Halloween Sugar Facts

http://www.colgate.com/en/us/oc/oral-health/conditions/cavities/article/how-to-prevent-cavities-from-halloween-candy-1013

Sources:

http://www.childrenshospitaloakland.org/main/news/halloween-candy-calorie-and-sugar-comparison-212.aspx

Posted in Community Service News, Mouth Body Connection, Tooth Talk
Tagged candy, caries, cavities, dentist, halloween, sugar
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October 23, 2016

Oral Parafunctional Habits

Becky Larson, RDH

Oral Parafunctional Habits

We all need to move our jaw and teeth to do normal everyday activities such eating, talking, and breathing. However, some individuals use their teeth and/or jaw for other purposes, which are not considered normal activities. A para-functional habit is the habitual exercise of a body part in a way other than the most common use of that body part. Some oral para-functional habits include clenching or grinding the teeth (bruxism), tongue thrusting, and thumb sucking. Oral para-functional habits can cause problems with the teeth and/or jaw and should be addressed as soon as they are discovered.

Clenching or grinding of the teeth is referred to as bruxism. Teeth are meant to clench and grind during the process of mastication (eating) but not in the absence of food. Occasional teeth grinding doesn’t usually cause harm. However, grinding on a regular basis can cause extensive damage to the teeth as well as other oral health complications. Grinding can be caused by stress and anxiety but occurs most often during sleep. Because of this, most people are unaware they grind their teeth. Symptoms of bruxism include a dull, constant headache and/or a sore jaw upon waking up. Usually a spouse or loved one will also hear the grinding at night. Your dentist can examine your teeth and jaw for signs of bruxism. Chronic teeth grinding can result in tooth fractures, loosening of the teeth, tooth loss, or teeth worn down to stumps. In these cases the dentist may place bridges, crowns, implants or perform root canals. Severe grinding can cause pain in the temporomandibular joint (jaw joint). Wearing a mouth guard while you sleep can prevent excessive wear on the teeth. Having a custom fit mouth guard is the best option as it is made from impressions your own teeth. While a mouth guard does not stop the clenching and grinding from happening, it prevents wear on the teeth by putting a barrier between the biting surfaces of the teeth. Usually mouth guards will last a few years before needing to be replaced.

Tongue thrusting is where the tongue protrudes near or through the front teeth during swallowing, speech, or while the tongue is at rest. The correct position of the tongue should be on the roof of the mouth (or palate) when swallowing. Symptoms of tongue thrusting include:

Dental malocclusion (teeth don’t align correctly)
Poor facial development
Mouth breathing
Periodontal problems
Other oral para-functional habits (bruxism and/or thumb sucking)
Drooling
Limited tolerance to food textures or limited diet
Difficulty swallowing pills
High palatal arch

Tongue thrusting can also be related to thumb sucking. Children often begin sucking thumbs or fingers at an early age. It is a reflex that provides comfort and relaxation and as such, many children practice this habit while sleeping. While this habit is generally stopped around 2-4 years of age, some children continue thumb or finger sucking into elementary school. Most dentists will advise to break this habit before permanent teeth begin to erupt. Pacifiers are great substitutes for thumbs and fingers because they can be taken away at the necessary time. Both tongue thrusting and thumb sucking can be detrimental to the development of facial structures, jaw and teeth.

Please talk with your dentist if you are experiencing problems with any of these para-functional habits. He or she can recommend treatment to help prevent un-necessary tooth damage.

Want to learn more? Visit us at

http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/parafunction

Sources:

http://orthowny.com/parafunctional_habits/

http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/guide/teeth-grinding-bruxism#1

http://tonguethrust.weebly.com/

Posted in Health, Mouth Body Connection
Tagged clenching, grinding, thumb sucking, tongue thrusting
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October 16, 2016

Cold Sores

Lindsay Olsen, RDH

Cold Sores

What Are They?

Cold sores and fever blisters are caused by herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1). This virus is passed from person to person by saliva (either directly, or by drinking from the same glass or cup) or by skin contact. Cold sores usually appear as clusters of tiny blisters on the lip. About 8 out of 10 people have the virus that causes cold sores. Most people are first infected before they are 10 years old.

