pH Levels of Popular Brands of Bottled Waters

https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/79/1b/e4/791be43c79a0ca4d87e13ce0ee4af527.jpg

Sources:

http://telegraphvoice.com/2015/12/12/does-a-high-alkaline-diet-really-boost-your-health/

Posted in Health, Tooth Talk
Tagged acidic, alkaline, bottled water, cavities, pH levels, tooth decay, water
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December 14, 2015

Reducing stress over the holidays

Karen Kelley RDH

Reducing stress over the holidays

I love the holidays with all the lights, delicious food, and good company, but they can be accompanied by so many activities; shopping, baking, cooking and so many other things that can fun, but can also be stressful. I feel sad when someone tells me they hate the holiday season. I think much of that feeling of dread is from the stress surrounding the holiday that can come from a variety of reasons.

We all know that stress is bad for our overall health. Stress can be a factor in “heart disease, including heart attacks, skin conditions, including psoriasis and shingles, digestive disorder flare-ups, such as symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome, ulcerative colitis, and Crohn’s disease, immune disorders, including flare-ups of multiple sclerosis and lupus, anxiety, depression, and insomnia and worsening pain, if you already have a pain disorder such as arthritis, back pain, and muscle spasms.”

To avoid getting sick at the holidays and having the sickness derail plans for a joyful holiday season, Ronald Nathan, PhD, clinical professor at Albany Medical College in New York says that, “When we think about the holidays, we dwell on the past and what went wrong, or we romanticize it and make it impossible to re-create,” He counsels people to carefully examine their thoughts and expectations, and not drive themselves crazy finding “the perfect gift” or planning “the perfect party.” “Instead,” he says, “lower your expectations, and overestimate — rather than underestimate — your time.”

We need to ease up on ourselves, plan well and if things don’t get done exactly the way we planned or the Christmas cards don’t get out on time, give ourselves a break and try to enjoy the time spent with family and friends.

If the holidays are particularly painful because of a loss of loved ones or other stress inducing memories during the season, consider doing something completely different so the expectations are changed completely. Go out of town, find some new friends to spend the holidays with, go serve Christmas dinner at a shelter. If you’re alone for the holidays, plan to have a meal at your home and invite new or old friends to spend the time with you. Let your friends know you will be alone, your friends and family will want you to be included. Also, don’t forget to be active and continue your normal exercise routine. Exercise is a great way to reduce stress.

Here are 10 ideas for reducing stress from WebMD

Meditate

A few minutes of practice per day can help ease anxiety. “Research suggests that daily medidation may alter the brain’s neural pathways, making you more resilient to stress,” says psychologist Robbie Maller Hartman, PhD, a Chicago health and wellness coach.

Breathe Deeply

Take a 5-minute break and focus on your breathing. Sit up straight, eyes closed, with a hand on your belly. Slowly inhale through your nose, feeling the breath start in your abdomen and work its way to the top of your head. Reverse the process as you exhale through your mouth.

Be Present

Slow down. “Take 5 minutes and focus on only one behavior with awareness,” Tutin says. Notice how the air feels on your face when you’re walking and how your feet feel hitting the ground. Enjoy the texture and taste of each bite of food. When you spend time in the moment and focus on your senses, you should feel less tense.

Reach Out

Your social network is one of your best tools for handling stress. Talk to others — preferably face to face, or at least on the phone. Share what’s going on. You can get a fresh perspective while keeping your connection strong.

Tune In to Your Body

Mentally scan your body to get a sense of how stress affects it each day. Lie on your back, or sit with your feet on the floor. Start at your toes and work your way up to your scalp, noticing how your body feels.

Decompress

Place a warm heat wrap around your neck and shoulders for 10 minutes. Close your eyes and relax your face, neck, upper chest, and back muscles. Remove the wrap, and use a tennis ball or foam roller to massage away tension.

Laugh Out Loud

A good belly laugh doesn’t just lighten the load mentally. It lowers cortisol, your body’s stress hormone, and boosts brain chemicals called endorphins, which help your mood. Lighten up by tuning in to your favorite sitcom or video, reading the comics, or chatting with someone who makes you smile.

