The Practice of Oil Pulling
Recently, the practice of oil pulling has gained a lot of media support as a reducing plaque, whitening teeth, and improving oral and overall health. While the technique has been around for years, it may not yield the results promised.
Oil pulling comes from an ancient folk remedy practiced in India as a holistic Ayurvedic technique. It involves putting a tablespoon of oil (traditionally sesame but others claim to use olive, sunflower, or coconut) in the mouth and swishing it for anywhere between 5 and 20 minutes. The name comes from the act of pulling the oil through the spaces in the teeth.
As with most folk remedies, oil pulling has not been empirically studied for its oral health benefits. Of the few studies conducted, there are clear limitations such as a small sample size, lack of controls, and confounding variables. The American Dental Association released an article in May with an overview of the available studies, coming to the conclusion that there is no current empirical support that oil pulling is beneficial.
In fact, oil pulling may have negative side effects due to having to keep the oil in the mouth for an extended period of time. Swishing the oil may result in the fats from the oil being asphyxiated into the lungs, causing lipoid pneumonia. Cases of upset stomach, nausea, and diarrhea have been reported as well.
While the practice has been around for many years, there are no peer-reviewed studies that support the benefits of oil pulling. Many dental professionals do not recommend oil pulling as a supplementary oral health practice and certainly not as a replacement practice. Brushing twice a day and flossing once is still recommended as the best, most supported practice to help prevent cavities and keep gums healthy.
Source:http://www.ada.org/en/science-research/science-in-the-news/the-practice-of-oil-pulling
R. Eric Emery, DDS
Morgan A. Emery, DDS
Smile Station Dental
2901 Dougherty Rd, Suite 400
St. Louis, MO 63122
(314)821-7100
smilestationdental.com
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Monday, June 23, 2014
Monday, June 16, 2014
Notes From The Dentist
Happy Father's Day!
Happy (belated) Father's Day to all dads, grandfathers, uncles, and other father figures out there! This father's day, I received quite a gift when the Kirkwood-Webster Times did a special feature on my daughter and myself.
It is just shy of a year since my daughter Morgan joined my practice. It has not only been a delight but has afforded me the special opportunity to share my passion for dentistry with my daughter while improving our patient care.
To read the article, follow the link below:
Happy (belated) Father's Day to all dads, grandfathers, uncles, and other father figures out there! This father's day, I received quite a gift when the Kirkwood-Webster Times did a special feature on my daughter and myself.
It is just shy of a year since my daughter Morgan joined my practice. It has not only been a delight but has afforded me the special opportunity to share my passion for dentistry with my daughter while improving our patient care.
To read the article, follow the link below:
R. Eric Emery, DDS
Morgan A. Emery, DDS
2901 Dougherty Ferry Rd, Suite 400
St. Louis, MO 63122
(314)821-7100
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Wednesday, June 11, 2014
News You Can Use
Remains of Ancient Dental Implant Found in France
In 2009, archaeologists found what is believed to be the earliest dental implant, dating back to third century France. They excavated a grave site in Le Chene and found an iron pin in the place of an upper incisor of a young woman.
While the skeleton was poorly preserved, the teeth were in anatomical order and the iron pin was of the same dimensions as the surrounding teeth. The researchers believe this pin to be an implant but have not ruled out the possibility that it was placed after the woman's death as a way of improving the corpse's appearance before burial.
The idea for the iron pin may have come to the Celtic people from Etruscan mercenaries. The Etruscans are renowned for their early expertise in dentistry although this specific technique has not been found in Etruscan history.
R. Eric Emery, DDS
Morgan A. Emery, DDS
2901 Dougherty Ferry Rd., Suite 400
St. Louis, MO 63122
smilestationdental.com
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Thursday, June 5, 2014
Dental Did You Know
Famous Dentists - John Greenwood
I have previously posted on historical figures who were also dentists as well as the history of dentures. There is one man who deserves recognition for both topics... John Greenwood.
John Greenwood, born in 1760, was the first native-born American dentist. He was more than that, though, as he was also George Washington's personal dentist. John Greenwood personally designed and created George Washington's famous dentures out of a mixture of animal teeth and hippopotamus tusk (they were not made out of wood as many people believe). A letter dated in 1799 that John Greenwood sent to George Washington in regards to payment for the denture is on display at the A.D. Black History of Dentistry Collection at Northwestern University.
