General

Mind What You Eat and Drink

Some food and drinks leave stains behind – on your tongue, including your teeth. Your dentist can very well tell your eating habits and food preferences by simple oral examination. If your teeth aren’t as white as they used to be, you might want to take a closer look at what you put inside your mouth.

As one ages, the outer enamel of teeth develop very fine lines across the surfaces, very much like lines on maturing facial skin. Stains tend to burrow into these depressions and over time, simple brushing just won’t do. A yellowish tinge to your teeth can be blamed on acidic foods, like citrus foods and tomatoes. They can erode the enamel and expose the yellow dentin inside.

Coffee contains tannin which is acidic as well. Sugars in treats like cookies and hard candy, even snack foods like chips, latch onto your and become the main meal for bacteria. Sodas are especially dangerous, they are carbonated hence, also acidic and will create holes in the teeth. Low quality green tea stains teeth gray and black tea stains them yellow.

Certain foods like berries (blueberries and blackberries) contain pigments that stay behind. Red wine can also cause discoloration; the same with tomato sauce, beets, curry, as well as soy sauce and balsamic vinegar. They also have acids that bathe teeth and cause the enamel to soften and become brittle, and hence, attract more pigments to stick to them.

Is there some way to both enjoy your favorites and at the same time protect your pearly whites?

Don’t leave remnants behind. Brush with toothpaste right away. If that is not possible, drink lots of water to keep the mouth hydrated. Rinse or use a gargle, just don’t let the smell or taste linger in the mouth. All these are proactive tips to keep your whites stay white. Also, stay faithful to your dental appointments to maintain that bright healthy smile all year round.

Smart Eating and Dental Appointments

Know more from your Bellingham dentist, Dr. Tetrick, about teeth staining by certain foods and drinks. You will not have to sacrifice your favorite eats by not enjoying them. All you have to know is the smarter way to do it and what to do after to still keep that confident smile.

Different Considerations for Mouthwashes

Mouthwashes can either be for cosmetic or for therapeutic purposes; it depends on the composition of the product. Apparently, there are many benefits of therapeutic mouthwashes.

Cosmetic mouthwashes can temporarily mask bad breath and provide a pleasing flavor, but are ineffective against bacteria and sulfur compounds, which are responsible for halitosis (bad breath). For control of bad breath, your mouthwashes should have antimicrobials and for that they are therapeutic.

Look at the label and find antimicrobials in mouthwash that include chlorhexidine, chlorine dioxide, cetylpyridinium chloride, and essential oils (eucalyptol, menthol, thymol and methyl salicylate). Other agents are zinc salts, ketone, terpene, and ionone. Just watch out for certain compounds that may lead to tooth staining, like the combination chlorhexidine, cetylpyridinium chloride plus zinc lactate.

Therapeutic rinses can also reduce plaque and gingivitis when combined with daily brushing and flossing. Certain mouthwashes can also fight tooth decay because they have added fluoride ions in their composition. Some can whiten teeth, used daily, because of their 1.5 to 2 percent hydrogen peroxide content. Anesthetics such as lidocaine, benzocaine, butamin, tetracaine hydrochloride, dyclonine hydrochloride, or phenol are found in rinses and these can provide a certain degree of topical pain relief, such as in the presence of oral lesions or ulcers.

Note that these considerations are understood more by your dentist. The dentist can prescribe certain mouthwashes with specific instructions as to the dose, frequency and time in the mouth for certain oral conditions. Patient compliance is important for achieving the therapeutic purpose. Mouth- washes may offer additional benefits but they cannot take the place of proper brushing and flossing.

Prescription for Mouthwashes from Bellingham Dentists

Know more about the benefits of certain mouthwashes from your Bellingham dentists. Don’t use just any or buy over the counter without proper consultation. For therapeutic purposes, your dentist knows best.

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Teeth as Strong as a Mouse’s

The tradition of the “Tooth Fairy” has come to us as a fascinating and absorbing little myth whose origins are not so well documented, unlike that of Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny. But it has enchanted America’s little tykes since long ago and many kids today still expect their little gift from the Tooth Fairy in exchange for a lost tooth.

What was that all about? In the 1970s, some radio DJ spoke about the Tooth Fairy, in perhaps a beguiling manner, that the American Dental Association was inundated with calls from the public, wanting to know more about the Tooth Fairy. It was quite logical, at the time, that anything dental-related the association has answers to. Apparently, the ADA was clueless.

