Should I Get Clear Aligners?

Wasn’t middle school the best? Didn’t you feel supremely confident and self assured? Just kidding. It was awkward! Part of many middle schooler’s gawkiness is the mouth full of metal braces. My orthodontist offered different colored bands to personalize your metal mouth. I always got white. But some of my friends chose green and yellow! Not my first choice for teeth colors! I guess they were Packer fans… In any case, getting braces off was a coming of age event for many! Confidence was boosted and physical attractiveness increased.

The problem is, once braces are off, teeth begin to shift. Often this process is slow and can take years before you notice any difference. Usually you’ll have some sort of retainer, whether permanent or removable to be worn at night, and ideally, this is worn for life to prevent teeth from relapsing to a crooked position. If you lost your retainer long ago, your dog ate it, or it just wont fit anymore, we can help! Read more below to learn about why your teeth shift, the consequences, and how we can help you with clear aligner orthodontics!

An example clear aligner tray

Why teeth shift

You may have heard third molars can cause crowding. Especially if wisdom teeth are impacted at an angle, meaning they’re horizontal in your bone instead of vertical, they can push the adjacent teeth forward. As the back teeth push forward, the front teeth have nowhere to go but overlap! Even when wisdom teeth are removed, teeth have a general tendency to migrate toward the center line. This is especially true in the lower jaw, where front tooth crowding is most common.

Chewing patterns and forces can also cause tooth movement. We each tend to subconsciously chew in a specific pattern and our teeth wear down or move accordingly. Some people chew like cows and really grind horizontally, some chew like rabbits up and down, and most somewhere in between. Everyone’s different. But did you know it’s recommended we chew an average of 32 times per bite of food? Multiplied by many bites of food per day, and as years go by its not surprising we see teeth move in response to millions of bites!

Breathing habits also can cause shifts in teeth. Recently there’s been much research on optimal breathing (nasal breathing is best!), but there’s also been some attention paid to breathing posture and facial esthetics. Basically, your resting posture of tongue and cheeks put mild pressure on your teeth and even jaw bones themselves. Over time, this mild pressure forms your jaw bone, and your tongue, lips and cheeks can gradually push your teeth around. You may have heard of “Mewing”, which is a practice named for a British dentist John Mew. Mew’s theory is that by utilizing correct tongue posture and breathing, the natural pressures from tongue and cheeks will push the teeth into alignment. Mewing is a concept within orthotropics, and has tremendous value! But this is most effective as you are still growing. Once you reach adulthood, mewing to shift your teeth or form your jawline is likely to take years before you see any result.

The problems with shifted teeth

Esthetics! If you don’t like the way your teeth look because they aren’t straight, we can help! We’ve had many patients tell us they didn’t ever fully smile because they felt self conscious about their teeth appearance. One of the most life changing experiences you can have is from self consciousness to a big beautiful smile. We’ve seen dramatic improvements in confidence, self esteem, and overall happiness. This is a quality of life issue! A huge part of health is our mentality and confidence. Our doctors have advanced training in clear aligner orthodontics and bite relationship alignment. If necessary we also work with great orthodontists for the most complex cases, and have many options for whitening or restorative dental treatments in addition to Invisalign treatment.

Shifted teeth can also cause tooth wear. Have you ever noticed your front teeth becoming flatter as you age? This is natural to a degree, but often occurs at a rapid pace due to a lack of space between top and bottom front teeth. If there is diminished space, chewing will cause accelerated wear of these teeth. Remember the cow chewers and bunny chewers? Which one are you? Bunnies generally don’t wear as quickly as cows. Clear aligner orthodontics can help create space to stop the wear, and if necessary allow for predictable restoration of natural tooth length and proportion.     

Sometimes shifting can cause jaw joint issues. Have you noticed yourself needing to squeeze your jaw muscles to close your back teeth together? Or even that when resting, you have a different bite than when closing all the way together? The muscle action to close teeth together  can strain your TMJ, or temporomandibular joint. Temporomandibular disorders, or TMDs, are complex issues with your TMJ, and often aren’t solely the result of misaligned teeth. But without question misaligned teeth are a huge contributor to TMJ diseases.

How Clear Aligners Work

Clear Aligners, often called “Invisalign”, work by gradually pushing your teeth over the course of several weeks. Initially, one of our doctors will do a thorough exam to determine whether you’d be a candidate for clear aligner treatment. If so, we take photos and a digital record of your teeth in their current position. We then digitally plan where your teeth should be moved. Once you agree to the tooth movement plan, we give you a series of clear aligners, usually to be worn for a week or two at a time. Depending on how much the teeth need to be moved, it may take a few months to complete the movement, and we check in on your movement as often as necessary. Once teeth are moved into place, we give you clear retainers to be worn at night to provide stability and prevent future movement.

If you’re wondering whether clear aligners are for you, or have any questions about teeth shifting, call or text us! We will always take great care of you.

New Building!

 As of August 1st, we are seeing patients in our new facility!

Thanks to our wonderful patients, our practice has grown – and we are grateful for this blessing! We thought a lot about the limitations of our former space and what an ideal space would look like to continue providing excellent care far into the future.

Finally, last winter we found a building that checked all our boxes.

And, it was literally right across the street! Here are a few benefits of the new space to be excited about:

Our new reception area

• More parking

• Advanced air filtration system for infection control

• Increased privacy in our checkout area and treatment rooms

• State of the art technology

• More space in our reception area

The past year we’ve spent countless hours researching, designing, and planning. Finally, in February, construction was underway!

We cant wait to see you in our new digs!

The new address is:

40W131 Campton Crossings Drive

St Charles, Illinois 60175

And when we say it’s just across the street, we mean it literally!

Google says the distance is only 300 yards away… We cant wait to see you in our new digs soon!

For more photos of the build progress and other TLD Team updates, check our Facebook page.

