Tooth Scaling Lowers Risk for Heart and Stroke?

By AustinDentalSpa on January 12, 2012

Posted in Dentistry FAQ's, Oral Conditions, oral health

Professional dental cleanings may include tooth scaling, particularly when gingivitis has been diagnosed (the precursor to gum disease). Since 75% of the population has gingivitis, it is vital to have a professional exam, dental cleaning and possibly scaling when necessary, particularly following the results of a recent study.

Study results presented at the Scientific Session 2011 for the American Heart Association demonstrated that over 50,000 people who received professional cleaning with tooth scaling were nearly 25% less likely to have a heart attack and nearly 15% less likely to have a stroke over a seven year time period.

None of the participants had a history of heart attack or stroke at the beginning of the study. The lead presenter of the information remarked that professional tooth scaling appears to reduce inflammation-causing bacterial growth that can lead to heart disease or stroke. In addition, the type of periodontal disease predicts degree of risk for heart attack, stroke, and heart failure.

Other study results have supported this evidence. For example, there was a study involving nearly 8, 000 people who have periodontal disease. The results demonstrated that nearly 70% of those with fewer than 21 teeth had an increased risk for heart attack.

There is nothing that can replace the value of a professional dental cleaning when it comes to oral health. Professional dental cleanings prevent the need for more invasive dental treatment, reduce the risk of gum disease and tooth loss,  and may reduce the risk for certain diseases.  Both adults and children should have a professional dental cleaning at least twice a year and more often when prescribed. For example, people with gum disease may be advised to undergo a dental cleaning every three months.

In the end, it’s important to follow up on your dentist’s advice. Just think you may be lowering your risk for heart attack and stroke.

If you are interested in dentistry, contact Austin dentist Dr. Mark Sweeney for a consultation at 512-380-1300.

Xylitol! The Secret Is Out

By AustinDentalSpa on November 18, 2011

Posted in oral health

Dentistry has made many advancements. Xylitol has been making headlines in dentistry today for its powerful action to prevent cavities. Xylitol is a sugar substitute that is a five-carbon sugar alcohol traditionally found in some sugarless gums. It is an agent that has been known to reduce levels of the streptococci mutans (MS) bacteria that causes tooth decay. Now, new research results have come out through a clinical trial involving children between the ages of 6 months and 15 months who were given fruit flavored syrup containing xylitol to determine how xylitol can prevent tooth decay and dental cavities. The results of the research were remarkable.

Research results demonstrated that over 75% of the children did not have tooth decay by the end of the study when compared with over 45% of children that did not receive Xylitol. The Marshall Islands in the Pacific was the area where the children in the study were selected from because this area is known to have a very high cavity rate among children.

In 1963, The U.S. Food and Drug Administration deemed Xylitol safe. Today, it is available in sugarless chewing gum, lozenges and syrup. Today, Xylitol has become more widely known for its dental health benefits. Xylitol may an agent that becomes part of every type of candy one day. In the past, gummy bears posed an increased risk for tooth decay because of its sticky sugary substance that adheres to teeth. Now, you can find gummy bears containing Xylitol.  So, check your product labels and look for cavity preventing Xylitol!

If you are interested in dentistry, contact Austin dentist Dr. Mark Sweeney for a consultation at 512-380-1300.

Foods that Combat Tooth Decay and Ones to Stay Away From

By AustinDentalSpa on November 14, 2011

Posted in Oral Conditions, oral health

Tooth decay has been drastically reduced in recent years. Yet, it’s still important to be mindful that dental plaque is the top culprit that is a leading cause of tooth decay. Dental plaque forms very quickly in your mouth and releases acid that penetrates tooth enamel. When not properly addressed in a timely fashion, dental plaque can form calculus, tartar and tooth decay. This is one reason why it is important to brush your teeth twice a day for two minutes, floss once a day and use mouthwash at bedtime.   In addition, there are some foods that can support your goals to fend off dental plaque.

• Fiber-rich fruits and vegetables offer deep cleaning for your teeth and may remove debris caught between your teeth.
• Cheese, milk, plain yogurt, and other dairy products stimulate saliva flow and help strengthen weakened teeth.
• Tea, both green tea and black tea, help prevent unhealthy bacteria from growing and producing acid that is responsible for tooth decay.
• Licorice has been identified to limit the growth of the bacteria Streptococcus mutans which is a big contributor to dental plaque.

