Imagine the inside of your mouth feeling like it’s been wiped dry with cotton balls, and  no matter how hard you try to summon some saliva, it simply refuses to materialize. Dry mouth, or xerostomia, is a common topic of discussion for the average family dentist, because those suffering from dry mouth often seek advice from their dentist. Dry mouth is a very frustrating condition with a wide variety of causes. Knowing that millions of people battle dry mouth is little comfort to those who suffer from it. The first step in fighting dry mouth is determining the cause of your condition.

Common causes of dry mouth include:

• Medications – over 400 medications list dry mouth as a possible side effect! From antihistamines to antidepressants, decongestants to diuretics, medications are the most common cause of dry mouth. If you are temporarily taking a medication (to fight the flu, for instance), your dry mouth will likely go away once you get healthy and stop taking the medication. However, if you are on long-term medication, ask your doctor if an alternative medication might work just as well, but without the dry mouth side effect.
• Medical treatments – unfortunately, dry mouth is an extremely common side effect of radiation and chemotherapy patients. If you are undergoing chemotherapy or radiation treatment, ask your doctor for specific advice about fighting your dry mouth.
• Illnesses – dry mouth can be an indication of diabetes or various autoimmune diseases such as AIDS. People with Alzheimer’s and those who have had a stroke have been known to experience dry mouth as well. If you have any concerns about your health, seek advice from your physician immediately.

It is important to address dry mouth, because when the salivary glands produce less saliva than normal, the mouth’s natural defenses against tooth decay and other oral health problems are weakened. These are your family dentist’s top tips for fighting dry mouth:

• Brush and floss twice daily, and use alcohol-free mouthwash
• Avoid alcohol, carbonated beverages, and acidic juices
• Drink more water
• Avoid dry or salty foods
• Do not smoke
• If you chew gum, choose sugarless gum
• Visit your dentist regularly

If following these guidelines does not adequately address your dry mouth problem, your family dentist may prescribe artificial saliva to help keep your teeth and gums healthy. If you have questions about dry mouth, Dr. Loper, your family dentist in Reynoldsburg OH, encourages you to make an appointment today by calling 614-864-7731.

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Fillings – practically all of us end up with at least a few of them in our lifetime, and your family dentist knows that fillings are a major cause of anxiety. Having your family dentist discover a cavity on an x-ray and place a filling is a sharp reminder of how important it is to take good care of our teeth by practicing regular brushing and flossing. But when your family dentist finds a cavity and it’s time to get a filling, there is a big question to answer: silver or white fillings?

Silver fillings are made of a material called dental amalgam, which is a mixture of silver, tin, copper, and mercury. Family dentists have been using dental amalgam for over 150 years. It’s a very strong and durable material, and many dentists think it’s easy to work with. However, some people are nervous about the idea of having mercury installed in their mouth, and others don’t want any flashes of silver to be visible in their mouth. Numerous studies have shown that the mercury in amalgam fillings is virtually harmless; we absorb more mercury from food and drinks than we do from a mouth full of silver fillings.

White fillings are called resin composite fillings by the pros. They are made of ceramic and plastic compounds, and have been used for decades when filling front teeth, where the filling would be visible when a person smiles. In the past, resin composite fillings were not considered strong enough to endure the grinding and chewing performed by molar teeth. However, in the past several years, technology has created a stronger, more durable resin composite filling, and these white fillings are now widely used by family dentists for molars as well as front teeth. Still, some dental insurance plans will not cover the placement of resin composite fillings in molars.

So is a silver or white filling the right choice for you? That decision is up to you and your family dentist, by taking into consideration the size and location of the cavity, your dental health history, cosmetic concerns, and cost. Whatever your decision, your family dentist can answer any questions you have and put you at ease about the filling process. You can schedule an appointment with Dr. Loper by completing the Make An Appointment form on our website: www.paulloperdds.com

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Your family dentist wants you to know that your oral health and overall health are closely connected. Taking good care of your teeth does so much more for you than just preventing cavities. Below are the 5 most important things to know about the connections between your oral health and overall health.

Heart Health Regular brushing and flossing is the first step in preventing plaque buildup. Plaque harbors harmful bacteria that can cause gum disease, cavities, and…heart disease. When those bacteria travel from your mouth, through your bloodstream, to the lining of your heart, it can lead to endocarditis (infection of the inner heart lining) and heart disease.

Alzheimer’s Disease Adults typically lose teeth due to a lack of good oral hygiene habits. These poor habits weaken the gums, making them an unstable platform for the teeth. Experts have found a connection between tooth loss before age 35 and developing Alzheimer’s and/or dementia later in life.

