Fun Dental Facts!!

Kids laugh around 400 times a day, grown ups just 15 times!

Not long ago, dentures were common wedding gifts in the British Isles because many people expected to eventually lose all of their teeth and expedited the process by having them extracted at an early age.

According to "Consumer's Report", dentists are among the most trusted professionals in the U.S.

The mammal that has the most teeth is the long snouted spinner dolphin with 252 teeth.

An elephant's molars measure one foot across and weigh between eight and ten pounds each.

A shark's teeth are literally as hard as steel.

The ancient Greeks devised pliers for extracting teeth.

A tooth that has been knocked out starts to die within 15 minutes, but if you put it in milk or hold it in your mouth it will survive longer.  See your dentist ASAP!

20% of patients wear braces between the ages of 20 and 60.

Rabbit teeth never stop growing.  They keep them worn down by gnawing on bark and other hard foods.

A third of the population squeeze their toothpaste tube from the middle.

Women smile about 62 times a day compared to men who smile eight times a day on average.

73% of persons would rather go grocery shopping than floss.


Most tooth loss in people over age 35 is from Periodontal Disease.

Teeth are the hardest substance in the human body.

Over 3 million miles of dental floss is purchased in North America each year.

In 1570, Queen Elizabeth received a gift of 6 gold toothpicks to clean her teeth.

Diet sodas are just as damaging as regular sodas at weakening tooth enamel.


MORE FACTS COMING SOON...

Top Reasons Why Early Dental Check Ups are Important

Most children don’t see their family dentist until they are over 3 years old, far later than is recommended by both dental and medical professionals.

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that a child go to the dentist by age 1 or within six months after the first tooth erupts.  Almost half of children under age 3 in a recent survey had never been to the dentist.

Tooth decay is nearly 100 percent preventable, so it’s important to begin good oral health habits, like visiting the dentist at a young age.  Studies show that early preventive dental care such as check-ups and cleanings can save in future dental treatment costs.

Among children who have never visited the dentist or who have not seen a dentist in the past 12 months, the most mentioned reason was that the child is too young, or the child does not have enough teeth, or the child was not covered by insurance.  

  

During a typical first visit, the dentist will examine your child’s teeth for early signs of decay, but will also look for problems with the baby’s head, neck, jaws, skin and soft tissues in and around the mouth like the tongue, cheeks and lips.  Your child’s bite, facial growth and development may also be assessed.  If the child is cooperative, your dental office may attempt to take xrays.

Proper tooth brushing and flossing techniques and positions to help parents care for their childs' teeth may be demonstrated.

Diet and feeding/snacking practices that may put the child at risk for decay may be discussed.

The use of topical fluoride may be discussed.

Please call our office to schedule your child's first dental visit or to obtain information about your child's first visit.  We look forward to hearing from you.  314.863.2222

1 American Dies Every Hour from Oral Cancer - Regular Dental Check Ups Can Save Your Life

The Importance of Early Detection

Your dentist has recent good news about progress against cancer. It is now easier than ever to detect oral cancer early, when the opportunity for a cure is great. Only half of all patients diagnosed with oral cancer survive more than five years.

Your dentist has the skills and tools to ensure that early signs of cancer and pre-cancerous conditions are identified. You and your dentist can fight and win the battle against oral cancer. Know the early signs and see your dentist regularly.

You Should Know

Oral Cancer often starts as a tiny, unnoticed white or red spot or sore anywhere in the mouth.

• It can affect any area of the oral cavity including the lips, gum tissue, check lining, tongue and the hard or soft palate.
• A change in the way the teeth fit together
• Oral Cancer most often occurs in those who use tobacco in any form.
• Other signs include:
  • A sore that bleeds easily or does not heal
  • A color change of the oral tissues
  • A lump, thickening, rough spot, crust or small eroded area
  • Pain, tenderness, or numbness anywhere in the mouth or on the lips
  • Difficulty chewing, swallowing, speaking or moving the jaw or tongue.
• Alcohol use combined with smoking greatly increases risk.
• Prolonged exposure to the sun increases the risk of lip cancer.

Oral cancers can occur in people who do not smoke and have no other known risk factors.  Oral Cancer is more likely to strike after age 40.  Studies suggest that a diet high in fruits and vegetables may prevent the development of potentially cancerous lesions.

Regular Dental Check-ups Important

Oral cancer screening is a routine part of a dental examination. Regular check-ups, including an examination of the entire mouth, are essential in the early detection of cancerous and pre-cancerous conditions. You may have a very small, but dangerous, oral spot or sore and not be aware of it.

