Having a good dentist is just as important as having a good doctor. Dentists, like any other medical doctor, are essential members of your healthcare team.  Whether it is a simple cleaning or a serious abscess, dentists help keep individuals healthy. Yet, dentistry is not just about good physical health; it is about maintaining good emotional health, as well. While general dentistry provides routine and essential oral hygiene services, cosmetic dentistry focuses on restorative and elective oral issues.

Cosmetic dentistry is a broad branch of dentistry that covers a variety of procedures.

Many of these include:

• Tooth whitening- a dental procedure that whitens discolored teeth
• Bonding- a dental procedure that provides filler material for teeth with spaces or unsightly gaps
• Enamel shaping- a dental procedure that alters the shape of teeth to maximize the appearance of evenness and symmetry
• Veneers- enamel-colored, thin and custom made shells that are applied to the front side of teeth to improve their appearance
• Braces- dental devices that straighten and align teeth
• Implants- replace the root of a missing tooth or teeth which in turn supports the tooth or teeth shaped restoration

Despite the term “cosmetic” this form of dentistry is also restorative.  Accidents that cause oral injuries can require emergency surgeries that include cosmetic procedures, particularly when the trauma causes tooth dislocation. In such a case, implants would be a cosmetic option a dentist may use. The possibility of long-term tooth damage may also require cosmetic dentistry. When a patient needs braces, which fall under the cosmetic umbrella, an orthodontist may perform this procedure to prevent future damage to teeth.

Cosmetic dentistry can also provide invaluable emotional benefits and boost self-esteem. One source of self-esteem is tied to physical appearance. If a person is afraid to smile because of unsightly teeth, cosmetic procedures can be a solution to alleviate anxiety about smiling. The positive impact that cosmetic dentistry provides to someone perpetually hiding a smile can be liberating. Smiles are wonderfully contagious; one great smile seems to return another.

According to the National Cancer Institute, 30,000 Americans each year are diagnosed with oral cancer—more than two-thirds are men; almost all of them are over 60. That’s the bad news.

The good news is that dentists now have tools to help them screen for and detect oral cancer early. When caught early, oral cancer is more likely to respond to treatment and much less likely to spread to other parts of the body. Oral cancer screening tools involve medical tests and procedures that are fast, easy for the dentist to administer and painless for the patient.

Oral Cancer Screening Procedures Include:

• Your dental provider spreading a dye over an abnormal area. If the dye leaves a blue stain, more testing may be advised.
• Your dental provider inspecting the soft tissue of the mouth using advanced technology such as the VELscope. VELscope is a cutting edge device that allows dentists to identify cancerous and pre-cancerous tissue before they are visible to the naked eye—and in many cases before they can be detected by other oral cancer screening tools.

While it is true and encouraging that oral cancer screening tools are safe and effective, they are most beneficial for prevention and early detection. Communicate to your dental provider and take measures to work together by doing the following:

• Watch closely for symptoms of oral cancer, which include lumps, bumps or red spots on the lips and gums; unexplained bleeding from the mouth; and unexplained soreness in the back of the throat, mouth or neck. If any of these symptoms are present, an appointment to be examined by a dentist should be scheduled immediately.
• Be sure to schedule regular teeth cleaning and dental exams during which the dentist will exam and look for any abnormal tissue on the lips, in the mouth and around the tongue.
• Request an oral cancer exam, as recommended by the American Cancer Society, during your routine visits.

Oral cancer affects the lives of thousands of Americans every year.  However, with a strong partnership between patients and their dentists—and assistance from new oral cancer screening tools and technology—early detection is possible and fewer people will be affected in the future.

Understanding the Causes

Mouth odors afflict a large proportion of people, even those with the healthiest of teeth can suffer from this issue. Rotten or decayed teeth can cause particularly bad breath because of the presence of certain anaerobic bacteria. When exposed to certain foods, these bacteria rapidly create volatile sulfur compounds better known as VSCs and, as a result, an unpleasant smell becomes present.r

The bacteria in the mouth and stomach that cause bad breath thrive best in the presence of drying agents, sugars, alcohol, acids and high protein foods. Mouth odors can particularly be worsened by the drinking of alcohol. Wine, beer and spirits cause dehydration within the body and especially in the mouth, which results in ideal conditions for bacteria to create their foul smells.

Foods high in sugar provide a food source for the bacteria with which to produce VSCs. Certain sugars are also converted by the bacteria into glycan strands, which cause plaque to adhere to teeth. Commonly, sugary mints are used to try and mask mouth odors, but in truth the sugar within them can cause the problem to worsen. The same can be true of sugary chewing gums, which although they may produce more saliva and moisten the mouth, also feed the bacteria.

The pH inside a person’s mouth can have a decided effect on the mouth odors caused by bacteria. If the pH is especially acidic it actually promotes the growth and development of the bad breath, causing bacteria. The natural pH is around 6.5, but the consumption of acidic foods like oranges, coffee and tomatoes can increase the acidity. Water at a pH of 7 is always a good thing to drink to stabilize the mouth’s pH.

