Yes You Can Keep Your Teeth for a Lifetime!
How to Keep Your Teeth for a Lifetime
It’s a common myth that senior citizens are destined to lose their teeth, reports the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD). There is no reason seniors cannot keep their teeth for a lifetime, since tooth loss is simply the result of an oral disease – not the aging process.
The elderly, who make up the fastest growing segment of the U.S. population, are healthier and have kept more of their natural teeth than prior generations. But there’s still room for improvement. Many seniors do not visit a dentist even once a year – one of the key preventive strategies in ensuring that teeth last a lifetime.
“Seniors often take long absences from seeing the dentist,” says AGD spokesperson Nick Russo, DDS. “Sometimes they stop caring as much because they’re not out in the public very much, and they think oral hygiene doesn’t matter.”
Family members should encourage seniors who are disabled or have trouble getting around to seek dental care, Dr. Russo says. Seniors planning to enter a nursing home should inquire about on-site dental care.
Regular dental visits are especially important for older people since many suffer from dry mouth, which slows down the flow of saliva. Saliva plays a major role in preventing tooth decay by rinsing away food particles and neutralizing harmful acids. Dry mouth often comes with old age, but can also be caused by medications like antihistamines, decongestants, antidepressants and diuretics. Dry mouth can often be treated by a dentist.
Along with regular dental visits, seniors should floss daily and brush twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste. They should also ask their dentist about fluoride rinses and gels, since studies show that seniors who brush regularly with fluoride toothpaste or use a fluoride rinse or gel regularly have fewer cavities. Seniors are most likely to get cavities where old fillings have chipped or where root surfaces are left unprotected by receding gums.
Other suggestions for keeping teeth for a lifetime: snack in moderation and avoid snacks with sugars and starches, and alert the dentist to any change in medication.
Following these preventive measures should help prevent seniors from having to wear dentures. But even seniors with no teeth still need to visit the dentist regularly, since many aspects of oral health, such as adjusting ill-fitting dentures and oral cancer screenings, can be handled at routine dental visits.
Headaches and Jaw Pain? Check Your Posture!
If you experience frequent headaches and pain in your lower jaw, check your posture and consult your dentist about temporomandibular disorder (TMD), recommends the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD), an organization of general dentists dedicated to continuing dental education.
Poor posture places the spine in a position that causes stress to the jaw joint. When people slouch or hunch over, the lower jaw shifts forward, causing the upper and lower teeth to not fit together properly, and the skull moves back on the spinal column.
This movement puts stress on muscles, joints and bones and, if left untreated, can create pain and inflammation in muscles and joints when the mouth opens and closes.
“Good posture is important, yet many people don’t realize how posture affects their oral health,” says AGD spokesperson Ludwig Leibsohn, DDS.
Dr. Leibsohn treats patients who have complained of facial pain. “Their posture often is unbalanced, and this rearranges the position of the facial muscles, causing the bumps and grooves on the upper and lower teeth not to fit properly together,” said Dr. Leibsohn.
An oral appliance can help align the teeth in a position that will reduce facial pain caused by poor posture. The appliance can also prevent future damage to teeth.
Emotional Stress Could Cause Periodontal Disease
Emotional woes may place a strain on more than just your heart. According to the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD), emotional anxiety could affect your dental health.
“There’s definitely a link between stress and dental health,” says AGD spokesperson Nick Russo, DDS. “Stress affects the immune system, which fights against the bacteria that causes periodontal disease, making a person more prone to gum infection.”
While stress has long been linked to heart troubles, researchers studied the effects of stress on dental health at the State University of New York at Buffalo, the University of North Carolina and the University of Michigan. More than 1,400 volunteers, ages 25 to 74, were studied to see how stress and coping abilities affect the risk for periodontal (gum) disease, which causes oral infection, inflamed and bleeding gums and loss of bone.
Those at greatest risk for periodontal disease were those who were highly emotional in dealing with financial problems. The oral health of those with financial troubles was compared with Continue reading “Emotional Stress Could Cause Periodontal Disease” »
Do I Really Need to Floss?
As one of my Facebook friends said, “Only floss the ones I want to keep, right?” YES! LOL!
