Preventive dental care for children

Preventive dentistry means a healthy smile. Preventive dental care for children includes:

•     Proper nutrition and dietary habits
•     Brushing and flossing
•     Fluoride
•     Regular dental check-ups
•     Assessing risk for developing cavities
•     Evaluating oral growth and development
•     Oral health education
•     Protection against injuries
•     Management of oral habits
•     Guidance of erupting teeth
•     Sealants 

Your pediatric dentist practices preventive dentistry. Preventive dentistry for children, in addition to regular dental visits, requires parental involvement with daily oral care at home.

What Causes Canker Sore (Mouth Ulcer)?

A canker sore is not a dangerous condition. It is a sore that has taken place in your mouth. Rather it is an open sore. They come up anywhere in your mouth, that is they come up on your tongue, or on your cheek and lips or on the gums of your teeth or on the soft skin in the mouth.

Canker sores do not have any limitations to age, but they are more often found in people within the age range of ten years to forty years. They can affect anybody at any age irrespective of gender. However they affect more women than men.

Canker sores are also known as aphthous ulcers or Ulcers – Aphthous.

Symptoms of a Canker Sore
Canker sores come up as a bump in the mouth. This later develops into a pain that is irritating. The initial signs are a tingling sensation or a burning sensation that later turns into a sore. The inner core of the sore is a white or yellow in color with the outer periphery a red in color. The size of the sore may vary from person to person and from sore to sore. This sore generally develops in the family and is considered to be hereditary. The sores develop after some dental procedures or due to aggressive brushing of the teeth.

What are the Causes of Teeth Discoloration?

 Teeth discoloration is a common dental problem that annoys men and women alike. Before you think about whitening your teeth, you should understand why teeth get discolored or yellow in the first place.

1. Cigarettes – If you want a beautiful smile, you should avoid smoking. Cigarettes and cigars stain the teeth and make them look dull and unattractive. Chewing tobacco can also stain the teeth. Keep in mind that if you quit smoking and get your teeth whitened, you will feel better about yourself and your teeth will look fabulous.

2. Medicine – Some over-the-counter medicines and antibiotics can dull the teeth and make them look yellow. Some antihistamines also stain the teeth. If you take medication, tell your dentist or doctor about it and find out if it’s affecting the appearance of your teeth...

A dental anaesthetic with greater control

Septodont, a global leader in dental pharmaceuticals and the UK's number one manufacturer of dental anaesthetics, is pleased to announce the launch of its new and highly innovative Septoject Evolution needle, designed to provide greater control for practitioners and less discomfort for patients.

Septoject Evolution is engineered for a smoother penetration with less displacement, meaning less discomfort for your patients, even when used for multiple injections.

Dangers of Dental X-Rays

There are a number of people today concerned with the dangers of radiation exposure that is associated with having dental x-rays.

There is an annual occupational exposure limit that has been set by the federal government. This limit is currently set at 5,000 mrem or millirems, which means that you can safely be exposed to any radiation limits that are below this level. 

 The average person is only exposed to around 350 mrem every year from background radiation sources such as flying on an airplane, living in a brick building and other sources.

Given the levels of background radiation, you would still need to endure close to 70 full mouth x-rays every year in order to reach the maximum exposure limit of 5,000 mrem.

WAND - A computer-controlled dental injection

The Wand is essentially a computer-controlled dental injection. The flow rate of the local anaesthetic is controlled by a computer. This means that the injection is guaranteed to be slow and steady and therefore comfortable.

Even though Milestone Scientific – the manufacturers of the Wand – now call their products CompuDent and STA (Single Tooth Anesthesia) System, we’ll still call it the Wand here – because a lot of people with needle phobia describe it as their “Magic Wand”!

Most people who have had a bad experience with injections think that needles sting because the skin is pierced, but this is usually not so! Most often, the sting was caused because the anesthetic was fired in too quickly. Obviously, it is possible for the dentist to control the speed with a standard syringe, but the idea of the Wand is to take out the “human error”. This can be very reassuring for people with previous bad experiences.

