The “C” Word That Isn’t Cavities

Most dental patients worry about cavities. But there’s another “C” word that dentists think about during your examination: cancer. Oral cancer screenings are an integral part of any regular dental checkup.

More than 42,000 Americans receive a diagnosis of oral cancer every year. While heavy drinkers, smokers and those using other tobacco products over the age of 50 are at the highest risk for developing mouth and throat cancers, a form of oral cancer caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV) has become more prevalent in young people with no other known risk factors. Early detection is very important, which is why we perform a thorough examination during your twice-yearly visits.

The examination is painless and simple. We look and gently feel around your face, lips, mouth and neck, checking for any abnormalities or lumps. After you open your mouth we can check for signs of cancer (such as red or white patches) on the inside of your cheeks and lips along with the roof and floor of your mouth. Then we will take some gauze and gently move your tongue from side to side to better visualize its base and underside.

You can do your part to protect yourself from oral cancer by keeping an eye out for symptoms between dental visits. Let us know immediately if you notice any of the following potential warning signs:

• mouth sores that don’t go away within two weeks
• painful, tender or numb areas in your mouth or on your lips
• lumps around your face, jaw or neck
• rough spots, crusty areas, continuous bleeding
• red or white patches in the mouth
• trouble chewing, swallowing or moving your jaw or tongue

By making sure you see us for regular cleanings and dental examinations, you’re already participating in the best screening process available for oral cancer―and keeping your mouth healthy and disease-free in other ways at the same time.

Grinding Your Teeth Over Social Anxiety

Millions of people unconsciously grind or clench their teeth, a condition called bruxism. Because many individuals grind their teeth while asleep, they may not even be aware that they are doing it. While science has known for years that abnormally aligned teeth, sleep apnea and stress can lead to bruxism, a new study has found that people with social phobias are more likely to grind their teeth.

Researchers from Tel Aviv University analyzed 75 men and women in their early 30s—40 of whom had a social phobia and 35 of whom did not. Symptoms of bruxism were reported by 42.5% of those with a social phobia and only 3% of those without. Because interaction with people seems to trigger bruxism in socially anxious people, the researchers concluded that treating social anxiety may help treat bruxism.

Bruxism needs to be treated because people who grind their teeth can wear down the surface of teeth and cause jaw problems; bruxism can even lead to a cracked or fractured tooth. Among the most common treatments for bruxism is a nighttime mouth guard, which we custom make from a dental impression so that it fits your mouth securely. If misaligned teeth are an issue, we may recommend correcting the problem, sometimes with crowns or onlays.

Should stress, anxiety or a social phobia cause you to grind your teeth, the best way to treat your bruxism may be stress management, behavioral therapy or another treatment that addresses the root cause. Strategies that promote relaxation, such as meditation or exercise, can also be helpful. We also recommend avoiding caffeine, alcohol and smoking at night, because these can intensify tooth grinding during sleep.

Regardless of the cause, it is important that bruxism be treated before it leads to more serious dental problems. To lessen the grinding of your teeth—either while awake or asleep—call our office for an appointment. We can assess your symptoms and propose a treatment that is right for you

Obstructive Sleep Apnea: We Can Help

Your dental health is linked to many other aspects of your personal health. Dental health can provide clues about other health issues, including some potentially life-threatening conditions, such as obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Often associated with snoring and poor sleep, OSA actually causes you to stop breathing many times during sleep.

There’s a good chance that we will be the first to recognize your symptoms. We may also play a pivotal role in resolving them.

Why might we be the first to observe that you could have OSA? One of the more common symptoms of OSA is dry mouth, a condition that patients frequently bring up when visiting our office. Other common symptoms are snoring, morning headaches and lethargy. Once you tell us about your symptoms, we may refer you to a sleep specialist, who will make the final diagnosis.

If the sleep specialist determines that you have OSA, our role in your treatment begins. We can fit you with devices that will help keep your breathing passages open, such as a mandibular advancement device. Despite its complicated-sounding name, this device is simply a specially fitted mouthguard that keeps your jaw tilted down and slightly forward, helping keep your airway clear while you sleep.

Another implement that treats OSA is a tongue-restraining device. It does exactly what its name implies—it prevents your tongue from blocking airflow during the night. Whatever device you end up using, you need to visit us regularly. We can make sure your device is clean, remains in good shape and doesn’t need replacement.

If you think you may have sleep apnea, discuss it with us at your next visit

Who’s Allergic to Dental Amalgam?

While we usually associate allergies with things like pollen, insect bites and certain foods, a very small percentage of the population is allergic to one or more of the metals we sometimes use in fillings. For those with metal allergies, we have plenty of alternatives.

