Dentist Salem

Fact or Fiction

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Every day there is another “ study” or “ news story” that “ offers” up some apparently sage advice. From stories touting the benefits of drinking red wine to help prevent cavities to stories about “oil pulling.” By now you probably know where I’m going with this, a news story is just that, a story, until it is presented with fact. Below are some facts and fictions of dental health according to the American Dental Association.

Last year a story came out that stated drinking red wine helps prevent cavities. The origin of the “ red wine is healthy for you in small quantities” story is well established. However, to infer that means it will help prevent cavities may be over reaching. What researchers did find was that red wine was effective in limiting the growth of F. nucleatum and S. oralis—two bacteria that are closely associated with gum disease.

Another story came out about “ oil pulling” and its benefits for oral health. Oil pulling is an ancient remedy practiced typically in India and Southern Asia. It involves taking a tablespoon of edible oil (sunflower, coconut, etc.) and swishing it (pulling it) for 5 to 20 minutes. Currently there are no scientific studies available to substantiate these claims. Probably best to use mouthwash for the time being. Ask your dentist what they would recommend for your unique health condition.

One thing that has been scientifically documented and proven is regular dental care as a great way to prevent long-term, irreversible damage to your teeth or soft tissue (gums) and to aid in the diagnosis of your overall health. So, brush and floss twice a day, and get in to to see a dentist twice a year, more if you’re having problems or have questions. Remember, second opinions at my office are always free.

WELLNESS SPRINGS DENTAL 3460 LIBERTY RD S SALEM, OR 97302 (503) 371-2424

To Whiten or Not To Whiten?

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If you struggle with this age old question, hopefully these few words will help you finally decide if you 2330751784_2981cf3f62_o.jpgshould have your teeth whitened or not.

 

First off, if cost is your first concern, it should be your last; there are a myriad ways to either work out payment plans or get dental insurance (topics for another article). Your first concern should be your health; there are a few studies pondering if teeth whitening is safe (MailOnline, for example, points to a new law being look at in the UK). For the most part, the many studies that have been done on teeth whitening indicate most all kinds of whitening treatments are safe and pose no risk to your teeth (even the home whitening kinds). Of course you should be careful with how much whitening you do (sensitivity could become an issue) and which type.

 

There are some different whitening strategies: Discovery Fit and Health gives some home remedies that help whiten your teeth.  My favorite one? Chewing on some celery.  This goes right along with munching on fruits and vegetables. And of course you could do the ol’ rub baking soda to buff stains away. Keep in mind however, that if you want your smile to be as bright as Mother Nature intended, you will need to see your dentist.

 

There are a lot of over-the-counter choices available as well. Results from whitening strips can last for up to 4 months (according to WebMD). But, remember these contain a peroxide-based gel, which can be dangerous if a baby or child were to swallow them. There are also (thanks to WebMD again) tray-based tooth whiteners. These involve a tray that is worn for a period of time, depending on the desired results.

 

In conclusion, if you are a do-it-yourself type of person, whitening your teeth is more than likely something you can do. If, on the other hand you’re like me and prefer to have the experts take care of what they have become experts at, go ahead and make that dental appointment; it will be the quickest, most effective, safest, and done-the-best-way, to get your teeth whitened.

 

Whatever you decide to do, before embarking on any whitening treatments, be sure to seek the advice of your neighborhood dentist. They are the professionals, and, fully understand the various treatments available for this very visible and affordable cosmetic change to your smile.

 

Image Used under Creative Commons license. Photo Credit: Extreme Teeth Whitening by tsuacctnt

Your Teeth on Holiday

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The question we should all be asking ourselves during this holiday season, is not, “Should I really have this third piece of fruit cake topped off with a couple of snickerdoodles?” Since the holidays are meant to be joyful and filled with love and sure, to experience amazing foods, the question we should be asking ourselves is, “What happens to my teeth if I happen to over-indulge this holiday season.”

We all know that moderation is the key to a healthier lifestyle. But, you can’t just go to one holiday party either; that wouldn’t be fair. To help guide you through some of the common holiday maladies that affect our teeth, I have included some helpful hints from the American Dental Association as well as a few other holiday teeth tips.

When enjoying the 3 F’s of the holidays (Family, Friends, & Food), remember these tips:

  • Eating sweet foods with meals helps neutralize acid production by increasing the amount of saliva; it helps “rinse” the food particles from the mouth;
  • Try to limit snacks, focus on the main dish.
  • Consider chewing sugarless gum, chewing produces saliva which helps wash decay-producing acid; and, Consider drinking fluoride-enhanced water, it may also help prevent cavities.

