Tooth Truth

My parents had Bad Teeth and I’ve got the same problem! 

No Way!  What you have is Bad Habits.

What Bad Habits you ask?

Acid Eroded Teeth

• Frequently eating or drinking starch or sugar containing food or beverage  during the day.
• Brushing right after you eat.
• Scrubbing the teeth like bathroom tile.
• Rinsing your mouth after you brush with water or worse, mouthwash.
• Constantly sipping water from your designer sports bottle.

Yeah but I’ve always done that!

Time to review the facts:

• Every time you eat or drink, the normal bacteria in your mouth break down the carbohydrates with an increase in acidity that lasts for one half hour after the last mouthful.  So if you eat or sip all day long your mouth is constantly acidic.
• If you brush during this acidity, your teeth are softer and get literally worn away by your brushing.
• The brush is very stiff from the last use of toothpaste; scrubbing action is like giving your teeth thirty lashes for bad behavior.  First soften the brush by rubbing with your thumb under warm water and then only use a vibratory motion with pressure to clean.
• There are beneficial ingredients in toothpaste that should soak in for at least one half hour but if you rinse, all that potential benefit goes down the drain.
• Many popular mouthwash formulas are acidic to “kill bacteria” but also make your teeth softer.
• Saliva is very protective of your teeth because it neutralizes the acidity and helps to fight the bad bacteria.  But every time you sip water or any other beverage, you’re washing away or diluting the saliva.

So what should you be doing to save your teeth?

• Try to eat no more than three times a day and if you snack, try to eat a combination of food that is not acidic.  Foods that can reduce acidity are milk, cheese and nuts.  Avoid vinegar, citrus, fruits and starches.
• Wait at least one half hour after drinking/eating before brushing;  if you must brush right away, use water or an alkaline mouthwash (baking soda or “Biotene”) to reduce the acidity first.
• The best brushing stroke is given by an electric toothbrush (Sonicare or OralB’s vibratory motion) which you can simulate with your manual brush which just takes longer.
• Mouthwash should be used first to reduce the  bacteria count in your mouth, then floss or pick between the teeth and finally brush with a good quality toothpaste.  Lastly do not rinse but spit out the extra toothpaste  and allow the beneficial ingredients to soak in.
• If you have real sensitive teeth or extensive dental restorations, be sure to use a low abrasive toothpaste which can be any of the products for sensitive teeth such as Sesnsodyne’s Pro-Enamel.

If you take the time to develop Good Habits, you’ll be rewarded with Great Teeth and Healthy Gums.

“Warning: A Cold Sore Could Cause Alzheimer’s” is the latest article featured in Dr. Mark Stengler’s “Natural Healing” newsletter via Bottom Line Press. 

There is growing evidence that Alzheimer’s may be caused by the herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV1) which typically causes fever blisters or cold sores on the face and in the mouth.  HSV1  attacks the peripheral nervous system and once infected, you always have the virus lying dormant which  will occasionally reactivate when triggered by stress or fatigue.

Flareups of HSV1  in the brain can cause damage associated with Alzheimer’s.  The brain defends against the HSV1 by producing beta-amyloid protein.  The presence of HSV1/beta-amyloid along with genetic susceptibility to Alzheimer’s may result in inflammation in the brain activated by stress and fatigue.I

If testing for elevated immunoglobulins G & H caused by an  HSV1 infection is high then the following  supplements should be considered:

• Lysine: is an amino acid that blocks arginine, another amino acid that HSV1  needs to reproduce.       Dose: 500 mg, three times a day.
• Vitamin D: renders HSV1 dormant.  Your Dr should test for desired blood level of 70-80 ng/mL.          Dose:  400 IU/day.
• Curcumin: the active ingredient in Turmeric (Curry) inhibits HSV1.           Dose: 200-400 mg turmeric extract with 95% curcuminoids daily.

An active infection with HSV1  can be treated on a chronic basis with a Doctor’s Rx for a daily dose of 500 mg of the antiviral drug valacyclovir (Valtrex).  The effectiveness of this therapy should be checked annually by testing for antibody levels.

