Soda: A Major Cause of Dental Problems

Americans drink 13.15 billion gallons of carbonated drinks every year according to Dr. McCay, the nutritionist at the Naval Medical Research institute. Soft drinks have emerged as one of the most significant dietary sources of tooth decay and obesity.

This affects people of all ages and socio-economic classes. Acids in soda and acidic sugar byproducts in soda soften tooth enamel leading to the formation of cavities. Ultimately this can lead to tooth loss as well.

Regular sodas can contain the equivalent of nine to twelve teaspoons of sugar per can. In today’s world we are seeing even larger and larger containers of soda. It takes 20 minutes or less for the acids in the mouth to start eating away and eroding tooth enamel.

Some people think switching to diet soda will eliminate the chance of this happening but that is not true. Though diet soda does not contain the sugar it’s counterpart does, it is almost as acidic and can ultimately cause the same problems.

So what can be done to help prevent some of these problems? Eliminating soda would be great. Juices can cause a major problem as well so they may not be a great choice. Water is the best choice.  Another thing that will greatly help reduce the chances of having major problems is rinsing with water after you have soda. Brushing after consuming soda will also help. Make sure you visit your dentist regularly for exams and cleanings as well.

for more information about how to keep your smile picture perfect, log on to http://www.LevineDental.com

What is a dental sealant?

Dental sealants are a thin protective coating that fills in the grooves on the top of a tooth, protecting the teeth against decay-causing bacteria.FAQ:· How does a sealant help prevent decay?
· Is sealant application a complicated procedure?
· Sealants are just for kids, right?
· How does a sealant help prevent decay?
A sealant is a plastic material that is usually applied to the chewing surfaces of the back teeth. This plastic resin bonds into the depressions and grooves (pits and fissures) of the chewing surfaces of the back teeth. The sealant acts as a barrier, protecting enamel from plaque and acids.Thorough brushing and flossing help remove food particles and plaque from smooth surfaces of teeth. But toothbrush bristles cannot reach all the way into the depressions and grooves to extract food and plaque. Sealants protect these vulnerable areas by “sealing out” plaque and food.Sealants are easy for your dentist to apply, and it takes only a few minutes to seal each tooth. The teeth that will be sealed are cleaned. Then the chewing surfaces are roughened with an acid solution to help the sealant adhere to the tooth. The sealant is then ‘painted’ onto the tooth enamel, where it bonds directly to the tooth and will harden when a special curing light is shined on it.As long as the sealant remains intact, the tooth surface will be protected from decay. Sealants hold up well under the force of normal chewing and usually last several years before needing to be reapplied. During your regular dental visits, your dentist will check to make sure the sealants are still protecting otherwise they will let you know they need to be reapplied.The likelihood of developing pit and fissure decay begins early in life, so children and teenagers are the most obvious candidates. Adults , however, can benefit from sealants as well.Key ingredients in preventing tooth decay and maintaining a healthy mouth are twice-daily brushing; cleaning between the teeth daily with floss or some other appliance they may suggest; eating a balanced diet and limiting snacks; and visiting your dentist regularly.Visit us online to see get more information about sealants at http://www.LevineDental.com

Cancer and X-rays- recent obersevations

A statement from Dr. Paul S. Levine in regards to the recent study done linking dental x-rays and brain tumors:

A recent study published in the news media talked about X-rays and their cause of brain tumors. Please note this was a very poorly done study and I am not quite sure how it got published.

The study was done in only very select cities. They chose 1400+ random people between the ages of 20 and 79. They asked these patients to rely on memory only of X-rays taken and not actual records of what was done. They compared those to approximately 1300 random people of the same age, race, and sex information.

They did not take into account the newer X-rays that many dentists use that cut significantly cut down on radiation. The study also uses a measure of radiation not used in the last 10 plus years. The study showed that people who just had double bitewings had a higher rate of significance than those that had a full mouth set of X-rays (which numbers 5 times the number of X-rays).

Another important thing to remember is that the time of brain tumor associated with the study is rarely malignant and is the exact same type of tumor that other studies associate with cell phone use. They never talked to any dentists about the different type of X-rays or data collection which I think greatly affects the study.

As always we highly recommend that you talk to your dental care professional about any type of treatment that you are receiving whether it is preventive or major.

The Chief medical officer for the American Cancer Society has also noted, “More data is needed before we can begin to state there is a relationship and these tumors.”

-Paul S. Levine D.D.S.

Milwaukee, WI

Is Chewing Tobacco Safer than Smoking?

Many people think that chewing tobacco is a safe substitute for smoking. What these same people don’t understand is that chewing tobacco can cause some major problems. If you are going to chew tobacco it is important to understand the various risks associated with chewing tobacco.