And, a few of my own tips…

  • Hard candy or other sticky substances that stay for long periods in your mouth give more time for plaque-causing bacteria to get a foothold; and
  • Rather than toasting with eggnog (sugar and fat promote decay), toast with a drink low in sugar, fat, and acidity, for example, La Croix flavored water.

Remember, questions and/or second opinions are always FREE; just call my office. From all of us here at Wellness Springs Dental, we wish you a wonderful holiday season.

Dr. Stephanie Rose, DDS | Wellness Springs Dental

3460 LIBERTY RD S SALEM, OR 97302 (503) 371-2424

Notes From A Trained Observer

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The Unsung Realities of Dentistry

 

My job is to visit dental offices where procedures are underway. I observe. That’s a big part of my job. I’m a trained observer. Then, I gather what I hear and see and put into a report virtually anyone can read and understand. I’m hired many times because the doctor wants to make changes and improvements.

You’d be amazed at what I see. Or, then again, maybe you wouldn’t be.

Let me give you an idea: Shag carpet from 1975. Stained floors and walls. Unkept restrooms. Red décor. Old furnishings that should have been retired years before. I could go on and on.

You have to wonder, “Is the doctor really up-to-par on recent innovations and advancements in dentistry if they’re hesitant to keep things up?”

It’s a valid question.

On occasion, I also manage to accidentally overhear patients instructing the dentist or the hygienist when they think they should be seen. Usually the conversation goes like this, “I don’t want to have an exam two-times a year. My physician said once time is enough.”

Your physician? Huh? Since when did they spend 4 years and hundreds and hundreds of hours of ongoing continuing education specializing in oral health? Pretty sure, never.

That’s like a dentist giving you advice on cardiology and heart disease.

(I’m not even a dentist – just someone that has seen first-hand what can happen to someone that “skips” appointments or sets their own re-care schedule!)

Did you know oral cancer (cancer of the mouth) is normally only detected by dentists and hygienists?

That means since more than 50% of Americans don’t see the dentist, 50% of our country will never know they have or at high-risk of developing a severely painful and tough-to-treat disease.

And, pulling all your teeth probably isn’t the best solution. Sadly, sometimes, it’s the only one. Being “edentulous” or without teeth, poses its own unique set of undesirable health problems.

Here’s another one I’ve overhead more than once: “Periodontal disease? My teeth are fine. The bleeding stops by mid-morning. I don’t have any disease. That’s hogwash.”

According to one study, 80% of Americans have gum disease (Periodontal Disease). If you know 10 people, chances are, 8 will have gum disease. EIGHT!

Bottom line: If you choose to skip your bi-annual exams, you put yourself at risk. If you choose to ignore regular cleanings or, for someone already “perio involved” (they have the disease) ignore your SRP visit (that means, perio scaling and root planing), you’re putting yourself further at-risk for bigger, body-wide or systemic problems.

For the price of a dinner out at Olive Garden, you can find out what kind of health your mouth is in. It’s likely the best investment you’ll ever make. Don’t ignore your oral health. It can be a silent killer.

Why the “silent killer?” According to the ADA: “It is possible to have periodontal disease and have no warning signs. That is one reason why regular dental checkups and periodontal examinations are very important.”

Call today. Don’t wait. Health has to be a top priority.

World’s Most Consumed Beverage May Be Harmful

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Black tea, the world’s most consumed beverage, may contain higher concentrations of fluoride than previously thought.

Medical College of Georgia (MCG) researchers say it may cause problems for those consuming more than 1 gallon per day.

Cup With TeaThe person drinking 2 to 4 cups a day, won’t be harmed, claimed the researchers.

Dr. Gary Whitford, Regents Professor of Oral Biology in the MCG School of Dentistry, discovered that the fluoride concentration in black tea had long been underestimated when he began analyzing data from 4 patients with advanced skeletal fluorisis, a disease caused by excessive consumption and characterized by joint and bone pain and damage.

The common link among the patients was their higher-than-average tea consumption – from one to two gallons of tea daily for 30 years.

What’s more, the tea plant, Camellia sinesis, also has huge concentrations of not just fluoride, but, also aluminum in its leaves – from 600 to more than 1000 mg of each, per kilogram of leaves.

Bottom line: as with anything we consume, moderation is key.

Source: DentistryToday.com

 

 

Glass Cup With Tea by George Hodan