"Your Mouth is Connected to your Body" Update from Dr Nijjar and Dr Ruchi

"Periodontal disease is independently associated with cardiovascular disease. Identification of periodontal disease as a risk factor for incident ischemic stroke raises the possibility that regular dental care utilization may reduce the stroke risk."

Translation? 

We already know that many people who have gum disease are also at risk for heart disease at some point in their lives. 

And now... we know that gum disease is a "risk factor" for strokes as well. This means that visiting Dr Nijjar and Dr Ruchi at their dental office in Fremont regularly -- could lower the risk of stroke. 

Yes. And there are so many other heath issues that we can be more at risk for if we do not go to the dentist regularly and control/prevent gum disease.

Here's a link to the full American Heart Association article: http://stroke.ahajournals.org/content/early/2018/01/12/STROKEAHA.117.018990

See you in the office soon. 

Keep well, Dr. Nijjar & Dr. Ruchi

Tips for Saving On Your Kids' Dental Expenses

Saving money when it comes to dental care is about preparation. Knowing what to plan for, knowing what to look out for, and when and how much to spend on recommended care. To lend a helping hand, we thought we’d lay out a few simple ways for you to stay on top of your game when it comes to keeping your kids in good health, and your hard-earned money where it belongs – in your pocket!

1. Remind Them to Wear Their Retainer: Ask any adult who has worn braces which piece of orthodontic advice they WISH they had adhered to, and overwhelmingly they’ll say they wish they wore their retainer more often. Without question, ensuring your kids wear their retainer as often as their orthodontist suggests, and in every suggested situation, is the key to avoiding an early return to shifting teeth. And while some shifting is natural as kids grow into adulthood, for those who don’t wear their retainer, that shift might come much, much sooner than desired – sometimes while they’re still in their teens. That could mean a return to some form of orthodontic appliance, another round of braces, and quite likely, if they’re still under your purse strings, another big bill.
   
2. Teach Them Proper Brushing Technique: Most kids, and most adults for that matter, still have no idea how to brush properly. And that’s a problem, because all that back’n’forth rapid-fire brushing is wearing away precious tooth enamel. Long-term, this sort of habit can lead to premature deterioration of tooth enamel, resulting in expenses to repair those teeth with bonding. Even worse: gum grafting procedures. Teach them to go soft, and in small circles. If necessary, repeat the instruction while with the dentist … and often. Ask us any of us for a customized brushing instruction for your family - ask Dr.Nijjar, Dr.Ruchi, Anisha, Asha, Gurmit or Pam anytime!
3. Promote Foods That are Good for Their Teeth: Certain kinds of foods help protect and remineralize teeth. And what’s best isn’t always what you’d think. Take cheese for example … who would have thought all that mac’n’cheese served a purpose? Good food keeps away decay, which keeps away fillings, which keeps more money in your pocket.
4. Visit the Doc: It bears mentioning that maintaining regular visits to the dentist is important. Why? Because life gets away from us and sometimes we forget. Or, when kids are young, we just think it’s not that necessary. By the time that first tooth comes in, though, they should already be visiting the dentist, and by the time they’re seven, a quick consult with the orthodontist is usually in order as well. Regular visits always help to catch small problems before they become major ones. 
5. Keep Pushing the Water: We all know kids love their energy drinks. Their teeth, on the other hand, can’t stand them, and decay and enamel wear tend to be the eventual result. So, put a wedge between decay and costly repair by ensuring your kids are drinking a lot of what mother nature has gifted us with: water. Water. Water. Water. It should be a mantra … 
6. Shop for a Mouthguard: The American Dental Association has said that 200,000 oral injuries to the mouth could be prevented each year simply by wearing a sports mouthguard. The cost of a custom guard is infinitesimal compared to the cost involved in repairing and or replacing several teeth. Get one today if you have a child who participates in sports. We can make you a customized mouthguad. This can’t be stressed enough. 
7. Stop the Comparison Game: Kids love to compare. Johnny has this, Sally has that. And, when kids start to notice their appearance, the game gets kicked up a notch. But remember when you were a kid? Before whitening agents were in seemingly every toothpaste, and when kids were actually proud of the space between their teeth? Not everything needs to be “fixed” right away. There is a time for these treatments if they’re so desired, and they’re best only when you and your family decide they are. Not when Johnny and Sally say they are. So, save your money. Remember, it’s okay to be a kid. There’s plenty of time to grow up and be “perfect” later in life. 
8. Use Your Flexible Spending Account: Many parents waste away the money in flexible spending accounts. Don’t do that. Here’s how to prepare so you don’t lose your hard-earned money.
9. Stay Educated: Good dentists are interested in creating a base of educated patients. That’s why they send out newsletters (like this one)! So be sure to read up on what’s being sent to you – it’ll help you keep abreast of concerns you need to be on the lookout for, or methods you can share with your kids to help them keep their teeth in great shape. The content here is always evolving, and designed to help you stay on top of your kids’ health and budget.

