Sansation

Menopause and Post-Menopause

Women who are menopausal or post-menopausal may experience changes in their mouths. They may notice discomfort in the mouth, including dry mouth, pain and burning sensations in the gum tissue and altered taste, especially salty, peppery or sour.

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This is a PDF on research conducted by the NSW Centre for Oral Health. It is a bit lengthy (23pgs) but it is worth the read for in depth knowledge on oral health.

healthy_mouth

Getting off to a Good Start with Children’s Oral Health

When it comes to oral care for children, getting off to a good start is essential.  Teeth play an important role in jaw development, eating and speech. They need to be healthy and well-cared for from the beginning. In New Zealand tooth decay is a significant problem, with almost half our children having cavities by the time they reach five years of age.

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Things you can do for treating dry mouth:

Keep mouth and lips moist:

• Rinse mouth with water frequently (every 2 hrs while awake & when awake during the night). May add salt or baking soda (1/2 to 1 teaspoon in 8 ounces of water).

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Agrh the feeling of waking up in the morning and having dry mouth is horrid!

Dry Mouth

Other terms for dry mouth: xerostomia

What is dry mouth?

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Studies have shown that chewing sugar-free gum after a meal does help to clear food debris from the mouth and stimulates the production of saliva by as much as 10 times the normal rate!

Saliva plays an important role in reducing the risk of tooth decay and helps remineralize teeth. Saliva neutralizes the acidity your mouth, provides calcium and phosphate to aid in the  process of remineralization.

Saliva is capable of storing and releasing fluoride to inhibit the production of bacterial acid, and hardens teeth so they are less soluble.

Whilst chewing sugar-free gum is helpful, it is not an adequate replacement for brushing you teeth twice a day. Chewing gum that contains sugar will nourish oral bacteria and increases tooth decay.

Rose Carr

Senior Nutritionist

New Zealand Health Guide

Issue 67, pg 20

Try this online oral health application. Should take around 5mins.

Tooth sensitivity

Some steps you can take to prevent tooth sensitivity include:

• Maintain good oral hygiene. Continue to follow proper brushing and flossing techniques to thoroughly clean all parts of your teeth and mouth.
• Use a soft bristled toothbrush. This will result in less toothbrush abrasion to the tooth surface and less irritation to your gums. Brush gently and carefully around the gum line so you do not remove more gum tissue.
• Use desensitizing toothpaste. There are several brands of toothpaste available for sensitive teeth. With regular use you should notice a decrease in sensitivity. You may need to try several different brands to find the product that works best for you. Another tip. spread a thin layer of the toothpaste on the exposed tooth roots with your finger or a Q-tip before you go to bed. Do not use a tartar control toothpaste; rather, use a fluoridated toothpaste.
• Watch what you eat. Frequent consumption of highly acid foods can gradually dissolve tooth enamel and lead to dentin exposure. They may also aggravate the sensitivity and start the pain reaction.
• Use fluoridated dental products. Daily use of a fluoridated mouth rinse can decrease sensitivity. Ask your dentist about available products for home use.
• Avoid teeth grinding. If you grind or clench your teeth, use a mouth guard at night.
• See your dentist at regular intervals. Get professional tooth cleaning, oral hygiene instructions, and fluoride treatments every six months (or sooner depending on your condition).

If you still have discomfort, talk to your dentist. There may be some dental procedures that may help reduce sensitivity, including the use of:

• White fillings (bonding) to cover exposed root surfaces
• Fluoride varnishes applied to the exposed root surface
• Dentin sealers applied to the exposed root surface

• To help prevent dental erosion, it is recommended you avoid brushing for at least 60 minutes after eating or drinking acidic foods or drinks. Consuming acidic foods and drinks leaves the enamel softened and more prone to erosion through brushing.
• Avoid sipping acidic drinks like orange juice, sodas (both sweetened and diet) and wine over long periods of time. Minimize contact of such drinks with your teeth’s surface by drinking them with a straw and not swishing them around in your mouth.
• Use a fluoride toothpaste with low abrasivity, such as Colgate® Sensitive Enamel Protect™, or any of the Sensodyne range (with the except of the orginal)

The effects of acid erosion can affect all ages and, once present, cannot be reversed – protection is the best policy.

What you can do

• Avoid brushing teeth immediately after consuming acidic food or drinks – it’s best to wait as long as possible.
• Drink acidic drinks quickly – don’t swish them around or hold them for long periods within your mouth
• Brush twice a day, every day, with a toothpaste likeSensodyne Pronamel or Sensodyne Pronamel Gentle Whitening to help re-harden softened tooth enamel