Affordable Dental Discount Plans NH

Can Banana Peels Help Brighten Teeth?

Mon, 25 Jan 2021 00:00:00 GMT

Bananas are great ingredients for breads and smoothies, but are they also something you can use to get a whiter, brighter smile? The internet and various social media sites would likely say yes—somewhere—but as with all health trends, it never hurts to get more information before you try it out yourself. That’s what we’re here for, so here is what you should know about banana peels as a teeth whitening method.

How Does Banana Peel Whitening Work?

According to the USDA’s National Nutrient Database, bananas are very nutritious foods, with one medium-sized banana containing 422 milligrams of potassium, three grams of fiber, and 32 milligrams of magnesium. Given the number of minerals within bananas and banana peels, it’s caused some to believe the peels can actually whiten teeth. According to the claim, individuals just have to rub the inner side of a banana peel on their teeth for several minutes before brushing their teeth or afterward. Believers claim that rubbing the teeth with a peel every day for two to three weeks can produce a whiter smile.

Can Banana Peel Whitening Work?

So far, the idea of banana peels whitening a person’s teeth has only anecdotal evidence backing it up. Tabloids and personal blogs have claimed it works as a natural whitening process, but no scientific studies so far have examined how effective banana peels allegedly are at clearing the teeth of stains.

While the American Dental Association (ADA) hasn’t given an opinion regarding banana peels for whitening teeth, it has provided an opinion for other fruits, such as lemons, strawberries, and orange peels, as whitening methods—and that’s to not try it. You can certainly enjoy a fruit’s nutritional benefits by eating it, but there won't be positive results in terms of teeth whitening. Many fruits have high amounts of acid, and they could end up harming your teeth rather than helping them.

Tooth Whitening Alternatives

While banana peels are better left in the trash or a compost pile, there are still other effective methods for teeth whitening to choose from. Per the ADA, establishing a regular oral healthcare routine, including brushing twice per day, can greatly help to improve your teeth’s brightness, especially if done using whitening toothpaste.

You could also consider asking your dental professional about performing teeth whitening at the office. A professional teeth whitening can usually remove a greater number of stains and establish whiter teeth faster than an at-home treatment. Because this isn’t the right choice for everyone, consider discussing the good and bad of getting a professional tooth whitening with your dental professional before going forward with it.

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Safe Foods After a Tooth Extraction

Mon, 18 Jan 2021 00:00:00 GMT

Whether it’s for you or your child, a tooth extraction is a serious procedure that will require at least one day for the patient to recover or possibly more, depending on how many teeth are to be removed and the level of difficulty required to remove them. It’s for this reason that it’s better to schedule the surgery during slower business times and vacation periods—when patients are already more likely to be relaxed. Once the surgery is scheduled, you may be wondering what’s safe to eat following the extraction. As you would expect, softer foods are the ideal choice during recovery, some of which include the following.

Ice Cream

Except in cases of patients’ teeth being particularly sensitive, ice cream is the first of the foods you should eat after an extraction, especially during summer. It's both soft and cool, so it can be comfortably eaten even when the mouth feels tender. Also, given how cold it is, ice cream can help to minimize any naturally-occurring swelling one would expect after an extraction. However, you should still pick your ice cream carefully—soft serve ice cream is the ideal choice after surgery, as it requires fewer jaw muscles to eat. You should also avoid mix-ins and solid sprinkles on top of your ice cream as well as cones.

Cool Soup

Cool, pureed, or lukewarm soups are another great meal choice after a tooth extraction. Depending on the season, however, especially during summer, you may prefer smooth gazpacho rather than a cup of cool broth. Soup is both easy for you to eat after surgery, and it also has a number of nutrients or even protein, which can help your face muscles feel better. If you want to avoid further discomfort, just be sure your soup has been made as smooth as you can get it before you try to eat it. While pasta or a couple of small chunks of vegetables ought to be manageable, try avoiding anything that would require excessive chewing.

Scrambled Eggs

If they have been allowed to cool down, scrambled eggs also work well as a post-extraction food choice. They're heavy on the protein, gentle, and don't call for a lot of effort when it comes to chewing during eating.

Smoothies

With fresh fruits providing one of the easiest ways to get nutrients into the body, they are an easy, go-to snack you should make sure to have after a tooth extraction, and the right way to do it is through smoothies. You can blend fruits together with some kefir or yogurt to add calcium, protein, and probiotics into the drink. Using yogurt or another kind of dairy product in a smoothie also keeps it from being too acidic and therefore makes it less likely to aggravate tender gums.

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Will Tooth Paint Whiten My Teeth?

Mon, 11 Jan 2021 00:00:00 GMT

Whenever your regular brushing/flossing routine isn’t whitening your teeth as much as you want, painting over discolored or stained enamel must seem appealing. However, despite tooth paint seeming like an easy, quick fix for stained or yellow teeth, the full extent of its effectiveness is still up for debate. In the end, you’re much more likely to find success in whitening your teeth with other products. However, if you still need convincing, here is what you should know about tooth paint.

Teeth Whitening

If you have teeth that have been stained by strongly colored drinks or foods or they’re just naturally gray or yellow, then they require some special treatment for lightening the enamel. In order to make teeth enamel whiter, many whitening products have bleaching ingredients, such as hydrogen peroxide. Patients or their dental professionals apply whitening gel onto the teeth, which allows the bleach to penetrate the enamel. After a short period of waiting, the chemicals break the stain molecules up, so they aren’t visible any longer and make the teeth appear whiter.

Tooth Paint

As to how cosmetic tooth paint differs from other whitening products, the teeth only appear whiter after use, with the effect lasting only a short time. Similar to nail polish, tooth paint coats teeth to temporarily cover up discoloration and stains rather than penetrating enamel. Users dry the teeth they want to whiten before applying the tooth paint on with a brush. Once the paint has dried, users can close their lips and go about their day.

Is Tooth Paint Effective?

White tooth paint isn’t likely to work for several reasons, with the greatest being it won’t penetrate the enamel and therefore won’t whiten teeth or reduce stains. Another reason is that it’s not likely for cosmetic tooth paint to stick to teeth enamel’s slippery, hard surfaces. Even when users follow every instruction perfectly, the effects probably will not last very long. Finally, if the tooth paint doesn't have hydrogen peroxide or a similar whitening agent, it can’t penetrate your discolored enamel.

Teeth Whitening Alternatives

If you’re looking for an effective tooth whitening product, those made with bleaching agents like hydrogen peroxide are the better choice. For a single tooth, you can try using products you apply by hand whereas multiple teeth are better whitened with strips or trays—either avenue can be affordable and convenient while getting your teeth at least five shades whiter. Instant teeth whitening would be great if the process were reliable or effective, but tooth paint unfortunately isn’t there yet. For the best results, you should check out other whitening products to get those pearly whites you desire.

Essentials Nutrients for Your Gums and Teeth

Mon, 04 Jan 2021 00:00:00 GMT

While proper nutrition benefits the entire body, it’s easy to forget the entire body also includes your gums and teeth. By consuming the correct vitamins and nutrients, whether through supplements or food choices, you can better protect your overall oral health. To ensure you’re making the right choices for your oral health, here are several essential nutrients for both gum and teeth health.

Calcium

We’ve all heard that calcium is good for bone health, but it's also crucial for your teeth, with the National Institutes of Health stating calcium helps develop and sustain healthy teeth. To get your daily dose of calcium, you should try dairy products, such as yogurt and milk, which have a kind of calcium your body can easily absorb. Canned, bone-in sardines and salmon are good calcium sources as well, with vegan options including leafy green vegetables, fortified cereals, and blackstrap molasses.

Phosphorus

Another essential nutrient for healthy gums and teeth is phosphorous, which, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center, is one of the most prevalent minerals in the human body, with much of it being in the teeth. Phosphorus is necessary for the repair and maintenance of your body's tissues, and it works with calcium in order to keep teeth strong. Fortunately, phosphorous is in many protein-heavy foods, such as eggs, dairy, meats, legumes, and nuts, as well as dried fruits, whole grains, and some carbonated drinks. Most individuals get plenty of phosphorous in their normal diet without requiring supplements.

Vitamin D

This micronutrient plays a huge part in maintaining healthy teeth and your overall health, telling the intestinal tract to absorb calcium you've consumed and then transport it to your bloodstream. Without the right amount of vitamin D, the human body would leach the calcium right from the bones. Certain foods have been fortified with vitamin D, such as breakfast cereals, milk, and other food items. You can check nutrition labels to see if the foods you like have vitamin D in them.

Vitamin A

In addition to being good for the eyes, vitamin A is good for the mouth as well, helping to develop and sustain tissues, such as the mucus membranes and the teeth. This essential nutrient has two forms: provitamin A and preformed vitamin A, with the latter being found in poultry, dairy, meat, and similar animal products. As for provitamin A, it’s found in vegetables and fruits, with the body converting it to its active form.

Vitamin C

There are many nutrients that are good for teeth, but others, vitamin C in particular, are good for gums. Vitamin C, per the Mayo Clinic, is necessary for the creation of blood vessels as well as other teeth-supporting tissues. Also, this nutrient is crucial for healing, so much so that patients with severe deficiencies in vitamin C can suffer from bleeding gums. To get a good dose of vitamin C, you can always check out berries, citrus fruits, spinach, brussel sprouts, and similar vegetables and fruits.

How to Fix Coffee-Stained Teeth

Tue, 29 Dec 2020 00:00:00 GMT

Once upon a time, coffee lovers were often weighed down by the burden of having to choose between their favorite beverage and having a smile without the stains coffee is known for leaving on teeth. However, in this day and age, teeth whitening products have virtually guaranteed that coffee drinkers do not have to pick a bright smile over their favorite way of waking themselves up in the morning.

Admittedly, reducing coffee consumption does help avoid the necessity of teeth whitening products in the first place, and it will certainly help maintain your teeth’s white color after using whitening products. Even so, knowing there are other options thanks to modern innovations should provide a little hope for those of us who like to enjoy two to three cups of coffee per day. You can choose an OTC teeth whitening product from a local grocery store or pharmacy, but you can also head to your dentist’s office for a more professional teeth whitening treatment.

Coffee Stains

While some discoloration and yellowing of teeth stems from our body’s natural aging, the acid within coffee can also affect the teeth’s enamel and leave stains. Some in the past have tried using whitening products only to see the yellow color return quickly afterward, which can be caused by drinking a cup of coffee soon after using the product. As per the American Dental Association (ADA), it’s best to avoid consuming stain-causing drinks like coffee for a couple of days following the use of a teeth whitening product in order to keep your stains from coming back quickly.

Teeth Whiteners

If you are at the store and elect to try out an OTC teeth whitening product, then your options likely include bleaching whiteners and whitening toothpastes. A whitening toothpaste polishes teeth and removes stains without having to use bleaching, but it does have enzymes that help remove stains from the teeth’s surface layer. Bleaching whiteners, on the other hand, are available at your dentist’s office as well as over-the-counter at your local pharmacy or grocery store. These products coat the teeth and subsequently dissolve stains, but, while they are very effective, they can cause sensitivity, so make sure to adhere to the directions that the packaging provides.

In the end, using a whitening product for coffee-stained teeth can greatly help you to have a healthier-looking, brighter smile, but just remember the discoloration may return in certain circumstances. Regardless of the type of product you choose, make sure to consult your dental professional for help deciding on the better teeth whitening product for you.

