Tip of the Week: Mouthwash the Forgotten Dental Fighter

Are you thinking about adding mouthwash to your daily dental routine? These days, Americans are focused on a white smile, and use chemicals to keep their teeth sparkling. However, mouthwash should be on the list of dental priorities as well. With a little bit of insight from a dentist, you will see why dentists all seem to unanimously agree on this unique product.

The world’s oldest mouthwash

Pliny the Elder, who lived during the time shortly after Jesus Christ died, regularly recommended Romans to use a mouthwash made from salt and water. Today, we are learning that this ancient technique is one of the most effective methods that you can use without buying a bottled mouthwash product. In addition to helping to keep your mouth clean, a saltwater rinse can also have a positive effect on your gums. A saline rinse is also highly recommended after oral surgery.

There is more to your mouth than teeth

It is easy to get swept away with the idea that the only thing you should protect in your mouth is your teeth. Nevertheless, the things that hold your teeth in place are just as vital. In other words, if you do not have gums, you cannot have teeth that feel comfortable enough to eat with. Having bad gums is called periodontal disease, and poor dental hygiene is one of the primary causes. Although avoiding smoking and regular brushing are keys, another way to keep gums healthy is with mouthwash.

Using mouthwash as a dental mouthpiece cleaner

Do you have dentures or another type of plastic dental mouthpiece? Whether you are using dental devices to make your teeth straight or keep them from getting knocked out during a football game, you will need to make sure they stay hygienic. One of the simplest ways to do this is by submerging a mouth guard or invisible braces in mouthwash overnight.

Rinsing away Alzheimer’s disease?

Research has shown that mouthwash does more than fight dental problems. For instance, poor dental hygiene has a significant impact on promoting non-oral issues such as Alzheimer’s disease. Mouthwash is not directly linked to preventing Alzheimer’s, but having a clean mouth is. Interestingly, there have also been moves toward making a mouthwash that can prevent Alzheimer’s.

Regardless, mouthwash has few scientific claims to greatness other than reducing bad breath, killing bacteria and getting the grit out of your teeth. With these benefits alone, it is clear that including mouthwash in your daily routine is going to do more good than harm.

A Family Dental Care Center: Dr. Seth Rosen

2030 West Main St.

Jeffersonville, PA 19403

Clean Teeth Can Prevent Serious Illness

Many people make the mistake of not caring for their teeth properly; this mistake can lead to a lot more than bad breath. Skipping visits to the dentist can lead to serious health problems. Even if you brush your teeth on a regular basis, it is still important to regularly schedule visits to your dentist.

Dangerous bacteria grow in your mouth; these bacteria can only be removed when you receive a professional cleaning. If left to multiply, the bacteria can lead to a variety of health problems:

Heart Problems

If you suffer from gingivitis or from periodontitis, then you are almost twice as likely to have problems with coronary artery disease. Researchers speculate that this occurs when the harmful bacteria from your mouth enters your bloodstream; once in your bloodstream, the bacteria attaches itself to fatty deposits in your heart. When the bacteria attaches itself, it causes inflammation and raises your risk of having a heart attack.

Memory Problems

Visiting your dentist can help your memory. Studies have been done that show a definitive link between people who have poor oral health and those who experience dementia.

The bad bacteria in your mouth can travel through cranial nerves that are connected to your jaw; once the bacteria infects your nerves, then it travels directly to your brain. Just like it does in your arteries, the bacteria cause plaque in your brain; this can lead to memory loss and Alzheimer’s.

Blood Sugar

Research shows that people with diabetes are more likely to suffer from periodontal disease. This research shows that people who don’t take care of their teeth properly have a hard time regulating their blood sugar.

If you visit your dentist regularly, you help your body regulate blood sugar; you also may help stave off diabetes. A simple visit to your dentist can help your body maintain homeostasis; in the long-run this will help you maintain a healthy weight and will keep you healthy.

Skipping Dentist Visits Can Hurt Fertility

Many studies have been done on women who are trying to give birth to a child. These studies seem to show that women who are trying to get pregnant take an average of seven months longer if they do not take care of their teeth. In these studies, it was found that gum disease has negative effects on the bodies of women who are trying to give birth.

