“How Important is My Diet?”

Posted by drgracesun on August 2, 2009 under General Dental Knowledge, Healthy Smile, Hygiene, Information, Nutrition and Diet, Smart Smile, Technology | Be the First to Comment

You are what you eat! Your body can only repair, regenerate and replenish itself from what you put into your body; it’s a continuous cyclic phenomenon. A healthy diet is essential to maintaining a healthy body, healthy mind and healthy smile.

We have learned about the food pyramid and how a balanced diet can keep our body and mind healthy.We need carbohydrates like grains, fruits and vegetables to supply energy to the body and maintaining normal blood glucose level, cellulose fiber will regulate our internal systems to eliminate waste and reduce the risk of chronic diseases, such as heart disease and colon cancer. Protein (with its Greek root meaning “of primary importance”) including meats, fish, dairy and beans are essential to build and repair our body components. Protein builds muscle, normalizes the immune system and body function. Fats are needed to build our cell walls and conduct our neural transmissions. Lipids maintain the structure and support of our organs.Vitamins and minerals will optimize our health and prevent diseases. Finally, we should always keep our body well hydrated, because water is the single most major component of our body and cells.

Oral health is part of bodily health. For healthy oral tissues like gum and bone, we need the same healthy diet to prevent cavities, which also requires hygiene upkeep.  The digestive process starts the moment you begin to eat. Bacteria in the mouth convert sugars from the foods you eat to acids, which although are helpful in breaking down your food, also begins to attack the enamel on teeth, starting the decay process. If you snack frequently, you are exposing your teeth to cyclic decay. Obviously, habits like this are detrimental to your oral health. Brush and floss twice daily, and after meals. Any less frequently could mean serious problems for your oral health!

Many of us live in a fast paced life and many young people’s diet are lacking the greens. Fruits and vegetables are important to our health for many reasons – they contain fiber in whole foods, and they contain phytonutrients, which are plant based nutrients (in the numbers of 20,000 or more), all of which work together to ensure our health. Alpha-carotene, lycopene, and a number of the other carotenes give our fruits and vegetables their rich vibrant colors, but they also help make our skin strong, our organs functioning well and they keep our immune system in check. Their antioxidant properties will also help our periodontal tissues to resist breaking down. When combined with fine proteins, they  will help to repair and regenerate our soft oral tissues. Eat healthy, and preserve your body, your smile and your life!

“Post-Surgical Care?”

Posted by drgracesun on July 18, 2009 under General Dental Knowledge, Information, Smart Smile | Be the First to Comment

Summer break is a busy time for oral surgeons, who are often busy extracting the wisdom teeth of college bound or high school students. This wisdom teeth removal surgery could be the biggest medical and dental procedure for a young person.  As long as as you are under the care of a capable and well-experienced oral surgeon, the procedure should run smoothly, but proper home care after having the wisdom teeth removed is very important to assure a healthy and speedy recovery.

Anesthetics or sedatives used during oral surgical procedures will often take a couple hours to wear away – the first 72 hours are crucial for normative recovery. Pain medication like anti-inflammatory Ibuprofen or narcotic Tylenol #3 with codeine often is prescribed depending on the severity of the procedure in addition to a 3-times-daily antibiotic, such as amoxycillin.

Regarding eating and drinking after oral surgery, avoid soft drinks for a week and avoid alcohol for 3 to 5 days .No smoking forever is the best, however if you really are dying for a draft,wait as long as possible, at least for 24 hours for being kind to your body. The first day at home should consist of using a cold compression (ice bag on 15 minute off 15 minutes for few hours), which can eliminate swelling. Stay away from straws and any mouth-opening activities to prevent loosing blood clots which lay a foundation for regenerate tissues as part of the natural healing process. Using a straw can cause the painful condition known as “dry socket.” Both preventing infection and timely healing are pivotal for post-surgery patients; follow the instructions from your surgeon on medication, diets, hygiene and habit. You’ll fully recover in no time.

