Taking care of all the elements that make up the oral cavity is very important. Neglecting any part of this set (deficient oral hygiene) may result in diseases like caries and periodontitis and, over time, might even cause the loss of teeth. This is why strict oral hygiene is essential even before your first tooth erupts and throughout your entire lifetime.

In order for brushing your teeth to be a truly effective habit, it must be a daily routine performed when you wake up in the morning, after every meal and then again right before going to bed. Regularity is a determining factor in maintaining oral health, since dental biofilm continuously builds up, and the only way to avoid its harmful effects is by removing it from the oral cavity. Proper technique is also crucial. If brushing is not performed adequately, it does not accomplish its purpose and, even worse, it can be harmful to your teeth and irritate your gums. You can always ask your dentist for help.

Take care of your teeth throughout your lifetime
Proper oral hygiene must start during the first month of life. The first tooth appears around the sixth month. At this age the use of a brush or dental floss is not necessary, but it is advisable to clean your baby´s teeth and gums with wet gauze after giving the baby his/her bottle or any type of food. For optimum development of baby's teeth and in order for your baby to become familiar with healthy oral hygiene habits, it is a good idea to visit the paediatric dentist on a regular basis.

At age 6, children have the ability to rinse out their mouths, and their teeth start to fall out. Therefore, using a children's tooth gel together with a soft-bristled toothbrush is advisable. Parents must show their children how to brush properly and make them aware of the importance of the daily oral hygiene.

In their teens your children have already adopted regular oral hygiene habits – brushing at least three times per day. They have graduated to an adult toothbrush and toothpaste. Now interproximal cleaning is important for complete oral hygiene.

Adults need to maintain optimum oral hygiene habits and visit the dentist regularly throughout their lives. This should even increase with age. As one grows older, the production and secretion of saliva decreases, meaning that saliva's function of stabilizing the pH of the mouth (acidity level) might be affected. This can be solved by using specific toothpaste for Dry Mouth and a whole range of products that can help slow down the oral aging process.

  Dr. Claudio A. Sorrentino

  www.dentalpalermo.com.ar

Dry mouth

Dry Mouth is the most graphical definition of Xerostomy. Although Dry Mouth is not considered a disease, its symptoms can cause an important shortfall in the quality of life of those who suffer it. The decrease in production of salivary flow makes it difficult simple actions like speaking, eating and/or swallowing.

 Non treated Xerostomy can affect the sense of taste, difficult the chewing and even reduce the pleasure of eating and chatting.

What is Xerostomy? 

Xerostomy is the subjective feeling of dry mouth produced by the decrease of saliva flow (also known as hyposalivation or asialorrhea) due to the malfunction of the salivary glands. Our body has three glands responsible for the salivary flow (parotid gland, sublingual and submandibular).The decrease of saliva flow makes it difficult simple actions such as talking, eating and/or swallowing. 

These symptoms can be reversible or irreversible. In the first case, they are due to external causes (than can also be reversible) that can be treated or regulated, thus improving the saliva flow.

For instance, stress, depression, mouth breathing, or the intake of some medicines, among others. Whereas an irreversible Xerostomy is due to changes that can be relieved but not solved. This can be aging degeneration, Sjogren Syndrome or tumours.

Why is saliva so important to our body?
Saliva performs a variety of functions in our body:

• Protective Function: Saliva is a highly efficient defensive oral system. When the saliva flow decreases or its composition is altered, the physiological antibacterial mechanism is disturbed and there is a higher tendency to suffer from: dental biofilm build up, gum inflammation and bleeding, caries and bad breath. In addition, saliva neutralized the pH produced after meals, thus protecting the teeth enamel. Over night, when we sleep, the saliva flow diminishes and the teeth become unprotected in front of the caries. Therefore, brushing your teeth before going to bed is fundamental.
• Digestive Function: Saliva lubricates the alimentary bolus, thus facilitating chewing and swallowing of food. A poor lubrication can result in discomfort when swallowing, such as irritation or heartburn, reducing the pleasure to eat.
• Sensorial Function: Helps maintain a good sense of taste. One of the main aspects of the quality of life of a person.

COMPOSITION:
Saliva is a transparent liquid, of variable viscosity, mainly made up of water, mineral salts and some proteins:

• Water 95%: food dissolving.
• Rest 5%:
  • Mineral salts
  • Mucus: facilitates swallowing
  • Enzymes: dissolve food
  • Lisozyme: Destroys bacteria in food
  • Other substances
  •  

  Dr. Claudio A. Sorrentino

  www.dentalpalermo.com.ar

 

Everyday habits that damage your teeth

Sugar, wine, and, yes, opening bottles with your teeth can hurt your smile.

You plan meals, grab drinks, and play sports without giving much thought to your teeth. 

