Category: Oral Health

Approximately 29.1 million people in the United States have diabetes? Also, around 1.7 million new cases are diagnosed each year and 8.1 million people living with diabetes don’t even know they have it.

So what does this have to do with your smile and how can you protect it? 

If diabetes is left untreated, it can take a toll on your mouth. Here’s how:

• You may have less saliva, causing your mouth to feel dry. (Dry mouth is also caused by certain medications.)
• Because saliva protects your teeth, you’re also at a higher risk of cavities.
• Gums may become inflamed and bleed often (gingivitis).
• You may have problems tasting food.
• You may experience delayed wound healing.
• You may be susceptible to infections inside of your mouth.
• For children with diabetes, teeth may erupt at an age earlier than is typical.

Diabetics are more prone to gum disease:

Bacteria in your gums can lead to periodontal disease. This chronic, inflammatory disease can destroy your gums, all the tissues holding your teeth, and even your bones.

Periodontal disease is the most common dental disease affecting those living with diabetes, affecting nearly 22% of those diagnosed. In fact, people with diabetes are at a higher risk for gum problems because of poor blood sugar control. As with all infections, serious gum disease may cause blood sugar to rise. This makes diabetes harder to control because you are more susceptible to infections and are less able to fight the bacteria invading the gums.

How do your gums affect blood sugar?

The American Dental Association (ADA) published research that suggests gum disease can raise your blood sugar. Their research compared people with healthy gums and people with active gum disease. They found that people who had active gum disease had higher long-term blood sugar levels. Researchers believe that harmful oral bacteria can be introduced into the bloodstream more easily through infected gum tissue. That bacteria, which flows through the bloodstream, triggers your body’s immune system to produce molecules that raise blood sugar. That harmful bacteria can be introduced into your body by simply brushing or eating!

How your dentist can help you fight diabetes:

Research suggests that treating gum disease can help improve blood sugar control in patients living with diabetes, decreasing the progression of the disease. Practicing good oral hygiene and having professional deep cleanings done by your dentist can help to lower your HbA1c.

According to the Oral Cancer Foundation, approximately 53,000 Americans will be diagnosed with oral oropharyngeal cancer in 2020. They estimate that it will cause over close to 10,000 deaths. In the late stages, mouth cancer can be life-threatening, which is why early diagnosis is so important.

Because early detection is the key to early-stage diagnosis, your dentist is an important health partner in oral cancer detection.

How is it detected by my dentist?

When you visit your dental office, your dental professionals are screening for cancer.  At your cleaning appointment, your hygienist performs a cancer screening and reports suspicious areas to your dentist before your exam. Your dentist also performs a cancer exam and will refer you to an oral surgeon if they feel the discovered lesion or bump should be tested. Those abnormalities can be tested through a biopsy, which can definitively determine whether cancer cells are present.

Because mouth cancer symptoms can often seem like other less serious conditions, it can be missed early, which is why self-awareness is so important. Self-examination is also a way to detect abnormalities as well. So, if you have a sore, lump, or pain that doesn’t go away in about two weeks, you should seek an examination by your dentist or physician. 

Can it be treated?

Yes, oral cancer can be treated like other forms of cancer.

Your oral surgeon can perform a biopsy and remove the abnormal lesion or growth. If it is determined to be cancerous, patients are referred to an oncologist, a cancer specialist. Typically, post-surgery treatment involves treatment such as radiation and/or chemotherapy. 

Common Symptoms:

• Mouth or lip sores that do not heal after 14 days.
• Unusual red or whitish spots inside the mouth/tongue that cannot be wiped away.
• Unusual bleeding or pain inside the mouth/around gums.
• Lumps or bumps inside the mouth & lip or outside the mouth, head, and neck.
• Chronic sore throat or feeling of thickness in your throat.
• Voice changes or hoarseness.
• Trouble chewing and swallowing.

Common Risks for Oral Cancer:

• Age – Patients who are over the age of 55 are at higher risk.
• Gender – Men are at twice the risk as women.
• Tobacco Use – Tobacco users are 50 times more likely to develop oral cancer!
• Excessive Alcohol Consumption –mouth cancer is more likely in people who drink alcohol vs non-drinkers.  Some studies show that excessive alcohol users are up to 6 times more likely to get oral cancer.
• Human Papillomavirus (HPV) – Cases of oral cancer associated with HPV are rising, especially in younger people. 
• UV Exposure – Cancerous lesions around lips are more common in those who have had excessive sun exposure from a young age.

In addition to common risk factors, new research is also finding that there may be links between oral cancer and poor nutrition, and poor oral health. So, regular dental visits can help not only detect but also help reduce your risk for oral cancer.

