E-Cigarettes and your mouth

            E-cigarettes use a battery powered heating element to deliver nicotine and flavorings to the user. It is also commonly known as ‘vaping’. They refer to these as vaping instead of smoking because they produce a vapor instead of burning. They are continuing to gain popularity, especially among the millennial generation. Part of their rise in popularity is because E-cigarettes have been touted as a safer option than traditional cigarettes, and there is some truth to that. However, the long term affects are still mostly unknown.

             One advantage e-cigarettes have over traditional cigarettes is they contain much less nicotine than traditional cigarettes. While that is an obvious advantage, nicotine is still a highly addictive substance in that amount. The side affects that are associated with nicotine use include depression, anxiety, and irritability.

            Traditional cigarettes can stain your teeth, cause gum disease, and even lead to oral cancer. E-cigarettes are less likely to cause staining, but the nicotine still has the ability to interfere with your saliva. This can lead to dry mouth, increased bacteria, and increased risk of tooth decay.

            There is also concern that e-cigarettes can serve as a gateway drug to using traditional cigarettes. Many young people perceive e-cigarettes to be much milder and less addictive. However, once they are addicted to the nicotine the potential risk of cigarette use greatly increases.

            While e-cigarettes are likely healthier than traditional cigarettes, I am in no way advocating for their use. There may be some advantages in using them to assist in quitting smoking, but I would recommend talking with your medical doctor before trying anything on your own.

For more information, visit www.dentistwestchester.com.

Lee T. Brown, DDS

Brown and Kupper, DDS

College students and cavities

            Unfortunately, we have seen college students with a great dental history come home after a few years away at college with some new cavities. So what changed during their time away at school? Let’s look at a few things that can contribute to developing new cavities.

            A common cause of the increased decay rate is from an influx in sodas and sugary drinks. This may include regular soda, diet soda, energy drinks, and even sports drinks like Gatorade. When used in moderation, it is typically not a big problem. But the constant exposure to the sugar or acid will weaken the enamel and result in cavities. Even diligent brushing twice per day can’t eliminate the harmful affect of long term exposure to sugar and acid. This information is important for students know when they are up late cramming for a test. Like anything else, moderation is the key.

            Other issues responsible for an increase in tooth decay are candies, mints, and fruit snacks. Students that snack on these while studying have constant exposure of sugar. This repeated exposure will lead to tooth decay. Unfortunately, brushing cannot reach between the teeth to eliminate all of the harmful affects of the sugary snacks. I am not recommending that all of these snacks should be completely removed from you diet. Once again, it is all about moderation. Following a snack or candy, finding a way to brush would be ideal. However, it is understandable that everyone isn’t going to bring a toothbrush and toothpaste with them to the library. So if you are unable to brush, I recommend drinking water to help cleanse the teeth or chewing sugar free gum. Then be sure to brush when you get home.

            We hope a few minor changes can make a big difference. Our goal is to educate students early so they don’t have to learn the hard way!

Please feel free to contact us with any questions about you or your child, or visit us at www.dentistwestchester.com.

Lee T. Brown, DDS

Brown and Kupper, DDS Inc.

Dental Myths

Dental Myth: If it doesn’t hurt, you don’t need to fix it

Cavities can be tricky. They can be difficult to diagnose in certain areas and it can be challenging to predict how large they will be. After a filling is completed, it can be just as difficult to predict whether or not the tooth will become sensitive. And there are still many people out there who think that a cavity or a crack on a tooth doesn’t need to be fixed until it breaks or becomes symptomatic. Let’s talk about some of the risks in waiting for a tooth to hurt.

            The deep grooves and fissures of the teeth are the most common areas for us to find cavities beginning to develop. We use clinical exams, a dental explorer, and even specialized cameras to identify problem areas in their earliest stages. If we waited until you had sensitivity to hot or cold drinks to diagnose and treat the areas, the tooth decay would be beyond its incipient stage. And the deeper the cavity, the higher the risk of sensitivity and possible root canal treatment. By maintaining regular cleanings and exams, it allows us to help diagnose and treat these areas early and improve your prognosis.

Dental Myth: If I can’t see the cavity, it isn’t that big.

            Many cavities can grow quite large and even infect the nerve of the tooth before they are visible. A cavity can begin as a microscopic opening in the enamel (outer layer) and spread into the dentin (inner layer). It can then quietly grow larger within the tooth, and sometimes infect the nerve without any symptoms. In these situations, we rely on x-rays to help us diagnose and treat the cavities. Regular exams and x-rays are sometimes our only way to find these areas before they grow into much larger and more expensive problems.

For more information, visit www.dentistwestchester.com.

Lee T. Brown, DDS

Brown and Kupper, DDS