Tooth Truth

TOOTH TRUTH
RENOWNED AESTHETIC DENTISTRY PIONEER DR. IRWIN SMIGEL TAKES A BITE
OUT OF OUR ORAL HEALTHCARE QUESTIONS

If old habits die hard, then there's no time like the present to teach your kids about proper oral
healthcare. Cavities, tooth decay, discoloration of teeth and more can occur as early as your little
one's first set of teeth. Here, our resident dentistry guru, Dr. Irwin Smigel, answers our questions
and urges us to teach our children now how to take care of their choppers—or forever hold their teeth.

tooth truth THE FAMILY GROOVE: How can cavities be prevented?
Dr. Irwin Smigel: A lot of childhood cavities occur in the back of the mouth since these teeth contain numerous pits and grooves that are hard to reach with a toothbrush. The bacteria and food particles that are often missed can cause cavity causing acid to form. The first step in prevention against tooth decay is adequate oral hygiene beginning when a child’s first teeth are visible. The American Dental Association recommends that parents take their children to visit a dentist within the first year of age; this is about the time a child’s first set of teeth have begun to come in. Another way to guard against this is by having dental sealants or translucent plastic coverings applied to the back teeth. These sealants are applied by a dentist and can be a good option to prevent childhood cavities. Cavities can also be avoided by monitoring a child’s diet. Letting your young child eat sweets and sleep with a bottle containing milk or juice can lead to early tooth decay. Fluoride is another important step in prevention because it incorporates itself into the enamel, decreasing the instances of cavities by making teeth more resistant to being attacked by the mouth’s acid.

TFG: Are children getting enough fluoride in their drinking water?
IS: If you and your family drink bottled water, your kids may not be getting enough fluoride to protect their teeth by preventing cavities. Fluoride is also beneficial to adults as it helps reduce the number of cavity and tooth decay cases. Fluoride is something that is found in most tap water. Your local municipality can provide you the information about the amount of fluoride in your local drinking water. With the information provided, your dentist can prescribe whether or not fluoride supplements are needed. Also, one should be aware that an excessive amount of fluoride can cause fluorosis, a permanent condition that causes brown spots to appear on a child’s teeth. When it comes to the use of fluoride toothpaste, it is recommended only when a child is old enough to know to spit the toothpaste out. Teaching a child to spit can be simple—the hard part is getting them to brush.

TFG: You said it. So, how can we help children get motivated to brush?
The key is to make it fun, like letting your child brush your teeth. This shows your child that mommy does it too, therefore setting the stage for a lifetime of good oral hygiene. Choosing colorful/character designed toothbrushes and flavored toothpaste can also help get children into good brushing habits. Parents can even make up some sort of song that will encourage your child to brush, making it fun rather than a chore. Parents can even consider getting electronic toothbrushes for their children as well as for themselves—it makes a child feel grown-up and does a much more thorough job with cleaning.

TFG: Wow! So children can use electric toothbrushes?
IS: Electric toothbrushes are perfectly safe for children when attended by an adult. This type of brush works especially well for those who do not brush correctly or long enough. They also help children (and adults) develop a correct brushing technique. When looking for electronic toothbrushes, look for a brush with a 45 degree angle and soft rounded bristles. A sonic brush works particularly well because they operate in a way where there are more strokes per minute to help prevent plaque verses a manual brushing in the same time frame. It is important to replace toothbrushes every three to four months or sooner if the bristles are frayed.
tooth box
TFG: What do parents need to know about getting their whites nice and pearly?
IS: A parent's job doesn't stop at just making sure their child’s smile is healthy. They have to take care of their own teeth, too. As we get older, concerns about tooth decay are compounded by tooth discoloration and gum disease. To achieve a healthy smile, like when we were kids, whitening toothpaste, dental floss and rinses are available to help keep your gums and teeth healthy. Since there are so many whitening products with which to choose, the question becomes which one is right for me? It is important when looking for whitening toothpastes to find products that are non-abrasive and contain the whitening agent Calprox. Calprox is a special ingredient that gently dissolves the protein pellicle (a sticky film on teeth with which bacteria and stains attach) while gently and safely bleaching away superficial stains. Always follow recommended directions, some tooth whitening products and procedures can over-bleach your teeth and cause the enamel to dry out and lead to enamel thinning and teeth chipping.

TFG: Does whitening gum really work? Can kids chew it, too?
IS: Yes! Chewing a sugar-free whitening gum is another easy and effective way for moms and kids to keep teeth healthy and cavity free. When looking for gum it is best to find one that uses Xylitol as a sweetener. Xylitol is one of bacteria's natural enemies. Xylitol is a naturally occurring sweetener found in the fibers of many fruits and vegetables that has been proven to be effective in fighting and reducing plaque and cavities. It also has the ability to help enhance the mineralization of the enamel to keep teeth strong.

Here's a useful tip: To prevent the transfer of bacteria from mouth-to-mouth that can lead to tooth decay, parents are recommended to chew gum containing Xylitol for approximately five minutes before sharing food or utensils with their children. This will prevent the transfer of germs that lead to tooth decay.

TFG: What about gum disease? How can we prevent it?
IS: Starting proper oral healthcare early on in your child's life can help insure that your he or she enjoys a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums. People tend to focus more on their teeth and often overlook their gums. Think of gums as the glue that holds your smile together. Unhealthy gums can lead to two major types of periodontal disease: gingivitis and periodontitis. It is an infection in the tissue that supports your teeth and attacks the gum line and sulcus (the V-shape crevice between tooth and gum). Warning signs that you may have gum disease are: gums bleeding easily, blood on your toothbrush, red, swollen and tender gums, a receding gum line and persistent bad breath/taste. Gum problems can also cause a shift in teeth alignment and cause an unwelcome shift in your bite.

TFG: Any final parting pearls of wisdom?

IS: Remember that old adage: the only tooth you don’t have to brush is the one you don’t want to keep.

Dr. Irwin Smigel, known as the Father of Aesthetic Dentistry, founded and is the current president of the American Society for Dental Aesthetics (www.asdatoday.com). Dr. Smigel is also the inventor and international spokesperson for Supersmile Total Oral Care Whitening Products (with Calprox©). Dr. Smigel maintains a successful practice on Madison Avenue where his clients include Johnny Depp, Kelly Ripa, Barry Diller and Elizabeth Taylor to name just a few. You can reach him at dr.smigel@supersmile.com or visit his site www.supersmile.com.