Botox And Dental?

What are your thoughts on Botox? Would you get Botox treatment if it meant it could help with specific dental problems?

Check out this article by Perfect Teeth:

"When you think about Botox chances are good you think about a Gen-Xer having it done to maintain their youthful appearance. You wouldn’t be wrong – Botox is by far the most popular cosmetic procedure out there with the American Society of Plastic Surgeons reporting over 7.4 million injections given in 2018.

And now dentists are getting in on the action. Have you heard about this trend of Botox in dentistry? It just might be the next big thing!

What is Botox?

According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine, Botox is a drug made from a toxin produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. While it’s the same toxin that causes a life-threatening type of food poisoning called botulism, its use as an injectable paralytic has been FDA approved for cosmetic procedures and more. In fact, it’s now commonly used in small doses to treat a variety of health problems including excessive sweating, excessive blinking, overactive bladder and even migraines.

Botox works by blocking nerve signals that control muscle movement, which makes them unable to contract, temporarily softening the skin around the area that was injected. It typically takes a few hours for results to be seen and they usually last about three months.

Botox in Dentistry

For most people who hear the word “Botox”, they think of wrinkle reducing injections used in cosmetic procedures. While it is true Botox was approved by the FDA for such, it is now expanding in its application due to the nerve blocking benefits it offers. In fact, a trip to your dental office could include your dentist offering Botox.

While some dentists do use Botox for cosmetic procedures, there are many other uses for Botox in dentistry.

• Treatment of Temporal Mandibular Joint Disorder (TMJ)  
• Treatment of bruxism (teeth grinding)
• Reducing a “gummy smile” without surgical intervention
• Adjustment of lips before or after denture placement or oral surgeries.

Should a Dentist Do Botox?

Botox as a purely cosmetic procedure will likely never be part of a dentist’s repertoire – as their first and primary goal is oral health care. But, because dentists have extensive training on oral and facial anatomy, health and function, some say there is no one better qualified to administer Botox than a dentist.

In fact, some proponents of the use of Botox in dentistry claim dentists are the most qualified, and offer a better experience because they administer oral and facial injections on a regular basis. This makes the injections quick and less painful, because they are done with a skilled hand.

While the use of Botox in dentistry is controversial to some, it seems there may be a place for Botox in dentistry, to help both medically and cosmetically. According to the American Academy of Facial Aesthetics about 10% of dentists are currently trained to administer Botox with more seeking training every day. The American Dental Association even offers Botox training for its members!

Is Botox in dentistry the next big thing? We don’t have a crystal ball, but it’s a trend we envision increasing especially as demand grows and more and more state dental boards support the practice."

Can Oral Bone Loss Indicate Osteoporosis?

 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 your dentist 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, you can't tell for sure from an x-ray alone, but to diagnose osteoporosis, you will need to see a doctor for a bone density test.  

Keep Smiling!

Sedation For Children

 Does your little one have a dental procedure coming up? Will it require sedation? Well, you're in luck! I came across the article "Sedation Dentistry Options For Children" published by 123 Dentists, which will make you smile. This should help you make an informed decision on which sedation is best for your child.

"Children can often be apprehensive about dental treatment, but keeping oral health in good condition is important, especially at a young age. In certain situations, your dentist might recommend using a type of sedation during your child's treatment. This can be a worrying concept, but the right information will help to put your mind at rest.

Types of Sedation

There are several levels of sedation your dentist may choose to use depending on your child and the procedure to be undertaken.

Nitrous oxide, commonly known as laughing gas, is the lowest level of sedation. It is blended with oxygen and administered through a small breathing mask. It is non-invasive, and once your child stops breathing nitrous oxide then the drug will quickly leave their system, and they will return to normal. Nitrous oxide won’t put your child to sleep, but it will help them to relax.

Mild sedation is usually induced using orally administered drugs. Your child will remain awake and usually be able to respond normally to verbal communication, but their movement and coordination may be affected. Respiratory and cardiovascular reflexes and functions are not affected at all, so there is no need for any additional monitoring equipment or oxygen.

Moderate sedation will make your child drowsy, and although they will usually respond to verbal communication they may not be able to speak coherently. They are likely to remain a little sleepy after the procedure, and most children cannot remember all or any of the procedure. This type of sedation can be reversed easily and breathing and cardiovascular function are generally unaffected.

Deep sedation is induced using intravenous drugs and will mean that your child is fully asleep. They may move a little and make sounds in response to repeated stimulation or any pain, but they will be in a deep sleep. Recovery from this type of sedation takes a little longer, and it is highly unlikely that your child will remember anything that happened. Sometimes respiratory or cardiovascular function can be impaired using these types of drugs, so there will be an extra qualified person present to monitor your child throughout the procedure.

