This is what this research published in this website: https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.aau3333 is looking into. Scientists have found that the main bacteria responsible for periodontal disease is found in the brain of the Alzheimer’s disease patients. What you can do it to keep your mouth free of food as soon as you finish eating. You can use your tongue to clean your teeth, you can swish the water in your mouth before swallowing it as we all drink water and that is an easy way to clean teeth. And you can use tooth pick to clean between your teeth as soon as finished eating. There are ample different kinds of them in the market. And you must floss every night before brushing and brush after as when we sleep, we do not have as much saliva to clean our mouth, we do not drink water, our tongue is not moving and if there is food there, then it is party time for bacteria. Brush in the morning before eating as well as it reduces the number of bacteria accommodated in our mouth during the night. We always have bacteria in our mouth as it is the biggest opening of the body with the environment. Leaving food in our mouth will make them stronger, mutating to more vicious kind and multiplying. Depriving them from food will weaken them. You have to visit your dentist to have the hardened bacteria scaled off. Bacteria are very smart. They absorb calcium which is in our saliva as the bone and teeth need it. They make walls of calcium around themselves and you can not remove them with flossing or brushing. Though you can make them weak by depriving them from the food. There we can help. There are mouthwashes especial for the patients with periodontal diseases. Ask us about what kind as not all of them are useful. I hope this helps. Happy Wednesday, Dr. Khoshand
Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP)
Good day, I must say thank you for this plan as our senior citizens ( and now everybody who are included in this great program) were in dire need of help with their oral health. After age 65 there is no more disability help and most insurances cut their subscribers out when they stop working at age 70. As it happened to my husband, though he is still working because he turned 70 years old, his insurance stopped!! During my 24 years work as a dentist, I have come across handful of the patients who have no insurances and though restorable tooth, they want it extracted as they can not afford fixing it!! Though CDCP needs refining like any other new plan, I am so happy for its existence. Congratulations to people who got this and we are ready to serve them. Happy Monday, Dr. Khoshand
” I do not want to be here! It is not you!”
This is what we as dentists hear all the time. Today I want to write about it. Most of the things we do for staying healthy and taking care of ourselves involve investments of time, money and sometimes they cause discomfort! Even going to the gym, visiting our doctors, going through all sorts of physical examinations, going to our beauticians, massage therapists, physiotherapist and … require commitment and may involve some degree of discomfort but they contribute to our overall well-being. There is a long-term costs of neglecting dental health, both in terms of financial expenses for more extensive treatments and the discomfort or pain that may arise from untreated dental issues. When we know better, we do better. So staying on top of our oral health by regular visits to our dentist and know what is going on with our oral health will help us to do better, to live longer and happier as oral health has a direct and indirect effect on our health as I have discussed them on my previous writings. Do work on your health and we are here to help. Happy Tuesday and to be continued… Dr. Khoshand
Pregnancy, Gingivitis and Premature Child Birth
Good day, The research has shown link between gingivitis ( inflammation of the gum) , premature childbirth and low birth weight. The research about the exact mechanisms underlying this association is still ongoing, but it’s believed that the inflammation of the gum may cause the release of certain substances that can induce labor. Additionally, the bacteria associated with gum disease can enter the bloodstream and potentially reach the uterus, contributing to inflammation and preterm labor. Pregnancy hormonal change can affect the response of gum tissues to plaque. It’s essential for pregnant women to maintain good oral hygiene practices, including regular dental check-ups and cleanings, to help prevent and manage gingivitis. Here are some general tips for maintaining good oral health during pregnancy: Regular Dental Check-ups: Schedule regular dental check-ups. Routine cleanings and check-ups are generally safe and important. Brushing and Flossing: Floss every night before brushing to remove food particles and then brush your teeth ( If you have high gag reflex due to pregnancy, please take a deep breath and go for brushing the back teeth, that is what I do, even though I am not pregnant but I have high gag reflex!). And brush in the morning to remove the build up of bacteria. Do use toothpick to clean the food particles between your teeth as soon as you finish eating. As I like to say to my patients: Food you leave around your teeth is not for you anymore but for the bacteria. It will help them to damage your teeth, gum and bone. Rinse you mouth with water: Whenever you drink water ( It is important to keep hydrated during pregnancy) do first swish it around you mouth to clean your teeth and then swallow it. And last but not the least: DIET: Watch out for sugary snacks and drinks. Be aware of these signs of gum disease: bleeding, redness, or swelling of the gums and painful gum. I hope this helps. Have a very happy pregnancy, Dr. Khoshand
Botox and jaw pain ( revisited)
Botox is a new treatment option for bruxism, a condition characterized by teeth grinding and clenching. Bruxism can lead to various issues like jaw pain, headaches, shoulder aches, neckaches and worn-down teeth. Botox, is injected into the muscles responsible for clenching to help alleviate the symptoms of bruxism. When Botox is used in bruxism, it temporarily weakens the muscles involved in teeth clenching. This relaxation effect can help reduce the intensity and frequency of clenching, alleviating the associated symptoms. The procedure for using Botox in bruxism is relatively simple. Dr. Khoshand injects the diluted Botox into specific points in the jaw muscles and temporalis muscles. The number of injections and dosage can vary depending on the individual’s needs and severity of bruxism. The effects of Botox typically start to become noticeable within a few days to a week after the treatment. Botox treatment for bruxism is considered safe and generally well-tolerated. The injection has to be repeated every 4 months for a while and the good news is that the effect of Botox is cumulative. Overall, Botox can be an effective option for managing bruxism by reducing muscle activity and alleviating the associated symptoms. If you are considering Botox for bruxism, do contact us for consultation.