4 Tips for Improving Oral Health

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Most Americans are aware that brushing and flossing on a routine basis each day is an optimal way of improving oral health. However, there are many other steps a person can take to enhance the care he or she provides for their teeth, gums and mouth. Those who wish to take a better approach towards oral health care may benefit from exploring the following suggestions:

Tip #1 Choose the Right Brush

Although many individuals may learn the best way to brush and that regular tooth brushing is imperative to optimal oral health, few ascertain which product works best for them. While there are a variety of high-powered dental gadgets on the market, it is important for all individuals to also consider the basics when assessing what brush works the best. For example, individuals may want to invest in a brush that offers medium or soft bristles—depending on a person’s dental sensitivity. Hard bristles, on the other hand, can prove too rough and damage teeth.

Tip #2 Find a Good Mouthwash

Mouthwash is one of the best ways to clean and treat hard-to-reach areas of the mouth and is a great option for killing germs that can harm the oral cavity. However, consumers may want to think twice before choosing a mouthwash that contains alcohol. Alcohol-based mouthwashes are known to dry out the mouth, which can prove somewhat harmful to oral health, as saliva is an important component for healing and sustained dental care.

Tip #3 Do Not Opt Out of Regular Dental Visits

Many individuals who believe they practice an appropriate amount of dental hygiene often feel that they should only visit a dentist when pain or oral emergency occurs. However, it is essential that individuals have their teeth professionally cleaned and inspected every six months to maintain a high level oral health. Taking this precaution can keep teeth in good shape and help identify oral health problems before they turn into dental emergencies.

Tip #4. Eat A Dental-Friendly Diet

Most people understand that acidic sodas and sugary drinks can lead to the decay of teeth; however, few are aware of what foods can help strengthen one’s oral health. For instance, nuts, meats and dairy products can help fortify the enamel, helping one protect against dental impairment. In addition, dental patients may want to consider adding more essential vitamins to their daily dietary intake, especially those found in the vitamin B-complex family, as these nutrients can help protect against tooth decay and oral disease.

FAQ about Oral Cancer

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As a dental professional and supporter of the Oral Cancer Foundation Walk for Awareness of Nashville, Warren Melamed maintains that it is important for all individuals to learn about the risk of oral cancer. Although research and charitable efforts have helped pave the way for new treatments and resources for those affected by oral cancer, Melamed explains that knowledge is the first step to diminishing this devastating medical condition. As such, the following offers a few frequently asked questions and answers to better inform those who wish to learn more about the subject:

What exactly is oral cancer?

Like other forms of cancer, oral cancer refers to an unusual growth of cells—specifically in the oral region. This can include formation of cancer cells in the mouth, as well as the tongue. While this condition can take many forms, oral cancer is typically identified as a squamous cell carcinoma, or when the cells of the oral cavity are affected.

Who is at risk for oral cancer?

Oral cancer occurs in individuals of all backgrounds due to factors such as age, genetics, diet and preexisting health. However, approximately 90 percent of oral cancer patients smoke or chew tobacco, which means that those who participate in these habits should consider the heightened risk of developing this condition. Smoking or chewing tobacco raises the risk of oral cancer the longer a person partakes in the habit; therefore, it is recommended that those who develop the practice find a way to quit as early as possible to reduce risk. Those who smoke or chew tobacco also face risk of developing cancer in other parts of their bodies, such as the lungs, throat and kidney.

What are the symptoms of oral cancer?

Oral cancer can manifest itself differently in those who are affected by it. However, many who have endured this condition have faced oral symptoms such as sores or lumps that do not heal, unusual bleeding, numbness, white and red patches, dental pain and difficulty swallowing. Others may experience unexpected weight loss, swelling in the neck that does not disappear, ear pain and a change in one’s voice.

How is oral cancer treated?

If detected early enough, oral cancer patients stand to face a high risk of recovery from the condition. Chemotherapy, radiation and surgery are often relied upon to remove the cancer and prevent it from spreading further. In some cases, an individual may have to have part of their oral cavity removed and reconstructed.

What should a person do if he or she suspects oral cancer?

