Dr. Michael K. Brown, DDS

The Health Benefits of Chewing Gum

Dr. Michael Brown — Wed, 09 May 2012 16:57:09 +0000

You love to chew gum because it tastes great and helps freshen your breath, but did you know there may be additional benefits to chewing gum?

Here are 5 health benefits of chewing gum:

Helps to reduce stress
Research* was conducted that showed that chewing gum can help reduce stress and anxiety.
Increased Mental Power
Chewing gum has been found to boost brain activity which can help improve memory. When chewing gum, blood flow and oxygen to the brain is increased. The hippocampus also becomes stimulated, which is the part of the brain that plays a major role in memory.
Helps with Weight Loss
Chewing gum can help reduce cravings for food. Just make sure you choose a low calorie gum.
Improves Digestion
Chewing gum made from the natural sweetener, xylitol, just before or after a meal helps improve digestion. This is because xylitol helps the body to create more saliva, which your constantly swallow while chewing gum. This extra saliva helps build up the acid that is in your stomach, resulting in faster stomach digestion.And last, but certainly not least…
Improves Oral Health
Chewing gum for at least 20 minutes shortly after eating increases the flow of saliva in your mouth. The increased saliva can help neutralize and wash away food acids. The acids are what breaks down the tooth enamel, resulting in cavities. Chewing gum and drinking water after a meal is a simple and effective method for preventing cavities.

I recommend choosing a gum that displays the ADA Seal. The seal is your assurance that the chewing gum has met the American Dental Association’s criteria for safety and effectiveness.

Here is a list of ADA accepted chewing gum:
http://www.ada.org/5266.aspx?category=Sugar+Free+Chewing+Gum+for+Reducing+Cavities

*Source: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/119826.php

Dr. Michael Brown is an O’Fallon Dentist that has provided General Dentistry services to residents of O’Fallon and the surrounding areas for over 30 years. Dr. Brown is listed in the Top Dentists in St. Louis by St. Louis Magazine for 2010, 2011 and 2012, as voted by peers.

Dental Health Tips: What to do in various dental emergency situations

Dr. Michael Brown — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 16:28:11 +0000

People tend to take their healthy teeth for granted. Unless you’ve experienced a major dental emergency, a toothache is probably the furthest thing from your mind. But we each need to take care of our teeth and by taking just a few common-sense precautions, you can save yourself a sometimes painful dental experience.

Always go out of your way to avoid accidental injury to your teeth. A few things to remember are the following:

To reduce the chances of injury to your teeth, lips, cheek and tongue, wear a mouth guard when participating in sports or recreational activities that may pose a risk. Never chew ice, popcorn kernels and hard candy, doing so can easily crack a tooth. Your teeth are not a replacement for a bottle opener, or a pair of scissors. Chewing taffy is a well-known filling remover, so avoid that at all times. Unfortunately, no matter how careful you are, accidents do happen. Knowing what to do when a dental emergency occurs can mean the difference between saving and losing a tooth.

At our office, we reserve time in our daily schedule for emergency appointments. Call ahead, and give us as much information as possible about your condition. Don’t forget that pain happens for a reason, to warn you that something is wrong and needs proper attention immediately.

Here are a few tips on how to deal with emergency situations:

For a bitten lip, clean the area gently with a cloth and apply cold compresses to reduce any swelling. If the bleeding doesn’t stop in a reasonable period of time, go to the emergency room immediately.
If you break a tooth, rinse your mouth with warm water to clean the area. Use cold compresses on the area to keep any swelling down and call our office immediately.
If you think you may have a broken jaw, apply cold compresses to control swelling, and go to the emergency room immediately.
If you’ve had a tooth knocked out, hold the tooth by the crown and rinse off the root of the tooth in water if it’s dirty. Don’t scrub it or remove any attached tissue fragments. If possible, gently insert and hold the tooth in its socket. If that isn’t possible, put the tooth in a cup of milk and get to our office as quickly as possible. Remember to bring the tooth with you!
For food caught between your teeth, first try to gently remove the object with dental floss. Never use a sharp instrument to remove any object that is stuck between your teeth, you may cut your gums or tongue. If you can’t dislodge the object using dental floss, contact our office.
Last but not least, if you have a toothache, rinse your mouth with warm water to clean it out. Gently use dental floss to ensure that there is no food or other debris caught between the teeth. Never put aspirin or any other painkiller against the gums near the aching tooth because it may burn the gum tissue.

Tips for Cleaning Your Teeth & Gums

Dr. Michael Brown — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 21:26:38 +0000

Whether you are 80 years old or five, your teeth and gums require the same amount of care. A few minutes every day spent on dental hygiene can save you from dental pain and potentially thousands of dollars in the long run.

