What Type of Mouth Rinse Should I Use?

         With so many different options out there, patients frequently ask which type or brand is best for them to use at home. Our goal is to evaluate your dental history, your homecare compliance, and any medications you are taking when choosing the best product for you. Below we will discuss three common types of mouth rinse we recommend depending on your risk factors.

            The most common mouth rinse we recommend for those with good homecare and a low risk of dental caries is Crest Prohealth. Within this product family, there are a number of different variations of the rinse. Unless instructed to use a specific rinse within the product family, the best and easiest advice we can give is to find one that you enjoy using and stick to it. This will hopefully encourage your willingness to use the rinse on a regular basis. However, if you see a product claiming to whiten your teeth through a mouth rinse, don’t expect to see significant results or changes.

            For those with a higher risk of cavities or recurrent issues around old fillings or crowns, we may discuss the use of Act Fluoride Rinse. The extra fluoride found in these rinses helps in fighting tooth decay around fillings, crowns, bridges, and root surfaces. Again, there are some different offerings within this product family, but the most common we recommend for adults is Act Anticavity. There is also an Act product line for children that has proved to be very helpful when they are in braces or when the child lacks the motivation or dexterity to properly brush their teeth. They also offer different fun flavors that improve compliance at home.

            When we are looking to dramatically improve the health of the gums before or after dental cleanings, we may recommend a prescription mouth rinse containing chlorhexidine gluconate. We typically only endorse its use on a limited basis because prolonged use can result in staining of the teeth. However, a standard 2 week protocol should not have any significant effects on the shade of the teeth. This is not meant to replace the need for brushing and flossing, but rather to be used as an adjunct to help control inflammation or disease in the oral cavity.

            When used properly, mouth rinses can be a great addition to your dental hygiene at home. However, they are not meant to replace traditional brushing or flossing. When in doubt or if you have any questions or concerns, always talk to your dentist or dental hygienist for instructions on how it can best be added to your daily routine.

For more information, visit us at www.brownandkupper.com          

Lee T. Brown, DDS

Brown and Kupper, DDS Inc.

(513) 860-3660

Should I use Fluoride Toothpaste with Young Children?

           Many parents often wander how they should help their young children care for their teeth. They worry that not using fluoride may make their kids more susceptible to tooth decay throughout their life. But they are also concerned that too much fluoride can cause lasting effects. The American Dental Association (ADA) has recently released some new guidelines to help best care for the oral health of young children.

            Dental fluorosis is a developmental disturbance of the enamel that is caused by excessive exposure to high concentrations of fluoride during tooth development. It typically results in small, white streaks on the teeth (most common case), but the more severe cases can result in discoloration or brown markings. To avoid this, the ADA has recommended the following guidelines:

1.      From the time of the first tooth eruption until the age of 3, use a ‘smear’ of fluoride containing toothpaste across the brush. This amount is similar to a grain of rice. The parents should assist the child in brushing twice per day.

2.      For children between the ages of 3 and 6, you only need a ‘pea-sized’ amount of fluoride toothpaste. Parents should continue to help the child brush during this time and it should be completed twice per day.

For most, the guidelines above will be adequate for dental caries prevention in children. However, it is important to maintain regular check-ups and discuss any changing circumstances with your dentist and dental hygienist. Depending on the risk assessed for your child, changes may be made to the standard protocol. The decision would be based on the child’s total fluoride exposure (includes water and toothpaste) and any other dental or medical history that may place them at a higher risk of developing cavities. Additional rinses, pastes, foams or gels may be added as needed.

While it is important to be aware of the risks of over exposure to fluoride for your children, the important thing to remember is the long term benefits of fluoride far out-weigh any risks. With frequent exams, we can help customize a plan for your family to achieve strong teeth and good dental health.    

Lee T. Brown, DDS

Brown and Kupper, DDS Inc.

(513) 860-3660

Care Credit- Helping you get the care you need today!

Dental care can be expensive and just because a tooth breaks doesn’t mean the rest of our life can be put on hold. So what can be done to make sure you get your mouth healthy even when you have other financial commitments? Care Credit is a credit card that gives you flexibility and convenience when managing your family's out-of-pocket dental/healthcare expenses.  The CareCredit card (subject credit approval) can be used as often as you want for
co-payments and deductibles picking up where insurance leaves off.

Getting started with Care Credit is easy.  You can apply in person at the
office, by phone (1-800-365-8295) or in the privacy of your home online
(www.carecredit.com <http://www.carecredit.com/> ).  Applying only takes a
few minutes and you'll get a decision almost immediately.  If  you're
approved, you can begin treatment even before you get the card.