• Chewing tobacco may lead to oral cancer. Oral cancer is one of the largest crowing cancers in the world and it can be deadly.
• Tobacco can greatly stain your teeth and affects your smile in a negative manner. These people tend to not smile as much. People who chew tobacco develop yellow stains on their teeth.
• Chewing tobacco can cause bad breath. Who would want to kiss someone with tobacco breath?
• Various sores may also appear inside the mouth of people if they chew tobacco on a regular basis. Some of these sores could possibly indicate the presence of oral cancer.
• Increase blood pressure and heart rate could also be a result of chewing tobacco. Ultimately this could lead to a stroke or heart attack.

Many people think that chewing tobacco is better than smoking. However, it is not true. Chewing tobacco can also very dangerous for someone’s health.

If someone wants to live a healthy and long life they should give up tobacco in all forms.

To give up tobacco you will need strong will power. Sometimes you will need professional help to accomplish this.

There are other things someone can chew instead of tobacco different. Mint snuff is a healthy substitute for people who can’t go without chewing tobacco. It satisfies the urge of people to chew tobacco while at the same time it offers little or no side effects. Other things like sugar free gum, sunflower seeds and Jerky are available to help people quit chewing tobacco. Please make your dentist aware if you are a tobacco chewer.

for more information about how tobacco can impact your smile and overall dental health, log on to LevineDental.com today or schedule an appointment to discuss your situation.

Are Silver (amalgam) Fillings Safe?

Over the years there has been some concern as to the safety of silver (amalgam) fillings. An amalgam is a blend of copper, silver, tin and zinc, bound by elemental mercury. Dentists have used this material to fill teeth for more than 100 years. The controversy because of claims that exposure to the vapor and minute particles from the mercury can cause a variety of serious health problems.

The general consensus is that silver (amalgam) fillings are safe. The Center for Disease Control (CDC), the World Health Organization, the FDA, and others support the use of silver fillings as safe, durable, and cost effective. The U.S. Public Health Service says that the only reason not to use silver fillings is when a patient has an allergy to any component of this type of filling. The ADA has had fewer than 100 reported incidents of an allergy to components of silver fillings, and this is out of countless millions of silver fillings over the decades.

Although studies have indicated that there are no measurable health risks to patients who have silver fillings, we do know that mercury is a toxic material when we are exposed at high, unsafe levels. For instance, we have been warned to limit the consumption of certain types of fish that carry high levels of mercury in them. However, with respect to amalgam fillings, the ADA maintains that when the mercury combines with the other components of the filling, it becomes an inactive substance that is safe.

There are numerous options to silver fillings, including composite resin (tooth-colored), porcelain, and gold fillings. We encourage you to discuss these options with your dentist so you can determine which is the best option for you.

for more information about silver or amalgam fillings, or to schedule an appointment, log on to our site at LevineDental.com

Bad Breath

A common question we get in our dental office is – “What causes bad breath?”

Many times the complaint is not from the offender but from a long suffering spouse or family member. There are many causes of bad breath (which may also be called “halitosis”) – some serious and some not. The good news is diagnosing and treating bad breath is something that can easily be done in most cases.

Here is a list, in no particular order, of the reasons people may be slowly backing up during conversations:

Foods Containing Strong Smelling Oils

Yes – garlic and onions are very healthy, but they also contain oils, which may cause an unhealthy reaction to those around you. These odors originate in the lungs, can last up to 72 hours and can be tough to cover up. Mints, gum, and rinses are your best bet to alleviate the problem– or make sure everyone around you has had the same yummy food as well!

Routine Illnesses

Colds, sinus problems, infections can all cause yucky smelling mucus, to get trapped in our mouths, throats and noses, which causes foul breath until the illness is taken care of. Of course, if you have one of these highly contagious problems you shouldn’t be that close to someone anyway! If a sinus infection, sore throat , cough or cold doesn’t clear up in a few days to a week, you should probably see your physician to make sure things aren’t of a serious nature.

Dry Mouth

When your mouth is dry it lets more bacteria settle in your mouth. And while morning breath is a perfectly normal phenomenon due to lowered salivary activity at night – it shouldn’t last all day. Those who snore, mouth – breath, take certain medications, or are middle aged are prone to a dry mouth.

Smoking

Smoking dries out your mouth (see above) and also, tobacco just plain stinks. If lung cancer and heart disease aren’t reason enough to give up smoking, maybe a constant foul mouth will help you make that life-saving decision.

Chronic Diseases or Conditions

Many serious diseases such as lung infections, kidney failure, diabetes, cancer, GERD, anorexia, bulimia and others can cause very specific types of halitosis. The good news is that these are on the rare side, but if anything along these lines is suspected, a referral to the appropriate practitioner is in order.

Poor Dental Hygiene and Gum Disease

Ahhh…this is our favorite! Not because we like people to have poor dental hygiene and gum disease, but because these are very common causes of bad breath and we can usually treat them quite easily. But please don’t wait to long! Gum disease, which usually starts with poor brushing and flossing habits as well as a lack of routine dental visits, can do much more than make your mouth stinky.