COVID-19 Update

The NEWS is continuously changing, particularly with regard to COVID-19 / “Coronavirus.” We are serious about safety and health. Here are the precautions we have in place to help keep our staff and you safe from COVID. Please know that Teuscher Legacy Dental is always monitoring the most up-to-date news, alerts, and safety precautions. What will NOT change is our ongoing commitment to YOU. The needs of our patients are our #1 priority, including your interests, comfort and safety. We are now open for all dental procedures. If you have any questions, you can always give us a call or text.

Summer 2022 update:

As a part of our move to our new office, we have made several technological updates to keep you as safe as possible! One of the most important is our state of the art air filtration system. When we designed our new office, we were able to leverage the latest thinking in infection control coming out of the COVID years. Our air filtration is as safe as it gets!

This spring we had an OSHA consultant review our infection control procedures and affirm our processes.

In addition to the latest sanitation technology, products and procedures, our new office has private operatories. This means enhanced privacy for you, but importantly, also means any aerosol we generate in one room will not travel to adjacent rooms. Put simply, other people’s germs will stay in their own rooms so you won’t have to wonder about cross-contamination.

Per CDC and IDPH recommendations, we still ask that patients wear masks in our office. Please help us love and protect others by masking during your visit. Thank you!

March 16th, 2021:

Last week, we brought in a leading expert on infectious diseases and infection control

The expert checked out our facilities and talked in depth with our staff. Not only were we reassured that our sterilization and sanitation measures are the best in the business, but we were also told that the products we use – which effectively kill concerns such as HIV and Hepatitis – also kill the relatively weaker Coronavirus COVID-19. 

May 12th, 2020:

The Illinois Department of Public Health has advised that Illinois Dental practices are fully open for all procedures.

We are now open!

Your well-being is always our top priority. We are committed to be the safest possible office and environment for both our patients and team. For more information, check out our dedicated COVID-19 Update page.

May 4th:

In following Illinois’s “Shelter in Place” modified extension, we are planning to officially reopen our office on June 1st.

Our team is working hard during this time to learn and plan for a safe and successful return. We are getting everything ready: PPE protocols, pre-appointment coronavirus screenings, staggered scheduling to reduce the number of people in the office at a given time, antibiotic mouth washes, and innovative suction systems to eliminate aerosols, just to name a few.  We will be posting more updates soon about how we’ll be back ready to serve you better than before! 

Our team will always try to accommodate patients with emergencies and other time-sensitive needs. We are monitoring our phones every day, so if you have any questions or concerns, give us a call!

As always, we are paying close attention to the guidance of the CDC, ADA, ISDS and Illinois government. We hope you and your family are well and look forward to seeing you soon!

March 26th:

We’re living in interesting times! To protect our patients and team and to honor our medical colleagues’ requests, we have suspended all routine dental care until April 8th. This is in line with Illinois’s “Shelter in Place” order, as well as guidelines from the ADA and ISDS. We are still seeing emergency patients.

To protect our patients and team, and to honor our medical colleagues’ requests, we have suspended all routine dental care until April 8th.

Remember: if you are experiencing pain, swelling, or have another urgent need, we will still take care of you. If you have any questions or concerns, please give us a call or text. We are monitoring our phones daily.

In the meantime, our team is using this as an opportunity to learn new skills and improve our current systems. We’ve also been able to enjoy a little more downtime to relax with some of our favorite hobbies. To see some of what we’ve been up to, check out our Facebook page.

Be safe, be healthy, be Blessed!

March 23rd:

To protect our patients and team, and to honor our medical colleagues’ requests, we have suspended all routine dental care at this time.

This is in line with the ADA, ISDS, and other health organizations, in addition to the recent “Shelter in Place” protocol. We will keep you informed, but in the meantime, we will offer care on an emergency basis only. The ADA defines a dental emergency in great detail, but if you are experiencing pain, swelling, or have another urgent need, we will be sure to take care of you.

If you or your family have any questions or concerns, please call us, as we continue to monitor our phones. From all of us at Teuscher Dental, be safe and be healthy!

March 18th:

We are making decisions on a daily basis based on the best information we can receive from credible sources in dentistry and medicine, along with the CDC and WHO. The health of the people who trust us for their and their families’ care, and the health of our team and their families is TOO important to take risks with non-essential procedures.

Be sure to contact us for emergency situations and for any questions that anybody might have. Elective dental procedures, including most hygiene procedures, are postponed until next Monday and will be rescheduled. Again, if you are experiencing pain or have any questions, please call us. We appreciate your understanding and willingness to make this sacrifice with us as we all do everything that we can to ensure public well-being.

What we are doing in light of recent news:

• We have always been dedicated to exceeding even the most stringent OSHA protocols for maintaining a sterile environment.

• For patients who have appointments, we are screening for illness risk factors such as recent travel to foreign countries and any current or recent symptoms.

• We are choosing to remove from our reception areas items that are frequently touched, such as magazines, pens and our coffee machine.

• In addition to our sterilization procedures in each operatory before and after every patient, we are also committed to disinfecting our reception and restroom areas twice an hour – including all door handles, faucet handles and light switches.

What you can do while you are here:

• Please sanitize your hands when you arrive, using hand sanitizer dispensers we have provided for you.

• We also request that you use the provided hand sanitizer dispenser as you check out at our front desk.

What we can ALL do:

• Wash our hands frequently. Soap and water is best.

• We’ve probably all heard not to touch our faces, including eyes, nose and mouth. But if we MUST touch our face, it is best to wash or sanitize our hands both before AND afterward.

• Resist touching our faces with (or chewing on) pens, pencils, fingernails.

• Cover a sneeze or cough with our inner elbow (if possible) or a tissue.

• Avoid touching often-touched items, and wash hands after touching these things, also sanitize these things at home if possible: door knobs, faucet handles, toilet handles, light switches, remote controls, refrigerator and other appliance handles, buttons like on elevators and cash machines or check-out registers, even your cell phone, computer and your vehicle’s steering wheel.

• Avoid shaking hands or having close contact with others who are sick.

• Stay home and away from others if we feel sick, and call a physician for advice.