Oral Herpes

Herpes is the medical name for a group of similar viruses. This group includes the varicella-zoster virus, which causes chicken pox as well as shingles; the Epstein-Barr virus, which causes infectious mononucleosis (mono); cytomegalovirus (CMV), which is responsible for infections that usually afflict newborns and people with defective immune systems; and the herpes simplex virus (HSV), which causes genital and oral infections.

To most people, however, herpes is the common term for infections caused by HSV.

Description of Oral Herpes 

There are two types of HSV, HSV-1 and HSV-2. In most cases, HSV-1 causes ulcerative lesions of the oral mucosa/lips that are commonly referred to as cold sores or fever blisters. HSV-2, on the other hand, generally causes genital herpes. However, some genital herpes may be caused by HSV-1 virus, and some oral herpes may be caused by HSV-2. This cross infection can happen when sexual partners have oral-genital relations...

cerabone - Natural Bovine Bone Grafting Material

cerabone® is a highly reliable, dimensional stable, purified natural bovine bone grafting material. The mineral composition, the three dimensional structure and the physico-chemical and biological properties of cerabone® are very similar to those of human bone.

Properties

•     natural bovine bone grafting material
•     slow resorption and directed integration by new bone formation
•     long-term dimensional stability
•     osteoconductive
•     100% pure bone mineral
•     no foreign body or inflammatory reaction
•     hydrophilic surface, optimal cell adhesion and blood absorption
•     interconnective porosity
•     safe and sterile
•     easy handling

How to floss teeth?

Babies & Dental Hygiene

Dental hygiene should begin shortly after a child is born. A newborn oral care is important to maintain clean and healthy gums. After every feeding a clean, warm wash cloth should be used to gently cleanse the inside of the mouth. 

Thrush, a treatable fungal infection caused by Candida (yeast), often appears in areas of the mouth that may have torn tissue, caused by the constant sucking on a pacifier, bottle, or during breastfeeding. The tiny tears remain moist and, if not removed manually, the yeast may cause the painful condition. Signs of thrush include:

•     White patches that appear to coat the tongue, inside tissue of the cheek, and gums
•     Irregular-shaped patches that are not able to be wiped away, sticking to the tissue
•     Pain when feeding or using a pacifier

If left untreated, a nursing mother may develop thrush on her breast, although is not typically considered contagious. See your doctor or dentist and he may prescribe a medication to clear up the infection.

Help patients to see the future with digital imaging

Your smile is the most important aspect of your appearance and self-image. In addition to the care, skill, and knowledge needed to produce world-class dentistry, having the latest technological tools is a necessity. When choosing cosmetic dentistry treatments to revitalize your smile, how do you know which ones will deliver the results you want? So the dentist can give patients a glimpse into the future with digital imaging.

 Many dental offices are equipped with leading-edge tools and technology to provide patients with the best of modern dentistry. They believe in educating patients about their dental care choices. Computer-generated digital imaging lets you see the results of specific therapies before you begin treatment. You’ll get a glimpse of your new smile and information to make wise decisions.

Contraindications for removal of impacted teeth

All impacted teeth should be removed unless specific contraindications justify leaving them in position. When the potential benefits outweight the potential complications and risks, the procedure should be performed. Similarly, when the risks are greater than the potential benefits, the procedure should be deferred. Contraindications for the removal impacted teeth primarily involve the patient's physical status.

Extremes of age

The third molar tooth bud can be seen radiographically by age 6. Some surgeons think that removal of the tooth bud at age 7 to 9 can be accomplished with minimal surgical morbidity and therefore shoud be performed at this age. However, most surgeons believe that it is not possible to predict accurately if the forming third molar will be impacted. The consensus is that very early removal of third molars should be deferred until an accurate diagnosis of impaction can be made.

The most common contraindication for the removal of impacted teeth is advanced age. As a patient ages, the bone becomes highly calcified and therefore less flexible and less likely to bend under the forces of tooth extraction. The result is that more bone must be surgically removed to displace the tooth from its socket.

Teeth Grinding (Bruxism)

Simply defined, teeth grinding is the act of consciously or unconsciously clenching your teeth either during the day or while you sleep. Bruxism is considered both a medical and a dental problem. This is because it affects both the teeth and all of the structure near it, including the head.

 Teeth grinding usually happens during sleep. Have you ever had a roommate or a sleeping partner that snores? Well you might have had one that grinds their teeth in their sleep as well. Teeth grinding is as common as snoring. However, unlike snoring, teeth grinding sounds are a little on the low side, although it can be as bothersome as well.

