Friday, July 26, 2019

Excessive Computer Use Linked to Poor Oral Health in Teens

Is there a teen in your life who is deeply into computer gaming; or a coding genius; a hacker; or social media influencer?   Make sure they pay attention to their teeth!

Up until now, there have been many studies about the excessive use of computers (e.g., Internet and computer games), which can interfere with a person's daily life and may also have a negative impact on their overall health. These studies indicate that the excessive use of computers (>3 hours/day), including video games, might be associated with an unhealthy life‐style such as a sedentary life, irregular meals, junk food habits, and a lack of sleep.(Kim et al., 2010; Peltzer, Pengpid, & Apidechkul, 2014) Such behaviours appear to be associated with many health problems including physiological problems (e.g., childhood obesity and diabetes) and/or psychological problems (e.g., violence, aggressive behaviour, and self‐body image issues).(Mark, Boyce, & Janssen, 2006; Marshall et al., 2004) Problematic computer use has been reported by several authors.(Hawi, 2012; Siomos, Dafouli, Braimiotis, Mouzas, & Angelopoulos, 2008; Tsitsika et al., 2012) In 2006, among Canadian youth, only 41% of girls and 34% of boys spent 2 h/d or less in front of a screen (TV or computer).(Mark et al., 2006) Similar periods of daily computer use have been reported in the United States, where one study found that only 37% of girls and 34% of boys spent 2 h/d or less in front of the screen.(Roberts, Foehr, Rideour, & Brodie, 1999) This means that the majority spent more than 2 h/d in front of the screen.(Roberts et al., 1999)

It is perhaps unsurprising that the American Academy of Pediatrics has released guidelines recommending that “screen time” in front of a television or computer in children and adolescents should be limited to no more than 2 h/d.(American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), 2001).

This month, an interesting university study out of Poland (Olczak‐Kowalczyk, Tomczyk, Gozdowski, Kaczmarek, 2019), comprised of nearly 2,000 teens, showed those who spend more time on computers are significantly more likely to neglect their oral health.

Three hours of computer use each day is enough to put a teenager at risk of poor oral health, the study revealed.


Researchers found those that spent longer on a computer were less likely to brush their teeth, floss and visit the dentist. The results are particularly worrying for boys, where twice-daily brushing dropped below 50% for those with excessive computer use.

Further findings discovered that youngsters with excessive computer use are up to 25% more likely to suffer from bleeding gums, and almost twice as likely to be absent from school because of dental pain.

Clearly these results call for education about the dangers excessive computer use. Much of the attention in the past has focused on its relationships with obesity, smoking, drinking and changes in behavior. However, we are now seeing signs that it could affect a person’s oral health as well.

While the internet and computer games can often prove a necessary and important distraction, (I’m publishing this article on the internet) it is important that people, especially teens who are building lifelong habits, prioritize their health.  Brushing for two minutes twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste is the most effective way they can keep their mouth clean and healthy and stay free of dental disease.

Further findings from the study revealed the longer teenagers spend on a computer, the more sugar they consume.  The amount and frequency of fizzy drinks, juices with added sugar and snacking all increased for those with more than three hours of computer time a day.

These adolescents were also more likely to skip breakfast and eat less fruit and vegetables.

Tooth decay is the most common chronic disease for children in the US and it is caused by having too much sugar.  The harm caused by sugar is clear to see.  It is resulting in thousands of children across the US having fillings, and in the worst cases, rotten teeth removed.  It’s a heart-breaking situation because the reality is that tooth decay is largely preventable.

By cutting out snacking and keeping sugar consumption to mealtimes, teeth are able to recover and are far less prone to tooth decay.  Replacing sugar with healthier options should also be highly encouraged. Fizzy drinks cause a real risk and should be replaced with milk or water as a tooth-friendly alternative.

In addition to educating your teens, encouraging brushing and flossing, and providing healthy foods and beverages for them to consume, we suggest the following:

1. Make sure your teens get a professional teeth cleaning at least every six months.

2. Have a yearly visit with the dentist, who can catch problems before they get out of hand.

3. Consider fluoride varnishes, which might be able to provide added protection.

Schedule an appointment for your teen today, either in our West Hartford Center dental office or New Britain dental office, and we’ll help your teen, and educate them, too.  We can be reached at 860-561-2121.

