Oral Health Topics

There are common questions that people ask regarding teeth and the field of dentistry, and this section is committed to answering those questions. Topics such as mercury content in silver fillings, fluoride, and tobacco use, among others. 

Fluoride is an important mineral that is naturally found in your teeth and helps to strengthen the enamel, which in turn also helps to prevent cavities. For decades small amounts of fluoride have been added to public drinking water through a process called water fluoridation. This helps the general population safely and effectively get enough fluoride as a preventative for tooth decay and other dental ailments.

The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) now requires that the following warning be put on all fluoride toothpastes: "If you accidentally swallow more than used for brushing, seek professional help or contact a poison control center immediately." Where consuming large amounts of fluoride is technically true when looked at in a broad, general sense, the ADA (American Dental Association) suggests that the warning is unnecessary and they remind us that fluoride toothpaste has a stellar safety record and a child cannot consume and absorb enough fluoride from toothpaste alone to lead to serious problems.

Enamel fluorosis, also known as dental fluorosis, is extremely common and is caused when a child ingests excessive amounts of fluoride in the first eight years of their lives, when the enamel on their teeth is forming. This is why it is so important that children have routine dental exams and cleanings, and that parents follow the dentist's instructions on dental health and prevention.

Naturally, when a person has good oral hygiene, their teeth, whether natural or manufactured, are going to last longer and be in better shape. That is why we have in place a prevention program where we thoroughly examine your teeth, and then build a treatment plan and discuss prevention methods with you. It is our goal to instill good dental habits in each and every one of our patients. 

Some general key points to keep in mind are:

An amalgam is a blend of mercury with another metal used in dental fillings. The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) and other organizations of the U.S. Public Health Service (USPHS) are concerned about the safety of amalgams used in dental fillings, so they are investigating such. There has been no research or study done that proves that amalgams are harmful and have adverse effects on patients, with the exception of the occasional allergic reaction.

In a study performed by (JADA) Journal of the American Dental Association revealed that in today’s society, the number of children between the ages of 6 and 18 with decayed permanent teeth has decreased by 57.2 percent when compared to children from the early 1970s. It also revealed that the number of children between the ages of 2 and 10 with diseased or decayed primary teeth has decreased by nearly 40 percent.

With today’s technological advances in dental materials, there are now several different options to choose from when repairing chipped, missing, or decaying teeth. Before, the only option was a silver filling, but now there are ceramic and plastic compounds that are manufactured to have the look and feel of natural teeth. This doesn’t mean that there is no longer a need for traditional fillings; because of their strength and durability, they continue to be the first choice when they need to endure extreme pressure.  

Below are some alternatives to traditional silver fillings: 

Sealant application is a quick, easy, painless procedure that only takes a few minutes to complete. First, the surface of the tooth must be thoroughly cleaned and rinsed, making sure to completely remove the cleaner from the teeth. Second, all moisture is removed and cotton or gauze is placed around the teeth in order to keep them dry throughout the sealing process. Third, an acidic solution is applied to the teeth, which is used to roughen them up, making them less smooth. This will aid in bonding the sealant to the teeth. Next the teeth are thoroughly rinsed and dried, ensuring that the area is free of any excess moisture. Finally the sealant is applied by painting it onto the enamel, which immediately bonds to the tooth and hardens. Some instances call for a curing light to be used in order to assist in the bonding process. After the sealant is applied and on the patient’s teeth, they should refrain from eating or drinking for a minimum of 30 minutes. 

Understandably, many people are concerned about the spread of infection and disease at any medical or dental facility. This concern multiplies when the patient intends to undergo a medical procedure or surgery. We use only the highest level of dental equipment and sanitation processes. Hand washing is one of the best ways to prevent the spread of germs and disease and it is our practice to wash our hands frequently; first upon arrival, then before and after we use gloves, and then of course, if we come in contact with anything that may be potentially contaminated. 

There are certain requirements that closely regulate what should be worn in a dentist’s office both during dental surgical procedures and routine cleanings. The environment must be sterile and sanitary at all times and disposable gloves, needles, scalpel blades, and drapes are used and then discarded and replaced after each patient. Most tools are not disposable, but they are thoroughly washed and sterilized with either chemicals or steam after each use to ensure that they are 100% sanitary.

Recently, some people have expressed concerns about the water quality and biofilms, thin films of microscopic bacteria that stick to virtually any surface, in the dental industry in general. But as long as the dental office is following the infection control guidelines laid out by the CDC (Centers for Disease Control) and the ADA (American Dental Association), these concerns are unfounded. There is no scientific evidence that positively connects biofilms with disease. Biofilms can occur anywhere and everywhere up to and including your own home! Now, if you are someone with a compromised immune system, be sure to tell our office right away so that we can make appropriate accommodations, because in that case you would be susceptible to all types of germs everywhere. 

In many ways there is crossover between your overall general health, including medicines you take, and your dental health. There are a few different kinds of medications out there that can negatively affect your teeth. This is why it is so important to ask your medical provider what the side effects are of the medicines they are prescribing you. You should be sure that you are comfortable with what you are taking. 

There are certain medical conditions where dry mouth is a common side effect, for example people who have eating disorders, rheumatoid arthritis or diabetes and people undergoing cancer treatments, taking certain medications, or who have a compromised immune system. Other common reasons could include tobacco use and eating certain foods. If your dry mouth is not caused by a medical condition, there are a few things that you can try such as chewing sugarless gum, sipping water, and you should avoid using tobacco products.

Dry mouth, also called Xerostomia, is a common condition where the mouth is very dry, the tongue is sensitive, and you are having a hard time speaking properly. Dry mouth can lead to several different dental health issues. When a person has dry mouth, their mouths are not producing as much saliva as it should. Saliva helps your mouth to stay clean and rinse away odor and cavity causing particles. So when the mouth is unnaturally dry, bacteria and food particles never get washed away and they just sit on your teeth, multiplying, which the end result is a mouth that is not only dry, smells bad, and if not properly treated could lead to serious health issues such as burning tongue syndrome.

Everything in your body is connected, and this includes your heart and your teeth. So when you do not practice good dental hygiene habits, your heart may suffer the consequences. There are studies that have linked periodontitis (gum disease) with serious health issues, one of which is heart disease. One study even suggests that gum disease may even be more deadly than tobacco use. This is because the bacteria from your mouth can enter in your bloodstream where they eventually reach the heart and make any existing illness worse by causing widespread inflammation.