Here are three of the most common behaviors impacting the health of our teeth and how we can do better to keep them healthy every day.

1. SNACKING HABITS

Photo by Tyler Nix on Unsplash

It’s not just what you eat, it’s how and when you eat it.

Everyone knows that a sugary diet causes cavities. But even regular snack foods can lead to faster decay if you frequently snack between meals.

Tooth decay is caused by acids released by bacteria in your mouth. Those bacteria love sugars and starches, but any time you snack and food residue sits in your mouth, you’re giving them more chances to multiply and leak more acids onto your teeth. By restricting your food to mealtimes, you’re giving those bacteria a shorter window to work with.

Biggest Tooth Decay Causing Snacks

• Anything sugary – Candy, soda pop
• Natural sugars too – Fruits and fruit juices
• Starchy foods – Chips and pretzels
• Sticky foods – Candy and sports drinks

Some of the Best Foods for your Teeth

• Foods rich in fiber are abrasive enough to help clean your teeth, like carrots and leafy greens
• Foods that encourage saliva production to help wash away food, like sugarless chewing gum
• Dairy and soy products have phosphates and calcium that can help to re-mineralize your teeth
• Black or green tea may have polyphenols that can inhibit the growth of bacteria that cause tooth decay

2. SMOKING AND DRINKING

Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay

There are healthy habits, and there are unhealthy habits. Smoking and drinking are definitely in the later group, even when it comes to your teeth. When you first start smoking, the effects on your teeth may seem subtle. You won’t see your enamel start to turn brownish right away, but after a few months of smoking, you may begin to notice little discolored spots.

This is where your enamel starts to lose its natural whiteness, and over time, these spots will join together and cause your teeth to turn a shade of brownish-yellow.

While this isn’t so bad when you’re a teenager or in college, it can quickly make you look older than your age once you hit your 30s or 40s. That’s because nicotine stains your teeth, drying your mouth and causing the gum tissue around your teeth to recede.

The Effects of Smoking On your Teeth Over Time

As this happens, the yellowish roots will become more pronounced.

If the problem becomes severe enough that the yellowed roots make up most of what shows when you smile, it will make you look older, or like you have dentures.

Tips for Quitting Smoking

The best way to slow this process is by quitting smoking. However, stopping smoking is never easy. Here are 3 tips.

1. Tell everyone in your life that you’re quitting. The more people know about it and support you, the more likely you’ll be successful in your attempt.
2. Take a picture of yourself smoking your last cigarette before throwing away all your cigarettes and lighters. You never want to forget what led you down this path or how far you’ve come. This method will help you focus more on the quitting process.
3. Decide why you want to quit and write down those reasons and a timeline for when you want to have them fulfilled (for example, by the time my baby is born). Setting goals to have something concrete helps you focus on the quitting journey.

Fluoride Can Help

The best way to get back to your normal tooth color is through a fluoride mouthwash.

Fluoride mouthwashes prevent tooth decay and can help treat it. Fluoride mouthwash is handy for people who have dry mouths because it helps prevent plaque buildup on their teeth.

You can buy fluoride mouthwash over the counter or get a prescription for fluoride rinse from your dentist or doctor.

Fluoride mouthwashes are also helpful for strengthening the enamel on your teeth, which helps prevent cavities from forming.

They also work to remineralize the enamel on your teeth, although any holes and cavities in your teeth cannot be reversed naturally.

3. GRINDING YOUR TEETH AT NIGHT

Photo by Enis Yavuz on Unsplash

Grinding your teeth at night is a common, but not very pleasant habit.

It’s also something that can be difficult for someone to realize they’re doing, and that’s why it’s called “sleeping” bruxism.

If you’re grinding your teeth, you may notice that your jaw feels tight and sore in the morning, but often it goes undetected.

Over time, however, bruxism can do irreversible damage to your teeth by eroding the enamel that protects them from decay.

For some people with this particular problem, wearing an oral appliance during sleep can help ease the tension on their teeth when they grind them together.

Bruxism Can Be Concious or Unconscious

Sometimes you may find yourself unconsciously grinding your teeth throughout the day and night.