Studies have shown that over 30% of the population suffers from dental fear with 12% having extreme fear, called odontophobia.  

Dental-related anxiety is the number one reason why patients do not seek regular care. But staying away from the dentist can hurt more than just your teeth. Dental care is important for good overall health. So, avoiding the dentist could be making you unhealthy!  

Dental anxiety = Dental Avoidance = Dental Problems!

Take steps toward overcoming your dental fears by:

• Recognizing signs of dental phobia.
• Realizing what causes your fears.
• Discovering tips on how you can help yourself reduce your fears.
• Learning ways that your dental office can help.

FAQs about Dental Fear

What Are Some Signs of Dental Anxiety?

• Avoiding Dental Visits — Do you often skip regular visits?
• Problems Sleeping the Night Before a Dental Appointment – Does the idea of an upcoming dental cleaning have you worried for days and especially the night before?
• Uneasy Feeling in the Waiting Room – Do you feel those butterflies in your stomach or even feel a bit nauseous?
• Uncomfortable in the Chair –– Once you sit in the chair, do you ever feel lightheaded, nervous, or out of breath?  

What are the Common Reasons for Dental Anxiety?  

• Fear of Pain/Needle Fear – You should know that now there are so many new ways to treat patients painlessly.  
• Worries about Expenses – Just know that dental problems usually get more expensive the longer you wait for treatment.  
• Bad Past Experiences — Unfortunately, bad experiences happen, which is why finding a caring and compassionate dental office is important.
• Embarrassed about Your Teeth – While it is understandable to be self-conscious, don’t worry because your dental office is a no-judgment zone!  

How Can I Reduce My Dental Fears?

• Communicate Your Fears – Your dental office staff wants to help. So, don’t be afraid to let them know when you make or arrive for an appointment that you have dental fears. It will help them to help you feel more comfortable.
• Schedule Early Appointments – Scheduling the earliest appointment of the day helps in two ways, by allowing you to be seen promptly and to get it out of the way and enjoy the rest of your day.
• Consider Food Choices — Avoid caffeine right before a dental visit because it can make you feel more anxious. Choose high-protein foods vs. high sugar foods because high-protein foods can produce a calmer feeling.
• Bring Headphones – Listening to music or a podcast can help distract you from some of the sights and sounds of the dental chair.
• Practice Breathing Exercises – In the chair, practice a calming breathing technique called “4-6 Breathing.” Inhale slowly for 4 breathes and exhale slowly for 6 breaths for about one minute before you start your treatment.

If you suffer from dental fears, consider choosing a dental office that is committed to:

• Creating a Calm Experience 
• Gently Managing Your Pain
• Considering Your Needs
• Taking the Time to Listen

Our dental office will go the extra mile to ensure that you feel comfortable, your dental fears will slowly fade. Who knows, you might even look forward to visiting your dentist!

How Missing Teeth Can Change Facial Shape & Increase Aged Appearance

Most of us realize that replacing missing teeth creates a nicer looking smile.  But did you know that replacing teeth is just as important for your appearance because missing teeth can essentially change the shape of the face?

In healthy mouths with no missing teeth, the roots of the teeth are supported by the jawbone. When teeth are missing, the jawbone is slowly shrinking, which results in decreased facial support. So, with every tooth that is lost, bone and facial muscle support are lost too, which can change the way you look. Without teeth to support, facial collapse such as sunken or sagging cheeks may start to show, which can make us look older than we really are.  

The Importance of Replacing Missing Teeth:

In addition to facial profile support, our teeth serve to aid in chewing, digestion, speaking, and even boosting self-esteem. Studies have shown that tooth loss can have a negative impact on our self-esteem. 

Since we know that teeth keep your facial muscles and bones intact, it makes sense that there is a relationship between missing teeth and signs of early aging. Without the support that your teeth provide, your mouth and cheeks can sink, shrink, and sag, which is often called, facial collapse.

Missing teeth also form gaps. While a few teeth gaps may seem insignificant, gaps allow for shifting of existing teeth, which affects facial support as well. So even if you lose only a few back teeth, those teeth can shift and cause a domino effect that can change your front tooth position as well. Gaps in front teeth can negatively affect our appearance.

Unfortunately, an aged facial appearance is not the only problem with missing teeth. Tooth loss also causes lifestyle changes as well. Without full tooth support, people find it hard to chew, speak, or smile. Rather than merely an inconvenience, tooth loss can become a major hindrance to each additional tooth loss.

Missing Teeth Can Make You Look Older:

Aging facial appearance is a lesser-known problem that people think about when they lose their teeth.  