Strawberries and Other Strange, Alternative Whitening Methods

Mon, 30 Nov 2020 00:00:00 GMT

Whether it’s a style blog, daytime TV, or a cheap living website, it’s not hard to find a new, strange method for allegedly whitening one’s teeth. People sing praises for everything from charcoal to strawberries to whiten their teeth, but can any of these alleged whitening options get the job done? Or should you just stick with over-the-counter products and professional whitening methods for getting that whiter smile? To learn about a few strange, supposed whitening methods, check out our quick list below.

Strawberries

A quick Google search will reveal many how-to’s on how to use baking soda and strawberries to whiten teeth. While it may seem like a simple, inexpensive way to better your smile, it won't actually do much good when it comes to teeth whitening.

Dr. So Ran Kwon, a dental researcher with the University of Iowa, decided to study the apparent whitening method. For her study, which was published via Operative Dentistry , Kwon rubbed a concoction of baking soda and crushed strawberries onto 20 detached teeth for ten days, three times per day. The baking soda-berry mixture was on the detached teeth for about five minutes, and then Kwon brushed the teeth. Kwon found the mixture did help remove surface debris and plaque from the teeth, creating an illusion of a whiter shade, but the concoction didn't actually bleach the teeth.

Charcoal

The claim that brushing your teeth using activated charcoal powder is another whitening trend, as it allegedly absorbs bacteria and stains to make the teeth whiter. However, there are several reasons you should skip charcoal for whitening. For one, it’s unclear how abrasive activated charcoal is, so it could potentially damage your enamel. Also, the American Dental Association (ADA) apparently still hasn’t studied charcoal’s effects regarding whiter teeth. Until further studies on the effectiveness and safety of charcoal have been performed, you should stick with verified whiteners.

Oil Pulling

Another teeth whitening trend that’s made the rounds online is a practice called oil pulling, which involves swishing one tablespoon of coconut oil along your teeth for up to 20 minutes. This practice originates from ancient India, with people practicing it today claiming it helps them whiten their teeth, prevent cavities, and better their oral health.

While there’s a good chance oil pulling won't hurt your teeth, it isn’t a good substitute for brushing your teeth every day. It's also not likely you'll see any dramatic, lasting change in your teeth’s color after performing oil pulling. According to the ADA, there have been no reliable studies that show oil pulling to be effective for whitening teeth or keeping your teeth and gums clean. Until new studies say otherwise, you should just brush and floss regularly as you normally would.

Do Cavity Fillings Hurt?

Mon, 23 Nov 2020 00:00:00 GMT

Once your dental professional informs you of a cavity that’s formed on one of your teeth, and that your best course of action is getting a filling, your first question may be, "Do fillings hurt?" Concern over possible pain from cavity treatment may have you questioning whether it’s a good idea at all, but it’s important to remember that putting off treatment could make the issue far worse.

According to the National Institutes of Health, cavity treatment is often less painful as well as less expensive whenever it's done as soon as the dentist sees signs of tooth decay. If you're concerned about discomfort and pain while getting your filling, here is what you should expect both during treatment and afterward.

During Treatment

Before the treatment starts, your dentist will take measures to minimize any pain you might experience during the actual treatment, such as local anesthesia for numbing the gums and other areas of the mouth. The local anesthetic, commonly lidocaine, means just the treatment area will be numb, meaning you'll be awake for the filling and can interact with the dentist.

Once the dentist has dried the area, they’ll dab some gel onto the injection site, which numbs the gums and reduces the pain of the actual injection. You may feel a slight stinging sensation, but it’s from the anesthetic beginning to work and not the needle. From there, you shouldn’t feel any pain while your dentist works.

After Treatment

After the treatment is complete and the anesthetic begins wearing off, you may experience a slight tingling sensation in the mouth or even sensitivity in your teeth. Mostly, however, this sensitivity will likely fade within several days, and your dentist can prescribe pain relievers for any soreness you have. In such cases, it’s best for patients to avoid putting a lot of force on their treated tooth. If the sensitivity or the pain doesn't fade after a week, the filling likely needs to be examined to ensure it’s not too high.

When to Go Back to the Dentist’s Office

Fillings should improve your mouth’s comfort and health rather than make things worse. Cavity fillings shouldn't hurt beyond some soreness and tenderness for the first couple of days following treatment. If this discomfort persists past one week after treatment, you should call your dentist about coming in to possibly adjust your filling. If your soreness disappeared following your treatment, but you started experiencing discomfort or pain weeks or months later, you should check in at the dentist’s office.

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Endurance Athletes Could be More Vulnerable to Cavities

Mon, 16 Nov 2020 00:00:00 GMT

It’s common to hear about certain groups of people being more vulnerable to tooth decay and cavities, such as those who eat many sugary or acidic foods or anyone suffering from dry mouth. Recently, however, one study revealed how endurance athletes may actually be prone to tooth decay more than others. This study, titled “Effect of Endurance Training on Dental Erosion, Caries, and Saliva,” was published by the Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports through its online forum.

This study examined 35 triathletes training a minimum of five hours every week as well as 35 individuals who didn’t exercise regularly. The participants filled out a questionnaire, stating their weekly training routines, gender, age, body weight, height, and oral hygiene practices. They also added details regarding the sports nutrition products and beverages they consumed. Each participant submitted to oral exams that included pH and saliva output testing during inactivity, with 15 of the athletes submitting to saliva assessments while they exercised. The pH levels for swimming pools the triathletes used were factored in as well.

While the non-athletes and triathletes had similar pH and salivary output levels during inactivity, the triathletes showed a higher risk of dental erosion as well as decreased salivary flow and a significant increase in saliva pH during exercise. Additionally, the researchers leading the study said a considerable correlation existed between the athletes’ likelihood for cavities and their collective training time.

According to Dr. Cornelia Frese, the study’s lead author, both sports drink and nutrition product use alongside physical training can lower athletes' saliva pH levels down to where erosion may occur. "With a lowered intra-oral pH, dental erosion and caries can occur," Frese said. "We saw that the weekly training time correlates with caries prevalence. We assume that longer training time is consistent with a higher intake of carbohydrate sports bars, gels, and drinks, and this might cause a higher risk for caries."

Frese also stated physiological changes within the athletes themselves can contribute to the problem. "Exercise activates the sympathetic drive and suppresses the parasympathetic innervation of salivary glands. Additionally, athletes breathe through the mouth during hard exercise, and the mouth gets dry. If they consume sports nutrition/drinks at this moment, saliva protection might be diminished." Per Frese, athletes need special oral healthcare regimens, and “a fluoride containing toothpaste is important. The fluoride in the toothpaste increases the resistance of tooth hard tissue against caries and erosive challenges."

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How Are Sugary Drinks Affecting My Teeth?

Mon, 09 Nov 2020 00:00:00 GMT

Keeping your teeth healthy requires a regular routine of brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and flossing at least once daily. However, in addition to these common practices, healthy teeth also require people to consider what they eat and drink and how those items can affect their teeth. The list of drinks and foods that aren’t good for teeth is a long one, and such items, including sugary drinks like soft drinks and fruit juices, can hinder a strong oral healthcare routine or even reverse it altogether.

While these drinks are go-to beverages for kids and adults alike, they’re not exactly the best option for anyone. Drinking too many can lead to a number of dental issues, including tooth decay, gum disease, cavities, and bad breath.

What Are They Doing to My Teeth?

It's well known that regularly consuming sugary beverages isn’t healthy for your teeth, but even occasional indulgences can negatively affect oral health. Whenever you consume one sugary drink, the sugar within it latches onto your teeth, and bacteria normally found in the mouth eat away at it. However, while these bacteria consume the sugar, they begin producing acid, and, sooner or later, the acid starts eating away at the teeth’s enamel. When this starts happening, the teeth start to get weaker and thinner. As your enamel grows weaker, the chances of cavities forming increases considerably—hence why sugary beverages are known to be one of the more common dietary triggers of decay in teeth.

How Do I Avoid All This Damage?

For regular consumers of sugary drinks, your best option for minimizing tooth decay is cutting down on them when possible or avoiding them entirely. You also might consider other, healthier options for quenching your thirst like milk or water. Another way of providing some sweetness through healthier means is natural fruit juices, but make sure you’re buying real fruit juice that has a juice content above 10 percent. To minimize even more sugar intake, you might consider cutting any fruit juices you buy with some seltzer water to prevent damage from acid on the teeth.

If you’re going about your day and decide to let yourself indulge a bit, just make sure you rinse your mouth with water afterward to flush it and wash away the remaining sugar. Also, as stated previously, make sure to use toothpaste and mouthwash that contain fluoride, as fluoride can help reduce tooth decay and strengthen enamel, even reversing some of the damage these sugary drinks can cause.

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Possible Complications with Children’s Pacifiers

Mon, 02 Nov 2020 00:00:00 GMT

For the exhausted parents of new infants, pacifiers are often the miracle they need whenever their child needs something for comfort. However, there are others who say that these same parents should be more concerned when it comes to their infant’s pacifier habits. Either way, the decision parents make regarding pacifiers must be an informed decision, hence why it’s crucial for parents to know the good and bad of pacifiers and how they can affect children based on their individual temperament and age. If you would like to know more about possible problems with pacifiers, check out our simple guide below.

How Pacifiers May Help

Pacifiers offer some definite benefits for both babies and parents alike. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, parents should provide pacifiers for children who are older than a month of age for when they sleep, as studies have found pacifier use could help reduce a child’s risk for sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Pacifiers are also useful for quieting fussy babies, calming tired ones, and giving mom and dad the break they probably need at that moment.

Possible Problems

While pacifiers have clear benefits for parents and infants, there are a few things you should keep in mind before you start introducing pacifiers to your baby, some of which include the following:

Eventually, parents need to help their child break their habit of sucking on pacifiers. Studies indicate that pacifier use will not negatively affect a child's oral health until after their first birthday has passed, though there are some sources saying adverse effects will not appear until after two years of age. However, this doesn't mean the child will want to willingly give up their pacifier when the time comes to wean them off.
Also, introducing pacifiers too early may cause breastfeeding to become difficult. Successful breastfeeding calls for babies learning to properly latch to their mother’s nipple. Giving babies pacifiers before they have hit three or four weeks could lead to nipple confusion or even affect the mother’s milk supply.

For parents who have concerns or questions about introducing pacifiers or their child's current pacifier habits, you should speak with your pediatrician in order to see what they recommend for your specific pacifier situation. There may be possible complications with pacifiers, but parents should not swear off them entirely, because whatever comfort children find from pacifiers, they can easily find from their own thumbs, which is a significantly harder habit to break in young children.

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When are Temporary Crowns Necessary?

Mon, 02 Nov 2020 00:00:00 GMT

Even when one of your teeth is scheduled to receive a crown, your dental professional needs to protect that tooth before the permanent, final crown is ready and dropped off with the dentist’s office within two or three weeks. While the temporary crown’s color may not match your natural teeth, you should be able to speak and eat as you normally would during this transition period. If you suspect you will need a temporary crown in the future, here is what you should know about the process.

Dental Crowns

A crown provides a protective covering for both dental implants and natural teeth. According to the American Dental Association (ADA), whenever teeth are discolored, weak from bad fillings, or badly shaped, a crown can provide a striking fix. Dental professionals may suggest a crown whenever there’s little tooth left or none at all, or they can be used for anchoring bridges to replace a missing tooth or those about to be extracted.

How Crowns are Made

During the first of two appointments, your dental professional can fit a temporary crown as well as x-ray the problem spot and treat for possible lingering decay. As a way of making room for your permanent crown, the dentist files down your natural tooth over the top and sides. They then take impressions of your filed tooth—including those below and above it—and send the impressions onto a dental lab to create the permanent crown. Since this process can take up to three weeks, your dentist places a temporary crown in order to protect the tooth until your next visit. During the second visit, after your permanent crown is delivered, the dentist will remove your temporary crown before fitting the permanent one in place.

