At some point in our lives we have all felt the need to fit in. For teenagers this need to fit in can come at an unhealthy cost. The most common of all trends in teenagers today includes oral piercings. Unfortunately, not much thought goes into the negative risk factors behind this social trend. Some of the risks include:

• Severe Infection- The mouth has a substantial amount of bacteria which is worsened by oral piercings. The bacteria traps around and under the piercings. Piercings are the breeding grounds for bacteria.
• Prolonged Bleeding- Piercings can cause damage to the tongue’s blood vessels which can cause blood loss.
• Swelling and nerve damage- Because the tongue is in always in motion the healing process is long and drawn out. During the healing process it is customary to have swelling. The tongue has an abundance of nerves which can be very risky. If the nerves are damaged it is usually permanent.
• Bloodborne disease transmission- Oral piercings have been identified by the National Institute of Health as a possible factor in transmissions of hepatitis B, C, D, and G.
• Deterioration of the gums and enamel- In some cases the placement of the oral piercings can have a negative effect on the gums and enamel. Constant contact with the gums can cause recession. Bulky metal piercings banging against the teeth can cause the teeth to chip which causes unnecessary repair expenses.

The moral of the story is check out all the negative factors involved in oral piercings. Spread the word to your children and friends to help discourage them from making a mistake.

Today, Michelle, one of our wonderful hygienists, performed a cleaning on me. She did an excellent job. She was very gentle and thorough.

The reason for this posting is a result of our discussion. While Michelle was doing the cleaning, I asked her what a cavitron is. She said a cavitron is a dental tool that uses high frequency sound waves to clean teeth.

She explained that the cavitron breaks up the plaque layers, which allows her to hand scale the rest of my teeth.

I then asked her what plaque is. She explained that plaque is a type of bacteria that lives in our mouth.

While she was removing my plaque, she instructed me not to swallow the plaque. I was wondering why. She explained that the plaque is the same material that builds up in one’s arteries.

I never made this connection.

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“Why does my child have cavities”?? “I never had this many cavities as a child”. We hear this quite frequently in our practice. This has been a bit of a quagmire to us and many others in the Dental community. What’s going on??

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Teeth are porous and made up of hollow tubelike structures called dentin tubules. These form the part of the tooth between the enamel (surface) and the pulp (core) of a healthy tooth. Some people develop stronger tooth enamel in their formative years, thanks to genetics and good brushing and flossing. But people with weaker enamel soak up things they eat and drink through their dentin tubules, and the surfaces of their teeth look stained.

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The human body is a complex machine, and the foods that we use as “fuel” have an impact on the bodies general health. The same is true, especially in the case of your gums and teeth. Many dentists are concerned that their patients are consuming a record number of sugar-filled sodas, fruit drinks, candies, and non-nutritious snacks. All of these food choices can negatively affect dental health and can take a serious toll on the gums and teeth over time.

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I just used my trays with the Day White applicator provided to me by my dentist. This is powerful stuff!

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I am about to begin my first tray whitening experience. I have never professionally whitened my teeth before. However, as a good dentist’s son, I must experiment for the benefit of potential patients. I guess I am a guinea pig. Please do not ask me about my experience with the Magic Wand, which was supposed to deliver just enough Novocaine. I prefer lots of Novacaine.

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I think it would be great to participate in National Smile Month. The handbook can be found here. The month runs from May 18 through June 17.

The ‘Brush for Health‘ tagline raises awareness of the systemic links between oral health and overall health - focusing on the relationship between gum disease and chronic health conditions such as heart disease, stroke, renal disease and diabetes.

Oral Health America is joining the British Dental Health Foundation and its global arm the International Dental Health Foundation to educate, inform and influence a global audience on the importance of good oral and overall health.

Please post comments if you any ideas with respect to this.

July 20, 2007 -MIAMI, BOCA RATON AND FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA- Visiting the dentist on a regular basis and brushing and flossing daily could do more than prevent cavities. These activities also could prevent heart attacks and strokes.

A recent study presented at the American Association for the Advancement of Science meeting suggests that the bacteria present in gum diseases may trigger blood clots which can contribute to a heart attack or stroke, according to the American Academy of Periodontology.

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July 12, 2007-MIAMI, BOCA RATON AND FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA- Smile South Florida Cosmetic Dentistry has a new way of helping patients achieve a beautiful white and bright smile in just 45 minutes.

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April 10, 2007 — MIAMI, BOCA RATON, and FT. LAUDERDALE – The Atkins Diet was popular for its weight-loss properties: But there was a second, little-considered, benefit. A low-carbohydrate diet also helps prevent tooth decay.

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March 30, 2007 –Palm Beach and Broward County, Fla. –  You can pop Altoids, chew Trident, and spritz Binaca until the cows come home; but if your halitosis is caused by poor oral hygiene or a systemic disease, your breath may still smell like rotten eggs.

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Tamarac, FL, February 16, 2007 — Dr. Charles Nottingham, cosmetic dentist for Smile South Florida, visited Tamarac Elementary (which is in Broward County near Coral Springs) to educate and entertain a class of kindergarden and first graders. Accompanying Dr. Nottingham was his furry assistant Spunky the Donkey.

Dr. Nottingham began talking about what a dentist does and what equipment a dentist uses. The doctor explained that he has to wear gloves, a mask, and a coat in order to protect the patient and himself from germs. The children loved Dr. Nottingham’s magnifying glasses and thought the glasses looked funny. Dr. Nottingham exclaimed that the glasses were necessary to see very close up.

Then, Dr. Nottingham showed a video and strongly insisted that it was important that everyone brush their teeth. The doctor showed pictures of patients with plaque and the large cavities that resulted from not brushing one’s teeth. Dr. Nottingham asserted that children and adults should not eat sweets because bacteria feed off the sugar.

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