Wednesday, March 30, 2011

See a Baby Tooth? See a Dentist

 
Baby teeth are worth more than just a dollar under the pillow. Providing proper care and oral hygiene during a child's first year of life can mean a lifetime of good oral health.
 
Traditionally, parents have waited to bring their children to the dentist until primary teeth begin to appear. A 2002 consumer poll by the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry shows that nearly 70 percent of parents wait until their children are 3 years old before taking them to the dentist. But a dental visit by age 1 – or within six months of the eruption of the first baby tooth – is crucial, says Academy of General Dentistry (AGD) spokesperson Cynthia E. Sherwood, DDS.
 
Dr. Sherwood says this early visit gives a dentist the opportunity to see potential problems such as early-childhood caries (also known as baby bottle tooth decay); educate the parent on proper oral hygiene for the child; and give the toddler a positive experience in a dental setting. This can do wonders in allaying fears and boosting the child's future attitude toward visiting the dentist, Dr. Sherwood says.
 
Education is the heart of the age-1 exam. "When we see a toddler, we primarily talk to the parents about growth, development, thumb sucking, bottle and breast feeding, oral hygiene and nutritional issues, use of fluoride and why baby teeth are important," Dr. Sherwood said.
 
During this first visit, the dentist usually will sit knee-to-knee with the parent, with the child nestled in the parent's lap, and the dentist will ask the parent to demonstrate how she or he brushes the child's teeth. Then, if parent and tot are comfortable, the dentist will turn the child around onto his or her lap, so the dentist can get a good look at the child's teeth and gums. This "pleasant, painless visit" should take no more than 15 minutes, Dr. Sherwood said.
 
"Sitting knee-to-knee with the parent, playing with the baby and talking with the parent, I can get a very good sense of the child's oral health care, and this position gives us a good opportunity to get a good look at the child's teeth," says Dr. Sherwood. "It's a great experience for everyone involved."
 
Toddler dos and don'ts:
 
DO:
 
  • Take your child to the dentist within six months of the eruption of the first baby tooth, definitely by age 1.
  • Follow your dentist's advice regarding nutrition, hygiene routine, fluoride and dental-visit schedule.
  • Teach your child how to brush around age 3, and brush your teeth with your children to model good technique and spot problems.
DON'T:
 
  • Think baby teeth don't matter "because they'll just fall out anyway."
  • Allow children to have continual access to a bottle or "sippy cup" filled with anything other than water.
  • Give your children the impression that visiting the dentist is unpleasant.

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Does a Smaller Waist Mean Smelly Breath?

 
Many people wanting to slim down are jumping on the low-carbohydrate diet trend in an attempt to lose weight. However, as dieters shed pounds, many are saying goodbye to carbs and hello to halitosis. 
 
Low-carb diets work by limiting the amount of carbohydrates ingested, which allows the body to burn stored fat instead of carbohydrates. When the body burns fat as fuel, chemicals called ketones are produced. These ketones are released in the breath and urine and may result in halitosis. Ketones aren't the only bad breath culprit for this diet. The types of foods ingested also play a role.
 
"Most cases of bad breath originate from the breakdown of food particles that produce sulfur compounds, and from bacteria on the gums and tongue," says Academy of General Dentistry spokesperson Bruce DeGinder, DDS, MAGD. " High-protein foods can produce more sulfur compounds, especially overnight on the surface of the tongue when saliva production is diminished."
 
Tips to combat halitosis:
 
1. Drink water to wash away germs
 
Drinking plenty of water can help dilute the concentration of ketones, but that isn't the only benefit. Drinking water throughout the day can help cleanse teeth of excess bacteria and food debris. Bad breath can sometimes be caused by food particles caught in the teeth, and drinking water will help rinse away odor-causing particles.
 
2. Chew sugarless gum with xylitol
 
Chewing sugarless gum after meals can help keep bad breath away. Saliva production increases during chewing and this can help neutralize acid production and rinse food particles from the mouth. Chewing parsley can have the same effect because it also increases saliva production.
 
Sugar-free gum with xylitol can also help prevent cavities. Xylitol is a natural sweetener found in plants and fruits, and research shows it inhibits the growth of Streptococcus mutans, the oral bacteria that cause cavities.
 