Why Do People Grind Their Teeth?

Although teeth grinding can be caused by stress and anxiety, it often occurs during sleep and is more likely caused by an abnormal bite or missing or crooked teeth.

How Do I Find Out if I Grind My Teeth?

Because grinding often occurs during sleep, most people are unaware that they grind their teeth. However, a dull, constant headache or sore jaw is a telltale symptom of bruxism. Many times people learn that they grind their teeth by their loved one who hears the grinding at night.

If you suspect you may be grinding your teeth, talk to your dentist. He or she can examine your mouth and jaw for signs of bruxism, such as jaw tenderness and abnormalities in your teeth.

A few facts about trigeminal neuralgia

Trigeminal neuralgia causes facial pain.Trigeminal neuralgia develops in mid to late life. The condition is the most frequently occurring of all the nerve pain disorders. Trigeminal neuralgia symptoms may include one or more of these patterns:

•     Occasional twinges of mild pain
•     Episodes of severe, shooting or jabbing pain that may feel like an electric shock
•     Spontaneous attacks of pain or attacks triggered by things such as touching the face, chewing, speaking and brushing teeth
•     Bouts of pain lasting from a few seconds to several seconds
•     Episodes of several attacks lasting days, weeks, months or longer —some people have periods when they experience no pain
•     Pain in areas supplied by the trigeminal nerve (nerve branches), including the cheek, jaw, teeth, gums, lips, or less often the eye and forehead
•     Pain affecting one side of your face at a time
•     Pain focused in one spot or spread in a wider pattern
•     Attacks becoming more frequent and intense over time

People with trigeminal neuralgia become plagued by intermittent severe pain that interferes with common daily activities such as eating and sleep. They live in fear of unpredictable painful attacks, which leads to sleep deprivation and undereating. The condition can lead to irritability, severe anticipatory anxiety and depression, and life-threatening malnutrition. Suicidal depression is not uncommon.

People often call trigeminal neuralgia "tic douloureux" because of a characteristic muscle spasm that accompanies the pain.

Connections between obesity and gum disease

What’s the connection between being overweight and gum disease? Most theories suggest that fat cells produce many chemical signals and hormones that can increase inflammation in the body, decrease the effectiveness of your immune system, and increase your susceptibility to periodontal disease. 

Other theories point to the possible eating habits of overweight people and the connections to simple sugars that our mouths convert to plaque. As plaque accumulates on teeth and gums, gingivitis, periodontitis, and tooth decay may become inevitable.

Bacteria from gum disease may interfere with fat metabolism, leading to elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and total cholesterol.

Dry Mouth - Causes, Symptoms & Treatment

What Causes Dry Mouth?

   -  Side effect of certain medications. Dry mouth is a common side effect of many prescription and nonprescription drugs, including drugs used to treat depression, anxiety, pain, allergies, and colds (antihistamines and decongestants), obesity, acne, epilepsy, hypertension (diuretics), diarrhea, nausea, psychotic disorders, urinary incontinence, asthma (certain bronchodilators), and Parkinson's disease. Dry mouth can also a side effect of muscle relaxants and sedatives.

   -  Side effect of certain diseases and infections. Dry mouth can be a side effect of medical conditions, including Sjögren's syndrome, HIV/AIDS, Alzheimer's disease, diabetes, anemia, cystic fibrosis, rheumatoid arthritis, hypertension, Parkinson's disease, stroke, and mumps.

 

  -  Side effect of certain medical treatments. Damage to the salivary glands, the glands that produce saliva, for example, from radiation to the head and neck and chemotherapy treatments for cancer, can reduce the amount of saliva produced.

   -  Nerve damage. Dry mouth can be a result of nerve damage to the head and neck area from an injury or surgery.

   -  Dehydration . Conditions that lead to dehydration, such as fever, excessive sweating, vomiting, diarrhea, blood loss, and burns can cause dry mouth.

   -  Surgical removal of the salivary glands.

  - Lifestyle. Smoking or chewing tobacco can affect saliva production and aggravate dry mouth. Continuously breathing with your mouth open can also contribute to the problem.