If you have tooth decay, we will likely need to remove the decayed portion of the tooth and fill it with another material, such as gold, porcelain, silver amalgam or composite resin. Each material has its own benefits; we select a filling material based on the size and location of the filling, while also considering cost and insurance benefits.

Although they don’t match the color of your teeth, silver amalgam fillings may be the best choice for some because of their strength, durability and low cost. However, approximately 1% of the population is allergic to the mercury in silver amalgam fillings.

Usually, people who are allergic to amalgam fillings have a history of metal allergy in their families. Symptoms are similar to those of a skin allergy, and can include rash or itching. If an allergy is confirmed, several alternative materials are available.

• Tooth-colored composite. Popular with many patients because they match the color of the teeth, composite fillings bond chemically to teeth, providing extra support; but they may not last as long as amalgam fillings.
• Ceramics. While expensive, ceramic fillings resist staining better than composite fillings do and can last more than 15 years.
• Glass ionomer. Though weaker than composite fillings and prone to fracture, glass ionomer fillings release fluoride, which can protect teeth from further decay. Glass ionomer is most commonly used for fillings below the gumline and for fillings in young children.

Fortunately, there are no documented cases of allergic reactions to composite, porcelain or glass ionomer fillings, so they are safe for people with allergies to metal.

If you are allergic to metal or have a family history of such allergies, let us know. If you need a filling, we can review and discuss with you all treatment options so that we can select the best option to restore your teeth to good health.

“D” Is for Decay—and the Vitamin That May Help Prevent It

Candy, starchy foods and sugary drinks can all contribute to dental problems. But new research suggests that your risk of decay may be higher because of what you are not eating as well as what you are eating. Vitamin D has been in the news, with low levels of vitamin D linked to health problems such as Alzheimer disease, cancer and depression. Now we’re learning that vitamin D deficiency might also be linked to dental caries (also known as cavities).

Vitamin D deficiency in pregnant women has a well-established connection with poor dental development in children. Studies have pointed to higher rates of dental caries in children and adults with lower levels of vitamin D. But the reason for this link isn’t completely understood.

Here’s what we do know: Vitamin D plays an important role in the body’s absorption of calcium and phosphate, the two elements that make up tooth enamel. Therefore, lower levels of vitamin D could lead to weaker enamel, which makes your teeth less able to fight the damage caused by bacteria.

In 2012, the journal Nutrition Reviews published a large study that reviewed evidence from the 1920s through the 1980s and found that supplementation with vitamin D reduced the incidence of tooth decay by 50%. Making sure that everyone has adequate levels of vitamin D may be an easy and effective way to help keep teeth healthy on a population level.

What does all this mean for you? Vitamin D deficiency is very common, especially for those who don’t get a lot of exposure to direct sunlight. Ask us—and your physician—about adding a vitamin D supplement to your diet as an easy way to reduce or eliminate cavities.

CONGRATS!

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Cheers to a New Year!

Counting Down the Tooth Types

Unless they’ve caused you pain, you probably haven’t thought much about your individual teeth since they grew in one by one when you were a child. Even when they do cause problems, most of us don’t consider the difference between an incisor and a molar—teeth are teeth, right? Actually, that’s not true. We have different types of teeth, and each plays a very specific and important role. Your pearly whites do more than just chew your food: They protect the oral cavity, aid in digestion and even help you speak. Each type of tooth has its own responsibility in these actions, and all work together to make the process function properly.

Let’s start from the middle of your mouth. The first teeth we’ll talk about are the incisors, the four front teeth on the top and on the bottom. They have thin, sharp edges that help you bite into your food. The incisors are usually the first baby teeth to erupt, and the first to be lost in childhood. (Think “All I Want for Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth.”)

Next are the four long-rooted canines—two on the top, two on the bottom. The canines, whose job is to rip and tear food, are the sharpest, strongest teeth in your mouth. Right behind the canines on the top and bottom are two premolars (also referred to as bicuspids) on each side of the mouth that work with the canines to tear food and the molars to crush food. Both the premolars and the canines have “cusps” (one cusp for canines, two to three for premolars), pointed edges that help hold food.

In the rear are two sets of top and bottom molars on each side, with four to five cusps and broad, flat chewing surfaces that help grind food into pieces small enough to swallow. Most people also develop a third set of molars, known as wisdom teeth, in early adulthood. The third molars don’t serve much purpose, are sometimes impacted or may cause overcrowding in the mouth, so dentists frequently recommend their removal.

Each type of tooth plays an essential role. See us regularly to ensure that all the teeth in your mouth—incisors, canines, premolars and molars—stay free of decay and damage.