Baby Those Baby Teeth

It’s never too early to start taking care of your little one’s teeth. In fact, proper oral health care should start well before your baby’s first teeth even erupt. For a lifetime of healthy smiles, follow these guidelines to ensure your child gets off on the right tooth. Just say “no” to bottles in bed. Never put your baby to sleep with a bottle or sippy cup filled with milk, formula, fruit juice, or other sweet liquid. The sugar in these beverages can cause cavities in your baby’s teeth, leading to “baby bottle tooth decay.” Instead, let your child finish his or her bottle before bedtime. If you must give your baby a bottle when he or she is going to sleep, fill the bottle with water instead. Be sure your baby drinks fluoridated water. By the time your baby is 6 months old, he or she will require some fluoride for healthy teeth. Most babies can get all of the fluoride they need from the water they drink. Keep in mind that bottled water usually doesn’t have any fluoride, however. If you have questions about fluoride, talk to your pediatrician or dentist. Clean your baby’s gums. Twice a day, gently wipe your baby’s gums with a wet, clean, soft cloth. You should start doing this before your baby’s teeth even come in, or “erupt.” When can you expect to see that first tooth? The average age is 6 months, but some infants don’t get their first tooth until they are 14 or 15 months old. Some babies see their first tooth when they are as young as 3 months old! Brush new teeth. Once the first teeth come in, you can clean them using a soft, flexible children’s toothbrush and water. Continue to clean your baby’s entire mouth, not just the new teeth. Gently brush his or her first teeth with a tiny amount of fluoridated tooth- paste. Switch to a pea-sized amount of fluoridated toothpaste once your child is age 2. See a dentist. Whether it’s the first tooth or the first birthday—no matter which happens first—it’s time for your child’s first dentist appointment! Your dentist will examine your child’s mouth and advise you on any concerns you have, such as thumbsucking. If you are having trouble brushing your child’s teeth, your dentist can show you a few methods to ensure you are doing a thorough job. Regular exams are essential to your child’s oral health so be sure to keep regular appointments with your child’s dentist. February is National Children Dental Health Month. We are always accepting new patients and we LOVE kids. Call us at (248) 474-5572 to schedule an appointment for your child or yourself today!

Thumbsucking: Rules of Thumb

One of the most asked questions from parents of toddlers is about thumbsucking. Is it harmful? At what age should their child stop? What will happen if the child doesn't stop? These are all very good questions and I hope I can shed a little light on the subject for you! Sucking is of your baby's first reflexes. In infants and young children, it makes them feel secure and happy, soothed, relaxed and most often manifests in older children when they are tired. Prolonged thumbsucking will result in changes to the permanent teeth (alignment and growth) and can cause changes in the roof of the mouth. The intensity of the sucking is a large factor on the amount of changes. Thumbsucking normally ceases between the ages of two and four because during this period the child spends more hours awake and exploring their world. Peer pressure normally causes school-aged children to stop. Tips for helping your child curb the habit: 1) Instead of scolding, praise them when they are not. 2) Remember children often suck their thumbs when they are insecure. Focus on correcting the cause of the anxiety. 3) Children who are sucking for comfort will feel less of a need when their parents provide the comfort. 4) Your dentist can encourage children to stop sucking and explain what could happen if they continue. 5) If these approaches are failing, reming the children of their habit by bandaging the thumb or putting a sock on the had at night. I have a one year old toddler who currently sucks her thumb and cringe everytime I see it go in her mouth as a dentist. But, I also know from my years in practice that children rarely carry the habit beyond 4 years of age. Good Luck!

Protecting Your Child's Teeth With Dental Sealants

Left:  Sealed Molar    Right:  Unsealed Molar

Our teeth are constantly being covered with a sticky film of bacteria called plaque.  When we eat or drink anything that contains sugar or starch - such as milk, bread, cookies, candy, soda, juice, fruit and many other foods and beverages - bacteria turn the sugar and starch into acids that can attack tooth enamel.  For some people, repeated acid attacks eventually result in decay.

