Infection control is a set of recommended safety precautions that dentists put in place to protect patients and their staff. Many dental procedures involve direct contact with blood and saliva. Strict infection control helps to stop the spread of disease. Improved infection control procedures call for most of the instruments and supplies that your dentist uses to be either heat-sterilized or disposable. Do all dentists practice infection control? The Occupational Safety and Health Administration Bloodborne Pathogens Standard requires that all employees who may come in contact with blood must be trained about proper infection control procedures. The dental board in your state also may have additional rules that your dentist must …
How to choose a Dentist
Begin the Search It is generally acknowledged that more than 46 percent of consumers do not have a general dentist. Many consumers turn to the phone book to search for a new family dentist. However, this tool may not be the most reliable source of information. Family, friends, neighbors or co-workers can be excellent sources, and can refer you to a dentist they feel comfortable visiting. Ask your family physician or local pharmacist. If you are moving, your current dentist may be able to make a recommendation. Last, call your local or state dental society. Questions you should ask your sources: > What do they like about the office? > What do they like about the dentist? Start With a Consultation Call or visit more …
Geriatric Dental Care
Due to advances in medicine and an increase in prolonged life expectancy, the number of older people will continue to increase worldwide. It is essential that all older adults practice and maintain good oral hygiene due to the high correlation between oral health and general health. How should I care for my teeth as I get older? Maintaining good oral health is not only vital to your systemic health—it can keep you smiling well into retirement. Brushing at least twice a day with fluoridated toothpaste and a soft-bristle brush is as important as ever. Flossing is very important, too—it helps to remove plaque from between teeth and below the gumline that your toothbrush cannot reach. Am I more prone to certain oral conditions as I age? As …
Flossing
Do I really need to floss? Yes. Floss removes plaque and debris that sticks to teeth and gums in between teeth, polishes tooth surfaces, and controls bad breath. Flossing is the single most important weapon against plaque and, in some ways, more important than the toothbrush. By flossing your teeth daily, you increase the chance of keeping them for a lifetime and decrease the chance of getting gum disease. Many people don’t spend enough time flossing and many never have been taught the proper way to floss. What type of floss is the best? Dental floss comes in many forms: waxed and unwaxed, flavored and unflavored, wide and regular. They all clean and remove plaque. Wide floss, also known as dental tape, may be helpful for people with a …
How Smoking Affects Oral Health
Using tobacco can harm your mouth, including your teeth and gums, in a number of ways. There is no safe form of tobacco— using it produces many problems and risk factors, from tooth discoloration and gum disease to throat, lung, and oral cancer, and, ultimately, even death. It’s important to understand what happens to your mouth when you use any form of tobacco, and to discuss those effects—and how to quit—with your dentist and physician. What happens to my mouth when I smoke? Smoking reduces blood flow and the supply of vital nutrients to your gums, including vitamin C. Without the proper nutrients, you can develop gum disease, bone loss, and even tooth loss. This is because smoking triggers the accumulation of bacteria in …
Eating Disorders
Eating disorders are real, complex, and often devastating conditions that can have serious consequences on your overall health and oral health. Telltale early signs of eating disorders often appear in and around the mouth. A dentist may be the first person to notice the symptoms of an eating disorder and to encourage his or her patient to get help. What are the different types of eating disorders? • Anorexia nervosa is a serious, potentially life-threatening eating disorder characterized by self-starvation and excessive weight loss. • Bulimia nervosa is a serious, potentially life-threatening eating disorder characterized by a cycle of bingeing and compensatory behaviors (i.e., self-induced vomiting, use of laxatives, diuretics, …
Dry Mouth
What is Dry Mouth? Dry Mouth, or Xerostomia, is a condition related to the salivary glands, which help keep the mouth moist, thus preventing decay and other oral health problems. When the salivary glands do not work properly, the amount of saliva in the mouth decreases, resulting in xerostomia—or, as it’s more commonly known, dry mouth. What causes dry mouth? Prescription and over-the-counter medications are the most common cause of dry mouth. There are more than 400 medications that can contribute to mouth dryness, including antihypertensives, antidepressants, painkillers, tranquilizers, diuretics, and antihistamines. Dry mouth also can be caused by radiation therapy and chemotherapy, hormonal alterations, or diseases, such as diabetes, …
Denture Care
How do you care for dentures? A denture is fragile, so it is important to handle it with care. Remove and brush the denture daily, preferably with a brush designed specifically for cleaning dentures, using a denture cleanser. Never use harsh, abrasive cleansers, including toothpastes, because they may scratch the surface of the denture, leaving it susceptible to plaque and stains. Don’t sterilize your denture with boiling water because it will cause it to become warped. If you wear a partial denture, be sure to remove it before brushing your natural teeth. Why do I have to clean my dentures? Keeping your dentures clean is vital for good oral health and overall health. Like natural teeth, dentures attract plaque, become stained, and …
Dentin Hypersensitivity
What is dentin hypersensitivity? Dentin hypersensitivity, more commonly referred to as sensitive teeth, can be defined as short, sharp pains that come from exposed dentin (the layer of tissue found beneath the hard enamel that contains the inner pulp). Individuals with sensitive teeth may find that the pain can be triggered by hot, cold, sour, or sweet beverages or foods, forceful brushing or flossing, or even by cold air. What causes the sensitivity? Tooth sensitivity is caused by the movement of fluid within tiny tubes (pores) located in the dentin, which results in nerve irritation. When the hard enamel of a tooth is worn down or gums have receded, the surfaces of these tiny tubes can become exposed, resulting in pain while eating or …
Xylitol
Xylitol is a sugar alcohol sweetener that is found in birch tree bark, beets, corncobs, raspberries, mushrooms, and other natural sources. Its sweetness is equal to that of sugar, but it has about 40 percent fewer calories, making it a popular sugarfree substitute. Xylitol not only cuts calories, but it also cuts cavities! How does xylitol prevent cavities? Xylitol helps prevent Streptococcus mutans, the primary bacterium associated with dental caries, from attaching to teeth and tissues in the mouth. Xylitol cannot be metabolized by bacteria; as a result, the process that creates harmful, enamel-eating acids is drastically slowed. Regular use of xylitol has been shown to help reduce dental plaque—the first stage of cavity …