May 9, 2017
In recent years, there have been lots of conversations about plastics in our every day lives. Residents in South Portland, Portland, and Falmouth have voted to manage and reduce the amount of plastic distributed by introducing fees, or even banning some plastics altogether. Polyethylene is the most common plastic in the world, but it is a problem for the environment because it isn’t biodegradable and lasts forever. At best, it breaks down into smaller particles, but still exists.
Over the past few years, skincare and toothpaste brands have been adding small beads to their products, claiming they enhance the cleaning ability of the product when in reality, they are only for decorative purposes. While seemingly harmless, these beads are actually plastic—the same plastic found in your grocery bags, trash cans, and bottles. Since these plastics don’t break down, even in water, where do they go?
Around your teeth you have channels in your gums called a sulcus, the same place where gingivitis begins. A healthy sulcus is only about 3mm deep, but is a perfect place for these microbeads of plastic to get trapped. Since they are smaller than a millimeter, hundreds of pieces can get stuck in your sulcus each time you brush.
While there is little evidence that these microbeads directly cause gum problems, the sulcus is very vulnerable. Your dental hygienist spends most of their time cleaning this small space around every tooth in your mouth. And if your sulcus isn’t healthy, then your tooth, and potentially your whole mouth, isn’t healthy. So, we think it is better to be safe than sorry!
You can check the ingredients lists to see if microbeads are lurking in your toothpaste. Check for polyethylene, polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate, or polymethyl methacrylate. Researchers have found the following products contain either microbeads or other microplastics. We encourage you to check your bathrooms to make sure these products aren’t hiding in there!
Toothpastes that Contain Microbeads:
- Crest Pro-Health
- Crest Pro-Health for Me
- Crest Sensitivity
- Crest Complete Multi Benefit
- Crest Clinical Sensitivity Relief
- Crest 3D White Luxe
- Crest 3D White
- CVS Brilliant White
Toothpastes that May Contain Other Microplastics:
- Colgate Max Clean-Smart Foam
- Colgate Max Clean
- Elmex Anti-Cavity with Fluoride
- Glo Science, Inc. Glo Whitening Antioxidant
- Jason Naturals Sea Fresh Antiplaque and Strengthening
- Jason Naturals Powersmile Anti-Cavity and Whitening
- Tom’s of Maine Clean & Gentle Fluoride
While caution is due, do be aware that since the initial news broke on microbeads, manufacturers have been phasing microbeads out of their formulations. But if you’d like to learn more about how to counteract the presence of microbeads in your mouth – and the environment – check out StoryofStuff.org and BeattheMicrobead.org.
Do you think you’ve got microbeads in your mouth? Schedule your next teeth cleaning today by calling us at 207.781.5900.
Feb 27, 2017
Over the past few years, electronic cigarettes have become quite the topic of conversation. A trendy alternative to traditional cigarettes, many smokers have switched to e-cigarettes based on the assumption that they are safer. Chemicals found in traditional cigarettes can cause a myriad of issues for the smoker, and teeth discoloration and plaque build-up are just the tip of the iceberg. While e-cigarettes don’t contain as many harmful chemicals as traditional cigarettes, the vapor produced by e-cigarettes can still cause problems for the smoker. Since e-cigarettes have emerged on the scene, there has been an ongoing debate in the healthcare world about whether or not these cigarettes are actually safer. An important part of this conversation is the impact of e-cigarettes on oral health.
First, we should consider how e-cigarettes work. Electronic cigarettes are battery-powered devices that are designed to look and feel like a traditional cigarette. To use an e-cigarette, the user fills the cartridge with a liquid containing nicotine, flavorings, and other chemicals. The liquid inside is heated and becomes vapor, which the user inhales. Though often used by those who want to quit smoking traditional cigarettes, they are also enticing to young people because of the flavorings that one can purchase. Unlike regular cigarettes, using an electronic cigarette enables the vapor to take on a tasty – often sweet – flavor. Cotton candy, grape, peanut butter and jelly, snickerdoodle, and toasted coconut are a few popular flavors.
While e-cigarettes do not contain tobacco like traditional cigarettes, they still contain nicotine. Nicotine, no matter how it enters the body, can contribute significantly to poor oral health. For one, nicotine reduces the amount of blood that can flow through your veins. Without sufficient blood flow, the gums are unable to get the oxygen and nutrients that they need to stay healthy and eventually, the gum tissue can begin to die. The reduction in blood flow can also mask the symptoms of gum disease. Typically, gum disease is diagnosed when the gums swell with blood; so when you floss or brush, they bleed. But because of the vein constriction in the gums, this telltale symptom of gum disease can’t be observed.