I recommend the following for good oral hygiene:

Brush your teeth twice a day.
Replace your toothbrush every 3 months, or when the bristles start to fray.
Floss daily to remove bacteria that still lingers between teeth where your toothbrushes bristles can’t reach.
Eat a healthy and balanced diet. Limit the amount of sugary and processed foods you consume.
See me at least twice a year for a cleaning and exam.

Follow these tips and you will stay on the road to keeping your teeth & gums healthy.

Enjoy your Easter!

- Dr. Michael Brown

Don’t let bad breath get you down

Dr. Michael Brown — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 13:00:06 +0000

No matter what you call it, bad breath or halitosis, it’s an embarrassing issue to have to deal with. Even if you’re not aware of it, you can be certain that the people closest to you are. But don’t despair, if you have this problem, a trip to your dentist will help you get to the root of the problem, and eliminate your bad breath in no time!

Garlic and onion can cause bad breath, but there are other reasons too!

The most common cause of bad breath is the food you eat. After you eat a meal, especially one containing the usual suspects, such as garlic and onions, you may have an unpleasant breath odor. While it seems to go away after a while, the truth is it doesn’t. When the food you eat is absorbed into your body, it is also transferred to your lungs, and emerges as halitosis. So just brushing, flossing or using mouthwash only hides the foul odor temporarily. Only after your body finishes “processing” the meal will your bad breath disappear.

People who are dieting sometimes develop bad breath because they eat less frequently. Bad breath can be caused by dry mouth, because your saliva helps to cleanse your mouth, and removes food particles that can cause odor. Your dentist can tell if salivary gland problems are the issue, and may prescribe an artificial saliva or suggest chewing sugarless gum to increase the amount of saliva you produce. We don’t have to tell you how tobacco products cause bad breath, as well as discolored teeth. If you smoke, ask your dentist for help kicking the habit.

A variety of health related issues can cause halitosis. Continuously breathing through your mouth can also give you bad breath, this can be caused by a sinus infection, or another nasal obstruction. A respiratory tract infection, sinusitis, bronchitis, diabetes, gastrointestinal problems, and liver or kidney ailments can all cause bad breath. If your dentist determines that your mouth is healthy, he may refer you to your family doctor to determine the cause of your bad breath.
Finally, make sure you brush your teeth twice a day, and floss once a day. And lightly brush your tongue. Not doing so will allow food particles that remain in the mouth after meals to growing bacteria, rotting your teeth and giving you bad breath. Schedule regular dental visits for a professional cleaning and checkup. If you have chronic bad breath, bring a list of the foods you eat and the medications you take for your dentist to review at your next visit. With this information, he can suggest solutions to help you combat your ongoing, and embarrassing breath problems.

Mints, mouthwashes and breath fresheners only hide unpleasant mouth odor. If you need more powerful weapon to use against your halitosis problem, your dentist may recommend using a special antimicrobial mouth rinse, a fluoride mouth rinse that when used in conjunction with brushing and flossing, can contribute to the prevention of tooth decay.

Don’t go on living with bad breath. The root of the problem is easy to find, and correct. Make an appointment with Dr. Brown today, and look forward to a much fresher, healthier tomorrow!

Chewing Gum Is Recommended by The American Dental Association

Dr. Michael Brown — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 18:45:05 +0000

The ADA has stated that chewing sugar-free gum is safe, and beneficial, for your teeth.

Along with brushing and flossing your teeth daily, there are indeed benefits to chewing sugarless gum.The physical act of chewing increases the flow of saliva to your mouth. And saliva is a natural enemy of bacteria that live in the plaque on your teeth. So, if you chew gum after a meal, the increased saliva you produce from chewing gum will actually help to neutralize and wash away the acids that are produced when food is broken down by the bacteria in plaque on your teeth. This is only true when chewing sugar-free gum, however. When you chew gum that contains sugar, the acid in the food you eat will eat away at your tooth enamel, creating the perfect environment for tooth decay to start. Another benefit of chewing sugarless gum is that the increased saliva flow can also help to strengthen your tooth enamel, because it carries more calcium and phosphate to your teeth. After reviewing the above mentioned information, the ADA did clinical studies showing that chewing sugarless gum for 20 minutes following meals can help prevent tooth decay.

All that said, chewing gum is NOT a replacement for brushing and flossing your teeth. The ADA still recommends brushing your teeth twice daily with a fluoride toothpaste and to also clean plaque from between your teeth once a day with dental floss or other dental cleaners. Make sure you have your teeth cleaned by a dental hygienist at least twice a year, because they can do a much more thorough locating and removing of any plaque deposits you may have.

So what does the future of sugarless gum hold? Soon you may find chewing gum that delivers a variety of therapeutic agents that rival the additional benefits to those provided by the ability of gum to mechanically stimulate saliva flow. For example, gum may become available that contains active agents that enhance the gum’s ability to remineralize teeth and reduce decay, or enable gum to resist plaque and gingivitis.

