Cleaner Mouth = Better Braces!

Posted by drgracesun on October 30, 2009 under Beautiful Smile, Healthy Smile, Hygiene, Orthodontics | Be the First to Comment

In a recent study released by the Oral Health Journal, a systematic evaluation of patient oral hygiene for orthodontic patients has revealed stunning information that links poor patient oral hygiene with impacted orthodontic treatment quality and treatment times.

When a person seeks out orthodontic treatment to fix a problem (crooked teeth, a misaligned bite, etc…), he or she must realize that the bone is actually being remodeled. Orthodontic treatment rearrange teeth into a proper alignment, which pressure transfer to the roots of the teeth within the jawbone. Bone is actually lost and added during this process as the teeth are repositioned to their proper places as reaching the treatment goal.

Poor oral hygiene will influence  your tooth and gum structures negatively.  The progress of orthodontic treatment consist of inflammatory  and regenerative responses. A  mouth with plaque and tartar build-up will trigger the body’s inflammatory response, amplifying the already inflamed structures associated with orthodontic treatment and can lead to a prolonged inflammatory stage and a delayed regenerative phase within orthodontic treatment. Poor oral hygiene during orthodontic treatment can and will have a damaging affect on your treatment goals as well. Reports have shown that “poor oral hygiene can increase treatment times from 1.2 to 2.2 months – other consequences of poor oral hygiene during orthodontic treatment affect the quality of the end result of treatment.” Whereas standard orthodontic treatment (in a clean mouth) leads to the balanced loss and gain of bone, poor oral hygiene restricts the ability of new bone to grow, affecting the treatment results.

Orthodontic treatment seeks to improve a patient’s oral health, but what every patient must remember is that a treatment plan can only be fully realized if both the doctor and the patient are making concerted efforts to correct a problem and stick with a course of action. A patient’s oral health cannot improve without patient compliance. If a patient sees his or her orthodontic specialist (or physician or dentist) on a regular basis but does not fulfill his or her duties to maintain a clean and healthy oral environment, no improvement will ever be seen. A doctor and a patient must work together to obtain a successful result.

Remember that your dental professional may be a miracle worker, but that does not retract your obligation to maintain proper oral hygiene (or any other instructed daily routines)! Any orthodontic treatment plan is a dual-sided plan that requires dedication from both the physician and the patient. Without proper compliance from the patient, prolonged treatment time and reduced oral improvement will result.

“Soft Tissue Management?”

Posted by drgracesun on August 9, 2009 under Gum Disease and Treatment, Healthy Smile, Hygiene | Be the First to Comment

Did you know that dental diseases like periodontitis and even cavities are the most common diseases – apart from the common cold? It may surprise you, but enough people neglect their oral hygiene enough to make this an extremely common ailment, even though it’s an easily-preventable situation! These numbers are so high because most people who have some form of gum or tooth disease have no knowledge of it – and with 75% of the population having some form of periodontal disease, you must take careful attention when cleaning your mouth.

Dental decay is not much of an issue in modern society (thanks to fluoridated water and toothpaste), but a proper hygiene routine is still necessary to prevent gum disease and/or cavities. Brushing and flossing is essential, as this both cleans the smooth surfaces of the teeth, and also helps break up food particles and plaque in between the teeth and gum line. Gum disease starts in between the teeth, and some toothbrushes can’t reach critical areas necessary to be cleaned to prevent bacteria from growing.

Although gingivitis – the bacterial infection that invades your gums – is reversible, periodontitis is gum and bone disease, and is not irreversible! Because periodontal disease is so serious, and can only be managed under the strict supervision of a dental professional, it is important to understand just how periodontal disease can affect you. This disease has been linked to heart disease, stroke, diabetes and other degenerative diseases that can be life threatening! I’ve blogged about periodontitis before, and I can’t stress enough how important and serious it can be to have regular cleanings and check-ups from a dental professional twice yearly. Periodontal disease can disfigure even the most beautiful of smiles. Your gums can be so swollen, receded and bloody that your teeth will look longer, will become loose and eventually will need removal. If you detect gum disease early, you will need a management program that includes regular treatment with your dentist and/or hygienist and solid home care to manage the disease.

