If you’re considering allowing your child to get a tongue piercing, you may want to consider not just the cost of the piercing and the stud but all the dental work down the line.

If your child continuously plays with the tiny barbell-shaped stud, pushing it against her upper front teeth, he or she may eventually force a gap between those teeth – a fraction-of-an-inch gap that may cost thousands of dollars in orthodontic bills to straighten!

The habit of pushing the metal stud between upper front teeth is sometimes referred to as “playing.”

Most people with pierced tongues never remove the barbell because the tongue is so vascular that leaving the stud out can result in healing of the opening in the tongue. It makes sense that constant pushing of the stud against the teeth would move them or drive them apart.

Now, a basic principle of dentistry is that force, over time, moves teeth.

Basic treatment for gapped teeth can be a fixed braces appliance to push the front teeth back together.

Tongue piercing can result in serious injury not just to teeth but has also been associated with hemorrhage, infection, chipped and fractured teeth, trauma to the gums and, in the worst cases, brain abscess.

Pregnancy gingivitis is a common form of gum disease known to develop in almost half of all pregnant women likely due to the change in hormones. With proper precautions, pregnancy gingivitis generally ends shortly after the birth of the child, although it should be monitored by a dentist periodically during pregnancy in order to prevent this form of gingivitis from progressing into more serious periodontitis, an advanced and irreversible form of gum disease that has been linked with preterm birth.

Pregnant mothers with periodontal disease are seven times more likely to go into preterm labor. Prostaglandin, a chemical found in oral bacteria, may induce labor. Also, high levels of prostaglandin has been found in the mouths of women with severe cases of periodontal disease.

The following guidelines were developed by the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAP) in response to the growing concern surrounding oral health during pregnancy:

• Oral Health Education – Counseling and early intervention by healthcare providers such as physicians, nurses, and dentists to provide expectant mothers with the tools and resources necessary to understand the importance of oral health care during pregnancy.
• Oral Hygiene - Removing the bacterial plaque, which researchers have connected to preterm birth and low birth-weight babies, is essential. Using the correct brushing and flossing methods greatly increase the amount of plaque that is removed from the teeth and gums.
• Fluoride – The American Dental Association recommends the use of toothpaste with fluoride by persons over the age of six. Echoing their sentiment, the AAP oral health guidelines advise the continued use of fluoridated toothpaste during pregnancy, and recommends the use of an over-the-counter alcohol-free fluoride rinse to help reduce the amount of plaque in the mouth.
• Nutrition – Educating expectant mothers about proper diet and nutrition during pregnancy will limit unnecessary sugar intake and in turn, prevent plaque buildup.
• Treating Existing Tooth Decay – Expectant mothers are encouraged to have existing tooth decay treated during their pregnancy, which experts believe is a completely safe practice during pregnancy. Restoring decayed teeth will help achieve oral health by removing the bacteria associated with tooth decay.
• Transmission of Bacteria – Expectant mothers are discouraged from sharing food and utensils in order to prevent the transmission of the bacteria known to cause tooth decay.
• Use of Xylitol Gum – Expectant mothers are encouraged to chew xylitol gum (four times a day) as research suggests that chewing this gum may decrease the rate of tooth decay in children.

And ALWAYS Talk to Your Dentist!

If you are pregnant or are considering pregnancy, discuss any concerns you may have with your dentist.
Women who are thinking about becoming pregnant may want to consider their oral health before becoming pregnant. As research suggests, treating existing gum disease in pregnant women does not reduce the instance of preterm birth. Despite this fact, experts insist that regular oral health care should continue throughout pregnancy.

For people who don’t get a dental checkup every six months, they may be well on their way to losing their teeth and to contributing to other significant health problems.

There are six easy ways to tell if it is a problem for you.

The Five Signs of Periodontal Disease:

HALITOSIS (BAD BREATH) REFUSES TO GO AWAY
The first sign of periodontal disease is bad breath that won’t go away. If you have chronic bad breath, make sure to rule out a systemic disease, like diabetes.

