New Year’s Resolutions – Dental Edition

Ahhh….it’s that time of year again.  The start of the New Year brings with it a clean slate.  It’s time to hit the reset button and start things fresh.  Many of us will make New Year’s resolutions regarding our health and wellness.  When you examine where you are from a health standpoint, don’t forget your oral health status.  There are lots of ways to reinvigorate your oral health wellness, here are a few ideas!

Beginning this month, make a resolution to understand your dental insurance benefits!  Understanding your dental insurance plan empowers you to use the benefits appropriately.   Realize that you are paying for these benefits through your monthly premium, so resolve to use your dollars wisely by taking some time to fully understand your plan.  Being proactive about understanding your plan can make life simpler if you or your child has a need for dental treatment later in the year.

If you or your children are not on a twice yearly schedule for dental hygiene visits, start today!  Call your dentist to make appointments, for you and your children.  If you would prefer to avoid scheduling your child’s appointment during school time, call now to schedule a summertime appointment.  For many offices, these appointment times fill up fast, so calling now can help to ensure that you get your choice of appointment times.

Change your toothbrush!  This might seem like a simple action, but it is an important one.  As a general rule, you should change your toothbrush or brush head every 3 months.  The bristles begin to wear down over time and become less effective at adequately cleaning your teeth.  An important thing to remember, especially this time of year, is that you should change your toothbrush after you have suffered from a cold, flu, a mouth infection or a cold sore.  This is because germs that cause these ailments can linger on your toothbrush and cause reinfection.  Be sure to change your child’s toothbrush if they have experienced any of these symptoms as well.

Last but not least, pep up the daily oral hygiene routine in your house!  Something as simple as changing your child’s toothpaste can add freshness to a mundane task.  Or maybe you could try a different type of toothbrush, or add mouth rinse to your child’s routine.  It is so important to solidify your child’s daily oral care maintenance.  Thoroughly brushing and flossing teeth daily can lead to great oral health all year long!

Tooth Bleaching

By Vishant Nath DMD

Over the past few years, the topic of tooth bleaching has become very common. There are several different types of tooth bleaching to choose from. They vary in everything from cost to effectiveness.

As the name implies, tooth whiteners or bleachers lighten the color of the tooth surface because they contain peroxides, or bleach components as the active ingredient. A very common side effect of tooth whitening is sensitivity in the teeth. Teeth contain microscopic dentinal tubules that run from the nerve of the tooth to the surface of the tooth. A tooth will become sensitive when the fluid in these tubes moves around. Normally, minerals in saliva plug the ends of the tubes that are at the tooth surface. The introduction of bleaching gels can dissolve these plugs, leading to the fluid in the tubes moving around, causing tooth sensitivity. In addition, some individuals are genetically more susceptible to tooth sensitivity. Sensitivity due to tooth bleaching is temporary, and will normally go away when the bleaching is discontinued.

Tooth bleaching is available in many different over the counter dental care products. From toothpastes to mouthwashes to tooth whitening strips, there are quite a few products to choose from that are advertised as having teeth bleaching abilities. These types of tooth whiteners are usually the most inexpensive. The effectiveness of these products will vary depending on such factors as how often and continuously they are utilized.

A visit to your dentist will introduce two more choices in teeth whitening products. Your dentist can make a custom mold of your teeth and provide you with tooth whitening gel to use with this tray for in-home bleaching. Because it is specifically molded to your teeth, this method is usually a bit more effective than those that you can purchase in a store.

The last tooth whitening method is in-office tooth bleaching. This is typically the most effective method of tooth whitening. The effectiveness of the peroxide is enhanced through several factors. The teeth will be kept dry during the process through the use of gauze as well as a device called a retractor, which will pull the lips away from the teeth while the peroxide is applied. The gel can be left on for 30 to 60 minutes. Also, sometimes the teeth will be exposed to a curing light or laser to further activate the peroxide.

No matter which method of tooth bleaching appeals to you, talk to your dentist to find out more about which products and methods they recommend. No matter what your budget might be, there is a product out there for you!

Avoiding Dental Neglect

It’s certainly an unpleasant feeling to find out that your child needs dental treatment.  As parents, we all hope for the dentist to declare our children to be cavity-free and compliment their oral health at each six-month check-up.  Unfortunately, this does not always happen.  The following article provides information about the importance of completing your child’s dental treatment in a timely manner.

