In America, visits to the orthodontist are very common among those in their early teens. But not everyone gets their teeth straightened at this early age, and not everyone sees this treatment as important, either. For quite a few people, it may not seem like their misaligned teeth are much of a problem. Others may never have thought getting their teeth straightened was a worthwhile investment. As the years pass, however, the wisdom of this investment becomes quite apparent.
Proper tooth alignment is not just about your appearance. It’s about correct distribution of the stresses of biting and chewing. Your teeth are actually designed to benefit from these stresses, but when the teeth are misaligned, stress hits on the wrong parts of the teeth and this gradually creates problems. Some of those problems can be serious and result in eventual tooth loss and even major health problems. We’ll explain why.
Chipping, Fracturing, Wearing
When you bite into something hard, your jaws can exert pressures of well over 100 pounds. If your top and bottom teeth meet perfectly, there’s an even distribution of these pressures. If the correct surfaces of the teeth don’t meet, you get pressure on the wrong part of the tooth which causes wear that the tooth was not designed for. The result can be chipping, cracking or erosion of the tops or edges of the teeth. The teeth can even be visibly shortened by all the wear and tear.
When a tooth is constantly subjected to uneven alignment and pressures, it can be rocked back and forth with every chew. This flexing often results in indented fractures along the gum line. If the fractures get deep enough, they will cause sensitivity to heat, cold and sweets and perhaps even the loss of the tooth. Correction of the bite can prevent these fractures from getting worse and your dentist can repair the fracture.
Difficulty Keeping the Teeth Clean
Properly aligned teeth are the easiest to keep clean on a daily basis. There’s no problem reaching all the surfaces with a toothbrush and it’s not hard to pass floss between the teeth. Concealed corners where bacteria can grow and plaque can develop are minimal. But when teeth are crooked, it’s a very different matter. Crannies between misaligned teeth are breeding grounds for bacteria and that accelerates the progression of cavities and gum disease.
More Serious Health Risks
When oral bacteria are not adequately cleared away and gum disease results, the effects can be systemic, which means the whole body’s health can be damaged. The National Institutes of Health notes that increased risk of heart disease, pneumonia and diabetes is associated with the presence of periodontal disease. A woman may also be more likely to have a pre-term birth or deliver a low-weight baby as well.
Braces-Only for the Young?
Do you think that if you’re over 18, it’s too late for you? A generation ago, that might have been the prevailing idea but now there are options for you, whatever your age. However, one of the most popular services at StarBrite Dental, the office of Maryam Seifi , is Invisalign aligners. These aligners are virtually invisible—chances are good that unless you tell your friends about them, they will never notice you have them. No more wires and difficulty keeping your teeth clean—Invisalign aligners pop out to enable you to brush and floss your teeth.
Wisdom teeth removal can be a major rite of passage for teens and young adults, with approximately 80% of the US population getting them extracted! But why do most people need to get these third molars taken out, anyway?
There are several serious oral health issues that can develop if impacted wisdom teeth are not removed - that is, wisdom teeth that are not growing in or positioned correctly. Check out the common complications caused by impacted wisdom teeth that are not extracted in time!
Damage to other teeth If an impacted wisdom tooth pushes against its neighboring tooth (the second molar), it may damage the other tooth or increase the risk of infection in that area. The pressure and pushing can also cause crowding or shifting of the other teeth, and may require orthodontic treatment to straighten other teeth if the bite and alignment are shifted.
Decay Partially impacted wisdom teeth appear to be at higher risk of tooth decay (cavities) than other teeth. This is likely because wisdom teeth are harder to clean, being so far back in the mouth, and food and bacteria get easily trapped between the gum and a partially erupted tooth. This build up of food and bacteria often lead to chronic bad breath as well as cavities on both the wisdom tooth and the second molar.
Gum disease Along with tooth decay, the difficulty of cleaning impacted, partially erupted wisdom teeth increases the risk of developing a painful, inflammatory gum condition called pericoronitis. This can lead to pain and swelling in or around the tooth, jaw or cheeks, and will likely continue to recur if not treated.
