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Your Oral Health* Compiled by: Dental Hygienists - Your Oral Health Specialists
True or False: Sugar is the reason I get cavities?
FALSE: Bacteria is what causes cavities.
Try this one! True or False: Cavities are contagious?
TRUE: You have certain bacteria in your mouth that causes cavities. You can spread this bacteria by sharing drinks or spoons. Babies are not born with bacteria in their mouth. Cavities are actually an infectious disease.
True or False: I can feel cavities?
FALSE: Cavities could be called: the silent disease. They can grow in any mouth undetected.
People spread the cavity bacteria. If this cavity bacteria is untreated it can be spread to others in many ways.
Statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) 50% of children have experienced tooth decay by age 11. 68% of 19 year olds have experienced tooth decay in their permanent teeth. (More than two-thirds!) 52,000,000 school hours are lost each year due to dental disease
Although dental caries (tooth decay) is largely preventable, it remains the most common chronic disease of children aged 5 to 17 years. 4 times more common than asthma (42% versus 9.5%)
Many factors affect your Oral Health:
Let s fix the problem before rebuilding.
Except in an emergency, your oral care will begin with a screening and cleaning by a licensed DENTAL HYGIENISTS! Did a dental hygienist clean your teeth?
Let s s improve YOUR oral health Visit your dentist for regular check-ups and cleanings Visit your pediatrician/doctor for regular check-ups Brush your teeth as least twice a day Floss once a day oxygen is important to your gums Use an antiseptic mouth rinse to prevent disease Eat healthy foods and nutritious snacks daily
Shhhhh Here s the secret
Are you brushing too hard? Check for: receding gums, damaged teeth Hold your brush gently, DO NOT apply strong pressure on the brush OR your teeth Make sure your toothbrush is healthy
Floss every day! Flossing every day is important: Flossing allows oxygen to get below the gum line Flossing removes plaque that a toothbrush may not reach
How to floss Use about 18 inches of floss wound around one of your middle fingers, with the rest wound around the opposite middle finger. Hold the floss tightly between the thumbs and forefingers and gently insert it between the teeth. Curve the floss into a C shape against the side of the tooth. Rub the floss gently up and down, keeping it pressed against the tooth. Don t jerk or snap the floss. Floss all your teeth. Don t forget to floss behind your back teeth.
Your mouth is a laboratory, create a ph of 5-65 Eat healthy foods, snacks and meals - It takes about 30 minutes for saliva to neutralize the acids in foods. When you eat, plaque on the surface of your teeth reacts with certain foods to form acids. These acids can break down the enamel of your teeth. This process is called demineralization. When your mouth does not have a chance to recover from food acids weak spots can form on the teeth.
ph Chart
Tooth enamel is the hardest substance in your body. It protects the outer layer of your teeth. Fluoride can strengthen tooth enamel.
Applying fluoride is one way to keep teeth strong. You can get fluoride in many ways: Fluoride varnish applied in dental/pediatric offices Fluoride toothpaste Fluoride in culinary water (not in bottled water) Fluoride mouth rinses available
Xylitol can also help reduce cavity and infection Xylitol is a natural sweetener found naturally in fruits and vegetables. Xylitol can be artificially produced; or extracted from special birch trees.
Xylitol is a 5 carbon sugar! It cannot be metabolized by many bacteria. So bacteria cannot feed off of it and multiply. No acid is produced so the ph is kept at or returned to a safe level quickly. Xylitol stimulates salivary flow which also creates a better oral environment. Streptococci Mutans cannot feed on Xylitol. This allows Xylitol to: Reduce caries
Dental x-ray x and pictures are important. These tools help your dentist detect any unseen cavities or infections. A complete examination is NOT possible without these important pictures!
Do your teeth feel Most of your teeth are made up of a porous material called dentin. When dentin is exposed to air or water your teeth become more sensitive to: COLD HEAT TOUCH DENTIN CAN BE EXPOSED BY: brushing too hard, recession of the gums, gum disease, fractured teeth, tooth wear, clenching, bruxing, or grinding. sensitive?
What can help? You should visit your dentist. Your dentist and dental hygienist will have several ideas to treat your discomfort. A good way to start is to use a fluoride toothpaste for sensitivity.