One of the most common places that tooth decay develops is on the chewing surfaces of the back teeth, called premolars and molars.  When you run your tongue along the chewing surfaces of the back teeth, you can feel depressions and grooves.  The indentations, called pit and fissures, help to grind food.

Regular brushing and cleaning between teeth with floss or another interdental cleaner helps remove food particles and bacteria from the smooth surfaces of tooth enamel.  However, pits and fissures are difficult to keep clean.  That's because toothbrush bristles cannot reach into the microscopic grooves to remove plaque bacteria and tiny particles of food.

Because pits and fissure are difficult to keep clean, we recommend dental sealants.  A dental sealant is a plastic material that is applied to a chewing surface of a back tooth.  The sealant acts as a barrier, protecting enamel from plaque and acid.  Ask us how dental sealants can benefit your child!

How many teeth are in a pack of cigarettes??

A one-pack-a-day smoking habit can cost you the loss of at least two teeth every 10 years, reports the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD).

 

Smokers are about twice as likely to lose their teeth than non-smokers, according to the results of two separate 30-year studies that investigated the relationship between smoking and tooth loss among males and females at Tufts University in Boston.

What are Mouth Rinses?

Mouth rinse or mouthwash is a product used for oral hygiene. Antiseptic and anti-plaque mouth rinse claims to kill the germs that cause plaque, gingivitis, and bad breath. Anti-cavity mouth rinse uses fluoride to protect against tooth decay. Mouth rinses are generally classified either as cosmetic, therapeutic, or a combination of the two. Cosmetic rinses are commercial, over-the-counter (OTC) products that help remove oral debris before or after brushing, temporarily suppress bad breath, diminish bacteria in the mouth, and refresh the mouth with a pleasant taste. Therapeutic rinses have all of the benefits of cosmetic rinses but also contain an added active ingredient that helps protect against some oral diseases. Therapeutic rinses also can be categorized according to use: anti-plaque/anti-gingivitis rinses or anti-cavity fluoride rinses, for example.

 

Dentists will prescribe special rinses for patients with more severe oral problems, such as cavities, periodontal disease, gum inflammation, and xerostomia (dry mouth). Therapeutic rinses also are strongly recommended for those who can't brush due to physical impairments or medical reasons.

 

Should I use a mouth rinse?

Whether or not you should use a mouth rinse depends upon your needs. Many dentists consider the use of fluoride toothpaste alone to be more than adequate protection against cavities. Although anti-cavity rinses with fluoride have been clinically proven to fight up to 50 percent more of the bacteria that cause cavities, and most rinses are effective at curbing bad breath

and freshening the mouth for up to three hours, initial studies have shown that most OTC anti-plaque rinses and antiseptics are not much more effective against plaque and gum disease than rinsing with water.

 

Most dentists are skeptical about the value of these anti-plaque products, and studies point to only a 20 to 25 percent effectiveness, at best, in reducing the plaque that causes gingivitis. Mouth rinses can cause harm by masking the symptoms of an oral health disease or condition.

 

How should I use a mouth rinse?

Before using mouth rinses, dentists suggest that you brush and floss your teeth well. Then, measure the proper amount of rinse as specified on the container or as instructed by your dentist. With your lips closed and the teeth kept slightly apart, swish the liquid around with as much force as possible. Many rinses suggest swishing for 30 seconds or more. Finally, thoroughly spit the liquid from your mouth. Teeth should be as clean as possible before applying an anti-cavity rinse to reap the full preventive benefits. Consumers should not rinse, eat, or smoke for 30 minutes after using rinses, as these practices will dilute the fluoride and rinse it away.

 

Are there any side effects?

