Archive for the ‘Children’s Dental Health’ Category
Oral Health Review
- Maintenance – Brushing your teeth at least twice a day and flossing once daily are not the only forms of tooth maintenance. Seeing your dentist twice a year is also a good routine to avoid costly repairs.
- Children – Children need to also be maintained to avoid oral problems and to encourage proper brushing and flossing. They should see the dentist by age one. Parents should brush their child’s teeth until they are coordinated enough to do that themselves. A good rule of thumb is they are unable to brush their own teeth properly until they can tie their shoes themselves. They are usually not coordinated enough to floss properly until about age nine.
- Soda/Pop – Phosphoric acid, citric acid, and carbonic acid provide the tart taste in sodas. The fizzy taste in these drinks may be enjoyable but can soften tooth enamel and make one much more susceptible to tooth decay. An occasional soda won’t hurt but daily intake of soda is destructive for teeth. Switch to water, no calories, no cavities!
- Sugar – Sugar is the major cause of tooth decay. It feeds bacteria which causes plaque. Plaque is bacteria and all its waste products – acid. The acid eats away at your enamel and gums. Each time you create a sugar-fest for plaque you create about twenty minutes of acid production. To avoid tooth decay cut down on sugar and brush and floss frequently.
- Nicotine – Nicotine not only has major health risks including increased chance to develop oral cancer, but negatively affects your teeth. The nicotine and tar in cigarettes can stain your teeth and cause gum loss. Smoking also creates an environment for bacteria and plaque to cause damage especially right at the gum line. Damage occurs not just to teeth but bone and gums as well, leading to tooth loss.
- Toothbrush and Brushing Technique – Change your toothbrush at least every 3 months or as soon as you notice bent bristles. Use only soft bristled toothbrushes and use the right brushing technique. Aim the bristles of your brush at a 45 degree angle to the teeth and gums and brush in tiny circular motions. Be sure every surface of every tooth is brushed. Develop a standard sequence and brush in that sequence at every brushing session. Each tooth should have ten to fifteen passes on the brush or about two minutes total brushing time.
- Floss – Floss is important for healthy teeth and gums. Many people have up to forty percent of the surfaces of their teeth between the teeth where a brush cannot reach. To properly remove plaque in these areas, floss is the best method to break up plaque and leave your teeth and gums in good shape. Take about eighteen inches of floss and wrap the floss around the index fingers of both hands with about two inches between to work with. Unroll fresh floss for each new tooth flossed. In a designated sequence, proceed until the front and back of each tooth is flossed.
As with many things, maintenance will extend the life of whatever we take care of. Teeth and oral health will not only extend the life of our teeth and gums, but reduction in the inflammation in our mouth will reduce the incidence of heart disease and stroke, and reduce the effects of diabetes and other autoimmune diseases.
Keep Brushing,
Dr. James G. Hood
Please join us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/drjameshood and
visit our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/drjameshood
|
|
Dental Care Associates of Spokane Valley, P.S.
Family and Cosmetic Dentistry Welcomes Patients from Age 2 to 102!
James G. Hood, D.D.S., M.A.
507 North Sullivan Road, Suite A-1,Spokane Valley,WA99037-8576 USA
Phone: (509) 928-9100 | Fax: (509) 928-0414
Email: drhood@drhood.com | Blogs: www.drjamesghoodblog.com www.dentalcareassociatesofspokanevalleyblog.com www.dentalnutritionblog.com www.jamesandkarenhoodfoundationblog.com www.sjogrensblog.com
Websites: www.drhood.com, www.dentalcareassociatesofspokanevalley.com, www.dentalhealthandnutritionstore.com
Toothbrushes and Toothpaste
Toothbrushes:
Frequently, I am asked what is the best toothbrush and toothpaste. As with many things in life, the answer is not so simple. But there are a few guidelines.
Definitely, I would never recommend any hard-bristled or medium-bristled toothbrush, only soft-bristled toothbrushes for human teeth. Hamster cages and boots can be cleaned with hard or medium bristled toothbrushes, but not teeth. Also, the bristles should be rounded on the end, not sharp or ragged. Gums can be lacerated easily with a sharp bristled toothbrush.
SOFT: Soft nylon will prevent teeth and gums from being scratched. Tooth- brushes with the American Dental Association’s Seal of Acceptance (ADA Seal) should be your only reasonable choice for toothbrushes (and tooth- paste) for that matter.
RIGHT SIZE: The size and shape of the brush should also be user appropriate. Children need smaller brush heads and handles. Your brush should feel comfortable in your hand. Smaller brush heads in adults is usually better. Ask your dentist or hygienist if you have a question about your brush or brushing.
MAINTAIN: Replace your worn or frayed brush at least every 3-4 months. Frayed bristles can damage teeth and gums and harbor bacteria.
ELECTRIC: And, if you need (children and handicapped patients) electric toothbrushes work as well as manual brushes. So…if you’ve followed the above guidelines, the best brush is the one you like to use at least twice daily.
