February is Dental Health Month

This may be a good time to replace your toothbrushes and review with your children the importance of brushing their teeth and flossing. Here is a review of some of the basics:

• Brush twice a day for at least 2 minutes.
• Use a soft brush and replace it promptly when it's worn. It is also a good idea to replace your toothbrush, (and mouthguards), after an illness, such as a strep infection.
• Floss every day.  Floss only the teeth you want to keep!
• See your Dental Hygienist for a cleaning at least twice a year.

Dental Injuries

Chipped teeth are by far the most common of all mouth injuries; almost everyone chips a tooth at some time. Chipping a tooth usually means you've knocked off a small piece of enamel, the hard surface material that covers your teeth. With a minor chip, your dentist can simply sand the surface smooth. The injury may cause you more discomfort or sensitivity to cold or heat if the dentin (the more fragile inner layer) has been exposed. If it hurts, take an over-the-counter painkiller such as ibuprofen and make an appointment to see your dentist. The chip may need to be filled in with a synthetic material to protect you against further damage.

Accidentally biting or cutting your lip, cheek or tongue is another common occurrence and in most cases, it's not one to worry about. If it's a more serious laceration, you may need to get stitches. (Medical providers like to keep oral stitches to a minimum, though, since they can interfere with eating, and in rare instances cause infection.) Wash the area with warm salt water, then apply pressure with a cold compress to try to stop the bleeding.  If bleeding is severe or doesn't stop, go to the local emergency room.

A cracked or broken tooth (fracture) is a more serious injury. If the fracture has reached the dentin or pulp, rinse your mouth with warm water, and get to your dentist quickly. You'll want to get treatment to prevent infection while the pulp is still healthy. Remember, some fractures aren't visible. If gums become bruised after a mouth injury, call your dentist--there could be a fracture of the root that will only show up on an x-ray.

A knocked-out tooth (avulsion) needs to be considered a dental emergency because the chances for re-implanting the tooth -- having it take hold again in the tooth socket -- depends on how quickly you get dental treatment. Try to see a dentist within 30 minutes of the accident.  Front teeth account for 80% of all knocked-out teeth. Among adults, most teeth are dislodged playing football, baseball, or other sports. Among small children, the precarious job of learning to walk and/or falls against furniture are responsible for the majority of knocked-out teeth. If a tooth is knocked out, first try to find it! Pick it up by the crown, not the fleshy root. If the root looks dirty, give it a quick rinse with cool water. Don't scrub it or touch it -- you could wind up losing vital tissue. As unappealing as it sounds, try to put the tooth back in its socket. Then hold it in place with gauze or a clean washcloth until you get to a dentist. You can also tuck it between your cheek and gum (be sure not to swallow it). If you are going to carry the tooth to the dentist or emergency room, immerse it in milk or a saline solution (never carry it dry).

Baby teeth

Unlike permanent teeth, baby teeth can't be replaced. If your child knocks out a baby tooth prematurely, don't waste any time looking for it.  Instead, comfort your child and help her rinse her mouth out with cold water. Then call a pediatric dentist right away. The dentist won't be able to save the tooth, but he can give your child pain relievers to make her feel better, and antibiotics to prevent an infection. The dentist will want to make sure no damage has occurred to the permanent teeth that have yet to emerge. Your child may also need a spacer, a device that keeps the other teeth from crowding into the newly formed gap. This gives future permanent teeth room to grow.

Displaced Teeth

Displaced teeth -- that is, teeth shoved out of alignment -- are also a serious dental condition. If your tooth is pushed inward or outward but is still attached, gently reposition it with very light finger pressure.  Moisten a clean cloth and hold it in place. Again, see your dentist within 30 minutes of the injury.

Sports injuries are a leading cause of knocked-out teeth. If you or your child play any sport with a risk of falls or blows to the face, helmets, face masks, and mouth guards should be standard equipment.  According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, that list includes football, basketball, baseball, soccer, hockey, skateboarding, gymnastics, and martial arts. If store-bought mouthguards aren't comfortable, you can get a customized one from your dentist.

Pierce tongue, lose teeth?

For those of you who have older children, or for those who may want to keep this bit of information tucked away....Sporting a stud on you tongue could cost the wearer some teeth. The American Dental Association reported that in addition to the obvious risks of piercing--such as infection, bleeding, and nerve damage--oral ornaments can chip or crack the teeth or severely damage the gums. The gum problem occurs when repeated contact with the jewelry undermines the bond between the gums and teeth, creating periodontal "pockets." Left untreated, the pockets attract bacterial that can destroy the bone anchoring the teeth.  The wearer may not notice the damage until it's too late for even surgery to save the tooth. That's because tongue studs affect the gums hidden behind the teeth; lip studs affect the gums on the visible front side, but the pockets often develop without any apparent gum recession. Individuals who have had such piercings should be sure to see a dentist regularly.