The Value Of The Mouth

Your mouth is the most useful part of your body

•  Breath, smile, talk
•  Greet, communicate, intimacy

Your mouth is one of the most important parts of your body

•  Eat or drink at least five times/day
•  Critical role nourishing your body

If your mouth is diseased…

•  You can’t enjoy your food
•  You can’t chew properly
•  You can’t digest thoroughly
•  You can’t receive proper nutrition
•  It affects your complete well-being

Therefore, you have a lifelong need for ideal dental health.

Constant wear and tear occurs because you use your mouth all the time.

Dentistry is the only science that can keep you as healthy as a young adult.

At Main Plaza Dental we are passionate about your dental health and take pride in providing you only the best care.

Your dentist prescribes medications for many reasons. While some drugs are formulated to fight oral diseases, others are used to prevent infections after surgical procedures such as tooth extractions and gum surgery. Certain drugs are used prior to dental treatment. These medications are used to help fight infections and also to control existing conditions such as heart murmurs and valve problems. Your dentist will discuss with you what medications you will be taking, when you will take them and why.

What should I find out about my medication?

Ask your dentist what you should look for after you've begun treatment. Ask about common side effects and what you should do if you experience them. Also ask about anything you should not take with the new drug, since the drug may interact with other prescription and over-the-counter medications and with certain foods. Ask your pharmacist any additional questions you did not ask the dentist. If you get a medication that looks different from the one you have been taking, speak up immediately.

When your dentist writes a new prescription, keep a record noting the brand name, generic name, the purpose, the dosage, how many times per day the drug should be taken and for how long. Every prescription dispensed by a pharmacist comes with a patient information sheet describing everything you need to know about the drug. Read the sheet before beginning your prescription, and read it each time before you take the drug. If you take several medications, keep a diary to check your daily intake and note any symptoms.

How do I know if I am experiencing a side effect or an allergic reaction to medication?

Some patients are allergic to certain drugs and can experience side effects that range from mild irritations, such as rashes, to more serious problems, such as breathing difficulties. Fortunately, fewer than 5 percent of allergic reactions are life-threatening. An allergic reaction is the result of an overreaction in your body's immune system, which fights what it perceives to be a foreign substance.

Not all side effects are allergy-related and can occur regardless of your body's disposition toward them. By and large, these side effects are rare and are expected by the drug's manufacturer. Depending on the drug, some side affects may include nausea, drowsiness or headaches. Your dentist may be able to lower the dosage or change the drug's formula to reduce or eliminate these side effects. It is important to discuss side effects with your dentist or pharmacist to determine if you are suffering from an allergic reaction or not. Don't discontinue a medication without talking with your dentist first. This could prolong the healing process.

What should my dentist know about my medical history?

It is important to share with your dentist your medical history and the medications you are taking, especially for serious conditions such as kidney, lung, heart or liver disease. Some dental medications have the potential to interact with other drugs and cause you harm or treatment failure.

Don't assume your dentist knows your medical history. The most common cause of drug -related interactions is the doctor's lack of information about your medical history. Update and review your history every time you see the dentist. In addition to informing your dentist of past prescriptions, tell him or her about any adverse reactions. Include any vitamins, supplements or herbal remedies you take on the list, as well as any diet plans.

What else should I know about my prescription?

When taking any medication prescribed by your dentist it is important to finish it. Many people take prescribed medicine, especially antibiotics, only until they feel better. Dosages are exact and are necessary to fight or prevent infections. By taking medication only until you feel better, all the drug has done is eliminate susceptible microorganisms and left the ones that tend to become drug-resistant. Ask your dentist before you take any non-prescription medications, vitamins, herbal remedies or dietary supplements. If you don't feel well after taking a medication, consult your dentist or pharmacist.

Research has shown that playing a musical instrument can help nourish, cultivate, and increase intelligence in children, but playing a used instrument also can pose a potentially dangerous health risk.

Used woodwind and brass instruments were found to be heavily contaminated with a variety of bacteria and fungi, many of which are associated with minor to serious infectious and allergic diseases, according to a study published in the March/April 2011 issue of General Dentistry, the peer-reviewed clinical journal of the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD).

"Many children participate in their school's band ensemble and often the instruments they play are on loan," said R. Thomas Glass, DDS, PhD, lead author of the study. "Most of these instruments have been played by other students, and without the proper sanitation, bacteria and fungi can thrive for weeks and even months after the last use."

A total of 117 different sites, including the mouthpieces, internal chambers, and cases, were tested on 13 previously played instruments of a high school band. Six of the instruments had been played within a week of testing, while seven hadn't been touched in about one month. The instruments produced 442 different bacteria, many of which were species of Staphylococcus,which can cause staph infections. Additionally, 58 molds and 19 yeasts were identified.

"Parents may not realize that the mold in their child's instrument could contribute to the development of asthma," said Dr. Glass.

Additionally, the yeasts on the instruments commonly cause skin infections around the mouth and lips ("red lips").

"Because these instruments come into contact with the mouth, it's no wonder they're a breeding ground for bacteria," said AGD spokesperson Cynthia Sherwood, DDS, FAGD. "As dentists, we see this same growth of bacteria in dentures, athletic mouthguards, and toothbrushes.

Researchers found that many of the bacteria can cause illness in humans and are highly resistant to the antibiotics normally prescribed by general practitioners. This finding makes sterilization of instruments extremely important.

"Instruments should be cleaned after each use to reduce the number of organisms," said Dr. Sherwood. "And cleaning should not be confined to the mouthpiece, since the bacteria invade the entire instrument."

Regular dental exams not only help to decrease a patient's risk of oral diseases, such as cavities and periodontal (gum) disease, but they may also help to diagnose other, sometimes life-threatening, medical conditions.

Dentists are able to assess a patient's overall oral health and may recognize symptoms of serious diseases, including diabetes, cancer, and eating disorders, which often manifest as signs and symptoms inside of the mouth.

Diabetes

More than 25 million people in the United States alone suffer from diabetes.

"Because diabetes reduces the body's resistance to infection, the gums are at risk for gingivitis, an inflammation usually caused by the presence of bacteria in plaque," says Academy of General Dentistry (AGD) spokesperson Julie Ann Barna, DMD, MAGD. "Additionally, those with diabetes can experience high incidences of oral fungal infections and persistent bad breath."

Oral Cancer

Oral cancer is one of the most common cancers, with approximately 35,000 new cases reported annually in the United States.

"Indicators of oral cancer may include bleeding sores, lumps, or thick, hard spots, as well as changes in the way teeth fit together," says Dr. Barna.

Oral cancer is sometimes difficult to self-diagnose, so routine dental exams are recommended. A dentist will feel for lumps or irregular tissue changes in your neck, head, cheeks, and oral cavity and thoroughly examine the soft tissues in your mouth, specifically looking for any sores or discolored tissues.

Eating Disorders

"Eating disorders, including anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa, can rob the body of much-needed vitamins and minerals," says Dr. Barna. "Without proper nutrition, the gums can lose their healthy pink color and become increasingly soft and tender, bleeding easily."

Disorders that involve excessive vomiting, such as bulimia, can cause discoloration and erosion of the teeth due to constant contact with acid from the stomach. People who have eating disorders also may experience swollen salivary glands, dry mouth, sensitive teeth, and loss of tooth enamel.

Diseases negatively impact your general health, but they also can damage your oral health.  Regularly scheduled dental exams allow dentists to detect or monitor your health.