Sansation

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

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

Signs

Teeth may look healthy

Dentist’s torch may show transparency (light adjusted to show clinical situation).

What to look out for

Early stages:

• sensitivity when consuming hot or cold food and drinks;
• a rounded look on the surface of the tooth;
• a slight yellow appearance as the tooth becomes thinner and the underlying dentine shows through.

Later stages:

• darker yellow appearance of the teeth;
• transparency at the edges;
• sensitivity becoming more severe;
• small dents on the tooth surface.

The effects of acid erosion cannot be reversed & if left to advance may require treatment from the dentist to restore & protect the affected teeth. In very extreme cases the damage caused may require affected teeth to be extracted.

Tooth sensitivity

Sensitive teeth occur when the underlying layer of your teeth — the dentin — becomes exposed as a result of receding gum tissue (the protective blanket that covers the tooth roots). The roots, which are not covered by hard enamel, contain thousands of tiny tubules leading to the tooth’s nerve center (the pulp). These dentinal tubules (or channels) allow the stimuli — for example, the hot, cold, or sweet food — to reach the nerve in your tooth, which results in the pain you feel.

There are many factors that may lead to sensitive teeth, including.

• Brushing too hard. Over time, brushing too hard or using a hard-bristled toothbrush can wear down enamel and cause the dentin to be exposed. It can also cause recession of the gums (the gum tissue pulls away from the teeth).
• Tooth decay near the gum line.
• Recession of the gums. As gums move away from a tooth due to conditions such as periodontal disease, the root surface becomes exposed.
• Gum disease (gingivitis) . Inflamed and sore gum tissue may cause sensitivity due to the loss of supporting ligaments, which exposes the root surface that leads directly to the nerve of the tooth.
• Cracked teeth. Chipped or broken teeth may fill with bacteria from plaque and enter the pulp causing Inflammation.
• Teeth grinding . Grinding or clenching your teeth may wear down the enamel and expose underlying dentin.
• Tooth whitening products or toothpaste with baking soda and peroxide.These products are major contributors to sensitive teeth.
• Your age. Tooth sensitivity is highest between the ages of 25 and 30.
• Plaque build-up. The presence of plaque on the root surfaces can cause sensitivity.
• Mouthwash use. Long-term use of some mouthwashes. Some over-the-counter mouthwashes contain acids that can worsen tooth sensitivity if you have exposed dentin (the middle layer of the tooth). The acids further damage the dentin layer of the tooth. If you have dentin sensitivity, ask your dentist about the use of a neutral fluoride solution.
• Acidic foods. Regular consumption of foods with a high acid content, such as citrus fruits, tomatoes, pickles, and tea, can cause enamel erosion.
• Recent routine dental procedures. Sensitivity can occur following teeth cleaning, root planing, crownplacement, and tooth restoration. Sensitivity caused by dental procedures is temporary, usually disappearing in four to six weeks.