Dr. Richard S. Tutin's Blog

Dental Health “Very Important” During Pregnancy.

In a Q&A-style article, the Springfield (MA) Republican (12/18, Shebar) reports, “It is very important to take care of your teeth and gums while pregnant, not just for you, but for your baby’s health as well.” A study published in JADA “found that pregnant women with chronic gum disease were four to seven times more likely to deliver prematurely (before gestational week 37) and underweight babies than mothers with healthy gums.” The article notes that oral health is important even before pregnancy, and stresses that “it is important to have regular check-ups and cleaning” and to have any unresolved dental issues taken care of prior to pregnancy when possible.” Routine dental care such as check-up and cleaning can (and should) be performed during the second trimester,” the Springfield Republican adds.

WSJournal: Most People Should Visit Dentist Twice Per Year.

The Wall Street Journal (12/30, Chen, Subscription Publication) considers the frequency with which people should visit the dentist. Citing Dr. Edmond R. Hewlett, a professor of dentistry at the University of California, Los Angeles, the Journal reports that while a small number of people can get away with less than the recommended twice-per-year dental visits, others will in fact need to visit the dentist more than two times per year. Dr. Hewlett said that the recommendation was envisioned with an average person in mind, meaning middle-aged people who don’t smoke and who brush their teeth twice per day.

Study: 58% Of People More Likely To Be Hired After Tooth Whitening.

On its website, Valet Magazine (12/17) reports that according to a recent study commissioned by Match.com, good teeth are what women “judge men on most” when first considering a romantic relationship, while independent research firm Kelton Research “found that 58% of a study’s participants were more likely to be hired and 53% received larger salary offers after their teeth had been whitened.” Citing the advice of dentists, the article goes on to advise on methods to whiten teeth, including visiting the dentist for a professional whitening treatment

ADA Study Suggests 100% Juice Not Associated With Pediatric Caries.

Forbes (12/1) reports a new study from the American Dental Association sought to determine whether consuming 100% juice increases the risk for dental caries in a representative sample of 2,300 preschoolers. The study found that it does not, regardless of socioeconomic background. “Interestingly, the researchers didn’t find any differences in juice intake among children in poverty (below the federal poverty guidelines) and those in higher economic groups (at or above 300% federal poverty level), but those in the middle drank slightly less fruit juice,” Forbes reports, adding, “The authors also didn’t find any differences in consumption based on sex or race/ethnicity.” The results were even true among children “drinking more than the maximum 4 to 6 ounces a day recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics (though the typical preschooler consumes about double that).” Moreover, Forbes reports that the researchers suggest that there may be several reasons for the lack of a link between 100% fruit juice and caries, including exposure to fluoride, potential antibacterial components of pure juice, and that parents who give children 100% fruit juice are more likely to be health conscious in general.

In an article running more than 1,700 words titled “16 Unexpected Ways to Add Years to Your Life,” TIME (11/5) reports that one of those ways is to floss daily, as recommended by the American Dental Association. Flossing on a daily basis “not only gets rid of food trapped between your teeth but also removes the film of bacteria that forms before it has a chance to harden into plaque—something your toothbrush cannot do,” TIME reports. Moreover, the article points out that low-grade inflammation can be caused by periodontal disease from lack of flossing, “which increases the risk of early heart attack and stroke.” Studies have also linked cardiovascular disease to oral bacteria

A recent study published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry found that the hops plant, known for imparting a distinctive bitter taste and aroma to beer, contains substantial amounts of healthful antioxidants that could help fight cavities and gum disease. Scientists focused specifically on studying the leaves, called bracts, and discovered that extracts from the plant prevented the bacteria responsible for cavities and gum disease from sticking to the surface of teeth and releasing certain bacterial toxins. In beer production only the flower and the vine are used while the bracts are discarded, thus making the future usefulness of bracts a distinct possibility in dentistry.

Source: Word of Mouth/Mass Dental Society

A couple of times a month I get asked the question: What’s the difference between a DDS and DMD? Here is an explanation.

DDS vs. DMD

DDS: Doctor of Dental Surgery
DMD: Doctor of Dental Medicine

The history is that all dentists were given the DDS degree in the past, but when Harvard opened their dental college they had to award all degrees in Latin, so doctor of dental surgery would not work. They settled on DMD as an abbreviation for the Latin words, Dentariae Medicinae Doctorae. Since then, other schools have copied this idea. Some schools even allow the dentist to decide which degree he or she would like.

