Oral DNA Testing in Treating Periodontal Disease - by Phoenix Dentist, Dr. Alan Ferguson

Oral DNA Testing (Salivary Diagnostics)

It is an exciting time we live in!  Information and technological breakthroughs have helped us,  the dental community, to rethink how we treat patients who struggle with periodontal disease.

With just a 30 second swish saliva sample that we then send off to laboratories for testing, we can now prescribe the exact antibiotics specific for the bacteria found in active periodontal pockets! Bacteria will always be present in the oral environment, but now we have some power over which ones aren't invited!

With the same saliva sample we can determine if our patients are predisposed to genetically having periodontal issues.  This information takes the mystery out of why some individuals struggle with recurring episodes and allows us to choose the best hygiene protocols.  For more information on salivary diagnostic testing offered, contact the office of Dr. Ferguson at (602) 242-5445.

March is National Multiple Sclerosis Education and Awareness Month - Understanding MS and Oral Health

March is National Multiple Sclerosis Education and Awareness Month.  If you or a loved one have been diagnosed with MS, it is important to understand the impact of the disease on oral health.

People with MS experience a wide variety of symptoms such as pain, weakness, poor coordination, numbness of the lip and chin area, swallowing difficulties and forms of facial paralysis which can make cleaning teeth difficult - regular dental visits are essential.  Due to fatigue, MS patients may also require shorter and/or more frequent dental visits.

Common oral health problems experienced by people with Multiple Sclerosis:

Dry mouth - Some medications can make the mouth very dry. Moisturizing products available in a pharmacy or prescribed by your physician or dentist will help ease the dryness.

Inflamed gums (gingivitis) - Gingivitis is usually due to a reduced ability to clean at the gum line area.

For more information or to schedule an appointment, contact Dr. Ferguson's office at: (602) 242-5445

February is National Children's Dental Health Month

February Is National Children's Dental Health Month. 

Started 65 years ago, this month-long national health observance brings together thousands of dedicated dental professionals, health care providers and others to promote the benefits and importance of good oral health for children.

If your child hasn't yet been seen by a dentist or is due for his/her six month check-up, contact Dr. Alan Ferguson at (602) 242-5445.

Children and Dental Emergencies

Treating a child correctly in a dental emergency is extremely important in minimizing damage to the mouth, teeth and surrounding tissue.  Parents should have a basic understanding of dental first aid in case a situation does arises. In some cases, the time period between the emergency and treatment can be significant in the outcome of a dental emergency.

Below is a List of Dental Emergencies and what you should do:

Toothaches.  First, thoroughly rinse your mouth with warm water. Use dental floss to remove any lodged food. If your mouth is swollen, apply a cold compress to the outside of your mouth or cheek. Never put aspirin or any other painkiller against the gums near the aching tooth because it may burn the gum tissue. See your dentist as soon as possible.

Chipped or Broken Teeth.  Save any pieces. Rinse the mouth using warm water; rinse any broken pieces. If there's bleeding, apply a piece of gauze to the area for about 10 minutes or until the bleeding stops. Apply a cold compress to the outside of the mouth, cheek, or lip near the broken/chipped tooth to keep any swelling down and relieve pain. See your dentist as soon as possible.

Abscess.  Abscesses are infections that occur around the root of a tooth or in the space between the teeth and gums. Abscesses are a serious condition that can damage tissue and surrounding teeth, with the infection possibly spreading to other parts of the body if left untreated.  Because of the serious oral health and general health problems that can result from an abscess, see your dentist as soon as possible if you discover a pimple-like swelling on your gum that usually is painful. In the meantime, to ease the pain and draw the pus toward the surface, try rinsing your mouth with a mild salt water solution (1/2 teaspoon of table salt in 8 ounces of water) several times a day.

Avulsed or Knocked-Out Tooth. Retrieve the tooth, hold it by the crown (the part that is usually exposed in the mouth), and rinse off the tooth root with water if it's dirty. Do not scrub it or remove any attached tissue fragments. If possible, try to put the tooth back in place. Make sure it's facing the right way. Never force it into the socket. If it's not possible to reinsert the tooth in the socket, put the tooth in a small container of milk (or cup of water that contains a pinch of table salt, if milk is not available) or a product containing cell growth medium, such as Save-a-Tooth. In all cases, see your dentist as quickly as possible. Knocked out teeth with the highest chances of being saved are those seen by the dentist and returned to their socket within 1 hour of being knocked out.

Extruded (partially dislodged) Tooth. See your dentist right away. Until you reach your dentist's office, to relieve pain, apply a cold compress to the outside of the mouth or cheek in the affected area. Take an over-the-counter pain reliever (such as Tylenol or Motrin) if needed.

Despite the importance of the dental first aid, there is no course of action better than actually visiting the dentist. But it’s certainly beneficial when parents are aware of dental first aid.

For questions regarding dental emergencies or dental first aid, contact our office at: (602) 242-5445 or discuss your questions with Dr. Ferguson and/or team at your next dental appointment.

Dental Science Experiment for Kids - Does Fluoride Strengthen Teeth?

Items Needed:

• Two hard-boiled eggs 
• Fluoride gel or solution, 4 oz to 6 oz
• Three clean plastic containers
• Several cans of dark soda
• Water

Experiment:

1) Place a hard-boiled egg in one of the plastic containers and cover it with the fluoride gel or solution. Let the egg soak in the fluoride for twenty-four hours. Remove the egg and rinse it with water. 

2) Place this “treated” egg in one of the two remaining clean containers, and place the “untreated” egg in the other. 

3) Cover both eggs with dark soda. Change the solution every 12 hours for two days. 

What was your Conclusion?

Results of the Experiment:

The “untreated” egg will begin to dissolve slightly, and the shell will become stained by the dark soda. 

The “treated” egg should not show a reaction until much later. The conclusion could be drawn that the use of fluoride helps strengthen teeth and protect them from decay.