender & "hot" (or warm) to touch.  In either case, the treatment to save the tooth would be root canal therapy. 

A root canal, in times past, was a long, painful procedure.  Thanks to the advances in technology, a root canal is very quick & simple.  How simple can it be?  A root canal is just the removal of the damaged nerve from the tooth & cleaning away the infection.  The hard part is getting numb.  Anesthetic is delivered close to the tooth, so it gets numb quickly; however, if there is a lot of infection surrounding the tooth, the anesthetic has to travel through the infection to get to the tooth--meaning it takes longer before the tooth is numb & more anesthetic is used.  For this reason, an antibiotic is often prescribed a couple of days prior to a root canal, if there is active infection.  The antibiotic will help the body fight off some of the numerous amounts of bacteria causing the infection.  This allows swelling & pain to decrease, helping the anesthetic to travel better.

Even though root canals are less scary then they used to be, there are ways to prevent them from occurring.  Regular visits to your dentist are key.  The dentist will be able to see how close bacteria is to the nerves of your teeth and can detect cavities early--before they eat away enough tooth & cause an infection, warranting root canal therapy.  Remember...putting off dental treatment doesn't make the problem go away...bacteria continue to multiply and cause more problems.  Catching a problem, or cavity, at its early stage means less pain & less money in the future.

So don't let a "hot tooth" spoil your already hot summer.  Ensure you are free to enjoy your summer acitvities  & vacations without pain by scheduling a quick check-up with your dentist. 

 

 

To BP or not BP?

As the oil continues to wash closer & closer, encroaching upon the livelihood of surrounding towns,  the anticipation of devastation has Gulf Coast cities low on both tourism & optimism.  Military response efforts have helped defray some time & expense, helping to streamline the claims process on land & stave off the oil at sea.  So how does this relate to dentistry?

Bacteria, like gushing oil, continues to multiply until something stops it or removes it.  Small amounts of bacteria can be removed by a toothbrush and can die with the use of a Fluoride mouthrinse; however, small amounts of bacteria quickly multiply into large amounts of bacteria if not stopped or removed on a daily basis.  The only way for bacteria to survive is to eat something nutritious—and in the mouth, nutrition comes from healthy teeth & gums.

The livelihood of a tooth is its nerve and bone.  The nerve is in the middle of the tooth and it is joined to the bone at the base of the tooth.  Bacteria begins eating on the outside of the tooth and migrates toward the most delicious part—the nerve.  It has a great blood supply with many nutrients that keep bacteria strong & multiplying.  At this point, the bacteria have eaten a hole in the tooth, are sucking the life out of the tooth by eating the nerve, and are working their way to the bone.  Like the Gulf Coast communities feel the affects of the oil spill via a decrease in tourism & trade, a person’s livelihood will be affected by pain & swelling.

Dentists to the rescue!  Although there is still no cure for the BP gusher, there is a cure for a person in such a condition.  A dentist has the skills and tools to remove and kill the bacteria causing the acute problem so your mouth doesn’t become a “BP Situation.”  The key is to see your dentist regularly so that gushers don’t continue to erupt all over your mouth. 

I don’t know if BP had any foresight into the effects of their actions, but as responsible adults, we know the consequences of our own actions.  If a dental professional informs you about a cavity-- in relation to BP, it means the oil is bubbling and if you don’t have it treated, it will become a gusher.   If he/she suggests anything larger, (ie crown, root canal, etc), it means you already have a “BP Situation” and there is a system in place to resolve the problem.  If you are told there are multiple issues throughout your mouth that need to be addressed…it means you definitely have a “BP Situation” –and in order to resolve the problem, we, as engineers will devise a plan for treatment & You, the patient, will have to join the clean-up crew.

 If only BP could make it so easy…

 

 

Bad Breath & Beyond

I recently watched a segment on NBC's, The Today Show, featuring a new pet trend in China.  Pet owners in China have begun masking the appearance of their domestic friends to appear like exotic animals by simply dying the pets hair.  A golden retreiver was dyed to appear as a tiger; a chow was dyed to appear as a panda, etc.  These cute pets appear exotic from afar, but nothing can change their "true colors" -- Underneath it all they are still domestic family pets. 

So, are you thinking that's crazy?  When you think about it, people try to mask things all the time.  Take bad breath & chewing gum, mints, or mouthwash, for instance.  How many times has someone popped a mint before speaking to someone at an event?...Or swished with mouthwash before a date?  But instead of these quick fixes, what if we asked ourselves why we need these products in the first place?

Bad breath can be caused by numerous things...the food we eat, not brushing, not flossing, dry mouth, etc...but most importantly, bad breath is caused by excessive amounts of bacteria in the mouth that lead to gum disease.  The bacteria that live in the mouth live on left-over food particles around the teeth and gums & in the crevices of the tongue.  Like any other food left untouched for a period of time, the food particles left in the mouth begin to petrify (rot) and give off a foul odor.  If you are in doubt, simply smell your floss!  If your floss smells minty fresh, you probably brush & floss regularly; however, if your floss smells foul, you probably have some form of gum disease.  Bacteria like to hide between your gums & teeth.  The longer the bacteria stay there (due to not brushing and/or flossing), the deeper it goes--eventually deep enough so that a toothbrush or floss cannot even reach them!  At this point, gum disease is active and symptoms include bleeding gums and bad breath.  Left untreated, the bacteria eat away the bones and teeth...leading to tooth loss, cavities, bone loss and many other issues throughout the body, such as stroke, heart disease & pneumonia, to name a few.

