Chemotherapy Affects On Oral Health

The side effects of chemotherapy are known to be damaging on the entire body, and that includes the mouth. And to make matters worse, some of the harmful effects on the mouth caused by chemotherapy can cause your doctors to delay or stop treatment completely. This is why it is of utmost importance, when possible, to visit the dentist one month prior to beginning chemotherapy, allowing ample time to detect and correct any serious oral health problems before undergoing treatment.

Possible Side Effects

The chemotherapy drugs used to treat cancer not only kill harmful cancer cells, they also do devastating damage to normal, healthy cells. When the cells in the mouth become damaged by chemotherapy, the teeth, gums, and glands can all be negatively affected, too. This can lead to burning sensations, swelling, dry mouth, mouth sores, changes in taste, and trouble chewing, swallowing, and talking. It can even make you more prone to infection.

Tips for a Healthy Mouth

In addition to visiting the dentist prior to beginning treatment, and then continuing to visit the dentist regularly during treatment, there are some things you can do yourself to help maintain a healthy mouth.

One very important thing you can do at home is to check your mouth every day for sores and other changes. You should also drink plenty of water and even suck on ice chips to help keep your mouth moist.

If your mouth is sore, then use an extra-soft bristle toothbrush—you can also run warm water over the bristles before use to help soften them even more. You’ll also want to floss gently each night. If you experience pain or bleeding gums in certain areas, then it is a good idea to avoid those areas but continue to floss the other teeth in the mouth. Finally, rinse your mouth several times a day with a solution of ¼ teaspoon baking soda and ¼ teaspoon salt in 1 quart of warm water.

It’s also best to avoid using toothpicks and tobacco. You should not consume alcohol either, and try not to eat foods that are sharp, sugary, and/or difficult to chew or swallow. Instead, eat soft and moist foods whenever possible, and be sure to take small bites. Consuming liquids while eating will also make chewing and swallowing easier and less painful.

Conclusion

When you experience pains or sores in and around the mouth, contact your doctor. He/she will be able to prescribe certain medications to help control the pain.

Unfortunately, not all mouth problems can be avoided while undergoing chemotherapy. However, it is still in your best interest to allow your dentist to be an active part of your cancer treatment. It is also a good idea to put your dentist in contact with your other doctors, so that the best treatment options can be discussed and realized as a team. After all, the fewer side effects you experience, the more likely your cancer treatment schedule will continue according to plan.

CEREC: New Computerized Dental Technologies

Sirona Dental Systems UK is undoubtedly changing the way dental practices operate. Their CEREC technology is allowing dentists to quickly produce new crowns, veneers, dental inlays, and dental onlays for patients, using a computerized design unit in collaboration with a milling unit, an oral camera, state-of-the-art software, and more. In just one visit, a dentist can design, fabricate, and fit all of these items using the CEREC system.

CEREC Omnicam

One highly innovative aspect of this dental system is the CEREC Omnicam. The Omnicam is designed to provide comfort for the operator, while simultaneously enabling the best intraoral access. The rounded, tube-like instrument features a small camera on the end made of a scratch-resistant sapphire lens. The camera works without any powder or opaquing agent to produce full color images of the patient’s mouth, and when combined with CEREC Software 4.0 the restorative process is guided visually from start to finish.

CEREC Software 4.0

This version of the CEREC software features a new, easier to use user interface that is designed to speed up the restorative process. Three of the software’s main selling points include Intuitive Workflow, Work Direct on the Tooth, and Multiple Restoration Design.

Intuitive Workflow is a feature that seamlessly allows operators to keep track of what step they’re on and be prepared for what’s coming next.

Work Direct on the Tooth is a software element that can execute certain design tools when performing functions such as adding or removing material, rotating or positioning a restoration, and expanding or reducing tooth size.

Multiple Restoration Design is a feature allowing operators to work on numerous restorations all at once.

CEREC Bluecam

The Bluecam is a CEREC system tool that features a blue light-emitting diode and uses a specific wavelength to capture highly accurate and detailed results. The CEREC website claims the Bluecam is the best option for dental practices seeking just the right balance of precision mixed with a high level of productivity.

CEREC MC XL

The MC XL is one of CEREC’s milling choices, and it performs single-tooth and quadrant restorations in just one treatment session. In addition to being precise, the MC XL is also fast, quiet, and easy to use. In just 6 minutes, and with no tools required, this milling device can create a full-contour crown.

