Individuals that suffer from Multiple Sclerosis need to be careful because of the impact on their oral health. Want to learn about the negative effects that medication may have on their oral health? Here are few reasons on the importance of oral health and MS.

According to an article at mstrust.org, “Multiple Sclerosis”

“Oral health is defined as a standard of health of the oral and related tissues, which enables an individual to eat, speak, and socialize without active disease, discomfort or embarrassment and which contributes to general well-being. 1 Poor oral health can result in a negative response from others and lead to poorer social functioning in general regardless of health status.

People with multiple sclerosis (MS) are not more susceptible to dental decay than the general population. However, they do have special needs in relation to dental care3because they often face difficulties in maintaining oral health and accessing care due to their symptoms. 4, 5 It is these difficulties that place them at greater risk of developing oral health problems. 6 Their symptoms may also impact on their ability to endure even simple dental treatment. The nature of a condition such as MS will mean that problems maintaining oral health may only be present during a relapse or become a problem as the severity of symptoms increase. It is particularly important for people with MS to avoid dental infection and trauma in view of the possible trigger to relapse this may represent. 7, 8

Many patients with MS are taking long-term medication such as steroids and diuretics to control their symptoms, which can have a significant impact on their oral health by causing a dry mouth. Having a dry mouth can make eating, talking and wearing dentures more difficult. People with a dry mouth are also more at risk of tooth decay, infection and gum disease. The frequent intake of sugar through drinks and mints to relieve the symptoms of a dry mouth also increases the risk of dental decay.

Their need for oral health care often goes unmet and as a consequence they are at risk of unavoidable dental pain. Dental care for people with MS has been poorly co-ordinated which is probably related to the fact that both those who care for them and the wider NHS has failed to perceive their dental needs as being important.

Recent studies in Leicestershire9 highlighted the fact that oral health was very important to the overall quality of life of people with MS (Box 1). The main barrier was a lack of information on services available and a lack of awareness of the impact that having MS might have on their oral health. It is this lack of awareness that has resulted in the oral health of people with MS being overlooked by health professionals with the belief that it is someone else’s responsibility. The significance of this is greatest when the individual is dependent on someone else to make decisions about their health.”

If you have a loved one that suffers from MS make sure that their dental visits are consistent. Need a dentist in the Reno area? Visit Dr. McElhinney at RenoLaserDentistry.com for more information on appointment availability.

Did you ever think that your toothbrush could make you sick? How often do you change your toothbrush? Want to learn more about what may hanging around your toothbrush?

According to an article at webmd.com, “The Truth Behind Toothbrushes”

“Do you know what’s lurking on your toothbrush?

Your toothbrush is loaded with germs, say researchers at England’s University of Manchester. They’ve found that one uncovered toothbrush can harbor more than 100 million bacteria, including E. coli bacteria, which can cause diarrhea, and staphylococci (“staph”) bacteria that cause skin infections.

But don’t panic. Your mouth wasn’t exactly sterile to begin with.

Mouthful of Bacteria

“The bottom line is, there [are] hundreds of microorganisms in our mouths every day,” says Gayle McCombs, RDH, MS, associate professor and director of the Dental Hygiene Research Center at Old Dominion University.

That’s no big deal. Problems only start when there is an unhealthy balance of bacteria in the mouth. McCombs says.

“It’s important to remember that plaque — the stuff you’re removing from your teeth — is bacteria,” says dentist Kimberly Harms, DDS, consumer advisor for the American Dental Association. “So you’re putting bacteria on your toothbrush every time you brush your teeth.”

Could Your Toothbrush Be Making You Sick?

Probably not! Regardless of how many bacteria live in your mouth, or have gotten in there via your toothbrush, your body’s natural defenses make it highly unlikely that you’re going to catch an infection simply from brushing your teeth.

“Fortunately, the human body is usually able to defend itself from bacteria,” Harms says. “So we aren’t aware of any real evidence that sitting the toothbrush in your bathroom in the toothbrush holder is causing any real damage or harm. We don’t know that the bacteria on there are translating into infections.”

Still, you should exercise some common sense about storing your toothbrush, including how close it is to the toilet.