Crank Up the Tunes

Research shows that listening to soothing music can lower blood pressure, heart rate, and anxiety. “Create a playlist of songs or nature sounds (the ocean, a bubbling brook, birds chirping), and allow your mind to focus on the different melodies, instruments, or singers in the piece,” Benninger says. You also can blow off steam by rocking out to more upbeat tunes — or singing at the top of your lungs!

Get Moving

You don’t have to run in order to get a runner’s high. All forms of exercuse, including yaga and walking, can ease depression and anxiety by helping the brain release feel-good chemicals and by giving your body a chance to practice dealing with stress. You can go for a quick walk around the block, take the stairs up and down a few flights, or do some stretching exercises like head rolls and shoulder shrugs.

Be Grateful

Keep a gratitude journal or several (one by your bed, one in your purse, and one at work) to help you remember all the things that are good in your life.

“Being grateful for your blessings cancels out negative thoughts and worries,” says Joni Emmerling, a wellness coach in Greenville, NC.

Use these journals to savor good experiences like a child’s smile, a sunshine-filled day, and good health. Don’t forget to celebrate accomplishments like mastering a new task at work or a new hobby.

When you start feeling stressed, spend a few minutes looking through your notes to remind yourself what really matters.

In our family, we’ve had a difficult year, so I’m expecting to use many of these ideas to help us not just get through the holidays but to enjoy them. Stress is literally a killer so try some of these ideas to see if they help you also.

Take care of yourself and stay healthy!!

Want to learn more? Visit us at

http://www.webmd.com/balance/stress-management/features/tips-for-reducing-holiday-stress

Sources:

http://www.healthline.com/health-slideshow/10-ways-to-relieve-stress

http://www.webmd.com/balance/guide/blissing-out-10-relaxation-techniques-reduce-stress-spot

Posted in Community Service News, Health
Tagged holidays, reducing stress, stress
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December 6, 2015

Is Your Toothbrush Making you Sick?

Sharma Mulqueen RDH

Is Your Toothbrush Making you Sick?

Everyone’s focusing on the hand washing when they’re sick, with good reason. But how about washing your toothbrush? Washing your hands can reduce the risk of illness since we put our hands in our mouths, our eyes, our ears. So why is there no focus on cleaning the toothbrush during illness when we stick it directly into our mouths? What can we do to prevent the germs from passing on?

Reintroducing that toothbrush back into your mouth could be the worst thing you could be doing for your health on a daily basis.

That doesn’t mean don’t brush.

Many studies clearly state that all of the presently available toothbrushes have the ability to be infected by a wide range of microorganisms, including viruses which can cause the common cold to even herpes. Pneumonia-causing bacteria also are found on a toothbrush.

What can you do?

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), a simple regimen for toothbrush care is sufficient to remove most microorganisms from your toothbrush and limit the spread of disease. Here are some common-sense steps you can take:

Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water before and after brushing or flossing.
After brushing, rinse your toothbrush with warm water and store it upright to air-dry.
Don’t cover your toothbrush or place it in a closed container until it is completely dry. A moist environment can foster bacterial growth.
Use a completely dry toothbrush. Everyone should have two toothbrushes to give ample time (24 hours) for it to dry out in between uses.
Don’t share a toothbrush with anyone. Also, don’t store toothbrushes in a way that might cause them to touch and spread germs.
Replace your toothbrush every three or four months. Dentists recommend this practice not as prevention against contamination, but because toothbrushes wear out and become less effective at cleaning teeth.
Always replace your toothbrush after a cold or other illness to prevent contamination.
If you or someone else in your family is sick, that person should use a different tube of toothpaste (travel size, for example), to prevent spreading germs to other toothbrushes.
The toothbrush should be viewed as a necessary evil as well as a bio hazard. Make sure it is clean before using it!

In summary, do not reuse your floss, keep your toothbrush clean, and replace during and after illness. Store it outside the bathroom and use it several times per day. Brush twice a day for two minutes and floss daily and see your dentist every six months for check ups!