3. Keep a toothbrush handy and brush after all meals
 
Brushing and flossing at least twice a day can help keep your mouth healthy and prevent odors. An AGD survey found that 75 percent of people eat at the office but less than 15 percent of them brush their teeth after eating. Cleaning the tongue with a toothbrush or tongue scraper after meals can also help alleviate odors.
 
If halitosis continues, a general dentist or doctor can help determine the source of the odor. Halitosis can sometimes have more serious causes. "Ketone breath is also used to describe a fruity smell on the breath that can be an indication that a person may have diabetes," says Dr. DeGinder. "This can originate when the body is breaking down fat particles because there is not sufficient glucose present as fuel for energy."
 

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

The Tooth about Zinc

From its involvement in a healthy immune system to its role in cell growth, zinc is an essential mineral for the human body. Zinc deficiency is a worldwide problem that affects approximately 4 million people in the U.S. alone.
 
Consumed naturally in the human diet, zinc can be found in food sources, such as beef, yogurt, eggs, and fish. Furthermore, zinc is widely used in dental products, specifically denture adhesives.
 
However, as with any herb, vitamin, or mineral, excess intake of zinc could pose a potential health hazard. Denture wearers are advised to pay special attention to the amount of zinc they consume, according to an article published in the March/April 2011 issue of General Dentistry, the peer-reviewed clinical journal of the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD).
 
"If a patient wears dentures, it is essential that he or she follows the instructions and recommended dosages on the product label," advises J. A. von Fraunhofer, MSc, PhD, co-author of the article. "Many times, patients will overuse the adhesive and, although it happens rarely, they can ingest toxic levels of zinc, with adverse neurologic effects."
 
The optimal use of denture adhesive involves placing a thin film or a series of dots across the denture surface, which will ensure that a patient is not overusing the adhesive. A single tube should last three to 10 weeks with daily use, although actual usage depends on the number of applications per day.
 
"An ill-fitting denture is one reason that a patient could be overusing adhesive," says AGD spokesperson Manuel A. Cordero, DDS, MAGD. "With age, your mouth will continue to change as the bone under your denture shrinks or recedes. If the denture doesn't fit correctly, the patient tends to use more adhesive to try to get the denture to stay in place."
 
To maintain a proper fit over time, patients should be evaluated by a dentist every six months.
 
"Abusing denture adhesive could cause nausea, stomachache, and mouth irritation," says Dr. Cordero. "Over time, toxic levels of zinc could cause a copper deficiency, which has been linked to neurological damage."
 
Currently, the FDA has issued no warnings regarding the use of denture adhesives, but patients should limit their usage of adhesive in accordance with the manufacturers' instructions and speak with their dentist if they have additional questions or concerns.

Monday, March 7, 2011

Baby's first dental visit

Parents are a child's first teachers in life and they play a significant role in maintaining their child's overall health. In observance of National Children's Dental Health Month, the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD) encourages parents to introduce good oral health habits to their children during infancy.
 
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, tooth decay affects children in the United States more than any other chronic infectious disease, highlighting the need for thorough oral care and regular dental visits. The ideal time for a child to visit the dentist is six months after the child's first teeth erupt. During this initial visit, a dentist will be able to examine the development of the child's mouth.
 
"Parents are surprised when I tell them that their infants can develop tooth decay and cavities soon after their teeth first appear," says AGD spokesperson Steven A. Ghareeb, DDS, FAGD. "We usually call this baby bottle tooth decay, which is caused by the long-term exposure to liquids containing sugars like milk, formula, and fruit juice."
 
In addition to tooth decay, other dental problems, such as teething irritations, gum disease, and prolonged thumb or pacifier sucking, often start early. The sooner the child visits a dentist, the better.
 
There are many things that parents can do with their child at home to maintain good oral health:
 
  • Clean your infant's gums with a clean, damp cloth twice a day.
  • Ask your dentist when you may begin to rub a tiny dab of toothpaste on your child's gums. Doing so will help your child become accustomed to the flavor of toothpaste.
  • As soon as the first teeth come in, begin brushing them with a small, soft-bristled toothbrush and a pea-sized dab of fluoride toothpaste.
  • Help a young child brush at night, which is the most important time to brush, due to lower salivary flow during sleep and higher susceptibility to cavities and plaque.
  • By approximately age 5, your child can learn to brush his or her teeth with proper parental instruction and supervision.
 
