We are fast approaching the middle of our dark and dreary Indiana winter….do you have the Winter Blahs yet?? We have something that will “whiten” up your day – Tooth Whitening!

At Wilhoite Family Dental we create custom trays for each patient. A whitening gel is placed in a tray that fits over your teeth. The fit of the tray is critical to success of treatment. Impressions are made by your dentist, Assistant, or Hygienist. Accurate models of your teeth are obtained from which custom fitting whitening trays can be made.

Tooth Whitening is such an easy way to give your smile the boost that it needs but there are many myths out there that may make you hesitate….Here are the myths and the truth about tooth whitening:

Myth: “Does Whitening Harm the Enamel on the Teeth?”

Truth: Whitening is very safe and studies show that the enamel strength is not affected. As the active ingredient in the gel, carbamide peroxide, is broken down, oxygen enters the enamel and bleaches the colored substances. The structure of the tooth is not changed; only the tooth is made lighter and whiter. Fillings, Crowns, and Bonding will not lighten.

Myth: “Is Laser Whitening better than Custom Tray Whitening?”

Truth: Studies do not support that Laser is better than Custom Tray Whitening. Laser can be an expensive procedure and results usually only last 6 months to 1 year then the procedure may have to be repeated. Custom Tray Whitening is less expensive and easier to maintain. After the initial whitening (4-6 weeks) is completed, the trays can be reused every 3-6 months to maintain your whitened smile.

Myth: “Custom Tray Tooth Whitening is Expensive.”

Truth: Not when you are a patient at Wilhoite Family Dental! We are offering our existing patients 50% of Whitening or if you refer a friend it is free! Follow this link: Patient Appreciation Offer , print the offer and make an appointment today to “whiten” your day and get rid of the Winter Blahs!

At your next dental cleaning your hygienist may recommend applying Fluoride Varnish to your teeth at the end of the appointment. What is Fluoride Varnish and why are they recommending it for you?

Fluoride varnish is a highly concentrated Fluoride applied by a Dentist, Hygienist, or Assistant. It has been widely used in Europe and Canada for many years and is now replacing Fluoride gel in American dental offices. Varnish is being used in dental offices for tooth sensitivity and studies now support that it also prevents cavities and remineralizes (strengthens) the tooth surfaces.

Fluoride varnish is recommended for both children and adults. It is used for cavity prevention and desensitizing and has been used for many years on children.  Research is supporting that for adults it should be used for the same reasons, but also for enamel demineralization (strengthening), preventing cavities around fillings, crowns and bridges, dry mouth, and recession areas.

Application is very easy! A small amount of air may be used to dry the tooth surface. A little brush is used to apply the tooth colored varnish to the teeth and at the gumline. The varnish begins to set on contact with the teeth. It is safe for all ages. Fluoride varnish will last at least 4 hours after application. Patients are instructed to not brush for a certain amount of time after application and avoid hot and/or sticky foods.

We are always striving to provide excellent dental treatment for our patients and Fluoride Varnish is one more step towards healthy mouths for everyone!

You brush your teeth 2 times a day and maybe even use a mouthrinse….so why floss? 

It is impossible to reach between your teeth while brushing thus leaving plaque in those areas.  Brushing only cleans 65% of teeth surfaces, leaving 35% dirty!   Millions of bacteria hide out in the plaque and produce an acid that eats thru the enamel causing cavities and irritates the gum causing gingivitis.  That plaque then is pushed below the gumline and the acid from the bacteria eats the bone around your teeth, a.k.a. periodontal disease. 

There are so many different options to clean between your teeth:

Unwaxed floss:  Best kind of floss to use, easy to use for tight teeth but breaks or frays easy

Waxed floss:  basic floss with a coating of wax – won’t break as easy, but sometimes harder to use with tight contacts.

Polytetrafluoro-ethylene floss:  better known by name brands such as Glide.  Synthetic fibers make it easier to use in tight contacts.

Dental Tape:  flat ribbon floss – More effective than traditional floss for cleaning between teeth that are not tightly spaced

Superfloss:  yarn like floss with stiff ends.  Best floss to use to clean under bridges, around implants and braces and some crowns.

Floss Threader:  small plastic “needle” used to thread basic floss to clean similar to Superfloss.

Floss holder:  “y” shaped plastic holder  that holds floss between two prongs.  Makes it easier for those that have a hard time flossing with fingers/hands.

Floss picks:  disposable plastic flosser – a convienent way to floss – can break with tight contacts.

