Tag: savanna dental

Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral that is known for protecting our teeth and boosting our oral health. Fluoride is important for both adults and children. This is supported by various studies and research articles. Many parents often wonder about fluoride, and have questions about its use.

Fluoride is important for both adults and children alike, with this natural mineral aiding our oral health significantly.

Fluoride is best-known for being found in toothpaste and mouth rinses. However, it can also be found in drinking water, food and beverages.

While there are some concerns about exposing children to fluoride, it is healthy, and children need it. Parents often have many questions about fluoride for their children, with any information being useful!

What is fluoride?

Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral. It is known for being capable of stopping or slowing the process of tooth decay and the development of cavities.

When sugars from food and drink combine with the bacteria in our mouth, acid is formed. Acid erodes the teeth, causing cavities. However, fluoride is able to protect our teeth, and aids in the process of rebuilding our enamel.

Fluoride and water fluoridation: is it safe?

As mentioned, fluoride is naturally occurring. It is found in all bodies of water on planet Earth. Moreover, this means that sometimes fluoride is found in drinking water.

In some cases, governments or policy makers have decided to add small concentrations of fluoride to the public water supply. Therefore, this has the intention of getting the public to drink water that has fluoride in it.

Around 35% of the world’s population lives in areas with fluoridated water [1]. Countries that have water fluoridation programs include the United States, Australia and Canada.

Research has shown that water fluoridation has a positive impact on children. This includes studies which have demonstrated that children who live in areas with fluoridated water typically have less cavities than children from areas without fluoridated water [2].

Furthermore, statistics show that after the United States began water fluoridation at the end of the Second World War, rates of tooth decay sharply decreased [3]. This trend has continued since then.

Despite this, there has been some controversy over water fluoridation. Some have argued that it has a detrimental effect on the development of children, and causes fluorosis – a condition that involves over-consumption of fluoride in children.

However, past research has shown though that water fluoridation does not impact brain development in children [4]. Moreover, fluorosis is very rare.

Scientists and organizations like the American Dental Association are in agreement that water fluoridation is a positive thing, and has helped society substantially.

When should a child start using fluoride toothpaste?

So with fluoride being deemed important and safe for children, it is natural to wonder when a child should start using a fluoridated toothpaste.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommend using a grain of rice-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste twice a day from when the first tooth appears – up until the age of 3 [3].

After turning 3, the AAP recommend using a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste twice a day [3]. Non-fluoride toothpaste should be avoided.

Teaching a child to spit out toothpaste is useful, as swallowing isn’t advisable. It is recommended that parents supervise their child’s toothbrushing until they become entirely competent alone.

Pregnancy and fluoride

A common concern that many people have is the possible impact that fluoride can have on an unborn child.

If you are pregnant and worried about the impact of fluoride on your unborn child, you can be assured that the public water supply is checked regularly to ensure its safety and cleanliness.

You can always contact your local water utility company for any queries or concerns about your water supply and fluoride levels.

Some people decide to drink bottled water instead. However, given the benefits of fluoride, it is advisable to consume water from the tap. As seen, drinking water from the tap is helpful for both adults and children – including the unborn!

Thinking points…

1) Some people have access to fluoridated water, while others don’t. Regardless of if you do or don’t, you still need to remember to have excellent oral hygiene. While water fluoridation can help, it cannot replace toothbrushing and flossing. Moreover, remember to attend regular dental check-ups, as these allow a dentist to examine your mouth, offer advice and suggest treatment if necessary. We recommend that you book an appointment soon!

2) Are you a parent? If yes, remember that there are many things you can do to help your children with their oral health. For example, showing an interest in their dental hygiene, helping them brush their teeth, and taking them to regular dental appointments can all help! You could even attend a dental appointment alongside your child! You could book an appointment for you both now!

What we offer at Savanna Dental

Savanna Dental is a dental clinic based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. We provide our patients with a range of treatment options and advice, with the aim of improving oral health and boosting overall wellbeing!

We advise our patients to attend our Calgary-based dental clinic twice a year for a dental check-up. If any problems are detected, we have many treatments available. For instance, these include cavity fillings and root canals. To try and prevent problems, it is important to brush your teeth at least twice a day and floss regularly.

Here at Savanna Dental, we also have some cosmetic treatments available! These include dental implants, tooth whitening and Invisalign™! Our patients find that these treatments have a positive impact on their appearance, confidence and self-esteem.

In addition, the fees of our services at our Calgary dental clinic Savanna Dental are set in line with the Alberta Dental Fee Guide.

We would love you to visit our Savanna Dental clinic in Calgary! You can find out more about us by visiting our website https://savannadentalclinic.ca/!

