Ludwig's Angina

Have you ever heard of Ludwig's Angina? Good, neither have I!

According to Medical News Today "Ludwig's angina is a rare, serious skin infection that develops on the floor of the mouth and the neck. It results from bacteria that are present due to other issues, such as a tooth abscess or a mouth injury".

Ludwig is a form of cellulitis which causing serve swelling in the tissue under the tongue and around the neck. Luckily, antibiotics help people recover but if it's not treated right away it can be deadly because the swelling can cut of airways. 

Along with sever swelling you can also experience other symptoms such as:

• Fever and chills
• Drooling
• Earache
• Confusion
• Weakness

If you are experience any of these symptoms you should seek medical attention right away!

Information found here!

Can A Dental Exam Reveal Osteoporosis?

Absolutely!  There are a variety of things your teeth and gums can reveal, and bone loss is one of them
Picture this: Your teeth have been cleaned, x-rayed and examined. You're ready to schedule your next 6-month check-up and be on your way. But instead, your dentist delivers some surprising news: you may have osteoporosis.
You may think he is kidding, but that's probably not the case. Signs of osteoporosis can often be seen on dental x-rays and exams. Oral health and bone health can be directly related. Your dentist can find possible signs of osteoporosis by examining your jawbone, gums and teeth.
Although your dentist may suspect the disease, an x-ray alone is not enough for a diagnosis. To diagnose osteoporosis, you will need to see a doctor for a bone density test.

The History of The Toothpick

There is evidence that the toothpick has been around in various forms since 1600 BC and that our modern day toothbrushes actually evolved from them! In early times, things like porcupine quills and chicken bones and wood splinters were used to clean teeth. Here are some excerpts from an article I found that has some great information about when the toothpick originated.

"The skulls of Neanderthals, as well as Homo sapiens, have shown clear signs of having teeth that were either flossed with blades of grass or picked with rudimentary toothpick tools. Similar markings have been found in the fossilized teeth of both American Indians and Australian Aborigines."
Source: Smithsonian Magazine

Here is another excerpt I found particularly interesting...
"At one time, you could tell a person's status by what they used to pick their teeth. Kings, queens, and lords picked their teeth with designer toothpicks made from gold, silver, or ivory. Often, they were inlaid with precious stones. Twigs and porcupine quills were most often used by the "lower classes." By the 17th century, the toothpick was the latest fad for the educated classes in Europe they were even included in traveling sets together with a knife and spoon."
Source: http://members.aol.com/acalendar/February/toothpick.html

Here's a closing fact just for fun:
Did you know?
"One cord of wood (logs 8' in length, stacked 4' high, and 4' wide) can be turned into 7.5 million toothpicks." Source: amusingfacts.com

Antioxidants And Oral Health

Are antioxidants good for our oral health? The answer is YES!

According to a presentation at the 2019 ADA FDI World Dental Congress, presented by Karen Davis, RDH, antioxidants found in dark chocolate and berries can help boost oral health!

Antioxidants such as Vitamin A, C, E, K can help reduce plaque, prevent gum disease, aid in healing mouth sores and promote collagen synthesis.

Davis recommends "consuming a healthy supply of antioxidants daily".

You're in luck because antioxidants can found in many types of foods, such as:

• Dark chocolate
• Dark-colored berries (blueberries, strawberries, and raspberries)
• Spinach
• Kale
• Nuts 
• Cinnamon
• Tumeric

If you are prone to gum inflammmation you can even apply antioxidants topically. The major benefit of applying antioxidants topically is that it is immediately absorbed into the mouth tissues and start releasing anti-inflammatory agents right away!



Information found here!

Are kids Drinking Too Much Sugar?

Here is a startling fact...in 2018 almost two-thirds of sugary drinks purchased were accounted as children drinks!

Children who drink sugary drinks such as soda, juice, and flavored waters may develop obesity, cavities, tooth decay, tooth loss, and other health risks.

Yes, I mentioned flavored water. The majority of people think they are doing a great job by having their child drink "water" but unfortunately, those added flavors usually contain high fructose corn syrup, cane sugar or agave syrup.  The best way to flavor water is by using natural fresh fruits!

According to WebMD it is recommended that children should consume less than 6 tablespoons of sugar (25 grams) daily. Just to put that into perspective, one 12-oz can of soda contain 39 grams of sugar.

Below are some healthy alternative drinks for your child:

1. Regular water
2. Natural fresh fruit infused water
3. Coconut water
4.  Smoothies -
1. Kale and pineapple
2. Spinach and blueberries
3. Peach and cauliflower
4. Strawberries and beets 
1. Blended with un-sweetened non-dairy or dairy milk
2. It can include add-ins like: hemp seeds, cocoa powder, unsweetened coconut, avocados, etc.
5. Unsweetened milk
6. Unsweetened plant-based milk (coconut, hemp, almond, soy, etc.)
7. Herbal teas

Bad Teeth Hurt Both Professionally and Socially

The struggle is real.  The pain is real, both physically and emotionally.
It’s a stigma that no one wants to bear…a crooked smile, broken or missing teeth, visible decay, and it can lead to poverty and discrimination.  People (including potential employers) will judge a person by how they look.  It happens, and it’s unfortunate.
A mind-blowing fact is that a potential employer may look past things such as excessive tattoos, piercings or even rainbow colored hair when it comes to hiring, but will pass over a person with broken or missing teeth.  The reason for this is clearly due to a lack of self-confidence and self-esteem in the interviewee.  People who have bad teeth will typically try to hide them by covering their mouth, not making eye contact or not smiling, lending to the perception of low self-worth.
In social situations, friends or acquaintances may be reluctant to include or introduce someone due to embarrassment.  Adding to their misery is the fact that dentistry is expensive and although there are financing options available almost everywhere, those without a job cannot usually qualify. Medicaid programs are of little help.  Most pay little to nothing for adult dental care, and nothing for restorative treatment.  All of this combined creates a vicious cycle of personal struggle and can lead to poverty.
It is a sad fact that many people living in poverty consider dentistry a luxury that is reserved for the rich.
The emphasis that is placed on physical appearance nowadays is unbelievable.  But then they say first impressions are everything.  It appears they are.

Top 15 Halloween Candies Your Dentist Wishes You Won't Eat!

Happy Halloween, every year dentist offices across the country encounter a rush of patients experiencing Halloween candy-related dental emergencies!! No joke!! It's very common for patients to present themselves to the dental staff with crowns or bridges that have been pulled off, fillings that have been pulled out, teeth that have been chipped or cracked all by these innocent sweeties we consume every year!! I've compiled a list of the most common offenders that can be found in your candy bowl!

Top 5 Worst Culprits

(these are known to extricate crowns, bridges, and fillings with ease)

1. Sugar Daddy
2. Milk Duds
3. Dots
4. Bit-O-Honey
5. Good n' Plenty

Top 10 Accomplices

1. Jolly Rancher
2. Laffy Taffy
3. Caramel
4. Gummy Bears
5. Toffee
6. Tootsie Rolls
7. Sugar Babies
8. Now & Laters
9. Super Bubble Gum/ Dubble Bubble Gum
10. Slowpokes

There ya have it! For those of you who have any type of dental work done, watch out for these sneaky little candies...or you may find yourself in the dental chair bashfully blaming your missing filling on one of these sweet little criminals!

Have a Happy and Safe Halloween!

original post by Dawn_DA  October 2009