….that Gardasil, the youth vaccine for cervical cancer also guards against oral cancer — HPV 16 & 18? Oral cancer has been greatly on the rise due to the human papilloma virus (HPV) over the last several years. It was fist thought to be sexually transmitted — which it certainly can be— but this virus can also be transmitted through other contact also. In the mouth it is most commonly found back in the throat area. If you notice any irregularity with your throat such as hoarseness, change in voice, pain with swallowing or a lump in the throat or neck that doesn’t resolve after two weeks it is best to have it evaluated.

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Let’s face it. We would all love to feel and function like we did when we were in our 40’s. Unfortunately, that’s not the way it works. As dental professionals we have seen many fully functioning adults slip into Dementia. Along with the memory issues, we see an inability to care for their mouth as they once did. A trouble free mouth for many decades can turn into quick forming cavities, gum disease, discomfort and expensive dentistry.

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Many, many times Dentists and Dental Hygienists hear patients say, “My gums always bleed, that’s normal for me”. It may be something frequently occurring for some, but is it healthy? The journey of oral bacteria and how it affects our whole body is an amazing one. Oral bacteria, plaque, starts so innocently as a little fuzzy coating on our teeth. There are hundreds of different types of bacteria that can form in the mouth, most aiding in digestion and maintaining a healthy balance of the mouth. There are less than 30 bacteria types that are the real trouble makers. If you are thorough with removing the bacteria daily from ALL surfaces of your teeth (in between the teeth too!) the story ends here. Health is intact. For those bacteria left undisturbed/uncleansed you will be amazed to know what they are capable of. It’s far beyond the worries of bad breath!

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Many of you may have noticed an increased emphasis on the use of prescription fluoride for use here in the office and at home. Most people understand that fluoride, when used properly, has been dentistry’s greatest success in the prevention of tooth decay. A relatively new form of fluoride in the U.S. is fluoride varnish which has been used in Europe and Canada since 1964 for the desensitization of teeth and more recently for the prevention of decay. We are often recommending the use of this varnish (applied in the office twice a year) as well as a prescription strength gel, or tooth paste.

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What parent doesn’t love that toothless grin of their little one? Generally between the ages of 6 months to 1 year the pearly whites start making their appearance – then parents it’s time to be on your game! Here is some information to keep their smile trouble free.

Baby Bottle Syndrome– Never put your little one to bed with a bottle. Any feedings should be finished prior to bed. Having the bottle loosely in their mouth where they periodically suck on it while sleeping leaves a pool of milk on their teeth which will cause rapid decay. Once teeth emerge they should be brushed daily using water or non fluoride toothpaste.

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The mouth certainly is a complex environment. From the unusual forces we place upon it to the acid regulation that takes place, the teeth sure do take a beating! Below are some common causes of tooth structure being destroyed without decay being a factor.

Grinding wear – While we can certainly grind our teeth in the daytime most of the damage is done while we are sleeping. Forces while sleeping can be greatly magnified above our daytime ability. Ever notice the flattening in teeth? This is the result of grinding. This wear usually starts with the canines (eye teeth). Once enough tooth structure is worn away the wear progresses on to the neighboring teeth. Coupled with clenching this will not only wear the teeth, it also is a main cause of teeth fracturing, requiring crowns.

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After reviewing 20 years of data in an aging study comparing individuals at age 50 and again at age 70 researchers concluded that cognitive function using the “digit symbol test” was in the lower range for 70 year olds with gum disease. During these studies other factors such as smoking and obesity were also taken into account. Even so there was still a strong association of lower scores for those with gum inflammation. This study spurred several other studies. In the UK, researchers were able to get live brain samples from 10 Alzheimer’s patients and 10 from non-cognitive impaired patients.

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At LC&Z General and Cosmetic Dentistry, we receive questions from time to time, about alternative methods of oral health care. Recently, we have received a few questions asking if there are any oral benefits to this new craze of “oil pulling,” which is swishing with vegetable-based oil, such as coconut, sesame, or olive, in your mouth for up to 20 minutes. In order to answer your questions, our Altamonte Springs dental office did some extra research and will share what we have learned.

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