Other than chipmunk cheeks for a couple days, the other common complication related with wisdom teeth extraction is the discomfort associated with dry socket. What causes dry socket and the prevention of dry socket are still being researched, but as a general rule the surgeon’s technique should be gentle and precise, so as to not traumatize the bone during the procedure. If the tooth is impacted or laying side ways, instead of forcing it out with forceps (which can create excessive compression on the bone), the surgeon should use a rotary tool with a saline cooling system to create access to the impacted molar . The molar will be dissected into smaller pieces and removed, without traumatizing the bone. On the patient’s part, there should be no rinsing, spitting, smoking or sucking of any kind for the first 24 hours after oral surgery. This will prevent disruption of the blood clot from a physical force in the mouth. Better oxygen saturation and circulation of the blood from not smoking is also important for healing. A good diet rich in antioxidants and vitamin c, lean proteins are good for tissue regeneration, for overcoming the negative influence on our body from consuming antibiotics. Eat yogurt or take acidophalus to restore the friendly flora in our body to prevent a yeast infection.

If your are healthy, forget all the above mentioned, you will be just fine after surviving the oral surgery!

“Should You Pull Those Baby Teeth?”

Posted by drgracesun on July 8, 2009 under Children | Be the First to Comment

It’s hard to associate troublesome cavities with adorable babies, but babies are far more vulnerable to dental disease than adults are due to the softer and thinner enamel on baby teeth (deciduous dentition). Baby bottle syndrome and poor cleaning habits are common factors that often lead to cavities in your child’s brand new teeth – the real question is since baby teeth are supposed to fall out and be replaced by permanent teeth, is it necessary to go through lots of work and spend money maintaining those deciduous teeth?

Baby teeth can easily become compromised by bacteria lingering in a young child’s mouth – and if not treated quickly, can decay away in matter of weeks. In many cases, the poor child not only suffers from toothaches, but during the first dental visit an unpleasant memory association of the dentist’s office can develop subconsciously. If your dental professional notes that a severely decayed baby tooth needs a root canal (followed with baby tooth crown ), don’t panic – this routine procedure is vital if the tooth is fully compromised! In this situation, the frustrations, the lengthy processes and the expenses might lead to the thinking “why bother with all the work, why not just pull the unhealthy baby teeth?” If the infected baby tooth is left untreated, not only will it lead to a unhappy child, it can also affect the permanent tooth lying below the unhealthy baby tooth.

By the time your child reaches age 2, he or she should have 20 deciduous teeth, as permanent teeth start to grow in around age 5 1/2 to 6. The lower front baby teeth are the first to exfoliate, replaced by permanent teeth. At the same time, permanent molars also emerge behind the baby molars. This process continues as baby teeth fall out, visits are paid from the tooth fairy and new teeth erupt through the gum, a memory in every child! The last set of baby teeth eventually exfoliate around age 12, to be replaced by permanent bicuspids. Even if your child’s baby teeth are not be in the best condition, they serve an important role in addition to chewing and speech function – baby teeth maintain necessary space in the jaw bone for permanent teeth to grow in.

If a child looses a baby tooth too early, the jaw bone misses out on functional stimulation by not holding up by the baby tooth. The consecutive permanent tooth will be affected and will not develop nor align properly. It is for this reason that baby teeth cannot be simply pulled in the event of a cavity . If a baby tooth is lost early, placing a space maintainer will hold the jaw dimension at its original measure, ensuring the proper development of permanent teeth. Take proper care in maintaining baby teeth – they may be short lived, but the effect and influence of deciduous teeth are life long and shouldn’t be overlooked.

“What Are Your Teeth Made Of?”

Posted by drgracesun on June 16, 2009 under General Dental Knowledge, Information, Nutrition and Diet, Technology | Be the First to Comment

What are your teeth made of? What is in that precious white enamel ? What is inside your teeth? Teeth play a very important role in our mental and physical health. The function of our teeth not only play a role in allowing speech, but also help us to cut and chew food as the first step in our digestion system.