Keep smiling,


Dr. Elzbieta W. Basil, DMD is a private practice dentist with offices in West Hartford Center and  New Britain, Connecticut.  She is a Clinical Instructor at the UConn School of Dental Medicine, and has won several awards naming her regional “Best Dentist” and “Top Dentist.” She is an active member of the Connecticut State Dental Association and the American Dental Association. Tel: 860-561-2121

Saturday, July 13, 2019

Anti-Aging Dentistry: 6 Ways I Can Make You Look Younger

Do you worry about your looks changing as you age? This is a common concern. Most people might be worried about a new wrinkle, their skin complexion, graying hair or even losing their hair. However, your teeth can be one of the first areas of the body where age really begins to show.
Teeth don’t get wrinkles, but they definitely show signs of aging. Your smile is the first facial feature people notice about you. People will see your teeth and smile, and make inferences about your diet, health, and age. If your teeth are yellow or damaged, it can make you look much older. If you live with missing teeth, it will age your looks even more by causing a “sunken-in” appearance, adding more wrinkles to your face. So if you want to look younger and healthier, your teeth are a great place to start! 
You already know you should brush after meals, floss daily, and see your dentist every six months for a check up and cleaning. But even the best preventative measures can’t prevent the natural aging process of the teeth – and this is where a dentist can take 10 to 15 years off your appearance.
Here’s how I can work with you to make your entire appearance more youthful. Best of all, it’s cheaper, safer, and looks more realistic than plastic surgery.

Whiten Your Teeth

Just as the whites of your eyes suggest youthfulness, a set of shiny white choppers makes your whole face look younger.
Teeth naturally darken as we age for two reasons. One, teeth darken because they absorb color from food and drinks. This can nearly be arrested by brushing after every meal and drink.
Two, teeth yellow as we age regardless of the color they absorb from foods. This is why the teeth whitening process doesn’t appear “permanent.” The whitening itself is permanent, but as the teeth continue to yellow as they age, whitening needs to be repeated.
Even if you take fantastic care of your teeth, they will yellow. Tooth whitening, either in-office or with custom whitening trays, is the best way to achieve a deep and thorough color change that can take years off your appearance.

Straighten Your Teeth

Even if you start out with perfectly straight teeth, something called mesial drift will cause them to shift over time.
Crowded teeth are an instant giveaway of age and straightening your teeth can sometimes take 10 to 15 years off your appearance.
Crowded teeth also increase the risk of tooth decay, premature tooth loss, and gum recession, all of which guarantee looking old, not to mention requiring costly dental work.

We can use "invisible" aligners to straighten your teeth for your best, youthful smile.

Trade In Your Silver For Plastic or Porcelain

Nothing gives away your age like a mouth full of old school silver amalgam fillings; opt for tooth-colored fillings.

Cosmetic Bonding and Veneers

Cosmetic bonding adds a tooth colored resin to fix imperfections in the appearance of teeth.  Veneers are tooth masks for the teeth in the front of your smile, and can give you a perfect look.  Both of these procedures also can keep your smile looking younger. They can restore the ideal shape, structure, and look of teeth that are damaged, short or otherwise misshapen. These ultra thin layers of porcelain look and feel completely natural. Plus, veneers can be chosen in a lighter color than your natural teeth, giving you a beautiful, Hollywood smile. Since the high-quality dental porcelain of veneers mimics the same light reflecting qualities of your tooth enamel, the results will look completely natural. In as little as two visits, you can have a beautiful smile and look younger.

Use a Night Guard

Old-looking teeth have wear and tear. A night guard is a two-fer in keeping your teeth looking young: it prevents crowding by keeping teeth in place while you wear it at night and it decreases the wear and tear you put on your teeth.
While we sleep, we gnash and grind our teeth. A night guard can protect your teeth from this damage and keep your teeth looking more youthful. A lifetime of wearing a night guard is similar to the effects of sunblock in this regard.

Disease-Proof Your Mouth

Brushing after every meal and flossing daily are your best defense against old-looking teeth. See your dentist every six months for a professional cleaning and check up to make sure you are retaining gum height.
Skipping the floss? Flossing is imperative to a youthful smile. Here’s why: neglecting to floss leaves little bits of food in between your teeth. This food causes inflammation of the gums. This inflammation progresses into gingivitis (gum disease), which causes gum recession, premature tooth loss, and even heart disease!
When choosing a dentist to perform cosmetic dental treatments, it is important to choose a dental practice that has experience in cosmetic dentistry, a specialization of the field that requires additional training and uses state-of-the-art technology. Dr. Elzbieta W. Basil, DMD can serve any of your general or cosmetic dental needs. Contact our office here, or call us at (860) 561-2121 to schedule a consultation and learn more about the services we offer.
Dr. Elzbieta W. Basil, DMD, is here to serve patients living and working in West Hartford, Connecticut, and the surrounding areas, and has offices located in West Hartford Center, and New Britain, Connecticut.

Keep smiling,



Dr. Elzbieta W. Basil, DMD is a private practice dentist with offices in West Hartford Center and  New Britain, Connecticut.  She is a Clinical Instructor at the UConn School of Dental Medicine, and has won several awards naming her regional “Best Dentist” and “Top Dentist.” She is an active member of the Connecticut State Dental Association and the American Dental Association. Tel: 860-561-2121