J. Peter St. Clair, DMD Blog

If you travel frequently, it’s easy for your nightly routine to change, which means you might forget about your sleep apnea treatment. It’s essential you continue your treatment, even if you’re away from home. No matter if you’re traveling for business or pleasure when living with sleep apnea in Rowley, here are the tips you need to make your journey easier.
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Dental hygienists love it when they make suggestions to patients about home care and their dreams are answered when the patient returns 6 months later with noticeable improvement. It might be as simple as adding a good electric toothbrush or waterpik to the patient’s regimen. I would like to say that we are amazed daily by the fruits of our counseling, but that isn’t the case. For whatever reasons there are, changing routines is often difficult.

Over 10 years ago I wrote a column about an article I saw in a magazine, which is apparently also a book, entitled “Change or Die”. What if you were given that choice? What if the doctor said you had to make tough changes in the way you think and act – or your time would end soon? Could you change? Here are the scientifically studied odds: nine to one. That’s nine to one against you. I don’t think we have made much headway on this over the past 10 years.

It’s a pretty common theme. As Americans, we’re dying at a rapid rate from five basic self-induced health problems. We eat too much. We drink too much. We smoke too much. We have too much stress. And, we don’t exercise enough. These five poor choices, manifested in scores of ailments, consume the vast majority of the nation’s healthcare budget. The article is an outpouring of concern from healthcare experts and doctors, all looking for a way to change the behavior of people who love their lifestyle so much that they literally die from it.

In a Johns Hopkins study a while back, 9 of 10 heart surgery patients chose to return to their unhealthy lifestyle, rather than make the changes needed to live longer. Only a few are convinced by their doctors to make radical daily changes. One of the more successful doctors with this is Dr. Dean Ornish, founder of the Preventive Medicine Research Institute. He says NO to meat, fatty dairy products, alcohol and oil. His vegetarian diet is low-fat, high-maintenance and strict. And, it has been shown to reverse heart disease and other factors in patients who were destined for quadruple bypasses – or worse, eternal sleep.

When 90% of patients are back to their old tricks within weeks of open-heart surgery, his program is the one making a difference. How does he do it? Well, it’s easy, really. Dr. Ornish coaches his patients to make changes strictly for the benefit of making them. Instead of telling them they must change or face death, he encourages them to change so that they can enjoy the endless beauty of living. With dedicated support, three-quarters of his patients are still going strong three years into their drastic lifestyle shift. I’m sure it is deeply gratifying to know that it only takes words said a certain way to make a true change in someone’s life.

Why is it so difficult to get people to change? Well, it depends. You have to be sick and tired of being sick and tired, usually, before you’ll make the leap and let go of whatever the resistance is to change. For many, doing more preventively never happens. We wait for chest pain to strike or a toothache to occur before seeking help to solve our crisis problem. Then we hope, and many times expect, that our problem can be solved easily and not too much will have to change to prevent it from happening again.

Dr. Ornish would tell you the change must be profound. He would tell you to never have another cheeseburger. Your hygienist would say you need to follow a new strict homecare routine, radically different than what you currently do. Making changes like these has to mean more to you than the change itself. You must be invested in improving the quality of your life.

Dr. St. Clair maintains a private dental practice in Rowley and Newburyport dedicated to health-centered family dentistry. He has a special interest in treating sleep apnea and TMJ problems. If there are certain topics you would like to see written about or questions you have please email them to him at jpstclair@stclairdmd.com

In an online report I recently read in a journal that was forwarded to me by a patient, they listed 9 “healthy” habits that they claim are a waste of time. Three of them had to do with oral health. Let’s take a look.

The first on the waste of time list was to see your dentist twice per year. I have seen this reported somewhere else in the media recently. According to the authors, close to 30 studies have apparently found no conclusive evidence supporting a need to see a dentist every 6 months. They went on to say, “If your teeth and gums are healthy, once per year is enough to catch developing problems.”

I absolutely agree. There are definitely people who only need to see a dentist/hygienist once per year. Most dentists use a classification system to rate a patient’s periodontal (gum) health. Type I patients are the ones that only need to see a dentist once per year. They are healthy, they have good homecare habits and are low risk for disease. In the average dental practice, I would say this is about 10-15% of the population.