Root planing and scaling is the common form of soft tissue management treatment, when a hygienist or dentist uses a precise tool to detoxify the tooth surfaces below the gum line and in between each tooth, and then rinses with antiseptic . With advanced technology, laser energy can also be utilized to remove diseased tissues and eliminate bacteria to allow healing to take place. Your dental professional will discuss the best treatment plan for you  – a routine cleaning is not enough by itself to treat periodontal disease! You may need to visit your dental hygienist more often, up to four times per year in order to properly manage the disease. On a daily basis, a solid home care program (which should be designed by you and your dentist) will help you maintain your oral health. Besides brushing and flossing after every meal, other tools like prescription tooth brushes (like Rotadent) and water irrigators (like Hydrofloss) could be helpful for your hygiene routine. Antiseptic rinses like Tooth and Gum Tonic Herbal Rinse, a healthy diet and/or supplements and antioxidants like vitamin C and B can also help to fight and manage gum disease. Healthy gum supports a healthy smile, which supports a healthy body!

“Gum Disease – Sequence of Destruction?”

Posted by drgracesun on under Gum Disease and Treatment, Healthy Smile, Hygiene | Be the First to Comment

Healthy gum appears pink and firm. Brushing and flossing in the healthy stages of gum tissue will be a pleasant experience and there will be no bleeding. This is the phase that all gum tissue should be in if it is healthy and clean. Once gingivitis sets in (the beginning stages of gum disease), gums will take on a red and puffy look, and bleed easily upon brushing and flossing. Once gum disease progresses, the chances of returning to a healthy condition deceases drastically – once gum tissue has reached the advanced level, it is likely past of the point of no return and will result in tooth loss. Periodontal disease is the #1 reason of tooth loss.

Healthy gums and teeth

Gingivitis, which is the early stage of gum disease, if treated professionally (with an implemented solid home care program), gum can return to be healthy again without further consequences. So how do we categorize the stages of gum disease (besides the clinical characteristics)? A bleeding index and dental radiographs help, along with periodontal probing depths, which are universally used as guide to diagnose and monitor the progress of the treatment and condition of gum disease. The periodontal probing depths are obtained with a read-out, by lightly inserting a needle (thin and finely marked instrument) sliding between the space between the gum and tooth.

The stage of gingivitis.

Gingivitis, could have a normal pocket reading of 0 to 3 mm. Gum will be red, puffy, and tender, it will bleed easily and possibly exhibit bad breath and bad taste.

Early (mild) periodontitis will show a pocket reading range from 3 t o 5 mm. At this stage, gum gets more tender, bleeds more easily, and there is always looming bad breath and bad taste. At this stage of gum disease, immediate attention and treatment is required if there is any chance of reversing the condition to an easily-manageable and healthy state.

Mild Periodontitis

Moderate Periodontitis is characterized by a periodontal pocket depth of 5-7mm. Gum tissue may become even redder and puffier, it will bleed easily, and bad breath and bad mouth taste are constant.Often times teeth may begin to look longer as gum tissue recedes, and gum boils or abscesses may develop. Front teeth may begin to drift apart showing space or becoming loose.

Moderate Periodontitis

Advanced Periodotitis gets a pocket measurement of more than 7 millimeters, and may progress to 11 or 12 mm, indicating that bone and connective tissues have been continuously destroyed. This is the terminal stage of gum disease. If a patient has just been diagnosed with advanced periodontitis and the teeth are still firm (pockets are less than 9mm, with longer roots, and more localized condition), then there is possibility that with gum surgery and graft, bone regeneration still is possible. Keep in mind however, that the prognosis is guarded. In most situations, advanced periodontitis will result in tooth loss. Replacement implant therapy or other restorative options will be advised.

Advanced Periodontitis

Remember that prevention is the best treatment, especially for gum disease. You are the person who can best take care of yourself, be disciplined with your home care program (including hygiene) and schedule regular check-ups with both your dentist and dental hygienist who can help you stay away of big problems.

“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!

“More Plaque = High Fever?”

Posted by drgracesun on July 19, 2009 under Current News Events, Healthy Smile, Hygiene, Information | Be the First to Comment

It’s  known that gum disease can lead to other health problems such as cardiovascular disease. Interesting new research results, however, have named plaque a key contributor to fever and illness in the elderly.

In an all-too-common trend in dental research, university researchers are discovering that poor oral health almost consistently leads to systemic problems throughout the body. In the latest example reported in The Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics, the following was released: “Researchers studied 271 older people who were long term hospital patients. The study lasted one year. In that time, people with high oral plaque levels and at least 10 teeth were more than 5 times as likely to have fever as were people with 1 to 9 teeth.” Among the elderly with no teeth, those with more plaque on their tongues were 5 times as likely to have fever as people with cleaner tongues.

