Spit Happens!

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When it comes to bodily fluids, saliva is an unsung hero. We typically think of spit as something gross and germy, but the saliva that’s in our mouths is helpful for way more than just the action of spitting. Our saliva is an essential tool that allows us to chew, swallow, and digest comfortably. It also fights off infection, washes away potentially damaging food particles, and helps us taste wonderful flavors we enjoy every day.

You might be wondering what’s in our spit that makes it such a powerful tool. While saliva has a reputation of being less-than-hygienic, it’s actually about 99 percent water. The remaining 1 percent consists of electrolytes, digestive enzymes, small quantities of uric acid, cholesterol, mucus-forming proteins, and other organic substances. Much like your heartbeat, the production of saliva is controlled unconsciously by the autonomic nervous system, and healthy adults accumulate between two and six cups of spit a day.

Perhaps most importantly for overall health, spit is full of infection-battling white blood cells. In fact, recent studies show that neutrophils (a type of white blood cell) are most effective at killing bacteria if they come from saliva than anywhere else in the body. Just like the saying “lick your wounds” suggests, adding saliva to a wound provides additional bacteria-fighting power.

Similar to how it fights bacteria, saliva also helps your body fight off cavities. Spit contains tooth-strengthening calcium and fluoride, has the power to wash away particles of food that could get trapped, and can neutralize plaque acids, which reduce tooth decay and the possibility of cavities. If you want to maximize your spit production, chewing gum will increase the flow of saliva to further protect your oral health and keep your mouth sparkling clean.

Speaking of chewing, saliva is responsible for transporting dissolving food to your taste receptors. Without saliva, those receptors may dry out and affect the mouth’s ability to taste, or lead to longer term problems like dry mouth, or xerostomia. It’s possible that you may have experienced a dry mouth sensation in times of stress. During these times, the body’s main concern becomes eliminating that stress—not with eating—so the digestive system (including saliva production) slows down.

In its normal function however, salivation has five distinct phases, mostly triggered by food passing through the body:

  1. Cephalic: When you see or smell something delicious
  2. Buccal: The body’s reflexive response to the presence of food in the mouth
  3. Esophageal: The stimulation of the salivary glands as food moves through the esophagus
  4. Gastric: When something irritates your stomach—like when you’re just about to get sick
  5. Intestinal: When a food that doesn’t agree with you passes through the upper intestine

 

Next time you notice an increase in saliva production, think about which phase it might be, and be thankful for all of your spit’s beneficial qualities!

May: Celebrating Dental Health and Awareness

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As May blooms, it brings with it a renewed focus on your dental health. This month is not just about enjoying the warmth of spring; it’s also about prioritizing your oral well-being. Here’s why May matters for your dental health:

  1. National Dental Care Awareness Month: May is dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of dental care. It’s a reminder to schedule your regular dental check-up if you haven’t already. These appointments are crucial for detecting any issues early and keeping your smile bright and healthy.
  2. End of the School Year: With the school year winding down, it’s the perfect time to schedule a dental visit for your child. Catching dental issues now means they can enjoy a carefree summer without toothaches or worries about their oral health.
  3. Outdoor Activities: As the weather gets warmer, outdoor activities become more enticing. If you or your children are involved in sports, don’t forget about mouthguards. They’re essential for protecting your teeth from potential injuries while you’re having fun in the sun.
  4. Overall Health Awareness: Your oral health is closely linked to your overall health. Gum disease, for example, has been associated with conditions like heart disease and diabetes. By prioritizing your dental health, you’re also investing in your overall well-being.

So, this May, take a moment to assess your dental care routine. Are you brushing and flossing regularly? Have you scheduled your biannual check-up? Remember, your smile is worth celebrating, and by taking care of your teeth, you’re investing in a happier, healthier you.

Wishing you a May filled with sunshine, smiles, and excellent dental health!

From Oral to Overall: The Mouth Body Connection

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We know that maintaining excellent oral hygiene prevents bad breath and reduces your risk of developing toothaches, cavities, and gum disease, but it goes even deeper than that. The case for good oral hygiene keeps getting stronger, because failing to take proper care of your mouth can lead to periodontal disease and other serious conditions. When bacteria in the mouth spreads throughout the body, it can cause diabetes, heart disease, osteoporosis, heart attack, stroke, preterm labor, and more.

