oral health

How Anemia Can Have an Impact on Oral Health

February 27, 2020 by DAC Leave a Comment

At The Dental Anesthesia Center, we provide gentle, safe, and relaxing dental care.

It is known that oral health can have an affect on your general health and that it is connected to the other functions of your body. Poor oral health might contribute to numerous diseases and conditions, like digestive issues, bone erosion, extended infections, and possibly cardiovascular disease. But your oral health can also be influenced by other conditions in your body.

How can anemia impact oral health and oral health treatments?

What Is Anemia?

Anemia is a condition that directly affects your body’s blood cell numbers. A low number of blood cells is the main indicator that you have anemia, and it leads to various symptoms in your body. One of the most common symptoms of anemia is having pale gums. This symptom also shows how oral health is directly impacted by this condition.

Blood cells transport oxygen and nutrients to every cell of your body, so having a low level of blood cells will deprive your body of the necessary vitamins, minerals and from the needed amount of oxygen.

There are many types of anemia, the most common ones being: iron deficiency, sickle cell anemia, and vitamin deficiency anemia. Getting the right diagnosis is important for choosing the best treatment and for understanding its impact better.

How Does Anemia Affect Your Oral Health?

When your gums and teeth don’t get the nutrients they need through the blood, they are much more susceptible to disease. Patients with anemia can get cavities, gum disease, ulcers, infections and even problems with the tongue, like soreness or pain.

Iron deficiency anemia can have pica as a side-effect. Pica is an eating disorder in which patients tend to eat things that lack nutrients: chips, paper, cardboard, etc. This not only makes them ingest items with no nutritional value, but it can also damage the teeth.

Sickle cell anemia leads to different types of problems: glossy, sore tongue, demineralization in the tooth enamel, delayed tooth eruption.

Vitamin deficiency anemia shows symptoms like gum disease, mouth ulcers and a reduced feeling of taste.

There are many other associated symptoms that may show up in your oral health, and proper diagnosis is important in solving the underlying issues. Be sure to see your general practitioner if you suspect having anemia.

St. Louis Sedation Dentistry

At The Dental Anesthesia Center, we provide gentle, safe, and relaxing dental care. During your consultation, Dr. Hoffmann, Dr. Thoms, or Dr. Daugherty will decide which level of sedation is best for you based upon your medical history and current physical health.

Call us today to schedule an appointment at (314) 862-7844. We look forward to meeting you!

Is Milk Really Good for Your Child’s Teeth?

February 6, 2020 by DAC Leave a Comment

The simple answer is yes! But some parents have heard differently – so why the confusion?

Calcium is a necessary component for building strong teeth and bones, after all, your teeth and bones store 99% of your body’s calcium. A baby’s teeth begin to form while in the womb and for this reason a pregnant mother should be taking the recommended daily allowance of calcium. Then, from infancy and through the teen years, calcium intake continues to be a key element for healthy growth and development.

So, is milk good for your child’s teeth? The simple answer is yes! But some parents have heard differently – so why the confusion?

Is Milk Good for Your Child’s Teeth?

Milk is good for your child’s teeth because it contains important nutrients needed by the bones and teeth. Milk naturally has calcium and phosphate, two compounds that harden the tooth enamel and protect your child’s teeth from cavities.

Giving your child milk and other foods rich in calcium, like oranges, yogurt, canned sardines (bones included,) beans, spinach, soy milk, etc. will ensure that he or she receives the recommended calcium intake. Be careful about giving them an extra dose of calcium, as excess is just as bad as a lack of calcium. Calcium enriched products should only be given when the doctor recommends it based on blood tests that show a need for extra calcium into the body.

It Depends on Certain Circumstances

Milk itself is very good and necessary to create strong teeth but it can cause negative results depending on certain circumstances. For instance, milk is not good for your child’s teeth if it lingers over the night in your child’s mouth, or if it contains sugar and other additives.

If you are used to giving your child milk in a sippy-cup or baby bottle before bedtime to make them fall asleep more easily, stop this habit as soon a possible. Even when the milk is simple and does not contain any added sugar, it still has naturally occurring sugars that will attack the tooth enamel if the child doesn’t brush their teeth before sleep. With bottle-fed babies, this phenomenon is actually well-known as “bottle cavities.” There is a common misconception that breastfed babies also get cavities because of nursing before bedtime, but studies show that breast milk protects against cavities and nursing doesn’t let the milk linger in the mouth.

So, giving your child milk to drink will make their teeth stronger, will protect their tooth enamel, and will strengthen their jaw bone. However, it really comes down to when you let them drink the milk. However, the same is true for any type of drink other than water. Giving your child a sippy-cup or bottle with milk, juice, or formula can cause tooth decay if they drink it to go to bed without brushing their teeth.