The ritual of children placing their shed baby teeth under their pillows, in the hopes of finding them replaced with cash or a gift in the morning, was already being practiced. Kids left notes for the tooth fairy and believed they shared personal relationships with her for years. There are many variations of the ritual but the most popular is offering the lost tooth as a sacrifice to a mouse or rat, in the hopes that the child’s adult teeth will grow in as strong and sturdy as the rodent’s. Fascinating. The mouse remains the predominant animal-dental mascot to this day.

How does this impact dental practice?
The trusting nature of childhood enables parents to promote the myth with positive outcomes, even though later kids will find out the truth, they still like it. The belief provides comfort for children in their loss, even if accompanied with fear or pain. The idea that a gift-bearing imaginary figure consoles them and renders them somewhat unafraid to face the dentist.

Imaginative parents tell the kids early on that the tooth fairy pays a whole lot more for a perfect baby tooth than for a decayed one, encouraging proper oral hygiene. A little note comes along with the gift or money praising the kids’ good dental habits. If a sympathetic dentist plays along, he might find a more cooperative and less stressful patient in his chair. Surrendering a cleaned up baby tooth to the youngster, he reminds about putting it under the pillow for good measure.

Bellingham Dentist: A Tooth Fairy’s Friend

Find a compassionate family dentist in Bellingham who knows all about the Tooth Fairy. Be assured your child will have a positive and less stressful experience every time you bring him/her to Dr. Tetrick Bellingham Dentistry.

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Genetic Defects in Enamel: Link to Cavities

Ever wondered how come some people, who are so proper and careful in brushing and flossing their teeth, still develop cavities? They go for regular dental visits, yet their dentist still find beginnings of tooth decay. It might be frustrating but there’s a little science behind that.

New research showed (from mice experiments, though) that there exist a gene complex responsible in enamel formation. If protein mutations are present in the gene, there can be enamel defects that can be passed on to offsprings. In the experiment, all mice with mutations in genetic proteins exhibit teeth with enamel defects. The study demonstrated that there is a direct link between mutations in the genetic blueprints for these proteins and the development of tooth enamel defects. This discovery will lead to improving our understanding of the production of tooth enamel.

The team of researchers was the first in the world to use modern genetic, molecular and biochemical methods to study tooth enamel defects in detail. They have discovered particular proteins involved in a signaling pathway aren’t just involved in the development of severe illnesses, but also in the qualitative refinement of highly developed tissue, such as the enamel. If the signal transmission isn’t working properly, the structure of the tooth enamel can change.

All things considered, the formation and progress of tooth cavities depend on the composition and hardness of the enamel. How much can teeth resist caries? Bacteria and their toxic products can easily penetrate enamel with a less stable structure, which leads to caries, even if oral hygiene is maintained.

Hopefully, this development will open up new possibilities for the prevention of cavities. New products that check the progress of tooth cavities in case the enamel is defective will enable the dental community to improve the oral health of patients considerably.

Good Oral Hygiene: Gold standard in Bellingham

Still and all, while we marvel at the advances in dental medicine, in particular the battle against caries, we still adhere to proper brushing and flossing as the gold standard in good oral hygiene for the prevention and control of tooth decay.

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The Bad and Good Foods for Teeth

What’s your comfort food? Everyone has. But if you consume too many sugar-filled sodas, sweetened fruit drinks or non-nutritious snacks, you could be at risk for tooth decay. Foods that contain sugars of any kind can contribute to tooth decay, including sports and energy drinks. Common sources of sugar in the diet include soft drinks, candy, cookies and pastries. Citric fruits and juices are also sweet and acidic, and as we know, acid can weaken enamel.

Caffeinated coffee and tea can also dry out the mouth. Frequent drinks of coffee and tea may also stain teeth. And who doesn’t like starchy foods, like potato chips that tend to stick to tooth surfaces?

These foods and drinks are mostly unhealthy and their frequent consumption are contributory to tooth decay, the single most common chronic childhood disease. As this goes on unabated into adulthood, gum disease can manifest. The severe form, called periodontitis, is a major cause of tooth loss in adults. Experts believe that the disease progresses faster and is potentially more severe in people with poor nutrition.

Making wise choices and committing to change can reverse the process. With healthy living, healthy teeth and gums can be realized. Apart from drinking plenty of water, the elixir of life for a good many reasons, a balanced diet from each of the five major food groups is essential. These are whole grains, fruits, vegetables, lean sources of protein such as lean beef, skinless poultry and fish; dry beans, peas and other legumes, and low-fat and fat-free dairy foods.

Limit the snacks, moderate alcohol consumption, and again, lots of water to wash down all sweet and acidic taste. Routine oral hygiene, which cannot be stressed enough, as well as regular dental visits are part of the goal to achieve optimal oral health.

