Dr. Stephen J. Kane Dr. Abigail Yardley 781-837-6655

What to Do If You Get Cavities Under Your Braces

drkanedmd — Thu, 16 May 2013 12:00:25 +0000

Can you get cavities under your braces? If so, how are those cavities treated?

With braces, teeth can decay just as easily as they would without them. Your oral hygiene, including frequent brushing, water picking, fluoride rinses and supplements, and frequent cleanings during orthodontics treatment, is imperative.

Usually cavities can be fixed while braces are still on. But sometimes, they do have to be removed first.

The above Q&A is from WebMD.com.

The Oral Health-Heart Connection: Periodontal Disease and Heart Disease

drkanedmd — Tue, 14 May 2013 14:55:39 +0000

The following information is from an article by Brenda Conaway at WebMD.

The connection between periodontal disease and heart disease is well established in medical literature.

People with periodontal disease are almost twice as likely to have heart disease, according to the American Academy of Periodontology. And a 2008 analysis published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine found that periodontal disease was a risk factor for heart disease separate from other risk factors, such as smoking. Other studies have shown that having gum disease increases the risk for stroke.

How does the inflammation in your mouth affect your heart and blood vessels? Every time you brush or floss, bacteria get released into the blood stream. According to one theory, bacteria in the blood stream can end up in specific areas, such as where plaque begins to form in the arteries. Once there, bacteria may add to clot formation.

Another theory involves the body’s response to inflammation. When gums are inflamed, the body releases certain chemicals into the bloodstream that help fight infection. Scientists think that these chemicals circulate in the blood, and may contribute to plaque buildup in the arteries.

The next question researchers are starting to answer is whether treating periodontal disease will lower the risk for heart disease and other conditions. A study in the New England Journal of Medicine looked at 120 patients with severe periodontal disease. Six months after receiving treatment, researchers found lower levels of C-reactive protein in the blood, which is a sign of inflammation. They also found an improvement in blood flow.

Although you have to take into account that it’s not a large number of people, this and other studies are finding that you can lower the amount of inflammation distant from the mouth by treating periodontal disease.

Click here for more on WebMD.

Care for Crowned Teeth

drkanedmd — Thu, 09 May 2013 12:00:58 +0000

Ask the Dentist: Does a crowned tooth require any special care?

Answer: While a crowned tooth does not require any special care, remember that simply because a tooth is crowned does not mean the underlying tooth is protected from decay or gum disease.

Therefore, continue to follow good oral hygiene practices, including brushing your teeth at least twice a day and flossing once a day — especially around the crown area where the gum meets the tooth.

What Diabetes Does to Your Mouth, Part 4

drkanedmd — Tue, 07 May 2013 12:00:25 +0000

This is part 4 in a 4-part series from WebMD.

4 Steps to Protect Your Health

The same steps that ensure a healthy mouth also help you manage your diabetes.

Eat a healthy diet.
Don’t smoke.
Keep up with your diabetes medications.
See your dentist regularly to reduce your risk of developing a serious problem.

Know the Warning Signs

Regular dental checkups are important because your dentist can spot gum disease even when you don’t have any pain or symptoms. But you should examine your teeth and gums yourself for early signs of trouble. Infections can move fast. If you notice redness, swelling, bleeding, loose teeth, dry mouth, pain, or any other oral symptoms that worry you, talk to your dentist right away.

What Diabetes Does to Your Mouth, Part 3

drkanedmd — Thu, 02 May 2013 12:00:10 +0000

This is part 3 in a 4-part series from WebMD.

Take Care of Your Dentures

Loose-fitting or poorly maintained dentures can lead to gum irritation and infections. It’s important to talk to your dentist about any changes in the fit of your dentures. When you have diabetes, you are at a higher risk of fungal infections like thrush. And poorly maintained dentures can contribute to thrush, too. It’s important to remove and clean your dentures daily to help reduce your risk of infection.

