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Electronic Newsletter
SmileLine is a monthly e-newsletter distributed to consumers, media outlets, and members of the dental profession who are interested in receiving the latest oral health news delivered directly to their e-mail inbox.
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Oral Health and Pregnancy
Dental Care During Pregnancy Is Safe and Recommended
 It's no secret that pregnancy is an important time in a woman's life. While women often hear about how pregnancy causes physical changes that affect their hormone or appetite levels, these changes can have a great effect on their oral health as well. Despite the fact that good oral health is essential for the overall health of both mother and child, only 22 to 34 percent of women in the United States visit a dentist during pregnancy. Dental care during pregnancy is not only safe and effective, it's essential for combating the adverse effects of oral disease. Click here to read more.
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Family Oral Health
Good Oral Health Starts at Home
 Parents are a child's first teacher in life and play a significant role in maintaining his or her overall health. Providing oral health education to mothers and families is essential to teaching children healthy habits and preventing early childhood tooth decay. Click here to read more.
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Click on the links below to access earlier issues of SmileLine or view the entire archive.
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.DECEMBER 2009
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Men's Oral Health
Looking for a New Job? Visit the Dentist!
 An online poll of 289 general dentists and consumers confirms the traditional stereotype that men are less likely to visit the dentist than their female counterparts, according to the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD). Why? Nearly 45 percent of respondents felt that men don't see a need to go to the dentist, and about 30 percent of those polled reported that men may not visit the dentist because they are afraid or embarrassed to go. Almost 18 percent revealed that men just don't have the time for a dental visit, and about 5 percent felt that men don't even have a regular dentist.
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Adult Nutrition
Coffee and Doughnuts: A Disastrous Combo for Teeth?
 You're late for work, skip breakfast and during the commute, pick up a doughnut and cup of coffee and you're on your way. This common quick-fix breakfast scenario can lengthen your time spent in the dental chair, reports the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD). The sugars in doughnuts have been identified as a risk factor for gum inflammation and cavities. The amount of sugar and cream in your coffee also can have a direct effect on the amount of cavity-causing bacteria. If this is your breakfast of choice, learn what you can do to fight back against this combination of tooth terror.
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FAQs: Men's Oral Health
 June is National Men’s Health Month. Did you know that men are less likely than women to take care of their physical health and, according to research, their oral health is equally ignored? Good oral health has been linked to longevity, yet one of the most common factors associated with infrequent dental checkups is just being male. Men are less likely than women to seek preventive dental care and often neglect their oral health for years, visiting a dentist only when a problem arises. Learn how create – and maintain – a very healthy mouth.
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Seniors' Oral Health
How to Keep Your Teeth for a Lifetime
 It's a common myth that senior citizens are destined to lose their teeth, reports the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD). There is no reason seniors cannot keep their teeth for a lifetime, since tooth loss is simply the result of an oral disease not the aging process. The elderly, who make up the fastest growing segment of the U.S. population, are healthier and have kept more of their natural teeth than prior generations. Read on to learn how to properly care for your teeth so that they last a lifetime.
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Tooth Loss
The Truth About Tooth Loss
 In the United States, 20 million teeth are extracted each year. The consequences of tooth loss can have devastating effects on overall health and self-esteem, yet fewer than 10 percent of patients seek information prior to the loss of a tooth. Because of fear, lack of knowledge or finances, many people wait until pain sets in before seeking a solution. By then, it is often too late. Here’s what you can do to take control and make sure your teeth are protected early on. |
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Sensitive Teeth
Sensitive Teeth? Check Your Toothpaste! 
Some patients may experience tooth sensitivity when using tartar-control toothpaste, but the good news is that when they stop using the toothpaste, the sensitivity goes away. Dentists and hygienists often recommend that patients use tartar-control toothpaste, particularly after a cleaning, to help prevent the build-up of tartar, which can lead to gum disease. Ingredients found in some whitening toothpastes can also result in tooth sensitivity, which affects approximately 40 million adults in the United States. |
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FAQs: Geriatric Dentistry
 Due to advances in medicine and an increase in prolonged life expectancy, the number of older people will continue to increase worldwide. It is essential that all older adults practice and maintain good oral hygiene due to the high correlation between oral health and general health. Maintaining good oral health is not only vital to your systemic health, it can keep you smiling well into retirement. Brushing at least twice a day with fluoridated toothpaste and a soft-bristle brush is as important as ever. Click here for more oral health tips for seniors.
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Sports and Oral Health
Swimmers Risk Stained Smiles, Chipped Teeth
 Competitive swimmers may be at risk for developing yellowish-brown or dark-brown stains on their teeth, reports the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD). Athlete swimmers, who often swim laps more than six hours a week, expose their teeth to large amounts of chemically treated water. Pool water contains chemical additives like antimicrobials, which give the water a higher pH than saliva, causing salivary proteins to break down quickly and form organic deposits on swimmers’ teeth.
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Sports and Oral Health
The Importance of Keeping Mouthguards Clean
 Fractured teeth, neck injuries and abrasions in the mouth, also known as sports-related dental injuries, are ever present among athletes. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, sports-related dental injuries account for more than 600,000 emergency room visits each year. In some 200,000 cases annually, mouthguards have been known to avert oral injuries and cut the risk of concussion by 50 percent. While a mouthguard may be popular for its ability to prevent the injuries that may disfigure a person’s appearance, what many may not be aware of is the importance of proper maintenance, cleanliness and care to prevent disease transmission and infection. |
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Sports and Oral Health
Avoid Diver's Mouth Syndrome 
Before you go scuba diving, see your dentist because this sport can lead to jaw joint pain, gum tissue problems or tooth pain. All of these symptoms add up to “diver’s mouth syndrome,” a condition that is caused by the mouthpiece and by the air pressure change involved in scuba diving – a sport that is enjoyed by about 4 million enthusiasts in the United States. At first, divers may not notice the discomfort in their mouth cased by an ill-fitting mouthpiece, but when they conclude their dive, they may notice the jaw joint pain or gum lacerations. |
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FAQs: Athletic Mouthguards
 An athletic mouthguard is a flexible appliance that is worn during athletic and recreational activities to protect teeth from trauma. Custom-fabricated mouthguards are essential for preventing athletic oral/facial injuries, such as broken teeth, jaw fractures, cerebral hemorrhages, and neck injuries. Mouthguards are effective at moving the lips and cheeks away from the teeth, thus preventing cutting and bruising of these soft tissues - especially for those who wear orthodontic appliances. Wearing a mouthguard also may reduce the severity and incidence of concussions. Read on to learn more about how to keep kids' teeth safe while playing team sports.
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