Want to learn more? Visit us at

https://www.deltadentalins.com/oral_health/toothbrush.html

Sources:

http://guidetodentistry.com

http://www.cdc.gov/oralhealth/infectioncontrol

Posted in Gums, Health, Mouth Body Connection, Oral Hygiene
Tagged cold, cold sores, dental hygienist, dentist, floss, pneumonia, replace toothbrush, sharing toothbrushes, sick, toothbrush, toothpaste, where to store toothbrush
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November 30, 2015

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate and Canker Sores

Arianna Ritchey, RDH

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate and Canker Sores

There are many different types of toothpastes available to consumers, and there are a variety of benefits available in each of the different types of toothpastes related to their active ingredients. With so many different ingredients present in toothpastes, some toothpastes may cause an unpleasant or even allergic reaction inside the mouth. One ingredient commonly found in toothpaste that can cause reactions in some patient is Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, also known by its abbreviation, SLS.

SLS is a foaming agent that creates that nice, rich foam we expect from our soaps and toothpastes. It’s also a detergent, and thus strips away hard-to-get-rid of fats. Similar to other detergents, SLS can be an irritant to those with sensitive skin or a sensitivity to SLS itself. SLS is found in many shampoos, soaps, and is used to create a foaming action in all Colgate brand toothpastes and Crest brand toothpastes.

The most common reaction to SLS in the mouth is the development of aphthous ulcers, more commonly known as canker sores. Canker sores are benign ulcerations of the soft tissues that can range from a minor irritation to a major ulcer which can be quite painful. While the actual cause of canker sores is unknown, certain factors are recognized as triggers of the onset of a canker sore. Any type of trauma to the mucus lining of the mouth can trigger a canker sore, be it inadvertently biting the tongue or cheek, or perhaps a food irritant such as chocolate, mustard, nuts, tomatoes, shellfish, and or pineapple. An irritant like SLS may also trigger canker sore development.

At this time there are no treatments to prevent a canker sore, but once they have developed, canker sores may be treated palliatively with a topical anesthetic, like Orajel. Another option for treatment is laser therapy by a laser-certified dental hygienist, or dentist. Heat from the laser is used to kill any virus present and to stimulate the body’s healing potential. Laser treatments take about 15 minutes and most patients feel better immediately following treatment.

If you are experiencing recurrent sores in your mouth, many dental professionals recommend switching to a toothpaste without SLS to see if that helps resolve the issue. Two toothpastes which are SLS-free and are accepted by the American Dental Association are Rembrandt Premium Whitening Mint Toothpaste, and Sensodyne ProNamel Mint Essence Toothpaste.

If mouth sores persist after the discontinuation of a SLS toothpaste, this may be an indication of a nutritional deficiency, including deficiency in iron, folic acid, and other B vitamins. Vitamin supplements or an improved diet may eliminate these deficiencies, but it is advisable to ask your physician for a nutritional assessment.

Want to learn more? Visit us at

http://www.massdental.org/cankersores.aspx

Sources:

http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/canker-sore/basics/causes/con-20021262

http://slsfree.net/sodium-lauryl-sulfate-cause-acne/

http://www.acneeinstein.com/scalp-acne-caused-by-sodium-lauryl-sulfate-in-shampoos/

http://www.colgatetotal.com/health-benefits/toothpaste-ingredients

Posted in Gums, Health
Tagged aphthous ulcers, canker sores, dental laser, gums, lip sores, SLS, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, vitamin deficiency
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November 15, 2015

You Are What You Eat!

Ann Clark RDH

You Are What You Eat!

What you eat and how often are important factors for preventing and maintaining good oral health. The minute you eat or drink changes start occurring in your mouth. Bacterias change sugars and carbohydrates into acids which attack the tooth’s enamel causing damage to occur. The more you eat and snack, the more you expose your teeth to the decay cycle.

The best food choices are cheese, chicken and meat, nuts and milk. These foods protect your enamel by providing calcium and phosphor needed to remineralize teeth subjected to acid attacks. Other good choices are firm, crunchy fruits (apples/pears) and veggies. These have a high water content, diluting the effects of sugars and stimulating saliva which helps cleanse your teeth through buffering the acids. Acidic food like citrus fruits, tomatoes and lemons should be eaten as part of a meal to keep teeth protected.

