More Prevention, Less Emergency

By Dr. Doyle Williams

I’ve been reading way too many articles about the increasing use of the hospital emergency room (ER) for treating dental problems. Hospitals are saying that this has become a very frequent occurrence. It saddens me to know people are in such mouth pain that they need ER intervention. It is troubling to me as a dentist because when an individual visits the hospital with a dental emergency, the pain will be addressed, but the “root” cause of the problem is often not treated. The most common treatment is a prescription for pain and another for infection; both are just temporary fixes. This leaves the individual vulnerable to a recurrence of the same problem in a few weeks or perhaps more severe problems, which ultimately become more costly and painful to treat. And in some cases, they can be life threatening.

The number of ER visits across the U.S. increased by 16 percent from 2006 to 2009. Did you know that between 1.3 percent and 2.7 percent of all ER visits that don't result in a hospital admission are dental emergencies? In many cases, the people using the emergency room have had difficulty getting regular preventive care from dentists and other types of providers says The Pew Research Center in its report, A Costly Destination. Unfortunately, the patients who find themselves in the ER are paying more than they would have at a dentist, and not solving their underlying oral health problem.

Consider that a single ER visit for toothache pain can cost Medicaid about $236, while extracting an infected tooth in a dentist’soffice or placing a filling would cost about $107. Recognizing this trend, the National Institutes of Health is supporting a new two-year study of emergency room dental care.

We need to take a closer look at where money is spent on dental care. Paying for prevention-focused dental care is a more effective wayto keep costs down. As the saying goes, “An ounce of prevention is worth apound of cure.”

DentaQuest is committed to prevention in oral healthcare. Click here to learn more http://www.dentaquest.com/Preventistry/.

Oral Cancer and HPV

By Dr. Doyle Williams

Oral Cancer will inflict 37,000 people this year. It will cause 8,000 deaths. It is a silent killer that takes the life of one person every hour.

Oral cancer can often be detected with a simple screening, and is often easily treatable in its early stages. But all too often it goes unnoticed until it’s too late.

Warning signs of oral cancer include:

A red or white patch in your mouth or a sore that hasn’t healed within 14 days.

Sore throat or ear pain caused by inflammation in the back of the throat. If the pain lingers after two weeks, consult with your physician.

A lump in your neck, which may signify the cancer is spreading out from its original site.

Alteration in the quality of your voice or hoarseness for no apparent reason that hasn’t disappeared after about a week.

Today, many cases of oral cancer are being caused by Human Papilloma Virus, commonly known as HPV, an STD that nearly 80 percent of Americans will be infected with at least once in their lifetime.

There are more than 120 strands of HPV, not all of which are cancerous. The virus can be passed through sexual activity, and in most cases has no side-effects and is gone within a year. But in rare cases, HPV can turn into oral cancer, making it all the more important to be screened regularly for both HPV and oral cancer.

So don’t forget to insist on an oral cancer screening with your dentist at least once a year, even if you have no known risk factors like tobacco and alcohol.

A Family Guide to Healthy Smiles

By Dr. Doyle Williams


A comprehensive new guidebook is making it easier for parents to care for their children’s oral health. “Healthy Smiles,” presented by the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, is a family guide that covers all the basics- from infant oral health to proper diets for a healthy mouth.

The guide features a smiling Kristi Yamaguchi (whose father Jim is a dentist), includes a DVD and provides an overview for parents of important preventive measures to take in their child’s everyday life. It outlines four steps in a healthy dental routine: brushing twice daily, flossing every day, following a healthy diet and visiting a dentist every six months.

Some of the facts and advice in the guide are no-brainers, like the importance of brushing regularly. But some of the information may come as a surprise. For example, a good prenatal diet is crucial to building strong teeth in infants and babies. Also included are fun and helpful tips to help children learn good oral health and techniques for proper hygiene. Parents can sing and tell jokes while their children brush their teeth (for a full two minutes!) or kids can use a fun toothbrush to make teeth brushing more exciting.

The guide is fun and the clear steps included in the book and DVD help make great oral health easy for all. You can find the guide here.

Know Your Teeth

By Dr. Doyle Williams

In celebration of Children’s Dental Health Month, I thought all my readers -- young and not so young -- would like to learn more about their teeth.

Have you ever thought about the life cycle of your teeth?

Yes, teeth do have a life cycle. From birth onward, teeth go through different stages and at each stage, they need a specific type of care.

Good oral health starts at birth -- even though teeth are typically not visible when a baby is born. Underneath those newborn gums, teeth are already forming and lining up in place. Start cleaning them (with a soft damp cloth) as soon as the first teeth come through the gums. They deserve careful care every day for the rest your life. One year of age is the time to schedule the baby’s first visit to a dental care professional.

I’d like to introduce you to website that takes you through the life of a tooth brought to you by the Academy of General Dentistry. Click the link and you’ll learn what to expect from dental visits at different ages, when you should go, and you’ll find tips on dental care routines that you should follow as your teeth mature.

