Continue reading »]]> Standard orthodontic braces use metal clips, rubber bands and wires to realign and keep the teeth and jaws in a preferred position. As important as it is to maintaining proper dental health and function, cleaning and maintenance carries an equal amount of importance as this prevents teeth and gums free from bacterial growth, plaque and tooth decay (cavities). In conjunction with visits to your family dentist, braces keep the teeth strong and healthy by providing optimal positioning. Poor dental hygiene and brace upkeep carry the risk of an increased chance of gum infection and cavities (tooth decay).

Brace wearers should make it a point to clean their braces at least three times a day, preferably after every meal. Chewing brings food particles within the braces, trapping these particles between teeth. These trapped bits of food then become sources for breeding bacteria which then increase the risk of infection and tooth decay if left un-cleaned. Proper maintenance should be learned from the dentist and incorporated into the user’s basic oral care routine.

Continue reading »]]> Prevention is always the best way to maintain oral health. By practicing proper habits centered on oral health one can prevent the development of various dental issues such as tooth decay and thus the need for fillings would be avoided as well.
Here are some simple practices to maintain oral health and prevent dental disease on the long run:

- Brush daily after every meal, use a fluoride based toothpaste
- Drink fluoridated water
- Floss daily at the very least
- Eat healthy foods
- Avoid hard, acidic and/or sugary foods which may damage tooth enamel
- See the  family dentist regularly

Continue reading »]]>   Generally, oral cancer is largely avoidable by identifying and staying away from its known risk factors. These factors include tobacco and alcohol usage primarily. The incidence of developing oral cancer is directly correlated to a person’s engaging in smoking tobacco products and drinking alcohol. By quitting tobacco usage and lowering alcohol consumption, the likelihood of developing oral cancer is significantly lowered. Avoidance of these risk factors, alongside a healthy diet and following the advice of your family dentist and/or physician when it comes to oral health provide for a good level of protection against oral cancer as well.
  Oral cancer is addressed mainly through radiation therapy and surgery. This may also be accompanied by chemotherapy in late-stage oral cancer.

Continue reading »]]>           Oral cancer has a higher level of occurrence among males (twice as much at least) as compared to females because men’s rate and amount of tobacco and alcohol usage over a prolonged period is much higher.

            Oral cancer occurrence increases with age. The majority of oral cancers begin after the age of 35 with more than half of diagnosed patients falling in the 68 year old or more brackets.

            Among oral cancer patients, statistics have found that 90 percent of them are dedicated tobacco users. Smokers are six times more likely to develop oral cancer as opposed to nonsmokers.

            Roughly 80 percent of all patients diagnosed with oral cancer also drink alcohol on a regular basis. Oral cancer occurs six times as much among frequent alcohol drinkers as compared to nondrinkers.

            Jobs associated with heavy, prolonged exposure to direct sunlight are one of the main reasons behind 30 percent of patients with lip related cancers.

            Cancer of the oral cavity has also been linked to a poor diet. Particularly, a diet lacking in fruits and vegetables carries the increased risk of oral cancer.

            The human papilloma virus (HPV) is a known contributor to oral cancer as well.

            The earlier oral cancer is detected and diagnosed, the better the treatment and survival rate. With the help of your family dentist and/or physician and the appropriate treatment, the relative five-year survival rate among patients occurs during the five years after diagnosis regardless of whether or not the cancer has been eliminated, the patient is in remission or still undergoing treatment.

Continue reading »]]> When cancer occurs in any part of the oral cavity, from the mouth, lips, tongue and throat, this is known as oral cancer. Oral cancer comes in two types: oral cavity cancer and oropharyngeal cancer. The former originates from the mouth while the latter develops in the rear of the mouth cavity known as the oropharynx.

            Oral cancer’s most commonly occurring symptom is a recurring or persistent sore in the mouth which bleeds easily. This may be accompanied by a chronic pain in the general area. As always, consult with your family dentist or physician when you suspect cancer. Other signs and symptoms of oral cancer are:

-       a thick spot or lump felt in the cheeks

-       reddish/whitish patches/sores on the tongue lining, tonsils, gums or
         insides of the mouth

-       chronic/persistent pain/sore throat

-       difficulty in swallowing and/or difficulty in moving the jaw and/or 
         tongue

Continue reading »]]> Toothache

            Use warm salted water to rinse the mouth area and ensure that there is no trapped foreign object in between the teeth. Use floss to ascertain whether or not there are any foreign particles.  Do not apply aspirin or any type of painkiller directly on the gum tissue as these may worsen symptoms.

Chipped/Broken/Knocked-out Teeth

            The retrieval and preservation of the tooth/tooth fragment is of utmost importance if restoration is to be achieved. Avoid touching any exposed areas of the tooth root and hold by the crown. Rinse the tooth in clean water, and take care in avoiding further damage to any attached tissue. If replacing the tooth in its socket is currently impossible, place it in a sealed container containing saliva, milk or saline for transport to the dentist as soon as possible.

