Category: Oral Health

There is no such thing as a harmless tobacco product. Smokeless Tobacco can cause serious health problems. Just because you are not smoking it, doesn’t mean it can’t be harmful. Many types of cancers, as well as your teeth and overall oral health, are certainly not safe from the adverse effects of tobacco products. 

Types Of Smokeless Tobacco Products 

1. Chewing Tobacco – This involves products that come in the form of dried and usually flavored tobacco which the user chews on or let’s sit in their mouth. Most of the time the user spits out the tobacco juices as nicotine gets absorbed through the tissues of their mouth. 

2. Snuff – Snuff is tobacco that has been finely grounded and placed in a can or pouch. It is usually placed in one’s mouth if moist or inhaled if dry. 

3. Snus – A type of moist snuff which originated in Sweden. Instead of being in a loose container like snuff can be, it is held in small tea-bag-like pouches which are placed into a user’s mouth. It is usually seen as a more discrete version of tobacco use than most other types because the need to spit is not as present. 

4. Dissolvable Tobacco- There are many kinds of dissolvable types of tobacco products that are candy-like, being able to be held in one’s mouth, sucked on, and/or chewed on until dissolved. 

5. Heated Tobacco Products – These products include sticks, capsules, and plugs containing tobacco which operate through a heating mechanism. The heating of these devices causes a release of nicotine and other substances within the tobacco into the user’s lungs. 

What Type Of Health Risks Are Associated With Smokeless Tobacco?

Dental Disease – Smokeless tobacco can have nasty effects on your oral health especially. Cavity-causing sugars and irritants are usually contained in these products. These and the other flecks that make up the products can cause a variety of problems:

• Gum Disease
• Gum Recession
• Bone Recession 
• Bad Breath
• Teeth-Staining
• Tooth Loss

Cancer – Though not directly linked to lung cancer, smokeless tobacco is certainly linked to be a cause of other types of cancers. These include mouth cancer, throat cancer, and pancreas cancer. Smokeless tobacco also can cause leukoplakia patches which are white, blotchy patches which have a high potential to cause cancer. 

Addiction – Just like their smoking counterparts, smokeless tobacco products are highly addictive due to their nicotine content. There is no disparity between the amount of nicotine that can enter one’s system and the type of tobacco product used. 

Other Types of Risks:

• Increased probability of death from stroke and heart disease 
• Risk of early delivery and stillbirth for pregnant women who use
• Poisoning risk in children → The fragrance and appearance of certain tobaccoless products may make them be susceptible to children. When eaten by children, nicotine poisoning can cause a variety of complications including the chance of death.  

Conclusion

As you can see, smokeless tobacco products are just about as bad for you as smoking tobacco products. The harm tobacco products can do extends much farther than just your dental health. Your best course of action is to avoid these types of products altogether. If you need help quitting, do not be afraid to reach out to your doctor to see what they can do to assist you. We are here to help you receive the best dental health, whether you are a smoker or not.

Chemotherapy is the use of drugs to treat cancer. These drugs kill cancer cells, but they may also harm normal cells, including cells in the mouth. Side effects can include problems with your teeth and gums.

What Mouth Problems Can Chemo Cause?

Everyone’s side effects are different, the problems depend on the chemotherapy drugs and how your body reacts to
them. Side effects include:

• Painful mouth and gums
• Dry mouth
• Burning, peeling, or swelling tongue
• Infection
• Change in taste
• Mouth sores
• Difficulty swallowing
• Bleeding gums

When Should I See a Dentist?

You should see the dentist before chemotherapy begins. If you have already started chemotherapy and didn’t go to a dentist, see one as soon as possible. It’s important for your dentist and cancer doctor to talk to each other about your cancer treatment. Be sure to give your dentist your cancer doctor’s phone number.

Tips to Help Keep Mouth Healthy!

