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Dental Care

Loose Dentures? See Your Dentist

In light of the recent concerns surrounding denture creams and adhesives that contain zinc, the American Dental Association (ADA) released a statement urging denture wearers to see their dentist, if their dentures are ill-fitting or problematic.

Why would you see your dentist if you wear dentures? This isn't a cash grab - I promise. Your dentist will monitor how your dentures fit, and make adjustments to accommodate your changing gum tissue. Along with your denture adjustments, your dentist will do a thorough examination of your mouth, to check for any signs of oral cancer, thrush, even gum disease.

If you wear dentures, you shouldn't have to rely on denture creams and adhesives to keep your dentures from causing embarrassing situations, along with affecting your quality of life. Speak to your dentist if your dentures are uncomfortable or just don't fit anymore.

Loose Dentures? See Your Dentist originally appeared on About.com Dental Care on Tuesday, March 2nd, 2010 at 23:21:48.

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GlaxoSmithKlein (GSK) issued a consumer advisory on February 18, 2010, regarding the safety of their Super Poligrip 'Original', 'Ultra Fresh' and 'Extra Care' denture adhesives. The concern centers around the amount of zinc that is contained in the product, and how it is bonded to an unknown formulation. According to GSK, suggestions that excessive zinc exposure may contribute to the development of anemia, neuropathy, and other neurological symptoms that may cause numbness, tingling or weakness in the arms and legs and difficulties with walking and balance, initiated the advisory. GSK has voluntarily stop the manufacture, distribution and advertising of all Super PoliGrip denture adhesive products made with zinc.

Consumers with Poligrip products that contain zinc are encourages to stop using the product immediately, contact their physician or dentist, and use a denture adhesive that does not contain zinc.

Zinc is considered to be an essential mineral for our health and wellness, and is found in proteins such as beef, chicken, pork, and salmon. The recommended daily value of zinc is 15 mg/day. For denture wearers that rely on a denture adhesive to hold their dentures in place, the risk of overexposure becomes evident. It has been suggested that as little as 25 mg. of zinc may contribute to anemia and copper deficiency.

If you are using a denture adhesive, and you are unsure if it contains zinc, please speak to your dentist, physician, or pharmacist. If you rely on the use of a denture adhesive to help keep your dentures in place, due to poor fitting dentures, speak to your dentist about treatment options that will improve your situation, without the need for adhesives.

Consumer Advisory Issued Regarding the Safety Of Super Poligrip ‘Original’, ‘Ultra Fresh’ and ‘Extra Care’ originally appeared on About.com Dental Care on Tuesday, February 23rd, 2010 at 01:34:31.

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As I watched Canadian Alex Bilodeau win Canada's first gold medal at the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics, I couldn't help but notice that he was wearing a mouthguard. No, I am not a psychic -- Team Canada hasn't won the Gold metal in Hockey... yet. Bilodeau is not a hockey player -- he is a freestyle mogul skier.

Mouthguards are used to protect the teeth during contact sports play - more commonly seen in the mouth's of hockey players - but many experts believe that a wearing a mouthguard may also prevent a concussion from occurring after an accident. In Bilodeau's case, he likely wears the mouthguard to absorb the tremendous shock that is exerted on his teeth and jaw, as he rockets down the hill over the icy, snow packed moguls. If you have ever witnessed a fall during a moguls run, there is no doubt that sustaining a concussion isn't out of the question for the athlete.

Many athletes choose to forgo wearing a mouthguard -- for whatever reason, but it is wonderful to see this Canadian hero setting an example for the youth that dream to follow in his footsteps.

Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics - Canadian Hero Wears His Mouthguard originally appeared on About.com Dental Care on Thursday, February 18th, 2010 at 23:14:27.

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A Swedish study suggests that children and adolescents with severe dental fear often come from families with a turbulent background. Annika Gustafsson, a specialist in child dentistry, wanted to examine the differences between children that visit a general dentist, compared to those that require dental treatment from a specialist. "I wanted to investigate how children and adolescents with dental behaviour management problems who received specialist dental care differed from patients of the same age within ordinary dental care. I also wanted to discover why they cancel appointments and fail to attend appointments more often," explains Gustafsson in a press release.

According to The Sahlgrenska Academy of the University of Gothenburg, Gustafsson studied 250 children with dental behavioral problems and 250 children that do not have dental behavioural issues. A questionnaire was also filled out by the parents of these children -- which asked for information about the child's everyday life, and family situation. Hearing the findings of this study is a real eyeopener. "The children and adolescents with dental behavior management problems suffered significantly more from dental fear, and they lived in families with lower social class and poor economy. Most often, they lived in single-parent families, they had fewer leisure activities and more psychosocial problems than patients within ordinary dental care". Gustafsson also noted that the parents of the children with dental fears, also suffer from dental fears themselves. Says Gustafsson, "I believe that it has a negative effect on a child or adolescent if their parent does not want to go to the dentist with them due to the parent's own fear."

How Everyday Life Can Impact a Child's Dental Experience originally appeared on About.com Dental Care on Thursday, February 11th, 2010 at 12:55:54.

