The High Tech of Teeth Straightening – The Evolution of Orthodontics

Crooked teeth are bummer, straight up! Aside from being targeted for teasing – over-crowded teeth also trap food and make them harder to clean every day and during hygienist visits.

I never met a person with an over-bit or an under-bite who did not want to correct the problem. Not only was it aesthetically uncomfortable, it can make for some physical discomforts as well or lead to Temporomandibular Joint Disorder or TMJ syndrome.

Back in my days of youth, if you wanted to straighten out the oral problems, you had to have your cranium confined in captivity by a contraption for a decent part of your teen years. If you were lucky, your entire mouth was just bound and wired by metal brackets and rubber bands caging your chompers, and making eating a major event during a hunger-crazed growth spurt. Ah yes, the joys of head-gear and being called “brace-face” are not as common these days.

Traditional braces still exist, and they are widely used for certain cases, but there are significant new advances and the industry that evolved and streamlined smile artistry.

I have been involved with dentistry for 20 years and I am amazed at how it has been transformed and modernized.

Contemporary technologies deliver precise aesthetic results allowing for detailed, customized design. Dentists and orthodontists can now utilize innovative and sophisticated 3D imaging and CT scanning, hardware devices, software diagnostics, computers, tools and appliances at their disposal, making braces more attractive, comfortable and convenient for teens and adults who need and desire smile symmetry.

Now patients can maximize their results in a shorter time and dentists can devise a more comprehensive treatment plan using the latest techniques and solutions, such as: Invisalign® - removable and virtually invisible braces that are a clear alternative to metal braces and ClearCorrect™ another option that allows dentists or orthodontists to straighten and align teeth using a series of clear, custom, removable aligners. The severity of your dental situation, bone structure and alignment will dictate the orthodontic treatment and use of metal braces or clear braces, but at least there are more options – and varying price tags.

Personally, I had the old-fashioned version of braces as an adolescent - and a newer, invisible version as an adult, and I can honestly say advanced technology solidified my smile more precisely, and permanently.

For many, the investment can be an issue, which is understandable. Most braces cost between five and eight thousand dollars, depending on the type of treatment. With some of the newer options, like Invisalign and ClearCorrect, it can cost as little as $2500. In today’s economy, that is like buying a used car, and some people may suffer from sticker shock, but the outcome will make all of the difference in the world.

American Dental Plan allows members to take advantage of the many great benefits and 20% - 40% savings on all their dental needs, including orthodontics. If you do not have insurance and you do need a treatment plan, call 602-265-6677 or enroll online.

Facts About Fluoride

Fluoride is useful to help protect the teeth and prevent tooth decay. Interestingly, many of us learn about how fluoride can help promote healthier teeth, before we ever take a chemistry class. From a young age, when we first visit the dentist, we are directed to brush with toothpaste containing fluoride and to rinse with mouthwash containing it as well. Beyond that, we just do as we are told, but here are some other facts that may interest you.

Fluoride is a compound containing the natural element, fluorine, which has many uses unrelated to oral hygeine. In chemistry, this compound is symbolized by the letter “F” in the periodic table.

Many dental products contain small amounts of fluoride as a preventative ingredient to ward off tooth decay. Fluoride actually protects the teeth to prevent the loss of important minerals and strengthens enamel. This occurs as a result of remineralisation. Without this mineral compound, teeth can become weak and develop decay and cavities. Fluoride also fights against acid attacks, which are common due to diet and foods that are high in acid and sugar. The presence of fluoride actually discourages acidic reactions, bacteria build up and agents that break down the healthy protective surface of the teeth. Fluoride when used in the right amount and in conjunction with a healthy diet and proper oral hygiene, equal better teeth.

Fluoride Sources – Where Is It Present?

Fluoride is not naturally present in water, however, many places add fluoride to public water supplies, which can be sufficient enough to give people a head start on healthier teeth. So if you are in a community that fluoridates their water supply, and if you drink tap water and use it to brush your teeth, chances are your teeth may be stronger and healthier. Some research indicates that fluoridation of public water systems can decrease cavities and decay by more than 50 percent.

Fluoride is also an active ingredient in many products, including toothpaste, mouthwash, treatments, varnishes and gels, sold over the counter and used in dental offices.