Once your treatment starts, it’s important to look in your mouth every day for sores or other changes. These tips can help prevent and treat a sore mouth:

• Keep your mouth moist.
  • Drink a lot of water.
  • Suck ice chips.
• Use sugarless gum or sugar-free hard candy.
• Clean your mouth, tongue, and gums.
• Brush your teeth, gums, and tongue with an extra-soft toothbrush after every meal and at bedtime. If brushing hurts, soften the bristles in warm water.
• Use a fluoride toothpaste.
• Don’t use mouthwashes with alcohol in them.
• Floss your teeth gently every day. If your gums bleed and hurt, avoid the areas that are bleeding or sore, but keep flossing your other teeth.
• Rinse your mouth several times a day with a solution of ¼ teaspoon of salt or 1 teaspoon of baking soda in 1 cup (8 ounces) of warm water. Follow with a plain water rinse.

Managing and treating dental or oral side effects

If you have any dental or oral side effects during treatment, let your health care team know right away. Relieving side effects is an important part of cancer care and treatment. The specific treatment your doctor recommends will depend on your symptoms. There are several common treatments for dental and oral side effects:

• Mouth rinses that contain salt and baking soda may help treat mouth sores.
• Pain medications may also be used to treat pain from mouth sores. Medications may be placed directly on the sores, taken by mouth, or given through an IV.
• Antibiotics, antiviral drugs, and/or antifungal drugs are used to treat infections.
• Drinking water and sugarless drinks may help manage dry mouth. Sucking on ice chips or having sugar-free chewing gum with xylitol may also help. Avoid things that will dry out the mouth, such as soda, fruit juice, cigarettes, chewing tobacco, and alcohol.
• Medications that make saliva may help some people prevent or lessen dry mouth. Topical oral gels or other medications may help dry mouth caused by radiation therapy to the head and neck.

The bottom line is that you should see the dentist before chemotherapy begins. It’s important for your dentist and cancer doctor to work together to ensure you have minimal side effects and keep you as comfortable as possible. If you have any questions or concerns please contact our office. Noll Family Dentistry is here to help, always.

Long-term stress can certainly hurt your health both physically and emotionally but one thing many people don’t know is that it can also be bad for your teeth and mouth. It’s important to pinpoint the causes of your stress and know your body’s early warning signs. Paying attention to oral symptoms of stress can provide clues to how it’s affecting the rest of your body.

6 ways stress affects your teeth

1. Teeth grinding and clenching: If you grind your teeth, you probably do it while you sleep. It’s a common oral health problem. It can cause headaches, a sore jaw, and damage to your teeth. Severe teeth grinding can cause loose teeth or even broken or lost teeth. Stress and anxiety are major causes of teeth grinding.

2. Gum disease: Stress can lower your immune system and increase your risk for infection in the mouth, including gum disease. Taking extra care when you can’t visit a dentist for regular cleanings can help keep bacterial plaque levels down in your mouth. 

3. TMJ: Disorders of the jaw joint or chewing muscles. These can cause pain around the ear or face. Swelling or stiffness in these joints can cause a TMJ disorder. Symptoms can include pain, clicking, and popping. Stress is a major cause of TMJ problems. For instance, stress can cause you to clench your jaw and grind your teeth. The increased stress can also lead to tight muscles in the neck and that further aggravates discomfort. 

4. Dry mouth: A dry, hot, and burning feeling in your mouth. Stress, anxiety, and depression may be part of the problem. Dry mouth syndrome is more common in women after menopause, so hormone changes may also be involved. Stress-related smoking and drinking can make burning mouth worse.

5. Canker sores: which are caused by the herpes simplex virus HSV-1. Triggers include vitamin B deficiency and any type of mouth injury or irritation. Several studies now show that stress is another big trigger for canker sores. You may be able to reduce canker sores by reducing stress.

6. Nail-Biting: A stress-related habit that can be harmful to your oral health and your overall health. Nail-biting can move your teeth out of position. It can also damage your teeth. Adding the germs from your fingernails to the germs in your mouth can lead to mouth infections. You can even spread warts from your hands to your mouth. Viruses and bacteria that get picked up on your hands can spread to the rest of your body.

