Our understanding of the role that various vitamins and minerals play in the body is still growing, even as related to well-known vitamins like vitamin D. We all know how important it is to get dairy in our diets, especially for building strong teeth and bones. While our oral health gets a mention in this, our teeth aren’t the only thing that benefits from receiving an abundance of vitamin D. Our gums are one of the major beneficiaries of getting enough of this essential nutrient, and it has demonstrated the ability to combat periodontal disease. This condition stands as one of the most frequent causes of tooth loss in adults.
Most of us are familiar with gingivitis, the most basic form of gum disease that affects over 90% of Americans at some point in their lives. The puffy gums that are tender and occasionally bleed when brushed are symptoms that signify this condition. When left untreated, this condition can develop into the more severe periodontal disease. In addition to the symptoms mentioned above, periodontal disease can also cause the gums to detach from the teeth, damage the connective tissue that secures our teeth in place, and even begin to damage the jawbone in severe cases. All of these together lead to the loss of teeth in patients experiencing this condition. Vitamin D helps protect us from this condition in the following ways:
The elements of Vitamin D responsible for the antibacterial action described above are known as cathelicidins and defensins. These natural antibiotics help to reduce the total number of bacteria found in the mouth. It also helps to reduce the enzyme matrix metalloproteinases or MMP. This enzyme has been connected with the presence of periodontal disease. Those without sufficient vitamin D in their diet don’t experience these benefits and are left more vulnerable to advanced gum disease or periodontitis.
It’s likely that you’ve heard about the importance of getting dairy in your diet when you were growing up. This is due to milk products typically being fortified with Vitamin D in the United States. Combined with the naturally high level of calcium in dairy, it’s a solid way of making sure your teeth, gums, and bones are all protected. For those who choose not to drink milk or are lactose intolerant, there are other dietary options as well. Egg yolk, sardines, salmon, and shrimp all contain high levels of Vitamin D. Of course, the easiest way to get enough Vitamin D is simply to spend sufficient time outdoors, just a few hours a week. Our body naturally produces this vitamin when exposed to sunlight; just be sure to use sunscreen!
For your teeth, what you eat matters more than you would expect. Eating a balanced diet reduces the risk of developing various diseases throughout the heart, lungs, stomach, and arteries and directly affects your oral health in ways least recognized. However, eating a balanced diet every day isn’t always possible for many, as the convenience and expensiveness of healthy foods often result in difficulties keeping teeth healthy long-term. Nutrient-rich foods, however, are worth the costs, as the teeth are often the most susceptible to bacteria growth and diseases. The interconnected relationship between the mouth and body is intrinsically linked.
Your mouth can offer various clues indicating how your overall health is currently. The body consists of numerous natural defenses against various forms of bacteria that cause disease. While your mouth contains hundreds of bacteria, most of the bacteria within our systems are harmless, and in many ways, quite helpful. However, your mouth is the entry point for your respiratory and digestive system. When left out of control, harmful strains of bacteria such as the streptococcus mutans can develop and enter our system, causing an impact on the body’s immune system response and impacting the body’s reactions to those conditions.
Even while certain medications and good oral care can prevent diseases from occurring, good oral care must be established as a standard form of self-care for your mind and body. Oral bacteria and inflammation are highly linked to inflammatory diseases, leading people to become more vulnerable to chronic conditions such as heart disease. While brushing and flossing may do well to keep your mouth clean, long-term oral care needs to take every aspect of health into account, including diet.
Cavities, gum disease, and tooth decay are often most prone to develop when foods high in carbohydrates are regularly eaten. Carbohydrates are a primary source of sucrose, one of the main sources of foods for harmful bacteria in the mouth, and are considered cariogenic. The dynamic process of consumption and digestion takes many factors into account, as highly nutritious foods and how they’re eaten matter significantly, according to StatPearls peer-reviewed journal. Dietary shifts for oral health are essential for maintaining the mouth’s health, including its ability to increase saliva production, maintain calcium and phosphate deposits in the enamel, and reduce the risks of developing dental diseases. To eat a balanced diet, we recommend:
Avoiding processed, sugary foods and drinks will help benefit your health in numerous ways, especially your mouth. Reducing the amount of sugar eaten can help improve your oral health by giving the bacteria in your mouth less fuel to consume and give your overall health the boost it needs for longer, happier life.
