Dry Mouth, Clean it up!

Do you ever feel like your mouth and the Sahara Desert have something in common?

If so, you are not alone. Over 25 million American suffer from dry mouth. And it’s not just the discomfort of dry mouth (called “xerostomia” by dentists) that is the problem; it is often accompanied by trouble chewing and swallowing, difficult in speaking, a rise in dental cavities and gum disease, and most noticeably to some, bad breath. If people act like there is a fire drill taking place every time you open your mouth, this could be the culprit.

So why do so many of us have what is often referred to as “cottonmouth?”

According to The Food and Drug Administration, over 400 medications, both prescription and over-the-counter, can lead to dry mouth. It’s also caused by mouth breathing, dehydration (drink your water!!!), and lack of salivary flow due to aging. In rare instances, dry mouth may be caused by and underlying serious disease- so it’s not something to take lightly.

Of course our good old friends (actually enemies) – excessive alcohol consumption and smoking are among the leading causes of this problem, so if you need another reason to put away the cigarettes for good and cut down on the booze, now is a great time!

There are several things you can do to help reduce the symptoms of dry mouth, including:

·         Chewing sugar-free gum containing Xylitol

·        -  Drinking plenty of water

·        - Breathing through your nose instead of your mouth (easier said than done)

·       -  Frequent brushing and rinsing with fluoride toothpaste and mouth rinse

·        - Using a room vaporizer to humidify the air in your home

·         -Using an over-the-counter saliva substitute

Since dry mouth can also be a sign of a serious illness AND cause an increase in caivites and gum disease, excellent oral hygiene and regular dental visit is a must. If you are have any of these symptoms, please call us (615.269.4209) for a consult today or you can log on to www.devinedentistry.com and request an appointment as well!

Thanks,

The Devine Team!

Your Teeth Deserve a Vacation!

The suitcases are packed, the car is loaded, the dog is at the kennel- and it's time for summer vacation!!! There is no better time for relaxing at the beach, exploring a fascinating city, or enjoying the outdoors. Being miles away from home always makes it less stressful and more fun too!

But being miles away from home means that you are also far from us- your favorite dental office! And while there is no way to prevent a dental emergency from happening while you are away from home, there are a few items you can bring on vacation to make things more pleasant should an emergency situation arise. You can even throw them together into a cosmetics bag and make you own "Dental Emergency Kit!"

Here are some items to include:

Pain Relief: Ibuprofen (Mortin, Advil or genric) is usually safe and effective to use for minor dental discomfort.

Lost filling or crown: "Dentemp One Step Filling Material" is a good temporary solution for replacing a crown (cap) or protecting an area exposed by a lost filling. This is available at most drug stores and on the internet.

Broken Denture: "The D.O.C. Denture Repair Kit" works as a short term measure to adhere a lost denture tooth or repair a cracked denture. Also available at drug stores and online. 

Lost Tooth: Carry a prescription medicine vial. Should an accident occur and an adult tooth is lost with the root intact - DO NOT clean or handle the root. Place it in the medicine vial along with some liquid (preferably milk) and seek dental attention immediately.

Food or other item stuck between teeth: This can be very uncomfortable situation, so be sure to have dental floss on hand to remove any item stuck between the teeth. Hey- you should be carrying the dental floss anyway!

Cuts on gums, lips or tongue: Clean gauze or cloth. As with bleeding anywhere on the body, pressure with a clean gauze or cloth is the first line of treatment. If bleeding does not stop, seek medical attention immediately. 

For many minor dental irritations of the teeth, gums and mouth, a good old-fashioned warm salt water rinse can give temporary relief. We are not big fans of medications like Anbesol Gel as there are many side effects and over usage can harm mouth tissues. 

So there you have it- your very own travel dental emergency kit! The most important thing to remember is that all of the solutions presented here are temporary in nature. Should any emergency arise, it is important to see a dentist as soon as possible.

If you have any questions about a dental emergency or anything else dental related, please give us a call at 615.269.4209. Have a safe, healthy summer vacation, and don't forget to brush and floss!

Less Taste, More Fillings?

The band Steely Dan once sang about "Gold Teeth" - but more of us probably have silver in our teeth than gold.

Recently many patients have been asking about the difference between traditional "silver" fillings and the more modern tooth colored or "white" fillings. Here is a little history (we will try to make it fun!) and then some answers to many questions people seem to be having.

Ancient dentists used materials as diverse as cork, turpentine, gum, lead and stone chips to restore decayed teeth. Then in China in 659AD (long before they were making iPods and Nike tennis shoes) dentists began experimenting with using silver as a material to plug unwanted dental holes.