Dental tourism calls to travel

The term dental tourism can be defined as traveling to farther outposts to avail of quality dental care. Nowadays, several countries have emerged as preferred destinations for dental tourism due to their tremendous technological leaps in the same. Mostly, the dental patients can hail from as far as America, EU, Canada, Japan or the Middle East.

The countries who find themselves on the dental tourism radar are Hungary, India, Singapore, Philippines and Costa Rica, Colombia and the like. Usually, these are the countries which have been associated with local medicinal knowledge dating back to thousands of years. Coming to the present, people travel all over from western countries to these newly emerging treatment destinations because of the low cost factor of dental treatment.

New fiber reinforced composite dental implants

Fiber-reinforced composite is a new material that promises advantages for use in oral and craniofacial applications as well as in orthopedics. Discovering how it responds to stress and strain can help gauge its usefulness.

Fiber reinforced composites are replacing metals in aerospace and sporting goods do to weight, strength, and corrosion properties. In bio-medical applications, fiber reinforced composites have unique properties, such as being transparent to x-rays, and these are leading to an increased use.

 A new study compares fiber-reinforced composite and titanium implants. Researchers analyzed how the two materials affect stress and strain on the implant and the bone tissue surrounding it. They also compared interfacial stresses between the materials under three directions of load.

Distribution of stress and strain to the jawbone is significantly changed after reconstruction with oral implants. How an implant using fiber-reinforced composite reacts has not yet been well tested. This biomechanical connection between implant and bone can be different for each patient and is hard to measure.

Sedation in pediatric dentistry

Sedation may be indicated for children who have a level of anxiety that prevents good coping skills, those who are very young and do not understand how to cope in a cooperative fashion, or those requiring extensive dental treatment. Sedation can also be helpful for some patients who have special needs.

Most kids do quite well without any kind of extra medication to accomplish treatment. However, sometimes medications are needed to help kids to be comfortable and cooperate to accomplish extensive treatment. After training and a lot of experience, dentists use this valuable method of providing treatment nearly every day and am confident in the use of medications to relieve discomfort, reduce anxiety and provide a safe environment through concious sedation.

Professional (laser) teeth whitening

Professional teeth whitening treatments (also called "laser" or in-office whitening) offer a good bleaching solution for some people. Many people simply don't have an interest in treating themselves with an at-home whitening system. They prefer the convenience and time savings that in-office treatment offers, even if their overall costs can be expected to be greater. 

Which is best for you, in-office whitening treatments or using an at-home product?

If you are considering whitening your teeth, you generally have two options available to you. One is to have your bleaching treatments performed by your dentist in their office (this is termed professional, in-office or laser whitening). The other is to opt to perform your whitening treatments on your own (unsupervised), on your own time...

Biomechanical factors affecting long-term implant success

Bone resorption around dental implants can be caused by premature loading or repeated overloading. Vertical or angular bone loss is usually characteristic of bone resorption caused by occlusal trauma. When preasure from traumatic occlusion is concentrated, bone resorption occurs by osteoclastic activity. 

 

In the natural dentition, bone reapposition would typically occur once the severe stress concentration is reduced or eliminated. However, in the osseointegrated implant system,after bone resorbs, it will not usually reform. Because dental implants can resist forces directed primarily in the long axis of the implant more effectively than they can resist lateral forces, lateral forces on implants shoud be minimized. Lateral forces in the posterior part of the mouth have higher impact and are more destructive than lateral forces in the anterior part of the mouth. When lateral forces cannot be completely eliminated from the implant prosthesis, efforts shoud be made to equally distibute the lateral forces over as many teeth and implants as possible.

The Fainting

Vasodepressor syncope, commonly known as fainting, is a frequent occurrence during stressful situations, which include the delivery of dental care. This condition is usually benign; however, if left untreated, it can be fatal. The common faint is caused by a transitory and sudden loss of consciousness following a period of cerebral ischemia. Patients usually fall to the floor or are placed in a supine position, which results in restoration of blood flow and return to consciousness. If the flow patterns to the brain are not restored, however, life-threatening cardiovascular and pulmonary effects can occur.

