Can your teeth reveal signs of disease?

            Believe it or not, we are looking for more than just cavities whenever we examine your teeth. We evaluate your bite, your jaw joint (TMJ), and the surrounding tissue. During a thorough exam we look for signs or symptoms that may tell us other things about your overall health. After all, your mouth is the gateway to your body.

You may have type 2 diabetes:

            Red and swollen gums are a sign of periodontal (gum) disease. According to the CDC; 47% of people over 30 and 70% of people over 65 have periodontal disease. And research has shown that diabetes makes periodontal disease worse. So if you constantly have bleeding or swollen gums, we may question whether or not you have a family history of diabetes.

You have acid reflux:

            If you have solid brushing and flossing habits but you still notice some lingering bad breath, it may be a sign of GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease). Your teeth may also show signs of erosion or wear caused from your stomach acid. Many times you are unaware there is even an issue because it can happen while you sleep.

You are really stressed:

            Stress can cause us to clench and grind our teeth. Your teeth may show signs of wear or they may develop cracks. The wearing of your teeth can affect the cosmetics of your smile or even develop into joint problems. We are also on the lookout for canker sores. They are more likely to develop while you (or your body) are under stress.

You have an autoimmune disease:

            If your mouth feels very dry and you have difficulties producing saliva, it is possible you have Sjogren’s disease. This condition attacks the glands that make saliva and tears. There is no cure for Sjogren’s but symptoms can be managed to help return some moisture.

For more information, visit www.dentistwestchester.com.

Lee T. Brown, DDS

Brown and Kupper, DDS Inc.

Are you brushing your teeth correctly?

            Reader’s Digest recently came out with a list of ways you may be brushing your teeth the wrong way. This is relevant because many people can cause serious harm to their teeth by using improper techniques. Let’s take a look at each tip they listed.

You’re brushing too hard:

            When you clean you kitchen or scrub your bathroom, you want to put some firm pressure on the surface. The harder and longer you clean, the better the result. But with your teeth that logic can become a problem. If you brush too hard you can wear away the gums and even the underlying tooth.

Your angle is off:

            Brushing straight across isn’t the best way to clean your teeth and gums. You should angle the brush at 45 degrees towards the gums. You should also make small circles with your brush to properly clean any debris.

            The exception to that rule is an electric toothbrush. They are designed to go straight onto the tooth and you just need to hold it there for a few seconds.

Your toothbrush bristles are too firm:

            You should always use a soft bristled brush. If you use a hard bristle brush you are much more likely to abrade the gums and the tooth. Soft brushes also do a better job cleaning under the gums.

Your toothbrush head is too big:

            Bigger is not always better. Unless you have an unusually large mouth, smaller heads give you more control and easier access to difficult areas.

You’ve had the same tooth brush since last year:

            If the bristles are splayed out and look worn, they are no longer as effective at cleaning the teeth and gums.

You don’t consider flossing mandatory:

            Brushing alone is not enough to maintain good oral health. There are certain areas that will remain untreated even to the best brushers. Flossing helps reduce the chances of gum disease and from decay developing in between the teeth.

It’s no big deal to skip brushing your teeth before bed:

            This is a bad idea. You have ingested all kinds of food and drink during the day and the remnants can remain on your teeth. If not cleaned off before bed, it allows another 6-8 hours of unimpeded progression of any harmful bacteria.        

For more information, visit www.dentistwestchester.com.

Lee T. Brown, DDS

Brown and Kupper, DDS Inc.

Can You Use Activated Charcoal to Whiten Teeth?

Can You Use Activated Charcoal to Whiten Teeth?

            There have recently been some people blogging about the benefits of using activated charcoal to whiten teeth. It is a black, powdery substance that has been used to treat accidental drug overdose in hospitals or poison control centers. So I was obviously a little surprised to hear people were touting its teeth whitening benefits. Let’s look a little deeper into what we do and don’t know about activated charcoal.

Is there any evidence that activated charcoal has any positive affects on your teeth?

