Millions of Parents putting Children’s Health at Risk by not knowing Dental Care Facts

According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), tooth decay is one of the most common chronic conditions of childhood in the United States. Untreated tooth decay can cause pain and infections that may lead to problems with eating, speaking, playing, and learning. And according to recent British research, millions of parents are putting their children’s health at risk because they don’t know or understand basic dental facts.

Common Misconceptions

Shockingly, 25% of adults don’t think it matters if their kids develop cavities in their baby teeth, and admit to a lack of knowledge about oral health in children. And nearly one-third of parents wait until their children have all their milk teeth before taking them to the dentist for the first time, according to a study of 1,000 parents with kids under 13.

Typically, these parents think that baby teeth do not matter. But the truth is that they are essential for speech, the structure of the face and holding space for the adult teeth to erupt into. If there is decay it can lead to infection, discomfort and potentially damage the permanent teeth below. It is essential that parents regularly take their children to the dentist as soon as their baby has their first tooth or turns one – whichever is sooner.

Furthermore, more than half of parents in my practice stop helping their children brush their teeth too early, and until I discuss it with them, about two-thirds of my patients had no idea what kind of toothbrush their child should be using. Parents also admit to confusion over fluoride in toothpaste, with half saying they don’t check or wouldn’t know how much should be in their toothpaste.

One in 10 parents would happily give their child a drink of fruit juice after brushing their teeth and before going to bed. And almost one-third would happily give their young ones a glass of milk before bed, which is now understood to be a cause of tooth decay due to the natural sugars it contains – especially after teeth-brushing time.

The Results of These Misconceptions

The CDC lists the following statistics:

• About 1 of 5 (20%) children aged 5 to 11 years have at least one untreated decayed tooth.
• 1 of 7 (13%) adolescents aged 12 to 19 years have at least one untreated decayed tooth.
• The percentage of children and adolescents aged 5 to 19 years with untreated tooth decay is twice as high for those from low-income families (25%) compared with children from higher-income households (11%).

The good news is that tooth decay is preventable. Fluoride varnish, a high concentration fluoride coating that is painted on teeth, can prevent about one-third (33%) of decay in the primary (baby) teeth. Children living in communities with fluoridated tap water have fewer decayed teeth than children who live in areas where their tap water is not fluoridated. Similarly, children who brush daily with fluoride toothpaste will have less tooth decay.

Applying dental sealants to the chewing surfaces of the back teeth is another way to prevent tooth decay. Studies in children show that sealants reduce decay in the permanent molars by 81% for 2 years after they are placed on the tooth and continue to be effective for 4 years after placement.

What Parents and Caregivers Can Do

Here are some things you can do to ensure good oral health for your child:

• Protect your child's teeth with fluoride.
• Use fluoride toothpaste.
• If your child is younger than age 6, watch your child brush their teeth. Make sure your child only uses a pea-sized amount of toothpaste and always spits it out rather than swallows it.
• If your child is younger than age 2, do not use fluoride toothpaste unless your doctor or dentist tells you to.
• Learn more about fluoride toothpaste and fluorides by talking to your dentist, or researching on the American Dental Association website.
• Talk to your pediatrician, family doctor, nurse, or dentist about putting fluoride varnish on your child’s teeth as soon as the first tooth appears in the mouth.
• If your drinking water is not fluoridated, ask your dentist, family doctor, or pediatrician if your child needs oral fluoride supplements, like drops, tablets, or lozenges.
• Talk to your child's dentist about dental sealants. Sealants protect teeth from decay.
• Have your child visit a dentist for a first checkup by age 1, as recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics.

If you live in West Hartford, New Britain, or Hartford County, call us at 860-561-2121.

You can find us on the Web at: DoctorBasil.com

Keep smiling,

Dr.Elzbieta W. Basil, DMD is a private practice dentist with offices in West Hartford Center and Downtown 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

The Wow Factor: What You Should Know

Hello to our valued Dr. Elzbieta W. Basil, DMD current and potential patients! We continue to achieve fantastic results with our cosmetic dentistry smile makeovers. Dr. Basil has been skillfully using veneers, porcelain crowns, short term braces, teeth whitening, dental bridges, gum reshaping, dental implants, and dental bonding to create unbelievably beautiful smiles.