Poor food choices are candy, mints, cookies, cake, pie, bread, muffins, chips, fries, pretzels, bananas and dried fruits. (No fun at all). While containing larger amount of sugar they also are sticky on the tooth’s surface. In addition, cough drops, like candy, need also be used minimally.

What about beverages?

Water, of course, is your best option, especially fluoridated water. Also milk, and unsweetened tea are fine. Limit your sugary drinks though, and drink up, do not sip through the day so as to constantly expose your tooth’s enamel to acid attacks. Poor choices include: lemonade, soda, Gatorade, energy drinks, coffee/tea with sugar. These expose your teeth to sugar, again creating the environment for acid attacks.

Sugar substitutes, although tasting like sugar, do not digest the same and do not “feed” the mouth’s bacterias or produce the decay-causing acids. Sugarless and sugar-free labels mean no sugars were added during processing. However, it could contain other natural sweeteners, like honey. Examine your labels.

What about gum?

Sugarless gum is actually beneficial to the teeth as chewing actually helps to dislodge food stuck between the teeth and increases salivary flow to buffer the acids. Do not become a gum chewer if you suffer from jaw pain. Some gums containing xylitol are very beneficial. Xylitol is a sugar alcohol used as a sweetener. It is as sweet as sugar with 33% less calories. Xylitol is actively beneficial by reducing cavities to a third in regular use and helpful to remineralization.

Thinking twice about your next snack move can prove helpful to both body and mouth…Apples anyone?

Want to learn more? Visit us at

Source:

Wikipedia.org

WebMD.com

Posted in Community Service News, Gums, Health, Mouth Body Connection, Tooth Talk
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November 1, 2015

AZ Mission of Mercy

Andra Mahoney, BS RDH

AZ Mission of Mercy

Next month, Decemeber 11th-12th, our offices will be going down to the AZ State Fairgrounds in Phoenix and volunteer again at the 4th Annual AZ Mission of Mercy.

“Since 1994, Mission of Mercy has been providing free healthcare, free dental care, and free prescription medications to the uninsured, under-insured, and those who “fall through the cracks” of our healthcare system.

An independent nonprofit 501 (c)(3), faith-based community organization, Mission of Mercy receives no government funding. Because of this, we can provide healthcare without any pre-qualifications. None of our patients must prove their poverty or residency.

Founded in 1991 and launched in 1994 by clinical pharmacist, Gianna Talone Sullivan, Pharm D., headquartered in Pennsylvania and serving clinics in Arizona, Maryland, Pennsylvania and Texas, Mission of Mercy now has 17 clinics providing more than 25,000 free patient visits each year.”

Here are some pictures of when our offices volunteered last year:

This was the line waiting to get in. Thousands of people waited overnight and in the rain to receive dental care.

Some of our great team! From Left to Right: Dr Dastrup, Ann – Hygienist, Dr Miller, Morgan – Assistant, Darlene – Assistant, Jennifer – Assistant, and Dr Jenkins.

Dr Jenkins and Darlene

Dr Miller and Morgan

Dr Dastrup and Jennifer, hard at work!

Ann, Hygienist, helping brighten smiles!

Amanda and Andra, Hygienists, getting ready to clean!

Amanda, Hygienist, helping fight plaque and tartar build-up to make a happy mouth!

After waiting in such a long line, it feels nice to relax and have Andra, Hygienist, clean your teeth!

Here are the awesome statistics from last years Mission of Mercy event. We are looking forward to going again this year! If you are interested in volunteering for this event, everyone is welcome! You do not have to be a medical profession, there is a job for everyone.

Want to learn more? Visit us at

Sources:

https://www.azmom.org/

Posted in Community Service News, Health, Mouth Body Connection, Oral Hygiene
Tagged AZ MOM, Central Arizona Mission of Mercy, dental, dental volunteer, dentist, hygiene, hygienist, Mission of Mercy, volunteer
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September 27, 2015

Do Not Forget About Your Tongue

Amanda Orvis, RDH

Do Not Forget About Your Tongue

There are a significant number of bacteria in our mouths. These bacteria are found in the build-up surrounding our teeth and coating our tongues. If these bacteria are left untouched they can lead to severe bad breath which is also known as halitosis. In order to keep these bacteria to a minimum we need to maintain healthy brushing and flossing habits as well as scraping or brushing our tongues daily.

