Dental disease is a growing concern for us and our children. Luckily, it can be prevented and treated with a variety of methods. Take the quiz below to find out if you are at risk for dental disease.
1.
I have diabetes. A higher incidence of periodontal gum disease is seen in patients with diabetes. You may require two or more cleaning visits each year in order to maintain your periodontal health. Brushing twice daily and flossing once daily are also very important in reducing your risk of further gum disease.
Diabetes can cause serious problems in your mouth.
You can do something about it.
If you have diabetes, make sure you take care of your mouth. People with diabetes are at risk for mouth infections, especially periodontal (gum) disease. Periodontal disease can damage the gum and bone that hold your teeth in place and may lead to painful chewing problems. Some people with serious gum disease lose their teeth. Periodontal disease may also make it hard to control your blood glucose (blood sugar).
By controlling your blood glucose, brushing and flossing everyday, and visiting a dentist regularly, you can help prevent periodontal disease. If your diabetes is not under control, you are more likely to develop problems in your mouth.
Take steps to keep your mouth healthy. Call your dentist when you notice a problem.
If you have diabetes, follow these steps:
Control your blood glucose.
Brush and floss every day. Visit your dentist regularly.
Be sure to tell your dentist that you have diabetes.
Tell your dentist if your dentures (false teeth) do not fit right, or if your gums are sore.
Quit smoking. Smoking makes gum disease worse. Your physician or dentist can help you quit.
Yes
No
2.
I take prescription or over-the-counter medications. Medications may cause dry mouth. Some medications may cause dry mouth, which can increase your risk for cavities. If you are experiencing dry mouth, please ask your pharmacist if this could be caused by your medication. Your dentist may recommend saliva substitutes and/or additional therapies to help decrease your cavity risk.
What causes dry mouth?
People get dry mouth when the glands in the mouth that make saliva are not working properly. Because of this, there might not be enough saliva to keep your mouth wet.
Side effects of some medicines.
More than 400 medicines can cause the salivary glands to make less saliva. Medicines for high blood pressure and depression often cause dry mouth.
Dry mouth...
Can cause difficulties in tasting, chewing, swallowing, and speaking.
Can increase your chance of developing dental decay and other infections in the mouth.
Can be a sign of certain diseases and conditions.
Can be caused by certain medications or medical treatments.
What can be done about dry mouth?
If your dry mouth is caused by medicine, your physician might change your medicine or adjust the dosage.
Your physician or dentist might suggest that you use artificial saliva to keep your mouth wet.
Yes
No
3.
I have had a cavity in the last three years. Past dental disease may be an indicator of risk for future dental disease. You should discuss a preventive regimen with your dentist or hygienist which may include one or more of the following: twice daily brushing with a fluoride toothpaste, fluoride treatments, home fluoride rinses, and dental sealants for unfilled molars with deep pits and grooves. In addition, he/she may recommend reducing your consumption of foods that contain sugar.
Prevention of future Tooth Decay and Dental Disease.
The most important prevention technique is daily removal of plaque with flossing and brushing. If possible, good oral hygiene should be practiced after every meal.
Using fluoride to strengthen the enamel and help remineralize teeth is a highly reliable prevention tool. A toothpaste with fluoride is suggested and many dentists also give topical fluoride treatment to children up to age 18. They can also fabricate custom trays to be used at home with a gel fluoride for adults who have rampant caries or who are predisposed to having tooth decay. Dentists may also suggest fluoride drops or vitamins for infants who don't live in areas in which the public water supply is fluoridated. Call your dentist to see if your water is fluoridated.
Diet is significant in tooth decay and cavity prevention. Studies have shown that the nature and frequency of sugar intake is more important than the amount. If the sugary food is very sticky it will remain on the teeth for a longer period of time. If you or your children are constantly snacking on sugary foods, there is a continuous acid attack on your teeth. It is recommended that people brush their teeth after each meal. Keeping this in mind, it is better for you or your children to eat sweets at a time and place that allows them to brush soon afterwards.
Since you may be asymptomatic and unaware of the beginning of tooth decay, it is critical that you visit your dentist regularly for a check-up. Some cavities are hard to detect, especially those between the teeth. Sometimes, only bitewing x-rays can identify them. Your dentist will also give you a professional prophylaxis (cleaning), which is an important part of prevention.
