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Did Your Know?

Interesting Topics for Patients and Their Families

Do you did-your-know- that dry mouth causes cavities? If your water filter removes Fluoride? That digital X-rays have 80% less radiation? If diet sodas are OK for your teeth? Here are links to a wealth of information from reliable sources, including dental organizations, universities, and government health agencies.

HOT LINKS:

 


Remember the old rubber egg trick? Soak an egg in vinegar overnight - by morning, it still looks like an egg… a soft, rubbery egg. The acid dissolved the calcium in the eggshell, leaving a rubber egg!

acid

Acid also dissolves the enamel of your teeth. You wouldn't soak your teeth in soda overnight, but repeated exposure to acidic beverages can erode teeth. The neutralizing action of saliva may not be able to keep up.

How about this laboratory study?Teeth were soaked in various sodas for 2 days & enamel loss was measured. Look at Diet Coke & Root Beer, compared to the others.

What does Acid Erosion look like?

  • Yellowish color due to thin enamel
  • Transparent biting edges
  • Surface pits, not shiny, dull surface, brownish leathery roots.

So where does acid come from?

  • Soft drinks, even sugar-free ones. The full-sugar versions are worse. In laboratory tests, diet colas, noncarbonated root beer, and teas are safest.
  • Sports drinks cause 3-11 times more damage than colas, in lab tests.
  • Fruit juices have sugar and acid – not for baby bottles!
  • Acid reflux or Bulimia bathe the teeth in stomach acid.
  • Dry mouth problems reduce the saliva that washes away acid.

Prevention! Once enamel is gone, it's gone forever

  • Drink soda all at once, don't sip it slowly all day long.
  • Rinse, but don't brush for ½ hour after eating or drinking something acidic, so you don't wear away the weakened enamel.
  • Avoid lemon in hot tea or hot water, its just hot acid!
  • Calcium-fortified orange juice protects teeth, compared to regular O.J.
  • Don't suck hard candy, especially sour candies. As they dissolve, they wash your teeth with acid.
  • Fluoride and Calcium Pastes help harden enamel. Ask us!

Consumers often consider soft drinks to be harmless, believing that the only concern is sugar content. Many choose "diet" drinks to alleviate this concern. However, diet drinks contain phosphoric acid and/or citric acid and still cause dental erosion—though considerably less than their sugared counterparts."

Read the full article here. - from the Academy of General Dentistry Read more here: 

How Acid Reflux Disease Damages Teeth - from the Academy of General Dentistry

People with Heart Conditions Guidelines for People with Heart Conditions The complete guidelines, including the recommended regimen, can be found in: The Journal of the American Dental Association (JADA): Prevention of Infective Endocarditis: Guidelines from the American Heart Association

People with Total Joint Replacements Antibiotic prophylaxis guidelines for patients who have a total joint replacement were updated by the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS) in 2009. You can access the updated AAOS Information Statement here.

There are many reasons for bad breath. Mouth odor, also called halitosis, is a common condition and sometimes a source of embarrassment.

The risk of developing osteonecrosis in patients on oral bisphosphonate therapy appears to be very low. However, though the risk is small, currently millions of patients take these drugs. It is important to understand that the risk is much higher for cancer patients on IV bisphosphonate therapy than the risk for patients on oral bisphosphonate therapy. - from American Dental Association

Learn why teeth discolor and if whitening can help. - from California Dental Society and American Dental Society 

The majority of bottled waters on the market do not contain optimal levels (0.7-1.2 ppm) of fluoride. Some types of home water treatment systems can reduce the fluoride levels in water supplies. Click here to learn more about Home Water Treatment Systems. Click here for Facts About Bottled Water, from the American Dental Association.

More than 10 million Americans currently are affected by serious eating disorders, most commonly in teen and young adult women. After overeating, they try to undo the fact that they ate too much by forcing themselves to throw up." The stomach acid can seriously erode the backs and edges of the front teeth, but may not be visible to parents. Crowns often are necessary to protect the weakened teeth. Click here for more information & photographs from the American Dental Association. Click here for a Parents Tool Kit from the National Eating Disorders Association.