Can bad breath be overcome?  Absolutely!-- only with the help of a dental professional.  Over-the-counter products have mint that eventually fades, but Dentists have special cleaning tools that can access areas a toothbrush can't to remove the bad bacteria & debris.  They can also guide you how to prevent the gum disease from worsening.  Inevitably, bad breath can be resolved with proper home care and regular visits to your dentist. 

So the choice is up to you...bad breath mask or bad breath cure?  The choice is yours.

 

 

Gum Disease Linked to Prostate Inflammation

A recent study from Case Western Reserve University School of Dental Medicine & University Hospitals Case Medical Center  recently reported in the Journal of Periodontology that prostate problems may be linked to the inflammation caused by gum disease.  Now, we've discussed in past blogs that gum disease is basically an insurmountable amount of uncontrolled bacteria found in the mouth that continually multiplies, causing your gums to bleed, and eats away your gums, teeth & bone.  We've discussed how the same bacteria that cause gum disease are also linked to heart disease, strokes, pneumonia, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, etc...and now it is linked to prostatitis. 

Prostatitis is inflammation of the prostate.  The symptoms are painful urination, groin discomfort, abdominal pain, lower back pain, and many other "private part" pains.  When a man experiences these symptoms, the medical doctor administers a PSA )prostate-specific antigen) test to measure the amount of prostate inflammation.  Patients with a healthy prostate have <4.0ng/ml levels.  Anything higher can be a sign of inflammatino or cancer.

In the study, 35 out of 150 patients were tested.  These patients recently had biopsies performed on their prostates due to elevated PSA levels or due to the finding of cancer.  The same men were also checked for gum disease.  Upon review, the researchers found those with elevated PSA levels also showed signs of gum disease, concluding that when a man has gum disease, his prostatis can worsen.

The good news is that gum disease is preventable and can get better with the help of a dental professional.  So according to the study, if a man's gum disease improves, so will his prostate health.  The answer here is pretty simple...To help prevent prostate disease, and other diseases, just see your dentist!

 

 

Are Your Teeth On Acid?

Every morning, children across America hear the words, "Finish your orange juice...Now go brush your teeth!"  Orange juice is good for the body, and brushing is good for the teeth, but orange juice (and other acidic beverages) immediately followed by brushing is catestrophic to teeth.  Could mom be wrong after all these years?

Enamel Erosion-  A number of studies have shown that beverages with a low pH (acidic) have an influence on the softening and erosion of tooth enamel.  One of the studies exposed a cow tooth to an acidic soft drink for 5 minutes and reported that the tooth surface--after only 5 minutes--was 31% less hard.  The study also reported that the tooth regained only 86% of its strength back after a 24hr period of time.

Dental Abrasion-  Another study revealed that brushing teeth immediately after consuming acidic products accelerates enamel erosion.  Once the enamel is softened by the acid, it becomes more susceptible to abrasions by toothbrush bristles. 

Most people tend to sip their beverages, submersing their teeth for a total time of several minutes.  So a recent study chose to immerse teeth at times of 5 seconds, 1 minute or 10 minutes in one of the following four beverages:  Coca-Cola, Pepsi One, Diet Mountain Dew or Tropicana Pure Premium Low Acid Orange Juice.  Micrographs showed that the appearance of the tooth enamel was altered after only 5 seconds.  The altered appearance showed the noticeably softer enamel surface.  Brushing with toothpaste induced even greater surface changes and caused some enamel to be brushed away.

So how much time should elapse after drinking acidic beverages before brushing can occur?  Well, that has yet to be determined.  What we do know is that the plaque around teeth becomes acidic within 2 minutes of drinking a beverage containing sugar and that more than 30 minutes must elapse before normal pH is restored.  Until a protocol is determined, I tell my patients to swish with water after drinking an acidic beverage and wait 30 minutes before brushing. 

All acidic beverages aren't bad for the body, but most are bad for the teeth if not cared for properly...so don't leave your teeth on acid--Swish, Wait, then Brush!

 

 

Does Size Really Matter?

I remember feeding my nephew shortly after he began eating solid foods.  This child loved to play & loved to eat, which in most cases isn't a big deal; however, the quantity of food eaten was out of the ordinary.  Like most active little boys, he enjoyed playing so much that eating became somewhat of a chore.  In the excitement of wanting to return to playing, he would eat so quickly that the results, sometimes in whole, would show up later in his diaper.

As children, most of us can remember our parents reminding us to chew our food.  I even remember my grandmother advising us to chew each bite 32 times.  Well, as a child--and even as an adult, 32 times takes forever--even getting to 10 is a stretch.  Most often people reference chewing longer for fear of choking, but there's another reason why we must remember to chew our food well.

Our back teeth are made for chewing.  Their design and position in the  mouth are all indicators for chewing.  We have also known for years that digestion begins in the mouth, and not the stomach.  For example, before a bite is taken, saliva is produced, which hydrates & prepares the mouth to begin digesting the food.  Saliva begins this process because it contains special enzymes.  When eating, back teeth come together and a great force is placed on the food, causing the food to start breaking down.  The jaw moves, causing a chewing action, and the food is broken down even further.  The food is swallowed and progresses into the stomach and then the small intestines, both of which continue breaking down the food into even smaller particles to aid in digestion. 

Food is made up of nutrients,  minerals, etc. that provide our bodies with energy and nutrition.  Once food leaves the mouth, it has a limited amount of time to go from stomach, to intestine, to well, how should I say it?...porcelain.  This means that if food is not chewed enough, the stomach doesn't have enough time to break it down and extract all the nutrients inside.  So the stomach does what it can in the limited amount of time it has with the food and then the remaining food is sent to the small intestines to take over.  Again, there's a limited amount of time in the small intestines before the food remnants are "out the door".  In essence,  the larger, and less chewed, pieces of food provide less nutrition for the body than the well-chewed, broken-down, smaller versions. 