Low Birth Weight Gum disease has been linked to premature births and low birth weight. Expectant mothers must be especially diligent about their oral health to ensure their baby’s health.

Immune Deficiency Diseases including diabetes and HIV/AIDS weaken the immune system and make a person more susceptible to oral health problems such as gum disease and oral lesions. In addition, people with gum disease are often less able to control their blood sugar, which may indicate a direct connection between gum disease and diabetes.

Medications Use of medications such as painkillers, antihistamines, and decongestants can cause the salivary glands to slow down production. This reduces the mouth’s natural ability to wash away food particles and protect the teeth and gums from bacteria build-up.

These are just a few reasons why your family dentist stresses the importance of good oral hygiene. Follow these simple guidelines to avoid cavities, gum disease, and the problems explained above:

• Brush twice a day, and replace your toothbrush every few months and after an illness.
• Floss at least once a day.
• Visit your family dentist regularly, and call your family dentist as soon as you suspect an oral health problem.
• Eat a healthy, balanced diet.
• Avoid between-meal snacks.

Call the office of your family dentist, Dr. Loper, at 614-864-7731 to make an appointment for your next check-up. Our friendly office staff can also answer many of your questions about oral health, available services, and more. Isn’t your health worth it?

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When it comes to dental health, your family dentist thinks the adolescent years are an extremely important time. Healthy brushing and flossing must be established by this time, and it is ever more important to encourage healthy eating habits as your child makes more choices for himself.  Below are a few more dental health tips to keep your teen’s smile healthy.

Braces One rite of passage for many adolescents is the silver-tinged smile that comes with wearing braces. Braces can be used to move and straighten teeth, widen or relocate jaws, and align the way the teeth bite together. If your teen has braces, be sure to provide the appropriate brushing and flossing equipment so that he can keep his teeth and braces clean. During this time, encourage your child to be diligent about oral health, and to speak up immediately if something feels wrong with his braces. Also, remember that braces can be painful – keep that in mind when planning meals or dealing with a moody teen.

Dental Sealants Once your child has all of his or her adult molars (which usually occurs in the preteen years), your family dentist may recommend applying sealants to those molars. The sealant is a white plastic material that is simply painted onto the natural grooves on the chewing surface of the molars. It takes moments for the sealant to harden, but it is recommended that hard or sticky foods be avoided for 24 hours. There is no drilling or pain involved with applying sealants.

Dental sealants can cut your child’s risk of developing cavities by up to 70%, and can protect your child’s dental health for up to 10 years. Also, most dental insurance plans cover sealant application for children.

Mouth Guards If your adolescent child has taken up a sport or two, your family dentist says that it’s imperative that she wear a mouth guard during practices and games. If she takes a hit to the mouth, the mouth guard will absorb the worst of the hit and lessen any damage to her teeth. Wearing a mouth guard is especially important if your child wears braces. Mouth guards are affordable and widely available at drug and sport shops.

The adolescent years can be a roller coaster, but oral health must be a primary concern during this important period of your child’s growth and development. If you have any questions about your adolescent’s oral health, contact your family dentist by calling 614-864-7731. We are happy to make an appointment for you and address your concerns.

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Do you ever wake up with sore gums? Do your gums often bleed when you brush your teeth? You are not alone. Lots of things can cause sore and/or bleeding gums. Some of these conditions can be serious, and some are minor irritations; some are entirely avoidable, and some are not. Dr. Loper is a family dentist in Reynoldsburg OH and here, he offers information about common causes of sore, bleeding gums.

1. Hormones Puberty in boys and girls can cause changes in the gums. During puberty, more blood may be present in the growing gums, which can cause sensitivity, bleeding, and pain. The same may also be true for women experiencing menstruation, pregnancy, menopause, and taking birth control pills for women. There is little that can be done to avoid painful gums at these times; it is important to continue to brush carefully with a soft bristle toothbrush.

2. Canker sores Canker sores are red, painful bumps inside the mouth that may have a white center. Your canker sore may hurt constantly, or you might not even know it’s there until you run your toothbrush over it. Unfortunately, doctors do not know what causes canker sores, but we do know that they eventually go away on their own. All you can do for canker sores is be careful when brushing around the canker sore site, and wait it out.

3. Tobacco use These days, it goes without saying that you should not smoke, for a plethora of reasons. One reason is that smoking or chewing tobacco can irritate your gums, causing sores, sensitivity, bleeding, and could possibly lead to gum disease. Smokers are far more likely to develop gum disease. Quit smoking and keep brushing!

