Karen P. Meyers, DDS

Birmingham, MI

1875 Southfield Rd, Birmingham, MI  48009
Phone: 248-646-2450
Experience Excellence in Dental care

Reviewing Dental Equality on MLK Day

martin luther kingMartin Luther King, Jr. urged Americans to find a path towards equality and justice. Towards the end of his life, King focused his attention on poverty and the inequalities that poverty itself causes.

Poverty and socioeconomic status, on the whole, appear to be the leading causes of disparities in dental health care in America.  The other contributors are behavioral:  poor dietary choices, use of tobacco, and frequency of alcohol consumption.

In America, there is still a large gap in terms of general oral health. Non-Hispanic blacks, Hispanics, American Indians and Alaskan natives have far poorer dental health than other members of American society. The greatest disparity is among the youngest Americans, children ages 2-8 years of age. This is a critical time period in terms of tooth development as well as the establishment of healthy oral hygiene habits and dietary routines.

But adults also vary in their oral health status. Adults aged 35-44 years of age are more likely to access and utilize the services of a dentist if they feel they can afford it. Therefore, the statistic that overwhelmingly correlates with good overall oral health is whether or not the adult has graduated high school. Those who have not tend to earn less and to be employed by institutions that do not offer dental health. For these less educated Americans, the incidence of untreated tooth decay is twice as high as Americans who have at least a high school diploma.  The presence of destructive gum disease is nearly three times as much in the non-graduates of high school compared to adults who have at least some college education.

Another alarming statistic: Black men have a five year survival rate for throat cancer of 36%, while white men have a 61% five year survival rate. The disparity can be traced to earlier detection, among other factors.

Clearly, access to dental care can cut across all socioeconomic lines and improve the lives of all Americans.

New Year’s Resolutions for Your Teeth

new year resolutionsNew Year’s Resolutions abound. We agree that everybody should exercise more, eat a healthy diet and repair their relationships with family and friends. We also hope you’ll join us in making some Near Year’s Resolutions for your teeth. It’s a good time to put bad habits in the past and start with a clean slate.

So, from us to you, we hope you will take on these resolutions:

  •  If you haven’t been to the dentist in a little while or a long while, go NOW. You are not the only one who has put off dental care due to finances, fear or “life events”, but you will reap instantly better-looking and well-cared for teeth, and you will be on the path to better future oral health care when you partner with your dentist. It’s time to take action on all of those things you have been putting off, starting with your mouth.
  • See your dentist regularly, twice a year for cleanings at a minimum. For those who put off cleanings, it doesn’t make things easier. Delayed teeth cleanings can lead to a deterioration, not just of teeth, but of gums, too. Then you will need to engage in a deep cleaning gum treatment, which is not painful, but takes a bit more time and needs to be done in multiple sittings.
  • Brush your teeth at least twice a day, and for at least 2 minutes at a time. You may not realize how little time you are spending with your toothbrush. Time yourself this week and begin to feel what 2 minutes feels like.
  • Floss regularly. Flossing disturbs the particles between your teeth and allows toothbrushes and saliva to wash them away. And recent research indicates flossing saves lives!
  • If something feels “not right” with your teeth (your bite feels different, you are more sensitive to hot or cold drinks or foods, you notice any swelling or ulcers), don’t put off seeing your dentist. Dental care delayed is never the best option.
  • End your association with tobacco. We know that New Year’s is a time when we resolve to stay in touch with good friends. Tobacco is not your friend. Whether you are smoking or using smokeless tobacco (snuff), now is the time to “unfriend”. If it is any motivation to you, trust us when we tell you that mouth cancers can be hard to treat and intractable to cure.

Marijuana and Your Mouth

smokeColorado dentists are concerned that the state’s recent legalization of recreational marijuana use may have an adverse effect on Colorado residents’ oral health. These dentists are urging more research into the correlation of cavities and pot smoking.

Already, the American Dental Association has found a link between smoking of all kinds, tobacco and marijuana, and the growth of lesions and other abnormalities in the mouth and on the palate.

But anecdotal evidence is now accumulating regarding an increase in cavities among those who light up several times a week. Dentists and hygienists say that excessive marijuana smoking may be leading to the following conditions, which in turn make the mouth “ripe” for cavity development:

·         Dry mouth. Smoking in any form dries out the saliva in the mouth. Adequate saliva ensures that the surfaces of teeth are regularly bathed with moisture, which washes away particles on the teeth and gum surface.