Limit stress:

Every step you take to reduce stress helps your system from head to toe. Make sure you get adequate sleep, include daily physical activity, deep breathing or meditation, and spend time connecting with family. 

Contact us at Noll Family Dentistry if you have any questions or concerns about your dental health!

Most mouthwashes advertise their tingling sensation as a sign that the product is working. But for many people, using mouthwash doesn’t feel refreshing it feels painful, and it burns. If you switch to a mouthwash that doesn’t contain alcohol but still experience the burning sensation, you may be sensitive to one of the other active ingredients in your oral rinse.

Reasons mouthwash may burn

A lot of popular mouthwash ingredients include chlorhexidine, which may reduce plaque and help fight gingivitis, as well as cetylpyridinium chloride, which kills bad-breath-causing bacteria. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has also documented a rare but severe allergy that some people may have to chlorhexidine.

Whitening mouthwashes often contain hydrogen peroxide. Other ingredients like essential oils, peppermint oil, eucalyptus oil, and thyme oil can be added to freshen breath. All of those ingredients can cause your oral rinse to burn as you use it.

In mouthwash with alcohol, it is there to kill bacteria and sanitize your mouth. But pure alcohol alone isn’t enough to kill all the bad bacteria that can cause bad breath and gingivitis. Alcohol is usually just one of the active ingredients in mouthwash. They can still include the other mint flavor ingredients and oils which for some people can cause unbearable burning.

Do all mouthwashes burn?

Not all mouthwashes cause burning, but your level of sensitivity to different ingredients might make it difficult to find one that doesn’t cause any burning symptoms.

Alcohol isn’t a necessary ingredient for an effective, bacteria-killing mouthwash. Some oral rinses are made without alcohol and can be more gentle on your tongue, mouth, and gums. Most of the leading mouthwash brands make alcohol-free formulas.

Menthol isn’t a necessary ingredient in mouthwash either. Oral rinses that are menthol-free, mint-free, or flavorless are readily available and sold wherever you typically buy your mouthwash. You might need to try a few different formulas before you find an oral rinse that you like.

The Takeaway

It’s not unusual for mouthwash to burn as you rinse your mouth with it. Ingredients like alcohol and menthol, which cause the burning sensation, are often found in mouthwash. Even though it’s not usually a cause for concern, there are plenty of alternative mouthwashes that you can purchase if your mouthwash is painful to use.

Using a mouthwash does not take the place of optimal brushing and flossing. Mouthwashes may offer additional benefit in terms of reducing the risk of bad breath, cavities, or gum disease; or for relief of dry mouth or pain from oral sores.

Always follow the instructions on your mouthwash, and ask a dentist for a mouthwash recommendation if you have difficulty finding one that works for you. You should also look for a mouthwash with the American Dental Association’s Seal of Acceptance.

Have you ever felt pain or discomfort after a bite of ice cream or a spoonful of hot soup? If so, you’re not alone. While pain caused by hot or cold foods could be a sign of a cavity, it’s also common in people who have sensitive teeth. When you have sensitive teeth, certain activities, such as brushing, eating, and drinking, can cause sharp, temporary pain in your teeth. Sensitive teeth are typically the result of worn tooth enamel or exposed tooth roots. It may be time to talk to your dentist about your sensitive teeth.

To be able to treat the sensitivity, it helps to know what might be the source of the pain.

Your Dentist Might Recommend Trying:

• Desensitizing toothpaste – After several applications, desensitizing toothpaste can sometimes help block pain associated with sensitive teeth. There are a variety of products available over-the-counter.
• Fluoride – Your dentist might apply fluoride to the sensitive areas of your teeth to strengthen tooth enamel and reduce pain.
• Desensitizing or bonding – Occasionally, exposed root surfaces can be treated by applying bonding resin to the sensitive root surfaces. A local anesthetic might be needed.
• Surgical gum graft – If your tooth root has lost gum tissue, a small amount of gum tissue can be taken from elsewhere in your mouth and attached to the affected site. This can protect exposed roots and reduce sensitivity.
• Root canal – If your sensitive teeth cause severe pain and other treatments aren’t effective, your dentist might recommend a root canal — a procedure used to treat problems in the tooth’s soft core (dental pulp). While this might seem like a significant treatment, it’s considered the most successful technique for eliminating tooth sensitivity.