• Get plenty of rest, eat properly, drink plenty of fluids, do our best to stay healthy.

AND, PLEASE, LET’S ALL:

Remember that we can always safely “touch” others with a smile, a kind encouragement, an act of kindness, prayer and compassionate humanity.

Stay calm and use wisdom rather than give in to irrational fear. What we are facing can be scary, for sure, but let’s face it with heart, community, sensitivity and grace.

COVID-19 and Tooth Sensitivity

Having COVID is no fun. Most of us will use our entire arsenal to get better quickly! We’ve all heard that staying home, “Social Distancing”, washing hands, not touching faces, getting plenty of sleep and fluids, and eating a healthy diet are the standard pieces of advice. And did you know the severity of COVID illness is related to gum health? All these things make sense! One recommendation may have an unwanted side effect though.

Dr Brayden explains one of the most likely reasons COVID-19 can cause tooth sensitivity

Vitamins

During the pandemic and when sick with COVID, some of us also choose to take extra vitamins, including Vitamin C.  While Vitamin C is generally considered safe for most people to take, the World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and many other sources indicate that there is no clear evidence that Vitamin C is helpful for prevention or cure of COVID-19. However, there are studies indicating Vitamin C deficiency seems to be correlated with people being more susceptible to infections and pneumonia, and also with having a lowered immune response. 

So for those who do choose to take Vitamin C as part of their fight against coronavirus, it may be helpful to know that one little-known but common side effect of taking Vitamin C can be Tooth Sensitivity: a brief sharp pain that often happens when a person eats or drinks something very cold or hot.

Tooth Sensitivity

The causes of sensitive teeth can include a cavity, cracked tooth, broken filling, teeth grinding, gum disease, receding gums, or worn enamel. Another cause of this sensitivity can be acid erosion. Acid erosion happens when the enamel of a tooth is exposed to acidic food or drink, stomach acid, or things such as Vitamin C – particularly if it’s the chewable kind. This acidity can cause the enamel to lose minerals and soften. While this softening can be temporary, if the tooth enamel is repeatedly exposed to acid it will gradually erode to leave the underlying dentin exposed and nerves irritated.

What You Can Do

If your tooth sensitivity becomes constant, painful, or you experience swelling or other additional symptoms, call us to discuss before it becomes worse. If your sensitivity remains mild, and you tend to eat or drink acidic things – or you’re taking Vitamin C – there are options you can try to gain some relief and also help prevent additional enamel erosion and future problems:

• Reduce your intake of acidic drinks such as sport drinks, fruit juices, etc., and drink them quickly or use a straw to limit the amount of time the liquid lingers on your teeth. Swish your mouth with water afterward.

• If you are chewing Vitamin C, consider switching to a different form of C that doesn’t remain in your mouth so long. Also swish with plain water afterward, or even swish water with a little baking soda mixed in it – and then spit it out.

• Avoid acidic foods, drinks and vitamins right before bed or while exercising when you produce less cleansing saliva.

• Use a soft-bristled toothbrush, and brush more gently.

• Switch to a toothpaste made specifically for sensitive teeth.

• Avoid tooth-whitening treatments, which often increase sensitivity.

• Talk with us. There’s a possibility your pain may be caused by high spots or teeth grinding. This is far more common than you may think, and we may be able to help alleviate your pain with simple remedies.

Dry Mouth and Tooth Sensitivity

A constant flow of saliva is our natural defense against acid erosion and tooth sensitivity. However, some prescription medications as well as over-the-counter medications such as decongestants can cause dry mouth. Incidentally, dry mouth is also a risk factor for other serious concerns including oral cancer (see our post on oral cancer for more information). Staying hydrated with pure water is a good first step. If dry mouth is a continued issue for you, be sure to let us know. There are helpful products that can bring relief to this dryness, and we’ve found that some products are more effective for our patients than others. Keep in mind that mouth dryness can have serious consequences so it’s not something to simply dismiss!

The Bottom Line

We all want to do everything we possibly can to keep our families and ourselves healthy.  But sometimes our efforts to be safe in one area of life can cause problems in other areas, as in the case of chewing Vitamin C. It’s tempting to try the many suggested home remedies we hear or read about on the internet, but these ideas can be unhealthy or even dangerous. The wisest thing to do is to stick with respected sources for information, such as the Mayo Clinic, Johns Hopkins, the World Health Organization, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Teuscher Legacy Health Blog, and, of course, call your physician and/or call us when you need individualized advice and questions answered. We are always happy to help.

Stay healthy!

P.S.- if you have any questions about this, or are in need of cosmetic dentistry, implant dentistry, or general dentistry in St Charles, Illinois, give us a call or text! We’d love to help!

Gum Disease, Cancer, and Diabetes

If you are reading this, there’s a high chance you have gum disease.1 In previous posts we’ve discussed what gum disease is and how it can affect pregnancy and heart disease. This post will continue that discussion with a focus on cancer and diabetes.

Our hope through these posts is to help you understand how your oral health is a huge part of your overall well-being. Our information is always well researched, as you can see by our references at the bottom. Keep reading, and let us know if you have any questions or comments!

Oral Cancer

Oral cancer is the 8th most common type of cancer in the US, and the majority of head and neck cancer cases are found in the mouth, particularly the sides of your tongue.2 Cancer is one of the many things we screen for at every exam at Teuscher Dental, and part of why regular dental exams are so important and about more than just teeth and gums. Cancerous lesions appearing on the tongue are correlated with gum disease.3 And inflammation in general is thought to contribute to cancer development.  Oral cancer has a high incidence of malignancy, and even when successfully treated can require extensive facial reconstructive surgery to recover from, as exampled by oral cancer survivor Gruen Von Behrens’ before and after photos.4

As stated above, inflammation like that of gum disease can contribute to any type of cancer. That, along with pregnancy complications and heart disease, are just a few of the diseases and complications with direct correlation to gum disease. But research also has demonstrated gum disease links to colorectal cancer, gastrointestinal diseases, respiratory diseases, and Alzheimers to name a few. As more research is done it is all too likely the links will become more clear. Gum disease is no joke.

