We know that there is a strong connection between oral health and overall health. The mouth naturally is home to bacteria. Good oral health practices, which include daily brushing and flossing, and the body’s own defenses, work to keep these bacteria in check.

But if you don’t brush and floss, or if you are taking certain medications which reduce saliva flow (such as decongestants, antihistamines, painkillers, diuretics and antidepressants), the bacteria in your mouth can proliferate, leading to tooth decay and gum disease.

Poor oral health can lead to various diseases and conditions including cardiovascular disease, premature birth and low birth weight, and endocarditis which is an infection of the inner lining of your heart.

Be sure to tell your dentist what medications you are taking and any changes in your medical history because certain conditions such as diabetes or osteoporosis, and the medications used to treat these conditions, can have an impact on your oral health.

If you haven’t been to the dentist in a while, don’t be afraid or embarrassed. When you have your new patient exam in our office, one of our hygienists will perform a comprehensive exam, which will include a full series of x-rays, an oral cancer screening, periodontal evaluation and a thorough cleaning of your teeth. You will then meet Dr. Mike or Dr. Nick to go over the results of the exam, and talk about your dental goals.

Together we can make 2017 the year you gave yourself a healthier smile and a healthier you!

Dry mouth can be more than a nuisance; it can cause bad breath, dry chapped lips, difficulty swallowing, mouth sores and oral infections. Saliva is also helpful in the prevention of cavities, by removing sugar and food particles from your teeth. Without saliva, acidity builds up in the mouth, which also increases chance of tooth decay.

Some causes of dry mouth are:

Xerostomia, which is the name for dryness of the mouth, is sometimes associated with hypofunction of the salivary glands;

Medications, such as antidepressants, blood pressure medications, diuretics, and chemotherapy medications also pose a risk for dry mouth. More than 500 medications list dry mouth as a side effect;

Autoimmune diseases; and

Personal habits, such as smoking, caffeine and alcohol consumption.

If you are bothered by dry mouth, be sure to mention it to Dr. Boschetti or your hygienist. There are products on the market that might help you find relief.

According to a study at the University of Manchester in England, the average toothbrush can contain over 10 million bacteria, including E.coli and Staph. Our mouths also contain hundreds of species of oral bacteria, which end up on our toothbrushes.

So here are some tips for brushing with confidence:

Be aware of where you store your toothbrush. As gross as it sounds, if you store your toothbrush on the counter within 3 feet of the toilet, droplets of water that spray up after you flush remain airborne long enough to settle on your toothbrush.

Also, it’s not a good idea to store your toothbrush in the shower or in a travel case where air can’t circulate. The toothbrush needs to dry between uses.

Never share your toothbrush. Sometimes when we brush and floss, we bleed. Blood borne viruses can be transmitted on the toothbrush.

Clean your toothbrush every day. Thoroughly rinse your toothbrush with water after brushing to remove bacteria, lingering toothpaste and food particles.

Replace after you’ve been sick. Even though there is no evidence that you will get sick again, why risk it?

Replace every 3-4 months, or more often if the bristles are frayed or flattened. (If you quickly flatten the bristles, it may be a sign you are brushing too hard.)

If you pierce your tongue or lips, it can interfere with speech, chewing or swallowing. It can also cause:

Chipped Teeth – If you have a tongue or lip piercing, you can chip or fracture your teeth, or damage the tooth enamel while you talk, eat or even sleep. And if it causes a deep fracture, you may need a root canal, or even worse, you may lose the tooth.

Swelling – A swollen tongue is not an uncommon side effect from a tongue piercing.

Choking – A severely swollen tongue can hinder or completely prevent breathing. Also, if the piercing becomes dislodged, it can cause the wearer to choke.

Recession of the Gums – Recession can be caused when the piercing is in frequent contact with the teeth or gums.

Infection – The piercing can create bacteria that can enter your bloodstream, leading to an infection that can become systemic.

Allergic Reaction – The metal content of the piercing can cause an allergic reaction.

Plaque – As plaque can build up on teeth, it can also build up on the jewelry.

Patients with oral piercings need to be vigilant about oral health. The piercing should be removed to eat, sleep or exercise. It should be cleaned with antiseptic mouthwash after every meal and brushed, just like your teeth.

If you already have a piercing, always look for signs of infection. If you show any signs of an infections, such as swelling, pain, fever, chills, shaking or a red-streaked appearance around the site of the piercing, contact your physician or dentist immediately.

If you have dentures, and are uncomfortable, don’t be discouraged. There are options available to make your smile something you can be proud of.

A good diet is essential in ensuring strong bones as we age. According to the National Osteoporosis Foundation, Good-For-Your-Bones Chart, your diet should include:

Just as certain foods can be beneficial to a bone healthy diet, certain foods can counter your good efforts.

Beans – Although beans contain many good nutrients, they are also high in phytates, which interfere with the body’s ability to absorb the calcium in beans. You can reduce the phytate level by soaking beans in water for several hours and then cooking them in fresh water.

Salty Foods – Consuming a lot of salt causes your body to lose calcium. Limit the amount of processed foods, canned foods and salt added to the foods you eat. Look at food labels; 20% or more of % Daily Value is high in sodium.