4. Chemotherapy If you are undergoing chemotherapy, you are trying to tackle a much bigger issue than sore gums – but chemotherapy’s many possible side effects includes painful, bleeding gums with oral ulcers. Once you are done with chemotherapy these conditions should resolve themselves if you maintain good oral hygiene habits.

5. Gum disease Gum disease develops when you don’t properly remove the plaque from your teeth using good brushing and flossing habits. Gum disease leads to bad breath, sore gums, oral ulcers, and can lead to tooth loss. Maintaining good oral hygiene habits, including regular visits to your dentist, can help you avoid gum disease.

Sore, bleeding gums is sometimes avoidable, but always painful. Home remedies may offer you some temporary relief. If you have any further concerns about your gum pain, contact Dr. Loper in Reynoldsburg OH for an appointment by calling 614-864-7731.

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Halloween is a great time to improve your children’s knowledge of dental health. Here are Loper Family Dentistry’s best tips for tempering your little ghosts and ghoul’s candy frenzy this Halloween.

Replace Your Child’s Toothbrush

Try marking Halloween with a new toothbrush of your child’s choice each year. Lots of kids are excited about getting and using a new toothbrush. This is a great first reminder of the dental health lessons that can be learned on this very fun day.

All in Moderation

When trick-or-treating is done, go through your child’s candy haul with him. Allow your child to pick a few pieces of candy to enjoy right away, and keep the rest out of sight. Establish set times when your child may have more candy – Loper Family Dentistry recommends that you allow a few pieces after meals, but not in between meals, to reduce the number of times a day your child’s mouth is washed in sugar. However, restricting access to candy too much can make your child fixate on the “forbidden fruit” and cause him or her to eat it in excess. Moderation is best.

Reiterate the Importance of Brushing

Remind your child that all that sugar must be removed from their teeth to avoid cavities. However, you should wait at least an hour after eating before you brush. Sugar temporarily weakens the enamel on your teeth, so wait until your saliva has washed away the sugar and the enamel is strong again before you brush. Until your child is about 8 years old, you should supervise brushing to make sure that she brushes the right way for two full minutes.

Try Disclosing Tablets

Halloween night is also a great time to try disclosing tablets with your child. These are tablets that your child chews after brushing, so he can see how well he brushed, and identify what spots he missed. Chew one yourself to keep your child and yourself accountable, and to make the process a little more fun for your kid. Everyone can use an occasional tune-up of their toothbrushing skills.

Loper Family Dentistry encourages you to have an open dialogue with your children about Halloween candy and dental health. This festive time of candy consumption can also be a good reminder to schedule check-ups for your family. Call Loper Family Dentistry at 614-864-7731 to schedule your family’s check-up appointments today.

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Good oral health contributes to good overall health. But many drugstores have so many toothbrushes, pastes, gels, flosses, mouthwashes, tongue scrapers, whitening kits, and more to choose from that making your purchase can be overwhelming. Loper Family Dentistry believes that good dental health begins with the humble toothbrush, so here we offer our advice on choosing toothbrushes for your family.

Manual Toothbrushes

Manual toothbrushes have a lot going for them. This is the type of toothbrush most of us learned how to brush with. They are affordable and easily available, they offer incredible variety, and they are easily replaced once they wear out. A brush with soft bristles is ideal for the vast majority of us; medium or hard bristles can cause damage to gums and enamel if you brush too hard with them. If you can find rounded soft bristles, they are even better. A small brush head is typically a good choice, because the smaller head does a better job of cleaning those hard-to-reach nooks and crannies. Choose a toothbrush with a handle that is comfortable for you.

Electric Toothbrushes

An electric toothbrush can be a good choice for people with limited ability to brush their teeth – people with arthritis, for example. Electric toothbrushes usually offer spinning heads for added scrubbing action. Many electric toothbrushes are equipped with a sensor to make sure you don’t brush too hard, and a timer to make sure that you brush for the recommended two minute duration. Electric toothbrushes are more expensive than manual toothbrushes, but many people find that the added cost is worth it.

Toothbrushes for Children

The toothbrush you select for your child should have a small head with soft bristles, and a large handle, which is easier for tiny hands to grasp. Electric children’s toothbrushes almost always come with a timer to make sure they brush for two minutes, and some may even play music while your child brushes. If your child is old enough, let him or her help you select their toothbrush to encourage interest and involvement in their dental care.

Regardless of what type of toothbrush you choose, it should be replaced about every three months, or after you have had a cold. It should also bear the ADA Seal of Approval. Rinse your toothbrush thoroughly after use and store it upright and uncovered so it can dry appropriately.