There are other causes of bad breath that not be the result of periodontal disease such as medication and diet. There are also some sources of bad breath that can come from the stomach, sinus, and lungs.

These factors should also be considered. But, because the majority of the population suffers from periodontal disease, that is the most likely that bad breath.

SWOLLEN, RED or BLEEDING GUMS
Red or purple gums that are swollen are another sign of periodontal disease, especially the gums around the teeth. The surface of healthy gums show stippling and are pink.

Gums that bleed easily and are tender to the touch is another sign of periodontal disease. The gums shouldn’t bleed when flossing or brushing. Gums that bleed are an indication that infection is setting in.

PAINFUL CHEWING
Another sign of periodontal disease is chewing that is painful. A sharp pain that is located in only one tooth may be the need for a root canal, a cracked tooth, or a cavity. Non localized or overall pain is usually the result of periodontal disease.

LOOSE TEETH
Loose teeth in the mouth from periodontal disease are the result of deposits of plaque under and along the gum line around the bone of the teeth.

The bone will begin to deteriorate and the tooth loses its support in the jaw. The, pockets will form around the tooth and collect further bacteria and thus exacerbate the problem.

SENSITIVE TEETH
Teeth that are sensitive to cold air, sour, sweet, cold, and hot can also be a sign of periodontal disease. Gums that recede as a result of the disease expose the surfaces of the root which are covered with tiny tubes that lead into the nerve in the tooth.

When the external stimulus is introduced to the exposed portion of the tooth, the nerves feel the pain.

While the late stages of periodontal disease have these signs, the early stages don’t. You should make an appointment with your dentist before these signs appear.

A single toothbrush can harbor millions of microorganisms, which translate into harmful bacteria — bacteria that thrive in the warm, moist environment of the average bathroom. Toothbrush sanitizers stop these microorganisms dead in their track.

While there are many who question the need for toothbrush sanitizers, a close examination of what is really on the end of the average toothbrush sends shivers down the spine. Some toothbrushes which are stored behind bathroom have more than 10,000,000 bacteria living on a single toothbrush. Repeated use of such toothbrushes can cause a person to “reinfect” himself, brushing the germs right back into the mouth and then into the bloodstream and causing many health problems.

There are different types of toothbrush sanitizers like UV sanitizers or tablets. There are methods and devices for sanitizing toothbrushes to accommodate every price range—from drop tablets to self-cleaning toothbrushes to heavy duty machinery.

UV TOOTHBRUSH:
Numerous studies have shown ultraviolet (UV) light to be effective in killing germs on toothbrushes, including bacteria, yeasts and viruses. Buy a toothbrush UV (ultraviolet). It is designed to kill germs and bacteria that could lead to other diseases. Before and after brushing, place the head of the toothbrush in the hole designated UV toothbrush. Press the Start button and allow 6 to 8 minutes for the system to clean and disinfect your toothbrush.

TABLETS:
Another method is using drop tablets several times a week, as recommended by the manufacturer, or more often. These are sold in packages of approximately 36 and kill up to 99% of the germs on the head of the toothbrush. One tablet dropped into warm water produces disinfecting bubbles which sanitize the toothbrush as it soaks for approximately ten minutes. After soaking, the toothbrush is rinsed off and ready to use.

Toothbrush Sanitizers and Sterilizers Difference

First, it is important to note that the word sanitizer refers to a device that kills most of the microorganisms.

A sterilizer kills all the microorganisms. Sanitizers work by exposing the toothbrush to UV light, which kills most microorganisms while the heat dries the toothbrush. Typically, there is a cover over the toothbrush, protecting it from exposure to airborne microorganisms.

The most expensive toothbrush sanitizers cost $100 or more and use steam sterilization. These sanitizers are durable, waterproof and high quality, but it is doubtful whether they actually kill more germs than the medium range ultraviolet light sanitizers.