Toss the Tobacco

Tobacco products — including cigarettes, cigars, smokeless tobacco, and pipes — are bad for anyone’s mouth. But if you have diabetes and you smoke, you are at even greater risk of developing gum disease. Tobacco can damage gum tissue and cause receding gums. It can also speed up bone and tissue loss, leading to lost teeth. Motivate yourself to quit. List your reasons for quitting, set a date, and get the support of family and friends.

Prepare for Oral Surgery

Well-controlled blood sugar reduces your risk of infection and speeds healing. If you need oral surgery, tell your dentist and surgeon you have diabetes beforehand. Your doctor may recommend that you wait to have surgery until your blood sugars are under control.

To be continued…

What Diabetes Does to Your Mouth, Part 2

drkanedmd — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 12:00:04 +0000

This is part 2 in a 4-part series from WebMD.

Keep Plaque at Bay

Sticky plaque — food, saliva, and bacteria — starts to form on your teeth after you eat, releasing acids that attack your tooth enamel. Untreated plaque turns into tartar, which builds under gum lines and is hard to remove with flossing. The longer it stays on your teeth, the more harmful it is. Bacteria in plaque causes inflammation and leads to gum disease. Having high blood sugar often makes gum disease worse.

Brush Daily, Brush Right

Brushing your teeth twice a day not only keeps your breath sweet, but also helps rid your mouth of bacteria that makes up plaque and can lead to oral infections. To brush properly, point your bristles at a 45-degree angle against your gums. Use gentle back-and-forth strokes all over your teeth — in front, in back, and on chewing surfaces — for two minutes. If holding a toothbrush is hard for you, try an electric toothbrush. Also, brush your gums and tongue.

Floss Every Day

Flossing helps control plaque. It can reach where a toothbrush can’t, like between the teeth. Floss daily with floss and interdental cleaners that carry the American Dental Association (ADA) seal. Ask your dentist for tips if you’re not sure how to floss. Like everything else, flossing gets easier with practice.

To be continued…

What Diabetes Does to Your Mouth, Part 1

drkanedmd — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 12:00:30 +0000

This is part 1 in a 4-part series from WebMD.

4 Signs You May Have a Problem

Diabetes puts you at risk for dental problems. It impairs your ability to fight bacteria in your mouth. Having high blood sugar encourages bacteria to grow and contributes to gum disease. You may have gum disease if you have:

Gums that are red, sore, bleeding, or swollen, or that pull away from your teeth
Loose teeth
Chronic bad breath
An irregular bite or dentures that don’t fit well

Control Diabetes to Keep Your Smile

Well-controlled diabetes contributes to a healthy mouth. If you have poorly controlled or high blood sugar, your risk increases for dry mouth, gum disease, tooth loss, and fungal infections like thrush. Since infections can also make your blood sugar rise, your diabetes may become even harder to control. Keeping your mouth healthy can help you manage your blood sugar.

See Your Dentist Regularly

People with diabetes are prone to oral infections. You should get dental checkups at least twice a year. Let your dentist know you have diabetes and what medicines you take. Regular checkups and professional cleanings can help keep a mouth healthy. And your dentist can teach you the best ways to care for your teeth and gums at home.

To be continued…

Choosing a toothbrush: The pros and cons of electric and disposable, Part 2

admin — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 12:00:21 +0000

The following information is from WebMD (continued).

Likability. When it comes down to it, the best toothbrush for you is going to be the one you’re most likely to use — and use well. Some people may not like the vibrating feeling of a powered toothbrush. Others might find an electric variety easier to use to clean all tooth surfaces. This may be especially true for people with conditions that limit mobility, such as painful arthritis. If you enjoy using your toothbrush, you’re more likely to brush for the recommended length of time — two minutes. Some powered varieties even have a built-in timer to let you know when you’ve devoted enough time to brushing.

Effectiveness. Numerous scientific studies have been conducted to investigate whether manual or powered toothbrushes are more effective at reducing gum disease and eliminating plaque. A review of nearly 30 studies comparing disposable and electric toothbrushes found that, overall, there was not a significant difference between electric and manual toothbrushes in their ability to remove plaque and prevent gum disease. But, evidence suggests that a certain type of powered toothbrush called a rotation oscillation toothbrush (the bristles go round and round and back and forth) is more effective than manual toothbrushes.

