Healthy Smile Series: Reduce your risk of tooth decay

 

Americans consume foods and drinks that are high in sugar and starches more than ever before. Alarmingly, a steady diet of sugary foods and drinks can ruin teeth, especially among those who snack throughout the day. Grazing habitually on foods with minimal nutritional value, and frequently sipping on sugary drinks — such as pop, energy drinks and juice — all have a tendency to contribute towards tooth decay and send you straight to the dentist.

Sugar on teeth supplies food for bacteria, which produces acid. The acid in turn can eat away the enamel on teeth. Almost all foods have some type of sugar that cannot and should not be eliminated from our diets. Many of them contain important nutrients and add enjoyment to eating. But there is extra risk for tooth decay if your diet is high in sugars and starches. Starches can be found in everything from bread to pretzels to salad dressing, so read labels and plan carefully for a balanced, nutritious diet.

Some ways you can reduce your risk of tooth decay:

• If you choose to consume sugary foods and drinks, do so with meals.
• Limit between-meal snacks.
• Drink more water.
• Brush your teeth twice daily and floss daily.
• See your dentist regularly.

Brought to you by the office of Brian S. Nylaan, D.D.S. 

The Biggest Dental Problems For People Over 50

Smile! There’s good news from the world of dentistry: Older American are keeping their teeth longer than ever before and the average number of teeth people retain into old age is increasing, says 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.
But Jones is not all smiles. As people keep their teeth longer, there are more problems that are likely to arise, which is why keeping up with regular dental visits is so important. Here are the most common problems, and what you can do about them:

Tooth decay 

You can keep your smile for a lifetime.

Yes, people over 50 can get cavities. You can get them on the surfaces of teeth that have never been a problem before, but you can also get them around old fillings or at the root of your tooth. “As you age, the root of your tooth becomes softer and sometimes more exposed,” Jones explains.

The Fix: Fluoride is not just for kids, Jones says. “Fluoride is one of the 10 most important health measures developed in the 20th century.” Almost 80 percent of people in the United States have fluorinated water, but if you don’t, you should probably add a daily fluoride rinse to your brushing habit. Or ask your doctor about a stronger fluoride prescription gel. If you are starting to get cavities, even if your water has fluoride, consider a fluoride rinse. Ask your dentist if that’s right for you.

Water is the best cure for dry mouth.

Dry mouth


Saliva protects us against tooth decay. But if you’re not producing it, your teeth may be at risk. The calcium and phosphate present in saliva prevent demineralization of your teeth, Jones says. How do you know if you have dry mouth? You’ll have a sticky feeling in your mouth, trouble swallowing, dry throat, and dry, cracked lips. You may notice a metallic taste in your mouth or persistent bad breath. You may or may not feel thirsty. Dry mouth is often caused by medications, and as people age, they take more medications. It can also result from smoking or from a blow to the head that somehow damages the salivary glands.

The Fix: If you have dry mouth, you should try to stimulate saliva production. Jones says some people just sip water all day while others find that chewing sugar-free xylitol candies or gum helps. Your dentist may prescribe a prescription saliva substitute or recommend over-the-counter formulations for you to try.

Gum disease 

A healthy mouth leads to
a healthy body.

If your gums are swollen, red, or bleed easily, you've got gingivitis, an early form of gum disease that can progress and be dangerous. Untreated gingivitis often becomes periodontitis, which is when the gum pulls away from the tooth and creates pockets which can become infected. If this condition develops and continues unchecked, it could cause the loss of bones in your jaw and eventually, the loss of the teeth themselves.

The Fix: The best fix for this condition is regular dentist visits, Jones says. You may need to visit your dentist more frequently so that your teeth can be cleaned and your gums treated for the condition. People who don’t have good access to dental care are more likely to have gum disease, Jones says.

Oral cancer 

More than 43,000 Americans will be diagnosed with oral cancers this year, and more than 8,000 will die from it, according to The Oral Cancer Foundation. Oral cancer incidence definitely increases as you get older, Jones says, and is very often linked to smoking and heavy alcohol use. Recently, the number of cases has risen because doctors have discovered that the Human Papilloma Virus also can cause oral cancer.

The Fix: Only about half of people who develop oral cancer survive the disease, Jones says. The best hope for survival is to discover it at its earliest stages—in which case there is an 80 percent chance of surviving for five years. Your dental exam should include a check for oral cancer. Your dentist will hold your tongue and check the soft tissue in your mouth as well as your throat and jaw. If he or she does not, find another dentist, Jones says.

Tooth crowding 

Aligners used to straighten teeth 

Are you noticing that food is getting stuck in new places in your mouth? Or that the overlapping tooth that was cute in your teens now seems to be overlapping even more? You’re not imagining it. As you age, your teeth shift, according to Lee W. Graber, D.D.S., M.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.

The Fix: If your teeth have really shifted, you could see an orthodontist, who may fit you with a retainer, spacer, or even braces. This may not be necessary, but you should discuss with your dentist whether your teeth are shifting at your regular check up. If they are, it may mean only that you need to go to the dentist more regularly for more frequent cleanings.

Reference: Grandparents.com

Icky Mouth Mysteries Solved

From stinky breath and swollen gums to "burning mouth syndrome," the symptoms in your mouth could be trying to tell you something — so listen up!