Tongue Scraping

Tongue scraping should be done at least once a day and there is a specific way to remove the bacteria. When using a tongue scraper the scraper should be placed on the back of the tongue and gently scraped from the back to the front for approximately 5-10 strokes. Make sure to rinse your tongue scraper between scrapes so you do not push the bacteria back and forth on the tongue. Tongue scraping can trigger the gag reflex, so make sure to scrape gently and take a break between scrapes if needed.

Tongue scrapers can come in various shapes and sizes and can be found in most drug stores.

There are other causes of bad breath such as smoking, dry mouth, yeast infections and/ or medication use. Research shows that by maintaining regular tongue scraping habits most people can be effective in eliminating their bad breath even with these other causes.

Tongue Brushing

Tongue brushing can also be effective in reducing bad breath and removing bacteria; however research shows that tongue brushing is less effective than tongue scraping. The reason for this is that tooth brushes are meant to remove bacterial coating and debris from the smooth surfaces of our teeth. Our tongues have many small projections called papilla and can often have deep grooves and/or crevices. When tongue brushing with your regular toothbrush the toothbrush bristles may push the bacteria further into the grooves. So be gentle when brushing and move in the same direction as tongue scraping, rinsing between brush strokes.

Quick Tips:

Start scraping or brushing from the back of your tongue moving forward.
Rinse your scraper between scrapes and after you are finished.
Scrape for at least 5-10 strokes.
Scrape the full top surface of your tongue.
If using a toothbrush or tongue brush move in the same direction as your tongue scraper from the back to the front, rinsing between each stroke.
Rinse your mouth out after you are done tongue scraping or tongue brushing.

Want to learn more? Visit us at

http://www.colgate.com/en/us/oc/oral-health/conditions/bad-breath/article/sw-281474979266546

Sources

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tongue_cleaner

Posted in Health, Mouth Body Connection, Oral Hygiene
Tagged brush your tongue, tongue, tongue brushing, tongue scrapers, tongue scraping
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September 21, 2015

Keeping Your Teeth For a Lifetime

Karen Kelley RDH

Keeping Your Teeth For a Lifetime

Our dental practice has more over 50 year olds than under 50. As aging adults, we need to be aware of certain things that can keep us from retaining our teeth our entire lives.

Judith Ann Jones, DDS, a spokesman on elder care for the American Dental Association and director of The Center for Clinical Research at the Boston University Goldman School of Dental Medicine spoke about 5 things that are especially important to the over 50 crowd.

Tooth Decay: Contrary to what many people believe, adults keep getting cavities! I’m always surprised when people are stunned to learn they have a cavity as an adult. Areas of the teeth that have never had a cavity can decay, but areas where we see more problems are where an old filling is leaking and at the base of an older crown. The best prevention is brushing well each day along the gumline. An electric toothbrush is very helpful in accomplishing this as well as the use of fluoride. An over the counter fluoride rinse nightly is great and in our office we have special prescription strength fluoride that is wonderful for cavity prevention as well as help with sensitivity.

Dry Mouth: Keeping Your Teeth For a Lifetime We see so many people with this problem. “Saliva protects our teeth. The calcium and phosphate present in saliva prevent demineralization of your teeth”, Jones says. Many drugs cause dry mouth as well as some diseases and as we get older, we are on more medications thus we see this commonly in older adults. This is a difficult one to deal with for those affected. The best thing is to drink lots of water, use saliva substitute and try xylitol products. Also, if you smoke, stop, it just makes your mouth drier.

Gum Disease: If your gums are swollen, red, or bleed easily, you have gum disease. If left untreated, gum disease (gingivitis) will become more serious and will cause deterioration of the bone that holds the teeth, we call this periodontitis. If this condition continues without treatment, it can cause the loss of the teeth. The best way to prevent gum disease is to clean your teeth well each day with brushing, flossing, and use of interdental cleaners like soft picks or go betweens. And of course, seeing your friendly dental hygienist as often as recommended. We can remove the mineralized bacteria from your teeth that you can’t remove with brushing.