Here is the official professional stance of the Academy of General Dentistry:
Yes. Floss removes plaque and debris that sticks to teeth and gums in between teeth, polishes tooth surfaces, and controls bad breath. Plaque is a sticky layer of material containing bacteria that accumulates on teeth, including places where toothbrushes can’t reach. This can lead to gum disease. By flossing your teeth daily, you increase the chance of keeping them for a lifetime and decrease the chance of getting gum disease.
Why should I floss?
Floss removes plaque and debris that adhere to teeth and gums in between teeth, polishes tooth surfaces and controls bad breath. By flossing your teeth daily, you increase the chances of keeping your teeth a lifetime and decrease your chance of having periodontal (gum) disease and tooth decay.
Flossing is the single most important weapon against plaque, Continue reading “Do I Really Need to Floss?” »
Gingivitis vs. Gum Disease: What’s the Difference?
Eighty percent of American adults have some form of periodontal (gum) disease, but the beginning symptoms are usually painless, so many who are at risk do not recognize the signs and stages, according to a report in the September/October 2003 issue of General Dentistry, the clinical, peer-reviewed journal of the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD).
“Gum disease is a silent teeth killer because you can have it without knowing it,” says AGD spokesperson Elwood Streeter, DDS.
Healthy gums appear coral pink, firm and form a sharp point where they meet the tooth. When excessive amounts of bacteria and food debris build up in the spaces between the teeth and gums, a sticky material called plaque is formed.
A plaque build-up can develop and harden into calculus (tartar), which irritates the gums. Bacterial byproducts (or toxins) in the tartar cause gums to become infected, red and tender, a condition called gingivitis. Gingivitis is the beginning stage of periodontal disease.
If you do not receive professional cleaning to halt the spread of gingivitis, the infection will Continue reading “Gingivitis vs. Gum Disease: What’s the Difference?” »
Fast-paced Lifestyle Eroding Teens’ Teeth
Talk to your kids–
As quick meals in the form of “nutrition” bars and carbonated beverages help keep teens alert and on schedule between school, extracurricular activities and part-time jobs, today’s fast-paced lifestyle threatens to leave a generation with permanent damage to oral and overall health.
“Premature loss of tooth enamel and weakening of overall tooth structure are two devastating oral effects of teens’ poor diet that cannot be reversed later in life,” explains Jane Soxman, DDS, author of a study that appears in the January/February 2003 issue of General Dentistry, the clinical, peer-reviewed journal of the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD).
Adolescence is the time of peak bone growth, a time when more nutrient-packed calories are essential to fuel growing bodies and strengthen teeth and bones, however adolescence is the same time when soda and sugary, high-carbohydrate foods are rapidly displacing healthy foods such as milk, fruits and vegetables.
“The easy access of sugary beverages and foods from home to school and everywhere in between has compromised the health of teens’ teeth and helped fuel the national obesity epidemic,” says AGD spokesperson Julie Barna, DMD, MAGD.
Dr. Soxman’s report shows drinking carbonated beverages seems to be one of the most significant causes of increased cavities and obesity for today’s teens. Fifteen percent of American adolescents ages 6 to 19 are overweight. This number is expected to increase. Why? Ten percent of overweight preschool-age children ages 2 to 5 are becoming addicted to caffeine and sugar, which makes it harder for them to stop unhealthy habits such as drinking soda throughout the day.
The phosphoric, citric, tartaric and carbonic acids in soda are linked to the breakdown of tooth enamel around dental sealants and restorations, further compromising teens’ teeth and leading to more extensive dental treatment to prevent total tooth loss.
Soft drinks and bone density
The phosphoric acid in most regular and diet cola drinks limits calcium absorption and has a direct influence on bone density. By age 16, girls have accumulated 90 to 97 percent of their bone mass, making adequate calcium intake vital. However, national statistics show only 19 percent of girls ages 9 to 19 are getting the recommended 1,300 milligrams of calcium a day.
Research also confirms a direct link between soft drink consumption and bone fractures in teenage girls.
“These girls are at an extreme risk for developing osteoporosis, already exhibiting symptoms of this disease in their teen years,” says Dr. Soxman. “Early education on the importance of calcium consumption is key to reversing this trend.”
Teens: Want a Brighter Smile? Visit the Dentist, not the Mall
Although teeth whitening may be one of the safest, non-invasive and cost-efficient ways for teens to immediately boost their appearance, parents should learn about the best whitening options for their adolescent, reports the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD), an organization of general dentists dedicated to continuing education.
