Manohar Dental Care Vizag

Sunday, January 6, 2019

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Radiation 101

The worrisome part about dental x-rays is the exposure to radiation. Radiation is a scary term, but the reality is that we are exposed to radiation in our everyday lives, not just during x-rays. Radiation is measured in units called rems. The doses in the medical world are so small, they are measured in millirems, or “mrem” which is just one thousandth of a rem. Below are some examples of amounts of radiation we’re exposed to in our everyday lives*:

Airport scan is 0.001 mrem.
Eating a banana is 0.01 mrem.
Natural radiation in the human body is 0.04 mrem.
Average flight from New York to Los Angeles is 4 mrem.
Average chest x-ray is 10 mrem
Average mammogram is 40 mrem.
Annual cosmic radiation living in Denver is 50 mrem.
An average (full body) CT scan is 1000 mrem.

On average, you can expect to be exposed to somewhere between 200-360 mrem throughout a year, far below the fatal level which is one million mrem.

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Dental X-Rays Are Safe, We Promise

One of the most common things done at a routine dental visit is having x-rays. It’s those x-rays that allow the dentist to take a closer look at the overall health of your teeth to detect damage and disease affecting the roots and bones of your mouth, and to look for any possible cavities – things that aren’t visible during a routine visual exam. Sounds good, right? But then we cover you in a heavy vest and ask pregnant women to forgo x-rays which prompts lots of questions from our patients about dental x-ray safety. So, let’s talk about it! 

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How to Prevent Dry Mouth While Sleeping

But, why is it so bad at night? Many times you can blame mouth breathing for it. While the best cure for dry mouth is to address any underlying health issues, that can take time and most people need more immediate solutions. Consider these solutions:

Drink water throughout the day – stay hydrated
Chew sugar-free gum, or suck on sugar free candies or mints to help increase saliva
Brush with a fluoride toothpaste
Use mouth washes, rinses and/or toothpaste designed for dry mouth
Use an artificial saliva product, either over-the-counter or prescribed by your doctor or dentist
Avoid acidic or spicy foods which can make it worse
Limit your alcohol and caffeine intake, especially at night
Quit smoking
Talk to your doctor about any mouth breathing or snoring
Discuss changing medications to reduce dry mouth as a side effect
Keep your good oral hygiene habits to reduce the chance of bacteria growth, cavities and gum disease.
Use a humidifier to add additional moisture to the air
At night, have water and/or ice chips available beside your bed in case you awake parched

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The Causes and Symptoms of Dry Mouth

First, you need to understand the causes and symptoms of dry mouth. Saliva is a natural part of the digestive system that helps break down foods and rinses the mouth of bacteria. Dry mouth (Xerostomia) is characterized by lack of saliva. This lack of saliva can cause difficulty tasting, chewing, swallowing and even speaking. Without saliva, or without an appropriate amount, bacteria can stick to the teeth and create tooth decay, which can lead to infections in the mouth and even tooth loss.

But dry mouth isn’t a disease in itself; dry mouth is a symptom of other conditions. It can be caused by medication use, smoking, radiation treatment, aging, and even diseases such as diabetes or Parkinson’s. The most common symptoms of dry mouth include feeling thirsty, having a dry, sticky mouth, chapped lips, burning/tingling in your mouth and tongue, and bad breath.

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How To Prevent Dry Mouth While Sleeping

If you suffer from dry mouth, you’re not alone. While estimates vary widely, it’s safe to say millions of people experience dry mouth at some point. If you are one of them, you know night time is often the worst, waking up parched, and without relief can be uncomfortable and frustrating. Not only is it annoying and often painful, chronic dry mouth can lead to tooth decay and gum disease if untreated. Wouldn’t it be nice to learn how to prevent dry mouth while sleeping and find some relief? 

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Making Dental Visits Easier

Keep a daily routine as normal as possible and schedule appointments around likely known times/conditions for seizures. If helpful, use eye covers, ear plugs and/or soft music at your appointment.

Make sure your dentist and hygienist are aware of your epilepsy. Make sure to let them know what medications you are taking and if you have had issues with anesthesia in the past. In addition to any medications you are taking, you may want to consider telling your provider about your seizure type, frequency and triggers. Letting your provider know as much  information as possible prior to your appointment can help ensure a safe and comfortable  visit. If any professional in a dental office is not sensitive to your needs or is not willing to work with you, then choose another provider.

Studies have shown that epileptic patients tend to have more missing teeth and are less likely to get them replaced. However, as long as your health care professionals agree, it is generally beneficial to get your missing teeth replaced. If dentures, implants or oral surgery is being done, make sure your doctor knows all drug interactions and uses materials able to withstand the intensity and frequency of seizures.

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Epilepsy and Oral Health

The convulsions often associated with epileptic seizures can cause a myriad of dental issues including:

Bites to the tongue or cheek from gnashing teeth
Chipped or cracked teeth
Displacement of a tooth from the socket
Trauma-induced TMJ disc dislocation
Fractured jaw
Unfortunately, many of the medications used to regulate seizures can cause other oral health problems such as bleeding gums, overgrown gums (gingival hyperplasia) and even swelling of the tongue and ulcerations due to a B-12 deficiency. These same drugs can also impact absorption of vitamin D, a mineral that helps strengthen teeth and bones.

