Why should you clean your tongue?

A good oral care regimen consists of brushing your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and floss daily. Brushing your tongue is also very important as part of your daily dental care regimen. The American Dental Association (ADA) suggests the use of tongue cleaners to scrape away excess plaque and odor-causing bacteria on the tongue after brushing your teeth. 

Why should you clean your tongue?

The tongue has a rough surface that is full of peaks and troughs that are the perfect place to harbor plaque and odor-causing bacteria. Bacteria on the tongue can easily transfer to the teeth and cause damage as well as creating bad breath. Excess plaque and odor-causing bacteria on the tongue is one of the leading causes of bad breath. 

How to clean your tongue?

• Use of a toothbrush brushing the tongue is about removing the bacteria at both the front and the back of the tongue
• Put a small amount of toothpaste on the toothbrush bristle, start at the back of the tongue and work forward toward the tip of the tongue
• Brush the entire top surface of the tongue 
• Use gentle pressure. Stop if it irritates the tongue
• Rinse your mouth with water and mouth wash
• Clean the toothbrush after cleaning the tongue

*some toothbrushes have a built-in tongue cleaner on the back of the brush head.

1. Tongue scraper-it is made of soft, flexible plastic and it gently peels the thin mucus based layer of debris from the tongue

• Rinse the tongue scraper under clean water (moist)
• Stick your tongue out
• Begin gently scraping your tongue from the back of the tongue towards the tip of the tongue with gentle pressure
• Rinse the tongue scraper after each use to remove the bacteria
• Rinse your mouth with water and mouth wash

How often to clean your tongue?

• Each time you brush and floss your teeth 
• At a minimum, clean your tongue in the morning and the evening before bedtime
• Clean your tongue if you have dry mouth or notice a foul taste in the mouth

Benefits of cleaning your tongue

• A clean tongue can also improve your sense of taste. Bacteria and food debris can coat the tongue after eating, which can clog the taste buds and leave a metallic taste in your mouth. A study published in the Journal of Clinical Periodontology found that cleaning away the bacteria on the tongue improves the taste sensation. 
• According to the National Institutes of Health, cleaning the tongue with a tongue scraper reduces the foul-smelling volatile sulfur compounds on the tongue that cause bad breath.

Dr. Anna Lee is a general & cosmetic dentist in Glendora, CA. She is experienced in all phases of dentistry. She treats patients of all ages. If you have bad breath, don’t’ wait and call our office for a dental and oral evaluation. With proper dental care, you can enjoy fresh breath and good oral health.  Call our office at 626-335-5114 or visit us at www.annaleedds.com

Dental and oral care for Diabetic Patients

An estimated 30.3 million Americans live with diagnosed diabetes. Approximately 1.7 million new cases are diagnosed each year and 8.1 million people live with diabetes and don’t even know they have it. Having good oral and dental care is essential for patients with diabetes. Research suggests people with diabetes are at higher risks of oral and dental problems, such as periodontal disease, oral infections, tooth decay, delayed healing of oral sores, and other problems. Medically, patients with diabetes are at higher risks of problems with the eyes, nerves, kidney, heart and other parts of the body.

What is diabetes?  Diabetes affects the body’s ability to process sugar. 

• Type 1 diabetes is a chronic condition in which the pancreas produces little or no insulin. Insulin is a hormone needed to allow sugar (glucose) to enter cells to produce energy.
• Type 2 diabetes is the most common type of diabetes and it is a disease that occurs when your blood glucose (blood sugar) is too high. 

Symptoms of untreated diabetes affect oral and dental health

• Dry mouth (less production of saliva)
• Higher risk of dental decay due to less saliva in the mouth
• Inflamed and bleeding gums
• Problems of tasting foods
• Delayed wound healing in the mouth
• Susceptible to infections inside of the mouth

Periodontal disease and diabetes

Periodontal disease is the most common dental disease affecting patients with diabetes. Diabetic patients have poor blood sugar control, and it causes the patients to be more susceptible to oral infections and gum diseases.

*July 2013 issue of JADA (Journal of American Dental Association) wrote findings on the latest research into how gum disease could affect diabetes. 

They found that, compared with those with healthy gums, people with severe gum disease:

• Have higher long-term blood sugar levels (A1c);
• Might be at a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes;
• Maybe at a higher risk of developing pregnancy diabetes;
• Have a harder time controlling their type 2 diabetes;
• Are at a higher risk of experiencing harm to eyes and kidney, as well as heart attack and stroke if they have diabetes

*JADA 144 (7) http://jada.ada.org July 2013

 Diabetes and oral health issues

• According to the American Diabetes Association, diabetic patients are more likely to suffer from dry mouth and/ or to develop a fungal infection in the mouth
• Dry mouth can be a side effect of medications patients take to control diabetes. Dry mouth increases the chance of developing oral infection and/ or dental decay
• High blood sugar levels and high sugar levels in the saliva create an ideal environment for plaque to grow. Excess plaque increases the risks of oral infection and periodontal disease 
• inflammation, sensitivity, and irritation along the gums 
• taste buds do not work as well
• wounds or mouth sores may have delayed healing

Dental health care/Dental considerations for people with diabetes

• Best time to receive dental care is morning appointment because blood glucose levels tend to be under better control at this time of the day
• Dental procedures should be as short and as stress-free as possible
• Dentists and staff are trained to work with diabetic patients. The dental office should have a protocol for managing diabetic patients
• Coordination with the patient’s physician may be needed to determine the patient’s health status and determine whether the dental treatment can be safely and effectively performed
• Elective dental treatment may need to be delayed until the diabetes is considered stable
• Review the patient’s medical history, medications, take vital signs, and oral evaluation

Recommendation of dental treatment for diabetic patients

• Oral examination and teeth cleaning 2x/year. Your dentist may recommend more than 2 cleanings per year depending upon your periodontal condition
• Patients with diabetes may benefit from periodontal therapy (scaling and root planning) in conjunction with good oral health maintenance at home

Everyday dental care tips

• Keep blood sugar as close to normal as possible
• Reduce sugars and starches from your diet, eat healthy foods and exercise regularly
• If you have dry mouth, try a mouthwash without alcohol
• Brush your teeth at least 2x/day. Brush your teeth after every meal. Wait at least 30 minutes after eating before brushing to protect any tooth enamel that’s been softened by the acid in the food
• Use a toothbrush with soft bristles. Use fluoridated toothpaste.
• Floss at least once a day 
• Rinse daily with an antiseptic mouth wash
• Treat dental infections immediately. 
• Provide your medical and oral health history to both your medical and dental care providers
• Quit smoking

Medical complications of Patients with Diabetes

Diabetic patients with elevated levels of blood glucose (blood sugar) can increase the incidence and severity of complications such as heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, blindness, amputations, and other medical problems. 

Dr. Anna Lee is a general & cosmetic dentist in Glendora, CA. She is experienced in all phases of dentistry. She treats patients of all ages. If you are pre-diabetic or have been diagnosed with diabetes, don’t wait and call our office for a dental and oral evaluation. With proper medical and dental care, both diabetes and periodontal disease can be treated and be well under control. Call our office at 626-335-5114 or visit us at www.annaleedds.com