Visiting a dentist regularly is an optimal way of detecting oral cancer before it develops too far and maintain oral health.However, it is important for all individuals who experience symptoms of oral cancer to not only consult their primary care physician and doctor, but to gain insight from a trusted oncologist who specializes in the treatment of oral cancer. While the diagnosis may prove a difficult experience for most, it is recommended that oral cancer patients seek a second opinion from another specialist in order to determine what the best course of action is for the individual.

Protecting your Teeth: Foods to Eat and Foods to Avoid

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Brushing, flossing and keeping regular dental appointments are great ways to maintain your oral health. However, there is one more thing that you should monitor in order to keep your teeth healthy: your diet.

It is a widely-held belief that soda will eat holes in your teeth. Soda is harmful for your teeth because of its acidity and the amount of sugar it contains. The acid wears away at dental enamel that protects the nerve, dentin and pulp within each tooth. Sugars also provide food for acid-producing bacteria. The more often you drink soda, the more food you are providing to bacteria.

In addition to soda, there are plenty of other foods and beverages that are just as harmful for your teeth. The top five worst foods for your teeth include:

 1.  Dried Fruit - Dried fruit is preferable to candy as a snack, but it still contains high amounts of sugar. Dried fruit also sticks easily between the teeth. If you do eat dried fruit as a snack, have a toothpick handy or brush your teeth soon afterward.

2.  Sugary Drinks - Soda is known as a destroyer of teeth, but other sugar-containing beverages are just as culpable. Sports drinks and even juices can contain comparable amounts of sugar and acid. If you must drink a sugary drink, drink it quickly. Taking sips gradually exposes your teeth continually to layers of acid.

3.  Hard Candy - Hard candies stick to teeth and must be held in the mouth for a long time. This lengthy consumption time guarantees food for bacteria for the entire time that you’re eating — and for a long time afterward.

4.  Alcohol - Saliva is one of your body’s best defenses against acid-producing bacteria. Alcohol decreases saliva production and is corrosive to the teeth, gums and skin of the mouth.

5.  Starchy Foods - Foods like bread and potato chips are starches. Bacteria in the mouth are skilled at breaking down starches into sugars. Starchy foods frequently get caught in the teeth, feeding bacteria long after the meal is over.

The best foods for your mouth include items that protect tooth enamel and or have a high water content. Cheeses, meats, nuts and milk fall into the first category. These foods replace calcium and phosphorus that is lost through bacterial demineralization. Demineralization can weaken teeth and leave them prone to cavities.

Foods that are high in water include firm and crunchy fruits and vegetables such as apples, pears and celery. The water content dilutes the sugars that these foods contain, helping to promote the flow of saliva.

Acidic or harmful foods should be eaten as part of a larger meal. Be sure to drink plenty of fluoridated water, milk or unsweetened tea along with these foods and snacks. These beverages will wash food particles out of your mouth and serve as a buffering agent against acids.

Protect Your Teeth from Decay

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Our mouths are home to many bacteria, most of which are harmless. Some bacteria, however, are responsible for causing cavities. Known as dental caries in the medical community, cavities are caused by acid-producing bacteria that destroy tooth enamel and dentin. According to Nashville dentist Warren Melamed, the most common locations for cavities to form include:

• Cracks, pits or grooves in the back teeth
• Between teeth
• Around dental fillings or bridgework
• Near the gum line

These sites are common cavity spots because they enable plaque to form easily. Plaque is a soft film that forms on teeth, sticking to them like jam sticks to a spoon. Plaque is a type of biofilm that is similar to the slime that forms in standing water. Just like other types of biofilm, plaque is not something you want to have a lot of in your mouth.

Plaque contains bits of food, saliva and closely-packed bacteria in large numbers. It starts to form right after a tooth is cleaned. Within an hour of cleaning, there is a measurable amount of plaque buildup. Plaque thickens as time passes. Within two to six hours, the plaque is full of bacteria that can cause cavities and gum disease.

If left long enough, plaque absorbs minerals from our saliva which then harden into calculus. Plaque continues to grow on top of these hardened spots, creating a new layer which may harden further. Plaque is easily removable with a toothbrush; calculus is not. This discrepancy is why it is so important to brush your teeth on a regular basis.