Your mouth also acts as a window to what’s going on in the rest of your body—all it takes is a look or a swab for doctors to learn a lot about your overall health. With a sample of your saliva, professionals can detect early signs of systemic disease including AIDS and diabetes. Systemic diseases affect your entire body, not just one part, and more than 90 percent of all systemic diseases produce oral signs and symptoms early on.

Saliva is a helpful tool for detecting substances like cortisol levels, bone fragments that may indicate bone loss, and certain cancer markers. Illegal drugs, environmental toxins, and antibodies indicating hepatitis or HIV infection can be measured by routine saliva testing, which can even be done at home. Because it’s so easy, saliva testing may replace blood testing as a means of monitoring diabetes, Parkinson’s, cirrhosis of the liver, and other infectious diseases.

In addition to being an indicator of warning signs, saliva contains antibodies that attack viral pathogens and proteins (histatins) that inhibit the growth of a naturally occurring fungus called Candida albicans. When these proteins are weakened by infection or illness, candida can grow out of control, resulting in a fungal infection called oral thrush.

Saliva also contains enzymes that destroy disease-causing bacteria, but with 500+ species of bacteria that thrive in your mouth, saliva can’t destroy it all. That’s when plaque is formed. Plaque is a sticky, colorless film that sticks to your teeth at the gum line and allows bacteria to accumulate between your gum and your teeth. This infection is known as gingivitis, which can lead to a more serious gum infection called periodontitis.

These infections are what make it possible for bacteria to enter the bloodstream. If you have gum disease, invasive treatments and even brushing can create an entry point for bacteria to join the bloodstream. For people with healthy immune systems, fighting off oral bacteria and preventing infection is not a problem. But if disease has weakened your immune system, the introduction of oral bacteria in your bloodstream may cause infection elsewhere in your body.

Infected gums can cause you to lose teeth, but the effects might not stop there. Recent studies suggest a connection between oral infections and poorly controlled diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and preterm birth. If you want to make sure your body stays healthy, take good care of your teeth and gums every single day.

World Oral Health Day – Feed Your Teeth

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We know that regular brushing and flossing are necessary when it comes to keeping your teeth free of plaque and tartar build up. But your diet can help take your quest for oral health one step further. When you follow a well-balanced diet, your body—including the mouth—gets the nutrients it needs to stay healthy, fend off infection, and keep your smile beautiful.

Foods that are high in sugar, carbohydrates, and starch are also high in plaque acids. These acids are abrasive and cause the tooth enamel to weaken. This breakdown of enamel is often the cause of cavities, which can lead to bigger problems including gum disease and tooth decay.

Realistically, it’s hard to avoid food that contains some form of sugar: even go-to healthy foods including milk and vegetables are culprits. So instead of cutting sugar out completely, it’s most important to consume added sugars in moderation to limit the effect on your enamel and gums.

Packing on sugary treats like candy and soda can wreak havoc on your oral health and may cause a decline in your overall health. To combat those foes, we recommend the following healthy foods to keep your mouth happy and your wellness optimal.

 

Cheese

If cheese is one of your favorite indulgences, you’re in luck. Cheese contains enamel-strengthening nutrients like calcium and protein, but it doesn’t stop there. Chewing this (sometimes stinky) snack creates a surplus of saliva in the mouth, which in turn increases the pH levels. That high level of pH is great for fending off tooth decay and keeping the tooth surface clean.

 

Yogurt

The calcium and protein in yogurt, like cheese, aid in the strengthening and health of your teeth. Additionally, the good bacteria in yogurt (probiotics) benefit your gums by outnumbering the bad bacteria that causes cavities. There are a lot of yogurt options on the market, so we recommend plain yogurt with no added sugar or flavoring to gain the maximum benefit.

 

Leafy Greens

Lush and leafy greens are a key part of a healthy diet. The folic acid they contain is a great source of vitamin B, which is known to treat gum disease, especially in pregnant women. Whether you put them in a salad, on pizza, or in a smoothie, leafy greens are an easy way to pack your diet with vitamins and minerals you may be missing.