Coffee lovers have always been warned about the effect it can have on their oral health. Coffee’s acidic nature has to lead many to worry about their teeth’ health, as consistent drinking has been known to wear down at the enamel and cause discoloration. Adding heavy creamers and sugar to your daily cup of Joe also doesn’t help your teeth either, as the sugars just add fuel to the bacteria in your mouth to create plaque and cause cavities. However, coffee as a standalone drink has some potential benefits that make drinking coffee worthwhile.
Roasted, ground up coffee has that bitter undernotes that gives your body the signals to wake up and feel refreshed for the day. But roasting your coffee also gives your teeth a ratifying boost to your oral health when prepared correctly. According to a study from the Journal of Conservative Dentistry, roasting your coffee has antibacterial agents that protect against a certain range of bacteria, particularly the Streptococcus mutans bacteria strain, which means that when your drinking coffee, you are reducing the number of S. Mutans present within your mouth. Coffee also can reduce how much bacteria adheres to your teeth, making it an excellent ally against tooth decay.
Within this study, researchers looked into the different degrees of protection that coffee offers and had observed these effects:
What makes coffee so potent? Trigonelline is the answer. Trigonelline is the active substance in coffee that contains these antibacterial properties and is also responsible for the flavor and aroma of coffee. The more aromatic and better-tasting your coffee is, the more beneficial it is for your teeth. Coffee also contains B vitamins, manganese, and potassium, making it an excellent drink.
Despite all its great benefits, these benefits can be diluted by added sugars and creamers, which increase the risk of bacteria developing. It also still contains high amounts of tannins that cause the teeth to discolor and war down at the enamel. To best get the most out of your morning cup, drinking coffee without sugar or creamer can work. It’s also essential to rinse your mouth with water to prevent the acidity from sticking to your teeth. This tasty beverage comes with both sides of the coin, so make sure to brush your teeth to avoid discoloration, enamel breakdown, and potential decay.
Gum disease often results from infections in the tissues that hold teeth in place. Because the mouth is home to about 700 species of bacteria, poor oral hygiene can inadvertently cause gum disease to develop more quickly. However, recent studies have begun associating Alzheimer’s disease, a neurodegenerative disease, with periodontal disease development. Some of the most interesting connections made between oral health and Alzheimer’s find how bacteria and blood flow and dementia affect and influence one another, making oral health for the elderly ever more important.
Because Alzheimer’s disease influences cognitive memory, function, and behavior, it often occurs due to complex mechanisms throughout the body. When degeneration occurs, the brain begins to lose function, so does the body’s other natural processes over time. According to studies conducted through the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, the study suggests that bacteria and inflammatory molecules can travel from the mouth to the brain through the bloodstream, which ultimately influences the long-term effects of dementia. The study also concluded that older and have signs of gum disease might develop Alzheimer’s disease later on in life. Those who died from the condition had the bacterium P. Gingivalis.
However, this study’s conclusions still require follow-up reviews and counter-studies to confirm these effects, as the reverse of this reasoning could also apply. Those who often have Alzheimer’s disease may develop poor oral habits due to dementia, which can increase the chances of developing gum disease, tooth loss, and periodontal disease later on in life. What this shows is an association and not a cause. It’s essential to consider many of the other factors that could play a part in developing Alzheimer’s disease.
To combat Alzheimer’s disease in elderly patients, dentists who often work with those older, whether through community groups or with families, should have preventative measures prepared ahead of time to help those in need. Dentists that work with the elderly should take more time and attention into providing more accessible dental care to those who require it by providing the following:
Poor dental hygiene and sugary foods have always been the main culprits of cavities, especially in children. According to the CDC, over 31% of adults ages 20 to 44 in the United States currently have untreated cavities, and in children between ages 5 to 19 years old, at least 16% of them had untreated cavities. While that percentage continues to go down over time, families severely affected by cavities, even with proper diet and oral hygiene recommendations, often may find themselves experiencing tooth decay more prominently than others. If this sounds familiar, then we suggest checking your home for black mold.