All of these processes contribute to the formation of cavities. Here’s how cavities form:

When a person eats sugary or starchy foods, the particles that remain in the mouth become food for bacteria.
These bacteria produce acids. The acids dissolve the mineral crystals in the teeth. The more times you eat in a day, the more your teeth are exposed to an acid attack. These attacks wear down enamel and create weak spots and even holes in teeth. White spots may appear on tooth enamel to signify a weak spot. At this stage, fluoride can still reverse the demineralization process.If bacteria have eaten away the tooth to form a cavity, the decay will need to be cleared and the hole filled by a dental professional.

One of the best tools at our disposal for preventing cavities occurs naturally in the mouth. Your mouth and teeth are constantly bathed in saliva, a natural liquid which keeps everything moist. Saliva washes away bits of food that would otherwise feed acid-producing bacteria. Saliva contains minerals that strengthen the teeth and buffering agents that reduce the acid levels in the mouth.

By reducing your saliva amounts, chronic dry mouth conditions can increase your risk for cavities. Other risk factors include:

• A history of cavities or tooth decay
• A lack of fluoride exposure through toothpaste, community drinking water or supplemental fluoride treatments
• Parents or siblings with high rates of dental decay
• Poor oral hygiene
• How often you consume particular foods, especially sugars and fermentable carbohydrates

While you can never completely remove bacteria from your mouth, you can control oral bacteria levels. Brushing daily, flossing and using mouthwash will reduce bacteria in your mouth and remove plaque. Dental pro Warren Melamed notes that visiting your dentist regularly can enable the identification of tooth decay before it necessitates to a filling or root canal.

Tips for Diagnosing and Treating Tooth Pain

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Toothaches can be extraordinarily painful. Sometimes the pain is all you can think about. There are many causes of tooth pain, the most obvious of which is a problem with the tooth or jaw. The dental causes of tooth pain fall into three categories:

Damage: Trauma, including chips and breakage, can cause damage to teeth. This breakage can cause tooth pain.

Decay: Tooth decay has several degrees of severity. Cavities are holes that penetrate the enamel and the underlying dentin and cause pain. Abscesses are more severe. When an abscess occurs, the dental nerves and pulp become infected.

Disease: Redness and swelling of the gums indicate gum disease or gingivitis. Gum disease can cause gum and tooth pain. Other diseases, including oral cancer, may also contribute to tooth pain.

If you have tooth pain that persists for longer than one or two days, make a dentist appointment immediately. Unless it is an emergency, says dentist Warren Melamed, it is likely that you will have to wait a few days for your appointment.

If you have a toothache and cannot see a dentist right away, here are some things you can do to relieve pain while you wait:

• Avoid foods and beverages that are very cold or very hot. The decay or damage may have exposed the dentin layer of the tooth. Extreme temperatures may cause additional pain.
• Use over-the-counter pain relief medicine that is designed to reduce inflammation. Never put pain relief medication directly on the tooth or gum tissue as this application could damage these areas.
• Gently floss between the painful teeth. Removing the food particles and plaque may help to reduce the pain from the toothache.
• Use clove oil, or eugenol, for pain relief. Clove oil has both antiseptic and anesthetic properties. Soak a small piece of cotton in the oil anduse a pair of tweezers to hold the cotton on the tooth for 10 seconds. Make sure that you do not swallow any of the oil.
• Rinse with warm salt water.Salt water works as an antiseptic, removing bacteria from the infected or vulnerable area. Rinsing may provide additional pain relief.

There are some causes of tooth pain that are not directly related to your dental health. If none of the three general categories of pain are causing the problem, consider the following conditions:

• Sinus Infection: Sinuses that are infected can become swollen, putting pressure on certain teeth.
• Cluster Headache: Cluster headaches cause pressure that may contribute to tooth pain. Their exact cause remains unknown.
• Heart Attack: Pain from a heart attack may radiate into the lower jaw.
• Diabetes: Uncontrolled blood sugar can increase your risk of tooth decay. Frequent cavities may be an indication of a more serious problem.
• Viral Infections: Viral infections such as shingles can cause tooth pain.
• Nerve Diseases: Trigeminal neuralgia is an example of a nerve disease that is associated with sharp pain on one side of the face. 

Toothaches are preventable in most cases, especially when the pain is caused by decay. Follow good oral hygiene practices, making sure to brush and floss twice a day. Sealants and fluoride applications can also defend your teeth from bacteria. Consult with your dentist for more information on how to protect your teeth.

How often should I brush and floss?