Several studies like the one described above have suggested that poor oral health and poor oral hygiene in all patients can affect overall health. The bacteria that cause cavities and periodontal (gum) disease may be risk factors for some types of pneumonia in older adults, as poor oral hygiene may be linked with pneumonia or difficulty breathing in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

This recent study only serves as further evidence of the importance of oral hygiene and upkeep: a healthy mouth contributes to a healthy nervous system and defense system. Brush and floss twice daily, as well as after meals. Using tongue scraper or brush to remove plaque build up on the tongue. Avoid alcohol and tobacco when possible, and brush / rinse after such activities. Curtail poor oral habits in order to save your mouth from excessive plaque build-up.Have regular dental check up, early detection and treatment of dental and gum problem will allow a cleaner oral environment enable decrease the plaque build up.

Getting old is part of life cycle, but not with our attitude nor our oral condition. With proper care, our teeth will outlast us, keepup our oral health can do tons of good for our quality of life.

“A Checkup for Baby Boomers?”

Posted by drgracesun on July 18, 2009 under General Dental Knowledge, Gum Disease and Treatment, Healthy Smile, Hygiene, Information | Be the First to Comment

Aging? Not me! We do not get old, but our body parts increasingly need more upkeep to stay young! Baby boomers need special attention in particular – although we may feel like as young as a college graduate, an aged and/or discolored smile will reveal your years. As a cosmetic dentist, my mission is to help you maintain a happy and healthy smile that will compliment your well kept physique – and feel “looking good”is often  related with having a beautiful smile. If you’re not happy with your smile, get a consultation from a cosmetic dentist to see what you can do to refresh your smile!

The most commonly challenging dental dilemma for baby boomers is combating those dull and severely worn teeth. Many people are unaware of the slow aging process of loosing tooth structures, mainly from night grinding, erosion and attrition. Bad habits and poor hygiene can also ruin teeth. The approach to rejuvenate can be as simple as having your teeth whitened, or it could be more complicated, requiring a multidisciplinary approach with extensive time and financial investment needed.

Often times, porcelain veneers might be suggested by your cosmetic dental professional to restore an aging smile, but make sure your dental health has been evaluated first. It is pertinent to check whether or not the gum and bone tissues are healthy, if there are any missing teeth that haven’t yet been replaced and if any shifting bite or teeth issues have been addressed. If you have had prior cosmetic work done, however, maintaining your investment is vital if you want your new smile to last. Follow up any cosmetic procedure with proper hygiene habits, which include brushing and flossing twice daily (and after meals), a healthy diet, no smoking and no excessive drinking (sodas or alcohol). A night guard might also be recommended.

Baby boomers have worked hard to establish their careers, family and personal well-being – now it’s time to enjoy more of your accomplishments. Get the smile you’ve always wanted, as it’s not only for vanity but also truly for your overall health.  Visit your dental professional not only for a routine cleaning and check up, but ask for a comprehensive cosmetic evaluation, including a smile analysis, TMJ and occlusion check and a periodontal exam with an oral cancer screening. When you take care of your mouth, you are taking care of a vital bodily system which performs in delicate balance with the rest of your body. When your oral cavity ’s health is at risk, your overall health is being endangered.

“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 About Dry Mouth?”

Posted by drgracesun on under General Dental Knowledge, Healthy Smile, Information | Be the First to Comment

Do you have a hard time swallowing? Do you ever get cotton mouth (when your throat is dry and uncomfortable)? Xerostomia, also known as dry mouth, is a serious issue that many people suffer from, though most are unaware a problem exists (or do not know how to care for it).

Dry mouth got you down?

Xerostomia is a condition in which the salivary glands of the mouth do not function as they should, and provide a less-than-adequate supply of saliva into the mouth. This is not only uncomfortable, but it also weakens natural defense system for your teeth. Saliva rinses food particles away from your teeth, neutralizing acids which can harm your teeth, providing enzymes to help digest food (which also keep oral tissues healthy).

In order to actually understand how to prevent dry mouth, it is important to understand what causes it. Often times, dry mouth can be brought on with emotional and physical stress. Aging, radiative therapy, chemotherapy, medication and physical illness (such as AIDS, diabetes, strokes or Alzheimer’s disease) can cause dry mouth. Various pharmaceutical studies have proven that over 400 prescription and OTC medications can cause xerostomia, such as: anti-depressants, anti-hypertensives, tranquilizers, analgesics, diuretics and antihistamines.  Speak with your physician if you are experiencing dry mouth while taking any of these medications.

The consequences of dry mouth can effect one’s quality of life tremendously. Symptoms include difficulty swallowing or speaking, frequent ulcers or sores of the mouth, a frequently altered sense of taste, extensive tooth decay or gum diseases and bad breath. Speak with your physician or dental care professional about what you can do to prevent dry mouth. General rules to ease the discomfort of dry mouth include brushing and flossing twice daily and after meals! Drink plenty of water, work on a healthier diet, chew sugarless gum. Avoid smoking and drinking alcohol, avoid salty or dry foods (like chips, toast and crackers) and use over-the-counter oral moisture replacement products to lessen the displeasing effects of dry mouth. Visit your dental professional regularly for preventative care and to have additional preventive treaments (like sealant or home fluoride treatment) as needed to preserve your oral health.

