Chances are no one needs to tell you about how significantly the COVID-19 pandemic has changed the routines of everyday Americans. All kinds of businesses and other organizations have been forced—either directly or indirectly—to close. And over the course of the last few months, many of these establishments have been allowed to reopen, albeit at a limited capacity. 

As such, millions of people across the country have been trying to adjust to a new normal that seems to change by the day. But one thing is for sure: Even if there are a lot of things in our lives that we can’t control right now, we can still take steps to foster our health and well-being. And maintaining good dental health can go a long way in helping us achieve that.

The good news is that dental offices across the country are now seeing patients for routine checkups and other non-emergency treatments. And while the pandemic is still in full swing, dental offices are among the safest places to be. Nonetheless, you’re not alone if you have lingering concerns about whether or not you should visit the dentist with everything going on. 

So, what do you do if you’re past due on a checkup and want to take care of your teeth and gums the best you can right now? Below, we’ll discuss these matters in more detail so that you can decide for yourself if scheduling an appointment is right for you. 

 

HOW LONG CAN YOU ACTUALLY WAIT BEFORE VISITING THE DENTIST? 

OK, maybe you’re not completely convinced that you need to go to the dentist quite as often as you have been told. Let’s talk about why regular checkups are generally recommended, as well as the absolute longest you should wait before seeing a dentist:

 

Why Regular Checkups Are Important

Regular checkups at the dentist are essential for maintaining good dental health. It is generally recommended that adults visit the dentist every six months. Following this logic, if you haven’t had a checkup since the pandemic started, then it’s time to book an appointment. However, going to the dentist twice a year may not always seem practical to some adults. After all, what if there happens to be a global pandemic that turns the routines of countless households on their heads? 

With this in mind, it’s important to consider why regular checkups and treatments are recommended by medical professionals. For one, your dental health is closely connected to other aspects of your physical health, so neglecting it for too long can have severe consequences and end up costing you much more money than if you were to go to a few dental visits. Also, neglecting your dental health can significantly impact your mental health and overall well-being. 

Then there’s the fact that checkups allow your dentist to perform a thorough examination of your mouth, which in turn allows them to catch any current or potential problems. The more often you visit the dentist, the earlier such problems can be found, which means that you can address them before they become too advanced. Keeping tabs on your health like this can bring peace of mind and potentially save you from unnecessary (and expensive) procedures.

 

If You’re Typically in Good Health

You’re pretty good about practicing daily dental care. You brush your teeth twice a day, floss once a day, and are conscious of eating a well-balanced diet. The dentist rarely finds issues when examining your teeth at checkups. In this case, it’s understandable that you would be a little skeptical of scheduling appointments every six months, especially in light of everything going in 2020. 

Here’s the thing: The six-month checkup standard is widely accepted by medical professionals. But if you feel uncomfortable with the idea of going to the dentist during the pandemic, and you are OK with the risk of not having a dentist catch potential problems, then it might be fine to skip your next appointment. Studies by organizations like the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) indicate that a maximum of two years between visits can suffice if the patient is thoroughly practicing oral care at home. For children, the maximum is one year, since they are more susceptible to tooth decay. Teens should go no longer than 18 months.

It’s important to note that there is no guarantee that dental issues will not arise over a two-year period (or even six months, for that matter), regardless of the general oral health of a patient. And one should only go that long without seeing a dentist if there is no other feasible option. 

 

If You Suspect Tooth Decay or a Cavity 

The study mentioned above does not apply to patients who are concerned that they may have tooth decay or a cavity. Tooth decay can erode the tooth quickly, resulting in a cavity, which is basically a hole in the tooth. Children’s teeth are softer and at higher risk for cavities, but adults get them often as well. 

If you have not been brushing, flossing, and eating a generally tooth-friendly diet, then chances are that you have an unhealthy amount of plaque on the enamel of your teeth, which will inevitably lead to tooth decay if left untreated. Examine your teeth on a regular basis. And if you notice a pale or dark spot on any of your teeth, or if you notice discoloration on any of your teeth (typically yellow, brown, or black), then you likely have a cavity. Even so, cavities can lurk in unseen crevices and corners of the mouth, which is another reason why six-month checkups are so heavily recommended. 

If you suspect either tooth decay or a cavity, you will definitely want to contact your dentist as soon as possible. Visiting the dentist will help to stop the tooth decay or cavity before it gets worse, and that can save you from a lot of unnecessary pain, not to mention expensive procedures. 

