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Signs to Look For

Whether you’re having a routine cleaning or a more serious dental procedure, infection control is important. Procedures established by the centers for Disease Control and Prevention effectively prevent transmission of infections (such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HIV) in the dental office. When you visit a dentist, look for these signs of good infection control.

Hand Washing

Hands are the most common way diseases are transmitted. Your dentist, dental hygienist and all health care providers should wash their hands before every patient. If you don’t see them washing their hands before treating you, ask about it. Hand washing is good for you too. According to the CDC, hand washing prevents the spread of colds and flu.

Protective Equipment

Infection control requires that all dental staff involved in patient care to wear the appropriate protective gear such as gloves, masks, gowns and eyewear. After each patient, all disposable wear needs to be discarded.

Dental Instruments

All non-disposable dental instruments should be cleaned and sterilized between patients. Ask your dentist about the sterilization process used in their practice. Ask to see the sterilization area. Disposable items, like needles, should never be reused.

Surface Cleaning

Before any patient enters the examining room, all surfaces need to be cleaned and decontaminated. Some offices may cover this equipment with protective covers, which are replaced after each patient.

What you eat actually matters

Hard candies seem harmless, eat too many and the constant exposure to sugar can be harmful to your teeth. Hard candies also put your teeth at risk as they can also trigger a dental emergency such as a broken or chipped tooth. Better alternative? Chew sugarless gum that carries the ADA Seal.

Ice is not for chewing

Many people think ice is good for their teeth as it’s made of water, after all, and doesn’t contain any sugar or other additives. But chewing on hard substances can leave your teeth vulnerable to a dental emergency and damage enamel. Advice: Break the habit and enjoy water in its liquid form.

Watch out for your citrus intake

Frequent exposure to acidic foods can erode enamel, making teeth more susceptible to decay over time. Even though a squeeze of lemon or lime can turn a simple glass of water into a fun beverage, it’s not always the best choice for your mouth. Citric fruits and juices can also irritate mouth sores. Make sure to drink plenty of plain water.

Are all types of Coffee good?

In their natural form, coffee and tea can be healthy beverage choices. Unfortunately, too many people can’t resist adding sugar. Caffeinated coffee and tea can also dry out your mouth. Frequent drinks of coffee and tea may also stain your teeth. If you do consume, make sure to drink plenty of water and try to keep the add-ons to a minimum.

Sticky foods are the worst

Many people put dried fruit at the top of the list as a healthy snack alternative. But many dried fruits are sticky. Sticky foods can damage your teeth since they tend to stay on the teeth longer than other types of food. If you find yourself eating dried fruits or trail mix often, make sure to rinse with water after and to brush and floss carefully.

Beware of things that go “crunch”

Most of us love a satisfying crunch of a potato chip. Unfortunately, potato chips are filled with starch, which tends to get trapped in your teeth. If you choose to indulge in snacks like these, take extra care when you floss that day to remove all the food particles that can lead to plaque build-up.

Swap soda with water

Most carbonated soft drinks, including diet soda, are acidic and therefore, bad for your teeth. Caffeinated beverages, such as colas can also dry out your mouth. If you do consume soft drinks, try to drink alongside a cup of water.

Reduce / Stop alcohol consumption

Alcohol causes dehydration and dry mouth. People who drink excessively may find their saliva flow is reduced over time, which can lead to tooth decay and other oral infections such as gum disease. Heavy alcohol use also increases your risk for mouth cancer.

Are Sports Drinks safe?

They sound healthy, but sugar is a top ingredient for many sports and energy drinks. The American Academy of Paediatrics says sports drinks can be helpful for young athletes engaged in prolonged, vigorous physical activities, but are unnecessary in most cases. Before your next sip, check the label to make sure your drink of choice is low in sugar or drink water instead.

1. Nail Biting

Biting nails can impact your jaw and can even chip teeth. “Biting nails places your jaw in a protruding position, which places unnatural pressure on it. This pressure, over long periods of time, can be associated with jaw dysfunction.

Solution: Bitter-tasting nail polishes and stress reduction can help. If certain situations are triggers for nail biting, hold something to keep your fingers busy.

2. Brushing too Hard

Brushing for two minutes twice a day is one of the best daily habits for the health of your teeth. However, make sure you do not brush too hard as it can damage teeth and irritate gums.

Solution: Use a soft toothbrush with the ADA Seal of Acceptance at the proper pressure.

