The Elderly, Dentures and Pneumonia

A study conducted by Toshimitsu Iinuma, Nihon University School of Dentistry in Japan determined that

elderly people over the age of 85 should not sleep in dentures, as it doubles their chance of pneumonia. The team published the findings in the International and American Associations for Dental Research.

Five hundred twenty four randomly selected senior's were studied over a three year period concerning oral health behaviors and the incidence of pneumonia. Data collected associated those wearing dentures during sleep with oral inflammation, microbial burden and a doubled incidence of pneumonia. 

The study recommended discouraging geriatric patients from wearing dentures at night.

Verde Pointe Dental Associates and Marietta cosmetic dentists, +Kirk Kimmerling DDS , +Suzanna Aguilera DMD and +Garrick McGrath DMD would like to invite patients that need dentures, partial dentures, single tooth extraction, or full mouth extractions to our Marietta dental office with a new patient coupon of $100.00.  

Women Tattoo Their Gums Black in the Name of Beauty

Although having aesthetic procedures to look more beautiful is common all over the world, tattooing your gums black is a painful, ancient tradition still practiced by people in Senegal, west Africa.  The excruciating procedure is an old custom performed to achieve a more attractive, whiter smile making it easier to lure a mate.

Although most gum tattoos are performed for appearance, the practice claims to protect gums from bleeding, while eliminating everything damaging to the mouth such as foul breath, and all for less than one euro.

A black powder mixture of burnt oil and shea butter is initially pressed onto the gums, followed by repeated needle sticks. Some find the procedure too torturous, such as a lady Marieme in the popular YouTube documentary.  She quits at the fourth layer, three short of the desired seven.

She says, “I want black gums to obtain a more beautiful smile. It’s become an obsession. I do fear the procedure. But I’ll be OK.” 

It's apparent the considerable pain Marieme's tries to tolerate.  “It hurts. I would never recommend this torture to anyone,” she said. “It really hurts. I thought I was going to die. But I tried to hang on.”

 Marietta cosmetic dentists , +Kirk Kimmerling DDS +Suzanna Aguilera DMD and Garrick McGrath DMD welcome you to our dental office to discuss teeth whitening and options available.  It would be their great pleasure to welcome you to the practice with a new patient $100 coupon.

Bad News for Your Teeth if You Exercise Heavy

Could it be bad for your teeth if you exercise too much? 

Researchers led by Dr. Cornelia Frese, a dentist from the dental school at the University Hospital Heidelberg, Germany and other institutions recruited 35 triathlon athletes and 35 non-athletes to examine their mouths for cavities, decay, enamel erosion, and overall oral health.  The study concluded the following.

1. Research found no correlation between sports drinks, diets and oral health.
2. The more hours athletes spent working out, the more decay present.
3. Athletes suffered greater erosion of tooth enamel than non-athletes.
4. Saliva of athletes and non-athletes, both at rest tested no differences in chemical makeup.

So why the difference?  The conclusion;

1. When athletes worked out, saliva production decreased, even with the extra consumption of water and other drinks.
2. The chemical composition of an athletes mouth converted to more  alkaline environment as the workouts progressed, contributing to more plaque.

“We had thought sports drinks and nutrition might have the most detrimental influence on dental decay,” said Dr. Frese, “but we saw no direct link. Instead, it was the changes in saliva during exercise that differentiated the athletes’ mouths from those of the control group. Since saliva “has a very protective function”  Dr. Frese said, implying a chemically different version during exercise could be problematic.

What athletes need to do concerning oral health;

Athletes should pay close attention and be aware of the condition of their mouths. Excellent oral hygiene, and extra professional cleaning appointments at the dentist for added fluoride treatments can help ensure ultimate dental health. This gives added opportunity for a dentist to fix pending oral conditions before they become more problematic. (Cavities, gum disease, root canals, dental extractions, toothaches, dental emergency and more.)
  
It's important to put the extra effort in maintaining a healthy mouth, just as you do for a healthy body. 

The Marietta dentists at  +Verde Pointe Dental Associates +Kirk Kimmerling DDS +Suzanna Aguilera DMD and Garrick McGrath DMD welcome athletes to the dental office.  It would be our great pleasure to ensure your mouth is healthy.  

Shocking Study about Bacteria and Your Toothbrush

Everyone knows a clean toothbrush is important, but a new study suggests that hollow head electric

toothbrushes harbor up to 3,000 times the bacteria over solid head toothbrushes.  The new study comes from researchers at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth) School of Dentistry.  The conclusion gave much needed insight on cleanliness of a electric brushes.