In that case, there may be an underlying cause for your stress-related behavior that needs immediate health attention.

This disorder should be a concern that prompts you to book an appointment with your dentist. Visiting your dentist is vital since your dentist can spot problems that you might overlook, and they can also recommend treatments and other preventative measures to help keep you from grinding your teeth.

Control Your Dental Health

Your actions make you the driver of your own dental health, whether or not you are deliberately steering the wheel. Apply these lessons to your life and talk to your dentist about what more you can do to keep your teeth healthy year after year.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Aaron Smith is an LA-based content strategist and consultant in support of STEM firms and medical practices.

He covers industry developments and helps companies connect with clients. In his free time, Aaron enjoys swimming, swing dancing, and sci-fi novels.

Children with limited exposure to fluoridated water and a high sugar intake are 70% more likely to develop cavities in their permanent teeth, according to a team of Australian researchers.

The study of 24,664 Australian children raised particular concerns, said Loc Do, PhD, professor in dental public health and research chair at the University of Queensland School of Dentistry.

“The coverage of water fluoridation in Queensland is the lowest in the country, while our intake of free sugars is among the highest,” Do said.

“We hope these results will convince policymakers in jurisdictions without fluoridated water to implement this effective and cost-saving community measure,” he continued.

“We also hope to see the promotion of healthy behaviors like reducing the intake of sugars, which would both improve dental health and help prevent other conditions such as obesity,” he said.

More than half of the 5- to 14-year-olds in the study were considered to have either low exposure to fluoridation (less than 25 of their life) or medium exposure (between 25% and 75% of their life).

Also, approximately 60% of the children analyzed consumed four or more daily servings of food or drinks high in free sugars.

Those who consumed more than four daily servings of high-sugar food or drinks but with high exposure to fluoridation were 40% less likely to develop cavities in their baby teeth than those with low or medium fluoridation.

Those with a diet rich in sugars but with high exposure to fluoridation were 50% less likely to develop cavities in adult teeth than those with lower levels of fluoridation.

It was well known that dental cavities are largely preventable, water fluoridation was effective, and high free-sugar intake was detrimental to child dental health, said lead author Diep Ha, PhD, a research fellow at the University of Queensland School of Dentistry.

“These facts are not surprising or new, but the results from almost 25,000 young people in this study show there is still a need to address these issues to improve child dental health in Australia,” said Ha.

“To achieve maximum prevention of dental decay, lack of exposure to fluoridated water and high intake of sugars should be targeted,” said Ha.

The research used data collected in the National Child Oral Health Study 2012-14, funded by a National Health and Medical Research Council Partnership Grant to the University of Adelaide and a collaboration with state/territory dental health services.

The study, “Excess Risk of Dental Caries from Higher Free Sugars Intake Combined with Low Exposure to Water Fluoridation,” was published by the Journal of Dental Research.

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We’re celebrating Dentistry Today’s 40th anniversary by interviewing 40 of the profession’s top leaders. Today we’re speaking with Dr. Wenyuan Shi, CEO and chief scientific officer of the Forsyth Institute, about the role his organization has played in pioneering oral health research, its community outreach efforts, and how it facilitates innovation by partnering with key entrepreneurs.

The Delta Dental Community Care Foundation has awarded $1.5 million in grants to food banks that touch every county in California, which is projected to have the second highest rate of food insecurity in 2021 with more than 4.7 million households affected, according to Feeding America.

“As the philanthropic arm of Delta Dental of California, the Delta Dental Community Care Foundation is committed to addressing the health of the whole person and providing access to healthy foods is absolutely critical to that effort,” said Kenzie Ferguson, vice president of the foundation and corporate social responsibility for Delta Dental of California.

“As the effects of the pandemic continue to ripple through our communities, we knew we couldn’t take our foot off the gas in terms of providing support to the organizations that help millions of Californians put food on the table and provide a crucial building block to health,” said Ferguson.