 

THE PANDEMIC AND THE CURRENT STATE OF DENTAL OFFICES 

When the pandemic first reached the U.S, dental offices across the country closed their doors. In most places, facilities remained closed for months, with the exception of performing emergency dental treatment and procedures. 

Now, facilities are opening back up everywhere, seeing patients for routine checkups and other types of non-emergency care.

As of date, both the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) still hold that there have been no confirmed cases of COVID-19 transmitted in a dental facility. This is a fact that cannot be ignored and that attests to the stringent cleaning and sanitation processes implemented by dental offices throughout the country (and world)—both before and during the pandemic. In other words, dental offices are among the safest places you can go right now.

Even though most dental offices, including South Charlotte Family Dentistry, were very thorough in their cleaning and sanitation guidelines prior to the pandemic, changes have been made in an effort to curb the general spread of the coronavirus. Also, constant evaluations and adjustments are being made in order to ensure that patients and staff are safe.  

Before an appointment, for instance, you might be asked to check-in through a mobile app rather than the traditional way of filling out paperwork. You will likely be asked if you have had any potential exposure to the virus and whether you have traveled recently, and you will be reminded to wear a mask. Once you get to the appointment, a staff member will check your temperature. And be prepared to use hand sanitizer, which there should be plenty of in each room. 

Also, you can expect the waiting room experience to be quite different at the dental office than it has in the past. Many offices are trying to limit their waiting rooms to just a few people, and some are trying to keep no patients in the waiting room by asking patients to stay in their vehicle until the dentist or oral hygienist is ready to see them. 

 

IF YOU’RE STILL UNCOMFORTABLE VISITING THE DENTAL OFFICE 

In light of everything discussed here, if you are still uneasy about visiting your dental office, then it’s essential that you do everything you can at home to maintain your dental health. 

 

Basic Dental Care

Before and after brushing or flossing, be sure to wash your hands for at least 20 seconds with warm water and soap. Brush your teeth at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, and floss once a day to reach the bacteria and plaque that your brush can’t. 

 

Diet

When it comes to your diet, it’s best to limit sugary foods like candy, cakes, and cookies. Sticky candy like gummy bears and sour gummies are particularly harmful to your teeth. Also, try not to snack too frequently throughout the day, as it can increase your risk of tooth decay and cavities. And limit the sugary drinks in your daily routine because they can be just as harmful as sugary foods. Instead, drink a lot of water during and between meals.  

 

Dental Emergencies

If you suspect a dental emergency, it’s important to contact your dentist as soon as possible for guidance. However, for certain dental issues, there are things you can do at home that can possibly mitigate the issue, albeit temporarily:

General dental pain. Over-the-counter medicines can help with dental pain. But the thing to look out for is how long the pain lasts and whether or not there is swelling. If there is no swelling, a simple combination of Acetaminophen and Ibuprofen can relieve some of the pain, but you will need to ask your dentist about the proper dosage. If there is swelling in your mouth, you will need to take the same medicines as well as rinse your mouth with warm saltwater. Contact your dentist if there is swelling or if the pain persists. 

Pain in gums, tongue, cheek, and/or lip. Common medicated gels that you can get over the counter, such as Orajel and Anbesol, can serve as a temporary remedy for any of these soft tissue places in the mouth (as long as there isn’t swelling). If it’s a child who is experiencing the pain, be sure to look for a children’s oral gel. Additionally, you can administer children’s Acetaminophen and Ibuprofen to add relief, though you will want to consult the dentist or pediatric dentist for guidance.

Fractured tooth or lost filling. If you have suffered a fractured tooth or have lost a filling, you can use an over-the-counter filling material as a temporary fix, which can typically be found in the dental aisle of the pharmacy. If you would rather not leave the house, you should be able to find filling/loose cap repair products online and have them delivered straight to your doorstep. 

Damaged dentures. Whether your dentures have been broken or they simply don’t fit well anymore, there are temporary fixes for that as well. Most pharmacies sell denture repair kits and denture reline kits, which you can also find online.

 

Conclusion

Going to the dentist every six months is the best way to stay on top of your dental health, and it can potentially save you from severe pain and expensive medical bills. Also, dental offices are considered by experts around the world to be some of the cleanest and safest facilities you can go to right now. Nonetheless, if you still need some time to warm up to the idea of going to the dentist, be sure to diligently practice dental care at home, and contact your dentist if you notice any issues. 

