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]]>Teeth grinding and clenching are common habits that can have harmful effects on the teeth. Symptoms include:
If damage to your teeth or existing dental work is evident, your dentist might recommend a custom-made night guard, also called an occlusal guard. Similar to an athlete’s mouthguard, it’s made of plastic and creates a cushion between your teeth to protect them from adverse effects. It also protects your jaw joints from excessive force.
Occlusal guards might also be helpful if you have a bite issue, where some teeth might receive more of the impact of clenching than others.
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]]>Pregnancy gingivitis affects nearly 40% of pregnant women and looks like:
Gingivitis is early-stage gum disease, and without proper care, it can lead to more serious conditions like periodontitis. Periodontitis is a bacterial infection that attacks the tissue and bones supporting the teeth and, though the connection is unclear, is associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes like low birth weight and preterm births. With a little extra care in your oral health routine, you can keep pregnancy gingivitis at bay. Recommendations include:
Pregnant women might also be more susceptible to tooth decay, especially if they suffer from nausea or morning sickness. The acidity of vomit can weaken tooth enamel, so it’s important to rinse your mouth before brushing to make sure the acid is gone. It’s best to wait 30 minutes after rinsing before brushing your teeth, so that acid isn’t pushed further into the teeth and gums.
Another effect of pregnancy hormones on oral health is pregnancy tumors. They affect about five percent of pregnant women and are completely benign, but can cause discomfort. Symptoms include:
Though these tumors go away on their own, and are not cancerous or harmful, they might be painful and can be removed, typically with a laser or cryosurgery.
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]]>Osteoporosis medications, like denosumab or bisphosphonates, attempt to bring the reabsorption rate into balance, and can greatly improve bone density and health.
In rare cases and for reasons unknown, these medications can have adverse effects specifically on the jawbone, so it’s important to get a dental exam before starting treatment, especially if you have any existing oral health issues.
Common medications include:
In most cases, people taking medication for osteoporosis can proceed with dental procedures like implants and extractions after careful examination and evaluation of the jawbone. The presence of osteoporosis might influence the type of implants used, and the amount of healing time needed after the procedure.
One possible side effect of bisphosphonates is something called medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ or MRONJ), which happens when isolated areas of the jawbone lose their vitality and die.
You might have an increased risk to develop MRONJ if you:
Over 90% of people who suffer from MRONJ receive high doses of the medication intravenously, in most cases to treat cancer. Rarely does this problem occur in people who take the medication orally.
If you are a candidate for a tooth extraction or implant placement, it’s important to speak with your dentist and healthcare professional about the use of osteoporosis medication.
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]]>Common problems associated with oral piercings:
Piercings can make it more challenging for infections to go away on their own, and might require antibiotics. Also, open wound infections might discharge pus, creating an unpleasant experience.
Chipped teeth might require veneers or crowns, which can also be damaged from the piercing.
The piercing might create lacerations in the mouth that take time to heal and can reoccur.
If a piercing becomes impacted, it sometimes requires surgical removal.
Excess salivation can lead to issues like drooling.
Palatal erythema is an inflammatory condition and is marked by bright red, irritated tissue that occurs due to the accumulation of blood in dilated capillaries.
These lesions are often an allergic response, and a chronic inflammatory condition affecting the mucous membrane lining of the cheeks, lips, and tongue. It is considered a precancerous condition.
Keloids are a thick, raised scar.
If you have or are considering an oral piercing, it’s important to be aware of these potential issues and schedule regular cleanings to maintain your best oral health.
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]]>The post Nutrition and Oral Health appeared first on Pender Dental Care.
]]>One of the best ways we can maintain good oral health is by taking a step back and reflecting on what types of food and beverages go into our mouths every day. Take a look at the tips below and adjust your lifestyle accordingly to maintain your own oral health.
All fruits have sugar, but did you know that some are better for you than others? While still better for you than other sugary treats, fruits like pineapples, oranges, and grapes are high in sugar and can affect the health of your teeth if eaten regularly enough. Apples are a great source of fiber and even act as “nature’s toothbrush” while you eat one. A great nutritional choice for your teeth is vegetables, especially ones high in fiber, like carrots, broccoli, and cauliflower. These vegetables can also act as “nature’s toothbrush.” Fruits and vegetables also contain many antioxidant vitamins, such as vitamin C, that help protect the gums from infection.
Sugar attracts harmful bacteria. The bacteria consume the sugar and produce excess amounts of acid, which attacks your tooth enamel. Left unchecked, this can then lead to cavities and tooth decay. It’s recommended that you limit your intake of processed sugars such as candy and other sweet treats, as well as acidic beverages like coffee, juice concentrate, and soda. Acidic beverages not only create a breeding ground for bacteria and ultimately tooth decay and gum disease, but they are also the culprits behind unsightly staining on your teeth. Water is the healthiest option for your oral health. For example, hydration aids in saliva production, which is extremely important to help reduce infections in the mouth and throat. Saliva also helps protect your teeth and gums.
