Medication Effects Dental Health

Senior citizens often present with a laundry list of medications, some of which have the effect of drying up the natural saliva flow in the mouth. A normal saliva flow is Mother Nature’s way of washing the cavity causing bacteria off the teeth. When saliva flow is diminished by medications, the cavity rate increases.

To help treat this symptom, seniors need to make a point of drinking a lot of water throughout the day to keep saliva flowing and bacteria from sticking to the surface of their teeth. Drinking a lot of water, combined with consistent brushing and flossing, can diminish the risk of developing cavities.

Gum Tissue Recession

The second dental concern for seniors is natural recession of the gums. This exposes the root surface of the teeth, which is a softer portion of the tooth due to a lack of enamel covering. The root surface is more difficult to keep clean much more susceptible to cavities. When all these conditions combine, it seems like it is impossible to stay ahead of the cavities.

The recession of gum tissue might also lead to tooth sensitivity, making it more difficult to consistently brush teeth and gums. Fortunately, there are many toothpastes that are specially made for sensitive teeth, along with fluoridated mouth rinses to help keep teeth clean. Dr. Morgan, a dentist in Newberg OR, may also recommend more long-term treatment in addition to good daily dental hygiene.

Importance of Daily Dental Hygiene

This form of tooth decay and accompanying gum disease is caused by the build up of bacteria through the sticky, yellow substance known as plaque. When not brushed and flossed away, this layer of plaque can harden into calculus or tartar, increasing a person’s risk of periodontal disease as well as resulting in cavities. It might seem surprising, but there are several reasons why seniors are especially susceptible to more cavities.

Prevention is the key with seniors. Regular check-ups and dental cleanings with Dr. Randy Morgan at Newberg Family Dental can help catch potential problems early. Fluoride toothpastes and electronic toothbrushes knock down the cavity causing plaque. Zylitol mints and silver nitrate applications are a new way of diminishing the population of cavity causing bacteria. All these techniques are geared at getting a tough to handle problem under control.

Family Dental Care Matters

About 15 years ago, a group of Oregon dentists conducted a groundbreaking study about babies and dental health in Klamath Falls, Oregon. Researchers found that by focusing on providing good dental health and resources to pregnant mothers-to-be, their babies were more healthy as well. Further research into prenatal dental care by local researchers has since confirmed their findings.

Babies and Dental Care

Dental cavities and gum disease are both caused by bacteria. If the mother, father, siblings or caregivers of a baby do not practice a regular routine of good daily dental hygiene, harmful bacteria can be easily passed on to the newborn baby. These bacteria become established in the baby’s mouth and the scene is set for long-term dental problems before the baby even develops teeth.

During the first six months of a baby’s life, there is no natural resistance. If bad bacteria are introduced, the resistance to these bacteria never forms. The baby grows up with limited resistance to these bacteria for the rest of his or her life.

Dental Care for Mom and Baby

It’s with these facts in mind that Dr. Randy Morgan and the team at Newberg Family Dental work hard to bring pregnant mothers and family members into the office. Providing each member of an unborn baby’s family with good foundational dental care only improves the dental health of both mother and baby.

To prepare for the baby’s arrival, Newberg Family Dental provides treatment for cavities and gum disease, as well as coaching for the new mother on good preventive care for the new baby. We have found this has dramatically reduced the level of dental problems in the children as they grow up, preserving a healthy, bright smile to last a lifetime!

Amalgam Fillings

The old standby for filling teeth has been silver amalgam fillings. Amalgam fillings have traditionally been used to treat teeth that show evidence of cavities in order to prevent the progression of decay. Known as “silver” fillings, they are actually made of a combination of durable metals, which have been used safely for over seventy years and generally cost less than composite fillings.

Amalgam fillings, while economical, require a larger section of the tooth be cut away in order for the filling to remain in place.  To place a filling in the tooth, Dr. Morgan had to think like a cabinet maker, cutting dovetails into the tooth to lock in the filling, since these dental fillings are not able to be bonded to teeth. Any time silver amalgam is used, the filling is larger.

