According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, more than seven million people suffer from severe acid reflux. However, David Lazarchik, DMD, lead author of the study notes that, “patients often are not aware of the damage that reflux-induced erosion has caused to their teeth until it has reached an advanced stage of destruction.” The potential of hydrogen, or pH, is a standard way to measure the acidity of a substance. It is measured on a scale of 0 to 14. A lower pH means that a solution contains more acid. The higher the pH, the more alkaline (or non-acidic) the solution. ”Dental enamel begins to dissolve at a pH of 5.5,” says Dr. Lazarchik. “Because stomach acid has an extremely low pH of 2.0, it has the potential to cause significant chemical erosion.” Certain foods, beverages and habits are known to cause acid reflux and as preventive measure, individuals should be aware of the products they consume. Spicy, fatty, fried foods, citric fruits and beverages and dairy products can lead to acid reflux. In addition to taking the steps necessary to establish a healthier eating lifestyle, AGD Vice President, Fares Elias, DDS, FAGD, says, “When visiting a general dentist, it’s important to make him or her aware of any medical conditions and medical history in general.” ”In some cases, other medical conditions, not directly related to your oral health, may be the cause for problems associated in the mouth,” says Dr. Elias, who has also experienced acid reflux. ”Treating reflux-induced erosion without treating and preventing the medical condition that causes the erosion may only lead to more severe problems for your oral health in the future.” If Acid Reflux-Induced Erosion is Diagnosed:
Toothpaste that contains triclosan/copolymer is better than regular fluoride toothpastes at killing the kinds of bacteria that live in people’s mouths, according to a study published in the January/February 2010 issue of General Dentistry, the peer-reviewed clinical journal of the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD).
“Manufacturers add specific agents to toothpastes to provide added benefits to consumers,” said Joseph J. Zambon, DDS, PhD, one of the study’s authors and a distinguished teaching professor at the University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine. “The best known agent is fluoride, which was added to toothpaste to prevent cavities. Triclosan added to toothpaste has been shown in a number of clinical studies to inhibit plaque and gingivitis. The copolymer helps to keep triclosan in your mouth for a longer period of time, which boosts its ability to inhibit oral bacteria.”
The triclosan/copolymer toothpaste and two fluoride toothpastes were tested on several different kinds of lab-grown bacteria that mimic germs found in the mouth. The tests were also done on bacteria taken from the mouths of human volunteers.
“Repetitive testing shows that toothpaste with triclosan/copolymer outperformed the fluoride-only toothpastes when it came to inhibiting the growth of bacteria,” Dr. Zambon said.
Along with brushing teeth twice a day, the AGD recommends the daily use of floss and a mouth rinse to reduce dental plaque and kill germs in the mouth.
“The importance of killing germs is that if you can keep your mouth relatively clean, you can minimize the likelihood of cavities and gum disease, as well as the unpleasantness of bad breath,” said Paul Bussman, DMD, FAGD, spokesperson for the AGD.
]]>With all of the challenges that new parents face, they may not think much about the link between their child’s oral health and overall health. In fact, an understanding of oral hygiene can help parents to prevent tooth decay—the single most common chronic childhood disease in America—and to create a lifetime of healthy habits for their child.
“Ideally, the oral health education for any family will begin with prenatal education and the establishment of a dental home by the time the child is 12 to 18 months of age,” says Tegwyn Brickhouse, DDS, author of the study. “Many people don’t realize that the oral health of the mother affects both the infant’s future oral health and the child’s overall health. In fact, some studies show that periodontal disease has been linked to preterm labor. That’s why pregnant women should be evaluated for cavities, poor oral hygiene, gingivitis, loose teeth and diet.”
After the child is born, families should become familiar with their child’s dental and oral health milestones, which will be determined by discussion with the family dentist or a pediatric dentist. Children should have their first dental visit at age 1 or within six months of the eruption of their first tooth. A dentist will be able to discuss when parents can expect to see a child’s first tooth and the best technique for brushing his or her new teeth.
Diet is another factor that affects a child’s oral health. Frequent and long-term exposure to liquids that contain sugars commonly results in tooth decay. In addition to eliminating sugary drinks altogether from a child’s diet, parents can adopt other habits to prevent tooth decay due to beverage consumption.
“Parents should avoid giving their children milk, formula, juice or soda at naptime or nighttime,” says Bruce DeGinder, DDS, MAGD, spokesperson for the AGD. “The sugars will linger on their teeth and gums for a prolonged period of time, promoting decay.”
