Beware Of Breakfast On the Run

May 17, 2013

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It happens all the time, you are late for work and skip breakfast at home, so on your way to work you stop to pick up a donut and some coffee. This very common quick fix for

Choose Nutrition Wisely For Your Dental And General health!

breakfast can create havoc on your dental health if not treated properly following the meal.

The sugars in donuts have been identified as a risk factor for periodontal disease and tooth decay. Studies have shown that when comparing the sugars found in plain donuts with sugars found in oatmeal cookies. The studies discovered that the sugars in oatmeal cookies amount to only about 20% of the sugars in plain donuts.

The amount of sugar and cream in your coffee also can have a direct effect on the amount of cavity-causing bacteria. Tannins found in coffee can etch into the pits and grooves of the tooth enamel, producing a rough stained enamel surface.

How to Decrease the Effect of these Sugars on our Dental Health?

-Don’t slowly sip your coffee or pick at that donut throughout the entire morning. When you eat your donut in a timely manner, it limits the exposure time to the sugar bacteria attack.

-Rinse your mouth with water or brush your teeth with fluoride toothpaste immediately after finishing your “breakfast”.

-Reduce the amount of cream and sugar in your coffee.

-Instead of a sugary breakfast, try picking up fruit, yogurt or a cup of oatmeal for your portable morning meal.

Healthy Options for On the Go breakfast

-Yogurt. Yogurt is quick, easy, and very good for you. Be sure to choose a low calorie yogurt as to not overload yourself with calories.

-Wrap. Use whole wheat wraps to make your own breakfast wrap using turkey, eggs, vegetables, or cheese are great for on the go. Quick and easy and very healthy for you.

-Egg Sandwich. Another good option as the protein from the eggs will be filling to tie you over to lunch time.

-Fruit. Make yourself a fruit salad for the week in advance. Easy snack anytime of the day but great in the morning. Always refreshing and nutritious.

Conclusion

Eating on the go is never easy and making the tough choices gets even harder when you are running late. Maintaining your dental hygiene takes a bit of discipline so next time you are running late think twice about that donut and coffee. It just might save you a trip to the dentist with a toothache down the road.

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Marielaina Perrone
2551 N. Green Valley Pkwy #A405 Henderson, NV, 89014 USA
drperrone@cox.net • 702-458-2929

Asthma Management In Dentistry

May 15, 2013

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Asthma Affects All Ages.

Asthma is a chronic condition in your lungs that has two main components. These two components consist of constriction (tightening of the muscles surrounding the airways, and inflammation, the swelling and irritation of the airways. Constriction and inflammation cause narrowing of the airways, which may result in symptoms such as wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, or shortness of breath. If left untreated, over time, asthma can lead to decreased lung function.

When you have asthma and are exposed to stress, an irritant, or allergen, the airways leading to the lungs become more inflamed than usual, making it harder for you to take in air while breathing. The airways also get smaller due to a tightening of the muscles surrounding the airways, and they get “stuffed up” due to a build-up of mucus.

Several triggers can cause your asthma symptoms to flare up, and may include allergies, infections, and strong odors or fumes that you may come in contact with during the course of your day. Once you are exposed to a certain trigger, and have an asthmatic reaction, your airways also become more sensitive to other triggers. This is why it is vitally important to manage the symptoms of asthma immediately. An important note is that airway inflammation may always be present even when asthma patients are not showing symptoms.

Quick Asthma Facts

-There is no cure for asthma, but asthma can be managed with proper prevention, relaxation techniques, and treatment.

-Asthma has a genetic component. If only one parent has asthma, chances are 1 in 3 that each child will have asthma. If both parents have asthma, it is much more likely (7 in 10) that their children will have asthma.

-More Americans than ever before say they are suffering from asthma. It is one of this country’s most common and costly diseases.

-Approximately 25 million Americans suffer from asthma (over 8% of adults, over 9% of children), and 60% of asthma cases are “allergic-asthma.” The prevalence of asthma has been increasing over the last 30 years across all of society.

-Almost 5 million asthma sufferers are under the age of 18. It is the most common chronic childhood disease, affecting more than one child in 20.

-Just being exposed to smoke from 10 cigarettes per day may put kids at risk of developing asthma, even if they’ve never had any breathing problems before.

Every day in the United States:

-44,000 people have an asthma attack.

-36,000 kids miss school due to asthma.

-27,000 adults miss work due to asthma.