So the next time you prepare to take a bite of food, ask yourself...Does Size Really Matter?   I think men and women would both agree that it does--At least in this case.

 

 

 

Are You King of the World?

 98 years ago, this month, the Titanic sank.  The largest ship ever built (ok, except Noah's Ark), built to withstand just about any force of nature.  The design was intricate, the furnishings extravagant, and the architecture beautiful, yet it still sank.  Was it due to poor workmanship?  Did someone forget a nail or screw, or maybe some plumbers putty or tape?  The Titanic sank the night of April 10, 1912 because it hit an iceberg.  There was no major damage to the ship above the water...the decks were still clean & shiny, the equipment was still intact and the celebration continued as if nothing happened.  But it was the damage to the ship below the water that quickly caused the ship to "go down" in history.

Icebergs  are great visual structures that extend well below the waters surface, expanding much wider than can be seen above the water.  The actual mass of ice below the surface well doubles the mass above the water. If you have ever seen a picture of an iceberg above & below the water, you know what I mean.  Ships fear icebergs for the mass of ice below the surface that cannot be seen because of the magnitude of damage that can be done, including sinking a ship--even a ship such as the Titanic.

So what does this have to do with teeth?  Much, in fact.  Think of your teeth as an iceberg.  You can see the iceberg (your tooth) that is above the water (your gums).  But you cannot see the iceberg (your tooth) that is below the water (your gums).  Like mineral deposits that are found in the ocean and build up on ice, boats, and rocks, we also have minerals in our saliva that build up on teeth.  When you have gum disease, the bacteria in your mouth multiply and hide between your gums and teeth.  This bacteria eats away at your gums and bone, detaching them from your teeth.  The area between your gums and tooth, not only becomes wider, but also deeper-- Deep enough that your toothbrush can't clean out the bacteria.  A sticky film begins to form (plaque), which allows the minerals in your saliva to stick to your tooth.  In a healthy mouth, this wouldn't be a problem because your toothbrush bristles would brush away the plaque, minerals and bacteria, but in an unhealthy mouth the area is too deep to reach, so hard mineral deposits (like barnicles on a boat) begin to form and push your gums away even further from your tooth, allowing more bacteria to eat away at your bone.  Eventually, the tooth becomes loose, an infection forms and it must be removed.

Like the Titanic, everything appears fine on the surface--your teeth don't hurt, they don't have visible cavities and they aren't falling out.  But what lies beneach the surface?  Are minerals and bacteria collecting beneath your gums in areas that you can no longer keep clean with a toothbrush?  Will your teeth eventually fail, as the Titanic did, because of damage below the surface?

Your dentist has the answers.  He/she can help you navigate a course that will ensure you never see an iceberg...and if you've already hit an iceberg, with the help of your dentist, your ship doesn't have to sink like the Titanic.  If you are experiencing bad breath, receding gums, or bleeding gums when brushing or flossing, contact your dentist and schedule an appointment for an exam.  If you have already been told you have gum disease, ensure you keep your teeth by seeing your dentist regularly.  This may mean special visits with the hygienist every 3-4 months to decrease the bacterial load in your mouth.  Either way, if keeping your teeth is of importance, contact your dental provider, schedule an appointment & let them know your concerns. 

With today's dental technology & skill, coupled with patient compliance, there's no doubt you can remain...King of the World!

 

 

 

Have Your Cake & Eat It, Too!

Everyone knows that sugar is bad for your teeth, but now there is a natural sweetener, called Xylitol, that not only tastes great, but is good for your teeth as well.

Xylitol has been used for years as a sweetener for diabetics, but only recently got the recognition it deserves, after debuting as a tooth aide, in chewing gum. Xylitol is a natual substance that your own body produces and can also be found in many fruits and vegetables. It tastes sweet like sugar, but doesn't give you the "low" that sugar does because it is absorbed slowly by your body.

So why is it good for your teeth? Xylitol has been shown to counteract cavity formation, making it a great product in keeping your teeth healthy. Many products now contain this natural sweetener as its primary sweetener. These products include gum, mints, candies and desserts, to name a few. Xylitol can also be purchased as a cooking replacement for sugar.

The process of chewing causes saliva flow to increase, which washes away extra bacteria in your mouth, which is why chewing gum, when you can't brush after a meal, is ideal. But chewing sugarless gum that contains Xylitol is the best option. The chewing motion will increase saliva flow to decrease the bacteria in your mouth, and the Xylitol will help to further fight the effects of cavities and make your teeth stronger.

Some people take medications that cause their mouth to get dry. If you are one of those people, make sure to pop a mint or candy that contains Xylitol to help you fight the effects of decay and moisten your mouth at the same time.

Sweets & desserts have come to have a negative connotation due to their high sugar content. But now that Xylitol is a comparable option, we can all feel somewhat better about having our cake & eating it, too.




Can You Spare a Square?

The long-eared, beloved, Easter candy favorite--The Chocolate Bunny--is a friend of the healthcare industry this year. A recent study reports that small doses of chocolate (~6g), eaten every day, could decrease your risk of heart attack or stroke by ~40%.

Six grams of chocolate equates to ~1 square of a chocolate bar. But who can eat only 1 square? Or can we... as the famous Seinfeld episode put it...Spare a Square?

