Dental Care and Sports Drinks

Sports drinks are popular among young athletes – they are bombarded by marketing messages and popular professional athletes which drives greater consumption. However, sports drinks are sugary and acidic so these “harmless and healthy” liquids can actually wreak havoc on teeth.

 

The combination of acidic components, sugars, and additives in sports drinks combine to erode the tooth’s surface, weakening the enamel that protects teeth from bacteria. The enamel erosion ultimately makes teeth more susceptible to bacteria and that can lead to hypersensitivity, staining, and tooth decay. So it’s critical to limit the amount of sports drinks that your child or young teenager consumes during sports.

 

Don’t have your student athlete brush his/her teeth immediately after finishing a sports drink. Consumption of acidic drinks causes tooth enamel to soften, making teeth more susceptible to more wear from the abrasives in toothpaste. Wait 45 minutes to an hour before brushing. In that time, saliva will start its work to re-mineralize the tooth structure and neutralize the damage. Saliva won’t remove the sugar residue, so you still have to brush.

 

Most children should see their dentist for a regular cleaning and check up every six months. Tooth decay is the most common chronic childhood disease, five times more common than asthma. It’s also preventable with proper care. Dr. Chopra and his staff can help identify early signs of erosion, the causes and offer solutions on how to prevent further damage and more serious problems from occurring.

Are Your Teeth Causing You Headache Pain?

Most headaches have multiple causes. Those causes include hormonal changes, nutrient changes, structural abnormalities, auto-immune disorders, injury, postural problems, etc.

 

The position of your teeth is controlled by a combination of muscles including the temporalis and masseter muscles. These muscles are responsible for bringing your teeth together while eating. They are also are responsible for bringing your teeth together forcefully while sleeping. This forceful closure is often referred to as clenching, grinding, or bruxism.

During the course of sleep studies, it has been discovered that most people bring their teeth together with force while sleeping. This act generally occurs in conjunction with a disturbance in sleep. These disturbances could include apnea (inability to breathe), acid reflux, restless limb disorders. Stress also causes disturbances in sleep. With each micro arousal the teeth are brought forcefully together.

 

In many individuals who suffer from headaches, during sleep studies, it is discovered that they bring their teeth together more forcefully than others and more times during the night. This prolonged and frequent clenching leads to the build up of lactic acid causing sore muscles. These sore muscles then are protected by other muscles compensating making those muscles sore. This process combined with other factors leads to a cascade resulting in a migraine, tension, or cluster headache.

 

By limiting clenching intensity the cascade can be prevented and the associated headaches. The FDA has approved a dental device called an NTI-TSS. The device is custom made by a dentist. The device worn while sleeping over your teeth limits the intensity of clenching. In studies, as many as 80% of the people had 70% fewer headaches. Compared to other migraine prevention therapies and therapeutics, it is the most effective FDA approved method of migraine prevention. 

 

 

Dental Care for Seniors

Dental Care Program for Children and Adults with Autism

 

How To Keep Your Toothbrush Clean and Safe

How To Keep Your Toothbrush Clean And Safe

 

Because one of the main purposes of a toothbrush is to remove bacteria from your mouth, it’s important to keep your toothbrush sanitary and free of bacteria.

Keep these tips in mind to keep your toothbrush clean and safe:

 

Keep it covered on the road, but not at home. When you travel, put your toothbrush in a travel toothbrush holder-don’t let it roll around uncovered in your suitcase or toiletry bag where it can pick up dust, dirt, and bacteria. But don’t store a toothbrush in a toothbrush holder at home-the chronically moist environment can promote bacteria growth. If you must use a covered toothbrush holder frequently, look for one with small holes to let air in. When at home, store your toothbrush upright in a cup or a toothbrush holder that allows it to air dry and has several openings to keep multiple toothbrushes separate.

 

Consider a sanitizer. There are commercially available "toothbrush sanitizers," but there’s no solid evidence to suggest that they actually keep toothbrushes cleaner than simply rinsing them with water after use and allowing them to dry. If you want to try a sanitizer, look for one that has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration for "reducing bacterial contamination that occurs naturally on toothbrushes." Be suspicious of sanitizing products that make unrealistic claims. And never try to clean your toothbrush by putting it in the dishwasher or microwave; the high temperatures can damage the brush.

What is a Dental Hygenist?

What Is a Dental Hygienist? Dental hygienists are licensed oral health professionals who focus on preventing and treating oral diseases-both to protect teeth and gums, and also to protect patients' total health. They are graduates of accredited dental hygiene education programs in colleges and universities, and must take a written national board examination and a clinical examination before they are licensed to practice. In addition to treating patients directly, dental hygienists may also work as educators, researchers, and administrators. What Do Dental Hygienists Do?

Each state has its own specific regulations and the range of services performed by dental hygienists varies from one state to another. As part of dental hygiene services, dental hygienists may:

• perform oral health care assessments that include the review of patients' health history, dental charting, oral cancer screening, and evaluation of gum disease / health;
• expose, process, and interpret dental radiographs (x-rays);
• remove plaque and calculus (“tartar”) from above and below the gumline using dental instruments;
• apply cavity-preventive agents such as fluorides and sealants to the teeth;
• administer local anesthetic and / or nitrous oxide analgesia;
• educate patients on proper oral hygiene techniques to maintain healthy teeth and gums;
• counsel patients about plaque control and developing individualized at-home oral hygiene programs;
• administer smoking cessation programs; and
• counsel patients on the importance of good nutrition for maintaining optimal oral health. 