Breaking News!     Go to the following site (copy and paste address)  for a new approach to Alzheimer’s and other related conditions:

http://www.cbn.com/media/player/index.aspx?s=/mp4/LJO190v1_WS

Yes you can, as long as it’s Xylitol. Xylitol is a natural occurring alcohol sugar that is commonly used in chewing gum such as “Orbit” and other products.
The main advantage of Xylitol is that it cannot be processed by the natural bacteria in the mouth so that regular use can literally starve the cavity causing bacteria to death!
Used in moderation it can dramatically reduce the incidence of decay in the mouth.
But like all good things there are some precautions that should be heeded. Too much (more than two portions a day) can result in a laxative effect and Xylitol can be lethal to pets.    Dogs rapidly develop insulin shock after ingesting Xylitol and it is toxic to their liver whereas humans have no such problems.
So if your dentist says you have way too many cavities, try to have at least two exposures to Xylitol in your mouth a day.
It is important to have only products that have 100%  Xylitol and not just small amounts. Some gum or mints have only token amounts of Xylitol and primarily Sorbitol which is cheaper to produce and of  little or no benefit.
Sources of Xyltol include: www.zellies.com, www.xlear.com and www.drjohns.com.
So experience the minty, cool and refreshing taste of Xyltol and enjoy better dental health.

Zinc has been labeled a poison in recent times as an ingredient in denture adhesives and anti-cold nasal sprays.  Is this alarm appropriate?  Absolutely!  But some basic discussion of the ‘why for it’s use’ is required.

Zinc is an essential mineral required for good health.  But like all nutrients, we need to take a balanced amount to stay within the range of its healthful benefits.  That’s 9 mg/day for women and 11 mg/day for men with a maximum limit of 20 to 40 mg/day.  Zinc plays a critical role in a long list of bio-chemical reactions in the body.  Zinc is an anti-oxidant that promotes healing and  prevents infection.  For this reason it is commonly used in skin creams, hair shampoos, sun screens and diet supplements.  It’s known to prevent halitosis, age related macular degeneration and gastroenteritis.

But too much of a good thing can come back and bite you.  Too much Zinc can cause ataxia (lack of muscle control), lethargy (feeling tired) and Copper Deficiency resulting in permanent nerve damage.

Lack of Zinc causes growth retardation, delayed sexual maturation, increased infections and diarrhea.  800,000 children die every year due to low Zinc.

All of the problems with Zinc have stemmed from improper labeling and excessive use.

In the case of denture adhesives,  the manufacturers are now removing Zinc in order to avoid the consequences of using too much.  Unfortunately, Zinc was a benefit when used properly.

The BOTTOM LINE: If You Have To Use Giant Globs Of Adhesive In Order To Make Your Dentures “Fit”, Then You Need To See Your Dentist For A New Set Or At Least A New Reline To Make Them Fit Better.

My first website was put together by my youngest son while he was living in Nepal over seven years ago.  The new design was done by my oldest son.  It has been a work in progress over four years.  You’ll find that it’s a lot more user friendly and loaded with helpful information.   Congratulations and A Big Thank You to Chris.  Check it out!   www.drschwan.com

The universal desire to be socially acceptable is often fraught with challenges.  One of the most common obstacles to “closeness” is “BAD BREATH”!  So what can you do to pass through this possible minefield of rejection?  Consider using the following  “Quick Cures”.

1. Stay Hydrated:  The most common cause of morning breath, headaches and muscle spasms is lack of adequate water in your diet.  Eight-eight ounce glasses a day seems like a lot but if you even approach this goal, you’ll feel a lot better.
2. Gargle with mouth wash: Listerine is alcohol based but that’s why it works!  There are also excellent non-alcohol based mouthwashes that work well.  The least expensive is 3% Hydrogen Peroxide cut in half with water.
3. Clean your teeth, gum tissue and tongue:  Start with flossing between the teeth (be sure to wrap the floss against each opposing tooth in the space your in and go up and down several times); an alternate to floss is the “Stimudent” triangular tooth picks or for tight spaces try the new “Ultradent Opalpix”  which are thinner for tight spaces.   The last thing you should do is brush your teeth, gum tissue and tongue surface with a good quality manual or better yet electric toothbrush using one of the whitening/desensitizing toothpastes.  For example Crest’s “Pro-Health” or “Sensodyne”.

Please note the order is important!  By leaving the brushing with toothpaste as last,  you should spit out but not rinse.  The important beneficial ingredients in toothpaste need to soak in over at least a half hour.  If you rinse afterward, all those benefits go down the drain!