Black mold doesn’t cause tooth decay directly but rather occurs through a selective series of events that coincide with it. Cavities normally appear due to the development of plaque buildup. This plaque buildup contains bacteria that are harmful to the tooth’s enamel. By hardening along with the enamel, it creates a constant feeding mechanism due to unprocessed sucrose, moist warm environments, and a relatively safe hosting environment for this bacteria to grow. If bad oral habits or sugary drinks don’t cause this, then what does cause it?
Black mold could potentially be the culprit. Black mold is one among 300,000 species of fungi that develop in houses and often causes respiratory and nasal problems for people and their families—originating from the bacteria Stachybotrys, this fungi releases mycotoxin, or spores, which spreads throughout the home and can land everywhere. It often travels into people’s nasal and lung airways, and due to the irritation caused by these spores, inflammation in the nasal and lung passages often occurs. This inflammation is highly responsible for causing dry mouth, which often leads to a lack of saliva production. Because saliva is a highly crucial way of riding the mouth of bacteria, dry mouth prevents that removal and can lead to an increased risk of developing cavities.
With children continuing to eat less sugar and practice better oral habits, black mold may be to blame. However, more dental research is still needed to understand the relationship between black mold and cavities. If you have black mold in your home, follow the FEMA guidelines on removing black mold, and follow these steps:
Even while more research is needed to understand the potential causes of black mold and cavities, our dentists at McCartney Dental are here for you and will be happy to help you with any of your dental concerns.
As medical understanding of the human body grows, it becomes increasingly apparent that it is a deeply complex system with surprising connections. Treating each concern in isolation has been a conceit practiced by medicine for many years, but that’s quickly beginning to change. In some of the latest research being done into the study of our body systems, a connection has been revealed between advanced periodontal disease and certain forms of cancer.
Our Body Is A Complex Collection Of Connected Systems That Affect One Another
The least dangerous and most treatable form of gum disease is known as gingivitis. This condition is caused by the growth of plaque and tartar on the teeth that remains unchecked. This leads to our gums becoming inflamed and tender, appearing red and puffy, and often bleeding after brushing. More concerning is periodontal disease, the result of advanced gum disease that has grown below the gumline. The latest evidence indicates that those suffering from this form of gum disease are at advanced risk for:
In a study focusing on women with periodontal disease, higher levels of breast cancer were also observed. This kind of research continues to reinforce the idea that we must consider the consequences of any health concern on our entire bodies, not just the affected area.
Complications With Heart Disease, Diabetes, and Other ailments Are Linked To Poor Oral Health.
The first thing anyone can do to help avoid health complications related to periodontal disease is maintaining a consist ent oral hygiene regimen that includes bi-annual visits to your dentist for a cleaning. Once periodontal disease has set in, it’s critical that you arrange a visit with your dentist for deep periodontal cleaning as soon as possible. This process involves root scaling and planing, a process that eliminates the presence of plaque and tartar below the gumline and smooths the surface of the root. This last step helps lower the risk of plaque and tartar reappearing while aiding the gums in reconnecting to the teeth, eliminating gum pocketing.
Once you’ve received this cleaning, it’s essential that you return to an oral health regimen consisting of twice a day, brushing, flossing, and mouthwash use. You should also schedule your next visit to the dentist for regular cleaning to help eliminate stubborn plaque and tartar unaffected by your routine. In addition, be sure that your dentist has the most up to date dental and medical records to ensure that they have a full understanding of your health. This same step can be done with your medical professional by updating them with your dental records. Getting the best results from your medical care requires good communication, so speak freely with both about any extant health concerns.
The holy grail of dentistry has never been the discovery of better ways to repair damage to patients’ teeth caused by trauma or decay. Rather it has been to find a way to prevent the development of cavities and the occurrence of damage, to begin with. While every new advance that can reverse damage is celebrated, it’s the discoveries that produce hope that cavities can be eliminated entirely that bring the greatest shouts of excitement. Recent developments have shown that this holy grail may not be a pipe dream and that the elimination of decay and gum disease may be an achievable goal.