How to Clean Your Toothbrush Without Sanitizer

There are many other methods to disinfect your toothbrush not using commercial sanitizers or sterilizers:

* Soak your toothbrush in an antiseptic mouthwash

* Freeze your toothbrush

* Rinse and air dry your toothbrush, making sure it avoids other brushes

* Boil or put your toothbrush in the dishwasher (this can wear out bristles faster)

* Microwave your toothbrush on high for 10 seconds

Of course, no toothbrush sanitizer can improve a badly worn toothbrush that needs to be replaced. The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends that you still replace your toothbrush every three months or after an illness, and keep your toothbrush upright and away from other bathroom items.

A new study has revealed that in California, nearly 25% of all children have never seen a dentist and that disparities exists across type of insurance, ethnicity, and race, when it comes to the amount of time in between visits to the dentist.

The study examined the barriers to dental care among California’s children who were aged 11 and under, using data from a recent California Health Interview Survey. The study contains data on almost 11,000 children.

Researchers from UCLA determined that black and Latino children with numerous types of insurance were less likely than white and Asian American to have been to the dentist in the previous 6 months, or even in their entire lifetime.

Researchers also determined that black and Latino children that have public insurance, such as the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) and Medicaid, visited the dentist less frequently than Asian American and white children who had the same insurance coverage. Generally, the children who had private insurance saw a dentist more often than those with CHIP or Medicaid.

These findings seem to suggest that it isn’t always enough just to have insurance. What must be addressed are the other barriers that prevent children from receiving the dental help that they need.

This finding raises concerns about Medicaid’s ability to address these disparities in the access to dental care. Ultimately, more strategic efforts are required to overcome the barriers to quality dental care, including increasing the number of participating Medicaid providers, and raising the reimbursement rates that are paid to dentists who serve the Medicaid population.

The findings seem to indicate that numerous low income California children never receive dental care and don’t have routine dental visits. Even for those who have Medicaid or (CHIP) coverage, there are numerous barriers to get proper dental care services.

The study showed that 54% of children who were privately insured and 27% of children who are publicly insured had seen the dentist during the previous 6 months, as compared to 12% of children who don’t have dental coverage.

Additionally, we at Southland Dental Care can fit you with a mouth guard to protect your teeth during sleep. Mouth guards are coverings worn over teeth, and often used to protect teeth from injury from teeth grinding and during sports.

Tips to help prevent teeth grinding include:

* Avoid or cut back on foods and drinks that contain caffeine, such as colas, chocolate, and coffee.

* Avoid alcohol. Grinding tends to intensify after alcohol consumption.

* Do not chew on pencils or pens or anything that is not food. Avoid chewing gum as it allows your jaw muscles to get more used to clenching and makes you more likely to grind your teeth.

* Train yourself not to clench or grind your teeth. If you notice that you clench or grind during the day, position the tip of your tongue between your teeth. This practice trains your jaw muscles to relax.

* Relax your jaw muscles at night by holding a warm washcloth against your cheek in front of your earlobe.

Are You a Candidate for Tooth Whitening?

Not everyone can use tooth whitening solution. Here are some circumstances that may prevent the use of tooth whitening products.

• Teeth that have restorations , such as veneers or having been bonded with white fillings, cannot be whitened with hydrogen or carbamide peroxide. These materials do not whiten past the color they were originally made. The color of these types of restorations were determined by the surrounding teeth. If the surrounding teeth are whitened, the restorations will stand out and look artificial. Replacing old or discolored restorations will allow you to change their appearance.
• Teeth that have internal staining, discoloration from developmental conditions or have been root canalled may not be affected by the typical whitening process. Internal tooth whitening or permanent restorations may be an option to consider.
• Natural tooth colors that are brown or gray in hue may not produce desired results. Typically, teeth with a yellow hue will produce the best results.
• Pregnant or nursing mothers should avoid whitening their teeth as there is not enough research to determine the safety of tooth whitening products during pregnancy or lactation.
• People with hypersensitive teeth should avoid tooth whitening, because this process may enhance the level of sensitivity they experience.

How Are Teeth Whitened?

