You’ve probably heard about the health risks caused by human papillomavirus, or HPV. Many people are exposed to HPV, and, the body is usually able to clear the infection on its own within one to two years. Yet, many people remain infected. It’s important to understand there is a link between HPV and oral health. HPV can also infect the mouth and throat. And there are some types of HPV that increase the risk for certain head and neck cancers. HPV can cause cancers in the oropharynx – which includes the back of the throat, the tonsils and the base of the tongue. Studies show that HPV causes up to 70% of these cancers in the U.S. Thankfully, the HPV vaccine is a simple way to protect your family. Who should get the HPV vaccine? The …
HPV: Head, Neck and Oral Cancers
The human papilloma virus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted disease in the United States, with 14 million new cases each year. According to the CDC, there are more than 40 types of HPV, but most are cleared from the body by the immune system without causing any health problems. Still, some types of HPV affect the mouth and throat. Low-risk strains can cause mouth or throat warts, but high-risk strains are associated with head and neck cancers (also known as oropharyngeal cancers) that affect the mouth, throat, tonsils and back of the tongue. Oral cancer is just one type of head and neck cancer. Data from the CDC indicates that about 7% of people have oral HPV, but only 1% have the type of oral HPV found in head and neck …
HIV/AIDS & Dental Health
If you, or someone you know, is living with HIV/AIDS, the American Dental Association recommends that dental health care be part of all HIV/AIDS treatment plans. That’s because people living with HIV/AIDS are more susceptible to infections including dental infections, which can affect their overall health. How Does HIV/AIDS Affect the Mouth? Your mouth may be the first part of your body to be affected when infected with HIV. Because infection with HIV will weakened your immune system, this means you will be susceptible to infections and other problems. In your mouth, this can cause pain and tooth loss. People with HIV may experience the following mouth issues: Dry mouth Thrush White lesions on the sides of the tongue (oral …
Hormones & Dental Health: An Essential Guide for Women
You may be surprised to learn that hormone surges may make you more vulnerable to gum disease. Here’s why: More female hormones (estrogen and progesterone) cause more blood to flow to your gums, which causes them to become more sensitive and “overreact” to anything that may irritate them. Women are more sensitive to the presence of plaque and bacteria around the gums when the hormone levels are high. This can cause your gums to become inflamed, swell and bleed. If left untreated, ongoing inflammation in the gums can also lead to bone loss around the teeth and eventual tooth loss. Your hormones are a fact of life, but gum disease not so much. It’s actually preventable and reversible in its early stages. So what’s a woman to do? Start by …
Dental Grills: What You Should Know
Grills, also called “grillz” or “fronts,” are decorative covers often made of gold, silver or jewel-encrusted precious metals that snap over one or more of their teeth. They generally are removable but some grill wearers have had their teeth altered with gold crowns to permanently resemble a grill. And some have tried to attach their grill with glue—something that is not meant for internal use and can damage the teeth and tissues! At present there are no studies that show that grills are harmful to the mouth—but there are no studies that show that their long-term wear is safe, either. Some grills are made from non-precious (base) metals that may cause irritation or metal-allergic reactions. If you wear a grill, you should be especially …
Can Genetic Testing Predict Your Dental Health?
Can a genetic test predict your risk of developing future cavities or severe gum disease? The answer, at this point in time, is no. There are commercially marketed tests that claim to measure risk of disease or susceptibility to future disease. Predictive genetic tests look for clues in your Oral DNA that could indicate whether you are at risk of developing certain diseases or medical conditions. For these tests, you are often asked to swab your cheek or mail a saliva sample back to a lab. The company follows up with results and may or may not provide a consultation with a medical professional. However, just because you have a DNA “marker” associated with a particular disease, it does not mean you will ultimately develop the disease. …
What is Fluorosis?
Dental fluorosis is the appearance of faint white lines or streaks on the teeth that only occurs when younger children consume too much fluoride, from any source, over long periods when teeth are developing under the gums. Once teeth break through the gums, you cannot develop fluorosis. Fluorosis isn’t a disease and doesn’t affect the health of your teeth. In most cases, the effect is so subtle that only a dentist would notice it during an examination. The type of fluorosis found in the United States has no effect on tooth function and may make the teeth more resistant to decay. What Can I Do to Prevent My Child From Developing Fluorosis? The chance of developing fluorosis exists until about age eight because teeth are still forming …
Fluoride: A Complete Guide
Fluoride is often called nature’s cavity fighter and for good reason. Fluoride, a naturally-occurring mineral, helps prevent cavities in children and adults by making the outer surface of your teeth (enamel) more resistant to the acid attacks that cause tooth decay. How Does Fluoride Protect Teeth? Fluoride benefits both children and adults. Here's how: Before teeth break through the gums, the fluoride taken in from foods, beverages and dietary supplements makes tooth enamel (the hard surface of the tooth) stronger, making it easier to resist tooth decay. This provides what is called a "systemic" benefit. After teeth erupt, fluoride helps rebuild (remineralize) weakened tooth enamel and reverses early signs of tooth decay. When you …
What is Community Water Fluoridation?
Adding fluoride to public water supplies is a safe and effective way to prevent tooth decay and has played a major role in in improving the public’s dental health for more than 70 years. "Fluoride’s effectiveness in preventing tooth decay extends throughout one’s life, resulting in fewer—and less severe̵—cavities," says former Surgeon General Vivek H. Murthy. Read on to learn more about what the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has proclaimed as one of 10 great public health achievements of the 20th century. What Is Community Water Fluoridation? Fluoridation of community water supplies is simply the adjustment of the existing, naturally occurring fluoride in drinking water to an optimal level for the prevention of …
5 Steps to a Fantastic Floss
We know we should floss at least once a day, but not everyone knows the right way to do it. Use this step-by-step guide to find out how to properly floss your teeth: Break off about 18 inches of floss and wind most of it around one of your middle fingers. Wind the remaining floss around the same finger of the opposite hand. This finger will take up the floss as it becomes dirty. Hold the floss tightly between your thumbs and forefingers. Guide the floss between your teeth using a gentle rubbing motion. Never snap the floss into the gums. When the floss reaches the gum line, curve it into a C shape against one tooth. Gently slide it into the space between the gum and the tooth. Hold the floss tightly …