When using your Care Credit card for purchases of $200.00 or more, you are
eligible for our special financing options.   Pick the available option
that's best for your situation:

*        No interest if  PAID IN FULL WITHIN 6 months - available on
qualifying purchases of $200.00 or more - (interest will be charged to your
account from the purchase date if the promotional purchase is not paid in
full with the promotional period.  Minimal monthly payments required and may
or may not pay off purchase before end of promotional period).
*        Reduced Interest (14.90%) with fixed monthly payments required
until paid in full.  Purchases of $1000.00 or more are eligible.
*        Purchases under $200.00 have standard terms as outlined by Care
Credit.

With more than 165,000 enrolled healthcare practices accepting Care Credit, we are confident there may be a way they can help you and your family get the care they need.

Please contact our office so that we may answer any questions you have and
assist you in obtaining Care Credit for your dental/healthcare expenses.

 

Brown and Kupper, DDS Inc

(513)675-8191

What do I do if my child has their front tooth knocked out or knocked loose?

            Even when parents make every effort to protect their children from accidents, they still happen. But what should you do if they suffer trauma to their teeth? Depending on the severity of the injury, there are some different options to consider and below we will discuss some simple signs and symptoms to look for.

            If a child has a baby tooth knocked completely out of the jaw, we typically don’t recommend having the tooth reimplanted since they will eventually be replaced by the permanent teeth. However, if a permanent tooth is knocked out, the goal is to reimplant it as quickly as possible. As soon the injury occurs, you should try to keep the tooth moist by placing it into milk or clean water as an alternative. Then immediately call your dentist because their goal will be to place the tooth back into the socket as quickly as possible. The sooner the tooth is replaced into its original socket, the greater the chance of retaining the tooth.  If the tooth has been cleaned in milk or water and you feel confident about placing the tooth back correctly into the socket, be sure you still see the dentist as soon as possible.

            If the tooth is knocked loose but not completely out of the socket, your first call should again be to your dentist. We would look to see if the tooth needs to be realigned back into its proper position and stabilize the area. Many times we will need to anesthetize the area before moving the tooth back to avoid additional pain and discomfort. If the tooth is very loose, we will need to temporarily splint it to the adjacent teeth during healing and allow the bone to tighten around the tooth.

            In many cases of trauma, the injured teeth will eventually need root canal treatment to eliminate any pain or infection. Depending on the damage to the crown of the tooth, the affected tooth may also need a dental crown to protect against further harm or fracturing of the remaining structure. However, even if every instruction is followed perfectly, the tooth may still eventually be lost or non-restorable. Unless there is very serious trauma that requires you to go to the emergency room, try to contact you dentist as quickly as possible to help increase the chances of saving your child’s tooth after an injury to the front teeth.

For more questions, visit us at www.brownandkupper.com.

Lee T. Brown, DDS

Brown and Kupper, DDS Inc.

(513)860-3660

Are You Getting Too Much Radiation from Dental X-Rays?

            People are becoming more and more conscious about the amount of radiation they are exposed to on a daily basis. So naturally, there is some concern about the exposure to radiation during routine dental x-rays. We feel it is great that our patients our conscious about keeping their families safe from additional radiation, but it is equally as important to stay educated about the reasons why x-rays are recommended and the consequences of forgoing the standards set by the American Dental Association.

            Bitewing x-rays are recommended once per year and are used to check between the teeth, underneath restorations, and diagnose if any issues have begun that are unseen during the clinical exam. Panoramic x-rays are typically recommended every 5 years and are used to diagnose any issues or pathologies in the mandible (lower jaw) or maxilla (upper jaw). The ADA (American Dental Association) states that “dentistry represents a minor contribution to the total exposure from all sources (about 0.2 percent).” While there are many valid medical reasons for radiation, the ADA also states “the majority of manmade radiation exposure is medical-related” and it “is estimated that dental X-rays contribute approximately one percent of the total dose of exposure in health care settings.” This minor additional exposure to radiation that dentists recommend can go a long way in early diagnosis and treatment of any issues. This makes treatment less invasive, less painful, and less expensive to patients.

            Even with such low rates of exposure in the dental office, we take other precautions to keep the levels of radiation as low as possible. By using digital x-rays we are able to reduce the exposure intensity while taking x-rays when compared to the older or traditional x-rays. For each bitewing x-ray we place a lead apron with a thyroid collar over the patient for additional protection. However, after an episode of “The Dr. Oz Show” there has been some concern over not using a vest with a thyroid collar for our panoramic x-rays. We understand the fears some people may have, but using a thyroid collar to take a panoramic x-ray would block out essential structures and hurt the diagnostic value. We feel the clinical value the x-ray provides more than outweighs any additional exposure you may receive.