Not yet, unfortunately, but there are possibilities on the table that may reveal the way ahead. The first thing to understand about the complexity of this goal is that our mouths are full of healthy bacteria alongside those responsible for plaque. Presently any technique used to eliminate the bad bacteria is going to take the good bacteria along with it. This is far from ideal and can actually lead to conditions like thrush.
With 700 species of bacteria in our mouth, some of which we rely on for optimum health, how is it possible to only eliminate those that are problematic and cause decay? Or is this even necessary? Could there be a way to prevent cavities without having to eliminate the responsible bacteria?
Research done by a team led by Dr. Pesavento revealed that there was a way to prevent the growth of plaque and the advancement of decay without directly attacking the responsible bacteria. The technique created an environment in which biofilm growth was significantly reduced by using a cerium oxide nanoparticle solution. Silver nitrate was a previous candidate for this kind of approach, but it simply wasn’t effective enough to be used as a meaningful deterrent to dental decay. The 40% reduction in biofilm production using the cerium oxide nanoparticle solution indicates that greater achievements may be possible. While it hasn’t yet entered the mainstream marketplace as a dental treatment solution, research continues to improve and explain the found results.
Another innovation that has provided hope for orthodontic patients is a special form of cement for holding braces to the teeth. This adhesive has inherent anti-bacterial properties and releases a substance that actually helps reinforce the basic structures of your teeth. Like the solution mentioned above, it won’t completely eliminate your risk of dental decay, but it’s an important weapon in your dentist’s arsenal.
Until more technology like this becomes refined enough to enter the mainstream, and complete elimination of dental decay is possible, dental hygiene remains the most effective way of protecting your teeth. This includes regular trips to see your dentist for check-ups, daily brushing and flossing, and using mouthwash to round it all out. Want more tips? Call Dr. Jonathan McCartney at McCartney Dental in North Port, FL, and schedule an appointment. We’ll make sure you’re getting the dental care you need to maintain a beautiful smile for a lifetime.
Over the past century or more, it has become very clear that the impact humans make on our environment has the potential to lead to devastating consequences for everyone. People everywhere have begun to realize this, and many are taking whatever steps they can to produce a smaller footprint they leave on the planet. Dental care may not be an obvious choice of where to start, but the fact of the matter is that dental products are leaving an increasingly large impact on the health of our planet. Dental technology continues to provide alternatives in areas such as imaging, where physical x-ray films have been eliminated in favor of digital renderings. We’re here to help you learn what you can do at home.
With the sheer amount of plastic products that are used in dental products, from toothpaste containers and floss rolls to the material our toothbrushes are made out of, it should come as no surprise that they make a profound impact on the health of our planet. Years ago the beaches of Hawaii were completely free of discarded toothbrushes. Since the introduction of the plastic toothbrush in the 1930s, the number of toothbrushes that appear as detritus on the beach has risen to nearly a hundred every time a beach clean-up crew goes through.
This introduction of plastic toothbrushes led to the elimination of most dental products that were made of natural products like wood and animal fiber bristles. This introduction was only the beginning; as more and more products continue to appear on the dental aisle that are made of plastic, we’ll continue to see more of them on our beaches, waterways, and landfills.
With so many dental products containing toothbrushes and natural material toothbrushes being difficult to find, it can be tricky to find sustainable choices. Also, choices that may seem sustainable on the surface may, in fact, be worse for the environment than the plastic alternative. Two examples of products that seem like alternative options are listed below:
• Bamboo Handles – On the surface, these seem like an excellent alternative to plastic toothbrushes. The handles are made from farmed bamboo, and the bristles tend to be made of natural materials as well. Unfortunately, the amount of water and arable land required to make these and dispose of them are significant.
• Electric Toothbrushes – These are a great solution for oral health and have been shown to produce great results. Unfortunately, the disposable plastic head actually generates more dental waste than it prevents, and the batteries in old units need to be disposed of carefully. Not a great alternative.
Research into the most sustainable form of the toothbrush has produced somewhat surprising results. The lamented plastic toothbrush is far superior to any natural option out on the market today. This surprising statement comes with some qualifiers, however. In order to be a sustainable option, the plastic toothbrush must be recycled conscientiously.