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The event has seen its share of criticism, as many people feel that it takes more than just one day a year to address issues such as early childhood decay, that is observed in many of the nation's less fortunate children, as well as the lack regular dental care common with many children, from all walks of life, across the country. However, ADA President Ronald L. Tankersley, D.D.S stressed in a press release about the event that "We all know that a one-day event is not a delivery system and cannot solve the ongoing problem of untreated dental disease" adding, "It is important that policymakers at the federal and state level strengthen dental provisions in public health programs to help put children on the road to good oral health."

If you are searching for a Give kids a Smile event in your area, the ADA had a handy search tool for you locate an event in your area. You can also refer to this State-By-State Dental Association list and contact your State's dental association for more information.

According to their website, The Deamonte Driver Dental Project was was established to provide "grassroots solutions to a children's' dental health crisis." For more information on the project, visit their website, and learn how you can help.

Eighth Annual Give Kids a Smile Program - Remembering Deamonte Driver originally appeared on About.com Dental Care on Wednesday, February 3rd, 2010 at 13:03:09.

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Super Bowl Sunday is almost here, and I'm sure everyone is preparing for not only the game, but the food that goes with watching the most anticipated sporting event of the year. Watching the Super Bowl is synonymous with eating traditional favorites such as chili, chips, sandwiches, pizza; the list goes on and on. I'm pretty sure the last thing on your mind will be the health of your teeth, while you are consuming these tasty treats, but if you are looking for something healthier for your teeth, Dr. Thomas Connelly, a New York City cosmetic dentist, offers his suggestions for a healthier Super Bowl Sunday feast.

Turkey Sandwich vs. Salami Sandwich - turkey will actually add needed minerals to your tooth enamel. Acid produced by bacteria damages the minerals originally found in your teeth.

Sweet Potato Fries vs. Regular Fries-- These root vegetables are rich in nutrients and vitamins B and C, which are great for oral health. Also, potatoes don't stick to your teeth like other starch-laden foods, which serve as a breeding ground for oral bacteria

Popcorn vs. Potato Chips- Eating popcorn stimulates your gums and helps clean your teeth.

Chocolate with nuts vs. Other Candy-- fats in nuts absorb so much acid that they actually help prevent cavities. Chocolate has fat that just soaks up acids, and there's an antibacterial agent in cocoa that prevents plaque.

Remember to brush and floss after eating any for these tasty treats, and have a great time this weekend... GO SAINTS!

Super Bowl Sunday - Keep Your Spread Teeth Friendly originally appeared on About.com Dental Care on Tuesday, February 2nd, 2010 at 11:49:54.

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If you are pregnant, considering becoming pregnant in the future, or know someone that fits into either category, PAY ATTENTION, because this information could save a life.

Researcher Yiping Han, from the department of periodontilogy at Case Western Reserve University School of Dental Medicine has reported the first documented case of a stillbirth caused by an oral bacteria. The 35 year old mother suffered from pregnancy gingivitis. At 39 weeks, five days - which is considered to be full term - the mother sadly delivered her stillborn baby.

An autopsy was preformed which revealed the presence of F. nucleatum - an oral bacteria - in the lungs and stomach of the infant. The baby had died from a septic infection and inflammation caused by bacteria. The mother told Han that she suffered from excessive gum bleeding, known as pregnancy induced gingivitis, during her pregnancy. When the gums bleed, bacteria in the mouth is able to get into he blood stream. According to a press release from the university, Han says normally a mother's immune system takes care of the bacteria in the blood before it reaches the placenta. But in this case, the mother also experienced an upper respiratory infection like a cold and low-grade fever just a few days before the stillbirth. Han suspects that the bacteria entered the amniotic fluid, where the baby was able to ingest the bacteria.

How can this be prevented? The Academy of Pediatric Dentistry created some very easily attainable Oral Health Guidelines for Pregnant Women. One of the biggest misconceptions related to dentistry and pregnancy is this idea that dental care during pregnancy will harm your unborn baby. For years, experts have insisted that expectant mothers have the health of their teeth and gums examined and monitored during their pregnancy.
Preterm birth has been connected to gum disease in the past. Duke University Medical Center and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill teamed up in 2009, for one of the largest randomized trial to date, to study how the treatment of gum disease during pregnancy would effect the apparent link between preterm birth and the disease. The researchers found that the treatment of gum disease during pregnancy did not reduce the rate of preterm birth, suggesting that gum disease, especially advanced periodontal disease, should be controlled before a woman becomes pregnant. The American Academy of Periodontology responded to Duke's findings by releasing a statement that insisted pregnant woman continue with their dental treatment throughout their pregnancy.

Most women make lifestyle changes before the become pregnant, in an effort to deliver a healthy baby. Now, more than ever, making sure that you are free from gum disease before you become pregnant, and during your pregnancy, should become a priority for every woman considering having a baby. If you have questions or concerns about how your gum disease could be affecting the health of your baby, please speak with your dentist or physician. If you experience excessive bleeding of the gums during your pregnancy, do not hesitate, and contact your dentist for an appointment.

