Recent Patient Questions

The Bacteria Strike Back?

2012-02-10T09:58:00.004-06:00

I’ve always been fascinated with the balance of things. Like how radar guns are used to detect speeders and then radar detectors (fuzz-busters) were invented. Like how fungi fight bacteria by making penicillin, and then bacteria become resistant.

It seems that bacteria have had a secret weapon to accelerate tooth decay. Fluoride has long been used to fight tooth decay. The main action is through the binding of fluoride to the enamel of the tooth. But, researchers found long ago that highlevels of fluoride will be toxic to most bacteria. Recently Yale researchers discovered thatbacteria have a weapon against fluoride- the riboswitch. This process can detect the build-up offluoride and activate the defenses of bacteria, including those that contributeto tooth decay.

We should have known that these little test tubes ofevolution would come up with something! These riboswitches appear to not be a recent adaption and the mechanismseems only to be triggered for the survival of the organism. So it probably won’t affect the way dentistryuses fluoride for tooth decay, coating the tooth to prevent the attack fromcausing damage. Bacteria could use thispathway in the future to become resistant to the actions of current toothpastesand mouthwashes. Of course much moreresearch is needed. Be assured thatdentistry will continue to emphasize prevention as the best way to fightdisease.

Journal Reference:

Jenny L. Baker, Narasimhan Sudarsan, Zasha Weinberg, AdamRoth, Randy B. Stockbridge, and Ronald R. Breaker.Widespread Genetic Switchesand Toxicity Resistance Proteins for Fluoride. Science, 22 December 2011DOI:10.1126/science.1215063

Why Baby Teeth are Important.

2011-10-03T09:54:00.000-05:00

Let’s say you just found out that your young child has acavity in his or her baby tooth. You might think to yourself, let’s just pull it. Its just gonna come out anyway right? I would argue that baby teeth are important and should be maintaineduntil it is time for natural exfoliation. So to that order, I’ve compiled a list of reasons why baby teeth areimportant.

First, baby teeth are for chewing. It sound simple but the first stage of digestion happens in the mouth. We breakup the food into smaller pieces not only to swallow them easier, but also tohelp the chemical breakdown of the food into nutrients go smoother andquicker.

Second, the primary, or baby teeth, are important in speechdevelopment. Placement of the tongue andlips is guided by the teeth. Try this –say the word “lisp.” Normal speechpatterns dictate that you start with your tongue on the back of your frontteeth to make the “L” sound and then move it away to make the “I” and then bringyour teeth together to make the “S”. Finallyyour lips pull back to your front teeth and end with a percussive “P”. These moves are much more difficult to make,much less learn, when those reference points aren’t there.

Third, these teeth are important for appearance andalignment. I know what your thinking…well, the kid is gonna have missing teeth sometime! True enough, but I’m talking about the babyteeth acting as guides to the adult teeth as they come in. If a child’s tooth is missing too early thatguidance will be compromised and the tooth behind the missing one falls forwardinto the missing tooth’s spot causing a domino effect and crowded adult teeth.

The best situation of course is prevention of decay anddisease in the first place, but if a child has decayed teeth we can still savethem. Let’s turn a bad situation into agood one, instead of turning a bad situation into a worse one. You can like us on facebook, subscribe tothis blog or call Toothbrusher’s Dental at 405 789-6935 to reach us.

Hygienists and Assistants

2011-07-14T14:23:00.003-05:00

It has come to my attention that many people get dentalhygienists and dental assistants confused. It’s an understandable mistake. Both perform supportive roles in the office and see patientsindependently sometimes. Furthermore inmy office, we have more of a team approach and the hygienist and I willsometimes perform the assistants’ duties too. But dental assistants and hygienists do have different tasks that theyperform in the office and also have differing levels of training.

In my office, Jennifer and Laura are the dental assistants. Theyprepare the room for treatment, get out all the equipment, and sterilize theroom. They will help the dentist withthe procedure, passing instruments and mixing materials and such. They can take x-rays, impressions, polishteeth, and educate patients on everything from insurance co-payments to oralhygiene.