Source:http://dentaldegree.org/2012/20-intriguing-facts-about-the-history-of-dental-health/
R. Eric Emery, DDS
Morgan A. Emery, DDS
Smile Station Dental
2901 Dougherty Ferry Rd, Suite 400
St. Louis, MO 63122
(314)821-7100
smilestationdental.com
Like us on Facebook!
I have previously posted on historical figures who were also dentists as well as the history of dentures. There is one man who deserves recognition for both topics... John Greenwood.
John Greenwood, born in 1760, was the first native-born American dentist. He was more than that, though, as he was also George Washington's personal dentist. John Greenwood personally designed and created George Washington's famous dentures out of a mixture of animal teeth and hippopotamus tusk (they were not made out of wood as many people believe). A letter dated in 1799 that John Greenwood sent to George Washington in regards to payment for the denture is on display at the A.D. Black History of Dentistry Collection at Northwestern University.
Source:http://dentaldegree.org/2012/20-intriguing-facts-about-the-history-of-dental-health/
R. Eric Emery, DDS
Morgan A. Emery, DDS
Smile Station Dental
2901 Dougherty Ferry Rd, Suite 400
St. Louis, MO 63122
(314)821-7100
smilestationdental.com
Like us on Facebook!
Monday, June 2, 2014
News You Can Use
Red Wine May Function as a Cavity Fighter
Studies have illustrated the benefits of a glass of red wine for overall health but a recent article published in American Chemical Society's Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry suggests that a glass of red wine may also function as a cavity fighter. Red wine contains antioxidants and polyphenols which reduce the biofilm, or the layer of bacteria that forms over teeth, in the mouth.
The researchers exposed biofilm bacteria to red wine with and without alcohol as well as to water. The red wine decreased the formation of the biofilm regardless of whether or not it contained alcohol while the water did nothing. While the effect of red wine on biofilm may need more research, the results from the current study illustrate the oral health effects of a glass of red wine.
Source: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/05/140521133617.htm
R. Eric Emery, DDS
Morgan A. Emery, DDS
Smile Station Dental
2901 Dougherty Ferry Rd, Suite 400
St. Louis, MO 63122
(314)821-7100
smilestationdental.com
Like us on Facebook!
Studies have illustrated the benefits of a glass of red wine for overall health but a recent article published in American Chemical Society's Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry suggests that a glass of red wine may also function as a cavity fighter. Red wine contains antioxidants and polyphenols which reduce the biofilm, or the layer of bacteria that forms over teeth, in the mouth.
The researchers exposed biofilm bacteria to red wine with and without alcohol as well as to water. The red wine decreased the formation of the biofilm regardless of whether or not it contained alcohol while the water did nothing. While the effect of red wine on biofilm may need more research, the results from the current study illustrate the oral health effects of a glass of red wine.
Source: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/05/140521133617.htm
R. Eric Emery, DDS
Morgan A. Emery, DDS
Smile Station Dental
2901 Dougherty Ferry Rd, Suite 400
St. Louis, MO 63122
(314)821-7100
smilestationdental.com
Like us on Facebook!
Tuesday, May 13, 2014
News You Can Use
Obstructive Sleep Apnea
I have blogged on sleep apnea facts before but would like to spend a little time to discuss the signs and diagnosis of sleep apnea. Obstructive sleep apnea is a common but potentially life-threatening medical disorder in which the tissue at the back of the throat collapses and blocks the airway. Due to the collapsing tissue, oxygen flow may be reduced to the heart, brain, and other important organs.
People with sleep apnea tend to snore loudly and stop breathing for short periods during sleep. The reduction in oxygen to the system causes the body to momentarily wake up but it does so very quickly so the individual is not aware that they woke up. The body could do this hundreds of times a night leading to less restful sleep. Sleep apnea can cause daytime drowsiness, morning headaches, memory loss, decreased sex drive, irritability, depression, and impaired concentration.
Some of the signs of sleep apnea include:
I have blogged on sleep apnea facts before but would like to spend a little time to discuss the signs and diagnosis of sleep apnea. Obstructive sleep apnea is a common but potentially life-threatening medical disorder in which the tissue at the back of the throat collapses and blocks the airway. Due to the collapsing tissue, oxygen flow may be reduced to the heart, brain, and other important organs.