After this first infection, the virus remains dormant (inactive) in the nerves of the face. In some people, the virus becomes active again from time to time. When this happens, cold sores appear. HSV-1 can get active again because of a cold or fever.

Stress also can lead to a cold sore outbreak. This includes mental and emotional stress, as well as dental treatment, illness, trauma to the lips or sun exposure.

Symptoms

Cold sores appear when HSV-1 is reactivated later in life. They may occur after a period of illness or stress, poor nutrition or sunlight exposure. Sometimes there’s no known reason. Dental procedures that stretch the lip may occasionally trigger the virus.

The border of the lip is the most common place that these sores appear. They may occasionally occur inside the mouth, too. This is more likely in people who have weakened immune systems or other medical problems.

The first sign of a cold sore is a tingling, burning or itching. This is followed by swelling and redness. Within 24 to 48 hours, one or more tiny blisters (“fever blisters”) appear. These blisters pop and form painful sores (“cold sores”). The sores eventually are covered by crusts, which look like scabs. The crusts are shed and form again while the sore heals.

Expected Duration

When you are first infected with HSV-1, symptoms can last for 7 to 14 days. Cold sores usually crust within 4 days and heal completely within 8 to 10 days.

Prevention

To help to prevent a first herpes infection in children do not let them be kissed by anyone who has cold sores, fever blisters or signs of a first herpes infection. However, HSV-1 is very common. Most children will be infected by the time they reach adulthood. Several different vaccines are being developed against HSV (types 1 and 2), but these appear to protect only people who have never been infected.

There is evidence that using sunscreen on your lips will prevent cold sores caused by sun exposure. Antiviral medicines may prevent cold sores from forming. In certain situations, your dentist or physician may prescribe these medicines. If you expect to encounter a known trigger, a medicine taken in advance can decrease the chance of a cold sore.

Treatment

Some medicines can help cold sores heal faster. They also relieve pain and discomfort. The medicines are acyclovir (Zovirax), famciclovir (Famvir) and valacyclovir (Valtrex). These drugs cannot get rid of the virus. You need to take them each time you can feel a cold sore coming on. Once you have blisters on your lip, the medicines will not help much.

These drugs also can stop cold sores from popping up in the first place. Some people take them when they know they will be under stress.

Keep the area clean and apply lip balm. Try not to touch the area. Do not pick at the crusts over the sores. Avoid kissing anyone while you have blisters and sores. Cold sores can spread through kissing and by sharing things that touch the lips and the skin around them, such as spoons, forks, glasses and towels.

If you have reoccurring cold sores, please inquire with your dentist, or dental hygienist about laser therapy.

What Should I Do If I Have an Active Cold Sore and I am Scheduled for a Dental Appointment?

Please call the office, and reschedule your dental appointment within 48 hours notice. If one has an active lesion, it can easily be spread to other areas of the patient’s mouth, or lips. Additionally, if your dental professional interacts with an active lesion during your dental appointment, the virus will travel through aerosols and can infect your dental professional and others in the office.

Want to learn more? Visit us at

Sources:

http://www.colgate.com/en/us/oc/oral-health/conditions/mouth-sores-and-infections/article/cold-sores-and-fever-blisters

Posted in Health, Mouth Body Connection
Tagged cold sores, fever blisters, Herpes Simplex, herpes simplex virus 1, HSV1, stress
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October 10, 2016

Essential Oils

Lora Cook, RDH

Essential Oils

Recently several of my patients have asked me some questions about essential oils. To be honest I have a very limited knowledge of the subject. I hate when I don’t have all the answers for my patients. So I thought what better way to learn more about the subject then to write about it. However, let me preface this information with a reminder that while these essential oils can provide effective preventive and palliative care, it is not a substitute for dental care. If you have a cavity or a toothache please do not hesitate to give us a call. Periodontal disease and cavities left untreated will only become worse over time.

As dental professionals we rely on tested clinical research and published blinded research studies to substantiate any therapeutic claims and demonstrate effectiveness. However with essential oils there is little published research, because several problems present in trying to conduct research on essential oils. First, essential oils are not standardized. Synthetic Pharmaceuticals are reproduced to be identical, where as essential oils cannot be produced to be identical. Second, while conducting research on essential oils it is difficult to gage for individual differences in how the oils affect people. Also little funding is provided for research on homeopathic remedies. More research studies are done for synthetic therapeutics because these follow the usual scientific research path.