When high protein foods are digested, such as red meat or dairy products, certain digestive problems can cause mouth odors. Lactose intolerant people in particular cannot break down dairy products and as a result excess VSCs are produced. This is the case with a variety of dense proteins including beans, chicken and fish.

Take Action to Prevent
Preventable mouth odors are a result of good oral hygiene. Visit your dentist for questions and concerns about mouth odor that you feel is out of your control.  There may be other factors contributing and your dental provider can help identify and resolve.

Having a bright, white, healthy smile is incredibly important. Not only does a healthy smile make a first great impression, it is also a sign of overall health. Many people do not realize that dental problems can be the first signs of overall health problems. That sore tooth could lead to heart problems. It is not an overstatement of fact to say that routine care is of utmost importance. So how does a healthy smile come into play?

Simple Steps
The first step in having a healthy smile and a healthy body is routine maintenance. Brushing the teeth three times a day is ideal but twice a day is what most adults actually manage. That third brushing is important though. It helps prevent plaque and bacteria from accumulating in the mouth which can lead to bad breath, gingivitis and tooth decay. The proper technique for brushing is a simple up and down motion with a soft bristled toothbrush and appropriate toothpaste. It is advised that if that third brushing is not possible…at least keep dentist approved gum or mouthwash to rinse out the mouth after eating.

Another important step is to floss daily. Some people have problems winding the floss between their fingers and simply give up on flossing as it is too time consuming. Do not be this person. Dental floss picks are readily available in grocery stores and online. They require one hand and are very simple to use. One tip: floss before brushing. The reason is because flossing removes particles of food from between the teeth.

Beyond Daily Care
Routine care does not stop with simple flossing and brushing. It also extends into diet. A diet rich in fruits and vegetables, but low in sweets can do wonders for the teeth and the body. Limiting sweet drinks is something that everyone can do to extend the live of their teeth. Another absolute must: visit the dentist for routine checkups. The dentist is the frontline in the battle for a healthy mouth. He or she can advise you on proper techniques, brushes, floss and even overall healthcare. For more information visit www.ada.org.

Some common causes of bruxism are stress and tension, malalignment of the teeth, types of foods eaten, and habits such as gum chewing.

There are several things that can help alleviate the discoforts of bruxism. Warm moist heat on the muscles in front of the ears, relaxation techniques, massage, eliminate stress if possible, avoid hard and chewy food such as bagels, and reduce gum chewing.

Make sure to visit your dentist. Chipped teeth need to be repaired. Sometimes a muscle relaxer can be prescribed. A splint can be fabricated, which is a plastic device that is worn over the teeth to protect them and to take the pressure off the jaw muscles. Sometimes orthodontia is needed to move the teeth into better alignment. If you suspect you are grinding or clenching be sure to see your dentist for advice.

There are many factors which can cause bad breath, but over 80% of the time the odors originate in the mouth. Poor oral hygiene – lack of proper flossing and brushing – can lead to a build up of food particles and debris around the teeth. As the food particles break down, bacteria are forming and giving off by products and the odor increases.

One main area where food particles and bacteria accumulate is on the surface of the tongue. As film forms over the tongue it traps the anaerobic bacteria (bacteria that thrive in an oxygen free environment). These anaerobic bacteria give off a sulfur compound which can smell like rotten eggs.

Cleaning the film and bacteria off of the tongue twice a day can help eliminate most mouth odors. This cleaning can be done with the edge of a teaspoon or a plastic tongue scraper.

Other factors that can cause mouth odors are the type of foods eaten (garlic, onions, fish, cheese, etc.) smoking, obesity, and alcohol consumption.

Some medications can cause dry mouth. Reduced saliva flow allows more food particles and bacteria to accumulate thus leading to mouth odors. Reduced saliva flow at night is why people will experience “morning bad breath.”

A few other things that can cause breath odors are some cancers and other metabolic disorders. Diabetes and kidney or liver failure can cause a fishy odor and uncontrolled diabetes can lead to a fruity smell. GERD (reflux disease) can cause a strong vomit-like odor.

Sinus problems, post nasal drip, etc. can lead to bad breath. Also tonsil stones, which are an accumulation of food and bacteria in hard knots on the tonsils will stink.

It’s very difficult to self-test for bad breath. Ask someone who is close to you to give you an honest answer about your breath. If you believe you have bad breath try first to improve your dental hygiene – floss, brush, and scrape your tongue at least twice per day. Use a mouth wash to kill bacteria. Chew sugarless gum with xylitol to increase saliva flow.

Make sure to visit your dentist on a regular basis to ensure your don’t have areas of decay or gum disease.

The process is easy and painless. First the tooth is cleaned thoroughly. A special gel is applied to the tooth for a few seconds, then rinsed and dried. Next the sealant material is applied to the tooth, and a light is shined on the tooth to harden the material. The sealants are usually clear or tooth colored. There is no discomfort, drilling, or anesthetic involved with sealants.

The average sealant lasts 5 – 10 years and can be reapplied when it starts to break down. They should be a part of every child’s preventative dental health program.