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Soda or Pop? It's Teeth Trouble by Any Name

It's called "pop" in the Midwest and most of Canada. It's "soda" in the Northeast. And it goes by a well-known brand name in much of the South. People across North America use different words to identify a sugary, carbonated soft drink. But however they say it, they're talking about something that can cause serious oral health problems.
Soft drinks have emerged as one of the most significant dietary sources of tooth decay, affecting people of all ages. Acids and acidic sugar byproducts in soft drinks soften tooth enamel, contributing to the formation of cavities. In extreme cases, softer enamel combined with improper brushing, grinding of the teeth or other conditions can lead to tooth loss.
Sugar-free drinks, which account for only 14 percent of all soft drink consumption, are less harmful¹. However, they are acidic and potentially can still cause problems.
We're Drinking More and More
Soft drink consumption in the United States has increased dramatically across all demographic groups, especially among children and teenagers. The problem is so severe that health authorities such as the American Academy of Pediatrics have begun sounding the alarm about the dangers.
How many school age children drink soft drinks? Estimates range from one in two to more than four in five consuming at least one soft drink a day. At least one in five kids consumes a minimum of four servings a day.²
Some teenagers drink as many as 12 soft drinks a day³.
Larger serving sizes make the problem worse. From 6.5 ounces in the 1950s, the typical soft drink had grown to up to 20 ounces by the 1990s.
Children and adolescents aren't the only people at risk. Long-term consumption of soft drinks has a cumulative effect on tooth enamel. As people live longer, more will be likely to experience problems.
What to Do
Children, adolescents and adults can all benefit from reducing the number of soft drinks they consume, as well as from available oral care therapies. Here are some steps you can take:

• Substitute different drinks: Stock the refrigerator with beverages containing less sugar and acid such as water, milk and 100 percent fruit juice. Drink them yourself and encourage your kids to do the same.
• Rinse with water: After consuming a soft drink, flush your mouth with water to remove vestiges of the drink that can prolong exposure of tooth enamel to acids.
• Use fluoride toothpaste and mouth rinse: Fluoride reduces cavities and strengthens tooth enamel, so brush with a fluoride-containing toothpaste such as Colgate® Total®. Rinsing with a fluoride mouthwash also can help. Your dentist can recommend an over-the-counter mouthwash or prescribe a stronger one depending on the severity of the condition. He or she also can prescribe a higher fluoride toothpaste.
• Get professionally applied fluoride treatment: Your dental hygienist can apply fluoride in the form of a foam, gel or rinse.

Soft drinks are hard on your teeth. By reducing the amount you drink, practicing good oral hygiene, and seeking help from your dentist and hygienist, you can counteract their effect and enjoy better oral health.
¹Harnack L, Stang J, Story M. Soft drink consumption among US children and adolescents: Nutritional consequences. Journal of the American Dietetic Association 1999;99:436-444.
²Gleason P, Suitor C. Childrens diets in the mid 1990s: Dietary intake and its relationship with school meal participation. Alexandria, VA: US Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service, Office of Analysis, Nutrition and Evaluation;2001.
³Brimacombe C. The effect of extensive consumption of soda pop on the permanent dentition: A case report. Northwest Dentistry 2001;80:23-25.

For more info on this article visit Colgate: Oral & Dental Health Resource Center
As always, check out our website @ http://www.lpdentalcare.com/

Understanding Teeth Sensitivity

What is it?
Tooth sensitivity is something that affects a number of people. It is often caused by eating or drinking something hot, cold, sweet or acidic. Under normal conditions, the underlying dentin of the tooth (the layer that immediately surrounds the nerve) is covered by the enamel in the tooth crown, and the gums that surround the tooth. Over time, the enamel covering can get thinner, thus providing less protection. The gums can also recede over time, exposing the underlying root surface dentin.
The dentin contains a large numbers of pores or tubes that run from the outside of the tooth to the nerve in the center. When the dentin is exposed, these tubes can be stimulated by changes in temperature or certain foods. Here is an image of what the dentin tubes look like under the microscope:

What causes it?
Exposure of the dentin can occur due to a number of factors. Some of the more common reasons are:

• Gum recession due to age or improper tooth brushing
• Acidic beverages (such as soda) that cause enamel erosion and dentin exposure
• Tooth grinding – this may actually cause most or all of the teeth to feel sensitive
• Brushing with a very abrasive toothpaste, brushing incorrectly and/or brushing more than three times a day could result in a loss of enamel
• Gum disease, which can result in gum recession
• A chipped or fractured tooth may expose the dentin

