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21061 Dentist | What to Know About E-Cigarettes and Your Oral Health
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The hazards surrounding vaping are not entirely clear. More research is needed in this area, but a recent study indicates that e-cigarette vapors could be damaging to your mouth. Here’s what you need to know.
The Vapor Ingredients
Electronic cigarettes are not regulated in the same way tobacco cigarettes are, meaning that their contents can be inaccurately labeled without any oversight. Contents that e-juice usually contains include nicotine, glycerin, chemical flavoring, and propylene glycol. Some of these substances are safe in food, such as chemical flavors, but the effects of inhaling them is not well researched. Heating these chemicals can form dangerous carcinogens such as formaldehyde. E-cigarettes might also include tiny metals and particles that you inhale while smoking.
What This Means for Your Oral Health
A recent study from UCLA found that vapors from an e-cigarette can kill the cells in your oral cavity, or the area of your mouth beyond your teeth and gums. The study placed oral cells in an environment where electronic cigarette smoke was produced for 24 hours, in a machine simulating how a person would smoke. During the test, 85% of the cells died. According to the lead author of the study, they plan to move forward to test the impacts in humans.
These cells are your mouth’s defense by helping to release antioxidants. As the cells die off or become less effective, your mouth becomes more vulnerable to oral diseases.
Another study by the University of Rochester Medical Center concluded e-cigarettes are just as bad for your gums as tobacco cigarettes are. Nicotine, which both types of cigarettes contain, is a known factor in contributing to gum disease.
Steps You Can Take
Since the e-juice industry is largely unregulated, it is best to avoid smoking electronic cigarettes. The carcinogenic contents pose serious risks to your health, especially to your mouth. Your mouth relies on the functions of these important cells to defend itself against dangerous bacteria and other substances. Without your mouth’s natural defense system, you open yourself up to oral disease.
Make sure you are regularly visiting our office, especially if you are a smoker of either tobacco cigarettes, or electronic cigarettes. Our experienced dental team will perform a complete oral examination during your visit to check for signs of oral disease. Being proactive is your best defense against combating oral disease.
For more tips on keeping your mouth healthy or to schedule your next visit, please contact us.
7711 Quarterfield Road
Suite C-1
Glen Burnie, MD 21061
Glen Burnie Dentist | How to Beat Bad Breath
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Due to the anxiety or embarrassment it can cause, halitosis – or bad breath – can be difficult for many people to face. However, clean-smelling breath may be easier than you think. Try these solutions to overcome halitosis and regain your confidence.
- Maintain oral care – Brushing and flossing your teeth is incredibly important to warding off bad breath. Make sure to brush at least twice a day and floss once a day.
- Quit smoking – Cigarettes and other tobacco products are a common cause of halitosis, in addition to more serious concerns like oral cancer or gum disease.
- Chew sugar free gum – Carry a pack of sugar free gum to chew between meals. It can stimulate saliva flow, mask odors, and prevent tooth decay that might indirectly cause bad breath. Avoid gum that isn’t sugar free, as this can introduce more sugar to your teeth that might contribute to decay.
- Mouthwash – While it is only a temporary solution mouthwash can be a quick way to provide relief from halitosis. However, if you feel you need to use mouthwash several times each day, contact our office for an exam to check for the underlying cause of your bad breath.
- Clean your tongue – When brushing your teeth, make sure not to ignore your tongue. Brush it gently with a wet toothbrush or use a tongue scraper with care. This helps remove bacteria and food particles that can collect on your tongue and cause bad breath.
- Dental visits – Tooth decay, gum disease, and many other dental health issues can be the source of halitosis. By maintaining your recommended schedule of cleanings and examinations, we can work with you to treat any underlying causes of bad breath and ensure your optimal oral health.
Halitosis can be prevented by targeting underlying concerns such as tooth decay. Schedule a visit with our office for a cleaning and an examination and enjoy the clean taste of fresh breath.