Chronic Cheek Biting: Here’s What We Know

About 750 out of every 1 million people are chronic cheek biters, according to a recent study done by the US National Library of Medicine. Now, we have all accidentally clamped down on the side of the cheek, and we know how bad it hurts. So why would anyone choose to chronically nibble at such a sensitive area of the mouth? Turns out there are a number of reasons so many of us are habitual biters.

750 Out of Every 1 Million

There is no simple cause evident for chronic cheek biting. Studies do provide a number of possible reasons for such behavior, and it seems the most regularly noted reason for cheek biting, linked across studies, is stress. 

There were a few other similarities in the studies. It turns out chronic cheek biting is seen more in females than in males. And, it is a behavior found to be more prevalent in children than adults. Though these two important findings are not reasons for chronic cheek biting, they do provide specific groups from which we can, hopefully, derive specific answers.

The Psychology Behind Chronic Cheek Biting

Even though we don’t yet completely understand why chronic cheek biting occurs, there are a lot of respected ideas and opinions on the topic.

Some researchers believe this chronic behavior is due to genetics, and if we make the efforts to research our own histories we can find out how likely we are to raise our own little cheek biters. Critics have combated this reasoning with the notion that even if genetics are to blame, we still don’t have a source or clear reason for the behavior. Plus, even if genetics do play a part, there can still be other factors at play, such as stress, environment, and emotional imbalance.

Many agree stress is related to chronic cheek biting; most believe it is the source for the behavior. For those who are chronic biters, test this theory by taking note when you are biting—are you stressed? Anxious or nervous? Try and pin down that most common state-of-mind you find yourself in when biting. This could be the culprit.

The Dangers of Cheek Biting

So what’s the big deal anyhow? Nobody has died from biting the inside of his cheek. This is true, but we don’t know a whole lot on the topic, so to rule out the dangers—beyond the obvious ones—might not be wise. What we do know is that when chronic cheek biting occurs, the biting is superficial; these are not deep bites that bleed and become sore—at least not right away. The bites are tiny and painless, but after time when the membrane has been worn down, sores can begin to form. Research also indicates that those who bite chronically usually have their “favorite” spots to chew.

Here is what happens when chronic cheek biting occurs:

• The bitten area becomes scarred and tough and inflamed. This becomes uncomfortable and makes chewing and talking difficult.
• Once the area is bitten most people find themselves biting more in the attempt to create a smooth surface; this, however, just exacerbates the problem.
• Extreme cases can leave open sores in the mouth—which can then become infected.
• Research is not completely clear on the connection between the two, but some researchers believe cheek biting can lead to cancer.

Stopping the Act

The good news is that chronic cheek biting is a behavior and can be corrected. The first step is to pay extra attention to when you are eating. Often times we begin biting an area that has already been chomped on by accident. Also, if you have a misalignment this could greatly increase your chances of accidentally biting the inside of your mouth.

One way to stop biting once you have already started is to substitute the habit every time you catch yourself in the act. Sugarless gum and mints are good substitutes, but you might try and stop the habit without a replacement—it could be easier than you think.

Remember that cheek biting is a behavior, a habit, and one that can be stopped. It may take a few times to get there, but you can do it. And if you find yourself biting due to a misalignment, or you just need some extra advice, come see us at South Charlotte Dentistry.

-Andrae Bergeron

*Sources:

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/325985.php;

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/cheek-biting-_b_818047

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3793567/

The Benefits of Intermittent Fasting on Your Oral Health

Whether it’s the Keto, Paleo, or low-calorie and no-sugar, there always seems to be a new dieting craze around the corner. Fasting (abstaining from food for a period of time) is the latest fad diet, but, with a possibility for physical and oral health benefits, this method may be more than just a flash in the pan.

At first thought, it makes sense why fasting would be beneficial both physically and orally. Though there are many types of fasts—dry fast, absolute fast, partial fast—physically you are, well, starving yourself. So it makes sense your body would react by burning fat for energy. Orally, by having fewer bacteria and saliva in the mouth due to constant eating, or rather not constantly eating, the teeth and gums have a chance to grow and heal and thrive.

Effects on Oral Health

There may be a good case for the physical effects of fasting, but what about how it affects our oral health? Is it truly good for our teeth and gums to go that long without food?

According to the famous naturopath Dr. Herbert Shelton, fasting can have dramatically beneficial effects on eradicating tooth decay and gum disease, but he also notes that a poorly planned and executed fast can cause damage to oral health.

