Eggert Family Dentistry Blog

By: Dr. Elizabeth Eggert

Most of us remember getting fluoride treatments as kids, sitting for minutes in the dentist’s chair with large, foam trays in our mouths. Once we reached adulthood, this part of our oral exam disappeared. But today, there’s evidence that many of us would benefit from the fluoride treatments we remember as kids.

What does fluoride do for adult teeth?

Fluoride is a mineral that strengthens teeth against decay and helps them heal from the constant demineralization process occurring in the mouth. It penetrates your teeth and draws phosphate and calcium from your saliva into your teeth. Fluoride also attacks the bacteria in your mouth that produces the acid that leads to tooth decay. Studies show that the miracle mineral can even repair early tooth decay before it becomes a cavity.

Do I need fluoride treatments as an adult?

You might! While we do get fluoride from our fluoride toothpaste and our fluoridated city water, making sure the teeth are exposed to fluoride regularly really does help prevent decay. There are many of us that choose to drink bottled water or have a private well in lieu of city water. In these instances a fluoride treatment is especially important.

Some other reasons to consider asking for a professional fluoride treatment involve your overall health.  Some medical and oral health conditions might lead us to recommend you get regular fluoride treatments; for example, if you take medications that cause dry mouth or have had radiation on your head or neck, fluoride can help prevent the tooth decay your saliva usually takes care of. Fluoride treatments are also recommended for patients with receding gums or braces.

What fluoride treatments might Eggert Family Dentistry recommend?

There are several fluoride treatments we might recommend to our adult patients. Sometimes, we prescribe fluoride gel for at-home use for very high-risk patients. However, most patients find it very convenient to have a fluoride varnish treatment during each cleaning appointment. It is so easy – we just paint the fluoride on your teeth with a small brush. We still do offer the “old school” method of fluoride foam in the trays for those feeling nostalgic.

Ask us today how professional fluoride treatments can benefit you. We are happy to discuss it at your  regular oral health exam. Email Eggert Family Dentistry today or call (651) 482-8412 to schedule an appointment.

By: Dr. Elizabeth Eggert

Congratulations! You’re pregnant! Like many moms before you, you likely have a million questions about how to have a safe and healthy pregnancy. Eggert Family Dentistry is here to help you understand how pregnancy might affect your oral health.

Dental Work Is Safe for Pregnant Women and Their Babies

We’ve got some good news for you: dental care is generally safe for pregnant women and their babies. You can continue to have regular cleanings and other routine care while you’re pregnant—just be sure to tell us that you’re expecting.

Many pregnant patients have questions about x-rays. Dental x-rays use very low levels of radiation. If you need an x-ray for emergency dental work, you and your baby are safe. We will take extra precautions to protect you and your baby. We typically choose to hold off on your preventative x-rays until after the baby is born.

Another common concern is local anesthesia. Lidocaine and other local anesthesia are safe for you and your baby. A 2015 study found local anesthesia made no difference in the rates of miscarriage, prematurity, birth defects, or birth weight among expectant mothers. If you need a crown or other procedure completed while you’re pregnant, it’s okay to book the appointment.

Pregnancy’s Effect on Your Oral Health

Dental work may not affect your pregnancy, but your pregnancy will likely affect your oral health. Many mothers-to-be experience increased tooth decay and gingivitis. Hormonal changes are partly to blame, as are changes in eating habits and morning sickness.

Morning sickness exposes your teeth to more acid, which can exacerbate tooth decay. Rinsing your mouth with a teaspoon of baking soda in a glass of water can help neutralize the acid after you’re ill. We might recommend extra brushing, flossing, and professional cleanings if you’re experiencing a dramatic increase in tooth decay or gingivitis.

Some pregnant women experience tumors in their gum tissues. These noncancerous swellings often appear between your teeth. Most go away shortly after birth, but we can remove them if they cause you discomfort.

Don’t put off routine dental care over fear that a visit to the dentist could harm you or your baby. Dental procedures are generally safe for both of you and can help prevent serious issues down the road. Contact Eggert Family Dentistry today to schedule your next visit. Call (651) 482-8412.

By: Dr. Elizabeth Eggert

E-cigarettes, or e-cigs, are here to stay. The popular devices that turn a nicotine-laden liquid into inhalable vapor have been on the market since 2007. As more and more Americans—including children—get hooked on e-cigs, research into the oral health effects of e-cig ingredients remains depressingly dim.

What’s in e-cig vapor?

E-cigarette vapor is primarily propylene and propylene glycol, synthetic chemicals used as solvents and preservatives in other products. An e-cig turns the liquid into a vapor that contains nicotine. Often, this vapor is flavored to make vaping more enjoyable—and to attract younger users.

Why does the FDA want to regulate e-cigs?

