What should I know when buying dental supplies for my family?

            When you walk down the ‘oral care’ aisle at any store, the number of options can be intimidating. There are so many different brands and variations of similar products. Hopefully we can help simplify the process.

What kind of tooth brush should I buy?

• Do yourself a favor and get an electric tooth brush with a 2 minute timer. It will reduce the chances of tooth decay, gum disease, gum recession. Chances are it will save you thousands of dollars during your life.
• If you absolutely can’t stand an electric brush, make sure it is a soft bristle brush.
• The expensive brushes are great, but you don’t have to buy the most expensive brush to get a solid brush. However, remember that you get what you pay for and if it only costs $10 it probably is inexpensive for a reason.
• Use a different brush or brush head after you are sick. You don’t want to increase the risk of spreading anything bad to your family.

What kind of tooth paste should I buy?

• Look for the ADA approval on the box. If it has that, it has been put through a serious screening process to earn it.
• If you use sensitivity toothpaste, you should use it twice a day and every day. It is more effective when used consistently.
• If you want whiter teeth, toothpaste isn’t going to make a huge difference. Whitening toothpaste is more abrasive and reduces surface staining but does not whiten like bleaching your teeth can.
• Use a flavor that you like. It will make it more likely to brush consistently and for long enough.

What kind of mouth rinse should I buy?

• Only let your children use mouth rinse made for adults if they can consistently spit it out after using. But there are some rinses specifically designed for kids.
• I usually recommend alcohol free because it is less abrasive to your gums.
• Use a mouth rinse with fluoride. It reduces the potential for cavities.

Like anything else, if you are not sure what product may work best in your situation then just give us a call. We are happy to walk you through the different choices in more detail.

For more information visit www.dentistwestchester.com.

Lee T. Brown, DDS

Brown and Kupper, DDS

“I want to quit tobacco”

            Many people who have become addicted to using tobacco products want to stop. But as they can attest, that is much easier said than done. Everyone has been educated on the risks associated with tobacco use, but we want to reiterate how it can affect your dental and overall health. And we can also offer couple of tips on quitting tobacco.

Why should I quit using tobacco?

• Your mouth will be healthier. Quitting can lower your risk for receding gums and bone loss in the jaw bone surrounding the teeth.
• You will look and feel better. The stains created from smoking cannot be completely cleaned through brushing at home. Quitting will reduce stain and brighten your smile.
• You will set a healthy example. Chances are you are a role model to someone. Sometimes its children and sometimes it is a peer. By quitting you may inspire someone else to do the same.

Tips to Quit:

• Make a list of personal reasons for quitting and keep it in a place that you will frequently see.
• Set a date to quit in the future and do everything you can to stick to it. Try to find a time during the year that is ‘low stress.’
• Get help: ask your physician, family, friends and anyone else for their support in quitting.
• Find a healthy substitute. When you have a tobacco craving, try sugar-free gum or sugar-free candy. There is a sugar substitute called xylitol that has been shown to actually fight tooth decay.
• The four D’s:
• Delay- the craving will pass in 5-10 minutes
• Drink water- it gives you something to hold and put in your mouth
• Do something else- distract yourself by being active
• Deep breathing- this will help relax you.

We know it sounds a lot easier than it actually is, but hopefully you can use some of this information to help you or someone you know quit using tobacco. For more information go to www.dentistwestchester.com.

Lee T. Brown, DDS

Brown and Kupper, DDS

CDC Reports Benefits of Dental Sealants for Children:

           Dental sealants are placed over the pits and fissures on the chewing surfaces of teeth. Their goal is to protect those surfaces from the start of tooth decay. As soon as the permanent molars erupt, we typically recommend placing sealants. Depending on how susceptible each individual’s teeth are to cavities, we may even recommend sealants on the premolars as they erupt. Below we will discuss some of the advantages of dental sealants.

            ADA News reports that sealants can prevent around 80% of cavities in school aged children. However, 60% of those children did not receive dental sealants according to the CDC. The same report also found that if you did not have sealants, you had 3 times as many cavities as those who did. The resulting dental work totaled around $300 million that could have been prevented had some 7 million low-income children been provided sealants.