This list could really be book-length, but these are some of the biggies. Follow them, and you’ll win twice-over: good health and good finances.

Cold Sore Solutions That Actually Work

Whether you call them cold sores or fever blisters, if you're among the more than 40% of Americans who regularly experience this inflammatory viral nuisance, you know they're anything but a joy to deal with. You've also probably heard of countless ways to deal with them, from over-the-counter remedies to treatment options that span generations. So what really works?

Well, quite honestly what "works" when it comes to cold-sores, is management.  And, specifically, preventing, treating and eliminating the transmission of this most annoying of viruses. Here is how you do it: 

Cold Sore Prevention

The old adage "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure," is certainly true when it comes to cold sores, so knowing what causes them to surface is key. The number one and number two reasons are a weakened immune system, and exposure to rapidly changing weather. The weather can change abruptly in Fremont, California and in the entire Bay Area. To tackle the weather, always keep your preferred brand of lip moisturizer with sunscreen on hand to protect your lips from weather's effect on your lips. And, to boost your immune system, be sure to get enough sleep and find ways to combat stress in your life. Also, as with most things in life, what's good for our waistlines is good for our immune system. Here are some good dietary suggestions for cold sore sufferers:  

1. Eat Raw, Alkalizing Foods: Fruits and vegetables are super-good for you. Eat as many of them as you enjoy. 
2. Beef-up On Cruciferous Vegetables: Clinical studies are beginning to suggest that veggies like broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, brussels sprouts, and kale are of great benefit to cold-sore sufferers.
3. Avoid Arginine: Cold-sores need the amino acid arginine to grow, so if you can limit the excess intake of this amino acid, you may be able to keep frequent outbreaks at bay. Nuts, chocolate, oats, and some protein shakes are high in arginine, and can be major cold-sore triggers. 

By merely eating well and getting regular rest, you can help yourself avoid several outbreaks a year.  

Cold Sore Treatment and Remedies

Preventing a cold sore from appearing is indeed your best medicine, and if you pay attention to what your body tells you, it is possible to dramatically reduce outbreaks. When a cold-sore does gift you with its presence, though, here are a few things you can do to minimize its pain, size and duration.

1. Ice It! At the first sign of tingling, get thee to an ice cube, wrap it in a paper-towel, and place it on your lip where you feel the cold-sore coming on. Often two back-to-back applications of an ice cube until it melts can dramatically reduce the pain and swelling that accompanies the sore. 
2. Slather It? Not Now, But Later. Cold sores love warm, moist environments, and this is precisely the environment you present to a cold-sore when you slather it in cream for days on end.  You're best to let it dry out to the point where it is no longer painful, and then begin applying cream or lip balm to minimize splitting. As the cold sore resolves itself, it's best to keep your lips moist to prevent bleeding, which also aids in the healing at this stage.

Eliminate Transmission of Cold Sores 

Avoid sharing food, utensils, towels, toothbrushes, or any other item that could come in contact with your mouth. Also, be sure to avoid touching the cold sore and then later touching your eyes or genital area.  In fact, your best course of action is to avoid touching your mouth at all during an outbreak, and not again until after the scab has dropped off completely, AND healed over. This can take some weeks, as you know. Kissing, and other aspects of intimacy that involve your mouth should be avoided entirely. Wash your hands often - this cannot be stressed enough to avoid spreading the virus.  

Having a cold sore is not the end of the world. Nine out of ten of all people get at least one cold sore in their life, so there is no need to hide in the closet. Understand your triggers, find a solution that works, don't spread the virus, and stay healthy!
 

Olympians Face Big Hurdle

We are really enjoying watching the Olympics! Whether it is swimming, weightlifting, or volleyball Dr. Nijjar & Dr. Ruchi and their family is watching EVERYTHING!

We all know how hard Olympians must work to reach the Olympics. But that training can play a toll on their teeth. Think about it...what effect can energy drinks, gels, bars, and frequent snacking have on athletes’ teeth? 

The dental director for the International Olympic Committee reveals that a great many Olympic athletes have broken teeth, abscesses, decay, and other dental issues. The problem is that many of them consume acidic, sugary drinks and energy bars that attack teeth while their dehydrated bodies do not produce enough saliva to remineralize their tooth enamel. In addition, most Olympic athletes are ages 16 to 25 years old, which is a group at high risk for tooth decay. As these young adults fly the family nest and focus on only qualifying for the Olympics, they become more susceptible to tooth decay. 