Diabetes

Both Type I and Type II diabetics are more prone to develop periodontal disease, the advanced form of gum disease, than non-diabetics.5,6 This is especially true for children with diabetes, where gum disease progression happens more quickly and is associated with longer duration of diabetes.7 In advanced gum disease, teeth can be lost due to breakdown of surrounding bone and tissue. Snowballing the problem, we know gum disease is associated with low grade inflammation and oxidative stress. These effects are also known to cause lower saliva output, causing dry mouth, increasing risk for dental caries (cavities) and further tooth loss.8 Aside from poor esthetics, tooth loss is is associated with increased likelihood for dysfunctional dentition- that is, teeth that don’t allow for proper nutritional intake.9 This is a particular problem for diabetic patients. It is a vicious cycle.

Don’t have diabetes? Studies have shown that we can actually predict whether a person is more likely to develop diabetes based on their periodontal health.10,11 While a diagnosis of diabetes depends on blood sugar levels, as with all health conditions there is a spectrum of glycemic control.  All aspects of our body’s health are interrelated.

Comprehensive research shows dental therapy for gum disease moderately decreases blood glucose levels in diabetics.12 . When we understand the strong correlation and the severity of issues associated with diabetes, it becomes clear that dental treatment for gum disease should be a part of a comprehensive diabetes medical treatment plan.

References

1. American Academy of Periodontology. “CDC: Half of American Adults Have Periodontal Disease.” CDC: Half of American Adults Have Periodontal Disease | Perio.org, 4 Sept. 2012, www.perio.org/consumer/cdc-study.htm.

2. “Oral Cancer Facts.” The Oral Cancer Foundation, 28 Feb. 2019, oralcancerfoundation.org/facts/.

3. Tezal, Mine, et al. “Chronic Periodontitis and the Risk of Tongue Cancer.” Archives of Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery, U.S. National Library of Medicine, May 2007, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17515503.

4. Henson, Brian J., et al. “Decreased Expression of MiR‐125b and MiR‐100 in Oral Cancer Cells Contributes to Malignancy.” Wiley Online Library, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd, 24 Apr. 2009, onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/gcc.20666.

5. Hodge, Penny J, et al. “Periodontitis in Non‐Smoking Type 1 Diabetic Adults: a Cross‐Sectional Study.” Wiley Online Library, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd, 31 Oct. 2011, onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1600-051X.2011.01791.x.

6. Haseeb, Muhammad, et al. “Periodontal Disease in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.” Journal of the College of Physicians and Surgeons–Pakistan : JCPSP, U.S. National Library of Medicine, Aug. 2012, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22868018.

7. Al-Khabbaz, Areej K, et al. “Periodontal Health of Children with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus in Kuwait: a Case-Control Study.” Medical Principles and Practice : International Journal of the Kuwait University, Health Science Centre, S. Karger AG, 2013, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5586723/.

8. Bhattarai, Kashi Raj, et al. “The Imprint of Salivary Secretion in Autoimmune Disorders and Related Pathological Conditions.” Autoimmunity Reviews, U.S. National Library of Medicine, Apr. 2018, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29428807.

9. Marina Leite Souza, and Karen Glazer Peres. “Association between Metabolic Syndrome and Tooth Loss.” Journal of the American Dental Association, JADA, Dec. 2019, jada.ada.org/article/S0002-8177(19)30522-7/abstract.

10. Taylor, G W, et al. “Severe Periodontitis and Risk for Poor Glycemic Control in Patients with Non-Insulin-Dependent Diabetes Mellitus.” Journal of Periodontology, U.S. National Library of Medicine, Oct. 1996, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8910827.

11. Demmer, Ryan T, et al. “Periodontal Status and A1C Change: Longitudinal Results from the Study of Health in Pomerania (SHIP).” Diabetes Care, American Diabetes Association, May 2010, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20185742.

12. Chee, B., et al. “Effect of Non-Surgical Periodontal Treatment on Glycemic Control of Patients with Diabetes: a Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.” Trials, BioMed Central, 1 Jan. 1970, link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s13063-015-0810-2.

Gum Disease and Your Wallet

Recently we’ve had a few posts about Gum Disease and how it so strongly relates to your overall health. Today we have a quick look at how it affects your wallet! Check it out below and, as always, you can contact us via call, text, or email with any questions.

Money

Need a non-health incentive for treating gum disease? How about saving thousands of dollars? The American Journal of Preventative Medicine (a non-dental organization – receiving no benefit from the results!) researched insurance payment data from over 338,000 patients. The research looked at gum disease patients and patients with healthy gums, and compared their yearly medical payments and hospital visits. The results are almost unbelievable!

The study showed annual savings for a pregnant patient who treats their gum disease is over $2,400, for almost 75% savings! And patients who suffered a stroke but treated their gum disease saved almost $6,000 per year! We’ve written about how gum disease relates to these medical conditions in previous posts.

We’ve written before about how gum disease relates to your systemic health. If you aren’t sure, ask your physician whether treating gum disease matters!

The bottom line is that gum disease is no joke, and nothing to take lightly. At Teuscher Legacy Dental, we are focused on partnering with you to improve your overall health and well being. Hopefully this article is educational and can be used as a resource for your pursuit of a healthier lifestyle. If you have any questions, please give us a call or text! If you learned something from the post that your loved ones can benefit from, please share it with them.

Gum Disease, Heart Disease, and Pregnancy

Well over half of US adults have gum disease, and though bleeding is one indicator, it is likely a majority of people don’t know of their disease.1,2 It’s a “silent epidemic”, and has significant effects on your systemic health!3

At Teuscher Dental, Our Mission is To Serve you. That means providing you with the best wholistic care available today, always research based and in pursuit of excellence. This post gives a little information on how gum disease relates to Cardiovascular Disease and Pregnancy. Keep reading to learn more!

