Austin Dental Center Blog – Austin Texas Dentistry The appearance of your teeth is important

Periodontal disease affects millions of people each year and, as a result, the dental community is always on the hunt for new ways to prevent the onset of the oral condition.

Understanding how it occurs was part of the battle, but as scientists learn more about how bacteria come together to create the wreckage, a proper form of prevention becomes clearer.

Oral bacteria known as Treponema denticola is often part of the equation that results in periodontal disease. It gangs up with others types of pathogenic bacteria to produce the plaque, which ultimately leads to the uncomfortable and dangerous condition.

Researchers from the University of Bristol have found that a particular molecule on the Treponema is responsible for forming the bond with other bacteria. Referred to as CTLP, it bonds to other oral bacteria.

Among other issues, the CTLP connection can reduce blood clotting, thus resulting in the continuous bleeding of the gums associated with periodontal disease.

Though a treatment has not yet been devised, understanding that CTLP would be a perfect target for dental professionals to attack is a great starting point. A compound is currently being created with the purpose of inhibiting the CTLP.

While the majority of people will not require the preventative treatment being proposed, those at high risk of oral infections would make the ideal candidates for this new inhibitor and preventing the cooperation of bacteria could mean vastly reduced risk of problems in the future, including tooth loss.

For more information about this oral bacteria study and the continued work, continue reading the full article concerning periodontal disease.

Image: Bacteria / Umberto Salvagnin / CC BY 2.0

The spotting of an oral lesion in the mouth can be a very scary situation for a person to find themselves in.

After all, while not all of them will become malignant, it is not uncommon for that to occur.

Those who have already had oral cancer once are at even great risk. In fact, as many as one-third of the patients, who have had the unfortunate experience, will receive similarly bad news at some point in the future.

Dr. Mallery of Ohio State University has spent approximately thirty years in the dental field, focusing her attention on the prevention of oral cancer. Recently, she announced findings that suggest that the common berry could play a large role in making prevention increasingly possible.

A dental gel, which contained freeze-dried black raspberries, was used in recent trials. This gel, as opposed to the placebo, proved efficient at reducing the premalignant features in the mouths of participants.

Due to the fact that dentists and oral surgeons have had little success in predicting which lesions will become malignant, the use of a non-toxic preventative gel would be ideal.

When combined with a synthetic vitamin A compound called fenretinide, the black raspberry gel proved increasingly effective, essentially offering a one-two punch against the harmful cell growth.

If you are interested in more information, continue reading about the oral cancer study on raspberries.

Image: Wild Black Raspberries From Our Yard / Fred Benenson / CC BY 2.0

Though cigarettes have received a well-deserved bad reputation in modern times, they are not the only form of tobacco that can cause serious health concerns for users.

Smokeless tobacco is still seen very commonly in schools throughout Texas. Those that start at the young age are very likely to continue chewing long into the future.

Did you know that the average Texas teenager, who chooses to chew, starts using the smokeless tobacco at just thirteen years old?

While just four percent of adults in this state make use of the harmful product, more than eight percent of school age children pack their lips with it regularly. The bad habit is not only unsightly, it also has negative impacts on a person’s health including the risk of receding gums.

In fact, the dental impacts of chewing are numerous and include decreased tooth enamel and the increased risk of tooth decay and tooth loss. Worse yet, the resulting production of leukoplakia, white patches of oral tissue, can develop into oral cancer.

Due to the number of possible, serious consequences, the Texas Department of Health is spreading a warning far and wide that switching from cigarettes to smokeless tobacco is not choosing a safer alternative.

The number of carcinogens found in many forms of chew is astounding and scary. This bad habit could mean a lifetime of battling oral, throat, larynx, or esophageal cancer. Furthermore, chew is just as addicting as cigarettes, so quitting can be equally as difficult.

For more information about chewing tobacco and the scary statistics associated with it, read the full article.

Image: no spitting, no smoking / woodleywonderworks / CC BY 2.0

Within in the mouth at any given time, there are millions of bacteria – some good and some bad.

Some of those are responsible for tooth decay, gum decease, and many other common dental issues.

However, a research team from Zurich has now uncovered evidence that bad bacteria, originating in the mouth, can cause far more than dental issues in the human body.

Meningitis is a type of infection that can cause a person to experience chills, nausea, mental confusion, severe headaches, stiff neck and other similarly problematic symptoms.

With early detection, doctors can cure the issue in the vast majority of cases. But when the condition is left untreated for too long, the patient can suffer serious neurological damage, seizures, or worse.

It was discovered by these researchers that patients with the infection also have notable levels of Streptococcus tigurinus in the blood stream. This is a form of bacteria that can gain access to the blood via cuts, scrapes, or infection in the gums.

In addition to already demonstrating links between gum disease and heart disease, dentists now have even greater reason to urge their patients to pay close attention to their oral health statuses.

Brushing, flossing, and seeing the dentist regularly does not only decrease the risk of cavity, it can also save your life.

To continue reading more about the study, you can visit the full article here.

For quite some time, oral surgeons have frequently done dental implant surgeries in two steps.