Take Care Of Tooth Enamel:

• Don’t brush too hard: Side-to-side brushing right at the gum line can make your enamel go away faster. You should use a soft-bristled brush and work at a 45-degree angle to your gum to keep enamel clean and strong.
• Unclench your teeth: Over time, teeth grinding wears away your enamel. Your dentist can fit you for a splint or a mouthguard.
• Take a break from bleaching: Sensitivity from bleaching is usually temporary. Talk to your dentist about how the treatment might be affecting you, and whether you should continue it.
• Avoid acidic foods and drinks: Carbonated drinks, citrus fruits, and wine all of which can remove small amounts of tooth enamel over time. When you drink acidic liquids, use a straw to limit contact with your teeth. After eating or drinking an acidic substance, drink water to balance the acid levels in your mouth.

Instead, snack on:

• Fiber-rich fruits and vegetables
• Cheese
• Milk
• Plain yogurt

These will moisten your mouth and help fight acid and bacteria that can eat away at your teeth. You can also drink green or black tea or chew sugarless gum. If you do eat something acidic, don’t rush to brush. Wait an hour or so to strengthen before you scrub.

If your case is serious, your dentist might suggest a root canal. It’s also important not to shy away from dental care because of tooth pain. Ignoring your teeth can make things worse. Brush and floss twice a day to help keep your smile bright and pain-free. And see your dentist for a checkup twice a year! Call us at Noll Family Dentistry to schedule an appointment!

Although charcoal toothpaste is getting a lot of attention and press lately, it’s not more effective than other toothpastes and at-home whitening products on the market. It’s become a trendy ingredient in commercial face masks and scrubs, and some people also vouch for it whitening their teeth.

Activated charcoal is a fine grain powder made from wood, coconut shells, and other natural substances that are oxidized under extreme heat. There are many charcoal toothpaste products available today. It’s highly absorbent and used medically to absorb and remove toxins. But does it really work for teeth whitening?

Does it work?

There’s a difference between removing surface stains and whitening. Surface stains, also known as extrinsic stains, come from the usual suspects: coffee, red wine, tobacco, and dark-colored foods and drinks. They live on the enamel layer and can generally be removed with toothpastes or surface whitening treatments. Activated charcoal in toothpaste may help remove surface stains on your teeth. Charcoal is mildly abrasive and is also able to absorb surface stains to some degree. There is no evidence, though, that it has any effect on stains below a tooth’s enamel, or that it has a natural whitening effect.

Deeper, intrinsic stains are dark coloring that comes from within the tooth, sometimes as a result of trauma, weak enamel, certain types of medication, and even overuse of fluoride. Think of these as the underlying color of your teeth; no matter how dedicated you are to whitening the surface, a major lightening of tooth color can only come from bleaching treatments that penetrate below the outer surface of teeth.

While activated charcoal does have some proven benefits, there isn’t enough scientific evidence to include teeth whitening as one of them.

Is charcoal toothpaste safe in the long run? 

More research is needed on the long-term effects of charcoal toothpaste. Here’s what we do know about charcoal toothpaste so far:

• Charcoal toothpaste is too abrasive for everyday use. Using a material that’s too abrasive on your teeth can wear down your enamel.
• Most charcoal toothpaste brands don’t contain fluoride. Fluoride helps keep your tooth enamel strong, which helps to protect your teeth against cavities and decay.
• It may cause staining on some teeth. Charcoal particles could accumulate in the cracks and crevices of older teeth.
• Charcoal’s effect on dental restorations isn’t known. It’s not yet known how charcoal affects the materials used to make veneers, bridges, crowns, and white fillings.