Advantages of Tooth Colored Composite Fillings

Tooth colored composite fillings bond to the teeth, providing a natural-looking alternative to amalgam fillings. At first, these tooth colored composite restorations required cutting large holes in teeth in order to complete. However, the team at Newberg Family Dental soon realized that they could rely on the bonding ability of the composite material to help hold the filling in the tooth. Simply put, with these more conservative fillings, Dr. Morgan can keep the size of the cavity in the tooth minimized, which leaves the tooth stronger.

The Difference is Visible

At Newberg Family Dental, Dr. Morgan and his team can now place fillings in the mouth that are smaller and more conservative, which allows teeth to remain strong. In addition, patients keep more natural-looking smiles through the use of composite materials, as they can be made to match the natural color of surrounding teeth. Whether placed in the front or back of the mouth, tooth colored composite restorations are a welcome change!

At Newberg Family Dental, we get a lot of patients asking us about teeth whitening procedures. Should you do a professional whitening program designed by our dentist in Newberg, Oregon, or is an at home procedure better for you? There are important considerations to take in if you are planning on doing an at-home teeth whitening system. Here are the basics of what you should know before you whiten your teeth at home.

What Teeth Whitening Product is Best?

We recommend trays and strips, because they are the most effective at-home choices for the most dramatic whitening. These are “barrier methods” that whiten and keep the peroxide solution against the teeth for the longest amount of time. The reasons these products work so well is because it is a daily application, which can whiten teeth five or more shades. Most brands of trays and strips recommend you use them for around 30 minutes a day until you get to the desired shade (usually at least one week). For the most dazzling results, look for higher concentrations of peroxide combined with longer application times.

How Do At-Home Teeth Whiteners Work?

At-home tooth bleaching uses either hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide gel applied to the teeth using thin mouth guard type trays. Over the counter whitening strips that go over the front teeth can also be used. The peroxide agents penetrate into the porosities in the enamel and oxidize the stain deposits that build up on your teeth.

Why Does Tooth Discoloration Happen?

As a person ages, the teeth often become darker due to staining by foods (coffee, tea, or red wine), tobacco or bacterial pigments. Environmental factors can influence the color of teeth as well. Tetracycline antibiotics can also cause a gray staining of the teeth. Dental bleaching and teeth whitening can help to lighten the enamel and reverse the staining of the enamel. But as we discussed above at home treatments are usually safe and easy to use as well.  If you are planning on whitening your teeth make sure to avoid coffee, dark color foods and drinks. Anything that can stain the teeth will work against the whitening procedure.

Should I Whiten My Teeth at the Dentist Office?

The fit of the trays or strips for at home whitening kits sometimes stops some people from using them. Unlike a custom tray from the dentist’s office, disposable versions are made with generic molds that are designed for the average-size mouth. Well obviously there is no average one size fits all, so what ends up happening is common leaks of the peroxide solution through any gaps and this causes tooth and gum irritation. Whitening strips easily wrap around teeth but sometimes slip and slide.

The benefit of working with your Newberg Family Dental is the custom bleaching trays that are made for at-home use, and they can apply a masking gel or dam to protect gums during stronger, in-office treatments. You may also qualify for Newberg Family Dental’s Free Teeth Whitening for Life program, which will allow you to maintain a bright, healthy smile!

The earliest known written record about toothaches was found inscribed on a tablet in what was once the ancient city of Nineveh, located in modern day Iran. The tablet, referred to as The Legend of the Toothworm, blamed toothaches on tiny worms that burrowed inside of a person’s tooth. As peculiar as that theory may sound, ancient man also used to believe evil spirits or unbalanced humors (the ancient theory that the body was comprised of four fluids that determined a person’s health) caused toothaches.