Don’t Brush Where You Flush

Most bathrooms are small. And in many homes, the toilet is pretty close to the bathroom sink where you keep your toothbrush.

Every toilet flush sends a spray of bacteria into the air. And you don’t want the toilet spray anywhere near your open toothbrush.

“You don’t store your plates and glasses by the toilet, so why would you want to place your toothbrush there?” McCombs says. “It’s just common sense to store your toothbrush as far away from the toilet as possible.”

You also wouldn’t eat after going to the bathroom without first washing your hands. The same advice applies before brushing your teeth, McCombs says.

Toothbrush Storage Tips

Once you’ve moved your toothbrush away from the toilet, here are a few other storage tips to keep your brush as germ-free as possible:

Keep it rinsed. Wash off your toothbrush thoroughly with tap water every time you use it.

Keep it dry. “Bacteria love a moist environment,” Harms says. Make sure your brush has a chance to dry thoroughly between brushings. Avoid using toothbrush covers, which can create a moist enclosed breeding ground for bacteria.”

Dr. McElhinney of Reno Laser Dentistry is the best dentist in Reno. Click here to find out more information on Dr. McElhinney’s dental practice.

Do you have a daily dental routine that you stick to all the time? As a child I’m sure most of us can remember our mothers asking “did you brush your teeth before bed”. Want some tips on how you can improve your oral health during your sleep?

According to an article at everydayhealth.com, “Nighttime Tips for Improving Your Oral Health”

“A lot can happen to your mouth in eight hours — especially when you’re sleeping and bacteria are gathering on your teeth. But don’t let the thought of nasty plaque, cavities, tartar, or gingivitis stop you from getting a good night’s rest. There are many ways to maintain your oral health while you sleep. Here are eight tips to get you — and your mouth — through the night.

1. Brush before bed. Brushing your teeth before you go to sleep at night helps protect against plaque buildup, tooth decay, and gum disease. If you are particularly susceptible to cavities and gum disease, dentists recommend that you brush immediately after dinner, then again right before bedtime.

2. Use good form. According to dentists, the best way to clean your teeth is to brush back and forth gently in short strokes. Brush the outer tooth surfaces first, then the inner tooth surfaces, followed by the chewing surfaces. To clean the backs of your front teeth, use the tip of the brush and stroke gently up and down.

3. Switch to an electric toothbrush. The rotating and oscillating movement of the electric toothbrush head removes plaque from your teeth more efficiently than a regular toothbrush. Be sure to choose an electric toothbrush that’s comfortable to hold, easy to use, and has the rotating-oscillating head.

4. Don’t just brush — floss! Flossing removes food particles and plaque buildup while it’s still soft. If this debris stays on the teeth, bacteria will increase throughout the night and feed off them while you’re sleeping. Furthermore, if the plaque is allowed to harden, it will turn into tartar, and tartar can only be removed by a hygienist or dentist during a professional cleaning. Flossing only at night is fine for most people, but if you’re prone to gum disease or tartar buildup, dentists recommend that you floss in the morning as well.

5. Rinse with mouthwash. Mouthwash isn’t just for fresh breath — therapeutic mouth rinses contain special ingredients that strengthen teeth and help treat certain oral health conditions. Rinsing with a therapeutic mouthwash before bed will help keep your teeth free of plaque and cavities and your gums safe from gingivitis. On the contrary, most commercial, over-the-counter mouthwashes — known as cosmetic mouthwashes — are designed to mask bad breath and they won’t do much to contribute to your oral health. Talk to your dentist about which mouthwash is right for you.

6. Be aware of teeth grinding. If you experience worn tooth enamel, increased tooth sensitivity, or torn cheek tissue, you may be grinding your teeth in your sleep. Though dentists can’t stop you from doing it, they can make you a mouthguard that you can wear at night to protect your teeth from the effects of grinding.

7. See your dentist regularly. Be sure to schedule regular dental checkups and cleanings. Your dentist and hygienist will help you keep your teeth clean and your gums healthy over the long run. Remember, preventive care and maintenance is just as important for a healthy mouth as good daytime and nighttime oral hygiene.”

Dr. McElhinney of Reno Laser Dentistry has perfected thousands of smiles and he can help you too. Click here to contact Dr. McElhinney’s office or you may make an appointment request online.