Stay Away Foods

• Candy, especially ones that remain in your mouth a long time, can adhere to your teeth because they are sugary and sticky. When candy remains on your teeth, sugar contents have time to churn out acid that is the cause for tooth decay. If you must have candy, try those that do not remain in the mouth long and brush your teeth afterwards.
• Breads and potato chips, including other complex carbohydrates, trigger bacteria to feed on the carbs. Too, complex carbohydrates are more likely than fruits and vegetables to get caught between your teeth, making those areas prone to cavities. Don’t forget to floss at least once a day to remove debris.
• Carbonated soft drinks and energy drinks contain tooth eroding phosphoric and citric acids that may lead to tooth decay. It’s best to use a straw when drinking these drinks and limit use as much as possible.
• Alcohol and certain medications dry out your mouth which inhibits saliva flow’s special deep cleaning action that would otherwise protect your teeth. If you must take this type of medication, ask your dentist about a prescription fluoride toothpaste, rinse or gel. You may also want to consider dry mouth sprays which are sold over-the-counter at your local pharmacy. Drink plenty of water as well.

If you are interested in dentistry, contact Austin dentist Dr. Mark Sweeney for a consultation at 512-380-1300.

Oral Bacteria and Heart Disease

By AustinDentalSpa on November 12, 2011

Posted in Oral Conditions, oral health

Oral health is a top priority for many Americans today. Oral bacteria is linked to heart disease and researchers have discovered more about this link recently. In the June issue of Infection and Immunity, a report published by microbiologists at the University of Rochester Medical Center demonstrated the means in which bacteria known as Streptococcus mutans is used to spread to the heart, causing a sometimes deadly infection called endocarditis. It is a protein that has been surmised to be responsible transporting Streptococcus mutans to the heart. Endocarditis is characterized by inflammation of heart valves, typically due to Streptococcus mutans infection.

The Streptococcus mutans bacterium has long been known to cause cavities.  It is this bacterium, found in dental plaque, which produces the acid that penetrates tooth enamel and creates tooth decay.  In many cases, the bacterium enters the bloodstream where it is typically abolished by the immune system. In other cases, the immune system does not destroy the bacterium and it colonizes in the heart’s tissue and valves causing endocarditis.  The results of this study offers hope for the development of a screening process that may one day be developed to identify people at risk of developing endocarditis.

For now, we know that the best way to reduce the risk of endocarditis is through proper oral hygiene. This includes brushing for two minutes in a small circular motion and along the gum line twice a day, flossing once a day, using a mouthwash at bedtime, as well as, limiting and using a straw for soft drinks. People prone to excessive plaque build-up may require additional professional dental cleanings throughout the year. People with gingivitis or gum disease may require root planing and scaling, as well as, bio film treatments available at Dr. Mark Sweeney’s office. Bio film treatment is focused on maintaining a healthy balance of good and bad bacteria in the oral cavity to prevent the progression of gum disease.  There are more advanced therapies available   for moderate to late stage gum disease.

If you are interested in dentistry, contact Austin dentist Dr. Mark Sweeney for a consultation at 512-380-1300.

Oral Health and the Days after Halloween

By AustinDentalSpa on October 28, 2011

Posted in oral health

Halloween and Oral Health

Halloween is a great tradition for children to enjoy with sweet treats. There are also dental traditions that tie in with Halloween. These solutions can be fun for your children to enjoy which will prevent damage from sweets. After all, sweets trigger the production of acid that can result in tooth decay.    So, let’s consider some healthy treats and ways to promote oral health in the days following Halloween.

Fun Food Choices

Select sugarless gum containing Xylitol for Halloween gift giving and for your children to chew on after eating Halloween treats because Xylitol and chewing stimulates saliva flow which is deep cleaning. Animal crackers might also be a wiser alternative treat when compared to sugar filled Halloween treats brought home by your children. You can also try creative meals to satisfy your children’s desires for the Halloween spirit. Try boiled eggs dressed like ghosts with black olive eyes and asparagus eyebrows and a haunted house made of cheese cubes to boost saliva flow and wash away food debris. It might also be fun to make Jell-O goblins using Halloween theme stencils.

Make Oral Health Entertaining

There are cartoon character toothbrushes and custom Halloween toothbrushes that can provide an entertaining experience for your children while tooth brushing. There are also Halloween tooth brush holders and flavored dental floss that may be enticing.  Having these helpful dental tools in your bathroom is a great surprise, making it a great time to reinforce proper brushing techniques. There are also special tablets, solutions and swabs that can be placed in your child’s mouth to reveal areas that have not been brushed properly so you can show your children how to improve. These tools are available at your local pharmacy.