It is only natural to be curious about what teeth are made of and how they function within our mouth. The root anchors the tooth below the gum’s surface into the jaw bone, while the crown of the tooth extends out past the gum. The outermost hard shiny layer of the tooth is called enamel, and is the hardest substance in the body and functions as a food grinder. 92- 96% of enamel consists of minerals (hydroxyapatite, a phosphate and calcium salt) with the remaining part being water and organic material .

Lying just beneath the hard, shiny enamel surface of every tooth is the dentin layer. This layer of the tooth is composed mainly of calcified bony-like tissue (mostly hydroxylapatite), and like bone it contains collagen, water and other organic components (and is soft in consistency). Throughout the dentin layer are tiny passageways into the deep pulpal layer, connected to the enamel layer – these passages are known as tubules. Unlike enamel, dentin continues to modify throughout a person’s entire life. Dentin can grow or reform in response to a change in tooth conditions, such as tooth decay or attrition.

The innermost layer of the tooth is known as the pulpal layer. This inner sanctum of every tooth consists of nerves and blood vessels.  This pulp benefits the teeth in several ways: primarily, the pulp keeps the organic components of the teeth healthy and properly supplied with moisture and nutrients. The pulp also conduces senses such as heat, cold and trauma from the teeth into the body’s nervous system.

The important thing to remember about your tooth structure is that it is subject to change – when bacteria and other substances (like alcohol, smoke or even sugary liquid) is introduced into your oral environment, prompt cleaning (with a toothbrush and floss) is necessary to prevent premature decay. Once decay passes through the enamel layer into the dentin, decay will progress rapidly, even when not easily detectable from visual inspection. Only when the enamel has caved in and broken down does a cavity become visible. If the cavity was not treated early and the underlying dentin layer has already decayed (which can actually extend deep into the pulpal tissue), root canal therapy may be necessary, requiring a post and crown to restore the tooth. Ultimately, prevention is the best solution. Proper home care and regular dental check-ups can detect problems early, and are usually fixed easily.

“Advice For Vegetarians!”

Posted by drgracesun on June 12, 2009 under Cancer Prevention, Cardiovascular System, General Dental Knowledge, Healthy Smile, Information, Smart Smile | Be the First to Comment

The vegetarian diet can be very beneficial in many ways: the choice to be vegetarian has been shown to help fight illness and disease, vegetarians help the environment and make positive impacts in their carbon footprints. The diet, consisting especially of whole grain, fruits, vegetables, nuts and legumes can lower the risk of obesity, heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes and certain cancers. For these reasons, many people are choosing to become vegetarian, however, the nutritional deficiencies that sometime result from the vegetarian diet can often  reveal themselves during dental exams.

Even though we assume that vegetarians are well aware of what goes into their body (and are well versed in keeping proper nutritional habits up), it’s easy for vegetarians to become malnourished – especially young vegetarians under the age of 18. Common vegetarian deficiencies include calcium, iron, zinc, vitamin D, riboflavin, vitamin B12 or complete proteins. The good news is that by eating the proper combination of fruits, nuts, vegetables, grains and legumes, these deficiencies can be avoided. If you have youngsters on vegetarian diets, be sure to instill the importance of a balanced diet, and the seriousness of vitamin deficiencies, which can cause illness and other systemic problems, including dental maladies.

“An adult on a vegetarian diet for a prolonged period can be at increased risk for periodontal (gum) disease from a lack of vitamin D and calcium,” says Dr. Leibsohn of the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD). For this reason, it is very important that any adult (or parent of any child) considering “the green gateway” should first consult with their dietitian or dental professional. The specific diet you or your loved ones may be undertaking could have key deficiencies which could lead to serious health problems down the road. For example, a vitamin D deficiency can actually make your teeth and gums more susceptible to decay and periodontal disease. Vitamin D is produced in the body with sun exposure, so deficiencies are rare, but deficiencies can develop in those who do not consume milk or fish. Adding vegetable margarine or soy milk may help, though a better idea is to supplement the vegetarian diet with a weekly salmon steak, tuna salad and/or low fat cheese, milk or yogurt to supply a healthy foundation for your body and smile.