St. Louis Pediatric Dentistry

At The Dental Anesthesia Center, we value our patient relationships, making it our priority to deliver gentle dental care that you deserve from sedation dentists in St. Louis. We work hard to make you feel at ease by providing exceptional patient care in a relaxed, convenient atmosphere. We strive to develop lifelong relationships with our patients by combining the latest dental technology with a professional and compassionate team.

Call Us Today

The Only Board Certified Dental Anesthesiologists in the State of Missouri, including the St. Louis Metro Area.

Call (314) 862-7844

How Starchy Food Can Affect Your Child’s Teeth

January 8, 2020 by DAC Leave a Comment

When it comes to their children’s oral health, many parents know that diet plays an important role in how strong our teeth and gums are. But many don’t know that it’s not only sweets that should be avoided, but also starchy food that might not taste sweet at all, but still break down into sugars.

What Is Starch?

Starch is a carbohydrate and it’s one of the main sources of energy for our bodies. Starch is crucial in our diet, and we are far from recommending banning it from the diet of your child, as you will deprive him of important macronutrients.

Starchy is contained by many products and it’s either native or modified, meaning it’s contained naturally by the product or it has been added during the processing. This distinction is important, as it will give us a better idea of what starchy food is good for your child and what you should consider avoiding.

So What Makes Starchy Food so Bad for Your Child’s Teeth?

Cavities form when the bacteria in the plaque – a thin film that covers your teeth after you eat – attack your teeth’s enamel and makes them vulnerable to decay. This bacteria feeds mostly on the sugars found in food, which is why sweets are so bad for your teeth. But starchy food also breaks down into sugar, making certain starch-rich products bad for your oral health.

Processed starchy food like chips, pretzels, crackers or corn puffs can have a bad effect on your teeth’s enamel because they tend to stick to your teeth, prolonging the exposure to sugars. The plaque that lingers in your mouth is not so easy to remove by simply brushing and can lead to cavities, demineralization and even gum disease.

What Alternatives Can You Offer?

As said before, it’s important to differentiate between naturally contained starches and processed ones, as the latter should be avoided as much as possible. This doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t feed your child starch-rich products, but be sure to choose items like fresh fruit and vegetables, whole grain bread and cooked food made from scratch.

Oral hygiene is equally important in promoting dental health, so make sure that your child brushes at least twice a day, flosses and rinses his mouth with water after eating starchy and sugary foods.

Regular visits to your St. Louis pediatric dentist will also keep cavities away from your child’s teeth, as they can get professional cleanings, tooth sealing and other preventive treatments that protect the enamel from decay.

If you still have questions about how to keep your child’s teeth healthy, don’t hesitate to schedule an appointment with a pediatric dentist and ask about the best options in terms of diet and oral hygiene for your little one. Give us a call today at (314) 862-7844 to learn more or schedule an appointment!

Why You Should Discuss Your Medical History with Your Dentist

May 29, 2019 by DAC Leave a Comment

Having this information available and updated regularly will help your St. Louis sedation dentist paint a better picture of your overall health and give you the best treatment option for your oral health.

Sedation dentistry keeps patients calm enough to receive needed treatment safely and with no discomfort. Sedation is used during long and complex procedures, or when treating patients with dental anxiety, children, seniors or people with certain disabilities.

While sedation has certain associated risks, its benefits generally outweigh them in most cases. Moreover, the doctors are prepared to stabilize the patient in case something falls out of the expected parameters.

During preliminary talk, your St. Louis sedation dentist will want to hear about your medical history before deciding what type of sedation best fits your case best. Here is what your doctor needs to know.

Medications You Are on

Keep a list of all the medications you are on at the moment and present it to your doctor during your preliminary consultation. Even if you have recently interrupted a treatment, mention that to your dentist, as you might still have the active substance in your system.

Other Special Conditions

Besides the medication you are taking, it is important for the dentist to know if you have any condition that could interfere with the treatment. For example, if you are trying to have a baby, make sure to mention a possible pregnancy to your dentist, especially before getting sedation dentistry, as not all forms of sedation are safe for pregnant women.

Other conditions that are relevant to your dentist are related to major surgery, respiratory conditions, allergies, heart conditions, etc. If you are currently receiving treatment for something, it is not a bad idea to mention it to your dentist, especially if you are scheduled for a more complex dental procedure.

Other Mentions

If you think that any health mention would have an impact on your dental treatment, mention it. This may include medication you are taking (including plasters with active substances, ointments or inhaled substances,) chronic conditions like asthma or epilepsy, drugs you have taken recently, smoking, and so on. Some may seem irrelevant to a dentist visit, but oral health is connected to your overall health. Therefore, it is important for your dentist to have an updated medical archive.

Having this information available and updated regularly will help your St. Louis sedation dentist paint a better picture of your overall health and give you the best treatment option for your oral health. This practice can avoid dangerous combinations of medication, and can help your dentist diagnose you better.

7 Vitamins That Are Great for Your Teeth

January 31, 2019 by DAC Leave a Comment

These seven vitamins will contribute greatly to you or your child’s oral health.