Yes
No
4.
I frequently eat or drink sugary substances. Frequent consumption of foods that contain sugar is a major risk factor for tooth decay. The longer and more frequently these foods stay in your mouth, the greater the risk of decay. For example, slowly dissolving sugars such as hard candies, cough drops, breath mints, and antacid tablets pose a greater risk for decay. Of course, the more sugar you consume between meals, the more your risk increases.
A major cause of cavities (tooth decay) is the breakdown of refined sugars by bacteria, turning the sugars to acid, which then dissolves the tooth enamel. That's why plaque (a sticky mixture of bacteria, food and debris) removal is so important. Studies have shown that the nature and frequency of sugar intake is more important than the amount. If the sugary food is very sticky, like caramel, gummy bears or jam, it will remain on the teeth for a longer period of time. If you or your children are constantly snacking on sugary foods or sipping soda pop, you should be aware that your teeth are under continuous acid attack.
A balanced diet is important to keep bones and gums healthy. Foods rich in vitamin C (citrus fruits and juices, leafy vegetable, potatoes), vitamin B12 (dairy, meat) and folic acid (spinach, broccoli) will help strengthen gums and supporting soft tissue. Calcium from dairy foods and dark green leafy vegetables are important too as they are necessary for the development and maintenance of strong teeth and bones. For those who are lactose intolerant, calcium supplements are readily available.
Avoid having sugar in the mouth for long periods of time. Stay away from sucking candies and chewing gum containing sugar and refrain from drinking soft drinks regularly (unless sugar-free). Try to cut down on the number of snacks per day. If snacking is necessary, substitute foods that most people like but that don't promote tooth decay. Examples are popcorn, pretzels, fruits, nuts, cheese and vegetables.
Consuming sugary foods with a meal or for dessert has a less detrimental effect, because increased saliva flow during meals helps to wash the food away. Also, most people brush their teeth after meals. Keeping this in mind, it is best to eat sweets at a time and place that allows you to brush soon afterwards.
Yes
No
5.
I put my baby to bed with a bottle containing milk or juice. Putting your child to bed with a bottle containing formula, milk, or juice can put the child at risk for Early Childhood Tooth Decay. Bacteria in the mouth convert the sugar to acid, which attacks tooth surfaces and causes decay. Early Childhood Tooth Decay is characterized by multiple cavities on a child’s front teeth. Discuss how to prevent Early Childhood Tooth Decay with your pediatrician and/or dentist.
What is Early Childhood Tooth Decay?
Early Childhood Tooth Decay is a dental condition that damages the developing teeth of children between the ages of six-months and four-years-old. It can be very painful for your child and expensive to fix if left untreated.
What causes Early Childhood Tooth Decay?
Early Childhood Tooth Decay occurs when children’s teeth are harmed by frequently drinking from bottles or sippy cups that contain sweetened milk, juice, soda or other sugary liquids. The sugar attacks your child’s teeth, which causes them to decay. It’s important to know that almost all liquids, including milk, formula, juices and other sweet drinks contain sugar.
How can I protect my child’s teeth?
Don’t fill your child’s bottle or sippy cup with sweetened milk, soda, or other sugary drinks.
Don’t put your child to bed with a bottle. If your baby needs to be comforted, use either a bottle filled with plain water only or a clean pacifier.
Teach your child to drink from a cup by 12 months of age.
Clean your child’s teeth and gums with a clean washcloth or a soft toothbrush at least once a day, preferably before bedtime.
Make sure you child gets the right amount of fluoride each day. Ask your dentist or doctor if your water contains fluoride.
Yes
No
6.
I have had or will have had head and neck radiation treatment. Head and neck radiation treatment reduces blood flow and can cause extremely dry mouth, which puts one at high risk for cavities. In addition, if one’s immune system is compromised, they may experience more frequent cold sores or other infections of the mouth. If you are having radiation treatment of the head and neck, you should discuss a treatment plan with your dentist and oncologist, which may include a saliva substitute, removal of compromised teeth, or other preventive therapies.
Doctors use head and neck radiation to treat cancer because it kills cancer cells. But radiation to the head and neck can harm normal cells, including cells in the mouth. Side effects include problems with your teeth and gums; the soft, moist lining of your mouth; glands that make saliva (spit); and jaw bones
It's important to know that side effects in the mouth can be serious.