CEREC MC L Compact Milling Unit

The MC L Compact Milling Unit is very similar to the MC XL, except it is advertised as the “classic” choice and the “original economical workhorse.” Both options provide restorations that are biocompatible and minimally invasive, and they are the only systems that mill “every chair-side material, from VITA®, Ivoclar Vivadent®, and 3M™ ESPE™.”

CEREC Connect

And last, but certainly not least, is CEREC Connect, the world’s largest digital dental network. This web-based portal allows dentists who use the CEREC system to access and exchange information with thousands of lab owners and technicians throughout the U.S. This provides users with feedback from dental technicians and saves time and money in the process.

Fluoride and Fluorosis

Research shows that in recent years the amount of cavities detected by dentists in the United States has dropped dramatically in both children and adults. Many of these researchers claim that the main reason for this is fluoride.

A surprisingly large portion of the general public believes that fluoride in our water supply is a bad thing. However, fluoride is a mineral that occurs naturally in all water sources. The American Dental Association (ADA) claims that fluoride is just like any other nutrient, and that a healthy dose of fluoride can be very beneficial for a person’s teeth. In fact, it is reported that fluoride can even repair early stages of tooth decay.

Other leading health organizations, such as the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD), also support the use of fluoride to prevent dental caries. They claim that community water fluoridation is a good thing, based on scientific evidence that proves fluoride is safe and effective. Studies indicate that water fluoridation can reduce tooth decay by up to 40 percent.

The two different forms of fluoride, in terms of oral health, are topical and systemic. Topical fluorides, such as toothpastes and mouth rinses, strengthen teeth and make them more decay-resistant. Systemic fluorides include water fluoridation and dietary fluoride supplements. They are ingested and become a part of tooth structure formation, while also providing topical protection because they are present in saliva.

What is fluorosis?

Dental enamel fluorosis is basically a defect of the teeth. The condition is marked by increased porosity of the enamel (a condition known as “hypomineralization“), as well as noticeable white lines or streaks on tooth enamel. An excess of fluoride intake during the first 8 years of life is often the cause.

Dental enamel fluorosis can be cosmetically treated, but the enamel damage is permanent. In the majority of cases, enamel fluorosis does not affect the function or health of the teeth. However, in severe forms of fluorosis the enamel’s porosity can increase and the teeth can begin to erode and crumble.

How much fluoride is in my water?

You should contact your local water supplier to determine the fluoride level in your community water supply. You can also check with your local, county, or state health department.

If you get your water from a private well, you must have it tested. The EPA does not regulate private wells, but they do recommend that private well water is tested every year. Contact your local or state health department for information about where you can have a water sample tested.

Moreover, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) website includes water quality reports, known as “Consumer Confidence Reports.” And the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) website on fluoridation, known as “My Water’s Fluoride,” includes fluoridation information on individual states.

The ADA offers a comprehensive publication, known as “Fluoridation Facts,” with answers to frequently asked questions regarding community water fluoridation. You can download the PDF here: www.ada.org/sections/professionalResources/pdfs/fluoridation_facts.pdf

‘Ugly Betty’ star America Ferrera’s $10 Million Mouth Insurance

Lloyd’s of London, the world’s biggest insurance marketer, has reported that America Ferrera, the star of the hit television show “Ugly Betty,” has her smile insured for a whopping $10 million. Lloyd’s of London has a lengthy record of providing unusual insurance coverage for celebrities, including insuring Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards’ fingers.

The policy is said to cover Ferrera’s smile, including her teeth and gums. A spokesman for Lloyd’s of London said that she is “covered for any reasonable and necessary dental treatment costs or expenses that result from accidental injury during the term of her policy.”

The policy was taken out by Aquafresh White Trays.

Ferrera had this to say about the whole thing: “It’s very flattering to have my smile insured for $10 million; it’s not something that I ever imagined happening.”

The 28-year-old Ferrera is best known for her role as Betty Suarez on the aforementioned TV show. Her character is an ugly-duckling type, complete with a mouthful of big, metal braces. The actress and the show won numerous awards, including Golden Globes, People’s Choice Awards, Kids’ Choice Awards, and more.