As with every form of cancer, prevention and early detection are essential. Oral Cancer, did-your-know-ing the Early Signs can Increase Survival - from the California Dental Association The Importance of Early Detection - from the American Dental Association ‘B' Sure to get your B9 to Lessen Risk of Oral Cancer - from the California Dental Association Advancements Made in Treating Mouth Cancer - from the California Dental Association Early Diagnosis of Oral Cancer Encouraged - from the California Dental Association Dental Calamities that Can Truly Hurt - from the New York Times Fighting Oral Cancer, by Looking for It - from the New York Times Researchers Find Protein Linked to Neck and Head Cancer - from the California Dental Association HPV Status may Determine Odds for Surviving Cancer - from the New York TImes A Vaccine to Prevent Oral Cancer?

400,000 Americans diagnosed with cancer each year may develop painful oral complications from their treatment. To help prevent, minimize and manage such problems, your dentist and oncologist can work together—before and during your cancer treatment. Click here to learn more.

CAVITIES, CARIES & TOOTH DECAY

Cavities are preventable and caused by certain types of bacteria (germs) that live in your mouth. Find out how to help prevent them - from the California Dental Association

Dental implants offer a way to have artificial teeth that look natural and feel secure. - from California Dental Association

DENTAL PLANS

Dental Benefits Figure more Prominently in Benefit Packages- from the California Dental Association

Replacing missing teeth benefits both your health and your appearance. Dentures can also combine with dental implants for a tighter fit, stronger bite, and often a smaller size. Why Dentures? - from the California Dental Association Denture FAQs - from the American Dental Association

Radiographs allow us to see hidden abnormalities, like tooth decay, infections and signs of gum disease, including changes in the bone and ligaments holding teeth in place, as well as some types of tumors. It's worth it!

X-Ray FAQs - from the American Dental Association

Why are X-rays Important? - from the California Dental Association

The DDS (Doctor of Dental Surgery) and DMD (Doctor of Dental Medicine) are awarded upon graduation from a U.S. dental school. The education and degrees are the same. Dr. Wagnild received a DDS degree from the University of Minnesota. Dr. Mueller received a DMD degree from the University of Kentucky.

Reduced saliva flow that results in a dry mouth is a common problem among older adults. Without adequate saliva to lubricate your mouth, wash away food, and neutralize the acids produced by plaque, extensive decay can occur. Click here to learn more. Oral Health for Seniors - from the California Dental Association Dry Mouth - from the American Dental Association Newly Developed Lozenge may Help Treat Xerostomia - from the California Dental Association

Saliva is like a bloodstream to the mouth. As does blood, saliva helps build and maintain the health of the soft and hard tissues. Click here to learn more.

Call our office (415) 956-5162. If you have notable pain or swelling when the office is closed, you can leave an emergency message with our VoiceMail. After hours, the telephone message will instruct you to PRESS 4, and Follow the Instructions. Leave a detailed message in this emergency mailbox, including your phone number and your Pharmacy phone number. Our telephone system will alert us of your emergency message.

Learn what to do now in case of a dental emergency later. There are simple steps and urgent timeframes that need to be kept in order to heal properly. Knocked Out, Moved, or Broken Teeth - from the California Dental Association

Floss your Way to a Healthier Mouth - from the California Dental Association

Bonded, tooth-colored fillings made directly in the mouth or in a laboratory.

Everyone can benefit from fluorides ability to help prevent tooth decay. Learn the products that provide fluoride and why it's good for your teeth. - from the California Dental Society

However, too much fluoride can cause white marks in developing teeth; so young children should use toothpaste without fluoride. Once the adult teeth have fully formed, even if they have not come in yet, white lines will not develop. Once children are able to brush their teeth without swallowing toothpaste, they can take advantage of the cavity-preventing effects of fluoride toothpaste. Until then, use baby toothpaste without fluoride.