Tooth Crowding: “As you age, your teeth shift”, according to Lee W. Graber, D.D.S., M.S, Ph.D., Past President of the American Association of Orthodontists. And “that can be problematic, not because you’ll look different, but because it can make your teeth more difficult to clean, leading to more decay. It’s also of concern because misaligned teeth can lead to teeth erosion and damage to the supporting tissue and bone”, Graber says. “Add to that the tendency of older adults to have periodontal disease, and you could end up losing your teeth even faster.” If your teeth have really shifted, and you find you are having a difficult time keeping your teeth clean and food keeps getting caught in certain areas, ask our doctors about orthodontics. We offer Invisalign to our patients and we’ve had patients in their later years choose to straighten their teeth. I just finished with my invisalign treatment. I had braces when I was a teenager but my teeth had shifted and I was experiencing these problems I just mentioned. I decided to do Invisalign. It’s easy to do and my teeth are so much straighter. They are now in the correct alignment and my teeth and gums will be healthier. If you choose not to do orthodontics, more frequently exams and cleanings may be necessary.

Oral Cancer: According to The Oral Cancer Foundation, more than 43,000 Americans will be diagnosed with oral cancers this year, and more than 8,000 will die from it. “Oral cancer incidence definitely increases as you get older”, Jones says, and “is very often linked to smoking and heavy alcohol use.” Jones also said, “Only about half of people who develop oral cancer survive the disease.” If discovered early, there is an 80 percent chance of surviving for five years. When we do your periodic exams when you come in for your cleaning, you will be checked for oral cancer. We also offer Velscope, Identafi, or Oral ID technologies to help in finding oral cancer earlier.

Keep brushing, flossing and smiling! We want to help you keep your teeth healthy your entire lives!

Want to learn more? Visit us at

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/09/28/common-dental-problems-_n_5844434.html

Sources:

https://aga.grandparents.com/

Posted in Gums, Health, Mouth Body Connection, Oral Hygiene
Tagged adult cavities, aging adults, bacteria, Braces, brushing, cavities, cavity protection, demineralization, dental hygiene, dental hygienist, dry mouth, electric toothbrush, flossing, fluoride, gingivitis, go betweens, gum disease, identafi, interdental cleaners, invisalign, medications, old filling, Oral Cancer, oral ID, ortho, orthodontics, periodontitis, saliva, saliva substitute, sensitivity, smoking cessation, soft picks, teeth shifting, tooth crowding, tooth decay, Velscope, xylitol
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September 13, 2015

Electronic Cigarettes

Sharma Mulqueen, RDH

Electronic Cigarettes

E-cigarettes are electronic nicotine-delivery systems (ENDS) that consist of a cartridge containing nicotine and propylene glycol, an atomizer, and a battery (Figure 1). When a user inhales, a pressure-sensitive circuit is activated, which heats the atomizer and vaporizes the liquid as it is brought through the mouthpiece. The vapor consists of a fine mist that does not contain smoke or carbon monoxide and disperses more quickly than traditional cigarette smoke. The act of using ENDS is often called “vaping” and users are termed “vapers.”

The nicotine cartridges used in ENDS come in a variety of flavors, including vanilla, cherry, java, piña colada, and menthol. As the demand rises there are some ENDS stores opening with over 1000 flavors. They are also offered in a myriad of nicotine strengths. When e-cigarettes are inhaled, light-emitting diodes are illuminated. Originally, these lights were red, but now they are often blue or another color to differentiate them from traditional cigarettes.

There is a lot of stir about the introduction of e-cigarettes and unknown health issues that they may cause. For the mouth, e-cigarettes seem to have some positives and negatives. It is a better option than regular tobacco cigarettes, but worse than not smoking altogether. Here are a few of the effects of e-cigarettes on the mouth.

Unfortunately, research on e-cigarettes is still very minimal. Because they are a new product, research that can space several decades is still unavailable. However, there are several chemicals and clues that help determine what e-cigarettes can do to the teeth.