Signs of premature aging due to tooth loss include the following facial profile changes:

• Facial angles – When we lose teeth, we also lose the height of the jawbone, which lowers the facial height too. Change in angulation can alter face shape and make noses appear larger. Loss of shape can make the face appear sunken or hallowed.
• Facial wrinkles – Facial angulation changes can cause increased vertical lines that make us appear older than we really are.
• Bite Changes – Tooth loss causes changes in how teeth come together. A deterioration in the bite can create a harsher facial appearance because the corners of our mouth lose shape.
• Frown Appearance – The loss of shape around mouth corners can make you appear unhappy or even angry without knowing it.
• Chin rotation – Bite deterioration can cause a forward shift in the chin that creates a pointed looking appearance.
• Cheek jowls – When some of the jawbone is lost, it causes muscle ligaments to weaken, which allows for the sagging of facial tissue.
• Thinning lips – Without teeth to support the appearance of full lips, they can appear thin. In addition, weakened muscles around the mouth with missing teeth can make lips appear longer rather than fuller, which makes us look older.

Help to Prevent Premature Aging by Replacing Missing Teeth:

While tooth replacement options have been available for a long time, traditional replacement options like partials and dentures do not address missing jawbone. While dentures replace the visible part of the missing tooth, they do not replace the roots that are within the jawbone. That means that dentures cannot prevent further bone loss even though they replace the look of missing teeth.

Fortunately, a replacement option called a dental implant is available that not only replaces missing teeth but also missing jawbone support as well. Dental implants actually act like tooth roots because they integrate with the jawbone to allow for full bone support just like your own teeth. After an implant is placed, your dentist places a crown over it, which then replaces the tooth root and visible missing tooth.

Having increased jawbone support through implant placement helps to preserve or reshape your face for a more natural and youthful appearance! Call us at 717-243-9020 for more information.

Dental x-rays or radiographs are an important part of your dental care. Along with an oral examination, they provide your dentist with a more complete view of what’s happening in your mouth.

BENEFITS OF X- RAYS

Dental x-rays give your dentist a picture of your hard tissues (teeth and bones) and the soft tissues that surround your teeth and jawbones.

According to the American Dental Association, x-rays can show tooth decay, fillings, gum disease, and types of tumors. Dental radiographs can also alert your dentist to changes in your hard and soft tissues. In children, radiographs allow the dentist to see how their teeth and jawbones are developing. Early detection of an infection or injury also can limit or prevent further damage to other areas of the mouth.

SAFETY OF DENTAL X-RAYS

Many wonder if dental x-rays are safe because they expose the patient to radiation. The ADA states that the amount of radiation used to obtain dental radiographs is very small. Dentists follow the ALARA principle, which stands for “As Low As Reasonably Achievable,” when obtaining radiographs. This radiation safety principle limits your exposure by incorporating the following techniques: use of the fastest image receptor (that is, the fastest film speed or digital speed); reduction in the size of the x-ray beam to the size of the image receptor whenever possible; use of proper exposure and processing techniques; duse of leaded aprons and, whenever possible, thyroid collars.

Your dentist will decide when radiographs are needed on the basis of your oral examination findings, any symptoms you report, a review of your health history, your risk of experiencing oral disease, your age, or any combination of the preceding.

Call Noll Family Dentistry at 717.243.9020 for more information or to schedule your next appointment! We look forward to seeing you.

What do you do when you have a broken tooth? Though teeth are resilient, tooth fractures or breaks can still occur. There are multiple ways this can happen. Biting too hard, untreated cavities, and being hit in the mouth are some of the most common ways fractures or breaks take place.

What you can do for a broken or fractured tooth:

For a fractured tooth, there is really nothing you can do to actually fix it except go see the dentist. Even if a fracture looks small there could be an underlying fracture that negatively affects the nerve. There are some things you can do to alleviate pain until you are able to go to the dentist’s office:

Rinse Your Mouth. This helps clean away some of the broken tooth debris and helps to sanitize the now exposed area.

Apply Pressure To Reduce Bleeding. Use gauze and apply enough pressure so that the bleeding from the injury diminishes or stops.

Take pain killers sparingly. You’ll most likely want or even feel that you need to take pain killers to numb the sensation from the fractured tooth. This is perfectly understandable, just be sure to not use more than the recommended dosage.

What the dentist can do for a fractured or broken tooth

Before doing anything with the tooth or teeth will be examined to see what type of break occurred and the severity of it. We take a look through x-rays then determine the best course of action for the patient.

If a fracture is not too severe, it is usually able to be restored using a composite filling material in the missing area.