In the dental industry, we talk a lot about what foods you shouldn’t eat. The reason is that most oral health issues stem from the combination of improper eating and lack of cleaning. What we discuss less are the foods that improve your oral health. Well, we are changing that today by presenting 7 mouth-friendly vitamins and minerals, plus the foods your children should eat to get them. You can find an explanation for each of them in the following passages.

Calcium

The most well known of the bunch is calcium, which plays an integral role in teeth and bone health. You can obtain this mineral through foods like milk, yogurt, certain vegetables, and some types of fish. Please note that you may have trouble getting enough if you have dairy issues. In that case, a nutritional supplement might be your best option. This should be discussed with your doctor.

Vitamin D

The interesting thing about Vitamin D is that it does not have a direct effect on your oral health. Instead, it helps you absorb calcium, which we’ve already covered. The best way to get Vitamin D is through sun exposure, as very few foods have it. If you’re looking into supplements, many companies combine calcium and Vitamin D in the same pill.

Potassium

Potassium plays two roles in oral health. They are increasing tooth density and reducing calcium leaching. Foods that contain this mineral include bananas, tomatoes, some beans, all kinds of potatoes, and avocados.

Phosphorus

Calcium is the primary bone builder in your body, but it requires a team of vitamins and minerals to help it function. One of them is phosphorus, which plays a supporting role. You can find it in many types of seafood, other meats, and lentils.

Vitamin K

This vitamin helps block harmful substances from degrading your teeth and assists in strengthening every bone in your body. The best foods to get it from are leafy greens like kale and spinach, though many other vegetables have it too.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C helps protect against gum disease, which frequently affects children. Oranges have famously high levels of it, but so do leafy greens and other vegetables. The latter might be preferable due to their lack of sugar.

Vitamin A

One of the things people often don’t know about oral health is how important saliva is. When you don’t have it, your mouth becomes dry, and you are at heightened risk of many diseases. Fortunately, Vitamin A is in a variety of foods. The most popular of them are fish, kale, spinach, eggs, and carrots.

One thing to note is that you can obtain many of these vitamins through nutritional supplements. Some of them even have everything you need for healthy teeth, as they are specifically constructed to do so. Though we are not nutritionists, the general wisdom on this subject is that getting your vitamins from food is more effective than supplements. Of course, you may consider doing both. This should be discussed with your doctor.

One thing you can be sure of is that taking care of all 7 points on this list should lead to a healthier mouth. To schedule an appointment with a pediatric dentist at The Dental Anesthesia Center give us a call at (314) 862-7844.

The Top 3 Reasons Why Kids Get Cavities

January 14, 2019 by DAC Leave a Comment

Following these simple tips can result in your children being happy and healthy for years to come.

Let’s start by discussing the process behind cavities. First, tiny pieces of harmful foods get caught in the teeth and gums. Next, if the person does not have a sufficient oral care routine, they turn into harmful plaque. Lastly, that plaque starts to attack the tooth, getting inside of it and causing decay. The two questions to ask when thinking about your children’s oral health are:

Which foods are harmful?
What does an insufficient oral care routine look like?

In the following sections we will discuss the answers to these questions.

Sugars

The first factor that causes cavities is sugar, and unfortunately, it is everywhere in the modern world. You probably already know that you should limit your child’s consumption of candy and soda. What you might not understand is that foods and drinks like fruit, sports drinks, juice, and milk are high in this harmful substance as well. Other foods, like spaghetti sauce, ketchup, and granola bars, sneak up on even the most informed parents.

While you don’t need to be obsessive about cutting every gram of sugar out of your child’s diet, making an effort to reduce the most problematic food and drinks is a smart idea. First, start with drinks and obvious foods like candy and sugary cereal. Next, begin to cut out ones that fly under the radar. You should have a healthy, low sugar diet by the end of this process.

Acids

The second dietary issue that you need to know about is acids. One factor that makes this problem difficult to avoid is that it is not as easy to find as sugar, given that there is no acidity rating on standard nutrition labels. Fortunately, you can learn about the most problematic of these foods and cut them out with excellent results. They include frozen dinners, pastries, artificial sweeteners, cereals, and sodas. One thing that bodes well for you is that almost all of these examples are sugary too, so you can often solve both issues with one dietary decision.

Poor Oral Care Routine

The last crucial piece of cavity avoidance is a committed oral care routine. While technique plays a role, the more common issue is a lack of commitment. Children frequently skip brushing and flossing without their parents knowing. As a result, sugars, acids, and other pieces of food stick to their teeth and are free to develop into more harmful substances. Taking care of oral health every morning and night does an excellent job of halting this process before it leads to cavities.

One thing to note is that a child getting a cavity is not the end of the world. A skilled pediatric dentist can generally help you resolve this issue, without any significant long-term effects. That being said, your kids having healthy mouths is the best outcome of all. We hope that by limiting sugars, cutting down on acids, and having an excellent oral care routine results in your children being happy and healthy for years to come.