The best way to combat these issues is practicing excellent oral hygiene, including regular visits to the dentist.

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What You Need to Know About Epilepsy and Oral Health

When you think about epilepsy, you probably think about seizures. The hallmark of this disorder, it’s seizures that often create the need for an epileptic to see a dentist more often than most. But both the disorder and its treatment can make good oral health or a routine visit to the dentist a challenge. Even so, people with epilepsy can, and should, see the dentist on a regular basis. 

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Beards and Oral Health

As much as we love those beards, they hide the jawline making it harder to spot changes which can be an indication of potential oral health issues. Men who are not shaving everyday likely don’t examine their chins and jawline as often as their smooth-faced counterparts.

So, if you are part of our bearded brethren, you should take a couple moments every morning to take a closer look. Be aware of any changes in the appearance of your jawline, or any unexplained discoloration. Areas of unexplained numbness should be of some concern as well. If you have any lumps or pain in your neck or jaw you should always contact your doctor and/or dentist.

Aside from any visual clues, be aware of how wide your mouth can open. If it decreases dramatically, you should take alert. Even when the swelling is very subtle, the inability to open your mouth completely can be a symptom of oral cancer and an indication it’s time to see your dentist.

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Do Beards Cause Cavities or Gum Disease?

You (and likely your partner too), will be glad to know that the study claiming beards are riddled with bacteria, has been debunked for several reasons. The myth was started by a news station and their test was less than scientific (for example, not one man without a beard had their face swabbed for comparison). When an actual scientific study was done by the Journal of Hospital Infection, they found: 1) clean shaven faces had as much or, in some cases, more bacteria than bearded ones, and 2) it wasn’t the same kind of bacteria that can be found in toilets as the news reports claimed.

Even so, bacteria is what causes cavities and gum disease. It’s maintaining a good oral care routine that will prevent these issues, not the shaving of your beard. Brush your teeth twice a day, use floss and mouthwash daily, chew sugar free gum between meals when you aren’t able to brush, and see your dentist at least twice a year.

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How Healthy Is Your New Beard?

No Shave November. Ever heard of it? If you’re on social media, you’ve likely seen it or you might even know a man who is growing out their beard for this month long campaign. During the month of November, men chose to forgo shaving to help raise awareness, start conversation, and to educate others about cancer prevention. If you or someone you know is sporting a new beard, you might want to read on. 

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3 Ways to Use Flex Money at the Dentist

While visiting the dentist may not be at the top of your list, it’s an easy way to use some of that flex money. Here are three ways to use those flex dollars.

Routine Cleaning – Your visit to the dentist for x-rays and cleaning, sealants and fluoride treatments is covered. Whether you are seen and treated by a dental hygienist or dentist, or both, if they are providing treatment to limit dental ailments, including gum disease and tooth decay, you are able to use your flex money.
Corrective Work – Treatments to prevent or treat dental disease are generally allowed. Filings, crowns, bridges, implants, root canals, extractions, wisdom teeth removal, dentures and even braces are all included in approved expenses, as long as the corrective work isn’t purely cosmetic in nature.
Dental Care for Your Spouse and/or Child – Any of the above services for your spouse or child are also eligible for payment with your flex money, as long as certain qualifications are met, as explained in IRS Publication 502.

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How to Use Flex Money

First, determine what your balance is and when you need to have used it.

You can use your flex money for co-pays, coinsurance, or a variety of medical related services in the area of vision, dental, hearing, acupuncture, chiropractor, counseling, and even some service animal and medical transportation expenses. The IRS keeps a robust list of approved FSA expenses, which you can see here.

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3 Ways To Use Flex Money at the Dentist

The end of the year is approaching which means many of us are asking how to use flex dollars before the end of the year! Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA’s) are a tax-advantaged benefit offered by employers. Money contributed to a Medical FSA can only be used for medical purposes and any money contributed must be used in the same benefit year that contributions were made. If not, the money may end up forfeited, hence the phrase, use it or lose it! If you are one of those wondering how to use flex money before the end of the year, here are a few ideas. 

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Take Preventative Measures

Maintaining your overall good health is important to keep your immune system strong. Aim for 7-9 hours of sleep, exercise, drink the recommended amount of water, manage your stress, eat healthy, and keep up with your oral care routine.

If you or someone close to you is sick, it is recommended to follow the Three C’s: Cover, Contain and Clean. Follow these steps yourself, and teach them to your children as a strategy for staying healthy during cold and flu season.

Cover: Cover your cough and sneezes. Use a tissue, discard and wash your hands, or use your inside of your elbow to cover quickly if a tissue isn’t in reach.
Contain: Keep your distance from others who may be sick, and keep your hands off your eyes, nose and mouth – the most common areas where germs enter the body. If you are sick, or your child is sick, stay home rather than going to work, school, stores or other public places where germs are easily spread.
Clean: Wash your hands frequently through out the day, especially before and after eating, using a tissue, using the restroom, or touching high traffic items such as counters and door knobs. Wipe surface areas with a disinfectant, especially if you believe they may be contaminated, including toys, keyboards, and phones. And don’t forget to replace your toothbrush.
As a part of your health care team, we hope these tips for staying healthy during cold and flu season will keep you and your family happy and healthy over the upcoming months.

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