The fracture is sometimes too bad to be recovered with this method, then a crown procedure is the next available option. Crowns are coverings made of porcelain that encompass the tooth and protect them. This helps prevent the tooth from fracturing more and from future breakdown.

Sometimes even this method is not enough and an extraction of the tooth may be required. This is a simple procedure done with anesthesia. The only sensation you should feel is pressure on the area being operated on.

Want to learn more or looking for dental care in the Carlisle, PA area? Give us a call!

Why should you replace your missing teeth? When talking about replacing teeth, it is always valuable to both the patient and the provider. This stems further than just doing it to make yourself look better. Replacing missing teeth can deter a variety of problems that are caused when they are left unchecked.

Why Replace Missing Teeth?

For the patient it gives them security in their mouth. With their teeth functioning correctly they will be able to chew properly and enhance their smile.

Replacing missing teeth makes future problems (such as teeth filling in the empty area) go away. When teeth shift, it changes one’s bite alignment. This not only makes it harder to clean the remaining teeth but can cause Headaches and TMJ Disorder among other issues.

Once the teeth are replaced it allows the mouth to function as a full unit like it is supposed to. Overall, replacing teeth will make life better both physically and mentally for patients.

Options for Replacing Teeth

1. Dental Implants – A surgical procedure that leaves the longest lasting and strongest results. It also does not affect the surrounding teeth as a dental bridge does. The main disadvantage is that not everyone can receive dental implants because of other health complications. The entire process also takes longer than other options, but that is to make sure someone who gets them recovers post-surgery correctly.
2. Fixed Dental Bridge – An artificial tooth/teeth placed on adjacent teeth to the missing area. This option’s main disadvantage is that it affects the surrounding teeth and can lead to infections if not properly maintained.
3. Dentures – Dentures are a removable set of teeth that can be good if you need a section or your whole mouth replaced. It is cheaper than the other options, but take much more to maintain upkeep and cleanliness.

Want to learn more or looking for dental care in the Carlisle, PA area? Give us a call!

Peanut butter is a heart-healthy food with good fats, but that classic peanut butter and jelly sandwich from your childhood might not be such a great idea for your mouth. Most kinds of peanut butter are made with a lot of sugar that feeds acid causing bacteria.

Here at Noll Family Dentistry, we recommend looking for peanut butter with no added sugar. It’s also a good idea to drink lots of water and brush afterward to make sure all of the sticky substance is removed from your teeth.

Peanuts and butter do have benefits for your mouth, in fact, research suggests that they can decrease your chances of gum disease. Just make sure to buy brands with only natural peanut oils not added fats. Peanuts are also a great source of protein which is an important building block for a healthy mouth and body. The protein in peanuts helps form and repair cells.

Of course, there are some risk factors of eating peanuts like breaking the shell. Using your teeth to break the shell is a major no-no. You’ll risk chipping or even cracking a tooth, which can be seriously painful. Instead, use your hands or opt for the already shelled variety.

Again, there is often a lot of unnecessary sugar in peanut butter so always check the ingredients and pick brands free of added sugars and syrups. And remember the sticky snack can stay on your teeth, promoting plaque-causing bacteria so be sure to brush and you can keep enjoying the delicious sticky snack!

A Registered Dental Hygienist is an important part of your dental team.  Hygienists are dental professionals who have completed training at an accredited college, graduated with at least an associate degree, have passed both written national boards & clinical regional boards, and have obtained state licensure to practice. 

While state regulations for scope of practice may vary, most dental hygienists’ responsibilities include the following:

• Dental cleaning
• Patient screenings
• Preventative applications
• Oral health education
• Expanded dental roles

Your Dental Cleaning:

When you visit your dental office for a dental cleaning, the dental hygienist is the person you see. Hygienists clean your teeth by removing plaque, calculus (tartar), and stain from all your tooth surfaces above and under the gumline. Removal of these deposits helps to rid your mouth of not only visible stains but also harmful bacteria that could cause a serious oral infection called periodontal disease.

Hygienists also perform a more advanced type of non-surgical periodontal treatment called, scaling and root planing, which is considered phase-1 therapy for the treatments of periodontal (gum) disease. 

Patient Screenings: 

During typical dental cleaning appointments, your dental hygienist is also provided important screenings that will be documented and shared with your dentist prior to your exam. They assess oral health conditions, review medical histories such as documenting medications and changes in health, providing oral cancer screenings and head & neck inspection, take vitals such as pulse and blood pressure, and chart dental documentation such as periodontal charting & hard tissue charting. 

Preventative Applications:

In addition to cleaning your teeth, hygienists also apply preventative treatments such as dental sealants and fluoride treatments, which both help to prevent tooth decay.  

