Energy and Sports Drinks Associated with Tooth Erosion

High titratable acidity in energy drinks , and to a lesser extent in sports drinks is a significant predictor of enamel /tooth dissolution a study published in the May issue of General Dentistry . Researchers measured the effects of 13 sports drinks on the enamel of human teeth by immersing the teeth in the drink’s solution for 15 minutes followed by a 2 hour immersion in human saliva . They did this four times a day for 5 days and after each immersion they weighed the remaining tooth structure . This type of testing simulates the same exposure that a large proportion of American teens and young adults subject their teeth to on a regular basis when they drink one of these beverages every few hours . They found that repeated exposure to these dietary acids leave tooth enamel vulnerable to acid wear and erosion of healthy teeth occurs when these acids are left to contact these drinks over an exposed time .

Don't Be Too Sensitive !

Are Your Teeth Sensitive? Is a taste of ice cream or a sip of hot coffee sometimes a painful experience for you? Does brushing or flossing make you wince occasionally? If so, you may have a common problem called "sensitive teeth." What Causes Sensitive Teeth? Cavities and fractured teeth can cause sensitive teeth. But if your dentist has ruled these problems out, then worn tooth enamel, a cracked tooth or an exposed tooth root may be the cause. A layer of enamel, the strongest substance in the body, protects the crowns of healthy teeth. A layer called cementum protects the tooth root under the gum line. Underneath the enamel and the cementum is dentin, a part of the tooth that is less dense than enamel or cementum. The dentin contains microscopic tubules (small hollow tubes or canals). When the dentin loses its protective covering, the tubules allow heat and cold or acidic or sticky foods to stimulate the nerves and cells inside the tooth. This causes hypersensitivity and occasional discomfort. Fortunately, the irritation does not cause permanent damage to the pulp. Dentin may be exposed when gums recede. The result can be hypersensitivity near the gum line. Proper oral hygiene is the key to preventing gums from receding and causing sensitive-tooth pain. If you brush your teeth incorrectly or even over-brush, gum problems can result. Ask your dentist if you have any questions about your daily oral hygiene routine. Treating Sensitive Teeth Sensitive teeth can be treated. Your dentist may suggest that you try a desensitizing toothpaste, which contains compounds that help block transmission of sensation from the tooth surface to the nerve. Desensitizing toothpaste usually requires several applications before the sensitivity is reduced. When choosing toothpaste or any other dental care products, look for those that display the American Dental Association's Seal of Acceptance–your assurance that products have met ADA criteria for safety and effectiveness. If the desensitizing toothpaste does not ease your discomfort, your dentist may suggest in-office techniques. A fluoride gel, which strengthens tooth enamel and reduces the transmission of sensations, may be applied to the sensitive areas of the teeth. If receding gums cause the sensitivity, your dentist may use agents that bond to the tooth root to "seal" the sensitive teeth. The sealer usually is composed of a plastic material. In cases where hypersensitivity is severe and persistent and cannot be treated by other means, your dentist may recommend endodontic (root canal) treatment to eliminate the problem.