Delta Dental of California said that it understands that oral and overall health are closely connected and that there some direct links between oral health and food insecurity. Those who don’t have regular access to enough food are more prone to tooth decay, the company said, and poor oral health can make it difficult or painful to eat, inhibiting proper nutrition.

Because of that connection and its commitment to supporting its communities, Delta Dental of California said, it has a long history through the Delta Dental Community Care Foundation of giving to food banks. In light of the COVID-19 pandemic and associated economic impacts, the company continued, the foundation has increased that support.

On Giving Tuesday in 2020, the foundation announced $2.5 million in grants to food banks across 15 states and Washington, DC, including $725,000 in California, and total giving for the year to fight food insecurity topped $3.5 million. The food banks receiving grants in the latest round of giving collectively serve every county in California and include:

• Los Angeles Regional Food Bank in Los Angeles: $220,000
• San Diego Food Bank in San Diego: $250,000
• San Francisco-Marin Food Bank in San Francisco: $200,000
• Second Harvest of Silicon Valley in San Jose: $100,000
• Alameda County Community Food Bank in Oakland: $100,000
• Sacramento Regional Food Bank & Family Services: $100,000
• Food Bank of Contra Costa & Solano in Fairfield: $75,000
• Central California Food Bank in Fresno: $55,000
• Project Open Hand in San Francisco: $50,000
• Community Action Partnership of Kern in Bakersfield: $30,000
• Second Harvest Food Bank San Joaquin & Stanislaus: $25,000
• Community Action Agency of Butte County in Oroville: $20,000
• Feeding America Riverside & San Bernardino Counties in Riverside: $20,000
• Food Bank of Santa Barbara County in Santa Maria: $20,000
• Food Bank for Monterey County in Salinas: $20,000
• Food for People in Eureka: $30,000
• FoodLink for Tulare County in Exeter: $20,000
• Imperial Valley Food Bank in Imperial: $20,000
• Merced County Food Bank in Merced: $40,000
• Placer Food Bank in Roseville: $20,000
• Second Harvest Food Bank Santa Cruz County in Watsonville: $20,000
• Redwood Empire Food Bank in Santa Rosa: $40,000

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As the government of the United Kingdom prepares a ban on television advertising for foods high in sugar, fat, and salt before 9 pm, the Oral Health Foundation (OHF) said it welcomes the move but believes more work is necessary.

“Nutrition is a key part of taking care of not just our general health but also our oral health. The amount of sugar we consume has a devastating impact on the nation’s oral health,” said Dr. Nigel Carter, chief executive of the OHF.

“Cutting down on sugar consumption is the number one way to stop tooth decay, and junk food is often filled with sugar in order to make the taste more appealing,” Carter said.

“Tooth decay remains the number one reason for hospital admissions among young children. The NHS carries out almost 900,000 tooth extractions on children under 18 every year, and nine of 10 of these are down to tooth decay,” he continued.

“Tooth extractions take a great physical and emotional toll on children and is often a source of trauma. All measures we can take to prevent a child having to go through this are things we welcome wholeheartedly,” Carter said.

“When you’re holding a parent’s hand because you’ve just had to take all of their child’s teeth out under general anesthetic and the child’s looking you in the eye, saying, ‘Why have you done this to me?’ you will welcome any new rules brought in to help protect children and stop situations like this occurring,” said Dr. Ben Atkins, OHF president.

“Performing tooth extractions on a child is risky, especially under general anesthetic, which comes with a lot of risks itself. That child might not have woken up from anesthetic. I could have put their life in danger over something which could have easily been managed with proper diet and proper oral healthcare,” said Atkins.

“The proposed ban on junk food television advertising is a great first step, however, it will still be allowed through audio media, such as podcasts and radio, and there will be no new restrictions for the out-of-home sector, which includes billboards, poster sites, on buses, and in locations such as railway stations and airports,” Carter said.

“With many young children now also consuming more and more media online through things like Amazon Prime and YouTube, they may still be able to see junk food advertising through these channels,” Carter said.

“Extending these restrictions to cover all media types, especially streaming platforms, is the next natural progression,” Carter said.