Temporary vs. Permanent

There are several differences between permanent and temporary crowns, but this largely comes down to a dentist’s cement choice. It’s important to remember temporary crowns only last several weeks while permanent crowns can last between five and 15 years if proper care is implemented. Temporary crowns are made of plastic or metal, but some permanent crowns are made via high-quality porcelain or even porcelain that’s been bonded with gold. Regarding temporary crowns, the cement that dentists use for fixing temporary crowns is easily breakable, as they must be in order for dentists to easily attach permanent crowns afterward.

Temporary Crown Care

Normal brushing with fluoride toothpaste should help care for a temporary crown just as it would with normal teeth. When caring for temporary crowns, you should keep a few things in mind—for one, immediately after your temporary crown has been fitted, avoid eating for half an hour while the crown cement sets. Stickier foods could pull the temporary crown right off the tooth, so remember to also avoid these foods until your permanent crown is in. If your temporary crown does fall off, you can get it back into place via personal denture cement until you see your dentist again. It's crucial that you not leave the temporary crown outside your mouth for a long amount of time, as the teeth can actually move, making the fitting of a permanent crown challenging.

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Do Dentists Recommend Glycerin for Babies?

Mon, 26 Oct 2020 00:00:00 GMT

For new parents, their child’s oral care should begin once the child is born and everyone is at home, as this is where they start developing the child's lifelong oral healthcare habits. In coming up with your child’s routine, you may have learned about glycerin, and while you might know other parents who choose to use glycerin for their infant's mouth hygiene, you should always consult your pediatrician or dental professional before using it or similar products for your child’s healthcare. If you would like to learn more about glycerin, check out our quick guide below.

The Basics of Glycerin

Also called glycerol, glycerin is a syrupy, colorless liquid with a somewhat sweet taste to it. Synthetic glycerin causes toothpastes to be creamy, gives cough drops a sweet flavor, and provides the moisturizing component for facial and body creams. Saliva substitutes and eyewash solutions contain glycerin as well, as do ear wax products, laxatives, and various medications.

As stated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), pharmaceutical products that contain glycerin are low risk for being toxic, having been classified as “generally recognized as safe” (GRAS). However, small children should still be discouraged from swallowing great amounts of mouthwash or toothpaste, due to the sweetener and fluoride’s potential for causing stomach pain.

Cleaning a Baby's Mouth

While some people clean their infant's mouth using glycerin, the American Dental Association (ADA) recommends water for cleaning a baby's tongue and gums. Here is the more professionally accepted method for a baby’s oral healthcare:

Use a damp piece of gauze or wet washcloth to clean the baby's tongue and gums twice per day—after breakfast as well as after the baby’s last nightly feeding. You may wrap gauze around one of your fingers to make the process easier or buy terrycloth finger cots from a local pharmacy.
Once the child's first tooth erupts (about six months), start cleaning the mouth using a slight blot of fluoride toothpaste—no bigger than a rice grain—on an infant toothbrush or a piece of gauze.
Schedule an appointment with the dentist before the child's first birthday, where they can answer questions you might have about sucking or teething habits, and so the child can start getting more comfortable at the office. From there, regular dental visits will be crucial for monitoring the child's quickly growing jaws and teeth.
You can start flossing the child's teeth whenever the teeth have started touching.
Replace the child's toothbrush whenever the bristles begin fraying or just every three to four months.

Continue brushing the child's teeth until they can handle the task themselves, which could be between four to eight years of age. Even then, they may require some supervision to ensure they spend adequate time brushing thoroughly.

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Why Prenatal Oral Healthcare Checkups are Crucial

Mon, 19 Oct 2020 00:00:00 GMT

While buying the crib and attending baby showers are essential aspects of having a baby, there is no doubt that preparing for a baby’s health is the most important part of prenatal care. When mothers are carrying their little ones, their own health can in many ways determine their child’s health, which is why it’s important that expectant mothers take good care of themselves, including their dental health. To ensure mothers have strong oral health, they should have at least one prenatal checkup on their calendar before the baby makes his or her grand entrance.

Healthy Mother, Healthy Baby

The oral health of mothers-to-be helps determine children's dental future. Given how much hormone levels can change during pregnancy, mothers’ teeth are more vulnerable to gingivitis and other conditions, making a closer eye on dental health even more crucial. The ADA recommends expectant mothers continue their regular oral healthcare routine throughout their pregnancy, including cleanings and checkups. Once aware of pregnancy, mothers should plan their first oral health checkup before scheduling another prenatal oral healthcare check about six months later. Pregnant women must also be sure they’re adhering to the following:

Brushing teeth in the morning and then again before bed with fluoride toothpaste.
Cleaning between teeth using floss and using mouthwash once per day at least.
Practicing healthier eating via fewer processed, sugary foods and more fresh produce.
Reducing snacks in between meal times.

Oral Concerns

For pregnant women, it’s best to address medical concerns right away, even if it’s just a toothache. What might seem like a minor irritation could morph into something greater like an infection, which could spread throughout the body and therefore to the baby. If you have a concern, you shouldn’t wait for your next appointment to address it but instead call your dentist office immediately to see when you can come in. According to the National Maternal and Child Oral Health Policy Center, it’s normal for the gums to start swelling during a pregnancy, which can result in gingivitis or even gum disease or loss of teeth if left untreated. Pain medications, local anesthesia, and x-rays are safe for pregnancy, leaving few excuses for avoiding prenatal oral care.

Good Dental Health Practices

If you’re hoping to prevent dental concerns during pregnancy, you just have to be proactive about your oral healthcare routine. For starters, don’t share toothbrushes with anyone, change yours out roughly every four months, and use mouthwash that doesn’t contain alcohol. If you’re struggling with morning sickness, try taking several minutes and swishing a water-baking soda mixture through your mouth after vomiting. Use a cup of water mixed with a teaspoon of baking soda, and this should help prevent stomach acid from affecting your teeth’s enamel.

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What Red Gums Mean in Women

Mon, 12 Oct 2020 00:00:00 GMT

While gingivitis and periodontal disease don’t discriminate and can affect either men or women, there are certain oral health concerns that women are more prone to due to hormone levels. For instance, women may notice a red color in their gums as well as other symptoms at various points throughout their lives. According to the International Journal of Dentistry , changes in hormonal levels inherent during pregnancy, puberty, menstruation, contraceptive use, and menopause can all affect women’s dental and gum health.

Puberty

Along with the other hardships puberty is known for, it turns out this stage of life can result in red gums while also making the gums feel more sensitive. Per the American Academy of Periodontology, increases in progesterone and even estrogen that occur during puberty raise blood flow to one’s gums. This results in the gums becoming much more sensitive to irritation and tender, especially if plaque has been allowed to accumulate. For teenage girls going through puberty, it’s wise to see a dentist frequently, brush twice per day, and floss daily in order to keep plaque off the gums and teeth.

Pregnancy

Hormonal fluctuations linked to pregnancy can increase a woman’s chances of developing bleeding gums in addition to other early signs of gum disease. Blood flow also increases during pregnancy, which can lead to tender, red gums. When these signs start appearing, it’s possible women simply have to work harder to maintain their home oral healthcare routine and see their dental professional for a deep cleaning and an evaluation. If your issues progress far enough, a dentist may have to prescribe antibiotics that are safe for expectant mothers in order to clear any gum infections up.

Menstruation

While some women experience changes during menstruation like bloating, others notice differences in their gums, including tenderness and bleeding. Menstruation gingivitis can be the result of increased estrogen levels in blood. Some women may notice their gums starting to be more tender, red, and swollen several days prior to their cycle. However, menstruation gingivitis should disappear when the woman's monthly cycle starts.

Menopause

Women who are going through menopause may also notice a little trouble in their gums, with one problem unique in menopausal women being menopausal gingivostomatitis, which is when the oral mucosa atrophies. This can result in dry or red gums and bleeding, but hormonal therapy should be able to help ease discomfort and other symptoms.

Contraceptives

For women using hormonal types of birth control, progesterone, which can be found in most hormonal contraceptives, may lead to increased inflammation within the gums. According to a study published by the International Journal of Dentistry , longer contraceptive use makes it more likely that women will see changes in their gums. It’s also worth noting there are antibiotics used for clearing up gum disease that could negatively affect birth control. Oftentimes, antibiotics make birth control, specifically the pill, less efficient, so be sure to tell your dental professional what you’re taking before starting on antibiotics.

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What are Infant Fluoride Drops?

Mon, 30 Jul 2018 00:00:00 GMT

Children have fluoride in their toothpaste just like adults, but sometimes even this crucial aspect of oral healthcare isn’t enough to avoid tooth decay. For parents who are worried their children aren’t getting all the help they need to protect their oral health, you can always ask your dentist about fluoride drops, which are sometimes prescribed for children when their first set of teeth is still forming. If you want to know more about fluoride drops, then check out our quick guide below to learn more.

Fluoride’s Many Forms

Prescription fluorides can be topically dispensed via toothpaste, mouth rinses, or gels. For babies, however, the ADA recommends fluoride be systemically administered through drinking water and supplemental tablets and liquids. When taken orally, fluoride travels throughout the body and gets released into saliva in order to fortify teeth, which makes them stronger as well as more decay resistant. Regarding drops, they can be an effective, safe means of measuring and providing babies with systemic doses of fluoride that are appropriate for their age as well as their oral healthcare needs.

Why Provide Fluoride Drops to Infants?

Infants are prescribed fluoride drops to keep cavities from developing in the permanent and the primary teeth while both sets are forming. Fluoride drops are typically recommended for infants who reside in areas with water supplies not fortified by fluoride, which is the case in regions of the United States, Canada, Australia, and other countries. The US Department of Health and Human Services conducts scientific peer-reviewed studies regularly to decide safe fluoride levels of for public water supplies.

Distributing Fluoride Drops

When prescribing fluoride supplements, dentists or doctors must first discover the quantity of fluoride that’s present in an infant’s drinking water. State or local health departments can assess your water for when you don’t know the fluoride amount or use a well. Fluoride ion concentrations are measured via parts per million in both supplemental dosage and drinking water, but drops are usually pre-mixed as well as measured via milligrams, per the ADA.

Regarding liquid fluoride, it may be provided to children with food or without or even diluted with juice or water. Some prescriptions call for fluoride drops being given every day while others only need to be taken once per week. Many pharmacists will recommend babies or toddlers waiting until two hours have passed since taking the medication to drink, eat, or otherwise take other medication.

As with other medications, it's important that you keep fluoride out of your children’s reach. If they ingest an excess amount, it could lead to indigestion, stomach pain, or diarrhea. Other mild risks of excess fluoride over a longer period of time include possible fluorosis, which can cause white spots to develop on baby teeth. While it may appear strange, this condition is typically harmless and shouldn’t affect the child’s permanent teeth.

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Do Essential Oils Work for Dry Mouth?

Sun, 29 Jul 2018 00:00:00 GMT

In recent years, U.S. interest in using complementary or alternative medicine has been growing steadily, according to the National Health Statistics Report. One popular remedy among these medicines is essential oils, which, per Grandview Research, may reach up to $12 billion in the global market by 2022. Those who are interested in essential oils often claim they receive relief for many issues, such as flu or cold symptoms, hormonal imbalances, and skin problems. However, some have posed the question—can essential oils work in cases of dry mouth?