Kala is our dental hygienist. She has more specialized in thearea of oral care and cleaning teeth. Kalawill remove calculus (or tartar), chart dental conditions, administer localanesthesia, and may work autonomously from the dentist. However, differentstates have different rules on the level of autonomy.

Most dental assistants will receive a diploma or certificatefrom a vocational school and the program will last from 9 – 12 months. Dental hygienists receive a bachelor’s degreein dental hygiene. In Oklahoma, a four year degree is required tobe licensed to perform the duties of a dental hygienist.

Summer Blockbuster Deal

2011-06-21T11:06:00.000-05:00

Schedule your cleaning with us for the week of June 27th and receive 2 free movie tickets. Make your appointment for the week of June 27-July 1 and mention the deal.

Open to new or existing patients due for a cleaning. Insurance or cash patients welcome.
Limit two tickets per family. 405-789-6935

Why should I get a filling if my tooth doesn’t hurt?

2011-02-22T10:31:00.008-06:00

When a tooth has decay, or a cavity, it begins as an incipient lesion barely noticeable. If you wait until the tooth is sensitive to cold, hot, or sugary foods, the decay in the tooth will be deeper and can affect the nerve of the tooth. That means the tooth may need a root canal or an extraction. The time to repair the tooth is before the pain.

Much of dentistry’s focus has been to detect decay earlier and earlier so that we can remove as little tooth structure as possible to make a restoration. With the bonding agents and resins that we have now, very small fillings are possible and will be sturdy.

What is Periodontitis?

2011-02-03T10:05:00.001-06:00

Gum disease or more accurately periodontitis is actually a class of diseases affecting the supporting structures of the teeth. The word periodontitis can be best understood when broken down into its parts. “Perio-” means around, and “dont” refers to the teeth, and “-itis” means inflammation.

There are many types of periodontitis including a few rare ones, but for this discussion I will describe the typical path and onset of the disease. It is worth mentioning here that periodontitis affects much more than your teeth. There are strong links between periodontitis and cardiac problems and also between expectant mothers with periodontitis and low birth rate of the newborn.

The first stage is called "gingivitis" and is characterized by gum tissue that is red, puffy, and bleeds easily when touched with a toothbrush, floss or dental instrument. These are inflamed gingiva or gums. This inflammation is caused by a buildup of a soft, sticky layer of bacteria called plaque. It is constantly forming on the teeth. Usually it is invisible to the naked eye, but when a person is not brushing adequately, it can build up to where it appears to be a thick whitish coating on the teeth usually at the gum line. Treatment of gingivitis is usually very simple. Remove the plaque with a dental office cleaning, keep the teeth clean and it is completely reversible.

The second, third, and fourth stages are initial, moderate, and advanced "periodontal disease", respectively. These stages are different from gingivitis because the infection has destroyed the bone supporting the teeth, causing irreversible damage and possible tooth loss. The treatment is more involved at these stages, usually consisting of a special cleaning with anesthesia and sometimes surgery.

Periodontitis is, in most cases, a completely preventable disease. It is one of the things that we always check for at routine visits and why dentists recommend preventative cleanings every six months.

Make your charity SMILE!

2010-12-08T12:37:00.000-06:00

Toothbrusher’s Dental offers

Make your charity SMILE

For the entire month of January, Toothbrusher’s Dental will offer a $30 donation to the charity or school of your choice with any new patient exam and cleaning.

Really. It's simple. You should get your teeth cleaned anyway, come in and try us out and we will donate to the cause of your choice. You just fill out a form for address of your charity and we'll send them a check. We will donate in your name or, if you prefer, anonymously. We take most insurances and accept patients without insurances as well.

Here's an idea. If you work or volunteer for a non-profit or school, you can make this a fundraiser. There is no limit on how much money goes to a single charity.

See our website or call for more information about our services www.toothbrushers.com. We are open over the lunch hour and late in the afternoon by appointment for your convenience.

The office is located at northwest 50th and Meridian, just east of Putnam City High School, at 4534 NW 50^th St.

Make your appointment by calling 405-789-6935.