Where Do Dental Hygienists Work?

Clinical dental hygienists may work in a variety of health care settings such as private dental offices, schools, public health clinics, hospitals, managed care organizations, correctional institutions, nursing homes or in a corporate environment. In addition to the clinical role, dental hygienists may also work in an administrative capacity in any of the above locations.

 

What Does the "RDH" Designation Mean?
The "RDH" means Registered Dental Hygienist. The RDH credential identifies a dental hygienist as a licensed oral health professional. State licensure requirements typically indicate that a dental hygienist must graduate from an accredited dental hygiene education program, successfully pass a national written examination and a state or regional clinical exam. (In Indiana, the designation LDH [Licensed Dental Hygienist] is used instead of RDH.)

First Trip to the Dentist

By 2 1/2 most children have cut all of their baby teeth, so toddlerhood is a great time to instill good dental habits. "Baby teeth are important because they hold space for permanent teeth," says Judy Ann Taylor, D.D.S., a pediatric dentist in Brooklyn. Decay in baby teeth also increases the risk of decay in permanent teeth.

Although dentists now recommend that kids see a dentist for the first time by their first birthday, twice-yearly dental checkups and proper care at home are the keys to ensuring pearly whites throughout childhood. For toddlers, however, the first dental visit can be a scary proposition. Strange instruments, loud noises, and new faces can upset even the most nonchalant 2-year-old. But with careful preparation (and plenty of prizes), a first trip to the dentist can actually be fun.

 

Before You Go

 

Your first impulse may be to take your child to your own dentist, but this is not a good idea, unless a sizable part of her practice is children. She can probably recommend a kid-friendly dentist, however. (Friends with children are another good source of recommendations.) Or call the American Dental Association (312-440-2617; www.ada.org) or the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (312-337-2169; www.aapd.org) for an accredited pediatric dentist in your area. Then make an appointment to tour the office with your child. Observe how the staff handles children, and make sure you're comfortable with all procedures. "Parents should be in the examining room with the child," says Judy Ann Taylor, D.D.S., "and a dentist should stop working if a child gets upset or nervous." Watch out for cleanliness: Dental tools should be wrapped in plastic, the staff should wear protective gloves and masks, and patients should wear protective glasses.

 

Provide the dentist with a list of any medical conditions your child has or medications he takes. Keep your pediatrician's phone number handy, too, in case the dentist needs additional health information.

 

If your child has a sucking habit, be it thumb, pacifier, or bottle, let the dentist know, as it may affect your child's teeth and jaw. Also, be aware that sleeping with a bottle of milk or juice can cause tooth decay. "During sleep, liquids in the mouth -- which are full of sugar and bacteria -- pool around the teeth and erode them," says Dr. Taylor.

 

Talk to your child about what's going to happen. Practice brushing with your child beforehand, too, so she will be used to having a toothbrush in her mouth.

 

What to Expect

1. Meeting and Greeting

 "To make sure your child feels comfortable, formally introduce him to the dentist on his first visit," says Judy Ann Taylor, D.D.S. A good children's dentist will explain each step of the checkup with your child, show him the tools she'll be using, and assure him that he can sit on Mommy's or Daddy's lap and stop any procedure if he's nervous.

 

2. Learning the Facts

Using models, an oversize brush, and "cavity creep" finger puppets, the dentist will show your child how to brush with your help. "A dentist may also explain how the cavity creeps come out at night to harm teeth and how eating nutritious meals and drinking plenty of water keeps teeth healthy," says Dr. Taylor. She'll also use this time to address your questions and concerns.

 

3. Mastering the Machinery

Because the spitting cup may make some scary sucking noises, the dentist will show your child how it works and how to spit into it properly. Then she'll put on a mask and gloves to count your child's teeth, using the model -- or you -- to demonstrate before putting her fingers in his mouth.

 

4. Cleaning and Polishing

Next, the dentist will polish your child's teeth with a rotary toothbrush. "Make sure the staff provides him with goggles or sunglasses to protect his eyes in case a tool slips or toothpaste sprays," says Dr. Taylor. Letting the child see and hear the brush before it's placed in his mouth helps put him at ease.

 

5. Finishing Touches

As with the other procedures she performs, the dentist will show your child how the sucking straw works before she uses it to remove extra toothpaste and saliva. As a final step, the dentist may apply a coat of topical fluoride. "I always ask the parent if it's okay to use fluoride," says Dr. Taylor, "but the research shows that periodic fluoride treatments prevent decay." A child should not eat or drink for 30 minutes after a treatment.

 

6. Picking a Prize

Stickers, finger puppets, crayons, key chains -- the more varied the grab bag, the better. "Prizes are a wonderful way to get kids to think the dentist's office is a fun place," says Dr. Taylor. You may want to let your child pick a prize during the cleaning if he seems nervous. But if he gets genuinely upset, "he may not be ready for his first visit," says Dr. Taylor. "In that case, cut it short and try again in a few months."