Date Archives February 2020

Do these 3 things after wisdom teeth removal

Wisdom tooth extraction is usually performed as an outpatient operation, so you can go home the same day. Take proper care with these three steps that can decrease post-surgery complications!

Wisdom teeth – a third set of molars in the back of your mouth – usually appear between ages 17 and 25. Some people have them taken out, while others never have the need. In fact, about 5 million Americans have theirs removed in the course of a year.

Wisdom teeth are usually extracted because:

  • They’re causing gum infections.
  • They’re growing in at the wrong angle and damaging other teeth.
  • The jaw doesn’t have room for them to completely erupt.
  • They’re causing pain.
  • Cavities or gum disease have developed.

Wisdom tooth extraction is usually performed as an outpatient operation, so you can go home the same day. Your dentist or oral surgeon will use a local anesthetic to numb the areas around the tooth or teeth to be extracted, and you’ll often be offered sedation so you are more comfortable during the procedure.

Take proper care with these three steps that can decrease post-surgery complications!

1. Prevent dry sockets.

Dry sockets occur after as many as 5% of tooth extractions. They are most common in wisdom tooth extraction sites on the lower jaw. A dry socket happens when a blood clot doesn’t form properly at the site of the extraction or dislodges before the area is healed. Symptoms show up a couple of days after surgery and include pain in the extraction site that may spread to the ear, cause bad breath, and leave a bad taste in your mouth.

Avoid strenuously rinsing your mouth for 24 hours after surgery. If you are a smoker, don’t smoke for at least 48 hours to aid the healing process and lessen the chance of dislodging a blood clot. Now is a good time to think about quitting a habit that contributes to multiple serious health problems, including oral cancers and gum disease. Ask your dentist or physician for assistance with quitting.

2. Watch what you eat and drink.

For at least 24 hours after surgery, eat small bites of soft foods that require little chewing, like eggs and applesauce. If you eat soup, make sure it’s not too hot. Avoid hard, crunchy or sticky foods that can irritate the area that is healing. Stay hydrated by sipping water without a straw. Sucking through a straw can dislodge healthy blood clots and cause dry sockets.

Proper hygiene is also important. You can gently brush your teeth, even those close to the extraction site, to decrease the quantity of bacteria present in the area. Lightly rinse with warm saltwater to help remove food debris from packing into the open socket and to help keep the mouth clean.

3. Treat your discomfort.

Expect to experience some soreness after surgery. To help ease your discomfort:

  • Make sure to follow your dentist’s recommendations concerning activity, food, drink and pain medication.
  • Use an ice pack to decrease swelling.
  • Switch to moist heat after 36 hours. Microwave a wet towel and wrap it around a hot water bottle or heat pack.
  • Gently open and close your mouth to exercise your jaw.
  • Be sure to get enough rest.

You will likely recover from wisdom teeth removal in a week or less. However, the spot where your tooth was removed will heal and fill in with new bone for the next few months. If you experience any continuing pain, follow up with your dentist right away.

Periodontal, Gum Disease Attacks the Whole Body

It wasn’t long ago that the connection between oral health and overall health seemed distantly related at best. Today, we know this is not the case. There are strong connections between the health of the mouth and the rest of the body. Stop and think about how you’re taking care of yourself from top to bottom.

Periodontal disease, also known as gum disease, is one example of an oral health problem that can affect the whole body. Without regular checkups at a dentist, you may not even know you have periodontal disease, but it could be impacting your overall health nonetheless.

Periodontal disease is often considered a painless condition until it worsens. Then, it becomes painful, damaging, and can result in tooth loss.

Gum Disease and Overall Health Problems

Periodontal disease has been linked to other overall health issues like diabetes, heart disease, osteoporosis, respiratory complications, and cancer. In some instances, a cause-and-effect response within your body exists. If you’re diabeticyou are more susceptible to periodontal disease. In others, like with heart disease, the inflammation in your mouth is considered a potential cause of inflammation elsewhere. This inflammation is associated with a greater risk of a blockage-related emergency such as a heart attack or stroke.

Gum disease has been found to be associated with an increase risk of dementia later in life, too. Researchers discovered that periodontal problems may also be associated with mild cognitive impairment, such as memory problems.

Illness in your mouth can affect your whole body. The health of your mouth and smile are not something to be taken lightly.

How to Identify Periodontal Disease

Visit your dentist

Regular visits to your dentist are the best way to prevent and/or identify periodontal disease. They’ll investigate whether you have a clean bill of oral health, or if you’re showing signs of gingivitis. Gingivitis is an early form of periodontal disease. Your dentist will also help by cleaning your teeth and gums, effectively removing the plaque that causes gum disease in the first place.