 

Apples

Like cheese, even the action of eating an apple is beneficial to your mouth because of the saliva it produces. Apples also contain a lot of water that aids in washing away bacteria and food particles that may otherwise build up and cause future damage. They’re also high in fiber which stimulates the gums and scrubs away leftover germs.

 

Carrots

Crunchy carrots have the same saliva-producing element of apples, helping to wash away the chance of cavities. High in fiber and vitamin A, carrots are the perfect accent on top of a salad, and they’re also easy to grab and go when you’re on the move.

 

Celery

Though the strings in celery can be annoying, they also act as nature’s toothbrush. The crunchy vegetable increases saliva production while simultaneously scrapes food particles and bacteria away from your teeth. Celery is also good for your gums, giving them a boost of vitamins A and C.

 

Almonds

High in crunch and calcium, almonds are low in sugar. They also have an abrasive texture which can work like an exfoliator for your teeth to remove surface stains and bacteria.

 

Drink up!

If you incorporate all of the above into your diet, you should still pay attention to what you’re drinking. Water is always the safest, healthiest option since it doesn’t contain calories, sugar, or anything that isn’t natural.

Keep Those Whites Pearly

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Some of our favorite indulgences can wreak havoc on your teeth. Whether you can’t start your day without a cup of coffee (or three), love to unwind with a glass of red wine, haven’t kicked your smoking habit, or you have a sweet tooth that just won’t quit, these and other rituals leave your teeth susceptible to stains without proper prevention and treatment. If you do a good job of staying on top of your dental hygiene, you can avoid a mouth full of discoloration and smile-fading stains.

There are two kinds of stains: intrinsic (permanent), and extrinsic (removable). Intrinsic stains occur below the surface of the tooth early in life, inside the protective enamel. They tend to develop when young teeth and enamel are growing and can be caused by a high fever, taking certain antibiotics, or drinking water that contains large amounts of fluoride. Some are more likely to see these types of stains because of their genetic predisposition. Since you can’t change your genetic makeup, patients will look to dental solutions like laminates (a thin layer applied to the tooth’s surface), or crowns (a cap that goes over the entire tooth), to change the appearance of their teeth when the stains can’t be removed.

On the other hand, extrinsic stains are caused by consuming highly pigmented foods and can usually be removed and even prevented. These stain-causing perpetrators include nicotine, green tea, coffee, and red wine that are high in a compound called polyphenol. The effects of these foods and drinks show up as stains when the pigment latches onto the plaque buildup that’s already on your teeth. Because plaque is porous, it absorbs the color in these liquids and foods, and if enough food, saliva, and bacteria builds up along the gumline, the plaque will harden and turn into tartar, which is a lot harder to remove. A trip to the dentist for a professional cleaning is usually the first step to reversing discoloration caused by tartar build up.

While no one is exempt from the buildup of plaque-causing bacteria, some mouths are genetically predisposed to an excess of plaque and therefore the possibility of stained teeth. At the same time, other mouths naturally produce saliva in high quantities which helps to fight off bacteria and keep the gum line clear. For these reasons and more, the susceptibility of your teeth to stains depends on a combination of genetic factors out of your control, and how much stain-causing food you’re consuming.

You’ve heard the saying “everything in moderation,” and the same goes for stain-causing foods. If you love coffee, you don’t have to eliminate it from your life to keep your teeth stain-free. If you have five cups each morning and don’t thoroughly remove plaque buildup, you’re likely to see some stains. On the other hand, if you keep it to a cup or two a day and take brushing seriously, you may not see staining. Another way to have your coffee and drink it too is by sipping stain-prone beverages through a straw. Though it may diminish the drinking experience of red wine or coffee, it will prevent what you’re drinking from making direct contact with the front of your teeth.

Like consuming stain-causing foods and beverages in moderation, there are things you can do to prevent pesky spots dimming your pearly whites. Limiting your intake of sugary foods that will linger on the gumline is a good place to start. In fact, while many people think black coffee is the worst stain culprit, adding sticky sugar will actually increase the chances of staining. The same goes for sugars found in any other carbohydrate-heavy foods, so it’s important to be mindful of what you’re allowing to stick to your teeth and be sure to remove it with at least one thorough tooth brushing every day.