If one square decreases heart attack or stroke risk by 40%, would the consumption of even more chocolate put us at an even lower risk for these diseases? Brian Buijsse, a nutritional epidemiologist at the German Institute of Human Nutrition in Nuthetal, Germany and the study's lead author states, "It's a bit too early to come up with recommendations that people should eat more chocolate, but if people replace sugar or high-fat snacks with a little piece of dark chocolate, that might help."

On the contrary, Dr. Robert Eckel, a professor of medicine at the University of Colorado and past president of the American Heart Association states, "This is not a prescription to eat more chocolate. If we all had a small amount of chocolate every day for the rest of our lives, we would all gain a few pounds." (And as we have all been cautioned, weight gain increases heart attack and stroke risk, right?)

So what is a chocolate lover to do? The one element I do think these doctors would agree on is, "Everything in Moderation." Not too much sugar and not too much chocolate. As the Easter Holiday approaches and you start reaching for the cadbury eggs or the long-eared chocolate bunny, just ask yourself..."Can I spare a square?"




Brush Away Insomnia

A friend of mine recently brought to my attention a product he had tried...by accident. This product tasted great & brought about a great night's sleep. So what was the product? Move over Tylenol PM, Hello Pearly Dreams, a natural sleep aid & toothpaste in one.

Last year, a New York dentist, in the effort to benefit his jet-lagged & busy clientele, created a toothpaste that not only cleans your teeth, but induces sleep! Pearly Dreams combines Melatonin with 3 organic extracts: Valerian, Passion Flower & Balm Mint.

Melatonin is a hormone produced by your body to help regulate the body's own sleep pattern. As a person ages, the level of Melatonin produced decreases, causing insomnia, amongst other things. Combining Melatonin with Valerian, Balm Mint & Passionflower (herbal remedies known for treating nervous tension & sleep disorders) makes Pearly Dreams one of the most effective sleep aids on the market.

Skeptical? So was my friend. When he first found out about the product, he ordered a tube to see if it really worked. When the tube arrived, he put it away with his other toothpaste, with the intent of using before retiring to bed. That evening, before his evening stroll, he brushed his teeth as usual. It wasn't until mid-stroll...as his eyes became heavy and he started to feel tired, that he realized he had brushed with Pearly Dreams! Needless to say, he has been telling the world ever since!

In 2008, the National Sleep Foundation conducted a poll that showed 65% of American adults reported trouble sleeping at least one night per week and only 7% of these respondents cited the use of over-the-counter sleep aids.

We know that a continuous lack of sleep can cause many diseases, disorders & symptoms such as weight gain, depression, heart disease, stroke & premature aging, to name a few. So why don't more people use over-the-counter sleep aids? Studies liken it to possible side effects of these medications, such as dependency, addiction, drowsiness, etc. Because Pearly Dreams uses a sleep-aid your body already produces (Melatonin) and combines it with herbal remedies, there are virtually no negative effects reported...just the positive ones...like a well needed, good nights sleep.

Pearly Dreams is non-addictive & is absorbed through the oral tissues as you brush and won't hurt if you ingest it. It doesn't contain fluoride and can be combined with other toothpastes and oral rinses. If you are currently taking a prescription sleep-aid, consult your doctor before using Pearly Dreams.

To see if Pearly Dreams is right for you, contact your dentist. Why not brush away insomnia & make brushing an efficient part of your day?




Dental Health: Mission Impossible?

The death of Peter Graves, 84, brings about much sadness. We all know Peter Graves from numerous movies & TV shows he was in for nearly 60yrs. My favorite was Mission Impossible. The opening of each episode would reveal a taped mission that would self-destruct within seconds of being played.

In today's time, we are living longer--60 is the new 40, 70 is the new 50, and as you may have guessed, 84 is the new 64. So the death of Peter Graves at 84 seems relatively young. Could we possibly be self-destructing, just as the tapes in Mission Impossible?

In dentistry, we know of 2 main elements that will drastically reduce your life -- losing teeth and gum disease. Studies have proven that people who lose their teeth will reduce their life by 7-10yrs. And as stated in previous posts, studies have also shown that gum disease leads to heart attacks and/or stroke, which of course, decreases your lifespan as well.

So could Peter Graves have prevented his heart attack & lived to make 100 the new 80? I don't know, but maybe his dentist does. Seeing your dentist regularly can certainly help you achieve the health & longevity you deserve and desire. Sometimes dental health can seem like a Mission Impossible, but with the help of your dentist, 100 can definitely become the new 80.




Flu-Related Complications Linked to Gum Disease

Previous blog posts have discussed the correlation between gum disease and other systemic diseases (i.e. heart disease, stroke, diabetes, stillbirth), to name a few. But how is influenza or H1N1 related to all of this?

New information has indicated that people who have heart disease may be at higher risk for heart complications, such as heart attack and/or stroke after exposure to the flu virus.

In 2004, a study was published in the Texas Heart Institute Journal titled, Influenza and Cardiovascular Disease--Is There a Causal Relationship? The study found influenza closely associated with many changes in the cardiovascular system like inflammation of the arteries, stress, dehydration leading to low blood pressure, thicker plasma, etc. This new information shows that these changes, caused by influenza exposure, may lead to clots dislodging from the artery walls, thus leading to a rise in heart attacks and/or stroke occurrence.

We know from previous studies that bacteria from the oral cavity (mouth, throat) will enter the blood stream whenever an opportunity arises--anytime there is a break in the tissues. This occurs during surgical procedures and even during brushing and flossing gums that aren't healthy. [Remember: healthy teeth and gums do not bleed!] The conclusion of an 8yr study of autopsies in almost 35,000 subjects revealed that it takes less than one minute for the bacteria from the mouth to reach the heart and lungs. Yes--LESS THAN A MINUTE!