Recommended Doses of Fluoride

From an early age, children should use fluoridated toothpaste to brush twice a day. The recommended times to brush are after breakfast and before bedtime. The benefits of brushing increase when people brush twice a day, rather than once a day. Fluoride toothpaste is meant only to brush and not to be ingested.

Now, many dentist offices offer topical fluoride treatments as a preventative routine for children and young adults, to help protect the enamel and keep cavities from forming. These treatments are normally applied after six-month cleanings in the form of a gel or varnish that is administered and left on the teeth for a few minutes before rinsing. Ask your dentist if he or she offers fluoride treatments and the additional cost. This added measure may help protect your children’s teeth and lower future dental bills.

There is a downside to fluoride use. If one uses too much fluoride it can have a negative impact on the teeth, which causes a condition called fluorosis.

How Much is Too Much

Excessive fluoride use damages the enamel and forming cells, causing fluorosis. This condition is irreversible once the damage is done. Contrary to remineralisation with the use of fluoride, the opposite from too much fluoride is mineralization, a disorder which is from too much fluoride and over-mineralisation, leading to porosity and a permanent break down of the enamel’s matrix. This can be mostly true for children if their fluoride intake is not monitored. They are at greater risk for not rinsing, swallowing or ingesting fluoride or using too much toothpaste or mouthwash.

Ask your dentist about recommended fluoride use and treatments. In addition, if you feel there is a chance you or a family member may have fluorosis, ask about the available solutions for that condition.

Dry Mouth May Be Your Medications, Not Dehydration

In our August Newsletter we discussed the importance “dry mouth” and indicators that could impact your dental and oral hygiene. Of course many of us experience “cotton mouth” and dehydration during summer months. Obviously the dry heat and hot temperatures imposed by desert living can exacerbate the condition.

Nevertheless, what many patients do not realize, particularly if they do not read the fine print of prescribed medications, is that the very pharmaceuticals they ingest may be the cause “dry mouth” and have negative consequences on their oral diagnosis and dental visits.

According to a Drug Topics article in Modern Medicine Network this condition is raising awareness among dentists, and now “pharmacy and dental organizations are uniting to promote oral health and raise public awareness of dry mouth, a side effect commonly caused by taking prescription and over-the-counter medications.”

There are multiple issues that can occur, such as:

• Decrease in saliva production, which is necessary to breaking down food, washing away excess particles in the mouth and maintaining proper oral health.
• Patients who lack proper saliva production are at risk for developing xerostomia
• Dry mouth contributes to cavities that are formed along the gum line
• Over time, xerostomia can cause bad breath, erosion of enamel, decay and gingivitis.

The article released on August, 22, 2011 reveals an alliance between several associations to heighten professional and public awareness of this condition and the associated oral risks, which include

• The American Pharmacists Association (APhA)

• American Dental Association (ADA)

• Academy of General Dentistry (AGD)

• American Academy of Periodontology (AAP)

They are all collaborating to expand awareness of the impact of medications on dry mouth, a condition known to health professionals as xerostomia.

They proclaimed more than 500 medications can contribute to oral dryness and stated that nearly 50% of all Americans regularly take at least one prescription medication which produces “dry mouth” daily. In addition, more than 90% of these patients are adults over age 65.

Saliva is essential for maintaining oral health and studies show that “at least 25 million Americans have inadequate salivary flow or composition and lack the cleansing and protective functions saliva provides.”

The aligning dental and pharmacy organizations suggest that patients who experience dry mouth schedule dental exams to be evaluated and treated. They are also advised to alert their dentists of up-to-date prescribed medications with each visit to ensure proper care is provided to prevent dental damage and oral health risks.

Healthier Diets = Healthier Teeth and Smiles!

Even though our public schools and many private schools have made extra efforts to incorporate healthier snacks and beverages into their vending machines, it is still our responsibility, as parents, to ensure our kids and young adults maintain healthy eating habits. This not only benefits their health, but it benefits our wallets and purses when we take them to the dentist.

In our last post, we pointed out the “Modern Warfare” that takes place in our mouths, daily. Plaque is a big factor, but we also have to worry about the dreaded “acid attacks” caused by food and beverages that contain a lot of sugar and high-fructose corn syrup. When these two worlds collide, and when plaque caused from bacteria meets the sugary content from foods, acid forms and attacks the teeth for 20 minutes or more, after it forms.