There are also concerns about the abrasiveness of charcoal, which some say could damage enamel if used regularly, as well as charcoal’s tendency to absorb all sorts of things it comes into contact with, including good things like medications. Others argue that charcoal isn’t specifically bad for teeth, it simply won’t do much for your smile in the longterm since the active ingredient isn’t in contact with the tooth surface for enough time to have a meaningful whitening effect. 

The Takeaway:

If you have educated yourself about the potential dangers of charcoal teeth whitening but still want to give it a try, ask your dentist for recommendations. Your dentist can help you select from the at-home and in-office teeth whitening treatments that are available. If you and your dentist choose a teeth whitening method together, you don’t have to worry about the risk of unsafe ingredients or enamel erosion.

Contact us at Noll Family Dentistry with any questions or to make an appointment!

Short answer: Yes, your dentist will want to ensure your mouth is healthy and that any problems such as cavities are taken care of to avoid complications and to make your whitened smile last longer!

Whitening teeth is a very popular procedure that we perform for patients who are looking to brighten up their smile. You may decide to whiten your teeth prior to a big event such as a wedding or class reunion, or if you’re planning to go on a job hunt and intent to go into interviews. You may just want to brighten up your smile as a treat to yourself!

Before getting your teeth professionally whitened by a dentist, you should have a dental exam.

When you go to a dentist for professional teeth whitening, your dentist will want to perform an exam to determine the overall health of your teeth, gums, and mouth. This exam will allow them to identify and treat any underlying causes for the initial discoloration of your teeth as well as any problems with your teeth such as decay, cavities, gum disease, and other dental issues. 

This pre-whitening dental exam will also allow your dentist to identify if you have any existing crowns, restorations, implants, or other restorative work that may require your dentist to work to change them to match the results of your whitening treatment for a pearly-white smile!

Treating these other issues will help to keep your mouth healthier and add to the success of your teeth whitening treatment. It will also make the maintenance and additional whitening treatments more effective when you need to “touch-up” your smile in the future. 

Dental exams before teeth whitening: conclusion

When you have a thorough dental exam by your dentist before a teeth whitening treatment, your dentist can help to treat any problems in your mouth before the treatment to provide a better whitening result. This exam can also identify reasons that your teeth are stained and your dentist can work with you to lessen the factors that lead to the staining in the first place.

Teeth Whitening in Carlisle: Contact us today to set-up your professional whitening treatment or ask your dentist the next time you’re at your regular appointment!

Is an electric toothbrush worth it? In this article, we will break down the differences between electric and manual brushes. You can certainly efficiently brush your teeth with a manual toothbrush, but there may be some advantages electric brushes have that could make you want to opt for them instead. What’s most important is that you’re brushing your teeth every day, so be sure to choose what you are comfortable with. 

Advantages of An Electric Toothbrush:

One of the biggest advantages of electric brushes is their ability to lower the workload of brushing. Because electric toothbrushes move on their own, they are able to cover areas without you having to move much. This can greatly assist people with certain limited physical capabilities, such as someone with arthritis. Some also have built-in timers which allow you to brush for an effective amount of time compared to just guessing. 

Multiple studies show electric toothbrushes generally are capable of decreasing plaque and bacteria at better effectiveness than manual ones. This is especially true of oscillating toothbrushes. These are toothbrushes that rotate, usually with the top bristles rotating one way and the bottom the other. 

Disadvantages of An Electric Toothbrush:

The main con of electric toothbrushes is the price. Most run from $20 upward to $250. Cheaper disposable brushes can be around $5 – $10, which even then is much more than you should be paying for manual toothbrushes. Manual brushes are easily obtainable at just $1 or possibly even less. 

So, What Should You Choose?

Depending on your goals with brushing, this higher price point may be worth it to you depending on the features the electric toothbrushes have. It is important that you choose whatever brush will assist you in your needs and help you brush more. 

Contact us today at Noll Family Dentistry if you have any questions!