The Basics of Essential Oils

For those who may be wondering what essential oils even are, they are chemicals within a plant, specifically the kind that give a plant its scent or flavor. Whether by steam of force, the essential oils are carefully extracted from plants, usually taking a large part of the plant in order to make small amounts of oil. These oils are typically used for aromatherapy, meaning their scent allegedly can help you cure whatever it is that ails you. Additionally, it’s said that you can mix drops of essential oil into mouthwash for treating mouth problems or even apply the oil topically for treating scalp problems and other skin irritations.

Dry Mouth

Several essential oils that might be recommended for treating dry mouth include peppermint oil and clove oil, with the latter said to possess antibacterial properties that can help lower risk of infection and cavities often linked to dry mouth. On the other hand, peppermint oil is commonly mixed in with toothpaste and mouthwash and is said to stimulate saliva production within the mouth.

Efficiency of Essential Oils

As to whether essential oils can help with dry mouth, this may depend on how well they’re used. According to an overview of reviews that examined the oils’ use in aromatherapy, only 10 out of over 200 reviews satisfied the overview’s inclusion data, with those that qualified producing sound evidence in favor of essential oils’ effectiveness when used in aromatherapy. On the other hand, a systemic review by the Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects stated that essential oils in mouthwash could provide additional relief in terms of gum disease and plaque reduction when used through standard oral healthcare practices. Unfortunately, these studies didn’t evaluate a direct link between dry mouth and essential oils.

What Else Treats Dry Mouth?

For individuals trying to manage dry mouth, the first step to take is seeing your dental professional to learn methods for coping with dry mouth or treating it. Typically, chronic conditions or medications cause dry mouth, so treating the medical issue or adjusting a medication’s dose could help in alleviating symptoms—it’s crucial in treating dry mouth that you figure out what’s causing it in the first place. Your dentist can also recommend various home remedies for alleviating your discomfort, ranging from frequent sips of water to chewing sugarless gum in order to stimulate saliva production.

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What Should I Know About ‘Cottonmouth?’

Fri, 27 Jul 2018 00:00:00 GMT

While it also refers to an especially poisonous snake you should avoid, cottonmouth is the lesser known name of a condition that’s fairly prevalent among the populace—xerostomia or dry mouth, which is when the body doesn’t produce enough saliva. Cottonmouth may be temporary, brought about by excitement or nerves, or the condition can be ongoing due to specific medical issues or medications. While the exact figure isn’t known, many people suffer from cottonmouth at one time or another depending on their age and medical history. If you’re worried you’re suffering from cottonmouth, here is a quick rundown of what you should know.

The Basics of Cottonmouth

According to the American Dental Association (ADA), a healthy individual produces as many as one and a half liters of saliva every day, and you're more likely to suffer from cottonmouth whenever the body’s salivary glands cease their production of saliva. Saliva has several key functions, such as aiding in digestion, keeping your mouth moist, cleaning the mouth, and maintaining neutral pH levels.

Not every dry mouth case is identical, with symptoms including dry or sticky feelings in your mouth—you may feel as though you have cotton stuffed into your mouth and as though you have rubbed a towel on your oral cavity. Regarding severe cases, individuals tend to develop cracked lips, feel burning sensations in their throats, or have trouble chewing, speaking, or swallowing.

What Causes Cottonmouth?

While no one thing causes cottonmouth, there are factors that can contribute to the condition, including the following:

Medications : Over 500 medicines have been linked with dry mouth, including prescription allergy medication, sedatives, and antidepressants. Changing doses or switching over to other formulations may help relieve symptoms of dry mouth.
Medical conditions : Per the ADA, Sjogren's disease, which is an autoimmune disease that can cause damaging inflammation to your salivary glands, is among the more common conditions linked with dry mouth.
Radiation therapy/chemotherapy : Radiation therapy or chemotherapy, especially for cancer treatments in the neck or head, is another common cause of dry mouth, per the ADA. Dry mouth symptoms may develop during therapy or months later.
Lifestyle habits : Some lifestyle habits, including drinking lots of alcohol, smoking, and drugs like cocaine, marijuana, or speed, can cause cottonmouth.

Treating Cottonmouth

Because saliva’s function is to maintain cleanliness in the mouth while keeping bacteria in check, individuals with persistent dry mouth are much more likely to develop gum disease, tooth decay, and other infections in the mouth. Cottonmouth treatment can range from correcting medications to addressing underlying conditions. Whenever a dry mouth case is linked with lifestyle choices, cutting back on them or giving up them entirely could improve symptoms.

Drinking more water can help as well, as this moistens the mouth while helping with swallowing and chewing, as well as chewing gum to stimulate the flow of saliva. You also must continue with a solid oral healthcare routine, including brushing twice per day with fluoride toothpaste, flossing once daily, and using mouthwash to protect your teeth further.

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How Does Dry Toothpaste Work?

Wed, 25 Jul 2018 21:24:23 GMT

Whether it’s the beverages you drink, the foods you eat, or your preferred toothpaste, every decision you make impacts whether you develop dry mouth. However, by choosing a solid dry toothpaste and listening to some helpful oral healthcare tips, it’s possible to keep dry mouth under control and keep your teeth as healthy as possible. If you need help dealing with dry mouth, here is a quick guide on what you should be doing to address it.

Dry Mouth 101

Also called xerostomia, dry mouth occurs when the mouth doesn’t have enough saliva and, per the ADA, can result from a preexisting medical issue or be one of several side effects of certain medications. While it may not seem to be a serious condition, dry mouth can jeopardize your oral health, as saliva washes away food debris and acids, and the teeth become more vulnerable to cavities and decay without it. Typical dry mouth symptoms include:

· trouble tasting, chewing, speaking, or swallowing

· a persistent sore throat

· cracked lips

· dehydration or stickiness within the mouth

· an occasional burning sensation

Dry Toothpaste for Dry Mouth

For those experiencing symptoms of dry mouth, you have several options for toothpaste available for providing relief. When choosing your toothpaste, check for ones specifically made to help dry mouth as well as whether they contain fluoride. You can even receive prescription strength level toothpaste with the help of your dental professional, or you can check the aisles of your nearest drug store for OTC options. Use this toothpaste once per day instead of your regular toothpaste, ensuring you don’t eat until roughly 30 minutes have passed since brushing. Your dentist can tell you whether you require a prescription toothpaste for dry mouth or whether you only need a reputable OTC brand.

Remedies for Dry Mouth

In addition to toothpaste, there are other simple, effective ways to ease symptoms of dry mouth. For instance, be gentle whenever you brush and make sure to remember to floss daily. Drink enough water to keep up the moisture levels in your mouth and try to avoid caffeinated beverages, which can cause mouth dehydration. Rather than choosing sugary snacks, opt for sugarless candy or gum to stimulate saliva flow as well as using oral rinse specifically for enhancing saliva flow. You can also try running a humidifier while you sleep to keep up your mouth’s moisture level.

To take the best care of yourself when riddled with dry mouth, follow these tips closely, and you should be able to successfully manage your symptoms. Before you begin treating dry mouth, schedule a dental appointment so you can discuss your condition with a professional and develop an action plan to stop dry mouth from affecting your life any further.

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Risks When Traveling for Dental Procedures

Fri, 20 Jul 2018 00:00:00 GMT

It’s a match made in heaven—you get a dental procedure for almost no money and a vacation to a foreign country. However, before booking a flight to Malaysia or Mexico to visit a dentist, you should first understand all of the risks associated with seeking dental care outside the U.S. Cheaper dental procedures may be appealing, but dental tourism may cost more than you realize. Before making any rash decisions, here are a few risks to be aware of.

Lacking in Regulation

U.S. dental care is regulated highly by the American Dental Association, and they govern dentists as well as their reputations and offices. Choosing an ADA-approved dentist means choosing an office that fully meets safety, certification, and cleanliness regulations. The equipment and instruments used by dentists are also regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Unfortunately, these same protections don't apply to dental tourism sites. No regulation means hygiene, sterilization, and safety in general cannot be guaranteed.

Bacteria and Germs

Whenever you travel outside the U.S., you’re exposed to bacteria and pathogens you might have never encountered before. In many cases, washing hands and being attentive about foods and drinks you consume are enough protection against these bacteria, but dental or medical procedures in other countries can be risky. The CDC says medical tourism could increase your likelihood of picking antibiotic-resistant bacteria up, and even just water used during dental procedures could get you sick if you lack immunity against illness-carrying organisms within it.

Recovery Concerns

Almost all oral procedures are considered safe, but sometimes complicated recoveries can hamper even light procedures. Traveling for care can increase your risk of recovery problems, especially if you travel while you’re still in recovery. According to the CDC, surgery abroad could result in blood clots while traveling back home while infection could make you very ill. As well, you could misunderstand and then fail to adhere to recovery directions if a language barrier exists between you and the foreign dentist. If you opt to take part in dental tourism, then at least provide yourself with the time necessary to recuperate and have a contingency plan ready in case of complications or a long recovery.

Dental and Medical History

Your dental professional keeps detailed records of your dental and medical history, using this information in order to make sound decisions regarding your dental care. Whether you have had certain procedures done previously or are sensitive to specific instruments or drugs,

this dental history is a complicated puzzle that dentists use to enhance care and keep patients safe. Whenever you participate in dental tourism, the professional you visit may be competent, but they lack the dental history as well as the relationship you enjoy with your regular dentist. Without a record of your history, this could lead to a less efficient or even unsafe experience.

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How a Dental Office Controls Infections

Wed, 18 Jul 2018 00:00:00 GMT

Whether they’re filling cavities, performing root canals, or just cleaning patients’ teeth, dental professionals are trusted with the health and care of their patients’ mouths and providing essential services we cannot perform ourselves. However, how often do we think about the circumstances in which dental professionals work and what it takes to keep that environment clean and infection-free? For your knowledge, here is what you should know about infection control in a dental office.

Equipment and Instrument Cleaning

The CDC makes it clear how dental equipment and instruments should be disinfected and cleaned. Equipment and instruments are classified using one to three groups based on the risk of transmitting infections:

1. Critical : This category designates instruments that are used for penetrating bone or soft tissue and that encounter blood as well. Instruments with this designation include scalpels, scalers, bone chisels, and forceps. Critical instruments must be sterilized following every use via autoclaving, chemical/heat vapor, or dry heat.

2. Semi-critical : These instruments encounter non-dry skin or mucous membranes, including the inside of cheeks. Such instruments include amalgam condensers, mirrors, and reusable impression trays, and they should be sterilized after every use via dry heat.

3. Non-critical : These types of instruments only touch intact skin, including X-ray heads, pulse oximeters, and blood pressure cuffs. These instruments may be reused in between patients once they’ve received a low-level or intermediate-level disinfection.

Hand Washing

The act of hand washing is crucial for the prevention of diseases spreading. Alcohol-based hand-sanitizing solutions, per the CDC, can be utilized most of the time except whenever hands are visibly covered in debris or dirt. Dental professionals with visibly dirtied hands need to wash with water and soap, with the CDC recommending hand washing in one of four scenarios:

The dental professional’s hands are clearly and visibly dirtied.
The dentist has touched equipment with bare hands that could be contaminated by saliva, blood, and similar secretions.
After and before the dentist has treated a patient.
Before the dentist has put gloves on and immediately after their removal.

Office Cleanliness and Surface Contamination

Infection prevention and surface contamination applies to much more than dental instruments. Dental offices, per the CDC, contain two kinds of surfaces—housekeeping surfaces and clinical contact surfaces. Regarding housekeeping surfaces, this includes walls, sinks, and floors, and research suggests they offer little to no risk of contamination as long as they are regularly cleaned with water and detergent. Floors, however, must be cleaned more regularly than other housekeeping surfaces, per the CDC.