Set Limits

Sticky candies and too many treats a day don’t keep your dentist away. It’s best to discard big lollipops and sticky candies that remain in your child’s mouth for a long period of time. Only allow your children to eat one treat a day. Have your children drink water and brush their teeth after eating sweets.

If you are interested in dentistry, contact Austin dentist Dr. Mark Sweeney for a consultation at 512-380-1300.

Poor Oral Health and the Drug Link

By AustinDentalSpa on September 3, 2011

Posted in Dentistry FAQ's, oral health

Poor oral health has been linked to illegal drug and alcohol use by a team of Boston University researchers. The researchers identified that opioid dependence over the course of a year’s time is linked to poor oral health. Reported in the Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, the investigation by the researchers noted that 60% of users of alcohol, stimulant, opioid and marijuana rated their oral health from poor to fair on a five point scale.

The end result of the study suggests that interdisciplinary care between drug rehabilitation centers, primary care physicians, any other medical professional involved with medical care and dentists is the way to go for people addicted to drugs.  Creating awareness about the link between poor oral health and drug use among health practitioners is a first step in the right direction for solving the oral health issues for alcohol and drug users. The second step is that oral health needs to be a consideration for alcohol and drug users.

So, if you have an alcohol or drug problem, see your dentist for a check-up to identify any oral health risks. Maintain two dental visits each year or more often when required.   Knowing your oral health risks and being proactive to reduce those risks is highly advantageous for people who use alcohol or drugs.   There are many rewards that may positively influence your life in several ways with proper care of your oral cavity and your body.

If you are interested in general dentistry or cosmetic dentistry, contact Dr. Mark Sweeney, an Austin Texas cosmetic dentist, for a consultation at 512-380-1300.

Oral Health for Seniors with Dementia Takes on a New Dimension

By AustinDentalSpa on July 7, 2011

Posted in oral health

Senior oral care has recently taken a turn for the better since nurses have learned about a new approach that resulted from a study involving a team of nurses and dementia patients.

Managing Oral Hygiene Using Threat Reduction (MOUTH) is the latest approach to oral health for people with dementia. This is great news for people with dementia who have more difficulty brushing their teeth which leads to poor oral health and consequently elevates the risk for periodontal diseases, pneumonia and cardiovascular disease.  Managing Oral Hygiene Using Threat Reduction (MOUTH) involves a multi-prong strategy that incorporates 15 techniques to reduce the risk of periodontal disease, pneumonia and cardiovascular disease linked to poor oral hygiene.

Senior oral health received a D grade report in the nationwide study of the State of Oral Health in America. It may be difficult for seniors to manage their oral health for numerous reasons. First, government aided dental care only offers tooth extraction in several states so seniors wait to receive dental care until finally the tooth must be extracted .Second, tooth brushing may be hindered with limited mobility of the hands or other extremities. Memory deficits are another reason for missing regular tooth brushing. People with dementia suffer from similar struggles.

Now, nurses caring for people with dementia can take charge by smiling at patients at an eye level to help maintain the patient’s concentration level, while guiding patients through a proper regimen for maximum oral hygiene.

If you are interested in general dentistry or cosmetic dentistry, contact Dr. Mark Sweeney, an Austin Texas cosmetic dentist, for a consultation at 512-380-1300.

Tooth Loss Related to Dementia

By AustinDentalSpa on May 4, 2011

Posted in gum disease, Oral Conditions, oral health

Tooth loss linked to dementia was the end result of a British Dental Health Foundation study involving over 4200 participants. Indeed, those participants who have lost teeth were at an increased risk of early stage dementia.  All participants were over 65 years of age and had undergone a dental evaluation and the psychological assessment used to determine dementia. In fact, the majority of participants who had tooth loss and dementia revealed that they rarely went to a dentist for professional dental cleanings and, in several cases they did not visit a dentist at all. Learn more about oral health!

Researchers contend that gum infections which can lead to tooth loss, can release inflammatory agents that can create brain inflammation which causes neuron death and consequential, memory loss. It is already known that the loss of sensory receptors linked to tooth loss also relates to the death of certain neurons in the brain. Gum infections are only one of the systematic illnesses that are linked to dementia. By the same token, gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss.

So, it’s best to follow a healthy oral health routine to reduce your risk of gum disease, tooth loss, and dementia. This includes: brushing your teeth twice a day for two minutes to remove plaque, dental flossing at least once a day, and semi- annual dental check-ups with professional dental cleaning. These check-ups may be required to occur more often if you have signs of gum disease.  Additional types of treatment may also be required, such as, root planning and scaling if you have gingivitis, the precursor for gum disease. Certain dentists offer biofilm treatment to reduce bacterial pathogens in the oral cavity.