Heart Disease:

Cardiovascular (CV) disease, more commonly referred to as heart disease, is the leading cause of death in the US. Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is the biggest risk factor for developing Cardiovascular disease (and your blood pressure is something our office checks at every dental exam).  Heart Disease is also highly correlated with gum disease. In fact, a comprehensive study indicated that people with periodontitis are 66% more likely to have a cerebrovascular event like a stroke, and OVER TWO TIMES as likely for those events to be fatal compared with people without gum disease.4

Why does gum disease make cardiovascular disease more dangerous? Research is ongoing, but we know cardiovascular disease can result from increased blood vessel inflammation, which can, in part, be caused by gum disease pathogens.5 Products and toxins from these bacteria also can cause changes in lipid (fat) metabolism, further contributing to CV disease risk.6 When someone already has a form of CV disease, periodontal pathogens preferentially infect atherosclerotic plaques, and studies show that when this infection occurs, multiple species of periodontal pathogens are often present.7,8

Pregnancy

Know anyone who is pregnant? Pregnant patients with gum disease are up to TEN TIMES more likely to have gestation fewer than 28 weeks, that is, a pre-term birth, according to a comprehensive study. The same study suggests that even mild periodontal disease potentially increases pre-term birth risk by over 300%.9  Gum disease also significantly contributes to low-weight births and in-utero infections.10,11 This association and risk is well documented. The good news is that the risk for pre-term and and low weight births is significantly lower for moms who receive dental therapy for gum disease.12 It should be noted that due to hormonal changes, pregnancy gingivitis is normal. But if you are thinking of becoming pregnant, a great way to decrease risk to your baby is to get screened for gum disease beforehand.

We do limit elective dental treatment during pregnancy, but often the risk to the baby (and mom) is actually greater with no treatment, especially if active dental or gum disease is present. If you are interested, the American Pregnancy Association has guidelines for receiving dental treatment during pregnancy. As always, at Teuscher Dental our top priority is your health and that of your growing baby. We will never push you into treatment that is unnecessary or risky. If you have any questions about your dental health during pregnancy, just give us a call!

In our next post we will discuss how gum disease relates to diabetes and oral cancer.

References

1) American Academy of Periodontology. “CDC: Half of American Adults Have Periodontal Disease.” CDC: Half of American Adults Have Periodontal Disease | Perio.org, 4 Sept. 2012, www.perio.org/consumer/cdc-study.htm.

2) “Patients.” ADA Health Policy Institute FAQ – Dental Patients in the U.S., www.ada.org/en/science-research/health-policy-institute/dental-statistics/patients.

3) “Surgeon General’s Report on Oral Health in America.” National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, www.nidcr.nih.gov/research/data-statistics/surgeon-general.

4) Bahekar, Amol Ashok, et al. “The Prevalence and Incidence of Coronary Heart Disease Is Significantly Increased in Periodontitis: a Meta-Analysis.” American Heart Journal, U.S. National Library of Medicine, Nov. 2007, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17967586.

5) Slocum, Connie, et al. “Distinct Lipid A Moieties Contribute to Pathogen-Induced Site-Specific Vascular Inflammation.” PLOS Pathogens, Public Library of Science, journals.plos.org/plospathogens/article?id=10.1371%2Fjournal.ppat.1004215.

6) Hardardottir, I., et al. “Effects of Endotoxin on Lipid Metabolism .” Effects of Endotoxin on Lipid Metabolism , pdfs.semanticscholar.org/a2c1/9025573414d20d3cb2ffbe491493075834ec.pdf.

7) Chiu, B. “Multiple Infections in Carotid Atherosclerotic Plaques.” American Heart Journal, U.S. National Library of Medicine, Nov. 1999, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10539867.

8) Haraszthy, V I, et al. “Identification of Periodontal Pathogens in Atheromatous Plaques.” Journal of Periodontology, U.S. National Library of Medicine, Oct. 2000, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11063387.

9) Offenbacher, S, et al. “Maternal Periodontitis and Prematurity. Part I: Obstetric Outcome of Prematurity and Growth Restriction.” Annals of Periodontology, U.S. National Library of Medicine, Dec. 2001, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11887460.

10) Sánchez, Andrés R, et al. “Maternal Chronic Infection as a Risk Factor in Preterm Low Birth Weight Infants: the Link with Periodontal Infection.” Journal of the International Academy of Periodontology, U.S. National Library of Medicine, July 2004, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15368875.

11) Madianos, P N, et al. “Maternal Periodontitis and Prematurity. Part II: Maternal Infection and Fetal Exposure.” Annals of Periodontology, U.S. National Library of Medicine, Dec. 2001, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11887461.

12) Kim, Arthur J, et al. “Scaling and Root Planing Treatment for Periodontitis to Reduce Preterm Birth and Low Birth Weight: a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.” Journal of Periodontology, Centre for Reviews and Dissemination (UK), Dec. 2012, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22376207.

Teuscher Dental goes to Summer School

What I did on my summer vacation… 

How many of us had to write that age-old essay during the first week of school? If you are lucky enough to have a break, most of us want to be relaxing by the pool, out hitting the links, or just enjoying the “me time” of the lazy hazy crazy days of summer.

A few Teuscher Dental team members took a break earlier this summer too, but it wasn’t as relaxing as you may expect… our break was all about YOU!  For the entire first week of June, Dr. Mike Teuscher and soon-to-be-dentists sons Riley and Brayden Teuscher traveled to the world-renown Kois Center in Seattle, Washington for a 55-hour dental science intensive course. They were among a group of 40 elite dentists from around the world – including Spain, England, China and Canada – to study directly under the respected Dr. John Kois at this prestigious dental education center.

The class was on biomechanics, which encompasses the relationship between a person’s biological structures (teeth and gums) and dental materials (crowns, composite fillings, root canal material, etc.).  The material included a 788-page course manual (yes, every single page was covered!) that detailed the most recent and advanced methods of repairing teeth using scientific data. Using this research, Dr. Kois outlined the absolute best dental practices for helping our patients achieve the best possible results. So if you or anyone you know has TMJ disorder, tooth sensitivity, questions about fillings or crowns, or may be wondering whether a root canal is necessary, Teuscher Dental is completely prepared to help!