For clinical contact surfaces, these include items like drawer handles, light handles, countertops, chairs, faucet handles, and other objects patients or dentists might touch during procedures. If they’re not protected via barriers like sheets, bags, or plastic wrap, clinical contact surfaces must be cleaned in between patients using EPA-registered hospital disinfectants. These surfaces should be cleaned when workdays have ended.

Training and Education

Dental offices offer ongoing training and education to employees in order to ensure procedures and policies are correctly practiced. The CDC also recommends that training cover safety rules for both patients and employees. As with any business, dental offices need to maintain records of cleanliness and safety training, as is required by state and federal governments.

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Getting Your Teeth Ready for a Dental Appointment

Mon, 16 Jul 2018 00:00:00 GMT

While your oral hygiene routine may be diligent, even the best of us forgets to floss every now and then. At the same time, many people might not even consider how strong their oral hygiene is until their next dental visit peaks up on their calendar.

Whether you stick to a stringent brushing schedule or skip one or two sessions occasionally, learning to get teeth clean and ready prior to a dentist appointment ensures you’re getting the best possible checkup. To do this, here are a few techniques for a pre-dental cleaning that will surely leave your dentist feeling impressed.

Brushing Properly

Brushing regularly is important, but brushing your teeth properly provides entirely different results as well as very clean teeth and gums for the appointment. Quick once-overs won't get the job done, so schedule some extra time in to provide your teeth with the attention they deserve. According to the ADA, the proper methods for deep cleaning your teeth include the following:

Squeeze some toothpaste on a soft-bristled toothbrush. Avoid hard bristles, which can be abrasive and even harm the enamel on your teeth.
Beginning at the gumline, start the brush at an angle of 45 degrees, gently brushing your gums before moving to the teeth’s surface.
Focus on the front of the teeth first before also cleaning the backsides.
Target your teeth’s fronts by vertically brushing to remove plaque from every angle.
Reach back to brush every side of your back molars, ensuring you brush the back of the mouth fully.

Flossing

Once you're done brushing, flossing is the next stage, getting plaque and food particles left behind in small spaces in between teeth. If you’re really on the path to impressing your dental professional, stretch a strand of floss and wind it between your two pointer fingers in order to get a strong hold. Start with your back bottom two teeth and slip the floss gently between every space before tugging upward and removing the debris and floss. Continue toward your front teeth before switching to the top until each space in your teeth has been cleaned properly.

Mouthwash

To put the final touches on your pre-dental deep cleaning, swish some mouthwash for rinsing and disinfecting your mouth. This will remove lingering bacteria and plaque, ensuring your breath is fresh for the visit. Pour a slight amount of mouthwash into the small cup that should have come with the container and forcefully swish it around your teeth and mouth for roughly 60 seconds. Spit the mouthwash out, and you should be ready to go for your upcoming dental appointment.

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Why are My Teeth Sensitive After My Dental Visit?

Sun, 15 Jul 2018 00:00:00 GMT

If you’re heading to the dentist for a regular cleaning treatment, you should expect your teeth to feel sensitive afterward, especially if a deep cleaning was performed. These sensations will fade over time, leaving your gums and teeth healthier. However, if your teeth continue feeling sensitive longer than usual after a treatment, your dental professional can offer some advice and help, which will likely include the following tips.

Deep Cleaning Treatment

When rough bacteria like tartar calcify on the teeth, a deep cleaning treatment is the best method for eliminating the issue. Tartar develops near or on the gum line, and your dentist or a dental hygienist reacts by removing it via certain tools during a process known as scaling. The hygienist could also use root planing, a process that involves using tools between the tooth roots and gums and removing tartar and plaque from the tooth’s root surfaces.

Prior to deep-cleaning sessions, the gums might be swollen and inflamed, and there may be deep, bacteria-infected pockets. Both root planing and scaling help in treating these issues, but they can also cause natural bleeding and discomfort. The dentist can offer local anesthetics if the deep cleaning treatment is more likely to be irritating.

The Next Stage

General soreness, bleeding gums, and sensitive teeth are fairly normal after a deep cleaning treatment. Some of the effects are the result of the actual cleaning tools touching the inflamed, easy-to-bleed gums. Another side effect is freshly exposed parts of your teeth that were covered with plaque and tartar previously. With the gums having receded, removing the tartar exposes the tooth’s roots, and it can take a while for the tooth to get used to it. These spots aren't protected by enamel, this making them more sensitive.

Sensitive Teeth

Per the American Dental Association, uncomfortable, sensitive, and bleeding teeth after a deep cleaning shouldn’t last more than one week. Tender, bleeding, or swollen gums improve overtime gradually as long as you brush both regularly and carefully. For most dental patients, however, general discomfort from a dental cleaning disappears over one to two days. Sensitivity in the teeth is simply more difficult to avoid in your regular daily life, especially when you eat or drink cold or hot foods and liquids, bite down, and brush. However, as stated previously, it should only be an issue for a one week at most.

Tooth Care After a Deep Cleaning

Taking proper care of the teeth following your deep cleaning can greatly help the gums heal, because it reduces the usual triggers for sensitivity and pain. You should wait about 24 hours before you floss, and you should brush your teeth very carefully using a toothbrush with soft bristles while the gums are sore. Use toothpaste for your sensitive teeth in order to treat and help prevent sensitivity. Also, try to avoid liquids or foods that could set off sensitivity. If your teeth remain sensitive three to four weeks following the treatment or if you have additional concerns, you should contact your dental professional, who can check to see how the healing is progressing.

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How Does Nerve Pain in the Teeth Happen?

Fri, 13 Jul 2018 00:00:00 GMT

We all know how it feels—something has wreaked havoc on your teeth, sending your hand to your face and snapping your eyes closed, and all you want is for the pain to stop. Nerve pain like this may not last especially long, but it can revisit you throughout your day and effectively ruin it—or at least severely impede it. Whether it's due to a cracked tooth or a cavity, aggravating your teeth's nerves is an easy way to cause that awful pain you’re feeling. To learn a bit more about nerve pain in the teeth, check out our quick guide below.

Tooth Talk

Teeth have four parts: pulp, cementum, dentin, and enamel, with the outer layer of enamel being the body’s strongest substance, per the American Dental Association. Beneath the enamel is the cementum, which is meant for protecting the root of the tooth below the gum line. The dentin layer, which is less dense than the cementum and the enamel, contains microscopic tubules, which are connected to the bottom pulp layer. The pulp contains the tooth’s nerves, and when the dentin layer has been worn down, certain drinks and foods can hit the nerves through the former dentin’s tubules, causing sensitivity in the teeth.

Foods You Should Avoid

Identifying the foods that are causing pain can allow individuals to shift their focus toward mitigating the irritation. Common foods and drinks linked to nerve pain are cold and hot, sweet and sugary, and sour and acidic. As well, any foods and drinks with a high amount of sugar, such as soda, sports drinks, and desserts, can further enamel erosion.

How Nerves Become Exposed

When consumed in excess, these types of food and drink are the first stage toward exposing the tooth's nerve. However, even healthy foods can exacerbate the issue—fruits like grapefruit and lemons consist of pH levels that weaken the teeth’s enamel, just as candy and coffee do. While no one is saying to stop eating these foods, moderation and proper preparation are the key, so make sure you know which foods can worsen the issue.

As with other mouth conditions, preventing nerve pain in teeth is possible via a strong oral health care routine, which should involve brushing twice per day at least as well as flossing daily. Remember that dental checkups every six months are crucial components as well, as your dental professional is a good resource who can recognize budding tooth concerns and can reinforce whether your oral health care routine is working.

Will Sparkling Water Harm My Teeth?

Wed, 11 Jul 2018 00:00:00 GMT

With more people becoming aware of the negative effects of over-sweetened sodas and similar drinks, including tooth erosion and cavities, many of these same people have been moving toward sugar-free options, such as sparkling water. According to a recent USA Today report, over 570 million gallons of sparkling water are sold in a given year in the United States. This drink is often assumed to be the healthier option, but there are some suggestions sparkling water isn’t as great for your teeth as it might seem. If you’re a sparkling water drinker, then here are a few things you should know about this popular beverage.

Sodas and the Teeth

Regarding sugary sodas, they cause two key problems for your teeth—they’re packed with sugar, which may result in cavities and tooth decay, and they’re high in acidity, per the American Dental Association. Acidic beverages and foods like sodas are much more likely to add to erosion in the teeth than nonacidic beverages and foods. Due to the negative effects sodas have on teeth, the main recommendation from the ADA is to choose another beverage. Among beverages that are ADA-recommended are milk, water, and unsweet sparkling water.

How Sparkling Water Affects the Teeth

While sparkling water has no sugar in it, it is a carbonated drink, and it's that carbonation that worries a few people. There have been several studies examining acidity within various beverages, such as sparkling water, and one published by the ADA measured pH levels in roughly 400 beverages, including sparkling waters, sweetened sodas, juices, sports drinks, and teas.

The researchers running the study classified the drinks’ erosive capabilities based on pH levels. Drinks with pH’s below 3.0 were deemed "extremely erosive," pH’s between 3.0 to 3.99 were deemed "erosive," and pH’s above 4.0 were considered "minimally erosive." Per U.S. News & World Report , most sports drinks rated below 3.0 while some sparkling waters were above 4.0, making them "minimally erosive."

Ada McVean, a researcher with McGill University, ran a comparable study. Rather than testing a wider range of drinks, she focused on the pH levels of nine specific sparkling water brands. The drinks were tested at both room and refrigerator temperature in addition to decarbonated and carbonated forms. In every test, the sparkling waters had pH levels above 4.0, with the level tending to rise whenever decarbonated and at room temp, suggesting sparkling water becomes more erosive to teeth in the form you're more likely to consume it—bubbly and cold.

To answer the question regarding sparkling water’s effects on the teeth, it’s less erosive when compared to other drinks. More importantly, as pointed out by the ADA, it has similar effects on enamel as non-carbonated waters. To keep the teeth as strong as possible, you can consider swapping out sugary drinks for a sparkling water, but avoid replacing fluoridated, regular water with a sparkling water.

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Why Do I Have Itchy Gums?

Sat, 07 Jul 2018 00:00:00 GMT

Imagine your mouth has started developing a strange sensation, specifically around the gums and teeth, that goes from a light tingling to something more uncomfortable that you would just love to scratch with a toothbrush. When you develop itchy gums, it can be quite an unpleasant experience, but, fortunately, the cause behind them usually isn't too hard to figure out. Once your dentist knows what's causing the itching sensation, treating it as well as preventing future issues should be easy. If you’re curious of what could be causing your itchy gums, check out our quick list below and find out what can be done to help.

Plaque Buildup

Unsurprisingly, the mouth is home to a plethora of bacteria, and those bacteria can join with sugars as well as other particles within the mouth, forming plaque, which rests on the gums and teeth. Brushing teeth regularly helps remove plaque, but if it isn’t removed in a timely fashion, such as by skipping brushing one night, the plaque can gather up enough and make you feel it. Some cases can lead to you feeling fuzzy coatings on your teeth while other cases can have you feeling itching sensations, due to the plaque irritating the gums. To ensure you’ve got plaque under control, make sure to brush twice per day and floss daily.

Gum Disease

Some cases of itchy gums are due to gingivitis, which is one of the first stages of gum disease. Most people think of bleeding and swelling in their gums when they think of gingivitis, but it can also lead to itching. Fortunately, gingivitis is treatable, with your dentist likely deep-cleaning your teeth to reduce inflammation before offering tips for homecare of your gums and teeth.