-4,700 people visit the emergency room due to asthma.

-1,200 people are admitted to the hospital due to asthma.

-9 people die from asthma.

Dentistry And Asthma

Tooth Decay, Bad Breath, Periodontal Disease

With asthma being so prevalent, dentists see more asthmatic patients taking medication, which can lead to increased tooth decay, bad breath, and gum problems. In addition, many of those patients forget to bring their inhalers to dental visits, causing more in-office asthma attacks.

Patients with asthma have a tendency to be mouth breathers. This is due to their constricted airways. Combining this with medications (such as corticosteroids) will cause a decreased salivary flow leading to dry mouth. This can then lead to an increase in bad breath (halitosis) and tooth decay. Periodontal disease can also be an issue for asthma patients with poor oral hygiene maintenance.

Also, asthma inhalers may irritate the back roof of the mouth, causing a reddish lesion. If not treated, this area can become infected. This infection can spread and affect the throat and rest of the mouth.

Children who use inhalers for asthma are prone to mottled enamel forming on the developing teeth. This happens most on 1st molars, allowing them to break down easier, requiring large fillings and future crowns. Fluoridated water during tooth development helps, as does fluoride supplementation.

Dental Anxiety

Dental anxiety can trigger an asthma attack. So it is important to let your dentist be aware of your medical condition. To overcome this, choose a dentist with good communication skills and specialized training in handling dental anxiety. Always bring your inhaler to your appointment.Tips to overcome dental anxiety include:

-Communicate fears and anxieties before, during, and after dental appointment with dentist and staff.

-Focus on breathing regularly and slowly during dental procedures, meditation and music also help. When you are nervous you tend to hold your breath, which decreases oxygen levels and further increases feelings of panic. Instead of holding your breath, squeeze a relaxation ball and breathe deeply.

-Avoid caffeine prior to a dental appointment.

-Eat high-protein foods which can produce a calming effect.

-Try to choose a time for your dental visit when you’re less likely to be rushed or under pressure. For many, an early morning appointment is best.

How To Minimize Asthma Affects During Dental Treatment

Certain items and materials in a dental office are known to have a potential to exacerbate asthma and its symptoms. These include sealants, rubber dams, tooth enamel dust, prophy paste, acrylic dust, and acrylic liquid. Another note is patients taking corticosteroids may have a higher tendency to have an adverse reaction to sulfites.

You and your dentist can help prevent asthma attacks while promoting oral health, here’s how:

-Inform your dentist know that you have asthma. Also, list all medications you are taking for asthma.

-Describe if your asthma is controlled or uncontrolled as well as what triggers you are affected by.

-After using your inhaler, rinse your mouth with water or a fluoride mouthwash. This will moisturize the mouth and prevent the mouth from drying out from the inhaler medications.

-Maintain your dental schedule as well as keeping a good oral hygiene regimen at home.

Asthma Conclusion

Understanding the complications of asthma, and it’s effects on oral health can be a life changer. A lifetime of ongoing dental work can be changed to easy maintenance visits with proper home care and fluoride use. Asthma can be a very controllable disease in most patients. Once an asthmatic is old enough to learn his/her triggers, and relaxation techniques to aid in management, oral issues can be resolved easily. Both patient and dentist need to be aware of the possible issues or complications that may arise so that dental treatment can be completed safely and comfortably. Maintain an open line of communication with your health care providers so that asthma does not hinder your treatments.

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The Importance Of Six Month Dental Visits

May 13, 2013

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Why do most dentists want you to come in for a cleaning at least every 6 months?? While it might not seem like it is necessary, these regular and routine dental visits are

Regular Dental Visits Are The Key To Good Dental Health

essential for monitoring and maintaining healthy teeth and gums.Earlier changes can be detected, and they can be addressed. Recent research has also shown how important it is to maintain a healthy mouth for our general health as well. There are many disease states related to poor dental health. These systemic diseases include heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and even, alzheimer’s disease.

The Six Month Dental Visit

What goes on in the dental office is only a small portion of oral health maintenance. Most of the work is done at home through maintaining a good oral hygiene regimen to keep our teeth and gums as clean and healthy as possible. A six month dental visit will include a professional cleaning as well as a thorough dental examination. There are many facets to this appointment. Most people would be surprised at how many different items the dentist and hygienist are actually checking.

What Does The Dental Examination Include?