“Bleeding Gums = Losing Memory?”

Posted by drgracesun on July 7, 2009 under Current News Events, General Dental Knowledge, Gum Disease and Treatment, Healthy Smile, Information | Be the First to Comment

We all know that brushing and flossing is not the only key to preventing dental disease (tooth decay and gum disease) – you probably also know that a healthy smile and fresh breath can actually reduce risk of a heart attack and stroke.  What may surprise you, however, is this: researchers at West Virginia University have discovered that a clean mouth may also help preserve memory!

Thanks to a grant awarded by the National Institutes of Health, West Virginia University has found an obscure link between periodontitis (gum disease) and memory loss. A test sample (of over 270 seniors) was chosen to be part of the university study, during which School of Dentistry researchers checked the oral and cognitive health of patients every day over a period of roughly two years. Initial conclusions showed that 23% of the group who suffered from mild to moderate memory loss also had relatively poor oral hygiene habits.

Dr. Crout of the WVU School of Dentistry explains that although the specific genetic link between periodontitis and memory loss has not yet been defined, the team hopes to have more details soon. “If you have a gum infection, you’ll have an increased level of inflammatory byproducts,” Crout explained. “We’re looking for markers in the blood that show inflammation to see if there is a link to memory problems. We’d like to go full circle and do an intervention — to clean up some of the problems in the mouth and then see if the inflammatory markers go down.”

We’re not quite sure about whether bacteria or the body’s inflammatory response is the contributing factor of observed memory loss; it may be a combination of both, or a result of other environmental and physiological factors. What we do know, however, is that the rate of Alzheimer’s cases is skyrocketing. Imagine the benefits of knowing that keeping the mouth free of infection could cut down cases of dementia – it could be revolutionary!

Keep brushing and flossing to keep the mind sharp – or maybe we need a sharp mind to keep brushing and flossing?  As a clinician, when I see a patient who can’t keep their oral hygiene in reasonable condition, I become concerned. The risk of heart attack and stroke are heightened in patients who suffer from poor oral hygiene. Knowing that memory loss is somewhat associated with inflammatory factors in the mouth, we should all improve our oral health in order to keep our mind sharp!

“Bad Breath Got You Down?”

Posted by drgracesun on July 5, 2009 under General Dental Knowledge, Healthy Smile, Hygiene, Information | Be the First to Comment

It’s no shocking headline – bad breath is the #1 complaint (and reason of visit) in dental offices across America! 85% of people who suffer from bad breath actually have a medical condition known as halitosis, which is usually caused as a result of bacteria in the mouth. The recent 4th of July holiday is a joyous occasion for BBQers across the country, but it could be a nightmare if you suffer from halitosis! If you think you have chronic bad breath, and nothing seems to be helping, read on for a bit of assistance.

Halitosis: it's hard to hide!

Apart from being severely embarrassing, bad breath can actually impact your personal and professional relationships. No employer wants a smelly employee (especially one that interacts with customers on a regular basis, like salespeople), and no partner or date wants a stinky kisser. Bad breath can even instill psychosis into patients with halitophobia, or a fear of bad breath. We know halitosis can seriously impact lives, and not in a positive way – so what can we do about it?

Certain foods with strong aromas – like onions, garlic, sea foods and refined carbohydrates (pastas, dairy products and cheese) – can cause bad breath, but bad habits like drinking and smoking can as well. Dental conditions like dental caries , periodontal disease and dry mouth can create halitosis. Physical conditions like indigestion, GERD (GastroEsopageal Reflux Disease), Asthma and Diabetes can also lead to haliatosis. Treatment for halitosis on the physical end is getting to the root of the problem: eliminating the food debris and bacterial factors in the oral cavity (managing the physical illness). Regarding diet and habits, my professional recommendation would be (of course) to stop smoking and drinking! Control the intake of foods / herbs that can cause smelly breath. Consume greens like celery and parsley, drink plenty water and (at the very least) brush and floss your teeth after every meal. If you eat a lot of garlic or fish, even after brushing and flossing a bad smell can linger in the mouth for a long period of time. Over-the-counter mouth washes and breath fresheners can only temporarily mask over halitosis – they will often times not rid the mouth of foul odors.

Bad breath is a social embarrassment, and is also a sign of having poor hygiene or health problems. We must all be aware of the condition our body is in. Maintaining the self is infinitely beneficial, and health professionals are always ready to provide advice to assist you in reaching our goal: healthy and happy living.