Sports and Oral Injury Protection

Studies show that approximately 30% of children will experience a dental injury and that many of those are sports related. These injuries include: chipped teeth, broken teeth, teeth knocked out of place, and teeth knocked out completely. Treatment ranges from simple repair bonding to more complicated root canal and crown treatment. Unfortunately we also see situations where there is no option other than complete loss of the tooth. Soft tissue, such as gums, lips, and tongue, can also be abraded or lacerated.

Although contact with people and objects cannot be eliminated from sports, most oral injuries can be prevented by wearing a protective mouth guard. You have several options for yourself or your child when choosing a mouth guard. There are stock preformed mouth guards that can be purchased from a store. They are very inexpensive; however, they also offer the least amount of protection, they are typically bulky and uncomfortable to wear. I would not recommend these. Then there are "boil & bite" mouth guards. These can also be purchased at an athletic store. The user is then able to shaped the guard themselves at home after heating the guard in water. This gives a little bit more of a custom fit, better protection, and more comfort in wearing. Finally, there are true custom made mouth guards. These are made by your dentist from molds of your teeth. They are the least bulky (therefore the most comfortable), stay in place the best, and offer the greatest amount of protection. However, they are typically the most expensive of your options.

Which mouth guard is best? Well, the one that you or your child will actually wear! Many times you see kids with their mouth guards hanging out of their mouths. This is because they are uncomfortable to the child and they take every opportunity to not wear it. Comfort is a big deal to compliance. You want them to have something that they do not mind keeping in or even notice. Comfort in a mouth protector is generally one that is not bulky, does not pinch soft tissue, does not affect breathing, and has little affect on speech. Ideally, you want it to become second nature. A football player wouldn't feel right running on the field without their helmet. This is how we would love for athletes to feel about their mouth guards as well.

For a child, the "cool factor" is also essential to compliance. Common sense, but if they are self conscious about wearing one, then they will be less likely to wear it.

Clear mouth guards can be made that are hardly noticeable and on the other end of the spectrum, you can also have one made with vibrant "intimidating to the opponents" colors or even school colors. Many professional athletes wear custom mouth guards. Point this out to your child and show them pictures. When they see that their favorite athlete wears mouth protection, they will be more motivated to wear their own. Also, many athletes believe that mouth guards can actually enhance athletic performance. Do I believe this is true? I believe it doesn't matter if it's true or not...if someone believes it is helping them, then maybe it will help them! Athletes are notorious for good luck charms and superstitions; it all comes down to mind over matter and if an athlete believes they will compete better, then typically they will. So...if an athlete believes a mouth guard helps them compete...GREAT! At least they are motivated to wear one!

Mouth guards can be an expense up front, but it sure beats the cost of treatment resulting from an oral injury. Research or talk to your dentist about which option may be the best for you or your child's needs.


Side note:
Many people ask if they can use an athletic mouth guard to protect their teeth at night from grinding/clenching. Do not do this! Using an athletic mouth guard for this purpose can many times actually worsen your condition and lead to increased muscle & joint pain. If you are a grinder/clencher your dentist can fabricate a mouth piece that is specific for treating this condition.

The Truth about Kissing

With Valentine’s Day on the horizon, the obvious question on everyone’s mind is this: “Is kissing good for my teeth?” Ok, so it may not be the biggest question on your mind, but nonetheless, I’m going to give you three reasons as to why, yes, kissing can be good for your teeth!

1. Stimulates saliva production: Saliva is the mouth’s natural protector of teeth and gums. It rinses away food particles, neutralizes harmful acids, and carries important minerals that remineralize teeth. Countless studies show a dry mouth is more susceptible to developing cavities and obtaining oral diseases.
2. Builds your immune system: When spit is swapped, you are mostly only being exposed to the same bacteria that are in your own mouth already. However, your immune system will kick on and create antibodies to fight any foreign bacteria. By doing this, your body is building up its immunity to any future threats.
3. Scrubs your teeth: Kissing also mechanically cleans your teeth by rubbing your cheeks, lips, and tongue over the teeth surfaces. Don’t take this to the extreme though…you still need to brush and floss!

*This is intended for fun factual knowledge only. Kissing may be good for your teeth, but it can also transmit diseases that can affect other parts of your body. Remember to use good judgment. Avoid kissing if you or your love is sick or has an active mouth sore. Consult with your medical doctor if you have any other medical condition that is of some concern with kissing.

