The Showdown: Male Teeth Vs. Female Teeth

January, 2013 »  

The Showdown: Male Teeth Vs. Female Teeth —

Okay, okay.  We already know that men are from Mars and women are from Venus.  Of course, there are lots of differences between us that will reiterate that statement, but, from a dental standpoint, are our teeth so different from one another that they too are from an alien planet?

Let’s start with the basics.  We might assume that because men are generally bigger than women that their teeth would also be larger.  This isn’t always the case.  The shape of natural teeth varies from person to person.

Alas, there seems to be conflicting research as to determining if men’s teeth are in general, larger than women’s teeth.  According to the Journal for Dental Research, they find men’s teeth do in fact, tend to be larger, especially the canines, or “eye” teeth.  But, according to a study done by researchers for the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Center in Berlin (the researchers included dentists, dental students, dental professional and non-dental professionals) gender differences could only be detected about 50% of the time when shown images of front teeth.  There are anthropologic studies that tend to prove differences in men’s and women’s teeth, but this particular study done in Berlin showed that gender differences were not visible to the experts eyes more than half of the time.  The researchers looked for things that were known in previous dental research, like how women supposedly have more rounded teeth than angular like men and they still could not determine from the images as to if it was a man or woman.  So, they found that shape, size, or color of the canine teeth was not always a determining factor as an indicator of male or female.

Now, onto a more important finding.  There have been numerous studies that have found that tooth decay is more prevalent in women.  An article that was published in the International Journal of Dentistry reported research that determined women had a higher rate of decay due to things like salivary composition and flow,  hormone fluctuation, and dietary habits.

It was found that women, especially older women (due to osteoporosis) had a lower flow rate of their saliva.  Hormones, which effect saliva, fluctuate through women’s lives due to puberty, menses, pregnancy, birth control and menopause.  Saliva is beneficial as far as buffering, washing and remineralization of teeth.  When there is less, bacteria tend to hang onto teeth and cause problems.

Women’s hormones fluctuate for obvious reasons month to month.  Because of this change in hormones, it can effect the “protective” composition of saliva and make it less effective and cause problems in the oral cavity. 

Pregnancy is also a major hormone changer.  It not only causes change in salivary content, but there tend to be cravings with pregnancy, which can lead to a change in dietary habits.  There would more likely be snacking which causes an increase in more bacteria in the mouth, and thusly, BAM, cavities!

Even with all of these issues against the fair ladies, women still end up statistically healthier than men with their dental health.  It is because women tend to be more proactive in caring for their teeth as far as brushing and flossing (goarticles.com).

Alrighty, lets look at some fun facts (Journal of Periodontology and Doctorshangout.com).  Keep in mind that we think that they are fun but we are into the whole dental thing, you know:

• Women are much more likely to use floss on a daily basis than men.
• 75% of women would feel embarrassed if they were missing a tooth compared to 50% of men.
• Women notice much faster if another person is missing a tooth than men.
• 33% of men consider dental health important to maintain overall good health as compared to 44% of women who believe so.
• Women smile about 62 times a day compared to men who smile eight times a day on average.

Szmanda Dental Center is ambivalent to male or female teeth.  We love them all and would love to see you at our office!  Please make sure you stay on a 6-month cleaning schedule (or more frequent if you suffer from those pesky periodontal bugs) so we can keep your teeth looking great and maybe we can get those guys to smile a bit more……

Information compiled from the Journal of Dental Research, the International Journal of Dentistry, the Dental Tribune, the Journal of Periodontology, goarticles.com, doctorshangout.com and Staff at Szmanda Dental Center  

© Szmanda Dental Center, S.C. 2013

ARE YOU EVER TOO OLD FOR BRACES?

You asked, we answered »  

Are You Ever Too Old For Braces? —

When you think about braces, you generally think about kids having to wear them.  But nowadays, you often see adults sporting those little metal brackets on their teeth too!  According to the American Association of Orthodontics (AAO), adults make up 25% of orthodontic patients across the country.