·         Poor eating choices following pot smoking can be detrimental to oral health. For many, marijuana is an appetite stimulant, and snacking on high sugar and high carbohydrate food items introduces elements into the mouth that can be harmful to teeth. These snacking sessions typically are not followed closely by teeth brushing, which exacerbates the problem.

The combination of the dry mouth and the poor eating choices can be a real one-two punch for mouths, resulting in higher cavity rates. Colorado dentists are urging smokers to floss and brush more often, to rein in their snacking and to utilize tools to combat dry mouth like sugar-free candies and mouth sprays. The ADA maintains that quitting smoking of all kind is the best choice for optimal oral health.

 

Dental Emergencies on Vacation

airplaneDecember and January are popular times for travel, whether it is to celebrate holidays with family and friends, ski trips to snow-covered mountains or on getaway vacations to warmer climes. All of this travel takes us away from our dentists. We know that vacations don’t always mean a vacation from tooth issues. So, here are some suggestions for how to handle those out of town dental emergencies.

  • If a permanent tooth gets knocked out, keep it moist. You may gently rinse the tooth to get debris off of it, but don’t pull at the root fibers. If you can, place the tooth back into the socket, but without touching the root. If you cannot safely do that, you may preserve the tooth in milk. Then get to a dentist immediately. Teeth reimplantation needs to take place within one hour in order to have the highest chance of success.
  • If you crack a tooth, rinse your mouth with warm water. Your face is likely to swell up. To keep the swelling down, keep cold compresses on your face. Arrange to see a dentist quickly.
  • If you get a toothache, rinse out your mouth with warm water. Try to gently floss around the affected area to get rid of any food. Make arrangements to see a dentist, as toothaches usually indicate infections or abscesses.
  • If you bite your lip or your tongue, just rinse your mouth out with water. Unless the bleeding doesn’t stop, which would indicate the need for stitches, the lip or tongue should quickly heal.
  • Utilize the hotel concierge or your travel insurance provider to help you find dental care. If you are abroad, you may also contact the American embassy or consulate for suggestions. Before you leave town, your hometown dentist may have a colleague in your travel location, to which he or she can direct you in case there is a problem. This is a good idea if you will be gone for a long time, either for business or leisure, including college students who spend a semester or year abroad.

You can’t prevent every dental emergency, but you can take some common sense action to avoid problems when out of town.

  • If you are going to participate in any sports, wear an appropriate mouth guard.
  • If you have dental implants, crowns, bridges or orthodontia, this is the time to treat them with care. Avoid sticky foods, especially candy and absolutely avoid chewing on ice or popcorn kernels.
  • If you are feeling any discomfort in your mouth, attend to it before you travel, so you don’t get yourself into an emergency situation.
  • If you know you are going to be away for a long time, consider a dental check-up and cleaning prior to your trip.
  • Be sure that you have all required immunizations and treatments if your destination requires them, particularly Hepatitis B.

What Your Mouth Tells Us…Without Saying a Word

 

say ahWhen you come in for your regular dental examination and cleaning, your dentist gets a view into not just your mouth, but your whole body. We don’t mean that the view from above you somehow allows her to see “all the way down”! Rather, the mouth is often the place where early disease processes present themselves first. So, when your dentist asks you about your other health issues, she may be asking with an idea of what she has seen during her examination.

Your dental health practitioners are a part of your overall health team. It is important to be honest about what your health challenges are when you visit your dentist, including the medication you take and the diseases for which you are receiving treatment.

Here are some diseases that often have an oral health component:

  • Oral Cancer. Obviously, the dentist is often the first to notice the signs of oral cancer, particularly cancer of the tongue and salivary glands.
  • Anemia (low iron) often presents itself as slightly pale gums.
  • Dry mouth can be a symptom of diabetes, as well as a side effect of all sorts of medications, including anti-anxiety and anti-depressants. Because a dry mouth can contribute to a higher risk for cavities, it is important for your dental provider to know about these medications or conditions.
  • Diabetes is also often the culprit for abscesses and other gum issues.
  • Pregnancy occasionally has an unexpected side effect: small growths on the gums, called pregnancy tumors, which are not dangerous, but can be uncomfortable.
  • Reflux causes more acid in the digestive system and often shows up in decay on the back of the lower teeth. A more pervasive pattern of decay and yellowing is also seen in patients who suffer with bulimia.

Asthma and Your Teeth

asthma inhalerAsthma affects many American adults and children. Asthma also has an impact on your dental health.