Dr. Teuscher is already one of the few dentists in the nation who have completed Kois’s years-long program of post-doctoral education, and this class was an awesome opportunity for Riley and Brayden too. It is an honor and very exciting for them to be able to learn at the highest possible level as they finish their clinical experience at dental school. It was a great way for them to prepare to join the family practice to provide you the care you’ve come to know and trust, and to continue a Legacy of Excellence.

This class is just one example of how Teuscher Dental’s team is committed to providing our patients with the highest level of care available in the world. As our family cares for your family, you can be confident that we will have an entire team of dentists with a shared vision for the best ways to help you get healthy and stay that way. We are all excited to partner together with you toward this vision of health.

So next time you visit us, we may use processes and tools that are unique to what you have ever experienced before. But nothing we do is for show, and we don’t use gimmicks. We are committed to being a learning organization that consistently provides you with excellence that is backed by studied-and-proven science. You can expect world-class care and results because we take very seriously that you are trusting us with your health.  We are all ready for you – come and see us!

The Six Most Common Questions Parents Ask About Baby Teeth

There’s more to baby teeth than you may think! Read below to get answers to the most common questions we encounter from parents- along with inside information about the Tooth Fairy and some bonus cute pictures of young Brayden and Riley!

Do baby teeth matter?

The short answer is Yes. Baby teeth start forming during the sixth week of pregnancy at the same time their neural tube is developing and limbs are beginning to bud. Usually it is the front four teeth that we first start to see at around six months during the dreaded “teething” stage. The discomfort kids have during teething is usually just irritated gums from the teeth erupting. By age three, most children have all 20 baby teeth erupted and functioning in their mouths. Like adult teeth, baby teeth are used for chewing, speaking, and smiling. But they are smaller and spaced further apart than adult teeth, so they also play an important role in maintaining space for the permanent teeth to come in. So if a baby tooth is lost or knocked out of the mouth prematurely, sometimes there are orthodontic consequences for that child’s future. Childhood cavities are the most common chronic disease of childhood– four times more common than asthma. In fact, the data shows that 21% of kids aged two through five and 51% aged six through eleven have tooth decay. There’s a good chance your little one is one of those!

They are gonna fall out anyways. Why brush?

Good question. Like we discussed above, they serve a similar purpose to adult teeth. However, it is important to note that baby teeth have less enamel than adult teeth. This means that when decay is present, it progresses much more quickly than in an adult tooth. As with a normal cavity, a bacterial infection in baby teeth will typically spread from the tooth down the root and eventually into the bone and gums. This is especially concerning since a permanent tooth is developing beneath the baby one! Even a tiny cavity in a tiny baby tooth can cause a lot of pain for your little one.

We do know a sugary diet contributes to dental caries progression- but what we haven’t heard of yet is any kid without a sweet tooth! (pun intended) “Baby bottle caries” is actually a thing- where children may drink a sugary drink right before bedtime, and the sugar remains in their mouth while they sleep, giving bacteria ample time to feed and proliferate. Interestingly, bacteria can ferment the lactose in breastmilk, but studies have indicated that breastfeeding may actually protect against dental caries. Like we already mentioned, losing a tooth early can have spacing implications for expensive orthodontic treatment down the road. This in addition to the obvious speech, eating, and esthetic problems associated with missing a tooth. And at a young age, when confidence is so critical to personal and social development, we want to keep every tooth we can!

How picky is the tooth fairy?

Ever noticed how when baby teeth come out, they don’t have roots? That’s because as the adult tooth forms underneath the baby tooth, it pushes near the baby tooth’s root causing it to resorb. So we can truly say the baby tooth “falls out”, because it no longer has a root attaching it to the underlying bone or gums. Luckily, last we checked, the tooth fairy accepts baby teeth, resorbed roots and all. Usually the first baby teeth to erupt are the front four on both the top and bottom starting around six months, and those are usually the first to fall out also at around age six or seven.

When is the best time to brush?

A simple way to help prevent dental problems is teach your child good brushing habits. The best time to brush is right before bed, so that teeth are nice and clean prior to our longest period of inactivity. Research has shown that our saliva flow decreases at night time possibly due to circadian rhythms and mouth breathing. In either case, this dry mouth means less saliva to rinse our teeth of existing bacteria. All the more reason to brush right before bed!

Further, when we use a fluoride toothpaste, brushing before bed gives fluoride the longest time to act and remineralize your teeth. Keep in mind though, that kids under the age of 3 should only use a smear or rice sized kernel of toothpaste before age three, and a pea sized lump after age three, even for adults. The American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Dental Association, and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentists recommend fluoride toothpaste even for the youngest children. While fluoride does help strengthen teeth, care should be taken that the child does not swallow the toothpaste, but rather spits it out afterward. Excessive fluoride ingestion at younger ages is associated with dental fluorosis, but the ADA states that if it only remains topically on the tooth surfaces, it will not cause any systemic issue.

Should my child floss?

While right before bed is the BEST time for brushing, after breakfast or other times a day is good too. But flossing? For most kids with baby teeth, if they aren’t touching there isn’t as big a need to floss (assuming you are brushing). In adults the teeth contact each other, allowing food and other debris to be caught in between them, in particular in the gums between the teeth. Since baby teeth are spaced further apart, often this is not as big an issue for them. However, their back teeth in particular may be touching, in which case flossing is still important. Sometimes it’s hard for little ones to floss by themselves though, so we recommend parents help. In general, we say the most important skill for kids to conquer is brushing. Once they are brushing masters, then they can begin flossing for themselves. We still recommend flossing for adults though (No excuses mom!)

When should kids have their first dental appointment?

The ADA and the AAPD advise children have their first dental appointment within six months after their first tooth erupts, or no later than the child’s first birthday. We’ve found that a great way to start may be simply bringing your child along for your next cleaning. They can come back with you and watch for a little while, maybe ride the chair up and down a few times, then get excited for their first appointment when they can be examined “just like mom and dad”. It’s helpful to introduce them to our staff and office so that when its their turn, they are comfortable!