  

While many insurance companies do not cover adult orthodontia, there is a growing need for it and it’s not just the desire for a nicer appearance when you smile.  Many dentists and periodontists (gum specialists) refer their patients to orthodontists to have their teeth straightened prior to having crown/bridgework done or necessary gum or bone surgery. This will in turn help with the longevity of the treatment being done.  Hopefully due to more and more of these issues occurring, insurance companies will start allowing adult orthodontia coverage.  Dental needs have changed and more patients are taking better care of their teeth and being able to keep their natural teeth their whole lives.  Dental insurance companies have not kept pace with these changes and unfortunately have not changed their policies as of yet to observe the growing needs of adults.

The New York Times interviewed orthodontists across the country and found that adult patients range in age from their 20’s to their 70’s with slightly more being women.  About half of those patients just wanted a better smile, while the other half were referrals from dentists and periodontists, or those that wanted to be retreated due to a shift in their teeth, or just had never sought treatment as a child and could now afford it.

According to WebMD, dental professionals say that there are health reasons also involved in which a corrected bite can alleviate.  Misaligned teeth tend to hold on to food particles, which increase plaque build up.  An increase of plaque build up can lead to gum disease and periodontal disease.  Also, those with misaligned teeth tend to have a cross bite and when your teeth don’t come together correctly, food doesn’t get chewed properly which leads to swallowing bigger pieces of food and that can cause gastrointestinal problems.

There are several different options for you if you are interested in orthodontic treatment and there are a couple of options if you are concerned about the appearance of braces. 

Generally, if your teeth are fairly crooked or rotated or if you have a major bite concern, orthodontists usually prefer to use metal brackets.  They tend to get the job done quicker just because they are stronger and can treat pretty much any type of orthodontic problem.

From an esthetics standpoint, there are brackets that are made of ceramic and are tooth colored.  The bummer about these particular brackets is that the bonding material, which holds the bracket onto your tooth, can stain after time and also the little rubber bands that go around the bracket can stain and tend to pop off easily (speaking from experience).  The brackets themselves are tooth colored, but there will still be a metal wire running through them so at a glance, it will look like you are wearing a retainer (Fun Fact:  This is the option Tom Cruise chose when he had braces at the age of 40). 

The other option is something called Invisalign®.  This is a great option if you don’t have a ton of rotation to your teeth and anything major that needs to be corrected.  Basically, Invisalign® works by using clear plastic trays that are made from impressions taken of your teeth.  These trays are held in place by a couple of dots of resin material placed on your teeth and notches made into the trays to grab onto that material.  These trays are removable so you can take them in and out to eat or to brush.  Usually, you need to go in to see your orthodontist anywhere every 2 weeks to once a month to get new trays as your teeth are shifting into alignment.  It’s a pretty amazing treatment, especially if you are concerned with the way braces look.  Most people won’t even realize that you are wearing anything.  Of course, this will probably be the most expensive route, but that is what one has to pay for looking good while getting straight teeth!

After your orthodontic treatment is completed, you will need to wear a retainer.  Generally, orthodontists would like you to wear these retainers for up to 6 months, all day and all night, only to remove them when you eat or brush your teeth.  They then would like you to wear them at night only.  Orthodontists are finding that retention is the key to keeping your straight smile, so continuing to wear the retainers at night is a great way to keep your investment in tip-top shape!

If you have any questions or concerns about braces and your options, please talk to any of the doctors or hygienists at Szmanda Dental Center and we will be glad to give you a general rundown of options.  We have several great local orthodontists that we work with and trust that we will be happy to refer you to.

Information compiled from the American Association of Orthodontics, The New York Times, WebMD and Staff at Szmanda Dental Center  

© Szmanda Dental Center, S.C. 2012

YOU ASKED, WE ANSWERED

You asked, we answered »  
I would like to know more about extractions and tooth removal.... —

Having to have a tooth removed isn’t something to look forward to.  Hopefully you won’t have to experience this, but if it does happen, it doesn’t have to be a horrible experience.  Szmanda Dental has lots of experience with extractions and we try to make it as simple as possible.  If we feel that it may prove to be too difficult for one of our dentists to tackle, then we simply refer you to a specialist that deals with these sorts of things everyday. 