Asthma patients tend to breathe primarily through their mouth. Whenever there is more “mouth breathing” going on, there is a tendency for dry mouth. A drier mouth has less saliva. Saliva is important, because it bathes the surfaces of the teeth and removes bacteria from them. Therefore, asthmatics are at higher risk for cavities (caries) as a result of this drier mouth. Cavities, when untreated, can turn into bigger problems, like gum disease, abscesses and infections.

Another thing to consider: many asthma medications are a form of corticosteroids. Corticosteroids are a wonderful drug, allowing the asthmatic to breathe more easily by decreasing swelling in the mouth and nasal passages and also by decreasing mucus flow. But this “drying out” quality of the medication also contributes to decreased salivary flow, which in turn results in an even drier mouth. Again, a dry mouth is a perfect platform for the development of cavities.

One more note about dry mouths: in addition to a dry mouth being more prone to cavities, a dry mouth can also develop into bad breath.

The asthma inhalers themselves can cause some minor oral health issues. The most common are little lesions on the roof of the mouth. In addition, use of steroids can contribute to thrush, which is a yeast infection that occurs in the mouth. Both of these issues are treatable. You should get in the habit of rinsing your mouth out after puffing on the inhaler, either with water or, if your dentist suggests it, a fluoride mouth rinse.

Anybody who is asthmatic should be sure that their dental team is aware of this chronic condition. The dentist should be told what medication you take for asthma, whether it is taken regularly or just in cases of attacks. In addition, asthmatic patients should bring their inhaler to their dental appointments. If you happen to also suffer from dental anxiety, is is critical that you bring your inhaler with you.

So, if you are an asthmatic, remember the following:

  • Be extra vigilant about brushing and flossing to combat your higher risk for cavities.
  • Rinse your mouth after using your inhaler.
  • Keep your mouth hydrated with water or sugar free candies.
  • Inform your dentist about your asthma and your medical regimen.
  • Bring your inhaler to any dental appointments.

“Caramel” Yogurt Dip and Apples: Yummy Fall Treat that is Better on Bridges and Orthodontia!

courtesy of Delta Dental

courtesy of Delta Dental

“Caramel” yogurt dip and apples (a recipe from Delta Dental)

This recipe gives you a little bit of that sweet taste without all of that sticky stuff that can damage fillings and orthodontics:

Ingredients:
¼ tsp salt
2 tbsp agave syrup
¼ cup brown sugar
1 6-oz container of plain yogurt
1 tsp vanilla

Instructions:
Combine the salt, syrup and sugar in a small saucepan and heat on low until sugar dissolves. Remove from heat and stir in yogurt and vanilla. Allow to cool. Now dip away! For a thicker dip, refrigerate overnight.

Dieting and Dental Health

carrot danglingIt takes a lifetime of good eating and exercise habits to maintain a healthy body weight. It also takes good habits to take care of our teeth.

It can be very tempting to sign on to a crash diet or embark on a fad diet when those pounds don’t seem to drop quickly enough. But dentists are warning that some of these diets can be detrimental to your teeth. A few cautionary tales:

  • Juice Diets and Juice Cleanses: Nutritionists and dentists agree that juices can pack quite a bit of sugar and calories per serving. Water is a better regular drink for both your waistline and your gumline. However, there are diets where juice is used not to supplement meals but as a meal replacement. Juices unfortunately accentuate the acidic property that vegetables and fruit have. That is, when you are chewing, you are actually helping your teeth rid its surface of the sugars and the acids. When no chewing is involved, the acids and sugars are actually coating your teeth and gums. If you are juicing, try to use a straw and be sure to brush your teeth afterwards (which might mean bringing a toothbrush to your workplace).
  • Starvation diets, including fasting and 5:2: Perhaps you’ve heard of the 5:2 diet; it is quite popular in the United Kingdom. It involves eating normally on five days and eating one-fourth of a calorie count or low calorie liquids on two days of the week. These diets can contribute to bad breath and to fluctuations in insulin levels. If you perceive that your breath is turning foul, then you need to eat a bit more carbohydrates and hydrate more, as well.
  • Meal replacement bars and shakes.These are still a popular alternative for people.The shakes and bars are a controlled portion size and they can be low-calorie. Often, they are not low sugar. Again, brush your teeth after consuming them and use straws with milkshakes.
  • Low-fat foods. When processed foods promote themselves as “low fat”, they are often not particularly low calorie and they tend to have replaced the fat with sugar. Again, be prepared to brush your teeth afterwards or at least rinse with water.

