Mints and Gum That Can Help Reduce Cavities

Is your teenager concerned about their breath and constantly popping gum, mints or perhaps even candy in their mouth to freshen things up a bit? If you remember those years, you can hardly blame them. But, given that sweets aren’t exactly good for their teeth, we bet you’ve wondered at some point: “Wouldn’t it be great if, in addition to temporarily freshening breath, that same sweet also helped protectteeth from cavities?” Well, there are such wonderful treats, and the secret to their success is their not-so-secret natural ingredient list. Shall we explore?

The “Secret” Ingredients

Zylitol: Xylitol is a natural sweetener derived from plants. It doesn't break down like sugar (a plus for Diabetics), and can help keep a neutral pH level in the mouth, which aids in preventing bacterial growth. Both of these traits are favorable in the fight against cavities. To be certain you’re getting enough Xylitol to reap its rewards, look for products where it’s listed as the first ingredient on the package.
Maccha: Green tea, is loaded with antioxidants that reduce inflammation, promote good breath, and reduce the overall level of cavity-inducing bacteria in the mouth. Because of this, it’s a great addition to mints and candy. Of course, you could always serve green tea as a beverage at home for equal benefit, but if you’re looking to replace your teen’s current mint, gum or candy with something that’ll help freshen their breath and help their teeth, a quick web search is sure to turn up a few great options for you.
Stevia: Stevia is a sugar substitute extracted from the plant Stevia rebaudiana. It has been used as a sweetener by the Guaraní people of Brazil and Paraguay for 1500 years. Recently introduced to the United States, and marketed under several brand names, Stevia is prized by low carb aficionados because it is 150 times as sweet as sugar, and has a negligible effect on blood sugar. It’s also heat stable (which means it can be used in baking), and is not fermentable (which means it’s good for your teeth)!

What Other Help is on the Horizon?

Dentists and marketers are always teaming up to bring new products to market that’ll help our teeth. In the near future, look out for products containing probiotics, with the idea being that the presence of good bacteria counters bad bacteria, so why not put them in mouthwash and things of that nature and let ‘em fight it out in our mouth?

Gordon Dental 913-649-5017

www.kcgordondental.com

How to Plan for the Removal of Your Teen's Wisdom Teeth

Chipmunk-city. Remember what it was like to have your wisdom teeth pulled? If the swollen mouth, teasing siblings, and new-found appreciation of what it's like to have a tooth knocked out aren’t enough… there is the blood. Ah, yes, the blood. You wish you could stop reading now, right? It's really not that bad. Gross, maybe, but it becomes a passing memory fast. If your dentist has suggested your teenager have their wisdom teeth extracted, here's what you can expect as you prepare for the day of surgery and immediately thereafter.

Oh, and before we get started, it might be fun to bring along your video camera, or camera phone. For some, exposure to the anesthesia used during surgery takes a while to wear off, and a bit of post-surgery hilarity can ensue that you might want to record for posterity. Some teens have even made successes of themselves on YouTube as a result! So, with no further ado here are the guidelines.

Pre-op:

Your teen should wear loose, comfortable clothing with short sleeves, and remove all jewelry.
Have your child leave their contact lenses at home.
Your doctor will have specific guidelines with regard to eating and drinking prior to surgery, but, in general, your teen should be prepared to go without food or drink for at least six hours prior to surgery.
Ensure your child has a ride to and from the surgery center.
Inform your surgeon the dosages and types of medications your teen may take regularly.

Post-op:

Do not allow the consumption of alcohol of any kind. Doing so can lethally interact with anesthesia medicine lingering in your child's system. This is very important.
Be sure your teen avoids rinsing or spitting for 24 hours after surgery to prevent the premature release of the blood clot that lodges in the surgical pocket. This clot is necessary for healing and prevents a painful side effect called "dry socket."
A moistened tea bag can help aid in clotting because the tannic acid in tea helps clots form. This process can be repeated if a small degree of bleeding continues; if heavy bleeding continues to occur, contact your dentist or oral surgeon.
Have your teen refrain from brushing for the first 24 hours for the same reason above.
Your teen should avoid inserting their fingers in their mouth after surgery, and should also refrain from using their tongue to "feel-around" the surgical wound. This will help prevent the loosening of any stitches as well as ensure the blood clot that helps prevent dry socket stays in place.
Feel free to use ice packs on the side of the face for the first 24 hours. Do so in 20 minute increments, with a 10 minute rest in-between applications.
Pain medication like Tylenol or Ibuprofen is okay to take as recommended for mild pain, if your child can tolerate these medicines.
In anticipation of severe pain, your doctor may provide a stronger medication.
Ensure your teen remains hydrated, but avoid the use of straws so as not to accidentally "stab" the surgical wound, or allow for the "sucking" out of that all-too-important blood clot.
Avoid hot liquids like soup, coffee and tea. Each can dissolve the healing clot.
AFTER the first post-operative day, and through the first week, your teen should begin using a warm salt-water rinse following meals to flush out particles of food and debris, which may get stuck in the surgical area.
Your teen should eat soft foods that won't irritate the wound, and avoid foods that can get stuck in the wound pocket like nuts, rice and seeds.
Smoking should be avoided for at least five to seven days, because nicotine can break down the blood clot. Maybe this five-day break could be used as a launching pad to quitting as well?!

Of course, your teen will return to the surgeon's office to ensure healing is progressing at a satisfactory rate, so it's wise to plan for that eventuality as well. Lastly, some dentists and surgeons recommend doing these extractions during high school or college break times to avoid "chipmunk face," and to avoid interrupting their coursework.

Gordon Dental 913-649-5017

Gordon Dental

Friday, December 16, 2016

Mints and Gum That Can Help Reduce Cavities: Gordon Dental Kansas City