Cancer treatment related
complications in the mouth Each year about 400,000 people with
cancer develop treatment-related complications in the
mouth ranging from lesions to chronic dry mouth to bone
disintegration. If serious, these complications can
be life threatening. While many are unavoidable, some
can be prevented or minimized. I
t is recommended that whenever possible, a pre-therapy
dental evaluation with a full set of mouth x-rays be
performed. Any decay, gum disease and abscesses should
be treated, if time permits, prior to chemotherapy and/or
radiation therapy.
Even patients who have no pain or dental disorders need
a thorough cleaning. The goal should be to have the
patient's mouth in optimal health prior to beginning
anti-cancer therapy. I
f you have questions regarding cancer treatment and
your dental health, please call ourÊoffice.
Crisis
treatment Many people don't see a dentist
on a regular basis. They go only when they feel they
have a problem. We call this "crisis treatment" as opposed
to "preventive treatment". While these patients may
feel they are saving money, it usually ends up costing
much more in both dollars and time. The reason for this
is that most dental problems don't have any symptoms
until they reach the advanced stages.
An example is tooth decay. We hear all the time, "Nothing
hurts...I don't have any problems". But tooth decay
doesn't hurt! Until, that is, it gets close to the nerve
of the tooth. T
hen a root canal and crown are usually necessary, instead
of the small filling, which could have been placed several
years ago when the cavity was small. We can usually
detect a cavity 3-4 years before it may develop any
symptoms. It is not uncommon to see a patient with a
tremendous cavity and they have never felt a thing!
Decayed
(baby) erupting teeth
Signs and appearance of teeth displaying bottle caries:
* Brown teeth with fragmented edges
* Upper front teeth that break easily
Children who have erupted teeth or are past the age
to be weaned are highly susceptible to rotted front
teeth when being put to bed with a bottle containing
milk, juice or other sugar-containing liquids. There
is decreased salivary flow during sleep and clearance
of the liquid from the teeth is slowed.
The liquid pools around the upper front teeth and creates
an excellent environment to promote the growth of decay-causing
bacteria. Removing the bottle before the first tooth
appears and wiping the child's gums and teeth with a
soft cloth before being put to bed can help prevent
decay.
At 18 months of age, parents should be encouraged to
ask their dentist to examine their child and recommend
home care.
Dental
decay "cavities" Fluoride has been a great benefit
to patients of all ages in helping prevent dental decay.
Regular brushing and flossing lowers the chance of developing
"cavities." However, the most decay-prone areas of teeth
are the grooves and depressions on the chewing surfaces
of the back teeth, which require further preventive
care.
To prevent decay, a plastic-like coating called a sealant
should be painted on the chewing surfaces of all the
back teeth. Studies have shown that sealants can reduce
tooth decay by as much as 90% to 100%. T
he American Dental Association recommends sealants be
placed as soon as the first adult back teeth come in
at age 6 or 7. Sealants should continue to be used as
each adult back tooth comes into the mouth. All back
teeth that need to be sealed are present by age 13.
Sealant application is simple, fast, and painless.
Please call our office with any questions you may have
about the benefits using a sealant in preventing dental
decay.
Dental
disease during pregnancy Many mothers have experienced gum
disease, dental pain and/or tooth extraction during
or shortly after their pregnancy. This is often seen
as being a "normal" side effect of being pregnant. However,
dental disease, which is an infection of the teeth and/or
gums, is not "normal" for any patient.
There are three basic events that happen during pregnancy
which make the patient more susceptible to dental disease.
First, hormonal changes may make the gums more susceptible
to gum disease. S
econd, pregnant women tend to eat smaller, more frequent
meals, exposing their teeth and gums to sugars and acids
more often. Third, cravings for "junk foods" and inadequate
oral hygiene pose an increased threat to the teeth and
gums.
Pregnant women should be advised to schedule a dental
evaluation and receive preventive dental care. Personalized
oral hygiene instruction should also be given to fight
disease and promote overall good health for the mother
and her baby.
Diet
and dental health Diets low in certain nutrients reduce
resistance to oral and dental infections, that is, periodontal
disease (gum disease) and decay. A healthy immune system
is essential to controlling periodontal disease.
Counseling in the Four Basic Food groups will improve
dental health and general health. The consumption of
sugar, especially in sticky forms or in a baby bottle
while sleeping, contributes to the rapid development
of dental decay.
The trace nutrient fluoride, may not be adequately supplied
by bottle or municipal water supplies. Supplementation
with oral tablets and topical application will reduce
the incidence of dental decay by more than 60%.
Together, a balanced diet, daily use of fluoride, effective
brushing, and sensible eating habits can reduce the
risk of, or even prevent, infectious dental disease.
Please don't hesitate to call our office if you need
more information on diet or fluoride supplementation
and its relationship to dental health.
Dry
mouth More seniors today have retained
their own teeth, avoiding the trauma of removable dentures.
Many are on medications creating dryness of the mouth
as a side effect. Without the natural benefit of saliva
to decrease bacterial action, we see an increase of
cavities on the root surfaces of these patients.Ê
Anyone on a medication causing a dry mouth effect should
be encouraged to see their dentist for regular dental
cleanings and topical fluoride rinses.
For more information regarding dental problems of the
elderly, please call our office.
Infections
in joint replacements can be instigated by severe disease A thorough dental examination for
presence of tooth and gum infection is recommended prior
to joint replacement.
Periodontal disease is a commonly occurring oral infection
of the adult population (80% of adults are affected)
destroying the bony support of the teeth. This infection
slowly progresses over the lifetime of the patient and
is often manifested in the advanced stage in the senior
population.