Oral care for people with diabetes

Periodontal disease can be life threatening for diabetic patients. The disease can affect one tooth or many teeth. It begins when the bacteria in plaque—the sticky, colorless film that constantly forms on teeth— cause the gums to become inflamed. In the mildest form of the disease, gingivitis, the gums redden, swell and bleed easily. Contrary to popular belief, bleeding gums are never normal. There is usually little or no discomfort. Gingivitis often is caused by inadequate oral hygiene and is reversible with professional treatment and good oral home care.
Long-term studies have proven the value of consistent and regular oral hygiene care routines. Regular and timely dental visits are imperative to reinforce those habits and to minimize oral health problems.

The basics of oral care for all people include brushing, flossing, mouth rinsing and tongue cleaning. Special care in many of those areas is important for people with diabetes.

Tooth brushing

Teeth should be brushed at least twice daily with a soft brush. If possible, teeth also should be brushed after meals. The use of a brush with soft bristles is very important. Stiff bristles or too rigorous brushing can damage the gums and in-crease the potential for problems.

The variety of brushes available in-creases on an almost daily basis. Choices exist with regard to the size of the brush head, shape of the brush, and shape and flexibility of the handle. Patients should be encouraged to try different brushes so they can identify the one they find most comfortable. Consideration also may be given to electric brushes. A good-quality electric brush may make it easier for many people to brush more effectively without exerting unnecessary pressure that is potentially damaging...

New Evidence That Chronic Ulcerative Stomatitis Is an Autoimmune Disease

Chronic ulcerative stomatitis is characterized by painful, recurring sores in the mouth. Thus far, it has been diagnosed most frequently in white women in their 40's and 50's and may appear similar to oral erosive lichen planus. Only 39 cases of CUS have been reported in the English-language medical literature since it was identified as a clinically distinct condition in 1989, but it is likely under-diagnosed because of low awareness among clinicians and the extensiveness of the testing that would confirm its presence.

"Currently, diagnosing CUS requires a surgical biopsy which then must be sent to an outside lab for special processing for immunofluorescence microscopic examination. Accurate diagnosis is important because the usual treatment option for immunologically-mediated diseases, corticosteroids, is often not effective in treating CUS," said senior author, Lynn Solomon, DDS, MS, associate professor in the department of oral and maxillofacial pathology at Tufts University School of Dental Medicine (TUSDM).

Toothbrush Ninja :)

Do you like ninjas?

Here’s a quick ninja-style rundown:

•  The “Hi-Ya” Zapi uses germicidal ultraviolet light to kill 99.9% of germs on your toothbrush in just minutes.
•  Simply insert your favorite toothbrush, press the button, and Hi-Ya goes to work, turning off automatically.
•  Your toothbrush is germ free and safely stored inside Zapi ready for the next time you brush.

Dental treatments & medications during pregnancy

If you are a soon to be mother, you might have many questions concerning your overall oral health, and whether it’s safe or not to do emergency treatments, or any other dental procedures.

Dental treatments for future moms

Most dental procedures can and should be done when the dentist diagnoses a problem, because anything that would promote your oral health, would also improve your baby’s health as well. There are however some elective treatments that should wait to be done after the birth of your baby.

Routine X-rays, such as the ones taken during a dental exam, should be avoided during pregnancy. If however you have a dental emergency, or are suffering from extreme pain in your mouth, your dentist would rely on X-rays to find out what the problem is. When X-rays are necessary, your dentist will use extreme caution to keep you and your baby safe. A blanket made out of lead is used to protect the uterus. The actual amount of radiation that passes through lead is insignificant...

Dental Procedure, Needle Phobia and Fainting

Some people faint at the sight of needles. This may be common if you have what is called a blood-injury-injection phobia, where you get very anxious by seeing blood or an injury or by receiving an injection.

According to some sources, many people (70-80%) who have a blood-injury-injection phobia faint. But other studies have failed to find such a high incidence of fainting. For example, in one study by DeJongh and his colleages (1998), none of the people with blood-injury-injection phobia fainted during dental treatment. So it is unclear exactly how common fainting is.

Millions wisdom teeth removed unnecessarily each year...