After your tooth is removed, you may want to replace the empty space with something permanent, like a bridge, partial denture or an implant.  These types of procedures can all be addressed prior to having your tooth removed so you can be aware of your choices and financial considerations.

TWO S's OF TOOTH DECAY

November, 2012 »  

Two S's of Tooth Decay —

Sipping and snacking are starting to cause a stir in dentistry.  Because more and more people are in front of a computer all day, they tend to sip on a beverage for a longer period of time than someone who is drinking something to satisfy a thirst.  And, there is that pesky office candy bowl in the next cubicle or the homemade goodies someone left in the break room that everyone likes to grab from here and there throughout the day.  Because of these increased behaviors, there seems to be a link between them and tooth decay.

 According to the American Dental Association (ADA), Americans are consuming foods and drinks high in sugar and starches more often and in larger amounts than ever before.  Continually eating sugary foods throughout the day or sipping on sugary drinks have a hazardous effect on teeth.

After eating or drinking, any sugar left on teeth creates a breeding ground for bacteria.  When bacteria feeds on sugar, acid is produced which can then cause tooth enamel to be eaten away paving the way for a cavity.

When you think of sugary drinks, obviously soda comes to mind (refer back to our fabulous article, How Sweet It Is for more info on the effects of soda on teeth).  But don’t forget those lattes and cappuccinos that everyone is drinking these days.  The milk and other contents in those drinks have sugar to activate bacteria.

• Colgateprofessional.com has suggestions to help with fighting bacteria in your mouth if faced with sipping or snacking during the day. 

• If you feel the need to snack, try nuts or cheese.  These tend to counteract acid production. 

• Snack on veggies.  They are low in carbohydrates, which means they are low in sugars.

• If you eat fruit, try to stay away from acidic fruit and lean more towards firm fruits, which have a high water content. 

• Also, rinse with water after snacking or chew sugarless gum to increase saliva flow, which has natural antibacterial properties.

• If you can control your snacking, but absolutely can’t make it through the day without sweets, have it with a meal when more saliva is being produced to digest food and neutralize acid.  Research has shown that people who snacked during the day had more cavities than those who ate the same amount of sugary snacks with meals.

• Same advice goes with sugary drinks.  Do not nurse it, drink it down and then drink water, chew sugarless gum or better yet, brush.  The sooner the sugar comes off your teeth, the less likelihood for cavities.

No one wants to put a damper on your sweet tooth or latte addiction.  We all need some perks throughout our day, but remember that your teeth are the first victims of anything that is poor in nutrition.

Rinse with water, chew sugarless gum, floss, brush, and see your dentist and hygienist regularly to catch problems early or better yet, to prevent them.

Call for an appointment today at Szmanda Dental Center located in Wausau, Edgar and Wittenberg, WI.

Information compiled from the American Dental Association, Colgateprofessional.com and Staff at Szmanda Dental Center  © Szmanda Dental Center, S.C. 2012

YOU ASKED, WE ANSWERED

You asked, we answered »  

I would like to know more about teeth whitening options.  There are so many different options and prices, I don't know where to start.... —

There are several different options to choose from to whiten your teeth.  Generally, if your teeth are relatively straight and don’t have a lot of stain, you may want to try using something like Crest Whitestrips.  These are strips of a plastic material that come with a bleaching gel already on them. You wear them for ½ hour per day for approximately 2 weeks.  They generally cost about $40.

At Szmanda Dental Center, we offer a couple of different whitening options that have very positive results: 

One option is a take home kit with trays that are made to specifically fit your teeth.  We make trays from impressions taken of your teeth so that any bleaching gel that is used will get into all of the nooks and crannies.  You are given your trays and gel with instructions to take home.  This is an overnight system that you are to wear 7-10 days.  Depending on how much coffee, tea or dark soda you drink that can cause stain, you may need to touch up your whitening once a year or maybe every couple of years.  This system is $199.  Touch-up kits are $50.