The Essential oils that I would like to talk about are:

1.) Cinnamon oil

A.) Cinnamon bark oil

B.) Cinnamon leaf oil

2.)Tea Tree oil

3.)Myrrh

4.)Clove oil

5.)Peppermint oil

1. Cinnamon Leaf Oil: Leaf oil is primarily useful for palliative care. It may be effective in reducing pain and inflammation

Cinnamon Bark Oil: bark oil has antibacterial qualities, has been shown to effectively destroy 21 different types of bacteria.

How to use: You can rinse with diluted cinnamon oil after brushing, or put some on your tooth paste. Cinnamon oil is very strong and should not be ingested. Also some people have been known to have allergic reactions to cinnamon oil, so test in a small area of your mouth first.

2. Tea Tree Oil: This oil is effective for antibacterial, anti-fungal, and antiviral properties.

If you have a allergy to celery or thyme, you should not use this oil. Also just like the cinnamon oil, tea tree oil is very strong and should not be ingested.

How to use: There are wooded toothpicks that have been impregnated with tea tree oil. These can be found at a health food store, or purchased on-line. You can also mix a small amount with your toothpaste, then brush.

3. Myrrh: This is effective for mouth sores.

How to use: Mix 1 to 2 drops in eight ounce glass of warm water, swish for thirty seconds then spit.

4. Clove Oil: This is effective for toothaches, also known to sooth sore gums.

How to use: Mix one drop with a plant based carrier oil, olive oil wood be a good carrier oil to use. Then apply with a cotton swab.

For gum tissue and other oral tissues mix 1 to 2 drops in eight ounce glass of warm water, swish for thirty seconds then spit.

5. Peppermint Oil: This oil is effective in treating bad breath, it also has mild anesthetic properties.

How to use: Mix two drops of peppermint oil with two cups of distilled water. Shake we’ll before each use, swish a mouthful for one minute then spit.

There are other essential oils that are effective for oral health that I did not include in this overview: basil, almond, and lavender, just to name a few. I hope that these basic guidelines can shed a bit more light on the subject. All essential oils should not be ingested, and always consult your medical physician before starting any type of therapy at home.

Want to learn more? Visit us at

http://www.livestrong.com/article/284574-cinnamon-oil-for-cavities/

Sources:

http://www.teatree.co.il/en/Files/oral.pdf

http://www.intelligentdental.com/2010/11/30/how-to-use-tea-tree-oil-for-dental-health/

http://birchhillhappenings.com/mouth.htm

http://www.aromaweb.com/essential-oils/myrrh-oil.asp

Posted in Gums, Health, Oral Hygiene
Tagged cinnamon oil, clove oil, essential oils, gums, myrrh oil, Oral Health, peppermint oil, tea tree oil
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October 3, 2016

Dentures and Partial Dentures

Amanda Orvis, RDH

Dentures and Partial Dentures

Removable dental appliances such as dentures and partial dentures require daily care as well as regular dental visits to keep them functioning properly. Denture and partial denture wearers need to pay close attention to the health of their mouths. Mouths should be brushed with a soft-bristled toothbrush at least twice a day, with or without teeth present. Partial denture wearers should pay close attention to the remaining teeth that their partials fit on to. Plaque and food debris can become trapped on or near the clasps that keep the dentures in place, and that plaque can lead to tooth decay or other dental issues.

Caring for Dentures or Partial Dentures

Remove and rinse dentures or partials after eating.
Rinse your mouth after removing your dentures.
Gently clean your dentures or partials at least once a day using a non-abrasive denture cleaner or mild dish soap. Avoid using toothpaste on your dentures as they are too abrasive and can cause small imperfections in your denture that can trap plaque and bacteria.
Soak your dentures overnight to keep them moist and to retain their correct shape. Always follow the instructions on the soaking solutions.
Always rinse your dentures after soaking them before putting them back into your mouth.
Maintain regular dental visits. Talk with your dentist or dental hygienist about the proper interval for your dental visits.

If you have any questions or concerns about your dentures or partial dentures, please call our office and schedule an appointment.

Want to learn more? Visit us at