Showing posts with label dental. Show all posts
Showing posts with label dental. Show all posts

Dental Care for People With Heart Disease

Friday, May 16, 2014

People with heart disease have special needs when it comes to dental care. Here are some tips to consider before going to the dentist if you suffer from one of the following heart conditions.
Dental Care After Heart Attack

Wait a minimum of six months after a heart attack before undergoing any dental treatments. Tell your dentist if you are taking anticoagulants (blood-thinning drugs). These medications could result in excessive bleeding during some oral surgery procedures. Ask your dentist if oxygen and nitroglycerin are available in case a medical emergency should arise during your office visit.
High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)

Some high blood pressure drugs can cause dry mouth or alter your sense of taste. Calcium channel blockers in particular can cause the gum tissue to swell and overgrow, resulting in chewing difficulties. If you do experience gum overgrowth, your dentist will give you detailed oral hygiene instructions and may ask you to make more frequent dental visits for cleanings. In some cases, gum surgery may be required. (A gingivectomy is the name of the surgical procedure performed to remove excess gum tissue).

If your dental procedure requires the use of anesthesia, ask your dentist if the anesthesia contains epinephrine. Epinephrine is a common additive in local anesthesia products. Use of epinephrine in some patients with high blood pressure may result in cardiovascular changes - including the rapid development of dangerously high blood pressure, angina, heart attack, and arrhythmias - and theore should be used with caution.
Chest Pain (Angina)

Patients with angina treated with calcium cannel blockers may experience gum overgrowth. In some cases, gum surgery may be required.

Like patients with a previous heart attack, patients with angina may want to ask their dentist if oxygen and nitroglycerin are available in case a medical emergency should arise.

While patients with stable angina (chest pain that occurs in a predictable pattern) can undergo any dental procedure, patients with unstable angina (new chest pain or unpredictable chest pain) should not undergo elective (nonessential) dental procedures, and emergency dental care should be performed in a hospital or office equipped with cardiac monitoring capability.
Stroke

If you’ve had a stroke in the past, tell your dentist if you are taking anticoagulants (blood-thinning drugs). These medications could result in excessive bleeding during some oral surgery procedures.

If your stroke has impaired your ability to produce an adequate amount of saliva, your dentist may recommend the use of artificial saliva. If your stroke has affected your face, tongue, or dominant hand and arm, your dentist may also recommend use of fluoride gels, modified brushing or flossing techniques, and strategies others can use to assist you in maintaining good oral hygiene.
Oral Health and Heart Failure

Some medications used to treat heart failure (such as diuretics, or water pills) can also cause dry mouth. Ask your dentist about dry mouth treatments, including the use of artificial saliva.

Points to Remember About Dental Care and Heart Disease

    Give your dentist a complete list of the names and dosages of all the drugs you are taking for your heart condition (as well as any other prescription or nonprescription drugs that you may be taking). This will help your dentist decide on the best treatment course for you including medication selection for dental procedures.
    Give your dentist the name and phone number of your doctor(s) in case your dentist needs to speak to him or her about your care.
    If you are particularly nervous about undergoing a dental procedure as a result of your heart condition, talk with your dentist and heart doctor. Your doctors can provide you with information and work with you on strategies for controlling dental pain and easing your fears.


Is There a Link Between Periodontal Disease and Heart Disease?

Various researchers and government agencies continue to investigate the possible relationship between gum (periodontal) disease and heart disease. Some researchers speculate that bacteria in the mouth that are involved in the development of gum disease move into the bloodstream and cause inflammation in the blood vessels - changes that in turn contribute to heart disease and stroke.

Numerous studies are being conducted that both support and ute the possible link between these two diseases. One study, published in Stroke: Journal of the American Heart Association, found that people who had fewer than 25 teeth at the start of the 12-year trial (teeth loss is the ultimate end result of untreated gum disease) had a 57% greater risk of stroke compared with patients who had 25 or more teeth.