Type II patients are those with gingivitis and should be seen twice per year. This group makes up about 50% of the typical dental patient population. Many of these patients could move into the Type I group if they had better homecare habits and technique.

Type III & IV patients are the remaining 30-35% of the population who should be seen every 3 or 4 months, and in some cases even more frequently. Because of genetics and/or bad habits, this group has active disease and is at high-risk for problems.

Let’s also not forget the other 50% of the population who don’t even visit a dentist once per year. While I think there are people who can be healthy and see a dentist once per year, it is irresponsible to make it seem that it pertains to everyone. The only one who can determine how healthy you are is your dentist. It should be up to you and the dentist you trust.

The #7 waste of time reported was to use a hard toothbrush. According to the report, a soft one cleans your teeth just as well and is less damaging to your teeth and gums. This is old news and is true.

The next one shocked me. The #8 waste of time – brushing and flossing twice per day. According to the authors, everyone only needs to visit the dentist once per year and brush and floss one time per day. They recommend brushing for at least 2 minutes before you go to bed and flossing one time per day. They also mentioned that people who did not floss frequently (whatever that means) are 3 times more likely to develop stomach cancer. I am assuming the author is relating lack of flossing to getting periodontal (gum) disease. More recent research is showing that, “Risk factors for precancerous lesions and gastric cancer are being identified, one of which may be periodontal disease”. Although lack of flossing does not automatically cause gum disease, poor oral health is clearly a risk factor for other health problems.

Here’s the bottom line:

1. Establish a relationship with a dentist you are comfortable with and trust. Determine with that person how frequently you should be seen.
2. Use a good quality soft electric toothbrush. Get instructions on proper use from your hygienist.
3. Brush at least twice per day, preferably at least 30 minutes after meals. Floss at night before you brush.

It is as simple as that.

Dr. St. Clair maintains a private dental practice in Rowley and Newburyport dedicated to health-centered family dentistry. If there are certain topics you would like to see written about or questions you have please email them to him at jpstclair@stclairdmd.com. You can view all previously written columns at www.jpeterstclairdentistry.com/blog.

It’s one of those things like Kleenex® or Ziploc®…..you know…when you think of a tissue or a resealable bag you think of these. The same goes for Waterpik®. There are different oral irrigators on the market. There are the ones made by Waterpik® and many others; even ones that attach to your sink or showerhead.

I had never really recommended oral irrigators to my patients. The clinical research that I have seen never showed that these things were any more effective than flossing and brushing. I recently noticed that the packaging on the Waterpik® brand said that oral irrigation was 3X more effective than floss. So, I went back to the literature.

The claims made by Waterpik® are from “independent” studies. This basically means that their own research shows they are more effective. While flossing is good, if you don’t use floss, any other aids used to clean teeth are better than none at all. Although, having experienced the Waterpik firsthand, I do feel there is more benefit than just for those with braces.

Stimulation of the gum tissue is essential to a healthy mouth. It is also essential to remove bacteria both above and below the gumline. Oral irrigators do a great job of this. Like anything else, it takes a little getting used to. I realized quickly that you can actually experience tickling and pain at the same time with one of these things. It takes a little time to build up tolerance and be able to increase the pressure of the stream of water. Once you get used to it, it seems to be very effective in stimulating healthy tissue.

Oral irrigators are essential for both kids and adults with braces. They are also great for those with crowns, bridges, larger spaces between the teeth, people battling periodontal disease, or anyone trying to achieve healthier gums. The units come with an assortment of tips for different applications.

Waterpik® has both counter models and cordless hand-held models. The counter models have a wider range of pressure settings and a larger tank to hold water. The cordless models are very convenient for obvious reasons but the water compartment is very small. You typically have to fill the thing up about four times for each use.

Here is the bottom line. If you brush and floss impeccably and your dentist or hygienist says your gum tissue is as healthy as it could be, a “water flosser” is probably overkill. In my experience, that is a very small portion of the population. Most people have room for improvement with their homecare.

The newest research I have seen, which was not done by a product manufacturer, shows that using a water flosser is significantly better than brushing alone. So, if you don’t floss, have braces, have any type of implants, any crowns, bridges, or veneers, have diabetes, or have been told you have gingivitis or any other type of periodontal disease, this product will most likely improve the report you get when you visit the dental office.