“Baby Fluoride Alert?”

Posted by drgracesun on under Children, Dental Products, General Dental Knowledge, Information, Nutrition and Diet, Smart Smile | Be the First to Comment

The American Dental Association (ADA) has given its golden seal to brand name fluoridated toothpastes for their cavity fighting features. It’s no surprise really – topical use of fluoride has been proven to be effective at inhibiting tooth demineralization, promoting remineralization and inhibiting the growth of bacteria associated with tooth decay. Fluoride is marketed in the US as a bone fortifier and is administered at the dentist’s office for nearly all pre-adolescent teeth cleanings. Finally, the idea of fluoridated water may seem like a great thing to add to your new child’s water, because it fortifies teeth – but beware! What isn’t so well known is that the potential toxicity of fluoride is dangerous, and if swallowed in concentrated form or ingested over a longer period of time, it may have potentially damaging side effects.

In 1977, The Institute of Medicine (IOM) specified adequate intakes of fluoride of 0.01 mg/day for infants through 6 months, 0.05 mg/kg/day for children beyond 6 months of age, and 3 – 4 mg/day for adults, to prevent dental caries. Upper limits (UL) of 0.10 mg/kg/day in children less than 8 years old and 10 mg/day for those older than 8 are recommended for prevention of dental fluorosis. Similar levels have been endorsed by the American Dental Association (ADA, 1994) and the American Dietetic Association (ADA, 2000). What does this all mean? Fluoride has an affinity for calcified tissues. The trace amount of daily intake of fluoride is beneficial, but too much of it can result in patchy or mottled looking teeth, known as dental fluorosis (or brittle bones, known as skeletal fluorosis).  Studies are needed for  health researchers to investigate the relationship between intake levels and human health. 75% of our daily fluoride intake is from water or beverages, like tea and juices.

The fluoride content of a water supply is often described by the term ‘parts per million’ (ppm). 1 ppm = 0.1 milligrams of fluoride per 100 milliliters of water. About 1 ppm seems to be the optimal level of fluoride for a drinkable water supply; a litre of such water would provide 1 milligrams of fluoride. At 2 ppm, mottling of tooth enamel may occur. The actual condition of ‘fluorosis’ or excessive deposition of fluoride in bones is only present after prolonged consumption of 20 to 80 milligrams of fluoride per day.

Repeated exposure to fluorine in naturally-occurring forms (such as in fruits and other produce) is one thing, but overexposing your child to fluoridated baby formula (identifiable by needing to add water to the formula) could put your child’s appearance – and bodily health – at risk. The key take-home message for parents is to avoid added  fluoridated liquids or even foods of any kind. No level of fluoride is perfectly safe, and ideally, we wouldn’t need to use it at all – however, fluoride’s teeth strengthening properties, when used in proper doses, can be a beneficial additive.

If your child does develop dark-spotted or mottled teeth after getting his or her primary teeth, pay close attention to their diet! Nutrition should be strictly monitored for fluoride ingestion (including toothpaste!) – if so, he or she should have perfectly clear, spotless permanent teeth erupting around age 5. Experts also agree that it is a good idea to test the water from your home water lines, to see if it is overly fluoridated. Simple take-home tests are available from your local water or health bureau, or can often give past and current fluoride level readings. Do your research to protect your child’s and your health.

“Prevent Losing A Tooth!”

Posted by drgracesun on June 7, 2009 under Beautiful Smile, Healthy Smile, Smart Smile | Read the First Comment

It might surprise you to learn that over 20 million individual teeth are extracted from American mouths every year – the devastating news is that many of these extractions could have been avoided. Once teeth “pass the point of no return,” costly implants or other techniques must be used to restore a person’s smile or chewing function properly – and if said person is unable to afford proper treatment, their missing teeth may cause subsequent dental problems or humiliation and devastating blows to his or her self-esteem, even harming job security, depending on what career path said person has taken.