Just like any cigarette, the main purpose of an e-cigarette is to inhale nicotine. Studies have shown that nicotine can slow down the production of saliva in the mouth. The more nicotine you intake, the less saliva the body is able to produce. Saliva is a main deterrent to harmful bacteria and food particles in the mouth. Low saliva levels can cause quicker tooth decay, sore gums, and eventually a loosening of the teeth. One positive of smoking e-cigarettes verses normal cigarettes is that you can control the amount of nicotine the e-cigarette will release into the body. This will slow down the eventual effect of lowered saliva levels, at least.

Another effect of nicotine in an e-cigarette or a tobacco cigarette is it acts as a vasoconstrictor, which prohibits blood flow to the mouth. This results in a fewer number of white blood cells capable of fending off infections and bacteria that harm your gums. Fewer red blood cells are also sent to your mouth tissues, which lead to faster deterioration of the tissue and your teeth.

Another concern for e-cigarettes is that they contain diethylene glycol, a highly toxic substance. However, at the current point in research, scientists have not determined how much of the substance is needed to be considered harmful to the body, especially seeing e-cigarettes use a very low amount.

Dental hygienists should continue to support tobacco cessation through evidence-based methods, such as counseling and medications. The American Dental Hygienists’ Association’s (ADHA) “Ask, Advise, Refer” program is a national tobacco intervention initiative designed to promote cessation by dental hygienists. Available at askadviserefer.org, this program follows the most successful steps to aid patients in quitting smoking, including: an in-depth presentation on the effects of tobacco and nicotine; step-by-step guide on questioning smokers; tips on advising them of why quitting is recommended; specific referrals to local quit lines; and options for Web-based cessation programs. Also, a variety of in-office handouts and reference sheets is available for immediate download or by request from the ADHA website for clinicians.

The “Ask, Advise, Refer” program recommends offering some type of smoking cessation medication in addition to a behavioral program. One option is a traditional nicotine replacement therapy, or pharmacotherapy. FDA-approved traditional nicotine replacement therapy products include gum, lozenges, transdermal patches, nasal sprays, and oral inhalers. There are several success stories of individuals sucking on hard candy day after day. Unfortunately this may cause cavities, but if this can stop someone from using tobacco products then it is a success. Bupropion SR and varenicline are medications used to aid in cessation.

E-cigarettes have not been evaluated by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the levels of nicotine or other chemicals they contain are unknown. The FDA is concerned that e-cigarettes are sold to young people and do not contain “health warnings comparable to FDAapproved nicotine replacement products or conventional cigarettes.” The administration is developing a strategy to regulate this emerging class of products.

Conclusion

In response to the decreasing number of adult cigarette smokers, the tobacco industry is trying to attract young people with “healthier” tobacco products in hopes of expanding the market. None of these products is free of carcinogens, and most still contain enough nicotine to pose an addiction risk. All of them increase users’ risk of oral cancer.

The challenge for dental professionals is to identify users of these products as they may lack the typical signs of tobacco use, such as tobacco stains and odor, and the appearance of tissue changes in unusual areas, such as under the upper lip. Clinicians can play a critical role in educating patients about the nicotine content and potential harmful effects of these new tobacco products. Not only can dental professionals provide cessation support or referral for counseling, but they can also help prevent nicotine addiction in the first place.

Want to learn more? Visit us at

http://www.askadviserefer.org/

Sources:

Polosa R, Caponnetto P, Morjaria JB, Papale G, Campagna D, Russo C. Effect of an electronic nicotine delivery device (e-cigarette) on smoking reduction and cessation: a prospective 6-moth pilot study. BMC Public Health. 2013;

American Lung Association Smoking Cessation: The Economic Benefits. Available at: lung.org/stop-smoking/tobacco-control-advocacy/reports-resources/cessation-economic-benefits/states/united-states.html. Accessed April 21, 2014

US Food and Drug Administration. FDA and Public Health Experts Warn About Electronic Cigarettes. Available at: www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/ Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm173222.htm. Accessed September 1, 2013

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 2013 Smoking and Tobacco Use. Available at: www.cdc.gov/tobacco/data_statistics/fact_sheets/economics/econ_facts/index.htm. Accessed September 1, 2013

Posted in Community Service News, Health, Mouth Body Connection
Tagged ask advise refer, cigarettes, decrease in saliva, diethylene glycol, dry mouth, e-cigarettes, electronic cigarettes, ENDS, nicotine, saliva, tobacco cessation, vapers, vaping, vasoconstrictor
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September 6, 2015

Dry Socket: The Absolute Worst

Arianna Ritchey, RDH

DRY SOCKET: The Absolute Worst.