Oral Piercing

Piercing is becoming a more prevalent form of body art and self-expression in today’s society. However, oral piercings, which involve the tongue (the most common site), lips, cheeks, uvula or a combination of sites, have been implicated in a number of adverse oral and systemic conditions. Patients typically undergo piercing procedures without anesthetic. In tongue piercing, for example, a barbell-shaped piece of jewelry typically is placed to transverse the thickness of the tongue at the midline in its anterior one-third using a needle. Initially, a temporary device longer than the jewelry of choice is placed to accommodate postpiercing swelling. The free end of the barbell stem then is inserted into the hole in a ventral-dorsal direction. The recipient grasps the free end of the shank between the maxillary and mandibular anterior teeth and screws the ball onto the stem. The barbell also can be placed laterally, with the studs on the dorsolateral lingual surface. In the absence of complications, healing takes four to six weeks. Tongue splitting is considered by some to be a form of body art. The process literally splits a person's tongue into two pieces, creating a "forked" appearance. Reports in the public press indicate that various primitive techniques are used by lay people for splitting tongues. For example, without anesthesia, a scalpel may be used followed by a cauterizing pen, or fishing line may be threaded through the pierced tongue and pulled forward, severing the anterior aspect. Individuals regularly pull the two tongue pieces apart to maintain the split so it does not "heal" back together. Once healed, additional surgery may be required to repair the “split” should the individual decide reversal is desired. In lip or cheek piercing, jewelry position (usually a labrette) is determined primarily by aesthetics with consideration to where the jewelry will rest intraorally. Once position is determined, a cork is usually placed inside the mouth to support the tissue as it is pierced with a needle. The needle is inserted through the tissue and into the cork backing. The needle then is replaced with the labrette stud, and the disc backing is screwed into place. Healing time can range from weeks to months. Common symptoms following piercing and tongue splitting include: • pain, • swelling, • infection and • increased salivary flow. Potential complications of intraoral and perioral piercings are numerous, although available scientific literature is rather limited and consists mainly of case reports. Possible adverse outcomes secondary to oral piercing include increased salivary flow; gingival injury or recession; damage to teeth, restorations and fixed porcelain prostheses; interference with speech, mastication or deglutition; scar-tissue formation; and development of metal hypersensitivities. Because of the tongue’s vascular nature, prolonged bleeding can result if vessels are punctured during the piercing procedure. In addition, the technique for inserting tongue jewelry may abrade or fracture anterior dentition, and digital manipulation of the jewelry can significantly increase the potential for infection. Airway obstruction due to pronounced edema or aspiration of jewelry poses another risk, and aspirated or ingested jewelry could present a hazard to respiratory or digestive organs. In addition, oral ornaments can compromise dental diagnosis by obscuring anatomy and defects in x-rays. It also has been speculated that galvanic currents from stainless-steel oral jewelry in contact with other intraoral metals could result in pulpal sensitivity. The National Institutes of Health has identified piercing as a possible vector for bloodborne hepatitis (hepatitis B, C, D and G) transmission. Disease transmission (e.g., hepatitis B, tetanus, localized tuberculosis) has been associated with ear piercing, and cases of endocarditis have been linked to both nose and ear piercing. Secondary infection from oral piercing can be serious. A recent article in the British Dental Journal reported a case of Ludwig’s angina, a rapidly spreading cellulitis involving the submandibular, sublingual and submental fascial spaces bilaterally, that manifested four days after the 25-year-old patient had her tongue pierced. Intubation was necessary to secure the airway. When antibiotic therapy failed to resolve the condition, surgical intervention was required to remove the barbell-shaped jewelry and decompress the swelling in the floor of the mouth. Although reports describing the morbidity and mortality associated with tongue splitting are currently not available in the literature, the risk of complications secondary to surgical procedures is well known. Therefore, the Association recommends that its members discourage patients who request the procedure by educating them of the risks associated with this surgery. Because of its potential for numerous negative sequelae, the American Dental Association opposes the practice of intraoral/perioral piercing and tongue splitting .

Sore Jaw ? Check This Out !

Many adults suffer from chronic facial pain. Some common symptoms include pain in or around the ear, tenderness of the jaw, clicking or popping noises when opening the mouth, or headaches and neck pain. Two joints and several jaw muscles make it possible to open and close the mouth. They work together when you chew, speak or swallow. They include muscles and ligaments, as well as the jaw bone--the mandible (lower jaw) with two joints called the temporomandibular joints or “TMJ.” The TM joints are among the most complex joints in the body. Located on each side of the head, they work together to make many different movements, including a combination of rotating and gliding actions used when chewing and speaking. Several muscles also help open and close the mouth. They control the lower jaw (mandible) as it moves forward, backward, and side-to-side. Both TM joints are involved in these movements. Each TM joint has a disc between the ball and socket (see diagram). The disc cushions the load while enabling the jaw to open widely and rotate or glide. Any problem that prevents this complex system of muscles, ligaments, discs and bones from working properly may result in a painful TMJ disorder. Diagnosis & Treatment A dentist can help identify the source of the pain with a thorough exam and appropriate x-rays. Often, the pain may be from a sinus problem, a toothache or an early stage of periodontal disease. But for some types of pain, the cause is not easily diagnosed. The pain may be related to the facial muscles, the jaw or the TM joint. Some TM problems result from arthritis, dislocation or injury. All of these conditions can cause pain and dysfunction. Muscles that move the joints are also subject to injury and disease. Injuries to the jaw, head or neck, and diseases such as arthritis, might cause some TM problems. Other factors relating to the way the upper and lower teeth fit together (the bite) may cause some types of TM disorders. Stress and teeth grinding are also considered as possible factors. Diagnosis is an important step before treatment. Part of the dental examination includes checking the joints and muscles for tenderness, clicking, popping or difficulty moving. Your complete medical history may be reviewed, so it’s important to keep your dental office records up-to-date. Your dentist may take x-rays and may make a "cast" of your teeth to see how the upper and lower teeth fit together. Your dentist may also request specialized x-rays for the TM joints. Depending on the diagnosis, the dentist may refer you to a physician or another dentist. There are several treatments for TMJ disorders. They may include stress-reducing exercises, wearing a mouth protector to prevent teeth grinding, orthodontic treatment, medication or surgery. Treatment may involve a series of steps beginning with the most conservative options. In many cases, only minor, relatively non-invasive treatment may be needed to help reduce the pain.

