Local Dental Care - Tooth Decay Front Teeth

Oral Disease: Talking To Children About Tobacco

Over the past several decades, the number of adult smokers has substantially declined, however, the number of youths who smoke has remained unchanged. More disturbing is the fact that the use of snuff (also called chewing or spit) tobacco has tripled.

Tobacco use is the largest avoidable cause of death and disability in the United States. A tobacco-related illness or condition is the cause of 25% of all deaths in the United States. On average, each smoker who dies would have lived another 15 years if he or she were a non-smoker.

Smoking causes or contributes to the following diseases and conditions:

• Lung cancer
• Laryngeal cancer
• Esophageal cancer
• Oral and oropharyngeal cancer
• Cervical cancer
• Bladder cancer
• Pancreas cancer
• Kidney cancer
• Heart disease
• Emphysema
• Chronic bronchitis
• Stroke
• Slows wound healing
• Slows illness recovery

More than 9,000 individuals die each year from oral and oropharyngeal cancer. The risk of having oral and oropharyngeal cancer is much greater among tobacco users. Over 90% of people with oral and oropharyngeal cancer are tobacco users. The mouths of tobacco users have more red and white patches and nodules, sores, and ulcers that could be oral and oropharyngeal cancer. Tobacco users also have a higher incidence of gum disease, coated tongue, cavities, wearing of teeth, and gum recession.

Also consider that about 3,000 children begin to smoke each day. Approximately 90% of new smokers begin before age 20, and children and adolescents who smoke become addicted faster than adults do. Nicotine, a drug found in all forms of tobacco, is very addictive.

Pregnant women who smoke have a higher risk of having an unhealthy baby than those who do not smoke. New mothers who smoke put their babies at risk for sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), poor lung development, asthma, and infections.

Tobacco use occurs in the form of cigarettes, cigars, or smokeless (spit) tobacco. Kids need to be educated about the harmful effects of tobacco. Bring up the subject of tobacco use. This can be done when you see or hear things about tobacco on TV, on advertisement billboards, t-shirts, hats, or in magazines. Explain that buying tobacco is a waste of money and that the tobacco companies target advertisements toward young people in order to hook another generation of tobacco users. Tell them tobacco kills about a half million people each year. More people die from tobacco-related illnesses than from car accidents, alcohol, AIDS, suicides, homicides, fires, and illegal drugs combined. Let kids know that tobacco use will stain teeth and dental fillings, cause their clothes and hair to smell, cause tooth decay, tooth loss, gum disease, bad breath, and will dull their sense of taste. Young people may be more receptive to the fact that their boyfriend or girlfriend may think they have bad breath or stained teeth than the number of deaths caused by tobacco use. Tobacco use does not improve athletic ability, increase popularity, or make one appear grown-up.

by Denise J. Fedele, DMD, MS

+Jim Du Molin is a leading Internet search expert helping individuals and families connect with the right dentist in their area. Visit his author page.

Pediatric Dentistry - Dental Care for Teens

Oral hygiene may be the last thing on the mind of an adolescent or teen. During these years, decay in between the teeth may occur for the first time and hormonal changes may create more inflammation of the gums. Here are some helpful hints from pediatric dentists to avoid some of the problems that may occur in the adolescent or teen.

• If brushing is a problem, try an electric toothbrush. This will clean the teeth more efficiently. When the twelve-year molars or wisdom teeth are erupting (coming in), use a toothbrush with a longer tuft of bristles at the end. This longer tuft of bristles will reach the newly erupting teeth that are at a lower level than the other teeth. Twelve-year molars should be sealed with a dental sealant by your family dentist as soon as they are fully erupted.
• Tartar or calculus usually occurs on the tongue side of the bottom incisors (front teeth). This is the result of food not being adequately brushed away. Some people have a tendency to form calculus and others do not. The end tuft is good for cleaning this area too.
• Use a fluoride mouth rinse (usually found in stores by the mouthwash) if one is having a problem with decay. The teeth should be brushed thoroughly before rinsing with the fluoride. It will not penetrate plaque. Use this at night just before going to bed. Do not rinse with water after using the fluoride rinse.
• Do not use a mouthwash with a high alcohol content on a daily basis. This practice could predispose one to oral cancer.
• The best cure for halitosis (bad breath) is to keep the mouth clean. Brush the roof of the mouth and the tongue. Tongue scrapers, which can be purchased in the toothbrush and toothpaste section of a store, are very helpful. A certain kind of bacteria may grow on the back of the tongue near the throat. These bacteria produce sulfide, a gas that causes halitosis. Large indentations in tonsils can catch food. If the food is not rinsed away, an odor may occur. Gargling with water may help to dislodge these food particles. A sinus infection with postnasal drip, dieting, or stomach problems could also be the cause of halitosis.
• If gums bleed with flossing, or the corners of the mouth are sore and cracking, a vitamin supplement may help. Try a multi-vitamin with meals.
• Bleeding with flossing may also mean one needs to floss more! Hormonal changes may cause gums to be red and swollen at certain times. Constant effort at keeping teeth clean is the best way to avoid bleeding and discomfort.
• Ulcers in the mouth (apthous ulcers) can be very painful. These may occur more often during orthodontic treatment, stress, or with trauma. There is no quick cure. One way to decrease the pain and shorten the duration of the ulcer is to use vitamin E. Pierce the end of a capsule of vitamin E and squeeze the vitamin over the ulcer. Do this often through the day and at bedtime.
• Soft drinks contain phosphoric acid and sugar. Try to drink through a straw and do not swish soft drinks through the teeth. Lemons are very acidic. Frequent sucking on lemons will erode (wear away) the enamel layer of teeth. Enamel will not grow back.
• Chewing tobacco should be completely avoided. There is a very high incidence of oral cancer with the use of any chewing tobacco.
• Chewing gum does stimulate the flow of saliva, and that is good for the teeth. But problems may occur with excessive gum chewing. The cusp tips of the molars are being worn away and decay is occurring in the teens. Once the enamel layer is worn down, the second layer is exposed. This layer, the dentin, decays easily. Chewing gum for more than three hours each day may result in discomfort or tenderness of the muscles in the jaws or popping or clicking in the joints of the jaws (temporomandibular joints or TMJ).
• Xylitol and sorbitol sweeteners in chewing gum have been shown to reduce the incidence of dental decay.
• Leaning the head on the palm of the hand continuously and crushing ice with the teeth has also been shown to result in TMJ symptoms and jaw muscle tenderness.
• Do not share water bottles. The herpes virus causes a cold sore and it is very contagious.
• The bacteria that cause tooth decay can also be spread from one person to another in the saliva.
• Change toothbrushes as soon as the bristles are frayed or bent. Bacteria and viruses grow on toothbrushes. Toothbrushes should be rinsed thoroughly before and after brushing. Change to a new toothbrush after an illness, especially strep. Reinfection can occur with a toothbrush that is covered with strep.
• Strep can also grow on acrylic orthodontic appliances. Clean them thoroughly during a strep infection.
• Mouth guards work. They should be worn for most sports. After orthodontic treatment is completed, or all of the permanent teeth (except the wisdom teeth) are erupted, a custom made mouth guard will provide the best protection. Have a dentist check the fit of the "boil-and-bite" mouth guard. A proper fit is very important. During orthodontic treatment, the orthodontist will recommend an appropriate mouth guard.
• The presence and position of wisdom teeth should be evaluated around fifteen years of age.
• And, finally … what teeth do you have to brush and floss? Only the ones you want to keep!

by Jane A. Soxman, DDS



+Jim Du Molin is a leading Internet search expert helping individuals and families connect with the right dentist in their area. Visit his author page.