Diabetes and Oral Health

by Dr. Nadine on July 29, 2010

Diabetes increases your risk of gum (periodontal disease).  Diabetes lowers resistance to infection.  Controlling blood sugar levels makes you less prone to developing oral infections.  Periodontal disease causes teeth to look long due to bone loss and eventually causes them to loosen and fall out.  Maintaining good oral hygiene at home is critical to achieving a healthy mouth.  Brush twice a day and clean between teeth with floss or interdental cleaner once a day.  Thrush is a fungal infection that produces white or red patches that may be sore and progress into ulcers.  It may attack the tongue, causing a painful burning sensation, and it can also cause difficulty in swallowing. Thrush seems to occur more frequently among people who smoke, wear dentures or need to be treated often with antibiotics.  High glucose (sugar) levels also increase this risk.  Antifungal medications prescribed by your dentist can treat this infection.

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Oral cancer

by Dr. Nadine on July 26, 2010

Checking for oral cancer is a part of the twice yearly check-up.  We check for: a red or white patch, a sore that bleeds easily or does not heal, a thick or hard spot or a lump, a roughened or crusted area.  Pain, tenderness, numbness, or a change in the way your teeth come together are other signs.  Problems with chewing, swallowing, speaking, or moving your tongue or jaw should also be noted.    Heavy drinking , tobacco, and human papilloma virus places people at risk for oral cancer.  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention consider heavy drinking to be an average of more than two drinks per day for men and more than one drink per day for women.  Oral cancer can only be diagnosed with a biopsy.  The American Dental Association has developed recommendations for dentists to help in checking for signs of oral cancer.

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Bad breath or halitosis

July 20, 2010

Americans spend billions of dollars each year for fresh breath products.  Ninety percent of bad breath problems are caused by the following: tooth decay, gum disease,  poor tongue hygiene, and food debris.  Brushing, interdental cleaning, and tongue cleaning are basic ways to improve breath.  Visiting the dentist twice per year to check for tooth decay [...]

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Longevity of amalgam vs. composite fillings

July 1, 2010

Silver or amalgam fillings on average last twice as long as composite or white fillings.   Composite fillings are preferred in front teeth in high visibility zones.  Amalgam fillings are preferred in the back teeth or where they are not visible during speech.

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Fluoride

June 24, 2010

The current recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, American Dental Association and American Academy of Pediatrics are to start fluoride supplements, if required at 6 months.  Fluoride supplements can be given to at-risk children as drops, lozenges or tablets, with the dose varying with the level  of fluoride contained in the domestic water [...]

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Waterpik

May 5, 2010

 Waterpik Dental Water Jets use pulsation and pressure to clean where brushing and flossing can’t reach.  The Waterpik is especially useful around braces, bridges, and implants.  Some people find flossing difficult due to arthritis or coordination problems.  The Waterpik is an effective alternative.

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Veneers

April 12, 2010

 Veneers are thin custom-made shells that attach directly to the tooth surface.  They can be used to fix gaps between teeth or improve the appearance of teeth that are badly stained, misshapen or out of alignment.

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Dental implants

April 12, 2010

Implants can be used to replace a single tooth, to stabilize a full or partial denture, or provide anchorage for tooth movement in orthodontics.  Implants look like a screw in bone on x-rays.  An abutment is attached to the implant internally with an implant screw.  An implant crown is then cemented or screwed onto the abutment [...]

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Dental prices or fees or costs vs. insurance “usual and customary” fees

April 12, 2010

What determines the cost of dentistry?  The full fee is the fee for a service that reflects the cost of providing the procedure and the value of the dentist’s professional judgement.  Insurances typically set fees at 70-80% of what the average dentist submits as their fee for a given procedure.  Dentists hope to make up [...]

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Young Children and Toothpaste

March 26, 2010

Carefully using a small amount of fluoridated toothpaste (pea-sized amount) with children under the age of six is a safe and effective way to prevent cavities.  Parents should be present  and monitoring young children when they brush.  We recommend that parents rebrush their teeth until age 7.  Some parents may be concerned about fluorosis (white [...]

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