These studies also showed that women with gum disease were much more likely to suffer from a miscarriage. It seems that the nasty bacteria in your mouth can travel through your bloodstream and affect your fertility.

It can be tempting to skip a visit to your dentist. Unfortunately, skipping an appointment can be a lot worse for you than most people realize. If you are diligent about your dental visits, then you help your body fight off nasty bacteria and germs that can lead to health problems down the road. When it comes to oral care, a little preventative maintenance can go a long way.

A Family Dental Care Center: Dr. Seth Rosen

2030 West Main St.

Jeffersonville, PA 19403

Flossing – Taking Care of Your Teeth!

Flossing is an essential oral health practice. When you brush your teeth correctly and consistently, a lot of dental plaque is removed. However, there are some areas that your toothbrush is not able to reach no matter how hard you try – e.g. in-between your teeth. Therefore, you need to apply floss on such areas to get rid of plaque properly.

Flossing does more than getting rid of plaque from the areas of your teeth where the toothbrush cannot reach. It also helps to put bad breath under control, polish the surfaces of your tooth, and gets rid of debris that stick to the teeth and gum.

Achieving Effective Flossing

For flossing teeth to be effective, it is recommended that you do it daily, at least once every day. Also, it should last for about 2 – 3 minutes each time. Also, you must floss correctly.

Choosing Your Floss

Your choice of floss should be one that you are very comfortable using. The type of floss you use does not matter, the most important thing is for you to floss and achieve the oral benefits of flossing. One of the best ways to fight plaque and the oral issues that come with it is regular and consistent flossing.

The varieties of dental floss to choose from include;

• Flavored

• unflavored

• waxed

• unwaxed

• wide and regular Flossing Techniques for Adults

Usually, a dentist would demonstrate flossing methods for you to follow. There are various flossing methods, and any of the under-listed methods can be used by an adult;

• The Loop Technique: This flossing technique is also referred to as the circle method. To begin, take a piece of floss about 18 inches, then knot it in a circle securely. Subsequently, place your entire fingers within the loop, with the exception of your thumb. Next, direct the floss through your lower teeth using the index finger, while directing the floss through your upper teeth with the thumbs; ensure that you exceed the gumline, until a ‘C’ shape is formed on the tooth’s sides.

• The Spool Technique; another name for the spool method is the finger-wrap method. To start flossing with this technique, get a piece of floss ready, the same length used in the loop method (18 inches). Taking hold of the floss, wrap each side lightly around your middle fingers several times.

Subsequently, manipulate the floss in-between your teeth tactfully while your index fingers and thumbs assume an upward and downward motion. Ensure that the motion is not side-to-side. The most excellent way is to make the floss go up and down, going beyond the gumline, and eventually assuming a ‘C’ shape on each tooth’s side.

More Flossing Tips or how to floss teeth

If you are just starting out to floss, flossing tools like the floss holder or a prethreaded flosser could be quite helpful; this is also the case with someone trying to floss a child or disabled person’s teeth. Again, those suffering limited dexterity either on their hands or arms will find dental floss tools (e.g. floss holder) quite useful.

Bear in mind that flossing and tooth brushing cannot be substituted with irrigating devices like toothpicks. Irrigating devices could possibly work well around braces that keep back food particles, or sections of the teeth that cannot be reached with a toothbrush. However, the fact remains that they are not able to get rid of plaque, and therefore cannot substitute flossing and brushing.

Additional Information

As part of dental hygiene routine, flossing is a practice of using a piece of dental floss – about 18-20 inches long to get rid of food remains or particles between the teeth. Flossing should accompany tooth brushing to help get rid of plaque that the toothbrush alone could not remove completely. Flossing cannot substitute tooth brushing; so ensure that you brush your teeth daily and also floss at least once every day.

If you are not flossing regularly and consistently, you are endangering your oral health. Food particles and plaque hiding out between your teeth and below your gumline can cause tooth decay or gum disease over time if not removed.

Therefore, flossing is not optional as many people erroneously believe, it is a necessary aspect of oral hygiene that should be adhered to properly.

Your oral health must be at optimum always; therefore floss and brush your teeth always, and visit your dentist regularly.