For those who are healthy, the body is able to fight the bacteria without any complications. For those who have heart disease, the bacteria from the mouth enter the blood stream, irritate the arteries causing them to swell, then attach themselves to the existing plaque already formed in the arteries, causing clots to form -- all leading to heart attacks and/or stroke.

Researchers have found that people with gum disease (a disease that has excessive amounts of bacteria living in/around/under the gum tissues) are almost twice as likely to suffer from heart disease as those without gum disease... And that peple with better heart health typically experience fewer complications when exposed to the influenza virus.

So what is our 1st defense? Good oral health! It is imperative that all oral infections be resolved in order to redeem overall health. Bleeding when brushing or flossing is indicative of an underlying problem or disease. If you are experiencing these problems or have outstanding dental treatment, schedule an appointment with your dentist today! We can't eliminate contact with an airborne virus, such as influenza, but we can see the dentist regularly to help ensure our body remains resilient in our times of need.

Who knew that regular visits to the dentist could save your life!!!




Oral Cancer Screening Mandate for Olympic Athletes

The International Olympic Committee mandated that 20% of athletes receive a comprehensive examination to include a screening for oral cancer at the 2010 Winter Olympic Games. Only four years ago, the mandate was set @ 10%!

The device chosen to conduct the screenings? Velscope. Velscope is a device that emits a special blue light inside the mouth to help detect suspicious tissue(s). You cannot feel it or taste it. It has a special filter that allows the doctor to see beneath your tissues into cells not seen by the naked eye. This allows any cancerous or precancerous cells to be seen at an early enough stage to save your life. The average cost per screening is $25 - 40.

So why is there such a concern for winter Olympic athletes? Dr. Jack Taunton, co-chief medical officer of the Olympic Games gives us some insight..."Year-round, the alpine athletes follow winter around the world to train, and they are at higher risk of lip and mouth cancers because of the altitiude and sun exposure." He goes on to say, "The skin on the lips is thin and poorly protected. The damage is cumulative and you have to consider they are exposed to these intense ultraviolet rays for up to 30 years, through their training and post-competitive coashing years in many cases." The problem is compounded by the additional reflection of ultraviolet radiation off the snow and ice.

So if you're headed to a cold climate for some skiing this winter, or have friends or loved ones living in a high altitude, one of your best defenses is sunscreen on the ouside...and an annual visit a dentist that offers Velscope exams...to protect you on the inside.

Be your own Olympian and score a Velscope screening today!



Gum Disease Linked to Stillbirth
(February 15, 2010)

A recent study of oral bacteria & preterm/stillbirths was conducted by Yiping Han, from the Department of Periodontics at Case Western Reserve University School of Dental Medicine, and appeared in the February 2010 edition of Obstetrics & Gynecology.

Han worked in a research lab -- A research lab, among a few in the world trying to understand the role of the oral bacteria, Fusobacterium nucleatum, on preterm labor & stillbirths.

In 2008, Han was approached by a friend of a 35 year old mother (who we will call, Mother X) who had just given birth to a stillborn baby @ 39wks & 5d. Han was informed that during the mothers pregnancy, she experienced alot of bleeding in her gums--a symptom of pregnancy related gingivitis, common to ~75% of pregnant women.

We all know that there are many bacteria in our mouth. Anytime there is bleeding in the gums, the bacteria that live in the mouth are able to enter the bloodstream. In a perfectly healthy person, this doesn't cause major problems for the fetus because the mother's immune system is able to fight off the bacteria in her bloodstream before it crosses the placenta & enters the fetus' bloodstream. But this wasn't the case for Mother X.

A few days before Mother X had her stillborn child, she experienced an upper respiratory infection (like a cold) and a low-grade fever. Han stated, "The time is important here because it fits the time frame of hematogenous (through the blood) spreading we observed in animals."

Studies of the stillborn child revealed the presence of Fusobacterium nucleatum (the oral bacteria we talked about earlier) in the lungs & stomach. Medical examination revealed the death occurred due to a septic infection and inflammation caused from the bacteria.

So Han sent Mother X to a Periodontist (gum specialist) who collected a sample of plaque from her teeth. Mother X also had samples of her vaginal & rectal areas collected (not by the periodontist, of course!).

Han tested each sample for the oral bacteria, Fusobacterium nucleatum, which, as we stated earlier, was the cause of death for the fetus. Not to Han's surprise, Han had found a match in the bacteria in Mother X's mouth with the bacteria in the stillborn's infected lungs & stomach! The bacteria from the vaginal & rectal areas did not show the presence of Fusobacterium nucleatum!

So Han made the connection & concluded that, due to timing of the respiratory cold & the bacteria being localized only to the mouth, that the bacteria was delivered to the fetus through the blood.

In essence, Mother X was full term w/ bleeding gums. Her bleeding gums allowed bacteria from her mouth to enter her bloodstream. Her body was continuously fighting the bacteria in her bloodstream until she caught a cold, at which time, there was an overload of bacteria for her body to fight off. This overload caused her body to not be able to fight off 100% of the bacteria, which led to some bacteria crossing over into her placenta. The amniotic fluid is immune-free & the only immune system of the fetus is from the mother, so if the mother cannot fight off some bacteria, neither can the fetus...so infection occured in the fetus, leading to stillbirth.

So can a stillbirth be prevented with good oral care and regular visits to the dentist? Yes. Some pregnant women will have to be seen by their dentist more regularly due to their symptoms of pregnancy-related gingivitis. If you are, or are thinking of becoming pregnant, speak to your dentist about your gum health to help ensure a healthy pregnancy. Han adds, "women, who are considering giving birth, should maintain good dental health and take care of any oral health problems before getting pregnant."

