Why Your Teeth Are Important

Teeth are important because:

• They help you chew your food – without teeth we would have to drink liquids and miss out on some wonderful, nutritious and delicious foods.
• They help form words – If you lose a tooth you will notice you talk differently then you did before. Imagine what it would be like if you lost all your teeth at once. It would be hard to talk so other people could understand.
• They help make you look happy – Clean and well taken care of teeth show other people that you care about yourself. Clean teeth will also make you feel good about yourself and others will see that in your healthy white smile.

When you take care of your teeth by brushing, flossing every day and regular dental visits at our office, your teeth will remain strong and healthy. It is important to start good habits now so when your older taking care of your teeth will be easy. When you get older and grow in your adult teeth they will be the only teeth you have for the rest of your life so you better start good habits and take care of them now!

Bleeding Gums Are Not Normal

 

Fallacies exist about bleeding gums. They usually come about because people want to ignore the problem. Many people simply do not want to believe bleeding gums are not normal. They think if they forget about it, it will go away. This is not the case. The problems indicated by bleeding gums will not disappear. More importantly, the cause or causes of bleeding gums will continue to exist.

What Causes Bleeding Gums?

There are several possible causes for bleeding gums. You could suffer from a medical problem such as hemophilia. You could have diabetes or Van Willebrand’s disease. There is also the possibility that your medication can be the cause. If you are on blood thinners, for example, your gums may bleed. Oral cancer, hormonal changes and vitamin deficiencies can also result in bleeding gums.

Yet, the major cause of bleeding gums is the growth of bacteria in the mouth. If you do not take proper care of your gums, bacteria will increase. If it does, the following will occur:

• Bacteria will continue to grow
• As they increase in numbers, they release toxins into your gum tissue
• Your gums become sensitive. They are swollen and may begin to bleed when brushing occurs
• Bacteria also begin to form a whitish-grey sticky substance on your teeth. This is plaque
• Plaque grows on your teeth. As it does so, further toxins enter your tissue and create pockets in your gums. This begins to separate the placement of your teeth
• It becomes difficult to eat hard foods such as fruit without noticing the changes in your teeth
• Tartar takes the place of some plaque
• Overtime, you develop constant bad breath
• Bacteria continue to release toxins, the gap between your teeth and gums widen, becoming visible.
• As the gaps becomes larger, your teeth begin to loosen
• When the gum disease enters its serious stages, you may lose teeth as they fall out

Bleeding gums is part of a process called gum disease. In the beginning, your gums may bleed only when brushing. Later, they may bleed when you eat. Touching your gums may hurt and cause bleeding to occur.  The more sensitive your gums become, the more advanced the disease is. You will progress over time from the early stages of gum disease – gingivitis, to the later stages – periodontitis. Periodontitis has no cure. There is no remedy, only a treatment. This may include the replacement of your teeth.

If you are suffering from bleeding gums, you may have gingivitis. Your dentist can help you treat it. You, yourself, can create a plan to make bleeding gums a thing of the past. The plan is a thorough and proper dental oral hygiene program and continous maintenance.

Ending The Abnormality Of Bleeding Gums

Once you recognize bleeding gums to be abnormal, you are on your way to getting rid of them and gum disease. After you consider what causes your gums to bleed, you can treat it immediately. It all starts, easily enough with a toothbrush and toothpaste. Simply brush your teeth everyday with recommended toothpaste, such as all-natural botanical product. Combine this with daily flossing using the correct width of floss. Add to it a daily rinse or gargle with non-alcohol-based mouthwash or plain salt water.

The final ingredient to this gum disease free program involves your dentist. Be sure to see Dr. Steppler once a year for a dental check-up, followed with visits twice annually to our dental hygienist. This is for your teeth cleaning. We will make sure all plaque is gone and your mouth is healthy. Follow our regular hygiene program schedule, and you should say farewell forever to bleeding gums.

