SmilteBytes Dental Health Tips

The Health of Your Mouth Mirrors Your Overall Health

The Health of Your Mouth Mirrors Your Overall Health Your mouth is a mirror that reflects your overall health and well-being, according to Donna E. Shalala in the Surgeon General’s Report on Oral Health. It’s also a key determinant of your nutritional status and your self-esteem. “Oral health means more than sound teeth. Oral health is integral to overall health,” she said. The report, which was the first that the U.S. Surgeon General has undertaken to assess the nation’s oral health, is intended to “alert Americans to the full meaning of oral health and its importance to general health and well-being.” But what is oral health? First of all, the word “oral” refers to the mouth, which includes not only the teeth and gums and their supportive tissues, but also the roof and the floor of the mouth (the hard and soft palate), the tongue, the lining of the mouth and the throat (called the mucosa), the lips, the salivary glands, the upper and lower jaws, and the chewing muscles. Oral health also involves the branches of the nervous system, the immune system and the vascular system (blood vessels) that serve this part of your body. So consequently, oral health means more than just being free from cavities and gum disease. Oral health, the report states, means overall health in the tissues that “allow us to speak and smile; sigh and kiss; smell, taste, touch, chew and swallow; cry out in pain; and convey a world of feelings and emotions through facial expressions.” Oral health and overall health—an intricate interrelationship The health of the oral tissues is indicative of the health of organs and systems throughout your body. Your dentist and other healthcare providers can gather an enormous amount of information about your overall health simply by examining these tissues A thorough oral exam can uncover nutritional deficiencies, microbial infections, immune disorders and some forms of cancer. Clues to a disease can be discovered by analyzing saliva under a microscope. Facial nerves have counterparts elsewhere in the body. The jaw bones and jaw joint function like other musculoskeletal regions of the body. Conversely, research is showing us that disease within the mouth—especially periodontal (gum) disease—is connected to ailments throughout the body. Infections in the mouth are a gateway for disease-causing bacteria to enter the bloodstream and provoke a number of diseases, including: Heart disease and stroke Respiratory infection Diabetes Stomach ulcers Low birth weight or premature births The answer? Decay (also called caries or cavities) and periodontal disease are the most common, widespread dental diseases. They’re also the most preventable. Community prevention programs, such as fluoridated drinking water, dental hygiene instruction in schools, nutrition education, and tobacco cessation programs, save billions of dollars per year in public health costs, according to the report. And best of all, they help most people keep their natural teeth for a lifetime. Source - “Oral Health in America: A Report of the Surgeon General” Related reading: Wall Street Journal-If Your Teeth Could talk ADA-Systemic and Oral Health Relationship Mayo Clinic-A window to your oral health

Acid Erosion and Your Teeth

The two main causes of Acid Erosion in the mouth is:
• Gastric Reflux
• Acid Foods, ie Carbonated Beverages, Energy Drinks, Citrus etc.

This can become a serious problem because the enamel is worn away and the enamel of your teeth is the strongest material in your body. When it’s gone it reveals a soft underlying material called the dentin. This can cause sensitive teeth and eventually significant loss of tooth structure resulting is chipping and fracturing of your teeth. This video shows what can happen and how it’s fixed.

Do Kids Still Get Cavities?

Short answer? YES! Cavities are caused by a bacterial infection on the teeth known as "caries". Dental caries is the #1 childhood disease, five times more prevalent than #1, which is asthma. This infection in children is primarily caused by: Transmission: this infection is contagious! The most common route of transmission is termed "vertical transmission", which means parents or primary caregivers infect their children. Prolonged acidic oral environment: this can be associated with a sugary/acidic diet or frequent nursing/bottle feeding. These factors can promote an acidic bacterial infection. Lack of good hygiene: keeping the oral environment clean and at an alkaline pH is important even prior to the first tooth erupting. Our office utilizes Caries Risk Assessment protocols, products and systems from http://www.carifree.com We thank them for their educational resources found in this article and the links below! 1. http://www.carifree.com/patients/cavities_a_to_z/Caries_infection.html 2. http://www.carifree.com/patients/cavities_a_to_z/Transmission.html 3. http://www.carifree.com/patients/cavities_a_to_z/Proper_diet.html  4. http://www.carifree.com/patients/solutions/ph_cavities.html

Gum Disease and the Link to Diabetes

A New York University nursing-dental research team has discovered that 90% of those that have Periodontal Gum Disease are also at risk of Diabetes. ScienceDaily has an interesting write up. According to Dr. Strauss from the American Diabetes Association in 2007 5.7 million Americans went undiagnosed. In the near future, part of your exam may include a blood sugar screening.

Tooth Decay: Why Are Teeth Still Decaying

Tooth Decay-Why Are Teeth Still Decaying from Douglas Sandquist on Vimeo.

Tooth Decay is a caused by bacteria. Certain bacteria produce an acid when they consume sugar. This acid is what etches the teeth and causes carious lesions in the teeth. These bacteria thrive in an acidic oral environment, so the treatment of tooth decay involves neutralizing the pH in the mouth and eliminating the bacteria that produce the most acid.

Restoring Broken Down Sliver Fillings

This is the Before Image: Note the broken filling on the tooth on the right!

We completed the restoration on the right tooth about 2 months ago and were treating the middle tooth today.

An Image of both restorations completed. A Nice Result.

How the Economy Can Hurt Your Health and Your Teeth

Just found an article today from Realage.com about the importance of healthy teeth!
The Economy has affected everyone, every dollar matters.
Some have decided to save money and not get their teeth cleaned.
Along with Daily brushing and flossing… Regular professional cleanings monitor gum disease and reduce bacteria that causes it.
The bacteria that causes gum disease also causes inflammation of the blood vessels.
This has been linked to Heart Disease, Stroke, etc.
The dollars spent getting professional cleanings will improve your general health.
We understand that many don’t like getting their teeth cleaned, sometimes it hurts, sometimes the teeth are sensitive after, there are lots of ways to easily reduce pain during your cleanings, often without an injection and even help with the sensitivity after. It’s too important for your general health to let it go.
Call today, 702 734 0776

Congratulations to Mary

Mary is our Patient of the Day! Mary just completed over 1 year of comprehensive treatment that included several implants and a new smile. We are grateful for patients like Mary!

Patient of the Day! 07-14-2009

Congratulations to Jerry, our Patient of the Week, It’s great to be part of your health care team!

Gum Disease and the Increased Risk of Stroke

A recent study in the Annals of Neurology, the official journal of the American Neurological Association. The results showed “a significant association between periodontal bone loss and the incidence of stroke or TIA, independent of cardiovascular risk factors. This association was much stronger among men younger than 65 years old”. Link to news article

According to the study, it appears that the link between stroke and gum disease is related to bone loss, not probing depths alone, especially bone loss that occurs at an early age. This research provides evidence that a healthy mouth leads to a healthy body. Regular visits with the hygienist will reduce the risk of bone loss associated with gum disease. If you haven’t seen the hygienist in awhile it might be worth a phone call for an appointment, it could literally save your life!