In addition, some dental treatments can cause sensitivity. Treatments such as such as teeth whitening, professional dental cleanings, having braces put on or getting a filling placed have been known to cause sensitivity during or after the procedure.
What can I do about it?
The first step in doing something about dental sensitivity is to find out what the cause is – a dental professional can help you with this. If the sensitivity is due to exposed dentin, there are a number of steps you can take, as can your dental professional, to help reduce the sensitivity. These can include:

• Using a very soft bristle tooth brush
• Brushing correctly to help prevent abrasion of the enamel and recession of the gums
• Using a toothpaste specially formulated to help reduce sensitivity
• The dental professional can:
  • Apply a fluoride varnish on the sensitive areas to help strengthen the tooth
  • Prescribe a high fluoride tooth paste to use every day
  • Place a dental restoration to build up the areas that have lost enamel

In the end, whether you need an in-office procedure or over-the-counter products, the most important step is to see a dental professional so that he or she can determine the cause of the tooth sensitivity and help you find a solution that will work.

As always, visit http://www.lakepointedentalecare.com/ to see how we can help.

For more on this article visit: http://www.colgate.com/app/CP/US/EN/OC/Information/Video-Library/Understanding-Tooth-Sensitivity.cvsp

Oral DNA Testing: Our next step in comprehensive care

The OraRisk^® HPV Salivary Diagnostic Test

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is one of the most common virus groups in the world. According to the Centers for Disease Control, at least 20 million people in the United States are infected with HPV and there are approximately 6 million new cases
each year.
Oral HPV is a manifestation of the HPV virus in the mouth, and is primarily found in the oropharyngeal complex. Specific types of oral HPV are now considered to be separate and serious risk factor for developing oral cancers. Early detection and identification of the presence or absence of oral HPV is important, as early oral HPV infections do not typically cause any clinical signs or symptoms.
The OraRisk^® HPV test is a non-invasive, easy-to-use screening tool to identify the type(s) of oral HPV, a mucosal viral infection that could potentially lead to oral cancer. OraRisk^® HPV enables the clinician to establish increased risk for oral cancer and determine appropriate referral and monitoring conditions.

Who should be tested?

• Patients with traditional risk factors for oral cancer
• Patients who are sexually active
• Patients with signs and symptoms of oral cancer
• Patients with suspicious oral lesions

The OraRisk^® HPV test is quickly and easily administered chairside, and takes about a minute to complete. Here’s the process:

1. Patient vigorously swishes and gargles a sterile saline solution for 30 seconds
2. Patient expectorates into funneled collection tube
3. Funnel is removed, cap is secured to top of collection tube
4. Includes standard FedEx^® overnight shipping to OralDNA^® Labs for DNA-PCR analysis
5. E-mail notification is sent to clinician when electronic result report is available

MyPerioPath^®

The MyPerioPath^® salivary diagnostic test identifies the type and concentration of specific perio-pathogenic bacteria that are known to cause periodontal disease. MyPerioPath^® helps support the clinician with better risk assessment and personalized treatment options for more predictable outcomes.

Who should be tested?

• Patients presenting with signs and symptoms of a periodontal infection
• Patients with pockets of 4mm or greater with clinical signs of a periodontal infection
• Patients presenting chronic periodontal disease who are not responding positively to their current treatment
• Patients with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes
• Patients with a history of cardiovascular disease
• Patients who use tobacco products
• Patients who will undergo surgical procedures or radiation treatment
• Can be used for establishing a “baseline” for any patient who may be at increased risk for periodontal infections
• Patients who test positive for genetic susceptibility with the MyPerioID^® PST^® test
• Women of childbearing age 

The MyPerioPath^® test is quickly and easily administered chairside, and takes about a minute to complete. Here’s
the process:

1. Patient swishes a sterile saline solution for 30 seconds
2. Patient expectorates into funneled collection tube
3. Funnel is removed, cap is secured to top of collection tube
4. Samples are sent via pre-paid FedEx^® envelope to OralDNA^® Labs for DNA-PCR analysis
5. E-mail notification is sent to clinician when electronic result report is available

MyPerioID^® PST^®

The MyPerioID^® PST^® test identifies individual genetic susceptibility to periodontal disease and enables the clinician to establish which patients are at increased risk for more severe periodontal infections due to an exaggerated immune response.

Who should be tested?