Parents are responsible for their child’s oral hygiene practices and are advised to meet with a general dentist to determine the best way to establish and maintain their child’s oral health. A general dentist also can provide families with oral health literature that is designed to educate both the parent and child. This education has multiple benefits; as Dr. Brickhouse notes, “Healthy teeth in early childhood can provide a positive self-image and improve the child’s quality of life.”
]]>“Hormonal changes during pregnancy can result in several changes in the mouth,” says Homa Amini, DDS, co-author of the article. “Reports show that the most common oral disease is gingivitis, which has been reported in 30 to 100 percent of pregnancies.”
Gingivitis, a buildup of plaque that causes inflammation of the gums, should be treated with a professional cleaning and proper toothbrushing and flossing. If left untreated, gingivitis can lead to periodontitis, a more serious form of gum disease. “Patients tend to delay the treatment of oral disease due to concerns for fetal safety; however, routine dental treatment can be performed safely at any time during pregnancy,” says Dr. Amini. What’s more, untreated dental disease can lead to pain, infections and unnecessary exposure to medications, any of which could harm the developing fetus. Poor oral health also can affect the nutritional intake of expectant mothers, which is essential for fetal growth and survival.
The hormonal fluctuations that result from pregnancy can produce benign pregnancy tumors in the mouth. These tumors usually appear after the first trimester and typically go away after delivery; however, surgical removal may be required when these tumors bleed, interfere with eating or do not resolve after delivery.
In addition to examining for oral disease, dentists may notice dental erosion—the chemical or mechanochemical destruction of tooth material—in pregnant women, due to increased acid in the mouth following morning sickness.
“To neutralize acid after vomiting, pregnant women should rinse the mouth with a mixture of a teaspoon of baking soda dissolved in a cup of water,” says Patricia Meredith, DDS, FAGD, spokesperson for the AGD. “The teeth should be brushed only after the mouth has been rinsed and the acid has been neutralized to prevent further damage to the enamel.”
Oral health assessment and treatment should be an essential part of prenatal care, as these steps allow the patient to receive ongoing advice concerning proper oral hygiene and infant oral health care.
]]>“By the time these children are 12 months old, they should have a ‘dental home’ that will allow a dentist to administer preventive care and educate parents about good oral health habits tailored to fit their child’s needs,” says Maria Regina P. Estrella, DMD, MS, lead author of the article.
For example, some parents may not know that special diets for children with below-average weight or unique food allergies can unintentionally promote tooth decay. Underweight children may be directed to consume drinks containing high amounts of carbohydrates, which can cause demineralization of teeth. Medications can also be a source of concern. Because children often find it difficult to swallow pills, many of their medicines may utilize flavored, sugary syrups. When parents or guardians give these syrups to a child, especially at bedtime, the sugars can pool around the child’s teeth and gums, promoting decay.
“Children should continue with the diet and medications as directed by their physician, but a dentist may recommend more frequent applications of fluoridated toothpaste and mouthrinse and rinsing with water to decrease the risk of decay,” says Vincent Mayher, DMD, MAGD, spokesperson for the AGD.
Additionally, adults will need to help children who lack the dexterity to brush their own teeth. When brushing a child’s teeth, it may be helpful for caregivers to approach their child from behind the head, which will provide caregivers with good visibility and allow them to control the movement of both the child’s head and the toothbrush. This approach is especially helpful with wheelchair-bound children.
Taking children with special health care needs to the dentist is as important as caring for their other medical needs. A dentist who understands a child’s medical history and special needs can provide preventive and routine oral care, reducing the likelihood that the child will develop otherwise preventable oral diseases.
]]>The technique consists of first shaving a thin layer of outer tooth structure (about the thickness of an eggshell). An impression is then taken of the prepared teeth and is sent to a dental laboratory. In the lab, a ceramist will make very thin porcelain facings consisting of all the changes in shape, size, color and teeth arrangement that are needed to have a great looking smile. At the second visit, the laminates are bonded onto the prepared teeth with a white light gun. The bonding material acts as an adhesive for the laminates. Porcelain laminates are the most popular technique used for dramatic smile makeovers.
]]>]]>
Flossing isn’t just a way to dislodge food wedged between your teeth, as believed by many. By flossing on a daily basis, you can reduce cavities, gum disease and bad breath. The bacterial film called plaque that forms along the gum line is removed with proper flossing.
Here’s how to properly floss your teeth.