Conclusion

Bleeding gums are not normal. They are a symptom of a more serious problem. Once the cause is identified, we can treat it. Treatment usually involves the daily execution of a proper dental oral hygiene program. If you stick with this program, you can keep bleeding gums from being a “normal” part of your life.

Does Antiseptic Mouthwash Replace Flossing?

  
An antiseptic mouthwash does not replace flossing and brushing, according to the American Dental Association. In fact, in most cases an antiseptic mouthwash is primarily cosmetic, unless it is prescribed by a dentist, meaning that the formula will be stronger and more effective. Mouthwashes and rinses can actually cover up smells which might indicate dental problems which need to be addressed. For this reason, dentists stress that regular dental care, including checkups, is very important.

In 2005, the company which makes Listerine® antiseptic mouthwash was specifically warned against using the phrase “as effective as flossing” in its advertisements. Flossing is a crucial element of dental care because it gets in between the teeth, removing embedded food and scouring away plaque. Flossing accesses places that a toothbrush cannot reach, and a fair amount of physical pressure is involved to make flossing effective. No mouthwash can mimic the action of flossing, despite advertising claims.

Because antiseptic mouthwash is swished around in the mouth, it cannot effectively remove plaque from the surface of the teeth. The mouthwash may kill bacteria, but only for a short period of time. Within a few hours, the natural flora of the mouth will have replenished itself, despite claims made by antiseptic mouthwash manufacturers. Brushing is also an important part of oral care, because it removes plaque from the surface of the teeth and can also be used to clean the tongue. Some antiseptic mouthwashes may also lead to dry mouth, because of the high alcohol content of some mouthwash products.

When a dentist prescribes antiseptic mouthwash, it is usually to treat a specific condition, and the mouthwash is formulated to act over a period of time longer than a few hours. Even so, the patient is directed to use the mouthwash frequently, and is told to continue flossing and brushing. In most cases, an antiseptic mouthwash merely removes oral debris and a small amount of bacteria. The primary benefit appears to be the fresher scent and taste of the breath, but if a consumer has bad breath, it is an indicator of ill health which should be addressed by a dentist, not an over the counter antiseptic mouthwash.

An antiseptic mouthwash should not be used instead of flossing and brushing. In order to be most effective, a mouthwash can be used after the teeth have been brushed and flossed, making them as clean as possible. It should be swished in the mouth firmly for 30 seconds to one minute. All of these aspects of home dental care should also be supplemented by regular visits to our practice for checkups and professional teeth cleanings.

What you eat can affect your teeth!

Americans are consuming foods and drinks high in sugar and starches more often and in larger portions than ever before.  It is clear that "junk" foods, drinks and foods high in carbs and fats gradually have replaced nutrious beverages and foods for many people.

Alarmingly, a steady diet of sugary foods and drinks can ruin teeth, especially among those who snack throughout the day.  When sugar is consumed over and over again in large amounts the harmful effect on teeth supplies food for bacteria which produces acid.  The acid in turn can eat away the enamel on teeth.

Almost all foods have some type of sugar that cannot and should not be eliminated from our diets.  Many of them contain important nutrients and add enjoyment to eating.  But there is extra risks for tooth decay if your diet is hight in sugars and starches.  Starches can be found in everything from bread to pretzels to salad dressing, so read labels and plan carefully for a balanced and nutritious diet.

Reduce your risk of tooth decay:

• If you choose to consume sugary foods and drinks, do so with meals.  Saliva production increases during meals and helps neutralize acid production and rinse food particles from the mouth.
• Limit between-meal snacks.  If you crave a snack, choose nutritious foods, and consider chewing sugarless gum afterward.  Sugarless gum increases saliva flow and helps wash out food and decay-producing acid.
• Drink more water.  Consuming optimally fluoridated water can help prevent tooth decay.  If you're choosing bottled water, check the label for the fluoride content.
• Brush your teeth twice daily and floss daily  with ADA - Accepted dental products.
• See us regularly for dental check-ups.

