The role of teeth in the life of animal is among the most important of any organ or appendage. From the cradle to the grave the function and condition of the teeth tell the story of life. It is not surprising that so many English “sayings” and expressions make reference to the teeth, there use and lack thereof.  A person or animal that has begun to show some deterioration due to age is said to be “a little long in the tooth”. This phrase probably was first used to describe horses as older horses had longer more prominent teeth. The horse’s teeth continue to grow throughout life and this coupled with the tendency of the gums to recede with age makes the old horse’s teeth longer.

Incidentally receding gums can also be a problem for people. It is usually a gradual process wherein the gum tissue that surrounds and borders the teeth wears away or pulls back, exposing more of the tooth. This may be one of the early signs of periodontal disease and should defiantly earn you a trip to your dentist.

Another often used phrase “Cut your teeth” means to gain experience by doing something for the first time. This stems from the phrase that describes the process of the baby’s first teeth emerging from the gums. After you “cut your teeth” and before you are “long in the tooth” you will probably have the chance to “take a bite out of “a job or an important task. That simply means to make it smaller. Work can “take a   bite out of” your free time and bills can “take a bite out of” your bank account.

If your money become too diminished it may be said to be “as scarce as hen’s teeth” which means difficult or impossible to find. Then you could get a new, exciting job that you could “sink your teeth into”. When you “sink your teeth into” something you start with a lot of energy and enthusiasm.

When you take control of a situation it can be said that you “take the bit between your teeth”. This phrase comes from a description of a strong willed race horse that bites down on his bit to take control from the rider. If you are “armed to the teeth” it means you have a full complement of weapons. It probably originally refereed to 16th century pirates who would board enemy ships with a gun in each hand and a saber held in their teeth.

If you just barely succeed at a task you might say you got it done “by the skin of your teeth.” If you want a thing very much it could be said that you would “give your eye tooth” for it. The two pointed canine teeth on either side of the front of the mouth are called the eye teeth, and are considered particularly valuable.

There are many more however before you  dear reader are “fed up to the back teeth” which means bored or angry  with an event or discussion that has gone over long  we will stop for now. Remember to take care of your teeth and they will take care of you.

       The eyes are sometimes called the “window to the soul”. Looking into a person’s eyes can give the perceptive individual insight into the gazers thoughts and feelings. Well, if the eyes are the window, then the mouth is the doorway. A health professional can often tell a great deal about your overall health by just looking into your mouth.

A TRIP TO   THE   DENTIST

Regular trips to the dentist can help maintain good mouth health and provide helpful information for overall physical and mental health as well. A dentist’s examination frequently reveals early indications of other important health issues and can prompt further investigation and early intervention that results in life saving treatment.

Many of the bodies systems show symptoms in the mouth. An immune deficiency can allow small white patches in the mouth called Thrush to develop in otherwise healthy appearing adults.  Your dentist may also notice enlarged or swollen lymph glands or tonsils.

MOUTH ULCERS

Your dentist may visualize ulcerations and sores in your mouth that based on their frequency, placement, appearance and overall mouth condition can indicate a number of ailments that require treatment.

• Oral Cancer
• Diabetes
• Anemia and other Vitamin deficiencies
• Tuberculosis
• Hand, Foot & Mouth  Disease, Measles and even Chicken Pox

Your dentist may get the first signs or at least an early indication of a number of other diseases either by looking into your mouth or by things observed during your oral exam. Changes in moles or blemishes on the face and neck may suggest possible skin cancers. Crohn’s Disease and other digestive disorders can show up in the appearance of mouth tissue. Even certain aromas detected in the patient’s breath can tell the observant professional important information about your overall health status.  A slightly sweet fruity smell might indicate a problem metabolizing sugars related to Diabetes.

MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES

Many psychological and social conditions show symptoms in the mouth as well. The adverse effect of over indulging in alcoholic drinks can indicate problems with addiction. Tell tell sings of purging can alert the health care team to possible Bulimia as well other gastric reflux related conditions. Damage related to teeth grinding can signal stress related conditions. Deterioration in mouth health especially in proximity to tragic life events can indicate clinically significant depression.

Regular trips to your dentist can dramatically improve your oral health and in so doing prolong your life. But remember the dental exam and the information obtained there can reach far beyond the mouth.

                      Since 1945 when the city of Grand Rapids Michigan began adjusting the Fluoride content of the public water supply the debate has raged on as to whether the safety concerns about this additive out weighted the health benefits.

The one two punch

In the 1940′s, studies proved that fluoride can benefit your teeth. Scientists noticed that populations in areas where the drinking water had a naturally occurring fluoride level of about one part per million or higher had dramatically lower incidence of dental cavities than did populations where the water had little or no fluoride. Since that time multiple studies have supported these findings. It is believed that fluoride helps your teeth in two ways. 1) It helps to neutralize the damaging acids that come from the breakdown of sugar by the bacteria present in tooth plaque. And 2) it supports the rebuilding of the hard outer layer of the teeth called the enamel. Every day teeth go through a process called DE-mineralization which is when the outer part of the tooth gradually loses minerals. Luckily, our teeth also go through a process called re-mineralization where fluoride, calcium and phosphate are replaced on the tooth to help regain the minerals that have been lost and actually repair damage to the tooth.