Your dentist will carefully examine the inside of your mouth and tongue and in some patients may notice a flat, painless, white or red spot or a small sore. Although most of these are harmless, some are not. Harmful oral spots or sores often look identical to those that are harmless, but testing can tell them apart. If you have a sore with a likely cause, your dentist may treat it and ask you to return for re-examination.

Dentists often will notice a spot or sore that looks harmless and does not have a clear cause. To ensure that a spot or sore is not dangerous, your dentist may choose to perform a simple test, such as a brush test. A brush test collects cells from a suspicious lesion in the mouth. The cells are sent to a laboratory for analysis. If precancerous cells are found, the lesion can be surgically removed if necessary during a separate procedure. It’s important to know that all atypical and positive results from a brush test must be confirmed by incisional biopsy and histology.

Facts About Oral Cancer

Incidence and Mortality

• Oral cancer strikes an estimated 34,360 Americans each year.  An estimated 7,550 people (5,180 men and 2,370 women) will die of these cancers in 2007.
• More than 25% of the 30,000 Americans who get oral cancer will die of the disease.
• On average, only half of those diagnosed with the disease will survive more than five years.
• African-Americans are especially vulnerable; the incidence rate is 1/3 higher than whites and the mortality rate is almost twice as high.

 

Risk Factors

• Although the use of tobacco and alcohol are risk factors in developing oral cancer, approximately 25% of oral cancer patients have no known risk factors.
• There has been a nearly five-fold increase in incidence in oral cancer patients under age 40, many with no known risk factors.
• The incidence of oral cancer in women has increased significantly, largely due to an increase in women smoking. In 1950 the male to female ratio was 6:1; by 2002, it was 2:1.

 

Prevention and Detection

• The best way to prevent oral cancer is to avoid tobacco and alcohol use.
• Regular dental check-ups, including an examination of the entire mouth, are essential in the early detection of cancerous and pre-cancerous conditions.
• Many types of abnormal cells can develop in the oral cavity in the form of red or white spots. Some are harmless and benign, some are cancerous and others are pre-cancerous, meaning they can develop into cancer if not detected early and removed. (American Cancer Society)
• Finding and removing epithelial dysplasias before they become cancer can be one of the most effective methods for reducing the incidence of cancer.
• Knowing the risk factors and seeing your dentist for oral cancer screenings can help prevent this deadly disease. Routine use of the Pap smear since 1955, for example, dramatically reduced the incidence and mortality rates for cervical cancer in the United States.
• Oral cancer is often preceded by the presence of clinically identifiable premalignant changes. These lesions may present as either white or red patches or spots. Identifying white and red spots that show dysplasia and removing them before they become cancer is an effective method for reducing the incidence and mortality of cancer. (Published by the ADA).

Call us now to schedule your appointment - 314.863.2222!

Answers to Your Dental Emergency Questions!

Dental Emergency Questions and Answers

Question: What should I do if there is a dental emergency?


Answer: The most important thing you should do is to try and remain calm. Understand that injuries to the mouth, teeth and face do happen frequently with both adults and children. In order to minimize the traumatic situation and comfort the injured person you must remain calm and take the appropriate prompt action. The next thing you should do is assess whether or not the accident involved hitting the head or causing them to lose consciousness at all. If consciousness was lost, even briefly, then you should contact a physician immediately, and then focus on the teeth once everything is stabilized. If there is any bleeding, use a clean towel or gauze, and then check around you for any broken or missing teeth. It is possible broken fragments may have entered parts of the lip. If any teeth are missing, you should look for them in case they can be utilized.

Question:What should I do if my child’s baby tooth gets knocked out?

Answer: The first thing you should do is contact your dentist as soon as possible. The baby tooth should not be replanted because it may cause subsequent damage to the developing permanent tooth. Usually this type of injury happens between 7-9 years of age, when the bone surrounding the tooth is softer and more resilient. This means there is less of a chance of a bone fracture around the tooth. Your dentist should then see your child to check and verify that everything else is fine.

Question:What should I do if my child’s adult tooth gets knocked out?

Answer: The first thing you should do is try to find the tooth and put it in a cup or baggie with either your own saliva, milk or saline (to keep it hydrated) and bring it immediately to your dentist (Do Not Touch the root of the tooth, handle it by its crown).Time is of the essence. With each minute that passes the chance of reattachment becomes less and less. DO NOT SCRUB the tooth. If you do it will wipe away its outer ligament and prevent its reattachment within your empty tooth socket. If you are in a place where dental care is not accessible, then gently rinse in cool water (no scrubbing or using soap) only if there is dirt on it (otherwise leave it alone), and slowly replace the tooth within the socket immediately and hold it there with gauze. Remember, the faster you act, the better your chances of saving the tooth. Almost all replanted teeth will show some signs of root resorption and ankylosis (where the root fuses with the surrounding bone). It is possible that this may affect one’s bite later on.