Good Eating Habits Start Here in Bellingham

Know more about food and drinks that can positively affect your teeth and gums from your Bellingham dentists. There’s an adage that says, you are what you eat, so only eat right. We are here to help and keep you on track.

The Problem with Drug Use

A recently published review from a scientific journal revealed that tooth decay and periodontal disease are highly common in people who abuse substance, more so than the general population. On top of this, these people are the most less likely to consult and receive care from the dental practitioner. With increasing drug use in the US, to the tune of 3 million new users a year, this problem is not showing any sign of abating.

How does drug use affect the teeth and mouth? The effects are direct and easily noted, and perhaps the reason why drug users refuse dental attention – to avoid criticism or judgment. Drug use presents with dry mouth; there is less salivation with inhalation of fumes or powder forms. Meth Mouth is a term used to describe the discoloration, rotting and broken teeth in the mouth of a person who has an addiction to methamphetamine.

Users tend to snack more and prefer high sugar diets, like those who are addicted to heroin or other opiates, leading to increasing plaque formation, at the same time suffering from malnutrition. Stimulants like ecstasy, amphetamines and cocaine are known to cause individuals to clench and grind their teeth when under the influence. There is also chemical erosion from applying cocaine to teeth and gums.

Those into substance abuse tend to have poor oral hygiene and lack regular dental care. On top of these, they poorly respond to painkillers and anesthetics, as well. Chronic tooth decay, cracked teeth, gingivitis or other forms of gum disease and other complications are often ignored by those who have an addiction.

Dentists should screen their patients for substance use, notice any advanced dental or periodontal disease and consider referral to medical doctors for management. In patients with suspected substance use disorders, dentists should be aware of issues concerning treatment and consent.

Dental Health for All in Bellingham

Your Bellingham dentists are truly your family dentists. If you have a love one or member who has dental issues due to drug use, try bringing the patient to us for attention and care. We don’t judge while accomplish our community mission. Simply dental health for all.

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Who Benefits Most from Antibiotics?

Antibiotic prophylaxis in dentistry is a very common and important preventive procedure in the dental office. Especially prior to extensive or complex procedures, many dentists recommend that you are protected by antibiotics in case bacteremia happens.

Bacteremia is the presence of bacteria in the bloodstream, potentially dangerous in a weakened immune system or for a body tissue or organ that is already compromised. Working inside the mouth, one of the dirtiest places in the body, your dentist can unwittingly initiate the spread of infection via a dental treatment, as simple as cleaning, extraction, root canal or implantation, to the rest of the body. For a majority of people, this doesn’t seem problematic.

Healthy immune systems can fight off the spread easily, leaving the patient looking no less for wear.

But a special group of patients need extra consideration. Antibiotic prophylaxis is recommended by the American Heart Association for people who have specific heart conditions. They should take antibiotics prior to dental treatment. These people are those who have artificial heart valves or who have had a heart transplant in which a problem develops with one of the valves.

Antibiotics are also a must in those who have a history of infection of the lining of the heart or heart valves known as infective endocarditis, an uncommon but life-threatening infection. Also, there are heart conditions present from birth that will need protection during dental care, like unrepaired cyanotic congenital heart disease, first 6 months repaired heart defects using prosthetic material, or those with residual defects at the site or near the site of repair that used a prosthetic material.

So, for patients with these underlying cardiac conditions, prophylaxis is recommended for all dental procedures especially those that involve manipulation of gingival tissue or the root region of teeth or perforation of the oral mucosa. This is so because of the richness of blood supply at these areas.

Protection for Special Groups at Bellingham

We at Dr. Tetrick’s, your family dentists in Bellingham, take into consideration the needs of special groups of patients where antibiotic cover is concerned. Talk to us about your dental issues and tell us, too, if you have existing heart conditions. Have a positive experience at Dr. Tetrick’s; we use antibiotic prophylaxis where and when needed.

What’s in Your Dental Filling?

Let’s look at the available dental fillings being used today by dentists. Knowing what they are, what they contain, and knowing their benefits can help you make informed choices.
You must have seen gold fillings before. Gold cast filling lasts from 10 to 15 years, even longer if you take very good care of them. Gold doesn’t corrode and has a high level of durability and strength, withstanding chewing and grinding pressures well.

Gold, however, is quite expensive, very noticeable, and out of date today. The filling is almost no longer used in restoration.

Silver amalgam fillings are as durable, strong as gold; able to handle the stresses of chewing extremely well. They last as long as gold and even longer than tooth-colored fillings. It is also one of the most affordable for strong fillings.