Consider the symptoms

Do you have pain when chewing? Are you experiencing bad breath? Do your gums bleed after brushing your teeth, or feel tender or puffy? You may have periodontal disease.

Paying attention to any changes in your mouth, like sudden pain when eating or a newly discovered loose tooth, will help you gauge the state of your oral health. If you start to notice one or more of these symptoms persisting, it’s time to see your dentist.

Know your habits

People who rarely maintain their teeth and gums, those who smoke or chew tobacco, women who are pregnant, folks on certain medications, and many with other specific health conditions are at risk for periodontal disease. If you fall into one of these risk categories, you’ll have to be more diligent about preventive measures.

How to Prevent Gum Disease

Take care of your mouth

Regular visits to the dentist, a proper oral care routine, and paying attention to your body are all that is required of you. You can keep periodontal disease at bay with a small amount of work, and your body will thank you for it.

People who have dental coverage are more likely to visit their dentist regularly. , which will help avoid dental problems in the future.  To find a provider in your area, use our handy search tool.

Looking for more oral health information? Check out:

National Children’s Dental Health Month: Is Your Child’s Instrument Making Them Ill?

Is your child’s school harboring dangerous bacteria in musical instruments that carry germs? Learn if they’re at risk and how to fix it.

One might wonder how harmful a musical instrument can really be. Well, studies indicate that musical instruments that carry germs can be harmful to both the player and bandmates’ oral and overall health if not properly cared for.

While you and your child work together to find their true musical calling, keep these statistics in the back of your mind. Some musical instruments that carry germs have much less of a risk for contamination than others.

A young girl plays a horn instrument.]

Musical Instruments and Germs | What We Know

Stories of woodwind instruments carrying dangerous germs go way back in time. Here are a few instances that show how, when not properly taken care for, band instruments can be a nasty carrier of disease:

Bands often work and travel in close quarters, which is noted as a contributing factor to the spread of germs through band instruments. 

Woodwinds and Germs

A band is usually divided into two categories: the brass section and the woodwinds section. The use of a reed determines if an instrument is a woodwind or a brass instrument. All woodwind instruments (except the flute) use a reed.

The brass section, which includes the trumpet, horn, and tuba, don’t need a reed mouthpiece. Their sound comes from lip vibrations on the instrument, rather than on the reed. 

All woodwind instruments (except the flute) use a natural or synthetic piece of cane plant that receives a vibration from the player’s mouth and transmits a sound wave through the instrument. This piece of cane is called the reed.  

Brass Instruments and Germs

Instruments that don’t have a reed are called brass instruments. Brass instruments like tubas and horns use the player’s mouth to conduct vibrations instead of a reed. When the bacteria in brass instruments were studied, mainly “non-pathogenic,” or harmless bacteria, was discovered in the pipes of the instruments. 

However, a few worrying strains were identified:

3-6% isn’t a very worrisome probability. But, when looking at the data around the bacteria in woodwind instruments, you may raise an eyebrow.

When the bacteria in woodwind instruments was studied, researchers found:

A striking increase in bacteria was found in wind instruments that use reeds versus brass instruments. The presence of these bacteria wouldn’t harm the average, healthy child. Researchers point out that these bacteria can become harmful in certain circumstances, as with an individual with chronic illness or an impaired immune system.

Two boys sit side by side cleaning their musical instruments with cloths.

Cleaning and Care

If your child enjoys playing a woodwind instrument, it’s very important that they learn how to properly clean and store it. One study noted that the “failure to systematically dry the instrument after playing, and the use of water that was not changed regularly to humidify the reed” caused fungal growth in the instruments. Learn to properly disinfect a band instrument and avoid collecting harmful bacteria.

Talk with your child about the risks posed when they skip a cleaning. A clear understanding of the relationship between cleaning and bacteria can help motivate them when you can’t be there to give reminders. 

Cleaning Steps for Reeds:

  • If your child moistens their reed with their saliva, make sure they brush or rinse with mouthwash before each session. A clean mouth will help maintain a clean instrument. They can also use a glass of water to moisten the reed, instead.
  • Talk with your child’s band teacher about how often the instrument should be disassembled and cleaned. How often you disinfect a band instrument will depend on how often your child plays it. 
  • When the practice session is complete, always ensure the instrument is cleaned of moisture. This moisture is what leads to unwanted fungi and bacteria. 
    • Rinse the reed thoroughly and dry with a cloth. Store flat in a cool, dry place that doesn’t experience high humidity. 
  • The band instructor is the best person to consult on the specifics for cleaning your child’s instrument. 
  • The Academy of General Dentistry advises that instruments should be “taken apart for thorough cleanings on a regular basis, […] and cleaning should not be confined to the mouthpiece, since the bacteria invade the entire instrument.” 
    • Ask the instructor for recommendations on cleaning cloths and solutions made specifically to disinfect a band instrument.
  • The Academy of General Dentistry also advises students not to share their instruments with others.

