Surprising Oral Health Risks From Holiday Celebrations

Posted on Dec 05, 2016 by William J. Claiborne, DDS MS

The holiday season is a wonderful opportunity to enjoy friends, family and yummy indulgences. Rich food and alcoholic beverages are common features of these gatherings. However, you may be surprised to learn just how risky these gatherings can be when it comes to your smile. But, don’t despair. The precautions below can lower your risk for cavities, bad breath and gum disease.

Alcoholic beverages – Alcohol (including beer, wine and liquor) has a drying effect on oral tissues. Without sufficient saliva flow, oral bacteria is not being efficiently rinsed from the mouth. The more bacteria in your mouth, the more are there to reproduce. This leads to bad breath and can progress to gingivitis (an initial stage of gum disease).
When sugary mixers are added to alcohol, you increase your potential for developing cavities and gum disease even more. And, while wine may seem a healthier choice, it’s anything but smile-friendly. Red wine is known to stain teeth. Even white wine has a tint and can contribute to discoloration.
Wine is also highly acidic. When this acid mixes with digestive acids in the mouth (naturally produced each time you eat or drink), you get a one-two punch of acid that can erode tooth enamel. As a matter of fact, this acid level is so potent it can soften enamel in a mere ten minutes after that initial sip of wine.
The good news is that you CAN minimize the risks to your smile. First, ask for a glass of water along with your cocktail and take several swallows every 10-15 minutes. To dilute the acid’s intensity, allow the water to wash over your teeth before swallowing or swish with water in the restroom between drinks.

Hors d’ouevres – Cocktail party nibbling can go on for hours as you sample rich, holiday finger foods. These are often sugary or carbohydrate-laden. As mentioned prior, every time you eat or drink, your mouth undergoes an acid attack, which lasts for 20-30 minutes. This means that an acid onslaught began as soon as you bit into that first sugar cookie and will last for as long as you continue to indulge, plus another 20 or so minutes.
To minimize the acid in your mouth, try to consume those goodies in a brief amount of time rather than over the course of the evening. Rather than selecting sweet or starchy nibbles, look for fresh fruit or veggies. An added benefit when you forgo the Yule log and pretzels is that your waistline will be better off, too!

After the party, remember that eating and drinking puts your tooth enamel at risk for 20-30 minutes after your last bite or sip. That’s why it’s best to wait at least that long before brushing. When enamel is softened, the abrasiveness of toothpaste combined with the scrubbing action of a toothbrush can wear away precious enamel. Give the acid levels time to subside before heading to the sink. Tooth enamel, once worn away, is gone for good. Do everything you can to protect it to avoid costly, time-consuming problems in the future.

As you implement simple steps of caution, enjoy the holidays! Call 828-274-9440 to learn how you can enjoy a healthy mouth, fresher breath and prevent problems from occurring in the first place.

Men & Oral Well-Being

Posted on Oct 26, 2016 by William J. Claiborne, DDS MS

As a male, I’ve accepted the fact that there are certain things men don’t do as well as women. Actually, there is probably a long list! And, while some things like being slack when it comes to vacuuming and making the bed can be chalked up to ‘guys being guys,’ I know that other things are far more important; one of these being taking care of our oral hygiene.

Studies have shown that men, in general, are not doing a very good job when it comes to taking care of their mouths. It seems that men are less regular when it comes to caring for their oral health, less likely to have regular check-ups and neglect their oral health more often. Men are also less likely to visit the dentist when a problem does occur and tend to go only to resolve pain.

Males also brush their teeth less than twice a day, according to statistics. This leaves them means more likely to develop periodontal (gum) disease. On average, men will lose more than 5 teeth by the age of 72. Those who smoke will lose an average of 12 teeth by that age.

And, for men who wear a partial denture, they can expect higher levels of oral bacterial, which leads to greater challenges when it comes to preventing further tooth loss. This is because the material of a denture or partial that mimics the gums is porous. This provides a warm, dark and moist environment that is a perfect breeding ground for oral bacteria.

While many denture and partial wearers soak their appliance overnight, this merely delays the growth of oral bacteria, not halt it. The rapid reproduction of bacteria revs back up as soon as the appliance is back in a mouth that is already bacteria-laden.