3. Grinding and Clenching

This can cause chipping or cracking of the teeth, as well as muscle tenderness or joint pain.

Solution: A night-time mouth guard, can prevent harm from grinding your teeth at night. If you find yourself grinding or clenching your teeth during stressful moments of the day, relaxation exercises can also help.

4. Chewing Ice Cubes

Tooth enamel and ice cubes are both made up of crystalline structures. When you push two crystals against each other with enough force, one will break. Most of the time it’s the ice, but sometimes the tooth or a filling will break.

Solution: Cracked or broken teeth and fillings are painful and costly to repair. Because the risk of chewing ice is great, avoid it by drinking chilled beverages without ice, or using a straw. Chewing sugar free gum instead is also a safer alternative.

5. Constant Snacking

Eating frequently during day, especially on sugary foods and drinks, puts you at a higher risk for cavities. When you eat, cavity-causing bacteria feast leftover food, producing an acid that attacks the outer shell of your teeth.

Solution: Eat balanced meals to feel fuller, longer. If you need a snack, make sure it’s low in fat and sugar. If you indulge in the occasional sugary treat, follow it with a big glass of water to wash away leftover food, and brush after snacking whenever possible.

6. Using your Teeth as Tools

Your teeth were made only for eating, not to stand in as a pair of scissors or hold things when your hands are full. When you do this, you put yourself at a higher risk of cracking your teeth, injuring your jaw or accidentally swallowing something you shouldn’t.

Solution: Stop and find something or someone to give you a hand.

Make Time for a Check-up Before Travel

The best way to avoid unexpected dental problems when you travel is to prevent them before the happen. Establish a relationship with your dentist and have an open conversation about any of your risks. If you can, schedule your next regular visit a few weeks before a trip, leaving enough time to have any issues taken care of before you depart. A thorough exam with your dentist can help spot any potential problems, and make sure they are addressed. You’ll have peace of mind, and your dentist will have the most up-to-date information on your teeth, including x-rays.

In Case of Emergency…

Have your dentist’s contact information handy in your cell phone or keep a business card in your wallet. As a patient, it is hard to know the difference between something that needs to be treated right away and something that can wait for some more time, this is where a doctor can help. If you have kept up regular visits with your dentist and they have a full record of your health history, they may be able to provide insight over the phone, and may be able to provide better support to help you decide how to address it until you can see a dentist locally or until your trip is over.

In Case of Emergency Overseas…

If you are traveling out of the country and absolutely in need of a dentist, get in touch with the local consulate or U.S. embassy or your hotel concierge. If you have travel insurance, they may be able to help you find a local dentist. Even google and getting information about the nearest dentist would be recommended.

Forget Your Toothbrush?

If you find yourself temporarily without a toothbrush, you can rinse vigorously with water to wash away some of that cavity-causing bacteria. You could also put some toothpaste on a clean washcloth or your clean finger in a pinch. When you finally get to the nearest drugstore, look for a toothbrush with the ADA Seal of Acceptance. If there aren’t any Seal products, buy the softest brush you can find.

Proper Toothbrush Transport

Letting your toothbrush air dry is the best way to keep your toothbrush clean at home, but that’s not always possible on vacation. What’s a traveling toothbrush to do? Keep your toothbrush clean and out of contact with other things in your vacation luggage. Use a clean toothbrush case, or a resalable bag to keep your toothbrush separate from everything else in your luggage. If you use a sealed bag, when you get to your destination, pop it open and let your brush air dry.

Pack an ADA-Accepted Pack of Gum

Chewing sugarless gum can help relieve ear pressure during a flight and help keep cavities at bay on vacay. Research shows that chewing sugarless gum for 20 minutes after a meal can help prevent cavities. That’s because it gets saliva flowing, which helps wash away cavity-causing bacteria. Sugarless gum with the ADA Seal is guaranteed to do the trick.

When in Doubt, Brush with Bottled Water

If you are in a country where the water supply is compromised – or you’re on a wilderness adventure but aren’t sure how clean the stream is – always use bottled water to brush. What happens if you accidentally get local water on your toothbrush? If the local water is not safe to drink, get a new toothbrush if possible. Otherwise, rinse your brush thoroughly with clean drinkable water.

Get Back on Track After Your Trip

If you have not followed your schedule of brushing and flossing while away, or if your vacation involved indulging in too many sweets don’t worry. The best solution is to jump back into your regular routine as soon as possible when you get home.  “Just get back on your normal routine of brushing twice a day for two minutes and flossing when you get home.