Question:What should you do when a tooth fractures or gets chipped?

Answer: If a tooth sustains a fracture or chip from a traumatic accident, you should contact your dentist immediately for an x-ray and evaluation. Keep the mouth clean and if there was any trauma to the lip you should apply cold compresses to reduce swelling. If you can’t find any broken tooth fragment, check the lips to make sure the fragment didn’t get embedded in that area. Simple chips can be smoothed or repaired with tooth colored bonding. A more serious fracture may require root canal therapy (if the nerve is involved) or extraction (if the fracture happens along certain areas of the root surface. Moderate fractures may be bonded for now, and later restored with crowns, veneers or onlays. For children you should try to hold off on these more advanced restorations until your child has completed their growth.

Question:What causes a toothache?

Answer: A toothache occurs when the nerve within the tooth gets damaged or inflamed. This is usually caused by bacteria from the tooth decay communicating with the nerve of the tooth. These cavities are usually brought about by a combination of poor oral hygiene coupled with eating a lot of sticky, sugary and starchy foods. This bacteria feeds on the sugars and starch left over from poor brushing and flossing. As a result acids are produced that will slowly eat away at the good tooth structure until the nerve becomes damaged, causing the toothache. Another way the nerve can get damage is from dental trauma (i.e. sports injury, rough play or fights, severe teeth grinding, or extensive dental work on hypersensitive teeth).

Question:What are the symptoms of a toothache?

Answer: The signs and symptoms of a toothache include: lingering sensitivity to cold (that persists even after the stimulus is gone), sensitivity to hot, spontaneous and constant throbbing pain, discomfort or pain when chewing or touching the tooth, swelling or tenderness around the area that hurt, and possibly fever as well.

Question:What should I do if a severe toothache develops?

Answer: Prescribed or over-the-counter pain medication (dosed for children according to weight and age) may temporarily quiet the symptoms. In case the toothache is originating from the gums, rinse with warm salt water and floss the teeth to remove any food or substance that may be stuck between the teeth or in the gum pocket around the tooth. Antibiotics may become necessary, however, it is recommended that you contact your dentist to help make that determination. Once seen by the dentist, an examination and x-rays should be performed to verify damage and to help determine the treatment. A comprehensive medical and dental history should also be taken. Once seen, the decay and/or affected nerve tissue may be cleaned out and replaced with a sedative or permanent filling. If there is an abscess (pus filled swelling) it may need to be drained. And if the tooth is not restorable, an extraction may become indicated.

Question:What should be done if a jaw fracture or severe trauma to the head is sustained?

Answer: If this should happen you must seek medical attention immediately. A severe head injury can be life-threatening, and facial fractures may block the air passage and affect their breathing. Keep in mind that an emergency medical team will most likely reach you faster than you can get to the hospital. Facial fractures usually involve the lower jaw, but may also include the upper jaw, cheeks, eye sockets or nose. For children, their bones are still somewhat soft and the fractures are usually incomplete and heal quickly with few complications. If you suspect the jaw may be fractured, stabilize the jaw with a necktie or towel around the head. Do not allow it to move. Apply cold compresses, and go to an oral surgeon or hospital emergency room immediately.

Question:What precautions can I take to prevent dental injuries from occurring?

Answer: The risk for dental injuries can be greatly reduced by doing the following: First, make sure that protective athletic gear, including a sports mouth guard, is worn to prevent severe injuries to the mouth. Second, check to see that you and your child are properly secured in the car, using the appropriate car seat, booster or seat belt. Third, be aware of your surroundings, and prevent unnecessary injuries at home but taking precautions and child-proofing the house for younger kids. And fourth, advise your children to avoid rough play and to not run fast in confined or slippery spaces. Note that many traumatic injuries occur from 18 to 40 months of age, because this is a time where your uncoordinated toddler is learning to walk and run.

Question:What should I do if my child’s tooth gets displaced outward, inward or to the side (luxation), pushed up (intruded) or pushed down (extruded)?

