What you need to know about dental care for your pets

You brush your teeth every day and visit the dentist for regular checkups to maintain good oral health.  But when was the last time you worried about your cat or dog's teeth and gums?  

Like humans, animals are subject to periodontal disease.  They can also break teeth, get cavities and develop infections in their gums.   These infections can ultimately travel through their bloodstream, making them sick.  Many pets won't let on that their teeth or gums are causing them pain, which means that it's important you ensure their mouths are in a healthy state.

Check your cat or dog's mouth on a regular basis.  Look for red or inflamed gums, a foul odour (that goes beyond normal bad breath), pus or broken teeth.  If you see any of these symptoms, it's time to take your pet to the vet for an oral check-up.

The veterinarian will be able to assess the problem and come up with a treatment plan.  The majority of dental issues will require treatment to make sure that infection does not spread.

If your pet currently has good oral health, there are things that you can do to help it stay that way.  It's a common myth that dry food and treats are all your pet needs for healthy teeth and gums.  While chewing food and bones can help prevent build-up, that alone will not keep their mouths healthy.

Like you, your pet's teeth should be brushed on a regular basis.  Your pet may not like having a toothbrush in its mouth, so you will have to build up to it.  There are special toothpastes and gels available for pets, but it's the brushing that does most of the work.  Try dipping the toothbrush in a tasty liquid, such as a light gravy to make it more appealing.  Avoid  toothpaste designed for humans since it can cause stomach upset.


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Dental care, hydration crucial for athletes

Everyone needs to take care of their teeth, but athletes can have a special burden. The sugary drinks, dry mouths, sweating and falling can each take a toll, some more than others, says Dr. Sharon Colvin, an athlete and an assistant professor in the department of general dentistry at the University of Maryland School of Dentistry. Here’s an edited transcript of a Q&A with Colvin.

Q: What’s most damaging to an athlete’s mouth: extra sugar and carbs in sports foods and drinks, extended periods of dry mouth, sweating or falling?

A: By far, what’s most damaging is the extra sugar found in sports drinks such Gatorade and protein shakes and sports foods like protein/meal replacement bars. Surely dry mouth coupled with heavy consumption of sports drinks, protein shakes and food bars high in fermentable carbs (sucrose, fructose, and glucose) would be the most damaging to the athletes’ dentition.

Dry mouth is the result of the absence of a normal flow of saliva, or “spit,” throughout the oral cavity. Without normal salivary flow, the food which remains in the mouth after a meal is not washed away; the acid produced by specific bacteria in the mouth, which penetrates the tooth and causes decay, is not neutralized; and the first-line defense, the immune property found in saliva to prevent bacterial overgrowth, is diminished. These factors, coupled with a heavy consumption of sports beverages and foods high in sugar, can lead to rampant tooth decay.

Q: Are athletes better off sticking to water, and how often should they take a drink?

A: Water, without question, is considered the ultimate thirst quencher for the endurance athlete, and it is better for teeth. However, low-sugar sports drinks (like G2, which is a low-sugar Gatorade) offer the water necessary for hydration plus the carbs and electrolytes that tend to provide the energy we need to stay strong in the race to the end with less sugar. Plus, the flavors found in the sports drinks help to take the monotony out of drinking just water. During my half-marathon race, I found that drinking a small amount of water and Gatorade (G2) every two to three miles helped me. However, everyone is different, and athletes should gauge the amount of hydration they need, and how often, while training for a given race.

Q: Can sugar-free gum help, or are there other methods to help athletes protect their teeth?

A: I have found that when I am engaged in training for a race or in the actual race, gum chewing of any kind gets really “slimy” and a little distracting, so I don’t chew gum during my endurance activities. There are fluoride mouth rinses that can be used before and after a race. Also, rinsing with regular tap water, which contains fluoride, can provide protection against tooth decay caused in part by a high consumption of sports drinks, protein shakes/food bars.


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Improving oral health for ageing populations

Millions of elderly people across the globe are not getting oral health care they need. Poor oral health amongst older people has been particularly evident in high levels of tooth loss, dental caries and the prevalence rates of other dental disease and oral cancer.

Many elderly people worldwide do not have a full set of teeth. Poor oral health negatively impact on the quality of life of older adults and is an important public health issue which must be addressed by policy-makers. Experts warned that failure to address oral health needs today could develop into a costly problem tomorrow.