This did require patients to come in twice in order to achieve the desired outcome, but the professionals felt that it was a safer alternative to handling the entire process in a single procedure.

That philosophy, though, is now being challenged by a research study that followed nine patients as they underwent a single phase surgery to receive six implants each. Those implants would then anchor prostheses.

Each of those nine patients had a condition that presented increased risk – osteoporosis.

This condition is well known in this country and affects a large number of postmenopausal women, though it is also seen in men. It causes the deterioration of bone, leaving the patient susceptible to breaks and fractures.

It also has led to serious complications after oral surgery, in the past, causing bone exposure in the jaw and a great deal of pain.

This study set out to explore if a single-phase surgery to implant six dental pieces in each of the nine patients. The outcome was very promising with one hundred percent success and no complications at the follow-ups done over two years post-op.

This provides surgeons a reason to rethink the two-stage surgical approach, particularly when working on patients of osteoporosis having taken biphosphonates for three years or more as treatment.

For more information about the study and the outcomes, keep reading the full article.

If you are an athlete, then this is a good month to do some heavy reading about your sport.

As National Facial Protection Month, this is the perfect time to learn about how you might prevent the facial injuries that can result in serious issues now and long into the future.

These injuries are regularly seen by oral surgeons, who report that the most common cause is athletic accident.

So, for those who like to stay physically active and who may face regular risk of jaw injury, here are a few of the guidelines that can keep you safe, by sport.

Baseball
It has long been tradition of catchers and batters to wear head gear to defend against serious accidents, but more recently helmets with clear plastic have been crafted to further decrease the potential for injury. While they are great for batters, they also serve an important function in the field.

Ice Hockey
More and more frequently at professional, semi-pro, college, and high school levels, spectators are seeing players donning face masks that help to absorb the impact of a direct hit by fellow player or puck.

Boxing
Mouth guards were made mandatory several years ago, but they have been further improved upon in more recent years to increase the protection that they offer and also improve the airflow to the boxer.

Lacrosse
This is another sport that sees frequent player-to-player contact, and there is also risk of a ball or a stick to the face. For this reason players should wear helmets with full face masks.

For more information on many other popular sports, continue reading at the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial website.

Do you want answers on how you can keep yourself in better shape? Have you ever had the desire to help fight illness in other areas of the world? Do you just appreciate the chance to get out and mingle with others?

Whatever your reason, the Texas Public Health group at the University of Texas at Austin is preparing to offer you an excellent opportunity get out and have some fun in the name of good health.

Beginning on Monday, April 2nd and ending Friday, April 5th, this five day event includes the chance to create your own t-shirt design to be entered in a contest at the end of the week. There will be free handouts that relate to individual health, food served at several events, the opportunity to meet local health organizations, as well as a scavenger hunt style race to participate in with the change to win prizes. To top off the festivities, the department is providing a carnival that will feature the t-shirt design competition, games, food, beverages, and plenty of time to mingle.

If you are interested in partaking in the festivities, then you should be at Gregory Plaza on Monday, April 2nd between 1:00 – 5:00PM to create your shirt and kick off a week of fun and learning.

For more information about the itinerary for National Public Health Week, visit the group’s website.

A lot has been learned about dental care in recent years, but it has long been known that brushing and flossing are the first lines of defense against bacteria and decay. However, failing to floss properly can leave teeth just as vulnerable as they were before you began.

Are you making one of these mistakes?

1. Failing to clean the sides of the two teeth the floss touches means that the job is not being done correctly. Just pulling the floss into the crevice and back out is not enough.

2. Reusing a dirty section of floss for each of the gaps between your teeth means that you are spreading bacteria rather than removing it.

3. Forcing the floss into position in one motion can injure the gums. If two teeth are packed tightly together, gently work the floss into place by moving it back and forth.

4. Forgetting to pay attention to the open side of the backmost molars is ensuring that the surface is left susceptible to plaque and tartar build-up and therefore likely to face decay in the future.

5. Rushing through the flossing rather than taking time to follow a pattern can mean that you miss teeth along the way.

6. Attempting to use traditional floss with dental fixtures can mean that the job is not done correctly or at all. Superfloss or floss threaders can be used in its place to ensure the areas around wires, bridges, and other corrective pieces are cleaned effectively.

Keep reading for more common mistakes when flossing.

The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics has made this year’s National Nutrition Month theme “Get Your Plate in Shape”. Hopefully, you eat off a plate more frequently than out of a plastic wrapper or frozen dinner tray. I’d say that’s officially step number one for a healthier diet.

If you’ve had a chance to look over the new USDA My Plate graphic, you may have noticed there aren’t any bags of chips, candy bars, or super-sized cups of soda surrounding the placemat. That’s because these kinds of snack items aren’t recommended. But just because it’s not recommended doesn’t mean you have to deny yourself an occasional sugary snack here and there throughout your week.

Not all snacks are bad. For many people eating a light healthy snack can give you more energy, add essential vitamins and minerals to up your daily intake, and curb the desire to overindulge in unhealthy foods later in the day. Apple slices wrapped in cheese or a cup of yogurt make great snacks in between meals for even those of us with a sweet-tooth.