            According to ADA (American Dental Association) spokesperson Dr. Kim Harms, “there’s no evidence at all the activated charcoal does any good for your teeth.” I personally just recently heard about this potential trend, so I don’t really have any good anecdotal evidence either way. So until proven otherwise, I cannot tell you that using it will have any positive affect on your oral health.

Is activated charcoal safe for you and your teeth?

            There really isn’t any quality research on the topic of its safety, so I can’t really say one way or the other. However, because we don’t have enough information, we would have to recommend against using activated charcoal with the intention of whitening your teeth. There are plenty of other proven, safe, effective, and affordable teeth whitening options.

Do you know of any potential harmful side affects?

            We don’t know how it would affect the teeth or gums, so there is a potential that prolonged use could hurt both. Abrasive materials can wear away the teeth or gums and cause serious long term problems.

            The bottom line is until we know more, I would recommend against using activated charcoal to whiten your teeth. Ask us about all of the different options that are available and we can help customize a plan to fit your needs.

For more information, visit www.dentistwestchester.com.

Lee T. Brown, DDS

Brown and Kupper, DDS Inc. 

DIY Dentistry

            There has been some recent coverage of a student from the New Jersey Institute of Technology who used a 3D printer and laser scanner to create plastic aligners to improve his smile. It is the equivalent of do-it-yourself Invisalign. But is this a DIY project that is worth the risk?

            The advantages of at home dentistry are obvious: convenience and cost. However, there are more risks than meet the eye. Moving your teeth to straighten a few areas is more complicated than you might think. A minor change to one or two teeth can have profound affects on the teeth, jaw, and your periodontal (gum) health. An appropriate analogy may be: If you moved a few support beams in your house and didn’t move them to the correct spot, then part of the house may collapse.

            What if you have a crown fall off? Can you scan the tooth and print a new crown with your 3D printer? Once again the advantages seem obvious but there is more than meets the eye to a dental crown. Some issues you may need to address before creating a new crown:

• What kind of material is appropriate for that tooth?
• What shape should it be to fit my bite?
• How do I know how well it fits to the tooth?
• What kind of cement is appropriate?
• Is there anything wrong with the tooth itself?

If you are unable to adequately trouble shoot all of the questions to the level of a dentist, then you are running a big risk you could cause some serious long term damage to your oral health.

            With 3D printers becoming more popular, more and more people may try to fix their dental problems at home. But like any medical issue, it is best to talk with a professional.

For more information, visit www.dentistwestchester.com.

Lee T. Brown, DDS

Brown and Kupper, DDS Inc. 

How important is using mouth wash?

            There was a recent article in TIME magazine discussing how important and safe mouth wash is in your normal oral hygiene routine. Below we will discuss some of the benefits and limitations of different mouth rinse options.

Can I use a mouth rinse instead of brushing and/or flossing?

            While mouth rinses can be an effective adjunct to your normal brushing and flossing routine, they are definitely not a substitute. They are not designed to replace brushing twice each day and they are not designed to lessen the frequency of dental visits. But they can help to improve your breath and are safe when used properly.

             One exception to this is chlorhexidine gluconate rinse. This is a prescription strength rinse that may be given following a surgical procedure. Following gum tissue grafting, the surgeon may want you to avoid brushing that area to allow for proper healing. Chlorhexidine may be used for a short time to help clean the area. But it is important to remember this is not a long term solution.

What kind of mouth wash should I use?

            The three most common recommendations we have are Crest Pro-Health, Listerine, and ACT. We don’t recommend Scope because it does not have any anti-bacterial properties. It only freshens your breath.

• Pro-Health is all alcohol free and contains some fluoride to help fight tooth decay.
• The Listerine has options that are alcohol free and with alcohol. Both can be affective but the alcohol can feel abrasive to some. There are a number of different options with some varying degrees of fluoride. Consult your dentist or dental hygienist on which is best for you.
• ACT contains fluoride and has an offering designed specifically for children.

Are there any side affects to using a mouth rinse?