Advancing age puts elderly at risk of a number of health problems. As the number of aging population increasing worldwide, it will be a big problem in near future. The burden of oral disease is likely to grow in many developing countries like Bangladesh because of unhealthy diets rich in sugars and high consumption of tobacco.

In many developing countries, the only treatment is tooth extraction in case of pain and problems with teeth. Thus, millions of older people suffer tooth loss. Eventually they live without natural teeth.

As with other health issues, older people have very different oral health needs to children and younger adults. They are more likely to take medication that causes dry mouth, leading to tooth decay and infections of the mouth. More than 400 commonly used medications — many of them for chronic conditions to which the elderly are susceptible — can dry out the mouth.

Oral cancer is another danger that can strike after years of over-consumption of tobacco and alcohol. The incidence of this cancer is rising in places with growing or high tobacco use. In many cases, ill-fitting dentures can reduce a person’s quality of life, for example by impeding their ability to chew.

An unfounded belief by families and healthcare practitioners that tooth loss is inevitable during ageing, lack of education on the importance of oral health and components of dental care, poor access to services and a low dentist-to-population ratio complete the picture.

The World Health Organisation recommends that countries adopt certain strategies for improving the oral health of the elderly. National health authorities should develop policies and measurable goals and targets for oral health. National public health programmes should incorporate oral health promotion and disease prevention based on the common risk factors approach.

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 World Health Organisation

Improving oral health for ageing populations

Millions of elderly people across the globe are not getting oral health care they need. Poor oral health amongst older people has been particularly evident in high levels of tooth loss, dental caries and the prevalence rates of other dental disease and oral cancer.

Many elderly people worldwide do not have a full set of teeth. Poor oral health negatively impact on the quality of life of older adults and is an important public health issue which must be addressed by policy-makers. Experts warned that failure to address oral health needs today could develop into a costly problem tomorrow.

Advancing age puts elderly at risk of a number of health problems. As the number of aging population increasing worldwide, it will be a big problem in near future. The burden of oral disease is likely to grow in many developing countries like Bangladesh because of unhealthy diets rich in sugars and high consumption of tobacco.

In many developing countries, the only treatment is tooth extraction in case of pain and problems with teeth. Thus, millions of older people suffer tooth loss. Eventually they live without natural teeth.

As with other health issues, older people have very different oral health needs to children and younger adults. They are more likely to take medication that causes dry mouth, leading to tooth decay and infections of the mouth. More than 400 commonly used medications — many of them for chronic conditions to which the elderly are susceptible — can dry out the mouth.

Oral cancer is another danger that can strike after years of over-consumption of tobacco and alcohol. The incidence of this cancer is rising in places with growing or high tobacco use. In many cases, ill-fitting dentures can reduce a person’s quality of life, for example by impeding their ability to chew.

An unfounded belief by families and healthcare practitioners that tooth loss is inevitable during ageing, lack of education on the importance of oral health and components of dental care, poor access to services and a low dentist-to-population ratio complete the picture.

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Early dental care important for kids

If your child will be one of the princesses or zombies roaming the streets this Friday evening in search of their share of the $19 billion of candy produced annually in the United States, you may have wondered just how bad all those sweets really are.

From the perspective of pediatric dentist Dr. Jeremy Scholzen, it depends.

“Candy raises the acid level in your mouth, creating a good environment for bacteria to grow.”

Scholzen said the longer the candy stays in your mouth, the worse it is for your teeth.

“The sticky stuff, the hard candy you suck on, and the chewy candy are especially bad because they stay in your mouth for a long time, whereas something like chocolate doesn’t,” he said.

Dr. Scholzen offers tips for protecting your child’s teeth.

Don’t put children to bed with a bottle or sippy cup

“The acid and sugar in juice or milk pools in the child’s mouth and will rot their teeth,” he said. “In fact, it is one of the main reasons for cavities in children.”

Brush your child’s teeth

“Brushing teeth gets the stuff out, changes the pH level and disrupts plaque,” Scholzen said. “Start as soon as their teeth come in. Use a child-sized regular toothbrush and toothpaste with fluoride. When they are very young, a rice-sized piece of toothpaste is enough. If you can manage to get in there for 20 seconds a day, you’re being a pretty good parent.

“At age 2, you should be using a pea-sized amount of toothpaste and brushing a little longer,” he continued. “Don’t worry about it if they swallow a little toothpaste. The fluoride will actually help them.”