The results of the study are published in the August issue of the Journal of Dental Hygiene. Lead author and professor at the UTHealth School of Dentistry, Donna Warren Morris, R.D.H., M.Ed. determined the key to the design when it comes to bacteria is in the head. 

Choosing the right toothbrush may not be that easy.  Manufacturers do not expose on packaging if the heads are solid or hollow.

Regardless of the brush used, a few simple rules can tremendously help.

1. Let your toothbrush dry out in the open.  Do not put it in a case or dark cabinet.

2. When buying,  make sure to choose a brush with soft nylon bristles.

3. Try to look at the toothbrush head and choose one with the smallest attachment hole, making the
    brush-head more solid and less hollow.

4. If possible, wash your toothbrush in the dishwasher every night with the dishes on the "sanitize"     option.

5. Rinse your toothbrush with water after every use, and if possible Listerine or peroxide.  This will help to keep it clean.

Regardless of the toothbrush, it's always better to brush than not brush.  Brushers always have a cleaner mouth and lower bacterial count over those that do not.  J  It's your mouth, so it's best to take the time to do all you can.

Verde Pointe Dental Associates and Marietta dentists, +Kirk Kimmerling DDS +Suzanna Aguilera and Garrick McGrath understand the importance of excellent dental hygiene.  It would be their privilege to keep or help get your oral health on track and discuss your toothbrush.  The dentists can also help with dental emergencies and cosmetic dentistry. 

Not All Cultures Value Front Teeth

As strange as this may seem, not all cultures value their front teeth.  The Surma people residing in

South Sudan and southwest Ethiopia have a tradition where front lower teeth are removed and the bottom lip is pierced at puberty to get ready for marriage. Over time the lip is stretched for insertion of an ever increasing size of clay plate.  Some are noted up to 16 inches in size.  Bigger plates are considered more desirable and beautiful, making the women worth more cattle.

Although plates are still a strong part of the culture, some modern day girls have begun to skip the tradition. 

+Verde Pointe Dental Associates and the dentists, +Suzanna Aguilera and +Kirk Kimmerling DDS are happy to present this informational article on cultures from around the world.  

Mexican Statue of Jesus Has Human Teeth

A 300 year old statue of Jesus found in Mexico strangely enough has real human teeth. The teeth were

found as a discovery when the statue was being restored. Although the practice seems strange to modern day people, apparently the 17th and 18th century practice of putting teeth into a statue made sense to them.

It was a tradition for human body parts to be donated to the church for religious purposes according to Fanny Unikel Santoncini, the discoverer and restorer of the teeth from the Escuela Nacional de Restauracion, Conservacion Y Museografic at the Instituto Nacional de Antropologia E Historia (INAH) in Mexico.  Many times, the statues used whole bones and teeth from animals.  Animal bones were carved into human teeth for statues.

Apparently, the people then were very religious and the donations were a common practice.   Apparently in Mexico there are other statues of the Virgin Mary and Saints with teeth as well.  Wigs were also donated to adorn statues.

+Verde Pointe Dental Associates +Suzanna Aguilera and +Kirk Kimmerling DDS have always known how important smiles are to people, and is seen even in statues.  Should you need a dentist in Marietta, GA, we would love to help.

Science and Your Teeth Reveal Where You Grew Up

There's no hiding where you are from, as scientists can now take a look at our teeth to reveal where

we grew up, according to a new study written about by George Kamenov from the University of Florida and Brian Gulson, of Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia in the journal Science of the Total Environment.

 

The discovery is about lead, an element that exists in four isotopic forms in the development of teeth.  As our tooth enamel develops, it creates a lead isotope composition distinct to the environment.  The amount of each isotope differs according to where it is found in the world's rocks, soil and ores, giving teeth specific isotope markers for geographic areas.  Four isotopes exist with slightly differing compositions in different parts of the world. 

Lead isotope profiles accumulate in a child's body from inhalation and contact with the soil.  Unlike bone that regenerates constantly, tooth enamel is set once developed.  This allows for a unique lead isotope profile with set information on location during enamel formation.

If you a a foreigner in a new land, your dental enamel is different from those around you.  We know have the ability to tell you from where a person came.

Marietta Dentists, from +Verde Pointe Dental Associates +Suzanna Aguilera and +Kirk Kimmerling DDS  welcome new patients to the cosmetic and emergency dental practice