Allergies

In addition to causing your eyes and nose to itch, allergies can result in itchy gums as well. In the event you eat or use something near your mouth or in it that leads to an allergic reaction, this can cause irritated, inflamed, or itchy gums. Some individuals who have allergies to certain kinds of pollen, including ragweed or birch, can have oral allergy syndrome, which can cause lip swelling, an itchy throat, and scratchiness of the throat, often after one eats certain raw vegetables, seeds, or fruits. Doctors can diagnose this condition using an allergy test, so if you’re allergic to certain foods, it’s best to avoid them as a preventative measure.

After Surgery

Sometimes, itchy gums start up while incisions from oral surgery are healing. For instance, when wisdom teeth are removed, itching of the gums may occur during the healing process. Rinsing the mouth out using salt water may help to soothe the itching, or your dentist could offer some tips for safe itching relief. Just remember—don't try scratching your itchy gums right after surgery, as the area is still healing, and scratching may impede that process and cause further issues.

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What Should I Know About Glossoptosis?

Thu, 05 Jul 2018 00:00:00 GMT

For parents of young children, especially infants, it never hurts to learn about conditions that could potentially affect them, such as glossoptosis, which describes an atypical formation of the tongue, specifically posterior and upward positioning near the pharynx or throat. This can lead to an impeded airway and jeopardized ventilation in addition to the inability to correctly suck or swallow. This condition, which is usually fully treated during infancy, happens during a child’s craniofacial development while also typically being linked to other developmental disorders.

Diagnosis and Treatment

Because glossoptosis is often associated with similar conditions, diagnosis is usually made either at birth or not long afterward, as ultrasounds may not be able to pick up on the abnormality on their two-dimensional screening. With this fact on hand, most glossoptosis diagnoses happen after birth and require immediate intervention—for instance, glossoptosis can inhibit proper feeding and breathing, meaning immediate steps must be taken in order to assess the infant’s airway while maintaining valuable respiration. Insufficient respiration could result in weight loss and thwart the infant's ability to thrive.

Through prone positioning (or allowing infants to sleep stomach-down), gravity is used to get the tongue and mandible to move forward, thereby reducing airway obstruction, so the baby's sleep position is changed to allow for "side sleeping." For children with Pierre Robin sequence, a condition involving undersized jaws and cleft palates often associated with glossoptosis, prone positioning is best, but parents must continue to monitor development and growth in addition to successful feedings. Another nonsurgical option would be a nasopharyngeal airway (NPA), which involves inserting a tube in the nasal passages in order to keep up an open airway.

While most treatments are accomplished non-surgically, surgical intervention may become necessary in order to reposition the tongue, and it’s only done if NPA and prone positioning aren’t successful. This surgery keeps the infant’s tongue forward and relieves their breathing trouble, and it fortunately doesn’t interfere with the development and growth of the front teeth or the lower jaw. The procedure can be done by an oral surgeon with assistance from a plastic surgeon or an ear, nose, and throat specialist. When the baby’s jaw and mouth achieve appropriate growth, the process can be properly reversed.

Outlook of Glossoptosis

While glossoptosis might sound scary to proud, new parents, the number of available care options makes this a very manageable and treatable condition. Also, after treatment as infants, many children's oral and jaw growth will likely reach normal levels by four or five years of age. You just need to monitor your child’s breathing and feeding carefully—while hopefully not forgetting to be appreciative of their wonderful smile.

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What You Should Know About Oromandibular Dystonia

Tue, 03 Jul 2018 21:24:26 GMT

There’s a good chance you’ve never heard of the term “oromandibular dystonia” (OMD), given that it refers to a disease that’s very rare among any mass population of people. Even so, OMD is the type of disorder you want to be able to identify immediately, no matter how uncommon it is. If you would like to learn more about this rare but serious condition, follow our simple guide below, and you just might learn something crucial that will help greatly down the line.

To be specific, OMD causes uncontrolled tonic muscle contractions of the tongue, jaws, and face, and these contractions can occur while the jaw is closing or opening and during tongue movement, according to the Dystonia Medical Research Foundation. In the end, the result of these contractions can be deforming movements in the face and difficulty speaking and chewing.

Other body parts can experience comparable muscle contractions, leading to awkward bodily positions, but an OMD diagnosis is provided only when the facial area is affected. The condition is deemed as primary OMD when it’s inherited or isn’t linked to another condition or disease. Secondary OMD, on the other hand, is linked to other diseases, such as Parkinson's, with the etiology usually being unknown or idiopathic.

Prevalence of OMD

As stated previously, this a rare disorder, with only three people in every one million developing OMD, per a report from Seminars in Speech and Language. Typical patients are often between 40 and 86 years of age, with a mean of 66 years of age, and women are four times more likely to develop OMD than men.

Effects and Symptoms of OMD

The uncontrollable movements and contractions associated with OMD can result in various side effects—from dental problems, speech difficulties, swallowing issues, eating problems, depression, to other psychological concerns. Some of the associated dental concerns include the following:

Tongue biting
Jaw pain
Soft oral tissue trauma
Worn teeth due to grinding

Treatment for OMD

Unfortunately, OMD doesn’t have an ideal treatment, but there are options that can help relieve symptoms, such as dental bite blocks that provide jaw stability. Placing the block in between the lower and upper jaws holds everything in a good position for control of the muscle contractions. Sometimes, neurosurgery may be recommended to help the part of the brain that’s associated with OMD. In terms of medication, trihexyphenidyl, clozapine, and diazepam can help control OMD, but they can only do so at modest levels. So far, the most encouraging available treatment includes Botox injections to paralyze those muscles that are creating the OMD in the first place.

From the diagnosis stage to the treatment phase, oromandibular dystonia is, without a doubt, a challenge, but with a crew of dentists, speech pathologists, and physicians working together, a patient’s quality of life can be greatly improved and be much more comfortable and manageable.

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How Genes Affect Tooth Decay

Fri, 29 Jun 2018 00:00:00 GMT

If you find yourself to be strong on oral healthcare but prone toward cavities nonetheless, you may not be at fault—the answer could very well be in your genes. According to researchers with the University of Pittsburgh’s School of Dental Medicine, who recently published two papers on this subject, there are specific genetic variations that could cause tooth decay as well as aggressive periodontitis.

Dr. Alexandre Vieira, who is an assistant oral biology professor and the senior author for both papers, says dental caries rates can be affected by polymorphisms, or individual variations, in a certain gene by the name of beta defensin 1 (DEFB1), known to play a main part in the immune system’s response against invasive germs.

The first of the two papers, which was published by the Journal of Dental Research , stated, "We were able to use data gathered from our dental registry and the DNA Repository—the only one of its kind in the world—to see if certain polymorphisms were associated with the development of caries.” Dr. Vieira also said, "This could help us find new ways to treat people who are particularly susceptible to tooth decay, a problem that afflicts millions of Americans."

After analyzing roughly 300 unidentified dental records as well as their accompanied saliva samples, the researchers gave every case DMFT scores (based on number of decayed, filled, or missing permanent teeth) and DMFS scores (based on number of decayed, missing, or filled teeth). In general, people with a smaller number of caries have DMFS and DMFT scores on the low side.

All the samples had one out of three DEFB1 gene variations, which the researchers dubbed C-44G, G-52A, and G-20A. Per the researchers, individuals with a G-20A variant had DMFS and DMFT scores five times greater than those of people with other variants. In fact, the G-52A variant was linked with DMFT scores on the low side.

The second of the papers, published via the online journal PLoS one , saw Vieira and his team collaborate with colleagues from Brazil in order to study samples for 389 people from 55 families. These samples were used to find any genetic association with aggressive periodontitis (or gum disease), which is the severe, rapid breakdown of your gums that is allegedly, per the paper, more commonly seen in individuals with African heritage.

The reported findings indicated hints of a link between periodontitis and FAM5C genes. Other experiments revealed elevated amounts of FAM5C expression in areas with periodontal tissue as compared to those with healthy tissue. According to Vieira, "The FAM5C gene recently was implicated in cardiovascular disease, in which inflammation plays a role, just as in periodontitis. More research is needed to see if variation in the gene is associated with different activity profiles."

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What is Ankyloglossia?

Wed, 27 Jun 2018 00:00:00 GMT

Ankyloglossia is a fairly common disability seen in children that’s treated easily when it’s diagnosed early enough. The more common name for ankyloglossia is being "tongue tied," and it’s found in between four and six percent of human beings.

This condition occurs when a small sliver of tissue that connects the bottom of the tongue (or lingual frenum) with the bottom of the mouth restricts the tongue’s movement in both side-to-side and up-and-down directions. While this may seem like an obscure condition to learn about, it is still one that occurs frequently enough to warrant your attention, especially if you’re a parent or plan to be a parent one day.

Symptoms of Ankyloglossia

Depending on the condition’s severity, children with ankyloglossia may have trouble with breastfeeding, speech development, and digestion. The affected area in the mouth could also have been subjected to trauma, especially if the oral cavity has a restricted opening. Also, as a child’s baby or primary teeth come in, they may also struggle with eating in general.

Treatment for Ankyloglossia

Per Children’s MD , one of the most common ways of treating ankyloglossia is by way of a frenectomy, which is a fast, often painless procedure. A frenectomy involves "untying" the lingual frenum from the bottom of your mouth, which is done via a simple surgery with either a soft tissue laser or a scalpel. In some unusual cases, patients actually "outgrow" this condition while the tongue develops and matures or if the lingual frenum grows longer as patients age.

Post-Care Treatment

For several days following surgery, the affected area beneath the tongue might be tender, and the child should avoid spicy or hot foods for about one week till repair tissue starts growing around the spot that was operated on. It may feel like a burn from a hot pizza slice, so your oral surgeon or dentist may prescribe pain medication to reduce inflammation. As a way of keeping the mouth clean, you might consider antimicrobial mouthwash to help promote natural healing, prevent harmful bacteria from building up, and reduce irritation around or in the surgical spot.

Recognizing and diagnosing ankyloglossia early, through a pediatric dentist, a general dentist, or a pediatrician, can greatly aid a patient in their treatment as well as their management of the complications that often result from this condition. Following surgical intervention, simple observation will ensure that children develop normally and thereby reduce possible developmental problems they may have otherwise encountered.

Sugarless Chewing Gum May Not Prevent Cavities

Tue, 26 Jun 2018 23:00:13 GMT

Sugarless chewing gum, specifically those made with a chemical called xylitol, is known for offering sweetness in exchange for no added sugars, but it turns out that its ability to prevent cavities isn’t exactly set in stone. Xylitol, a sugar-free sweetener that is often derived via birch trees, is a common ingredient in gum, candies, and lozenges, and, per a recent issue of Consumer Reports on Health , some products that feature xylitol as a key ingredient tend to boast about how it can inhibit bacterial growth in the mouth while also helping to prevent teeth from decaying.

Despite these claims, however, the evidence remains unclear still regarding whether gum that uses xylitol as a sweetener—and the amounts often used—provides any benefit over other sugar-free gums as a whole, which are said to help protect the teeth by bringing one’s saliva production up a notch. Whether your sugarless gum contains xylitol or not, the best sign that gum is not only good for your teeth but also effective and safe is the product having the American Dental Association (ADA) Seal of Acceptance, which means the ADA has verified that the gum has meant their criteria for effectiveness and safety and their veracity can be trusted by consumers.

As stated in previous instances by the ADA, clinical studies indicate that chewing sugar-free gum for roughly 20 minutes after a meal can help to prevent decay in the teeth. Chewing sugar-free gum increases saliva flow, which allows the mouth to better wash away food debris and other substances within the mouth. This simple act also neutralizes acids in the mouth made by bacteria while simultaneously providing disease-combating substances all through the mouth. The increased flow of saliva also causes more phosphate and calcium to come into the mouth, which greatly helps to strengthen teeth enamel.