If your child is extra-susceptible to catching an illness or has a weaker immune system, don’t hesitate to inform the band instructor. This can help minimize any instrument or reed sharing during class time. The instructor can also place your student in a part of the ensemble that isn’t directly in front of another wind instrument player. Studies have demonstrated how the nature of wind instruments can lead to the spread of infection.  

For more information improving your child’s smile and overall health, check out this blog:

How Our Foundation’s Cool Water Program™ Keeps Kids Smiling at School

See how Delta Dental of Wisconsin Foundation’s Cool Water Program helped to keep kids hydrated at 20 schools across the state.

The Delta Dental of Wisconsin Foundation is making it cool to drink water at school. Why? Because drinking water after eating helps wash away food and bacteria that lead to cavities. Cavities are 100% preventable, and yet it’s reported that three in 10 school children have missed school due to an oral health problem.

The Delta Dental of Wisconsin Foundation started its Cool Water Program™ to help kids replace sugary beverages like soda, juice, and sports drinks with a healthy alternative. By drinking water throughout the school day, kids can keep their teeth strong and healthy, combat obesity, and increase their energy levels.

Cool Water Program Successes and Accomplishments

So, how does it work? Our Foundation provides grants to a number of schools across Wisconsin based on criteria for selection. During the summer, we replace one of the school’s existing drinking fountains with a new water fountain and bottle filling station. Then, in the Fall, we also donate reusable water bottles and, of course, toothbrushes to all students and staff to celebrate the new installation.

The Foundation closed the inaugural 2019 application at the end of March, and by the next month had chosen 20 Wisconsin schools to receive the grant. We kicked off the Cool Water Program delivery at Al Behrman Elementary in Baraboo, Wisconsin, launching the Program at 19 more schools before the year’s end. We visited Wilson Elementary in West Allis, Howe Elementary in Green Bay, Arcadia School District’s elementary school, Howe School in Wisconsin Rapids, and more. Click here for a full list of the 2019 Cool Water Recipients.

Selection Criteria for Our Cool Water Program

Is your school next? Apply to be a part of our Foundation’s Cool Water Program.

Preference is given to schools in a community with optimally fluoridated water. Additionally, schools without water fountain and bottle filling stations already installed are also given preference. Selection is based on the most creative and impactful implementation plan to encourage students and staff to drink more water. Schools should also have a free-and-reduced lunch rate of 40% or higher.

We are accepting applications February 3, 2020 through April 30th, 2020. Click here for details and contact information.

It might be time to try a digital detox

It may not involve food or drink, but the latest detoxification trend sweeping the globe does involve something most of us consume in excess—and it hits us square in the eyes. It’s called digital detox, and some may think of it as the ultimate luxury.

It may not involve food or drink, but the latest detoxification trend sweeping the globe does involve something most of us consume in excess—and it hits us square in the eyes.

It’s called digital detox, and some may think of it as the ultimate luxury. More people are seeking to reclaim a life balance and taking a break from digital devices for reasons that range from distraction-free family time to improved eye health.

Nearly half of U.S. smart phone owners have tried to limit their use. Many go to physical lengths to do so—some are heading to camps that offer digital detox packages or are taking nature retreats with detox-friendly atmospheres.

Try as we might, though, certain circumstances could prevent a complete power-down. But that doesn’t mean we can’t adapt our habits and avoid the potential effects of digital overexposure.

Experts recommend trying these tips:

  • Take frequent breaks: Every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds
  • Reduce overhead light to cut down on glare
  • Double check your posture to make sure there’s enough space between you and your computer, and that eyes are gazing slightly downward
  • Increase text sizes to add contrast
  • Stay hydrated: Drink water, break out your humidifier, or use artificial tears to help when eyes feel dry (we blink 33-50% less while using digital devices)

There are some lenses on the market that may help, like anti-reflective lenses or those featuring blue light-filtering protection. Talk with your eye doctor if you’re concerned about your digital habits. He or she can guide you in selecting both functional and fashionable options to relieve symptoms of digital eye strain. DeltaVision®, in partnership with EyeMed Vision Care, offers unbeatable access to care and great savings – check it out today!