And most importantly to us, our patients have absolutely no regrets about their investment in a dazzling smile. “Wow! That was fast! Wow! That was painless. Wow! My smile is amazing!”

There are few physical features (okay, maybe your hair) that can be transformed as quickly as your smile —just think of how long it takes to tighten your abs or lose weight. Dramatic improvements can sometimes be achieved in just one visit.

If you have never seen photos of some of our cosmetic dentistry patients, you are probably not aware of how dramatic the results can be. There is virtually no dental issue that can’t be improved with cutting-edge cosmetic dentistry.

At Dr. Elzbieta W.Basil, DMD in West Hartford Center and downtown New Britain, we also provide general and family dentistry. Schedule an appointment with us today.

Contact Dr. Elzbieta W. Basil, DMD at 860-561-2121 or contact us online.

Dr.Elzbieta W. Basil, DMD is a private practice dentist with offices in West Hartford Center and Downtown 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

Your Smile Doesn't Have To Show Your Age

As we grow older, we may welcome many changes. However, most Greater Hartford area retirees do not welcome wrinkles, gray hair and dental problems. Fortunately, your smile can be attractive and healthy throughout your golden years!

Even if your teeth are showing visible signs of wear such as enamel loss, staining, and chips, it is not too late to restore your youthful smile. And, though tooth loss is fairly common for Greater Hartford residents over sixty, in most cases it is preventable.

At the dental offices of Dr. Elzbieta W. Basil, DMD in West Hartford and New Britain, we treat patients with the utmost care. We provide dental procedures such as Zoom whitening, cosmetic bonding, porcelain veneers, dental implants, crowns and bridges.

If you live in West Hartford, New Britain, or Hartford County, CT, call 860-561-2121 to schedule a dental consultation. If you haven’t seen a dentist in a while, you will be interested to learn about the latest cosmetic dentistry techniques. Many procedures can be completed in one visit to our West Hartford Center or Downtown New Britain dental office.

Give us a call at 860-561-2121 or find us on the Web at: https://www.DoctorBasil.com/

Keep smiling,

Dr.Elzbieta W. Basil, DMD is a private practice dentist with offices in West Hartford Center and Downtown 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

Don't Put Off Your Exam! Dental Health in Hartford County

No matter what age you are, dental exams are a vital part of keeping your smile healthy and beautiful! Be assured, the dental health of our West Hartford, CT and New Britain, CT  area patients is always on our minds.

Knowledge is Power

Sometimes people put off dental exams because they seem unnecessary. But exams are truly one of the best procedures for the preventative dentistry we practice. They can help prevent serious issues, such as tooth loss, and head off what would otherwise be expensive dental procedures.

What To Expect at a Dental Checkup

At each check up, our experienced and well trained hygienists thoroughly clean your teeth. Once they are polished sparkling clean, you will receive a thorough analysis. Your teeth inspected for signs of decay, gum recession, excessive wear, or other problems. Catching them early is crucial.

Peace of Mind

After your entire mouth has been examined, Dr. Basil will detail what is required moving forward. Whether that’s flossing more often or discussing general dentistry, family, or cosmetic dentistry procedures, we will make certain that you get all the information you need to ensure your smile is bright and beautiful!

Contact Dr. Elzbieta W. Basil, DMD, 860-561-2121, or online here, to schedule an appointment at our convenient offices in West Hartford Center, and Downtown New Britain, CT.

Keep smiling,

Dr.Elzbieta W. Basil, DMD is a private practice dentist with offices in West Hartford Center and Downtown 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

'Giant' Problem Looms for Aging Generation

If you have an aging parent or loved one and you participate in their health care, take special note.

In a very interesting study, the first of its kind in the world, researchers at a prestigious New Zealand university surveyed the oral health of people living in aged residential care and found those with dementia, and older men in general, have dirtier and more decayed teeth.