Feeling Dry ? Here's Some Advise

Almost everyone’s mouth is dry sometimes. But if you feel like you have cotton in your mouth constantly, it may be time for treatment. Dry mouth, known medically as xerostomia, occurs when you don’t have enough saliva, or spit, in your mouth. Feeling stressed can trigger dry mouth temporarily. But a persistently dry mouth may signal an underlying disease or condition, so it’s important to see your doctor, says the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which regulates products that relieve dry mouth. And because dry mouth can lead to tooth decay, you should see your dentist, too, says John V. Kelsey, D.D.S., of FDA’s Division of Dermatology and Dental Products. Dry mouth may make it difficult to speak, chew, and swallow, and may alter the taste of your food. It can also cause a sore throat, hoarseness, and bad breath. Dry mouth can affect people of any age, but older people are especially vulnerable. “It’s not a normal consequence of aging,” says Kelsey. “Older people may take multiple medications that can cause dry mouth.” According to the Surgeon General's Report on Oral Health in America, dry mouth is a side effect of more than 400 prescription and over-the-counter drugs, such as antidepressants, antihistamines, muscle relaxants, and high blood pressure medicines. Other causes of dry mouth include: • cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy and radiation of the head or neck • hormone changes, such as those that occur during pregnancy or menopause • health problems, such as HIV/AIDS, diabetes, and Sjögren’s syndrome, a disease in which a person’s immune system attacks the body’s tissues, including moisture-producing glands • snoring or breathing open-mouthed The Role of Saliva Saliva is produced by three major glands in the mouth (salivary glands) and plays a key role in • chewing, swallowing, and digesting food • preventing infection in the mouth by controlling bacteria • preventing tooth decay “Saliva is mostly water, but it also contains enzymes and lubricants,” says Kelsey. “The enzymes help digest food and the lubricants make speaking, chewing, and swallowing more comfortable.” Saliva helps control bacteria, which cling to the surface of teeth. They feed on sugar in the food we eat and break down and use (metabolize) the sugar to grow. “A by-product of the metabolized sugar is acid, which starts to eat away at a tooth’s surface,” says Kelsey. Saliva neutralizes the acid and helps wash away food particles. If there is not enough saliva, cavities may occur. Dry Mouth Treatments Your doctor or dentist may recommend oral rinses and moisturizers, or prescribe an artificial saliva. Also called saliva substitutes, artificial salivas are regulated by FDA as medical devices. “Unlike drugs, artificial salivas have no chemical action,” says Susan Runner, D.D.S., chief of FDA’s dental devices branch. “Their action is mechanical. They moisten and lubricate the mouth but do not stimulate the salivary glands to make saliva.” While not a cure, artificial salivas can provide short-term relief of the symptoms of dry mouth. “They can also help minimize discomfort after an oral procedure,” says Runner. Artificial salivas come in a variety of forms, including rinses, sprays, swabs, gels, and tablets that dissolve in the mouth. Some are available by prescription only; others can be bought over-the-counter. FDA has also approved several prescription drugs to relieve dry mouth caused by certain medical treatments or conditions, such as Sjögren's syndrome and radiation for head or neck cancer. Advice for Consumers If you have persistent dry mouth: • Talk to your doctor, who may change your medications or adjust the doses. • Talk to your dentist and provide a list of the medicines you take as well as any medical conditions or treatments you’ve had. The American Dental Association recommends seeing your dentist at least twice a year. Tips for Relieving Dry Mouth • Sip water or sugarless drinks, or suck on ice chips. • Avoid irritants, such as alcohol, tobacco, and caffeine. Remember that caffeine is found in many sodas as well as in coffee and tea. • Chew sugar-free gum or suck on sugar-free candy. • Avoid salty or spicy foods, which may irritate the mouth. • Use a humidifier in your bedroom at night. • Consider using saliva substitutes.