A Family Dental Care Center: Dr. Seth Rosen

2030 West Main St.

Jeffersonville, PA 19403

drsethrosen.com

Why Don’t My Dentures Seem To Fit Anymore?

Dentures can change a person’s life for the better, making it easier to eat and improving a person’s smile. However, while dentures are a durable dental appliance that should provide years of use, there are some things that can happen to make a denture no longer fit properly. A poor fitting denture can make eating and even talking uncomfortable and lead to soreness and injury in the mouth. Here is a look at some of things that can cause an ill-fitting denture.

Jaw Changes

Over time, a person’s jawbone may begin to deteriorate due to missing teeth. While wearing dentures can help to prevent this, some change may still occur. As the jawbone deteriorates, it will change the shape of the mouth causing dentures to no longer fit properly. Even without missing teeth, the jaw’s shape and size may change over time due to normal changes related to aging. These changes can also cause a denture to no longer fit. Gum disease can also cause swelling and other changes in the structure of the mouth and cause problems with the fit of a denture.

Other Health Problems

A variety of health issues can develop in the mouth and cause a denture to not match the mouth. Health problems can also cause sore spots in the mouth that make it uncomfortable to wear the dentures as the denture may press against a sore place in the mouth. Calluses can even develop under a denture that moves slightly. As the callus becomes larger, it can cause the denture to fit more poorly and become uncomfortable.

Denture Damage

Over time, dentures can wear or break. A worn denture can become too flexible causing it to move inside the mouth. A broken denture will likewise cause the denture to fit poorly. A denture that is not properly cared for can develop deposits on the surface of the denture that can cause the denture to not lay flat against the mouth.

Solution

Regardless of the cause of an ill-fitting denture, the solution to the problem is to visit a dentist to have a dental checkup and to have the denture inspected. The dentist can determine the cause of the problem and the proper course of action to make a correction. In most cases, a simple relining of the denture can be performed to make the denture fit the natural changes in the mouth. In the event of more serious changes, a new denture may be needed to correct the problem. If a health problem is causing the denture to fit improperly, the dentist can address this problem as well.

If you or someone you know has a denture that no longer fits well, contact us to see how we can help.

A Family Dental Care Center: Dr. Seth Rosen

2030 West Main St.

Jeffersonville, PA 19403

drsethrosen.com

Steps To Prevent Cavities or Worse

Often times there is not a fundamental understanding how cavities are formed and how they can be prevented.

So I want to take a moment and quickly discuss how a cavity is formed.

It all starts with a substance we call plaque. Plaque is a sticky, invisible film that builds up on your teeth, between your teeth, on your gums, and under your gums.

Plaque can be removed by brushing your teeth and flossing and by your hygienist when you visit every 6 months. If the plaque is left alone, it will combine with bacteria from the food you eat and beverages you drink and form an acid that eats away at your teeth.

Eventually, this acid can destroy enough of the tooth to create the dreaded cavity! Again the easiest way to prevent this is by brushing your teeth and flossing and by having hygienist clean your teeth every 6 months. This makes sure that both the plaque and the food buildup are removed regularly so that evil acid can’t form.

If you do however get a dental cavity and don’t get it treated it can lead to an abscessed tooth. For the average person, if you have an abscess, or infected, tooth, you should get in contact with your local dentist immediately.

But some of you out there are a little more strong willed and take drugs to minimize the pain just so you don’t have to go to the family dentist. Let me tell you now, if you do that, things may only get worse.  The dental infection in your tooth can lead to an dental infection in your gums call Gingivitis, which I am sure you have heard of. But did you know that Gingivitis can lead to a worse dental infection called Periodontitis which is significantly worse.

If you get Periodontitis, your gums may separate from your teeth and your teeth may become loose or out of alignment. Then, the dental infection may travel to the bone that supports your teeth and gradually that bone will begin to dissolve.

So although you might think you can live with the pain, things will only get worse if you don’t go to your dentist and get it taken care of.

A Family Dental Care Center: Dr. Seth Rosen

2030 West Main St.

Jeffersonville, PA 19403

drsethrosen.com

How Do Porcelain Veneers Differ From Dental Crowns?

Dentistry has come a long way since the days of painful drilling and metal fillings. Dentists now not only take care of decay and other interior tooth problems; they perform many cosmetic services to approve tooth appearance. In fact, many dentists now specialize in restoring and maintaining a patient’s beautiful smile.