Another study involving over 4,000 patients and 17 years of follow up showed no evidence of a decreased risk of coronary heart disease if chronic gum disease was eliminated. Based on these results, these researchers speculate that the relationship between gum disease and an increase in cardiovascular risk is coincidental and not causal (that is to say that gum disease does not cause coronary heart disease).

The true role, if there is one, between gum disease and heart disease remains to be determined.
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Dental Care Good Teeth Good Gums Good Life

Sunday, April 6, 2014

Toothpastes

With the number and types of toothpastes on the market, the best strategy for selecting among these products may be to simply ask your dental hygienist or dentist what the greatest concerns are for your mouth and which product he or she recommends.

After consulting with your dentist or hygienist about your oral healths greatest needs, look for products within that category (for example, within the tartar control brands or within the desensitizing toothpaste brands) that have received the American Dental Associations (ADA) Seal of Acceptance. The ADAs Seal of Acceptance means that the product has met ADA criteria for safety and effectiveness and that packaging and advertising claims are scientifically supported. Some manufacturers choose not to seek the ADAs Seal of Acceptance. Although these products may be safe and effective, these products performance have not been evaluated or endorsed by the ADA.

Always pick a toothpaste that contains fluoride. Fluoride toothpastes have been shown to prevent cavities. One word of caution: The American Dental Association recommends that children over 2 years of age and adults use a fluoride toothpaste displaying the ADA Seal of Acceptance. They also recommend the use of fluoride mouthrinses, but not for children under 6 years of age because they may swallow the rinse.

Finally, some degree of personal perence comes into play. Choose the toothpaste that tastes and feels best. Gel or paste, wintergreen or spearmint, all work alike. If you find that certain ingredients are irritating to your teeth, cheeks or lips, or if your teeth have become more sensitive, or if your mouth is irritated after brushing, try changing toothpastes. If the problem continues, see your dentist.
Toothbrushes

One of the main things to look for in toothbrushes is the bristles. Most dentists recommend soft bristles, especially for those individuals that have sensitive teeth or gums. Both adults and children should use a toothbrush that has soft bristles. Toothbrushes with harder bristles are not more effective at removing plaque or stains.

Be sure to select a toothbrush head size that can easily fit into the mouth and is capable of brushing one to two teeth at a time. With this in mind, be sure to select a toothbrush with a very small head for a very young child or infant.

If you are unsure of what features to look for or the best bristle head design for cleaning your teeths unique contours and alignment, be sure to ask your dentist or hygienist for assistance.

Toothbrushes should be replaced about every three months or earlier if the bristles begin to look worn or frayed (bristles that fan out or spread is a sign that it is time to get a new toothbrush).
Manual Vs. Powered Toothbrushes

Is there any advantage to using a powered (electric or sonic) toothbrush compared with a manual toothbrush? Not necessarily. The key to good oral hygiene is correct and effective use of a toothbrush rather than simply an issue of powered vs. manual operation. However, one of the main advantages of powered toothbrushes is they make it easier to brush correctly. Other advantages of powered toothbrushes include:

    * Brushing becomes easier for people with medical conditions that limit manual dexterity (such as arthritis), or who are elderly or physically handicapped, or have oral conditions (such as misaligned teeth or teeth with uneven surfaces) that make thorough cleaning of all tooth surfaces difficult.
    * They make it easier to clean teeth with braces and other orthodontic appliances.
    * People may enjoy cleaning their teeth more since use of a powered toothbrush might be considered "fun" or "different" and theore brush more frequently as a result. Others might be motivated to brush longer or correctly because of the money spent on purchasing the toothbrush.
    * They remove more plaque and reduce your risks of gingivitis better than manual toothbrushes. At least one study has shown that the long-term (4 to 6 months) use of powered toothbrushes produce significant reductions in the amount of dental plaque on the teeth -- and theore improves the oral health -- of patients with periodontal disease.
    * They minimize or eliminate tooth staining. The scrubbing effect of powered toothbrushes may be superior to manual toothbrushes in possibly reducing or even totally removing surface stains on teeth.