In just a shot period of time, gum disease can advance and eat away at the gums and bone which hold your teeth in place. The result? Loose, unstable teeth which will eventually be lost if not treated.

Catching gum disease early is great as treatment is typically conservative. Wait too long and it gets much more difficult and extensive.

Bad breath is not normal! Seeing your dentist and dental hygienist on a routine basis is your best bet for making sure your teeth and gums stay healthy, your smile stays bright, and your breath doesn’t cause others to run in the opposite direction.

for more information on how to keep your smile healthy, or to schedule an appointment, log on to LevineDental.com

A Whiter Smile

People say a smile is the window to your soul. This helps explain why people want that million-dollar smile. There are many people who do not like to show off their smile because of discolored teeth which gives a rather old looking appearance to a person and mar their good facial features. The best way to remove discoloration and have that perfect smile is by going through a tooth whitening procedure.

By working with your dentist you can determine how they can best help you whiten your teeth either in-office or with at home bleaching. Some people will also try home remedies for tooth whitening instead of listening to their dentist’s recommendations. However, teeth whitening can cause side effects. Here is a look at some of the risks you need to be aware of, before you decide to take up teeth whitening:

Many home remedies suggest using fruits which have strong acidic properties to whiten teeth. Such food actually causes erosion of the tooth enamel to and the result is sensitive teeth that are more prone to decay.

Dentists use a bleaching process to whiten teeth. The beaching solution contains Hydrogen Peroxide which can sometimes irritate the teeth and gums.

People using at home kits need to use the right quantity of bleaching solution on their teeth. If you do not pay attention to what is the right concentration and quantity of bleaching solution that you need to use when doing teeth whitening at home, the result can be painful and discomforting instead of being helpful. You also need to make sure you don’t overuse these materials.

Teeth whitening can also cause gum irritation. Sometime patients are seen to experience sensations such as nausea, vomiting or a burning feeling as a result of ingesting teeth whitening solutions.

On the other hand tooth whitening can change a person’s smile if done right. To be done right you need to work in conjunction with your dentist to make sure you obtain the best possible results. You also need to make sure your teeth and gums are healthy enough to do whitening. Check out our website at http://www.LevineDental.com for more information or to schedule an appointment to discuss your whiter smile.

Tongue Piercing

A raging fad of today is tongue and lip piercing. In fact tongue piercing has become readily available to everyone as these piercings are not being governed by any regulations. Piercing the tongue makes it convenient for microorganisms to enter into your bloodstream and your oral cavity. Many people suffer from allergies to certain metals or have heart conditions and to these people tongue piercings can prove very dangerous. (note image above is not an actual piercing, but a photo-shopped image to illustrate a point)

When it comes to getting the tongue pierced, there are many risks and adverse effects involved.

Let’s start with the actual piercing. Firstly a marker is used to mark the spot on the tongue where the piercing will be placed. To prevent the tongue from moving it is held by some sort of a clamp. This prevents the needle from hitting a blood vessel or causing damage to a nerve by going through the wrong part. Usually a thick needle is then stuck into the tongue without the use of any anesthetic. The reason that no anesthetic is used is because the piercers are not licensed medical professionals and are not allowed to use it. A long barbell that is about 18 millimeters long is then inserted into the hole that is made in the tongue. Using a short barbell is avoided because it can get trapped inside the tongue if its swells around it. The initial 18 mm barbell is usually replaced with a shorter one if the tongue piercing does not get infected.

Running the Risks

While many people today find it attractive to get their tongue pierced, there are several health related risks involved in getting the tongue pierced, which include:

· Damage to teeth: Coming into contact with a tongue piercing can chip or crack the teeth ultimately causing the need for more extensive and expensive dental treatment

· Problems with eating: The presence of tongue jewelry makes it difficult for people to eat properly and digest their food properly

· Loss of sense of taste: Those who get their tongues pierced even end up losing some of their sense of taste.

· Problems speaking: A piercing in the tongue also makes it hard for people to speak and may make it hard for you to be understood

· Additionally, the gingival tissue can get injured, scar tissue can be formed and salivation can be increased because of the tongue piercing.

A tongue piercing can even cause life threatening adverse effects such as:

· Infections: The risk of infections is increased because of the bacteria present in the mouth and the fact it can stick to the piercing.

· Transmission of diseases: The transmission of organisms such as Hepatitis B, C, the herpes simplex virus, HIV, poses a potential life threatening risk factor when getting the tongue pierced.

· Airway obstruction: Severe swelling of the tongue can block the airway and make it difficult to breathe.

While you may think a tongue or lip piercing makes you cool, it doesn’t. It can also affect you for the rest of your life!

Check out our website @ http://www.LevineDental.com for more information or to schedule a consultation about your smile.