For kids we do many of the same things we do for adults- prophylactic cleaning, exam, and possibly topical fluoride. What is slightly different for children is that we try to limit X-ray exposure as much as possible, and we are especially watchful for correct orthodontic development. A child’s first appointment is a great time for them to ask questions and become comfortable with Dr. Teuscher and our friendly staff. Our team loves kids, and with four of his own, Dr. Teuscher is wonderful with children and parents alike. We’d love to see your whole family!

Not convinced yet?

If all that isn’t enough, we have a pretty cool treasure box of toys to take home after the visit.  We also have games, books, toys, and a Nintendo in our reception area… And unlimited coffee or tea for our tired parents!

What are your questions?

What other questions do you have about your child’s teeth and taking the best possible care of them? Give us a call with any questions or post them below and we will answer. We are always happy to help, and hope to see you soon!

What we’re learning about COVID-19 and Gum Disease

What we’re learning about COVID-19 and Gum Disease does not surprise us. And as Teuscher Dental continues to pursue our values of excellent healthcare and constant improvement, we’ve been researching all we can to ensure your health and safety. Here’s what we are finding out:

What We’re Learning

Studies investigating the link between gum disease and COVID susceptibility/severity are ongoing. But what we know so far is that the inflammatory mediators in gum disease correlate with more severe COVID infections. In other words, there is evidence that the extent of gum disease increases the severity of COVID sickness. Studies are ongoing, and we will keep you updated as more information rolls in. But the early evidence is clear.

“Now that we’ve confirmed periodontitis makes [COVID] even deadlier, if you’re worried that you may have gum disease, your next trip to the dentist may actually save your life”

-Dr Shervin Molayem, founder of UCLA Dental Research Journal

Your Risk

Those in “high risk” groups for COVID are usually also those with a higher incidence of gum disease. This is because of the oral-systemic connection we’ve written about before. And if you are “high risk” for COVID, it’s understandable you’d be cautious about leaving your house. But we strongly recommend that you continue to receive dental care.

Because of COVID quarantining, we have some patients we’re seeing for their first routine dental care in over 9 months. Unfortunately, in many cases their mouth is noticeably less healthy than before. We always recommend regular dental care. But what we’re learning about COVID-19 and Gum Disease shows us that your dental health is ESPECIALLY important during this pandemic.4

We can assure you that we’re doing everything possible to be the safest environment possible for you and your family. Dr Mike has those details in this video. Great news also is that a recent ADA and UAB study showing that dental settings have one of the lowest transmission rates in all of healthcare. We care about you and hope to see you soon! If you have any questions, give us a call. We’re always happy to help.

References:

1. Thodur Madapusi Balaji, Saranya Varadarajan, U.S. Vishal Rao, A. Thirumal Raj, Shankaragouda Patil, Gururaj Arakeri, Peter A. Brennan.

2. Oral cancer and periodontal disease increase the risk of COVID 19? A mechanism mediated through furin and cathepsin overexpression, Medical Hypotheses, Volume 144, 2020, 109936, ISSN 0306-9877

3. https://www.dentistrytoday.com/news/industrynews/item/6778-covid-19-patients-with-periodontitis-face-greater-risk-of-dying

4. Patel, J. and Woolley, J. (2020), Necrotizing periodontal disease: Oral manifestation of COVID‐19. Oral Dis.

The Importance of Being More Kissable!

Who knew that kissing has actual health benefits?  The scientific study of kissing is called “philematology” (philos in ancient Greek = earthly love).  A Nobel Prize-winning study reported that people who increased their frequency of kissing over a 6-week period had lower cholesterol blood levels. They also had less allergy symptoms and allergic reactions, relief from hives, and – not surprisingly – lower stress levels!  Kissing also stimulates your brain to release feel-good chemicals like dopamine, oxytocin and serotonin, which may also dilate blood vessels, thereby reducing headaches and cramps. Kissing is also shown to lower cortisol levels – a stress hormone also associated with difficulty losing fat.  Kissing can burn 5-26 calories per minute, and may also reduce the appearance of wrinkles by tightening and toning facial muscles!

Here’s the BAD news: studies also show that the biggest turnoff when it comes to kissing is – you guessed it – bad breath!  Missing teeth, cracked teeth and stained teeth are also rated as very off-putting. Kissing is a cultural indication of acceptance and affection. But research indicates that 2/3 of us would refuse to date someone with bad breath. 

A BIG problem is that most people with bad breath have NO IDEA so… that person could be you.  Bad breath can be a social barrier in everything from friendships to work relationships.  The bad-breath obstacles to kissing and close relationships can result in lower overall self-esteem in everyone from children to teens to adults. Sadly, those with bad breath may notice that others are avoiding them but not quite know why.

Bad breath can be more than just a social deterrent.  While breath odor is most often an oral health issue, there can be other causes. These include tobacco use, certain foods and medications, and medical issues such as infections in the nose, sinuses and throat, chronic reflux, some cancers and metabolic disorders. The Mayo Clinic adds that in young children an item such as food that’s stuck in a nostril may also cause bad breath, so it’s important for parents to pay attention.

So start with good oral hygiene habits that include regular cleanings and examinations by a dentist who is an expert in pro-active prevention. Obvious treatments like brushing with toothpaste or using mouthwash can be enough to cure bad breath at first. But bad breath can also indicate oral or respiratory infections as well as other GI issues like GERD, which can lead to more serious issues, including cancer. A “wait and see” approach doesn’t do you many favors (health-wise OR financially) when, very often, we can catch these things early on. This is when we can usually intervene with simple solutions and lifestyle change suggestions. This is only a small part of the reason regular dental cleanings and exams are so important!  

I am passionate about helping people get healthy and helping you to stay that way, so it would be my honor to help you be more kissable!  