References

[1] Iheozor-Ejiofor, Z., Worthington, H. V., Walsh T., O’Malley, L., Clarkson, J. E., Macey, R., Alam, R., Tugwell, P., Welch, V., & Glenny, A-M. (2015). Water fluoridation for the prevention of dental caries. The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 18 (6): CD010856. DOI: https:/www.doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD010856.pub2.

[2] Slade, G. D., Grider, W. B., Maas, W. R., & Sanders, A. E. (2018). Water Fluoridation and Dental Caries in U.S. Children and Adolescents. Journal of Dental Research. 97 (10). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0022034518774331.

[3] Lewis, C. (2024). Pediatrician explains why children need fluoride. Available: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2024-09-pediatrician-children-fluoride.html. Last accessed: 4th October 2024.

[4] Do, L. G., Spender, A. J., Sawyer, A., Jones, A., Leary, S., Roberts, R., & Ha, D. H. (2022). Early Childhood Exposures to Fluorides and Child Behavioral Development and Executive Function: A Population-Based Longitudinal Study. Journal of Dental Research. 102 (1). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/00220345221119431.

Researchers have looked to see if dentists could be the first line of defence against the sleep disorder Sleep Apnea. Sleep apnea is a condition that affects many people, and can be life threatening in certain cases. The researchers have suggested that dentists have a unique opportunity to spot the signs of sleep disorders, and provide referrals when needed.

We all know that going to the dentist is crucial for our oral health. Dentists can check our oral health, provide advice, and discuss treatment options if necessary.

However, visiting the dentist is much more than just seeing how your oral health is. Instead, dentists are able to spot signs of physical health problems. They are highly-skilled practitioners who can also help with your overall health.

In fact, recent research has explored the possibility of dentists being considered as the first line of defense against the sleep disorder Sleep Apnea [1].

What is Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea is a type of sleep disorder. It involves a person’s breathing stopping and starting intermittently while they sleep [2]. In extreme cases, it can be life threatening.

Other symptoms include snoring loudly, and waking up frequently during the night. Therefore, sleep apnea contributes to a range of problems. For example, those with the condition frequently feel tired during the daytime.

Moreover, sleep apnea has been linked with conditions such as high blood pressure, stroke, and coronary artery disease [3]. Due to these concerns, it is important to get seek treatment for sleep apnea.

Sleep apnea is also related to our oral health. Research shows that patients with sleep apnea are likelier to have oral health problems than those without the condition [4].

The Research

A team of researchers from Rutgers Health sought to find out the role that dentists could play in spotting the signs of sleep apnea. Their findings have been published in the Journal of the American Dental Association [1].

The team conducted a literature review on sleep-focused dental medicine studies between January 1990 and March 2024. Furthermore, the team prioritized studies on neuroscience [1].

The review found that dentists can spot the early signs of sleep disorders during dental check-ups. These signs often manifest as oral health issues, which are visible in check-ups.

For example, tooth grinding, enlarged jaw muscles, tongue scalloping or patients sleeping during routine dental check-ups are all potential signs of sleep disorders [1].

Furthermore, the review found that dentists can identify at-risk patients with 80% accuracy using tools like the STOP-BANG questionnaire, along with looking for behavioural signs [1].

The STOP-BANG questionnaire is a tool used to diagnose sleep apnea. It is commonly used by healthcare professionals, and tests for various symptoms of the condition [1].

As discussed, the researchers found that this questionnaire has up to 80% accuracy. In cases where a dentist has enough time, the researchers have suggested that this questionnaire could be used when signs of sleep apnea are exhibited [1].

Alternatively, the researchers posited that adding sleep-based questions into patient history forms could help, as they would be able to provide initial information on potential sleep problems [1].

The researchers suggested that when a dentist does spot signs of sleep apnea, that a prompt referral to a relevant health professional should take place.

As a result, treatment will be able to commence. Moreover, it will also help to protect patients from complications from sleep disorders – such as heart disease and stroke [1].

Summary

These are interesting findings – and underline the importance of visiting a dentist regularly. Moreover, it is further proof that dentists offer more than just oral health services.

Dave Thomas is a clinical associate professor at the Rutgers School of Dental Medicine. He commented by saying “dentists can be the first line of defence in identifying sleep disorders” [5].

Continuing, Thomas said that this is in part because “they often see symptoms long before physicians” [5]. Therefore, dentists are in a position to be able to assist at an early stage.

Just like with dental conditions, the earlier that sleep apnea is detected and treated – the higher the chance of a positive treatment outcome.