Teeth whitening is a multi-million dollar industry that is partly fueled by image-conscious teens heading to the mall to pick up instant, do-it-yourself teeth whitening kits, many of which are heavily marketed and are not dentist-supervised.
“Teens should visit their dentist instead of the mall for a healthy, white smile,” says AGD spokesperson Manuel Cordero, DDS, MAGD, who has seen a steady increase in his teen patients’ requests for this procedure.
Proper whitening depends upon the use of a custom-made bleaching tray, which only a dentist can properly fit. Some Internet companies sell the materials that allow consumers to make their own whitening tray. But only dentists can assure the proper use of these materials. Without supervision and expertise, these materials can cause damage to existing dental work. As with any dental procedure, whitening should always be done under the supervision of a dentist.
Tips for teens and their parents on tooth whitening:
According to Dr. Cordero, teens should wait for whitening procedures until at least the age of 14. At this time, the tooth’s pulp is fully formed, which means the teen will experience less sensitivity.
Drink soda and coffee through a straw to prevent discoloration of the upper, front teeth.
Wearing braces? Brush and clean teeth meticulously because food and their bi-products can discolor teeth as well as create cavities.
Start the School Year Off With a Smile
Every child wants to look their best as they head back to school this fall. Parents help by scheduling haircuts and buying new outfits, but most overlook the simple steps to helping their child maintain one of their most visible features – their smile.
Studies show that one of the first things people notice about someone is their smile and that a good smile creates a positive self-image…something all parents wish for their children. “Back-to-school time is the perfect time to incorporate good oral health habits into a child’s daily routine,” says Academy of General Dentistry spokesperson Cindy Flanagan, DDS, FAGD. “The sooner you make them a priority, the sooner your child will benefit.”
Schedule a back-to-school dental visit
Seeing a dentist twice a year during the school-age years is vital because this is a time of great change in the mouth, with kids losing baby teeth and getting in their permanent teeth. Tooth decay is still the most common chronic childhood disease and, left untreated, it can impair a child’s ability to eat, speak, sleep and learn. However, studies show more than 60 percent of school-age children do not see a dentist annually. Simple preventive checkups twice a year can head off childhood decay and help you and your child learn how to protect their teeth throughout the year.
Establish daily brushing habits with your children
Children should brush at least twice a day. To encourage children to brush after every meal, let them pick out their own travel toothbrush and toothpaste to take to school. “There are many child-friendly products that help encourage younger children to brush,” says Dr. Flanagan, “Make sure your child’s toothpaste contains fluoride and the toothbrush is soft-bristled.”
Make good nutrition a top priority
National studies show that only one in five school-age children eats the recommended five daily servings of fruits and vegetables – greatly increasing their risk of cavities. In addition, only one in five children meets even the minimum standards for calcium consumption. Take charge of your child’s health this school year by packing healthy lunches. And, after school activities require healthy snacks such as bite-sized carrots, fruits, nuts and bottled water. These are much better after-school snack options and give children the fuel they need to excel in physical activity.
Tooth nutrition and Vegetarians
Just read this very interesting article from the Academy of General Dentistry about Vegetarian nutritional risks:
Health concerns about fat and cholesterol have prompted many people to become vegetarians, and the nutritional deficiencies that can sometimes result may reveal themselves during dental exams. Academy of General Dentistry spokesperson Ludwig Leibsohn, DDS says he usually asks patients if they adhere to vegetarian or other special diets.
“Most adult vegetarians are very knowledgeable about nutrition,” says Dr. Leibsohn. “They maintain their diets in a proper fashion.” Children, however, Continue reading “Tooth nutrition and Vegetarians” »
Coffee and Doughnuts: A Disastrous Combo for Teeth?
Adult Nutrition
Coffee and Doughnuts: A Disastrous Combo for Teeth?
You’re late for work, skip breakfast and during the commute, pick up a doughnut and cup of coffee and you’re on your way. This common quick-fix breakfast scenario can lengthen your time spent in the dental chair, reports the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD). The sugars in doughnuts have been identified as a risk factor for gum inflammation and cavities. The amount of sugar and cream in your coffee also can have a direct effect on the amount of cavity-causing bacteria. If this is your breakfast of choice, learn what you can do to fight back against this combination of tooth terror.
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