Gum Disease & Premature Births

To get straight to the point: studies have shown a direct correlation between gum disease in pregnant women and premature births of their babies. According to the American Academy of Periodontology, "pregnant women with periodontal disease may be seven times more likely to have a baby that's born too early and too small." They believe this is linked to a "labor-inducing chemical found in oral bacteria called prostaglandin." Higher amounts of oral bacteria lead to higher prostaglandin levels in the body, which can throw off a pregnant woman's natural clock for beginning labor. This of course then leads to preterm labor and birth.

Periodontal disease is an inflammatory process, most often caused by bacteria, that affects the gums and supporting tissues of the teeth. Not all periodontal disease is characterized by severe bone loss around the teeth. Gingivitis is actually a milder form of this disease.

This sounds scary and it definitely can be, but realize that this is an easily preventable situation when you maintain good home care and compliment that with professional support.


Here are some tips to store in the ol' memory bank:

• If you are thinking of getting pregnant (or pregnant already), maintain your regular check ups with your dentist both before becoming pregnant and also during your pregnancy. Regular cleanings are an important step to maintaining healthy gums, as your hygienist is able to remove bacteria-harboring build up that you are not able to remove at home.
• Dental xrays are very low radiation, but are typically avoided during pregnancy. They are usually only taken on a "must have" basis, in which case they can be safely administered under the protection of lead aprons. Ideally, have your routine xrays taken shortly before a planned pregnancy.
• Dental treatment (fillings, etc) can be completed during pregnancy. If it is not an emergency, it is recommended to have any necessary treatment completed during the 2nd trimester. Again, ideally have a thorough exam completed before pregnancy, so any necessary treatment can be finished beforehand. Any elective treatment needs to wait until after the baby is born.
  
• Take time for yourself. We see this with a lot of young mothers and mothers to be...their minds are consumed with the baby and they don't think to take time for themselves. Make sure you still think of you each day and give yourself time to maintain a good home regiment for taking care of your mouth.
• Brushing AND Flossing becomes even more important! With hormonal changes going on, the gums respond more severely to plaque, which leads to heavier inflammation than in a woman who is not pregnant. Brushing alone is not good enough, you've got to floss as well. Most periodontal disease processes begin between the teeth.
  

New Year's Resolutions

2011 begins in just a couple days! Challenge yourself to add a dental resolution to your new year's goals. Not only will it be good for your teeth, it's good for your overall health.

Here are some examples:

1. A better brushing technique. Read "The Best Brushing Tip Ever" below

2. Flossing...start if you're not doing it or if you are a sporadic flosser, try to increase your consistency

3. Replace sugary drinks with water. Limit those sugary drinks to mealtime and carry a water bottle with you throughout the day.

Remember, it only takes 21 days of consistency to form a new habit. Challenge yourself! Small changes can make a BIG impact!

Cranberries...the Thanksgiving Bacteria Blocker

Food, food, and more food! I don't know anyone who doesn't look forward to the epic Thanksgiving feast! The turkey, of course, has always been the celebrity of the event, gobbling up (pun intended) all the media attention. However, I want to take a moment and point your eyes towards the true unseen hero of the Thanksgiving meal...cranberry sauce.

Cranberries have long held the reputation for being great for your bladder, but more recently studies have confirmed that cranberries are also great for your teeth. The juice keeps cavity-causing bacteria from being able to stick to your teeth. If the bacteria cannot stick to your teeth, then they cannot produce a cavity.

So...this year help yourself to some extra helpings of that delicious cranberry dressing. If anyone complains that you're hogging it all, just tell them your dentist made you do it.

Some side notes:

• Most store bought cranberry juice mixes have a lot of sugar added which can offset the cavity fighting properties of the cranberry, so don’t over indulge in sugary bottles of cranberry juice. Natural cranberries, without sugar added, are obviously the best choice.
  
• Natural cranberries are also high in antioxidants, which fight diseases and cancer
• Cranberries are native to North America and were used by Native Americans for food, medicine, dyes, and decoration.

The Best Brushing Tip Ever

When it comes to brushing, we could spend a lot of time talking about technique, how long to brush, which toothbrush to use, which toothpaste to use, etc...etc. Those things are important; however, the best advice I could ever give someone about brushing is this: Be conscious of what you're doing.

If you're like me, you are probably a multi-tasker and do other things while you brush your teeth...watch the sport highlights on tv, check my calender, clean my ears (this one takes talent). Well, in doing this, I am not really conscious of what I'm doing. I know I'm scrubbing, and then I notice the toothpaste is starting to get pretty foamy, so I assume I'm good and done. The reality is I have no idea if I've adequately brushed each tooth surface and more than likely I've missed some spots. We tend to develop routines with our hygiene habits. This includes brushing our teeth. Many people develop a routine and, unknowingly to them, they are brushing certain teeth too much and others not enough. This goes on day after day, month after month, year after year. This really adds up! Because of this routine you could be missing some spots, not just once, but for a LONG period of time! If you are not removing the plaque, then guess what, it's still on there. YOU have to get it off. It doesn't just go away.