What about oral health during pregnancy? Hormones increase during pregnancy and may cause pregnancy gingivitis. Symptoms include: swollen, red, and tender bleeding gums. Gingivitis untreated can progress to periodontitis which research proves may cause premature birth.
Oral Health During Pregnancy Morning sickness can leave stomach acids in your mouth. These acids can damage the enamel surface of your teeth and promote tooth decay. If you get sick and have acid in your mouth DO NOT BRUSH YOUR TEETH IMMEDIATELY! Instead, rinse your mouth with water. Let the ph in your mouth stabilize. After 15-20 minutes your may brush your teeth and not cause damage to your enamel!
Tips to maintain good oral health during pregnancy: Visit your dentist regularly for a check-up and cleaning. Brush twice a day to remove plaque. Floss once a day! Use an antimicrobial/antiseptic mouth rinse. Eat nutritous meals and healthy snacks.
Mouthcare should begin Twice a day you can gently wipe the baby s gums with a soft, damp washcloth or gauze pad. Discomfort of teeth coming into the mouth can cause your baby to become irritable and possibly fever. A cool teething ring can help soothe those tender gums. The lower two front teeth are the first to erupt. This occurs around 6 months. When the first teeth appear begin brushing your children s teeth with a SOFT toothbrush. Do not use a filled feeding bottle as a pacifier. This can cause baby bottle tooth decay. at birth.
Protect your baby from infection. Most people are carriers of the bacteria called Streptococcus. This strep bacteria causes many infections during childhood including strep throat and ear infections. Babies are born without this bacteria. Don t lick your babies pacifier or spoon. Wash your utensils and dishes in hot water. Do not share toothbrushes. Rinse with an antiseptic mouthrinse daily to help prevent transmission.
Parents should brush their children s teeth until age 8!
Enamel-the outermost layer of the tooth is the hardest substance in the body. Fluoride, a naturally occurring substance, can strengthen tooth enamel and make the tooth more resistant to decay. The main sources of fluoride are: fluoridated drinking water fluoridated toothpastes and fluoride mouth rinses.
Fluoride is needed for strong teeth! Fluoride can be applied by dental professionals. Fluoride can be used at home by using fluoride toothpaste and/or fluoride rinses.
Check on the amount of fluoride in your culinary water. Brush teeth with a fluoride toothpaste according to your dentist s recommendations. There is no fluoride in bottled water!
Tips for good oral health:
Help your children drink several glasses of water every day. Water helps hydrate your body. Save sugared drink, juices and sodas for special occasions only.
Sealants may also protect your teeth from cavity! Our teeth have grooves and pits where bacteria can be trapped. Sometimes toothbrush bristles are too large to get the bacteria out. SEALANTS are thin plastic coatings which can be placed on top of grooves and pits in teeth to protect the teeth. The best time to seal the tooth is when it first erupts into the mouth.
Dental Sealants Most cavities occur on the biting surfaces of the back teeth. Dental sealants provide protection to the surface of the tooth. A dental sealant is a plastic material that is painted directly into the grooves on the biting surfaces of the back teeth. Ask your dentist if you or your children would benefit from dental sealants!
Problems to watch for in growing children: Look at your children s teeth. If anything seems different from teeth you have seen visit your dentist for early help and diagnosis. Check for tooth crowding, open bites, unusual ways teeth meet in the mouth front. Check for: difficulty in chewing or biting, speech difficulties, grinding or clenching teeth, early or late loss of baby teeth, mouth breathing, jaws that shift or make sounds. These are all reasons to make an appointment with your dentist.
High Energy Drinks have increased in popularity but can cause many adverse reactions. Many have up to 14x the amount of caffeine in sodas and coffee. They can cause: nausea vomiting tremors dizziness numbness anxiety insomnia high blood pressure
US Food and Drug Administration suggests a maximum of 71 mg/12 oz.
