Worldwide Systemic Review Confirms Benefits

Dental professionals have seen research supporting the evidence of the benefits of fluoride. It is known that fluoride helps prevent tooth decay by slowing the breakdown of enamel and increasing the rate of the remineralization process, making the enamel more resistant to acid. While dentists see the effects of fluoride in their general practice, can this be proved by statistics? Research is still ongoing and needs to be constantly systemically reviewed.

In 2016, the Cochrane Oral Health Group published its most recent review in which the objective was to determine the effectiveness and safety of fluoride mouthrinses in preventing dental caries in the child and adolescent population. This review included 37 trials involving 15,813 children and adolescents from different countries and spread over two to three years. Mostly trials based in schools and under supervision, the children were tested with sodium fluoride mouthrinses in specific concentrations.

There appear to be no significant differences regarding baseline caries severity, background exposure to fluorides, rinsing frequency or fluoride concentration. It confirmed that supervised, regular use of a fluoride mouthrinse can reduce tooth decay in both children and adolescents.

The combined results showed a 27% reduction in dental caries in subjects with decayed, missing and filled tooth surfaces when compared to another group that didn’t use fluoride mouthrinses. There was limited information on adverse effects or tolerance of children to the rinsing. The trial didn’t include children with primary teeth. Hence, there’s still room for more research.

The review has demonstrated the beneficial effects of fluoridated mouthrinses and more and more dentists trust the use of this compound in their practise.

Issaquah Dentists and Evidence-based Care

Over at Meadow Creek Dental, our professionals are in sync with trends and latest research findings in the dental field. When it comes to products and tools to advance patient care, we are always at the forefront of continuing education. Learn more about the benefits of fluoride mouthwash from your Issaquah dentist.

Most Common Dental Emergencies among Kids

Yes, it is very distressing when your little child encounters a dental emergency. These accidents are extremely common among children at two points in their development. Firstly crucial is that period between 18 to 40 months when exploration begins, and the second being that of the preadolescent to adolescent stage when sports injuries happen.

So what are the most common emergencies to expect? Toothache is the most commonplace among children across all ages and doesn’t happen without reason. Most times, it’s due to tooth fractures, tooth decay, tooth trauma, and wisdom teeth eruption. A dental visit is in order. There’s what’s called a tooth avulsion or when a tooth gets knocked-out. Right away the dentist will attempt to reimplant the tooth if it’s a permanent one; otherwise not, if it is a primary (or baby’s) tooth, less it will only damage the emerging permanent tooth bud just after it.

Then there are occasions of tooth intrusion, or the tooth is pushed upwards into the jaw bone. The force might be great enough to tear the ligaments and fracture the socket. Whether it is a primary or a permanent tooth involvement, the dentist may perform root canal treatment to save the tooth.

Tooth luxation is a lateral displacement where the tooth remains in its socket but is unnaturally inclined.It might be due to trauma that could fracture the bone underneath. A primary tooth partially out of its socket will heal on its own. The dentist, though, should save a permanent tooth and prevent infection. A dental concussion occurs after a bang, knock or fall that may not displace any tooth and didn’t cause fracture. However, if it involves a toddler’s teeth, discoloration can occur.

Crown fractures, from enamel cracks to pulp exposure, are also common emergencies. The dentist will immediately treat according to the level of involvement. Root fractures are determined by X-rays and depending on the child’s discomfort, the dentist will monitor and treat, or extract the tooth in certain scenarios. Other conditions like fractured jaw, head injury or head trauma, and uncontrolled bleeding from cuts or injury to the cheek, lips or tongue require immediate medical attention. A trip to the Emergency Room of a hospital is in order.

Do You have a Child Dental Emergency?

Don’t be agitated or frightened. Just call your Issaquah dentist right away who will tell you what to do and properly guide you. Or drop by Meadow Creek Dental – emergencies are our priority.

From Color to Cancer

As a dental professional, our Issaquah dentist, will encourage the smoker to kick the habit. Teeth show the visible signs of this deadly addiction quite clearly. Nicotine and tar components attach themselves to tooth surfaces, become sticky and attract food debris and bacteria. They become colonized areas where underneath the decay cavities form, usually in the backs of the teeth and under the gums.

Hardened and resistant to routine brushing and flossing, they turn brownish. The decrease saliva flow of smokers is incapable of hydrating the mouth or washing away cigarette debris.

Apart from the yellowish coloring of tooth surfaces and the accompanying undesirable breath, more serious effects of smoking are predictable. Smokers have a higher risk for gingivitis and periodontal disease. Their oral healing capacities are delayed, salivary glands are blocked, and loss of bone in their jaws is hastened.

This is not to mention the risk for oral cancer – which may involve the throat, tongue, jaw bone, or floor of the mouth. Not a pretty picture.

Getting the Assistance you need to quit smoking

Our dentists at Meadow Creek Dental, are a team of caring professionals who care about not just your oral health, but the overall health of our patients. Come over for a cleaning and, possibly, a whitening to start you off fresh.

When you come in for your appointment, mentioning that you do smoke or you are a nicotine user, we may keep an eye out for other concerns related to those who smoke.

Hiding your Teeth is Hiding your Smile

Consider what you eat and drink every single day. Those bits of food, sugars, and carbohydrates stuck in tight spaces are a beacon for bacterial growth. In no time, they harden, and a chain of events under-neath the calculus may start the process you might not be able to reverse. Certainly you brush and floss but are you conscientious enough? Are you doing the routine properly? Is it regular and consistent? Are you using the right bristled-brush? Is your flossing style really effective? Do you even keep your dental appointments? Some form of negligence or other on your part can lead to dental problems from pin-point caries to loss of teeth.

Proper oral hygiene cannot be stressed enough and one must regard the simple daily brushing and flossing as the foundation of overall good oral health. And the fruit is the smile. It’s quite a shame to hiding that because your teeth and gums are not in top form.

Issaquah Dental Practice promotes Brushing and Flossing

Your Issaquah dentist at Meadow Creek Dental knows how one’s state of dental health correlates to self-esteem. The practice has surely thrived all these years on the trust and patronage of its clientele, delivering top-notch dental services. But then, Dr. Dipti Srivastava and her entire staff can only harp on prevention more than the cure. Brushing and flossing are still at the top of the list of good oral hygiene practices.