Fasting relaxes the body by giving it a chance to rest from all the chewing and swallowing and digesting. We forget that our bones and gums are living things that need to be used, but also need breaks. The absence of food lets our teeth and gums repair, and by drinking water during a fast you are able to have a thorough rinse during the process.

So if you’ve had it with the fad diets, and you would like to give your oral health a chance to improve, look into intermittent fasting. Here are a few tips to get you going:

1. Start by fasting for twelve hours and count your sleep time towards these hours. So if you were to stop eating by 7 pm, you could eat breakfast at 7 am. Not too bad, right? You don’t even have to do this every day. Pick a few days a week to get you going.
2. Next, move up to sixteen hours. Typically people at this step stop eating around 8 pm, skip breakfast the next morning, and eat again around noon.
3. Once you have gotten used to fasting the 16:8 method (16-hour period fasting: 8- hour period eating) for a few days a week, move on to alternating the days you fast—one off, one on.
4. From here, vary the way you fast to see which fits into your lifestyle best. You can fast every day, every other, or go weeks where you fast and then take weeks off. It’s really up to you.

A Bit More on Intermittent Fasting

As we increasingly become aware of our physical health and the aging process, we find ourselves mining for new methods, new understandings of how we can feel and look our very best, all the time. Cynthia Thurlow, an experienced nurse practitioner and functional nutritionist, challenges our common dieting practices (i.e., three meals a day, and snacking throughout the day) in a recent Ted Talk by providing cause for what she calls “intermittent fasting.” She begins her presentation by stating that breakfast is not the most important meal of the day and that the recent encouragement to snack throughout the day is not what we should be doing. The most beneficial meal we can get might be no meal at all.

She goes on to cite numerous examples where she has seen people integrate intermittent fasting into their lives only to find themselves much healthier and happier.

Her key points:

• Eating three meals a day/snacking throughout overtaxes our organs. This overworking of our body makes us age faster and lose energy quicker. 
• Intermittent Fasting, the “absence of food during a prescribed time period,” gives your body time to react and rejuvenate itself. She suggests fasting for a period of sixteen hours and then taking a period of eight hours when you can eat. Begin by fasting for ten to twelve hours then move up to sixteen. During the fasting period, you are able to drink coffee and tea and, of course, water.
• Thurlow suggests trying intermittent fasting for thirty days before deciding if it is truly beneficial or not for you.

Regardless of how used to fasting you are, if you ever find yourself getting dizzy or nauseous, it is a good idea to eat something. Good luck!

-Andrae Bergeron

*Sources:

•    https://www.healingteethnaturally.com/dr-herbert-shelton-fasting-effects-on-teeth.html

•    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A6Dkt7zyImk

Let’s Talk Toothbrushes!

Here at South Charlotte Dentistry, we get a lot of question about toothbrushes. We know our patients are aware of the importance of brushing their teeth, but how significant is the toothbrush that you use? Over the years, dental technology continues to change and advance but one tool has remained a staple in the dental world: the toothbrush. While toothbrushes have come a long way from frayed twigs to fancy electric toothbrushes, the concept of the technology remains the same. 

Picking The Perfect Toothbrush! 

·         Size - The size of your toothbrush is important. Kids will need small toothbrushes that have a small handle, making it easy to grip onto, and a small brush to glide across the teeth comfortably. A small brush can create a more effective cleaning regimen, as it will have more contact in smaller areas of the mouth. Adults, on the other hand, will want a handle that is normal in length and a brush that is sized to fit their mouth accordingly. 

·         Texture - Texture is important! Kids will need softer brushes as their teeth come in, grow, and are lost. A soft brush is good for sensitive teeth and gums, and firm brushes are used for adults with healthy gums. When using a firm brush it is important to brush light, as too much force can damage the gums. 

·         Electric or Manual - While people certainly have strong opinions on their choice of toothbrushes, electric or manual brushes are both fine! This decision mainly comes down to personal preference and budget. An electric toothbrush tends to clean more efficiently and get in between teeth better, and is a great choice for people with sensitive gums or people that might brush too rough.

Related: Toothpaste Phobia, It’s a Real Thing!

 

Whether you are using a fancy electronic toothbrush or a regular toothbrush, what matters most is that you are brushing at least twice a day. Make sure to brush all sides of your teeth, and even your tongue, for approximately two minutes. It is also recommended that you replace your toothbrush every three months.

Schedule you routine cleaning today with South Charlotte Dentistry. We will help answer any questions you may have about your oral health, even if you want to ask us about what toothbrush you should be using! Call to make your appointment at 704-759-0908.