Heart disease, strokes, diabetes, lung disease and low birth weight babies have also been linked to poor oral health. So, there are many reasons to preserve your oral health today! People with gum disease in Austin can benefit from Dr. Sweeney’s advanced treatments!

If you are interested in general dentistry or cosmetic dentistry, contact Dr. Mark Sweeney, an Austin Texas cosmetic dentist, for a consultation at 512-380-1300.

Children Dentistry Austin

By AustinDentalSpa on May 2, 2011

Posted in cosmetic dentistry, Dentistry FAQ's, oral health

Children dentistry in Austin is a primary concern, just as it is throughout the U.S. Dental cavities is the most common illness among children in the U.S. Knowing that dental cavities can be prevented, we’d like to take this opportunity to provide you with tips to help ensure that your children can be cavity free during school years. In fact, untreated dental cavities can lead to dental infections that may become life threatening at the most serious stage. Learn more about what you can do about children dentistry in Austin.

The First Dental Visit

Your child’s first dental visit should occur within six months after the first tooth erupts. This is usually by one year of age. During this visit, your dentist can provide helpful tips for your child to be able to maintain oral hygiene. They will also offer tips for diet and fluoride. Your dentist can also evaluate your child’s mouth for proper development and dental conditions, such as, thumb sucking. You can also be educated about injury prevention. Since the focus of the visit will be on prevention, this first time experience will likely be smooth, offering a great way for your child to be easily introduced to oral care and the dentist who will be assisting your child in the years to come.

Though baby teeth fall out, healthy baby teeth are important for proper development of permanent teeth, chewing, biting, and speech development. Baby teeth also direct where permanent teeth will be located in the mouth.

Follow Up Visits

Following the first dental visit, your dentist will set up a plan for follow up visits which usually occur every six months. The semi-annual follow ups visits will be used to continue to evaluate your child’s mouth and oral health. Your dentist will also continue to teach your child how to maintain oral health.  It’s much easier to treat small cavities instead of waiting until the decay is much larger. So, regular dental visits will keep your child on track for early detection if necessary.  Once your child’s molar teeth have erupted or other teeth that have deep groves, your dentist will be likely to recommend dental sealants. Dental sealants are clear protective coverings placed over teeth to reduce the risk of cavities in high risks teeth, such as those with deep grooves.

In the end, protecting your child’s teeth and proper teachings through your dentist sets your children up for success for their oral hygiene for years to come.

If you are interested in general dentistry or cosmetic dentistry, contact Dr. Mark Sweeney, an Austin Texas cosmetic dentist, for a consultation at 512-380-1300.

Pregnancy and Oral Health

By AustinDentalSpa on May 2, 2011

Posted in Dentistry FAQ's, gum disease, Oral Conditions, oral health

This is an alert for pregnant women who are at an increased risk for developing gingivitis(periodontal disease), pregnancy tumors, and mild to severe gingival enlargement, according to a recent report published in General Dentistry, a peer-reviewed journal of the Academy of General Dentistry.

In the olden days, pregnant women were not likely to go the dentist. There were concerns about the safety of dental procedures during pregnancy. However, today there has been more awareness created about the importance of oral health and the true safety of dental procedures during pregnancy. For example, if oral conditions are not treated during pregnancy, they can progress over time. So, let’s review some of the common oral health issues and the solutions for women who are pregnant.

Gingivitis: Gingivitis is the precursor for periodontal disease. Pregnant women are likely to experience some of the first signs of gingivitis, including: gum redness, inflammation, bleeding during brushing, and tooth movement. Fortunately, proper oral hygiene, such as, brushing twice a day for two minutes and flossing between your teeth, as well as, visiting your dentist for a professional dental cleaning will usually allow for resolution of the gingivitis within three to six months after you have your baby. Nip gum disease before it progresses!

Pregnancy Oral Tumors: Occurring in roughly 10% of pregnant women, painless red or purple benign tumors appear during pregnancy, but go away following delivery.  If these tumors become painful, bleed excessively or interfere with eating, dentists can remove them easily.

Gingival Enlargement: Enlarged gums are another condition that a very small number of pregnant women contend with.  In this case, excessive gums can be trimmed away in a virtually painless way with a laser.

If you are interested in general dentistry or cosmetic dentistry, contact Dr. Mark Sweeney, an Austin Texas cosmetic dentist, for a consultation at 512-380-1300.