It is very important that patients understand the importance of attending a dental clinic regularly. Not only can their oral health be boosted, but their physical health will also be taken into account.

Thinking points…

1) This research further underlines the importance of visiting the dentist! As shown above, it boosts your oral health and your overall health too! Therefore, make sure you attend the dentist for a check-up at least once every six months. At a check-up, a dentist will be able to take a look at your oral health and provide advice and treatment if needed. We recommend that you book an appointment right away!

2) Do you, or someone you know, have trouble sleeping? Many people are unaware that they have a sleep disorder. You could share this article with anyone you know that struggles to sleep, or on your social media accounts. This could help them to realise that they might have a problem, and serves as a reminder to them about the importance of the dentist. Why not share the article now?

What we offer at Savanna Dental

Savanna Dental is a dental clinic based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. We provide our patients with a range of treatment options and advice, with the aim of improving oral health and boosting overall wellbeing!

We advise our patients to attend our Calgary-based dental clinic twice a year for a dental check-up. If any problems are detected, we have many treatments available. For instance, these include cavity fillings and root canals. To try and prevent problems, it is important to brush your teeth at least twice a day and floss regularly.

Here at Savanna Dental, we also have some cosmetic treatments available! These include dental implants, tooth whitening and Invisalign™! Our patients find that these treatments have a positive impact on their appearance, confidence and self-esteem.

In addition, the fees of our services at our Calgary dental clinic Savanna Dental are set in line with the Alberta Dental Fee Guide.

We would love you to visit our Savanna Dental clinic in Calgary! You can find out more about us by visiting our website https://savannadentalclinic.ca/!

References

[1] Thomas, D. C., Somaiya, T., Cruz, M. M. E., Pitchumani, P. K., Ardeshna, A., Ravi, A., & Prabhakar, S. (2024). The enigma of sleep: Implications of sleep neuroscience for the dental clinician and patient. The Journal of the American Dental Association. 155 (9): p735-746. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.adaj.2024.05.007.

[2] NHS. (2022). Sleep apnoea. Available: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/sleep-apnoea/. Last accessed: 19th September 2024.

[3] Girardin, J-L., Zizi, F., Clark, L. T., Brown, C. D., & McFarlane, S. I. (2008). Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Cardiovascular Disease: Role of the Metabolic Syndrome and Its Components. Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine. 4 (3): p261-272. PMID: 18595441.

[4] Daljeet, M., Warunek, S., Covell, D. A., Monegro, A., Giangreco, T., & Al-Jewair, T. (2022). Association between obstructive sleep apnea syndrome and bone mineral density in adult orthodontic populations. The Journal of Craniomandibular & Sleep Practice. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/08869634.2022.2142724.

[5] Oral Health. (2024). Could dentists be the first line of defence against sleep apnea? A review says yes. Available: https://www.oralhealthgroup.com/oral-health/could-dentists-be-the-first-line-of-defence-against-sleep-apnea-a-review-says-yes-1003981226/. Last accessed: 19th September 2024.

Research has looked into how salivary flow is impacted following radiation therapy for Head and Neck Cancer. Salivary flow is very important, with a lack of saliva often causing oral health problems to develop. By looking at how salivary flow is impacted by radiation therapy, it can help professionals to improve treatment outcomes and overall oral health.

Recent research has looked into salivary flow in males and females following radiation therapy for Head and Neck cancer [1].

Salivary flow is very important, as a lack of saliva can result in numerous oral health problems developing. Therefore, studying this side effect of radiation therapy is very helpful.

The findings of this research will help to guide health professionals in providing oral health advice to patients getting radiation therapy.

Background

Many people are unaware of how saliva is a crucial part of our oral health. Saliva – also known as spit – is the clear liquid that is made by the glands in the mouth.

Saliva protects our mouth as we eat, chew, and talk. Additionally, it helps to counteract bad bacteria, and protect our tooth enamel.

However, reduced salivary flow, also known as hyposalivation – can increase the risk of tooth decay [2]. As teeth become decayed, cavities will eventually develop, and gums can become irritated.

The focus of this research was on patients receiving treatment for Head and Neck Cancer. This is the sixth most common type of cancer around the world, and impacts the lives of many [3].

One of the main treatments for Head and Neck cancer is radiation therapy. Radiation therapy involves using radiation to kill cancer cells. The researchers wanted to see how the salivary flow of test subjects responded following radiation therapy [1].

The Research

The research was conducted by a team from the University of Connecticut (UConn). Their findings were published in the Oral Diseases journal [1].

As discussed, the team wanted to find out how salivary flow impacted men and women following radiation therapy.