Dental Care even in the Dorms

photo courtesy of mitadmissions.org

photo courtesy of mitadmissions.org

For college students, daily living skills fall squarely on their shoulders. Mom and Dad may still check in on their independent college student, but it’s not always face to face. For many of our nation’s university attendees, the campus freedom and some of the newfound stress that comes with managing essentially on their own, can wreak havoc with their mouths .

So, here are some basics for of dormitory (and apartment!) dental care:

  • Limit alcohol consumption. For the nation’s young college students, drinking is still illegal, but that doesn’t mean it is not happening. There is still a large percentage of binge drinking among college-age students. Perhaps, a little reminder from Mom and Dad (or their dentist) that alcohol is a high-sugar food choice (and a fattening one, at that) will spur them to curb their drinking and to brush their teeth even more on nights when they do imbibe. Sometimes, thinking about decreasing alcohol consumption is more effective with college students who are averse to being told what to do. For those students, consider alternating drinking water with other drinks to cut down on the amount of alcohol consumed.
  • Limit energy drinks. When papers pile up and exams loom, there may not feel like enough hours in the day. This often leads college students to grab a so-called energy drink (and they are the chief targeted marketing audience for these products). But energy drinks, in addition to delivering a high dose of caffeine, also have a huge amount of sugar, again, a no-no for healthy teeth. And, as if that wasn’t enough, most energy drinks contain citric acid, which can be quite harmful to teeth enamel.
  • Straws are your friends. If you are drinking anything with a high sugar content, like juice, alcohol, sodas with sugar or energy drinks, drink with a straw and do your level best to brush your teeth as quickly as you can after you have drunk the sugary stuff.
  • Protect your mouth. Even if you are just playing intramural sports, you still need a mouth guard. Students who played high school sports were forced to be conscientious about playing with mouth guards. When these same students go off to college and play recreational sports, they become a bit more complacent about protecting their teeth, especially at pick-up games with loose rules and no coaches. But mouth guards save a lot of future dental problems.
  • Think about your teeth. Look at them occasionally when you brush them. Are the gums a healthy pink or are they puffy and bleeding? Are you feeling any pain in your jaw or mouth? Are your wisdom teeth beginning to erupt? If you notice any changes in your mouth, take action sooner rather than later.
  • Find a dentist. If you are attending school far from home, your home dentist may be able to refer you to a colleague in your university location. In addition, many universities have very fine dental schools and their students are happy to learn on your teeth while they are getting their degree. They perform all procedures under the watchful eye of their professors.

Brushing Up on Your Toothbrush

toothbrushesYour little bathroom friend, the toothbrush, is your major ally in preserving good oral health, preventing tooth decay, gum disease and all sorts of other complications. So, it’s time for you to “brush up” on your toothbrush knowledge.

Your toothbrush has a limited life span. You may love your toothbrush, but it is not a “forever” relationship. Most dentists urge you to change toothbrushes every three months in order to avoid brushing your teeth with bacteria and germ-laden brushes. In addition, if you have come down with a cold or flu, it is a good idea to purchase a new toothbrush. If you are a frequent traveler and you keep an extra toothbrush in your cosmetics bag, be mindful of the life of that toothbrush and consider repurchasing a new travel toothbrush, too. Obviously, a toothbrush that shows its age via discolored or bent bristles needs to go!

Some toothbrushes are better than others. Know the difference between hollow-head toothbrushes and solid-head toothbrushes. Hollow-head toothbrushes allow 3,000 times more bacterial growth. In addition, soft bristles are generally better and provide a more gentle cleanse. A smaller toothbrush head allows you to reach more areas of your mouth. Any handle, by the way, that feels good in your hand and that encourages you to brush, is a good handle.

Toothbrush down time: Your toothbrush needs to be able to dry. So, please be sure that your toothbrush is stored vertically with the brush at the top. Any toothbrush that stays perpetually wet is a germ factory waiting to happen.

You need to spend some quality time with your toothbrush. Ideally, you should brush your teeth for two minutes each time. You can use your stopwatch function on your smart phone to help you learn how long two minutes is. This is enough time for you to gently brush the chewing surfaces of all of your teeth, the gumline area, the areas between teeth and even your tongue, if you work efficiently.

Hours

Monday:9:00 AM – 5 PM
Tuesday:11:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Wednesday:Closed
Thursday:8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Friday:By appointment only
Saturday:By appointment only
Sunday:Closed

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Contact Information

Karen P Meyers, DDS 
1875 Southfield Road, Birmingham, MI  48009

Phone: 248-646-2450
KMeyersDDS@gmail.com

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