The sad fact of the matter is that less than 10% of people suffering from tooth pain or other signs of future tooth loss ever see a dentist (or dental professional); because nearly all tooth loss is preventable, this is simply unacceptable! Dental phobia, the fear of being judged by a dentist or financial troubles are often contributing factors in why most people suffering from tooth pain never see a dentist, but the consequence of delaying (or avoiding all together) a dental check-up often results in edentulism (missing one or more teeth). Worst of all, oral health problems are systematic (meaning they can affect other systems or parts of the body), and problems grow with time, making the need to see your dentist that much more urgent if you are suffering from tooth pain.

Of course, tooth loss in rare incidences could be due to injury or genetic problems, mainly caused by poor oral hygiene, bad oral habits leading to tooth and gum disease and eventually tooth loss. For starters, brushing and flossing twice daily and after meals is essential! When food particles are left behind embedded between tooth crevices, bacteria begins a destructive process which eats away at your teeth and gum. Secondly, eating sugary, carbohydrate-laden foods and drinking sugary beverages [frequently] without prompt proper care can erode the enamel on your teeth, making you more prone to tooth loss and gum disease. Without timely dental care, these habits will lead to an untreatable situation and inevitable tooth loss. To prevent all that unpleasantness (and the costly consequences of tooth loss), the best solution is prevention. Prevention means having a terrific home care program, proper diet and habit and getting your regular dental cleanings and check ups every year. When the problem is small (or in a earlier stage of deterioration), problems are much easier to correct and restore. To the end the effort is all worthy, and having a healthy mouth is truly the foundation of good physical health (you can eat and digest healthy, high fibrous food) and mental health (self esteem and being able to smile with confidence)!

“Save Your Job? Save Your Smile!”

Posted by drgracesun on under Beautiful Smile, Healthy Smile, Information, Smart Smile | Read the First Comment

In the current recession , unemployment rates are at all time highs! It’s a scary prospect to be faced with possible job loss, but especially in professions where appearance is key (like business), your teeth can make or break a first impression. Just as you wear a suit to appear professional, tidy and attractive, having a great set of teeth will accent the professional, attractive winning smile on your face.  The people businessmen encounter every day (colleagues, clients and the like) are constantly evaluating the people they work with. Your job just may get that extra boost of security with a clean, healthy and brilliant smile.

A healthy smile could secure your job!

According to a study recently completed by the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD), men are less likely to visit the dentist than their female counterparts. Nearly 45 percent of respondents felt that men don’t see a need to go to the dentist, and about 30 percent of those polled reported that men may not visit the dentist because they are afraid or embarrassed to go. This disturbing trend of not visiting the dentist could not only have devastating effects on one’s teeth and oral health, but on their professional well-being and livelihood!

“In my practice, more men are coming in and requesting bleaching , veneers and bonding ,” says AGD spokesperson J. Nick Russo, Sr., DDS, FAGD. “Many have noticed the positive effects from a colleague’s improved smile and realize that a great smile has a lot of value in the business world.” A  poorly cared-for smile not only looks bad, but portrays an image of uncleanliness and sloth. “Can a person who doesn’t take care of his teeth, of himself, take care of my portfolio?” This is a question that may be asked in the minds of the people you work with and the people you work for!

As the job market becomes more and more competitive, employers are constantly looking at ways to differentiate potential candidates for positions, and a healthy smile is a great way to make a great first impression. Existing employees are also facing tough competition with young grads who have been raised in households emphasizing the importance of oral health more so than past generations – so what are you waiting for? A healthy and beautiful smile will improve your overall health, your image and your self confidence – it could even improve your job security!

“Summer Holiday? Check Up Time!”