Answer: After assessing the injury, making sure your child is conscious and breathing well, contact your child’s dentist for immediate evaluation. For toddlers, the most common type of tooth displacement is a luxation, because the bone around the baby teeth is very soft, and teeth can move more easily within the socket. When this happens, there is usually a lot of bleeding from the surrounding gums. During a fall, a child’s tooth is usually pushed inward, towards the palate. This is less damaging to the developing tooth bud because as the crown portion of the tooth moves inward, the roots are pushed away from the developing tooth. The most damaging type of displacement is intrusion (when the tooth is pushed upward), because the root of the baby tooth can be forced into the developing tooth bud, causing possible developmental issues and color changes with the developing adult tooth. If the baby tooth is pushed up less than 3mm, it has an excellent prognosis and chance of re-erupting on its own. Allow the baby tooth to spontaneously erupt over a 2 to 3 month period - as long as the developing adult tooth bud is not injured. If re-eruption does not begin within 2 months, the baby tooth will need to be removed. If the baby tooth is pushed up more than 6mm, the tooth is hopeless. If the baby tooth is displaced into the developing adult tooth, it should be extracted to prevent further damage to the adult tooth bud. It is very important to take an x-ray to see if the tooth is present, because a severely intruded tooth may be pushed all the way inside and appear to have been knocked out. If an adult tooth gets displaced, gently try to reposition the tooth back into the right place if possible and hold the tooth in place and seek immediate dental care. If a tooth gets displaced less than 5mm, there is a 50% chance that the nerve won’t be damaged. These teeth may reposition themselves, but may also require orthodontic repositioning. It is possible that there could be a fracture of the bone surrounding the tooth during these luxations. If the tooth is very loose, and can be moved more than 2mm, a flexible wire and composite splint may be placed for 7-10 days to help stabilize it.

Question:What should be done for a laceration (cut) inside the mouth?

Answer: All lacerations (cuts) within the mouth must be cleaned well and checked for any foreign bodies. A tongue laceration usually requires stitches if the edges of the tissue does not line up cleanly. Any tears to the frenum (muscle attachments) will usually heal well, without any long-term complications. Use icepack to minimize swelling, and give the appropriate pain medication if necessary.

Question:What does it mean when a tooth turns dark or discolored?

Answer: Discoloration or the darkening of a tooth usually results from a tooth that has been traumatized from an injury and caused damage to the nerve. This discoloration usually happens 2-3 weeks after the accident. If the tooth turns dark after an injury, it is because the blood supply got damaged. Baby teeth usually do get lighter over time (about 6 months on average), and if the tooth doesn’t bother him/her you can leave it alone. Usually the color change bothers the child’s parents more because of the aesthetics. Adult teeth are handled differently. If an adult tooth changes color, that implies that the nerve inside is dying, and root canal therapy will be indicated. An adult tooth that shows no signs of color change after an accident may still turn color in the near or distant future. Your child’s dentist should keep monitoring the tooth for change and any signs of any infection. A pink tooth indicates either internal resorption, or the presence of blood pigments within the tooth. The pink tooth needs to be monitored closely.

Question: What should you do if you tell your dentist that you have tooth pain, but after taking an x-ray nothing is found to be wrong?

Answer: An X-ray is only one tool that is used to help diagnose a problem. They are 2-dimensional images that may or may not lend a clear picture as to what is going on. Sometimes, if an X-ray is taken from a different angle, more information can be detected. When teeth overlap in a picture, cavities can be missed. If an x-ray is over-exposed (darker) or under-exposed (lighter) it may not reveal what needs to be found. If X-rays are taken at the wrong angle the teeth may appear longer or shorter than they are and distort the picture. If an X-ray does not reveal any information to help your dentist determine your pain, then other diagnostic tests must be performed, including:

• Percussion (tapping the tooth)
• Palpation (feeling the gums around the tooth)
• Pocket depth probing (to measure the pockets around the teeth for gum problems)
• Checking Occlusion (to see if your bite needs to be adjusted)
• Testing for fracture of the tooth or cusp of the tooth
• Hot and Cold Sensitivity tests (indicating if the nerve is damaged)
• Pulp Tester (an electronic measure of nerve vitality)
• Checking for sinus problems that can masquerade as tooth pain
• Checking other areas for referred pain (pain originating from another area)
• Determining Stress levels and possible teeth grinding and clenching
• Clinical Exam (Performed by the dentist to evaluate the complaint)

If an X-ray and all the above tests still don’t explain why you might have developed your discomfort, do not lose hope. Sometimes it may take a while for the true cause to manifest. Follow-up consultations and exams may be necessary before the cause becomes clear.

Join Dr. Michael Edlin Pedal the Cause!

for Cancer Research

Help Dr. Michael & Leisa Edlin Pedal the Cause!

Donations accepted online now through the event date of October 6th & 7th.

Dr. Edlin's Rider Profile (October 2011):

It is hard to believe that it was only one year ago when a few friends of ours asked Leisa and me to join them in the inaugural PEDAL THE CAUSE ride for cancer.