For men with exposed tooth roots, this creates a higher risk for cavities. Aging, over-zealous brushing and a misaligned bite can cause gum tissue to pull away from teeth. Over time, the darker, more sensitive portions of the tooth are exposed. This area is actually  the root section of the tooth. While this detracts from the appearance of your smile, it also exposes a portion of the tooth that is more susceptible to bacteria. This can increase the risk for cavities.

Regardless of gender, adults who are on medications that have a drying effect on the mouth are more apt to have gum disease and cavities. Saliva removes oral bacteria and helps to reduce bacteria accumulation. When salivary flow is inadequate to keep the mouth well-rinsed, the risk for cavities increases. Dry mouth also increases your potential for bad breath.

Genetics on its own can leave both men and women more susceptible to the problems associated with oral bacteria. While all people have bacteria in their bodies, two kinds (referred to as SM and LB) are especially harmful to teeth. Those who have higher levels have a naturally greater risk for tooth decay.

It is important to maintain a good oral hygiene routine, whether male or female. At home, brush with a fluoride toothpaste twice daily, floss daily and be committed to your 6-month cleanings to avoid problems and catch those that arise early.

We want to help you avoid problems, which will save you time and money and help you avoid a life in dentures. Call (828) 274-9440 to schedule a consultation to begin.

Your Smile Is What You Eat

Posted on Oct 11, 2016 by William J. Claiborne, DDS MS

We are in a smile-risky time of year. October brings Halloween and its onslaught of sugar. November is filled with sweet and carbohydrate yummies like pecan pie and stuffing with gravy. December surrounds you with candy canes, sweet gifts from the kitchen and frequent nibbling at social gatherings.

Enjoying this time of year with friends and family is a healthy part of being socially active. However, some of these indulgences can put you at a higher risk for problems they can cause your smile.

Before you pop that piece of fudge into your mouth (even if it is Aunt Betty’s secret recipe!), be aware that some foods have greater potential to damage teeth and increase your risk for gum disease. These include:

• Wine: While wine is said to be good for you, how it is consumed creates a particular problem when it comes to your smile. Anytime you eat or drink, your mouth experiences an acid attack, a normal part of the digestive process. However, this acid is so potent that it can soften tooth enamel, leaving teeth vulnerable to decay. As most people do, sipping wine over a period of time simply draws out this acid bath. Add to that the acidity of wine and your smile gets a one-two punch for a higher risk of decay.

• Citrus & acidic foods and beverages: The acidity in citrus (oranges, lemons, grapefruit, etc.) can erode tooth enamel, leaving them more susceptible to decay. And, it’s not just tart-tasting fruits that have this risk. Foods with vinegar (pickles, salad dressings, etc.) and tomatoes or tomato-based foods (red pasta sauce, catsup, etc.) have an acidic effect on tooth enamel that heightens the risk of decay.

• Sugar & Carbs: The American population over-indulges in sweets and carbohydrates to an often unhealthy extent. Just look at the obesity rate in the U.S. (nearly 36% of adults) and it’s pretty clear this isn’t occurring from eating green beans and grilled fish. The problem for your smile is how oral bacteria are super-charged by these foods, boosting their ability to reproduce. And, since many of these foods stick to teeth longer, the potential for damage is much higher.

• Caffeine: Caffeine has a drying effect on oral tissues. A dry mouth means less saliva flow, which gives oral bacteria less opportunity to be rinsed from the mouth efficiently. This provides an environment where bacteria can breed and thrive. Caffeinated beverages include coffee, tea, colas, and many energy drinks. While not caffeinated, alcoholic beverages are also drying to oral tissues. Remember, oral bacteria is the source of the majority of problems in the mouth. The next time you feel your mouth is dry and your breath is bad (common companions), it’s because oral bacteria are running rampant.

• Snacking: As mentioned above, every time you eat or drink, an acid attack begins in the mouth. This means that when you sip your soda or nibble on a cookie, an acid attack occurs. When your mouth is experiencing frequent acid attacks during the day, it’s easy to see why the damage can place such high risks to tooth enamel and gum tissues.