Cysts A wisdom tooth develops in a sac within the jawbone. The sac can fill with fluid, forming a cyst that can damage the jawbone, teeth and nerves. Rarely, a tumor ( usually noncancerous or benign) develops. This complication may require removal of not just the tooth but also tissue and bone.
Impacted wisdom teeth can be not only painful, but can cause serious oral health complications. It’s important to remember that with impacted wisdom teeth (and with most dental issues), things will only get worse the longer you wait. The best time to get impacted wisdom teeth removed is before the roots are fully developed.
Since teeth grow from the crown down to the root, surgery and recovery will both be much easier if the tooth is extracted before the roots are fully formed. However, a skilled oral surgeon can complete even difficult wisdom tooth extraction cases with minimal pain and good recovery time.
Root canal treatment, also known as endodontic treatment is important when the centre part within the tooth, known as the pulp, housing the nerves, blood vessels and living connective tissues, become inflamed or infected. The root canal procedure is conducted to save a badly infected tooth, instead of extracting it. This procedure can be performed by root canal specialist near you.
The most common causes of tooth infection or damage are, cavities which occours due to plaque accumulation, broken or cracked tooth due to any kind of accidents or trauma, gum diseases, and continuous dental treatment to a particular tooth. These dental issues can cause pulp infection, inflammation and damage the pulp irreversibly. The person will sometimes experience severe pain. The pain might subside when the pulp dies, but most often comes back as the infection spreads. It is recommended to see a root canal dentist in Providence, RL if anyone experiences a toothache or gum pain.
Preparing for root canal treatment
Before root canal treatment, the dentist may take a series of X-rays of the damaged tooth. This allows them to build up an exact picture of the root canal and assess the extent of any damage. Root canal treatment is typically carried out under local anaesthetic.
Removing the pulp
The dentist will place a rubber sheet around the tooth to make sure it’s dry during treatment. The dam also prevents one swallowing in any chemicals the dentist uses. The dentist will open the tooth through the crown to get to the soft tissue at the centre of the tooth. After which, infected pulp will be removed. If anyone has dental abscess, the dentist will be able to drain it at the same time.
Cleaning and filling the root canal
After the pulp is removed, the dentist will clean and enlarge the root canal. The root canal is typically very narrow, which makes it difficult to fill. The dentist will then use a series of small files to enlarge the canals and give them a regular shape so they can be filled. This process may take several hours, and can be carried out over a number of visits. If the tooth has more roots, it will take longer time for treatment to complete. If the treatment requires to be carried out over several sessions, the dentist might put a small amount of medicine in the cleaned canal in between visits to kill any left-over bacteria. The tooth will then be sealed by the dentist using a temporary filling. If anyone has any kind of symptoms from the infection, such as a raised temperature or huge swelling, patient may be given antibiotics to help manage and prevent further infection.
Sealing and fixing the tooth
At the next visit of the patient, the temporary filling and medicine inside the tooth is removed and the root canal filling is inserted. This, in combination with a filling, seals the tooth and prevents reinfection. Root-filled teeth are more likely to get damaged than healthy unrestored teeth, so the dentist might suggest placing a crown on the tooth to protect it. In few cases, a root-filled tooth might darken, especially if it’s died as a result of injury like a knock to the tooth.
Adding a crown
A crown is a cap kind of a thing that completely covers a real tooth. It might be necessary to use a crown after root canal treatment to avoid the tooth fracturing. Crown are usually made from metal or porcelain or from both, powdered glass or a ceramic material. The dentist will reduce the size of the tooth and use the crown to replace what’s removed. A mould of the tooth will be taken to ensure the crown is the right size and shape, and fits the patient’s tooth perfectly. While fitting the crown, cement will be used to glue the crown to the trimmed-down tooth. If there’s only a little amount of tooth left after the root canal treatment, a post can be cemented in the root canal and used to help keep the crown in place. So, for any kind of dental issues, schedule an appointment with the dentist near you.