Types of Dental Examinations

This blog is covering the types of dental examinations that we use to aid in appropriate treatment. The first examination is the comprehensive oral evaluation. As the name implies, this is an examination that should involve the entire oral complex. This exam is done most frequently with a patient who is new to our dental practice or who has not been seen by their dentist for a number of years. During this exam, we will review the patients current and past medical history as well as the patients current and past dental history. There is often much to be learned before even looking in the patients mouth. A patients expectations, past dental treatment and anxiety level can all be discussed to aid in making the patient more comfortable and informed. Once we begin to examine the patient we will look at much more than teeth. We will also look at the patients periodontal (gums) health. This is accomplished by measuring the space between the teeth and gums.  Excessive tooth wear or mobility of teeth should also be noted. The comprehensive exam will also include an oral cancer screening and a review of any bite or TMJ (jaw joint) issues. After a visual examination, often a complete set of dental x-rays will be imaged. A complete radiographic series should be accomplished every 3-5 years depending on the patients condition. Occasionally, diagnostic molds (impressions) of the teeth will be taken as well as photographs of the mouth. All of this information will be used to determine the level of health and potential need for treatment.

The next type of exam to is the periodic exam. This is accomplished during the patients recare and follow up visits. A review of the medical and dental histories will be accomplished. Since the patient is known to the practice the depth of the exam is lessened but still involves evaluation of the entire oral cavity. This exam can be done by the dental hygienist or dentist, and commonly both. The need for current x-rays will be evaluated depending on the patients condition. The patient should have the results of the exam discussed, as well as any recommendations for necessary treatment.

The most obvious dental examination is the problem focused, or “emergency” exam. This type of exam would take place when a patient realizes that they have a problem and need to seek dental care. Commonly this would occur with the fracture of a tooth or filling or the occurence of pain or trauma. As you would imagine, a diagnosis will need to be made before treatment is rendered, and arriving at the correct diagnosis can be quite obvious, or it can be quite a challenge. Visual examination, past dental history, and appropriate dental x-rays are all tools to aid in arriving at a correct diagnosis.

Hopefully, this blog will help our patients understand that not all dental exams are the same. Each is critical to optimal dental health for the individuals that we treat.

Protecting Tooth Enamel

There's a lot more that goes into a great smile than just keeping the pearly whites, white.  Protecting tooth enamel plays an important role in having a beautiful and healthy smile.

What is tooth enamel?

Enamel is the thin outer covering of the tooth.  It's the hardest tissue in the human body and it helps protect teeth from the wear and tear that comes with chewing, biting and grinding.  It also helps insulate teeth from hot and cold, making it possible to enjoy ice cream or hot coffee.  While enamel is hard, it can chip or crack.  Once the enamel layer is lost, it cannot regenerate.

What causes enamel erosion?

Enamel erosion happens when acids wear away the enamel on teeth, which can lead to the loss of tooth structure.  The calcium that's in saliva will usually help strengthen teeth after you have a small amount of acid, but too much acid prevents that from happening.  Enamel erosion can be caused by a number of things:

• Excessive consumption of carbonated drinks - sodas and other carbonated drinks
• Fruit drinks (some acids in fruit drinks are more erosive than battery acid)
• Dry mouth or low salivary flow
• Diet (high in sugar and starches)
• Acid reflux disease
• Gastrointestinal problems
• Medications (aspirin, antihistamines)
• Genetics (inherited conditions)
• Environmental factors (friction, wear and tear, stress and corrosion)

Protecting Tooth Enamel

There are some simple things that you can do to help take care of your enamel and keep your teeth healthy:

• Brush and floss daily.
• Use fluoride toothpaste.
• See Dr. Steppler for regular check-ups and cleanings.
• Drink sodas in moderation.
• Be careful about other beverages also.
• Sip with a straw (helps acids from acidic drinks to bypass your teeth).
• Be mindful of snacking.
• Chew sugar-free gum.

Taking good care of your teeth lets you show off a great smile - and a healthy mouth - for a long time!

Bleeding Gums - Why does it happen?

Bleeding gums are the result of an inflammatory disease of the gums.