Look for the ADA Seal when purchasing sugar-free chewing gum. It will assure you that the gum you choose has met their stringent safety and effectiveness requirements. In order to get that seal, companies must verify all of the ingredients they use to make their gum with the ADA.

If you have any other questions about ways you can keep your teeth healthy gives our office a call at 636-395-0042.

Five tips to fighting tooth decay

Dr. Michael Brown — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 18:49:52 +0000

Tooth decay is the second most common disease, following the common cold. Just like we keep our bodies warm to prevent catching a cold, we need to take care of our teeth and gums to prevent tooth decay and other dental diseases.

Tooth decay is the destruction of tooth structure and can affect both enamel (the outer layer of teeth) and dentin (the hard, dense, bony tissue forming the bulk of a tooth beneath the enamel).

While getting your teeth cleaned at least every six months is a vital component of preventing tooth decay, there are things you can do at home to keep your mouth clean and disease-free.

Here are five tips to fighting tooth decay:

Daily oral hygiene – Brush your teeth at least twice a day with a toothpaste that contains fluoride. Floss once a day. Use a mouth rinse at night, before you go to bed.
Eat well - A good diet is incredibly important to your dental health. Eat nutritious and balanced meals. Avoid carbohydrates such as soda, chocolate and candy. If you eat sticky foods, brush your teeth soon afterwards.
Regular checkups and dental cleanings – A dental cleaning appointment is recommended every six months to check for signs of tooth decay and remove dental plaque that you’ve missed.
Take vitamins – Calcium, Vitamin C and Vitamin D are important for healthy teeth. Bone density declines as one ages, so take calcium supplements can help improve bone density.
Drink fluoridated water - At least a pint of fluoridated water each day is needed to protect children from tooth decay.

Preventive Dentistry is the best kind of dentistry. If it has been more than six months since your last check-up, give my office a call today at 636-395-0042.

This Thanksgiving Give Thanks for Healthy Teeth

Dr. Michael Brown — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 18:08:29 +0000

Thanksgiving is just around the corner, and you’ve probably already started to plan your feast. Some of your favorite Thanksgiving dishes are delicious, but the bacteria in your mouth also find them equally delicious. This time of year is one of the biggest times of year that we “feed” the bacteria in our mouth. You can still enjoy your delicious Thanksgiving feast, but save your teeth and health too!

Try to incorporate foods into your dishes that are high in vitamins and nutrients that help keep your gums nice and healthy. Some great foods that are high in vitamins and nutrients include Cranberries, Pumpkin, Green Beans and Sweet Potatoes. Turkey is a great source of protein and iron and it is also lower in fat than most meats. Avoid adding a lot of sugars and spices to your dishes as they can give the bacteria in your mouth more sugar to feed off of and attack your teeth.

Have a happy Thanksgiving and don’t forget to brush and floss!

Just Say No To Sweets, And Goodbye To Cavities!

Dr. Michael Brown — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 20:55:22 +0000

So, you think you can have your cake and eat it too? Not necessarily. When it comes to having healthy, cavity free teeth you need to put that cake down and pass on that sugar-filled soda. If you plan on keeping your teeth healthy, it’s all about eliminating the sweets. The more of them you put into your mouth, the more cavities you are going to get. It’s really that simple. I know that many people dread their annual dental visits. But you can’t afford to skip them, just as you can’t afford to neglect your teeth by eating too many sweets. Now I’m not saying you can never enjoy the occasional special treat, like your favorite ice cream flavor, or maybe a slice of hot apple pie, or that delicious chocolate chip cookie. Sure you can. But only in moderation. Don’t sit down and eat 5 cookies, or 2 slices of cake. Your teeth, and your body, don’t like that. And since you only get one set of teeth, you have to treat them right.

So how do you avoid cavities and fight tooth decay you ask? Start by brushing your teeth 2 or 3 times a day, especially when you first get out of bed in the morning, and right before bed in the evening. It doesn’t hurt to keep a toothbrush handy for after lunch, either. All that sugary coffee, and that mid-day lunch will put your teeth in harms way. Make sure you’re brushing correctly. Brush your teeth for at least two minutes each time. And don’t stop there, you should also lightly brush your gum line, and your tongue as well. These are areas that can be a hotbed of bacteria, and not cleaning the whole mouth is like pushing your shoes under the bed…it looks clean, but the real mess is still in the room, just hidden. Finally, as well as brushing you really should floss once a day. These steps are essential if you wish to prevent tooth decay.