Like anything, compliance is the key. Research shows that only 2-10% of the population flosses regularly and effectively and that the average brushing time is 37 seconds. Improvement comes with the effective use of the tools you have. You can get healthier and have good check-ups, but you have to put the time in.

Dr. St. Clair maintains a private dental practice in Rowley and Newburyport dedicated to health-centered family dentistry. He has a special interest in treating sleep apnea and TMJ problems. If there are certain topics you would like to see written about or questions you have please email them to him at jpstclair@stclairdmd.com

Snoring can be an irritation for your bed mate, and feeling sleepy all day can take its toll on you. But if you’re suffering from sleep apnea, then these nuisances are far from your biggest problems. If you put off sleep apnea treatment in Rowley for too long, you could be putting your body at a higher risk for multiple issues. Consider the following 5 examples of possible sleep apnea side effects to be 5 good reasons to see a sleep expert right away!

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I remember seeing a commercial for a cholesterol medication in which the person playing the doctor says, “I wish my patients could see what I see.” I think there are two ways to look at that statement.

The commercial showed an image of animated artery walls clogging with particles of plaque clinging to one another, making the opening of the artery smaller and smaller. This is a visual that is easy to understand.

The second, and more subtle way to take this statement, is the doctor wishing that patients could see what happens to people over time, with and without compliance to taking medication or changing their diet. If patients could only understand and use the vast experiences of the doctor to make better decisions for themselves, wouldn’t everyone choose to do all the “right” things for a better and healthier life? Conventional wisdom would say “yes”, but reality says something different.

I have been photographing teeth since dental school…..a long time ago. So long ago, that I had to take the film to be developed to have slides made. When I tell a patient that I am going to take a series of pictures of their teeth, the response I often hear is, “I just had x-rays taken.” When I explain that they are pictures and not x-rays, it is not uncommon for the patient to ask, “Why?”, or say, “No one has ever done this before.” I explain that the photographs are used for documentation and communication.

Showing a patient visual images of their own teeth is by far the most powerful tool I use in practice. Patients often get frustrated when a dentist explains and recommends treatment they can’t see. You should be able to see and understand why something is recommended, even without a dental degree. Pictures help in telling the story, and help patients make better informed decisions.  

When displaying the images and giving the patient a tour of their own mouth, the patient will often say, “Wow, that doesn’t look good. I can’t believe that is in my mouth.” Photographs help in explaining why things look the way they do. From there it is easier to explain to patients what to expect in the future. Photographs are invaluable for this exercise, and most patients appreciate being able to see what I see.

If a patient has not been to a dentist in a while, or is seeing a new dentist who is doing a complete exam, photographs help patients with decision making. It is important to try to get the patient to look beyond the pictures, and envision where they want to be 5, 10, 20+ years down the road. The goal is for the dentist to tie their experience together with where the patient is currently, where they are headed, and give them the opportunity to potentially change the course of their future.

This approach may be different for some patients. It is easy to get overwhelmed by any new approach, but it is important to keep an open mind. Photographs of your own mouth in the dental office are an important part of the doctor/patient relationship, because communication is the key to any relationship.

You, as a patient, should look beyond today and make choices for ANY aspect of your health based on where you want to be in the future. Take advantage of the knowledge you gain from all your experiences, and make decisions that you feel are right for you.

Dr. St. Clair maintains a private dental practice in Rowley and Newburyport dedicated to health-centered family dentistry. If there are certain topics you would like to see written about or questions you have please email them to him at jpstclair@stclairdmd.com. You can view all previously written columns at www.jpeterstclairdentistry.com/blog.

 

I had a reader e-mail me an insurance related question this past week. This is an answer to that question, as well as a couple of other insurance related questions we come across frequently.

Patients will sometimes balk at treatment not covered by their dental insurance. Dentists will often hear, “Just do what my insurance covers. I don’t want anything extra.” In fact, a recent ADA poll showed that a lack of dental insurance was the #1 reason most patients gave for not visiting a dentist. So, here are some frequent questions patients often ask about dental insurance.

Why doesn’t my insurance cover all of the costs for my dental treatment?

Dental insurance isn’t really insurance (defined as a payment to cover the cost of a loss) at all. It is a monetary benefit, typically provided by an employer, to help their employees pay for routine dental treatment. “Dental Insurance”, which started in the 1970’s, was designed to cover a portion of the total cost of care. It has not changed very much since then. This usually leaves the patient with the responsibility to take some ownership in their dental health.

