Oral Health of College Students

As college starts again this fall, I get to recover from the rush of students trying to squeeze their cleaning and check-ups in before they start the new semester. This caused me to reflect on the lectures I had been giving to these young adults. I came to the conclusion that during this time in their lives, my patients are under a lot of stress, not eating their best, and putting dental care on the back burner.

Then I saw this fantastic article that expressed my exact observations.

So I’ll share my advice with you:

During times of stress and lack of sleep there is a decrease in salivary flow as a part of the fight or flight system. This can increase your risk of cavities.

Stress also triggers the release of chemicals that cause inflammation that can lead to gingivitis.

Lack of healthy dietary choices will lead to more than the “freshman 15.” Soft drinks, energy drinks, coffee and sports drinks have a lot of sugar and are acidic. This contributes to cavities and erosion of the enamel.

Stress and lack of sleep will lead college students to drink alcohol and smoke tobacco to reduce anxiety.

Healthy choices can lead to good oral health. The following are some Free or Low-Cost Apps that address overall Health:

Courtesy of Dimensions of Dental Hygiene July 2014

Product Review: End Tufted Toothbrushes

This is my go-to brush for the difficult to reach areas around crowded teeth, crowns or bridges. Because it allows you to pin point the small, hard to reach places, the end tufted brush can remove the plaque that can be harmful to the gums or the restorations. Additionally, this is the perfect brush to clean orthodontic brackets and appliances.

Oil Pulling

Lately, the practice of oil pulling has been put in the spotlight by news media programs and the social networks. This has sparked a lot of questions from my patients. So, let me share what I know.

What is oil pulling?

Oil pulling is an ancient, traditional folk remedy that has been practiced for centuries in India and               southern Asia as a holistic technique.

(Singh A, Purohit B.  Tooth brushing, oil pulling and tissue regeneration: A review of holistic approaches to oral health.  J Ayurveda Integr Med.                     2011 Apr-Jun; 2(2): 64–68.  Available at: “http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3131773/; Accessed April 23, 2014.)

How do I practice oil pulling?

Place a tablespoon of edible oil (sesame, olive, sunflower, coconut) inside the mouth and swish, or                 pull, the oil through the teeth from 5-20 minutes.  

What is the benefit of oil pulling?

Oil pulling claims to enhance oral health, whiten teeth and enhance overall well being.

Does science or research support these claims?

            

“Based on the lack of currently available evidence, oil pulling is not recommended as a supplementary oral hygiene practice, and certainly not as a replacement for standard, time-tested oral health behaviors and modalities. The ADA recommends that patients follow a standard oral hygiene regimen that includes twice-daily tooth brushing with fluoride toothpaste and cleaning between teeth once a day with floss or another interdental cleaner.  Brushing with fluoride toothpaste and cleaning between teeth help prevent cavities and keep gums healthy.”

(ADA. “The Practice of Oil Pulling”)

Are there any side effects or risks associated with oil pulling?

Potential adverse health effects associated with oil pulling are lipoid pneumonia or mineral oil                         aspiration. In addition, cases of diarrhea or upset stomach have been reported.

(Kim JY, Jung JW, Choi JC, et al.  Recurrent lipoid pneumonia associated with oil pulling.  Int J Tuberc Lung Dis. 2014 Feb;18(2):251-2Bandla HP, Davis SH, Hopkins NE.  Lipoid pneumonia: a silent complication of mineral oil aspiration.; Pediatrics 103:2 1999 Feb pg. E1.  Available at: “http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/103/2/e19.abstract”.  Accessed April 24, 2014.)

Xylitol

Xylitol is a naturally occurring alcohol found in most plant material, including many fruits and vegetables. Xylitol is widely used as a sugar substitute and in "sugar-free" chewing gums, mints, and other candies.

Xylitol is added to some chewing gums and other oral care products to prevent cavities.

How does that work?

Xylitol, unlike sugar, is not converted in the mouth to acids that cause tooth decay. It reduces levels of decay-causing bacteria in saliva.

