Providing Oral Care as a Caregiver
If you are like me you’ll agree that the evolution of being a child, who is always taken care of, to becoming the adult that takes care of the parent is an interesting and challenging transition! As I make this change I am learning new skills and approaches to help me look after the health of another. One very important area to remember is oral care. With all the physical changes that come with age, along with increased medication use, it is vital to continue excellent care of one’s mouth and teeth.
Here are a few suggestions from the Canadian Dental Association if you are aiding someone with their oral care:
Natural Teeth
- Stand behind the person to brush and floss their teeth. That way, you can make the same motions you use when you brush and floss your own teeth.
- Let the person sit in front of the sink.
- Make sure you use a soft toothbrush, or you may find using an electric toothbrush is better. Ask the person to tell you if you are brushing too hard.
- Have the person rinse with warm water when you are done.
Dentures
- Let the person tell you or show you how to take the denture out.
- Dentures must be cleaned daily.
- Look for damage or cracks in the denture. If you find any problems take it to a denture technician for repair.
- Scrub the denture with a denture brush and non-abrasive toothpaste.
- Soak denture overnight. It can be soaked in a special denture cleaner or a mix of warm water and vinegar (half and half).
- Rinse the denture with water when you have finished cleaning it.
Mouth Tissues
- Ask if it is okay to look inside the person’s mouth.
- Check the mouth closely for swelling, red or white patches, parts of the gums that have changed colour and sores that do not heal in a few days. If you see any of these things, call the person’s dentist for an appointment to check it out.
- Clean and massage the inside of the person’s mouth with a damp cloth or soft toothbrush.
Make sure you are present for this person’s dental appointments as we can show you areas that are being missed, or different methods for oral care.
These tips are just a few ideas to help caregivers provide successful dental aid to their patients. For more information please contact the Canadian Dental Association or ask one of our dentists at your next appointment!
Elaine WH
RDA II
Lemon Water – Friend or Foe?
Drinking lemon water has become very popular in today’s society. There are various reasons someone may choose to add lemon water to their day such as: to aid in digestion; as part of a weight loss program; to detoxify; to help control acne or simply just for the flavor. How often and in what concentrations you drink lemon water could have a direct impact on your dental health.
Lemon is an extremely acidic food. If your teeth are exposed to acidic foods and beverages on a regular basis it can damage the soft tissue and soften the tooth enamel, which can lead to enamel erosion, sensitivity and/or tooth decay. Keep in mind that lemon is only one of the acidic products we ingest – other examples are: citrus fruits and fruit juices, tomatoes, pickles, sodas, energy drinks, wine, tea and coffee.
If you enjoy a slice of lemon in your water or drink a higher concentration of lemon water for health benefits you may wish to consider these ideas to reduce the effects of the acid on your teeth:
- Drink your lemon water once per day instead of sipping on it throughout the day
- Drink your lemon water through a straw to minimize the direct contact with your teeth
- Rinse your mouth with plain water after drinking lemon water
- After rinsing your mouth with plain water, wait about half an hour and then brush with a soft tooth brush and a non abrasive toothpaste
- Eat a piece of cheese or drink a glass of milk to help neutralize the acid level in your mouth
- Chew a piece of sugar free gum to help remove the acidic residue from your teeth; it will also increase your saliva flow which will dilute the acid and assist in rinsing it away
- Avoid brushing with a hard toothbrush and abrasive toothpastes directly after drinking lemon water or ingesting any acidic food product
- If you are adding lemons for flavor try adding a slice or two of cucumber instead! Many people find the flavor equally satisfying and refreshing.
Healthy eating helps maintain your healthy smile!
Darlene D
RDA
Bad Breath
Bad breath, also known as “halitosis” can cause difficulties in both your personal and professional lives. Almost half of Canadians have bad breath at some point in the day and while you might get used to the odor, others may still notice it. This makes it important to understand the many different causes and cures:
- Coating on the Tongue: If your tongue has either a white or yellow coating then you should start brushing your tongue with a soft toothbrush or by using a ‘tongue cleaner’ every day to remove the coating. In about a week or so you will have a nice pink tongue which will help prevent bad breath.
- Dry mouth: If your mouth is extremely dry, there may not be enough saliva to wash away excess food particles and bacteria which can cause an unpleasant smell if left in the mouth for too long. The best solution to try is using products like Biotin which enhance the saliva production in the mouth. Drinking lots of water and chewing sugar-free gums can also increase saliva flow.