If you are prescribed bisphosphonates for osteoporosis, it is extremely important to make sure you receive a thorough dental examination prior to beginning bisphosphonate treatment. Drug therapy for osteoporosis has been linked to an increased risk for osteonecrosis of the jawbone. Osteonecrosis is when bone becomes exposed, particularly after a tooth extraction or other oral surgery, and pain and swelling of the tissue around the exposed bony margins. It is vitally important you let us know if you are currently, or in the past have taken, any of these medications so we can take any necessary precautions.

Visit the National Osteoporosis Foundation at nof.org for more facts on osteoporosis.

Close to 43,250 Americans will be diagnosed with oral or pharyngeal cancer this year. It will cause over 8,000 deaths, killing roughly 1 person per hour, 24 hours per day. The death rate associated with this cancer is high, not because it is hard to discover or diagnose, but due to the cancer being routinely discovered late in its development. There are several types of oral cancers, but around 90% are squamous cell carcinomas. Oral cancer appears to be a “lifestyle” disease because the majority of cases are related to tobacco and alcohol abuse.

Risk Factors –

Age – The majority of people are over the age of 40 when diagnosed, however, it is occurring more frequently in people under 40. Recent data suggests that non-smokers under the age of 50 account for the fastest growing segment of the oral cancer population.

Alcohol Use – Alcohol abuse is the second largest risk factor for the development of oral cancer.

Tobacco Use – Approximately 37,000 new cases of oral cancer are diagnosed in the US each year. Studies indicate there is a definitive link between the use of tobacco products and the development of oral cancer. One study conducted at the University of California, San Francisco, found that more than 8 out of 10 oral cancer patients were smokers. Smokeless chewing or spit tobacco has been promoted by some as a safer alternative to smoking. It has not been proven to be any safer with respect to oral cancer.

Patients who combine alcohol and tobacco are at an especially high risk of contracting oral cancer. The dehydrating effect of alcohol on cell walls enhances the ability of tobacco carcinogens to permeate mouth tissues.

HPV Virus – The advent of a virus known as HPV16 (human papilloma virus) contributes more to the incidence rate of oral cancers, particularly in the posterior part of the mouth (the oropharynx, the tonsils, the base of the tongue areas). Many times cancer in this area of the mouth does not produce visible lesions or discolorations. This virus has caused the demographics of those that develop this cancer to change. It is now occurring more frequently in patients under 40. Human papilloma virus has been shown to be sexually transmitted between partners, and is conclusively implicated in the increasing incidence of young non-smoking oral cancer patients.

The CDC says that up to 80% of Americans will have HPV infections in their lifetime and 99% will clear these infections without ever knowing they had the virus. Infection with HPV virus does not mean you will develop oral cancer. Most patients’ immune system will clear the infection before a malignancy has the opportunity to occur.

Recent data (2008-2011) suggests a growing segment of the oral cancer population is non-smokers under the age of 50. This data indicates a shift in the cause of the disease and where it occurs. The anterior of the mouth, tobacco and alcohol associated cancers have declined, along with a decline in smoking; cancer in the posterior of the oral cavity associated with the HPV16 virus are increasing.

Possible Signs and Symptoms-

Oral Cancer in its early stages can go unnoticed and be painless. Oral cancer may appear as a white or red patch of tissue in the mouth, or a small ulcer which looks like a common canker sore. It is imperative that any sore or discolored area of your mouth that does not heal within 14 days be evaluated by Dr. Boschetti. Other symptoms can include a lump or mass which can be felt inside the mouth or neck, pain or difficulty in swallowing, speaking, or chewing, any wart like masses, hoarseness which lasts for an extended period, or any numbness in the oral/facial region. Ear aches in both ears can also be a warning sign.

If, during an appointment in our office, we discover any suspicious signs, you will be referred to an oral surgeon for biopsy and any necessary treatment. If a diagnosis of oral cancer is made, prior to beginning treatment, it is sometimes recommended that the oral health needs of the patient be addressed in order to reduce the likelihood of developing post therapeutic complications.

Cold sores are caused by the herpes simplex virus and are very contagious. Sharing eating utensils or razors, kissing, or touching the infected person’s saliva, can spread the virus to another person.

Symptoms of a cold sore may include pain around your mouth and on your lips, fever, sore throat or swollen glands. Your doctor can tell if you have cold sores by examination and asking questions about whether or not you have been in contact with someone with the virus.

There are a few different treatment options if you choose to not “wait it out”. Dr. Boschetti can laser the cold sore if he catches it in the early phases. This can shorten the viral cycle, and possibly eliminate the cold sore from re-occurring in the same site. There are prescription anti-viral medications, but again, treatment must be initiated in the early stages of the virus.

If you suffer from cold sores and would like to discuss treatment, schedule an appointment with Dr. Boschetti, or speak to him at your next hygiene appointment.

What is the least harmful candy for teeth? Sugar-free candy and gum with xylitol. Sugar-free candy and gum do not have the sugar that feeds on bacteria in the mouth, which then produces acids that can cause decay.

Less harmful are powdery candy, like Pixie Sticks, and chocolate. These types of candy dissolve quickly in the mouth, leaving less sugar sticking to your teeth.

What is the worst candy for teeth? Hard candy and chewy, “gummy” candy. Sucking on hard candy or lollipops means that your teeth are constantly being coated with sugar, and the candy gets stuck in the crevices of your teeth. You also risk chipping a tooth on the hard candy.

So if you just can’t resist your kid’s left over Halloween candy, now is probably a great time to make sure you have your family’s hygiene appointments scheduled

Have a great day!
Dr. Boschetti