Oral Piercings Pose serious oral health concerns: Infection is common Taste loss, chipped/cracked teeth, blood clots, poisoning, swelling/suffocation Precautions: Remove when eating and sleeping. Use antiseptic mouthwash. Metal should be surgical stainless steel, titanium, niobium, 14-18 k. gold
What kills more Americans? a. Malignant Melanoma b. Cervical Cancer c. Oral cancer
Facts: Oral Cancer kills 8,000 per year. 25% of Oral Cancer victims manifest no risk factors! Every hour 1 American Dies from Oral Cancer. 5-year survival rate of Oral Cancer is 57%. Risk Factors: Tobacco use Alcohol abuse HPV Over 40 years Poor nutrition
Signs to look for: Sore throat Lump on throat, mouth or lips Persistent red or white lesion Swelling in the jaw or neck
Ways to prevent Oral Avoid Tobacco use Cancer-- Use sunscreen on your lips every day Balanced diet Regular screenings at your dental office (screening is painless, quick, and may save your life)
Xerostomia: dry mouth May be caused by: absence or diminished quantity of saliva Medications (over the counter & prescription) Autoimmune or systemic disease Mouth breathing Salivary glad removal
Over the counter topical relief is available in the form of:
Tobacco use Tobacco use affects the mouth in many ways. It may cause: oral cancer, tooth loss, sensitivity, delayed healing, periodontal disease and others. Nicotine is addictive and creates a lack of oxygen in the oral tissues.
Tobacco can also cause: Bad breath Staining of the teeth, tongue and dentures Oral cancer Slower healing Fibrotic tissue tissue that looks healthy but is actually diseased Heavies calculus on your teeth
HPV: Human Papillomavirus We know of 40 different HPV viruses all of which can infect the mouth and throat. Transferred through direct skin to skin contact Usually manifests no symptoms/if your immune system does not inactivate the virus it may lead to cancer Get vaccinated ask your doctor.
Meth Mouth
Meth mouth is an informal name for advanced tooth decay attributed to heavy methamphetamine use and by the abuse of other stimulants such as: cocaine, amphetamines and methylphenidate.
Meth Mouth Meth mouth is probably caused by a combination of druginduced psychological and physiological problems resulting from using highly addictive substances. Meth mouth may result in xerostomia, poor oral health, frequent consumption of high caloric carbonated beverages and teeth clenching and bruxing.
Periodontal Disease A serious infection of the gums and other tissues surrounding the teeth. Left untreated it can lead to tooth and bone loss. Symptoms of Periodontal Disease: Bleeding gums Red, swollen, or tender gums Persistent bad breath or bad taste Formation of deep pocketing between your teeth and gums Loose or shifting teeth Changes in the way you teeth fit together
Periodontal treatments: Debridement/Scaling and Root planing Oral medications including floss and mouthrinsing Antibacterial therapy including locally applied antibiotics Surgery
Your mouth is a window to the health of your body! Take good care of your mouth---- You only have one!
If you notice any of the signs below see your dentist: Gums that bleed during brushing and flossing Red, swollen or tender gums/ a red or white bump on your gums Gums that have pulled away from your teeth Loose or separating teeth Changes in the way your teeth fit together when you bite Changes in the fit of your dentures or partial dentures
Visit your Primary Medical Care Provider: They have information available regarding: Bottle feeding Nutrition Thumb sucking Oral care Brushing Fluoride needs Local culinary water fluoride levels Your Medical Provider can also share information regarding special health-care needs: Self care Devices for oral health Oral aversions Medication affects
Stay Healthy Visit your medical doctor regularly for physical examinations. Keep ALL vaccinations current. If you notice changes in you or your child s body call your doctor and make an appointment. Exercise regularly and eat balanced meals. Your medical doctor and his staff are waiting to serve your medical needs.
You can make a difference in your oral health!
Thank You! *Ask and make sure you are seeing a licensed Hygienist for your cleanings*
Compiled by: Marilyn Pickett, BS, RDH Linsey Pearce, BS CHES Other Contributors: Utah Dental Hygienists Association, members of the UDHA
*Most information contained in this presentation is common knowledge to dental hygienists.
References: Alfano, M., and Horowitz, A. (2001) Professional and community efforts to prevent morbidity and mortality from oral cancer. Journal of the American Dental Association. 132 24S-29S American Dental Association American Dental Hygienists Association American Academy of Periodontology Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) http://www.cdc.gov/oralhealth/topics/cancer.htm Colgate: www.colgate.com/education/oralhealth National Cancer Institute http://seer.cancer.gov/faststats/ National Institutes of Health Proctor & Gamble www.gamble.com/professional/education/oral U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Wikipedia: high energy drinks, oral cancer, meth mouth