There is so much bacteria in the human mouth that researchers don't even know exactly how many species there are, let alone how to count them or how fast they grow. Estimates of the number of bacterial species in the mouth vary between 500 to 650 different species. They live on the teeth and tongue, of course, but biofilms also cover the cheeks and oral mucosa.
Unfortunately for some people if this bacteria enters the blood stream it can cause serious infections through out their bodies! This is why Antibiotic Prophylaxis, or Pre Med, is so important.
According to the guidelines developed by the American Dental Association, The American Association of Orthopedic Surgeons, and the American Heart Association; Pre Med should be considered for anyone with:
- artificial heart valves
- a history of an infection of the lining of the heart or heart valves (Infective Endocarditis)
- a heart transplant in which a problem develops with one of the valves
- heart conditions that are present from birth, such as:
- unrepaired cyanotic
- palliative shunts and conduit
- defects repaired with prosthetic materials or devices
- orthopedic implants
- artificial joints along with
- diabetes
- rheumatoid arthritis
- cancer
- chemotherapy
- chronic steroid use
Some people used to be able to stop taking the antibiotic after two years but the new guidelines state that if you are living with any of these conditions you should be taking the antibiotic 1 hour before your dental treatment for the rest of your life.
The guidelines were recently changed when scientific evidence showed that in some cases the adverse reactions to the antibiotics outweigh the benefits of the Pre medication. If you have any questions regarding the guidelines consult with your dentist, cardiologist, or orthopedic surgeon!
The relationship between good oral hygiene and a healthy body might not be immediately evident, but regular dental visits do more than keep your teeth sparkling.
A team of researchers tracked more that 100,000 people in Taiwan for an average of 7 years. During that time they found that people who had their teeth cleaned by a professional once every 24 months were 24% less likely to have a heart attack and 13% less to have a stroke.
The American Dental Association recommends you have your teeth professionally cleaned once every 6 months, imagine how much that reduces your risk!
Another study suggest that a low number of teeth has an association with dementia later in life. It has not been proven that tooth loss causes dementia but the study found that people who lost teeth before the age of 35 had an increased risk of suffering from the condition.
Gum disease has been linked to progression in diabetes and lung disease such as pneumonia and bronchitis. One more reason to keep up on a flossing routine.
Conception and pregnancy can also be effected by your oral hygiene. In a recent study it took women with gum disease and average of 7 months to conceive while women with healthy gums were conceiving in 5 months or less. Women with gum disease were also found to be three fourths more likely to deliver prematurely.
It is unclear whether or not oral hygiene actually cause these conditions but as research continues, experts agree it cant hurt to play it safe!
Tooth decay is one of the most common chronic diseases of children, now found to be more common than asthma and hay fever. More than 16 million children suffer from dental health issues - 40% are suffering by kindergarden age.
Good oral health in children translates to healthy adult teeth. Many parents know that they want to prevent tooth problems for their children but dont know the best way to do so and have a tough time judging how much dental care their kids need.
The good news is tooth decay is preventable! To honor February as National Children's Dental Health Month we would like to promote good oral health in chilrdren; here are some tips:
- LEAD BY EXAMPLE - The best way to teach a child good dental habits is to show them. Have your children watch you care for your teeth and have them brush and floss with you when they are able. The sooner you introduce dental care the more routine it will become.
- HOME CARE- Begin brushing your childs teeth as soon as they come in. You should use a soft tooth brush and water twice daily. Consult with a dentist before using tooth paste. As soon as the teeth begin to touch floss start flossing! Help your kids with brushing and flossing until about age 6 or until they can tie their shoes on their own or cut their own meat.
- HAVE HEALTHY EATING HABITS- One of the major cavity causing culprits is sticky - sugary foods and drinks. The issue is not really the amount of sugar but how often they are exposed to it. Don't allow young children to carry around sippy cups containg juice, especially at bed time. Always chose sugar free gum and snacks when possible! Limiting these snack between meals will greatly decrease your childs chances at having dental issues.
- VISIT YOUR DENTIST- Ideally, your child should see a dentist by his or her first birthday. Not only do these visits help with early detection but they help kids get used to visiting the dentist so they'll be less fearful as they get older. Children, like adults, should see the dentist every 6 months. A published report found that even cost of dental care is significantly lower for patients who begin preventative care at an early age.
- THUMB SUCKING AND PACIFIERS- Although these issues are not the cause of decay in childrens teeth they are highly responsible for developmental abnormailities. Avoid misalignment by monitoring excessive sucking of pacifiers and thumbs and try to curb the habit before age 5.
For more tips and information or if you have any questions about childrens dental health feel free to contact us!
Recently, we have found that more and more of our patients are requesting to skip the annual xrays that we recommend. We understand that some patients may be concerned about potential risks from too much exposure to radiation, however, dental xrays remain a valuable tool in detecting oral health problems. Xrays have been in the news lately because of reports and articles published that link dental x-rays to meningioma. There are a lot of things you should understand before basing any opinions on studies featured in the news.
First, meningioma is a type of brain tumor. According to the American Brain Tumor Association they are the most common primary brain tumor in the country, a small percentage of these tumors require treatment and most are found to be non-cancerous. The American Cancer Society found that people who were diagnosed with meningioma are more likely to report that they have had dental x-rays in their lifetime. These results are not based on dental records but memory, and as we all know our memory does not always serve us correctly. This means that the results of the study are unreliable. The cause of meningioma is unknown and still being researched.
There are many conditions, diseases, and potential problems that a dentist can not see with just a physical exam. Xrays are beneficial in finding cavities, infections, bone loss and disease, tumors and cyst, and so much more! Avoiding xrays could result in inaccurate diagnosis and incomplete treatment. The xrays are actually less risky than undetected and untreated dental issues. Early detection of dental issues often result in more comfortable and affordable care.
The American Dental Association has been providing guidelines and recommendations for dentist to use for well over 20 years. As a precaution the ADA encourages for protective aprons and collars to be used while patients are having xrays taken. Another recommendation is for use of digital xrays, which reduce the amount of radiation you are exposed to by 80%.
Taking xrays once a year is a pretty generic guideline; how often you need dental xrays depends on your individual needs, age, your risk of disease, and based on any questionable symptoms you may be experiencing. We recommend consulting with the dentist about your specific needs if you have concerns but not to avoid them all together.