Brushing and flossing help control the plaque and bacteria that cause dental disease.

Plaque is a film of food debris, bacteria, and saliva that sticks to the teeth and gums. The bacteria in plaque convert certain food particles into acids that cause tooth decay. Also, if plaque is not removed, it turns into calculus (tartar). If plaque and calculus are not removed, they begin to destroy the gums and bone, causing periodontal (gum) disease.

Plaque formation and growth is continuous and can only be controlled by regular brushing, flossing, and the use of other dental aids.

Tooth brushing – Brush your teeth at least twice a day (especially before going to bed at night) with an ADA approved soft bristle brush and toothpaste.

• Brush at a 45 degree angle to the gums, gently using a small, circular motion, ensuring that you always feel the bristles on the gums.
• Brush the outer, inner, and biting surfaces of each tooth.
• Use the tip of the brush head to clean the inside front teeth.
• Brush your tongue to remove bacteria and freshen your breath.

Electric toothbrushes are also recommended. They are easy to use and can remove plaque efficiently. Simply place the bristles of the electric brush on your gums and teeth and allow the brush to do its job, several teeth at a time.

Flossing – Daily flossing is the best way to clean between the teeth and under the gum line. Flossing not only helps clean these spaces, it disrupts plaque colonies from building up, preventing damage to the gums, teeth, and bone.

• Take 12-16 inches (30-40cm) of dental floss and wrap it around your middle fingers, leaving about 2 inches (5cm) of floss between the hands.
• Using your thumbs and forefingers to guide the floss, gently insert the floss between teeth using a sawing motion.
• Curve the floss into a “C” shape around each tooth and under the gum line. Gently move the floss up and down, cleaning the side of each tooth.

Floss holders are recommended if you have difficulty using conventional floss.

Rinsing – It is important to rinse your mouth with water after brushing, and also after meals if you are unable to brush. If you are using an over-the-counter product for rinsing, it’s a good idea to consult with your dentist or dental hygienist on its appropriateness for you.

What can I do about stained or discolored teeth?

Since teeth whitening has now become the number one aesthetic concern of many patients, there are many products and methods available to achieve a brighter smile.

Professional teeth whitening (or bleaching) is a simple, non-invasive dental treatment used to change the color of natural tooth enamel, and is an ideal way to enhance the beauty of your smile. Over-the-counter products are also available, but they are much less effective than professional treatments and may not be approved by the American Dental Association (ADA).

As we age, the outer layer of tooth enamel wears away, eventually revealing a darker or yellow shade. The color of our teeth also comes from the inside of the tooth, which may become darker over time. Smoking, drinking coffee, tea, and wine may also contribute to tooth discoloration, making our teeth yellow and dull. Sometimes, teeth can become discolored from taking certain medications as a child, such as tetracycline. Excessive fluoridation (fluorosis) during tooth development can also cause teeth to become discolored.

It’s important to have your teeth evaluated by your dentist to determine if you’re a good candidate for bleaching. Occasionally, tetracycline and fluorosis stains are difficult to bleach and your dentist may offer other options, such as veneers or crowns to cover up such stains. Since teeth whitening only works on natural tooth enamel, it is also important to evaluate replacement of any old fillings, crowns, etc. before bleaching begins. Once the bleaching is done, your dentist can match the new restorations to the shade of the newly whitened teeth.

Since teeth whitening is not permanent, a touch-up may be needed every several years to keep your smile looking bright.

The most widely used professional teeth whitening systems:

Home teeth whitening systems: At-home products usually come in a gel form that is placed in a custom-fitted mouthguard (tray), created from a mold of your teeth. The trays are worn either twice a day for approximately 30 minutes, or overnight while you sleep. It usually takes several weeks to achieve the desired results depending on the degree of staining and the desired level of whitening.

In office teeth whitening: This treatment is done in the dental office and you will see results immediately. It may require more than one visit, with each visit lasting 30 to 60 minutes. While your gums are protected, a bleaching solution is applied to the teeth. A special light may be used to enhance the action of the agent while the teeth are whitened.

Some patients may experience tooth sensitivity after having their teeth whitened. This sensation is temporary and subsides shortly after you complete the bleaching process, usually within a few days to one week.

Teeth whitening can be very effective and can give you a brighter, whiter, more confident smile!