Fluoride is everywhere

Fluoride comes from an element called Fluorine which was first discovered in 1886 by Henry Moissan.  Fluorides can be found in water, soil, and even in air. While few people have argued that naturally occurring fluoride should be removed from drinking water many folks have suggested that added fluoride may be more harmful than it is helpful and that improved dental hygiene and a reduction in sugar consumption is the best way to improve mouth health.

Can fluoride cause cancer?

The two most prominent concerns are a possible relationship between the use of fluoride and some types of cancer and the potential for toxic amounts of the substance being ingested. Like exposure to many substances exposure to higher levels of fluoride were thought by many to potentially be carcinogenic (cancer causing). In 1990 a study by the National Institute of Environmental Health Science showed a statistically significant incidence of bone tumors in male rats exposed to high levels of fluoride over a 2 year period. Numerous studies on animals and humans have found no causal relationship or increase in cancer and all prominent experts agree that this is not a reasonable medical concern. The fluoridation level used in drinking water is about 1 part per million (ppm) while the rats in the study were exposed to as high as 175 ppm. This is an exposure level that would never be present in drinking water.

Too much of a good thing

In terms of possible toxicity from the over ingestion of tooth pastes and or topical preparations containing fluoride there is legitimate concern.  As with any medicine, vitamin or nutritional supplement using the right amount is important.  Too little and the desired benefit is not achieved.  Too much and harmful effects can occur.  Enamel fluorosis is a noticeable decoration that can occur as a result of the over ingestion of fluoride particularly in children under eight. Use all fluoride treatments, supplements, and tooth pastes as directed. Young children should be taught to use only a pea sized amount of tooth paste and to spit not swallow when brushing.

Experts agree

The American Dental Association (ADA), the United States Public Health Service (USPHS), the American Academy of Pediatric (AAP), and the World Health Organization (WHO), to name a few endorse community water fluoridation. According to CDC the fluoridation of water is one of the 10 greatest public health achievements of the 20th century.  The evidence is clear that in the story of fluoride the good far out weights the bad. Check with your dental professional at  Santa Fe Dental Care  to see if additional fluoride is indicated for you and your family’s optimal mouth health.

 Getting your little angels to take good care of their pearly whites is one of the most important gifts you can give them. It is truly the gift that keeps  on giving. A good place to start is at the very beginning. Experts recommend that you begin cleaning an infant’s mouth even before they have teeth.

That’s right gently wiping the gums and tongue with a soft cloth after meals, begins to establish good oral hygiene; reducing the buildup of plaque and harmful bacteria on the gums and in the mouth. We are all familiar with that clean just brushed feeling, well babies feel it too.  They are happier and healthier overall long before they can talk about it.

The First teeth

When they are a little older six months or so they will begin to “cut” their first teeth. This is a difficult time for some kids (and their parents) as they may find the process a bit uncomfortable. If they are accustomed to routine cleaning it will make this transition much easier. When the little teeth begin to show up a cotton swab can replace the wash cloth. Gently clean each little tooth with a cotton swab for about the first year and then graduating to a soft little brush by age two.

Starting early and being consistent is one of the key factors in ending up with a good brusher. If your child is used to you regularly cleaning and examining their mouth, teaching good brushing will be a breeze. It will also make their first visit to the dentist a much happier occasion.

For good oral hygiene to be achieved and maintained most kids should have help brushing until about age five or six. Brushing well is a little like tying your own shoes; it takes a little while to get it right. With patience, encouragement, and a little time for motor skills to develop, most kids can become independent by the second grade.

The Sooner the Better

If  regular (at least twice daily) teeth cleaning has been established by age three, the next few years while the burden shifts from the parents to the child should go rather smoothly. If you and your brood are a little late to the party do not despair. Most kids will still become great mouth maintenance engineers with the proper coaching and coaxing.

• START TODAY  it is never too early and tomorrow is  late
• Make brushing a fun,  happy, play time activity
• Try having  your kid  brush your teeth, or a dolls  teeth before they brush their own
• Use a pea size amount of child  friendly tooth paste (adult toothpaste can burn  a child’s mouth)
• Teach your child to spit and rinse (swallowing tooth paste regularly can be harmful)
• If you are enthusiastic about brushing it will infect your child Make it FUUUUUUN!!

Regular brushing is the key to controlling plaque and harmful bacteria that can result in tooth decay, loss of teeth, healthy smiles, and happiness.  Good oral hygiene is one of the most important factors in overall physical health and good habits, started young will last a lifetime. The Santa Fe Dental Care team is ready to help with other great tips to keep your kids teeth strong and healthy.

http://thewordfromwestminster.blogspot.com/2011/07/connection-between-dental-hygiene-and.html

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/08/01/oral-hygiene-health-problems_n_914565.html