On a positive note, after receiving gum treatment and preventive oral health care, Mother X has since delivered a healthy baby.



Grammy's Inspire Dental Record
(February 1, 2010)

A friend of mine was at the Grammy's last night having a great time. Musicians of all genres and all ages coming together in one place, inspiring one another to sing louder, perform better, and most of all, just have fun.

So this week, I thought I'd have a little fun and, with a little Grammy's inspiration, challenge myself to create a Dental Record of song parodies. The results are the following tracks:

1) Red, Red Gums
2) Baby Got Plaque
3) Shiny, Happy Enamel
4) Turn the Brush Around
5) You've Lost That Yucky Feelin'
6) Sweet Flossin' Line
7) Blinded Me With Whiteness
8) Black Calculus
9) It's Still Brush & Floss To Me
10) Girls Just Want You To Brush
11) You Can't Brush This
12) You're Teeth Are So Bright, I Gotta Wear Shades

Since I'm pretty much exiled to my shower if the power of performance ever decides to consume me, I'm pretty sure this record will never be made. But it does make me ponder inspiration.

A person can choose to inspire or be inspired...and we, as dental professionals, are fortunate to experience both daily. We inspire our patients to achieve a level of health they desire and so deserve, and most often, are truly inspired by our patients and their stories of the lives they have lived.

So was I inspired enough to make a record? No, but I was inspired enough to take action & complete my challenge. It doesn't matter where you start, but where you finish. So when inspiration hits, take action...Because, as Wayne Gretsky once said, "We miss 100% of the shots we don't take."




Tooth Fairy Brings Human Organs
(January 25, 2010)

The tooth fairy has changed her approach to giving...instead of the quarters of old, she can now deliver organs! OK, I'm sure she'd first deliver a monetary gift, but if you ever needed to treat disease, build or repair body parts, she and 3 or more dental stem cell banks may have the answer. So, what am I talking about?

For years, researchers have studied the effects of regrowing bone & treating many other ailments within the animal population with cells from the teeth of animals; however, recently, the research moved from animal to successful human trials!

The approach is pretty simple. A tooth is professionally removed, then sent to a dental stem cell bank, such as StemSave, where they replicate the cells & cryogenically preserve them. Later, when needed, the stem cells can be transformed into a host of different specialized cells, such as heart, brain, nerve, cartilage, bone or liver cells to repair body parts, make new ones, treat disease or treat the damage of disease. According to Gregory Chotkowski, StemSave's President, "The best stem cells for use in stem cell therapy are your own. By doing so, the risks of non-biocompatibility and tissue rejection are negated."

Dental stem cells can be harvested successfully from the nerve space in a baby tooth, permanent tooth or wisdom tooth. There are a few caveats, however. 1) Cells can be harvested from patients in their early 30's or younger. 2) The number of cells that can be taken from a tooth depend on the age of the patient and the cell's ability to replicate. 3) Teeth must be professionally removed.

So can dentists provide life-saving service to their patients? Yes. Should everyone make an appointment to pull out some teeth & preserve their cells for possible future need? No--But do talk with your dentist if you are interested in this new life-saving technology, to make sure you are a candidate.

You can also open an individual or family account with StemSave by visiting thier website. They will "bank" your teeth for a monthly or annual investment....An investment that could be priceless in the future.

So maybe the tooth fairy doesn't bring human organs in whole; however, I'm sure she would help you "bank" your cells, so that in the end, you would have the gift that keeps on giving...life. 




Your Mouth & Haiti
(January 18, 2010)

This past week, many Haitians experienced ultimate devastation, when an earthquake struck 7.0 on the Richter scale. As unfortunate as that is to the population of Haiti, and the world for that matter, being in the dental profession, I immediately drew a correlation between the devastation I see daily and the devastation that happened in Haiti.

Can your mouth really have something in common with Haiti? Well, let's look at the things we know about so far that led up to the ultimate devastation.

Haiti sits atop a great fault line. A fault line is basically a fracture (or crack) in the rock beneath the earth's surface. Pushing against the faults and fault lines are plates. These Tectonic Plates push against the fault, causing it to move several millimeters each year. The catch? You never know what movement from the plates will cause the fault line to crack further, or in the case of Haiti, move the fault altogether. The movement of the fault is what causes an earthquake. How close the movement is to the surface determines the strength of the quake... The closer the movement, the greater the strength.

We also know that Haiti was warned a couple of years ago that an earthquake was going to occur & would be ~7.5 on the Richter scale.

Lastly, we know that Haiti was the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere and that the buildings were not structurally sound--a risk that was taken due to economics.

So what does this have to do with teeth?

1) Well, you first need to find out if you have any fault lines, or cracks in your teeth. This can easily be determined by seeing a dental professional.

2) If you have been told you have cracks in your teeth, fix them. The process of chewing alone (just as the Tectonic Plates push against the fault lines) puts you at risk of possible tooth devastations, such as a fractured root, causing the tooth to need a root canal, or worse, an extraction.

3) Risking your health and not fixing your teeth due to economics can lead to complications and overall devestation. Viewing your health as an investment in your future can help ensure a disaster like Haiti won't occur in your mouth.

So don't be afraid to see your dentist for an exam. If money is a factor, many offices provide payment arrangements. At any cost, have your dental treatment completed.

As dental professionals, we can let you know what we see & warn you as to what is going to happen...unfortunately, as in the case of Haiti, we can tell you what will happen, we just can't tell you when.