Because this is such a large problem, many local organizations have out-reach programs that offer free dental services to underprivileged children. A major focus of these programs is preventative dentistry. Along with fluoride treatments and home care instructions, sealants are an important part in breaking the cycle of early on-set tooth decay.

Are there any concerns or health related consequences with dental sealants? The only concern brought to our attention has been the presence of BPA (bisphenol-A) in the sealants. There is some concern BPA could be related to some health issues. But the ADA states that the potential exposure is minute and less than simply breathing air or handling a receipt. The sealants are made from a similar compound as composite (tooth colored) fillings, and there have not been any side affects to these fillings related to BPA.

Dental sealants are a good option for nearly every child as their permanent molars begin to erupt. They are non-invasive and can greatly reduce the potential for cavities. Be sure to ask us if you have any questions or concerns about your child and sealants.

Lee T. Brown, DDS

Brown and Kupper, DDS

Antibiotic Overkill

            For many, conventional wisdom tells them to take antibiotics when they don’t feel well. They have been told they can go to the doctor or ‘Little Clinic’ to get a prescription for antibiotics. This will eventually make them feel better. But in many cases the antibiotics are taken after they already feel their worst, and the progression of the illness allows them to start feeling better shortly thereafter. So naturally we credit the medication for curing the ailment. In reality, the body is naturally fighting the disease and curing what ails you. But the whole experience makes you feel the antibiotics were the correct choice.

Why is it a problem to just take antibiotics regardless of the issue?

            Antibiotics are designed to attack bacterial infections, not viral infections. So if you have a cold or the flu, antibiotics will not help you get better. But the more serious issue is what it can do to your health in the long run. By taking antibiotics too frequently, your body can develop immunity to those types of antibiotics. So when an infection arises and those antibiotics are truly needed, they may not be as affective. This can make treatment more difficult and the disease more dangerous.

Some statistics that show how big of a problem antibiotic resistance has become:

• Over 70% of illness causing bacteria are resistant to at least one type of antibiotic.
• It is estimated over 50,000 deaths can be contributed to antibiotic resistance in the US and Europe in 2015.
• If the problem persists, scientists are projecting that number to rise as high as 10 million by 2050.
• The primary reason for this trend is over prescribing antibiotics.

How is this related to dental health?

            Don’t let dental infections grow too large or go too long before treatment. If you wait longer than recommended to treat an abscess then you may need to take even more antibiotics.

With cold and flu season quickly approaching, don’t be surprised if more and more health care professionals are hesitant to prescribe antibiotics if they are uncertain of the underlying problem.   

Lee T. Brown, DDS

Brown and Kupper, DDS

www.DentistWestChester.com.

American Dental Association confirms dental amalgams are safe

            There is much debate concerning the safety of using dental amalgams to restore tooth decay. These fillings are made from a mixture of mercury, silver, and other metals. The obvious concern is over the mercury content. A new study out of the University of Georgia confirms that while these fillings can contribute to higher levels of mercury in the blood, the levels are still well below the established safety thresholds set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Lets examine the findings more closely and see how that may affect you and your future dental treatment.

            After examining the findings of this study, the ADA acknowledges while there is a “statistically significant difference in circulating levels of mercury, all the levels observed were within the lower 95% confidence limit set forth as safe by the National Research Council of the National Academy of Sciences.” What does this mean? They are basically saying it is not something they are worried about. Even though the levels are slightly higher, it doesn’t appear to affect your overall health.

            What are our thoughts on amalgam fillings? I certainly understand and empathize with the concern over mercury exposure. But if you eat a lot of fish, you are exposing yourself to the potential of elevated mercury levels in your bloodstream. So we obviously do our best to avoid the use of amalgam fillings, but we do not recommend all amalgam fillings be replaced without cause. This causes additional trauma to the tooth which could lead to future sensitivity and more complex treatment.   