Of course, I would never advise you to skip a glass of wine at a fun cocktail party or deny yourself a piece of Aunt Betty’s fudge. However, now that you know the foods that are most harmful to your smile and why, let a little voice in the back of your mind remind you, “Your smile is at risk.” This may help you to alter your choices so you can avoid costly and time-consuming repairs.

As you indulge during the holiday season, here are a few ways to lessen the impact of damaging foods and beverages:

   –  Don’t rush to brush: After eating or drinking, wait 20-30 minutes before brushing. This allows the acid attack in your mouth to subside so abrasion from your tooth brush or tooth paste won’t wear down tooth enamel.

   –  Rinse with water: After a cola or glass of wine, drink some water and let it wash over teeth before swallowing. Even better, swish with water in the bathroom.

   –  Combine sweets with meals: Rather than eat caramel popcorn or a pumpkin pie slice as a snack, indulge in these as dessert following your meal. Since your meal has already created an acid attack in your mouth, these yummies only prolong it a bit rather than trigger a new one.

   –  Brush, floss and have regular dental check-ups: Daily home care coupled with regular dental cleanings and exams are your best ways to prevent problems or to catch small ones before they require major repairs.

This holiday season, use these tips to save the time and money you may have needed for dental repairs. These will help you to maintain a confident, healthy smile that follows you far beyond this special time of year.

Five Easy Steps To Save Time & Money At The Dentist

Posted on Oct 03, 2016 by William J. Claiborne, DDS MS

The reason we change the filters in our home’s air vents is to keep our HVAC system operating efficiently and to avoid expensive repairs.

The reason we have our car’s oil changed on a regular basis is to ensure proper operation and to avoid major problems.

The reason we clean and bandage a cut is to prevent an infection from occurring, which could require the involvement of a doctor and prescription medications.

So, doesn’t it make perfect sense to spend just minutes each day to prevent dental problems from occurring that can be costly and time-consuming to repair?

Your oral health goes far beyond a confident smile. Over the years, extensive research has linked the bacteria of periodontal (gum) disease to heart attacks, stroke, high blood pressure, arthritis, diabetes, preterm babies and impotency.

Symptoms of periodontal disease include seeing blood while brushing, frequent bad breath, tender gums, gums that pull away from teeth and gum tissue that darkens from a healthy pink to red.

Oral bacteria can cause major destruction to teeth and gums, including tooth roots beneath the gum line. Once gum disease begins, it will only worsen without treatment. However, avoiding cavities and gum disease is nothing complicated. Quite frankly, it’s easy with a commitment to a thorough at-home regimen and regular dental check-ups.

Steps to help you avoid dental expenses include:

1). Brush twice a day for a minimum of two minutes using a soft bristle tooth brush and tooth paste with fluoride. At the end of brushing, brush your tongue to dislodge oral bacteria that are embedded there.

2).  Flossing can have a tremendous effect on controlling oral bacteria. Our hygienist can help you with your technique or you may wish to purchase an electronic flosser.

3). Drink plenty of water during the day and minimize colas, tea, coffee and energy drinks. These beverages contain high levels of caffeine, which has a drying affect on oral tissues. Also drying is smoking, which contains a lengthy list of toxic chemicals that are readily absorbed by moist gum tissues.

4). When eating citrus or acidic foods (including tomatoes, orange juice, wine and foods with vinegar), remember that these highly-acidic foods will mix with a digestive acid that’s produced in the mouth. This double-whammy of acid can soften tooth enamel for 20 – 30 minutes. Because brushing your teeth right after consuming these foods can wear down tooth enamel, wait 30 minutes after eating to brush. Rather, swish with water or chew sugarless gum during this time.

5). Sugar and carbohydrates give a super-boost to the reproduction of oral bacteria. Try to limit these foods and sugar-laden drinks to protect your smile and your waistline!

In addition to a thorough at-home routine, be committed to your 6-month exams and cleanings. These visits rid your smile of build-up that has occurred since your last appointment and catches problems while they are easy to treat.

Keep your money in your pocket by avoiding cavity repair and treatment for gum disease. Your smile AND your wallet will thank you!

Call 828-274-9440 for an appointment if you are experiencing any of the symptoms mentioned above.