Because of the lack of any discomfort to the patient
until total loss of bony support to the teeth, many
adults are unaware that they have this infection. However,
the bacteria from this bone destroying disease, especially
in the more advanced cases, has been attributed to possible
infection of joint replacements.
Candidates for joint replacements who have not been
seen by a dentist in over a year should be considered
for a thorough dental evaluation of their teeth and
gums before surgery.
Depending on the severity of the infection, treatment
of gum infections and tooth abscesses may take from
two weeks to two months before the patient reaches adequate
health before surgery.
If you have any questions about infection in joint replacements,
please call our office.
Lost
teeth impact total health In the past, the loss of teeth (edentulism)
was dismissed as a natural part of the aging process,
and dentures were considered a normal sign of old age.
While such ignorance is rapidly becoming a thing of
the past, there is still not a general awareness of
the seriousness of edentulism. Multiple tooth loss is
most commonly caused by periodontal disease, i.e. gum
and bone disease. Periodontal disease has a high statistical
correlation with chronic debilitating disease, such
as diabetes, cardiovascular disease and arthritis.
So it is not very surprising that studies now show a
shortened life expectancy by as much as 10 years for
persons who have lost their natural teeth, when compared
to those who have kept their teeth.
In addition to longevity, quality-of-life differences
are just as significant. The functional efficiency of
dentures has been measured to be only 20% of that of
natural teeth. Can there be any doubt that nutritional
deficiencies will be much more prevalent in those without
their natural teeth?
L oss of teeth often causes a feeling of loss of wholeness
and a sense of deterioration and aging. Given these
factors, preservation of the natural teeth is integral
to whole-person wellness.
Mouthguards
Why should you wear a mouthguard?
While mouthguards are not mandatory equipment in all
sports, their worth is indisputable. Mouthguards cushion
blows to the face and neck. A mouthguard should be part
of every athlete's gear, no matter the sport. Even adults
or weekend athletes need to protect their smile and
preserve their health.
Do: Wear a mouthguard at all times when playing sports.
Wear a mouthguard custom-fitted by your dentist, especially
if you wear bridges or braces.
Don't: Wear removable appliances like retainers when
playing sports. T
here are two types of mouthguards:
Custom-made: Designed by a dentist and made on a cast
of your teeth. These cause very little interference
with speaking or breathing. They provide the best protection
and fit over braces and fixed bridges. They also cost
more.
Ready-made: Purchased at most sporting goods stores.
They are the least expensive, the least effective, and
least comfortable.
Please call our office if you would like to "play it
safe!" and wear a comfortable mouthguard and protect
your teeth.
Dental
health for seniors The good habits of effective daily
brushing, diet, and use of fluoride will help the aging
person adapt to changing conditions. Reduced salivary
flow and addition of medications will affect oral health
dramatically.
Changes of the teeth and gums: Teeth will darken because
of long-term exposure to plaque and changes in the dentin
within the tooth. The gums may recede and uncover the
roots. Exposed roots will be darker than the enamel
part of the tooth and are prone to decay. Fillings can
decay and darken, too, as they weaken over time.
"Dry Mouth" may develop: Saliva is useful to lubricate,
wash away plaque, and neutralize the acid produced by
plaque. Flow of saliva can be reduced by a medical disorder
or be a side effect of antihistamine, decongestants,
pain killers or diuretics.
The build-up of plaque will accelerate tooth decay.
There will also be more gum infection which will cause
a loss of bone support for the teeth. Poorly-fitting
or poorly-cleaned dentures, illness, and some medications
increase the severity of the problem.
For more information regarding dental problems of the
elderly, please call our office.
Periodontal
disease-silent and deadly Periodontal disease can go on for
years without pain and without detection unless specific
examination procedures are performed. Visual oral examination
by itself (even by a dentist) will not reliably detect
periodontal disease until it has reached an advanced
stage.
Early detection and adequate diagnosis require measurement
of pockets (the crevice between the tooth and gum) with
a periodontal probe. Effective prevention and treatment
is available, but the damage caused as the disease progresses
is irreversible.Ê
Early detection and treatment is critical to prevent
tooth loss and disfigurement. Although the procedure
is simple, painless and requires only a few minutes,
millions of American adults have never had it done.
Signs of periodontal disease - bleeding gums, redness
of gum tissue, swelling of gums around the teeth, breath
odor, receding gums, mobility of teeth.
Prevent
tooth decay Fluoride, in proper dosage, has been
shown to significantly reduce dental decay. When fluoridated
water has less than the ideal amount or is not available,
fluoride supplements are recommended. (A call to your
local water district is all that is necessary to determine
whether your water has fluoride or not.)
When supplements are needed, the administration of fluoride
supplements should begin shortly after birth and continue
through the time of eruption of the second permanent
molars (approx. 12 years of age).
Regular dental check-ups should begin no later than
18 months of age.
If you have any questions or need more information,
don't hesitate to call.
Some
dental problems are easy to see! One of the easiest problems to spot
is a build-up of plaque. Plaque is the soft, sticky
layer of bacteria, which is constantly forming on the
teeth. Usually it is invisible to the naked eye, but
when a person is not brushing adequately, it can build
up to where it appears to be a thick whitish coating
on the teeth at the gum line. If not removed, it can
lead to gum disease.
Another potential problem, which is easy to spot, is
missing teeth. Many patients assume that if they are
still able to eat, they are O.K.
But very often, losing just one tooth can lead to the
loss of support, and teeth begin to drift into the empty
space, causing a change in the bite. It also forces
the remaining teeth to carry an additional load, sometimes
past their ability to adapt. In most cases, when even
one tooth is lost, the remaining teeth suffer and are
more likely to be lost as well.
Our focus is in the treatment of problems such as these.
Call our office for the care you need.