Wedge stimulator:  plastic or wooden triangle shaped “toothpick”.  Used like a toothpick to clean and stimulate gums, but make of a safer material.

Interproximal brush:  handle with a small brush on end to clean like like basic floss and Superfloss

Irrigation device (Waterpik):  Motorized instrument that uses a pulsated stream of water to clean between teeth – Good to use with bridges, braces, and implants.  Flushes food and plaque debris.

With any of the flossing choices:  never “snap” the floss between your teeth, gently hug each tooth and use an up and down motion on each tooth.  Always be careful not to injure the gums.  For more information or question:  feel free to leave a comment or ask at your next dental appointment.

Erin Scott, LDH

Seems like lately we have had a lot of patients who are pregnant for the first time and they have a lot of good questions and concerns about the effects of pregnancy on their mouths, and if they should come to the dentist.   With all of the study’s that show a strong link with periodontal disease and low birth weight babies and pre term deliveries, yes you should go to the dentist.  The American Academy of Periodontology  recommendation is below:

• Dental care is part of ensuring a healthy pregnancy. The American Academy of Periodontology (AAP) advises pregnant women to seek typical preventive oral health care including periodontal evaluation, teeth cleaning, and any necessary restorative treatment. AAP suggests that scaling and root planing be performed early in the second trimester and that infection or abscess should be treated at any time during the pregnancy.
• Professional oral health intervention may be undertaken at any time during pregnancy. However, the period between week 14 and week 20 is considered ideal.¹⁷ The first trimester is a delicate time when a significant amount of development is occurring and the third trimester may present comfort issues for pregnant patients.
• ^·          The final trimester of pregnancy may pose difficulties in positioning and comfort for the patient. Vena caval compression is a risk.¹⁸ Patients receiving care in the third trimester should be situated on their left side and repositioned often to increase comfort and reduce risk of vena caval compression.¹⁸ Emergency dental procedures should be performed at any point during the pregnancy, however.

 Most patients are concerned with getting x-rays during pregnancy.  If you have been getting your regular 6 month cleanings, then you do not have to get x-rays.  If you haven’t been to a dentist for a few years then the dentist may want to get some x-rays or if you are having a toothache, but don’t worry,  a lead apron (or 2 lead aprons) will be placed over you and over the baby, and even better than that digital x-rays use very little radiation, both of these methods are safe

The most common oral related problem we see with pregnancy is “pregnancy gingivitis”.  Bleeding gums is very common during pregnancy and even after delivery because of the change in hormones. Many patients stop flossing because of the bleeding, but you should continue to brush and floss and keep your mouth as clean as possible.   Once the baby is here and the hormones go back to normal the bleeding will stop.   A very low percentage of women may develop a “pregnancy tumor” or “pyogenic  granuloma”,  these are small tumors on the gum tissue, and although they look bad they are not cancerous and they usually shrink and go away after the baby is delivered,  some have to be removed but it’s is very rare.

Another issue is morning sickness and heart burn, these are troublesome because both cause erosion of enamel.    If you have morning sickness and you vomit, do NOT brush your teeth right after because you will burnish the acid into the enamel, instead of brushing, rinse your mouth with baking soda and water. (Baking soda is a base that will neutralize the acid )   If you have heart burn talk to your physician about taking medication to help.   During your vomiting or heartburn phase, use a toothpaste that helps with enamel erosion such as Pronamel by Sensodyne.   

Something that I hear a lot from mothers is, “My baby took the calcium from my teeth when I was pregnant.”  This is a myth.   People do get cavities during pregnancy but is caused by acid weakening the enamel if you have morning sickness, the sugary foods from our crazy cravings, and by just being too tired to brush and floss before you fall asleep.  If you keep a healthy diet and good oral care you shouldn’t get cavities during pregnancy.

Congratulations to all of our expecting patients!!!!   

WHAT ARE WE UP TO?

With one touch you will be able to access our website, watch videos, schedule appointments, pay bill, see promotions, blog with us, and anything else you want to know about our office.

Refer for Rewards!!! Our Refer for Rewards program has really taken off this year – Our jar was full this quarter! We appreciate your confidence in us that you refer your family and friends

Our winner for an AMC Gift Card & Concannon’s Bakery Gift Card is ROBERT LUTTON SR!

Thank you for each and every one of your referrals!

 Social Networking!

BLOG with us!

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What great ways to connect with what’s happening in Dentistry, our office, and our patients’ lives!  

ARE DENTAL X-RAYS SAFE?