It’s not uncommon to have not visited a dentist in years. In fact, it is estimated that about 80% of the people have not visited a dentist in years, or perhaps even longer.
The reasons why people skip the dentist vary but these are the most common.
A lot of people experience anxiety or even fear going to the dentist and avoid it.
Others are concerned about the cost, especially if they’re not covered by dental insurance.
And if dental care isn’t conveniently located or doesn’t have flexible hours, it can be hard to coordinate it with a busy schedule.
Moving and not finding a new dental practice right away is another thing that can throw off routine visits.
Recently, COVID-19 has provided another reason to miss checkups. The closure of offices during the initial shutdown derailed the plans of those with appointments already scheduled. And once they reopened, fears of catching the virus added to the anxiety of those who were already dentist-shy. Luckily, dental practices are following special protocols to make patients safe.
Whatever the reason for not going to the dentist, when you do decide to go, you’re sure to have questions. Whether you have a dental emergency or have just decided to get back on track with your oral care, here are some things to keep in mind and what to expect at the dentist after a long absence.
1: There’s No Reason to Be Embarrassed
It’s the dentist’s job to provide professional oral care and advice—not to judge or shame their patients. Depending on the dentist’s chair-side manner, they might give a mild lecture or some good-natured teasing about staying away so long. Anything harsher would be unprofessional and might indicate you should shop for a different dentist.
Listen to the suggestions for future care with an open mind. Don’t feel the need to explain or make excuses.
2: Check With Your Insurance Provider
If you’re lucky enough to have dental insurance, that’s great! But check with your provider first. Find out what is and isn’t covered as far as exams, x-rays, and cleanings.
3: Ask About the Dentist’s Protocol
When you call to make an appointment, tell them how long it’s been since you’ve had a checkup. Knowing this beforehand helps the dentist prepare for a visit that might take longer and involve more questions.
They might also have special protocols due to COVID-19 restrictions. Most dental practices have specific instructions on what to do when you arrive so everyone stays safe.
4: Your Appointment Might Take a While–Know What to Expect
Be sure to set aside a sufficient block of time for your appointment. Since it may have been years since your last appointment, the dentist will almost certainly need updated paperwork and a full dental history.
The dentist will need time to familiarize him or herself with your case.
5: You’ll Get a Thorough Exam
The dentist will likely ask about your general health since your last visit, as well as any dental issues you’re experiencing. Often medical issues or prescriptions can impact a patient’s teeth, so this is necessary information. In addition to examining your x-rays, he or she will check that your bite is in proper alignment, prod your fillings to check for loosening, and examine the condition of your gums for signs of periodontal disease.
6: Be Ready for X-Rays
As we’ve already mentioned, dentists typically order a full set of x-rays for a patient who hasn’t had a checkup in years. X-rays are the only way to see very small cavities or tiny cracks in the teeth, so they can catch problems long before the patient realizes they’re there. Finding a cavity before it gets big enough to cause any pain is the best possible scenario.
7: There Could be Some Bleeding or Pain
Dental professionals do everything in their power to make patients comfortable, but there can be a bit of bleeding or pain during a cleaning. This is especially true when it hasn’t been done in years.
Touching tender gums with dental instruments can make them bleed too. It’s usually only a little and will stop after a short while.
Both pain and bleeding are less likely when teeth are brushed and flossed often—a good reason to have a regular dental care routine.
8: You Might Need More than One Appointment
Even if your teeth are feeling fine, there could be underlying problems like tooth decay or gum disease. It’s unlikely that a dentist would fix a dental problem right away. Instead, they will schedule another time to perform whatever procedure is needed. When you come back, they will have sufficient time set aside and all of the necessary equipment ready.
Thumb sucking is a natural, reflexive behavior that helps infants soothe themselves and learn how to accept nourishment.
The majority of newborns demonstrate thumb, finger, or toe sucking behaviors within hours after birth. Many even sucked their thumbs in utero.
