Archive for oral health
A healthy school lunch can help maintain good oral health and establish good nutritional habits in kids and teenagers. The following tips can help you learn how to prepare a lunch that best meets your child’s dental and nutritional needs.
- For snacks, send fruits, vegetables or cheese in your child’s lunchbox.
- The best fruit choices are those containing more water, such as: apples, grapes, pears, cantaloupes, and other melons.
- Any type of aged cheese is a good choice, such as: Swiss, Cheddar or Monterey Jack. You can also use cookie cutters to cut the cheese into fun shapes. Some studies have suggested that aged cheese can actually help to prevent tooth decay.
- Raw broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, cucumbers and celery are excellent vegetable choices.
- Try some different healthy foods or low carb snacks that your children may like.
The following foods are sticky and/or chewy and should be avoided because they stick to the teeth and saliva is unable to wash the sugar away.
- Raisins
- Honey
- Dried figs
- Peanut butter cookies
- Jelly beans
- Lollipops
- Hard candy
We cannot follow our children around all the time to make sure they are eating healthy and brushing their teeth, but we can have some peace of mind knowing that we are helping to promote good oral health by providing them with their nutritional needs while they are at school.
Thank you for reading. I encourage you to leave comments or questions below. For more information on my practice, please visit www.elitesacramentodentist.com
Your friendly dentist,
Dr. Sarah Po
August 18, 2010
Source: http://dentistry.about.com/od/childrensdentistry/a/kidsnutrition.htm
An estimated 400,000 of the 1.2 million Americans diagnosed with cancer each year may develop painful and debilitating oral complications from their cancer treatment. Persons who undergo cancer treatment are sometimes unaware that a dental examination is a critical step in maintaining their overall health.
Someone who is receiving radiation therapy of the head and neck area, or has a history of such treatment, may develop certain complications including dry mouth, sensitive lesions in the oral cavity, hypersensitive teeth, rapid tooth decay and difficulty swallowing. Chemotherapy can also have significant effects on the oral cavity.
To help prevent, minimize and manage such problems, your dentist and oncologist can work together—before and during your cancer treatment.
During the treatment period for head and neck cancer, gently brush your teeth twice a day unless your dentist recommends otherwise. Your dentist may recommend a mouth rinse in addition to daily brushing. If you develop a condition called dry mouth, your dentist may recommend a saliva replacement, an artificial saliva that is available over-the-counter at pharmacies. Frequent fluoride applications may also be recommended.
Because any mouth infection may have serious implications, contact your dentist or physician immediately should any occur. Your dentist and physician both want your treatment to be as safe and effective as possible.
Thank you for reading. I encourage you to leave comments or questions below. To learn more about my practice, click on the link www.elitesacramentodentist.com
Your friendly dentist,
Dr. Sarah Po
June 30, 2010
Earlier this week I discussed that infections in the mouth can lead to other health problems. What does this mean for heart disease and stroke?
Diseased heart vessels have thicker walls because of the buildup of fatty proteins. Research says that when oral bacteria enter the blood stream, they attach to these fatty plaques in the arteries. This leads to swelling of the arteries and formation of clots. Clots block the flow of blood to the heart, which then restricts oxygen supply to the heart thereby increasing the risk of heart attacks.
People with gum disease are twice as likely to suffer from coronary artery disease as those without gum disease. Gum disease was found in more people who had suffered a stroke than the control group that had not suffered a stroke.
Finally, periodontal bacteria can also complicate existing heart conditions such as heart murmurs by causing infection of the heart valves. Such pre-existing conditions require antibiotic prophylaxis prior to dental procedures. Your dentist and primary care doctor can advise you if you think you have concerns on this matter.
Thank you for reading. I encourage you to leave comments or questions below. To learn more about my practice, click Here
Your friendly dentist,
Dr. Sarah Po
Mar. 16, 2010
In keeping with our theme for National Children’s Dental Health month, let’s discuss another popular topic: dental sealants. What are sealants and what can they do for your child?
Sealants are plastic coatings that can either be clear or white. A very thin layer of sealant material is applied to the biting surfaces of teeth, filling in all the grooves and pits which is where cavities often start. There is no anesthetic or drilling required. Once placed, the sealants provide a smooth glassy surface. In my office we tell the children that we are going to “paint” their teeth to make them like “skating rinks”.
Permanent molars, which start to come into the mouth at around 6 years of age, benefit the most from sealants. That’s because molars often have deep grooves on the biting surfaces which can retain bacteria and food particles.
Sealants can last many years; however, it is important to have them checked during regular dental checkups to make sure they are still intact. Otherwise they may need to be redone.
Remember that sealants are only one aspect of a child’s preventive care. Proper brushing and flossing, wise food choices, and regular dental visits are essential to maintaining the overall oral health of your child.
Thank you for reading. I encourage you to leave comments or questions below. To learn more about my practice, click on the link www.elitesacramentodentist.com
Your friendly dentist,
Dr. Sarah Po
Feb. 18, 2010
Deep cleaning, also known as root planing, refers to the initial treatment of gum disease (periodontal disease). Some signs of gum disease include but are not limited to:
Bad breath, loose and shifting teeth, red, swollen and or bleeding gums, itching or soreness of gums, depth pocket readings greater than 4mm, gum recession and loss of bone in the jaw.
What happens if you do not treat active periodontal disease?
You can have acute or chronic infections, loss of your teeth, and transmission of oral bacteria through your blood stream into your heart, lungs and other body systems.
What happens during a “deep cleaning”?
Your dentist or hygienist will scale the rough areas of the roots and remove the calcified bacterial deposits (ie. calculus, tartar) under the tissue which would otherwise keep the gum tissue inflamed and infected. This is usually done with the help of local anesthetic. Irrigation with an antibacterial solution is frequently used. In some cases, placement of antibiotic powder in the deepest pockets may be recommended. In my office, we also use laser technology to stimulate healing, kill bacteria, and eliminate damaged unhealthy tissue so that new healthy tissue can form and attach to the tooth, thereby reducing pocket depth.
Any post-operative concerns?
After a deep cleaning, you may be numb for several hours if anesthetic was used. Try to avoid eating or chewing until the numbness has worn off. For the rest of the day, try to avoid chewing crunchy or spicy foods on the side of the mouth that has been treated. You may resume normal chewing the next day.
Factors that may affect success of treatment?
Your overall health, medications, nutrition, genetics and tobacco use are all factors that can affect the success of treatment. It is possible that even with this treatment, you may need to be referred to a periodontist, or gum specialist, for evaluation and treatment if your dentist or hygienist determine it is necessary.
Typically, after completion of deep cleaning you will be required to return every 3 to 4 months for continuing care. As always, good home care and regular dental visits are essential to maintaining your periodontal as well as overall oral health.
Your friendly dentist,
Dr. Sarah Po
www.elitesacramentodentist.com
January 28, 2010