This is called gingivitis, healthy gums don’t bleed, even in cases of an irritation, such as brushing the teeth. They fit tightly around the teeth, have a light pink color and, when observed at close range, show a fine stippling, like an orange. Bleeding gums are always a sign of gum disease. Oftentimes, you don’t notice the bleeding directly – only when you brush your teeth or when lightly probed, there is a noticeable loss of blood. Bleeding gums in themselves are a symptom and not a disease. The disease associated with bleeding gums is an inflammation of the gums, so-called gingivitis.

The most frequent cause of gingivitis is plaque. So plaque not only causes cavities, but also inflammation of the gums.  Although plaque-induced gingivitis may be influenced by various factors such as medications, or hormonal changes (e.g., pregnancy, taking the pill, puberty), plaque is always the major cause and gets the ball rolling.

If the inflammation of the gums is not treated or treated incorrectly, then the inflammation may turn into a chronic inflammation of the gum tissues, or so-called periodontitis. Other causes of gingivitis are, e.g., fungal diseases, congenital – i.e., genetic – diseases, irritations due to foreign objects, also protruding crown margins or filling edges.

The determination of the cause is Dr. Steppler's first step in treatment. In most cases, professional oral hygiene, the removal of the causes, and educating our patients are sufficient to treat gingivitis. Periodontitis cannot be treated with oral hygiene; treatment can only be accomplished through periodontal scaling treatments followed by regular and more frequent periodontal maintenance visits with our hygienist.

Enjoy Halloween Candy But Protect Teeth

Who doesn’t love Halloween candy?  The anticipation of what kind of candy you are going to get in your trick-or-treat bag awaits all little kids and some big kids too!  Children can still enjoy their Halloween candy and protect their teeth.  You can protect your children’s teeth by limiting the amount of candy they eat.   It is also important to not let the sugar stay in the mouth for a long amount of time.

After eating candy of any kind, your child should brush their teeth immediately.  They can help keep harmful bacteria from developing in their mouth by brushing their teeth as soon as possible after eating candy.  Also, if the candy is eaten quickly in one sitting it can lessen the amount of time it has contact with the teeth.

Other things that parents can do to protect their children’s teeth are:

• Examine their children’s candy for anything unacceptable and remove it before their children eat the candy.
• Remove any candy that is tacky or gummy because it can stick to teeth and cause tooth decay.
• Make sure your child always has good dental hygiene whether they eat candy during the day or night.
• Dentists can put sealants into children’s teeth grooves to protect the teeth against corrosion caused by too much sugar.  It might be a good idea to have sealants put on your children’s teeth before Halloween.

If you would like more information on preventing tooth decay call our office or visit our website.

Preventing Gum Disease

The problem begins with bacteria.  Our mouths are packed with these tiny microbes.  They combine with mucus and particles to form a sticky, colorless film - called plaque - on our teeth.  Brushing and flossing can get rid of some plaque.  But many that remains can harden and form tartar, a yellowish deposit that can become rock-hard. 

Plaque and tartar buildup can lead to gum disease - technically known as periodontal disease.  The most common and mild type of gum disease is called gingivitis.  The gums become red and swollen, and they can bleed easily.  Daily brushing and flossing and regular cleanings by dental professionals can usually clear up gingivitis.

If gingivitis is not treated, it can become a more severe type of gum disease called periodontitis. Symptoms of periodontitus include bad breath that won't go away; gums that are red, swollen, tender or bleeding; painful chewing; and loose or sensitive teeth.  In periodontitus, the gums pull away from the teeth and form "pockets" that become infected.  If you have periodontitis, your dentist may recommend a deep-cleaning procedure called scaling and root planing.  In more severe cases, you may need surgery.

In recent years, gum disease has been linked to a number of health problems.  Researchers are studying possible connections between gum disease and:  Heart disease, stroke, diabetes and premature births.  These alone are excellent reasons to good home care of your teeth and gums every day, along with regular professional cleanings and dental visits.