Oral Health
10 Tips for Maintaining a Healthy Mouth
Floss at least once a day. Brush your teeth at least 2 minutes twice a day.
Limit sweets and sodas. Even diet sodas contain acid that break down the enamel on teeth.
Avoid all tobacco products.
Reduce stress in your life.
Visit your dentist regularly for check-ups and cleanings.
Dont delay treatment. Decay only gets bigger and costs more.
Dont chew ice. It causes cracks in your teeth!
If you catch yourself clenching or grinding you teeth, talk to your dentist about having a splint or nightguard made to protect your teeth.
If you notice a sore, bump or patch in your mouth and it doesnt go away after 2-3 weeks, let your dentist make an evaluation.
Avoid oral piercings. They may have consequences such as infections, allergic reations or damage nerves in the tongue.
Fluoride
For decades, fluoride has been held in high regard by the dental community as an important mineral that is absorbed into and strengthens tooth enamel, and thereby helping to prevent tooth decay.
In nearly every U.S. community, public drinking supplies are supplemented with sodium fluoride because the practice is acknowledged as safe and effective in fighting cavities. Some private wells may contain naturally fluoridated water.
If you are wondering how fluoridated your communitys water supply is, chances are you can get the latest information by visiting the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) at www.cdc.org
Optimal levels recommended by the U.S. Public Health Service and CDC for drinking water range from 0.7 parts per million (ppm) for warmer climates to 1.2 ppm for cooler climates to account for the tendency for people to drink more water in warmer climates.
The Preventive Program
Both natural teeth and teeth with restorations survive best in an oral environment that is clean and where the intake of harmful foods is controlled. Our program is designed to help prevent new cavities, preserve teeth that have been restored and manage periodontal disease. At the initial visit oral hygiene instructions are reviewed and are reinforced at subsequent recall visits.
The following are helpful recommendations:
Brush your teeth twice a day in a circular motion with a soft bristled toothbrush aimed at the gums.
Floss every night in an up and down motion while keeping the floss in a U-shape and against the tooth surface.
Avoid smoking
Avoid sticky sugary foods.
Eat a balanced diet.
Use antiseptic and fluoride rinses as directed.
Sealants placed on young permanent teeth.
Infection Control
Standards and Best Practice
Personal Protective Equipment or PPE such as gloves, gowns and masks are required to be worn in all dental offices today. After each patient visit, disposable PPE-such as gloves, drapes, needles, and scalpel blades-are thrown away, hands are washed, and a new pair of gloves used for the next patient.
All hand instruments used on patients are washed, disinfected and/or sterilized with chemicals or steam after each use.
One of the most effective methods for preventing disease transmission is washing ones hands. This is practiced in our office. It is routine procedure to wash hands at the beginning of the day, before and after glove use, and after touching any surfaces that may have become contaminated.
Latex Allergy
Naturally occurring latex has been linked in recent years to allergic reactions in people who use such products as latex gloves. The proteins in the latex, which can also become airborne, can cause problems in vulnerable people such as breathing problems and contact dermatitis. Some allergic reactions, including anaphylactic shock, have been more severe.
Latex allergies could cause the following symptoms:
Dry skin
Hives Low blood pressure
Nausea
Respiratory problems
Tingling sensations
People with high-risk factors for latex allergy include those who have undergone multiple surgical operations, have spina bifida, or are persistently exposed to latex products. If you are vulnerable to latex or have allergies related to it, please notify our office and, by all means, seek medical attention from your family physician.
Tobacco
What effects can smoking have on my oral health? Are cigars a safe alternative to cigarettes? Are smokeless tobacco products safe? The American Dental Association has some alarming news that you should know on its web site at http://www.ada.org.
The American Dental Association states that it has long been a leader in the battle against tobacco-related disease, working to educate the public about the dangers inherent in tobacco use and encouraging dentists to help their patients break the cycle of addiction. The ADA has continually strengthened and updated its tobacco policies as new scientific information has become available.
Oral Piercing
Oral piercing (usually on the tongue or around the lips) is one of the more disturbing fashion trends in recent years. Harmful, long-term consequences such as cracked or chipped teeth, swelling, problems with swallowing and taste, and ugly scars can occur. .
But the most serious long-term health problems from oral piercing come in the form of damage to the soft tissues such as the cheeks, gums and palate, as well as opportunistic infections. Any kind of body piercing may also put you at risk of contracting deadly infectious diseases such as HIV and hepatitis.
A common form of body piercing involves the tongue. Tongue piercings have been known to cause blocked airways (from a swollen tongue). In some cases, a tongue piercing will cause uncontrolled bleeding.
