Modern Dentistry: Healthcare Necessity or Unnecessary Evil?

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During the turn of the 19^th century Greene Vardiman, considered the father of modern dentistry, first developed many of the material, tools, and techniques used today by dentists all over the world.  Since then dentistry has developed from a specialized cure for tooth problems, to an advanced medical specialty with dozens of niches across the board.  Before these advancements the human race paid little attention to dental health, unless it was causing them regular pain and interfered with their everyday life activities.   Even then, the most common solution was to either treat the pain with a simple topical treatment, or just pull the tooth out and move on.  So the question at hand is; is the rise in dental health awareness and participation over the past century due to the need for those treatments, or the just the natural result of an industry that has advanced in marketing and technology?

If you ask the modern American how they feel about dental health and they will most likely tell you it’s important to brush and floss regularly, get dental cleanings, and have needed procedures performed when their dentist tells them to.  While few people can argue that cleaning your teeth and gums is unnecessary, an argument can be made that dental procedures in fact weaken teeth and can cause more problems than they fix.

If this sounds like a far-fetched notion, ask your grandparents or great grandparents about their dental care growing up.  You will find that many of our previous generations didn’t regularly see dentists and had little work if any performed throughout their life.  In fact many of the previous generations only went to the doctor when they were extremely ill, and let the bodies’ natural defenses handle a majority of their healthcare for them.

While modern healthcare has saved countless lives and has a proven record for doing so, the same thing cannot be as soundly stated about all facets of the modern dental industry.  The most common practices of drilling and filling cavities, constructing bridges and crowns, and surgically inserting dental implants, can cause irreversible damage to human teeth.  When a cavity is drilled the natural structure of the tooth is compromised and becomes vulnerable.

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Following the drilling process a filling is applied in an attempt to restore the tooth’s natural structure and stability.  Unfortunately in most cases the original stability and strength of the tooth is never fully restored, and as a result the tooth begins its long journey down a long road of treatments and procedures all aimed at restoring the tooth to its natural state.  This is rarely achieved, and in most cases just creates more potential for problems later on.

There are of course many situations in which modern dental techniques can treat dental illness, relieving extreme pain and offering a solution that allows patients to keep their teeth and avoid dangerous infections that can cause larger health issues if not addressed.  It is clear that without modern dentistry many of us would experience painful dental issues with no other recourse than pulling the tooth right out of our jaw, and for that we should be extremely grateful.

In the end it is up to each one of us to decide which advice we will take from our dentists, and which procedure at what time we should actually have performed.  Knowing that dental work often weakens teeth it is possible that treating dental issues that produce real symptoms may be a wiser choice than relying on dental x-rays to identify cavities in their earliest stages and begin drilling before totally necessary.

The human body has a natural message system called pain that communicates when something is wrong, if you don’t feel pain in your tooth you may not actually “need” to have your teeth altered from their natural state at the very moment.  As is the case with all medical advice it is important to consult with medical professionals before making any decisions about your own health  While you may not want to follow all of your dentist’s recommendations, it is still important to get a professional opinion to aid in your own decision.

Written by Chris Versteeg for:

Dentists in Chicago, IL

Dentist in Chicago, IL

Chicago Family Dentist Chicago, IL

Family Dentistry Chicago, IL

Gingivitis in Pregnant Women: Baby Health and Development

Gingivitis is a gum disease that develops over time for a variety of reasons, the most common being improper diet and poor dental hygiene, but hormones are also suspected to play a role.  Because of the hormonal changes present in pregnant women they are particularly susceptible to periodontal disease.  I addition, because mothers are supplying all of the nutrients to their developing fetus, traditional treatments for gingivitis have been questioned.

There are a few questions that medical professionals have had to ask in order to ensure the proper health and development of babies being carries by mothers with gum disease.  One issue that has been brought up in the past is the possibility that traditional treatments for gingivitis, such as antibiotics, can stain the babies’ teeth.  In addition, treating gingivitis with a more intense teeth cleaning may introduce bacteria into the mother’s bloodstream, thus passing it to her unborn fetus.