Not so long ago, porcelain veneers were reserved for actors and the wealthy who could afford to pay for snow white perfect teeth. Now the general population has access to porcelain veneers, meaning a Hollywood smile isn’t limited to California anymore. 

Veneers are thin, carefully shaped porcelain pieces designed to bond to the front surface of a patient’s teeth. They are particularly effective for people with damaged, worn, uneven teeth. The teeth are alive and in reasonable health, so the procedure isn’t to restore mouth health but is intended to create a lovely smile. These veneers can even disguise spacing problems, and, if done correctly, can provide the recipient with years of comfortable use.

Being fitted with veneers only takes a few visits. The surface of the teeth will be prepared so that the porcelain will bond correctly. The pain is minor or non-existent and easily managed by local anesthesia. In about a week, a full set of veneers can be applied.

Dental crowns also serve a cosmetic purpose, but they are used when too much of a tooth has been lost to decay or other problems to properly fill or maintain. Sometimes they are necessary after a root canal. A crown covers the entire tooth and is carefully designed so that the patient’s bite lines up correctly. The process requires several visits because molds have to be made and the piece ordered. Crowns help with the physical aspects of talking and chewing, so they aren’t only cosmetic.

A dentist who has his own ceramist can make the fitting and follow-up easier for both the patient and the dentist, but if the veneers or crowns need to be ordered, the dentist will simply be extra diligent to be sure the appliances will fit. Several adjustments may be necessary on both veneers and crowns, but they should be minor and take very little time.

The result of both appliances is a healthy, beautiful smile that should last for years. For those who have suffered from embarrassment due to an unattractive smile, veneers offer the chance to achieve the dazzling teeth they’ve dreamed of. Those who receive crowns can return their teeth to health while maintaining their appearance. Both are vital tools for your dentist.

A Family Dental Care Center: Dr. Seth Rosen

2030 West Main St.

Jeffersonville, PA 19403

drsethrosen.com

How much radiation do I get from a dental x-ray and how does it compare to other medical procedures?

X-rays have two sides. There’s the good side. X-rays take pictures of all kinds of things inside your body. They help doctors and dentists find out what’s going on, good and bad, and how to treat it. But do x-rays have a bad side? Some people think so. They shudder when the word is mentioned; the word is radiation. It conjures up images of atomic bombs and all sorts of destruction. An x-ray is indeed a type of radiation. Instead of destruction, however, it is an important tool in the diagnosis and treatment of all parts of the human body and that includes teeth.

What is an x-ray? It is energy that takes the form of waves and has the power to go through your body. Why does your dentist x-ray your teeth? If you look at your teeth in a mirror, you see only the surface of the teeth and gums, and that’s all your dentist sees. The dentist uses an x-ray to show up small cavities between the teeth, making them easier and less expensive to fix at that point. In addition, an x-ray allows the dentist to see if you’re due for root canal or a crown. Any growths in the jaw, such as possible tumors, although rare, will show up too.

On average, most people go to the dentist about once a year, perhaps just for a cleaning. How much radiation does a person get for each dental visit that includes an x-ray? Radiation is measured in millirems or mrem. For your typical yearly dental visit, you will be receiving .5 to 3 mrem. How does that stack up against other doses of radiation?

* 1 mrem a year: from smoke detectors
* 5 mrem: one cross-country flight from increased altitude
* 10 mrem a year: cooking with natural (radon) gas
* 10 mrem a year: living in a brick house (radioactive parts of masonry)
* 36 mrem a year: smoking a daily pack of cigarettes

How does radiation exposure in a dental x-ray compare to other medical procedures?

* chest xray: 10 mrem
* mammogram: 40 mrem
* hip x-ray: 65 mrem
* spinal x-ray: 120 mrem
* head scan: 200 mrem

No radiation exposure is completely foolproof and such exposure does accumulate over time. Children may be especially at risk for overexposure. For most people, however, yearly visits to the dentist, even with the small amounts of radiation in an x-ray, seem to be worth the benefits.

A Family Dental Care Center: Dr. Seth Rosen

2030 West Main St. Jeffersonville, PA 19403

drsethrosen.com