As for the types of gum that can actually receive the ADA Seal of Acceptance, only sugarless gum products can get it, and it is what consumers should look for when they are most concerned about their sugarless gum of choice and whether it is safe for their teeth. However, chewing sticks of sugarless gum shouldn’t replace brushing twice per day and flossing at least once a day with interdental cleaners like dental floss. When brushing, the ADA recommends using fluoride toothpaste as well as using a fluoride mouthwash (preferably at the end of the day before bed) for maximum effect.

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A Quick Guide to Dental Erosion

Mon, 25 Jun 2018 00:00:00 GMT

Whenever one examines their smile while looking in their bathroom mirror, they hopefully like what it is they see. However, even for natural teeth that are both white and straight, it’s entirely possible for teeth to be enduring dental erosion right below the surface, and when this happens, it’s best to act quickly to avert any damage that might take place. If you’re not sure whether your teeth have any dental erosion, then all you need to do is follow our simple guide right here to learn a bit more.

When it starts, erosion affects the teeth’s outer enamel layer, which is the hardest material in the human body and the first defense against tooth decay. Because of this, when the enamel starts wearing away, the teeth become susceptible to damage via bacteria and plaque. Unfortunately, once enamel erodes, it doesn't regenerate—hence why it's crucial to protect the teeth against erosion.

Types of Erosion

The teeth can suffer from two different erosion types: intrinsic or extrinsic. Regarding Intrinsic erosion, this is caused by acids from conditions like acid reflux and anorexia. For extrinsic erosion, this happens when acids lowering the body's overall pH levels enter the body through drink and food choices, including carbonated drinks, sugary snacks, sodas, wine, and fruit juices, all of which make the saliva acidic.

Symptoms of Erosion

The most important first step in resolving an erosion problem is recognizing the symptoms, some of which can be found below:

1. Tooth discoloration : The enamel of your teeth is white whereas dentin, which is the sensitive layer of tissue located under the enamel, has a yellow color, so if your teeth have developed a yellowish tint, this could be from lost enamel.

2. Tooth appearance : The teeth may look smaller or thinner than usual, and the lower part of the front teeth may appear transparent rather than opaque—each of these conditions would indicate erosion of the enamel.

3. Tooth sensitivity : Eat or drink something cold, hot, sweet, or sour, and you may feel shooting pains in your teeth. As enamel is worn away, your sensitive dentin layer becomes vulnerable and can cause pain.

Once a dentist has diagnosed dental erosion, several methods are available to counter it. Firstly, reevaluate your diet, as sugary and acidic foods are main causes of erosion. However, should the enamel erosion be severe, procedures like bonding, veneers, or crowns can help fix the issue.

Long-Term Effects of Erosion

While it's important to deal with immediate erosion-based issues, you also need to consider the potential long-term effects these issues can have on your health. Poor oral healthcare routines can result in gingivitis—the first step toward periodontitis or gum disease, which leads to a variety of other problems beyond those involving the mouth.

For those who develop gum disease, controlling blood sugar can become difficult, and they could become more susceptible of heart disease. Some studies have also shown gum disease could correlate with certain negative effects in pregnant women, such as low birth weight, but further research must be done on this particular subject.

Healing Cavities at Home

Wed, 20 Jun 2018 00:00:00 GMT

When you start feeling pain in your teeth every time you eat or even just bite down, there’s a good chance it’s a cavity, which is a good reason to book an appointment with your dentist. However, if your appointment isn’t for several days, and you need relief right now, you might start asking yourself—is it possible to heal the cavity at home before the appointment? While you can start the steps toward remineralizing teeth enamel and halting the decay while at home, your best bet is managing the pain until your dental appointment, from avoiding very hot or cold foods and beverages to using the ailing tooth as little as possible.

In the earliest stages, it’s possible to actually reverse tooth decay, but, per the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, once enamel has weakened fully and been destroyed, only dentists can fix the damage caused by cavities.

Reversing an Early Cavity

Although only dentists can diagnose cavities, you can sometimes see early symptoms of decay by inspecting your own teeth. White spots on teeth usually indicate the enamel has weakened and decay may soon take place. At this early stage, it’s best to remineralize the teeth and prevent the decay, with the ADA recommending antibacterial rinses and toothpastes with calcium and fluoride.

Getting Help

Once cavities have fully developed, the most effective method for healing them is your dentist intervening, but how they do this depends on the cavity’s severity. If a hole has developed in the enamel from decay, but it hasn't spread into the tooth’s nerves, your dental professional will most likely create a filling. When the cavity has been cleaned, the dentist places the filling to seal the hole up, thereby preventing further decay. A more severe case may warrant your dentist performing a root canal or, if it’s decayed enough, the tooth being removed and then replaced with a bridge or implant.

Preventing Cavities

As with most rational people, it’s likely you want to avoid having to worry about cavities and best managing pain until your next appointment. Fortunately, being proactive about cavity prevention every day does produce healthy, positive results. Firstly, consider re-evaluating your diet, as the mouth bacteria that lead to cavities love starches and sugars, causing them to form acids that harm teeth while wearing down enamel. To best safeguard your teeth, try avoiding sugary and starchy foods where you can and focusing more on foods, such as raw vegetables and dairy products, that help to fight decay.

Secondly, you need to commit yourself to a regular oral healthcare routine—brushing twice per day with fluoride toothpaste and flossing once daily. You also must continue seeing your dental professional regularly, at least once every six months, so they can look for early symptoms of cavities and help you reverse damage without requiring a filling.

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What Can Patients Expect During Tongue Biopsies?

Mon, 18 Jun 2018 00:00:00 GMT

For those who’ve been fortunate thus far not to have needed one, a biopsy on the tongue is typically performed whenever a lesion under or on the tongue requires further inspection. As a part of a full dental exam, dentists or dental hygienists check the mucous membranes and soft tissues within a patient’s mouth—including the tongue—for any indications of oral cancer or other abnormalities.

Oftentimes, if there is a tongue lesion, your dentist might reexam the area within one to two weeks to rule either trauma or infection out as possible causes. If the area in question remains suspicious, your dentist will most likely refer you to an oral surgeon in order to schedule a tongue biopsy.

How are Tongue Biopsies Performed?

As with any other biopsy, this relatively minor surgery allows a specialist to get a sample from you for a microscopic examination. During the procedure, the oral surgeon uses local anesthesia or a similar numbing agent, but general anesthesia may be used for some cases. A small portion of your tongue is removed and later examined via a microscope in order to establish the kind of cells that are causing the abnormalities.

What to Expect of Tongue Biopsies

Once you’ve been referred to an oral surgeon, his or her office will go over the pre- and post-procedural processes for tongue biopsies. As previously mentioned, a biopsy is done using local anesthesia via an injection for numbing the area. According to the University of Pennsylvania, the oral surgeon will either remove the area completely (excisional biopsy) or choose to remove only a small part (incisional biopsy), depending on the lesion’s nature. If you require sutures for closing the incision, they should dissolve between 10 and 14 days. The procedure itself will take fewer than 30 minutes to complete, and the tissue sample will go to the lab for a diagnosis in order to determine pathology.

After the anesthesia has worn off, there should be little pain, but if pain relief is necessary, OTC pain relievers, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen, should be enough. While there may be slight discomfort or swelling around the area, it should lessen within several days. Any bleeding will likely be minimal, particularly if you have sutures, but if there is any continual bleeding or oozing from the area, you can apply pressure using a washcloth, cotton swab, or gauze for about 10 minutes. You can resume brushing, flossing, and eating the same day you have the procedure, ensuring you don’t irritate or bite the area. You should have a follow-up scheduled with your oral surgeon one or two weeks after the procedure.

While they’re often viewed as separate entities, caring for your overall health involves routine visits to your dentist for checking the teeth as well as soft tissues in the mouth for symptoms of abnormalities or diseases. Since even the most experienced practitioners struggle distinguishing between serious conditions and innocuous changes involving the tongue, biopsies are needed for ruling out dysplasia and oral cancer. Speak with your dentist regarding how you can keep your mouth, from the tongue to the teeth, as healthy as possible.

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What Causes Sensitive Teeth?

Fri, 15 Jun 2018 00:00:00 GMT

Not sure if you have sensitive teeth or not? Well, do you ever get painful sensations when eating something very cold or very hot? If biting into that summer ice cream cone or sipping on that hot chocolate in the winter causes you pain, there is a very good chance you have sensitive teeth.

When teeth are perfectly healthy, the outer protective layer of the teeth protects them from being overly sensitive. That layer is called the enamel. Under the gumline, there is an addition layer of protection called the cementum, which protects the root of the tooth. Deeper yet is the dentin. When both the cementum and the enamel become eroded, the dentin can become exposed, making it hyper-sensitive to extreme conditions.

Treating Sensitive Teeth

Fluoride Gel – during dental visits, dentists or the hygienist will often treat the teeth with fluoride gel to help strengthen them. If effective, it will help reduce the sensitivity of the teeth.

Desensitizing Toothpaste – there are numerous desensitizing toothpastes on the market today. We recommend seeing your dentist for a recommendation based on the products available to you either online, at your local drugstore, or through your dentist. In some cases, after a short period of time, your teeth will become less sensitive and those sharp pains will be no more.

Root Canal – when the root is exposed, your dentist may recommend a root canal. In this process, the infected pulp of the root is removed. In its place, the dentist will place an inert material.

Gum Graft – oral surgeons will sometimes recommend this procedure to replace gum tissue that has been lost around the root of the tooth. If the procedure is successful, it will help reduce the sensitivity of the tooth.

Crown or Bridgework – in many cases involving a root canal and/or a missing tooth, a dentist will make this recommendation. The crown covers the damaged tooth, thereby circumventing the sensitivity issue.

All of these procedures can be very costly, so we highly recommend checking your insurance policy to see just how much is covered. In addition, you can use a NH supplemental dental insurance policy to help cover the costs. For more information about these policies for individuals, families, and business owners, click here .

5 Tips for Healthier Teeth

Wed, 13 Jun 2018 00:00:00 GMT

So, you just got back from the dentist after finding out you have several cavities, need a root canal, and probably some bridge work. We hope that is not the case, which is why we put together some basic tips that will help make sure your teeth and gums stay healthy for many years to come.

Brushing and Flossing

Brushing twice a day and flossing is something that has been pounded into our heads since we were children… and it remains the same today. This is one of the most basic elements of any oral hygiene regimen and a must if you are going to avoid serious oral health problems down the road. Even so, though, just brushing and flossing are often not enough.

Today, we have tools available to us that are far better than at any other time. For instance, water flossers are far more effective than standard flossing. Electric toothbrushes are also more effective than brushing manually. Yes, they are in investment… in your health!

Cleaning Dentures

If you have dentures, keep them clean. Cleaning partial or full dentures daily is just as important as brushing and flossing your teeth. If you are unsure of how long your dentures can stay in your mouth, how long they should be taken out, or how to clean them, talk to your dentist to make sure you know the proper way of caring for them.

Dental Checkups

We cannot stress enough the importance of going to the dentist at least twice a year, more if needed. Not only do you need to make sure you get to your regular appointments, but also make your dentist aware of any medical changes that have occurred since your last appointment. For instance, medication changes, procedures, or if you have treatments scheduled in the near future, such as chemotherapy.

Avoid Tobacco

This means all forms of tobacco, including smokeless tobacco products. These products not only put your oral health at risk but have also been linked to many other health problems, including heart disease.