            There are a few situations where we may recommend the use of amalgam fillings. It is usually on a back tooth where keeping the area dry and isolated is challenging. Without total isolation from saliva, tooth colored fillings do not last as long. Amalgam fillings work more predictably when dry, but have a better prognosis than tooth colored fillings when saliva contamination is possible.

            If you have any concerns about the type of fillings you already have or will need in the future, your best bet is to have a discussion with your dentist. We can help walk you through the pros and cons of whatever option you are comfortable with.

For more information, visit www.dentistwestchester.com.

Lee T. Brown, DDS

Brown and Kupper, DDS

Self-Repairing Fillings:

            Scientists in London are working on the development and release of a new type of tooth filling. It is known as bioactive glass and is designed to block cavities and repair bacterial damage. The implications of this are exciting because it can help fillings last longer and slow down the spread of cavity around existing fillings.

            The new fillings are made from bioactive glass composites and release fluoride, calcium, and phosphate. These components are all needed to form tooth mineral. This could be really helpful since bacteria can work against your tooth at a microscopic level. So if there is the smallest of openings that cannot be detected visually, it can be a point of entry for a cavity. If the filling materials could help close those microscopic gaps, it could strengthen the filling and make it last longer.

            Another application could be reducing the potential for tooth sensitivity and future root canals after a filling is placed. To remove tooth decay, you have to drill into the tooth and create a clean margin where cavity no longer exists. By doing this you get closer to the nerve of the tooth. If the filling material can help create an additional barrier of new tooth structure between the filling and the nerve, it lessens the chances of sensitivity.

            There hasn’t been much testing on its effectiveness to incipient cavities, but there is hope that these fillings can help stop cavities before they begin to progress too deeply. An incipient cavity is tooth decay that hasn’t yet penetrated the outer tooth layer of enamel. If bioactive glass composites can be placed over the cavity without any drilling in an effort to help heal the tooth, it could make dentistry more proactive and less invasive. 

            We are always looking for a way to be more preventive and less invasive in providing dental care. Advancements like bioactive glass fillings wont be available for a few years, but we are excited about the possibilities they may offer.

For more information, visit www.dentistwestchester.com.

Lee T. Brown, DDS

Brown and Kupper, DDS

Skipping Regular Dental Visits May Affect Your Overall and Dental Health

            Many people see their dentist and dental hygienist more often than their primary care doctor. If you have fairly good oral health, we typically recommend semi-annual professional cleanings and exams. If you have active periodontal disease or a history of periodontal disease, then we may see you even more frequently. But why is it important to stay regular with your dental visits?

            Having your teeth professionally cleaned a few times a year helps to prevent bone loss and gum loss around the teeth. Persistent loss of either can result in pain or even tooth loss. Even if you have excellent home care, there are certain areas that cannot be adequately maintained. For example: many of us build calculus on our lower front teeth. This calculus is a hard collection of bacteria that cannot be brushed or flossed away. If it is not routinely cleaned, it may lead to cavities and gum disease. The dentist or hygienist have specialized instruments that can clean and polish these areas to prevent any unwanted progression.

            During each cleaning appointment, we complete an oral cancer screening. Much like visiting the dermatologist, we look for any areas that may be new or changing. This could be areas that are red, white, or ulcerated. There are some areas you can see and examine at home, but there are a lot of areas that you are unable to identify. If we find an area of concern, we will measure the area and take a picture. A few weeks later we will follow up to see if anything has changed. If we become very suspicious of a particular area, we may refer you to a specialist for a biopsy and diagnosis. Even though these areas are not extremely common, it is important to identify as early as possible to improve the prognosis.

            The most commonly known reason that we recommend frequent visits is to check for tooth decay. The earlier we identify a cavity, the better the prognosis. A small filling can become a really big problem if not addressed quickly. This may lead to bigger fillings, crowns, root canals, or even tooth loss.

            If you have questions regarding how often you should have a professional cleaning and exam, feel free to call us and ask any questions you may have. You can also visit www.dentistwestchester.com for more information.

Lee T. Brown, DDS

Brown and Kupper, DDS