"The best way to teach a child how to brush is to lead by your good example," says Dr. Ghareeb. "Allowing your child to watch you brush your teeth teaches the importance of good oral hygiene."
 
 
Children, like adults, should see the dentist every six months. Some dentists may schedule interim visits for every three months when the child is very young to build the child's comfort and confidence levels or for treatment needs.
 

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

What to Do in a Dental Emergency

People risk breaking their teeth or otherwise injuring their mouths while eating, playing, exercising, and participating in other seemingly harmless activities. It's important to understand what to do in case of a dental emergency so that your tooth can be repaired when you are able to see a dentist.
 
What are dental emergencies and how can I avoid them?
Dental emergencies can occur when your tooth breaks, cracks, becomes loosened, or is knocked out completely. Sometimes dental crowns come off of teeth. Lips, gums, or cheeks can be cut.

Dental emergencies can be avoided by taking simple precautions, such as wearing a mouthguard during sports activities to prevent teeth from breaking or being knocked out, and avoiding hard foods that may crack or break your teeth—whether you have your natural teeth or you wear dentures. Oral injuries often are painful and should be treated by a dentist as soon as possible.
 
What should I do if a tooth is knocked out?
If your tooth is knocked out, immediately call a dentist for an emergency appointment. It is important to see your dentist within an hour of when your tooth is knocked out for the best chance of the tooth surviving the trauma. Handle the tooth by the crown (the top), not by the root (the pointed part on the bottom).
 
Touching the root of the tooth can damage cells that are necessary to reattach the tooth to the bone. Gently rinse the tooth in water to remove dirt. Do not scrub the tooth! Place the clean tooth in your mouth between the cheek and gum to keep it moist. It is important not to let the tooth dry out. If it is not possible to store the tooth in the mouth, wrap the tooth in a clean cloth or gauze and immerse it in milk or saline solution (the solution used for contacts). If a baby tooth is knocked out, the tooth should not be replanted. The patient should be seen as soon as possible to make sure there are no remaining pieces of the tooth.
 
What should I do if my tooth is pushed out of position?
If your tooth is loosened and pushed out of position, call your dentist right away for an emergency appointment. In the meantime, attempt to reposition it to its normal alignment using very light finger pressure—but don't force it!
 
How should I handle a chipped or fractured tooth?
There are different types of tooth fractures. Chipped teeth are minor fractures. Moderate fractures include damage to the enamel, tissue, and/or pulp. Severe fractures usually mean that a tooth has been traumatized to the point that it cannot be recovered.
 
If you fracture a tooth, rinse your mouth with warm water and use an ice pack or cold compress to reduce swelling. Take ibuprofen, not aspirin, for pain. Your dentist can smooth out minor fractures with a sandpaper disc. Alternatively, restorative procedures may be needed to fix the tooth.
 
If you wear dentures and a tooth breaks or chips, wear your spare dentures until you can visit your dentist. If you do not have a spare set or cannot get to the dentist's office soon, use cyanoacrylate (heavy-duty, quick-drying "super" glue) to glue the tooth or the piece of the tooth back into place. Remember—this is only a temporary measure until your dentist can properly repair your tooth and should only be used for dentures! Never attempt to glue a natural tooth or part of a natural tooth back into place!
 
What should I do if the tissue of my mouth is injured?
Injuries inside the mouth include tears or cuts, puncture wounds, and lacerations to the cheek, lips, or tongue. The wound should be cleaned immediately with warm water, and the injured person should be taken directly to an oral surgeon for emergency care. If you can't get to an oral surgeon, the patient should be taken to the hospital. Bleeding from a tongue laceration can be reduced by pulling the tongue forward and using gauze to place pressure on the wound.
 
Can I somehow prepare for dental emergencies?
Yes, by packing an emergency dental care kit including:
  • Dentist's phone numbers (home and office)
  • Saline solution
  • Handkerchief
  • Gauze
  • Small container with lid
  • Ibuprofen (Not aspirin. Aspirin is an anti-coagulant, which may cause excessive bleeding in a dental emergency.)