Enamel, the first layer of tooth surface, is actually semi-translucent, or clear. The layer underneath the enamel, known as dentin, is typically yellow, but may be gray, brown or black. This hue is what is seen penetrating through the enamel. In order to whiten the dentin, a peroxide solution is placed on the enamel. This process opens the pores of the enamel, allowing the solution to reach the layer of dentin. The solution will then begin to lighten the dentin, resulting in the appearance of whiter teeth.

Several brands of tooth-whitening products are on the market that all promise one thing — noticeable results. Professional in-office whitening, professional take-home whitening and over-the-counter whitening products remain the most common ways to whiten your teeth.

It is important to have realistic expectations when evaluating your final results; it may take several treatments to achieve a whiter smile. Whitening results may not be permanent, as your teeth will naturally pick up stain from foods or beverages or from tobacco use. Remember to brush and floss daily, and visit your dentist for regular cleanings and examinations. Tooth whitening results will vary from person to person, so chose an option that will suit your specific need and budget.

At Southland Dental, we are always willing to give advice and tips on how to keep your smile gleaming white.

If the tongue is too red, it means that the patient suffers from the problems connected wit heat or dehydration. Those include problems with blood pressure, liver, bladder or possibly some physical injuries. If the tongues is dark-red or purple, it means that the patient has serious blood circulation problems and possibly the ailments connected with digestive system.

The scientists say that after flashing, harmful and lethal bacteria can fly up to six feet away from the lavatory. At that, according to the latest statistics, every second toothbrush is kept in less than 40 inches away from the lavatory. This way, thousands of harmful bacteria is found on such brushes, including Candida, streptococcus, ecoli and staphylococci. This situation requires immediate action for the sake of improving dental health of modern people.

Commitment

Veneers are everlasting- a large amount of tooth enamel is removed, then the veneers are applied and they become your permanent teeth. Lumineers on the other hand do not remove much, if any, tooth enamel and can be removed once applied, if necessary. For permanence, Lumineers are the superior choice, but don’t make your mind up just yet.

For Lumineers, your Dentist will grind down about .2mm of enamel, almost none, and then place them on the surface for a brighter, whiter smile. For Porcelain veneers, your Dentist will shave down about .5mm, most of the tooth enamel, and then place them on the surface as well, butit is done much more invasively. With the Lumineers shaving down so little of the actual tooth, you are still able to have them removed and use your natural teeth if you decide you do not like them. Veneers, however, shave down most of the tooth leaving little of the natural enamel. Knowing this, you must be positive that you want veneers because they cannot be removed- you will not have much of your original teeth left.

What they can do

Lumineers are a  simple and perfect cure for small imperfections such as cracks, chips, and discoloration- they do not fix large problems like gaps and crooked teeth. Unlike Lumineers, Porcelain veneers can cure many different kinds of deformations or imperfection, such as genetic problems and cosmetic problems. Worn down enamel, abnormal spacing, discoloration, uneven teeth, and natural wear and tear from everyday use can all be fixed by Porcelain veneers.

Durability

Lumineers are very thin white pieces that get applied to your natural teeth. About the thickness of a contact lens, Lumineers are less noticeable when on. But due to the extreme thinness of Lumineers, they are much more susceptible to cracking and breaking. Porcelain veneers are a much more durable applicant that will not be damaged by everyday eating and drinking.

Cost

The cost of Porcelain veneers and Lumineers are very competitive. Their prices do not differ much, from about $600 to around $1,200. Lumineers cost about the same or a little bit more than porcelain veneers depending on the extensiveness of the individual’s complication.

Lumineers are for people who want a semi-permanent clean, bright, white smile who don’t want to endure an invasive procedure, who do not have any severe problems with their teeth and are ready for a new, bright, beautiful smile. Veneers are for those who have gaps and broken teeth that need more intense treatment and are ready to live with painless, clean, white teeth.

Choose wisely- both Lumineers and veneers are great methods to leave you with that movie star-like smile, and both will give you the confidence and happiness you are seeking.

Want more information on Lumineers or Porcelain Veneers? We’d be happy to help you. Please call us at: (818) 788-8787.