Remembering The Ten Commandments of Dentistry

Before our June post, we would like to extend our deepest appreciation to all of our armed service members who gave their lives to ensure our continued freedoms.  Echoing Ronald Reagan, "And if words cannot repay the debt we owe these men, surely with our actions we must strive to keep faith with them and with the vision that led them to battle and to final sacrifice."  We remember you today and always.

Twelve years of Catholic education has led to a lifetime of nightmares about religion tests.  "Catholic Guilt" at its finest!  I had my latest nightmare last night, courtesy of Mrs. Cooper's freshman theology class.  Our test, based on the ten commandments, was moved up a week unbeknownst to yours truly.  I wrote the commandments I could remember and left the rest blank.  When asked as to why I could not name all of the ten commandments, I told Mrs. Cooper it's because I hadn't committed the rest of them!  Does lying in a dream count as lying? How about wit!

Below are my "Ten Commandments of Dentistry."  I hope you remember them, and not because you committed them!

1) Thou shall Brush at least twice a day for two minutes a day

• The best time to brush is AFTER breakfast and before you go to bed.  If you fall asleep on the couch like me, brush after dinner! Two minutes a day ensures you capture all areas.  Excessive brushing for longer than two minutes can lead to increased enamel loss and recession.  

2) Thou shall not use your Finger Brush

• Okay, I've done it.  But, it was a last resort when I was too embarrassed to tell my mother-in-law I forgot my toothbrush at home. A soft bristle toothbrush is the 18 carat gold standard.  An electric toothbrush is the 24 carat gold standard.  Prices have come way down and the reduction in plaque and tartar is incredible.  They also reinforce brushing for two minutes with built-in timers!   

3) Thou shall not Snack like Jabba the Hutt

• When you snack you are feeding yourself and your bacteria.  Bacteria produce acid which subsequently dissolves your teeth.  By constantly introducing a food source, bacteria are able to produce acid all day long, greatly increasing your risk for enamel wear and cavities.  Consider brushing and/or rinsing after snacking and try to avoid especially sticky snacks.

4) Thou shall not Consume Sugary Drinks

Substrate (Food/Sugar) + Bacteria= Acid 

Prolonged Acid= Enamel Wear and Cavities

• Drinking pop (aka soda) throughout the day is the fast-pass line to having something in common with George Washington...and I'm not talking about being a fellow POTUS.  Diet pop does not have sugar, cutting out the bacteria's ability to produce acid.  However, Diet Pop might as well be call Diet Acid.  Think that would sell?  Regular pop is Regular Acid with the extra sugary ability to supercharge bacteria's acid production.  If you are going to drink pop, drink it all at once/with a meal.  The buffers in your saliva will be able to rebound with consumption in one sitting.  They are not able to recover with frequent exposures throughout the day, just like snacking!

5) Thou shall eat Dark Chocolate instead of Candy

• We all love a little dark chocolate (at least 70% cacao).  Apparently, there are at least 7 health benefits too.  The eighth wonder of Dark Chocolate is its positive effects in the mouth.  One component, cacao bean husk extract has been shown to inhibit bacterial acid production in the mouth and reduce plaque accumulation.  Another positive effect of dark chocolate is getting husbands off the couch and out of the dog house.  If you are a candy junkie, look for xylitol candies or eat the candy all at once.  Again, quantity does not effect teeth as much as frequency and duration.  The same can't be said for your waistline or blood sugar!

6) Thou shall make Regular Visits to your Dentist

• Tooth decay is the most common disease in the world and four times more likely than asthma in adolescents.  All of this is preventable!!!  Regular visits to your dentist are the key to maintaining happy, healthy smiles.

7) Thou shall not Forget About Thou's Gums

• We always worry if we have cavities.  What about the foundation that holds your teeth?  I have seen time and time again the most beautiful teeth lost because of gum (periodontal) disease. It's like a house that was built on mud.  Regular cleanings and flossing once a day will help prevent gum disease.  If you "hate" to floss or are chronically lying to your dentist or hygienist about flossing your teeth, try a water pick, soft pick or flossers.  Also, avoid tobacco products, they greatly increase your risks for gum disease and oral cancer.

8) Thou shall Ask your Dentist before using Home Remedies

• Your neighbor just found an amazing whitening product on Facebook!  And it's 90% off!  Too good to be true?  Always ask your dentist before trying a new at home remedy.  There can be some unforeseen consequences!

9) Thou shall not Chew Ice!

• Chewing ice subjects your teeth to a temperature extreme and excessive tensile forces.  We have seen way too many cracked teeth from chewing ice.  Often micro-cracks progress to a tooth splitting right down the middle.  Not a pleasant sensation.  Not a pleasant conversation.  Not a pleasant dental visit.  Typically, a fractured tooth is non-restorable, meaning the tooth will need to be extracted. Hard foods, especially raw almonds, can do it too.    

10) Thou shall Treat your Mouth like it is the Gateway to your Body

• Treat your mouth like it is the gateway to your overall health because it is!  Tooth decay can lead to dental abscesses which can lead to systemic infection.  Many oral pathologies are caused by inadequate oral hygiene and poor habits.  Gum disease has been linked to diabetes, heart disease, respiratory and pregnancy issues, and osteoporosis to name a few.  Spend five minutes a day scrubbing and flossing the gate, watch your diet and unlock a lifetime of health.

By following these Ten Commandments of Dentistry you will greatly improve your oral and systemic health.  Consequently, I hope is also lessens your "Dental Guilt"!

As always Go Bucks,

George Jr.

Dr. George R. Williams is a general dentist at Williams Family Dental Group in Canton, Ohio.  He is a graduate of The Ohio State University College of Dentistry and Canton Mercy Medical Center General Practice Residency.  For questions or suggestions for blog posts, please feel free to contact him at drgrw@williamsdentalgroup.com

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