But my plan says that my exams and other procedures are covered at 100%.

That 100 percent is usually what the insurance carrier allows as payment towards a procedure, not what your dentist may actually charge. Dentist’s fees are usually a reflection of the level and quality of care in a particular office. Some cost more, some cost less, depending on the costs of running their office, how they pay their staff, the materials they use, etc. An employer usually selects a plan with a list of payments that corresponds to its desired premium cost per month. Therefore, there usually will be a portion not covered by your benefit plan.

If I always have to pay out-of-pocket, what good is my insurance?

Even a benefit that does not cover a large portion of the cost of what you need pays something. Any amount that reduces your out-of-pocket expense helps.

Why is there an annual maximum on what my plan will pay?

Although most maximum amounts have not changed in 50 years, a maximum limit is your insurance carrier’s way of controlling payments. Dental plans are different from medical plans, in that dentistry is needed frequently. Medical emergencies are rare. It is your dentist’s responsibility to recommend what you need.

Consider this: A typical medical insurance plan today can cost over $2000 per month, and still leave you with a $3000 deductible. The average dental plan costs $600 per year.

If my insurance won’t pay for this treatment, why should I have it done?

It is a mistake to let your benefits be your sole consideration when you make decisions about dental treatment. People who have lost their teeth often say that they would pay any amount of money to get them back. Your smile, facial attractiveness, ability to chew and enjoy food, and general sense of well-being are dependent on your teeth.

Other than complaining to your dental insurance company, or your Employee Benefits Coordinator, your best defense is to budget for dental care, or ask your dental office if they have payment plans to spread payment out over time……and most of all, keep regular maintenance appointments. The BEST dentistry is NO dentistry.

If you have any other insurance related questions please e-mail them to me.

Dr. St. Clair maintains a private dental practice in Rowley and Newburyport dedicated to health-centered family dentistry. If there are certain topics you would like to see written about or questions you have please email them to him at jpstclair@stclairdmd.com. You can view all previously written columns at www.jpeterstclairdentistry.com/blog.

Are you stressed out? It seems that stress levels in people are high these days. We worry about school, work, finances, illness, children, relationships, and more. Some of us even worry about how much we worry. Not to add to your stress, but you should be aware that all that worrying could have a negative impact on not only your general health, but also your oral health.

According to an article published in the Journal of Periodontology, there is a strong relationship between stress and periodontal disease (gum disease). In addition to stress, other psychological factors such as anxiety, depression, and loneliness are linked to an increased likelihood of periodontal disease.

So how does stressing out about your next car payment, for example, lead to gum disease? Researchers believe that the hormone cortisol may be a factor. Cortisol, also known as the “stress hormone,” is secreted by the adrenal glands and is involved in many functions, including proper glucose metabolism, blood pressure regulation, insulin release for blood sugar maintenance, immune function, and inflammatory response. An earlier study published in the same journal the year before found that increased levels of cortisol can lead to more destruction of the gums and bone due to periodontal diseases.

Behavioral factors may also come into play. People who are under extreme amounts of stress, or suffering from depression, may be more likely to disregard good oral hygiene. We have seen the effects of this over the past year. They may even take on new behaviors that could negatively impact their oral health, such as the use of nicotine, alcohol, or drugs, all of which can affect the teeth and gums.

Your gums are not the only oral victims of stress. Another oral side effect is teeth grinding or clenching, which often occurs during sleep. This may lead to headaches, earaches, or toothaches. Facial muscles can become sore, and jaw joints tender. Besides causing discomfort, grinding and/or clenching can lead to severe tooth wear, loosening of teeth, and cracked or fractured teeth. Dentists have seen an overall increase in this over the past year.

It is important to find healthy things that help relieve stress. A regular exercise routine can do wonders for relieving stress, as well as having a balanced nutritious diet, and getting enough sleep. If you find it difficult to manage your stress you should talk to your physician. You should also make your dentist aware of your stress level to discuss any recommendations to help your dental health, which ultimately affect your overall health.

I’ll leave you this week with a quote from A. Cornelius Celsus’s DeMedicina. He wrote this around the birth of Jesus Christ, 2000 years ago. He was a Roman author and medical historian.

