At our Santa Fe family dental practice, our team works hard to help protect the oral health of all of our patients. One of the biggest threats our patients face to enjoying a great looking smile for a lifetime is severe gum disease, or periodontitis. A chronic infection, periodontitis attacks the gum tissue and underlying bone structure that holds our teeth into position. When these structures are damaged, our teeth become loose and can eventually fall out. Periodontitis ranks as the leading cause of permanent tooth loss in U.S. adults. Much like when treating any type of infection, antibiotics are typically used to kill the harmful bacteria that causes gum disease. Unfortunately, an over-reliance on the use of antibiotics have made many types of bacteria largely immune to the drug’s effects. However, a new antibiotic being developed at the University of Virginia School of Medicine appears to have a lot of promise when it comes to fighting gum disease, according to researchers. The results of this study has us excited at our Santa Fe family dental practice, and was published in the Journal of Periodontology. New Drug Offers Exciting Potential The drug, called amixicile, was found effective in fighting the type of anaerobic bacteria linked to periodontitis. Researchers have already been testing amixicile’s ability to treat and prevent a dangerous bacteria that can cause life-threatening infections, and now believe the drug could become a perfect treatment option to help patients combat gum disease. Researchers suggest that amixicile may also possess another important benefit. Because the drug work differently than other types of antibiotics, researchers believe that it will be extremely difficult for bacteria to develop a resistant to amixicile. That means the drug could be widely used without contributing to the growing problems of antibiotic resistance. “In the fight against antibiotic resistance, it is rare to find an antibiotic that breaks the rules – opening up the possibility for treating patients for life,” wrote researchers. “Why is this important? Medical researchers know that inflammation caused by chronic anaerobic infections like gum disease contribute to the development of autoimmune diseases such as type 2 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, and even Alzheimer’s disease. Having a pill patients could take a day for the prevention of inflammation might just lower their risk for these and other diseases.” Benefits for Treating Gum Disease While the new drug could have many different applications, it appears to have several specific benefits when it comes to treating gum disease. The researchers at VCU found that amixicile was highly effective at preventing the growth of six different species of harmful bacterium directly linked with the development of gum infections. Additionally, amixicile was found to reduce the bacteria’s ability to penetrate gum tissue and cause inflammation to develop, key steps in establishing an infection of gum tissue. Data collected by the research team also suggests that the drug accumulates in inflamed gum tissue where harmful oral bacteria tend to buildup, a feature that may help to prevent amixicile from destroying the healthy bacteria that normally surrounds gum tissue. Researchers are very excited about the potential shown early on by amixicile. “The bacteria most responsible for the development of periodontal disease are a diverse group. The ability for amixicile to effectively target these bacteria is a significant step forward that will provide a new and targeted treatment approach for gum disease. The need to discover more antibiotics that can directly target specific types of bacteria is incredibly important,” noted researchers.  

You don’t need to be the best dentist in Edmond to know that keeping your teeth looking and feeling their best means needing to brush and floss daily. Of course, while we’ve all been told since childhood that brushing and flossing play an important role in determining how healthy our smiles, a little more confusion surrounds whether we should brush or floss first. Fortunately, researchers have come to our rescue to finally answer this age old question. The results of a recent study found that flossing before brushing may actually be the ideal sequencing for removing the most buildup of dental plaque. The results of this latest study was recently published in the Journal of Periodontology. Flossing Before You Brush In the study, titled “The Effect of Toothbrushing and Flossing Sequence on Interdental Plaque Reduction and Fluoride Retention,” researchers examined 25 participants who were instructed to brush before using floss to clean between their teeth. In a second stage of the study, the same group was asked to us floss before brushing. Researchers discovered that the amount of plaque between the teeth and in the mouth overall was significantly decreased when participants used the floss/brush sequence. To explain the results, researchers concluded that since flossing helps to loosen bacteria and food debris from between the teeth, brushing after flossing helps to further remove these types of substances from the mouth. Plaque and other harmful oral bacteria are the primary cause