Your dentist is happy to answer any other questions you have about toothbrushes or other dental care products. Call Loper Family Dentistry at 614-864-7731 to make an appointment today.

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If your baby is between four and twelve months old, he or she may be experiencing the pain of erupting baby teeth. This process may lead to excessive drooling and crying, and even fevers and rashes, as the teeth break through the gums. Typically, the full set of baby teeth appear by two and a half years of age. During the teething period, there are several things you can do to help soothe your baby’s discomfort. Here are the top teething tips from Loper Family Dentistry.

Chewing

The period when children are teething often coincides with the period when they seem to put all kinds of objects in their mouths. This is because chewing on firm objects often helps alleviate the pain associated with teething. Specially-made wooden teething toys are a new popular trend. Gel-filled teething rings that can be refrigerated or frozen can be particularly soothing. Some parents like to freeze banana chunks for this purpose. Remember to closely supervise your child anytime he or she is eating.

Gels

Medicated gels with anaesthetic properties can provide temporary relief by numbing the gums around erupting teeth. Loper Family Dentistry recommends these quick and affordable remedies that are available at just about any grocery or drugstore.

Caring for New Teeth

You can prevent dental complications and additional pain by keeping your baby’s new teeth clean. Lots of products are available for this purpose. For babies, special dental wipes are a good option; simply wipe the baby teeth with the cleaning cloth and throw it away. Loper Family Dentistry strongly recommends that brushing should be established as a twice-a-day routine as quickly as possible for young toddlers. Use age-appropriate toothbrushes and tiny amounts of children’s toothpastes.

The key to relieving your baby’s discomfort is keeping objects and products on hand that work for him or her. Try several teething products or oral gels to see what provides the best relief for your child. Avoid additional problems and begin your child’s tooth care habits right from the very start by helping him or her brush twice daily; discourage your child from swallowing the toothpaste. Following these simple steps will keep your baby healthier and happier. Loper Family Dentistry recommends that children have their first dental check-up between the ages of two and three. Call 614-864-7731 to schedule your child’s first visit with Loper Family Dentistry.

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Plus Dr. Loper’s Top Tips for Fighting Plaque

Everybody has heard of plaque – your dentist may have even talked to you about managing your plaque buildup. But do you know what plaque is? Do you know where it comes from and why it’s a problem? Below are the top four things that Loper Family Dentistry thinks everyone needs to know about plaque.

1. What is Plaque?

Plaque is that fuzzy goop you feel on your teeth when you haven’t brushed for awhile. It’s made up of the bacteria that live in your mouth, and the substances secreted by the bacteria. Plaque is best combated by brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, and flossing at least once a day. Focus your brushing on the area where your teeth and gums meet; this is usually where plaque collects. Using an antibacterial mouthwash also helps rid the mouth of plaque by getting rid of some of the bacteria that create plaque.

2. What Causes Plaque to Grow?

Plaque develops on your teeth after you eat sugary or starchy foods. The bacteria in your mouth love sugars and starches, and they produce acid as they gorge themselves on the leftovers from that milkshake you had with dinner. Over time, the acid created by the bacteria breaks down the enamel on your teeth and makes you susceptible to cavities and gum disease. If the acid gets below the gumline it can also destroy the bones in your jaws that support your teeth.

3. Does My Diet Affect Plaque Buildup?

Reducing the sugary foods you consume is not just better for your waistline, it can also improve your oral health by “starving” your oral bacteria and thus reducing the plaque buildup on your teeth. Eating raw fruits and vegetables can also help slough plaque off your teeth.

4. What Are the Consequences of Plaque Buildup?

If plaque is not removed from your teeth within about 10 days, it becomes tartar, which is a hard yellow substance that cannot be removed with a toothbrush. The rough surface of tartar is an ideal habitat for additional plaque formation, creating a vicious cycle that will lead to tooth decay and other problems. The only way to get rid of tartar is by having your oral hygienist remove it with professional dental tools.

Plaque buildup is a serious problem that can lead to a variety of problems, including bad breath, gum disease, and tooth decay. Maintaining simple habits like brushing twice a day, flossing regularly, and visiting your dentist twice a year will help avoid the horrible consequences of plaque buildup. Loper Family Dentistry is currently accepting new patients; call us at 614-864-7731 to make your appointment today.

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It’s simple, virtually painless, and there are even some relatively cheap over-the-counter products available, but some whitening methods are more risky than others. People everywhere agree that a whiter, brighter smile is attractive, but make sure you aren’t doing more harm than good with these teeth whitening tips.

For more information, consult your family dentist.

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