- Tobacco/Foods: Using tobacco products constantly causes bad breath. If you are ready to quit, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice and seek support from family and friends. Certain foods/herbs such as garlic and onion contribute to bad breath, but only temporarily. Once these foods are absorbed into the bloodstream the odors are expelled through your breath and will remain until the body processes the food, so there’s no immediate solution. Remember: Mouthwashes only improve bad breath short term!
- Gum Disease: You may be prone to have bad breath if you have been diagnosed with severe gum disease. This is a result of deep pockets that form between your teeth and gums and may harbor odor-causing bacteria.
- Infections: Bad breath that seems to have no other cause may indicate an infection elsewhere in the body. If you have chronic bad breath, see your doctor for an evaluation or possible blood work. Bad breath can be a sign of a hidden health conditions so it’s important to not ignore the problem.
The best way to improve bad breath is to follow a complete oral care plan which includes brushing twice a day and flossing at least once to remove the food particles and bacteria that can cause bad breath.
Jaskiran T
RDH
Cavities: Causes and Prevention
Being told you have a cavity during a routine trip to the dentist is a familiar- if unpleasant- experience for many people; however, most people are unaware of the actual process of tooth decay. Tooth decay, properly referred as dental caries, is a common oral disease that affects children and adults of all ages. Luckily, this disease is mostly preventable if you understand how the disease process begins and spreads.
There are over 500 varieties of oral bacteria found in the mouth, including the acid-producing Streptococcus mutans, which is largely responsible for cavities. These bacteria thrive and reproduce in a sticky substance, known as dental plaque, which allows them to adhere to and destroy tooth surface. Streptococcus mutans cause tooth decay by metabolizing carbohydrates and sugars into acid. The acid then eats away at the tooth enamel until—voila!—a cavity is created.
Because the risk of a cavity is related to both bacteria and the acid level in your mouth, there are several steps you can take to prevent the caries process from starting:
- Brush twice and floss at least once daily to remove plaque. This is the first line of defence against tooth decay.
- Avoid constantly snacking throughout the day. The constant exposure of food to the bacteria results in a large production of acid that will bathe and destroy the teeth.
- Limit food and drinks, like soda, tea and citrus foods, which increase the acidity of the mouth and harm the enamel.
- Maintain regular dental checkups with periodic x-rays to check under fillings and between teeth where the dentist cannot see.
- Fluoride helps remineralize teeth that have been “softened” by acids. Use fluoridated toothpaste and ask your dental professional if you are at high risk for cavities: a fluoride rinse may be recommended.
- An ounce of cheese eaten at the end of a meal helps neutralize acids.
- Chew sugar-free gum to stimulate salivary flow to help neutralize and rinse the acids.
Managing dental caries is more than just filling cavities; these varieties of techniques can be implemented at home and in the dental office, and will help lower your risk for developing new cavities!
Michelle W
RDH
Importance of your Medical History
People often don’t recognize that their dental hygiene appointment is actually a medical appointment. Keeping your hygienist up-to-date on any changes in your overall health, dental or otherwise, is crucial to a successful visit and may help avoid medical complications or even a medical emergency.
During teeth cleaning, bacteria are unavoidably released into the bloodstream. This can have serious effects on patients with heart issues or with various prosthetic devices, such as hip or knee replacements and preventative measures may be needed prior to dental visits. You should also tell your hygienist about any medications you may be taking, prescribed or otherwise. For instance, blood thinners may cause excessive bleeding during hygiene procedures.
What exactly does your hygienist need to know? You should inform your hygienist about any hospital visits, new conditions, illnesses, medications or allergies, or anything else that concerns your health.
So the next time your hygienist asks “Are there any changes in your medical history since your last visit?” be sure to give a complete answer. It may be more important than you realize!
Colin M
RDH
What to Expect During a Dental Hygiene Visit
Coming to the dentist can be fun and informative if you know what to expect. A hygiene appointment is the most common, and perhaps may also be the easiest. Frequent hygiene appointments are important to maintain and improve your oral health and the condition of your periodontal tissues. This article will explain what to expect throughout a standard hygiene appointment.
To begin, your hygienist will place a disposable bib and protective eyewear on you to protect against excess water that may splash outside of your mouth. Next your hygienist will review your medical history and update any changes. This is done frequently to ensure dental hygiene treatment will be safe for each individual patient. Your hygienist will then assess your mouth and oral tissues (tongue, cheeks, gums and teeth) to check for any areas of concern.