While historians don’t know exactly when the tablet was inscribed, evidence does suggest that the world’s first known dentist, the Egyptian physician Hesi-Re, lived around 3000 B.C. The Papyrus Ebers, an ancient text historians believed written around 1500 B.C., reveals over 700 remedies used by ancient Egyptians to treat dental and medical problems, some of which date back to 3500 B.C. While most treatment methods required the use of herbs and incense to help easy tooth pain, evidence suggests that the ancient Egyptians had already developed the ability to create sets of false teeth by tying teeth together with gold wire.

Unlike what the evidence might suggest, ancient dentists were held to a high standard by government officials, much like dentists today. The Code of Hammurabi, the ancient law code enacted by the sixth king of Babylon, describes the dental profession as highly regulated by the central government, and even outlines penalties for malpractice or unsuccessful treatment.

As time went on, more theories and treatment methods for dental pain began to emerge. The famous Roman physician Archigenes believed tooth pain was caused by problems inside the tooth itself, and created a special drill designed to get inside the tooth. After drilling inside a patient’s tooth, Archigenes recommended filling the cavity with a mixture containing spikenard (a medicinal herb), roasted earthworms, and crushed spider eggs!

During the Middle Ages, monks and barbers (the same people cutting hair today) doubled as the local dentist, and used to hold tooth pulling shows (complete with jugglers and a stage) in the middle of the town square. Dentist during the Civil War used to fill teeth with a variety of metals, including silver, lead, gold, and even asbestos.

So the next time you begin to feel a little uncomfortable at the thought of scheduling your next dental appointment at Newberg Family Dental, just remember that Dr. Morgan’s professional staff has your comfort in mind, and that dentistry has come a long way since the days of spider eggs.

When should dental care start?

The most efficient dental care begins even before a baby’s first tooth appears. Many parents don’t realize but teeth actually begin to form in the second trimester of a pregnancy. At birth the baby already has 20 primary teeth, hidden inside the jaw.

After the baby is done feeding, run a damp washcloth over your baby’s gums to help prevent buildup of damaging bacteria. Eventually when your child has a few teeth showing, you can brush them with a child’s toothbrush or use gauze.

Help my Baby is teething!

Teething is inevitable and will happen to all babies. However, some experience more discomfort over others. The discomfort often occurs in the mouth and can cause your baby to become agitated and even irritable.  A trick we tell parents, to help ease the pain, is to rub a baby’s gums with a clean finger or wet soft washcloth. Don’t forget to give your baby regular oral cleanings after each meal. This will help establish good dental habits early on.

What role does nutrition play in healthy dental development?

It is a natural balance between healthy eating habits that will lead to healthy teeth. Many snacks that children eat that are processed and have added sugar can lead to the formation of cavities. Rather than picking the packaged crackers, cookies and cakes for a snack, choose nutritious foods such as fresh vegetables, low-fat yogurt and or low-fat cheese.

When should my child start flossing?

We get this question a lot, and a general rule is to start flossing your child’s teeth when the two teeth touch each other. As they learn good dental care hygiene from you, you can help them learn to floss. We recommend that you stay with them and floss together, in order to stress the importance of it. Make sure to use floss that doesn’t hurt their teeth and is comfortable on their gums.

What should I do if my child doesn’t want to brush their teeth?

Getting your child excited about brushing their truth isn’t always easy. But showing them the benefits and why we brush our teeth can go a long way.  You can get creative with how you show your child the importance of brushing teeth with an experiment. It can show your child how important brushing is in order to keep teeth strong, healthy and protected from acid attack.

Brush Your Teeth

When you brush your teeth use a soft toothbrush, or an electric toothbrush. You should brush at least twice a day for a minimum of 3 minutes. Ideally you brush your teeth 3 times a day after each meal. This will help prevent plaque build up from food particles that dig their way into your teeth.  By maintaining a healthy oral regimen you will feel more confident about your smile. Because when you take care of yourself you feel good.