Another problem that can occur is reduced production of saliva. The vapor from e-cigarettes can inhibit your ability to produce saliva, which can cause bad breath, bacteria build-up, and dry mouth. Though these side effects may seem minor, a consistent lack of saliva can ultimately contribute to tooth decay.
On the surface, it may appear that the use of an e-cigarette is safe. While it seems clear that using e-cigarettes is nominally safer than smoking traditional cigarettes, using an e-cigarette doesn’t necessarily mean you are in the clear regarding health risks. More research is being conducted to determine the extent of health risks posed by e-cigarettes. In the meantime, however, current discourse suggests that the use of e-cigarettes can have a negative impact on oral health, so we feel it’s best to play it safe. If you have concerns about e-cigarettes and their impact on your oral health, please feel free to reach out to us at 207-781-5900 or ask us during your next appointment.
Dec 7, 2016
Following routine oral care responsibilities during the holiday season can prove to be challenging. This is the time of year when sugary, delicious sweets are a staple at every holiday party and gathering you attend. It’s a time of tasty meals and sweet drinks. The holiday season is when the threat of cavities becomes all too real. To help you mind your dental hygiene, we’ve put together some oral health tips anyone can successfully follow. At Falmouth Dental Arts, we want your teeth to be clean, cavity-free, and happy!
- Eat your sugars all at once. Too much sugar consumed in one sitting can be overwhelming for your taste buds, but it’s actually in the best interest of your teeth to do so. If you’re going to eat sugary desserts during the holidays, do your best to eat them in one sitting. Stretching out the consumption of sugarcoated treats will only expose your teeth to risk of cavities longer. With long exposure comes the chance for the bacteria in sugars to produce acid and eat away at your enamel. Do your teeth a favor and limit your teeth to one brief taste of sugars.
- Maintain your routine. Even during the holiday season when our lives are busy with hosting holiday parties and traveling to see family and friends, it’s critical to maintain your dental hygiene routine. Brushing your teeth should be a priority at least twice a day, but try for three if you’re consuming more food than usual. You don’t want food particles to get lodged between your teeth this holiday. Be as thorough with brushing and flossing as possible.
- Aim for the best teeth-friendly treats. If you’re attending holiday parties with buffets and feasts, try to aim for food types your teeth will love. Options including cheeses, meats, or nuts are great choices that will help protect your enamel. These foods are known to neutralize acids and provide the calcium and phosphorus needed to keep minerals in your teeth.
- Avoid the worst foods for your teeth. If possible, try to avoid foods like candy, cookies, cakes, breads, muffins, chips, or dried fruits. These foods are known to contain sugars that will produce bacteria and acid on your teeth. Keep your dental hygiene a number one priority by avoiding these cavity-causing foods.
Maintaining optimal dental care during the holidays is a challenge we all face. Tasty desserts and warm bread may call to our taste buds, but if you indulge try to do so in moderation. Long exposure to these foods may cause you a cavity or two. Do your best to make smart, healthy food choices during the holidays. Above all else, remember to brush, floss, and rinse with mouthwash after meals.
If you have any questions about how best to maintain healthy teeth and gums this holiday season, please give us a call at 207-781-5900. Happy holidays!
Nov 15, 2016
Thanksgiving is a holiday centered on giving thanks. There are so many things to be grateful for, but have you ever thought of being thankful for your teeth? It may sound like a silly idea, but oral health is a big part of our overall health. Our mouths and throats directly affect the rest of our bodies. It’s important to maintain proper oral care to keep our teeth and gums healthy. Health aside, what are some other reasons to be thankful for your teeth? Here are a few:
- Teeth aid digestion. The process of digestion begins when you start chewing food and producing saliva in your mouth. In other words, the act of chewing actually aids digestion. Teeth allow us to chew foods into smaller pieces to ease swallowing and the absorption of nutrients into our bodies. Teeth especially give us the ability to eat tougher foods like steaks and corn on the cob. Give thanks for your teeth this Thanksgiving for aiding digestion.
- Teeth help you speak. The act of speaking would be fairly challenging if we didn’t have teeth. Think about how hard it would be to pronounce words. Your tongue touches your teeth when you speak certain words, which makes your enunciation clear to listeners. Thank your teeth for the gift of forming speech this holiday season.