Dentist in Glen Burnie | Thanksgiving Give-A-Way Winner
Congratulations to the winner of our Thanksgiving Give-A-Way!
Happy Thanksgiving to you from our team here at Quarterfield Dental Arts.
21061 Dentist | 3 Steps to a Healthy Smile
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Did you know that tooth decay is the single largest cause of school absences? The longer decay goes untreated, the worse it gets. Not only can this mean costlier expenses for you, but it also jeopardizes your child’s oral health and education. You can help your child have a healthy, happy smile by taking a few steps to defend against tooth decay. Here are three steps you can take at home.
- Reduce Excessive Sugar
Sugary foods feed the bacteria that cause tooth decay. Limit your child’s sugary intake by keeping candy, soft drinks, juices, and other sweets to a minimum. If your child does indulge in a sugary snack or treat, make sure they brush their teeth afterwards.
- Follow a Consistent Brushing Routine
One of the best steps you can take for your child is to help them establish a daily brushing routine. They should brush for at least two minutes both morning and night. Try brushing at the same times each day so that it becomes a habit. We also strongly recommend that parents monitor their children to make sure they are brushing correctly and safely. It’s important that children avoid swallowing toothpaste or mouthwash.
- Strengthen Teeth with Dairy Products
Dairy products are excellent sources of calcium, particularly cheese, yogurt, and milk. Calcium helps to build strong bones and teeth. Increasing the amount of calcium in your child’s diet can help strengthen tooth enamel, one of the natural defenses against decay. If your child is lactose intolerant or cannot consume other dairy products, we suggest you talk to our team for additional solutions.
Healthy teeth start at home. Implement the three simple steps above with your child at home to ensure they have a happy, healthy smile. The single most important step you can take for your child is to bring them in to see our team. Regular oral health examinations for your child are essential to ensure that their teeth are healthy and growing properly.
Contact our team to schedule your child’s next examination today.
7711 Quarterfield Road
Suite C-1
Glen Burnie, MD 21061
Phone: (410) 760-4445
Glen Burnie, MD Dentist | Changing Your Spots: White Areas on Teeth
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White spots on your teeth can be irritating and affect how you feel about your smile. The good news, however, is that they are preventable and rarely cause for concern. Here are things you should know about what causes white 
spots, how to prevent them, and what options are available should you already have them.
What causes white spots on teeth?
- Dental Fluorosis – This can happen when a child consumes or is exposed to too much fluoride during the development of their teeth. While undesirable, this is harmless and can happen before teeth even emerge. The most common cause of fluorosis in the US is the use or ingestion of too much toothpaste.
- Poor Dental Hygiene – Forgetting to brush regularly can cause white spots to develop.
- Braces – Wearing braces for an extended time can affect the coloration of your teeth and create white spots.
- Acidic or Sugary Foods – These foods can damage your teeth as well as change the color of their enamel. Rinsing your mouth after you consuming acidic or sugary items can help negate these effects.
How can I prevent them from appearing?
Following a proper oral hygiene regimen is the best way to prevent white spots on teeth. Ensure your child uses the correct amount of toothpaste – children under 3 should use a smear the size of a rice grain, and children over 3 should not use more than a pea-sized amount. It is common for children to accidentally swallow or fail to spit out toothpaste, so be sure to supervise your child as they are learning.
What are options for treatment?
If you are already dealing with white spots, you have options. Whitening or bleaching can make the coloration of your teeth more uniform. Dental veneers can restore the entire appearance of your teeth, solving not just the problem of white spots. In some cases, topical fluoride or enamel microabrasion upon the white spots themselves can do the trick.
Paul R. Miller, DDS of Glen Burnie 7711 Quarterfield Rd., Suite C-1, Glen Burnie, MD 21061 (410) 760-4445
Dentist in Glen Burnie | 3 Simple Ways to Reduce Tooth Decay
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A happy smile is a healthy smile! There are a number of steps you can take to keep your smile healthy by reducing your risk of developing tooth decay. Here are a few suggestions from our team.