Chew Gum

Chewing gum is a great way to get rid of plaque on your teeth. When we chew gum our mouths produce saliva, which helps remove unwanted left over food particles. Chewing gum is great to help reduce bad breath as well. Pick a flavor that you like and keep a pack in your desk, your glove department or purse.

Reduce Sugar Consumption

Limit the amount of added sugar you eat every day. This includes added sugar in teas, coffee and soft drinks. Many times we don’t even realize we are consuming sugar in our drinks. Reducing sweetened fruit juices and soda can drastically improve your smile. Plus when you consume less sugar you may decrease your likelihood to get cavities. Sugar can play a harmful role in tooth decay.

Maintain Regular Cleaning

Visiting your dentist every six months is one of the best ways to keep your smile looking bright.  This regular check up is one of the best methods to avoid any surprises down the road. Your Dentist can check for possible future problems and do a deep cleaning. This is affordable and easy to do.

Use Fluoride Rinse Method

Invest in a mouth rinse that helps prevent tooth decay and one that will also strengthen the outer enamel of your teeth. Brush your teeth thoroughly, and rinse vigorously for a clean healthy feeling.

Drink More Water

Drinking water is great for helping you get a bright smile because a lot of natural drinking water contains fluoride. The right amount of fluoride can prevent tooth decay by making your teeth stronger.  If your water does not contain fluoride there are supplements you can take, drinking bottled water or well water that contains little or no traces of fluoride is still good for your overall health. Drinking water after eating meals can help wash away food particles and prevent them from staying on your teeth.

If the wisdom teeth remain in the mouth, too often they are crowded at the back corner of the mouth and are difficult to reach with a tooth brush or floss. In these cases, cavities result and a decision is made whether to fill the cavity or extract the tooth.

If they are impacted, often times they will push forward on the second molars and create crowding and moving of the other teeth. They also may create an open avenue for bacteria to move down the back side of the second molars and periodontal disease destroys the bone supporting that tooth or decay. Research has also shown an increased risk of jaw fracture when the impacted wisdom teeth remain.

There are no easy answers. We dentists all love it when the wisdom teeth erupt into a healthy position. We wish they all did.

Twenty years ago, the only reliable choice to replace the tooth would have been with a bridge. The teeth on either side of the missing tooth are prepared for crowns and an impression is taken. Two weeks later, the lab returns the bridge, which is cemented in place.

Dental Bridge Pros:

• Relatively quick solution and lower cost than an implant

Dental Bridge Cons:

• More difficult to clean and therefore more prone to failure
• With a bridge it is often more difficult to obtain a good esthetic result

Dental Implant Pros:

With an implant the results are now very predictable. Success rates in the 90-95% range are the norm.

• Better esthetics and more natural appearance
• Easier to clean, therefore less prone to failure
• They look and feel like a natural tooth

Dental Implant Cons:

• More expensive and a longer procedure from start to finish
• Several months are required for healing and fabrication of the implant

So, which is best? Every case is different. Gather all the information available to make an informed choice.

Today’s composite fillings are a blend of plastic and glass particles (for strength), colored to blend with the teeth. The composite fillings can be bonded to the teeth for strength and are usually cured with a bright light for less than a minute until they are hardened. The bonding agents also help the fillings to achieve a better seal around their edges, which prevents leakage and future cavities. The composite filling materials can be polished to a high level, and when the color is matched correctly, will blend and virtually disappear in the surrounding tooth.

The composite fillings can be used to replace broken corners of teeth. The dental fillings are bonded, sculpted, shaped and polished for a completely natural appearance. The resulting repairs are a much more conservative and cost effective answer to a broken front tooth than placing a crown.

The most exciting use of these composite filling materials is in their use to replace silver fillings in the back teeth. The end result no longer has the darkened color from the old silver fillings and leaves a younger, more natural look.

Make an appointment to learn how our modern cosmetic dental care techniques will make your teeth look more natural … and with longer-lasting results!