Emphasizing her findings, Han really drives it home by stating: "There is an old wives' tale that you lose a tooth for each baby, and this is due to the underlying changes during pregnancy, but if there is another underlying condition in the background, then you may lose more than a tooth but a baby."

Oral Bacteria Linked to Stillbirth originally appeared on About.com Dental Care on Thursday, January 28th, 2010 at 12:53:24.

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Charlie Sheen's wife Brooke Mueller, was rushed to the ICU of a Sherman Oaks, California hospital after an infection, apparently caused by her recent emergency oral surgery to remove an impacted wisdom tooth, started to spread. Mueller was admitted with a 105-degree fever. Her lawyer, Yale Galanter, told PEOPLE Magazine "Brooke is in the hospital ICU related to the surgery for her impacted wisdom tooth," adding "They are trying to get the infection and fever under control. The infection has spread."

Wisdom teeth extraction isn't a favorite procedure among dental patients. Chances are, you know someone that has had a "horrific" experience during and after their wisdom teeth surgery. Hearing about Brooks Mueller's complications after her oral surgery made me think about how this story will affect your decision to have your wisdom teeth removed. Are infections normal after wisdom teeth surgery? Not usually, in fact the most serious complication I have witnessed someone experience after wisdom teeth surgery is a complication known as a dry socket. That being said, the instructions your dentist gives you to follow before your oral surgery, after your oral surgery MUST be followed to a T, in order to avoid mild to serious complications during your recovery process. If you are concerned about your upcoming wisdom teeth surgery, please don't hesitate to discuss them with your dentist. Brooke Mueller's experience is rare, and considering the fact that exact details about her complication have been completely overshadowed by the gossip surrounding her turmoil with her husband Charlie Sheen, we may never know exactly why her infection spread.

If you have had your wisdom teeth removed, share your experience with my readers, by answering the question: Was Your Wisdom Teeth Removal No Big Deal or a Complete Nightmare?

Brooke Mueller Rushed to the ICU After Her Oral Infection Spreads originally appeared on About.com Dental Care on Thursday, January 21st, 2010 at 12:35:51.

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Tylenol and Motrin are both common over-the-counter pain relief medications that are often recommended for use after dental procedures, when your little one's are teething, after wisdom teeth extractions or root canals, and when you have a toothache; only to name a few. If you find yourself reaching for a bottle of Tylenol or Motrin, please check the McNeil Consumer Healthcare website for a complete list of the products that were voluntary recalled by Johnson & Johnson, due to a "moldy, musty, or mildew-like odor". According to reports, the odor was caused by trace amounts of a chemical known as 2,4,6-tribromoanisole (TBA), which is used treat the wood pallets that are used to transport and store the product packaging materials. The odor is apparently responsible for causing nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, and diarrhea. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) says 70 people have reported "temporary and non-serious gastrointestinal events," or have noticed the foul odor.

Take a look at the list of recalled products, which include specific LOT numbers (found on the side of the bottle, or back label) from BENADRYL ALLERGY TABLET 148 COUNT, various Tylenol products, various Motrin products, various Rolaids products, and various St. Josephs Aspirin products. If you have recalled product in your possession, you are asked to stop using the product, and contact contact McNeil Consumer Healthcare for instructions on a refund or replacement. For these instructions or information regarding how to return or dispose of the product, consumers should log on to the internet at www.mcneilproductrecall.com or call 1-888-222-6036 (Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Eastern Time, and Saturday-Sunday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern Time). Consumers who have medical concerns or questions should contact their healthcare provider. Any adverse reactions may also be reported to the FDA's MedWatch Program by fax at 1-800-FDA-0178, by mail at MedWatch, FDA, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20852-9787, or on the MedWatch website at www.fda.gov/medwatch.

Johnson & Johnson Issues 'Massive' Recall of Tylenol and Motrin Products originally appeared on About.com Dental Care on Saturday, January 16th, 2010 at 00:19:40.

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The debate over whether or not fluoride should be added to the public water supply erupted earlier this week in Walker, Louisiana. According to 2theadvocate.com, some residents of the town, located outside Baton Rouge, are opposed to the addition of fluoride to their drinking water. Facing heavy opposition, Mayor Bobby Font remains committed to educating residents on the benefits of fluoride. The date has yet to be determined, as to when the town will begin their water fluoridation program.

Water fluoridation is a very sensitive issue, because most dental experts agree that fluoride is safe for use. Research indicates that the rate of cavities in areas where the water is fluoridated decreases significantly compared to areas where fluoride is not added to the water -- but does that outweigh the risks involved with fluoride use? Not too long ago, I asked my readers if they thought water should be fluoridated. Most respondents were very passionate against water fluoridation. Many believe that it causes health concerns ranging from dental fluorosis to neurological disorders. Others believe that fluoride is a beneficial additive to the water supply.

I want to revisit the issue, and ask you again: Do You Think Fluoride Should be Added to Public Drinking Water?

Louisiana Town Divided on Water Fluoridation originally appeared on About.com Dental Care on Thursday, January 14th, 2010 at 12:40:15.

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