Morgantown Dental Group

Original Article Published by: Academy of General Dentistry

In the United States, 20 million teeth are extracted each year.  The consequences of tooth loss can have devastating effects on overall health and self-esteem, yet fewer than 10 percent of patients seek information prior to the loss of a tooth.  Because of fear, lack of knowledge or finances, many people wait until pain sets in before seeking a solution.  By then, it is often too late.

Many people assume that tooth loss is an inevitable result of age.  However, most factors that contribute to tooth loss can be controlled much earlier in life.  Poor oral hygiene habits, such as not brushing and flossing daily, cause decay and gum disease that can ultimately lead to tooth loss.  Consuming foods and beverages that are high in sugar, carbohydrates and acid content can cause irreversible damage to the teeth and gums.  Bad habits such as smoking and chewing tobacco can also be culprits.  Overall, many people are simply not informed about how the process of losing a tooth begins and the traumatic consequences it can have on a person’s overall health and well-being.

Tooth Loss and Social Problems:
Tooth loss has physical, social and psychological consequences including physical pain, shifting of teeth, social embarrassment, anxiety, self-consciousness, speech problems and emotional pain and distress. The good news, though, is that these problems can be avoided by learning about tooth loss and talking to your general dentist  Visiting the dentist for cleanings twice a year and improving oral hygiene habits are steps you can take to prevent future problems from developing. In fact, ongoing advances in the field of dentistry have made it possible to retain our teeth well into our 70s, 80s or even 90s. If tooth loss is unavoidable, options for tooth replacement are available in the form of implants or dentures, which can effectively restore your smile and self-esteem.

Studies suggest that once a person has fewer than 28 natural teeth, their quality of life declines with each tooth loss. This correlation between oral and overall health gives us all the more reason to take care of our teeth. Maintaining a healthy mouth not only leads to a brighter smile, but it can also ward off heart attacks or strokes, assist in the management of blood glucose levels, potentially keep away some forms of cancer, and possibly help manage arthritis.  n the long run, there is more at stake than just your teeth and gums � a healthy smile leads to a healthier life.

Original Article Published by: Academy of General Dentistry

Some patients may experience tooth sensitivity when using tartar-control toothpaste, but the good news is that when they stop using the toothpaste, the sensitivity goes away.

“Dentists and hygienists often recommend that patients use tartar-control toothpaste, particularly after a cleaning, to help prevent the build-up of tartar, which can lead to gum disease,” says Academy of General Dentistry spokesperson William Kuttler, DDS. “But after using tartar-control toothpaste, about 10 to 20 percent of patients complain of tooth sensitivity, so we suggest they stop using it.”

“For those with tooth sensitivity, the recommendation is to avoid tartar-control toothpaste and use a regular fluoride toothpaste instead,” says Dr. Kuttler. “But for those who do not have sensitivity, tartar-control toothpaste tremendously reduces the build-up of tartar. However, check with your dentist. You may not need a tartar-control paste.”

Ingredients found in some whitening toothpastes can also result in tooth sensitivity, which affects approximately 40 million adults in the United States.

Original Article Published by: Academy of General Dentistry

It’s a common myth that senior citizens are destined to lose their teeth, reports the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD). There is no reason seniors cannot keep their teeth for a lifetime, since tooth loss is simply the result of an oral disease – not the aging process.

The elderly, who make up the fastest growing segment of the U.S. population, are healthier and have kept more of their natural teeth than prior generations. But there’s still room for improvement. Many seniors do not visit a dentist even once a year – one of the key preventive strategies in ensuring that teeth last a lifetime.

“Seniors often take long absences from seeing the dentist,” says AGD spokesperson Nick Russo, DDS. “Sometimes they stop caring as much because they’re not out in the public very much, and they think oral hygiene doesn’t matter.”

Family members should encourage seniors who are disabled or have trouble getting around to seek dental care, Dr. Russo says. Seniors planning to enter a nursing home should inquire about on-site dental care.

Regular dental visits are especially important for older people since many suffer from dry mouth, which slows down the flow of saliva. Saliva plays a major role in preventing tooth decay by rinsing away food particles and neutralizing harmful acids. Dry mouth often comes with old age, but can also be caused by medications like antihistamines, decongestants, antidepressants and diuretics. Dry mouth can often be treated by a dentist.

Along with regular dental visits, seniors should floss daily and brush twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste. They should also ask their dentist about fluoride rinses and gels, since studies show that seniors who brush regularly with fluoride toothpaste or use a fluoride rinse or gel regularly have fewer cavities. Seniors are most likely to get cavities where old fillings have chipped or where root surfaces are left unprotected by receding gums.

Other suggestions for keeping teeth for a lifetime: snack in moderation and avoid snacks with sugars and starches, and alert the dentist to any change in medication.

Following these preventive measures should help prevent seniors from having to wear dentures. But even seniors with no teeth still need to visit the dentist regularly, since many aspects of oral health, such as adjusting ill-fitting dentures and oral cancer screenings, can be handled at routine dental visits.