How Do I Choose a Powered Toothbrush?

Like all dental products, you have a number of choices to choose from when it comes to powered toothbrushes. Here are some key points about each style of powered toothbrushes.

    * Sonic toothbrushes generate between 30,000 and 40,000 brush strokes per minute (compared with about 300 per minute with manual tooth brushing). The bristles in the toothbrush rotate in the dentist recommended back-and-forth motion. In addition, the patented cleaning action of the brush directs fluid between teeth and below the gum line to gently remove plaque (only sonic toothbrushes can make this claim).
    * Electric toothbrushes generate between 3,000 and 7,500 brush strokes per minute. Although individual designs differ, the bristles in the brush head are typically either set in a circular format that rotates (the entire head rotates in unison) or individual tufts of bristles within the brush head spin independently. Some electric toothbrushes have both a rotating as well as a pulsating motion to help remove plaque and reduce gingivitis.

Water Piks

Water piks, otherwise known as water irrigating devices, are usually unnecessary for most people. Individuals who can benefit the most from these devices are those with braces or other orthodontic appliances who need help removing food between teeth and within the appliance it self. It is important to keep in mind that these devices do not remove plaque; only tooth brushing with toothpaste and flossing can do that.
Mouthwashes and Rinses

Mouthwashes do more than simply freshen your breath. In combination with brushing and flossing, the ADA says that bacteria-fighting mouth rinses can reduce bacteria in dental plaque and thus help prevent gum disease. Fluoride mouth rinses help reduce and prevent tooth decay. These products may also contain alcohol and are not appropriate for children under 6 years of age because they can swallow the rinse. Ask your dentist or hygienist to recommend the type of rinse that would be best for you.
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Dental health and food

Monday, March 10, 2014



Some people claim that some certain foods and substances harmful to oral health, and whether there are foods we can not eat because it will cause problems with our teeth? Indeed, some foods have certain effects in the reaction to the teeth and mouth. But keep in mind that all that happens must through a process.

As well as making food (cooking), would not require the process as well? Sometimes some of us are always looking for a scapegoat in certain problems, such as chocolate, chocolate is considered damaging the teeth, but the nutritional content and effects of chocolate on the body is very important. Are we ahrus away from chocolate because we want healthy teeth? if you like this bisa2 all ga food should be eaten

Actually there is no food that needs to be avoided to get the teeth and mouth healthy. All of it back in the process and time, is at issue in this case is the remains of meals were still attached to the teeth. Food residue on the teeth will react with the occupants of our mouths (enzymes, saliva, bacteria, germs, acids, bases, etc.). The reaction is the decomposition of food waste that can later lead to caries / cavities, in addition to the problems posed is bad breath.

The process of decomposition or spoilage of food it takes time, so wed better cut the process by brushing your teeth regularly. If we can cut the process by regularly brushing your teeth and mouth problems will diminish and even disappear.

In addition to the way we eat also affects our oral health, such as eating or drinking hot and cold at the same time or within a short time vulnerable, I give a few examples: Someone ordered hot food and ice are also well ordered meals as it can cause damage to the teeth, you should eat hot food and water only once later when deh so long to buy the ice :)

There are many who ask about the time and the proper way to brush their teeth, the right time is after we brea morning (at this point weve cut the rest of the process and mengilangkan eating as described above) and at night before bed. Why not after dinner? Because after dinner there is still vulnerable when we sleep until the vulnerable time sometimes about eating or snacking again, and for smokers sometimes smoke first until bedtime well, if we brush his teeth after dinner and ended up eating a little longer though, we might not rub teeth. Its better to brush your teeth at night before bed. because when the mouth is not air-activities-was a process of decomposition of food / food spoilage in the mouth which will cause tartar and caries.

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