Even more important than your choice of snack is the amount of time you spend munching on it. When you eat sugary foods, the bacteria in your mouth join in on the fun and begin producing acids that can soften and erode tooth enamel. This typically lasts about 20 minutes after your final bite. The longer you snack, the longer these acids are potentially damaging teeth and making them vulnerable to cavities.

So if you do happen to treat yourself to a few pieces of chocolate or a handful of chips, make sure to eat them and be done rather than grazing on them for an hour. For added dental health protection, drink water to rinse away acids and food particles when you’ve finished. If you want to be a dental health superstar, brush your teeth about an hour after you’ve had your snack.

Are you a reformed snacker? Tell us what healthy snack is your absolute favorite in the comments below!

Flossing is an extremely important part of dental hygiene. It helps remove the food particles and plaque that is trapped between the teeth in places that the toothbrush is unable to reach. Because of this, flossing assists in the prevention of cavities. A significant part of your child’s dental hygiene should include flossing. However, many parents are not sure when they should start flossing their children’s teeth.

When to Start Flossing Your Child’s Teeth

As soon as your child’s teeth touch one another, it is time to begin flossing, once daily. The teeth touching each other can occur when your child is as young as six months old. This is around the age when his first two bottom teeth will emerge.

The Misconception that Primary Teeth are Not Important, They Just Fall Out

A large number of people believe that because the first ‘baby’ teeth will eventually fall out, they are not as important as the permanent teeth. This is not necessarily true. Until the primary teeth fall out, they play a major role in assisting your child in biting and chewing his food. Not only that, but they also help your child to speak clearly so he is understood by others. Primary teeth are also important because they guide his permanent teeth into place as they emerge.

The Flossing Procedure

1. Using your dental floss of choice, wrap one end of the floss around your right and left hands middle fingers.
2. Use your index fingers and thumbs as a guide for the floss and then gently slide it between two of his teeth. This can be accomplished with a gentle sawing motion.
3. Once you reach the gum line, pull the ends of the floss toward one another to form the shape of a ‘C’ against the tooth.
4. Tighten the floss and then move it up and down on the tooth.
5. Now, do the same procedure with the other tooth next to it, repeating the same motion.
6. Repeat this process for all of his teeth. Always make sure you floss the front and back of each tooth. Do not forget about his back teeth.

By the time your child reaches the age of nine, he should be able to floss on his own. To make flossing younger children’s teeth easier, put them on your lap and have them face you. The technique is identical, no matter who is doing the flossing.

Good Dental Hygiene is an Important Aspect of Your Child’s Health

You can help your child by giving him a good head start. To do this, use the following tips as your guide to maintaining his dental health.

• Routine visits to his pediatric dentist are a necessity.
• Ensure he is receives the proper amount of fluoride to keep his teeth strong.
• Help him brush his teeth two times a day and floss at night, just before bedtime.
• Have him consume a healthy diet full of fruits and vegetables.

How Diet Affects Your Child’s Teeth

What and how often your child eats will affect his teeth. Frequent snacking has the ability to increase your child’s risk for tooth decay. This occurs because cavities may develop while sugar-containing foods are sitting in his mouth for an extended length of time.

The Culprit

The bacteria that reside in our mouths, will feast upon these tiny bits of food that have been left behind. This creates acid. This acid is what destroys the enamel of the teeth. Between snacks and meals, saliva will wash the acid away. However, if your child is constantly eating, the saliva may not have time to wash away this destructive acid, which, in turn, will cause him to have tooth decay.

Sugar

When people think about sugar, white sugar will generally come to mind. White sugar is used in baked goods and candy. It is important to note that all food containing carbohydrates ultimately breaks down into sugar. The bacteria in the mouth do not care whether your child eats a pretzel or a piece of candy.

There are foods that can assist you in maintaining your child’s overall health and heartwarming smile. We have included some examples below.

• Whenever possible, purchase unsweetened or sugar-free foods.
• Eat healthy snacks such as cheese, vegetables and fresh fruit.
• You should always serve starchy or sugary foods at mealtime, as opposed to as a snack. This is important because the majority of children drink fluids during a meal, but not necessarily with a snack. The drinking of the fluid may help wash many of the remaining food particles away.
• Limit the number of snacks he receives daily.
• If your child does snack, have him brush his teeth. If this is not possible, have him rinse his mouth with water a few times.
• Always encourage your child to chew sugar-free or xylitol-sweetened gum.

Avoid the Following Foods, unless Your Child is Brushing Directly After Eating Them

These foods tend to get stuck in the grooves and in between the teeth, making them difficult to remove:

• Dried figs
• Cookies
• Jelly beans
• Granola bars
• Potato chips
• Doughnuts
• Puffed oat cereal
• Pretzels
• Raisins

Following these tips will help keep your child’s beautiful smile shining brightly! The truth is, our teeth are our largest facial feature, keeping them healthy and strong should be top priority.

Drew James works for an Indianapolis pediatric dentist, and when out of the office, enjoys cooking, jogging, and keeping up his raised-bed gardens.

(Image: Ashley Morris, “baby blues” February 21, 2009 via Flickr, Creative Commons Attribution.)