Thumb sucking is common among babies, toddlers, and young children. Many kids who suck their thumbs stop doing so without intervention once they reach school age.
Others respond to mild forms of intervention from their parents.
No specific data exists that indicates how often thumb sucking continues into the teen and adult years. However, anecdotal evidence suggests that there are many adults who suck their thumbs — perhaps as many as 1 in 10.
While most childhood thumb suckers stop on their own, a percentage seem to continue in private for decades. For some, thumb sucking may even be a lifelong habit.
The reasons for this aren’t completely understood. It could be this behavior provides comfort and reduces anxiety for those who do it.
While relatively benign, thumb sucking isn’t without side effects, particularly to dental health.
Causes of thumb sucking as an adult
Adults who suck their thumbs may find that it reduces anxiety and stress, helping them to calm down.
It’s possible that some adults who suck their thumbs experienced trauma during childhood and turned to the behavior to calm themselves down during that time. In some instances, the behavior may simply stick, making for an easy-to-access stress reliever.
Thumb sucking may also become a habit that’s almost involuntary, used to relieve boredom in addition to stress.
There is anecdotal evidence indicating that some people with trichotillomania, a condition earmarked by an irresistible urge to pull out scalp, eyebrow, or body hair, also thumb suck.
Age regression is a condition in which a person displays behaviors more typical of people who are younger than them. Thumb sucking is sometimes associated with this condition.
Thumb sucking effects:
-Misaligned teeth (dental malocclusion).
- Changes to the roof of the mouth.
- Oral infection.
- Problems with the thumb.
- Difficulties with speech.
How to stop adult thumb sucking
Some adults have reported that they were able to stop sucking their thumbs by making a decision to do so and sticking to it. This may not work for everyone, especially if the behavior has become a long-term or subconscious habit.
Home remedies
If possible, try to identify the triggers in your life that prompt you to suck your thumb. Anticipating when the behavior occurs may help you reduce it by giving you time to substitute stress-relieving techniques, such as deep breathing, meditation, and exercise.
Strategies such as covering your thumb with fabric or with a foul-tasting substance may work.
Keeping your hands busy with a fidget toy or a stress ball may help you to get past the urge.
Other things to try include popping a mint or stick of gum into your mouth when you feel the desire to suck your thumb.
Behavioral therapy
Seeing a mental health professional can provide you with other tools and coping mechanisms. Behavioral therapy has been well documented as discouraging negative activities.
The takeaway
There is no specific data on adult thumb sucking, but it may be more common than people realize.
Like childhood thumb sucking, adult thumb sucking may cause or worsen problems with bite and speech.
If you’re looking to stop thumb sucking, consider talking to your doctor. They may have additional suggestions for helping you quit the habit.
If you or a family member have recently received a diagnosis of bipolar disorder, you most likely have many questions about treatment, how effective it will be, and what its potential side effects are. For more than 60 years, medical professionals have used lithium to treat bipolar disorder successfully. With proper management and monitoring, lithium medication can be a life-changing treatment. It's instrumental in patients with bipolar I disorder who frequently experience mania, the more severe symptom of this disorder.
However, this treatment does have some adverse effects – including lithium dental side effects. Let's go over the prevalence of bipolar disorder, its side effects, both short-term and long-term, and how best to care for your mouth while on this medication. We know that the road to diagnosing bipolar disorder probably wasn't a smooth one, but you've made it here! We're here to guide you with helpful knowledge as you begin the treatment journey.
Prevalence of Bipolar Disorder
The Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) recognizes that about 5.7 million adults in the United States have bipolar disorder. So if you or a loved one have received this diagnosis, we hope this statistic demonstrates that you are far from alone! While bipolar disorder affects men and women equally, women seem to exhibit signs of "rapid cycling" of the symptoms more often, as well as longer-lasting depressive episodes.