Most of the pain and illness surrounding wisdom teeth are not caused by the teeth themselves as one would expect, but rather the symptoms come from the surgery that removes the wisdom teeth. A report in the American Journal of Public Health reveals that 67 % or more of preventative wisdom teeth removals are unnecessary. Of the approximately 10,000,000 wisdom teeth removed each year in the United States, less than 20 extractions have proven medical indications which reference the requirement for extraction. In general, the preventative extraction of wisdom teeth has become a public health disaster and is a clear case of medically caused injury. Driven by lies, the wisdom tooth extraction industry has turned our mouths into a financial goldmine. It makes billions of dollars per year from performing these largely unnecessary surgeries.

Basic Informations About Dental Crown And Tooth Bridges

What are Dental Crowns and Tooth Bridges?

Both crowns and most bridges are fixed prosthetic devices. Unlike removable devices such as dentures, which you can take out and clean daily, crowns and bridges are cemented onto existing teeth or implants, and can only be removed by a dentist.

How do Crowns Work?

A crown is used to entirely cover or "cap" a damaged tooth. Besides strengthening a damaged tooth, a crown can be used to improve its appearance, shape or alignment. A crown can also be placed on top of an implant to provide a tooth-like shape and structure for function. Porcelain or ceramic crowns can be matched to the color of your natural teeth. Other materials include gold and metal alloys, acrylic and ceramic. These alloys are generally stronger than porcelain and may be recommended for back teeth. Porcelain bonded to a metal shell is often used because it is both strong and attractive.

How To Brush Teeth?

Children, how long you brush your teeth?

There are some who say you should brush for 4 minutes at least 3 times a day but I believe that is unrealistic. The general consensus is 2 minutes at least twice a day. When you actually spend 2 minutes brushing your teeth you’ll be amazed at how slowly time passes. Now imagine what it’s like for your kids!

Why Do I have to Brush My Teeth If I Brushed Them Yesterday!

Tooth decay is the most common chronic childhood disease.Plaque is bacterial film that clings to the surface of teeth and, when Kids Should Brush Their Teethexposed to sugar, produces acid that erodes tooth enamel and causes cavities. To show your kids how much plaque is on their teeth have them chew a disclosing tablet (available from drug stores or online). Disclosing tablets contain a harmless vegetable dye that will turn plaque red.

Prevention of Medical Emergencies In Dental Office

   Medical emergencies in the dental office are, fortunately, relatively rare. The ambulatory nature of dental practice is partially responsible. However,  the primary reason for the limited frequency of emergencies in dental offices is the nature of dental education, which prepares practitioners to recognize potential problems and manage them before they cause an emergency.
   A study by Malamed of patients in the dental school setting revealed that hyperventilation, seizures and hypoglycemia were the three most common emergency situations occurring in patients before, during, or soon after general dental care. These were followed in frequency by vasovagal syncope, angina pectoris, orthostatic hypotension and hypersensitivity (allergic) reactions.
  

Toothache, could it be more then just a little pain?

A "Toothache" can usually be referred to as pain that is felt around the teeth and or jaw. The cause of a toothache in most cases is by either problems with your jaw and or tooth. In most cases you (and I am talking from experience here) you would just leave it and wait for the pain to subside, but this isn’t the correct thing to do. Toothaches are a sign that there may be more to worry about then just a little pain. The causes of toothache are several but the major causes are, dental cavity, a cracked tooth, exposed tooth root, gum disease, disease of the jaw joint or spasms of the muscles used for chewing. It is possible for the cause of a toothache to originate from an entirely different problem such as heart attack or angina but this is quite rare. It can be noted however that some patients suffering angina will show toothache or jaw pain as the only symptoms so it is always best to let your dentist or doctor evaluate you. What are the most common dental causes for a toothache? 

Dirty Mouths Lead to Broken Hearts

"Poor oral health can lead to pneumonia and cardiovascular disease as well as periodontal disease," said Rita A. Jablonski, even though these illnesses are not usually associated with the mouth. According to Jablonski, assistant professor of nursing, Penn State, persons with dementia resist care when they feel threatened. In general, these patients cannot care for themselves and need help.

Jablonski and her team introduced an oral hygiene approach called Managing Oral Hygiene Using Threat Reduction (MOUTh) specifically for dementia patients. Many of their strategies focus on making the patient feel more comfortable before and while care is provided, the researchers report in the current issue of Special Care in Dentistry.