After experimenting with many formulations over the years, in the early 1800s a French dentist named Louis Regnart added mercury to the mix, creating the first version of the modern day silver filling, know as dental amalgam. The formula was so controversial that when it was first introduced in the United States by two other Frenchman known as The Crawcour Bothers, they were run out of the country.

Eventually the formula was perfected and it became the material still in use today which we typically call "silver fillings." Most American who visit the dentist on a regular basis (especially those of us over thirty or so) have a few of these gems in our mouths.

Lately some groups have pointed out that mercury can be very unhealthy thing to have in your body, and have actually called for all these fillings to be removed! While it is true that in large quantities mercury is toxic, after extensive studies the American Dental Association has concluded that there are no significant health risks to using this time-tested material.

However, we feel it is important to point out two major differences between these traditional silver amalgam fillings and the more modern tooth colored materials.

A silver filling does not actually bond to the healthy tooth material; it is kept in place by placing the material using a wedge effect. So while it may do a good job of replacing a decayed area in your tooth, it also weakens the tooth and makes it more susceptible to cracks and fractures, often leading to more extensive treatment such as a crown which covers the tooth completely. For this reason, we are extra careful to check these fillings closely during your examination for any signs of breakdown.

So keep brushing and flossing well, eating a healthy diet and getting your regular dental visits, and maybe you will never have to worry about this!

But should you have a "cavity" - we will be glad to discuss all of the options with you and work together to figure out the best way to treat your individual situation.

Should you have any questions, or if you would like to schedule an appointment, please give us all at 615.269.4209. We are always here to help you!

Dental Emergencies and more...

Tips for Dealing with Dental Emergencies

Bitten Lip or Tongue

Clean the area gently with a cloth and apply cold compresses to reduce any swelling. If the bleeding doesn’t stop, go to a hospital emergency room immediately.

Broken Tooth

Rinse your mouth with warm water to clean the area. Use cold compresses on the area to keep any swelling down. Call your us immediately. 615.269.4209.

Knocked Out Tooth

Hold the tooth by the crown and rinse off the root of the tooth in water if it’s dirty. Do not scrub it or remove any attached tissue fragments. If possible, gently insert and hold the tooth in its socket. If that isn’t possible, put the tooth in a cup of milk and get to the dentist as quickly as possible. Remember to take the tooth with you!

Toothache

Rinse your mouth with warm water to clean it out. Gently use dental floss or an interdental cleaner to ensure that there is no food or other debris caught between the teeth. Never put aspirin or any other painkiller against the gums near the aching tooth because it may burn the gum tissue. If the pain persists, contact us so we can see you on an emergency basis.

You can find more information on the ADA website.


Have a good weekend and be safe!

Fluoride?! Too much of a good thing?

Most people know that for years dentist have been recommending fluoride as something which helps prevents cavities. It's in just about every toothpaste, many mouth rinses, over-the-counter prescription gels- and close to 70% of Americans have it in their drinking water. Practically every dental profession credits fluoride for drastically reducing levels of dental decay over the last few decades.

Fluoride is a mineral that exists naturally in water and soil. About 70 years ago, scientists discovered that people who lived where water supplies naturally had more fluoride also fewer cavities. Today, most public drinking water supples are fluoridated, especially in larger cities, and dental professionals applaud its usage.

But can there be too much of a good thing?

A recent government study found that two in five adolescents had some sort of streaking or spotting in their teeth because of too much fluoride, a number that has grown considerably since the 1980s.

For most people these streaks or spots are totally harmless and barely visible to the naked eye, although in severe cases the tooth enamel can actually develop a pit-like surface. So even though fluoride still does a fantastic job in cavity prevention, as with most things in medicine, there are side effects.

The good news is- as a result of this study the federal government has acted very rapidly to change their recommendation for the amount of fluoride in drinking water, making it 0.7 milligrams per liter of water, down from the 50 year standard of the up to 1.2 milligrams.

So keep brushing, flossing, rinsing and drinking fluoridated water. It's also important to continue to see us for you regular dental visits. We will be glad to check your teeth to see if we can find any negative effects from fluoride and look for cavities too! As with any dental condition, the sooner we find it, the easier and less costly it is to teat. If you have questions or would like to make and appointment, please call us any time at 615-269-4209!

Devine Dentistry!

TBSE 2011 | The Madow Group | Las Vegas Dental Seminar | Continuing Education for Dentists

TBSE 2011 | The Madow Group | Las Vegas Dental Seminar | Continuing Education for Dentists

This is where we will be November 11th and the 12th to continue our dental education!!!

It's just the beginning...

Welcome! Please stay tuned for we will be updating very soon to answer any of your dental questions!

Thank you!