The median age for diagnosis is 25, but it is not uncommon for a diagnosis to come as late as age 40 or 50 or as early as childhood. According to the DBSA, bipolar symptoms can be successfully treated with lithium in 40 to 50 percent of people after receiving the proper diagnosis.
Dental Side Effects of Lithium
Dry mouth (xerostomia) is caused by an underproduction of saliva. It prevents the teeth and soft tissues in the mouth from being adequately lubricated. Saliva also acts as a buffer for acidic foods and drinks and contains essential minerals to keep the enamel strong.
People are more susceptible to particular dental issues when they lack saliva from lithium, such as tooth decay, gingivitis, and gum disease. The gums and other oral tissue can become red, inflamed, and ulcerated, making it painful to eat and follow a proper oral hygiene regimen.
Additionally, bipolar disorder often causes over-brushing, damaging the gums, and cause tooth abrasion.
Short Term Bodily Side Effects of Lithium
Lithium can cause both oral and full-body side effects. Initially, when a person begins drug therapy, there's a chance that short-term side effects can occur. Note that these issues can diminish when dosing is regulated but can reoccur if they increase their dose. Short-term lithium side effects include: Tremors, Fatigue, Diarrhea, Frequent urination, Weight gain, Reduced sex drive, Reduced mental clarity.
Dermatologic issues like acne and psoriasis can occur. If a person already had dermatological problems before lithium treatment, their condition can become exacerbated when they begin treatment.
Long Term Bodily Side Effects of Lithium
Long-term side effects can be more problematic since they can cause irreversible changes in the body. The organs that are most affected by long term lithium treatment are the kidneys and the thyroid and parathyroid glands:
With the kidneys, lithium alters the concentration of fluids, leading to excessive urination and thirst, leading to a feeling of dry mouth or dehydration. In most cases, lithium's renal effects are mild. Excess thirst and urination are typical short-term side effects of taking lithium. But it becomes a longer-term issue for about 20 to 25% of people, as noted by Harvard Medical School.
The Mayo Clinic states that thyroid and parathyroid gland function can become diminished while taking lithium. This can cause hypothyroidism and hypercalcemia (an excess of calcium in the blood). Hypothyroidism causes tiredness, weight gain, depression, and lack of mental clarity. Hypercalcemia can cause pain and muscle weakness or create kidney stones. In rare cases, it can interfere with how your brain and heart function.
However, these potential long-term side effects are by no means reasons to stop taking lithium. A medical professional can closely monitor a person with these conditions and can treat them if necessary.
No matter what other health conditions you are managing, regular professional dental care and an effective at-home oral care routine are essential. Brush twice daily using a soft-bristled toothbrush and a toothpaste that contains fluoride. Clean between your teeth once a day with floss, a water flosser, or another interdental cleaning tool, then finish your oral care routine with a mouthrinse to rinse away any remaining bacteria. Ask your dental professional for products that might help manage your side effects.
Managing Treatment
From shock to frustration, you may experience a myriad of emotions upon learning of a bipolar disorder diagnosis. We understand the process of managing one's mental health can feel like an uphill battle. But be confident that you are on the right path, taking appropriate steps to diagnose and treat your disorder while learning to manage the side effects of treatment.
As you progress along your journey of stabilizing your bipolar disorder, or help a loved one manage theirs, know that experiencing side effects is part of the process. Work with both medical and dental professionals to understand lithium, teeth issues, and other side effects. You're learning to integrate your mental, oral, and physical health. That's something to be proud of!
When it comes to child development, the loss of baby teeth is a major milestone. As a parent, it’s very exciting to watch your child get their permanent teeth. Sometimes, however, there are dental issues that come with them. When this happens, it’s crucial that you take action to protect your child’s smile from being compromised in the long term. This post will examine some of the problems that can arise and offer solutions.
Crowded Teeth
One common problem is the child’s permanent teeth growing in crooked, which can be attributed to a number of causes. What should you do when this happens? Here’s some advice:
t’s very common for children to grow adult teeth that are not straight. Most commonly, this is caused by hereditary factors like extra teeth, large teeth, missing teeth, wide spacing, or small jaws. These can be compounded by habits like thumb sucking, tongue thrusting, premature loss of baby teeth, or a poor breathing airway caused by enlarged adenoids. The result is crowded teeth and/or malocclusion (a bad bite).