Athletes and exercisers take careful note. 

Many competitive athletes grind their teeth at night, probably in response to the competitive pressures they face. 

Saving Space for Permanent Teeth with a Space Maintainer

If your little one's teeth have begun to fall out, and their permanent replacements appear to be lagging far behind, you may wish to consider a space maintainer to minimize future orthodontic work. Believe it or not, the absence of your child's teeth might seem cute now, but those tiny little gaps can cause deep gouges in your pocketbook as you watch them fill up with teeth that don't belong there. Space maintainers are simple to use, kids get along fine with them, and they have become the de-facto standard for protecting the cosmetic and functional aspects of your growing child's mouth.
 

Why Your Child Might Need a Space Maintainer

When a child's tooth is lost early due to trauma, tooth decay, or nature's insistence that it drop out before its permanent replacement is due, a space maintainer can be used to hold back the natural inclination of teeth to move forward. Without preventing this movement, teeth that should be in the rear of our mouths end up along the sides, and take up precious real estate destined for another tenant. The result is overcrowding, and in some cases impacted teeth. In the end, it's always easier to save the space now, then create it later.
 

How They Work

Space maintainers are very similar in purpose and design to an adult "bridge," but instead of placing artificial teeth over the gap, the space is kept open to accommodate its future resident. At our office, we make most space maintainers out of metal, (sometimes both metal and plastic), and custom-mold them to the shape of your child's mouth. In most cases, the maintainer is made up of a metal band attached to a rectangular-shaped wire that butts up against the tooth across the gap. This acts to temporarily preserve the space where the baby tooth once was, so its replacement can erupt without obstruction. To some, the final product looks like an old Radio Flyer® snow sled, or a shoe horn you might use to maintain the shape of unworn shoes.

Does My Child Need One?

It's important to note that dental space maintainers are not required for all childhood tooth loss, and that we’re not going to suggest you create a decade worth of space maintainers as each tooth falls out of your child's mouth. Our bodies are quite effective at saving space for the loss of our front teeth as well as our incisors - it's the teeth along the sides of our mouths that tend to cause the majority of complications. Of course, each mouth is different, so be sure to discuss with us the best course of action for you and your child. If your child has recently lost a tooth, or several teeth, and it’ll be awhile before they’re scheduled to see Dr.Nijjar & Dr.Ruchi, give us a call at 510-794-7058 to see if you should come in a little earlier.

Using a space maintainer is an affordable and effective way to ensure your child's teeth come in where they are supposed to, and when they're ready. It can have a positive effect on your wallet, reduce the amount of time your child needs to wear braces, and control the cosmetic appearance of your child's teeth and mouth.  

Fluoridated water isn't just for kids

If you are an adult who thinks that the cavity-fighting benefits of fluoridated water are limited to children, think again, because recent research points to the fact that adults also reap benefits. Studies show that, after adjusting for socioeconomic factors and variables in oral health care (frequency of brushing, etc.), people aged 15 years and older who spent at least three-quarters of their lives in communities with fluoridated water had 10 to 30 percent fewer cavities than people who spent less than one-quarter of their lives in such areas. If you are an adult who drinks lots of bottled water and has doubts as to whether you are getting enough fluoride, consult with your  dentist. 

It is pretty cool to see how fluoride works. Check out this infographic!

Why should you care about that missing tooth?

If you are missing one or more teeth and think that you can get along fine without them, keep in mind the old adage “nature abhors a vacuum.” 

If missing teeth are not replaced with a bridge or implant, the teeth adjacent to the open space(s) will shift out of their normal positions and fill in the empty spaces on their own. Moreover, the corresponding teeth in the opposing jaw will begin to protrude, because there are no biting forces holding them down. 

As a result of all these unchecked movements, missing teeth can lead to chewing problems and looseness of remaining teeth. Instead, work with Dr Nijjar & Dr Ruchi to develop a plan to replace missing teeth  before further problems arise. 

You have options: a bridge, an implant, or a partial denture.

While a bridge may cost less than a dental implant, implants provide greater value, have a more natural look and feel, and require no preparation of surrounding teeth.

DIY Valentine Idea

We saw this on Pinterest and couldn't help but share.

We will all be surrounded by sweets this weekend. Be sure to Brush 2x a day and Floss 1x a day! And try to limit yourself to only chocolates after meals -- the saliva that was built up from the meal will help wash away the harmful sweets and bacteria. And this will hopefully PREVENT cavities! :) 

HAPPY Valentine's Day!

Does Gum Health Affect the Heart?