About Aquafresh White Trays

Aquafresh White Trays are a teeth-whitening product containing a special whitening gel ingredient. The product is designed to mold to teeth and even whiten the areas between teeth. The trays are soft, flexible, and pre-filled, and are designed to deliver visibly whiter teeth in as little as three days.

“New Aquafresh White Trays are more convenient and easier-to-use than the other at-home whitening products currently available,” said Senior Brand Manager for Aquafresh White Trays Michele Klingensmith. “You use them for 30-45 minutes just once a day for a week. We’ve had many consumers tell us that they love them because they don’t slip like strips or leave messy gel on their fingers.”

According to Ferrera: “I’m proud to partner with Aquafresh White Trays in its commitment to support Smiles for Success, which is a great organization that provides much needed dental care to women as they’re moving from welfare into the workforce. This donation from Aquafresh White Trays is a significant amount of money for this cause and will help the women they support to face the world with confidence—and that’s something to smile about.”

About Smiles for Success

Smiles for Success was established in 1995 by members from the American Association of Women Dentists (AAWD). It offers free dental care to female graduates of accredited job readiness and placement programs, as well as other community-based agencies, religious institutions, or rehabilitative systems. The program covers the cost of basic dental care including cleanings, fillings, and root extractions.

According to a PRNewswire press release on Smiles for Success: “Women having job interviews for the first time with decayed, missing or damaged teeth are often self-conscious and embarrassed. They may try to hide their smiles, in addition to coping with oral pain, making it more difficult for them to put their best foot forward during their job search.”

What is Laser Dentistry?

Lasers are becoming more and more popular in the field of dentistry thanks to their unique abilities and advantages. It may be surprising to learn that lasers have been used as a somewhat common tool in numerous dental procedures for more than 20 years.

A laser (Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation) is basically a highly concentrated, narrow beam of light, which allows the dentist or oral surgeon to control the power output and length of exposure on the intended treatment area. Dental lasers actually belong to a family of dental instruments, as different procedures call for different lasers. These lasers are used for not only surgery, but also to enhance tooth bleaching and to remove tooth structure for elimination of disease and restoration, among other things. Lasers are commonly regarded as a safe and effective treatment option, and they are often used in conjunction with other dental instruments.

Precision is one of the many benefits of laser dentistry. They are great for accurately removing and reshaping oral tissues in a specific area of the mouth without damaging the surrounding area. Shortened recovery times, reduced symptoms, and the dentist’s or oral surgeon’s ability to control bleeding and swelling during surgery (because of the laser’s ability to quickly clot the exposed blood vessels) are also advantages. Lasers can even eliminate the need for stitches and reduce the amount of bacteria within tooth cavities and diseased gums.

Here are just a few issues which can be treated with a laser:

• Remove tooth decay
• Detect cavities early-on
• Minimize the discomfort of canker sores and cold sores
• Reduce pain and inflammation of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ)
• Eliminate a “gummy smile” by reshaping gum tissue
• Expose partially erupted wisdom teeth
• Remove tooth structure
• Remove muscle attachments that inhibit movement, cause speech impediments, and make babies unable to breast feed properly
• Remove overgrown tissues
• Reshape areas in the throat that cause sleep apnea, thus relieving breathing problems
• Seal tubules that cause hot and cold tooth sensitivity
• Provide a safer, non-invasive way to view inside teeth and gums in real-time using Optical Coherence Tomography
• Perform biopsy procedures
• Remove soft tissue folds often caused by ill-fitting dentures
• Regenerate damaged nerves, blood vessels, and scars
• Aid in the treatment of gum disease
• Reshape gum and bone tissues to expose healthier tooth structure during crown lengthening procedures
• Treat infections in root canals
• Remove benign tumors from the gums, lips, cheeks, and palate
• Accelerate tooth whitening procedures

If you are headed to the dentist for a dental procedure requiring a laser, then expect to be required to wear some protective eyeglasses to prevent the laser from damaging your eyes. However, feel secure knowing that laser dentistry treatments typically require no anesthesia, and there is usually very-little-to-no postoperative discomfort. Also, dental lasers are rather quiet, so you won’t have to endure that high-pitch sound produced by many other dental instruments.

To find professional and qualified dentists in your area who use lasers as part of their treatment plans, visit www.laserdentistry.org