Dentists recommend brushing twice a day, and for at least two full minutes at least one of those times. Don’t want to count? Electric toothbrushes often have built-in timers to help you keep track, and the small movement is also less abrasive on the teeth and gumline. While the idea of carrying an electric toothbrush around with you would sound good to your dentist, we know it’s not realistic. To wash away plaque on the go, we recommend rinsing with mouthwash to get rid of particles that may be a threat to the surface of your teeth.

If those preventative measures don’t do the trick, there are a multitude of hydrogen-peroxide based whitening products you can get at any pharmacy. Some of these over-the-counter options, like mouthwashes and whitening strips, may give you a quick burst of brightness, others may take longer depending on the inner makeup of your teeth. If the chemical-based whitening tools come up short, the best think you can do it visit your dentist. A regular cleaning will wash away tartar build up and any yellow tint you might be experiencing, and clean your gum line so you can start fresh.

Dental Health and Diabetes

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The key to overall health lies largely in your mouth. The emphasis that dentists and doctors place on good dental hygiene is not only for the sake of your teeth, gums, and appearance, but also for the health of your entire body. A healthy mouth looks great and makes everyday tasks like eating, talking, and smiling a breeze, but the mouth is also a direct passageway into the rest of your body. If bacteria builds up in the mouth, it can easily make its way into the bloodstream, the digestive tract, and the respiratory tract, which can be dangerous.

This connection works both ways—meaning that keeping your body healthy is also important for the health of your mouth. A perfect example of the mouth-body connection is the relationship between oral health and diabetes. According to the National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse (NDIC), diabetes raises your risk of gum disease, and having gum disease raises your risk of complications with diabetes. The reason behind this correlation comes down to blood sugar. Both gum disease and diabetes impact your blood sugar levels and having one or the other can make those levels hard to control.

When your blood sugar levels are high, the amount of sugar in your saliva is also high, which makes a perfect breeding ground for plaque to grow. As plaque builds up, the risk of infection, cavities, and decay increases. Knowing this, patients with diabetes should be especially conscientious about removing plaque twice a day by brushing to prevent oral infection.

Failing to take good care of your teeth can cause cavities, gum disease, periodontitis, and more—especially if you have high blood sugar. As you eat, the starches and sugars in foods and beverages interact with bacteria that naturally grows in the mouth to form plaque. Those with diabetes have a lower ability to resist infection and aren’t able to fight bacteria in the same way someone without diabetes would. This puts them at greater risk for diseases like gingivitis.

Gingivitis, or swelling of the gums, occurs when plaque, tartar, and bacteria build up and harden on the gumline and cause the gums around the base of the teeth to swell. Another disease that those with diabetes are especially susceptible to is periodontitis, which can appear if gingivitis goes untreated. Periodontitis destroys the soft tissue and bone that support your teeth, which can lead to the loosening or loss of teeth, even if the teeth themselves are healthy.

Tooth and gum disease are not the only oral health issues that patients with diabetes might face, especially without proper treatment. According to the American Diabetes Association, diabetics are more likely to suffer from dry mouth, or xerostomia, which allows bacteria and plaque to cling onto teeth for longer without getting washed away by normal amounts of saliva.

Another possible result of poor oral hygiene in patients with diabetes is thrush—a fungal infection caused by the yeast “Candida albicans.” Thrush causes painful white or red patches inside your mouth, but can be prevented by practicing good oral hygiene.

Brushing twice a day, flossing, and monitoring your blood sugar levels as recommended by your doctor work hand in hand to keep you healthy. By controlling blood sugar, patients with diabetes are taking an important step in sidestepping gingivitis and other dental problems.

The most important step in the maintenance of diabetes and oral health is the patient making sure his or her dentist knows that they have diabetes. If you have diabetes, be sure to remind us when you visit, and confirm that we have the current contact information for the doctor who helps you manage your diabetes.

In every mouth, especially those of someone with diabetes, you should be on the lookout for early signs of gum disease. Those signs include redness, swelling or bleeding gums, dry mouth, loose teeth, or mouth pain. Let us keep an eye on the window to your body by coming in for regular checkups and cleanings. Need to schedule an appointment? Give us a call now at 408.227.1404.