The Great Lewinski
(January 11, 2010)

We all remember the Bill Clinton / Monica Lewinski scandal of the 1990s and his whole oral sex-isn't sex defense. That whole scandal is said to have changed the way people view oral sex for years to come.

But that view should be changing yet again. Since that whole debaucle, there has been a rise in the number of younger people developing oral cancer. Why? Because the same virus that causes cervical cancer is now linked to oral cancer. Yep, it's the human papillomavirus (HPV) -- and it's transmitted through oral sex, too.

In 2007, the New England Journal of Medicine reported that men & women who had 6+ oral sex partners in their lifetime had a "nearly 9-fold increased risk of developing cancer of the tonsils or at the base of the tongue." Here's the kicker...they're finding it's more prevalent in men than in women.

So, what about the new Gardasil vaccination, right? Wrong. 40 of the 120 strains of HPV are in the mouth and genital areas. Gardasil only protects against 4 of them (warts & cervical cancer). Even worse, 12,000 to 15,000 new cases of oropharyngeal cancers are diagnosed annually and 3000 people die from it, but as of yet, there is no vaccine for oral HPV!

The good news? There are still dental dams & condoms & the bi-annual visit to your dentist! Yes, your dentist can detect oral cancer with special screening tools, such as Velscope or Vizilite. The special tools, in conjunction with a visual exam, will allow us to see beneath the surface tissues in your mouth & see any cancerous or pre-cancerous cells. This allows us to detect oral cancer in its earliest stages. Remember, if oral cancer is visible to the naked eye, it is often already at a stage 3 or 4 (the worst stages), so having special tools that enable us to see below the surface can prolong your life by catching things early.

So for all of you Clinton fans who think that oral sex doesn't come without risks, think again. The risks are 9-fold for some of you!




New Year, New You!
(January 4, 2010)

As the new year begins, many resolutions are made regarding diets and exercise, but why not include dental health as well? Did you know that one of the best indicators for total body (systemic) health lies in the mouth? Can you see it?...sometimes. Can your dentist?...everytime. -- That's why it's so important that you see your dentist on a regular basis.

When you visit your dentist for a cleaning, in addition to a tooth exam, your gums and surrounding tissues should also be examined for disease. Gums tell us a lot about your overall health. Studies continue to show correlations between gum disease and heart disease, stroke, pneumonia, diabetes, and much more.

If you have gum disease, your gums harbour thousands of bacteria that eat away at your gums & teeth--leading to the loss of teeth and bone. These bacteria also find their ways to other areas of your body & cause other problems to occur. So how do you know if you have gum disease or are at risk for gum disease?

Well, the best answer is always...see your dentist. Symptoms include bleeding gums, sore gums or teeth, receding gums, bad breath, bad taste, loose teeth, and many more. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, see your dentist asap. Gum disease cannot be cured once you have it; however, seeing your dentist for the recommended visits will allow you to keep the disease under control and help prevent further tooth loss.

So if you want to resolve to having healthy teeth & gums for life...it's just a phone call away. Here's to a New Year & a New You!




Stress Can Lead to Teeth Grinding
(December 21, 2009)

It's the holiday season...and in most cases the holidays bring good tidings of great joy; however, the holidays can also bring great pain. For those of us who are running around trimming trees, putting up lights and elbowing our way through the holiday crowds to find the perfect gifts, the holidays bring forth additional stress. And for even more stress, sprinkle on some out-of-town guests...or even better...family!

By now, you may be picturing scenes from Four Christmases, or even National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, or an even worse holiday adventure of your own, but don't despair...you're not alone. The holidays bring additional stress to most people, and where there is stress, there is teeth grinding because people are directly affected by their external environment.

We know that ~10-15% of adult Americans moderately to severely grind their teeth--and that percentage is without any added stressors. Most don't realize they are grinding their teeth because it is a subconscious muscle activity. They only realize it when symptoms occur, such as a broken tooth, headaches and/or facial soreness.

Teeth grinding is bad because it places additional forces on your teeth that cause your teeth to wear at a much faster rate. Normally, we exert ~20-30 pounds per square inch on our back teeth when we chew. People who grind their teeth, especially when they are sleeping, can exert up to 200 pounds per square inch! This wear & tear on your teeth grinds the enamel away, causing sensitive teeth, fractures in your teeth, changes in your bite, damage to your jaws & jaw muscles, and can lead to headaches, earaches, etc.

So what can a person do to make sure their teeth are taken care of during stressful situations, such as the holiday season? See your dentist...let him/her know you have been feeling stressed out and may have been grinding your teeth. The most common treatment is to have a night guard made. A night guard is a clear, hard plastic device that is custom-made to your mouth by a dentist. Over-the-counter night guards, although less expensive, are made of different materials and can encourage certain muscle activities, so check with your dentist first.

Sometimes we can't eliminate stress, but wearing a night guard will help to ensure your teeth stay healthy...at least for all the yummy holiday food!





Gum Disease Linked to Head & Neck Cancer
(December 15, 2009)

For years studies have shown the link between gum disease and heart disease. The most recent studies are now linking gum disease to head & neck cancer as well! A recent 6 year study of 266 patients with head or neck cancer reported the link between gum disease and head & neck cancer.

As gum disease progresses, it causes bone loss in the mouth--the bone that surrounds the teeth. Although further studies are still needed, this particular study noted that with each millimeter of bone loss, the risk for head and neck cancer increased 4-fold.

As we learn more about oral, head & neck cancer, it is imperative to note that the link between gum disease and head & neck cancer was seen even in people who had never used tobacco & alcohol--two of the riskiest variables to these types of cancers in years past.