More Men Affected by Oral Cancer Virus

The human papillomavirus (HPV) affects almost 15 million Americans , which represents 6.9% of adults and teens in the U.S., according to a Janurary 2012 Journal of the American Medical Association study . This study-from 6000 men and women between the ages of 14and 69 - found that men had a higher rate of HPV infection than women , at least by 6 % . Several strains of this incurable virus are linked to come cancers , and those infected with HPV 16 strain are about 14 times more likely to develop oral cancers than those without HPV infection . The study also led researchers to believe that HPV may be spread by kissing , and that patients who identified themselves as "sexually experienced" were more likely to have HPV than those who identified as "sexually inexperienced". In addition , the study also indicated that most oral HPV infections are sexually transmitted . The researchers found that this data is consisitent with transmission by other sexually-associated conduct such and deep throat kissing and oral sex practices.

Feeling Dry ? Read This !

Almost everyone’s mouth is dry sometimes. But if you feel like you have cotton in your mouth constantly, it may be time for treatment. Dry mouth, known medically as xerostomia, occurs when you don’t have enough saliva, or spit, in your mouth. Feeling stressed can trigger dry mouth temporarily. But a persistently dry mouth may signal an underlying disease or condition, so it’s important to see your doctor, says the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which regulates products that relieve dry mouth. And because dry mouth can lead to tooth decay, you should see your dentist, too, says John V. Kelsey, D.D.S., of FDA’s Division of Dermatology and Dental Products. Dry mouth may make it difficult to speak, chew, and swallow, and may alter the taste of your food. It can also cause a sore throat, hoarseness, and bad breath. Dry mouth can affect people of any age, but older people are especially vulnerable. “It’s not a normal consequence of aging,” says Kelsey. “Older people may take multiple medications that can cause dry mouth.” According to the Surgeon General's Report on Oral Health in America, dry mouth is a side effect of more than 400 prescription and over-the-counter drugs, such as antidepressants, antihistamines, muscle relaxants, and high blood pressure medicines. Other causes of dry mouth include: • cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy and radiation of the head or neck • hormone changes, such as those that occur during pregnancy or menopause • health problems, such as HIV/AIDS, diabetes, and Sjögren’s syndrome, a disease in which a person’s immune system attacks the body’s tissues, including moisture-producing glands • snoring or breathing open-mouthed back to top The Role of Saliva Saliva is produced by three major glands in the mouth (salivary glands) and plays a key role in • chewing, swallowing, and digesting food • preventing infection in the mouth by controlling bacteria • preventing tooth decay “Saliva is mostly water, but it also contains enzymes and lubricants,” says Kelsey. “The enzymes help digest food and the lubricants make speaking, chewing, and swallowing more comfortable.” Saliva helps control bacteria, which cling to the surface of teeth. They feed on sugar in the food we eat and break down and use (metabolize) the sugar to grow. “A by-product of the metabolized sugar is acid, which starts to eat away at a tooth’s surface,” says Kelsey. Saliva neutralizes the acid and helps wash away food particles. If there is not enough saliva, cavities may occur. Dry Mouth Treatments Your doctor or dentist may recommend oral rinses and moisturizers, or prescribe an artificial saliva. Also called saliva substitutes, artificial salivas are regulated by FDA as medical devices. “Unlike drugs, artificial salivas have no chemical action,” says Susan Runner, D.D.S., chief of FDA’s dental devices branch. “Their action is mechanical. They moisten and lubricate the mouth but do not stimulate the salivary glands to make saliva.” While not a cure, artificial salivas can provide short-term relief of the symptoms of dry mouth. “They can also help minimize discomfort after an oral procedure,” says Runner. Artificial salivas come in a variety of forms, including rinses, sprays, swabs, gels, and tablets that dissolve in the mouth. Some are available by prescription only; others can be bought over-the-counter. FDA has also approved several prescription drugs to relieve dry mouth caused by certain medical treatments or conditions, such as Sjögren's syndrome and radiation for head or neck cancer. Advice for Consumers If you have persistent dry mouth: • Talk to your doctor, who may change your medications or adjust the doses. • Talk to your dentist and provide a list of the medicines you take as well as any medical conditions or treatments you’ve had. The American Dental Association recommends seeing your dentist at least twice a year. Tips for Relieving Dry Mouth • Sip water or sugarless drinks, or suck on ice chips. • Avoid irritants, such as alcohol, tobacco, and caffeine. Remember that caffeine is found in many sodas as well as in coffee and tea. • Chew sugar-free gum or suck on sugar-free candy. • Avoid salty or spicy foods, which may irritate the mouth. • Use a humidifier in your bedroom at night. • Consider using saliva substitutes.