The side effects can hurt and make it hard to eat, talk, and swallow.
You are more likely to get an infection, which can be dangerous when you are receiving cancer treatment.
If the side effects are bad, you may not be able to keep up with your cancer treatment. Your doctor may need to cut back on your cancer treatment or may even stop it.
You may be surprised that your dentist is important in your cancer treatment. If you go to the dentist before head and neck radiation begins, you can help prevent serious mouth problems. Side effects often happen because a person's mouth is not healthy before radiation starts. Not all mouth problems can be avoided but the fewer side effects you have, the more likely you will stay on your cancer treatment schedule.
Yes
No
7.
I smoke cigarettes, a pipe, a cigar, or I chew tobacco. Tobacco and alcohol are the leading risk factors for oral cancer. Together, they are associated with 75% of all oral cancers. Your dentist should perform an examination for oral cancer at your regular check-up. In addition, smoking is an independent risk factor for periodontal (gum) disease. If you do smoke, you should discuss quitting with your dentist and physician.
Smoking is the leading cause of oral cancer. There are 9,000 deaths a year in the U.S. from oral cancer and tobacco use accounts for 75 percent of them. Tobacco and excessive alcohol use increases the risk of oral cancer. Using both tobacco and alcohol poses a much greater risk than using either substance alone.
Smoking is a major risk factor in periodontal (gum) disease. As shown by 20 years of research, smokers are two to three times more likely to develop periodontitis (bone loss). Tooth loss is much more prevalent than in non-smokers. Studies have shown a higher rate of dental implant failures for those who smoke.
Even second-hand smoke poses danger, especially for children. When children breathe in smoke, it can affect the development and eruption of their permanent teeth.
The good news is that "kicking the habit" greatly reduces the risk of developing oral cancer. After 10 years of cessation, the risk is similar to that of a non-smoker. There are a number of ways to stop without experiencing extreme withdrawal symptoms including the nicotine patch, nicotine gum and nicotine spray or inhaler.
What You Can Do
A thorough head and neck examination should be a routine part of each patient's dental visit and general medical examination. Clinicians should be particularly vigilant in checking those who use tobacco or excessive amounts of alcohol.
Possible Signs and Symptoms
A sore, lump or thick patch in your mouth, lip, or throat.
A feeling that something is caught in your throat.
Numbness in your tongue or other areas of your mouth.
Swelling of your jaw causing dentures to fit poorly.
Difficult chewing or swallowing.
A white or red patch in your mouth
Difficultly moving your jaw or tongue
Pain in one ear without hearing loss
Yes
No
8.
I have had periodontal (gum surgery) which has left me with receded gums. Gum surgery can expose the roots of teeth, leaving one at increased risk for root cavities. Talk to your dentist about the benefits of fluoride treatments following periodontal surgery.
Studies have shown that people who have had treatment for advanced periodontal disease are at an increased risk for developing root caries. A study, conducted through the Dental Data and Analysis Center (DAC), indicated that people who have had periodontal surgery are at a significantly higher risk for developing root caries. Fluoride varnish has been proven effective at reducing caries formation on root surfaces in a number of studies. The incorporation of fluoride into the tooth enamel allows the tooth to be more resistant to demineralization by acid and ensuing tooth decay.
Providing preventative fluoride varnish to at-risk individuals who have had periodontal surgery is one way of improving health.
Yes
No
9.
I live in a community that does not have fluoride in the water supply. Fluoride in the water supply helps to reduce cavities because the incorporation of fluoride into the tooth enamel allows the tooth to be more resistant to decay.
Fluoride in the water supply helps to reduce cavities because the incorporation of fluoride into the tooth enamel allows the tooth to be more resistant to decay. If you do not live in a fluoridated community, you should speak with your dentist about the use of fluoride rinses or other supplements. Fluoride can also be applied topically to the surface of the teeth. This is usually suggested for children up to age 18. Topical fluoride application is also effective and recommended for adults with rampant carries (tooth decay, cavities).
Yes
No
If you answered YES to any of the above statements, you or your child may be at an increased risk for dental disease. Please print this page or download our Health Risk Assessment and bring it to your dentist to discuss how you can work together to reduce your risk.
Please note: Not all recommended services are covered by dental insurance plans.