However, amalgam restorations are obvious in the mouth; it requires more tooth drilling and removal of normal tooth structure to accommodate it in a prepared cavity. Under extreme changes of temperature, the filling can also crack and break. And then there are also concerns with its mercury content, however minute.

Tooth-colored composites are naturally more pleasing having the same color as natural teeth. They are favored for the anteriors. They bond well with tooth structure and are useful to repair chipped or broken teeth. Compared to amalgam, composites do not last as long, typically 5 years, and are more expensive because tooth preparation takes longer to do and requires skill and experience.

Then there are ceramic fillings made of porcelain. They resist staining and last longer than composites, like up to 15 to 17 years, hence, making them fairly expensive. Glass ionomer fillings are favored for cavities below the gumline and for pediatric use because of its fluoride content. However, they need replacement every five years, not being as resistant to stresses.

Not just Your Dentist’s Recommendations

So what’s your filling going to be? Better know more from your Bellingham dentist. A host of factors need consideration, like how damaged are the teeth involved, allergy to certain materials, budget, and best long term advantage for you.

Anti-snoring Devices: Pros and Cons

If you’re a snorer and in the market for anti-snoring devices, there are a couple of mouthpieces and a chin strap you can use to try to make night time easier for everyone. It’s good to arrest or minimize this tendency because of its potential danger to your health, especially if what you got is sleep apnea.

The CPAP or continuous positive airway pressure is the standard treatment for sleep apnea, a small bedside machine that sends air through a tube and a mask over your nose and mouth. It is quite uncomfortable for users, so that makes way for other alternatives, like an anti-snoring mouthguard.

There are two types of this mouthpiece, the older version is the jaw-retaining mouthpiece that pulls the lower jaw forward during sleep, and the newer and more studied tongue-retaining mouthguard which holds the tongue forward. This one is said to have a level of comfort and effectiveness.

One of the benefits of oral appliances is comfort; at least more comfortable than the bedside machine; then convenience, for one has to use it consistently. The other is effectiveness. The jaw advancement appliance works well with jaw-related causes of snoring, while the tongue mouthpiece works for almost everyone. There is no guaranteed solution really. But jaw pain and bite issues are associated with the jaw appliance. The anti-snoring chin strap comes in adhesive varieties, though most are of synthetic fabrics.

By moving the lower jaw forward it will reduce pressure on the throat and reduce constriction. Users who do not like to have any appliance in their mouths will find the strap comfortable. It does have one fault – it can slide off during sleep. Also, some designs can break apart because they use plastic clips, others may cause itching or skin irritation. So choose well according to your preferences, comfort and associated risks.

A Good Night No-Snore Device from Tetrick Family Dentistry

Dr. Tetrick can offer you any one anti-snoring device that works best for you. Consult with your Bellingham family dentist regarding snoring and know more how you can manage the condition effectively and safely.

ADA Digital X-Ray Recommendations

The American Dental Association (ADA) encourages all dentists and their patients to discuss their treatment options, including the need for X-rays, to be able to make informed decisions. Knowing the need for radiographic representations, the ADA and the FDA formulated recommendations to serve as guide when dentists make professional judgment regarding X-ray imagings.

These are not meant to be standards, requirements or regulations because dentists are in the best position to make the judgment, knowing their own patients’ history and vulnerabilities.

Although dental radiation is but a minor portion of total exposure from all sources, accounting for approximately 2.5 percent of the effective dose received from medical radiographs and fluoroscopies (half of which from CT scannings), the ADA nevertheless calls for careful and minimalist use of radiation in dental practice and only on the basis of need, not as routine.

It advocates use of the fastest image receptor available; use cone-beam CT (CBCT) only when necessary; collimate the beam to the area of interest; always use a thyroid collar/shield; and “child-size” the exposure time.

The National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements (NCRP) have listed detailed Effective Radiation Doses for Dental Radiographic Examinations for adults, including occupational exposure for dental personnel, which limits should not be exceeded. Likewise, state laws and regulations set specific requirements for the use of ionizing radiation, including X-rays. Training requirements for dental office personnel typically are found in state dental practice acts or dental board regulations.

With all these safeguards from the ADA, the NCRP, and our state laws, the dental patient’s welfare is always foremost and supreme.

Bellingham Dentistry is Safe Dentistry

If you are concerned about radiation, it is good to know that here at Dr Tetrick’s in Bellingham, we practise safe dentistry using light exposure digital X-ray and only on a per need basis.

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