Yes, and they can vary depending on the type of rinse. Habitual use of antiseptic mouthwashes that contain high levels of alcohol (18 to 26 percent) may produce a burning sensation in the cheeks, teeth, and gums. Many rinses with more concentrated formulas can lead to mouth ulcers, sodium retention, root sensitivity, stains, soreness, numbness, changes in taste sensation, and painful mucosal erosions. Most anti-cavity rinses contain sodium fluoride, which can lead to fluoride toxicity if taken excessively or swallowed. Because children tend to accidentally swallow mouthwash, they should only use rinses under adult supervision. If you experience any irritating or adverse reactions to a mouth rinse, discontinue its use immediately and talk to your dentist.

The Mystery of Burning Mouth Syndrome

Most people can relate to the uncomfortable feeling that occurs after scalding their mouth on hot soup or coffee. It's a relief when that burnt feeling subsides after several days. But imagine experiencing that burning sensation all day, every day. The condition is called burning mouth syndrome (BMS), and damage to the nervous system during menopause may be to blame, according to an article published in the May/June 2011 issue of General Dentistry, the peer-reviewed clinical journal of the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD).

 

BMS affects nearly 5 percent of Americans and causes a constant burning sensation, most commonly on the top of the tongue, lower lip, and roof of the mouth.

 

"The cause of BMS is currently unknown, but our findings support the theory that this is a neuropathic condition," says lead study author Gary D. Klasser, DMD. "For reasons unknown, it seems that the BMS patient's nerves are not sending and/or processing information correctly—there's a short circuit in the nervous system and the brain can't turn off the pain receptors."

 

Although BMS can affect both sexes, the study confirms by a 7:1 ratio that women in their menopausal and post-menopausal years are more likely to be affected by BMS.

 

"For a small percentage of women, it is these hormonal changes that may alter taste and the way in which a person interprets pain," says Dr. Klasser. "The alterations may be enough to start the cascade of events that lead to BMS."

 

With no physical signs, it is very difficult for many health practitioners to recognize, diagnose, and manage BMS. As with most BMS sufferers, the patients in this study experienced oral burning symptoms for several years and visited multiple health practitioners prior to receiving a definitive diagnosis of BMS.

 

"Besides reporting oral burning, patients describe experiencing a dry, gritty feeling in the mouth, as well as alterations in taste," says AGD Spokesperson Eugene Antenucci, DDS, FAGD. "But because many health practitioners are not familiar with BMS and cannot see any physical symptoms, patients often leave the doctor's office frustrated and untreated."

 

Although no cure currently exists, health practitioners who have an understanding of the syndrome can help patients manage their symptoms.

 

"BMS is not a matter of life or death, but it is a matter of quality of life," says Dr. Antenucci. "Patients who believe they suffer from any of these symptoms should speak with their general dentist and seek out a health practitioner who has experience with this condition."

 

Medications, both topical and systemic, are available to treat BMS. Patients should consult their doctor to determine the medication that is best for them.

 

Some helpful ways for patients to alleviate the symptoms of BMS without taking medication are to drink water regularly to keep the mouth lubricated; avoid spicy, hot, acidic foods that can amplify symptoms; chew sugarless gum to increase saliva flow; and avoid tobacco and alcohol products that can cause irritation to the oral tissue.

 

Have a heart to heart with your dentist

Congestive heart failure (CHF), a condition in which the heart cannot pump enough blood to the body's organs, affects more than 3 million people in the United States, with approximately 400,000 new cases each year.

 

People with a history of an untreated or poorly managed CHF, may be at high risk during a dental treatment for infection, cardiac arrest, stroke and heart attack, according to the lead author of a new study that appears in the May/June 2002 issue of General Dentistry, the clinical, peer-reviewed publication of the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD).

 

"Bacteria released during a dental cleaning travels through the bloodstream and to the areas that help pump blood to other organs," says Nelson L. Rhodus, DMD, MPH, lead author of the study. "Patients with untreated CHF are at high risk for infections because the bacteria released can trigger blood clots that may exacerbate the existing condition."

 

Dr. Rhodus hopes his findings help increase patient awareness about getting CHF under control so patients can receive dental treatment.