"When you use xylitol gum or mints, the acid attack that would otherwise last for over half an hour, is stopped. Because the bacteria in the mouth causing dental caries are unable to ferment xylitol in their metabolism, their growth is reduced. The number of acid-producing bacteria may fall as much as 90%. Since no acid is formed, the pH of saliva does not fall. Research has shown that the use of xylitol gum or mints also helps correct incipient damage to the enamel. Saliva in itself protects the mouth and teeth. Saliva containing xylitol is more alkaline than saliva that contains other sugar products. After taking xylitol products, the concentration of basic amino acids in saliva may rise. When pH is above 7, calcium and phosphate salts in saliva start to precipitate into those parts of enamel where they are lacking."

Visit Xlear, the xylitol experts, for more facts on xylitol or product information.

Hairy Tongue

This sounds (and looks) scary, but hairy tongue is really harmless.

Hairy tongue is a build-up of bacteria or yeast on the tongue that collects on overgrown taste buds. These overgrown taste buds can then be stained black occasionally.

You are at a higher risk to develop hairy tongue if you:

• have poor oral hygiene
• are dehydrated
• are using antibiotics 
• you smoke tobacco
• you use a Peroxide based mouthwash

What can be done if this happens to you?

Improve your home care. When you brush your teeth twice a day, also lightly brush your tongue or use a tongue scrapper.

Hygiene Basics: Floss a Bridge 101

Floss threaders are flexible plastic designed with a loop at the end to enable the floss to be threaded underneath a fixed bridge.

Step 1: Thread a piece of floss (14-16 inches long) through the loop, leaving one end twice as long as the other.

Step 2: Insert the non-looped end of the flosser between the gumline and the bridge.

Step 3: Gently pull the threader all the way through, leaving only the floss between the gum and bridge.

Step 4: Holding on the each of the floss, you can move the floss back and forth underneath the bridge. Be sure to floss all the way across the bridge, from where it starts to where it ends.

Step 5: Let go of one end of the floss and slowly and gently pull the floss from under the bridge.

Product Review: Mouth Guards

Since my last few posts have been on grinding your teeth and the wear of your teeth due to that grinding, I though I might want to say a word for the mouth guard.

Mouth guards, night guards or occlusal guards are designed to protect the teeth from chewing forces and/or sports injuries.

You can purchase ready-to-wear guards or guards that you boil and bite to shape to your teeth. But the highest standard to care is a custom fabricated guard that is adjusted by your dentist to address your specific problems.

One common complaint I have from patients is that their occlusal guard is cracking or wearing down. To this I say, "All of that wear and tear would have been to the teeth they had not been wearing the guard."

The occlusal guard is doing it's job. Especially if it looks like this:

Attrition

at·tri·tion n. A wearing away by friction or rubbing, such as the loss of tooth structure caused by abrasive foods or grinding of the teeth.

The American Heritage® Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2007, 2004 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. 

 

Bruxism (Teeth Grinding)

Most people are not even aware that they are clenching or grinding their teeth.

Some people grind their teeth only during sleep, while others grind or clench their teeth during the daytime as well.

People with bruxism can break dental fillings or damage their teeth. Rubbing the teeth together can cause the outer layers of enamel to wear away, resulting in tooth sensitivity. It will also cause TMD (jaw dysfunction), headaches and facial pain.

You may be grinding your teeth if you experience any of the following:

• Rhythmic contractions of the jaw muscles
• A grinding sound at night, which may disturb the sleep of someone who shares a bedroom with you
• A dull morning headache
• Jaw muscles that are tight or painful – This can make it uncomfortable, even painful, to open your mouth wide, especially in the morning
• Long-lasting pain in the face
• Damaged teeth, broken dental fillings and injured gums
• Painful jaw joint
• Swelling (occasionally) on the side of your lower jaw caused by clenching.

Diagnosis

If you experience any of these signs and symptoms, see your dentist. He or she can determine if you are a bruxer and how best to treat it.

Treatment

The treatment of bruxism varies depending on its cause:

·         Stress — If your bruxism is stress-related, your dentist or physician may recommend professional counseling or other strategies to help you relax. You may also be fitted for a custom-made bite plate. If this does not help, your dentist may refer you to an oral surgeon or to a dentist who has advanced training in head and neck pain.

• Dental problems — If your bruxism is related to tooth problems, your dentist probably will correct tooth alignment. The dentist also may make a mouth guard or bite splint that fits your mouth and teeth. This will help prevent further damage to the teeth. In some cases, it may help your teeth and muscles to realign. 

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