You will then have your teeth cleaned (known as “scaling” and “root planing”) to remove soft and hard plaque, calculus, tartar and food build-up. This is done using a hand instrument known as a scaler and sometimes a vibrating ultrasonic instrument called the cavitron. Scaling is done to improve your overall oral health. Some people may find the scaling process uncomfortable, so local anesthetic (freezing) is an option for a more comfortable visit.
After scaling is completed your hygienist will usually use a flavoured paste to polish your teeth and remove remaining surface stains. If you are at risk for cavities you may also receive a fluoride treatment to help protect your teeth. If there are cavities present or if you are due, x-rays may be taken at this appointment to check for problems. In this situation, the dentist will come discuss progress or concerns at the end of the cleaning appointment.
Based on your overall oral health, your hygienist will recommend the best recare frequency for you. This can be as often as every three or four months, or sometimes once per year. Booking your next cleaning in advance is a great way to book your ideal time of day, as well as to stay on track for your dental hygiene routine.
If you have any questions, please feel free to ask any of us at your next hygiene visit!
Leah R
RDH
Choosing Toothpaste
Take a walk down the aisle of your local pharmacy or grocer. It can be overwhelming. With a wall with floor to ceiling choices for anything from whitening to acid erosion, picking the right toothpaste for your needs can be confusing. Here is a breakdown of some of the most current toothpastes on the market, who can benefit from them, and their modes of action.
- “All in One” Toothpastes.
Toothpastes such as Colgate Total and Crest Pro Health are such examples. They protect against a wide variety of oral issues such as plaque, tartar, gingivitis, and cavities. They can contain sensitivity protection if specified.
- Sensitivity Toothpastes
These toothpastes usually contain Potassium Nitrate 5% to help soothe the sensitized nerve and can take up to 2 weeks to work. Sensodyne, Colgate Sensitive, Pro-Namel, and Crest Pro Health Sensitivity are examples.
Recently, Colgate has come out with an instant sensitivity toothpaste called Pro Relief. It uses Pro-Argin to block exposed channels in root surfaces to prevent the nerve from picking up on stimuli that can make the nerve react.
- Acid Erosion Toothpastes
Pro-Namel by Sensodyne is a well known acid erosion toothpaste. It works by removing Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, a bubbling agent put in toothpaste. According to Pro-Namel, SLS and the sodium fluoride ion compete for binding sites on the enamel and root surfaces. By removing SLS, this allows for greater absorption of fluoride, resulting in stronger, more resistant teeth to acids in the diet.
- Heavy Fluoride Toothpastes
If you are prone to cavities, your dental professional may recommend a heavy-fluoride toothpaste, such as Colgate Prevident 5000. This toothpaste contains 8 times more sodium fluoride than conventional toothpastes. They usually keep this toothpaste behind the pharmacist’s desk due to it’s heavy fluoride content, however, no prescription is needed.
- Toothpastes for Dry-mouth
Dry-mouth, or xerostomia, can be induced by many factors, such as medications, cancer therapies, Sjogren’s syndrome, or mouth-breathing. Biotene Toothpaste can help keep the tissues moisturized. This is important as dryness acts as an irritant on the oral tissues, and can cause inflammation and bleeding. Having a well moisturized mouth also aids in clearance of bacteria and remineralization of tooth structures.
- Tartar Control Toothpastes
Both Colgate and Crest have tartar control toothpastes which increase the amount of time it
takes for calcium and bacteria to calcify on the enamel or root surface.
- Whitening Toothpastes
All brands of toothpaste offer whitening to some extent. Beware, as these can remove tooth structure if too abrasive, and can make the teeth sensitive. Ask your dental professional.
If you are unsure of tour options, ask your dental professional. We can help you pick the toothpaste best suited for your needs. As a general rule, look for the Canadian Dental Association’s seal of approval.
Shannon Z
RDH
The Basics of Flossing
Brushing your teeth regularly is important to remove food and plaque on the surfaces of your teeth, but it cannot access all the difficult or tight spaces in your mouth. Flossing is important because it can reach in between your teeth, under the gum line, or around your braces, and also improve blood circulation in your oral tissues.
Flossing only takes a few minutes, and should be done every time you brush your teeth. There are several different types of flosses, and which one is right for you can depend on spaces between your teeth, flavour, or personal preference/ease of use. For example, un-waxed floss is thinner, and can fit between tight spaces, whereas other flosses have thicker cotton sections to better clean around braces and retainers.