Safety. There may be certain individuals for whom a particular type of toothbrush is safer. If you tend to brush too vigorously, which can damage your gums and teeth, a powered toothbrush may make it easier for you to be gentle on your gums and teeth and get them clean at the same time. Some studies suggest that using a powered toothbrush may increase the amount of bacteria in the bloodstream more than a manual toothbrush. This does not pose a risk for healthy people with normal immune systems and healthy hearts. But it could increase the likelihood that people with certain heart conditions could acquire a potentially dangerous infection in the heart. Further investigation is needed to determine whether this should be a cause for concern.

The best toothbrush for children

When it comes to choosing the best toothbrush for your child, it’s important to opt for one that your child will use properly and regularly. There are a variety of disposable and electric options available for children. And they come in a variety of colours and often feature children’s favourite characters from classic stories and popular cartoons. Some varieties even play music to help your child know how long to brush.

To choose a good toothbrush for your child, try the following suggestions:

Pick a child-sized toothbrush with soft bristles.
If your children are old enough, have them help you pick out their toothbrushes. Getting your children involved in the process and excited about a new toothbrush may make tooth-brushing a more enjoyable task.

Choosing a Toothbrush: The Pros and Cons of Electric and Disposable, Part 1

drkanedmd — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 12:00:54 +0000

The following information is from WebMD.

You can’t overestimate the importance of good oral hygiene — not only for dental health, but for your overall wellbeing. In fact, gum disease is a major risk factor for the development of serious health conditions, including heart disease and diabetes.

From the time we’re young, we’re taught that using a toothbrush regularly is one of the best ways to keep our teeth and gums healthy. But which toothbrush is best?

In the late 1930s, when toothbrushes with nylon bristles were first invented, consumers choosing a toothbrush didn’t have many options. Now, the story’s completely different when it comes to toothbrushes. Most shops selling oral hygiene products have an extensive collection of different types of toothbrushes on their shelves, including manual (disposable) and powered (electric) varieties.

Choosing a toothbrush: General tips

There are certain characteristics that you should look for in whatever toothbrush you choose, regardless of whether it is manual or powered.

Size. The best toothbrush head should allow you easy access to all surfaces of your teeth. For most adults, a toothbrush head about 1.2cm wide and 2.5cm tall will be the easiest to use and the most effective. Although there are larger toothbrush heads available, you may find that it is difficult to manoeuvre them to clean certain hard-to-reach areas, such as the sides and backs of your molars. The toothbrush should have a long enough handle so you can comfortably hold it in your hand.

Bristle variety. If you go to a pharmacy to buy a manual toothbrush or a replacement head for your electric toothbrush, you will be able to select a toothbrush with soft, medium, or hard nylon bristles. For the vast majority of people, a soft-bristled toothbrush will be the most comfortable and safest choice. Depending on how vigorously you brush your teeth and the strength of your teeth, medium- and hard-bristled brushes could actually damage your protective tooth enamel. For even more tooth protection when you brush, be sure the bristles on the toothbrush you select have rounded tips.

The best toothbrush…disposable or electric?

As long as you clean your teeth regularly using proper brushing technique, you should be able to reduce plaque build-up and keep your gums healthy with either a manual or electric toothbrush. Electric toothbrushes may use disposable batteries, some are rechargeable, some may offer various types of oscillating or rotating heads, and others vibrate very rapidly at an ultrasonic rate. Here are some things to keep in mind as you go about choosing the best toothbrush:

Cost. Although there are some more affordable powered toothbrush options being sold, electric toothbrushes cost many times more than manual toothbrushes. In addition to the initial expense of an electric toothbrush, you will need to replace the removable toothbrush head every three or four months. Of course, if using an electric toothbrush helps you keep your teeth cleaner, you may make up for the expense with a reduction in dental bills. Bear in mind that the handle of an electric toothbrush will be larger than a manual one, and the whole thing will be heavier, so make sure it feels comfortable to use before you invest in one.

To be continued…

Dental Problems and Migraines

drkanedmd — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 12:00:49 +0000

The following information is from WebMD.

Click above to watch the video answer.