behind the development of gum disease, a chronic infection that develops when bacteria are allowed to buildup below the gum line. Gum disease can cause swelling, inflammation and the irritation of gum tissue. When gum disease goes untreated and is allowed to progress, it can cause permanent tooth loss. Researchers also discovered that fluoride, a natural occurring mineral that’s commonly added to toothpaste and even the public water supply of many communities throughout the U.S. that helps to prevent tooth decay, remained in the mouth for an extended period of time when patients flossed prior to brushing. Participants in the study brushed with a fluoridated toothpaste during both stages. Practicing Quality Oral Hygiene So now that we know flossing better helps to protect the health of our teeth when done before brushing, let’s take a look at what oral hygiene practices even the best dentist in Edmond would recommend: Brush twice a day. The American Dental Association recommends brushing at least twice a day – once in the morning after breakfast and again at night before bed. However, depending the current state of your oral health, you may need to brush more frequently to maintain your oral health. Brush for at least two minutes. The ADA also recommends brushing for at least two minutes each time you brush. Our mouths feature a lot of hard to reach areas that require time and attention to properly clean. Two minutes provide enough time for you to properly clean all areas of the mouth, including both the front and back of your teeth. Unfortunately, studies have found that the average adult only brushes for about one minute a day. That’s just a quarter of the amount of time recommended by the ADA. Floss at least once a day. Finally, the ADA recommends flossing at least once a day, ideally at night before bed. While flossing may seem unnecessary, the habit enables you to remove food and bacteria from areas of the mouth a toothbrush cannot reach – between your teeth and below the gum line. (Bonus) Rinse with mouthwash. While not part of the ADA’s guidelines for quality oral hygiene, you could add a non-alcoholic mouthwash as part of your daily routine. If you decide to use an oral rinse, make sure to use a brand that doesn’t contain alcohol, as that could lead to drying out your mouth. Also, make sure to only use the mouthwash as directed as overusing the product could have unintended consequences. If you have any questions about the best ways to brush or floss, make sure to ask any member of our team during your next visit to Santa Fe Dental.

While a world without sugar may seem unimaginable to some, such a reality might offer more to smile about than you’d initially think. At our cosmetic dentistry in Edmond, Oklahoma, our team at Santa Fe Dental see the effects sugar consumption has on the appearance of our patient’s smile on a daily basis. Cutting out added sugar – the type of sugar found in sodas, deserts, and various other favorite foods and drinks – offers a variety of health benefits. In addition to improved weight loss, better looking skin, and fewer daily calories, cutting back on the amount of sugar you consume provides a number of benefits to the health of your teeth. To give you a better idea of what your smile could be like in a world without sugar, here are a few ways your oral health would improve. Fewer Cavities While the old adage that sugar rots your teeth isn’t entirely true, cutting out sugar would help you avoid cavities and tooth decay. Even though sugar doesn’t cause cavities, it does provide cavity causing bacteria known as plaque with the fuel needed to produce the harmful acids that do contribute to tooth decay. It’s not always about the amount of sugar you consume either but rather the speed at which you ingest sugar that has a bigger impact on the state of your smile. Sipping a 20-ounce bottle of soda for an hour will do far more damage to your teeth than chugging a 2 liter in just one minute. The more time your teeth are exposed to sugar, the more time plaque has to produce the acids that destroy tooth enamel and your smile. Better Overall Health A lot of recent research has been dedicated to examining the impact tooth decay, gum disease, and tooth loss have on our health overall. Studies have found that individuals suffering from these types of oral health issues have a significantly higher risk for developing a range of chronic health problems, including heart disease, diabetes, dementia, and cancer. By cutting out sugar we naturally improve our oral health by lowering our risk for the decay and disease that leads to tooth loss. We also gain the added benefit of improving our overall health through maintaining our oral health at a higher level than before. Brighter Looking Smile When sugar feeds plaque to create the harmful acids that cause cavities and decay it helps to start the process of demineralization where vital components of tooth enamel become stripped away. As the layers of our enamel becomes weaker they also become thinner, which allows the darker sublayers of our teeth to begin to show through. Unlike the discoloration caused by eating and drinking enamel staining items like coffee, red wine, berries, and soy sauce – just to name a few – smiles affected by enamel thinning cannot be lightened using teeth whitening products. These products are designed to strip stains away from tooth enamel but cannot do anything to hide the discoloration caused by demineralization. Fresher Breath The less sugar you consume the fresher your breath will become. Sugar feeds the bacteria responsible for bad breath, so the more sugar you consume the worse the smell of your breath becomes. At our cosmetic dentistry in Edmond, Oklahoma, we recommend that our patients chew sugar-free gums and mints to improve their breath. Mints high in sugar may temporarily mask the smell of your breath, but the sugar they contain will just cause your breath to smell worse later on as bacteria feeds on it. Improved Oral Health When you consume less sugar you provide oral bacteria like plaque with less fuel to produce the harmful substances that can damage your smile. That’s very much a positive. And that applies to all types of sugars, whether from a candy bar, pineapple, or plate of pasta – carbs are just another type of sugar. So, what can you do if cutting back on sugar seems like a really big ask? Well, start by making a renewed commitment to your oral health. By brushing twice a day and flossing daily, you can significantly reduce plaque buildup on your teeth and lessen the damage done from eating sugar. You also need to schedule regular exams and cleanings with the team at our cosmetic dentistry in Edmond, Oklahoma to help maintain the long-term health of your teeth and gums. A world without sugar may seem like a depressing place. But you can still enjoy your favorite sweet treats if you continue to maintain and improve your oral health.

As babies turn into walking and talking toddlers, there are important oral health concerns to remember to keep your little one’s teeth healthy and happy. The experts at the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry both recommend that children should see the dentist by the time they are one year old, and to continue on with regular dental check ups as they grow. Making sure to make time to visit the dentist during your child’s first few years can also end up saving you money and hassle. The Center for Disease Control came out with a report saying that average dental care costs were 40% lower over a five year period for children who received dental checkups by age one versus those who did not. Edmond, Oklahoma dentists Drs. Mark Allen and Michael Hansen have the following oral health tips in for you to keep in mind for young children. Eliminating Drinks Full Of Sugar Taking care to not allow toddlers to constantly drink sugary drinks, like juice and soda, is key to avoiding early teeth problems. The slow sucking of sweet and acidic drinks through bottles or sippy cups is terrible for the teeth enamel and can encourage bacterial growth. Though you may have heard of “baby bottle decay” before, many parents are unaware that putting a child to sleep with a bottle of milk, juice, or formula can allow sugars to adhere to the teeth and the resulting bacteria can cause decay and cavities. Untreated cavities and decay can even lead to more serious dental diseases that could even affect growth, and learning capabilities. Get Rid Of The Pacifiers By Age 3 Binkies or pacifiers are often great tools to help babies and toddlers fall asleep or deal with stress. Pacifiers have even been suggested by the American Academy of Pediatrics to help prevent SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) during the first year. But most health care professionals are in agreement that long term pacifier use can be bad for kids’ oral and dental health. It can detrimentally affect how the bites and teeth line up, and can lead to under bites, over bites. or cross bites. It’s best to limit the use of pacifiers to prevent it affecting the mouth shape, perhaps removing it after a child goes to sleep. Go See A Dentist Early Exposing your child to the dentist at an early age not only allows them to check your toddlers’ oral health, but also helps the child become more confortable and confident with the dentist office experience. As for parents, visits can also raise their oral health knowledge and let them know more about fluoride, oral hygiene, and correct teeth development. By creating early positive understanding and familiarly with a dentist, it can help set your child up for dental success for their entire life. The Habit Of Brushing Twice A Day Starting your young children on brushing early is one of the best ways to ensure a lifetime of healthy teeth. As soon as your baby has one tooth you should begin to brush it. Using fluoridate toothpaste is also recommended to help strengthen teeth, along with making sure to use soft bristled toothbrush for their little teeth. Your dentist will be happy to show your children the proper way to brush their teeth on your next visit. Many parents are not aware that their kids actually need their help until age six with teeth brushing, as a child’s manual dexterity simply is not refined enough to get all the teeth brushed properly. If you have any questions about dental care of kids and toddlers, the staff and dentists in Edmond, Oklahoma at Santa Fe Dental are happy to answer them.