And so, this is why the best advice I could ever give concerning brushing is: Be conscious of what you're doing. Are you cleaning every surface of your teeth? Ask yourself if you feel like you've scrubbed each part of the tooth well enough. Make sure you are cleaning the chewing surface and each side of every tooth. Do this for a couple weeks and you will surely develop a new and better routine...one that doesn't take any more time than before. It's just more effective and efficient.


Additional Thoughts:

1. When 1st trying to develop your new routine, try to focus on one tooth at a time. Don't just vaguely brush your right side then your left. You've got to be more specific and aware of what you are doing.

2. Work your way around your mouth in a set pattern. For example: work clockwise around your mouth. Top right, top front, top left, bottom left, bottom front, bottom right, done. Most of us have no rhythm or pattern. We are all over the place. Right side, left side, right side, front teeth, right side, etc. This is how we get into trouble. Jumping around like that, we have no idea what's truly been cleaned well. Be conscious of what you're doing and develop a pattern. Don't aimlessly brush. Develop a pattern that has purpose.

3. A majority of gum recession is caused by brushing without being conscious of what you're doing...a "hurried" technique that is so fast and furious it scrubs the gum tissue away. What's the number one cause of tooth sensitivity that I see in my office? Answer: root exposure caused by gum recession. Better brushing = less sensitivity.

4. Test yourself. Use a disclosing tablet provided by your dentist (I'd be happy to give you one, just ask) or a disclosing solution sold in drug stores. Both of these products are dissolved in the mouth prior to brushing and stain plaque (usually either red or blue). You then brush your teeth using your typical brushing routine. Afterwards, look in the mirror. All the spots you missed will still be stained that color. Modify your routine and test yourself again to see your improvements. (It will also show you how important flossing is.)

5. The topic of electric toothbrushes is a separate discussion, but I did want to throw in one point here. There are electric toothbrushes out there that can help you be more aware of what you're doing. This is mostly achieved with timers that notify you when you've spent enough time on one part of the mouth and it's time to move on to the next. You still have to be conscious of what you're doing though in order to develop an effective routine. Don't assume an electric brush will make up for all your brushing mistakes. If you're a bad brusher with a regular brush, you'll still be a bad brusher. You'll just have a cooler toothbrush, that's all.


NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTION:

If you are hoping to improve on your technique for this coming New Year as part of your New Year's Resolution, set an obtainable and specific objective. Instead of setting a vague goal of "I'm going to brush better this year", set something specific for the short term. Remember it only takes 21 days straight of doing something to form a new habit! Commit yourself to a better brushing technique for the next 21 days. Soon your new & better brushing technique will feel like the natural one to you. CHALLENGE YOURSELF! YOU CAN DO IT! It's such a small thing that in the big picture can really improve your dental health, overall health, and save you some money for dental treatment.

Trick or Treat?!

"A 2-pound bag of soft candy consumed in 1 minute does less damage to teeth than a single hard candy left in the mouth for 2 minutes."

I recently read this 'Factoid' quote published in a dental journal I receive. One might read this and question if this could really be true. "Is it really possible that ONE piece of candy can do more harm than an entire big bag?!" Well...the answer, surprisingly, is YES. The point that this fact is trying to get across is not "certain types of candy are worse for you than others" (although this is certainly true), but rather, cavity development is directly correlated with the amount of time that sugar touches your teeth. The longer sugar sits on your teeth, the more time bacteria has to break it down and produce harmful acids which damage your teeth.

This is crucial dental health knowledge. It is not only true for candy, but for all sugary foods and drinks. The same statement could be said about Coke. "A 2-liter bottle of Coke consumed in 1 minute does less damage to teeth than a 20oz bottle consumed in 2 minutes." Again, more contact time = more damage.

Some advice:

If you're going to eat or drink something sugary, then just do it and be done with it. Don't nibble on a candy bar or sip on a soft drink for a long period of time.

Try to consume sugary things at meal times, not snack times.

If you consume something sugary, at the very least, swish with some water to help get some of the sugar off your teeth. I stress this all the time with our patients.

Minimize sugar or try switching to sugar-free options (read our article on xylitol to see how sugar-free candy can actually be good for your teeth). Remember, without sugar the bacteria is unable to cause cavities.

Happy Halloween everyone!