Your grateful partner in health,

Dr. Mike

Two Crucial Cold Weather Health Tips to Know Today!

Lots of sane people love winter weather, but I’m not one of them.  Give me the hot sun any day.  But everything in life gives us an opportunity to learn, and cold weather is no exception.

Here are two cold weather essentials you should know:

1. Nose Breathing is best in cold weather – and the rest of the time too. 

Studies show that breathing through your nose (as opposed to breathing through your mouth) not only warms the cold winter air, and cleans and humidifies the air – all good for lung health, but nose-breathing may also improve your memory. Memories have 3 main stages of development: encoding, consolidation & retrieval, and according to a recently published Journal of Neuroscience study, nose breathing – but not mouth breathing – enhances all three of these memory stages.  For the athlete in all of us, it’s interesting to note that the nasal-pulmonary reflex closes the lungs when the nose closes and opens the lungs when the nose is more open – the Cleveland Clinic says this may be why elite athletes like using nasal strips during exercise.  Nose breathing also warms the air before reaching our delicate lungs, humidifies the air for our throat and lungs, and helps clean the air of bacteria, viruses, allergens, pollutants, dust and more before that air reaches your lungs.

2. Pay Attention to the Warning of Cold Sensitivity when it comes to your teeth. 

This is no small thing.  According to the ADA, causes of sensitive teeth include tooth decay, cracked teeth, worn tooth enamel, worn fillings, and tooth roots that are exposed because of periodontal (gum) disease, gum recession or even from too-aggressive tooth brushing.  The Mayo Clinic says that periodontitis, a form of gum disease, can not only cause tooth loss but some research suggests that the bacteria responsible for periodontitis can enter the bloodstream through gum tissue, possibly affecting your heart, lungs, and other parts of the body. Periodontitis may be linked with respiratory disease, rheumatoid arthritis, coronary artery disease or stroke.  

If your teeth are sensitive to cold air, it can be vitally important to heed this warning and take action now with your dentist because periodontal disease can be quite serious, and because other causes of cold sensitivity may be way easier to treat when caught early.  

So let the cold weather be an opportunity to learn about your health, and a motivation to take positive action!  As always, I’d be honored to help you in any way I can.  

Your grateful partner in health,

Dr. Mike

Christmas Gifts That Will Make Them Smile!

Let’s face it: 

Giving the gift of health can sound… boring.  Gift certificates to the dentist (yes, we do that!) sound pretty blah, but could be one of the best gifts you ever give.  To add some fun-factor, here are some ideas for everyone on your list! (Amazon links included!):

Expectant mothers:

Pregnancy can be an especially hazardous season for the mother’s oral health. Recent studies suggest critical links between a pregnant woman’s dental status and the health of the baby, while increased hormone levels frequently cause gingivitis. Combine the gift of an exam and cleaning along with some pickle-flavored toothpaste (YUM and yes this really can be found!) and floss for those expectant and new moms on your list!

Engaged couples:

All soon-to-be married couples (and family members!) want bright white smiles for their big day! We offer in-office whitening as well as overnight trays for at-home use, and even on-the-go strips. Give them the gift of a cleaning and check-up along with tooth whitening  – and throw in a denture-shaped ice cube tray for good measure!

Children and Grandchildren:

Books such as The Berenstain Bears Visit the Dentist and Dora The Explorer Show Me Your Smile are great gifts to get little ones started on their dental health journey!  You can gift your children and grandchildren with dental exams too, or just bring them with you to your own dental visit to be an example to them of how important their health is – and while they’re here they can experience riding up and down in the dentist’s chair for the first time!

Daughters and Granddaughters: 

Barbie’s “I Can Be A Dentist”  play set is a fun way to help young girls consider their future options.  We would be happy to talk with your kids about what we do too!

Teenagers and all ages:  

Who doesn’t want straight teeth? Invisible orthodontics can be a great option for many people, and we do these right in our office.  Along with a tooth-shaped cookie cutter, gift loved ones a dental exam to determine if these simple appliances are right for them, and we can get them started!

Baking enthusiasts and sweet-tooths:  

Cupcake-flavored floss, toothpaste and a tooth-shaped cookie cutter combine perfectly with a dental gift certificate!

Coffee drinkers: 

Fill a tooth mug with coffee-flavored floss and a dental exam gift!

Animal lovers:

Bacon-flavored treats for dogs and cats, along with bacon-flavored dental items for their owner would be fun, along with a vet dental cleaning and a human one too!

For the health-conscious or health-compromised: 

Mayo Clinic confirms that oral health may be linked with a myriad of diseases including diabetes, Alzheimer’s, heart disease, obesity, eating disorders, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoporosis, pregnancy issues such as premature birth, and more.  To show how much you care, put together a care basket that includes a comprehensive exam that includes an oral cancer screening, personalized dental disease risk assessment and a customized prevention program designed just for them.

I hope these ideas are fun for you, and even more than that- I hope for you to take oral health very seriously. It truly is a gift.  My team and I would be happy to help you with any of these ideas or other questions you may have. Always feel free to give us a call.

If you have other dental gift ideas, please share them below! Have a very Merry and Blessed Christmas!

Your grateful partner in health,

Dr. Mike

Build Your Legacy

Although many people have heard of Weston Price, not everyone realizes he was a dentist. A man ahead of his time, Dr. Price was one of the first to suggest a relationship between nutrition, dental health, and physical health. He studied the nutrition and overall health of a wide range of cultures, taking particular note of the amount of processed foods and sugars consumed by these cultures. His research led him to conclude that the introduction of a “modern Western diet” was associated not only with a decline in the dental and overall health of the people who ate those foods, but in their offspring he also noticed a developmental decline in proper facial bone structure – resulting in overcrowding of teeth.

Taking care of our dental health today not only affects our overall health in ways we may not realize, but, according to Dr. Price’s research, our choices can also affect the overall health, future dental health – possibly including the need for orthodontics – of our children. We have the opportunity to leave a lasting legacy of health through the choices we make. Why not start building that legacy today?