The night before the ride, I vividly remember listening to all the speeches given by administrators, doctors, patients, and parents of children afflicted by one form or another of CANCER.

As I looked around the tent, I couldn't believe how lucky and far removed I felt from all of them.

I thought to myself: Glad it's not me speaking at that podium.

As if that would ever happen to me!

No way, not me!

Well, WHY NOT ME!!!

Less than one month later, my beautiful wife Leisa was diagnosed with stage four, Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma.

At our first appointment at The Siteman Cancer Center, a very nice lady asked Leisa and me if we would like a tour of the facility?  No thanks we said, we are just here for a quick visit. We won't need to know where all the amenities are located since we will only be here this one time?.

After all, this can't be real, it must be a mistake?

It was at that moment that Leisa and I looked at each other and knew that this was real!

Welcome to the show!

Despite the diagnosis of cancer, Leisa's strength never wavered.

I watched as she handled exhausting treatments of chemo with courage, grace, and dignity.

Thanks to new cancer drugs and her doctors at The Siteman Center, Leisa is now in remission.

Leisa and I are now at the podium and while we get to speak, our goal is to help find a cure so no one else has to step up to that podium.

Won't you please join me and support: PEDAL THE CAUSE

Its mission is to provide funding for cancer research at Siteman and St.Louis Children's Hospital.

Every cent raised stays in St. Louis and 100% of what is donated goes towards research.

Please help me in this journey to find new treatments and cures for all cancers by donating to my ride.

I hope you will join me in this grass-roots effort to advance research and find a cure.

Thank you for your generous support!

Michael and Leisa Edlin

Join Dr. Michael Edlin Pedal the Cause! Cancer Research

 

 

SUMMER SPECIAL! ZOOM! LASER WHITENING $300!!

For the remainder of the summer, new patients who try our fabulous office for their routine exam, xrays and cleaning are eligible to get ZOOM! In Office Laser Whitening for only $300 (a $395 Savings!!).  Call our office NOW for details.  Great gift idea for a recent graduate or a bride-to-be! 

314.863.2222 or email us at office.dredlin@gmail.com

Meet our Team Members

Meet Dr. Edlin's Team

 

Samantha Schotsiek, RDH

 

Meet Samantha, Registered Dental Hygienist for Dr. Edlin. Samantha has a Bachelor’s Degree from Southern Illinois University Carbondale, and attended Dental Hygiene school there as well. Samantha is a member of the American Dental Hygiene Association and attends many continuing education seminars and classes to make sure she is always educated on the latest and greatest techniques. Samantha has a passion for patient care and strives to make her patients feel comfortable and at ease. In her free time, Sam enjoys spending time with her family and her rescue dog, Lucy.

Anna Burns, RDA

 

Meet Anna, Registered Dental Assistant to Dr. Edlin. Anna graduated from Missouri College where she received her Dental Assisting training. She is currently attending Missouri College and pursuing a career in Dental Hygiene and will graduate October 2013. She also teaches at a Dental Assisting School in Illinois. Anna has lived in St. Louis all her life and currently resides in Holly Hills with her husband, and dog Sophie. Anna and her husband enjoy everything St. Louis has to offer, especially Cardinal and Blues games!

 

Stephanie Heppe, RDA

Meet Stephanie, Registered Dental Assistant to Dr. Edlin. Stephanie was born and raised in Iowa, but moved to St. Louis 7 months ago to support her fiance’s career as well as further her own. She has worked in the dental field for many years in several different capacities. Stephanie loves the one on one interaction with the patients and chose to stay with assisting. In her free time, Stephanie enjoys spending time with her finance’ and her two dogs, Bella and Sadie, in addition to planning an October wedding and visiting friends and family back home in Iowa.

Denise Stevens, Office Coordinator

Meet Denise, Office Coordinator and Social Media Guru for Dr. Edlin. Denise has over 15 years experience as a manager for both orthodontic and general dentistry offices. In addition to patient care, she loves social networking and anything having to do with numbers. When she is not scheduling patients or doing financial plans, she is online looking for fun events for the patients, updating our website, and searching for ways to reach more patients through social media efforts. Denise is a dental consultant and works from home part time and in the office part time. Denise and her husband, Mike live in St. Peters and have 3 children. She loves trying new recipes, party planning and spending time with her family.

Erin Kelly, CDA

Erin recently joined Dr. Edlin's team and comes to us with several years experience and extensive dental assistant schooling.  Erin lives in Fenton and has one daughter. Pic and more about Erin coming soon!