More and more studies are providing insights into gum disease and its systemic links. So if you want to make sure you minimize the bad bacterias floating throughout your body... Don't let them hide in your mouth--see your dentist!




Could Less Humidity Lead to More Cavities?
(December 7, 2009)

While out west last week for more dental training, we appreciated the drier climate that Arizona had to offer. The days were sunny & pleasant, the nights a bit brisk--great weather compared to the constant humidity of Florida; however, everything comes with a price, right?

Every morning, I began to notice waking to dry nasal passages & a drier mouth. TMI you say? Well, it made me want to share with you what we do know about dry mouth (xerostomia) and what we can do about it, regardless of where we live.

Dry mouth can be caused from many different things ranging from the medications we take or the climate we live in, to the amount of stress we are under, and many more. Cavities love a dry mouth because there is a decrease in saliva flow--under normal circumstances, saliva is produced regularly and washes away bacteria, debris, etc. Without the regular flow of saliva, the bacteria stay in your mouth and produce acids that begin to eat away at your teeth, causing cavities to form.

So how do we prevent dry mouth? Preventing dry mouth may be hard, especially if you are taking medications with dry mouth as a side effect; however, there are products that can help keep your mouth moist enough to decrease your risk of cavities. Biotene makes over-the-counter products, including gum, mouthwash & toothpaste. Orajel now makes a product for dry mouth also. There are also dry mouth lozenges that contain Xylitol (an ingredient that fights against cavities).

As stated above, stress is also a contributing factor to dry mouth. Becase stress is linked to our autonomic nervous system, you may not be aware of a dry mouth until it becomes a chronic problem. So, if you notice yourself stressed for a short period or long period of time, remember to drink plenty of water and keep your mouth moist. If you choose to suck on candy, just remember to make it sugarless candy.

As far as climate goes, well, for the most part there's not much we can do about it. But if my theory about a less humid environment causing a dry mouth is true, then staying well hydrated (w/ non-sugar beverages) would be one solution, right?



Thanksgiving Feasts
(November 23, 2009)

As many of us gather around the table with friends and/or family this holiday season, we often reminisce about our favorite childhood dishes, and may even try to create/recreate a few. Is it the taste that creates memories in our mind or is it the memories that are first created, then associated with the flavors? Either way, Thanksgiving tends to create a sense of warmth in our hearts...and our stomachs.

This year, we thought we would share our favorite dishes with you...

Leslie: My cousin's Sweet Potato Casserole
Shauna: Aunt Nan's Broccoli Casserole -- 3 ingredients & oh, so good!
Darcy: Open-faced turkey sandwich
Karen: "Mom's Special Cranberry Sauce"-- real cranberries only!!
Dr. Mathias: Pecan Pie

To Health & Good eats!...and a final Turkey Thought by Jack Prelutsky:
"If turkey's thought, they'd run away,
a week before Thanksgiving Day.
But turkey's can't anticipate,
and so there's turkey on my plate."




Hazards of Popular Beverages
(November 17, 2009)

Common beverages, such as soda, coffee, tea & sports drinks can bathe your teeth in acid, sugar and coloring agents, to name a few. Sugar increases the risks of tooth decay and acid (phosphoric or citric--both found in sodas) erodes tooth enamel. Both begin to demineralize (weaken) the teeth and can cause sensitivity.

Coloring agents are found in almost all beverages and stain the teeth over time; however, white wine -- even though it isn't considered a "stainer" by itself, has been known to make teeth more susceptible to staining by other beverages.

If you choose to consume any of these beverages containing sugars or acids (pretty much every beverage other than water), have them with a meal, swish your mouth out with water when finished, and ... DON'T brush! As we stated earlier, the acids begin to demineralize (soften) the teeth, making them more susceptible to the abrasives in your toothpaste. It is best to wait at least 30 minutes after consuming these types of beverages before you brush -- and make sure you only use a soft-bristled toothbrush.




Inexpensive Teeth Whitening
(November 11, 2009)

Did you know that teeth whitening can also make you more healthy? By just adding a few simple foods to your diet, you can also whiten your teeth!

Apples, Carrots and Strawberries (actually the seeds), to name a few, all remove extrinsic stains from your teeth by cleaning them each time you take a bite. The fibers from celery, pears and cauliflower also help to clean your teeth when you chew.

Eating more fruits & vegetables will help to remove stains over time, but for added effect, don't forget to reduce the substances that cause the stain in the first place, such as coffee, tea, cola, chocolate, and tobacco.

Learning to eat more fruits & vegetables will make you more healthy, but in no way will they substitute a toothbrush! Make sure to floss once a day, brush twice a day and see your dentist at least twice a year & you will be on the fast track to not only whiter teeth, but to better health as well!



Pregnancy & Periodontal Disease
(September 28, 2009)

Research has produced strong evidence showing that periodontal disease is linked strongly to pre-term delivery and low birth weight babies. For this reason, pregnant women are in need of seeing their dentist more frequently in an effort to increase oral hygiene during the formative 9 months of pregnancy.

Pregnant women have multiple hormonal changes that effect their gums, and overall oral health. These hormonal changes effect the way gums react to the bacteria in the mouth, which is why most pregnant women experience sensitive, bleeding gums.

The bacteria from periodontal disease that enters the bloodstream during pregnancy, travels to the uterus and triggers a certain type of chemical production that is suspected to cause premature labor.

Good nutrition, an increased focus in oral hygiene and more frequent visits to the dentist will help to decrease the risk of further complications. If a pregnant woman feels that she is at risk of periodontal disease, she should visit her dentist to avoid any problems.