But you might not realize how food, beverages, and activities can wreck the health of your pearly whites.

Twenty-five percent of U.S. adults over age 65 have lost all their teeth - here's how you can protect your own.

Sugar and Teeth

Sugar is the No. 1 enemy of your teeth, and the longer it stays in your mouth, the worse it is. Sugar is consumed by acid-producing bacteria in your mouth. The acids eat away at tooth enamel. Avoid foods like jelly candies, which stick in your teeth longer than other foods and bathe them in sugar. Dried fruit such as raisins are no better. Reach for fresh fruit instead.

Beverages and Teeth

Soda is just plain bad for teeth, sugar-free or not. Club soda is harmful, too, because of its acidity, and so are juices with added sugar. Alcohol, even just a glass of wine, is also acidic and can erode the teeth. In addition, alcohol dries out your mouth, reducing saliva production. Saliva bathes the teeth and helps remove plaque and bacterial accumulations from the teeth's surface. Less plaque equals less risk for bacterial acids to cause decay. Rinse your mouth with water between drinks.

Other Risks to Teeth

If you use your teeth to snap off bottle caps, remove clothing tags, or open plastic bags, stop immediately. Smokers should also consider how the habit affects oral health. Nicotine yellows teeth and can also cause oral cancer. Chewing tobacco is even worse because the tobacco and associated carcinogens come into direct contact with the gums and soft tissues and stay there for a long time. Also, ask your doctor or pharmacist if your medicines might cause dry mouth. According to the American Dental Association, more than 500 medications -- from pain relievers to antihistamines -- can do so. Dry mouth inhibits saliva production and increases your risk of cavities.

If you play contact sports, pick up a mouth guard at a sports store or have your dentist make you a custom one for maximum protection and comfort.

You don't even have to be awake to damage your teeth. Sorin says as many as 8% of Americans grind or clench their teeth, especially at night. If this is you, make an appointment with your dentist right away.

Q&A on Chewing Ice

 Q: "I started to chew ice 10 years ago because it is so soothing. Now I can't give it up. Is it really so bad for my teeth?"

 A: "Yes, unfortunately. Chewing on ice, pens, pencils, and bobby pins can cause wear and tear on the tooth and enamel surfaces covering the tooth. If your teeth are worn or chipped already, the ice can crack and damage the tooth structure."

  Dr. Claudio A. Sorrentino

  www.dentalpalermo.com.ar

Halitosis (Less Than Pleasant Breathe)

“Halitosis is a term used to describe noticeably unpleasant odors exhaled in breathing. Halitosis is estimated to be the third most frequent reason for seeking dental aid, following tooth decay and periodontal disease.”

Most of the time when we find ourselves with less than desirable breathe we can blame the delicious onion burger we had for lunch. But sometimes there is a more complex issue to be addressed. In the following text I present several of the most common causes of Halitosis, and a few treatment options to hopefully help you better understand this common occurrence.

Some of the most common causes of Halitosis are:

• The food you eat- When food is eaten it is absorbed into the bloodstream. From there it is transferred to the lungs where the scent is expelled, affecting the air you exhale. This happens until the food is eliminated by your body.

• Oral hygiene- Without brushing, flossing, and regular dental visits food will remain in your mouth for extended periods of time, creating a breeding ground for bacteria that produce a less that desirable odor. Also, food left in the mouth that long can cause the gums to rot, and nothing that is rotting can smell all that good.

• Improperly cleaned dentures- Like poor oral hygiene, dentures that are not properly cleaned collect bacteria through food particles and cause bad breath.

• Periodontal Disease (gum disease)- One of the most prominent symptoms of gum disease is bad, often foul breathe. Also, along with bad breathe there will also be a constant unpleasant taste in the mouth. If you think this is the issue, see your Dental Depot dental professional as soon as possible.

• Xerostomia (dry mouth)- Xerostomia can be caused by a number of things, a few of the most common causes would be a reaction to certain medications, a salivary gland disorder, or predominantly breathing through the mouth. Without the proper amount of saliva the mouth will struggle to cleanse itself of food remnants.

• Tobacco- Tobacco is probably the most obvious cause of bad breathe. Cigarettes, cigars, smokeless tobacco, snuff, and any other tobacco product not only causes halitosis, but also stains the teeth and puts the rest of the body at risk for a number of diseases.

• Medical Condition- Bad breathe can sometimes be a symptom of a medical condition. Something like a respiratory infection, diabetes, a gastrointestinal disorder, or even liver or kidney disorder could all cause halitosis. If you believe your halitosis could be the symptom of a medical condition, please see a physician as soon as possible.

  Dr. Claudio A. Sorrentino

  www.dentalpalermo.com.ar