Are you the rebellious type when it comes to flossing? Still not convinced how important daily flossing could benefit your oral health. I understand that many people think that skipping this task in the morning may not be a big deal, but you may want to think twice after reading this article.

According to an article at webmd.com, “Dental floss tips”

“Every six months, you visit the dentist for a cleaning — and likely a lecture about the importance of flossing. But if you’re like many dental patients, the advice travels in one ear and out the other — much like, well, dental floss gliding between the spaces of your teeth.

“There is no instant gratification with flossing — that’s the problem,” says Alla Wheeler, RDH, MPA, associate professor of the Dental Hygiene Program at the New York University School of Dentistry. “Patients don’t think it does anything.”

But flossing does about 40% of the work required to remove sticky bacteria, or plaque, from your teeth. Plaque generates acid, which can cause cavities, irritate the gums, and lead to gum disease. “Each tooth has five surfaces. If you don’t floss, you are leaving at least two of the surfaces unclean,” Wheeler explains. “Floss is the only thing that can really get into that space between the teeth and remove bacteria.”

Flossing, Wheeler says, might also be an overlooked fountain of youth. Gum disease can ruin the youthful aesthetics of your smile by eating away at gums and teeth. It also attacks the bones that support your teeth and the lower third of your face. People who preserve the height of that bone by flossing look better as they age.

Most floss is made of either nylon or Teflon, and both are equally effective. People with larger spaces between their teeth or with gum recession (loss of gum tissue, which exposes the roots of the teeth) tend to get better results with a flat, wide dental tape. If your teeth are close together, try thin floss (sometimes made of Gore-Tex) that bills itself as shred resistant.

Bridges and braces call for a defter touch to get underneath the restorations or wires and between the teeth. Use a floss threader, which looks like a plastic sewing needle. Or look for a product called Super Floss that has one stiff end to fish the floss through the teeth followed by a spongy segment and regular floss for cleaning.

The most important thing, though, is to choose floss you’ll use. “I tell my patients, ‘I don’t care if you use shoe laces as long as you floss,’” Wheeler says. (Just kidding, of course.)

Flossing Tips

Keep it clean with these flossing tips from Edmond Hewlett, DDS, associate professor of restorative dentistry at the University of California, Los Angeles School of Dentistry:

Perfect your flossing technique. Use a piece of floss 15 to 18 inches long, slide it between the teeth, wrap it around each tooth in the shape of a “C,” and polish with an up and down motion.”

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Dr. McElhinney has helped thousands of families with their dental needs. Need a dentist that treats the whole family? Click here to contact Dr. McElhinney of Reno Laser Dentistry for more information.

What does it mean if your gums bleed? What if you are currently on blood thinners what should you do? First task, you need to notify your dentist before any dental procedure.

According to an article at oralb.com, “Bleeding gums”

"There are many reasons for bleeding gums, but one to keep in mind is that gums can bleed due to a person’s use of blood thinners. An obvious way to cure bleeding gums would be to stop the medication, but blood thinners are necessary for many people, since they are designed to prevent blood clots. Some blood thinners are meant to be taken long-term, while others are prescribed for a few weeks only.

Be sure to tell your dentist that you are taking a blood thinner before you schedule a dental procedure. You may need to stop taking the medication for a few days prior to the procedure and undergo a blood test. But don’t stop taking medication without consulting your doctor. Communication is the key to successfully managing a dental procedure and maintaining good oral hygiene while taking blood thinners.

People who take blood thinners must be especially careful in all aspects of personal hygiene, including shaving, tooth brushing, and flossing. Use a toothbrush with very soft bristles, and soft floss, such as Oral-B’s Satin Floss, to reduce any discomfort associated with oral care and to reduce your risk for bleeding gums. Brush and floss gently; don’t apply too much pressure. Also, be sure to wear a mouth guard if you participate in a contact sport, because the blood thinners will make you more susceptible to bleeding in the event of a mouth injury."

Dr. McElhinney of Reno Laser Dentistry makes your oral health care his # 1 priority. His staff is very knowledgeable and professional click here to contact his office to set-up an appointment.