Over time, this process takes a toll on teeth and forms decay. Decay is the number one reason for most dental issues in young children, which is due to poor eating habits and bad dental hygiene. It starts when we are young and will continue until we change these habits. The natural wear on our teeth is hard enough to ward off with brushing and flossing, but bad diet is a big contributing factor for children and young adults ages 4-18.

So many of the things we eat and drink contain high levels of sugar, like: candy, desserts, cookies, energy drinks, sodas and soft-drinks, and even some items that are considered healthier, such as: juice and yogurt.

Unfortunately, many of the yummy snacks and drinks that our kids love to eat can cause early tooth decay.

As parents, we too may not have the healthiest eating habits. Sometimes, we may purchase grocery items that are not so good for us. Most kitchen cabinets, pantries and refrigerators are stocked with more sugary foods than necessary. When they are readily available, no doubt, they will be consumed by hungry people in a hurry. I

n addition, we may not have the time to prepare balanced meals, so our families may substitute with fast food and snacks that are less nutritious. And let’s face it, life is busy. We cannot always be there to monitor what our kids are eating and if they are brushing and flossing as often as they should.

Here is a great program for you to review featuring Arizona nutrition standards and guidelines, so you know what is being instituted to help schools and families: http://www.healthologyaz.com/health-components/nutrition-services.

The best way to help your kids understand the value of their health is to get them engaged. Here is another great get your children involved in understanding the importance of proper diet and choosing healthier foods http://www.choosemyplate.gov. This will be good for you, them, and your pocket-book in the future when you visit the dentist.

Here is a short list to post in a visible place to remind them daily:

TIPS FOR A HEALTHY SMILE – HEALTHY DIET + BRUSHING = HEALTHY TEETH!

* Brush twice a day – in the morning and at night. Your teeth will love you!
* Use fluoride toothpaste.
* Floss once a day to help your gums.
* Use mouth-guards when playing sports and rough activities.
* Drink more water and 2% milk and eat healthy snacks, like fruits, veggies and whole grain foods.

Your Mouth is a Battlefield … Fight It!

When keeping oral hygiene in mind, it helps to think of your mouth as a battlefield, as a reminder to take care of your oral health.

Modern Warfare is a dangerous game that takes place in your mouth every day. It is your “Call of Duty” to fight off the harmful bacteria and sticky plaque that attack your teeth and gums, day-in and day-out.

Simply stated, plaque is the enemy. It is a viscous threat to your tooth enamel and gums. If plaque builds up, and gets through the front line, it wears down the enamel and causes inflammation and infection of the gums. Think of yourself as the defender, and you have the armor. The only way to win the war is by brushing, flossing, and visiting the dentist.

If you do not act as the protagonist on behalf of your oral health, there are serious consequences.

There is a growing body of research in the medical journals that reveal a true antagonist to your health – plaque, which can lead to major health issues.

Plaque and poor oral hygiene are the roots of many evils to your body. Studies and research find that bacteria and inflammation in your mouth can be associated with other problems, including:

• Periodontal disease
• Heart attack
• Diabetes
• Dementia
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Premature birth

Plaque constantly forms on your teeth, gum-line and dental work. Food and beverages containing a lot of starch and sugars release acids that attack enamel and gum tissue. Over time, without proper care, brushing and flossing, plaque causes decay and gets into the bloodstream of the body, causing greater harm to organs and your health.

Look for the beginning signs, like bad breath, gingivitis, tooth sensitivity, cavities, inflammation, and tender and swollen gums that bleed.

Inflammation is also a common denominator. If it exists in your mouth and around your gums, then it is more than likely leading to inflammation in other areas.

You are the first responder to your own health. It is important to fight the battle with good hygiene, brushing and flossing. Your dentist can only respond if you take the time to visit every six months for routine examinations.

American Dental Plan is here to help you fight that war, and make dental care more affordable, because we care about you and your health.