An Adjunct to all the above is to prevent your lips and nose passages from drying out.  Lips appreciate any good quality lip balm.  For the nostrils, you can place any unscented vaseline or skin lotion that will keep the mucous membranes moist.  If the air passages are blocked, use any basic saline nasal spray before applying the lubricant.  Keeping the mucous membranes healthy minimizes the ability for unwanted cold or flu viruses from getting into your system.

Remember to floss or pic only the teeth you want to keep!

And forget about the duct tape!

As a West Chester, PA Dentist, we  are pleased to offer the best natural tooth colored restorations available.  By using our Cerec 3D CAD-CAM acquisition (photo impression) and milling  system, in addition to the Empress pure porcelain restorations we have placed for more than eight years, we now have the remarkable IPS e.Max Lithium Disilicate which is the next generation of crown and bridge material.

The e.Max material  is a monolithic glass ceramic block.  With monolithic crowns we do not have to worry about the porcelain chipping or fracturing from the gold or zirconia substructure.  In a recent study at New York University, e.Max proved to be three times more resistant to material failure than the next strongest zirconia layered crowns and five times stronger than porcelain over gold.

Even more important, the microscopic particles are round which results in minimal wear against opposing teeth compared to layered porcelain which when worn or broken can be very abrasive.

In additon, since there is no metal involved, Cerec restorations offer thermal protection to the remaining tooth structure and virtually eliminate that annoying line between the natural tooth and the new restoration be it a crown, onlay or veneer.

We are truly excited to offer the Cerec 3D restorations as the best  tooth-saving technology.

NO INSURANCE – NO PROBLEM!  Check out Dr Schwan’s Discount Dental Plan @ www.SmileSaver.info

We hold these truths to be self evident but unfortunately many times we don’t live by them.  What follows is a brief list of  “Dr Bob’s Life Extending Pearls Of Wisdom.

Reduce Stress:

• Go to bed and get up the same time every day with a combination of sleeping or just staying in bed for any multiple of 1.5 hours- 4.5, 6, or 7.5 since we sleep in 1.5 hour cycles.  Keep track & try it.
• Eat breakfast and a total of three or more small meals a day and stop eating after 7 pm.
• Stop eating or drinking  the artificial crap that get’s foisted upon us by the “food industry”.
• Stay with wholesome and natural foodstuffs: fruits, vegetables, whole grains and protein.
  
• Exercise with every move you make by doing so with vigor; for example drying yourself with a bath towel or walking.  Do some sustained aerobics at least three times a week or daily for 20 minutes.  Do some specific weight training to maintain your bone strength.
  
• Go ahead and have that one drink at the end of the day to just settle-I emphasize ONE!
• Take a multiple vitamin, Calcium supplement, Coenzyme Q, and Flaxseed Oil.
• Drink eight-eight ounce  glasses of water a day or its equivalent.
• Nurture your companionship needs.
• Say your prayers and be honest with yourself and God.
• Have a good bowel movement.

Make a list of things on your mind:

• Cross out all the things you can have absolutely no effect on the possble outcome.
• Take the remaining items  and reduce them to the five most important.
• Get at least one of those taken care of every day.

Become a Positive Force:

• Trash the things that drag you down and start treating yourself to positive thoughts & actions.
• Everyone you meet-the first thing that should come out of your mouth should be a complement.
• The best way to feel good is to first make someone else’s day.

Above all else KISS- Keep It Simple Stupid,  JUST DO IT!

The Best Dental Insurance is no secret and it costs very little.  The correct daily cleaning routine and consistent healthy diet can go a long way to insure continued good dental health.  Specifically clean your teeth and gums at least once a day as follows:

• Use a mouth wash to rinse away loose debris and excess bacteria.
• Clean between the teeth where brushing does not reach with dental floss slipped between the contact and then up and down against the opposing tooth surface like using a bath towel.  A good substitute for floss can be soft wooden “Stimudents” or various dental picks with bottle brush efficiency.
• Finally soften that brush under warm water so that it’s not too stiff and brush with a vibratory motion with pressure against the gum and tooth junction.  Do not scrub up, down or sideways.  This same motion is created by the best quality electric  tooth brushes.
  

When it comes to diet try to avoid extremely acidic foods and beverages.  There are numerous sites on the internet that give the ph of various foods.  Acidic foods over time will literally dissolve tooth structure.