It is vital that you brush and floss your teeth at least twice a day to remove extra food particles and debris caught in between your teeth. If these particles and debris are left where they are, the conditions are perfectly set up for tooth decay to develop. However, after consuming something sugary or acidic, it is recommended that you wait 30 to 60 minutes before you brush. This is because the sugar and acid have softened the enamel on the surface of your teeth. You would actually be helping your teeth erode by brushing right after.
It’s important to visit your dentist twice a year. With special tools, your dentist is able to take a look at those hard to reach areas in your mouth that you might have missed with your toothbrush. Because of this, your dentist is able to see if there are any signs of an issue forming in your mouth. Early detection is the best way to treat a problem. At each of your visits, you will also get a professional cleaning done. Your dental technician will thoroughly clean and polish your teeth, even those hard to reach areas.
Nutrition and oral health are directly connected. Consider some of these tips and see where you can improve or change your nutritional habits to maintain your own good oral health.
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]]>When a missing tooth leaves a gap, your healthy, even bite can suffer misalignment.
The loss of even a single tooth has a negative effect on eating habits and neighboring teeth.
The bone tissue that supports your teeth needs the stimulation of biting and chewing to stay
healthy.
A missing tooth can affect your self-confidence, just as it can affect your health.
If you are missing one or more teeth, don’t delay treatment. Talk to your dentist about the options available for comfortable and natural-looking tooth replacement, including implants, bridges, and full or partial dentures. Replacing a missing tooth restores the appearance and protects the health of your smile.
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]]>The patches can appear on the top and sides of your tongue and sometimes other parts of your mouth. The shape and location of the patches can change day to day, but in general, these patches can last up to a year.
Geographic tongue is harmless, poses no health risk, and heals on its own. It isn’t contagious either, so it cannot be passed from one person to another.
The red patches come from the absence of the tiny bumps on your tongue called “papillae” that normally cover the entire surface of the tongue. These patches may:
Though most cases are symptom-free, some symptoms may include a burning sensation or pain in your mouth, in which case it might be best to:
Though the cause is unknown, geographic tongue is thought to be associated with a vitamin B deficiency.
If you are experiencing persistent and severe discomfort, your doctor may recommend:
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]]>The post Fluoride Treatments appeared first on Pender Dental Care.
]]>The enamel in our teeth is largely composed of calcium and phosphate ions. These elements combine to form hydroxyapatite, mineral crystals, which makes tooth enamel the strongest substance in the body. But enamel isn’t indestructible. The oral bacteria in plaque create acids that strip away calcium and phosphate minerals, a process called demineralization. Demineralization leaves the tooth surface weaker and more vulnerable to decay.
Fluoride helps remineralize tooth enamel. Fluoride works on the surface of the tooth to attract calcium and phosphate ions found in saliva, rebuilding tooth structure and reversing early decay. Even better, it joins with these ions to create fluorapatite. Fluorapatite crystals are larger, stronger, and more resistant to acids than hydroxyapatite. Fluoride not only remineralizes teeth, it leaves them stronger than they were originally.
Finally, studies have shown that fluoride inhibits both the growth of cavity-causing bacteria and their ability to produce acids.
Fluoride works internally and externally. Systemic benefits come the fluoride we consume in our diets, and topical benefits come from applying fluoride directly to the tooth surface.
Fluoride in drinking water has been shown to reduce the risk of childhood cavities by 25% or more. Fluoride bonds with the minerals in a child’s developing teeth, creating stronger, more cavity-resistant enamel even before the permanent teeth erupt.
Topical fluoride can be found in over the counter toothpastes and mouthwashes. Fluoridated drinking water strengthens the natural cavity-preventing properties of saliva. For the most effective topical fluoride protection, your dentist can provide a professional fluoride treatment.
Fluoride treatments aren’t difficult or time-consuming. Fluoride can be administered as a gel, a varnish, a rinse, or a foam. It can be applied with a swab, brush, as a mouthwash, or in a tray. Aftercare generally only requires avoiding food and drink for 30 minutes.
And while fluoride treatments are especially important for children, adults can benefit as well. Dexterity issues which make brushing difficult, receding gums which expose parts of the roots, and conditions like dry mouth can leave the teeth more vulnerable to cavities as we age.
Professional fluoride protection lasts for months, and the treatment can be repeated as needed every three to 12 months.
Fluoride treatments strengthen teeth, help prevent tooth decay, and are easy to schedule with your regular checkups. Talk to your dentist to discover how fluoride treatments can benefit you and your family.
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