Take your child to the dentist

“I hear so many times that adults hate going to the dentist. For most of my young patients, it can be more like going to adventure camp,” he said. “It’s not the dentist that everybody hates. It’s what the dentist does to fi x cavities. The best way to avoid hating the dentist is to brush your teeth twice a day and go see the dentist every six months.”

Dr. Scholzen maintains that when it comes to visiting the dentist, “For the most part, kids are actually a lot more fun and more well behaved than adults.”

Occasionally he sees a patient who is less cooperative.

“I remember when I was looking into careers, I was shadowing a dentist and this kid went ape crazy in the chair,” Scholzen recalled. “The dentist threw his mirror and gloves on his desk and said, ‘Well, I guess you could be a pediatric dentist.’ It made me wonder who would take care of children like that. Now it makes me feel good when I can take care of a kid that nobody else can.”


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Tiny teeth: Tips from the pros on baby's first visit to the dentist

It can be confusing to figure out just when it is time to take your baby for their very first trip to the dentist.

(Photo: Special)

Baby teeth may ultimately be destined for the tooth fairy's collection, but proper care is still an essential part of your baby's health.

"I see at least 20 one- and two-year-olds every day with decay," says Dr. Stuart Bonnin, DMD.

In his years as a pediatric dentist, he has seen an increasing number of very young children with cavities, due to the common practice of giving them sugared beverages and juices in their bottles and sippy-cups.

Even though they might not be consuming solid foods or candy, such regular exposure to sugar is what drives the recommendation for babies to start seeing a dentist between the ages of 1 and 2½ years old, when those tiny teeth start coming in.

"If there are white, brown, or yellow spots in the teeth, it might simply be staining. But it generally indicates decay," says Dr. Bonnin, noting that he commonly sees 1-year-olds with signs of decay in the few teeth that they have.

As a general rule of thumb, he has a few tips for parents with tiny mouths to tend, wise ways to keep cavities at bay:

• "For children under 2, simply use a wet toothbrush with no training toothpaste," he says. "If the child is 2 years old or over, use a soft children's toothbrush with children's toothpaste that contains fluoride."

One don't on his list?

"Avoid using training toothpastes — essentially, those pastes are nothing more than sweet substances that serve very little purpose and certainly provide no dental benefits," he says. "The sweetness actually teaches them to swallow toothpaste, and it becomes a hard habit to break once they're using fluoride toothpaste."

• "Brushing your baby's teeth twice a day is important," Dr. Bonnin says. "Begin flossing when they have teeth that touch."

• Most importantly, "Never put a baby to bed with anything but water in their bottle."

"Babies don't need to have a minimum number of teeth before they see the dentist," says Dr. Stephanie Flynn Tilley, DMD, of Smiles by Design.

In fact, the Pensacola-based dentist recommends that oral hygiene practices be implemented early, even before any teeth emerge.

"Initially, parents should begin dental care prior to teeth by using a soft, wet cloth on gums," she says.

And while she prefers babies to be at least 2 years old before their first "Happy Visits," she sees many parents who visit her offices before a first cleaning so that the child can be familiarized with the environment and the staff.

Regardless of age, Dr. Tilley acknowledges that there are factors that might make an earlier visit to the dentist necessary. "Babies should be seen immediately if they're exhibiting tooth pain, showing signs of decay, or have fallen and hit their mouth," she says. "If a baby of any age is exhibiting teething issues or showing difficulties eating or breast feeding due to a low frenum attachment, they should be seen right away."

Through it's not necessary to seek out a pediatric dentist, many general dentists will not see patients so young. Finding the right dentist for your baby can be simple — just ask your own family dentist for referrals or ask family and friends for their recommendations.

So as you ready your little one for their first tiny bites of birthday cake, keep those pearly whites in mind and plan a visit to the dentist — that toothy grin will be its own reward.


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That Gorgeous Smile: Surprising Things That Are Good For Your Teeth

Here are a lists of things lying around the house that could actually improve the health of your teeth.

Raw Vegetables & Nuts
These are high in fiber, raw vegetables are slightly coarse and can act as a scrubbing agent, cleaning the teeth as well as stimulating salivary flow. Nuts are abrasive and simulate salivary flow. They help wash away plaque and can also remove stains.