If the dentist finds that your child needs dental treatment, make sure that you understand exactly what treatment is required and why.  Ask as many questions of your dentist as you need to in order to feel comfortable with the treatment plan going forward.  If you are still unsure, get a second opinion right away.

If extensive dental treatment is required for your child, your dentist should be able to give you options for completing it.  Your child may benefit from completing the treatment all in one appointment, or breaking the treatment up into several appointments.  Other options may include the use of Nitrous Oxide (aka laughing gas), oral conscious sedation, IV sedation, or general anesthesia in a hospital.  Find out about all of these options and work with your dentist to make the best decision for your child.

Even relatively minor dental treatment, which can usually be taken care of in a single appointment, should not be put off.  Dental diseases (such as cavities, periodontal disease and other dental conditions) require dental treatment to improve oral health.  These conditions will usually get worse over time if not treated.

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry defines dental neglect as “the willful failure of a parent or guardian to seek and follow through with treatment necessary to ensure a level of oral health essential for adequate function and freedom from pain and infection.”

Obviously no parent wants to be responsible for neglecting their child’s health care needs.  But the bottom line is that we, as parents, are ultimately responsible for the health and safety of our children.

There are many reasons why a parent might put off dental treatment for their child.  There may be financial issues that prevent a parent from following through on treatment.  A parent may not understand how important the treatment is to prevent further pain or infection.  Whatever the reason is, its important to discuss it with your dentist.  Most dentists’ will work through various issues with their patients to ensure that their oral health care needs are met.  Empower yourself as a parent by understanding exactly what your child needs so that you can enable your child to have excellent oral health!

Summer Safety Tips

The summer months bring with them lots of fun playtime, which can often lead to accidental injuries. It’s important to familiarize yourself with the best way to react to certain injuries, so that you can respond appropriately.

If your child has an injury that causes a tooth to become knocked out, contact your pediatric dentist immediately. If the tooth is a primary, or baby tooth the emphasis will probably not be toward saving the tooth. However, it’s still important for your child to be seen by a dentist so that they can check for damage to any adjacent teeth.

If your child loses a permanent, or adult tooth, its much more critical that every effort is put into saving the tooth. Obviously it’s most important to assess your child’s overall medical condition in the case of an injury. Injuries to the mouth can oftentimes be accompanied by injuries to the head. First determine if your child’s injury requires emergency room care. If the injury is focused only on the mouth, contact your pediatric dentist immediately. Most dentists should have a 24-hour phone number to contact if the injury occurs after hours or on weekends, if you are an existing patient. In many cases if getting to a dentist is difficult getting to a children’s hospital nearby would be an alternative option in case of emergency.   Find the tooth and rinse it gently in cool water. Do not scrub it with soap. Use only water. If possible, replace the tooth in the socket and hold it there with clean gauze or a washcloth. If you can’t put the tooth back in the socket, place the tooth in a clean container with milk, saliva, or water. The faster you act, the better your chances of saving the tooth.

If your child chips or fractures a tooth, contact your pediatric dentist immediately. Quick action can save the tooth, prevent infection, and reduce the need for extensive dental treatment. Rinse the mouth with water and apply cold compresses to reduce swelling. If you can find the broken tooth fragment, bring it with you to the dentist.

Some dental emergencies are not caused by injuries or trauma. Toothaches can be quite painful and bothersome to your child. Again, it’s important to contact your pediatric dentist immediately. To comfort your child, rinse the mouth with water. Apply a cold compress or ice wrapped in a cloth. Do not apply heat or aspirin to the sore area.

All of these scenarios have something in common. All require the immediate attention of a dentist. Time is truly of the essence. Having a pediatric dentist who is familiar with you and your child can greatly assist you in nursing your child back to great dental health!

When to expect Baby Teeth

Tips for Teens

When it comes to teenagers, a CDC study indicated that 58-percent of adolescents age 12 to 19 had cavities. Here are some tips to share with teens to ensure a healthy smile:

• Limit soda and energy drinks. Sugar in sweetened sodas and sports energy drinks can cause cavities, and acidic flavor additives can erode and damage tooth enamel.
• Play safe. Teens can prevent injuries by wearing a mouth guard while playing sports. More than 200,000 injuries to the mouth and jaw occur each year, and dentists recommend the use of mouth guards in a variety of sports activities.
• Make time for healthy habits. Choose healthy snacks and keep a travel-size toothbrush in a locker or backpack.