I want to remind you that baby teeth are very important. They are for chewing and much more. Baby teeth serve as space-holders for adult teeth. A child’s permanent tooth will grow into the space left behind when the baby tooth falls out. If a child looses a baby tooth before the permanent tooth is ready to erupt into place, the child can have problems eating and even learning to speak properly.

Help your young children develop healthy teeth by avoiding giving them baby bottles at bedtime, use only water in sippy cups, use toothpaste with fluoride (after age 2), and limit snacking on sugary and starchy foods throughout the day.

Your mouth is a window to your good health. Take care of your teeth and they should last a lifetime!


*Photo source: http://baby-cosmetics.com/2011/07/27/baby-care-tips/

Mouth Power!

By Dr. Doyle Williams

Did you know that there is a National Museum of Dentistry?

It’s in Baltimore, next to the University of Maryland School of Dentistry, and about a 10 minute walk from Camden Yards, home of the Baltimore Orioles and M&T Bank Stadium where the Baltimore Ravens play. If you’re in Baltimore on vacation and looking for something different to do, think about a visit to this Museum.

You’ll see George Washington’s teeth (and find out if they are really made of wood), learn about braces and beautiful teeth, get to play dentist/assistant/hygienist, sing along to old toothpaste commercials, and get hands on time with giant teeth and other fascinating exhibitions that encourage good oral health and celebrate the wonderful world of dentistry. There’s even a 13-foot, life-size model of a male narwhal with a 5-foot-long tusk! This museum is an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution, and the nation’s official museum of the dental profession.

If you can’t go in person, check out the Museum online. At MouthPower, the Museum’s interactive online site, children can explore “Mouthie’s Laboratory” a virtual world of entertaining (and educational) oral health activities. This interactive approach is a great way for younger children to learn about the importance of good brushing and flossing habits, good eating habits for healthy teeth, what tobacco does to teeth, and why there are so many different kinds of dental instruments.

The activities in MouthPower program are also good for use in:

• Classrooms
• Dental offices, clinics and screening centers
• Community centers and libraries
• Boy Scout, Girl Scout and Camp Fire troop meetings

Teachers and group leaders can get additional resources by contacting the Museum.

And, the Museum hasn’t forgotten moms, dads, and grandparents. There’s GetMouthPower.org for you! Check out this site -- its filled with tips for keeping a healthy adult smile all through your life!

Love Your Heart

By Dr. Doyle Williams



In support of the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women Campaign and American Heart Month, I’m taking a brief break from blogs in celebration of Children’s Dental Health Month to speak to women and men about oral health and heart disease.

The connection between oral health and overall health tells us something important: the mouth is a vital health indicator for the rest of the body.

The bacteria in our mouths that contribute to bleeding gums and tooth loss have also been found in our arteries. Some researchers believe that the presence of gum disease-causing bacteria in the arteries may contribute to our chances of heart disease.

How? The thinking is that the inflammation in our gums causes swelling of our arteries which constricts them and may make cholesterol blockage easier.

It is also thought that the gum disease bacteria actually stick to cholesterols and fats in our arteries making the blockage more likely as they accumulate.

Whatever the cause and effect, people with gum disease are twice as likely to also have heart disease. And, bleeding gums, which are a symptom of gum disease, may be the earliest indicator before any other signs of heart disease can be detected.

That’s another reason why it is important to brush and floss daily – to remove the bacteria from your mouth. If you see signs of blood when you brush, make an appointment with your oral health professional. Gum (periodontal) disease can be managed and controlled if it is caught early.

In 2010, the American Heart Association set a strategic goal of reducing death and disability from cardiovascular disease and strokes by 20% while improving the cardiovascular health of all Americans by 20% by the year 2020.

Make heart health a habit – brush and floss every day.

“Bombing” Away Tooth Decay

By Doyle Williams, Chief Dental Officer

Tooth decay better watch out; there’s a new oral health weapon on the horizon – and it comes in liquid form.

The new (and not yet approved for release to market) “Smart bomb” mouthwash, developed by Wenyuan Shi, chair of the oral biology section of the UCLA School of Dentistry, targets S. mutans, the strain of bacteria largely responsible for tooth decay.

This smart mouthwash works by targeting only the harmful bacteria, the S. mutans, without damaging helpful bacteria. In other words, it identifies the bad guys and bombs them away while leaving the good guys to carry on with their regular job of protecting your mouth.

A “Smart Bomb” mouthwash study has been published in the November issue of the Caries Research journal. The next step is getting FDA approval. If approved, this mouthwash would be the first preventive drug developed to fight tooth decay since fluoride. I always get excited about the potential for new ways to stop tooth decay. I’ll keep watching the progress of this drug, and report back if it’s approved.

February is National Children's Dental Health Month and that means a great opportunity to remind parents and caregivers to teach their children that cavities are preventable! Coach your children to brush their teeth twice a day, and to floss daily. Encourage them to eat healthy foods and to drink beverages that are not high in sugar. And make sure they visit a dental care provider at least once a year for a check up.

Having more preventive measures against tooth decay is one of the best ways to make sure our children keep their teeth healthy.