Print this form or ask for it once you arrive:

Toothbrusher’s Dental: Make your charity SMILE

Charity or School Name: ______________________________

Charity or School Address: ____________________________

____________________________ ______________________

Patient(s) Name: ____________________________ ________

Make donation anonymous: q Yes q No

# of new patients in family/group: ____

Should I wear a mouthguard at night?

2010-11-15T14:09:00.001-06:00

Mouthguards or biteguards are a very useful tool in preventing excessive teeth wear due to bruxism or clenching at night. Simply put, when you grind, the bit of plastic between your teeth prevents your teeth from touching. It also acts as a cushion sometimes providing relief to an aching TMJ joint. Mouthgaurds are available both over the counter at drugstores and can be made in a dental lab by a dentist. The over the counter kind are fine for most people but if you require a better fitting or thinner material then the dentist can get you a better appliance.

Some mouthguards are made to prevent snoring or sleep apnea. They function by repositioning the lower jaw forward to lift the tissue at the back of the throat. This type should be fabricated by a dentist because it can cause problems with the bite if made incorrectly.

How do I prevent cavities?

2010-11-15T13:55:00.002-06:00

Regular brushing and flossing lowers the chance of developing "cavities." The most decay-prone areas of teeth are the grooves and depressions on the chewing surfaces of the back teeth, and in between the teeth where a brush can't reach. When decay happens, it requires treatment. Left alone decay will reach further and further into the tooth and will eventually cause either the tooth to fracture or cause abscess. Prevention is the best way to approach the problem of dental decay.

Fluoride, in proper dosage, has been shown to significantly reduce dental decay. When fluoridated water is less than the ideal amount or not available, fluoride supplements are recommended. (A call to your local water district is all that is necessary to determine whether your water has fluoride or not.)To prevent decay, a plastic-like coating called a sealant should be painted on the chewing surfaces of all the back teeth. Studies have shown that sealants can reduce tooth decay by as much as 90% to 100%.When supplements are needed, the administration of fluoride supplements should begin shortly after birth and continue through the time of eruption of the second permanent molars (approx. 12 years of age).

The American Dental Association recommends sealants be placed as soon as the first adult back teeth come in at age 6 or 7. Sealants should continue to be used as each adult back tooth comes into the mouth. All back teeth that need to be sealed are present by age 13. Sealant application is simple, fast, and painless.

Do I need a crown?

2010-11-15T13:19:00.000-06:00

The question of whether or not a tooth needs a crown can be a bit confusing. There are many reasons to get a dental crown. If there is a substantial amount of tooth gone or badly decayed, a crown can act as a binder to hold the tooth together during times when pressure is put on the tooth, like chewing, If a tooth is cracked, it may also need to have that hard outer shell that a crown provides to give strength to the tooth to prevent further fracture. Another indication for crowns is after a root canal. After a root canal teeth can become brittle, due to the removal of blood supply to the tooth when the nerve is removed. A crown is not always necessary in these cases but clinical judgement is necessary to determine whether a crown is necessary or not. I look at the bite of the patient, the size of the filling in the tooth, and discuss the patient's dental habits to decide. Dental habits could include teeth grinding, ice chewing, and dietary considerations. A crown can be considered sometimes to simply make a tooth look better. Crowns can be made with all porcelain and look very natural even beside teeth without crowns.

What is Sleep Dentistry?

2010-11-13T22:40:00.000-06:00

You may have heard this treatment described in many ways: anxiety-free dentistry, or relaxation dentistry, especially in states where conscious sedation dentistry is regulated. Also used are terms like moderate sedation, oral conscious sedation or even sleep dentistry, though this last should be applied only to general anesthesia . The best and most accurate name is sedation dentistry

These terms describe a way for you to get the care you want while you remain comfortable. Ask your dentist which level of sedation dentistry he or she is qualified to provide.

Dental fear is a hidden phobia, like many people, you may be embarrassed to admit your fears and even more afraid to confront them. Often times not even your loved ones are aware of your apprehension. Worse yet, you may have never known that sedation dentistry was an option. Not anymore! Sedation Dentistry is not scary and can be painfree dentistry. (from www.sedationcare.com)