“Ultimately, the buying decision is still down to caregivers,” Atkins said. “They largely control what their children consume, and while this advertising ban is welcomed, we all need to change our attitudes and reduce our consumption of sugary foods to effect change.”

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Many younger adult dental patients are taking medications that could affect their long-term oral health, so dental providers should review their medication histories regardless of age, according to the Regenstrief Institute and the Indiana University (IU) School of Dentistry. The study examined dental records form 11,220 dental patients over the age of 18 and found:

• 53% of all patients reported taking at least one medication.
• 12% of those between the ages of 18 and 24 were taking at least one medication.
• 20% of those between the ages of 25 and 34 were taking at least one medication.

“The number of younger adults on medication really surprised us,” said senior author Thankam Thyvalikakath, DMD, MDS, PhD, director of the Regenstrief Institute and IU School of Dentistry Dental Informatics Program.

“Often dentists will assume individuals this age aren’t on medications, but these results underscore the importance of paying attention to medical histories of all patients, because medications can play a significant role in oral health,” she continued.

Younger adults were most likely to be taking antidepressants, which can cause dry mouth, and opioids, which carry the risk of addiction.

“We need to be aware of these possibilities, because dry mouth increases risk for tooth decay and tooth loss, and dental professionals should be proactive with preventive measures,” said Thyvalikakath.

“In the same way, if someone is taking an opioid, we as dentists need to make sure we are not overprescribing these medications to that patient and possibly contributing to dependence or substance use disorder,” she said.

Older patients were more likely to be taking medications to treat chronic conditions like high cholesterol, hypertension, and diabetes. Across all ages, White patients were more likely to be on a medication.

In the future, Thyvalikakath hopes to develop and test an intervention to alert dental care providers about medicines and medical history because a more complete picture of a person’s health can lead to better care and prevention.

The study, “Differences in Medication Usage of Dental Patients by Age, Gender, Race/Ethnicity and Insurance Status,” was published by Technology and Health Care.

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Yuyin Lin, DDS, a third-year resident in pediatric dentistry at the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Dentistry, has won the 2021 American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) Graduate Student Research Award (GSRA).

Lin’s research, “Chemical, Physical and Antibacterial Properties of Contemporary Pulp Capping Materials,” compared the calcium-releasing, pH changes, water sorption and solubility, and antibacterial effects against Streptococcus mutans and Enterococcus faecalis of eight contemporary direct pulp capping materials.

“A better understanding of the clinical relevant properties of different pulp capping materials will help clinical decision making in choosing a pulp capping material for achieving the best clinical outcome,” Lin said.

Lin’s mentors included Nate Lawson, DMD, Ping Zhang, DDS, PhD, Kyounga Cheon, DMD, MS, and Janice Jackson, DMD.

The AAPD established the GSRA in 1989 for pediatric dentistry residents and recent graduates for completed research projects with significant findings. Awardees present their research during the AAPD Annual Session.

Also, awardees receive complimentary registration to the Annual Session as well as a cash award and plaque presented during the event’s General Assembly. A matching cash award is presented to each finalist’s training program as well.

Lin is one of eight residents from more than 90 pediatric dentistry residency programs across the United States and Canada to receive the award this year.

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Poor oral hygiene has a negative impact on athletic training and performance, according to Sunstar, which notes that maintaining a healthy mouth should be an essential part of athletes’ training programs and has partnered with the FDI World Dental Federation to launch Sports Dentistry Guidelines.

In a study of 302 athletes, 40% said they were bothered by their oral health, while 28% reported an impact on their quality of life, and 18% reported an effect on their training and performance. Also, 55% of the athletes had cavities, 45% had dental erosion, and 76% had periodontal disease.

Athletes are at high risk of developing oral diseases for several reasons, Sunstar said. For example, they require a lot of calories, which often are consumed via sugary protein sports bars. Also, athletes consumer a lot of sports drinks, which are mostly acidic and have high sugar content. Training leads to increased mouth breathing and reduced saliva flow, causing dry mouth and creating ideal conditions for bacteria to grow as well.