The average person brushes for about 37 seconds. However, to do a proper job it takes two to three minutes to sufficiently remove plaque when brushing. A three minute egg timer is a good reminder for children’s brushing. Aim the bristles at a 45o angle to the long axis of the teeth and with gentle circular motions, brush all exposed surfaces.
DEVELOP A BRUSHING PATTERN: Brush in a pattern that covers all the surfaces of all teeth each time you brush. For example, brush from right to left on the outside of upper teeth, then left to right inside surface of upper teeth, then outside right to left lower teeth and then inside left to right lower teeth and then lower biting surfaces left to right and upper biting surface right to left.
TOOTHPASTE: Tooth paste not only polishes teeth, it also helps remove plaque (bacteria and its waste products) from teeth. Daily removal of plaque from teeth helps keep teeth and gums healthy and breath fresh.
AMERICAN MADE: This is one place where the American Dental Association (ADA) seal is particularly important. Never use toothpaste from China.
WHITENING TOOTHPASTES: Teeth whitening toothpastes don’t really work to whiten teeth. They may rid you mouth of stains. However, they often cause sensitivity.
DESENSITIZING TOOTH PASTES: These toothpastes are valuable in blocking irritants from getting to nerve ending. Potassium nitrate (salt peter) is the most effective desensitizing agent in desensitizing toothpastes (potassium nitrate is also used to cure and maintain red color in corned beef).
FLUORIDE TOOTHPASTE: Fluoride is the most significant chemical element which can be easily added to tooth paste to improve dental health. Fluoride remineralizes and strengthens teeth as well as desensitized teeth. Children, especially through teen years, and senior citizens can benefit from fluoride in toothpastes and other forms of topical fluoride, especially in areas (there are still a few) without the benefit of community water fluoridation.
Keep smiling!
Dr. James G. Hood
* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *
Dental Care Associates of Spokane Valley, P.S.
Family and Cosmetic Dentistry Welcomes Patients
from Age 2 to 102!
James G. Hood, D.D.S., M.A.
507 North Sullivan Road, Suite A-1
Spokane Valley, WA 99037-8576 USA
Phone: (509) 928-9100 | Fax: (509) 928-0414
Email: drhood@drhood.com
Websites: www.drhood.com
www.dentalcareassociatesofspokanevalley.com
Blogs: www.drjamesghoodblog.com
www.dentalhealthandnutritionblog.com
www.dentalcareassociatesofspokanevalleyblog.com
www.jamesandkarenhoodfoundationblog.org
www.sjogrensblog.org
Online Store: www.dentalhealthandnutritionstore.com
Holidays and Dental Health
WOW! The Christmas holiday is rapidly approaching, which catches people off guard on how quickly 2011 ends and 2012 is upon us.
In the hustle-bustle of the hectic holiday season, many may forget about oral health maintenance. Dental insurance usually is contracted yearly, from January 1st through December 31st. Therefore, if you have dental insurance coverage that you or your employer has paid for, it needs to be taken advantage of before December 31st. Use it or lose it.
Many people think, “I’ll do the dental treatment I need in January, after things settle down.” Well … if you see your dentist and have dental treatment done before year’s end, you could have the insurance benefit of 2 years (one before Dec 31st and one after Dec 31st). Either way, you or your employer have paid for your dental insurance (if you’re lucky enough to have dental insurance), so you surely want to take full advantage of your benefits.
Whether or not you have dental insurance, maintenance is always cheaper than repair. As the conclusion of 2011 approaches, be diligent in assuring that you’ve followed the old adage: Brush your teeth twice a day, and see your dentist twice a year.
Dental health is more than just a dazzling smile. Good oral health can help minimize the effect of diabetes, heart disease, respiratory diseases, osteoporosis, and Alzheimer’s disease.
Enjoy the holiday season. Be aware of all the things that you can do to improve your overall health. We are all exposed to excessive amounts of good and not so good foods during this festive season. Be careful how you fuel your systems and understand that oral health is a most significant part of maintaining overall health.
On a final note, Christmas is a season to reflect on how many blessings we have. But in the interest of keeping Christ in Christmas, it is a time to generously be Christian. With our present economy, more people than ever are in need. Generously help someone in need. Perform random acts of kindness. Go out of your way to put smiles on faces of people you may not even know.
Sharing a joyful holiday season,
James G. Hood, DDS, MA
* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *
Dental Care Associates of Spokane Valley, P.S.
Family and Cosmetic Dentistry Welcomes Patients
from Age 2 to 102!
James G. Hood, D.D.S., M.A.
507 North Sullivan Road, Suite A-1
Spokane Valley, WA 99037-8576 USA
Phone: (509) 928-9100 | Fax: (509) 928-0414
Email: drhood@drhood.com
Websites: www.drhood.com
www.dentalcareassociatesofspokanevalley.com
Blogs: www.drjamesghoodblog.com
www.dentalhealthandnutritionblog.com
www.dentalcareassociatesofspokanevalleyblog.com
www.jamesandkarenhoodfoundationblog.org
www.sjogrensblog.org
Online Store: www.dentalhealthandnutritionstore.com
Fluoride – Topical and Systemic Treatments
Fluoride is one of the most abundant and chemically reactive elements on earth. Many foods (including certain teas, red wines, meat, fish, eggs and cheeses) contain high amounts of fluoride. Everyone ingests at least trace amounts of fluoride on a regular basis. Fluoride is a naturally occurring element that strengthens teeth.