It’s not uncommon to visit your dentist and be surprised when they discover a cavity you didn’t know was there. In the absence of pain, it might not always be easy to figure out that something is wrong. Besides, cavities are supposed to hurt, right? As it turns out, although a cavity might not be causing you a great deal of pain, it’s possible for there to be a very real problem.

Cavities are areas of your tooth that have suffered tooth decay. They might appear as tiny openings or holes in your teeth. They can be caused by a number of different things such as bacteria, snacking often, drinking a lot of sugary drinks, or missing brushings. They can also occur when the proper tooth brushing methods aren’t followed.

Signs and symptoms of a cavity

The signs that you might have a cavity depend on the location of the cavity and the extent of the decay. A cavity might be asymptomatic as it’s just beginning to develop. As it progresses though, you might experience one of these symptoms:

• Spontaneous toothache that happens without any apparent cause
• Sensitivity to temperature
• Mild or sharp pain when you eat or drink something sweet, hot, or cold
• Visible holes or pits in your teeth
• Pain when you bite down
• Brown, black, or white staining on any surface of a tooth

The pain mentioned in those symptoms above usually are a good indicator that something is wrong. However, that pain may take some time to become noticeable. There are plenty of cases where the tooth decay begins but doesn’t cause any discomfort for several weeks or months. At the beginning of the decay process, enamel is the first part of the tooth to be worn down. Enamel is the outer most part of your tooth and the part which you can see. It’s possible for the tooth decay to wear down the enamel without causing any noticeable pain.

As the decay process progresses though, the decay can reach the dentin, which is one of the inner layers of the tooth. Dentin is much softer than enamel and contains pathways to the nerve of the tooth. Once the infection from the tooth decay reaches this part of the tooth, it becomes necessary to receive a root canal to get rid of the infected pulp and receive the pain.

Although it’s possible for a cavity to progress without causing pain and discomfort, it’s important to talk to your dentist about your options for treating a cavity before it becomes more of a problem. Even without pain, damage can certainly still be done. One of the best steps to take is to ensure you’re brushing properly and often.

Taking care of your oral health is the best way to prevent a cavity. We also recommend seeing your dentist regularly. Early detection of cavities and tooth decay can save you discomfort down the road and keep your smile looking its best!

Due to pressure and drainage, sinus infections can commonly cause tooth pain. The upper rear teeth are especially vulnerable to tooth pain severe enough to ache due to the closeness of them to your sinuses. Usually, these types of infections affect multiple teeth, spreading from the upper level down to affecting your lower teeth as well. Compared to this, a non-sinus-related toothache usually affects an individual tooth in a more severe manner. 

How To Relieve Sinus Toothache Pain:

The effects of sinus toothaches are known to escalate due to certain types of movement, due to shifting sinus pressure. Because of this, one of the best ways to relieve pain is to limit movement. Pain may ease when sitting in a stationary position or lying down. There are also a few other remedies that you can try before opting for traditional treatment. 

Here are some things you can try to ease pain: 

• Flush Out Your Sinuses – Using premixed over-the-counter saline solution can help out your sinuses by moisturizing them and clearing out allergens in your nasal pathway. You shouldn’t be too reliant on these products, as they can cause congestion to rebound and be even worse than before if used for more than a short timeframe. 

• Drink More Fluids – Water especially is essential in relieving the severity of a sinus infection. When you are properly hydrated pressure is released and drippage will be reduced. 

• Hot Liquids and Steam – Along with water, drinks like hot tea and eating soup can help greatly comfort the affected areas. Hot showers are also very helpful in a similar way due to the steam releasing pressure and opening up your nasal cavity. 

What To Do If You Have A Persistent Toothache: 

If your tooth pain persists after trying the previous methods, we highly recommend you contact and schedule a visit with a dentist. Toothaches due to a sinus infection can last around 7-10 days, so be sure to contact them if your symptoms persist longer than this timeframe. There may be other underlying causes for your teeth pain. Your dentist will be able to identify the root of the issue and provide you with the proper treatment for your specific situation.

Contact us at Noll Family Dentistry with any questions or to schedule an appointment. We want to get you back to being pain-free as soon as possible!