People with sleep apnea tend to snore loudly and stop breathing for short periods during sleep. The reduction in oxygen to the system causes the body to momentarily wake up but it does so very quickly so the individual is not aware that they woke up. The body could do this hundreds of times a night leading to less restful sleep. Sleep apnea can cause daytime drowsiness, morning headaches, memory loss, decreased sex drive, irritability, depression, and impaired concentration.
Some of the signs of sleep apnea include:
- Fatigue
- Insomnia
- Unintentionally falling asleep throughout the day
- General daytime sleepiness
- Unrefreshed sleep
- Loud snoring
- Waking from sleep with choking sounds or gasping for breath
If you have any of these symptoms, you may have sleep apnea. To properly diagnose sleep apnea, a physician would perform a sleep study where an individual is linked to a machine called a Polysomnogram. The machine would chart the individual's heart beat, brain waves, and breathing during sleep. The machine's printout would indicate the pause in breathing that occurs with sleep apnea and the body's reactions to wake up.
There are several options for treatment of sleep apnea, including surgery to reduce the tissue at the back of the throat or a mechanism that would aid in keeping the airway open during sleep. After a proper diagnosis of sleep apnea, a sleep specialist would recommend the proper treatment options.
R. Eric Emery, DDS
Morgan A. Emery, DDS
Smile Station Dental
Smile Station Dental
2901 Dougherty Ferry Rd, Suite 400
St. Louis, MO 63122
(314)821-7100
Like us on Facebook!
Monday, May 5, 2014
News You Can Use
Custom-Made Mouthguards Reduce Risk of Concussion
Healthcare professionals and parents have long sought better ways to protect children from sports-related injuries. While most dental research in this area focused on protecting the teeth and gums, recent research indicates that by protecting the mouth correctly, you may reduce the risk of a sports-related concussion.
A recent study released by the Academy of General Dentistry examined the effect of an over-the-counter (OTC) mouthguard versus a professionally made mouth guard on the incidents of mild traumatic brain injuries (MTBI)/concussions. The researchers split 412 children into two groups, one received a professionally fabricated mouthguard (made by a dentist) and the other received an OTC mouthguard from a sports store. All children wore the same football helmet.
The results indicated that 8.3% of athletes with the OTC mouthguard suffered from MTBI/concussions. For athletes using custom-made mouthguards, the rate of MTBI/concussions was only 3.6%.
Some factors that contributed to the greater effectiveness of the custom-made mouthguards included the fit of the mouthguard and the thickness. Custom-made mouthguards fit better and last longer than OTC mouthguards. They also tend to be thicker with the custom-made ones averaging 3.5 mm in thickness with the OTC mouthguards averaging 1.65 mm.
Source: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/05/140501101133.htm
R. Eric Emery, DDS
Morgan A. Emery, DDS
Smile Station Dental
2901 Dougherty Ferry Rd. Suite 400
St. Louis, MO 63122
(314)821-7100
smilestationdental.com
Like us on Facebook!
Healthcare professionals and parents have long sought better ways to protect children from sports-related injuries. While most dental research in this area focused on protecting the teeth and gums, recent research indicates that by protecting the mouth correctly, you may reduce the risk of a sports-related concussion.
A recent study released by the Academy of General Dentistry examined the effect of an over-the-counter (OTC) mouthguard versus a professionally made mouth guard on the incidents of mild traumatic brain injuries (MTBI)/concussions. The researchers split 412 children into two groups, one received a professionally fabricated mouthguard (made by a dentist) and the other received an OTC mouthguard from a sports store. All children wore the same football helmet.
The results indicated that 8.3% of athletes with the OTC mouthguard suffered from MTBI/concussions. For athletes using custom-made mouthguards, the rate of MTBI/concussions was only 3.6%.
Some factors that contributed to the greater effectiveness of the custom-made mouthguards included the fit of the mouthguard and the thickness. Custom-made mouthguards fit better and last longer than OTC mouthguards. They also tend to be thicker with the custom-made ones averaging 3.5 mm in thickness with the OTC mouthguards averaging 1.65 mm.
Source: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/05/140501101133.htm
R. Eric Emery, DDS
Morgan A. Emery, DDS
Smile Station Dental
2901 Dougherty Ferry Rd. Suite 400
St. Louis, MO 63122
(314)821-7100
smilestationdental.com
Like us on Facebook!
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