            The ADA (American Dental Association) believes there are no substantiated risks to using mouth wash once or twice per day. However, some people may have a mild allergy to different rinses. Symptoms may include red and inflamed gums or a ‘stringy’ white residue on their tissue. Both of these side affects are reversible when you discontinue use and do not cause any permanent problems.

            With so many options available, your best bet is to talk with your dentist and hygienist about what mouth rinse could best work for you. This will help narrow down your options simplify your decision.

For more information, visit www.dentistwestchester.com.

Lee T. Brown, DDS

Brown and Kupper, DDS Inc.

Do I really need to get my wisdom teeth removed?

            A friend of mine recently sent me an article where the author was warning people against having their wisdom teeth removed. He cited all kinds of risks and the troubles he had during his experience. He even referred to having wisdom teeth being removed as a ‘scam.’ In light of this, I wanted to share some facts and myths about having wisdom teeth removed versus keeping them.

Do all wisdom teeth need to be removed?

            No. There are times when there is adequate room for the wisdom teeth and they can be easily cleaned and maintained. In these situations, extraction is not warranted.

How old should you be when the wisdom teeth are removed?

            The answer varies greatly due to different eruption patterns and when symptoms develop. But typically the younger you are the easier the removal and healing. The more developed the roots, the more challenging the procedure can become. This is why dentists typically recommend extractionb at a younger age.

Will I ever be too old to have wisdom teeth removed?

            If the teeth are symptomatic and/or causing other issues then you are never too old. But if your immune system is compromised or you have been taking bisphosphonates for osteoporosis, removal may not be a good option.

What can happen if I don’t remove my wisdom teeth?

            If the teeth are fully or partially impacted then you could experience tooth decay of the wisdom teeth, decay on the adjacent teeth, cysts, and other serious infections.

Who should remove my wisdom teeth?

            For almost all cases, we recommend an oral surgeon extract your wisdom teeth. They are very experienced, can provide sedation, and can handle any possible complications.

           

The bottom line is each situation is different and each person is different. You should have an open dialogue with you dentist about your concerns and talk through the pros and cons of any treatment option.

I believe in calculated risk and minimizing that risk whenever possible. Most dentists, and the American Dental Association, believe in removing impacted wisdom teeth at a young age to avoid other more serious complications later in life.

For more information, visit www.dentistwestchester.com.

Lee T. Brown, DDS

Brown and Kupper, DDS Inc.

How should I whiten my teeth?

            There are all kinds of products available that can whiten your teeth effectively. There are also a large number of materials that claim to whiten and brighten your teeth. So what is the most effective way and how important is it to whiten? We will try to answer some of those concerns or questions.

Why would it be important to whiten my teeth?

            There is no clinical benefit to whitening your teeth. It will not make your teeth stronger or more resistant to cavities. However, when bleaching is done properly it doesn’t hurt your teeth either. But can whiter teeth boost your confidence and make you more prone to smile? The American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry found that ninety six percent of Americans believe having whiter teeth makes a person more attractive. The same study found that an unattractive smile can hurt someone’s career prospects. So the hope is a confident and beautiful smile will help to improve your quality of life.

Do it yourself whitening vs. professional whitening:

            There is definitely perception of white teeth being more attractive and a belief that white teeth are healthy teeth. Because of that, do-it-yourself whitening products were 1.5 billion dollars in sales. While I believe there is a time and a place for different over the counter whitening products, I think it is important to weigh the cost/benefit of these against the professional options.

            You could literally spend hundreds of dollars each year on OTC whitening products and still not achieve the desired results. At that point, it would have been beneficial to spend a little more on the professional whitening to get the results you want and spend less in the long term. However, some people (especially younger patients) can reach their goals with OTC whitening strips. The best bet is to consult your dentist to see what could work best for you.

If you have more information about whitening your teeth or other dental related questions, you can learn more at www.dentistwestchester.com.

Lee T. Brown, DDS

Brown and Kupper, DDS Inc.