Oral Health Education:

Dental hygienists are not just clinicians, but also educators. Everyday chairside, hygienists help their patients better understand subjects such as oral homecare, nutritional choices, and oral-systemic connections.  

• Oral home care – Hygienists customize suggestions for their patients’ oral homecare routine.  They recommend the use of power toothbrushes, water flossers, floss & additional in-between cleaning methods, recommend mouth rinses and toothpastes that best fit patient needs, and review methods of techniques.
• Nutritional choices – Your hygienist is also trained to discuss nutritional choices that may benefit your oral health because they have taken classes in nutrition in college and have spent most of their career discussing healthy food choices.
• Oral-systemic connections – Hygienists know that your oral health is directly linked to your overall health.  At appointments, your hygienist may discuss how certain health conditions may affect your mouth or how certain mouth conditions can affect your health.  For example, patients with Type 2 Diabetes have strong connections to oral health risks.  Your hygienist can discuss those links.  

Expanded Roles of Your Dental Hygienist:

Over the years, many states have expanded the scope of practice for dental hygienists.  In Pennsylvania, dental hygienists, if they choose, can obtain two additional dental hygiene licensures, Dental Hygienist Local Anesthesia & Public Health Dental Hygiene Practitioner.

• Dental Hygienist Local Anesthesia – For over a decade in PA, dental hygienists who acquire additional training can apply for this license that allows them to administer local anesthesia.  In order to gain this additional license, hygienists must become certified to administer local anesthesia by completing a 32-hour accredited program that meets the requirements of the PA State Board of Dentistry.  An accredited course typically includes the instruction of the mechanism of action of local anesthetic agents and vasoconstrictors, a review of oral anatomy, patient evaluation, anesthesia effects, and complications.  After the course, the hygienist must perform safe and effective local anesthesia administration techniques on clinical partners under the supervision of qualified faculty & take a written exam to be certified.

Having this additional license allows hygienists to administer local anesthesia, which gets a patient numb, for non-surgical gum treatments or other treatments that require pain management.

• Public Health Dental Hygiene Practitioner – According to the Pennsylvania Dental Hygienists Association (PDHA), the Public Health DH Practitioner is an additional certification that can bring rewards to hygienists who are looking to make a positive impact in access to oral healthcare for underserved areas in the state.  These hygienists can work in an expanded setting such as schools, nursing homes, and public health clinics where access to care is often limited.  

Hygienists Care About Your Oral Health:

While some patients may think of their hygienists as the person who cleans their teeth, hygienists are also so much more because they can provide services that not only clean your teeth but also promote overall health and wellness.  

Through years of dedicated training and service, your dental hygienists are here to help you achieve your best oral health!

You know that brushing your teeth is important. But did you know that you might be making mistakes that can cause more harm than good? Brushing mistakes can actually cause problems like gum recession, tooth sensitivity, and weakened tooth enamel.  

Here are some tips to remember when brushing your teeth:

Brushing Right After Eating/Drinking

• Contrary to the old saying of ‘brushing after every meal’, dental professionals now recommend that you wait 30 minutes to brush after you eat or drink. This is because when you eat, your own saliva pH drops from the normal neutral level of 7 to an acid level of 4.5 in merely the first 5 minutes of your meal. It takes 30 minutes after eating for your own saliva to go back to normal. Why is this important? It is because if you brush within the first 30 minutes, you are essentially brushing acidic saliva all over your teeth, which could cause enamel erosion. 

Not Brushing Your Tongue

• Your tongue has a rough surface that can house the same harmful bacteria that settles in and around your teeth and gums. If that bacteria sits on your tongue, it is the leading cause of bad breath. To eliminate that odor-causing bacteria, simply brush your tongue each time you brush your teeth.

Brushing in the Morning Only

• While brushing in the morning is important, to brush at night is even more important because the harmful bacteria in your mouth is more active while you sleep!

Keeping Your Toothbrush Too Long

• The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends that you change to a new toothbrush every 3-4 months. After about 3 months, the bristles of your teeth start to wear and do not clean as well and can irritate your gums.  In addition, if you are sick, make sure you change your toothbrush.

Not Including Floss

• Your teeth have five surfaces, three surfaces that you can brush, and two in-between surfaces that your toothbrush can never reach. If you do not include floss into your cleaning routine, you risk leaving harmful bacteria behind that can cause cavities and gum disease.

If you ever have questions about brushing, our dentists and hygienists here at Noll Family Dentistry are always happy to answer questions and offer recommendations for you to get the best out of your brushing! Call our office at 717-243-9020.