Last July we featured an awesome article by Becky that was all about wisdom teeth. If you haven’t read it yet, here’s the link! Becky touched on one of the complications following a wisdom tooth extraction, called a “dry socket.” The technical term for a dry socket is Alveolar Osteitis, which directly translated means ‘inflammation of alveolar bone (of the jaw).’

A dry socket is a complication which occurs after about 25% of wisdom tooth extractions, and is more common in the lower jaw than the upper jaw. The incidence of a dry socket resulting from the extraction of any other teeth is considerably lower; only two to three percent. The symptoms of dry socket include a bad taste in the mouth, a dry-looking socket with white-ish bone at the bottom instead of a dark red blood clot, and pain that progressively becomes more severe and can sometimes radiate to other parts of the head and neck. Symptoms typically occur about two to three days after the extraction and are often uncontrollable with over-the-counter pain medication. If you have ever experienced a dry socket, then you already know that the pain is excrutiating. So, what exactly is a dry socket? Why does it happen, how can it be prevented, and most importantly, how can it be treated?

When a tooth is pulled, what’s left behind is an empty socket site in the bone where the roots of the tooth used to be. Following the extraction, a blot clot forms in the socket site and protects the underlying bone and nerves from exposure to the mouth. Over time, the socket site heals and is filled in with new bone. If this blood clot is lost prematurely, however, the underlying bone and nerves are exposed to the environment of the mouth, which is crawling with bacteria. This exposure can lead to infection and the dreaded dry socket. Dry socket is more prevalent in the lower jaw than the upper jaw, because the lower jaw has a poorer blood supply than the upper jaw, and food debris is more likely to become trapped in socket sites due to gravity.

Following an extraction, dental professionals provide post-operative instructions in the interest of preventing a dry socket. They will advise to avoid any foods with small seeds or nuts which could get trapped in the socket site, avoid strenuous activity following surgery to prevent additional bleeding, and to avoid vigorous rinsing that could potentially dislodge the blood clot. Instruction will be given to avoid spitting or drinking through a straw for at least two or three days. Spitting and using a straw creates negative pressure in the mouth which could dislodge a clot. Your dental professional will likely also tell you to avoid the use of tobacco at all costs, especially cigarette smoking. Smoking also creates negative pressure in the mouth which could dislodge a clot, and the nicotine in the cigarette slows healing and constricts blood flow necessary for proper healing.

Besides providing helpful instructions for how a dry socket can be prevented at home, your dental health professional can also help to prevent dry socket from occurring by placing a small suture in the extraction site if necessary, and by rinsing with an antimicrobial chlorhexidine rinse immediately after the extraction. Rinsing with chlorhexidine solution after extractions has been shown to prevent about 40% of potential dry sockets.

Despite dry socket being very painful, the treatment is fairly simple. If you think you may be experiencing dry socket, call your dental provider right away. Once they determine a dry socket is present, your dental professional will clean the socket site and apply a medicated dressing. Your dental professional may administer a local anesthetic to the area to provide pain relief and to facilitate cleaning and medicating the site without causing further discomfort. The medicated dressing often includes eugenol, an ingredient which is very soothing for dry socket. Your dentist may provide a prescription for antibiotics or pain medication to assist with recovery from the dry socket. If a dry socket is left untreated, it may resolve on its own, but the pain is likely to last for about a week.

Dry socket is a very painful complication that should be avoided with every effort. If preventive efforts are made, and post-op instructions are adhered to, there’s a good chance you won’t experience a dry socket. If your extraction site does start to hurt after about two or three days and over-the-counter medication isn’t controlling the pain, you may have a dry socket and should see your dentist as soon as possible! Dry socket is easily treatable by dental professionals.

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