According to the ADA, “There is no difference between the two degrees; dentists who have a DMD or DDS have the same education. State licensing boards accept either degree as equivalent, and both degrees allow licensed individuals to practice the same scope of general dentistry.”

Dentists must complete four years of undergraduate education before completing four years of dental school in order to become a general dentist. So, most dentists have eight years of college education. In order to become a specialist, a dentist must complete an additional two to six years of post-graduate training.

Source: The American Dental Association

Here’s some interesting information regarding the benefits of chewing sugar free gum. Although nothing takes the place of a good toothbrush and floss a piece of gum could come in handy. Gum stimulates the flow of saliva which helps the mouth self clean and can be helpful for patients with dry mouth(xerostomia). Increased saliva helps restore minerals in tooth enamel, as levels of calcium and phosphate ions in saliva increase due to stimulation caused by chewing gum. It has also been demonstrated that salivary stimulation by chewing sugar free gum after snacks containing fermentable carbohydrate reduces the acid potential of foods significantly. Less acid means less chance of cavities and enamel destruction. So if you’re in a pinch without a toothbrush try a piece of sugar free gum!

Framingham Dental Group has begun to implement CAMBRA. It is a protocol to prevent cavities as opposed to “watching” decay grow in your mouth.

Risk for tooth decay

CAMBRA (the Caries Management by Risk Assessment protocol) is dentistry’s current model for managing tooth decay. It is designed to determine a patient’s risk for decay and the appropriate preventive and therapeutic approaches to each individual’s needs. Framingham Dental Group has begun to embrace this treatment philosophy and practice because 70% of all dental services provided are replacements of existing restorations, with decay the most frequent reason. After reviewing dental history, saliva reducing factors (medications, disease), recall compliance, diet, and completing a detailed clinical examination, the patient’s risk is considered high if there is active decay, recession with exposed roots, defective old restorations, visible heavy plaque, a visibly dry mouth, or diagnostic tests of high bacterial counts. The presence of removable partials, crowns, and bridges can increase plaque levels and decay risk.

Treatment plan

After risk assessment is complete, a patient’s treatment plan can be tailored with regard to the frequency of radiographs and recall exams, saliva tests, use of antibacterials such as chlorhexidine and xylitol, in-office and daily use of fluoride as well as conservative resin restorations.

First with oral or pharyngeal cancer will die within 5 years of initial diagnosis. 1 some statistics. 42,000 Americans will be diagnosed with oral or pharyngeal cancer in 2013. 800 Americans will die of oral or pharyngeal cancer in 2013. 43 percent of those American dies every hour of oral or pharyngeal cancer.

Oral cancer is on the rise. Young people with no known risk factors are the group in which oral cancer rates are rising the fastest. The reason for this increase is the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV). Seventy percent of the population has HPV or has had HPV.

Every patient that comes to Framingham Dental Group receives a thorough visual oral cancer screening. The reason is that it takes 4 years for oral cancer to develop. When caught early, the initial “dysplasia” cells can be destroyed and the patient can be cured.

There are several oral cancer screening devises that can assist our visual exam. We use the velscope. T his machine uses light to fluoresce the oral tissues and the areas of dysplasia can be more easily identified. This machine enhances visualization of the oral cavity. It is painless, tasteless and odorless. Please let us know if you have any questions or concerns at your next visit.

First some statistics. 42,000 Americans will be diagnosed with oral or pharyngeal cancer in 2013. 800 Americans will die of oral or pharyngeal cancer in 2013. 43 percent of those with oral or pharyngeal cancer will die within 5 years of initial diagnosis. 1 American dies every hour of oral or pharyngeal cancer.

Oral cancer is on the rise. Young people with no known risk factors are the group in which oral cancer rates are rising the fastest. The reason for this increase is the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV). Seventy percent of the population has HPV or has had HPV.

Every patient that comes to Framingham Dental Group receives a thorough visual oral cancer screening. The reason is that it takes 4 years for oral cancer to develop. When caught early, the initial “dysplasia” cells can be destroyed and the patient can be cured.

There are several oral cancer screening devises that can assist our visual exam. We use the velscope. T his machine uses light to fluoresce the oral tissues and the areas of dysplasia can be more easily identified. This machine enhances visualization of the oral cavity. It is painless, tasteless and odorless. Please let us know if you have any questions or concerns at your next visit.