Otago University Head of Department of Oral Sciences and lead author, Professor Murray Thomson, describes poor oral health as one of the "geriatric giants" with the situation a "major clinical and public health problem which is going to get worse."  Older people have higher rates of cognitive and physical impairments that can adversely affect their oral self-care and complicate the provision of oral care, the study found.  They said:

                  "Neither the aged care sector nor the dental profession, in most countries, is
                   prepared. Not only do we have more and more older people every year, but 
                   more and more people are entering old age with their own teeth, rather than
                   full dentures, as was the situation just a couple of decades ago.

                   "In some ways, dentistry has been a victim of its success -- we have long 
                   emphasized the idea of 'teeth for life' without much thought to what happens
                   towards the end of life."

Of those examined in the study (representative of the more than 14,000 New Zealanders living in aged care), recently published in the journal "Gerodontology," about half had severely impaired cognitive function, and more than a third required fillings or extractions.  Those with severely impaired cognitive function had greater numbers of teeth with decay. They also had higher oral debris scores, reflecting poorer daily oral hygiene care.

The study found greater rates of tooth decay can result in dental and facial infections, poorer quality of life, malnutrition and difficulties in communication.  The researchers also found that even the most cognitively impaired participants were able to be examined fairly easily, meaning that regular, routine removal of oral debris by carers should not be difficult.
To be sure, this situation exists all over the world.  

It's a very complex situation involving a lot of players -- the insurers, Medicare, the dental profession, and the public.  I know from my own experience that as they age, many people need help from their adult children or caretakers in making health care decisions, or even getting to the office of a practitioner.

Anecdotally, I’ve had many patients who had come to me for years, but as they aged and became more frail, I would see them less because their children didn’t think they’d need to see the dentist unless they had a complaint.  They simply don’t realize that this can have traumatic impact on the dental health of their parent, who may have a spiraling of oral disease and other systemic disease, which can feed off each the inflammatory bacteria present in both.  

Moreover, older adults are usually on many medications, a lot of which can have the side effect of drying the mouth, which makes the prospect of oral disease increase dramatically.

If you’re the child or caretaker of an older person who hasn’t had a dental appointment in the past six months, you should remind them to make one, help them make one and/or drive them to one.   It’s important for their good health, their appearance, their confidence, and quality of life. 

Our West Hartford Center office is fully ADA compliant, with free off-street handicapped parking, an elevator, and is easy in and out of.  Contact us to set up an appointment, or give us a call at 860-561-2121 today!

Keep smiling,

Dr.Elzbieta W. Basil, DMD is a private practice dentist with offices in West Hartford Center and Downtown 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

Midlife Tooth Loss Linked to Coronary Risk

Losing two or more teeth in middle age is associated with increased cardiovascular disease risk, according to preliminary research presented at the American Heart Association's 2018 scientific sessions, a premier global exchange of the latest advances in population based cardiovascular science for researchers and clinicians.

Previous research has found that dental health issues are associated with elevated risk of cardiovascular disease. However, most of that research looked at cumulative tooth loss over a lifetime, which often includes teeth lost in childhood due to cavities, trauma and orthodontics. Tooth loss in middle age is more likely related to inflammation, but it hasn't been clear how this later-in-life tooth loss might influence cardiovascular disease risk.

Losing two or more teeth during middle age is associated with increased cardiovascular disease risk

Having fewer natural teeth by middle age is linked to higher cardiovascular disease risk.

In a collaboration between Tulane University School of Public Health and Harvard’s T.H. Chan School of Public Health, researchers analyzed the impact of tooth loss in large studies of adults, aged 45 to 69 years, in which participants had reported on the numbers of natural teeth they had, then in a follow-up questionnaire, reported recent tooth loss. Adults in this analysis didn't have cardiovascular disease when the studies began. The researchers prospectively studied the occurrence of tooth loss during an eight-year period and followed an incidence of cardiovascular disease among people with no tooth loss, one tooth lost and two or more teeth lost over 12-18 years.

They found:

• Among the adults with 25 to 32 natural teeth at the study's start, those who lost two or more teeth had a 23 percent increased risk of cardiovascular disease, compared to those with no tooth loss.
• The increased risk occurred regardless of reported diet quality, physical activity, body weight and other cardiovascular risk factors, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes.
• There wasn't a notable increase in cardiovascular disease risk among those who reported losing one tooth during the study period.
• Cardiovascular disease risk among all the participants (regardless of the number of natural teeth at the study's start) increased 16 percent among those losing two or more teeth during the study period, compared to those who didn't lose any teeth.
• Adults with less than 17 natural teeth, versus 25 to 32, at the study's start, were 25 percent more likely to have cardiovascular disease.