Stay Hydrated

As we have stated many times before, staying hydrated will help make sure you don’t allow extra acids to accumulate in your mouth, causing tooth decay. It is also important to make sure your water supply has the proper amount of fluoride in it. This information should be available through your local water utility.

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Keeping Your Teeth Healthy during Cancer Treatments

Mon, 11 Jun 2018 00:00:00 GMT

There is nothing more devastating than finding out you have a disease running rampant through your body that could ultimately kill you without aggressive treatments. That is what cancer patients face when they find out they have to undergo chemo treatments. As bad as that moment is, though, it is important to remember to not let your oral health go during that time.

Before Cancer Treatments

If you are about to undergo treatment, it is extremely important to make an appointment with your dentist before you get your first treatment. This will give your dentist the opportunity to establish a baseline of your teeth’s health and allow him or her to be able to spot any problems much quicker that are a direct result of the treatments.

In the meantime, it is important to continue the basics of a good oral hygiene program. Brushing twice a day, flossing after meals, eating a nutritious diet, and staying hydrated, especially if you are on medications that create dry mouth. If you smoke, stop! Your body will be able to heal much quicker from the treatments if you are not smoking while undergoing them.

During Treatment

In addition to staying on top of your oral health, it is important to do periodic inspections of your mouth to see if there are any problems starting to develop. Also take note of certain conditions that would mean that it is time to make a dental appointment. Some of the concerns to look for are:

Dry Mouth
Infections
Jaw Pain
Mouth Sores
Sensitive Gums
After Treatments

Once the treatments are done, it might be a good idea to continue to see your dentist a bit more than normal. For instance, scheduling a checkup every four months rather than every six months. Your body will have considerable healing to do and we want to make sure you don’t miss anything. Of course, continue the basics of a good oral hygiene routine as discussed earlier.

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Plaque, Tartar, and Dental Cleanings

Fri, 08 Jun 2018 00:00:00 GMT

From the time you were a little kid, you more than likely have been told that you need to stop plaque and tartar buildup. It is also likely nobody ever took the time to actually explain what these oral health problems are and how they can impact your oral health for many years to come.

Plaque

You know when you wake up first thing in the morning and rub your tongue over teeth? That thin layer of grit you are feeling is plaque. This is fairly easy to get rid of with regular brushing. Something to keep in mind, though, is plaque, over time, can eat away at the enamel of your teeth. This is why everyone is encouraged to brush after eating, or to at least rinse to remove what you can until you get home to brush.

In addition to the dangers to your teeth, plaque can also get up under the gumline and impact your overall gum health. So, when brushing, use a circular motion and be sure to brush around the gum line. The bristles of the brush will be able to remove some of the plaque buildup, as will flossing daily.

Tartar

If you are doing a decent job of brushing and flossing daily, you should be able to avoid massive tartar buildup on your teeth and under the gumline. Tartar is much harder than plaque and signifies significant buildup. One of the more common areas is behind the upper and lower front teeth.

Something to consider that will help with tartar buildup between dental visits is a water flosser and an electric toothbrush. While you still may get minimal buildup, you should be able to avoid larger buildups by using these products on a daily basis. In some cases, even if you do have small buildup, using these oral hygiene tools will remove them from your teeth and gumline.

Dental Cleanings

Even the most ardent oral hygiene program is not as effective as dental cleanings. The benefit to following the advice above is those bi-annual cleanings will be quicker and far less painful than if you don’t. In addition, you will get out of that chair without having to have expensive dental treatments!

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Don't Let Your Schedule Get in the Way of Your Oral Hygiene

Wed, 06 Jun 2018 00:00:00 GMT

Today, many busy professionals forget to eat their lunch, let alone making time to work out and take care of their oral hygiene. People are working longer hours and spend far less time at home, but that is no reason to neglect your oral hygiene. Even lapsing for just a short period can result in some serious dental bills.

Keep a Space at Work – nothing is a better reminder than a visual one. Dedicate one of the drawers in your desk, or at least a visible portion of it, to your oral hygiene tools. A small tube of toothpaste, a brush, some floss, and some mouthwash will do the trick. Now, every time you pull that drawer open you are reminded that you need to brush your teeth. When you get up to go the restroom, take them with you.

Travel Set – one of the best ways to never forget your oral hygiene tools is to create a small kit that has everything you need and leave it in your travel bag. You will never forget to pack it again because everything you need will always be in your suitcase!

Keep Regular Dental Appointments – for most of us, our dentists operate on a 9-5 schedule, which means you would have to miss work in order to make your dental appointment. If missing work is not an option, find a dentist that offers evening or weekend appointments. You will be surprised at the number of dentists that now have at least one evening available as well as Saturday hours.

Multitask – if you are truly stretched for time, don’t be afraid to brush your teeth while taking a shower. You know that five minutes you spend letting that hot water hit your neck and back to loosen you up? Well, it can also be the time when you brush your teeth.

Traveling Floss – keeping a small container of floss with you is a great way to make sure you take care of your teeth, especially if you tend to eat out a lot. When you get up to go to the bathroom after your meal, take a minute to floss, then rinse with water.

Chewing Gum – if you are not comfortable with flossing in public, keeping sugar-free chewing gum at the ready is a viable alternative. The gum not only helps remove food particles, but also serves to keep the saliva flowing in your mouth to ensure acids do not build up and erode the enamel on your teeth.

If you have been neglecting your teeth and need to go to the dentists, consider signing up for our New Hampshire discount dental plan . Our plans can save you significant money on your dental bills. For more information on our plans, please click here .

Invisalign Vs. Clear Correct

Mon, 04 Jun 2018 00:00:00 GMT

If you are looking in the mirror and seeing teeth that are no longer straight, it might be time to seek dental treatment. If traditional metal braces are something you want to avoid, two other options are available: Invisalign and Clear Correct.

Invisalign

If you choose Invisalign, the dentist will create 3D image of your teeth. From that imaging, a hard, transparent shell is created to that will fit over your teeth. Rather than having metal braces installed and constantly adjusted, these aligners are changed out over time as the teeth are adjusted. In essence, you get the same results as you would from metal braces without the perceived unsightliness of the metal braces and wires.

Much like traditional braces, the length of treatment varies from patient to patient. Typically, though, each set of aligners are changed out every few weeks.

When it comes to cost, most dentists charge somewhere between $5,000 and $10,000 for these treatments. And yes, that is a significant range, but you must realize the cost is based on how many different sets a patient will need throughout the process. Those with significant gaps or alignment problems will no doubt cost far more.

Clear Correct

The biggest difference in Clear Correct is the plan offers two options with very specific amount of aligners and well as an unlimited plan. For people needing only minor adjustment, the Limited 6 plan is probably the best option. Whereas someone with significant gapping and alignment problems would choose the Limited 12 or more likely, the unlimited plan.

The wearing of the actual trays is a bit longer for Clear Correct than Invisalign. Whereas Invisalign trays are changed out roughly every three weeks, Clear Correct trays are changed out between four and six-week intervals.

Pricing for these plans will also vary on exactly what is needed by the patient. In most cases, though, the lower end of the scale is about $3,000 as compared to the unlimited plan, which can cost between $8,000 - $10,000. The biggest savings here compared to Invisalign would be in choosing the Limited 6 plan.

Treatments such as this are obviously a budget killer, but there may be some help if you sign up for one of our New Hampshire discount dental plans . In many cases, our supplemental dental insurance helps offset some of the cost of your dental bills. For more information about our plans or to sign up for coverage, please click here .

Seniors Need to Ask THESE Questions Before Starting a New Medication

Sun, 03 Jun 2018 00:00:00 GMT

Seniors have enough problems these days but changing medications can unfortunately lead to even more problems. For that very reason, before agreeing to change your medication, we have put together a list of questions to consider asking, including questions about how your new medication will impact your oral health.

1. Why are we changing my medication? Doctors often receives perks from pharmacy companies for prescribing certain drugs. If you are not having any problems with your current drugs, why the change?

2. When the bottle says ‘X’ times per day, does this mean divide that number into 24 and that is how often it needs to be taken or does it have to be taken simply ‘X’ amount of times throughout the day? If so, how much minimum time should pass between doses?

3. What does the medicine treat? Most seniors are on several types of medication, so you need to be clear about what medications are treating what in case something happens and you need to inform another doctor as to your current medications.

4. How long does it take the medicine to work? This is especially important if the medication causes any type of drowsiness.

5. How does the medicine interact with other medicines? Before changing any medication, make sure your doctor has a complete list of medications being taken, including over the counter medicine as well as medicine from other doctors.

6. Do I need to eat with this medication? Some medication can wreak havoc on your stomach, so find out not only if you should eat, but what types of foods are best to eat prior to taking the meds.

7. Can I operate machinery or drive? As touched upon above, some meds will cause drowsiness, so you need to be aware of that if you are traveling or working when taking those particular medicines.

8. What if I miss a dose? For some medication, missing a single dose is not that big of a deal. Others, however, can end up putting you into the hospital.

9. How much is the dosage? Some medications can actually be taken in different dosages, meaning one, two, or three pills depending upon the symptoms even though the actual label may give a different dosage. Make sure the doctor is very clear about how much of the drug you should be taking.

10. What are the side effects of the medication? We have touched on this before, but this is something that is of particular interest to seniors. Side effects like dry mouth can impact your oral health, so make sure you know any and all side effects of your medicine. For something such as dry mouth, you can offset the effects by chewing sugarless gum and keeping a bottle of water handy to drink when your mouth becomes dry.

If you are putting off going to the dentist due to the excessive cost of dental care, check out our NH discount dental plan for seniors . Our plan can help you save significant money off numerous dental procedures. For more information about our plans, please click here .

Dental Concerns for Teens

Sat, 02 Jun 2018 00:00:00 GMT

As most parents know, the teen years for a child might as well back up to the bank and empty the vault. Dental issues are generally included in this, but there are some things which parents should be particularly concerned when it comes to their teens and their oral health.

Braces

Today, braces are not as intrusive for teens as they once were. The advances in dental care specifically in this area are actually quite incredible. While some cases still demand the use of the traditional metal braces, there are other less obvious methods dentists can use to straighten your teen’s teeth. If you are noticing some alignment problems with your teen, now is the time to bring it up to your dentist, so the problems can be rectified as soon as possible. And, hopefully, cost far less money.

Eating Disorders

Millions of Americans are plagued by eating disorders and sadly, far too many of them are teenagers. While there is the obvious overall health concern, eating disorders can also lead to oral health problems. Not eating properly can lead to gum issues. In addition, conditions such as bulimia can cause the erosion of tooth enamel due to the stomach acids eating away at it. This is something that should not only be addressed with your doctor and dentist, but you should also seek counseling for your teen.

Mouth Jewelry

Body modifications are becoming more and more popular these days. In addition to body piercings and tattoos, mouth piercings are seen more and more. That being the case, parents of teens that have mouth piercings have every right to be concerned about how this will impact their teen’s oral health. Of major concern is infections in and around the piercing area, which could possibly lead to hepatitis or endocarditis. A secondary concern is accidentally biting down on the mouth jewelry, possibly cracking a tooth.

Smoking

It goes without saying that smoking is dangerous, but we also know peer pressure often results in teens smoking around their friends. Parents should have an honest sit down with their children to find out if they are smoking. Something even more troubling can be smokeless tobacco. The problems arising from dip, snuff, and chewing tabaco can be just as tragic for youngsters. Rather than freaking out, parents would be better served to work with their teen to quit the habit.

We realize dental costs can be significant when it comes to treating an entire family, which is why we recommend using a NH family discount dental plan . Our plan can save you as much as 20 percent off your bill. For more information about our plans, please click here .