Prevention and Disease Management for Older Adults( Article 2 of 4)

The rapid growth of population that is 65 and older will profoundly affect dental care in a number of ways.
Risk assessment for this vulnerable group  will help develop the most appropriate prevention plan and treatment strategy.

 Prevention:

Majority of older patients suffer from hyposalivation or Drymouth

Simple preventative remedies  to alleviate drymouth include-

Regular sips of water throughout the day
Limiting number of alcoholic beverages and beverages
Limiting beverages high in sugar and caffeine particularly sodas,juices and sweetened coffee and tea
Avoid spicy and salty foods
Caution using mouth washes containing alcohol
Using  salivary substitutes  such as Oralbalance gel, Biotene Moisturing spray, liquid mouthspray etc
.
In extreme cases, a salivary stimulant may be prescribed which does require consulting with patient's physician. 
Discussion with physician and or pharmacist regarding substitution of medicines causing dry mouth can also be an option.

Caries:
For patients with an increased risk of caries or dental decay, an oscillating tooth brush is best.  Automated toothbrushes remove more plaque than manual brushing alone. It is particularly helpful for patients with limited dexterity and arthritis.

Use floridated toothpaste daily and floride rinses
 Periodic topical application of 5% sodium floride varnish in severe cases of caries.
  This mode is inexpensive, non invasive and shown to reduce decay.

As the old adage goes " an ounce of prevention is worth more than a pound of...."

Visit www.mydentistchino.com or Call 909 627 6699 to contact our office. We are more than happy to help you with your question.

Sweet Tooth

Dental Health Benefits of Caffeine

Caffeinated drinks are not created equally and each one will have a different impact on a person’s teeth.

• Coffee: Drinking a steaming cup of Joe is a common ritual many Americans follow daily as a way to jump start the day and the great news is, the beverage has been scientifically proven to reduce the odds of developing cavities. That level of protection comes from one of coffee's main ingredients called Trigonelline. Trigonelline is an alkaloid that can negate the effects of acid that is produced as a byproduct of bacteria during their consumption of simple sugars. Consuming black coffee can neutralize the acids and reduce harmful levels of dental plaque.

• Black Tea: Throughout the world, the most popular caffeinated beverage is black tea and the drink is known for having naturally high levels of fluoride

.  

• Green Tea: Green tea is rich with antioxidants, polyphenols and catechins. The beverage has been proven to fight cancer, prevent heart disease and can improve oral health by fighting gum disease Japanese research has indicated that every one cup of unsweetened green tea consumed can naturally boost the body's response to periodontal bacteria inflammation.

"Drinking caffeinated beverages without any additives such as sugar, artificial sweetener or milk is the key component of reaping the dental benefits. Adding those ingredients may not only negate any health perks, but will contribute to dental disease." adds Dr. Cherukuri from her Chino California dental practice.

Dry Mouth

Dry mouth, also called xerostomia is the condition of not having enough saliva, or spit, to keep the mouth wet.  Dry mouth can happen to anyone occasionally—for example, when nervous or stressed.  However, when dry mouth persists, it can make chewing, eating, swallowing and even talking difficult.  Dry mouth also increases the risk for tooth decay because saliva helps keep harmful germs that cause cavities and other oral infections in check.

Causes

Dry mouth occurs when the salivary glands that make saliva don't work properly.  Many over-the-counter and prescription medicines, as well as diseases such as diabetes, Parkinson's disease and Sjogren's syndrome, can reduce saliva formation. .  Other causes of dry mouth include certain cancer treatments and damage to the glands' nerve system.  It's important to see your dentist or physician to find out why your mouth is dry.

Treatment

Depending on the cause of your dry mouth, your health care provider can recommend appropriate treatment. There are also self-care steps you can take to help ease dry mouth, such as drinking plenty of water, chewing sugarless gum, and avoiding tobacco and alcohol.  Good oral care at home and regular dental check-ups will help keep your mouth healthy.