            Dental and medical professionals alike have carefully weigh the risks and rewards of different x-rays that are recommended for diagnosing and treating problems. These recommendations have been named the standard of care by our professional organizations because they balance the benefits the patient may receive with any potential danger to you. But looking at the overall exposure the average dental patient receives during routine dental care, our recommended dental x-rays provide much more benefit than risk regarding your overall health.

 

For other questions, please visit us at www.brownandkuppper.com

Lee T. Brown DDS

Brown and Kupper, DDS Inc.

(513) 860-3660

How Does Regular and Diet Soda Affect Your Teeth?

       It is common knowledge that soda can cause tooth decay and damage your teeth. However, many people still believe that drinking diet soda eliminates the risk of cavities. The truth is any type of soda or soft drink can be potentially harmful to your teeth when not used in moderation. We will discuss why sodas can damage your teeth and what you can do to properly reduce your risk.

            Some non-diet sodas may contain as many as 11 teaspoons of sugar per serving, and sugar is directly correlated with an increased risk of tooth decay. The normal bacteria on your teeth feed on the sugar to create acid, which destroys teeth. The type of sugar found in soft drinks and candy are used by the bacteria, not the type of sugar you would find in whole grains. Continually supplying bacteria with the fuel to damage your teeth will lead to cavities and can create painful and expensive problems.

            So by drinking diet sodas without all the sugar, do you eliminate all of the harmful properties of soft drinks? Unfortunately most still contain phosphoric acid and citric acid, so they can still be very harmful to the teeth. Prolonged exposure to these substances can cause erosion of the teeth. This permanent condition results in the loss of hard tissues from the tooth surface. After the enamel of the tooth begins to erode, you are at increased risk of sensitivity and even tooth decay. The sensitivity results from less protection between the pulp (nerve) and any temperature changes your mouth experiences. The increased risk of tooth decay is because the underlying layers of the tooth (dentin) are not as strong as the outer layer (enamel).

            Despite some of the potential risks of both regular and diet sodas, it does not mean you have to completely eliminate them from your diet. Like most things, moderation is the key. You should limit the amount of soda you drink each day and avoid sipping on the drink throughout the day. This constant exposure can cause major problems. So when you do have a soft drink, I recommend brushing your teeth or rinsing with mouthwash when you finish. At a minimum, you should rinse with water or chew sugar free gum to help cleanse the teeth. If you aren’t sure about your individual risk to soft drinks or sodas, talk with your dentist or dental hygienist for more guidance.

For more information on tooth decay, go to www.brownandkupper.com.

Lee T. Brown, DDS

Brown and Kupper, DDS Inc.

(513) 860-3660

What Happens If I Don't Replace Missing Teeth?

          Despite the best efforts of you and your dentist, teeth can reach the point where they are no longer restorable and must be extracted. Soon after losing the tooth, you must begin to decide how, when or if you will replace the tooth you recently lost. If you look back at a previous blog entry, we detail the pros and cons of replacing missing teeth with implants or bridges. But what happens if you delay the decision or decide not to replace at all? Below we will talk about what can happen to the surrounding teeth, bone, and gums.

            After a tooth is extracted, it can take between 2-4 months for the gums and bone to heal completely. Without proper intervention, the bone and gums will not return to their original height and can affect the cosmetic appeal of the adjacent teeth. Without the presence of a tooth or dental implant, the bone will continue to resorb over time in both the vertical and horizontal direction. If too much time has passed and too much bone is lost, your replacement options become limited. Some cases could then require a bone graft, a sinus lift, or even lead to the inability to restore with a dental implant.

            If you lose a tooth, the positioning of the surrounding teeth may be affected as well. Teeth tend to move into the space where there is no resistance. So if an adjacent tooth is lost, the tooth may tip or tilt into the open area. If there is tipping, it can lead to spacing between other teeth and more foot traps. These food traps can lead to gum disease and tooth decay. The only way to return the tipped teeth to their original position is through orthodontics (braces or clear aligners).

            The opposing teeth can also erupt into the open space and limit your ability to replace the missing tooth. Not only does it then become difficult to restore the missing tooth, but the erupting tooth can then be at risk of gum disease as the area between its adjacent teeth becomes larger and more difficult to clean.

            If or when the day comes that you lose a tooth, it is good to remember how losing one tooth can affect the overall harmony of other teeth. Before losing or shortly after losing a tooth, be sure to discuss different strategies to replace that tooth. Too much delay can turn one problem into several problems.

For more information about tooth replacement options, visit us at www.brownandkupper.com.

Lee T. Brown, DDS

Brown and Kupper, DDS Inc.

(513)8603660