A new study shows that the treatment of gingivitis in pregnant mothers is not seriously detrimental to the overall long-term health of the baby.  The study was conducted by Dr. Bryan Michalowicz, and included 400 2-year old toddlers.  The study was published in the journal Pediatrics.  Dr. Michalowicz is a dentist at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis.

In the study, half of the women were treated with an aggressive teeth-cleaning treatment, while the other half were not treated at all.  A key question that was in need of being answered is whether or not gum disease in pregnant women affects the health and development of their unborn children.  It has been hypothesized that periodontal disease in pregnant women can have adverse affects on the growth and development of their babies.  If this were true the dental health of women would become a key focal point in addressing fetus health during pregnancy.

The results showed that in pregnant women, gum disease itself and the treatment of gum disease had no significant effect on the overall health and development of their babies after birth.  It was found that children of mothers who had been treated for gingivitis performed no differently on any of the cognitive and developmental tests than the children of mothers who had not been treated.

The main findings in this study supported that pregnant women should in fact be treated for gum disease.  While no definitive health or developmental benefit can be identified for their unborn children, mothers do not risk harming the overall health of their children by getting treated for gingivitis.

As with any medical issue, consult with your Obstetrician before making any decisions regarding your babies’ health.

Family dentistry Chicago, IL

Dentists in Chicago, IL

Most Popular Teeth Whitening Treatments

Teeth whitening treatments have been growing substantially in popularity over the past two decades, and are now the most popular dental procedure performed in America today.  People can have these procedures performed at a the Dental office or can purchase over the counter products to help restore a brighter shade of white to their teeth at home.  It is common for teeth to stain over time from exposure to a variety of foods and drinks such as coffee, wine, and tea; smoking can also increase discoloration.

There are a variety of teeth whitening options available depending on your budget, preferred location, and preferred delivery system.  Most dentists offer teeth whitening procedures that can be performed in the office, and some that can be administered by the patient at home.  The in-office laser procedure uses a bleaching gel, which applied to the patient’s teeth.  After the teeth have been exposed to the gel for a sufficient period of time, an ultra-frequency beam of light is used to complete the whitening process.    The procedure is then repeated depending on the desired results.

It is important to note that laser teeth whitening can have uncomfortable after-affects for those with highly sensitive teeth.  Patients have reported aching of the teeth being a common symptom following the procedure.  This discomfort is generally not severe and has not affected the frequency in which this treatment is performed across the country.  Following the treatment, a dosage of ibuprofen can help dull the aching and sensitivity for most patients.

Following in-office laser treatment you may opt to follow through with the home whitening system provided by your dentist.  These home whitening kits are generally regarded to be more effective than most over the counter treatments, and use a custom molded dental tray that fits to each patient’s teeth uniquely.  For the at home whitening kit a mold is first taken of the teeth, then a custom tray is created.  This tray is usually manufactured someplace else and shipped to the dental office once completed.  Once the trays  are created the procedure is similar to the in-office treatment, sans the laser application.  The patient fills the tray with peroxide gel, and soaks the teeth over a period of time.  Increasing the soak time can improve results, but also may increase sensitivity after the treatment is complete.

In addition to in-office procedures such as laser teeth whitening and tray bleaching, patients also can choose from a variety of over the counter teeth whitening products to use anywhere they choose.  Many toothpaste manufacturers offer teeth whitening treatments in the oral hygiene section of the drug or grocery store.  Teeth whitening strips are a popular option for many people; with this product the patient applies pre-treated strips over the top and bottom front sides of the teeth.  The strips are left on for a period of time depending on the product specifications.  Some strips are complete in 15 minutes, while other strips are left on over night.

With the wide range of teeth whitening options available today, there is a treatment for almost anyone who feels that they would like to have a whiter smile.  Consider how much whitening you really need, your budget, and your time frame before deciding on which option is right for you.  Make sure to consult your dentist if not selecting an over the counter teeth whitening option.

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