“Frequent use of moistening rinses along with topical fluoride applications and increasing dental recare visits are preventative measures that greatly enhance oral health” says Dr. Cherukuri from her Chino, California  dentalpractice

Your Child's Teeth

Children's Oral Health Habits today will have an impact on their health as an adult.

Preventative Dental care has dramitically improved the oral health of many American children.  However, tooth deacy remains a serious public health problem and is the most common chronic disease that needs treatment to resolve.

Here are some simple steps to help your child enjoy a lifetime of beautiful smiles-

Prenatal care:
A balanced diet is critical for the proper development of an unborn child.  Teeth begin to form in the 2nd month of pregnancy and harden between the third and sixth month.  Adequate amounts of Vitamins A,C and D, protein, Calcium and Phosphorous help develop healthy teeth.

Birth to Six-
Primary(baby) teeth erupt during the first 3 years and are important in normal development for chewing, speaking, appearance  and hold the space in the jaws for the permanant teeth.  As the child grows, the jaws grow and make room for the larger permanant teeth that begin to erupt at age six.

-After each feeding, wipe baby's gums with a clean wet gauze or wash cloth
-Brush and floss your child's teeth until the child has developed the necessary skills
-Set a good example by cleaning your teeth every day.
-Set up a first dental visit within six months after the first tooth erupts for a well baby dental check up to assess child's risk of developing decay, evaluate and optimize floride exposure, assess growth and development of teeeth and jaws, assess oral habits, provide dietary conseling and clean teeth.

Six to Twelve-
At this stage, children begin to shed their 20 baby teeth to make room for the 32 permanent teeth.  The 1st permanent molars usually erupt at age six and are often called the six-year molars. They are specially important beacuse they help determine the shape of the lower face and also affect the health and position of the other teeth.
Professional Dental visits at this stage usually involve, application of sealants, assessing need for braces, hygeine and floride treatments. Often intervention at this stage can offset need for extensive dental treatment.

Optimal Oral health is an essential part of healthy living.

WWW.CHINOSMILES.COM  an oral health resource!!
 

Radiation Treatment and your Mouth

While radiaton helps treat cancer, it also causes some harmful side effects.

Radiation is used to kill cancer cells but it can also harm normal cells causing problems with the soft lining of the mouth, glands that make saliva (spit) and the jaw bones.  These side effects can hurt and make it hard to swallow, eat or talk. Infections are likely that may require scaling back or even  suspending cancer treatment says Dr. Cherukuri.

Radiation causes:

Dry mouth resulting in rampant decay

Loss of taste

Sore mouth and gums making swallowing, eating and talking difficult

Infections

Jaw stiffness

Jaw bone changes

Seeing your dentist ahead of the start of radiation can help prevent serious mouth problems. Most side effects in the mouth following radiation happen because a person's mouth is not healthy.  You need to see the dentist at least 2 weeks before the first radiation treatment.

• Keep the mouth moist-

                 Drink a lot of water
                 Suck ice chips
                 Use sugarless gum
                 Use saliva substitutes

• Brush teeth, gums and tongue with extra soft bristled tooth brush to avoid any injury
• Use fluoride tooth paste and other fluoride supplements
• Avoid mouthwashes with any alcohol content.
• Have ill fitting dentures adjusted.
• Choose soft, easy to swallow foods
• Take small bites and sip liquids with your meal.
• Avoid crunchy, spicy, sugary and highly acidic foods that can aggravate your mouth.
• Avoid tobacco products
• Avoid alcoholic drinks.

For questions of this blog or for  a complimentary office consult,  call 909 627-6699 or visit our website www.chinosmiles.com


 

Cavity Prevention Update!

Sugar- Free polyol Gum, Lozenges, Hard Candy including xylitol and Non Fluoride prescription varnishes like chlorhexidine help prevent cavities -is the latest recommendation of a multi-disciplinary expert panel convened by ADA's Council on Scientific Affairs