Sports-related stress is another risk factor that can cause gum disease, tooth erosion, cavities, and teeth grinding. In aquatic sports, low pH in swimming pool water can cause tooth erosion.

Just as athletics can impact oral health, oral health can impact athletic performance, Sunstar said. Poor oral health overall affects quality of life and well-being, which are key for optimal athletic performance, the company said.

Also, tooth decay and gum disease can cause and maintain inflammation in the body, which can negatively impact athletic performance. And athletes who have an infected tooth, mouth abscess, or some other painful condition could possibly perform badly or even withdraw from competition or training.

Sunstar offers advice for athletes:

• Make your oral health a priority, just like other parts of your training program, and include it as part of your daily routine like training, nutrition, and physio.
• Brush your teeth twice a day for at least two minutes with a fluoride toothpaste, ideally 30 minutes after eating, and clean between your teeth using interdental brushes, picks, or floss.
• Chew sugar-free gum or rinse with water after meals and snacks when brushing isn’t an option.
• Ensure you visit your dentist at least twice a year for a complete oral health checkup.

“We are striving to raise awareness of the importance of good oral hygiene to athletes and to their overall performance,” said Dr. Marzia Massignani, PhD, senior manager of scientific affairs at Sunstar. 

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People in the United Kingdom are prioritizing their smiles. According to a poll by the Oral Health Foundation (OHF), 68% of adults said they couldn’t go a day without brushing their teeth, deeming it more than three times as important as exercise (21%).

Respondents also said that brushing was more essential than eating breakfast (43%) and washing (41%). Previous OHF polling has found that 97% of the population brushes their teeth at least once a day.

“For most people, the importance of brushing their teeth has been instilled in them since childhood. Like all habits, the earlier they are developed, the easier they are to keep throughout life,” said Dr. Nigel Carter, chief executive with the OHF.

The OHF conducted the poll as part of National Smile Month, a campaign aimed at reducing oral disease by highlighting the importance of a healthy mouth.

“Toothbrushing is such a vital habit to get into, so I’m delighted to see it top the list of Britain’s most valued day to day tasks,” Carter said.

“Daily brushing and cleaning between your teeth are important because it removes plaque. If the plaque is not removed, it continues to build up, feeding on the bits of food left behind and causing tooth decay and gum disease,” Carter said.

Calling tooth decay and gum disease two of the most common oral health conditions in the world, the OHF said that 31% of adults in the UK have tooth decay, 75% of those over the age of 35 are affected by gum disease, and 66% of adults have visible plaque.

“The best way to prevent tooth decay and gum disease, and keep your teeth for life, is by sticking to an effective oral health routine,” said Carter.

“Brushing should be done twice a day, with the most important time being last thing at night. Brushing should last two minutes and be done with a fluoride toothpaste,” he said.

During the pandemic, the OHF said, oral health declined far less than other areas of well-being, with 12% reporting decreases in oral health, compared to 43% saying the pandemic had a negative effect on their mental health and 42% saying it negatively impacted their weight.

Also, 34% said the pandemic negatively affected their exercise habits, 22% said their sex drive declined, and 21% said their eyesight got worse.

Elaine Tilling, dental hygienist and clinical education manager for TePe Oral Hygiene Products, said the pandemic has created a greater desire for self-care and prevention of disease.

“So much has been out of our control during this time, but taking responsibility for your own health has been a necessity, which for many people has been a positive experience,” said Tilling.

“Dental disease is preventable, and it is the importance of undertaking this that the pandemic has changed. Taking the time needed to brush effectively and to clean between the teeth daily if practices often enough helps to embed these habits for life,” said Tilling.

“Lockdown has had a significant impact on many people’s physical and mental health. The good news for oral health is that it seems to have been relatively pandemic-proof, declining far less than other areas of general well-being,” said Carter.

“With the exception of regular dental visits, good oral health can be achieved at home. Along with keeping an eye on the amount and frequency of sugar consumption and snacking, an oral health routine takes no more than five minutes a day, a relatively short amount of time when measured against the benefits,” Carter said.

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