Get into the habit of taking care of your teeth, and your health. You’ll need them for the rest of your life, and you’ll need them to enjoy all those foods you’re going to eat…in moderation. Wean yourself off of the steady diet of sweets, too. You’ll be glad you did. Your teeth will be whiter, shinier, and your waistline will be smaller! And your dental visits will be shorter, cheaper, and far less uncomfortable!

So give my office a call today at 636-240-1750, and start yourself on the path to a healthier set of teeth!

How Oral Hygiene Can Affect Your Heart Health

Dr. Michael Brown — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 16:09:38 +0000

Oral hygiene will not only help to keep your mouth healthy, but it can also help to change your heart health for the better. Research has shown that certain types of cardiovascular diseases are linked to poor oral hygiene. Oral hygiene involves keeping the mouth, teeth and tongue clean in order to prevent disease. This includes brushing and flossing your teeth, as well as brushing or scraping your tongue and keeping up with regular visits to your dentist for a check-up and cleaning.

Poor Oral Hygiene and Gum Disease

Your mouth is full of bacteria; some are good, and some are bad. The good ones help to digest your food, but the bad ones must be removed from your mouth or else they will multiply and cause your gums to become swollen and irritated which may lead to bleeding when flossing, or even when brushing. Bacteria combine with sugar to make acid that leads to tooth decay and gum disease.

Most people have heard by now that periodontal disease is associated with an increased risk of heart attack. There is a logical explanation for why heart attacks could be related to periodontal disease. Bleeding gums are a doorway for the bacteria to enter into your bloodstream. Once in the bloodstream they travel throughout the body where they can cause inflammation leading to a build-up of fatty deposits which can clog the arteries. When arteries become clogged it can cause heart disease and stroke. These bacteria can also make their way to the liver, causing the liver to produce high levels of proteins which inflame the blood vessels and eventually can lead to heart attack or stroke.

Listed below are the symptoms of periodontal disease according to the National Institute of Health:

Symptoms of gum disease include:

Bad breath that won’t go away
Red or swollen gums
Tender or bleeding gums
Painful chewing
Loose teeth
Sensitive teeth
Receding gums or longer appearing teeth

Brushing your teeth at least twice a day and flossing once per day will help keep your mouth clean. O’Fallon Dentist, Dr. Michael Brown, recommends investing in a good toothbrush, floss and biannual teeth cleanings.

The American Heart Association estimates that almost eighty million people suffer from heart disease and almost one million people die every year. The best defense against heart disease is to consult your physician to advise you about reducing your risks, including dental health. Make sure you keep your regular cleaning appointments and screenings schedules. Doing so will greatly increases the likelihood that any problems will be detected early. Dr. Michael Brown wants to keep you and your loved ones as healthy as possible.

- Dr Michael Brown, DDS

Annual Visit to the Dentist Reduces Your Risk of Oral Cancer

Dr. Michael Brown — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 16:00:32 +0000

Afraid to visit the Dentist? You should be far more afraid of NOT going to the dentist!

Some people are just plain stubborn, and refuse to see a dentist until there is a major problem going on. Maybe they had a bad experience years ago, and can’t seem to get it out of their mind. Or the last time they had their teeth cleaned it made them uncomfortable for a short while. Then there’s the silliest reason of all, some people are just afraid of finding out that something’s wrong, and afraid they may have to get a filling, or worse!

Why wait until you have bleeding gums or a terrible throbbing pain that prevents you from eating? Don’t wait until you’re in pain; practicing prevention is far more effective in maintaining good dental health, and will usually lead to a pain-free visit to the dentist. In this scenario, no pain is your gain!

There are many good reasons to visit your dentist regularly; here are just a few…

Bi-annual visits to the dentist can detect problems early, when they can be cured before they become costly. For example, gum disease affects millions of people each year. With proper dental care a problem can be detected and treated before it leads to periodontal disease, a far more severe form of gum disease. Periodontal disease is the major cause of tooth loss. Again, early detection is always the best key to prevention.

The early detection of oral cancer is another important reason for a bi-annual dental visit. Oral cancer kills thousands of Americans who are diagnosed with it annually, usually within five years of initial diagnosis. During your routine check-up, your dentist will screen you for suspicious lesions. If detected in its early stages, there is a very good chance that they will be able to treat it effectively, before it becomes life threatening.

Regular Dental visits can prevent minor problems from becoming major ones. A dentist can detect potential problems before they occur. Skipping your visit to the dentist may result in your having to undergo painful and expensive procedures, such as root canals and removal of teeth. Regular dental check-ups are relatively cheap and painless in comparison.

You only get one set of permanent teeth, losing them due to neglect will have a detrimental effect on your eating habits. You won’t have to go through the discomfort associated with dentures later if you take care of your teeth today. So brush, floss, and see your dentist twice a year. Don’t let a fear of the dentist prevent you from getting the care you need.