Without fail, you follow your dentist’s orders to keep your teeth and gums healthy — but did you know that the condition of your mouth can also shine light on other health problems? Some dental conditions such as bad breath and puffy gums can be signs of gum disease. Other oral symptoms, however, may point to seemingly unrelated health problems (hint: eroded teeth could be a sign of an eating disorder or chronic heartburn). Take a look at these oral symptoms to find out what they could be telling you about your health.

Why You Have Bad Breath

Everyone experiences stinky breath, but brushing and flossing (including brushing your tongue or using a tongue scraper) should nip bad breath in the bud. What about when it doesn’t? It could be a sign of advanced gum disease, so it’s important to talk to your dentist before this oral condition ruins perfectly healthy teeth, says David M. Leader, DMD, assistant clinical professor at the Tufts University School of Dental Medicine in Boston.

Most of the time, however, the biggest bad-breath culprit is your diet. “Onion, garlic, and pungent spices will produce mouth odor for hours after consumption,” Dr. Leader says. In addition, people who have uncontrolled diabetes, eat a high-protein diet, or suffer from alcoholism tend to have breath with a sweet or fruity odor, from a metabolic condition called ketoacidosis.

Swollen Gums? Here's What They Signal

Swollen gums is another sign of gum disease. Even if you believe you have healthy teeth, swollen gums absolutely require a visit to the dentist. Your dentist or dental hygienist will be able to tell right away if you have gum disease — but you can check for swollen gums yourself by drying your gums with a napkin or a tissue and looking in the mirror. “The surface of the gum close to the teeth should appear pebbled like a basketball, not smooth and shiny,” Leader says. And although your swollen gums may feel fine, they tend to bleed during brushing.

In addition to swelling, this dental health problem also causes red gums. (Most light- and dark-skinned people naturally have pink gums, but some people of Mediterranean and African descent have darker gums).

Uncover the Cause of Eroded Enamel

During dental erosion, the surface of a tooth or teeth gradually wears away. Any source of acid can erode the tooth enamel of healthy teeth, including acid from citrus fruits and soda. But one of the most common sources of acid in the mouth is due to gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD, a condition in which acid from the stomach comes up the esophagus, causes heartburn, and reaches the mouth, says Leader. Another cause of this dental health problem may be bulimia, the eating disorder in which people frequently binge on a large meal and then purge by vomiting.

 

What's That Sour Taste in Your Mouth?

If you frequently have a sour taste in your mouth (which is often mistaken for bad breath), it could be another sign of GERD, especially if it’s accompanied by a sore throat, chest pain, and a hoarse voice, Leader warns. Besides this oral condition and dental erosion, GERD can lead to other problems such as an esophageal ulcer and inflammation of the esophagus. If you suspect you have GERD, get tested and treated as needed.

 

Why So Dry?

Dry mouth, or xerostomia, is a very common oral condition, especially as you age, Leader says. There are also more than 425 medications that include dry mouth as a side effect. But dry mouth can be related to issues beyond dental health. It’s also a common symptom of diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, scleroderma, systemic lupus erythematosus, and Sjogren’s syndrome. If you have chronic dry mouth, you should be concerned and talk to your dentist, Leader advises. You can also find clinics that specialize in treating this condition

 

Are Your Loose Teeth Trying to Tell You Something?

Loose teeth are another dental health symptom not to ignore because this may be a sign that you have gum disease, a potentially serious oral condition. Bacteria that grow below the gum line can cause tissues and bones to break down, leading to the separation of the teeth from the gums. As more tissue and bone is destroyed, the more likely you are to lose healthy teeth as they become loose and need to be pulled.

Loose teeth may also be a sign of infection or scleroderma, a disease of the connective tissue that causes changes in the skin, blood vessels, muscles, and organs.

Mouth Sore SOS

Did you know that a white or red patch on the tongue or lining of the mouth is the most common sign of oral cancer? But don’t be alarmed: Mouth sores are completely common and the chance your sore signals cancer is low. To be safe, show your dentist any sores in your mouth that don’t heal after two weeks.

Mouth sores from oral cancer tend to occur along with other oral conditions, such as a strange taste in the mouth, problems chewing; pain when you swallow, and having trouble with speech.

 

White or Brown Lines on Kids' Teeth?

Children who have been exposed to too much fluoride can have white or brown lines across the face of their teeth, Leader says. Other signs of too much fluoride are nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting. While safe in very small amounts, “if you think your child has consumed a large quantity of fluoride toothpaste, call poison control immediately,” he urges. To protect healthy teeth, limit fluoride exposure, keep fluoride toothpaste in a safe place, and only supplement fluoride if your dentist recommends it. Remember that most community water supplies are fortified with fluoride for dental health and that fluoride can be found in some bottled water and other products such as juice.

 

What Burning Mouth Says About Your Health

If you’re experiencing a moderate to severe scalding sensation in your mouth, lips, or tongue, it could be an oral condition called burning mouth syndrome. Fortunately, burning mouth syndrome is not very common, Leader says. When it does occur, it can be caused by a number of medications, certain specific oral conditions, or other health issues, including nutritional deficiencies, fungal infections in the mouth, and hormone changes in women.

 

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 Reference:

Everyday health