Charcoal
The tiny granules of activated charcoal are extremely porous and very effective in binding certain materials to their surface. Charcoal granules can pull the tannins found in coffee, tea and red wine from teeth, thereby reducing the appearance of stains in just one use. Unlike peroxide whitening products, however, charcoal only removes surface stains, so it’s not helpful if your enamel is discolored.

Pineapple
They contain an enzyme called bromelain that can assist in removing stains. The tart taste and acid from citric fruits are effective in whitening teeth and stimulating salivary flow. Lemon juice mixed with baking soda can be used as a whitening paste and the inside of an orange peel can be used to scrub the teeth as well. Caution should be used when exposing teeth to acidic foods as prolonged exposure can cause sensitivity or worse, damage tooth enamel.

Coconut oil
Coconut oil has gained recent popularity as way to help keep the body (and the teeth) healthy. There is a trend known as “oil pulling“, where people swish with a liquid form of coconut oil for 15+ minutes, and it is said to have wonderful antibacterial properties. While the efficacy of this treatment has not been proven, it has motivated many to pay more attention to their oral health. Some may be uncomfortable with this type of time commitment, but it can stand to reason that simply adding more coconut oil into your diet may be beneficial as well.

Citrus fruits, sweet potatoes and red peppers
There are all great examples of foods that are high in vitamin C. Vitamin C promotes a healthy immune system which can help to keep harmful bacteria away. Fighting off bacteria that cause cavities, gum disease, and bad breath are the number one way to keep the mouth healthy.

Cheese
Eating cheese also helps protect teeth in multiple ways. Consumption of cheese stimulates rapid production of saliva that cleanses teeth and helps maintain a healthy pH level. Saliva is the body’s way of neutralizing acids and washing away debris. Cheese also leaves a protective coating on teeth further protecting them from acids.

Calcium, Phosphates and Vitamin D
These are present in dairy products and adequate quantities of these nutrients are essential if tooth decay is going to be prevented.


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Tips for fresh breath and oral health

Halloween kicks off a series of holidays celebrated with delicious treats, from yummy chocolate candies to gut-busting dinners to seasonal alcoholic beverages. While most parents will make sure their kids brush after eating their treats, National Dental Hygiene Month in October encourages a fuller approach to oral health.

“Teeth and gums are obviously key components of oral health care, but they’re just part of the whole environment inside one’s mouth,” says Dr. Bob Kross, a biochemist who’s been researching and developing oral health-care products since the 1980s.

“The nooks and crannies in our mouths and gums are not the only places crammed with organic debris, which feed the bacteria that create biofilm, such as plaque, to protect themselves from oxygen. There are also cracks on the tongue’s surface and in the other soft tissues in the mouth and pharynx where bacteria collect, further compromising dental health and creating bad breath.”

Normal oral bacteria are fine, actually even necessary, when present in proper balance with each other, but it’s a problem when putrefying and pathogenic bacteria start to take over, he says.

Kross offers this tip for preventing bad breath.

Control bad breath by controlling the mouth’s bacteria. Brush at least twice a day, floss, scrape the tongue and use a non-alcoholic rinse that has oxidizing properties. Individuals suffering from bad breath will experience optimum relief only by using alcohol-free, oxidizing oral hygiene products.

“At least 90 percent of bad breath problems are associated with the sulfurous compounds generated by the putrefying, malodor-forming, anaerobic bacteria, which hide in oral crevices, and which degrade food particles and salivary cell fragments,” Kross says. “For a cleaner mouth and fresher breath, you’ll need oxidants to destroy a major portion of the bacteria in these low-oxygen environments, thereby removing the root cause of persistent halitosis.


Read more: http://www.ardmoreite.com/article/20141029/Lifestyle/141029659#ixzz3I5wAW2bk 

Tricks for keeping teeth healthy this Halloween

This Halloween night, three-quarters of American households will hand out some kind of candy to eager trick-or-treaters.

We talked to a local dentist to get some tips on how kids can have an enjoyable Halloween without putting their teeth at risk.

He says it’s all about the kind of candy kids eat. Treats that dissolve quickly, like chocolate aren’t as bad for teeth as slow melting varieties.

“The worst candies, are the ones that are sticky and that last the longest time. That gives the sugar the longest exposure to the teeth,” explains Dr. Blaine Hammond with Aspen Dental.

Another tip is to make sure trick-or-treaters eat before they go out to try to curb candy cravings. Also make sure they brush their teeth, or at least drink water after consuming candy.

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