The other option we offer is an in-house system called Venus Whitening.  It takes approximately 2 hours with a dental hygienist to complete the procedure.  Extra steps are taken during this procedure to protect your gum tissue from the bleaching gel since it can cause irritation.  The cost of this whitening system is $350 — this includes take home trays and touch-up gel.

If you have any questions about bleaching systems, please give Szmanda Dental Center a call and we will be glad to help you!

© Szmanda Dental Center, S.C. 2012

Information compiled from the Staff at Szmanda Dental Center  

HOW TO PROPERLY BRUSH YOUR TEETH

October, 2012 »  

How to Properly Brush Your Teeth —

Does it really matter how you brush your teeth as long as you brush your teeth?  Yes it does.  As with anything you do, the better you are at it, the better the outcome.

First and foremost in your brushing routine, Szmanda Dental Center recommends using a soft bristled toothbrush.  You are doing your teeth and gums a disservice using a harder bristled brush by literally brushing your gums and enamel away.  The more gentle, the better.

We also recommend electric toothbrushes, such as Sonicare.  These brushes usually have timers on them that count down a two-minute brush time.  It’s amazing when you first start using these brushes how long two minutes actually is and you realize how little time you have spent brushing your teeth before.  Electric toothbrushes can do a better job getting at areas that you may miss by adding a little extra boost to your brushing; some vibrate, some spin and cup the tooth similar to your dental hygienist’s polishing tool.  They can move thousands of times per minute versus a few hundred with a manual toothbrush.  Essentially, electric toothbrushes do the work for you when used correctly rather than you doing all of the work with a regular toothbrush.  If you aren’t able to get an electric toothbrush, using a regular one will do.  In fact, some people prefer manual toothbrushes instead of electric as they don’t like the feel, it can be ticklish, and it can be messy.

With either kind of toothbrush, there are techniques to get the most out of brushing:

• As we said before, use a soft bristled toothbrush and be sure to brush at least twice a day.  Once in the morning and once at night is the preferred protocol.  Once a day is not going to cut the muster, as they say.  Preferably, if you can, three times a day would be great (once after each meal).  If you can’t brush after lunch, try to swish with water and try chewing sugarless gum.  You can do this after you snack also.

• Make sure that the size of your brush head can reach all areas of your mouth, including behind those back molars.

• When your brush head looks worn, replace it!  In fact, it should be replaced prior to the worn-look.  The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends replacing it every three months.  Think about it; your toothbrush gets a workout two-three times a day AND, your mouth is the most bacteria-ridden place in your body. 

• And for Pete’s sake, do not share your toothbrush.  As Szmanda Dental Center’s website Tip of the Month states:  The Center for Disease Control advises “the exchange of body fluids that such sharing would foster places toothbrush sharers at an increased risk for infections.”  Ewwwww.

The ADA has these suggestions for the proper way to brush your teeth:

• Place toothbrush at a 45° angle to the gums.

• Move the brush back and forth gently in short strokes.

• Brush all sides of the teeth (cheek side, tongue side and chewing surfaces).

• Tilt the brush vertically to clean the tongue side surfaces of the front teeth and move the brush up and down several times.

• Brush your tongue.  Bacteria hides in all those little crevices in your tongue and brushing them away can eliminate bad breath.

Along with brushing goes toothpaste.  Technically, toothpaste is not necessarily needed to brush your teeth, but there is something to say about that foaminess!  There are numerous toothpastes to choose from and the choice is really up to you.  Just make sure that there is fluoride in the one you choose. 

Ask your hygienist at Szmanda Dental Center how she thinks you are doing with your brushing technique and if she has any suggestion for improvement.  She may also recommend a certain toothbrush or toothpaste for you depending on your individual needs.

And, remember; don’t forget to floss at least once a day!  But that’s a whole other subject………………..but just do it already!

Information compiled from the American Dental Association, the CDC and Staff at Szmanda Dental Center  

 © Szmanda Dental Center, S.C. 2012