Clearly, the findings suggest that middle-aged adults who have lost two or more teeth in recent past could be at increased risk for cardiovascular disease. That's regardless of the number of natural teeth a person has at middle-aged adult, or whether they have traditional risk factors for cardiovascular disease, such as poor diet or high blood pressure.

Take Steps to Reduce Tooth-Loss Risk

Armed with the knowledge that tooth loss in middle age can signal elevated cardiovascular disease risk, adults can take steps to reduce the increased risk early on:

Eat Right with a Tooth Healthy Diet

Your diet builds strong, healthy teeth – and a sound body to boot. Make sure your diet is low in sugar and high in a variety of nutrients. Teeth are also particularly vulnerable to acidic drinks, which wash over enamel and erode tooth surfaces. Try to build your daily dining around dairy, lean proteins, fruit and vegetables with crunchy textures, and drink plenty of water.

Brush at least 2x Daily – the Right Way

When was the last time you had a brushing refresher? It’s always a good idea to check in on your technique. The better your brushing, the less time you spend over the sink and the fewer the cavities that pop up at exams.

Don’t Skip the Floss

Many of us feel like we don’t have time for flossing. But if you’re getting serious about avoiding tooth loss, you need to make time. Flossing removes bacteria from areas between the teeth that might not be accessible with a toothbrush. It may also help strengthen the gums to prevent gingivitis. Once floss feels like a part of your routine, it will be easy to check it off your list each day.

Treat Your Teeth with Respect

Your enamel may be strong, but it’s not indestructible. Treat your teeth gently and don’t abuse them by chewing on anything other than food. If you struggle with bruxism, be sure to wear a night guard so that clenching and grinding don’t erode your teeth.

Check in with Your Oral Health

Your teeth will tell you when something is wrong – and you know them better than anyone else. If something seems like it’s changing, set up an appointment to make sure everything’s ok.

It’s never too early to set up your next dental exam. Contact us to set up an appointment, or give us a call at 860-561-2121 today!

Keep smiling,

Dr.Elzbieta W. Basil, DMD is a private practice dentist with offices in West Hartford Center and Downtown 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

New Research: Most Effective Medicine for Dental Pain Not Opioids

Ibuprofen and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) alone or in combination with acetaminophen are better than opioids at easing dental pain, according to new research conducted with the School of Dental Medicine at Case Western Reserve University. The study examining relief of acute pain in dentistry -- recently featured on the cover of The Journal of theAmerican Dental Association -- evaluated the safety and efficacy of dozens of pain-relief options.

The clear message of this is that in dentistry, prescribing narcotics should be a last resort. Each day, more than 115 Americans die as a result of an opioid overdose, according to the National Institutes of Health. Many got hooked on opioids after a doctor or dentist prescribed, or overprescribed them.

Most patients who come in with pain have it resolved immediately with proper dental technique. However some conditions dentists treat leave the patient in some pain for a short period of time after treatment. No patient should have to endure pain from a dental procedure. That means that opioids are sometimes the best option, but certainly they are never my first option.

Interestingly, the study showed that the use of nonsteroidal medications, with or without acetaminophen, offers the most favorable balance between benefits and harms, optimizing efficacy while minimizing acute adverse events. The research found that, for adults, a combination of 400 milligrams of ibuprofen (Motrin) and 1,000 milligrams of acetaminophen (Tylenol) was superior to any opioid-containing medications studied. The study also found that opioids or drug combinations that included opioids accounted for the most adverse side effects -- including drowsiness, respiratory depression, nausea/vomiting and constipation -- in both children and adults.

This confirms my belief, and the  acetaminophen+ibuprofen  combination has long been my first course of treating dental pain issues. In fact, I haven’t prescribed opioids in several years. With the national opioid epidemic, my fellow health-care providers should take note of the findings.

Keep smiling,

Dr.Elzbieta W. Basil, DMD is a private practice dentist with offices in West Hartford Center and Downtown 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