The deepest option is a general anaesthetic, also induced using intravenous drugs. During a general anaesthetic, your child will be completely asleep and unable to respond to any stimulation, including pain. Your child will not remember any of the procedure, and should remain drowsy for some time afterwards. During this type of sedation, your child would be monitored by an anaesthetist who is trained in taking care of people under general anaesthetic. Recovery time is a little longer after a general anaesthetic than the other sedation types, and your child may need assistance with breathing during the procedure.

When Is Sedation Required?

There are a few reasons why sedation might be necessary for your child during a dental procedure. First of all, the procedure may be painful, so sedation would be appropriate to avoid unnecessary discomfort. Depending on the type and length of the procedure required, any of the above types of sedation might be appropriate.

If your child is at all anxious about visiting the dentist, it is important to make their experience as smooth as possible to avoid worsening the problem. The level of sedation required will depend on the level of anxiety and the procedure. For mild anxiety, nitrous oxide or mild sedation would help your child relax. If your child is very young, then a higher level might be appropriate to prevent them from moving during the procedure. In more extreme cases of anxiety or phobia, higher sedation levels may be required.

Sedation is sometimes required for children with behavioural disorders or other special needs. It can be difficult, or impossible, to explain to these children why dental care is required. The whole experience can therefore be very frightening for them, so an appropriate level of sedation may be used to help them remain calm and still for the procedure.

Concerns and Contraindications

Sedation has been used in dentistry for a long time, and the drugs and methods used are constantly reviewed. Anyone recommending or administering sedation is specially trained to do so safely, and during deep sedation and general anaesthetic your child is monitored by a trained professional in the room solely for that purpose.

Sometimes sedation can result in side effects such as nausea, vomiting, prolonged drowsiness, and imbalance. These effects usually wear off by themselves. After a deep sedation or general anaesthetic your child should be closely supervised to prevent falling, choking if they vomit, or airway obstruction.

Sedation of children for dental procedures is a common and safe practice. It may be worrying when your dentist first suggests it, but it is important not to increase your child’s anxiety so that they can maintain excellent dental care throughout their lives."

Original Post in November 2021

Gingivitis and Periodontitis - Two Separate Maladies

 Nearly 47% of people in the U.S. have gum disease in the form of gingivitis. Gingivitis is treatable and reversible. It can contribute to tooth decay. It does not cause bone loss, but left untreated over time it can progress to Periodontitis. 

Periodontitis by definition is the inflammation of the tissue around the teeth, often causing shrinkage of the gums and loosening of the teeth.  It can be reduced with treatment but cannot be reversed.  It can lead to bone loss and loss of teeth.  It can also be a contributor of poor health.

The main message in this is to get regular cleanings and practice good dental hygiene at home! 

Prevention is the best defense.

Keep Smiling!

The Best Products For Dogs With Halitosis

Dogs show a lot of affection with their mouths. After all, we all know that when a dog licks you, it probably means she likes you. But dog mouths are kind of…gross. Even if you work to give your dog dental bones and brush her teeth regularly, she still might end up with halitosis—really bad breath—so stinky it makes you push her away when she wants to lick you. Dogs with halitosis need an extra oomph of help from their human companions. It’s likely that their bad breath is caused by a particularly stubborn set of  “bacteria, infection and inflammation,” according to Dr. William Craig, formerly of the Texas Academy of Veterinary Practice.

Take Eira, for example. When she was a puppy, I brushed Eira’s teeth regularly. My toddler even brushed her tiny puppy teeth. Just as humans can get that nasty combination of inflammation and bacteria, dogs can, too (albeit different bacteria, specific to the canine species).

I’d purchased somewhat of a cheap toothbrush and generic puppy toothpaste, and I regret it. I left the tiniest trace of toothpaste on the brush and when I went to grab it a week later, the whole head of the toothbrush was covered in mold. Disgusting! I’ll spare you a photo of that.

I halfheartedly used the rubber finger brush after that, but it didn’t do much. Before long, Eira’s breath began to stink. We started wrinkling our noses at the thought of receiving doggy kisses from her, which was sad. She loves giving us doggy kisses. That’s when we started researching different products that could help relieve her (and us) of the halitosis that threatened to come between our affection for each other.

The Best Water Additives:
Consider water additives the mouthwash for dogs, but without the need to swish and spit. The best water additives should do three things: freshen breath, remove plaque, and halt tartar buildup. Throughout the day as your dog eats, plays, and gets into icky things in the yard, those things deposit bacteria into her mouth. You need to brush that bacteria away before it hardens into tartar, which is more difficult to remove and can lead to rotten teeth and gum disease.