The research involved 572 patients, all of which had a diagnosis of Head and Neck cancer [1]. They were all due to receive radiation therapy as part of their treatment.

Prior to receiving the therapy, salivary flow was measured. Interestingly, it was found that women had reduced salivary flow at this point [1].

This is consistent with other research, with the difference in the size of the salivary glands between men and women often being seen as the cause of this [1].

The patients then went through radiation therapy. Then, six months later their salivary flow was measured again [1]. The researchers wanted to see if differences between males and females remained.

The measurements showed that the differences remained. Moreover, the difference was considered to be “significant” by the researchers – with the females having a much lower salivary flow compared to males [1].

A further test followed after a further year – representing 18 months after radiation therapy had been completed. The findings were consistent with the results from 6 months, with the difference between males and females still substantial [1].

Therefore, the researchers were able to conclude that females have a significantly lower salivary flow compared to males both before and after radiation therapy [1].

This means that females who undergo radiation therapy have a higher risk factor for oral health problems [1]. Therefore, this is an important consideration for health professionals.

What this means

These results will aid health professionals in the treatment and risk assessment of patients undergoing radiation therapy – especially in regards to their oral health.

Based on the results of this research, it seems that health professionals need to ensure women especially focus on stimulating the production of saliva where possible. It is crucial too that men do not become complacent.

This is backed up by the comments from Dr. Rajesh Lalla, who said that the results demonstrate that females “have significantly different ranges of normal salivary flow” compared to males [4].

Continuing, Lalla said that “having a very dry mouth can greatly affect quality of life and increase risk for several oral diseases” [4]. Therefore, this underlines the importance of avoiding dry mouth.

Overall, these findings will be helpful in advancing the understanding of the impact of radiation therapy on oral health. Hopefully, we will see an improvement in the treatment management of those with oral health problems – especially following radiation therapy.

Thinking points…

1) Stimulating saliva is very important for our oral health. If you have a dry mouth, then there are plenty of things you can try. These include sipping water throughout the day, sucking on ice cubes, chewing sugar-free gum, and if needed, using saliva substitutes. These are all practical ways of improving the production of saliva – which should boost your overall oral health!

2) Remember that attending a dental check-up regularly is crucial! At a dental check-up, a dentist will be able to take a thorough look at your mouth. They will look out for any problems, provide advice, and suggest treatment options if needed. It is advisable to attend a check-up at least once every six months. We recommend booking an appointment now!

What we offer at Savanna Dental

Savanna Dental is a dental clinic based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. We provide our patients with a range of treatment options and advice, with the aim of improving oral health and boosting overall wellbeing!

We advise our patients to attend our Calgary-based dental clinic twice a year for a dental check-up. If any problems are detected, we have many treatments available. For instance, these include cavity fillings and root canals. To try and prevent problems, it is important to brush your teeth at least twice a day and floss regularly.

Here at Savanna Dental, we also have some cosmetic treatments available! These include dental implants, tooth whitening and Invisalign™! Our patients find that these treatments have a positive impact on their appearance, confidence and self-esteem.

In addition, the fees of our services at our Calgary dental clinic Savanna Dental are set in line with the Alberta Dental Fee Guide.

We would love you to visit our Savanna Dental clinic in Calgary! You can find out more about us by visiting our website https://savannadentalclinic.ca/!

References

[1] Lalla, R. V., Helgeson, E. S., Virk, K., Lu, H., Treister, N. S., Sollecito, T. P., Schmidt, B. L., Patton, L. L., Lin, A., & Brennan, M. T. (2024). Females have lower salivary flow than males, before and after radiation therapy for head/neck cancer. Oral Diseases. 15: 15068. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/odi.15068.

[2] Dos Santos Letieri, A., Siqueira, W. L., Solon-de-Mello, M., Masterson, D., Freitas-Fernandes, L. B., Valente, A. P., Ribeiro de Souza, I. P., Fidalgo, T. K., & Maia, L. C. (2022). A critical review on the association of hyposalivation and dental caries in children and adolescents. Archives of Oral Biology. 144 (105545). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.archoralbio.2022.105545.

[3] Guo, K., Xiao, W., Chen, X., Zhao, Z., Lin, Y., & Chen, G. (2021). Epidemiological Trends of Head and Neck Cancer: A Population-Based Study. Biomed Research International. 2021 (1). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1155/2021/1738932.

[4] Chandler, C. (2024). NIDCR-funded Study Finds Females Have Lower Salivary Flow Than Males. Available: https://today.uconn.edu/2024/08/nidcr-funded-study-finds-females-have-lower-salivary-flow-than-males/#. Last accessed: 6th September 2024.