Posted by drgracesun on June 6, 2009 under Healthy Smile, Information, Smart Smile | Be the First to Comment

It is almost summer time, and typical family vacations are being planned in many families! Whether you are planning on taking a family road trip or are trekking across the globe, remember to get a dental checkup before your trip – dental care abroad isn’t always convenient, and can in fact be risky business.

Especially when traveling to remote destinations or developing regions of the world, it can be difficult to find adequate or specialized dental care depending on what needs you may have, or what dental emergencies may arise during your trip. In the most extreme places, dental treatment can be both painful and dangerous, depending on the tools and medicines available to the dentists on staff – dental qualification standards are also frequently much lower abroad than those in the western world.

Many Americans wishing to avoid expensive dental care by voyaging outside the borders of the United States travel to Mexico or Eastern Europe every year, and while this may be a way to save money, it is important to be aware that all American dentists hold a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree from an accredited dental school, and hold practicing licenses which are issued only after rigorous examination periods which must be renewed every year. These strict practicing guidelines do not always exist abroad. Guidelines for strict sanitation and hygiene in dental offices are regulated by the Center for Disease Control (CDC), another safety precaution which developing nations often are lacking.

If you choose to go abroad to a remote or developing location to seek dental treatment, be sure to check with that country’s health ministry to inquire about health and safety standards for practicing dentists. Call local health offices and get a feel of what you can expect. If possible, research and find a specific doctor you will visit, and check up on his or her qualifications and practicing history. Once you arrive, your eyes will be your best tool to determine the state of his or her practice! Make sure hands are being washed, instruments are coming from sterilized packaging, and “get a feel” of the place. If you are suspicious, do not proceed!

The Organization for Safety and Asepsis Procedures (OSAP) has published a Traveler’s Guide to Safe Dental Care, which should be read by any and all persons traveling abroad to receive dental treatment – www.osap.org. Finally, dental referrals may be available from the consolate of the country you are a citizen of! Be sure to call the embassy once arriving in your destination country and get all available information. Make sure to be healthy, be prepared, and have a fun and safe trip.

“What Is Meth Mouth?”

Posted by drgracesun on June 5, 2009 under Healthy Smile, Information, Smart Smile | Read the First Comment

Meth mouth refers to the state of a meth user’s mouth, the psychostimulant and sympathomimetic drug considered by many to be the most addictive and dangerous drug in existence, worse than crack-cocaine. Although most users of the drug are not concerned about their oral health, it is important for parents and caregivers to understand how meth can harm the oral cavity , and pass the information along to their children and young adults.

The mouth of a meth user.

The relatively inexpensive cost to produce meth and its highly addictive nature make the drug highly popular with young people of all demographics, income levels and races. Methamphetamine enters the brain and triggers a cascading release of dopamine, serotonin and norepinephrine inducing intense euphoria, with high risks for addiction. The drug causes damage to the central nervous system often causing jitters, nausea, increased risk for heart attack and heart disease, as well as widespread tooth decay.

Many meth users complain about stained or blackening of the teeth in early stages of addiction, with teeth often becoming rotted after periods of neglect, leading to necessary extraction (if the addict has access to dental care). The widespread tooth decay caused by meth is mainly attributed to the highly acidic content of the drug – ingredients like bleach, cough syrup and chlorine are common additives to home-made meth. The very-long-lasting effects of the drug can often leave users unaware of the state of their oral health. Because meth causes users to crave salty, sweet and carbohydrate-rich foods, the bacterial factor of meth mouth is only further hazardous.

The statistics of meth use in America leave the drug’s risk to all children undeniable: over 5% of Americans age 12 and older have used the drug (12.3 million Americans in 2003 according to the 2003 National Survey on Drug Use and Health), and of those users the majority have had severe oral health problems. “Say no to drugs” – talk to your kids about the dangers and consequences of drug abuses. If you feel there is need for professional to get involved, get the appropriate help you need to make sure your loved ones stay healthy and enjoy a high quality of life.