Your teeth are just one part of a routine, thorough dental examination. Your dentist will evaluate the health of your teeth, your gums, TMJ, and entire inner tissues of the mouth and upper throat. They will also examine your mouth, tongue, lips, and skin for any signs of disease, like oral cancer or diabetes.

The Head And Neck Examination

Your dentist will start off by looking for symmetry, irregularities, swellings, etc. by:

-Examining your face

-Examining your neck

-Checking your lymph nodes. They are specifically looking for any abnormal swellings or changes to one side and not the other. Also noting the presence of any tenderness.

-Checking your Temperomandibular Joint (TMJ) for any clicking, popping, or irregularities. As we age, the TMJ, like any joint can begin to deteriorate and give us issues. A good dentist will be able to note the presence of TMJ disorder even without symptoms developing.

The Teeth And Gums Examination

Next, your dentist examine the state of your teeth and gums by:

-Taking x-rays ( radiographs) as needed. Radiographs are generally taken once per year. These radiographs allow the dentist to see some areas that are not visible to the naked eye and are not felt by an instrument. This allows for early detection of tooth decay, as well as determination of infection, or bone loss. Unfortunately, fillings and crowns, depending upon location of breakdown, still hide many areas of decay or fracturing., Such areas are generally found later due to discomfort, discoloration, or other changes.

-Examining the gum tissue for the presence of periodontal disease, infection, systemic disease. The symptoms can include bleeding, inflammation, recession, redness and irritation, swelling, sloughing tissue, and bone loss around the teeth.

-Checking if any teeth are becoming loose or show any sense of movement.

-Looking at the tissues inside of your mouth. This will include all sides of the tongue, the tonsils, the hard and soft palate, and inside your cheeks and lips. The dentist will look for tissue abnormalities that could be suspected to be oral cancer. Many dentists use the VELscope to detect oral cancer as early as possible. The VELscope is a special light that allows the dentist to see changes in tissue that occur when oral changes, such as cancer, are present.

-Checking the way your teeth fit together, how well you bite, if you clench or grind, signs of sleep apnea.

-Looking for the presence of tooth decay. This is achieved through the use of radiographs and by checking each tooth individually to see if there is any decay visibly, tactilely, or radiographically, present or beginning to form.

-Checking for broken teeth, fracture lines, chipping, wear.

-Checking for older dental restorations that need to be replaced. Generally when an older dental restoration begins to fail there is staining present around the margins where food and bacteria are leaking inside the restoration. Also, the dentist will examine any dental crowns present to check for decay and to see that the fit is still acceptable.

-Evaluating any previous dental appliances you might have. This can include retainers, nightguards, sport guards, dentures or snore/apnea appliances. The dentist will ensure they are still fitting properly and that they are in good condition.

The Dental Cleaning

The dental cleaning is generally completed by the hygienist but some dentists do clean teeth as well. This part includes the following:

6 Month Dental Visits For The Whole Family

-Checking the state of your teeth and gums.

-The use of an ultrasonic device to remove the pellicle, plaque, and tartar. The pellicle is a protein layer, much like a cuticle, that allows plaque and bacteria to more easily wick up and under the gum. The hygienist uses both an ultrasonic cleaning tool (called a cavitron) as well as using hand instruments. These tools allow the hygienist to remove substantial plaque and bacteria, and all of the pellicle, from above and below the gumline.

-Polishing your teeth with prophylaxis paste. This paste is slightly abrasive to remove any extrinsic stains that might be present. Polishing also helps to smooth surface roughness so that plaque will not stick as easily.

-Fluoride treatment. This is not just for kids! There are many types of fluoride with many different applications. Some of us are more susceptible to cavities, some of us have white spots, sensitive spots, or stubborn periodontal pockets. Different types of fluorides can help with all of these.

-Reviewing oral hygiene instructions for you to practice at home away, and from the office. This includes recommended brushing and flossing techniques as well as what products might work best for you.

Conclusion

Upon completion of the examination and cleaning, your dentist will be able to advise you of any further treatment needed. If nothing abnormal is found, you will set up your next appointment in 3- 6 month,s knowing you have been doing a great job at home with your dental care. If something is found, you should have it taken care of as soon as possible. You should try not to put off dental work, as it will get worse over time. Remember, by seeing your dentist every 6 months and following daily oral hygiene practices at home, you have a better chance of keeping your teeth and gums healthy. Being healthy will save you time, discomfort, and money in the long run. Prevention is always the goal!

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