Dr Oz recently had two shows about the safety of dental x-rays and the use of a thyroid collar. We are always concerned about the safety of our patients – each operatory has access to lead aprons and thyroid collars and we provide digital xrays which have more than 50% less radiation.

Always feel free to ask any of our very knowledgable team about any concerns you may have.

This article is a great source of dental xray information.

http://www.ada.org/2760.aspx

Oral Care for Chemotherapy and/or Head and Neck radiation Patients.

Chemotherapy and Head and neck radiation have a huge impact on your mouth!!!!!!

When you are diagnosed with cancer you have a lot of things to think about and what impact that the treatments will have on your teeth and mouth probably isn’t one of them.  The truth is that patients going through chemotherapy may have anywhere from slight mouth irritation to severe pain with life threatening consequences, depending on the drugs you are given.   The good news is that we can help you manage the complications and your oral health will go back to normal within a few weeks after completing chemotherapy.   If you are someone going through head and neck radiation you too may have mild to severe pain that we can help you manage.  The difference for you to know is that the radiation may destroy your salivary glands and they normally do not return to normal after your treatments have stopped and therefore lifelong management of your mouth and teeth is necessary.

If you are going through either chemotherapy or head and neck radiation please remember to visit the dentist before treatments begin.  All decay or infected teeth will need to be restored.  Ill fitting dentures and partials need to be adjusted.  Sometimes you are instructed not to wear dentures during treatment so that you don’t get sore spots and sometime they will never fit again due to tissue changes and dry mouth.  If you are going through head and neck radiation treatments you should have fluoride trays made and instructions on wearing them before treatment starts to help prevent decay. Both treatments may cause oral mucocitis, which is very sore, inflamed tissue that may require pain medicine, mouth washes and possibly stopping treatments until it heals.  After chemotherapy almost everything in the mouth goes back to normal.  After radiation, you usually end up with dry mouth (xerostomia), which causes decay, difficulty swallowing, not being able to wear dentures, and discomfort.  Lifelong fluoride and regular dental visits are essential.  Extractions after bone has had radiation should only be done if there is no other way to save a tooth.   Your dentist and dental hygienist should be able to help you manage all problems you may encounter, from pain management to fungal infections, to nutrition.  Dentist should work closely with your oncologist.

Medication is the number one cause of xerostomia, most of the medicines that you take to treat high blood pressure, diabetes, even antidepressants cause dry mouth.     Other culprits are systemic diseases such as diabetes, autoimmune diseases like Sjogren’s syndrome, head and neck radiation, alcoholism, and smoking.   Whatever the cause we want to help you manage the symptoms.

 Many of our patients develop xerostomia and the problems that come with it .  Xerostomia can be a mild nuisance or a big problem.  Xerostomia makes it difficult to chew and swallow food, makes it difficult to speak and pronounce words correctly  , makes it difficult to keep dentures in place , and causes rampant decay.   Here are some tips to treat xerostomia.

Reduce decay risk:  without saliva you are more prone to cavities, make sure to brush 2-3 times a day.  Use a fluoride rinse, neutral sodium fluoride is the best option.   If decay gets out of control we may put you on special fluoride toothpaste or make fluoride trays for you to use at home.   Eliminate sugar and citric acid from your diet.  This includes sodas and fruit juices.    Chew sugar free gum and have sugar free hard candies.  This will stimulate salivary flow.  Gums with xylitol or sorbitol will actually fight cavities.

Manage dry mouth:   sip on water frequently throughout the day.  Use mouth rinses made for dry mouth, such as Biotine, Oasis, or Act .  Never use a mouth rinse that contains alcohol because alcohol dries you out even more.  Do not use a toothpaste that contain  Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), which is the foaming agent in toothpaste. Most children’s  toothpaste do not contain SLS.  See if your doctor can change your medicines if possible.

Dry mouth due to radiation:  your oncologist can prescribe medicines to help with your salivary flow.  Sometimes the salivary glands are completely destroyed so reducing decay is your priority.  Chewing sugar free gum may not help with salivary flow but can still help with fighting cavities.  Good oral hygiene is essential and modify your diet.

Dentures:  if you have dentures and you suffer from dry mouth you may be more prone to sores and fungal infections.  Never wear your dentures at night, soak them in water.  Use a mouth rinse for dry mouth and spray on your dentures throughout the day. 

Biotine has a great line of defense for dry mouth sufferers.  Biotine  mouth rinse, toothpaste, gum, and a gel which is like Vaseline that you can coat your mouth with before bedtime.

I hope this was helpful. We published a full version on our facebook that you can share with anyone you think this could help.