Cracked Tongue?

 Have you ever experienced a cracked tongue? Me neither. 

Cracked tongue is where a person's tongue has one or more groves alongside the surface of the tongue. These cracks can be very minimal or very deep. Although this may seem extremely painful, people have mentioned that they usually only feel a burning sensation after they have eaten acidic food or drinks. 

As of right now, there is no rhyme or reason for cracked tongue syndrome but there has been some research that has found a few links connecting the two. These include:

• B12 Deficiency
• Low Zinc levels
• Low Iron levels
• Smoking
• Certain medications

If you are experiencing cracked tongue syndrome, it's important to step up your oral health routine. Make sure you remove any food particles that may become trapped in the groves. If you do not remove these you are putting yourself at a higher risk of different bacterial infections. 

Image found on google.

Can Obesity and Gum Disease be Related?

 Researchers have been working to verify the suspicion, but as it appears now, people who suffer from obesity could be at a higher risk of developing gum disease than everyone else.

The reason obesity raises the risk?

Obesity causes the body to release proteins containing flammatory properties called cytokines.  These cytokines could potentially damage or injure the gum tissue, which could likely lead to gum disease.   However, half of the US population over 30 suffer from gum disease.  Gum disease itself also releases cytokines, which if you're obese, could lead to other dangerous inflammatory diseases throughout the body.  

To get the latest information on this study, check out the original article HERE.

Could Your Mouth Be Causing IBD?

As you may know, oral health can affect more than just the inside of a mouth. Poor oral hygiene can cause other serious health problems like heart disease and diabetes but could it also be causing Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)?

Nobuhiko Kamada, Ph.D., assistant professor of internal medicine in the division of gastroenterology at U-M Medical School has been collecting and researching the different types of bacterias found in a person's gut. During his research, Dr. Kamada has found that the overgrown bacteria found within the gut of a person who suffers from IBD is also linked to bacteria that is normally found inside the mouth. 

Dr. Kamada contacted the dental school and asked them "does oral diseases affect the severity of gastrointestinal diseases?"

After further research, a study was published in Celi, which shows that oral bacteria found in the gut can worsen inflammation. 

If you would like to read more about the study click here!

Are Mail Order Braces For Everyone?

 Clear braces are the current rave...and many young adults and teens are hoping to escape those "ugly metal braces".  But are they right for you?  Maybe not!

Clear braces may sound like a more attractive deal than they really are.  There are many mail order types available, ranging from $79 kits to $1895 packages that allow you to take your own impressions, mail them in and then wait for the aligners to come in the mail.  What many people don't understand is that there are  certain dental maladies that clear braces cannot fix, such as a tooth that has not fully erupted or grown in, or a twisted tooth, or even a misaligned jaw.  Those things require metal braces. While companies like Invisalign have come a long way in recent years, i.e. treating more severe cases of malocclusion, there are still advantages to wearing metal braces. Additionally, you may be required to wear clear braces for a longer period of time than you might with metal braces.  

Clear braces are expensive.  Although some insurance companies now cover Invisalign, be sure to see a certified Invisalign provider to make sure it is the right fit for you!  

Keep Smiling!  

Are Virtual Dental Visits A Feasible Option?

 In our September 2020 Newsletter, a Savon member asked: "Are virtual dental visits a feasible option?"

Savon's response was: "If you are using a virtual visit to replace a visit for a dental problem then I don´t think it´s a feasible option.

Virtual dental visits have been in use since 2012 in areas where dental care is inadequate and dentists are limited.  In most of these cases a dentist works virtually with a hygienist to assess the needs of the patient and schedule appointments as required.

While this system works for undeserved areas you are always better off actually seeing a dentist in person if possible."

Food For Your Oral Health - The Good and the Bad

 Have you ever wondered what you've eaten that causes dental caries (cavities)? Or, on the flip side, have you ever wondered what foods have contributed to your good dental health?

The following is a list of the five best foods for your teeth, followed by the five worst.  

BEST FOODS

1. Milk
2. Yogurt
3. Strawberries
4. Green Tea
5. Sugar Free Gum

WORST FOODS

1. Raisins
2. Lemons
3. Soda
4. White Bread
5. Gummy Candy and Hard Candy

Eat the good stuff, and Keep Smiling!

Dental X-Rays

One question that I get asked constantly is "why is my dentist taking X-rays"? Well, dental x-rays are a important part of dental treatment because they can detect damage to the teeth and gums that are not visible during a routine visual exam.

Some of the most common reason for x-rays are listed below:

• Looking for decay between the teeth - sometimes decay is not visible to the naked eye.
• Checking for bone loss associated with gum disease - Gum disease can cause bone loss and the x-ray can show how advanced it is.
• Checking for decay under fillings - Sometime decay under the fillings can occur and the only way to detect this is by x-rays.
• Looking for infection at the tip of the root - Infections can appear at the bottom of the teeth where the bone is, which x-rays are needed to confirm.
• Examine before procedures - Dentist need a full view of the area they will be working on, whether it is braces, fillings and tooth extractions.

So, next time you get upset about having another set of x-rays taken, remember this is for your own oral health. Also, ask yourself, if would you rather take the x-rays and see potential problems or be blindsided?