Eat a Tooth Friendly Diet
Reduce the amount of sugars and carbohydrates in your diet. Decay-causing bacteria in the mouth feed on these substances.
We suggest you reduce grains, beans, seeds, and nuts in your diet when possible. These foods can lead to demineralization of your teeth and bones due to their acidic content. Consider adding foods high in minerals and vitamins to your diet such as apples, leafy greens, celery, or carrots.
Brush, Floss, Rinse, Repeat
Routine brushing at least twice a day followed by flossing and a mouth rinse is the optimal at home dental care routine. Brush for at least two minutes in the morning and at night. Use a soft bristle toothbrush that is small enough to reach every tooth.
Dental Sealants
Children often get dental sealants to protect the hard-to-reach teeth in the back of their mouths. However, dental sealants can benefit adults and those who have a higher risk of decay. Dental sealants are a layer of plastic-like material that coats the top surface of the tooth. Sealants protect the crevices in the tooth where bacteria reside and minimizes exposure of the tooth to harmful acids and sugars that wear down enamel.
When left untreated, tooth decay can cause discomfort and spread to other healthy teeth. You can combat tooth decay by reducing sugars and acids in your diet and brushing and flossing regularly. For some patients, dental sealants might be a solution.
Paul R. Miller, DDS of Glen Burnie
7711 Quarterfield Rd., Suite C-1, Glen Burnie, MD 21061
(410) 760-4445
Glen Burnie, MD Dentist | Can You Inherit Oral Health Issues?
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Most serious oral health issues can be prevented by maintaining an effective routine of dental hygiene and in-office care. However, you could be at higher risk for some oral illnesses due to hereditary factors. Awareness and proper treatment can help minimize these risks. Here are a few of the most common oral health concerns that are affected by genetics.
Tooth decay – One of the most common oral issues, some tooth decay has been linked to a genetic deficiency of a protein called DEFB1. If your parents experienced an unusually high rate of tooth decay, then you may want to be more vigilant regarding your own dental care.
Oral cancer – Certain genetic factors can increase your risk of developing oral cancer. Our doctor recommends annual oral cancer screening for early identification and treatment. In addition, certain lifestyle choices, such as quitting smoking and limiting alcohol consumption, can help reduce your risk of oral cancer.
Periodontal disease – Recent research has found that some forms of gum disease may be linked to mutations in genes that affect immunity and inflammatory response.
Misaligned or supernumerary (extra) teeth – Genetics can play a role in having misaligned or even extra teeth. The size of your jaw is determined mostly through heredity, and is the most common reason for an overbite, underbite, or dental crowding.
Canker sores – In most cases, canker sores are an isolated reaction to fatigue, stress, or menstrual cycles. However, there are certain inherited diseases that count canker sores among their symptoms. Crohn’s disease and Celiac sprue are two such conditions.
While you may not be able to avoid hereditary oral health issues entirely, we can help minimize or even reverse their effects with proper treatment and care. If you suffer from any of these inherited conditions, contact our office for an oral health evaluation. We can help.
Paul R. Miller, DDS of Glen Burnie
7711 Quarterfield Rd., Suite C-1, Glen Burnie, MD 21061
(410) 760-4445
Dentist in Glen Burnie | How Probiotics Improve Oral Health
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Probiotics are typically advertised as being helpful for digestion. However, studies have shown that they can also improve oral health. Probiotics are beneficial for fighting infections that lead to oral disease.
Reducing Gingivitis
A study published in Contemporary Clinical Dentistry has found that probiotics can reduce gum bleeding in patients with moderate to severe gingivitis. In the trial, children were given either a placebo or two different combinations of probiotics. At the three-week mark, it was discovered that children who took probiotics had significant improvements in their gingival status.
Combating Periodontitis
Periodontitis is another oral disease that probiotics have been shown to fight. Periodontitis is caused by harmful bacteria that separate teeth from the gums creating pockets that can become infected. Probiotics can fight harmful bacteria and lessen the inflammation to help heal the mouth.