Maintain regular visits to the dentistAs soon as your child first grows baby teeth, it’s important that they begin regular trips to the dentist. Not only can your dentist help ensure your child’s teeth stay clean, but they can keep an eye on the inbound adult teeth. If they notice some teeth are not coming in straight, then they can refer you to an orthodontist.
Protruding Teeth
Another possible complication is an overbite, where your child’s front teeth jut too far forward. People commonly refer to this condition as “buck teeth.” In some cases, it can be so severe that the lips are unable to fully cover the teeth. As with crooked teeth, an overbite can have multiple origins such as genetics, thumb sucking, tongue thrusting and more. Whatever the cause, you should intervene to ensure that your child isn’t dealing with this problem later in life, when it might negatively impact their self-image.
Depending on the extent of your child’s overbite, a dentist will recommend a course of treatment that’s best suited for their needs.
Other Bite-Related Problems
In addition to protruding upper teeth, the opposite can occur. Sometimes the lower front teeth stick out further than the upper ones, creating an underbite. If the protuding lower teeth are on the side, rather than in front, it’s called a crossbite.
A crossbite is when one or more upper teeth bite inside the lower teeth, causing the teeth to not line up properly. This can happen on one or both sides of the jaw and can affect the front or back teeth. A crossbite can occur if the lower jaw bone is wider than the upper jaw bone, from delayed or abnormal tooth eruption, thumb sucking, and other childhood habits.
A crossbite can cause jaw pain or TMJ issues from uneven pressure on the jaw muscles. Another common problem caused by crossbite is accelerated enamel wear due to certain parts of the teeth wearing away quicker than others.
Pediatric dentistry is vital for addressing the issues we’ve outlined here and more. Early intervention will correct the course of your child’s wayward teeth before they have a chance to harm those surrounding them
The Columbia University College of Dental Medicine, often abbreviated CDM, is one of the twenty graduate and professional schools of Columbia University. It is located at 630 West 168th Street in Manhattan, New York City. According to American Dental Education Association, CDM is one of the most selective dental schools in the United States based on average DAT score, GPA, and acceptance rate. In 2014, 2,029 people applied for 80 positions in its entering class. The median undergraduate GPA and average DAT score for successful applicants in 2014 were 3.7 and 23, respectively.
The College of Dental Medicine traces its origin to 1852, as the New York College of Dentistry, later the New York College of Dental and Oral Surgery. In 1916 Columbia University, recognizing dentistry as an integral part of the health sciences, established its own school of dental education and absorbed both the New York Post-graduate School of Dentistry and the New York School of Dental Hygiene. In 1923, the New York College of Dentistry merged with the New York College of Dental and Oral Surgery to form the present School of Dental and Oral Surgery of Columbia University. In January 2006, the School of Dental and Oral Surgery was renamed the Columbia University College of Dental Medicine.
The College of Dental Medicine possesses several research facilities, including the Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine Laboratory as well as the Center for Craniofacial Regeneration. The faculty engages in wide-ranging areas of research, from Oropharyngeal Cancer to Biomaterials/Regenerative Biology/Stem Cells, Neuroscience and Pain, Microbial Pathogenesis/Microbiome, Behavioral and Social Sciences/Population Oral Health, and Systemic and Oral Disease Interactions.
Columbia University has a long-standing, rich history in dental education and research. Dr. Gies (1872-1956), a professor of Biochemistry at the College of Physicians & Surgeons and a founder of the College of Dental Medicine, is recognized as a pioneer in the profession. He was an advocate for rigorous medical and scientific instruction in dental education. In the early 1950s the Birnberg Research Medal Award of the Dental Alumni of Columbia University was established to encourage dental research excellence and help stimulate public interest in support of dental research.