Fluoride can be taken in one of two ways: topically and systemically. Topical applications of fluoride include toothpastes, mouth rinses, and fluoride treatments in a dental office. Systemic fluoride is taken as a tablet or added to the diet as mentioned above or added to something ingested (i.e., water fluoridation).
Water fluoridation is the process of adjusting the fluoride content in local water facilities to the recommended dose for optimal dental health. Hundreds of fluoridation studies, from more than 20 countries, have proven the effect of optimal fluoride levels in local diets at reducing tooth decay. In some communities fluoride needs to be reduced (taken out) from local water supplies, and in other communities it is added to water supplies to create optimal fluoride concentration.
There are still a few areas (i.e., Spokane, WA) which have virtually no naturally occurring fluoride in local water supplies and civic leaders have chosen (I believe unwisely) not to add fluoride to the community water. In such a case, your family dentist can prescribe fluoride tablets in the optimal concentration for local water supplies to prevent decay in residents.
Again, numerous studies have shown that fluoridated water, at an optimal level recommended for decay prevention in teeth, is completely safe.
Application of fluoride to teeth (both systemically and topically), along with pit and fissure sealants, are the two best preventive measures in reducing or preventing decay in teeth.
Fluoride does not replace flossing but, as part of a good oral hygiene program, can go a long way in helping to reduce or eliminate tooth decay.
Keep Smiling! 
Dr. James G. Hood
Dental Care Associates of Spokane Valley, P.S.
Family and Cosmetic Dentistry Welcomes Patients from Age 2 to 102!
James G. Hood, D.D.S., M.A.
507 North Sullivan Road, Suite A-1, Spokane Valley, WA 99037-8576 USA
Phone: (509) 928-9100 | Fax: (509) 928-0414
Email: drhood@drhood.com
Websites: www.drhood.com, www.dentalcareassociatesofspokanevalley.com
Blogs: www.drjamesghoodblog.com, www.dentalhealthandnutritionblog.com, www.dentalcareassociatesofspokanevalleyblog.com
www.jamesandkarenhoodfoundationblog.org, www.sjogrensblog.org
Online Store: www.dentalhealthandnutritionstore.com
Fluoride and Dental Health
- Fluoride is a compound formed by one or more atoms of fluorine, a water-soluble element (the 13th most common element in the earth’s crust).
- Fluoride is a trace mineral found in most water supplies and almost all food.
- Spokane, unlike most major metropolitan communities in the USA, has no fluoride in the water supply.
- Fluoride makes tooth enamel more resistant to decay.
- Fluoride is found naturally in tooth enamel and bone.
- Fluoride may be used in two different ways:
- Systemically: Ingested into the system through food, water, or fluoride tablets.
- Topically: Added directly to teeth as gels, pastes, rinses, or in the diet.
- Both systemic and topical fluoride help maintain strong teeth.
What our office wants is to achieve the optimum level of systemic and/or topical fluoride for the maximum reduction of tooth decay in all our dental patients.
Glossary of Useful Terms
- Demineralization = process occurring in the mouth all the time, which dissolves or removes fluoride from teeth. When occurring more profoundly than remineralization, the result is dental caries.
- Dental Caries = tooth decay. Possible causes of dental caries include:
- Poor oral hygiene
- Active decay in teeth
- Drug and/or alcohol abuse
- Eating disorders (i.e. bulimia, anorexia)
- Lack of professional dental care
- Rough filling or active orthodontics, making cleaning difficult, resulting in poor oral hygiene
- High levels of caries causing bacteria, possibly due to (1) blood dyscrasias – abnormal conditions in the blood, (2) poor diet
- Exposed root surface on teeth, which are more susceptible to dental decay
- Exposure to head and neck radiation
- Decreased salivary flow (dry mouth) due to medications or diseases (such as uncontrolled diabetes, Sjögren’s Syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, etc.)
- Plaque = bacteria. Plaque is the sticky film produced (including bacteria) and the acid waste products from its activity.
- Remineralization = process occurring in the mouth all the time, which adds minerals to the teeth. When occurring more profoundly than demineralization, the beneficial result is strong teeth.
Happy Smiles,
Dr. James G. Hood
Dental Care Associates of Spokane Valley, P.S.
Family and Cosmetic Dentistry Welcomes Patients from Age 2 to 102!
James G. Hood, D.D.S., M.A.
507 North Sullivan Road, Suite A-1, Spokane Valley, WA 99037-8576 USA
Phone: (509) 928-9100 | Fax: (509) 928-0414
Email: drhood@drhood.com
Websites: www.drhood.com, www.dentalcareassociatesofspokanevalley.com
Blogs: www.drjamesghoodblog.com, www.dentalhealthandnutritionblog.com, www.dentalcareassociatesofspokanevalleyblog.com
www.jamesandkarenhoodfoundationblog.org, www.sjogrensblog.org
Online Store: www.dentalhealthandnutritionstore.com
Recent Comments