Fighting Cavities
Another finding from the trial of the Contemporary Clinical Dentistry showed that children who took probiotics also saw a significant decrease in plaque. The reduction of plaque leads to less decay. Probiotics fight the plaque and occupy the spaces on the teeth where bad bacteria thrive.
Minimizing Bad Breath
Another benefit of probiotics is the effect they have on bad breath. Bad breath is usually caused by volatile sulfur compound bacteria releasing odor-causing gases. Because probiotics are healthy bacteria, it is believed that they can eliminate the bad bacteria and maintain a healthy bacteria balance in your mouth.
The benefits of probiotics are not just limited to the digestive health. Researchers continue to conduct studies to discover new ways probiotics contribute to a healthy mouth and body.
Contact our team for more information on oral health or to schedule a visit today.
7711 Quarterfield Road
Suite C-1
Glen Burnie, MD 21061
Phone: (410) 760-4445
What Happens to Your Body When You Sleep
You’ll spend nearly one-third of your life asleep. Sleep regulates appetite control, muscle recovery, mental health, and emotional stability while preventing diseases and disorders like diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease. However, many people aren’t aware of the complex nature of this necessary biological function.
The Five Sleep Stages
Your body goes through five or six 90 to 120-minute sleep cycles per night. In each of those cycles, the body enters each of the five sleep stages. Though it doesn’t spend an equal amount of time in each stage, every stage contributes to your overall health.
Stage 1
The mind and body drift in and out of sleep during the first sleep stage. Muscle activity slows as does eye movement. If you’ve ever jerked yourself awake with muscle contractions, you were still in stage 1 sleep. Many people experience a sense of falling because of the speed at which the muscles relax.
Stage 2
During stage 2, brain waves begin to slow with only an occasional burst of activity. Eye movement stops, and your body temperature and heart rate drop in preparation for the deeper sleep stages.
Stage 3
During this first of the deep sleep stages, brain waves transition for the subsequent deeper sleep stages. Though you still experience some faster brain activity, long slow brain waves called delta waves start to take over. Sleepwalking, night terrors, and bedwetting often take place during this stage.
Stage 4
The brain almost exclusively produces delta waves during stage 4 sleep. It’s very difficult for adults or children to wake up from stage 4. It’s these deep stages, three and four, that reduce the sleep drive, making them essential to your next-day energy levels.
Rapid Eye Movement (REM) Sleep
REM sleep may last anywhere from 10 minutes to an hour, depending on the timing of the sleep cycle. During REM sleep, limbs and muscles are temporarily paralyzed, the eyes jerk back and forth, and brain waves become similar to those experienced during the day. Your heart rate and blood pressure increase while your breathing becomes shallow, irregular, and rapid. Vivid dreams also take place during this sleep stage though you may not remember them. You don’t necessarily progress through each of the sleep stages in order. You may shift between stage 1 and stage 3 or REM sleep and stage 2. Your body needs all of the sleep stages, which makes it important to not only spend adequate time in bed but promote healthy sleep habits so the quality of your sleep remains high.
Poor Sleep Habits and Sleep Disorders
Your behavior and habits during the day can come back to affect your ability to sleep at night. Caffeine consumed within four hours of bedtime, for example, blocks sleep hormones and could keep you awake for hours. Screen time can have a similar effect because the bright light given off by some electronic devices suppresses sleep hormones. You can help yourself by focusing on healthy sleep habits like going to bed at the same time every day and following a calming bedtime routine.
However, some people may still have trouble falling and staying asleep. In that case, there may be a sleep disorder or nighttime behavior interfering with your sleep. Sleep apnea, restless leg syndrome, and even teeth grinding can disrupt your sleep cycles. Consult your physician if you suspect a sleep disorder. Sometimes the solution can be as simple as a therapeutic pillow or specialized mouthguard.
Sleep is important enough that it can’t be ignored. With a better understanding of what it does and why you need it, you’re ready for better sleep.