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

Why do my kids need sealants?

            When your kid’s permanent molars begin to erupt, we typically discuss the importance of sealants. Dental sealants are placed over the deep pits and fissures of teeth to help prevent the start of cavities. These deep grooves are common areas for cavities to begin in children, and sealants have been proven to help reduce the incidence in tooth decay.

Which teeth typically need sealants?

            Usually it is only the permanent molars that need sealants, but if there is a higher risk of tooth decay we may recommend sealants on other permanent teeth. This could include incisors or premolars.

How old will they be when sealants are recommended?

            The permanent first molars typically erupt around 6 years old. Every child can vary on timing, so it may not be until they are 8 or even 9. Recommendations may also be made based on each child’s ability to tolerate the procedure.

What should they expect during a sealant?

            It is essential to keep the tooth completely dry during the procedure. Any saliva on the tooth will cause the sealant to fall off. So we protect the area with cotton and use suction to remove any moisture. The tooth is brushed clean, cleaned microscopically with a liquid, then rinsed and dried. The sealant material is then painted on as a liquid and is hardened by a strong light for about 20 seconds. If everything goes well, each individual sealant should only take a few minutes.

Do they need to wait to eat after the sealant is placed?

            After the procedure, they are free to eat, drink, brush and floss. However, we recommend avoiding sticky and hard foods for a few days. The sealant needs to ‘wear down’ into the correct spot, and this can take a few days. If they chew food that is too stick or hard, it could increase the risk of losing the sealant before it settles into their bite.

How much does it reduce their risk of cavities?

            For children who have had sealants placed, studies have shown a 70-80% reduction in the incidence of cavities in the grooves of the teeth. It is a very effective preventative measure that can be taken to help protect their teeth.

For more information, visit www.dentistwestchester.com.

Lee T. Brown, DDS

Brown and Kupper, DDS

Why is an electric toothbrush better than a regular toothbrush?

It has a two-minute timer:

The proper amount of time to brush your teeth is two minutes. Typically, the average person will brush their teeth for only 30 to 45 seconds before finishing. They stop because it feels like it has been a long time and the teeth feel cleaner than before brushing. By brushing for 30 seconds, you have only removed the macroscopic particles on your teeth. To truly clean on a microscopic level you need 30 seconds on each quadrant of the mouth. We have found that brushing for the full two minutes to be one of the biggest difference makers to improving your oral health and reducing the risk of cavities and gum disease.

It doesn’t wear down the gum tissue:

            When using a regular toothbrush, many people tend to brush in a ‘sawing’ motion. The toothbrush and the toothpaste have abrasives that can wear down the gums and cause recession. If the gums recede too far, then a surgical procedure is needed to restore the tissue. An electric toothbrush doesn’t require you to use a brushing motion. You can simply move it from tooth to tooth and the motion of the brush head will properly clean the teeth.

The toothbrush doesn’t get distracted (like we all do):

            When we brush our teeth in the morning and before bed, our mind tends to wander. Even if we are a little distracted, the electric toothbrush will continue to do its job. We don’t have to worry that it will scrub too hard in one area and cause recession. It should also beep or vibrate every 30 seconds as a reminder to move on to the next quadrant.

Which one is right for me?
            Talk your dentist or hygienist about all of your options. You don’t have to break the bank to get a great toothbrush. And if you aren’t sure, just ask!

For more information, visit www.dentistwestchester.com.

Lee T. Brown, DDS

Brown and Kupper, DDS

Chewing sugar free gum can improve your dental health

            Men’s Health magazine recently had an article titled, “This $1 Habit Could Save You Hundreds In Dental Bills.” The article discussed how chewing sugar free gum is a simple and inexpensive trick to help keep your mouth healthy and reduce your dental expenditures. So how does chewing sugar free gum promote dental health?

Chewing sugar free gum reduces the acidity in our mouth and reduces the bad bacteria present. It does so by increasing saliva production, which in turn helps to remove food from the teeth and neutralize the acid that wears away at enamel. This obviously should mean less dental work needed over time.

How long do you need to chew the gum for it to be effective? It should be at least for 20 minutes to get the maximum benefit that sugar free gum can give you. If you only chew gum for enough time to freshen your breath and quickly dispose of it, it doesn’t provide adequate time to cleanse some of the surface areas and change the acidity in the mouth.

            Does chewing sugar free gum replace brushing, flossing, or using mouth rinse? It should only be used as a supplement to the usual home care techniques. Brushing, flossing, and rinsing are the only ways to adequately clean the teeth. If you try to replace these with chewing sugar free gum, I think you could run into some serious dental issues. But chewing gum could be a great way to supplement your home care routines if you are snacking throughout the day and you do not have a toothbrush and toothpaste with you.

            Be sure you check the ingredients and labels on gum before you buy with the purpose of improving your oral health. If you are consistently chewing gum loaded with sugar, it could have the opposite effect. And definitely talk with your dentist for any other recommendations regarding your individual situation.

For more information, visit www.dentistwestchester.com.

Lee T. Brown, DDS

Brown and Kupper, DDS 

Researchers working on fillings that regenerate tooth structure

            In both medicine and dentistry there is a focus on being preventative and less invasive with treatments. Sealants, fluoride treatments, and regular cleanings are a great way to focus on preventative dental treatment. But once a cavity has formed, our only course of treatment involves drilling away tooth structure to remove the tooth decay. Currently, researchers are working on developing fillings that “allow teeth to heal themselves.” This is a very exciting development because it could limit the number of invasive procedures a dentist may need to perform.

            The treatment that researchers have been working on would stimulate stem cells to encourage the growth of dentin. Dentin is the bony material that makes up the majority of the tooth and lies just under the hard, outer shell of enamel. These fillings would allow you to effectively re-grow tooth structure that was damaged by decay. Hopefully this could become an alternative to traditional dental fillings.

            So why would it be important to reduce the number of fillings needed or the size of the fillings performed? Typically, a smaller filling leads to a better prognosis. A smaller filling stays further from the pulp (where the nerve is found) and decreases the potential for sensitivity. And every time you work on a tooth, you risk possible sensitivity and the need for a root canal in the future. Each root canal contains another set of risks that include root fracture and tooth loss. Bottom line: if you can avoid invasive procedures on the teeth it can be beneficial to you in the long run.

            Even though we still know very little about this development, it is safe to say it will not eliminate the need for all invasive dental procedures. But every little bit helps and it can hopefully prevent a ripple affect on your dental health that could affect you for years.

For more information, visit www.dentistwestchester.com.

Lee T. Brown, DDS

Brown and Kupper, DDS