Foreign Objects Between Teeth

            Attempt to dislodge the offending particle/s using dental floss/toothbrush gently so as to avoid injuring the gums. Avoid sharp dentistry instruments. See your dentist if the above measure does not help.

Bleeding Lips/Tongue

            Apply a clean cloth dressing to help reduce or stop blood flow and apply a cold compress afterwards to reduce swelling and blood flow. Go to the emergency room immediately, not the family dentist, if blood flow is heavy and cannot be stopped.

Continue reading »]]> An estimated 2.4 million lives are clamed each year in America due to heart disease. With a number of risk factors leading to heart disease, it may come as a surprise to many as poor oral health may be one of these.

Is Heart Disease Directly Linked to Gum Disease?

 Studies done by the Third National Health and Examination Survey (NHANES III) have found that that 10,000 Americans between 18 and 74 years of age who had varying levels of periodontal disease had higher incidences of being diagnosed with heart disease as compared to those who had no gum disease.

 Research has suggested that bacteria which cause gum disease may add to the risk of heart disease by travelling via the bloodstream and increase clot formation in the vascular system. It is these clots which pose as a risk to cardiovascular health by causing blockages which may increase blood pressure and/or trigger a heart attack.

Risk Factors

 Although studies haven’t explicitly established a cause and effect relationship between heart disease and gum disease, many of the risk factors may serve as a link as those for heart disease are also the same as the ones for gum disease.

- Tobacco consumption
- Malnutrition
- Diabetes
- Being Male

Symptoms of Gum Disease

 Some warning signs that indicate gum disease are:

- Inflamed gums
- Bleeding gums
- Receding gum line
- Bad breath
- Loose teeth

Prevention is Better than a Cure

 By regularly having checkups with your dentist, having professional cleaning and practicing proper oral hygiene greatly decreases the likelihood of developing gum disease. But as definite proof is still needed to ascertain whether gum disease has an explicit relationship with heart disease, practicing preventive routines would be the best course of action as of now.

 By establishing a good relationship with your dentist and following his/her advice coupled with regular cleaning, your chances of developing gum disease are greatly lessened. Here are some helpful tips in doing so at home:

- brush twice daily for at least two to three minutes, massage your gum line as well
- floss at least once a day, be gentle with your gums
- use a mouthwash prescribed by your dentist
- have regular checkups with your dentist
- inform your dentist of any existing heart condition you may have as well as any medications you may be taking
- follow all your dentist’s and physician’s instructions to the letter

Continue reading »]]> See your family dentist if you experience any of the following:

Symptoms of Halitosis

Metallic Taste

Those suffering from bad breath may experience sourness and/or a bitter and metallic taste in their mouths. Oftentimes this is the result of sulfur produced by anaerobic bacteria which favor acidic environments.

Dry Mouth

A lessening of saliva production and poor aeration of the oral cavity promote sulfur-producing bacteria to thrive, which in turn prevents oxygen levels from reaching desired levels and further exacerbates the condition.

White/Yellow Tongue Film

Poor oral maintenance may contribute to a tongue which would sport residual film which provides a suitable environment for anaerobic bacteria to breed.

Post Nasal Drip

This is described as an excess of mucilage which travels down the back of the throat. Mucous contains a significant amount of proteins which are needed by anaerobic bacteria to reproduce.

White Tonsil Nodules

This is the resulting deposition and hardening of sulfur-producing bacteria on the tonsils itself. These tonsil stones also contribute to the presence of undesirable odors in the oral cavity.

Continue reading »]]> Removable bridges, or removable partial dentures, are a type of tooth replacement option which can be taken out of the mouth for cleaning purposes. Removable bridges come at a reduced cost as compared to other dental replacements but are generally less comfortable because they are not as stable as, for example, fixed bridge replacements.
 Removable bridges are designed having the replacement teeth affixed to a plastic base which mimics the gum color. The “gum” bases are then attached to a metal frame featuring precision clasps which are then molded to fit to the remaining natural teeth. Removable bridges also come with the option of adding crowns to the natural teeth to further secure the way the removable bridge fits.

Adjusting to a Removable Bridge

 During the first few weeks after fitting the new removable bridge may be uncomfortable or awkward. During this period the user may also have to become accustomed to inserting and removing the bridges by practicing repeatedly. Over time the mouth should adapt to the presence of the removable bridge and any discomfort should disappear entirely.
 Upon first inserting the new removable bridge the dentist may require that it be worn for at least 24 hours to allow the patient to identify any problematic areas which may require further adjustments. Ill-fitting removal bridges apply excessive pressure and may cause sores within the mouth. Only when the bridges are fully adjusted to the patients comfort level can the bridge be removed on a more regular basis (e.g. nightly before going to bed).
 
 The following are some advantages to wearing a removable bridge:
- lower price compared to other tooth replacements
- more accessible and easier to repair

 Some disadvantages are:
- removable bridges are not as stable as fixed bridges
- possibility of misplacing
- may be uncomfortable
- removal and insertion may be uncomfortable