While there have been many recent studies showing that people with gum (periodontal) disease are at increased risk for heart disease, a 2012 American Heart Association review cast some doubt on this conclusion. 

However, a more recent study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association provides proof of a causal link between gum disease and heart disease. In the most recent study, researchers tracked the gum health of 420 people (average age 68) for three years by conducting clinical exams and analyzing certain bacteria that cause gum disease. This information was correlated with changes in narrowing of the arteries (atherosclerosis) in the carotid artery observed via ultrasound. They found that, as gum health improved, carotid narrowing slowed significantly. 

In addition, the study controlled for factors such as smoking, diabetes, age, blood pressure, and blood cholesterol, provides the “most direct evidence yet” that treating gum disease can prevent or slow atherosclerosis. 

Brush twice a day, floss once a day, and see Dr Nijjar and Dr Ruchi regularly to help keep your heart healthy!

When should you replace your toothbrush?

We've all heard the "3 month rule". Do you know what that rule is all about? Why do dentist's usually recommend that you replace your toothbrush after three months?

Experts say that bristles usually wear away in about 200 uses. If bristles are worn away, they may not be cleaning your teeth properly.

You should also replace your toothbrush after you have been sick. Bacteria can stick to the bristles and you do not want those bugs sticking around after you have gotten over being sick!

The most important thing you need to know about your toothbrush is: how to use it!

Check out this video of Dr Ruchi Sahota on www.mouthhealthy.org for some great tips:

How to get rid of your bad breath

There's an app for everything these days... even an app for figuring out why you have bad breath!? That's hard to believe... bad breath is usually a puzzle only a dentist can solve. 

Ridding yourself and those around of you of your bad breath starts with determining the real cause!

Dr. Ruchi has been interviewed about this topic a few times. Check out these articles:

1. Oprah Winfrey OWN 
2. Completely you: The guide to looking and feeling great

According to the American Dental Association, bad breath is usually caused by the following factors: 

• Food. What you eat affects the air you exhale, like garlic or onions. If you don't brush and floss daily, particles of food can remain in the mouth, collecting bacteria, which can cause bad breath. Dieters may develop unpleasant breath from infrequent eating.
  
• Gum disease. Persistent bad breath or a bad taste in the mouth can also be one of the warning signs of gum disease; which is caused by plaque.
  
• Dry mouth. This occurs when the flow of saliva decreases and can be caused by various medications, salivary gland problems or continuously breathing through the mouth. Without enough saliva, food particles are not cleaned away. If you suffer from dry mouth, your dentist may prescribe anartificial saliva, or suggest using sugarless candy or increase your fluid intake.
  
• Smoking and tobacco. In addition to staining teeth and being bad for overall health, tobacco can add to bad breath. Tobacco reduces your ability to taste foods and irritates gum tissues. Tobacco users are more likely to suffer from gum disease and are at greater risk for developing oral cancer. If you use tobacco, ask your dentist for tips on kicking the habit.
  
• Medical conditions. Some diseases have symptoms related to bad breath. Sinus or lung infections, bronchitis, diabetes, and some liver or kidney diseases may be associated with bad breath.

Gum disease linked to Stroke

Over the past few years, there has been increased awareness that periodontal (gum) disease is linked with other health conditions. Much of the problem has to do with the fact that gum disease is fueled by bacteria that cause inflammation. 

Patients may therefore want to note the finding of a study recently published in Stroke: Journal of the American Heart Association, which involved examination of over 500,000 individuals with untreated periodontal disease and over 200,000 without gum problems over a ten-year period. This study linked periodontal disease to an increased risk of stroke. Those study participants who had regular dental cleanings and/or extensive treatment for advanced gum disease (periodontitis) had the lowest risk of stroke.

Are you brushing correctly?

Did you know that two minutes twice a day can save you from bad breath, cavities, and gum disease?

That's right. IF you brush correctly twice a day, you can prevent bacteria from causing all pain, cavities, and infections in your mouth.

Let's learn how to brush from Dr. Ruchi on this video from the American Dental Association

• Place your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to the gums. 
• Gently move the brush back and forth in short (tooth-wide) strokes. 
• Brush the outer surfaces, the inner surfaces, and the chewing surfaces of the teeth.
• To clean the inside surfaces of the front teeth, tilt the brush vertically and make several up-and-down strokes.
• Brush your tongue to remove bacteria and keep your breath fresh.

Bleeding gums linked to medical problems, not just gum disease

The mouth is a window into the rest of your body! 

Studies show that there are links between heart disease and poor dental health, diabetes and poor dental health, and even strokes and poor dental health.

Visit Dr. Nijjar and Dr. Ruchi regularly to make sure your dental health is not placing you at risk for other medical issues.