When flossing, it is important to use gentle and controlled motions to prevent accidentally injuring your gums. Here are a few tips on proper flossing techniques:
- Select a length of floss, approximately 16-18 inches long.
- Wind the floss loosely around the index finger of your left hand, with a small amount wrapped on the same finger on the opposite hand.
- With the floss held taut, gently insert the floss in between two teeth using a back-and-forth motion.
- Gently curve the floss in a ‘C’ shape around the base of each tooth, making sure to go just beneath the gum line.
- Gently slide the floss up the sides of both teeth, and be sure to unwind fresh floss as needed.
- Repeat this process between all teeth, including between your back teeth and your gums!
Flossing regularly is an important way to keep your teeth clean and your gums healthy. Flossing can improve your periodontal health and reduce plaque and calculus build-up, which can result in shorter cleaning appointments.
For more information on the importance of flossing, please contact us, or ask your hygienist for helpful tips and techniques. We have hygienists working late on weekdays and even on Saturdays as well! Please contact us to schedule a hygiene appointment.
Susan K
Greeter
Facts on Fluoride
Fluoride is a chemical element that is used by dental professionals to protect teeth and prevent cavities. When plaque breaks down food on your teeth it produces an acid that can damage your tooth enamel. Fluoride can protect your teeth from this process, and even help to strengthen areas where demineralization has previously occurred.
Fluoride can be beneficial to any patient type. Regular applications of fluoride are important for children because it protects their permanent teeth as they are forming. Adults can also benefit from fluoride to maintain strong teeth and protect them against thin enamel, as well as patients who are susceptible to decay.
Over usage of fluoride, or using it in high levels, can cause a condition known as fluorosis, which may discolor tooth enamel in small sections or spots. Ingesting fluoride can also cause an upset stomach or nausea, especially in children, which is why swallowing toothpaste is not recommended! However, when used as directed by your dentist, fluoride is a safe and effective contributor to preventing tooth decay.
There have been many articles published on the controversy of using fluoride in dentistry, and various clinical researches have been done to support both sides. If you have questions about using fluoride, or how much is right for you, please contact us to schedule an appointment.
Cori S
References
Gold Fillings a Thing of the Past?
In the modern world of cosmetic dentistry, more and more patients are choosing white porcelain and composite resin (white) fillings. However there is another material that is far stronger and lasts longer. Cast gold restorations (inlays, onlays and full gold crowns) are used less frequently because they are not tooth-coloured. However, the gold colour can be very aesthetic, as the yellow tone blends in with the tooth quite well. If you are looking for an alternative, cast gold is the longest lasting dental material available. The longevity of a properly done cast gold restoration has always exceeded that of tooth-coloured materials and has been used to restore teeth for thousands of years. Below are some of the advantages of using gold to restore back teeth:
- Gold will not oxidize and discolor the teeth.
- Fragile areas of tooth structure remaining can be protected by covering them with a thin layer of gold. Gold will not fracture even when it is thin.
- The cast gold restoration will not fracture in the middle or other areas.
- The junction between the tooth and gold are nearly imperceptible if handled properly, and will not be so likely to harbor plaque, and should consistently contribute to better tissue health.
- Contact areas can be placed and polished for ease in the use of dental floss, thus promoting better tissue health.
- Gold can be polished and finished to a higher degree than other materials.
- Gold castings can be used to “bind the tooth together” and prevent tooth fracture, or relieve sensitivity from small tooth fractures.
- The normal tooth anatomy can be more nearly reproduced with a casting.
- Cast gold wears more nearly the same as tooth structure. Precise fitting castings will prevent chipping and fracturing at the margins and minimizes the possibility of leakage and bacterial invasion.
- Gold castings expand and contract very similarly to tooth structure.
- A well-placed gold casting will last much longer than other filling materials used today.
- The sensory acceptance of gold by the tongue and the feel during chewing is enhanced by the smoothness and anatomical replication of the missing tooth structure.
If you think a cast gold restoration may be for you, come in for a consultation today!
By Dr. Henry Lam, DMD, BA
References
R.V. Tucker Study Groups. (2011). Advantages of gold. Retrieved from
http://www.arvtsc.org/index.php?id=13
Small, B.W. (2008). Cast gold: The standard of care for operative dentistry. Inside
Dentistry, 66-71.
Small, B.W. (2010). Intracoronal cast gold restorations. General Dentistry, 58(2), 91-93.