It’s impossible to know exactly what is in e-cig vapor because the products are not regulated by the FDA. The agency has asked to regulate the devices as pharmaceutical devices or tobacco products. If legislation passes, e-cig companies would be required to disclose the ingredients in vape liquid. The FDA would be empowered to set minimum age and identification requirements for those purchasing e-cigs.

What does the research say about e-cigs and my health?

First, some statistics. A 2015 survey of middle and high schoolers found that 3 million of them are using e-cigs. That’s 16 percent of American high schoolers and 5.3 percent of middle schoolers. A study a year earlier found tasty flavors are the primary reason kids vape.

Despite these disturbing trends, little research exists on the health effects of e-cigarette use in adults or children. We do know that high nicotine levels in the mouth can increase the risk of periodontal damage. And research has found smokers who use e-cigarettes are 59 percent less likely to quit smoking, which continues to expose smokers to the well-documented health effects of cigarette smoke.

The National Institutes of Health and the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) have both called for funding for research on the oral health effects of e-cig vapor. According to the NIDCR, “the effects of long-term exposure to [electronic cigarettes] are completely unknown and present a potential oral cancer and periodontal disease risk for users, due to their higher exposure to these chemical mixtures.”

What can I do?

The best thing you can do is never start vaping, and if you currently use e-cigs, quit. Read the NIDCR article linked above and share this information with your school-aged children. Urge your congressional representatives and senators to press for regulation of e-cigs and to fund oral health research.

For more information about the oral health effects of e-cigarettes, speak with your dentist. Contact Eggert Family Dentistry today to schedule a visit. Call (651) 482-8412.

By Dr. Elizabeth Eggert

If we could send off our patients with a dental salutation, that would be it. Flossing is an incredibly important part of your oral health routine. But while most patients know brushing is a no-brainer, we certainly have trouble getting some of them to floss regularly.

Brushing does an excellent job of scrubbing away the plaque on the visible surfaces of your teeth. But your brush can’t reach between your teeth or under your gum line. And that’s exactly where plaque can build up, harden into tartar, and cause tooth decay.

Flossing empowers you to scrub away the plaque between your teeth and under your gum line. So why don’t people floss more? Some people claim that flossing is uncomfortable. It can be, especially when you’re first building your flossing routine. But the great thing about flossing is that it gets more comfortable—and more effective—the longer you do it.

Flossing FAQs

Our patients often ask us how frequently they should floss, when the best time to floss is, and what the best tools for the job are. Here’s what we recommend:

• Frequency. Floss your teeth at least once per day.
• Time of Day. Pick a time that works best for your routine, whether it be first thing in the morning, after lunch, or before bed.
• Before or After Brushing. We feel that flossing before you brush is best because you can often work the plaque out and then brush it away, but studies show it really doesn’t matter as long as you do it!
• Kids. Your kids should start flossing once they have two teeth that touch. Young children don’t have the dexterity to floss properly, so help them out until they’re about 10 or 11. String floss is very effective, but sometimes difficult to maneuver with kids. Therefore, using floss aids (we like Wild Flossers) can be very helpful.
• Technique. Become a flossing Jedi in these five easy steps from the American Dental Association.

Flossing is an essential part of good oral health. We’d love nothing better than to see that the floss is strong in you at your next dentist appointment. Contact Eggert Family Dentistry today to schedule a visit. Call (651) 482-8412.

By: Dr. Elizabeth Eggert

Chewing gum. It’s been around since the ancient Greeks and Mayans started chomping on tree sap. Today, most of us put chewing gum in the candy category. But chewing gum does have some benefits. In fact, the American Dental Association (ADA) has even approved certain chewing gums after studies prove they actually help protect your teeth.

The benefits of chewing gum

The act of chewing is good for oral health. Chewing increases the flow of saliva, which helps to neutralize and break down the acid that wears down enamel and contributes to tooth decay. Studies have shown that chewing sugarless gum for 20 minutes after eating can prevent tooth decay. That’s great news for chewing gum addicts.

However . . .

Before you stock up on Orbit and Trident, remember that chewing gum is just a single tool in your oral health arsenal. Chewing gum does not replace daily brushing and flossing. And chewing gum with sugar can counteract any benefits. Also, chewing gum can actually be harmful for patients who experience jaw pain or have TMD/TMJ and bruxism. Ask us for a recommendation on chewing gum before cleaning out the shelves at Target.

Look for the ADA Seal

When you’re shopping for your next pack of chewing gum, look for the ADA Seal. It indicates a product has undergone a review of lab and clinical studies that prove it reduces plaque acids, decreases cavities, or gingivitis, or remineralizes teeth and is safe for oral tissues. Find a list of approved products on the ADA website.

Want a recommendation on a chewing gum that will fit in your oral health routine? Contact Eggert Family Dentistry today to schedule an appointment. Call (651) 482-8412.  We look forward to seeing you!