- Teeth shape your face. Oddly enough, teeth shape our faces. Without teeth, our faces would appear shorter and sunken in. That’s one of the reasons why our faces change as our adult teeth come. This is due to what’s known as Vertical Dimension of Occlusion (VDO). People can lose VDO if they grind their teeth, lose teeth, or experience drifting teeth. When teeth shift around, this changes the shape and length of our faces. So thank your teeth for making you look the way you do!
- Teeth keep jawbones strong. Ever wonder why our jawbones are so strong? Thank your teeth for that too! Teeth force our jawbones to work hard by anchoring them. If we didn’t have teeth, our jawbones would weaken and shrink from lack of use, which can lead to injuries like fractures. This Thanksgiving, thank your teeth for keeping your jawbones strong and durable.
- Teeth bring confidence. Think about how you smile when you have your picture taken, greet new people, or laugh. Most people smile with their mouths open. This is because teeth give many people confidence. Smiles are contagious and are often the key factor in what makes us look attractive and friendly to others at first glance. Most people notice teeth first and foremost, making them a fairly important physical quality of our appearances. This Thanksgiving, smile wide in your family pictures and remember to thank your teeth for giving you that confidence.
Thanksgiving is a festive time of year to give thanks for all aspects of life. Thanking your dentist and yourself for maintaining good oral health is yet another reason to be thankful this year. As always, remember to brush and floss to keep your teeth clean and strong. Most importantly, if you need to schedule an appointment, simply call us at (207) 781-5900. Happy Thanksgiving!
Nov 1, 2016
November marks the American Cancer Society’s annual Great American Smokeout event. Each year, the third Thursday of November is designated as the challenge day for smokers to try to quit smoking and using tobacco for good. In support of this nationwide campaign, many establishments around the country, such as medical professionals and dental offices, will host free and public events to hand out educational materials, offer counseling, share encouragement, and distribute guidebooks in an effort to spread awareness. The Great American Smokeout is an encouraging social event that reminds everyone–smokers and nonsmokers–of how detrimental tobacco use is to oral and overall health.
With this annual event coming right up on November 19, 2016, The American Dental Association and dentists nationwide are taking part by spreading awareness to patients and communities all around. These public services and announcements educate us about how smoking can impact dental health. To continue sharing this chain of information, here are five ways habitual tobacco use may affect your oral health:
- Regular tobacco use is linked to oral cancer. An estimated 90% of patients diagnosed with oral cancer have evidence of tobacco use in their medical history. Oral cancers range from cancer of the mouth, throat, larynx, esophagus, gums, cheeks, and inner surface of the lips. People who smoke on a regular basis actually increase the risk of developing mouth and throat cancers overtime through long exposure. Quitting smoking and chewing tobacco can play a significant role in lowering your risk of developing oral cancers later in life.
- Smoking can lead to periodontal issues. Gums must be kept in good health to properly anchor teeth. When exposed to smoke, however, gums may become recessed. This can lead to tooth loss. Additionally, smoking limits the growth of healthy blood vessels, which slows down the healing process of gum tissue. This is a periodontal concern, for without healthy gum tissue the implant to replace your lost tooth is less likely to be successful.
- Smoking inhibits implant success for patients. Dental implants are used to replace lost teeth. People who continue smoking with dental implants may experience implant failure. Dental implants are a good fit for patients with healthy gums, adequate bone to support the implant, and good health. People who smoke regularly may not have healthy gums, deeming the surgery a risk. According to a clinical study, 15.8% of patients who have a history of smoking experience failed implant surgery. If dental implants are part of your recommended treatment plan, it’s important to try to quit smoking before surgery for the highest success rate possible.
- Tobacco products harm teeth. The unprocessed leaves in tobacco contain small particles that can be abrasive to teeth. This abrasion may wear down teeth overtime. Similarly, long-term tobacco use has proven to stain teeth by turning them yellow, dull the sense of the tongue, and compromise the sense of smell. These reactions from long exposure of tobacco use impact oral health quite significantly and it’s difficult to reverse these symptoms back to the normal state.
- Smoking can cause cavities. Much like sugars and bacteria, tobacco use causes cavities. Smoking can also increase a person’s risk of mouth pain and make them twice as likely to need root canal treatment. Mouth pain and numerous cavities could be indicators of future tooth loss. Quitting tobacco use and smoking altogether can prevent the formation of cavities and mouth pain.
In short, smoking and using other tobacco products play a huge role in impacting oral health. While not all smokers experience these symptoms, the risk of having them someday is significantly higher. In honor of the Great American Smokeout and oral health awareness, share this information with your friends and family. If you experience any of these symptoms, be sure to call us to schedule a check up as soon as possible at (207) 781-5900. We are here to serve!
