Antibiotic Pre-Medication: The Dental Connection

The human mouth contains a lot of bacteria.  A bacterium can travel through your body with routine activities that are a normal part of daily living.  You spread bacteria when you brush or floss your teeth, when you chew, and when you swallow.

For most people, bacteria don't cause any problem.  For some people, however, especially those who have chronic medical conditions, specific cardiac conditions, or those whose immune systems are compromised, bacteria that spreads throughout the bloodstream can lead to much more serious bacterial infections.

The goal of pre-medication or antibiotic prophylaxis is to prevent bacterial endocarditis, a serious infection of the endothelial heart surfaces or heart valves.  A small population of people with certain problems has a high risk for contracting this potentially deadly bacterium.

The American Heart Association states that people at greatest risk for contracting bacterial or infective endocarditis are:

• Patients who underwent cardiac valve surgery in the past
• Those who have suffered past incidents of infective endocarditis
• Patients who have mitro valve prolapse, resulting in or causing valve leakage
• People who have had rheumatic fever or any degenerative cardiac condition that produces abnormalities in cardiac valves
• Patients who suffer from certain congenital heart diseases

For these patients, any dental procedure that may cause bleeding, it is recommended that you have antibiotic pre-medication as a preventive measure.

If you have any questions or are in need of a dental appointment, call our office at 918-455-0123!

God Bless,

DRT

Fad Diets: The Dental Connection!

With each passing year, many people are determined to lose those unwanted pounds and to improve their health.  However, fad diets or other diet concoctions containing lemon juice as part of a weight-loss cleanse can have adverse effects to your dental health. As more people try restrictive diets to lose weight as part of their new year's resolutions, diet scenarios like the one previously mentioned, are becoming more common according to experts. Even diets that many consider healthy, such as liquid cleanses, low-carb diets like Atkins or Paleo, vegan or raw diets, may not always be healthy for the teeth and gums

While many people seem to look at the impacts that food have on cholesterol, blood sugar and our weight, most dieters don't consider their mouths.  However, many dental professionals are now becoming attuned to the connection between nutrition and oral health.  Unfortunately, most patients need to understand the connection too, and get their dental health teams' guidance on how to keep their teeth healthy as they lose weight.   While followers of fad diets may lose unwanted pounds, they may also lose some tooth enamel in the bargain, or experience other side effects in their teeth and mouth.

Check out some common diets that might impact your dental health.

JUICING

While many swear by the benefits of a juice cleanse, many people don't realize that chewing also stimulates salivary production, which helps counteract the bacterial action that can lead to cavities in your mouth.  To decrease possible adverse side effects from juicing, use a straw, rinse your mouth with water to dilute the acid, brush your teeth with a fluoridated toothpaste 30 minutes after juicing, and choose whole fruits and veggies rather than processed juices.

LOW-CARB

While diets that restrict carbs can eliminate many foods that can lead to tooth decay, the diet itself can lead to a dry mouth, bad breath, and bleeding gums, especially on those that do not eat crunchy fruits and vegetables.  To decrease any adverse dental effects, drink plenty of water, rinse with alcohol free mouthwash, and chew sugar-free gum.

VEGAN DIET

Vegan diets and "raw food only" diets that eliminate meat, fish, cheese, milk or eggs can lead to a reduction in vitamin B-12, vitamin D, calcium and zinc, which are important for the teeth, bones, gums and tissue health.  To decrease these possible side effects, choose supplements or fortified foods with vitamin B-12, calcium and zinc.

So if you are determined to lose weight and improve your overall health this year, great, just be informed so that you can achieve your objections without incurring any unintended dental consequences. If you have any questions or are in need of a dental appointment, call our office at 918-455-0123.

God Bless,
DRT

1-Day Lemon Water Cleanse: The Dental Connection!

A very popular cleanse that is being implemented by many patients and that has been featured on the Dr. OZ show and his website has a dental connection.  As his website states, "Drinking hot lemon water is a great way to kick-start your metabolism and helps you begin your day feeling energized. Make this recipe to your liking and add as many or as few lemon slices as your taste buds desire. This warm cup is an especially good swap during the cleanse for those who enjoy a cup of coffee in the morning." Although the warm lemon water may energize your system, many people are unaware that lemon water can have a very damaging effect upon your teeth!

Lemon water, hot or in iced water, contains citric acid, which has been shown to dissolve the enamel off of your teeth.  Recently, a patient presented to our office for a regular cleaning and exam.  Although the patient had NO discomfort, rampant decay at the gumline and on the root surfaces below the gum tissue was discovered.  Unfortunately, this type of decay can easily lead to tooth loss.  The patient stated that the only change that she had experienced since the last cleaning was the implementation of the lemon cleanse that had been seen on the Dr Oz television show.  If you do participate in this popular lemon cleanse, please be aware of the potential unexpected dental damage that may occur!  Rinsing your mouth thoroughly with plain water following each cup of lemon water can reduce the acidity in the mouth and thereby limiting the enamel erosion.

If you have any questions or are in need of an appointment, call our office at 918-455-0123!

God Bless,
DRT

Crooked Teeth: The Dental Connection!

Although about 90 percent of people feel that orthodontics are done for cosmetic reasons to create that Hollywood Smile, there was an article published that addressed the common causes of malocclusions or commonly known as crooked or crowded teeth.  Some people have mouths that are too small for their teeth, which crowds the teeth and causes them to shift.  In some cases, a person's upper and lower jaws aren't the same size.  Most often, however, crooked teeth are inherited traits just as the color of your eyes or hair.  Other causes are early loss of baby or adult teeth, undue pressure on the teeth and gums, or common oral health problems such as thumb sucking or prolong use of a bottle or pacifier.

Having crooked teeth isn't just a cosmetic issue.  Malocclusions can lead to serious health problems as well. Crowded teeth can:

• Interfere with proper chewing
• Increase the risk for tooth decay and gum disease
• Increase the risk of breaking teeth

There are several different orthodontic procedures available today that can help to correct crooked teeth for both young and old alike.  If you have any questions or are in need of an appointment, call our office at  918-455-0123. 

God Bless,

DRT