• Patients with a family history of periodontal disease
• Patients with compromised immune systems
• Patients that have received therapy but continue with disease activity
• Patients that will receive implants and have lost teeth to periodontal disease
• Adolescent patients

The MyPerioID^® PST^® test is quickly and easily administered chairside, and takes about a minute to complete. Here’s the process:

1. Patient swishes a sterile saline solution for 30 seconds
2. Patient expectorates into funneled collection tube
3. Funnel is removed, cap is secured to top of collection tube
4. Samples are sent via pre-paid FedEx^® envelope to OralDNA^® Labs for DNA-PCR analysis
5. E-mail notification is sent to clinician when electronic result report is available

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TMJ & Facial Pain

Overview

Many adults suffer from chronic facial pain. Some common symptoms include pain in or around the ear, tenderness of the jaw, clicking or popping noises when opening the mouth, or headaches and neck pain.

Two joints and several jaw muscles make it possible to open and close the mouth. They work together when you chew, speak or swallow. They include muscles and ligaments, as well as the jaw bone--the mandible (lower jaw) with two joints called the temporomandibular joints or “TMJ.”

The TM joints are among the most complex joints in the body. Located on each side of the head, they work together to make many different movements, including a combination of rotating and gliding actions used when chewing and speaking.

Several muscles also help open and close the mouth. They control the lower jaw (mandible) as it moves forward, backward, and side-to-side. Both TM joints are involved in these movements. Each TM joint has a disc between the ball and socket (see diagram). The disc cushions the load while enabling the jaw to open widely and rotate or glide. Any problem that prevents this complex system of muscles, ligaments, discs and bones from working properly may result in a painful TMJ disorder.

Diagnosis & Treatment

A dentist can help identify the source of the pain with a thorough exam and appropriate x-rays. Often, the pain may be from a sinus problem, a toothache or an early stage of periodontal disease. But for some types of pain, the cause is not easily diagnosed. The pain may be related to the facial muscles, the jaw or the TM joint.

Some TM problems result from arthritis, dislocation or injury. All of these conditions can cause pain and dysfunction. Muscles that move the joints are also subject to injury and disease. Injuries to the jaw, head or neck, and diseases such as arthritis, might cause some TM problems. Other factors relating to the way the upper and lower teeth fit together (the bite) may cause some types of TM disorders. Stress and teeth grinding are also considered as possible factors.

Diagnosis is an important step before treatment. Part of the dental examination includes checking the joints and muscles for tenderness, clicking, popping or difficulty moving. Your complete medical history may be reviewed, so it’s important to keep your dental office records up-to-date. Your dentist may take x-rays and may make a "cast" of your teeth to see how the upper and lower teeth fit together. Your dentist may also request specialized x-rays for the TM joints. Depending on the diagnosis, the dentist may refer you to a physician or another dentist.

There are several treatments for TMJ disorders. They may include stress-reducing exercises, wearing a mouth protector to prevent teeth grinding, orthodontic treatment, medication or surgery. Treatment may involve a series of steps beginning with the most conservative options. In many cases, only minor, relatively non-invasive treatment may be needed to help reduce the pain.

See how we can help at www.lakepointedentalcare.com
For more info on this article visit http://www.ada.org/5091.aspx?currentTab=1

Things To Consider When Choosing A Toothpaste

Types Of Toothpaste

These days, you may feel overwhelmed by the types of toothpaste available at your grocery store or pharmacy. Just remember: The best toothpaste for you is the one you like well enough to use every day.
Of course, you can buy a few different types for variety, or to suit the tastes and needs of your family members. Today, there are toothpastes to meet the oral care needs of virtually everybody, and you can’t really go wrong with any toothpaste that has the seal of the American Dental Association.

That said, some toothpastes do offer specific benefits in addition to cleaning teeth. Some specialty types of toothpaste include:

- Antimicrobial.
Antimicrobial toothpastes may contain stannous fluoride, an antibacterial agent that also provides anti-cavity and sensitivity benefits.

- Tartar control.
Tartar-control toothpastes may contain sodium pyrophosphate which helps to keep tartar from forming on teeth or better yet, sodium hexametaphosphate, which helps prevent tartar and stain, above the gum line. But if you already have stubborn tartar, tartar control toothpaste won’t remove it-you’ll need a professional cleaning from your dental hygienist.

- Whitening.
Whitening toothpastes contain chemical or abrasive ingredients to help remove and/or prevent stains from forming on the teeth. When used regularly, whitening toothpastes can reduce the appearance of stains and make your teeth look whiter.

For more info visit: http://www.oralb.com/topics/choosing-a-toothpaste.aspx
Check out our website for details on at home care www.lakepointedentalcare.com