"Like anything else, you can have too much of a good thing," said Dr. Howard Pollick, a professor at the University of California, San Francisco's dental school and spokesman for the American Dental Association. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced plans to lower the recommended level of fluoride in drinking water for the first time in nearly 50 years. (From the Associated Press)

The recommended level of fluoride in drinking water has been 0.7-1.2 parts per million. The new recommendation is the same as the lower level, 0.7 parts per million. San Francisco water is in the middle, at 1.0 parts per million.

Government to Recommend Less Fluoride - from the New York Times

Respiratory Diseases linked to status of Gum Health - from the California Dental Association Diet High in Fish and Nuts Can Protect Against Gum Disease - from the California Dental Association Evidence Backs Link Between Brain Diseases and Gum Inflammation - from the California Dental Association

HEART HEALTH

Jaw Injuries Resulting From Big Burgers in Taiwan - from the California Dental Association

Think Twice Before Signing up for That Medical Credit Card - from the New York Times

"Meth mouth" is a name for advanced tooth decay related to heavy methamphetamine use.  The extensive tooth decay is probably caused by a combination of drug-induced changes resulting in dry mouth and poor oral hygiene. Some reports have speculated that the acidity of the drug also damages teeth. This is a tragic epidemic. Click here for more information & photographs from the American Dental Association. Click here for more information from the California Dental Society.

Gap Between Teeth Linked to Tongue Piercings - from the California Dental Association

Mouth sores are annoying and painful and plenty of things can cause them - Cold sores (Herpes) can now be treated with just two prescription tablets, spaced 12 hours apart. Ask us, if you have this problem. You should have medication on hand, as there is a short window of time to start treatment. Click here for more information from the American Dental Association. Click here for more information from the Academy of General Dentistry: What are Cold Sores? Canker Sore or Cold Sore? Mouth Sores: Caused By Student Stress?

Podcasts Entertain, Inform Public on Oral Health - from the California Dental Association

Here are some answers to some of the most frequently asked dental health questions relating to pregnancy, infants, toddlers and children. (From California Dental Society)

Cavities are Contagious??? – New Information for Families! It is now recognized that mothers, or main caregivers, are the most common source of transmission of decay causing bacteria to their infants.

Pregnancy Pregnancy is a time to pay extra attention to your dental health. Some research suggests that serious gum disease (periodontal disease) is linked to premature birth and low birth weight.

Pregnancy and Oral Health FAQs from the American Dental Association

Pregnancy - from the California Dental Association

New Moms The key to a child's good dental health begins before his or her teeth become visible. Here are some answers to some of the most frequently asked dental health questions relating to pregnancy, infants, toddlers and children.

Here is some Information for moms and moms-to-be from the California Dental Association

Baby Teeth 

Baby Bottle Tooth Decay 

Here are some scary pictures of Baby Bottle Tooth Decay, and how to prevent it - from the American Dental Association

Children 

Veneers are thin, custom-made shells crafted of tooth-colored materials designed to cover the front side of teeth. You should did-your-know- that this is usually an irreversible process, because it's necessary to remove a small amount of enamel from your teeth to accommodate the shell. Click here to learn more.

When that Smile is too Perfect - from the New York Times

Receding gumline could be a sign of periodontal disease, the culprit in 70 percent of tooth loss cases for those over 40 years old. (From California Dental Society)

http://www.ada.org/sections/professionalResources/pdfs/patient_33.pdf Aggressive Tooth Brushing Tops the List of Causing Sensitive Teeth - from the California Dental Association Tressed Out: Redheads are More Sensitive to Pain - from the California Dental Association

Smile Tops List as most Attractive Physical Attribute - from the California Dental Association

They aren't mandatory in all sports, but maybe they should be. Losing is tough enough, be sure you don't lose a tooth!

Mouthguard FAQs - from the American Dental Association

White Wine has Similar Stain Effect as Red Wine - from the California Dental Association

It's called bruxism; and if the daily grind is wearing on you, you may find that you are more susceptible to it. - from California Dental Society

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