Here are our favorite water additives for dogs.

TropiClean Fresh Breath Plaque Remover Pet Water
Add this to your pet’s water for a month and see what happens. It’s almost guaranteed that the plaque and tartar buildup on his teeth will fade—and best of all, the light peppermint scent just about eliminates nasty dog breath. While the bottle says you don’t need to brush your dog’s teeth if you use this pet water, it’s always a good idea to brush your dog’s teeth. The bristles of a special dog toothbrush (which I’ll show you in a little bit!) directly rub against a dog’s tooth, scraping away the nasties. Combine this head-on action with additive water, and you’re likely to notice a big difference in your dog’s breath and overall mouth health.

Nylabone Advanced Oral Liquid Tartar Remover for Dogs
Remember Nylabone? That company with all the fantastic dog chews? They make a water additive, too, that modifies the chemical composition of your dog’s saliva. This helps your pup fight plaque and tartar buildup while also freshening that stinky doggy breath.

Paws & Pals Natural Water Additive for Dogs 
This water additive does the same thing as the other two, but with two differences: first, it uses all-natural ingredients like purified water, aloe, and peppermint to fight plaque and improve breath health. Second, this water additive makes it clear that it’s to be used in addition to regular brushing. 

The Most Effective Toothbrushes:
Dogs, like humans, benefit from daily tooth-brushing. I confess that I haven’t always lived by this rule, but since Eira’s breath really started stinking, I’ve made it a point to brush her teeth daily. The typical human-like toothbrush “for dogs” doesn’t work so well for us. Neither do finger toothbrushes because Eira ends up chewing on my finger—she thinks it’s a toy.

Instead, we use a special toothbrush with a round head. 

VTurboWay 360-Degree Puppy and Small Dog Toothbrush
The rounded toothbrush works wonders because every part of its surface is working for every moment that it’s in your dog’s mouth. Dogs don’t generally love having their teeth brushed, and eliminating the job of lining up bristles with dog teeth makes the job easier to do. If the job is easier, you’re more likely to do it, and your dog’s halitosis will become less pungent.

This toothbrush features soft bristles for a small dog or puppy’s little teeth.

Petrodex 360-Degree Adult Dog Toothbrush
For a dog with bigger teeth (full-grown adult teeth), try this 360-Degree toothbrush from Petrodex.

The Tastiest Toothpastes:
First and most importantly: never give your dog human toothpaste, even if you think human toothpaste will knock out that terrible halitosis. Fluoride, an essential ingredient in most human toothpastes (even child-friendly toothpaste) can be harmful to dogs. Thankfully, there are tons of dog-specific toothpastes out there.

Pura Naturals Pet Puppy Toothpaste
Puppies need a gentler toothpaste than older dogs do, so this organic puppy toothpaste is a perfect choice. Your puppy’s halitosis problems should never start if you brush his teeth daily with this toothpaste (and add that Paws & Pals Water Additive to his dish!).

Petradex Enzymatic Dog Toothpaste, Poultry Flavored
Like enzymatic spray for potty training, an enzymatic toothpaste is essential to eliminating foul odors in your dog’s mouth. This is the toothpaste Eira currently uses, and she adores the chicken flavor. It might sound gross to us to have a meat-flavored toothpaste, but for dogs? That’s heaven.

Because of the enzymatic nature of the toothpaste, your dog’s breath doesn’t smell like chicken, thankfully. Eira’s breath smells much better since we started using this toothpaste (along with several of the other products on this page)—basically, it smells like nothing. And for humans, that’s heaven.

Breath Sprays for Dogs: Do They Really Work?
One final trick to treat your dog’s halitosis is breath spray. Or rather, a stream of smell-destroying liquid that you pump into your dog’s mouth.

We love this spray by Arm & Hammer:

You simply pump a couple squirts onto your dog’s teeth and gums and then try to keep them from drinking or eating for an hour afterward. (So don’t do this when your pet is hungry or thirsty!) Like a water additive, this spray neutralizes odors and helps fight plaque buildup.

If None of These Solutions Work…
There might be something more serious than halitosis going on with your dog. Remember, dental health is vital to your dog’s health, so if you haven’t been brushing your dog’s teeth regularly, start now. Fight that halitosis, plaque, tartar, tooth rot, and gum disease with the products in this review and you’ll hopefully never need to visit the vet on account of your dog’s teeth.



This is a direct copy from:
Melchor, L.O. (2019, June). The Best Products for Dogs With Halitosis. Retrieved from https://yourdogadvisor.com/dogs-with-halitosis/