Summertime Advice: Water is the Best Source of Hydration for Dental Health

You know the song that was written for the graduating class of 1999 called “Everybody's Free (To Wear Sunscreen)” by Baz Luhrmann. It became so popular because it is true. Especially in Arizona, wearing sunscreen should be a part of our daily regime. Even more important, as the sun becomes more intense and the temperature rises, is hydration. I am trying to come up with the lyrics for a song right now, “H20 Hydrate: Drink More Water.”

This is particularly relevant when you understand the correlations between hydration and health, including oral health.

Sports and mind-blowing energy drinks, in addition to frothy, frozen coffee drinks with whipped cream and toppings have become a line-forming trend with youth and adults. Seriously, we should all have stock in the companies that keep us fueled and energized. I too enjoy an occasional sports beverage, soda or caffeinated beverage, but I limit my intake, because they can be very high in sugar, and they tend to be bad influences on teeth and gums. This has become increasingly evident to dentist and hygienists, and I hear about the negative consequences of these tasty beverages.

“According to a study from the University of Iowa, sports drinks can be more corrosive to teeth than colas and energy drinks. Researchers found that the high sugar content and acids in sports drinks can damage tooth enamel and the roots of teeth. With weakened enamel, the teeth are more susceptible to bacteria that can sneak into the cracks and crevices in the teeth. Sugar can intensify the situation and encourage the bacterial growth.”

True, we all need to stay hydrated during summer months, and sports events. Hydration prevents dry-mouth and promotes saliva production, which protects the teeth by neutralizing and rinsing away acids and debris. But sports drinks and sugary beverages should be minimized. The best way to quench your thirst and hydrate in the summer and during athletic events is to drink water, the good old-fashioned beverage from mother earth.

Dentists already have their work cut out for them trying to promote best practices to children, teens and adults when it comes to managing our mouths. Mass consumption of readily available convenience stores, soft drinks, junk foods and trendy beverages make their job more difficult and put your dental health at risk.
The best defense for dehydration during summer and during play is hydration, which is healthy for every part of your body.

You can educate and send a healthier message to your kids and teens by reminding them to replace sports drinks, soft drinks and energy drinks with more water. Communicate, write notes and send texts to remind them to stay healthy and drink H20. Of course they can still drink those beverages, but just cut down on them – and look at them as a reward.

Try it, your dentist and pocket book will smile, I assure you.
When I make a hit song, I will post it to my blog and let you know. But for now, the message is yours to share. H2O is the way to go!

The Discount Dental Deal that Keeps Giving, Year-Round

A new online marketing trend has gained popularity in the last year, featuring daily coupon deals for those who sign up to purchase 24 hour vouchers. Providers like www.Groupon.com and www.livingsocial.com present daily discount coupons from businesses looking to gain new customers with awesome voucher specials, and limited-time-offers. This is a great way to save a few dollars, but buyers should consider a few things before switching loyalties when it comes to certain services.

These programs are great if you want to try out a new restaurant, yoga class, spa or local store, but here is some advice if you are thinking of taking advantage of discount dental exams, cleanings, whitening treatments or other services:

1. Dental providers are like healthcare providers, once you make an appointment to visit a new dentist, he or she will more than likely do an initial exam and take x-rays to build a profile for your dental records.

2. Unless you are re-locating, you want a second-opinion or you do not want to continue to see your current dentist, going to another dental provider may not be in your best interest, especially if there are differences in professional experience and treatment plans.

3. It is wise to build good rapport with your healthcare providers, so that you can follow a recommended treatment plan for the healthiest outcomes, long-term.

4. Your relationship with your overall health takes commitment, which requires committed relationships with your providers.

The nice thing about American Dental Plan is that the same great savings exist every day of the year. Members pay one annual fee for individual or family plans and receive receive one exam per membership year and four x-rays at no charge. In addition, they save up to 40% on all services, such as: cleanings, fillings, extractions, root canals, crowns and dentures, and orthodontics!

Check out our schedule of dentist in AZ: Phoenix Metro and Tucson, Rural Areas, Orthodontics).

And finally, American Dental Plan offers a $5 coupon voucher to any member who refers a friend, family member or co-worker. Share the news of our great benefits and receive a voucher for five bucks off your annual renewal!

Everybody loves a great deal and you should too. So, take advantage of the Groupons and coupons, but just make sure you use your best judgment before putting your health in new hands.