Looking to make more changes in your dental hygiene routine that will promote oral health while being environmentally responsible? You can come into McCartney Dental in North Port, FL, to get advice from Dr. Jonathan McCartney today! We’re always available for our patients, current, and future.
As the outermost layer of our teeth, healthy enamel is essential for protecting our sensitive inner teeth and keeping our smile looking great. As enamel doesn’t contain living cells, it’s even more essential that we take proper care of it as it cannot heal on its own. Contrary to popular belief, however, minimal damage to the enamel can be repaired. Enamel that has been weakened by acid can be strengthened through a process called remineralization. This process can be encouraged through proper dietary changes and consistent oral hygiene practices.
There’s a lot of reasons that enamel can be lost, with the most common one being poor dental hygiene and acid from the resultant bacteria. Some foods and drinks also contain high levels of acid that can accelerate the decay of dental enamel if proper hygiene isn’t kept up. Even without these, the normal daily wear and tear our teeth experience from eating and talking can play a role in the loss of enamel.
It’s possible to lose a small amount of enamel without actually noticing the problem. As you continue to lose enamel, however, it will begin to become incredibly apparent that it’s happening. There are a few noticeable signs you can watch out for that will warn you that enamel loss is happening, and it’s past time to do something about it.
Enamel loss is generally a gradual process, and if caught early enough, you may be able to stop, slow, or reverse the advance through remineralization.
As acid and erosion wear away at the enamel on our teeth, there is a process fighting to hold back the tide of loss. This process is known as remineralization and is, in part, driven by your saliva. Saliva contains minute amounts of phosphate and calcium and is capable of reversing minute amounts of damage done to your teeth. You can help in this process in a number of ways, starting with increasing your water consumption as it helps to neutralize acids, boost saliva production, and rinse away debris. You can also chew sugar-free gum after you eat. Gum serves to boost saliva production but also helps pull away debris in your teeth and clean away plaque. It’s not a replacement for brushing, but a great supplement.
Want to learn more about what you can do to protect and restore your enamel? Dr. Jonathan McCartney is proud to provide dental health care from his offices in North Port, FL. McCartney dental serves its community with pride, showing a dedication to exceptional dental care and patient education. Learning proper care for your teeth is an essential part of maintaining a life with a beautiful, functional, pain-free smile. If you’re prepared to take control of your dental health, reach out to our offices for an appointment today!
Orthodontics and dentistry have taken long strides to improve the health and alignment of people’s teeth, and braces have been an ever-evolving concept that has impacted the way people view their teeth. Besides the cosmetic purposes, straightening your teeth can give you better oral health in the long run, and today’s technology has made wearing braces painless, highly advanced, and successful. However, new advancements have begun to surface, as dental supplier companies have begun experimenting with different metals to make braces more elastic, durable, and long-lasting.
Among orthodontics, stainless steel has always been the standard for metal braces due to its inexpensiveness, high production rate, and high capacity to align teeth. Metal braces have and will always be a standard for dentistry because of its high success rate. Still, today’s metal braces only require fewer components thanks to the development of CAD/CAM technology, treatment planning software, and 3D imaging. These technologies can make detailed screenings, using digital replications of a person’s mouth to fabricate the right restoration for the treatment, whether a dental implant, a bridge, or a crown. It’s a more complex series of developments for braces due to the inner working parts used for creating the device. These devices can be designed with many materials such as metal, ceramic, and plastic to alter the costs and correct the misaligned bite.
What’s important to notice about why stainless steel is used so much is its inexpensiveness to produce. However, this kind of metal often does come with some drawbacks – the wires tend to have higher stiffness, which can lead to a loss of control of movement and cause the wires to slope within the bracket interface. With these troublesome details, metals such as nickel, copper, and cobalt haven allowed dentists to improve on these aspects. Here’s what we know about these metals and how well they work with braces:
All of these metals have greatly improved dentistry, and as technology progress, our goal as dentists is to give patients more opportunities to have straighter, healthier teeth. If you would like to learn more, contact Dr. Jonathan McCartney at McCartney Dental, located in North Port, FL, for more information.