 

Live in rooms full of light.

Avoid Heavy food.

 

Be moderate in the drinking of wine.

Take massage, baths, exercise and gymnastics.

 

Fight insomnia with gentle rocking or the sound of running water.

 

Change surroundings and take long journeys.

 

Strictly avoid frightening ideas.

Indulge in cheerful conversation and amusements.

 

Listen to music.

 

Still good advice 2000 years later.

 

Dr. St. Clair maintains a private dental practice in Rowley and Newburyport dedicated to health-centered family dentistry. If there are certain topics you would like to see written about or questions you have please email them to him at jpstclair@stclairdmd.com. You can view all previously written columns at www.jpeterstclairdentistry.com/blog.

Every once in a while, someone will say, “There must be a lot less cavities today than there were years ago because of improved home care, fluoride, etc., right?” Maybe in general, but there is still way too much decay. Poor diet and home care are the two most common culprits leading to decay. Dentists have seen a significant increase in decay during COVID.  When and what you eat and drink is important. Improvement in home care means changing what is being done now, and requires discipline.

Yesterday, I went into one of my hygienist’s rooms to check her patient, a 13-year-old boy, and asked the hygienist how his home care was, because his gums were bright red. She said to me, “Jack, why don’t you tell the doctor how often you told me you brush your teeth.” The boy answered, “About once a week.” ONCE A WEEK?!?! Add the fact that he is in braces, which makes it even more important to keep the teeth clean.

It’s important sometimes to step back and review the basics, so here they are. At a minimum, you should brush with a fluoride toothpaste at least twice a day for two minutes. A good electric toothbrush is preferable to a manual toothbrush. When I say “good”, I mean one that sits on a charger, and not one that takes AA batteries. There are two major brands out there. I prefer the one that starts with an “O”.

It amazes me how many people don’t floss their teeth. I have heard every excuse in the book; “My fingers are too big”, “I don’t have the time”, “It’s too hard”, “My dog ate the floss”. Just like anything else, it is always hard to start a new ritual. There are so many different kinds of floss and gadgets to help floss that there is something out there for everyone. And if you can’t seem to make it work, use a water pik; it works better than floss anyway.

Bacteria, which accumulates on and between the teeth, forms that white film called plaque. Plaque contains billions of colonized bacteria. The right kind of bacteria, along with the wrong king of diet and the wrong genetics can produce cavities. Plaque that is not removed with thorough daily brushing and flossing can harden and turn into calculus (tartar). These colonized bacteria can then lead to tissue inflammation (gingivitis), the early stage of periodontal (gum) disease.

Brushing your teeth helps get rid of most of the plaque, except for the stuff that accumulates between the teeth. That is what floss and the water pik are for. I know it sounds gross but if you want to know what your breath smells like, floss a few teeth and then smell the floss. That should turn you into an avid flosser.

The routine should be, floss (water pik), brush, rinse. The whole event should be around five minutes. Believe me, you have five minutes. Cleaning between the teeth first allows the fluoride from the toothpaste to contact a cleaner tooth surface between the teeth. I prefer a non-alcohol-based rinse, as alcohol is drying and creates a better environment for bacteria to thrive.

If you do choose floss, technique is important. Proper flossing is not popping the floss between the teeth and shooting it right back up. The proper way to floss is to get the floss between the contact of the teeth, slide the floss gently under the gum tissue around one tooth, “shoe-shine” the side of the tooth, gently move the floss over the papilla (the little piece of gum between the teeth), “shoe-shine“ the side of the other tooth and then bring the floss up. At your next dental visit, ask your hygienist to evaluate your flossing skills to make sure you are doing it correctly.

You have the 5 minutes twice a day.

Dr. St. Clair maintains a private dental practice in Rowley and Newburyport dedicated to health-centered family dentistry. If there are certain topics you would like to see written about or questions you have please email them to him at jpstclair@stclairdmd.com. You can view all previously written columns at www.jpeterstclairdentistry.com/blog.

Valentine’s Day is a widely celebrated holiday in February, but there is another reason to be thinking about your heart. This month is Heart Health Month. There is no better time for you to learn about how your cardiovascular and oral healthy are related. In order to keep your heart strong, you should be focusing on your oral hygiene routine. Continue reading to learn about their connection.

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